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Blackmagic Design halts US factory plans due to concerns over tariffs

Digital Photography Review news -

Image: Blackmagic Design

Blackmagic Design, an Australian company known for its professional cinema cameras and DaVinci Resolve editing software, had ambitious plans to expand into American manufacturing with a new factory in Dallas, Texas. However, thanks to the newly introduced US tariffs, those plans have hit a snag.

The company had hoped US-based production would strengthen ties with American semiconductor firms and streamline its supply chain. However, BlackMagic spokesperson Patrick Hussey told The Verge that the broadly applied tariffs have made the move financially unviable.

While parts like semiconductors and the PCBs used in Blackmagic's cameras are sourced from US companies, many are still manufactured overseas and are subject to tariffs. "If we proceed with the US factory, we'd incur tariffs on those parts, increasing costs and negating the savings we anticipated," Hussey said.

This exact dilemma reflects a broader issue facing companies with global supply chains. Though the tariffs were intended to encourage domestic manufacturing, many businesses report they'd be better off moving operations to countries with lower tax burdens. A survey conducted by CNBC found that 61% of businesses favored relocating to low-tariff countries over the US. 81% said they'd automate US production rather than hire workers.

"Production of some product lines has been relocated to reduce the impact on our customers"

Blackmagic has already passed on some of the additional costs to consumers, with the prices of certain products rising in the US. For example, the new Pyxis 12K camera, initially listed for $5,000, jumped to $6,600 before settling at $5,500 after Blackmagic shifted production to mitigate tariff impacts. Prices elsewhere in the world remain unchanged.

"We operate factories in several countries, so production of some product lines has been relocated to reduce the impact on our customers," Hussey explained, noting that the company is holding off on a US factory decision for now. If more components begin production domestically, the plan may be revived.

While the current US administration recently added smartphones, computers and other electronics to a temporary list of tariff exemptions, cameras and related equipment were omitted. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned that the exemptions are not permanent and that new tariffs targeting the semiconductor industry, for example, could be introduced in a month or two. Policy indecision like this adds even more uncertainty for companies like Blackmagic.

Insta360 is teasing a new camera coming on April 22nd

Digital Photography Review news -

Image: Insta360

Insta360 released a teaser video on its YouTube channel this morning for an upcoming product launch on April 22nd. Titled "All Day. All Night. All Angles," the fast-paced 51-second clip showcases a variety of high-energy activities and stunts, suggesting a new 360-degree camera designed for versatile day-to-night shooting.

While the company hasn't officially named the product, speculation in the video clip's comments section suggests it's an Insta360 X5, a successor to last year's X4 360-degree action camera. If true, it would be slightly over a year since the X4's April 16, 2024 announcement.

The X4 supports 8K 360° video recording at 30p for 2.7k reframed 16:9 footage, a vast improvement from its predecessor X3's 5.7K/30p with 1080p output. The teaser trailer's emphasis on nighttime shots and low-light performance hints at further enhancements if it does, in fact, turn out to be an X5.

Whatever it is, Insta360 plans to unveil its new product at a pop-up event located in Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal, New York City at 9:00 AM, EST, this coming Tuesday.

Viltrox has fully announced its "cutting-edge" 35mm F1.2 Lab lens

Digital Photography Review news -

When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Image: Viltrox

Viltrox gave us a preview of its AF 35mm F1.2 Lab FE lens back at CP+, but today, it's making the lens available to purchase and releasing full details about it. As the name implies, it's a full-frame lens for Sony's E-mount, and the company says it combines "cutting-edge optical performance" with "professional-grade handling."

The lens is made up of 15 elements in 10 groups, with five ED elements, three high-refractive-index elements and two aspherical lenses. The company also says it features nano multi-layer coatings to reduce flare and ghosting, as well as a moisture-resistant coating on the front element.

Image: Viltrox

Viltrox says the lens has an "advanced dust and moisture-resistant design." It features two programmable buttons, a multi-function ring that can be set to have clicks or no clicks, and a display that you can customize via Viltrox's app to show information such as your aperture setting or focusing distance. The lens also has a USB-C port for firmware upgrades, weighs 920g (32oz) and is 122mm (4.8") long.

Autofocus is handled by a pair of "HyperVCM" linear motors, which the company says should silently provide fast, accurate tracking for both stills and video. It has a minimum focusing distance of 0.34m (13.4").

It's exciting to see a new Lab lens from Viltrox, as the 135mm F1.8 lens with the badge was quite well-received, especially given its price. The AF 35mm F1.2 Lab is available to order today and costs $999.

