I had never had such a problem before, but this was the first time I had filmed with higher video quality and 60p.

As a test, I tried another SD card from the same range of the same manufacturer to rule out a defect, but the problem occurred there too.

I ordered the ProGrade Digital 256 GB CFexpress Type B memory card *. This card supports write speeds of up to 1500MB/s and the problem no longer occurred at 60p.

* All links marked with an asterisk are Amazon affiliate links. We receive a percentage of purchases made through them. Nevertheless, our recommendations are honest and sincere.

Der Beitrag Nikon Z6II freezes completely during video recording erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

What you need to create an HDR image in this tutorial:

• Luminar Neo Image Editor with HDR Merge Plugin (Download free trial version here) – purchase price later approx. 89€ for Luminar Neo and 49€ for HDR Merge.
• Mac or Windows computer (Luminar Neo with HDR Merge Plugin is available for both platforms)
• 3 to 10 images of an HDR exposure series

Importing Raw Photographs into Luminar Neo HDR Merge

Once you have installed Luminar Neo and added the HDR Merge Plugin on the start screen (click on the puzzle piece next to the Luminar logo) you are ready to go.

I have stored the RAW photos of my exposure series on the desktop. You can also import JPEGs at this point, but for reasons of higher image quality I always recommend using RAW files. In my case, I want to create an HDR composition from 10 differently exposed photos of one and the same motif. By the way, the pictures show the lighthouse “Phare petit minou” in France. It is one of my best-selling images on various stock photo portals.

I simply drag and drop the images I use into the HDR Merge area on the start screen of Luminar Neo:

Within the import field, the imported images are now displayed as thumbnails. For this purpose, the respective exposure value is displayed below the images and we can hit the “Merge” button:

The images are now merged and the composition is displayed in the image catalogue. With a double click on the image in the catalogue we can jump to the development mask:

Infinite possibilities of HDR processing

An HDR image lives from the details and the contrast. By combining different exposures, no details are lost in overexposed or underexposed parts of the image.

When processing, I therefore start with the histogram and the shadows and highlights. This way I increase the range of visible details:

Both the light clouds and the dark area under the bridge become visible with all their details. I can then enhance or strengthen the details themselves with the settings in the details section. For the first time we see a real HDR look in our picture:

It makes little sense at this point to go through all the other possible processing settings; after all, every motif is different and so are tastes. Besides, basic, non-HDR-specific post-processing development processes should be familiar to most users anyway. But this much should be said, just by looking at the sheer amount of editing options available, it becomes clear how much room for creativity there is in Luminar Neo. For the final result above, I used only a fraction of the total functions available:

If you want to go further, you can even edit or replace essential components of the image with the help of an amazingly well-functioning artificial intelligence (AI). For example, the sky can be replaced and the lighting mood of the image can be adapted to the lighting conditions of the sky. Is that still photography? In my eyes, such editing goes far beyond authentic photography. Anyways, the technical possibilities are impressive:

What about performance?

A lousy speed when stitching HDRs can really ruin the fun. When I develop my first photos while travelling, I don’t want to have to stare at loading bars the whole time.

In the past, I have created HDRs mainly with Affinity Photo and Aurora HDR (also from the developer of Luminar). The new HDR workflow in Luminar Neo beats them all.

On my Macbook M1 Pro, the times for assembling 10 images into an HDR composition (no alignment correction, no ghost reduction) are as follows:

• Luminar Neo HDR Merge: around 19 seconds
• Affinity Photo: around 25 seconds
• Aurora HDR 2019: around 26 seconds

Download free trial version of Luminar Neo now

The developers of Skylum are based in Ukraine. By buying the software, you support the people and the economy in Ukraine who are suffering from the Russian war of aggression.

If you want to test the software for free, that’s no problem. Click here for the product page with free trial version for Luminar Neo and the HDR Merge Plugin.

Der Beitrag How to develop HDR photos in 2022: Luminar Neo with HDR Merge erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

NX Field is a remote photography application developed by Nikon Corporation.
We can now remotely configure and operate up to 9 cameras connected to a network and press the shutter buttons.
In addition, we can download image data directly to iPhone or iPad and upload images to an FTP server directly after shooting while the app is running.

Supported digital cameras (as of January 2022)
D6, D5, Z 7II, Z 6II, Z 7, Z 6

To use these features, the camera firmware must be updated to a version that supports NX Field.
The update is performed by a Nikon authorized service representative. For more information, visit the following website.
https://nps.nikonimaging.com/nx_field/
The update is not available in some countries; contact your service provider for more information.

