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News roundup: Adobe, Apple, evrExpanse, LumaFusion, Panasonic, Sohonet, Sony and Viltrox

The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE
3 minute read
The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE
News roundup: Adobe, Apple, evrExpanse, LumaFusion, Panasonic, Sohonet, Sony and Viltrox
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Discover the latest industry updates, including LumaFusion's HDR support, Viltrox's latest lens, Sony's volume photography tools, Panasonic's education initiative, and more.

Let's start quick and simple, but very worthwhile. LumaFusion 2.3 for Android has added support for HDR. More in the video below.

The evrExpanse smart batch-processing tool has officially launched version 6—delivering a decent boost in workflow automation and metadata management for macOS users. Headline is the all-new Apply Finder Tag. For the first time, users can batch-apply Finder Tags to their media based on metadata—enabling powerful organization, searching, and color-tagging right inside macOS Finder. The initial rollout supports direct integration with DaVinci Resolve: simply export your Keywords metadata, and evrExpanse does the rest, turning them into color-coded Finder Tags. Support for Final Cut Pro and other NLEs is on the roadmap. Neat.

Viltrox_AF_85mm_F1.4_Pro_FE_04

As ever there is a new lens from Viltrox. The AF 85mm F1.4 Pro FE is a new full-frame autofocus lens for Sony E-mount cameras. It takes the 85mm focal length long preferred by portrait photographers and adds a wide F1.4 aperture with advanced optical design that maintains sharpness and clarity across the frame – even at its widest aperture. The optical design includes 15 elements and 11 groups, while the HyperVCM autofocus motor provides a 150% boost in focusing speed, enabling near-to-far focus shifts in just 100ms. Price is $598.

Sony has a new series of license packages built for e Alpha 6700 volume photography applications, and those working in school photography, at theme parks, or on cruise ships... that sort of thing.

sony volume photography

The Scan & Tag license streamlines data management and saves time and resources by linking captured images with subject information and metadata in real-time, for ease of organisation. In-camera photo cropping enables users to crop images to a pre-set aspect ratio instantly, and new Volume Photography Commands are utilised through an application developed using the Camera Remote Toolkit. This allows users to precisely fine-tune colour temperature for ideal image quality, and can even prevent shutter activation unless preset capture conditions are met. Pricing on application, but unlikely to be pocket change given the $149 price of the Custom Grid Lines that kicked all this off.

The company has also released the FR7 PTZ v3.0 firmware it announced back in April. The video below shows new features related to A_driven PTZ Auto Framing, remote production, and Preset Positions.

Apple has pulled another advert just after release. Unlike Crush, whose destruction of musical instruments and artistic tools to emphasise its new AI routines went down like a lead balloon with the creative community, or the iPhone 16 ad with The Last of Us star Bella Ramsay eschewing an AI-powered Siri that simply didn't exist, there seems to be no obvious reason why it was pulled. The worst criticism of the 7-minute plus The Parent Presentation seems to be that "it's a bit cringe," but it's another sign that a company that once knew exactly where it was going at all times now seems a bit lost. Have a look at it if you're curious here.

PetaPixel reports that Adobe is finally starting to track generative credit use in its Creative Cloud ecosystem. To date, when you've run out of credits, all that has happened is that your Firefly requests might run slower. Now, it seems that the features you are after may just not work and, as a rough guide, that includes most things that have the word 'generative' in the title. But not all of them. Generative Remove in Lightroom doesn't , nor does generate Text Effects i Adobe Express. 

adobe genai warning

Pic: PetaPixel

“If you run out of credits, you can either wait until your generative credit balance resets for the next month or purchase more through the Firefly plans," advises Adobe. It's a complex story that involves some complex plan structures that remind us of trying to game mobile phone plans back in the day. Peta Pixel has done the spadework on it so, for the details, head there.

Panasonic has launched LUMIX EDU, a new initiative offering exclusive discounts, educational content, and creative opportunities tailored to students, educators, and academic institutions looking to elevate their visual storytelling programs.  The program offers:                                  

  • Discounts on select LUMIX cameras and accessories for verified students and educators
  • Free Curriculum Resources, including 1-year and 4-year tracks for launching film and media programs
  • Access to Industry Experts, including LUMIX Ambassadors and Creators who offer workshops and mentoring opportunities
  • Exclusive Content, behind-the-scenes features, and student showcases promoted through LUMIX channels
  • Collaborative Initiatives with film festivals and educational partners

Register with a valid .edu or .org email address here.

Sohonet_Core

And finally, Sohonet's asset management platform, Core, has some new features, with the neatly named Core Themes at the top of the list. New light and dark modes allow users to tailor Core’s appearance to suit their environment or personal preference, there is improved visibility and consistency across the interface, an upgraded List View, and improved package management. 

Tags: Production 16mm

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