From last weekend

 Last weekend, I spent some time visiting the local botanical garden and a local park. From these two photo sessions, here are some of the pictures:

I have started creating slideshows of my photo shoots, and here is one I made using pictures from the botanical garden.

Rumor: Canon R3 Mark II

 If these rumors are right the Canon R3 Mark II sound even more powerful than the Canon R1!

Nikon Z 8 New Price

 Nikon Z8 is not $3396 at Amazon, that's 15% off the original price. 

The Nikon Z8 stands out as a versatile and powerful tool for both photography and videography, offering high-resolution imaging, rapid performance, and advanced features in a more compact form factor compared to its flagship counterparts. Its combination of cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design makes it a compelling choice for professionals seeking a reliable and adaptable camera.

Canon R5 Mark II $300 price reduction

 Canon R5 Mark II gets a 7% price reduction at Amazon. 

 

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is a versatile and powerful tool for both photographers and videographers, offering high-resolution imaging, advanced autofocus, and robust video capabilities. Potential users should be aware of the reported issues and consider how they might impact their specific shooting needs.

My M3 MacBook Air Experience

I have been using Windows since 1994 and never thought I would switch—until now. Recently, I read multiple articles and forum discussions about MacBooks, particularly how both the Air and Pro models have significantly improved performance with Apple’s new "M" series processors.

After extensive research, I decided to give it a try. I found a great deal on a refurbished MacBook Air from Apple, complete with a one-year warranty.

The Apple M3 MacBook Air, equipped with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, performs exceptionally well—far better than my Dell 7200 i7 with the same RAM and storage configuration.

To put this into perspective:

• DXO PureRaw 3 processes 10 pictures in just 2 minutes on the MacBook, whereas my Intel-based PC takes about 6.6 minutes for the same task.
• Lightroom Classic (LrC) Denoise takes 50 seconds to process a 24MB CR3 file on the M3 MacBook Air, compared to 5 minutes on the Intel PC.
• For years, I hesitated to test Lightroom Classic’s Slideshow feature because, on my Intel PC, rendering a video with my photos took hours. However, on the M3 MacBook Air, I created a slideshow with over 300 pictures in just 15 minutes!

 

This switch has been a game-changer for my workflow, and I can confidently say I’m glad I made the move.

Note: It seems that this deal was really good because the model that I bought is now Out of Stock. 

EOS R50 V, EOS RV, and a PowerShot V1

 According to NoFilmShool.com Canon is going to be announcing the release of 3 new cameras this month:  EOS R50 V, EOS RV, and a PowerShot V1. 

• Canon EOS R50 V: An entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera that could possibly use the same 24.2-megapixel sensor found in the current EOS R50 and EOS R10. The Canon EOS R50 V will likely be comparable in size to the EOS M6 Mark II and could cost around $650 USD.
• Canon EOS RV: Positioned to be the highest end of these new cameras, this Canon EOS RV could feature an upgraded sensor plus other advanced features like active cooling and could retail for around $1,000.
• Canon PowerShot V1: A reimagined entry in the PowerShot lineup and the base model, perhaps, for this Canon V series.

Photos from Last Weekend

This weekend I participated in a USA Karate Event taking pictures of our grandson. That was on Saturday, on Sunday I went for a quick hike and took some wildlife pictures but unfortunately I have not processed them yet so I'll be showing some pictures from the Karate Event. 

 

Editing is always an important part of the process. This time, I experimented by darkening the image first and then selectively illuminating the subject to create a spotlight effect.

 

I liked the end result.