Every Leica lens is hand-crafted and goes through meticulous manufacturing processes to uphold the quality and precision that Leica defines and customers have come to expect. In the age where technology almost inevitably means mass manufacturing, Leica products are still made with exacting precision by the hands of highly-trained technicians. This video gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship and making of Leica lenses in the production facilities of Leica Camera AG.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Sunday, December 08, 2013
Light in Motion with a Camera Imaging at One Trillion Frames per Second
With current imaging technologies it is now possible to literally view light in motion as it travels through time and space. Ramesh Raskar (WiKi) the Associate Professor and head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT Media Lab Camera Culture research group (wow, that's a mouthful) talks about what is possible and might be possible with a camera that is capable of shooting at an impressive rate of one trillion frames per second. Ramesh shows us a brilliant demonstration of a light beam as it passes through a Coke bottle. Ramesh also discuses a camera with the ability too see around corners like shown within the Enhance Scene (YouTube) from the popular 1982 sci-fi Blade Runner (IMDB).
PRESS: Camera Captures Images at a Trillion Frames per Second to Record Beams of Light
Monday, December 02, 2013
Time-lapse Video of a Supercell Near Booker, Texas
Uploaded June 9, 2013 ~ Copyright © Mike Olbinski Photography
Mike Olbinski Blog: A Supercell Near Booker, Texas ~ still image
Video Info: A Supercell Near Booker, Texas ~ at Vimeo
Press: Amazing Time-lapse Video Captures the Fearsome Beauty of a Supercell Thunderstorm
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Wikipedia: Supercell
High-Speed Photography circa 1965
View at YouTube: http://youtu.be/QBV0DED7RYA
Press: Watch how Fastax cameras could capture 10,000fps in the 1960s
Press: Watch how Fastax cameras could capture 10,000fps in the 1960s
More: http:showbiz.quickfound.net/
.
"Probst Film High Speed Photography"
Public domain film from the Library of Congress Prelinger Archive, slightly cropped to remove uneven edges, with the aspect ratio corrected, and mild video noise reduction applied. The soundtrack was also processed with volume normalization, noise reduction, clipping reduction, and equalization.
High Speed Photography
High Speed Photography (WiKi) is the science of taking pictures of very fast phenomena. In 1948, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) defined high-speed photography as any set of photographs captured by a camera capable of 128 frames per second or greater, and of at least three consecutive frames. High speed photography can be considered to be the opposite of time-lapse photography.
In common usage, high speed photography may refer to either or both of the following meanings. The first is that the photograph itself may be taken in a way as to appear to freeze the motion, especially to reduce motion blur. The second is that a series of photographs may be taken at a high sampling frequency or frame rate. The first requires a sensor with good sensitivity and either a very good shuttering system or a very fast strobe light. The second requires some means of capturing successive frames, either with a mechanical device or by moving data off electronic sensors very quickly.
Other considerations for high-speed photographers are record length, reciprocity breakdown, and spatial resolution.
The first practical application of high-speed photography was Eadweard Muybridge's (WiKi) 1878 investigation into whether horses' feet were actually all off the ground at once during a gallop.
The first photograph of a supersonic flying bullet (JPEG) was taken by the Austrian physicist Peter Sacher in Rijeka in 1886, a technique that was later used by Ernst Mach (WiKi) in his studies of supersonic motion.
Bell Telephone Laboratories was one of the first customers for a camera developed by Eastman Kodak in the early 1930s. Bell used the system, which ran 16 mm film at 1000 frame/s and had a 100-foot (30 m) load capacity, to study relay bounce. When Kodak declined to develop a higher-speed version, Bell Labs developed it themselves, calling it the Fastax (WiKi). The Fastax was capable of 5,000 frame/s. Bell eventually sold the camera design to Western Electric, who in turn sold it to the Wollensak Optical Company. Wollensak further improved the design to achieve 10,000 frame/s. Redlake Laboratories introduced another 16 mm rotating prism camera, the Hycam (Google Images), in the early 1960s. Photo-Sonics developed several models of rotating prism camera capable of running 35 mm and 70 mm film in the 1960s. Visible Solutions introduced the Photec IV 16 mm camera in the 1980s.
