Camera
DxO announces Nik Collection 4: Improved usability & powerful new tools in major update
DxO has announced Nik Collection 4 by DxO, the latest major release of the company’s photo editing plugin suite. Nik Collection 4 contains the same eight plugins as last year’s Nik Collection 3, but popular plugins Viveza and Silver Efex have undergone major revisions and are vastly improved over previous iterations.
In Nik Collection 4, Viveza and Silver Efex feature revamped user interfaces. The plugins now feature a modern interface that is both simpler and more functional. Users can scroll and filter through all available presets, filter types, and favorites along the left side of the interface. On the right side of the interface are all the sliders and Control Point tools users have come to expect from Nik plugins.
Nik Viveza features a new user interface that is more modern and sleek. |
The image you’re working on takes up much of the screen, and Control Points have been improved such that the sliders which used to be onscreen for adjustments are now on the right panel of the interface. This makes it easier to see your image and view adjustments in real-time. You can also rename and group your Control Points, making it easy to keep your adjustments organized.
The U Point technology underpinning Control Points has been enhanced as well. The technology, which allows users to apply local adjustments without manually creating masks, now includes Color Selectivity sliders. You can adjust the chrominance and luminance of the targeted pixels underneath a Control Point, giving the user much finer control over local adjustments.
Although you can use the Nik Collection 4 as a standalone application or with Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop if you’re using it in Photoshop, you now have access to what DxO calls ‘Meta Presets.’ These are accessible through the Nik Selective Tool and give direct access to 10 Photoshop actions that combine different filters from multiple Nik plugins in a single click.
Inside Lightroom, a new Last Edit function lets users re-apply a selected preset (or presets) that were recently used on an image onto a second image or set of images. This will greatly improve workflow flexibility inside Lightroom.
Beyond an improved user interface and better U Point technology, Viveza and Silver Efex have undergone additional improvements. In Viveza, there are 10 native presets, all designed by professional photographers.
Nik Viveza includes 10 new presets |
In Silver Efex, there are 39 new film grains. These are all realistic and built by hand using real film stocks. DxO says that what sets their film grains apart from the grain in software like Lightroom is that DxO has accurately modeled the size and shape of the grain for different films, something that Lightroom doesn’t do.
Silver Efex also adds DxO’s ClearView technology, which was first seen in DxO PhotoLab, the company’s premier photo editing software. ClearView removes haze and enhances local contrast simultaneously, adding more detail and clarity to your black and white conversions.
Nik Silver Efex now includes ClearView technology, first seen in DxO PhotoLab |
Nik Collection 4 by DxO is available now for Windows and macOS. For new users, the software is available for $99.99 until June 30. After that, the price will increase to $149. For owners of existing Nik Collection by DxO software, you can upgrade for $59.99 until June 30. An upgrade will cost $79 after that. A fully functional 30-day free trial is available, too, by visiting DxO.
As a note for M1 Mac users, the Nik Collection 4 doesn’t natively support the M1 version of Adobe Photoshop yet. DxO hopes to have a compatible installer available soon.
Camera
Our year in photos: Dale's most memorable shot of 2024
Pedestrians with umbrellas wander down a rainy alley in Yokohama’s Chinatown.
Panasonic S5IIX + Panasonic S 28-200mm F4-7.1 | F7 | 1/125 sec | ISO 1600 |
Japan is one of my favorite places to travel. I’m captivated by its culture, cuisine, and the warmth of its people. It’s also a photographer’s paradise, offering endless possibilities, from serene temples and bustling markets to breathtaking landscapes.
My favorite type of photography when traveling in Japan is street photography, especially at night. I never tire of exploring the vibrant cityscapes, from the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo to the atmospheric alleys of Yokohama’s Chinatown.
However, there’s a twist: I seek out rainy conditions. While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical. The umbrellas emerge, the city lights reflect off the wet pavement, and colors take on a vibrant intensity.
I was fortunate to visit Japan twice this year, and it rained both times. What some might consider lousy weather, I welcome as luck. Both my camera and I were thoroughly drenched during several nights of shooting, underscoring the value of weather-sealed equipment. (For the record, despite being so wet they were dripping with water, neither camera nor lens ever missed a beat.)
“While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical.”