Press Release:

Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 LAB FE

Full-Frame Ultra-Large-Aperture Autofocus Prime Lens “Flagship, Redefined“

Brief Introduction to the LAB Exploration Series

Viltrox has always been dedicated to the relentless pursuit of optical excellence, continuously exploring the infinite possibilities of image creation. The LAB series represents the pinnacle of Viltrox’s optical innovation, pushing the boundaries of traditional technology to deliver an unprecedented imaging experience. As the latest masterpiece in the LAB series, the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB continues Viltrox’s commitment to exceptional image quality and outstanding performance, setting a new benchmark for flagship full-frame, large-aperture prime lenses.

Lens Introduction:

The AF 35mm F1.2 LAB is the second full-frame, large-aperture autofocus prime lens in Viltrox’s LAB series. It integrates Viltrox’s cutting-edge optical technology, pushing the resolution and bokeh performance of the F1.2 aperture to new heights. Featuring a professional lens control system and custom color display with startup animations, it offers an efficient and personalized shooting experience. Whether for portraits, street photography, or nightscapes, this lens delivers exceptional optical performance, capturing every detail and unleashes limitless creative potential.

Exploring Optical Excellence

AF 35mm F1.2 LAB redefines flagship-level resolution, achieving a groundbreaking leap in optical performance. Designed to fully meet the demands of ultra-high-pixel sensors, it delivers razor-sharp detail from rear to far, capturing even the finest textures of skin, hair, and other intricate subjects.

Even at maximum aperture, it maintains exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, ensuring consistent image quality across the frame. This guarantees remarkable detail retention for post-cropping flexibility, offering an unparalleled shooting experience and creative freedom.

F1.2 Ultra-Wide Aperture

Pure Clarity in Darkness

The F1.2 aperture excels in creating exceptional bokeh while significantly enhancing light transmission, allowing for sharp, noise-free images even in challenging low-light conditions without the need for additional lighting. The lens adapts seamlessly to complex lighting scenarios, offering unparalleled sharpness and purity in every shot.

Dreamy, Immaculate Bokeh

The F1.2 ultra-large aperture creates an exquisite background blur, with smooth, delicate bokeh and no optical vignetting at the edges, rendering a dreamy visual effect. Whether for portrait photography or nightscapes, the lens easily renders perfect separation between the subject and background, presenting a visually striking composition.

Innovative Aperture Blade Drive Technology

The lens aperture drive adopts the Viltrox HyperVCM motor technology, delivering more precise and efficient aperture control.

Flagship Optical UA Lens (Ultra-Large & Precision Aspherical Lens)

The manufacturing of aspherical lenses poses immense technical challenges. Breaking through traditional craftsmanship constraints and exorbitant cost limitations, Viltrox UA lenses spare no effort in innovative optical design. This breakthrough effectively reduces onion-ring bokeh artifacts while achieving both high resolution and exquisitely smooth bokeh rendering, ultimately delivering refined and exceptional imaging performance.

Viltrox HyperVCM for Fast & Precise AutoFocus

The AF 35mm F1.2 LAB features Quad Viltrox HyperVCM motors, powered by Viltrox's proprietary core technology, delivering robust focusing power while significantly improving autofocus speed and precision. Whether shooting static subjects or tracking dynamic motion, the lens achieves swift, quiet, and micron-level accurate focusing, capturing every fleeting moment with ease.

Compared to traditional STM motors:

  • 150% faster autofocus speed
  • Micron-level positioning accuracy
  • 100ms switching from closest to farthest focus points

Supports face/eye recognition autofocus and other camera feature, securely locking onto subjects for a top-tier autofocus experience.

Efficient Control for Professional Experience

The AF 35mm F1.2 LAB is equipped with a comprehensive professional control system, enabling photographers to adjust settings more efficiently and unlock creative possibilities.

Multi-Functional Ring

Multi-functional control ring supports quick adjustments of parameters such as aperture and focus, adapting to the needs of various shooting scenarios.

Customizable Fn Buttons

The lens is equipped with two customizable Fn buttons, allowing users to assign shortcut functions according to their shooting needs. Additional configurations can be made via the Viltrox Lens APP, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.

AF/MF Switch

Seamlessly switch between autofocus and manual focus modes to adapt to different shooting requirements.

Click/Stepless Aperture Adjustment

Easily switch between stepped and stepless aperture adjustments for the ultimate creative flexibility.

