Skylum released the update 1.2.0 for Luminar 2018. It includes adding Batch Processing and a Free Transform tool to the Windows version.

If you plan to buy Luminar use the coupon code “43RUM” you will get $10 off:
– The update is free for all current users of Luminar 2018.
– Current users of Luminar 2017 may upgrade for $49 ($39 with your coupon code);
– New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for $69 ($59 with your coupon code);

Luminar 2018 link: https://macphun.evyy.net/c/60087/320119/3255.
Luminar 2018 link to the Trial page: https://macphun.evyy.net/c/60087/339971/3255

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Press text:

New Update to Luminar 2018 Brings Snappier Performance
Luminar Jupiter is now 3x faster and more responsive, and gets new pro features and over 300 other improvements.

Bellevue, WA – April 12, 2018 — Skylum Software today released the latest free update to Luminar 2018 which brings significant performance enhancements, improved RAW conversion and key-feature parity of Mac and Windows version with Batch processing, Free Transform, and Flip and Rotate features on Windows. Dubbed the “Jupiter” release, this latest version allows users to edit photos much faster with better quality results.

While enhancing speed and overall app performance was the major focus for the Jupiter update, Skylum also dramatically improved the RAW Develop filter with new tech to provide better color and less noise, plus incorporated automatic lens distortion removal. The result is a superior, cleaner starting image, ready for further editing.

“Our loyal community of users continues to offer ideas for new features that would benefit their respective workflows, and we’ll keep on listening, learning and improving our products,” said Alex Tsepko, CEO of Skylum. “Our goal is to produce fast, easy, and feature-rich imaging software that can offer both single-click solutions as well as custom functions for those who want absolute control.”

Many photographers are looking for two things to make their editing workflow more efficient: first is a high-quality RAW converter to unlock the best image their camera has produced; one that’s rich in detail and color, while free from noise and artifacts. The second is speed – a responsive application that matches pace with a photographers workflow, and makes it easy to edit photos to look their best, is one that will be the #1 choice. Luminar Jupiter brings both qualities to photographers of any skill level.

WHAT’S NEW

Speed improvements to get more done in less time

Skylum has dramatically increased the speed of editing across all areas of Luminar. Now images open faster, filters apply quicker, and the entire application is more responsive.

1. Most users will see snappier sliders as they’ve gained performance boosts of 3-25x for easier adjustments.
2. Luminar better uses the operating system for faster performance, with many operations seeing significant boosts.

Luminar Jupiter also got numerous interface and user experience improvements based on users’ feedback for an improved editing experience. The new version has several “under-the-hood” enhancements to add stability as well as to improve performance when editing even the largest of images.

Better RAW conversion

1. Better exposure calculation. Refined initial brightness setting for RAW files produces a perfect match to how a camera saw the scene.
2. Cleaner gradients. Improved de-mosaic process for even cleaner image conversion, i.e. smooth transitions in areas like skies and shadows for accurate color and less noise.
3. Fewer halos. If an image has high contrast areas, the improved Defringe option will help with backlit areas or strong contrast.
4. More cameras, better compatibility. Now even more RAW formats can be edited natively with the RAW Develop filter. Plus, a large set of existing camera modules have been refined for even better RAW conversion.
5. Reduced chromatic aberration. If a lens shows color artifacts in high contrast or backlit areas, the new Auto Chromatic aberration removal option will help to get rid of green and cyan shifts.

Automatic lens distortion removal

Getting the perfect shot is now easier than ever. The RAW Develop filter analyzes an image and its metadata to calculate an Automatic Lens Distortion fix that can be applied in one-click. This is a perfect tool to get rid of wide angle distortion and get truer perspective lines and more attractive portraits.

Advanced support for DCP Profiles

Luminar recognizes the industry standard DNG Camera Profile, or “DCP” files, that users may already have on their computers (or have purchased from third parties) to ensure accurate and consistent colors. Users will also be able to use DCP profiles from DNG files. This feature is currently available for Mac and will be available soon for Windows.

Essential New Features for Windows Users

The Skylum team has put a lot of effort into making the Windows experience be world-class and significantly faster. In fact, the PC version now matches the Mac version for all core features with Batch Processing, Free Transform and Flip and Rotate tools.

