Camera
Razer announces new Blade 14 laptop with AMD Ryzen 9 CPU, up to RTX 3080 GPU and more
Electronics manufacturer Razer has announced its new Razer Blade 14 laptop as well as a forthcoming Razer Raptor 27 monitor set to be released later this year.
Razer Blade 14
The Razer Blade 14 line has made its return, this time with a powerful eight-core AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor (7nm) at the heart of the 14″ laptop (3.3GHz base, 4.6GHz ‘Max Boost’). The Blade 14 comes in three distinct models, with the main differentiating factor between the three being the GPU inside: The base model, which will retail for $1,799, comes with an NVIDIA RTX 3060, while the two top-end models feature the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080, and will retail for $2,199 and $2,799, respectively.
Aside from the GPU inside, the only other differentiating factor between the models is the display. The entry-level Blade 14 has a Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixel) display that covers ‘up to’ 100% sRGB while the two higher-end models will use a Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixel) that covers ‘up to’ 100% DCI-P3 and offers 165Hz framerate. All of the laptops support AMD FreeSync Premium.
Built-in storage for all three models is a 1TB PCIe SSD, but it’s user upgradeable. RAM, on the other hand, is soldered in and stuck at 16GB of dual-channel DDR4–3200MHz. Powering all models is a 61.6WHr lithium-ion polymer battery, which Razer claims can hit 12 hours of battery life (although it’s likely limited to less graphics-demanding applications).
Other features include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, THX Spatial Audio support, a 720p webcam, an IR sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition login, Razer’s signature Chroma RGB keyboard and an array of ports that includes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 port and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
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The laptop measures 16.8mm (.66”) tall by 220mm (8.66”) deep by 319.7mm (12.59”) wide when closed. The new Razer Balde 14 is available starting today at Razer.com and authorized Razer retailers with the base model starting at $1,799.
Razer Raptor 27
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Razer has also announced its Raptor 27, a new 27″ 165Hz display with THX Certification. According to Razer, this certification is obtained by passing ‘more than 400 individual tests to ensure color, tone and images are displayed as their creators intended, for a stunning picture quality and level of detail.’
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The IPS display offers a Quad HD (2560 x 1440) resolution and supports both AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync adaptive sync technology to make the most of the 165Hz refresh rate. The display offers 95% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage as well as HDR400 support.
In typical Razer fashion, the Raptor 27 will have built-in Chroma RGB lighting effects that can be synchronized with other Razer Synapse 3 accessories. The monitor itself features a matte-black finish and is mounted on a forged aluminum base, which includes integrated cable organization.
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The Razer Raptor 27 will be available in ‘early Q3 2021’ for $799.99 / €999.99 on Razer’s website and through authorized Razer retailers. There’s also a new Razer VESA Mount Adapter for the Raptor 27 that will be available at the same time for $99.99 / €99.99, except it will only be available on Razer’s website.
| Photo: Leica |
With its latest announcement, Leica is furthering its focus on mobile photography, adding a new accessory to its lineup. The company designed the Leica Lux Grip specifically for iPhones, following up on the June release of the Leica Lux iPhone app. The grip is strictly for Leica lovers, as it will only work with Leica’s iPhone app; controls will not transfer to the default iPhone camera app or any other third-party options.
Leica says the Lux Grip is “similar to a classic Leica camera in terms of its handling and feel.” It goes even further and explains that all of the grip’s “physical controls consistently express Leica’s design philosophy and conjure up the familiar experience of using a professional camera.” Any grip will make for a more camera-like experience and make taking photographs with a phone a bit more ergonomic, so users who focus on mobile photography could certainly benefit from it.
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| Photo: Leica |
The grip relies on a magnetic MagSafe connection rather than a case-like design, which is typical in other phone grips. The magnetic attachment makes switching between portrait and landscape orientations easy while maintaining a comfortable grip with easy controls. Plus, removing the grip when it’s not needed and returning to a traditional phone form factor is straightforward. That also means that when users purchase a new iPhone, there’s no need to buy an entirely new grip specific to that phone.
The Lux Grip uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity to communicate with a phone’s camera, allowing users to control camera functionality without digging into phone menus. That includes a two-stage shutter release that, like cameras, uses light pressure to focus and a full press to take a photo. There’s also a button to switch between shooting modes, two customizable buttons and a dial for adjusting settings.
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| Photo: Leica |
For those who want to go all out, Leica also released a leather case designed just for the Lux Grip, which features an AirTag holder.