Customizable Color Display for a Personalized Experience

The AF 35mm F1.2 LAB is equipped with a custom color display, allowing users to personalize settings through the Viltrox Lens App. Features such as startup animations and parameter previews offer a unique identity to the lens, while providing an entirely new level of control. In specialized shooting environments, the color display can also show real-time information such as the lens aperture and object distance, enhancing shooting precision and creative control in all time.

Built for All Conditions: Dust and Moisture Resistance

The AF 35mm F1.2 LAB features a high-grade dust- and moisture-resistant design, offering reliable durability against harsh conditions like sand, rain, and challenging environments. Built to meet the demands of professional photographers, it ensures dependable performance in any shooting scenario.

  • Ultra-high dustproof and drip-resistant construction - Effectively prevents sand, dust, and water droplets from entering the lens interior, ensuring the delicate internal components remain undamaged.
  • Water- and stain-resistant coating on front lens
  • Aerospace-grade full-metal housing

Get More Immersed in Backlit Shooting

  • 15 elements in 10 groups optical structure: 5 ED lenses, 3 high refractive index lenses, 2 UA lenses.
  • Even in strong light conditions, the lens delivers excellent color reproduction and contrast, resulting in unparalleled image performance.
  • Even in strong light conditions, the lens delivers excellent color reproduction and contrast, resulting in unparalleled image performance.
  • Excellent chromatic aberration control effectively reduces purple or green fringing in high-contrast shooting conditions.
  • High-definition multi-layer nano coating, Effectively suppresses flare and ghosting during backlit shooting, ensuring pure and sharp images.

Outstanding Video Performance, Focused on Creativity

The advanced Viltrox Quad HyperVCM motor eliminates noise from traditional gear-driven motors, delivering quieter focusing and faster autofocus tracking for video shooting.

With excellent focus breathing control, this lens ensures smoother focus transitions, unleashing endless creative potential for video production.

Superior Distortion and Vignetting Control

The advanced optical design of the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB ensures uniform light distribution even at its maximum aperture, significantly reducing vignetting. Additionally, it excels in distortion control, ensuring minimal edge distortion for a more authentic visual experience.

0.34m MOD: Exceptional Details

Dual floating focus design significantly enhances close-up image quality, ensuring excellent close-up resolution while continuously optimizing aberrations across the entire focal range. From close-up to infinity, the sharpness remains consistently balanced throughout.

With a minimum focusing distance of 0.34m, the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB is perfect for close-up photography, effortlessly capturing intricate textures and fine details in any scene.

Details

Material: Magnesium-aluminum alloy die-coating; Aerospace-grade metal material.

OTA (Over-the-Air) Updates: Bluetooth connectivity for firmware upgrades through the Viltrox Lens App.

LAB Signature Design: A unique marking that identifies the lens as part of the exclusive LAB Series.

Inspiring Creative Scenarios

Portrait Photography

With its large F1.2 aperture and exceptional bokeh, it effortlessly captures the delicate textures and emotional expressions of portraits, making It especially ideal for environmental portraits and street portraits.

Street Photography

The 35mm standard focal length is ideal for street photography, offering a natural perspective to capture fleeting street moments. The F1.2 wide aperture ensures bright and sharp images even in challenging lighting conditions.

Night and Low-Light Photography

The ultra-wide F1.2 aperture allows the lens to perform exceptionally in night and low-light environments, without additional light sources, making it easy to achieve high-quality night photography.

Still Life and Detail

With a minimum focusing distance of 0.25m, this lens excels at close-up shots, capturing intricate details in still life photography or fleeting expressions in street photography with precision and clarity.

Viltrox AF 35mm F1.2 Lab Specifications Principal specificationsLens typePrime lensMax Format size35mm FFFocal length35 mmLens mountSony E, Sony FEApertureMaximum apertureF1.2–16Aperture ringNoNumber of diaphragm blades11OpticsElements15Groups10Special elements / coatings5 ED, 3 high refractive index, 2 UAFocusMinimum focus0.34 m (13.39″)AutofocusYesMotor typeLinear MotorFull time manualUnknownDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight920 g (2.03 lb)Diameter89 mm (3.5″)Length122 mm (4.8″)MaterialsMagnesium-aluminum alloySealingYesFilter thread77 mm

Evening exercise impacts sleep for longer than previously thought

Gizmag news -

A new study of nearly 15,000 people found that the window of late-night workouts in which sleep is then impacted is actually much larger than previously thought, showing that exercising within four hours of bedtime can have a detrimental effect on shut-eye.

