Lightroom CC/7 and how Adobe sees the world

Let’s see:

  • No updates for Lightroom 6 after 2017
  • “Lightroom CC” becomes “Lightroom CC Classic”, is available only via subscription (*cough* ransomware *cough*) and its future is uncertain
  • Adobe introducdes a new “Lightroom CC” that has flaws like subscription model, no printing (why on earth somebody should print a photo???), forces you to upload your pictures to Adobe (ever heard about photogs with slow internet?), problems with keywords, no map module, no tethering, no multiple catalogs, and so on…

I see sales for Capture One Pro skyrocketing. Or look for alternatives like RawTherapee, Darktable, ACDsee,…

My personal answer is: Adobe, rot in hell! I will stop buying Adobe software.

Just think about this: some time in the future Adobe will “concentrate on the cloud version” and stop developing the “Classic” one – simply to reduce development costs and to increase profits from storage options. Simply say no to someone who helds hostage years of your work.

Nikon D850 first DSLR to hit 100 points on DxOMark

Nikon obviously has delivered a hit: the D850 is the first DSLR camera to get 100 points on DxOMarks sensor test: https://www.dxomark.com/nikon-d850-sensor-review-first-dslr-hit-100-points/

Its predecessor D810 already had a very high 97 score. That the best-selling D850 now hits 100 points fits perfectly for Nikon’s hundredth anniversary year.

Nikon D850

Nikon today announced the D850, the successor for the D810.

  • 45.7 Megapixel BSI sensor without low pass filter
  • Three raw modes delivering 45.7 MP, 25.6 MP or 11.4 MP
  • Quite fast 7 fps with AF or 9 fps with the battery grip
  • The excellent 153 point autofocus system from the flagship camera D5 (99 cross-type sensors), providing 30% wider coverage than the D810
  • The largest optical viewfinder on any Nikon DSLR (0.75x)
  • ISO 64 to 25,600 (with boost 32 to 102,400)
  • 4k video at 24/30 fps, Full HD 1080p at up to 120 fps
  • 8k time lapse
  • Finally focus peaking (1080p-only) and zebra stripes, uncompressed 4:2:2 8-bit 4K HDMI output and microphone/headphone inputs
  • Finally illuminated buttons like the D5
  • Redesigned shutter and mirror mechanism to better handle shutter shock
  • Tilting 3.2″ 2.36M dot touchscreen
  • Dual card slots (XQD and SD)
  • Snapbridge to connect to a mobile app (but it will transfer 46 MP file over bluetooth, probably not a good idea)
  • Weather sealed magnesium alloy body

Available in September for a MSRP of $3,299.95 or EUR 3.800

Seems like a very capable camera and probably offers the quality of the Fujifilm GFX 50S combined with the autofocus performance of the Nikon flagship D5.

Sony A9 – a nail in the coffin of Nikon and Canon?

The new mirrorless Sony A9 has all it takes to change the photography market and to further derail the two leaders Canon and Nikon:

  • 24 MP sensor with back side illumination
  • 20 fps
  • Buffer of 241 RAW images
  • 693 on-sensor phase detection autofocus points covering nearly the whole viewfinder
  • 1/16000 shutter speed (1/32000 for Manual and Shutter Priority exposure modes)
  • 4K video from 6K dataset
  • In-body image stabilization
  • Weather sealed body
  • Quite large battery capacity
  • Dual SD card slots (but only one of it high speed UHS-II – why?)
  • A suggested price of $4,500 – a whopping $2,000 cheaper than the D5

This new beast attacks Nikon D5 and Canon 1D X Mark II, the top-end cameras of Sonys biggest competitors (and still #1 and #2 on the market, despite Sonys marketeing). If Sony is able to add 400mm, 500mm, 600mm lenses, the A9 has the chance to dethrone its rivals. Let’s hope they are not sleeping…

BTW, we can assume XQD is dead when even its inventor Sony isn’t using it for their high-end camera.

All AMD Ryzen reviews

The new AMD Ryzen CPUs (1800X, 1700X, 1700) are out and here are the first reviews for gamers and enthusiasts:

English:
Anandtech: http://www.anandtech.com/show/11170/the-amd-zen-and-ryzen-7-review-a-deep-dive-on-1800x-1700x-and-1700
Tomshardware: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-ryzen-7-1800x-cpu,4951.html
PC Gamer: http://www.pcgamer.com/the-amd-ryzen-7-review/
Overclockers Club: http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/amd_ryzen_7_1800x_1700x_1700/

German:
Computerbase: https://www.computerbase.de/2017-03/amd-ryzen-1800x-1700x-1700-test/
Heise: https://www.heise.de/ct/artikel/Achtkern-Prozessor-Ryzen-7-1800X-im-Test-3638058.html
PC Games Hardware: http://www.pcgameshardware.de/Ryzen-7-1800X-CPU-265804/Tests/Test-Review-1222033/
Hardwareluxx: https://www.hardwareluxx.de/index.php/artikel/hardware/prozessoren/42068-acht-kerne-und-16-threads-fuer-550-euro-amd-ryzen-7-1800x-im-test.html