Canon EOS-1D III Users
View allAll Photos Tagged firmware
Just testing my Canon to Sony Metabones lens adapter after a firmware upgrade - still can't get the tele right, which is a 1.4 extender on a 500mm lens, but performance increased to my liking. Acorn Woodpeckers at my local hangout.
I dug out my old Pentax *ist-DS from 2005 and got it running. It seems so simple now compared to my newer camera bodies but it still takes a great picture even though is it only 6.1 megapixels. I was even able to update the firmware from 2006 which I had never done because by that time I had purchased my Pentax K10D. This *ist-DS has only 5300 activations on it so it still has a lot of use. This lens is a Auto Takumar 85mm f/1.8 vintage lens and is a favorite.
Agelaius phoeniceus.
First time use of the new OMD firmware upgrade: Autofocus subject, "Birds". The software latches on to one or more birds, and the white rectangle in the viewfinder turns green when the bird(s) is(are) in focus. The claim is that it can focus on up to 8 birds in a frame.
Happy Bench Monday!
Image stitched from two sooc camera jpegs shot with the new Leica Monochrome picture profile included in the latest firmware update.
Completely did a reconfiguration on my PC ASUS Z390 Motherboard and by updating the motherboard BIOS firmware that is by flashing the BIOS up to the latest firmware, with no problems at all and which I have done so many over the years.
Plus, one good thing about ASUS Motherboards, is they are easy to flash the Bios using their EZ Flash 3 utility that is built into their boards and by using a flash drive to update the Bios with the latest firmware cap file. Which I got all the latest Drives for my ASUS Z390 Motherboard, from the ASUS Website.
This new update has set my Motherboard to allow the TPM chip and Trusted Platform Module 2.0 to be active for making Secure boot for the bootup drive for Windows 10 or 11. So I have configured the Motherboard "CSM" Mode for Boot device Control for UEFI and Legacy OPROM UEFI: which allows your computer to start in "LEGACY BIOS" mode and in "UEFI" mode. And the Boot\Secure Book Option for UEFI Only, to allow a Secure Book in.
UEFI mode is recommended for newer PCs that support it, as it offers advantages and compatibility. Nevertheless, there are scenarios where legacy BIOS mode may be more suitable, for example, if you have an older PC that does not support UEFI or if you wish to use a dual-boot or multi-boot system with different operating systems that may not work well with UEFI and also, some UEFI drivers will not support every kind of hardware that you add onto your PC.
Well, at least now I am happy to say that I have sorted out all my problems and running back up again on Windows 10. And now with all the new updates, I am getting from Microsoft, which is no surprise to me and say:
Great news—your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11.
Windows 11, version 23H2 is ready - and it's free!
Wow!
My ASUS Motherboard is nearly 4 years old and will support Windows 11.
But do ask myself do I want headaches with all the problems that I keep hearing from those who are running on Windows 11 and even I know some are having problems on Mac desktop PCs too?
As young Brother informed me, has he been an IT engineer for some years now.
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! how sadly do I miss Windows XP, which I still think was the best operating system for desktop PC users, that Microsoft ever made to this date!
Exposure 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperturef/2.8
Focal Length 16.6 mm
ISO Speed 80
Exposure Bias-0.33 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Focal Length In 35mm Format100 mm
Scene Capture Type Standard
Gain Control None
Contrast Normal
Saturation Normal
Sharpness Normal
Image Quality High
Firmware Version 0.1.0.18
White Balance Auto
Focus Mode Auto
AFMode 9-area
Image Stabilization On, Mode 1
Macro Mode On
Shooting Mode Macro
HDR from 5 bracketed shots, Canon Powershot S90 using CHDK enhanced firmware
2015-03-02 184936 S90_DxO_NW b5+t_tonemapped CEP
maximale Möglichkeiten im Nachtmodus
Limits
ISO 1250
1/2 s
F1.5
26 mm.
fixed stand
edition by snapseed
glamour glowing z0%
12+ structure and sharper
Test nach Firmware Update 2.0
Oktober 2019
ps
Frontkamera lässt bis ISO 1600 zu
und 1/4 s F1.9
Yes, I know it's grainy and soft, but I scanned it from a negative I exposed in 2008, - and the negative was not in great shape.