Most important functions according to Nikon:

• Control remote cameras (up to a recommended maximum of nine) from your iPhone or iPad.
• Display the view through the camera lens on your iPhone or iPad while shooting.
• With the iPad version, you can capture images from a distance while viewing the views through the lenses of up to nine remote cameras.
• Adjust exposure, focus, white balance, image quality, and other settings remotely.
• Remotely format memory cards and edit FTP profiles on remote cameras.
• Trigger the shutter buttons on all connected remote cameras simultaneously. You can also trigger the triggers of selected cameras one after the other.
• Upload images directly from the remote camera to an FTP server.
• Copy saved settings for all remote cameras to other iPhones or iPads.
• The iPad version can display remote camera locations using handwritten drawings.
• Wired Ethernet connections provide higher reliability and faster image transmission than wireless connections.

Der Beitrag Remote control and tethered shooting for Nikon Z6, Z6II, Z7, Z7II with NX Field erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

Camera Nikon Z6II

Mirrorless, light-weight, durable, perfect for both photo and video. We love Nikons user interface and picture quality. The best system we ever owned.

Learn More

Lens Nikkor Z 24-70mm f2.8

Our video-workhorse: Compatible with the gimbal, great low light performance, silent. Also great for photo documentaries. Our favorite always-on lens.

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Lens Nikkor Z 24-200mm f4-6.3

Our favorite always-on lens for our second camera. Allthough too heavy for the gimbal, great range for shooting nearly everything.

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Lens Nikkor Z 20mm f1.8

Shooting interior or the milky way in a slovenian night sky? This is your lens.

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DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Best picture quality when it comes to aerial shooting. Tried a lot of other drones before but this is best of class. Maybe the Mavic 3 is better.

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DJI Action 2

Works on the hood of the car, can be attached to a kite, can be carried around on a descend into a cave. Doesn’t break, where the loss of the big camera would hurt your wallet. In our opinion the best companion in battery life, image quality and usability.

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Rollei OLED Remote Shutter

Shooting interior or the milky way in a slovenian night sky? This is your lens.

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Rollei Compact Traveller No. 1 Carbon Tripod

Ultra light-weight, small dimensions, ideal for limited space in planes or cars. ARCA-compatible head plate.

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3Legged thing Ellie PD L-bracket

With this bracket, we can fast insert the camera to our tripod, gimbal or carrying-system without changing anything. A bracket for lazy people.

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Peak Design Capture Clip v2

ARCA compatible camera carrying system.

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DJI RSC 2 Gimbal

Makes your videos smooth. But sometimes you leave it at home, because it is too heavy to carry around on a 6 hour hike.

Learn More

Arca compatible quick release plate for DJI RSC 2 Gimbal

Makes the DJI RSC 2 gimbal compatible with the Peak Design ARCA-clip on the Ellie PD bracket.

Learn More

Rode Video Mic

Makes your videos smooth. Sometimes you leave it at home, because it is too heavy to carry around on a 6 hour hike.

Learn More

Zoom H2n Recorder

Capture dialogues and ambient noises with this handy stand alone recorder. You can even mount it on the camera hot shoe as an external microphone.

Learn More

TP-Link M7200 mobile network router

This little friend helps us to keep our connection to the internet everywhere in the world. We just insert a SIM-card, enter the cards pin and our M7200 spans its WiFi for all our devices, providing us with internetconnection even in the most remote albanian mountain areas.

Learn More

Luminar Neo Photo Editor

Most of our photos are edited with Luminar Products. Intelligent, fast and subscription free creativity for everyone.

Learn More

Aurora HDR Software

When shooting and editing HDR photos, Luminar Aurora HDR is the way to go.

Learn More

Der Beitrag Our video and photo gear erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

However, if you want to upload your video in the best possible quality, you should avoid quality-reducing encoding altogether.

No matter how you upload your video, Youtube will never say “Oh, that’s a great codec, I’ll keep that”. Because Youtube will always compress your video down as much as possible, so that it uses less memory in the data center and generates less traffic when you watch it.

But wait: Youtube itself says that you should upload all files in H.264 and MP4 format? Yes, exactly, because Youtube doesn’t see the point in accepting thousands of billions of cat videos in lossless format every day. That would cost Youtube a lot of money.

Fact is, it makes absolutely no sense to compress your video before uploading it. Youtube will do it again anyway and any compression process done in series will result in lower quality.