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Category: Fitness & Exercise, Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind

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Polaroid unveils the Flip: a tech-packed instant camera made for an analog life

Digital Photography Review news -

This week, Polaroid announced its Flip point-and-shoot instant camera. In a world overrun by smartphones, digital addiction, and instant gratification in the form of endless online oversharing, the company is attempting to make a case for slowing down, being intentional, and enjoying something more tangible in photography. At its core, the Flip gives you a red button, eight exposures per film pack, and a flippable lid.

The Flip combines several of Polaroid's legacy technologies with a few modern updates. Its camera is built around a four-lens system that automatically adjusts to one of four preset focus points, depending on the subject's distance. It measures that distance using sonar, which should provide accurate results – even in low light. This lessens the likelihood of blurry shots and eliminates the need to fiddle with manual settings.

The last few sentences in the above paragraph are what Polaroid's press release claims. However, we'd be remiss at DPReview not to attempt to explain how this system works. The Flip uses a sonar sensor to estimate how far away your subject is and then selects one of four fixed lenses preset to specific distances: 0.65m, 0.85m, 1.2m, or 2.5m.

It's a simplified take on autofocus – rather than continuously adjusting focus for a single lens like most autofocus systems, the camera switches between all the lenses. It works, but it doesn't mean focus is infinitely flexible. You'll get clarity across shooting distances, but not the same nuance you'd find in a manual-focus system or smartphone camera.

Precision isn't necessarily a top priority for casual use, which this camera is geared toward. Its target audience is likely to use it for in-the-moment experiences. That said, the Flip comes with some cool technical perks. An LED inside the viewfinder acts as a 'scene analysis' and lights up when a photo is under or overexposed. The built-in flash adapts based on subject distance and can illuminate a scene up to 4.5 meters away, making it handy in low-light settings.

The Polaroid Flip will be available on April 29th on the company's main website. It is priced at $199.99. Members get early access starting April 15th. Other retailers will begin selling the camera on May 13th. The Flip is compatible with Polaroid's i-Type and 600 film. It connects to the Polaroid app via Bluetooth and offers additional manual settings along with remote control of the camera. Bonus features users may appreciate include a Self-Timer mode and the ability to create double exposures.

Press Release:

Introducing the Polaroid Flip: The ultimate point-and-shoot instant camera for an analog life
  • High quality shots every time thanks to a hyperfocal 4-lens system, sonar autofocus, Polaroid’s most powerful flash and new ‘scene analysis’ feature that warns when photos will be over or underexposed.
  • Packed with iconic innovations from Polaroid’s 80-year photography legacy, all in one easy-to-use, point-and-shoot instant camera.

Tech-packed instant camera for sharper shots.

With a flippable lid for ultimate protection, the Polaroid Flip embodies 80 years of Polaroid innovation and iconic features. Flip is the best camera for everyone who wants to get great shots with ease.

  • Hyperfocal 4-Lens System for beautifully sharp shots: Four automatically selected sweet spots, depending on the distance to the subject (0.65m, 0.85m, 1.2m, 2.5m) that ensure sharper focus across photography styles.
  • Sonar Autofocus ensures your subject is always in focus: Sonar waves to determine subject distance and select the right lens, for maximum focal clarity, delivering crisp focus – even in the dark.
  • Polaroid’s most powerful flash for any lighting condition: Located in the Flip’s ‘lid,’ this adaptive flash adjusts power based on subject distance, illuminating up to 4.5m away.
  • Scene Analysis for well-exposed pictures, more often: Photographers receive an alert when the photo might be over or underexposed through the viewfinder LED, or when the subject is too close on the ‘lid’ display.

Instant photography over instant gratification.

Polaroid Flip is more than just a camera—it’s an invitation to embrace real-life moments. In this hyper-digitized, constantly doomscrolling, high-anxiety age, the Polaroid Flip offers a way to connect with life’s best moments – the real, tangible, analog ones; with eight pictures in a pack that will connect to life far more than 800 digital ones. Polaroid delivers a true analog experience: photos you can hold forever, not pixels lost in the cloud or forgotten on a phone. The Flip invites creators to simply live a life worth capturing, then click the Flip’s iconic red shutter button.

Available from April 29

The Polaroid Flip will be available for €219 / $199,99 / £199,99 / CNY 1699, with early access for members starting April 15. It launches on polaroid.com on April 29 and in retailers from May 13. Compatible with Polaroid i-Type & 600 film, the Flip is USB-C rechargeable and comes with a neck strap. It connects to the Polaroid app via Bluetooth®, offering newly optimized manual settings through the app, allowing full remote control. Additional features include Double Exposure and a Self-Timer mode, giving creators even more creative freedom.