In 1940, a patent was filed by Cearcy D. Miller for the rotating mirror camera, theoretically capable of one million frames per second. The first practical application of this idea was during the Manhattan Project, when Berlin Brixner, the photographic technician on the project, built the first known fully functional rotating mirror camera. This camera was used to photograph early prototypes of the first nuclear bomb, and resolved a key technical issue, that had been the source of an active dispute between the explosives engineers and the physics theoreticians.
The D. B. Milliken company developed an intermittent, pin-registered, 16 mm camera for speeds of 400 frame/s in 1957. Mitchell, Redlake Laboratories, and Photo-Sonics eventually followed in the 1960s with a variety of 16, 35, and 70 mm intermittent cameras.
.
"Probst Film High Speed Photography"
Public domain film from the Library of Congress Prelinger Archive, slightly cropped to remove uneven edges, with the aspect ratio corrected, and mild video noise reduction applied. The soundtrack was also processed with volume normalization, noise reduction, clipping reduction, and equalization.
High Speed Photography
High Speed Photography (WiKi) is the science of taking pictures of very fast phenomena. In 1948, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) defined high-speed photography as any set of photographs captured by a camera capable of 128 frames per second or greater, and of at least three consecutive frames. High speed photography can be considered to be the opposite of time-lapse photography.
In common usage, high speed photography may refer to either or both of the following meanings. The first is that the photograph itself may be taken in a way as to appear to freeze the motion, especially to reduce motion blur. The second is that a series of photographs may be taken at a high sampling frequency or frame rate. The first requires a sensor with good sensitivity and either a very good shuttering system or a very fast strobe light. The second requires some means of capturing successive frames, either with a mechanical device or by moving data off electronic sensors very quickly.
Other considerations for high-speed photographers are record length, reciprocity breakdown, and spatial resolution.
The first practical application of high-speed photography was Eadweard Muybridge's (WiKi) 1878 investigation into whether horses' feet were actually all off the ground at once during a gallop.
The first photograph of a supersonic flying bullet (JPEG) was taken by the Austrian physicist Peter Sacher in Rijeka in 1886, a technique that was later used by Ernst Mach (WiKi) in his studies of supersonic motion.
Bell Telephone Laboratories was one of the first customers for a camera developed by Eastman Kodak in the early 1930s. Bell used the system, which ran 16 mm film at 1000 frame/s and had a 100-foot (30 m) load capacity, to study relay bounce. When Kodak declined to develop a higher-speed version, Bell Labs developed it themselves, calling it the Fastax (WiKi). The Fastax was capable of 5,000 frame/s. Bell eventually sold the camera design to Western Electric, who in turn sold it to the Wollensak Optical Company. Wollensak further improved the design to achieve 10,000 frame/s. Redlake Laboratories introduced another 16 mm rotating prism camera, the Hycam (Google Images), in the early 1960s. Photo-Sonics developed several models of rotating prism camera capable of running 35 mm and 70 mm film in the 1960s. Visible Solutions introduced the Photec IV 16 mm camera in the 1980s.
In 1940, a patent was filed by Cearcy D. Miller for the rotating mirror camera, theoretically capable of one million frames per second. The first practical application of this idea was during the Manhattan Project, when Berlin Brixner, the photographic technician on the project, built the first known fully functional rotating mirror camera. This camera was used to photograph early prototypes of the first nuclear bomb, and resolved a key technical issue, that had been the source of an active dispute between the explosives engineers and the physics theoreticians.
The D. B. Milliken company developed an intermittent, pin-registered, 16 mm camera for speeds of 400 frame/s in 1957. Mitchell, Redlake Laboratories, and Photo-Sonics eventually followed in the 1960s with a variety of 16, 35, and 70 mm intermittent cameras.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Photography Documentaries
Following we have a collection of Photography Documentaries for you to enjoy. Listed here are only four documentaries I particularly liked but to view the others, 20 in total see source: 20 Fantastic Photography Documentaries on YouTube from Expert Photography.