Here are some Windows-specific additions

1. NEW: BATCH PROCESSING. The powerful Batch Processing workflow saves time and effort.
2. NEW: EASY TRANSFORMATIONS. To easily transform the shape of an image, the Free Transform tool can scale and position an object as needed. Plus users can easily Flip and Rotate an image using the Image menu commands.
3. Better cloning. Users can quickly call up the Clone & Stamp module by pressing Ctrl + J. Softness, opacity, and size of the brush can also now be modified.
4. Cleaner zooms. Accelerated zooming now delivers a cleaner image at all sizes. Images appear sharper when the zoom is beyond 100% for detail work. Plus the new version provides a cleaner preview when zoomed out to see the whole image.
5. Preview mode. To check out a photo free from any distractions users can now use Full Screen Preview – a great way to really study an image in detail.
6. Localization support. It’s even easier to use Luminar in a different language. The localizations have been improved for greater accuracy and can now be changed from the File menu in Windows version.
7. Better masking controls. Users can create masks more easily when painting masks. Holding down the spacebar and dragging with the cursor, pans and moves the image when masking.
8. Improved workflow with other applications. When using Luminar as a plugin with other applications, color profiles are properly included. This change also improves image exporting with attached profiles.
9. Shared workspaces. Users can now share their custom workspaces.

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If you plan to buy Luminar use the coupon code “43RUM” you will get $10 off:

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The update is free for all current users of Luminar 2018.

Current users of Luminar 2017 may upgrade for $49 ($39 with your coupon code);

New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for $69 ($59 with your coupon code);

A collection of bonuses will also be included with every purchase.

OFFER AVAILABILITY: April 12 – April 29

What’s included in the offer:

• Luminar 2018: the most powerful and technologically advanced photo editor for Mac & Windows (worth $69) – Luminar 2018 is a fast, versatile, and intuitive image editor, which can take your workflow from RAW file to fully finished image without needing to use any other image editor.

• The Complete Landscape Photography Guide ebook from Photzy (worth $50) – An outstanding guide written by professional photographer and writer Kent DuFault. This ebook has something for everyone, with 237 pages packed full of information and assignments that will transform your landscape photography.

• Aerial Photography & Video with Matt Granger (worth $79) – World-renowned photographer, Matt Granger will share planning, shooting and editing aerial stills and video. Matt will also demonstrate editing with Luminar 2018 on his still aerial images..

• Photography Tutorial by Daniel Kordan (worth $29) – Extensive tutorial with a full workflow demonstration by expert landscape photographer Daniel Kordan. This tutorial includes shooting and post-processing images in Luminar 2018.

• 119 Dramatic & Romantic Sky overlays (worth $29) – This is an amazing addition to your photo editing workflow, and will help give boring skies that ‘wow!’ factor.

• Splitsville Presets By Brian Matiash (worth $15) – Add a professional polish to your images with these cool presets.

Cinema5D shared the details about the new Skybeam 2nd generation of the world smallest Cinema E-mount lenses. Here are the specs via Cinema5D (Click on image to enlarge).

The first generation lenses can still be found in Stock at Amazon Germany, Amazon France.

Could this be the smallest cage with handle for the GH5 and GH5S ?

Important Differences between the Panasonic GH5, Sony a7S II and Sony a7R II (Wolfcrow).
I just got em 10 mark ii and don’t know a thing about photography (Reddit)
NAB 2018: New from Syrp, the Genie II 3-Axis Motion Control System (Explora)
Panasonic Lumix GX9 sample gallery updated (Dpreview).
Vanguard Tripods, Monopods and Bags (Personal View).

Share your best pictures on our new Instagram MicroFourThirdsGallery.

Plenty of news on the facebook E-M1II group and the GH5 group.

One of the most impressive new gear on the NAB show is the Z Cam E2 Micro Four Thirds camera. 4k at 120fps and with 10bit….huge! Here is an interview with the maker:

Personla View also took a look at the Z Cam E1 Taipan Cage

Press text:

Panasonic announced today that the AU-EVA1 Compact S35 and the VariCam LT cinema cameras will have support for their RAW data outputs in the new ProRes RAW recording codecs. Native support for ProRes RAW has been introduced in the latest edition of Final Cut Pro X, and Atomos has announced that its Shogun Inferno and Sumo monitor/recorders will record in the new format. In addition to internal recording formats, the EVA1 and VariCam LT can output RAW data for the greatest flexibility in post image adjustment.