Multi-sensor stethoscope excels at detecting faulty heart valves

Gizmag news -

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a potentially fatal condition, yet it's difficult to diagnose with a regular stethoscope. A possibly life-saving new multi-sensor stethoscope is claimed to be much better at the job, with the added benefit that it can be used by just about anyone.

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Category: Medical Devices, Medical Innovations, Body & Mind

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Adobe makes a strategic bet on AI-generated video with an investment in Synthesia

Digital Photography Review news -

Adobe is diving deeper into artificial intelligence with a new investment in Synthesia, a British AI startup that lets users create videos with lifelike avatars and voiceovers in 140+ languages. CNBC officially confirmed that Adobe's venture capital arm gave Synthesia an undisclosed amount of capital as part of a "strategic partnership."

While neither company shared detailed terms of the deal, the move signals Adobe's growing interest in AI tools that can enhance and disrupt traditional video workflows. Synthesia's platform enables users to create videos using text prompts and AI-generated avatars — including customized versions of real people. Users can choose from over 230 pre-made avatars on Synthesia's site. They can also create their own in a Synthesia studio or remotely on personal devices.

Synthesia aims to make video production quicker and easier using text prompts and AI-generated avatars.

The company claims that over 70% of Fortune 100 companies use its tools. "We're building the world's leading AI video platform for enterprise, and Adobe's investment validates that direction," said Victor Riparbelli, Synthesia's CEO. "We share a vision: democratizing high-quality content creation and making enterprise communication faster and more effective."

Adobe, with an estimated market cap of $150 billion, is best known for its creative tools like Photoshop and Premiere Pro – the latter widely used in professional video production. This partnership could expand Adobe's presence in AI-native video generation. It isn't Adobe's first foray into related startup investments, either. The company attempted to acquire Figma for $20 billion before backing out due to regulatory changes in the EU and U.K. Previous stakes in companies like VidMob and Captions were successful.

Alongside Adobe's investment news, Synthesia announced it has surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). Riparbelli said the company has grown 100% year over year, and the ARR puts it in "a very small group of AI-native companies with real commercial traction."

Despite its rapid growth, the venture remains unprofitable. In 2023, Synthesia posted a pre-tax loss of £25.2 million on revenues of £25.7 million, according to filings with the U.K. Companies House. However, profitability is not a near-term priority.

One of Synthesia's competitors is OpenAI's Sora tool.

"We've never chased growth at any cost," Riparbelli said, pointing out that the company still has leftover capital from a previous funding round in 2023. It was last valued at $2.1 billion in January. Synthesia faces competition from rivals, including Colossyan, Filmora, and Veed.io. Open AI's Sora also offers a text-to-video model.

This partnership with Adobe, the world's leading producer of creative software, signals a broader trend. AI video is being viewed as a tool for enterprise communication. It's becoming less about cameras and crews and more about text and creativity.

Nikon promises to bring a much-requested feature to the Z6III

Digital Photography Review news -

When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Photo: Richard Butler

Last week, Nikon announced a firmware update to its Zf camera that added its bird-specific subject detection mode, promising it'd be quicker and more accurate at detecting and tracking birds than the Auto or Animal modes. Our comments section resounded with a single question: when is it coming to the Z6III?

Nikon now has an answer: sometime this year. Nikon Rumors spotted a reply from the Nikon USA account on X, formerly known as Twitter, that reads: "We plan to add Bird detect AF to the Z6III by the end of the year. Stay tuned!"

Z6III users have been waiting for the feature even before it arrived on the Zf. It debuted with the Z9 and was later brought down to the Z8. With Nikon pitching the Z6III as a powerful, do-everything camera, the bird-specific autofocus mode seemed like a natural fit. The omission seemed even stranger when lower-end cameras, like the Z50II and Z5II, launched with the feature.

That pent-up demand may be why Nikon shared that it's coming on social media before it's actually ready – to give Z6III users some assurance that it hasn't forgotten that they want the feature. We'll be sure to let you know as soon as the firmware update enabling it becomes available.

How do you build an AI translator to understand dolphinspeak?

Gizmag news -

Now this is the sort of application of AI that really intrigues me. Researchers have developed DolphinGemma, the first large language model (LLM) for understanding dolphin language. It could help us translate what these incredible creatures are saying, potentially much faster than we ever could with manual approaches used over several decades.

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Category: Biology, Science

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