If there is a reason to compress before uploading, it is to shorten the upload time. If you have enough time, you should rather upload a video in HQ422 or ProRes or DNxHR that corresponds to the source in favor of the quality. Youtube can handle it – without problems and quality loss.

Therefore, do not change the bitrate, resolution or codec. Youtube will do what it wants with it later anyway.

Attention: If you upload videos with a higher resolution than 1080p, Youtube will automatically switch to the VP9 codec for all versions of the video, including 1080p. With this VP9 codec, better results are achieved for all resolutions. Therefore, it even makes sense to upscale 1080p video to 4K first and then upload it.

Der Beitrag The Youtube H.264 / mp4 lie. Forget the export madness! erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

Ihre Daten werden erst beim Abspielen des Youtube-Videos an den Dienst übermittelt. Your data will only be transmitted to the service when you play the Youtube video.

You can find the photo-blog here.

Der Beitrag Our first (semi-) professional video travelogue erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

With FE File Explorer you can easily copy files from SD-card to the iPad opr a connected storage device like SSD or HDD. the app can also access SD cards that are read-only. While copying, we always see the progress for every single file. The app supports differential backups, and asks if we want to skip duplicates or rewrite duplicate files.

Ihre Daten werden erst beim Abspielen des Youtube-Videos an den Dienst übermittelt. Your data will only be transmitted to the service when you play the Youtube video.

Everything you need is a USB C Hub with SD card reader and maybe an external Storage.
I use a SanDisk Extreme Pro V2 for this:

Special offer

SanDisk Extreme 2 TB Portable SSD Festkörper-Laufwerk(USB-C, mit 550 MB/s Übertragungsraten, AES-Verschlüsselung und ist...*

• Mit der SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD haben Sie eine optimale Unterstützung zur Datensicherung. Speichern Sie Fotos und Videos auf die...
• Übertragen Sie Ihre Daten schnell mit 550 MB/s auf Ihre externe SSD Festplatte. Dank der Speicherkapazität von 2 TB sind Ihrer...

−8,50 EUR 174,97 EUR

Amazon

Der Beitrag Stable Backup from SD-Card to iPad or external Storage (HDD, SSD) 2021 erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

All we need is an alternative quick release plate 3061 from SmallRig *. This replaces the standard quick release plate from DJI.

Special offer

SMALLRIG RS2/RSC2/RS3/RS3 Pro/RS4/RS4 Pro Quick Release Plate Schnellwechselplatte mit Arca-Swiss für DJI RS 2 / RSC 2 / RS 3 /...*

• Kompatibilität: Das Quick Release Plate ist geeignet für DJI RS 2/RSC 2/RS 3/RS 3 Pro/RS 4/RS 4 Pro , inklusive DJI RS 2/RSC 2...
• Funktion: Mit der Schnellwechselplatte kann man L-Bracket und Cage mit Arca-Swiss schnell auf das Gimbal montieren, was das Problem der...

−1,17 EUR 33,73 EUR

Amazon

This allows us to switch between the carrying system, the DJI Ronin or tripod entirely without conversion from the Peak Design carrying system.

In this alternative quick release plate, we can insert the capture clip (or in my case, the Ellie PD camera cage with integrated capture clip *) directly into the DJI RSC 2 or RS 2.

Ihre Daten werden erst beim Abspielen des Youtube-Videos an den Dienst übermittelt. Your data will only be transmitted to the service when you play the Youtube video.

You’re welcome.

* The links marked in this way are Amazon affiliate links.

Der Beitrag Insert Peak Design Capture Clip into DJI Ronin RS 2 and RSC 2 erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

Workmanship and operation

The Rollei Lumen light bar * is shipped with a high quality soft case with Rollei imprint.
The soft case contains batteries, chargers, power supply unit, light bar and screw-on 1/4 inch handle. A high-gloss local language instruction manual is also included.
The batteries come 80% pre-charged and can be used directly.

The light bar can also be placed in this soft case with batteries inserted.

In addition, a fabric cover is included, which can be put over the lamp including the batteries. I like to call this cover “the condom”. The condom is super practical if you don’t want to take the whole bag and the included accessories with you, but only the light incl. handle and batteries prepared for use.

The scope of delivery and the well thought-out transport options alone make it clear: this is not a cheap product. It claims to be a thoroughly thought-out solution, whether in the studio or on the road. This is also evident in the mounting options:

The light bar has two 1/4 inch threads with which the light can be connected to the supplied handle or a tripod: One for mounting the lamp horizontally, one for vertical orientation. Depending on the orientation in which the lamp is mounted, the light cast and the resulting shadows can thus be influenced. More about this later.