Unsurprisingly, some of my most memorable photos of 2024 were captured during these rain-soaked adventures. It’s challenging to select just one favorite because, as many of you will surely understand, how we remember the value of an image is often intertwined with the experience of capturing it.
The photo at the top of this page is one of my favorites from these trips, captured in Yokohama’s Chinatown. Off the main street, the area is full of narrow alleys, many decorated with traditional lanterns, creating small, intimate spaces. I spied these two pedestrians with similar coats and umbrellas turn into one of these alleys and instantly knew there was a potential photo around the corner.
I managed to fire off two shots before the scene lost its magic, but that’s all I needed. I love that you can’t see the main subjects’ faces. They remain anonymous, allowing the viewer to focus on the place rather than the person.
Camera
Our year in photos: Dale's most memorable shot of 2024
Pedestrians with umbrellas wander down a rainy alley in Yokohama’s Chinatown.
Panasonic S5IIX + Panasonic S 28-200mm F4-7.1 | F7 | 1/125 sec | ISO 1600 |
Japan is one of my favorite places to travel. I’m captivated by its culture, cuisine, and the warmth of its people. It’s also a photographer’s paradise, offering endless possibilities, from serene temples and bustling markets to breathtaking landscapes.
My favorite type of photography when traveling in Japan is street photography, especially at night. I never tire of exploring the vibrant cityscapes, from the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo to the atmospheric alleys of Yokohama’s Chinatown.
However, there’s a twist: I seek out rainy conditions. While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical. The umbrellas emerge, the city lights reflect off the wet pavement, and colors take on a vibrant intensity.
I was fortunate to visit Japan twice this year, and it rained both times. What some might consider lousy weather, I welcome as luck. Both my camera and I were thoroughly drenched during several nights of shooting, underscoring the value of weather-sealed equipment. (For the record, despite being so wet they were dripping with water, neither camera nor lens ever missed a beat.)
“While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical.”
Unsurprisingly, some of my most memorable photos of 2024 were captured during these rain-soaked adventures. It’s challenging to select just one favorite because, as many of you will surely understand, how we remember the value of an image is often intertwined with the experience of capturing it.
The photo at the top of this page is one of my favorites from these trips, captured in Yokohama’s Chinatown. Off the main street, the area is full of narrow alleys, many decorated with traditional lanterns, creating small, intimate spaces. I spied these two pedestrians with similar coats and umbrellas turn into one of these alleys and instantly knew there was a potential photo around the corner.
I managed to fire off two shots before the scene lost its magic, but that’s all I needed. I love that you can’t see the main subjects’ faces. They remain anonymous, allowing the viewer to focus on the place rather than the person.
Camera
Godox releases V100, a 100Ws fast rechargeable flash
Image: Godox |
Godox has announced the V100, a 100Ws version of its round-headed V1 on/off camera flashgun. The V100 can deliver up to 100 Watt Seconds of power in manual mode and can shoot over 70 consecutive bursts of light at full power. Recycle times of under 1 sec are possible when used with an external power source (1.7 sec with the internal battery).
Like the existing V1 and V1Pro, the V100 is available in versions compatible with the proprietary TTL flash metering systems of Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm or Olympus/OM System, each of which comes with a small secondary flash that can be used to provide a little ‘fill.’ It also has a 2W LED modeling lamp, to help you understand how its light is going to fall.
Godox says it’s able to sync with the global shutter of Sony’s a9 III, up to shutter speeds of 1/80,000, though the company also says the V100’s minimum flash duration is 1/20,000, so presumably 1/80,000 sec shutter speeds would only experience a fraction of that output.
Image: Godox |
The V100 is powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery that can be charged directly using a USB-C cable or in an optional multi-battery charger if you need to prepare multiple batteries before a shoot.
It’s compatible with the company’s 2.4Ghz radio frequency off-camera communication protocol either as a transmitter or receiver.
Buy now:
No details have been given about price or availability but it’s listed as “Coming Soon” on B&H Photo’s website with a price of $349. B&H is also listing a Pentax-compatible version, not listed on Godox’s website.
