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Phocus phantastic for phun iPhone photography
Back in the dark ages of the iPhone 3GS, there was the OWLE bubo -- a machined aluminum case that provided more gripping surface for holding the phone as a camera, a tripod mount, a cold shoe for an LED light, and interchangeable lenses. When the iPhone 4 and 4S came out, the company didn't create a new bubo the company updated the device to hold the newer iPhones. They're back now as Phocus with a new, less expensive, and lighter product that works with the iPhone 4/4S. The Phocus comes in two varieties -- a kit with two lenses for US$99.95 or a three lens kit for $134.95. The two lens kit is actually made up of a wide angle lens with a removable macro lens, while the three lens kit adds a 2X portrait telephoto lens. A lens cap to protect the wide angle / macro is available for $8.95. If you like using filters (UV Haze, polarizing, or effect), both the wide angle lens and portrait telephoto lens take standard 49 mm filters. %Gallery-160288% You're not limited to these lenses, though. If you use either Canon or Nikon SLR lenses, you'll be happy to know that there's a lens adapter ($219.95) that will let you use your favorite big glass for shooting incredible photos. The biggest change in the Phocus comes in the material used to construct it. While the OWLE bubo was machined from a chunk of aluminum and had some heft, the new Phocus Accent is made of a composite material that is much lighter. And while the old unit had an odd shape that made it difficult to hold with one hand, the Phocus has a nice grip that sticks out on the front for easy one-handing. For connecting to a tripod, there are three separate screw mounts -- one directly under the center of gravity of the phone and Phocus, one under the hand grip, and another on top of the device. As with the original device, there's a cold shoe for attaching lights or microphones, and all of the iPhone 4/4S ports are easily accessible. The metal fittings on the Phocus are made out of brass and should stand up well to installing and removing lenses or tripods. As with any screw-mount equipment, I'd recommend a light hand on tightening the lenses to avoid stripping the threads. How does it work? The photos below show a plain iPhone photo (top) and a shot from the same distance with the wide angle lens (bottom): The next pair of photos demonstrates the use of the iPhone's built-in macro capability (top) and the Phocus macro lens (bottom): Conclusion Having used both the old OWLE bubo and the new Phocus, I am quite impressed with how the company was able to reinvent this useful photographic accessory. Especially with the macro lens, I found the photos I was taking with the 8-megapixel camera in the iPhone 4S to be spectacular when viewed at full size. While the Phocus and iPhone are not a substitute for a high-end professional DSLR, they rival or beat the quality and capability of many point and shoot cameras. Pros Well-constructed Lightweight, especially in comparison to the first-generation device Included lenses are perfect for adding wide-angle and closeup macro capabilities to the iPhone 4/4S Cons Cost of SLR lens adapter is prohibitively high May not work with next-generation iPhone Some barrel distortion of photos taken with the wide angle lens Who is it for? Those who want to use their iPhone 4 or 4S as their only digital camera
Hasselblad H4D-31 cuts the entry price for medium format excellence to $13k
It might cost as much as a small car at €9,995 ($13,132) before tax, but believe it or not, the H4D-31 represents one of Hasselblad's most affordable offerings to date. Promising to bring all the goodness of the H4D-40, but at a more reasonable price point, this new shooter offers 31 megapixels of resolution and a choice of either an 80mm prime lens or a CF-lens adapter to let you attach V-System gear you've already got in your inventory. As such, it's attempting to perform the fine balancing act of appealing to both system stalwarts looking to go digital and DSLR enthusiasts tempted to step up to a larger sensor. We're still in love with Nikon's D3S, but you've got to admit, that H-embossed focusing ring sure looks sexy.
Hasselblad creates 40 megapixel H4D-40 medium format camera, wants $20k for it
Tough though it may be to believe, Hasselblad's 39 megapixel H3D II actually came out in 2007. Yeah, last decade. In other words, it's about time we saw a true successor hit the market, and with PMA just about ready to get going in Anaheim, the bold and beautiful H4D-40 is making its grand entrance. Boasting a 40 megapixel sensor, this medium format behemoth -- which we spotted in a leak late last month -- also features a "True Focus" AF system and ships with an 80mm lens and a viewfinder. The kit is said to be shipping now across the globe for $19,995 (or €13,995 / £12,995 on that side of the pond), which should make choosing between a new shooter and a public college education remarkably difficult.
Hasselblad releases Phocus
Hasselblad makes high-end professional cameras that produce some of the largest digital images commercially available at up to 39 megapixels raw. It took until March for Apple to natively support the Hasselblad raw format and now the Swedish company has released Phocus for OS X, a dedicated raw processing application which provides digital lens correction, color adjustment, and Moiré removal together with tethered shooting and metadata control with geotagging for its entire line of cameras and backs.Phocus is Leopard-only and available to registered Hasselblad users. In a lovely change of pace the OS X version is available now with the Windows version to follow later in the year.[via Macworld UK]