Alfred Stieglitz: The Eloquent Eye (1999)
Alfred Stieglitz: The Eloquent Eye (1999)
W. Eugene Smith: Photography Made Difficult
This is part 1 of 9
... To view the complete set view at YouTube.
The Real Weegee
A 1993 documentary on Weegee, the famous New York photographer. Weegee's
specialty was to be on the scene of often gruesome crime scenes at the
same time as the police -- achieved by installing a police radio in his
car. His photographs of New York street life in the 1940s and 50s would assure him a place in history even without the crime scenes. Unfortunately I don't have this in better quality, but I thought it should be online nonetheless.
DUFFY: The Man Who Shot the Sixties
Duffy together with David Bailey and Terence Donovan is recognized as
one of the innovators of "documentary" fashion photography, a style
which revolutionized fashion imagery and furthermore the fashion
industry. So influential were their images that in 1962 the Sunday Times
dubbed Duffy, Bailey & Donovan the "Terrible Trio" and Norman
Parkinson further added to their notoriety by naming them "The Black
Trinity". Together they dominated the London photographic scene,
constantly pushing each other to new heights. Even socially they would
spend many hours together talking, living and breathing photography. In
the 1970s DUFFY suddenly disappeared from view and burned all his
negatives. Filmed on the eve of the first-ever exhibition of his work,
Duffy agrees to talk about his life, his work and why he made it all go
up in flames.
Related:
- “Long Live Film” documentary explores the continuing fascination with analog photography
- Watch how Fastax cameras could capture 10,000fps in the 1960s (VIDEO)
Friday, November 15, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Satellite Image of Typhoon Haiyan
 |
Typhoon Haiyan approaching the Philippines ~ (13:00 UTC 07/11/2013) Image captured by the geostationary satellites of the Japan Meteorological Agency (English translation) and EUMETSAT ~ ©2013 EUMETSAT
Flickr: |
Related:
- NASA satellite photo shows giant, ferocious winter storm hitting the East Coast
- Amazing (& terrifying) satellite photo of Hurricane Sandy from space
Friday, November 08, 2013
Adobe Accounts Hacked Now Up to 150M, Check Yours!
Given the wire is buzzing with the news of the recent cyber attack against Adobe I thought it prudent as I also have an account with them to check my account and see if any of my information was stolen.
PRESS:
LastPass and Adobe generally recommend if you have had your information stolen in this attack then to take the appropriate action or actions immediately! This is also recommended especially if you have used the same user-name and password elsewhere or for any services and accounts not related to Adobe.
Following screenshot shows my result upon checking with the tool (LastPass) which is recommended within the recent press release. Apparently my eMail and password was discovered within the information stolen. Yes indeed I have been 'HACKED' however given I have never exchanged money with Adobe and I use a user-name and password unique to this account I can rest easy in the knowledge that any risk to myself is relatively low.
Screenshot:
Related:
PRESS:
- 2.9 million users had supposedly been hacked
- Then the number skyrocketed
- The Number of Adobe Accounts Hacked Now Up to 150M, Check Yours
- Anatomy of a password disaster - Adobe's giant-sized cryptographic blunder
- LastPass: Online TOOL that will search the database of leaked account info
- Important Customer Security Alert from Adobe
- Password Reset: Change your Adobe password here
LastPass and Adobe generally recommend if you have had your information stolen in this attack then to take the appropriate action or actions immediately! This is also recommended especially if you have used the same user-name and password elsewhere or for any services and accounts not related to Adobe.
Following screenshot shows my result upon checking with the tool (LastPass) which is recommended within the recent press release. Apparently my eMail and password was discovered within the information stolen. Yes indeed I have been 'HACKED' however given I have never exchanged money with Adobe and I use a user-name and password unique to this account I can rest easy in the knowledge that any risk to myself is relatively low.
Screenshot:
- Facebook Warns Users After Adobe Breach: Facebook Locking Out Users Affected by the Adobe Hack ~ Krebs on Security
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
A Closer Look at Patent Trolls
Quote: "Patent litigation is notoriously complicated and expensive, making it
the perfect tool for patent trolls. Trolls use the costs of litigation
as a threat to demand quick settlements. Even worse, they know how to
ask for the right amount of money at the right time. Is your startup
about to release a new product? Secure a round of funding? The perfect
(and most dangerous) time for a troll to strike."