It was scanned using VueScan, a generic scanning software, that actually works better than the firmware that comes with the scanner!
(Her name isn't really Hattie, by the way!)
I updated the firmware on the Sigma Sports and changed my Af tracking settings and got 12 sharp shots in a row out of this hawk takeoff. It doesn't seem to work much better with distant objects against a cluttered background, but it's noticably better at staying on focus with a close bird with mostly sky behind it. Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area
Neue Firmware 5.0 –
Objektiv 400 mm + 2x Telekonverter = 800 mm + APS-C Modus (Faktor 1,5) = 1200 mm + ClearZoom (2x Digitalzoom) = 2400 mm Brennweite.
Freihand.
Location info:
Spodsbjerg, Hundested, Denmark
Shot with Canon Rebel T5i (700D) and Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM. Firmware upgraded to Magic Lantern.
Processed with Photoshop CC 2015 and Lightroom CC 2015.
Many thanks for the views, faves, and comments!
Are you old enough to remember those days that camera kit usually included a standard 50mm lens?
The 50mm standard lens is usually fast, light weight and possesses good optical quality.
In the APS-C sensor cameras, the 35mm focal length is 50mm equivalent.
I have a chance to try on this new Fuji 35mm F2 lens.
My dear Puss Tabby is always my first model in trying new camera and lens. I will take more shots with this standard lens and share the experience with you.
Have a great weekend!
Fuji X-T1 camera
Fuji XF 35mm F2 WR lens
Firmware 4.10
《妳》 念記我的宝絲
妳是一道柔和的光
照在我的面上
像妳的毛毛掌
輕撫我的臉
妳是那悠悠的回声
縈繞在我心裏
仿如妳低沉的顫音
催我入眠
妳是這又濃又淡的气味
永遠留在我身上
直到一天
妳我一起昇華 消散
2018.08.07
171 of 365 - Being an older model I have to remove my right hand to get to the plugs for firmware updates. Design flaw.
If you dig this, go like the Facebook page.
...and it turns on! No OS installed yet, but it does drop into firmware
(I pressed the power button, and quickly held down apple-option-o-f to drop it into open firmware)
This park in Sanya is gone now, I took these photos as they were in the process of taking it all apart on April 30 2008.
All of these "Brokedown Park" pictures were shot on an Canon Powershot S3 IS using the CHDK firmware "hack" to record RAW files, then processed in ACR and PS, NR with Noiseware Pro, also I used the Topaz Adjust plugin to make them look cool.
If you have a Canon digital compact camera that uses the Digic II or Digic III processor you can record RAW files using the CHDK firmware "hack," google it, it's awesome.
By the way at least one person has expressed extreme dissatisfaction to me about this "Brokedown Park" set of photos. I just snapped them on the way home from work one day, excited because I had just recently bought a new camera and "hacked" it to shoot RAW files. But last week some guy left a comment on one of these photos (of a broken ferris wheel of all things) saying that I had propagandized my "report," that it was "not comprehensive," "not real," and he "beseeched" me to erase the pictures. I just told him that lots of people like to take photos of abandoned things all over the world and that every country has such things and that everybody knows that. And I told him to erase his own pictures. So he blocked me on flickr. What is wrong with people? Cripes.
Photo COPYRIGHT 2008/2009 Django Malone
In Haikou, Hainan, China, July 2008
Canon Ixus 950 IS (SD850 IS)
you can record RAW files on Canon Powershot digi cameras that use the Digic II or Digic III processor using the CHDK firmware hack, it's cool.
Photo COPYRIGHT 2008/2009 Django Malone
Great day for E-P1 shooters. 1. New 1.1 firmware for both the body and lens: much faster AF. 2. Lightroom 2.5 which has a RAW support for E-P1.
handheld
fixed stand
SAMSUNG Galaxy Smartphone
Top specs
12 - 16 MP B/W, 13, mm, 26 mm, 52 mm
Main Camera
f/1.5, 26mm (wide)
For Nightshot 8 MB
Nachtsicht-Modus =~ Spy Kamera
Night Vision Mode
Human eye View is much darker
.
Cellphone Photography
Art meets Photography
Texture
Hobby
Nightshot
26 mm
F1.5
0.5 s
ISO 1000
snapshot
S10 S10+
Flagship
... some of the greatest Smartphone
camera output you can get.
