Aurora HDR 2018 Update 1.2.0 released with support for the new Loupedeck+

The Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 is a free update to all current users of Aurora HDR 2018. This update focuses on making the workflow faster and more efficient from beginning to end. Get it here: Macphun.com. Use our coupon code “SAR” to get a $10 discount!

Aurora also supports the new Loupedeck+ editing console:

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WHAT’S NEW AND IMPROVED in Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0:

Here are the most essential changes:

  1. Speed boost for editing and adjusting. We’ve dramatically increased performance across all areas of Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 on Windows and Mac.

  2. Fast single-file opening. With an improved image processing engine, Aurora HDR is now much faster when opening single files.

  3. Loupedeck integration (for Mac&Windows). Now, users can quickly process photos in Aurora HDR using physical dials, knobs, and keys.

  4. Batch processing (for Windows). Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 will allow Windows users to edit a large number of photos simultaneously.

  5. Better memory management. Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 is also optimized to make better use of memory, with more intelligent memory management and improved stability.

  6. Windows version catches up to Mac version. Windows users will receive a flip/rotate tool, bringing Aurora HDR for Windows more in line with its macOS counterpart.

  7. Aurora HDR now supports more cameras than before. The full list across both Windows and MacOS includes: Canon EOS 3000D / Rebel T100 / 4000D, FujiFilm X-H1, FujiFilm X-A20, FujiFilm X-A5, FujiFilm X-E3, Olympus E-PL9, Panasonic DC-GF10 / Panasonic DC-GF90, Panasonic DC-GX9 / DC-GX7MK3, Panasonic DC-TZ200 / DC-ZS200 / DC-TZ202 / DC-TZ220 / DC-ZS220 / DC-TX2, PhaseOne IQ3 100MP Trichromatic, Sony A7 III.

Here’s a full list of the new features and improvements:

MAC:

  • Performance boost when editing and opening single files

  • Faster export

  • Loupedeck integration

  • Better brackets sorting during Batch processing

  • Better memory management

  • Plugin stability improved

  • New camera support

  • Better export performance

  • Fixed brush drawing

  • Improved opening of .DNG image

WINDOWS:

  • Performance boost when editing and adjusting

  • Faster export

  • Better stability and memory management

  • Batch processing added

  • Added layers menu and layer options menu

  • Ability to rename layers

  • UX improvements

  • Quick loading of single RAW files

  • Hover on blends

  • Added white balance color picker

  • Localisation fixes

  • Changed order of preset categories

  • UI fixes and improvements

  • Added histogram to tone curve filter

  • Improved stability of Dodge & Burn filter

  • Added context menu in the filters menu

  • New camera support

  • Better Windows document support

  • Added flip/rotate

  • Exif saving to document fixed

  • Loupedeck integration

  • Improved opening of .DNG image

AURORA HDR 2018 1.2.0 OFFER INFORMATION:  

Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade for $59 ($49 with your coupon code).

New users can purchase Aurora HDR 2018 1.2.0 for $99 ($89 with your coupon code).

A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.

OFFER AVAILABILITY: June 20–July 4

Bonuses included in the offer ($148 value):

  • 119 Dramatic & Romantic Sky overlays ($29 value) – The ultimate collection of 119 dramatic high-res sky overlays to turn photos with boring skies into eye-catching works of art.

  • Complete HDR Tutorial by Trey Ratcliff ($99 value) – This entirely new HDR tutorial is perfect for beginners to mega-advanced professionals who want to see all of the latest post-processing techniques. Lisa and Trey discuss their artistic inspirations and challenges, how they compose a shot, their camera settings, and much more. You’re then transported back to Trey’s studio where he slowly takes you step-by-step through his latest techniques.

  • Deep Dive into Aurora HDR 2018 video by Trey Ratcliff ($20 value) – Trey Ratcliff, the most famous HDR photographer, shares his editing process in the new Aurora HDR 2018.

Get it here: Macphun.com. Use our coupon code “SAR” to get a $10 discount!