- A Closer Look at Patent Troll Demand Letters: A Dangerous Problem that Must Be Fixed
Trolling Effects: Learn about patent trolls, search and submit demand letters, and help fix our broken patent system ... But to be successful, they need your help. They need you to spread the word and need as many letters into the database as possible.
Monday, November 04, 2013
Volcanic Lightning
Japan Sakurajima ~ Eruption from Sakurajima Volcano in southern Japan.
... from Alien Landscapes on Planet Earth by Martin Rietze (home)
Press: Behind the Shot
... Sakurajima Volcano eruption with volcanic lightning at Outdoor Photographer
Related:
... from Alien Landscapes on Planet Earth by Martin Rietze (home)
 |
| Rising Ash Cloud with Strong Lightning (more) © 2013 Martin Rietze |
Press: Behind the Shot
... Sakurajima Volcano eruption with volcanic lightning at Outdoor Photographer
Related:
- Caught on camera: The moment giant Mexican volcano pops its top
- Lightning strikes thrice: How one man turned two different photos into a 3D model of a lightning bolt
- Incredible Photos of Spectacular Volcanic Eruption in Chile, Lighting Storm Included
Why (not) DNG
The Digital Negative Format (DNG): Adobe's proposed standard RAW file format.
Quote: "Although it's too early to hope for the rapid adoption of DNG, photographers and other users of digital photography would be well-served to voice their opinions about the importance of working toward a RAW standard."
"The long-term viability of digital photography will demand that the proprietary RAW file format proliferation of the last decade cease."
Key benefits to digital photographers:
Key benefits to camera manufacturers:
Quote: "Although it's too early to hope for the rapid adoption of DNG, photographers and other users of digital photography would be well-served to voice their opinions about the importance of working toward a RAW standard."
"The long-term viability of digital photography will demand that the proprietary RAW file format proliferation of the last decade cease."
Key benefits to digital photographers:
- Publicly documented, non-proprietary file format
- Archival confidence for the long-term viability of images
- Provides users with a choice of RAW converters
- Ability to use the same software across multiple cameras, camera manufacturers and computer platforms
- No delays between new camera releases and software compatibility
- Adopting DNG as a standard will make working with RAW files easier, faster and enhance productivity for digital processing workflows. This will both facilitate and encourage a broader adoption of digital photography and help faster technological advances.
Key benefits to camera manufacturers:
- Compatibility-simplified software support for new cameras
- Removes barriers to new camera adoption
- Reduces R&D—no need for new proprietary formats
- Simplifies camera development and testing
- Improves third-party support and development
- Implements a single file format for all cameras and eases development of RAW file support for consumer cameras
- Still allows for brand differentiation through private metadata
- Adopting DNG as a standard would ease the burden now faced by camera manufacturers in the development of digital cameras, proprietary RAW file formats and proprietary RAW processing software.
Key benefits to the photographic industry:
- Savings of time and development budgets in supporting RAW file processing for all software developers
- Better-quality RAW file conversions due to a fully documented RAW format
- DNG-compliant software will support DNG-compliant cameras automatically
- Improves the long-term archival properties of digital photography
- Encourages the broader acceptance and adoption of digital photography
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Live Visualization of DDoS Attacks Around the Globe
Digital Attack Map (home) is a live data visualization of DDoS attacks (Wiki) around the globe, built through a collaboration between Google Ideas and Arbor Networks. The tool surfaces anonymous attack traffic data to let users explore historic trends and find reports of outages happening on a given day.