The light is pleasantly heavy. It has a high quality plastic housing. The lamp feels good in the hand, but not too heavy, when held by the handle. However, after a longer time of handling the handle, it can happen that it jerks loose in the 1/4 inch connection. You then have to tighten the handle again. Personally, I can live with that.

However, the lamp is too heavy to attach it directly to the camera on a hot shoe adapter. For such cases, the lamp should be attached to a suitable camera cage.

Rollei Lumen LED-Stableuchte I RGB Bi-Color Videoleuchte I App-Steuerung I LED Video-Licht geeignet für Portrait, Produkt &...*

• 🌈 360 einstellbare Farben: Kompaktes und leistungsstarkes RGB Bicolor LED-Licht mit einem CRI von über 95% für farbgetreue...
• 📱 Smartphone App: Die kostenlose Android & iOS App "Rollei Lumen" ermöglicht die gleichzeitige Fernsteuerung mehrerer LED...

135,28 EUR

Amazon

Controlling the lamp

On the back of the Rollei Lumen light bar * there is a settings display, two pressable control wheels and two selector switches for the modes “Off”, “Mains operation” and “Battery operation” and white light (CCT) and coloured light (RGB).

The display is illuminated and, together with the two clickable control wheels, looks extremely valuable. The feel gives good feedback and allows fine adjustments. Superbly done, Rollei!

In the white light mode, we can fine-tune the colour temperature in Kelvin. A symbol also shows us which light colour (artificial, sun, cloudy, candle, etc.) this setting comes closest to. Of course, the brightness can also be controlled.

In colour mode, the colour tone can be adjusted on the luminaire by means of a 360-degree selector. In addition, the saturation of the colour and the overall brightness can be adjusted. As an alternative to the 360-degree selector, predefined colours can be selected.

The selector switches, on the other hand, look and feel extremely cheap. It hangs loose and is made of light plastic. This switch does not fit in at all with the rest of the lamp’s otherwise high-quality appearance. The feel of this switch is terrible, it could have been done better. At both of my lamps the colour/white switch doesn‘t really attach in one position, there is no feedback at all. Terrible.

We have triple freedom of choice when it comes to controlling the lamp:

• Option 1: Control via the integrated controls and the display.
• Option 2: Control via Bluetooth using the Lumen app on the smartphone.
• Option 3: Control via DMX

Immediately after unpacking, I put the lamp into operation. I downloaded the Lumen app and started it. On my iPhone, the app asked me for Bluetooth access rights. I granted Bluetooth access and the lamp was connected immediately.

“How the hell did they do that?”, I asked myself. It went so smoothly, I didn’t expect it to. I would have thought I would have had to at least find and pair the lamp manually, but the app did that on its own. Great success. That is intuitive usability and excellent user experience. Nicely done.

When it comes to having the light bar permanently installed in the studio, it may also make sense to control the lamps via a DMX controller. No problem, because each lamp has a DMX input and DMX output in the form of an RJ45 socket. I don’t use this, but I tested it with a DMX controller lying around. It works perfectly, but I couldn’t get the colour temperature for white light right with DMX. But I only tried it out for 3 minutes out of curiosity.

Regardless of where the lamp is operated from, it remembers the last settings when it is switched off and on again. Even after a loss of voltage.

How does the Rollei Lumen portable light perform in photo shooting?

As described at the beginning of this article, the orientation of the Rollei Lumen light bar * can be freely selected. This applies equally to photo and video purposes:

The horizontal position of the light distributes the light over a larger target area. Shadows become softer. Ideal for portrait photography or the illumination of video recordings – but more about that later.

Vertically aligned, I can focus the light on a specific target strip. Ideal for artistic lighting designs, low-key and still life lighting.

The brightness of the lamp can be adjusted in one hundred 1% percent steps. This is granular enough for all lighting situations.

In June, I was commissioned by a client to photograph the new bus stops they had produced and installed in a municipality. Let’s face it, a bus stop is not exactly the most exciting subject. So I came up with the idea of taking the photos in the dark and colour lighting the modern bus stops with the Rollei Lumen light bars. The result is something to be proud of.

Rollei Lumen light bar as Video Illumination

The Rollei Lumen light bar * does not flicker when shooting in 30p, 25p, 60p, provided that the 360° rule is observed. Flickering is neither visible with battery operation nor with mains operation. That was my biggest concern.