Top #1
m.gsmarena.com/smartphone_buyers_guide-review-2036.php
Video:
loud and clear stereo speakers
Die hohe Blende der Hauptkamera mit f/1.5 spielt bei diesem Motiv ihre Stärke voll aus.
Durch die optische Bildstabilisierung, den Dual-Pixel-Autofokus und die variable Blende werden auch in widrigen Lichtverhältnissen gute Bilder gemacht.
Der Dual-Pixel-Autofokus arbeitet in jeder Situation unglaublich präzise. Auch die Farben werden sehr natürlich und nicht übertrieben aufgedreht erfasst.
Solche Nachtaufnahmen
sind jetzt Schnappschuss tauglich, da die Blende F1.5 kurze Belichtung erlaubt.
Keine andere Kamera in meinem Portfolio hat Blende F1.5
SAMSUNG S10 Nightshot Mode ist mit dem vierten Firmware Update sehr gut aufgestellt.
Mit Stativ und Selbstauslöser wäre sogar ein noch besseres Ergebnis möglich.
Klamme Finger
Das hier ist nur auf der Balkon Brüstung aufgestellt.
Bei Minus einem Grad und 35 m über der Grasnarbe.
♡♡♡♡♡
HAPPY New Year my friends and Trolls.
♧♧♧♧♧
◇◇◇◇◇◇
..
IBIS Photo und Video
Das Samsung Galaxy S10 bringt erstmals einen „Superstabil“-Modus bei Videoaufnahmen mit.
Die Bildstabilisierung ist dabei viel besser als bei den Vorgängern. Videos in diesem Modus können aber nur in 1080p aufgenommen werden.
After weeks of traveling through deep space, Dr. Danelle Daystrom has finally arrived on Deep Space Outpost Arcturus to help the crew unlock the secrets of her lost father's A.I. algorithms. Buried in the data was the most advance adaptive logic processor firmware ever created. This processor could be used in an entirely new breed of robotic companions, able to think, adapt, and evolve like never before.
Daystrom with the help of Nova Team’s chief science officer, Lt Cmdr Samuel Steele are working on writing the firmware to the new logic processors. It’s a complicated process, and no one knows if it will work, but its it’s definitely worth trying. Now… they just need the proper robotic vessel to run this new processor. Sounds like a job for Arcturus’s crack engineering and mechanical teams!
To learn more about Nova Team's other adventures visit their album: flic.kr/s/aHskpavQh5
::::Hello everyone! Sorry for the delays in posting the continuation of this story. I’ve been buried in work as of late! But I hope to ramp back up on the frequency of my posts! Oh yeah, and I’ve got a bunch of BrickLink hauls coming my way for more builds and photos too ;-) As always, comments always welcomed! Thanks!
For those who are interested, unfortunately I am unable to sell the Nova Team minifigures or designs due to the use of the "Classic Space" logo which is owned and trademarked by The LEGO Group. My custom designed figures and use of the official "Classic Space" logo is for personal use only in my MOCs and photography. By the same token, I will not give away the design files and source material either. Thank you for understanding! Trust me, if I could legally sell these, I would.
using Sony A7ii and Nikkor 105F1.4 E ED with Commlite Pro AF adapter (firmware V.05) @F1.4 1/2500 ISO 100
new Nighshot Mode - Full Auto
F1.5
8 MB
Crop
ISO 125
1/2 s
4.39 a.m.
○
Night-Vision - Nachtsicht
Magic
°°°°°
☆☆☆☆☆
°°°°°
like a night Vision device
fast ein Nachtsichtgerät
after Firmware Update
refurbished like S10 5G
"fixed stand" +
handheld
The Auto White Balance is excellent
●
selftimer 2s
●
ppc
edition by Aviary : Landscape Filter
and glamour glowing (57%) by snapseed
+4 structure and sharper
You got to give Fuji a big hand. Not only do they release some of the best mirrorless cameras, and incredible glass, but they also improve their cameras via firmware updates. In all the years I have owned Canon cameras I have seen maybe one or two firmware updates to fix bugs. Fuji Actually releases updates that are feature rich...in addition to fixing things they add features!!!! They do this for older cameras too! On Thursday Fuji released firmware for the X-Pro1, X-E1, X-E2 and X-T1. The X-Pro1...the X-Pro1 has been on the market for three years and Fuji added features to that camera too!