Digital Attack Map Information:
Powered by Google Ideas
DDoS data © 2013, Arbor Networks, Inc
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Huge Gigapixel Panorama and/or Gigapixel Game
Where's Waldo (remember, the dude wearing a red stripped shirt) in this panorama? Best viewed full-screen
Source:
Source:
- KAMERAKIND: the creators
- Making the Image: video
- By the Numbers: images specs, number of actors, Gummi Bears eaten and beers drank
- Greatest GigaPixel Ever Live Stream: Press
Sunday, October 13, 2013
A ¼ Scale V8 Engine
Here we're presented with a demonstration of 'old school' craftsmanship, a metal machinist doing what he knows best. A truly gifted man who redefines what is possible with only simple hand tools, a manual lathe and milling machine. Without the aid of modern CNC machining techniques we're given via a 35 page build-log a working scale 45cc V8 engine with Megasquirt MS2 fuel injection and electric starter.
A quote came to mind after looking at the man and his work, "A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. ~ Louis Nizer"
In addition he gives us a brief look at two of his previous projects which are no less amazing than his V8 engine. On page 16 of his build-log we're given a glimpse of his scale RC-Helicopter with it's machined Main and Tail Rotors along with his hand-made Binocular Telescope.
Sources:
A quote came to mind after looking at the man and his work, "A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist. ~ Louis Nizer"
In addition he gives us a brief look at two of his previous projects which are no less amazing than his V8 engine. On page 16 of his build-log we're given a glimpse of his scale RC-Helicopter with it's machined Main and Tail Rotors along with his hand-made Binocular Telescope.
Sources:
- Model V8 Engine ~ Build Log
- RC Helicopter and Binocular Telescope ~ Page 16 of the Build Log
- Homemade 48cc V8 Engine ~ Press
Thursday, October 10, 2013
New Nikon D610 Replaces the Controversial D600
The rumored update to the Nikon D600 released. The new Nikon D610 comes with only three new features, faster continuous shooting, quiet continuous mode and an improved auto white balance. More importantly for many prospective buyers is the infamous D600's oil on the sensor issue (Service Advisory) may have been corrected with it's redesigned shutter. According to dpreview.com a resolution to the oil contamination issue can not be confirmed by Nikon but speculation by internet theorists are suggesting this is the sole reason for the new D610. 
dpreview: "Internet theorists have already suggested that the D610 was created to leave the troubles of the D600 behind. And the appearance of a new model so soon after the D600's launch, with almost no changes other than a new shutter mechanism, seems to give that theory some credence."
Nikon D610 First Impressions ~ dpreview.com
Nikon D610 Overview ~ Nikon US
Nikon D610 Specifications ~ Nikon US
Nikon D610 Overview ~ Nikon US
Nikon D610 Specifications ~ Nikon US
Related:
- D600 Sensor Dust Issues ~ Roger Cicala (LensRentals.com)
- Time-lapse video sheds light on D600 sensor dust problem ~ Imaging Resource
Updates:
- Nikon D610's Clean Bill of Health: "We’ll keep an eye out, of course, for problems in the future, but as best I can tell (and as we all expected) the D610 does not appear to have any sensor dust problems ~ Roger Cicala (LensRentals.com)"
- Nikon is replacing some D600 cameras with new D610 models ~ "I have received several reports from readers (mainly from Europe) who were able to get a new D610 camera from Nikon as a replacement for their "dirty" D600."
- Nikon May be Facing a Class Action Lawsuit for D600 Camera Issues ~ "Petapixel by the way of Nikon Rumors
is stating that US law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann and Bernstein is
trying to gather complaints for a possible class action law suit against
Nikon for issues had with the D600–the company’s entry level full frame
DSLR."
- Nikon Solving Dust/Oil Issues Once and for All, Will Fix D600s Regardless of Warranty
- Technical Service Advisory for Users of the Nikon D600 Digital SLR Camera ~ Nikon USA
Update: Mar 17, 2014
.
Update: April 01, 2014
- Nikon Officially Announces D600 Replacement Program ~ Press
- Shortcut to the official announcement ~ Nikon Global
Update: June 1, 2014
Sunday, October 06, 2013
Two Cool Jets
... and now without the pun ...
It's been sometime since posting anything RC related so I thought two rather cool RC jet videos. The first is the RC FUTURA Jet whose pilot is certainly demonstrating the "right Stuff" in his precision flying. The second video show us a rather large RC Concord which is a personal favorite.