For video recordings in my “YouTube studio” I used to use 4 Samtian TL-600AS studio lights distributed on two lamp tripods. They were often too bright.

Two horizontally mounted Rollei Lumen light sticks now take over this job. The brightness of the 4 lamps used before is not quite reached, but that was simply exaggerated and hurt my own eyes on full brightness.

My Rollei Lumen light bar * emitts perfect brightness, flickerfree and looks much better and stable, than my former light setup.

Conclusion and recommendation

The Rollei Lumen light bar * does what it is supposed to do. For around 120€, we get a versatile and largely high-quality product that is very well thought out, from the menu navigation to the carrying bag. The light quality is impeccable. Colours are mixed cleanly, the light is soft and cast shadows are not distracting. For such a compact device, the performance is super.

Ihre Daten werden erst beim Abspielen des Youtube-Videos an den Dienst übermittelt. Your data will only be transmitted to the service when you play the Youtube video.

Even if the workmanship and the material of the lamp are largely okay, the wobbly and not properly engaging selector switches are a horror. That is already the biggest minus. But you can live with that and the lighting result is not affected by it.

I particularly like the fact that it can be used for both video lighting and photography. In my eyes, this is the most solid, affordable and versatile solution at the moment.

All links marked with * in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you purchase through these links, we will receive a commission. Nevertheless, this review is real and not bought. I could recommend any other studio light to you, but I am really enthusiastic about the Rollei Lumen product series and don’t want to miss my lights for photo and video purposes anymore.

Der Beitrag Testing the Rollei Lumen LED Stick for photo and video erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.

Compatibility with Nikon Z series cameras

Short and sweet: Yes the „Ellie“ (Amazon Affiliate Link) also fits Nikon Z6, Z7, Z6II and Z7II. Probably it even fits Z5 and Z50. Both the battery flaps and the flaps for the ports on the left side of the camera (MIC, headphones, HDMI, remote shutter, etc.) remain accessible. The rubber flaps can still be opened, closed and tilted to the side when open. No problems at all.

Compatibility with FTZ adapter

The Ellie PD (Amazon Affiliate Link) is not only compatible with the FTZ adapter, it enables the use of an adapter plate on the camera with simultaneous FTZ adapter use.

For example, I myself use a Peak Design Capture Clip System ARCA adapter plate attached to the camera (Amazon affiliate link). When this adapter is screwed to the camera and I put on the FTZ adapter, the FTZ adapter blocks the adapter plate: I can no longer slide the adapter plate into tripod head or support system.

Sure, I could screw the adapter plate directly onto the FTZ adapter, but if I then switch to a Z lens, I would also have to alter the adapter plate again. That is too inflexible for me. I was looking for a way to still have a working adapter plate on the camera itself, despite possibly having the FTZ adapter on. Ellie and Ellie PD brought the solution.

The PD version of the Ellie has the ARCA plate of the Peak Design Capture System (Amazon Affiliate Link) already integrated. On the normal Ellie (without PD) you can screw on any adapter plate. The result is the same.

In both cases, the oversize of the pure Ellie angle without adapter plate already provides additional distance between the underside of the FTZ adapter and the underside of a mounted adapter plate. As a result, the FTZ adapter no longer blocks insertion into the support system or tripod head.

If this information has helped you, you are welcome to purchase the mentioned accessories via the following affiliate links.

3 Legged Thing Ellie PD Universeller Schnellwechselwinkel, Peak Design Capture-kompatibel - Kupfer (Orange)*

• Universeller Peak-Design-kompatibler Schnellwechselwinkel für spiegellose und DSLR-Kameras
• Zwei unterschiedliche Gewinde-Slots für optimale Ausrichtung der Kamera

78,48 EUR

Amazon

Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3 Schwarz, inkl. Standard Plate (CP-BK-3)*

• Mit dem Capture Camera Clip muss deine Kamera nie wieder in die Tasche, sondern ist jederzeit in Reichweite für das perfekte Foto....
• Vom Capture Clip lösen - und unmitelbar am Arca-Stativ einsetzen. Möglich dank der kompatiblen Schnellwechselplatte.

79,90 EUR

Amazon

Der Beitrag 3 Legged Thing Ellie (PD) on the Nikon Z6, Z7, Z5, Z50, Z6II, Z7II – is it compatible? erschien zuerst auf Pixelfriedhof.