I have not had a chance to properly test out all the new features on the X-T1 yet. One thing I did notice that is unpublished but has been blogged about is the focus speed. I am extremely happy with all my Fuji lenses and the focus speed, except for the 35MM f/1.4....that is until firmware v3.0 was released.
The 35MM f/1.4 is the oldest lens in the Fuji XF lineup. The 35MM is a favorite due to it's super sharp IQ. The lens truly is tack sharp, but for me the drawback has always been focus. It just does not focus as well as the other lenses. Well, that all changed on Thursday. The improvements in focus are so great I have not had any other lens on my X-T1. The actual focal length on the APC sensor is 50MM...not my favorite focal length, but I am learning to love it!
I applaud Fuji for listening to their customers and improving already fantastic products through firmware updates! Canon and Nikon better be paying attention!
Firmware update 4.0 for Nikon Z9 reports to have improved 3D tracking and in this case I agree. Using the 100-400 +1.4 TC, I zoomed out to 280mm to give myself a better chance to get the subject in frame.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!!
Some time has passed since the last Benny's photo... actually I should have posted one photo before this one (with Benny updating the Chef-a-tron's firmware), but I was so busy lately! I'll put it right, I promise.
Upgraded The A9 firmware to 5.01 with Tracking capability and went out looking for my White Throated Kingfisher. From the limited shooting it seems much easier to track WTKF but the images are not as crisp as my favourite firmware 3.01. Too early to draw any concussion with limited shooting. Moreover FW 6.0 should release soon.
This is the 3rd shoot of a sequence of 3 inflight capture.
Please see below
Thank you my friends for popping by.
I really appreciate your visits, comments & favourites.
Wishing all my Flickr friends a beautiful week. .
Thank you
💓💓💓💓💓
New firmware 1.01 seems to be more accurate with Eye-AF now. Some more improvements would still be nice. Some pictures might show slight motion blur at 100%.
New firmware 1.01 seems to be more accurate with Eye-AF now. Some more improvements would still be nice. Some pictures might show slight motion blur at 100%.
"Ce sont les mots les plus silencieux qui amènent la tempête."
Friedrich Nietzsche
From the Girolamo's HDR Photos site: www.omalorig.com
Canon EOS 50D (Magic Lantern firmware) - Samyang 8mm Fisheye
Panoramic view from 5 photos realized with Kolor Autopano Giga 3
9 exposures -Photomatix - Photoshop
1/20s - f/8 - 8mm - ISO 100
Lac Saint André - Savoie - France.
«Il n'y a pas de lumière sans ombre.»
Louis Aragon
From the Girolamo's HDR Photos site: www.omalorig.com
Canon EOS 50D (Magic Lantern firmware)
Samyang 8mm Fisheye
9 exposures -Photomatix - Photoshop
1/8s - f/8 - 8mm - ISO 100
Lac Saint André - France.
On a rainy day in late October, I took a bus to meet my daughter for lunch -- from the West Side of Manhattan over to the East Side, through Central Park, and then another bus down Fifth Avenue to the midtown area. These were some of the scenes I saw ...
************************
Sometime in 2014, I created Flickr album for photos that I had started taking with my iPhone5s; and a year later, in the fall of 2014, I started a new Flickr album for photos that I’ve begun taking with myiPhone6, and iPhone6+. But progress doesn’t stop (at least with Apple): as of October 2015, I’ve upgraded once again, to the iPhone6s and 6s+ (yes, both of them) and this new album contains photos created with those camera-phones
In last year’s Flickr album, I wrote, “Whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer, it’s hard to walk around with a modern smartphone in your pocket, and not be tempted to use the built-in camera from time-to-time. Veteran photographers typically sneer at such behavior, and most will tell you that they can instantly recognize an iPhone photo, which they mentally reject as being unworthy of any serious attention.
“After using many earlier models of smartphones over the past several years, I was inclined to agree; after all, I always (well, almost always) had a “real” camera in my pocket (or backpack or camera-bag), and it was always capable of taking a much better photographic image than the mediocre, grainy images shot with a camera-phone.
