Just announced: New Nik Collection 5

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Today DxO announced the new Nik Collection 5 (click here to read all details). The user interface has been rebuilt from ground up and there are a ton of new features:

Here are some video reviews:

There is a software review at PcMag.

I’m happy to see that DxO continues to develop and improve the Nik Collection. For years, I held onto the free version Google released, stashing the installer on various drives and laptops, lest I ever lost track of it and access to my beloved Silver Efex Pro.
With Collection 5, the welcome interface refresh from last year comes to more apps in the suite. Now, all four creative arms—Analog Efex, Color Efex, Silver Efex, and Viveza—offer a consistent user experience. They also all include the ability to rename U-Points and add them to presets, making up for the somewhat inconsistent experience from Collection 4.
We’re also glad to see some level of nondestructive editing in the suite. It’s not quite as convenient as Raw processing and this feature certainly requires a lot of space on your hard drive, but you may find the option to go back and make edits to an image worthwhile. The addition of batch processing can help speed up certain workflows, too.
The suite continues to be a good pick for photographers who enjoy creative editing, and longtime users should appreciate that updates keep it going on newer systems. We’d love to see the developers pay attention to Apple Silicon for the next update, though I admit there were no hiccups with Rosetta 2 emulation when I tested the software on a Mac Studio. Support for Apple chips obviously doesn’t matter if you prefer working in Windows.
We’re also glad to see some level of nondestructive editing in the suite. It’s not quite as convenient as Raw processing and this feature certainly requires a lot of space on your hard drive, but you may find the option to go back and make edits to an image worthwhile. The addition of batch processing can help speed up certain workflows, too.

You can now buy (or try for free) the new Nik Collection 5.

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Sony Tidbits…

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Sony 16-35mm f4 PZ G Lens First Look

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT.
AstrHori 14mm F4.5 review at SonyAlphaBlog.
What is an Intervalometer? (42West).
What You Can Do with a Macro Lens (Explora).
24-70mm GM II test by Japanese Kitamura.
The Nine Volt AirCap Camera Body Cap Hides an Apple AirTag (PetaPixel).
Great Joy 50mm is Affordable Anamorphic (Matti Sulanto).

Follow our new Youtube channel.
I kindly invite you all to follow our Discord channel, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

We have our own Facebook camera groups you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony Alpha group.
Sony A1 group.
Sony A9 series group.
Sony A7r series group.
Sony A7s series group.
Sony A7 series group.

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Sony announced this New Compact ECM-B10 Shotgun Microphone!

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Sony just announced this new compact ECM-B10 Shotgun Microphone! Preorders should be available soon at BHphoto. And it’s available in EU at Foto Erdardt DE. Calumet DE.

This is the press text:

New Three-in-one Super-directional Microphone’s Digital Signal Processing Delivers High-quality Sound Collection in a Compact Form Factor

SAN DIEGO, June 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics Inc. today introduced a new shotgun microphone, the ECM-B10. This new microphone features Sony’s industry-leading sharp directivity and digital signal processing, known to the ECM-B1M, in a remarkably compact form factor.

A Three-in-one Microphone
The ECM-B10 applies digital signal processing to the sound collected by four high-performance microphone capsules using beamforming technology. This allows the user to customize how the audio is recorded by enhancing the microphone’s sensitivity from different directions. The microphone offers three types of directivity in a single product, allowing the user to easily switch between super-directional, unidirectional and omnidirectional.

When using super-directivity, the microphone collects sound from a narrow field in front while suppressing sound from other directions. The super-directivity setting is a great option for interviews, selfies, and other situations where the range of sound collection is limited to a narrow extent at the front.

The ECM-B10 also offers unidirectional sensitivity that suppresses sound from behind while collecting sound from a wide field in front. This option is perfect for recording conversations between several people.

For additional flexibility, the user can also select omnidirectional sensitivity, which picks up sound equally from all directions and is ideal for recording environmental sounds.

Crystal Clear Recording
The ECM-B10 offers crystal clear sound collection with effective noise suppression. Using digital signal processing within the microphone itself, the ECM-B10 effectively reduces noise for clearer sound collection and creates a more efficient post-production workflow since less audio edits are required. The ECM-B10 pairs with cameras that are equipped with a MI (Multi Interface) Shoe, either analog or for best results; with cameras with a digital audio interfacei to transmit audio directly as a digital signal to deliver high-quality sound recording without degradation. In addition, the microphone’s shock and vibration suppressing design effectively suppresses low-frequency vibration noise, while its cable-less design eliminates noise transmitted via cables. The supplied windscreen minimizes environmental noises, making it easy to capture crisp audio even when shooting outside.

For additional versatility, the ECM-B10 also includes the following audio settings:

  • ATT (attenuator) switch (0/10/20 dB).
  • FILTER switch (noise cut / low cut / off)
  • AUDIO LEVEL dial with AUTO/MAN (manual) switch
  • DIGITAL/ANALOG switch

Features to Love
The microphone’s compact body provides flexibility and mobility, even when using gimbals and grips.

Users can also experience greater shooting flexibility by connecting the ECM-B10 to a camera via the MI Shoe to operate without cables, which prevents any interference with the side flip out screen, or external batteries. Power is supplied directly from the camera to the microphone, so you can continue shooting without worrying about the microphone battery running out.

For detailed setting operation, a comprehensive range of audio settings are available on the back of the microphone.  This lets the user check the setting status at a glance to prevent accidental settings and give peace of mind. For added durability, the ECM-B10’s design is resistant to dust and moistureii, which allows for worry-free outdoor shooting when combined with a similarly dust and moisture resistant body and lensiii.

Pricing and Availability
The new ECM-B10 will be available in August for approximately $250.00 USD and $320.00 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new ECM-B10 and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all creators and fans of Sony α – Alpha brand.

New content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery. For detailed product information, please visit:

A product video on the new ECM-B10 can be viewed HERE.

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