A digest of last week’s news is a selection of some of the news from week 47 related to the worlds of photography and video, covering multiple topics, always rounded up with a reading suggestion.

Panasonic offers Post Focus

If you thought that Lytro cameras were the only ones allowing users to define the focus point after the shot, you were wrong. Panasonic announced recently that “with the latest free firmware download, Post Focus allows you to take a photo and then choose your focal point later. With Post Focus, you can shoot with confidence knowing that you can always change the focal point if your photo was out of focus.”

It should be noted that the Post Focus function is best for non-moving subjects, such as portraits or landscapes, and is ideal for shooting at wide apertures to create dramatic, shallow depth of field effects. Create different impressions out of a single shot by changing the highlighted subject after capturing the picture, taking the risk and anxiety out of getting that perfect picture.

Post Focus will be available on DMC-GX8, DMC-G7 and DMC-FZ300 by updating the firmware to version 2.0, said Panasonic. The upgrade can be downloaded from 26th November (GMT/CET 1:00 a.m. on November 25) at the LUMIX Global Customer Support Site.

Nikon D5 officially announced

Nikon Corporation announced the development of the next generation of professional FX-format DSLRs, the Nikon D5. Nikon also announced the development of the SB-5000 Speedlight, which will be Nikon’s flagship Speedlight, as well as the development of the new WT-6 Wireless Transmitter.  

The Nikon D5 will offer professional photographers an even higher level of performance and image quality. When combined with these advanced accessories and the vast lineup of existing NIKKOR lenses, Nikon is offering photographers new levels of imaging expression.

 Details about these products, including release date and suggested retail price, will be announced at a future date and time, states Nikon. For more information about Nikon and their latest Nikon cameras and products, please visit Nikon’s website.

Leica M 262: back to basics

No video, a quieter shutter, a lighter body and a lower price, that’s what the new Leica M Typ 262 offers, for a little more than $5000.

On the information available Leica confirms that the new model, that extends the family of rangefinder cameras comprised of the M (Typ 240), M-P (Typ 240) and the M Monochrom (Typ 246), offers the M philosophy in its purest form. The Leica M (Typ 262) digital rangefinder camera embodies all the essential advantages of the Leica rangefinder system, while foregoing certain functions that some users may find extraneous.

Just like all other digital M-Cameras, the Leica M (Typ 262) features a high-resolution CMOS full-frame sensor, albeit one that is dedicated exclusively to capturing photos; eschewing features such as video recording and Live View. Its 24-megapixel resolution ensures exceptional image quality and extreme sensitivity, and makes the Leica M (Typ 262) ideal for photography in available light situations.

Metz bestseller flash to Fujifilm-X

The new Metz mecablitz 44 AF-2, which replaces the previous model mecablitz 44 AF-1, is also compatible with Fujifilm-X series of cameras, extending the creative potential of Fujifilm’s models.

For almost 5 years now, the system flash Metz mecablitz 44 AF-1 has enjoyed great popularity amongst price-conscious and dedicated photographers. The new device offers multiple new features, including a controllable high-performance LED video light, controllable in 4 levels, which may interest videographers.

To be always up-to-date in relation to the latest software, you can make updates easily via the USB-interface of the Metz mecablitz 44 AF-2 digital. Thus the flash remains compatible also for new appearing camera models.

http://www.metz-mecatech.de/en/lighting/flash-units/system-flash-units/mecablitz-44-af-2-digital.html

Learning to Photograph, Volume 1

Learning to Photograph, Volume 1 is a book for beginners, but with Christmas at the door, it may just be the right choice for a Christmas present to offer someone that is just starting, hence the suggestion here. The eBook is your all-inclusive guide to getting started in photography. Get up to speed on the basics of camera technology, optics, and exposure with this handy resource!

The authors provide an overview of these technical elements before going into detail about how cameras and lenses work and how they influence one another. Building upon this foundation, the authors discuss the practical application of this knowledge, showing readers how to put this information to use to create images and realize ideas effectively.

It’s this eBook, with 256 pages of information for students that Rocky Nook offers this week, at a special price: $9.99 if you use the code LEARN1. The offer ends11/29/15.