The Leica Lux Grip is available for $329 on Leica’s website and B&H. The purchase includes a year of the Leica LUX Pro subscription.
Buy now:
Leica Camera AG is launching the Leica LUX Grip for the iPhone today.
The camera grip impresses with its intuitive operation and high-quality manufacturing while, at the same time, setting new standards for photographic precision using a smartphone. The Leica LUX Grip is similar to a classic Leica camera in terms of its handling and feel. Its clear design, sophisticated operating concept and easy attachment – guaranteed by secure magnetic MagSafe technology – improve the ergonomics and functionality of smartphone photography, taking it to a new level. The LUX Grip and iPhone communicate via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and are perfectly complemented by the Leica LUX app.
All of the LUX Grip’s physical controls consistently express Leica’s design philosophy and conjure up the familiar experience of using a professional camera. The 2-stage shutter release focusses with light pressure and starts shooting when fully pressed down. A button allows you to quickly switch between shooting modes. Two control elements can be individually assigned and customised via the Leica LUX app. While one button provides quick access to frequently used functions, the easy-to-grip control dial enables the precise selection of camera settings – such as zoom, aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation. This means that photographers have all the essential aspects of image composition in their own hands, even when using a smartphone.
The Leica LUX app rounds off the photographic experience by adding the unmistakable image and colour aesthetics of legendary Leica lenses. The bokeh effect of the Summilux-M or Noctilux-M can be used to deliberately emphasise features while retaining full control over exposure, ISO and shutter speed. Unique Leica Looks – from Vivid to classic Black&White – expand the artistic palette, lending digital photography an analogue character. The Leica LUX app forms a perfect symbiosis with the LUX Grip. The full version of the app is included for one year with every Grip product registration.
The LUX Grip also sets the tone when it comes to sustainability. Thanks to its modular design, the Grip can be easily reused with all electronic components every time you change your iPhone. Only the MagSafe base plate has to be replaced. Weighing just 130 grams, the Leica LUX Grip is comfortable to hold and is equally suitable for left- and right-handed users. Its powerful battery lets you take up to 1,000 shots and will be ready for use again in a flash with a charging time of 2 hours via USB-C.
The Leica LUX Grip is now available in selected Leica Stores, in the Leica Online Store and from specialist retailers. The recommended retail price is EUR 300 incl. VAT.
| Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm F1.2 pre-production | F1.2 | 1/125 sec | ISO 64 |
Earlier this week, Nikon announced the Nikkor Z 35mm F1.2 S, a wide-angle lens with a fast aperture. We were able to spend a few hours on the streets of Seattle with a pre-production model, and got some shots that should give you an idea of what this lens is about.
A few caveats to keep in mind – given that the photos were shot with a pre-production lens, they may not be exactly indicative of how a production model would perform. Our standard lens gallery procedure also involves processing the images through Capture One, giving us precise control over what corrections are and are not applied. However, the images in this sample gallery are straight out of camera JPEGs, and thus may have corrections that wouldn’t usually be applied to images in our sample galleries.
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This image depicts the Sony E-mount version of the AF 28mm F4.5 lens, though the size is nearly identical.
Photo: Viltrox |
After a playful bit of marketing, Viltrox announced a new flavor of its ultra-thin AF 28mm F4.5 lens. It first made the lens available for Sony E-mount cameras last fall, and now it will also be available for X-mount cameras.
Viltrox calls this teeny offering a chip lens. That nickname is in reference to how thin it is, drawing similarities with potato chips, and does not pertain to any sort of technology inside the lens. To stay on theme, the company’s teaser for the announcement featured a bag of chips with AF 28mm F4.5 XF above it, much like the Lays potato chip flavor announcements.
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| Image: Viltrox |
The Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 is a unique lens because of its diminutive size. It weighs a measly 60g (2.1oz) and is only 15.3mm (0.6in) thick. To keep the size so minuscule, there are some compromises. Most notably, it uses a constant F4.5 aperture. That means no adjusting the aperture based on lighting conditions. Additionally, it lacks a manual focus ring, so you’ll be stuck entirely with autofocus. It also isn’t compatible with filters.
The optical design is made up of six elements in six groups, including two ED and two aspherical elements. Voltrox says it will deliver “sharp images, vibrant colors, and stunning starburst effects.” It uses a VCM for autofocus, which Viltrox promises will be “fast, precise, and silent.” Additionally, the lens features an integrated lens cap with a slide for opening and closing the cover and a USB-C port for firmware updates.
The AF 28mm F4.5 XF is available in black and white colorways for $99.
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