Dead Nature, Havana, Cuba. By Patricia Diaz (Cuba). Camera: Canon Powershot
INVITATION TO HAVANA TIMES READERS AND PHOTOGRAPHY LOVERS
HAVANA TIMES – Gone are the dark months of travel restrictions due to the pandemic. It seems like a good time for you to go out and share with us your best pictures for our Photo of the Day section.
A cat, a bird, the shadow of a building, the perfect combination of colors, a smile, a beautiful landscape, your book or your favorite vase of flowers. All these photographs call our attention.
Cities, fields, seascapes; Havana, New York, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Brasilia, Berlin, Montevideo, Tokyo, Paris, Bogotá, Prague, Santo Domingo, Cairo, Athens, Jakarta or Rome, Beirut or Kathmandu, we are interested in all cities, all people from London or Warsaw, from Stockholm or Mogadishu, from Hanoi, Caracas or the Vatican. We welcome all your photos.
Just send us your name and country of residence, the place where you took the photo and with what camera or cell phone to [email protected]
Send us one of your favorite pictures to share.
Portraits, landscapes, street photography, press photography, whatever you prefer.
Express yourself in Havana Times.
To see the photos of the previous days select here.
Тhe Pixel 7a is destined to be the latest budget offering in Google’s a-series of phones, which aim to bring high-end features at an affordable price. You may be asking yourself if it’s the phone for you, especially after hearing about the myriad of exclusive software enhancements that Google has brought to the Pixel line. The 7a is probably going to be inspired by the Pixel 7, not only in terms of design, but also hardware and exclusive camera features. Staples such as Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser work with just a press of a button and bring a lot of utility, as they can be used on older photos from other phones too.
The Pixel 6a was the last phone in Google’s budget line-up and made for a compact, but powerful device. It still managed to offer the exclusive features that the Pixel line is known for, but it had to make up for its lower price. As such, it had a smaller battery, smaller image processor and lacked wireless charging. But it still managed to impress even at that, so the Pixel 7a certainly has big shoes to fill.
Latest Google Pixel 7a news
Pixel 7a latest news
Google Pixel 7a release date
Well, there is no official info to present as of this point, nor are there any reliable leaks from trusted sources with a solid track record, but we can always try our best at some guesswork, backed up by release patterns and a tad of deduction.
The Pixel 6a was released in July of 2022 – less than 6 months ago. Put a pin on that. Then we have the base Pixel 6 model release on October 28 of 2021, which would make for a period of 9 months between the two.
Similarly, the Pixel 5a was released 10 months after the flagship Pixel 5 had become available to the public. So, it’s safe to say that the marketing strategy for the a-series is to have them out about three quarters of a year after the main duo of flagship devices.
Device family
Announcement
Market release
Google Pixel 5
September 30, 2019
October 29, 2021
Google Pixel 5a
August 17, 2021
August 26, 2021
Google Pixel 6
October 19, 2021
October 28, 2021
Google Pixel 6a
May 11, 2022
July 28, 2022
Google Pixel 7
October 6, 2022
October 13, 2022
Google Pixel 7a*
April/May, 2023*
June/August, 2023*
* – probable dates
So what would that mean? Well, if we are to trust this pattern, combined with the release date of the Pixel 7 of October 13, 2022, that would mean that we could see the Pixel 7a go up for sale between June and August of 2023.
The Pixel 6a was announced in May of this year, so there was a two-month gap between its unveiling and release. Thus, we can hope to see the 7a become showcased as early as Q2 of 2023, quite possibly around April or May, but we can’t be sure until Google starts teasing the release.
That being said, the last two Google phones were officially announced a month before they release. If this is to become tradition, then we should see the Pixel 7a become unveiled as late as July for a release during August of 2023.
Google Pixel 7a price
When it comes to pricing, we’ve seen Google stick to tradition. What we mean by that is that, for example, all Pixel a-series phones have had a price tag of $499. Given what we’ve seen thus far from Google’s habits, it’s fair to assume that this may very well be the price of the Pixel 7a too.
iPhone model
128GB of storage
256GB of storage
512GB of storage
Pixel 5a
$449
–
–
Pixel 6
$599
$699
–
Pixel 6 Pro
$899
$999
–
Pixel 6a
$449
–
–
Pixel 7
$599
$699
–
Pixel 7 Pro
$899
$999
$1,099
Pixel 7a
$499*
–
–
* – anticipated prices
Google Pixel 7a camera
The Pixel 6a has a dual-camera setup, consisting of a wide an ultrawide lens. It also has a 12MP sensor, which was previously seen on the Pixel 5 flagship. While that may seem like quite the step back from the larger 50MP sensor which the Pixel 6 had, the performance of the two really was comparable.