Godox V100 C/N/S/F/O
Power Beyond Limits, 100Ws at Hand
Introducing the epic 100Ws TTL Li-ion Round Head Camera Flash V100. The Godox V100 redefines the standards for flagship on-camera flashes, brining an era of 100Ws power to handheld lighting. This groundbreaking flash delivers global shutter sync, a vibrant 2.3-inch color touchscreen, an intuitive menu, and one-tap syn operations. It combine cutting-edge features and professional-grade performance to provide an ultimate solution for professional lighting.
100Ws, Beyond Limits
The V100 sets a new benchmark for on-camera flashes by offering an unprecedented 100Ws power at its maximum output (M mode). With adjustable power steps from 1/1 to 1/256 or from 2.0 to 10, it covers the spectrum from subtle fill light to robust lighting for diverse scenarios, pushing the boundaries of creativity in flash photography.
Intuitive Touchscreen, Effortless Control
Equipped with a 2.3” full-color, high-sensitivity touchscreen, the V100 offers a smooth and responsive interface. Paired with an intuitive menu design and logical control layout, it allows photographers to quickly adjust power levels, activate high-speed sync, switch between TTL/M modes, and pair devices with a single tap, significantly improving workflow efficiency.
Global Shutter Flash Sync
The V100 is seamlessly compatible with cameras featuring global shutter like Sony a9 III. Supporting shutter speeds up to 1/80,000 seconds and offering TTL functionality, it delivers outstanding high-speed continuous shooting with effortless precision. This makes it an ideal choice for sports photography, outdoor bright light, and other fast-paced shooting scenarios.
70 Full-Power Consecutive Flashes
Thanks to its advanced cooling system, the V100 delivers 70 to 100 consecutive flashes at 100Ws without compromising performance. This ensures enhanced shooting efficiency and flexibility, allowing you to handle complex scenarios with ease and capture every brilliant moment of your creative vision.
Zoom range (mm) | 28mm | 35mm | 50mm | 70mm | 80mm | 105mm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Continuous flashes (100Ws) |
75 | 75 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 100 |
Detachable Sub Flash
The V100 continues the highly praised detachable sub flash (SU-1) design from the V1 Pro. This versatile feature enables dual-light setups with a single flash, offering creative lighting solutions for portrait photography.
Wireless Sync, Streamlined Workflow
With the built-in Godox 2.4G Wireless X System, the V100 functions as both a master and receiver unit. Its one-tap pairing capability seamlessly integrates with the X3 trigger or other Godox wireless flash units, streamlining multi-flash setups and boosting productivity.
Powerful Battery, Convenient Charging
Powered by the same high-performance lithium battery as the V1 Pro, the V100 ensures uninterrupted shooting. The Type-C charging port and compatibility with the VC26T Multi-Battery Charger make recharging quick and convenient.
Enhanced Recycling with External Power
The V100 includes a port for the PB960 Lithium-Ion Flash Power Pack, reducing full-power recycling time to as fast as 0.8 seconds. This feature supports demanding, high-intensity shooting scenarios, ensuring peak performance.
Built-In LED Modeling Lamp
A 2W LED modeling lamp with 10 adjustable levels provides flexible options for previewing light effects or serving as a fill light. The lamp supports continuous or interrupt modes, catering to different creative needs.
Comprehensive Accessory Ecosystem
The V100 is compatible with a broad range of Godox accessories, including the AK-R1 Accessory Kit for Round Flash Heads, AK-R21 Projection Attachment, AK-R22 Collapsible Diffusion Dome, and the S2 Speedlite Bracket for Bowens, among others. Whether you’re fine-tuning light, exploring creative effects, or expanding functionality, the V100 is designed to meet every need.
-
Solar Energy3 years ago
DLR testing the use of molten salt in a solar power plant in Portugal
-
Camera1 year ago
DJI Air 3 vs. Mini 4 Pro: which compact drone is best?
-
world news1 year ago
Gulf, France aid Gaza, Russia evacuates citizens
-
Camera1 year ago
Sony a9 III: what you need to know
-
world news1 year ago
Strong majority of Americans support Israel-Hamas hostage deal
-
Camera4 years ago
Charles ‘Chuck’ Geschke, co-founder of Adobe and inventor of the PDF, dies at 81
-
Solar Energy1 year ago
Glencore eyes options on battery recycling project
-
Indian Defense3 years ago
Israeli Radar Company Signs MoU To Cooperate With India’s Alpha Design Technologies