OM System Lens Roadmap – No New Lenses?

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Replying to Your Comments – Micro Four Thirds, Photography, Cameras, Lenses (Gary W).
Old Cameras Better Fun Than New Cameras? (Matti Sulanto)
Best Lights for Video Podcasting (Explora).
What is Cinematic Triangle and How Does It Help You Light Your Videos (42West).

Plenty of news on the facebook OMD group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.
I kindly invite you all to follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Threads for more broader camera talk.

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Precise & Offline AI Background Removal with Aiarty Image Matting (40% OFF + Lifetime Free Upgrades)

Cutting out fine details like hair, fur, lace, or glass can be tedious. Even for Sony Alpha photographers with high-resolution RAW files, manual masking is slow, and online AI tools often struggle with semi-transparent areas, low-light images, or privacy concerns.

Aiarty Image Matting is a desktop AI tool that simplifies background removal, alpha matting, and seamless foreground blending—all offline, ensuring your images remain secure and private.

Black Friday Special: 40% Off Lifetime License

For a limited time, save 40% on the Lifetime License—now only $59 (originally $109).

• Use on up to 3 computers
• One-time payment—no subscriptions, no recurring fees, and no hidden costs
• Lifetime free upgrades—always have access to the latest features at no extra cost
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Find out more about the Black Friday deal.

Learn how Aiarty Image Matting can enhance your photography workflow.

Performance-Driven Specifications

Quick Highlights:

• Supported Formats: Sony Alpha RAW (.arw, .sr2), Canon (.cr2, .cr3), Nikon (.nef), Fujifilm (.raf), Panasonic (.rw2), Olympus (.orf), plus standard formats like .jpg, .png, .heic, .tiff.
• Batch Processing: Auto-detects subjects and replaces backgrounds across up to 3,000 images—perfect for product shoots or large projects.
• High-Res Output: 2× upscaling, exports up to 10K, with denoise and deblur.
• Offline Performance: Optimized for NVIDIA/AMD/Intel GPUs and CPU, fully offline for secure, fast editing.

Quick & Easy Workflow

1. Load Image: Drag and drop your photo into Aiarty.
2. Choose AI Model: Select the best model based on your image.
3. Automatic Matting: Let the AI separate the subject from the background.
4. Refine (Optional): Use the built-in brush, eraser, and edge tools to clean up fine details. You can blur or replace the background, or leave it transparent.
5. Export: Save your image in full resolution or upscaled quality.

Four AI Models for Accurate Subject Separation

Aiarty offers 4 AI models for different image types. Whether handling hair, fur, feathers, semi-transparent objects, or emphasizing outlines, there’s a model for every scenario:

• AlphaStandard V2: Smooth blend, optimized transparency for edges like wedding dresses, glass, water, hair, or pet fur.
• AlphaEdge V2: Sharp edge focus for images where clarity matters more than soft blending.
• EdgeClear V2: Precision matting for fine-detail objects like jewelry, birds, furniture, or vehicles.
• SolidMat V2: Ideal for complex solid objects like books, shoes, phones, and furniture.

Replace Backgrounds in a Snap


Aiarty’s alpha matting allows non-destructive editing. Subjects can be masked for transparent backgrounds, replaced with new images, or turned into white background shots for clean product photography.

Precision Alpha Matting & Refinement Tools

Aiarty Image Matting effectively handles fine details like hair strands, fur, lace, tulle, glass, water droplets, and other semi-transparent textures with true alpha. It’s perfect for portraits, wildlife, and product photography where high attention to detail is required.
Once the background is removed, use the built-in brush, eraser, dodge, and burn tools to refine edges and perfect details. Adjust transparency, blur, feathering, and even add black-and-white effects to seamlessly blend subjects into new backgrounds.

Final Thoughts

Aiarty Image Matting simplifies background removal and matting, turning a time-consuming task into a fast, precise process. Whether you’re working on portraits, wildlife, or product photography, Aiarty offers a powerful yet easy-to-use solution for achieving professional-quality composites.

With lifetime updates and the ability to use on 3 computers, Aiarty is a cost-effective tool for photographers looking to streamline their workflow and improve efficiency.

Learn more about Aiarty.

You get this cool looking optical viewfinder for $41 at Ulanzi store (Click here).
It has a Ground Glass Focusing Screen, 35mm and 50mm frame lines…cute!

Micro Four Thirds KILLS Point-and-Shoot Compact Camera

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
New 50-200mm lens in Pantanal with Petr Bambousek (OM System Youtube).
OM System OM-5 II in-depth review: the innovator showing its age (Dpreview)
Lighting Fundamentals: A Bright Idea (Explora).
How to Manage the Ton of Tech in Your Dorm Room (42West).

Plenty of news on the facebook OMD group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.
I kindly invite you all to follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Threads for more broader camera talk.

Phototrend had a talk with Foucauld Prové, Managing Director at Sigma France. He said the following about MFT:

We no longer manufacture lenses for micro 4/3, so I imagine our management no longer anticipates huge growth for this format. But, having attended quite a few wildlife photography festivals and shows, we realize that micro 4/3 still has certain advantages.

Of course, due to the size of the sensors and their limited definition, this will not be the best choice for making incredible enlargements. Nevertheless, the compactness of the lenses remains very relevant for nature photography enthusiasts.

We see this clearly with OM System, which is focusing – rightly – on the outdoor and wildlife photography market.

Come back Sigma! :)