Sony Tidbits…


How to CLEAN your Camera Sensor like a Boss (gel stick)

Sony Cameras FREEZING with Metabones & Tamron G2 Lens SOLVED (TheBrotographer).
Sony| FS5 II | Look comparison between FS5 II and FS5 (Sony Channel).
Our E-mount Wishlist: Slower or Less Perfect Lenses (Phillipreeve).
Venus Optics LAOWA 9 mm f/2.8 ZERO-D (Lenstip).
Nikon D850 vs Sony a7R III Underwater Camera Comparison – Full Frame Showdown (Backscatter).

Mathieu Stern: “In my last video i show how imounted an old Projector lens for some insane swirly bokeh on a Sony A7II
In fact this 70$ lens is better than it’s 6000$ Leica equivalent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTiKPkDQKw8”

Share your best pictures on our new Instagram SonyAlphaGallery.

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

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.

Tested by Alex Phan: Canon 800mm stack with sony 1.4x TC = 1120mm on the Sony A9


Image on tops shwos the Canon 800mm (without the 1.4 Sony TC) on the A7rIII

Alex Phan tested Canon 800mm on the Sony A7rIII and A9. You can see all image samples on his facebook page here and here. He told me this:

Andrea, great news. Canon 800mm stack with sony 1.4x TC = 1120mm .Works flawlessly.

This is an image that shows how well tracking worked (Click on it to enlarge):

Here is the Sony 100-400mm FE on top of the 800mm lens to show the size of the Canon beast:

Here are is a video of the setup:

Three Sigma FE lenses in Stock (and five shipping). 105mm Bokeh Monster to start shipping out in September?

Sigma sent out a press release (read below) to confirm that 5 of their 9 new FE lenses are now officially shipping out. Right now three lenses are marked as in Stock at BHphoto (click here). There is still no word about the shipping time of the one lens I really want to buy: The 105mm f/1.4 Bokeh Monster. I heard it through the grapevine that it will be available in late Summer (probably early September).

New Sigma FE lenses:
All lenses listed on one page at BHphoto (Click here).
Sigma 14mm f/1.8 for $1,599 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 20mm f/1.4 for $899 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 for $849 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for $899 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for $949 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 70mm macro for $569 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and  Adorama.
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 for $1,199 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 for $1,599 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 for $1,399 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.

Press text:

Sigma Ships Five Prime Art Lenses for Sony E-mount Cameras with Full-Frame Sensors

Ronkonkoma, NY – June 19, 2018 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading still photo and cinema lens, camera, flash and accessory manufacturer, today announced availability of five of its interchangeable Art prime lenses for Sony E-mount camera systems – Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM($899 USD), Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM ($849 USD), Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM ($899 USD), Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM ($949 USD) and Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM ($1199 USD).

Offering the same high-performance optical design as other lenses in the Art line, the new Sony E-mount models feature a newly developed control algorithm that optimizes the autofocus drive and maximizes the data transmission speed. In addition, these lenses are compatible with Sony’s Continuous AF (AF-C) and high-speed autofocus, which are not addressed by Sigma Mount Converter MC-11. Like MC-11, the lenses are compatible with in-camera image stabilization and in-camera lens aberration correction, which includes corrections for peripheral
illumination, chromatic aberrations and distortion.

Key Features and Benefits
Autofocus Tuned for Each Lens
Thanks to an autofocus drive control program tuned for each lens and high-speed data transmission, the lenses offer a high-speed autofocus at the same performance level as that of a lens designed exclusively for mirrorless cameras. In particular, in E-mount cameras offering Sony’s Fast Hybrid AF, AF-C mode delivers exceptional subject following performance. Autofocus remains
extremely precise even in those E-mount cameras offering only contrast AF.

Compatible with In-Camera Image Stabilization
The lenses are compatible with in-camera image stabilization. The Sony E-mount camera senses the focal length of the lens and automatically optimizes image stabilization performance.

Data Loaded for Compatibility with In-Camera Aberration Correction
The lenses are fully compatible with in-camera aberration correction, which includes corrections for peripheral illumination, chromatic aberrations and distortion. By matching corrections to the optical characteristics of the lens, this function takes image quality to an even higher level.

Native Mount for a More Rigid and Stable Feel
Making the mount native to the lens means a more rigid and stable feel to the lens. Featuring a special surface treatment to enhance strength, the brass bayonet mount offers a high-precision fit and exceptional durability. The mount connection area incorporates rubber sealing for dust- and splash-proof construction.

Available Mount Conversion Service*
This service converts the mount of Sigma lenses to that of a different camera body, allowing photographers to continue using their favorite lenses over the long term regardless of camera system.

*The Mount Conversion Service is different from a normal repair. In order to apply for the service, please contact your nearest authorized Sigma subsidiary or distributor: http://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/world-network/.

**This service is performed exclusively by Sigma.

Sony Tidbits…


How to Lightpaint with Steel Wool

How to Color Calibrate Every Device in a Photographers Workflow (Fstoppers).
Gizmodo: Deep Learning Can Now Flawlessly Correct Photos Taken in Almost Complete Darkness (Shot with A7sII)
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art tested on the Sony by Photorec.
BenQ Delivers Quality with SW240 Photography Monitor (Explora).
Kinefinity Mavo Cinema Cameras and Mavo Cinema Primes (Personal View).

Share your best pictures on our new Instagram SonyAlphaGallery.

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

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

Voigtlander officially releases the 110mm f/2.5 FE macro lens

Voigtlander finally announced the full specs and pricing of the new 110mm f/2.5 FE macro lens. The lens costs £849.00 in the UK and ¥ 148,000 in Japan. The US price has not been released yet but it should be around $1,100. The lens will start shipping out in August.

Image samples can be seen here: cosina.co.jp/gallery/oomura-110mm/index.html

Press text:

The Voigtländer MACRO APO-LANTHAR 110mm f2.5 is a 1:1 macro lens designed exclusively for full frame Sony E-mount cameras. The APO-LANTHAR designation is given to especially high performance lenses in the Voigtländer lens lineup, with APO being derived from the apochromatic optical design. A need for apochromatic optical designs that reduce the longitudinal chromatic aberrations of the three primary colours (RGB) of light to practically zero arose with the increasing popularity of colour film. Now, with the current range of high-resolution digitals sensors, this need for extremely high-level control of chromatic aberrations is even more pertinent than when film changed from monochrome to colour in the middle of the 20th century. So rather than just being for already solved old technology, apochromatic optical designs are indeed a subject requiring serious consideration in the digital age.

Retaining a similar form factor to the highly regarded Voigtländer MACRO APO-LANTHAR 65mm F2.0 Aspherical released in August 2017, this lens covers the full frame image area, and achieves a maximum image reproduction of 1:1 life size without the need for attachments.

In order to ensure subjects from minimum focus distance to infinity are captured with extremely high image quality, a 3-group floating mechanism is employed to adjust three optical groups.

Another attractive feature is the ability to create images with a strong out-of-focus ‘bokeh’ effect, made possible by the 110mm focal length and F2.5 maximum aperture. This lens is a manual focus and manual aperture design, but also features electrical contacts for storing exif data.

Furthermore, the lens is installed with a distance encoder to enable support for 5-axis image stabilisation on bodies with this feature, by providing distance to subject information used to compensate for camera shake. Focus peaking while manual focusing is also supported.

Main Features

  • Full frame Sony E-mount with electrical contacts
  • Apochromatic optical design that eliminates chromatic aberrations
  • Optical design optimized for digital imaging sensors
  • Maintains high image quality at all shooting distances with a 3-group floating mechanism
  • Extremely solid and durable all-metal barrel
  • Manual focus for precise focusing
  • Maximum reproduction ratio of 1: 1 at a minimum focus distance of 35 cm