It's been sometime since posting anything RC related so I thought two rather cool RC jet videos. The first is the RC FUTURA Jet whose pilot is certainly demonstrating the "right Stuff" in his precision flying. The second video show us a rather large RC Concord which is a personal favorite.
The New Fangled Pyelight™
Here's a photographic accessory I (we) must have in the kit ... it's a true problem solver!
Product Launch: The New Fangled Pyelight™
At a recent wedding Derek Pye successfully decapitated 150 guests because they were looking at him funny during a group photo, the fact he'd asked the guests to look at him and smile is irrelevant - Derek was feeling a bit paranoid after 3 days with no sleep - by activating the Pyelight™ at the right moment Derek got the shot with not a single guest blinking or looking the wrong way. Try that with an Iceylight and you’ll look and feel really stupid. Buy a Pyelight™ today and help make Derek very rich for doing not much.
Product Launch: The New Fangled Pyelight™
At a recent wedding Derek Pye successfully decapitated 150 guests because they were looking at him funny during a group photo, the fact he'd asked the guests to look at him and smile is irrelevant - Derek was feeling a bit paranoid after 3 days with no sleep - by activating the Pyelight™ at the right moment Derek got the shot with not a single guest blinking or looking the wrong way. Try that with an Iceylight and you’ll look and feel really stupid. Buy a Pyelight™ today and help make Derek very rich for doing not much.
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Download: Perfect Effects 4 FREE
Perfect Effects 4 FREE (download)
Instantly Create Images with Impact — for FREE
Add a heavy dose of excitement or a subtle amount of elegance to your photos with Perfect Effects 4 Free. Choose from over 70 effects to enhance and stylize your images, including effects to create the popular HDR and vintage looks, textures to add depth and dimension, and borders to add a finishing touch. Instantly add any effect with a single click or combine them to create a look of your own. Perfect Effects 4 Free can be used as a standalone or directly with Adobe® Lightroom®, Photoshop®, Photoshop Elements, or Apple® Aperture®.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Unmanned, Pilotless QF-16 First Flight (NSFW)
 |
| Test flight of BOEING's first unmanned QF-16 Full Scale Aerial Target. PRESS: sUAS News, Unmanned QF-16 first flight |
- BOEING's unmanned QF-16 first flight: PRESS, sUAS News
- Pilotless QF-16 test flight: Google Search
- BOEING Military Aircraft: Home
- Southern Oregon RC: first seen at
Saturday, September 21, 2013
You don't want to get into trouble with the US Government ...
... "Then you might want to reconsider photographing anything that might cause suspicion among law enforcement, especially if you’re Middle Eastern or a ‘Chinese national.’ A newly published document has revealed that government agencies have been compiling lists of “suspicious activity” reports, many of which contain records of photographers legally taking pictures of bridges, dams, courthouses, and post offices"
Related: July 12, 2014
Related: July 12, 2014
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Rotating Moon from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera
A huge payoff from the longevity of the LRO mission is the repeat coverage obtained by the LROC Wide Angle Camera (WAC). The WAC has a very wide field-of-view (FOV), 90° in monochrome mode and 60° in multispectral mode, hence its name. On the one hand, the wide FOV enables orbit-to-orbit stereo, which allowed LROC team members at the DLR to create the unprecedented 100 meter scale near-global (0° to 360° longitude and 80°S to 80°N latitude) topographic map of the Moon (the GLD100)! - Credit: LRO, NASA
- Source: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC)
- License: Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)
Friday, September 13, 2013
Inspiration ...
from Successful Creatives
... For growth and success as a photographer
Quote: As an established photographer once told me when I was just starting out: "My job is everyone’s hobby." Essentially, what he was saying was that everyone wants to be a famous
photographer, musician or actor, but so few have that special
combination of talent, personality and luck to actually make it happen.
... or just LISTEN to the tunes ... as Tony the Tiger (UncyclopediA) said "They're GREAT!"
... or just LISTEN to the tunes ... as Tony the Tiger (UncyclopediA) said "They're GREAT!"
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