“But still … there were a few occasions when I desperately wanted to capture some photo-worthy event taking place right in front of me, and inevitably it turned out to be the times when I did not have the “real” camera with me. Or I did have it, but it was buried somewhere in a bag, and I knew that the “event” would have disappeared by the time I found the “real" camera and turned it on. By contrast, the smart-phone was always in my pocket (along with my keys and my wallet, it’s one of the three things I consciously grab every time I walk out the door). And I often found that I could turn it on, point it at the photographic scene, and take the picture much faster than I could do the same thing with a “traditional” camera.
“Meanwhile, smartphone cameras have gotten substantially better in the past few years, from a mechanical/hardware perspective; and the software “intelligence” controlling the camera has become amazingly sophisticated. It’s still not on the same level as a “professional” DSLR camera, but for a large majority of the “average” photographic situations we’re likely to encounter in the unplanned moments of our lives, it’s more and more likely to be “good enough.” The old adage of “the best camera is the one you have with you” is more and more relevant these days. For me, 90% of the success in taking a good photo is simply being in the right place at the right time, being aware that the “photo opportunity” is there, and having a camera — any camera — to take advantage of that opportunity. Only 10% of the time does it matter which camera I’m using, or what technical features I’ve managed to use.
“And now, with the recent advent of the iPhone5s, there is one more improvement — which, as far as I can tell, simply does not exist in any of the “professional” cameras. You can take an unlimited number of “burst-mode” shots with the new iPhone, simply by keeping your finger on the shutter button; instead of being limited to just six (as a few of the DSLR cameras currently offer), you can take 10, 20, or even a hundred shots. And then — almost magically — the iPhone will show you which one or two of the large burst of photos was optimally sharp and clear. With a couple of clicks, you can then delete everything else, and retain only the very best one or two from the entire burst.
“With that in mind, I’ve begun using my iPhone5s for more and more “everyday” photo situations out on the street. Since I’m typically photographing ordinary, mundane events, even the one or two “optimal” shots that the camera-phone retains might not be worth showing anyone else … so there is still a lot of pruning and editing to be done, and I’m lucky if 10% of those “optimal” shots are good enough to justify uploading to Flickr and sharing with the rest of the world. Still, it’s an enormous benefit to know that my editing work can begin with photos that are more-or-less “technically” adequate, and that I don’t have to waste even a second reviewing dozens of technically-mediocre shots that are fuzzy, or blurred.
“Oh, yeah, one other minor benefit of the iPhone5s (and presumably most other current brands of smartphone): it automatically geotags every photo and video, without any special effort on the photographer’s part. Only one of my other big, fat cameras (the Sony Alpha SLT A65) has that feature, and I’ve noticed that almost none of the “new” mirrorless cameras have got a built-in GPS thingy that will perform the geotagging...
“I’ve had my iPhone5s for a couple of months now, but I’ve only been using the “burst-mode” photography feature aggressively for the past couple of weeks. As a result, the initial batch of photos that I’m uploading are all taken in the greater-NYC area. But as time goes on, and as my normal travel routine takes me to other parts of the world, I hope to add more and more “everyday” scenes in cities that I might not have the opportunity to photograph in a “serious” way.”
*****************************************************************************
Okay, so now it’s October of 2015, and I’ve got the iPhone 6s/6s+. The the camera now has a 12-megapixel lens (instead of the older 8 MP version), and that the internal camera-related hardware/firmware/software is better, too. Obviously, I’ve got the newer iOS9, too, and even on the “old” phones, it now supports time-lapse videos along with everything else.
I’ve still got my pocket camera (an amazing little Sony RX-100 Mark IV, which replaces the Mark III I had last year), and two larger cameras (Sony RX-10 II, and Sony A7 II), but I have a feeling that I won’t even be taking them out of the camera bag when I’m out on the street for ordinary day-to-day walking around.
That will depend, obviously, on what kind of photos and videos the iPhone6s/6s+ camera actually capable of taking … so I’m going to try to use at leas one of them every day, and see what the results look like …
Like I said last year, “stay tuned…”
This morning I briefly tested the new Nikon Z8 Firmware v3.01 during a walk through the olive groves of the North Aegean. One thing is clear — AF tracking sensitivity has improved. Well done, Nikon, though we still expect more refinement.
To be honest, my initial impressions of the Z8’s Subject Detection – Bird Mode have been underwhelming compared to my experience with the D850. But after some trial and error, I’m beginning to see noticeable progress — I estimate about a 70% improvement. Especially in 3D Tracking and Wide-Area AF (C1/C2) modes, the camera now locks onto the bird's eye more quickly and with fewer tracking errors.
Now, let me share two portraits of what I believe to be a young Great Tit (Parus major). Getting this close for a portrait wasn’t easy — but with the Nikon Z8, NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF, and TC-14EII Teleconverter, the moment was captured.
Young Great Tits are often less vibrant than adults, with a slightly duller yellow belly and shorter black chest stripe. Their head may also appear more tousled or fluffy — a charming reminder of their recent fledgling days.
Great Tit – Juvenile Details
Juvenile Great Tits look slightly duller than adults. Their yellow underparts are paler, and the signature black stripe running down the chest is narrower and less defined.
The head and crown of young individuals may appear brownish or olive-toned rather than deep black, giving them a softer, fluffier appearance — especially just after fledging.
Their calls are also less structured and slightly higher-pitched. In early weeks, they can often be seen fluttering their wings while begging for food from parents.
Juveniles often display a more curious and approachable behavior, especially when exploring feeding grounds. This makes them ideal for close portrait work — if approached with patience and care.
By late summer, young birds begin moulting into their adult plumage, gradually becoming indistinguishable from mature individuals.
Hope you enjoy and feel free to share your thoughts!
I've captured some unforgettable moments with my camera, and I hope you feel the same joy viewing these images as I did while shooting them.
Thank you so much for visiting my gallery, whether you leave a comment, add it to your favorites, or simply take a moment to look around. Your support means a lot to me, and I wish you good luck and beautiful light in all your endeavors.
© All rights belong to R.Ertuğ. Please refrain from using these images without my express written permission. If you are interested in purchasing or using them, feel free to contact me via Flickr mail.
Lens - With Nikon TC 14E II - hand held or Monopod and definitely SPORT VR on. Aperture is f8 and full length. All my images have been converted from RAW to JPEG.
I started using Nikon Cross-Body Strap or Monopod on long walks. Here is my Carbon Monopod details : Gitzo GM2542 Series 2 4S Carbon Monopod - Really Right Stuff MH-01 Monopod Head with Standard Lever - Really Right Stuff LCF-11 Replacement Foot for Nikon AF-S 500mm /5.6E PF Lense -
Your comments and criticism are very valuable.
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and explore :)
(more details later, as time permits)
***********************************
Sometime in 2014, I created Flickr album for photos that I had started taking with my iPhone5s; and a year later, in the fall of 2014, I started a new Flickr album for photos that I’ve begun taking with myiPhone6, and iPhone6+. But progress doesn’t stop (at least with Apple): as of October 2015, I’ve upgraded once again, to the iPhone6s and 6s+ (yes, both of them) and this new album contains photos created with those camera-phones
In last year’s Flickr album, I wrote, “Whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer, it’s hard to walk around with a modern smartphone in your pocket, and not be tempted to use the built-in camera from time-to-time. Veteran photographers typically sneer at such behavior, and most will tell you that they can instantly recognize an iPhone photo, which they mentally reject as being unworthy of any serious attention.
“After using many earlier models of smartphones over the past several years, I was inclined to agree; after all, I always (well, almost always) had a “real” camera in my pocket (or backpack or camera-bag), and it was always capable of taking a much better photographic image than the mediocre, grainy images shot with a camera-phone.
“But still … there were a few occasions when I desperately wanted to capture some photo-worthy event taking place right in front of me, and inevitably it turned out to be the times when I did not have the “real” camera with me. Or I did have it, but it was buried somewhere in a bag, and I knew that the “event” would have disappeared by the time I found the “real" camera and turned it on. By contrast, the smart-phone was always in my pocket (along with my keys and my wallet, it’s one of the three things I consciously grab every time I walk out the door). And I often found that I could turn it on, point it at the photographic scene, and take the picture much faster than I could do the same thing with a “traditional” camera.