“ProRes RAW unleashes the potential of our VariCam LT and AU-EVA1 cinema cameras,” said Mitch Gross, Cinema Product Manager, Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America (PSSNA). “Panasonic likes to provide choices to video professionals. Both the EVA1 and the VariCam LT shoot at multiple resolutions and variable frame rates, and now our RAW output can be captured in a format that’s easy to use. Whether it’s 5.7K resolution or 240fps, our RAW is rich in data but has required a commitment of time and memory space for filmmakers to process and store. Working closely with Panasonic, Atomos enabled ProRes RAW in its recorders, allowing an easy, high quality and complete RAW workflow so professionals can enjoy the powerful capabilities our cameras have to offer.”

With the new EVA2.0 firmware, the EVA1 can output 10-bit Log-encoded RAW data in 5.7K up to 30fps, 4K up to 60fps, and 2K up to 240fps. From the VariCam LT, the Atomos recorders can capture RAW data in 4K up to 60fps and 2K up to 240fps. There are two variable bitrate levels of ProRes RAW being introduced. ProRes RAW HQ and ProRes RAW record at similar data rates as their ProRes video counterparts. This efficiency allows RAW data to be stored in similar memory space as common video files, and Final Cut Pro X can edit and color natively in RAW on a MacBook Pro. ProRes RAW files will also output from Final Cut Pro X to video finishing formats faster than other RAW formats. And Final Cut Pro X now includes increased color correction controls plus support for 3D-LUTs such as Panasonic’s V-Log-to-709 image transform, included in the program.

“Panasonic, Atomos and Apple have combined to deliver an astonishing set of features for end-to-end RAW production – 5.7K30p, 4K60p, 2K240p in 10-bit V-Log recorded on SATA SSDs in ProRes RAW on our Shogun Inferno or Sumo 19,” said Jeromy Young, CEO of Atomos. “We primarily used the EVA1 for ProRes RAW launch testing – it’s the best RAW solution for the price point on the market today.”

Today, Atomos has released the firmware to support EVA1 RAW and VariCam LT RAW to ProRes RAW recording in 4K and 2K resolutions, with 5.7K support scheduled for a May release. Final Cut Pro X with ProRes RAW support is slated to be available for download on Monday, April 9th. The EVA 2.0 firmware with RAW output and VariCam LT v6.0 firmware are available for download now.

About the AU-EVA1
The AU-EVA1 5.7K handheld cinema camera is distinguished by a pixel count of 5720 H x 3016 V (17.25 mil-lion), Dual Native ISO ratings of 800 and 2,500, and 14-stops of dynamic range. The newly-designed EVA1 sensor is Super-35 sized (24.60mm x 12.97mm) with 5.7K resolution. With an active resolution of 5720 x 3016, the EVA1 delivers more than 17.25 million photosites, nearly double the 8.8 million for 4K DCI (4096 x 2160). Weighing only 2.65-lbs (1.2Kg, body-only) with a compact form factor (6.69” H x 5.31” W x 5.23” D) and a removable handgrip, the EVA1 can be used for efficient handheld shooting applications. Because of its compact form factor, it can also be mounted on a drone, gimbal rig or jib arm for complex yet smooth camera moves.

About the VariCam LT
The VariCam LT camcorder inherits the same super 35mm sensor and superb imaging capabilities that dis-tinguish the award-winning VariCam 35, but with significant reductions in size, weight and price. Incorporating this identical imaging “DNA” in a more compact rendition, the VariCam LT delivers 14+ stops of dynamic range with V-Log, and the esteemed cinematic VariCam image quality and color science, as well as the Vari-Cam 35’s breakout innovation, dual native ISOs of 800/5000. Weighing just under six pounds and having su-perior capability to similar sized cameras, the VariCam LT is the ideal camera for handheld, SteadiCam, jib, crane, drone, gimbal and overall cinema verité work. The VariCam LT offers a host of new features including an EF lens mount, hot swappable batteries, IR shooting capability, a 23.98 PsF output, cinema style file nam-ing, and image presets such as scene files.

The new camera is on preorder at BHphoto and Adorama.

We have to thank Blackmagic for making this years NABshow more exciting than expected. Their new MFT camera is making quite big waves in the film comunity for the following reasons:

• Cheapest 4K RAW recording camera
• first camera that will let users connect media, like an SSD, directly to the camera’s USB-C port for direct external recording.
• Camera with similar (or same?) GHS5 sensor for half the price

Of course it’s not a perfect cam: you don’t get superb GH5s kind of autofocus, no IBIS, no tilt screen, poor battery life. And the worse news of all it will officialy ship in September only. But I fear REAL shipment will start by very late 2018 only (typical for Blackmagic).

Here are new Hands-on videos: