Canon and Sony News for Aug 2024 (Page 2)

From Manfrotto:

MANFROTTO EXPANDS THE BEST-SELLING BEFREE TRAVEL TRIPOD RANGE

• Packed with features, carry-on size. Super compact travel companions ready for the road with the performance and versatility for any shot, in every location.
• Available in aluminium and carbon fibre, these new Befree models confirm Befree as the lightweight tripod of choice for Pro creators using the latest mirrorless cameras
• 3 New Models for Professionals looking for performance on-the-go including an Arca-compatible model, hybrid model suited to both photo and video and a standalone tripod that can be paired with a head of choice.

August 7th - Manfrotto, the world-leading manufacturer of professional photography, video, and cinema production equipment with over 50 years of experience, announces the addition of 3 new models to its top-selling Befree travel tripod range. Designed for creators using the latest mirrorless cameras, the new Befree tripods offer a lightweight, feature-rich solution for on-the-go photography and videography.

With the rise in popularity of mirrorless cameras and the increasing demand for high-performance, portable equipment, Manfrotto is meeting the needs of professional photographers and hybrid creators with the launch of these new Befree models.

Expanding the existing product range, the new additions offer a seamless blend of cutting-edge technology and exceptional performance, positioning them as the must have travel companion to ensure the best shots of any travel experience.

Catering to different scenarios and offering solutions for professionals working in various contexts – whether it is capturing captivating images on-the-go or creating high quality video content, the new Befree tripods provide the precision and reliability required by today’s travel professionals.

Designed to provide the best-in-class solutions for photographers and creators seeking enhanced creativity and functional design in a lightweight package, the new models are available in both aluminium and carbon fibre, providing options for users who value durability and lightweight constructions.

The new Befree models include a full Arca-compatible model for professional photographers, a hybrid model for creators looking capture both photos and videos, and for the first time ever, a standalone tripod leg option that can be paired with the user’s preferred head.

Befree Advanced AS (Aluminium $199.95, Carbon $289.95)

A must have addition to the portfolio for on the road professional photographers working with mirrorless, the Befree Advanced AS is a flexible, reliable tripod kit for users to directly mount different accessories such as a L bracket, camera cage or tele lens collar mount to suit the shoot they have planned without needing a QR plate interface. Fully Arca-compatible, the Befree Advanced AS is made in Italy to certified industry payload standards.

Befree GT PRO 3-Way (Aluminium $329.95, Carbon $429.95)

For travel hybrid creators that are often on the road and need a tripod kit that is compact but versatile to capture mesmerising pictures and unprecedented video footage, the new Befree GT PRO 3-Way is the go-to professional travel tripod for any trip. This hybrid tripod works seamlessly for photo and video applications thanks to the levelling column and 3-Way head with fluid pan and tilt movements for both vertical and landscape video.

Befree GT PRO tripod legs (Aluminium $199.95, Carbon $299.95)

The Befree GT PRO tripod legs are suited for any professional photographer and videographer who carries out jobs in any studio setup. Super compact, with a fully foldable design and a strong payload, the Befree GT tripod legs can be matched with any head of choice – from the Befree 496 Ball Head to any other head from the extensive Manfrotto range.

With travel becoming more popular than ever, the addition of 3 new models to the best-selling Befree tripod collection ensures the range meets the diverse needs of professional photographers and videographers on the move, ensuring performance and versatility for any shot, in every location.

Get your Manfrotto Befree tripod at B&H.

I have a fresh-from-the-factory Canon EOS R5 Mark II in my hands, and it is time to set it up. I use the following steps to prepare a new (or reset to factory settings) R5 II for use. While the number of steps in this setup guide may seem daunting, the process is not difficult. You've got this.

1. Open the box, find the battery, place it in the charger, and plug it in.
2. record the serial number, and add the camera to your insurance policy (you're covered, right?)
3. While the battery is charging, unpack the other items you want from the box.
4. Consider downloading and installing the latest Canon imaging software, Canon Digital Photo Pro (DPP) and EOS Utility, to ensure support for your camera model.
5. Insert a memory card (we'll format the card in a later step), insert a charged battery, and power the camera on.
6. The language, and then date, time, and zone setup prompts will appear during the first startup. Use the rear control dial and set button to update this information.
7. Scroll through all of the menu tabs to configure the camera as follows:
8. Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Img type/size: Use the top control dial to set RAW to "RAW", and use the rear control dial to set JPEG/HEIF to "-" (RAW image files provide the highest quality, making them especially valuable for post-processing)
9. Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Picture Style: Neutral with Sharpness = 1 (the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides a histogram that best shows the available dynamic range. I change the Picture Style to "Standard" when processing in DPP. Most other software will ignore this setting.)
10. Shooting Menu, Tab 4: White balance: AWB W (White) (I seldom use another white balance setting while shooting (it doesn't change the RAW captured image), though I often adjust white balance modestly during post-processing)
11. Shooting Menu, Tab 4: Lens Aberration Correction: All options "OFF" (Includes Peripheral illumination correction, Distortion correction, Digital Lens Optimizer, Chromatic aberration correction, and Diffraction correction. I suggest that most photographers enable Chromatic aberration correction. non-Canon software ignores these settings)
12. Shooting Menu, Tab 4: High ISO speed NR: Low (or Off) (noise reduction is destructive to image details — I prefer to add noise reduction sparingly during post-processing. Expect non-Canon software to ignore this setting.)
13. Shooting Menu, Tab 6: Release shutter without card: OFF (only in a retail store would you want to press the shutter release without saving the image file)
14. Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Customize Quick Controls: AF, One Shot - Servo, Drive mode, Anti-flicker shoot, Subject to detect, Focus bracketing, Pre-continuous Shooting, IS Mode, AF-MF, Switch focus/control ring, Eye control (pressing the "Q" button provides direct access to these settings)
15. Shooting Menu, Tab 8: Image review: Review duration: 4 sec. (the Viewfinder review option is disabled by default, avoiding interference with the shooting process)
16. Shooting Menu, Tab 8: Blackout-free display: ON
17. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: Screen info. settings: Enable 1, 2, and 3; edit screen 2 to show only: Basic shooting info and Electronic level; edit screen 3 to show only: Basic shooting info, Histogram, and Electronic level
18. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: VF info/toggle setting: Enable 1, 2, and 3 (default); edit screen 2 to show only: Electronic level; edit screen 3 to show only: Histogram and Electronic level
19. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: Grid display: 3x3 (sometimes the 3x3 grid is helpful for alignment checking while not complicating the view)
20. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: Histogram disp: RGB, Small (show the brightness levels of each channel separately and do not let the graph to take up much space in the display as it can affect the perceived composition)
21. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: Electronic level size: Small (great new feature)
22. Shooting Menu, Tab 9: Shooting info. disp.: Vertical exp level: Off
23. AF Menu, Tab 2: Subject to detect: Select Auto, People, Animals, Vehicles, or None per your current shooting scenario
24. AF Menu, Tab 4: Servo 1st image priority: Focus priority (accurate focus is more critical to me than the timing)
25. AF Menu, Tab 5: Limit AF Areas: Enable Spot AF, 1-point AF, Flexible Zone AF 1, Whole area AF, Spot AF Tracking Off, 1-point AF Tracking Off (limit the options to those you expect to use, note the tracking off options)
26. AF Menu, Tab 5: Orientation linked AF point: Separate AF pts: Pt only (instructs the camera to individually save the selected AF points for vertical and horizontal orientation)
27. AF Menu, Tab 6: MF peaking settings: Peaking: On, Level: Low
28. Playback Menu, Tab 3: Magnification: Magnificatn (apx) 10x (allows one button press during playback to zoom deeply into the image); Maintain position: Enable (maintains the position within the image when changing images)
29. Playback Menu, Tab 4: Playback information display: 1 and 2 only; change view 2 histogram to RGB
30. Playback Menu, Tab 4: Highlight Alert: Enable (overexposed and nearly overexposed pixels will blink during image review)
31. Playback Menu, Tab 4: Playback grid: 3x3
32. Networking Menu, Tab 1: Airplane mode: On (if not using wireless functions)
33. Tools Menu, Tab 1: Format card (always format a memory card in-camera before using it — all data on the card will be lost)
34. Tools Menu, Tab 1: Auto Rotate: On computer (images are properly rotated when viewed on a computer but are always oriented to fill the LCD when viewed on the camera)
35. Tools Menu, Tab 2: Beep: Disable (probably no one wants to hear your camera's beep)
36. Tools Menu, Tab 4: Power saving: Screen dimmer: Disable (resolves an annoyance — the LCD is as useful off as dimmed)
37. Tools Menu, Tab 5: Custom shooting mode (C1, C2, C3): Auto update set: Enable; Program modes as desired
38. Tools Menu, Tab 6: Copyright information: enter as desired, your name and company name are logical choices
39. Customized controls Menu, Tab 1: Customize buttons: Multi-function button: Dial function and press info to set details: Top row: Drive mode, AF area, Exposure compensation; Second row: One shot - Servo, ISO, Flash exposure compensation; LCD panel illumination button: Eye control
40. Customized controls Menu, Tab 1: Multi function lock: All unchecked (Disables the lock feature in case I inadvertently select it by not turning the power switch far enough)
41. Customized controls Menu, Tab 2: Touch & drag AF settings: ON (great AF area selection option)
42. Customized controls Menu, Tab 2: RF lens MF focus ring sensitivity: Linked to rotation degree (turns off the variable manual focus ring adjustment rate)
43. Customized controls Menu, Tab 3: Customize buttons for playback: Set: Magnify/Reduce
44. Customized controls Menu, Tab 4: Eye control: Eye control: On; Pointer display settings: Color: White, Display size: Small
45. Customized controls Menu, Tab 4: Eye control: Calibration (CAL): (follow the guided instructions to set up this feature, performing numerous calibration attempts improves this feature's accuracy), a lens is optional during calibration
46. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 1: Restrict shooting modes: On; I deselect Fv and select C2 and C3. Consider enabling A+ mode to let the camera make all decisions.
47. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 1: Bracketing auto cancel: OFF (I want to control when AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) is enabled and disabled)
48. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 1: Bracketing sequence: -0+ (if images are captured in brightness sequence, they are easier to work with during post-processing. Capturing the darkest image first means quickly securing the first frame)
49. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 3: Continuous shooting speed: 30, 20, and 10
50. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 4: Default erase option: [Erase] selected (less safe to inadvertent deletion, but one less step press is required to delete an image)
51. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 4: Av setting without lens (permits camera setup without mounting the intended lens)
52. Custom Functions Menu, Tab 5: Retract lens on power off: OFF (prevents a carefully selected focus distance from resetting when the camera auto powers off)
53. My Menu: Add My Menu 1; Register the following options: Focus bracketing, Pre-cont. shooting, Shutter mode, IS (Image Stabilizer) mode, Format card, Number of bracketed shots; reorder menu items as desired
54. My Menu: Add My Menu 2; Register the following options: Display (exposure) simulation (the "Off" setting is helpful when using flash), Date/Time/Zone (primarily for checking the time); reorder menu items as desired
55. While looking at the menu through the EVF, adjust the diopter until the scene is sharp for your eye

I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.

To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do, including in RAW-only format. While this setup works optimally for me, you should adjust the camera setup to your needs.

If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established. Consider saving the camera settings to a card (Tools menu, tab 5, Save/load cam settings on card) for an easy restore or replication. The setup file can be copied to a computer drive for long-term storage.

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More Information

Canon EOS R5 Mark II

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Sony's 2024 Q1 financial results are available on the Investor Relations page.

Presentation
(track ET&S for the Entertainment, Technology & Services Segment (cameras), I&SS for the Imaging and Sensing Solutions segment)

Financial Statements
Supplementary Information
Webcast

Sony's numbers are healthy, including those from ET&S, despite a continued decrease in television unit sales.

Learn more about the new Godox AD600Pro II All-in-One Outdoor Flash at B&H.

This is version II of the flashes used for the site's lens testing. They are a great value.

This flash is also available in the Flashpoint brand at Adorama.

I'm pulling a line item out of my long-forming and yet unpublished Bryan's Laws of Photography. That law is:

Bryan's Law of Following: Those you follow set the quality bar for your imagery. While you may not love your images as much when comparing them to the best, your path to producing great imagery will be shorter if you know what great is, if you have a goal. Follow the greats.

For example, I have long respected Ian Plant's work. He is a photographer I consider to be great and, therefore, follow.

Ian's compositional skills are outstanding, and his ability to combine composition with the perfect light makes his images impressive.

Next steps:

1. Check out Ian's website at https://ianplant.com/.
2. Sign up for Ian's free webinar to learn many of his favorite techniques for making artistic photos.
3. Consider signing up for Ian's Photo Masters Pro membership.
4. Through Aug 4th, save 25% on select ebooks and videos (some are free).

You, too, might start asking, "What would Ian do?" when approaching a composition.