“Meanwhile, smartphone cameras have gotten substantially better in the past few years, from a mechanical/hardware perspective; and the software “intelligence” controlling the camera has become amazingly sophisticated. It’s still not on the same level as a “professional” DSLR camera, but for a large majority of the “average” photographic situations we’re likely to encounter in the unplanned moments of our lives, it’s more and more likely to be “good enough.” The old adage of “the best camera is the one you have with you” is more and more relevant these days. For me, 90% of the success in taking a good photo is simply being in the right place at the right time, being aware that the “photo opportunity” is there, and having a camera — any camera — to take advantage of that opportunity. Only 10% of the time does it matter which camera I’m using, or what technical features I’ve managed to use.
“And now, with the recent advent of the iPhone5s, there is one more improvement — which, as far as I can tell, simply does not exist in any of the “professional” cameras. You can take an unlimited number of “burst-mode” shots with the new iPhone, simply by keeping your finger on the shutter button; instead of being limited to just six (as a few of the DSLR cameras currently offer), you can take 10, 20, or even a hundred shots. And then — almost magically — the iPhone will show you which one or two of the large burst of photos was optimally sharp and clear. With a couple of clicks, you can then delete everything else, and retain only the very best one or two from the entire burst.
“With that in mind, I’ve begun using my iPhone5s for more and more “everyday” photo situations out on the street. Since I’m typically photographing ordinary, mundane events, even the one or two “optimal” shots that the camera-phone retains might not be worth showing anyone else … so there is still a lot of pruning and editing to be done, and I’m lucky if 10% of those “optimal” shots are good enough to justify uploading to Flickr and sharing with the rest of the world. Still, it’s an enormous benefit to know that my editing work can begin with photos that are more-or-less “technically” adequate, and that I don’t have to waste even a second reviewing dozens of technically-mediocre shots that are fuzzy, or blurred.
“Oh, yeah, one other minor benefit of the iPhone5s (and presumably most other current brands of smartphone): it automatically geotags every photo and video, without any special effort on the photographer’s part. Only one of my other big, fat cameras (the Sony Alpha SLT A65) has that feature, and I’ve noticed that almost none of the “new” mirrorless cameras have got a built-in GPS thingy that will perform the geotagging...
“I’ve had my iPhone5s for a couple of months now, but I’ve only been using the “burst-mode” photography feature aggressively for the past couple of weeks. As a result, the initial batch of photos that I’m uploading are all taken in the greater-NYC area. But as time goes on, and as my normal travel routine takes me to other parts of the world, I hope to add more and more “everyday” scenes in cities that I might not have the opportunity to photograph in a “serious” way.”
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Okay, so now it’s October of 2015, and I’ve got the iPhone 6s/6s+. The the camera now has a 12-megapixel lens (instead of the older 8 MP version), and that the internal camera-related hardware/firmware/software is better, too. Obviously, I’ve got the newer iOS9, too, and even on the “old” phones, it now supports time-lapse videos along with everything else.
I’ve still got my pocket camera (an amazing little Sony RX-100 Mark IV, which replaces the Mark III I had last year), and two larger cameras (Sony RX-10 II, and Sony A7 II), but I have a feeling that I won’t even be taking them out of the camera bag when I’m out on the street for ordinary day-to-day walking around.
That will depend, obviously, on what kind of photos and videos the iPhone6s/6s+ camera actually capable of taking … so I’m going to try to use at leas one of them every day, and see what the results look like …
Like I said last year, “stay tuned…”
One of the things I love about Fujifilm's cameras is their dedication to "kaizen," the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement. Today, Fujifilm released firmware updates for over a dozen of their more recent camera models, either to simply provide compatibility with their new smartphone companion app (long overdue kaizen!) or to update and improve the autofocus system, like in my X-T5 (shown).
This screen is always ominous and always makes me a little nervous, despite never having had a firmware update problem over the years with many, many (too many!) Fujifilm cameras and lenses (yes, lenses have firmware, too!).
Post firmware update.
Well with firmware updates you really don't know until you use the kit in the field.
I feel the AF/AF-tracking of the A7Riii is a bit better now especially with the 1.4TC. I would not hesitate to BIF with the A7Riii though I usually only use that body for landscaping and macro.