Macphun makes free public beta of Luminar for Windows available for download

Share

Today Macphun released a free public beta of Luminar for Windows you can download here. The final version is expected to be released this autumn!

Press text:

Macphun makes free public beta of Luminar for Windows available for download
Macphun debuts its first-ever software for the PC, heralding a new era of cross-platform solutions for photographers

San Diego, CA – July 13, 2017 — Macphun, the California-based developer known for delivering award-winning products for Mac, today launched the free public beta of its award-winning photo editor Luminar for Windows. To download the beta, please visit macphun.com/beta.

Luminar is a powerful photo editor designed to tackle anyone’s photography needs, from correcting challenging image problems to artful stylizing. Users can choose between levels of image processing complexity based on their experience, and adapt the workspace controls to their skill level, moving up to more advanced modes as they learn. Luminar works in non-destructive fashion and aims to take “work” from photo editing “workflow” for photographers worldwide.

In April, only 5 months after its launch, Luminar for Mac won the prestigious TIPA award for Best Imaging Software 2017. This all-in-one photo editor is a cutting-edge solution for creating fascinating images without extra hassle. Luminar includes over 300 robust tools that make fixing, editing and perfecting a photo as easy as moving a slider.

“We are thrilled to release our first PC product today and give photography enthusiasts around the world the first taste of our best-selling Mac product,” said Kevin La Rue, Vice-President at Macphun. “By test-driving Luminar for Windows, beta testers can help shape our software and make the final release a perfect fit for everyone,” concluded La Rue.

The public beta is free of charge and already matches some of the most important features of Luminar, such as the newest and most advanced tool developed by Macphun’s Research and Development Lab – the Accent AI Filter, powered by artificial intelligence technology. The filter allows anyone to create stunning images with a single slider, substituting for dozens of traditional controls like shadows, highlights, contrast, tone, saturation, exposure, details and many others.

Admittedly, several features from the Mac version of Luminar remain in development for the Windows platform, among them workspaces, plug-in integration, object removal, noise reduction, and more. As these are completed, the public beta will be updated regularly leading to a full cross-platform release late in 2017.

Key features of the Luminar for Windows public beta:

Adaptive user interface – Exactly matching the Mac version, the software adapts to the skill level and preferences of the photographer.
One-click presets – Over 50 pre-defined styles for every photography style.
Photo Editing Filters – Over 40 custom filters, each with built-in visual tips and a unique set of easy-to-use controls for correcting, enhancing and stylizing images.
RAW file conversion – Support for the latest RAW file libraries.
Non-destructive workflow – Edit without fear.

Recommended System Requirements – Windows 10, Core i5 2.2 or better, 8GB RAM, 1GB GPU RAM, SSD with 20+GB free space.

Share

(SR3) Sigma FE lenses probably will be delayed from Q3 to Q4

Share


Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 and the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 via Camerasize

A trusted source “heard” about a small delay of the first Sigma FE lenses

Sigma FE lenses probably will be delayed (not announced in summer but still this year)

So we can expect the announcement to happen in Q4 instead of Q3. The rumor is from a trusted source but he is yet not 100% sure this “rumor” will be confirmed.

Reminder What we know so far from Sigma’s FE plan:

  • Sigma is preparing the launch of two new lenses
  • The first lens is rumored to be a 35mm f/1.4 (or f/1.2) FE autofocus lens. The size will be somewhere in between the current Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 and the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8
  • The second Sigma FE lens could be a zoom lens
Share

Patent adds one more evidence the Zeiss Batis 18mm has been designed by Tamron

Share

Zeiss Batis desing on the left – Tamron lens design patent on the right

I found a newly published Tamron patent describing a Full Frame 18mm f/2.8 lens design. And as you can see from the comparison I made above it really looks like Zeiss licensed that design for their Batis 18mm FE lens. This is one more evidence of a tight Tamron-Zeiss collaboration on the development of their Batis lens range.

Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 at [shopcountry 47045].

Share

Sony Tidbits…

Share


A9 Silent Shutter concept

Hands-on with the Fujinon MK50-135mm T2.9 cine lens (Dpreview).
Entaniya Fisheye 250 and Sony a7Rii in the fridge 360VR (Youtube video).
Metabones T Smart Adapter (Mark IV – MB_EF-E-BT4) VS Sigma MC-11 for (mostly) Landscape Photography (Richard Fox).
How to build a photo portfolio that gets you noticed (CameraJabber).
85mm f/1.8 FE tested at Photographyblog.
DigiKam 5.6 released (Mirrorlessrumors).

Join the new Sony Alpha Camera Facebook group.
To get news from our Forum subscribe that RSS feed.
To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page
I kindly invite you all to follow our RSS feed, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors!

 

Share

Next rendering by a SAR reader: Zeiss 12mm f/2.0

Share

A Chilean SAR reader sent me this creatiion of a Zeiss 12mm f/2.0 A-mount lens. This is why he made this design:

“I think that if sony see the community looking for new lenses for the a mount, there may be a small probability that sony will respond to the community.”

With a greta camera like the A99II is surely would love to get some new great glass.

 

Share

New Sony A9 reviews by Jared Polin, CameraJabber and ePhotozine

Share

On top you can watch Jared Polin’s A9 review.

ePhotozine:

Looking at what the A9 can do that other cameras cannot, then the 20fps is impossible to beat, especially with no blackout between images. It is likely that the DSLR, with its mechanical constraints, can never surpass what might be possible with a mirrorless camera. For various reasons of lens availability and professional backup, the Sony has a little way to go yet, but it delivers some unique possibilities as it is and is a fine camera.

CameraJabber:

The Sony A9 is a fantastic camera. Is fast, clever autofocus system makes photographing tricky subjects like birds in flight a cinch while its electronic viewfinder allows you to be confident that you’ve got the result you want as you shoot. With a good quality lens like the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS mounted, the level of detail in images is superb and thanks to the full-frame sensor, f/4 is wide enough to isolate your subject from its background. Noise is also controlled well and raw files have plenty of latitude for adjustment.

Sony A9 store links to [shopcountry 60549].

Share

Sony Tidbits…

Share


BEST 85MM LENS FOR SONY ALPHA a9 a7R II a7 II a6500 a6300 a6000

Caltech research team develops lensless camera (Dpreview).
Litra Led Lights, Cine Gear 2017 (Personal View interview).
Quality Extension – ZEISS Batis 2.8/135 lens test (Lenspire).
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Does Form Follow Function? (Photofocus).
How To Safely View The Total Solar Eclipse (Adorama Learning Center)
10 Cameras to Help Raise Your Selfie Game (Explora).
Radiant Images 360 camera, Cine Gear 2017 (Video by Personal View)
2017 Roundup: $1200-2000 ILCs: full-frame (Dpreview).

We have our own Facebook camera groups and pages you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony A9 group and Sony A9 page.
Sony A7rIII group and Sony A7rIII page
Sony A7sIII group and Sony A7sIII page
Sony A7III group and Sony A7III page
Note: In groups you can post your own stuff like images, news and questions. While on pages you will read the specific camera news from SAR.

Share