Google’s expertise on the software front made the smaller 12MP sensor of the 6a shine brighter than ever. It also came with most of the exclusive software options, some of which were introduced with the Pixel 7. Sure, not all of them made their way to the 6a, but at least Google cut what seems like the less popular ones, like Motion Mode.
The Night Sight mode on Pixel devices has been around since Pixel 3, so we can expect the advanced astrophotography mode to be on the 7a too. We already mentioned the impressive Photo Unblur and Magic Eraser, which were on the 6a, and we hope to see them again on the 7a. Lastly, another old, but gold feature, unique to Pixel phones is Top Shot — sort of like a “smart burst mode”, which helps you capture a fleeting moment easily. Neat!
Pixel 7a camera setup, render based on leaks
As such, we can expect the Pixel 7a to follow suite and have:
Hopefully, the 50MP sensor from the 6a, but the 12MP one could still make a comeback
A dual-camera setup, same as on the Pixel 7 and 6a
Most of the post-processing features that have become a staple for the Pixel series
Overall high performance, especially when compared to other budget smartphones
We’ve also had rumors of an even bigger image sensor being incorporated on the Pixel 7a, namely a 64MP Sony IMX787, with the inclusion of a 13MP IMX712, destined for its ultrawide camera on the back, but Google’s track record of utilizing hardware from older Pixel models on their budget series of phones doesn’t fit this claim.
Google Pixel 7a storage
You’ve probably noticed in the hefty chart above that all Pixel a-series phones have always come with 128GB of storage and no additional expansion slot. And we believe that there is a reason for that – the price point.
For most users, that’s going to be more than enough, as long as they can develop a healthy habit to regularly backup their photos and videos to a cloud service, and not clutter their phone with apps or games that go unused.
In some fringe cases, like for gamers, who like to enjoy a large roster of hefty games on their device, the space might not be enough. But in the age of media streaming, 128GB of storage is nothing to scoff at, as services like Spotify and Netflix weigh in in less than half a gigabyte still.
Google Pixel 7a design
Well, now that the Pixel 7a has had its renders leaked, we can definitely say that Google is sticking to the signature Pixel look. Ever since the Pixel 6, we’ve entered this new age of futuristic visor-esque bars on the backs of Google phones, instead of the typical asymmetrical camera bump we’ve come to know from the Samsung Galaxy S22 or the iPhone 14.
From the render, we can see that the 7a will be following in the footsteps of its older siblings, the 7 and the 7 Pro, with that said camera bar gaining a silvery metallic finish, and becoming slightly more protruded than on the 7. A difference that can be noted on is slightly larger screen bezels, but considering the expected price point, that’s fair.
Pixel Phones traditionally come in two monochromatic options, which dance around black and white, such as charcoal or obsidian, for example. Then there is the third option, which goes for something more vibrant, without becoming too overbearing, like the muted greens of the sage variant or the fresh lemon grass option.
Pixel 7a render based on leaks
So, it would be safe to assume that we can look forward to two variants of the Pixel 7a, which will be some nuances of black and white, respectively. As to the third option, we can make a solid guess that the nature-inspired muted greens, seen on the last three Pixel phones, are going to make a come back in some way, which evades the coolness of lighter hues, while still not going overboard with warmer or darker tones.
The Pixel 6 and 7 phones were both rated at IP68, while the 6a manages an IP67 rating. As per the IP rating system, the 6 indicates that dust can’t get inside all three phones, as long as some sort of external damage hasn’t compromised their vacuum seal.
The second number is related to the phone’s water-resistant capabilities, with a rating of 7 allowing for 30 minutes of submersion of up to 3ft (1m), while the rating of 8 takes things further to a depth of 9.8ft (3m), but the time is undisclosed.
While the flagship series are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and on the back, making them capable of surviving a drop from 6.5 ft , the Pixel 6a comes with a 3D thermoformed composite back – a fancy way of saying plastic – and Gorilla Glass 3 on front, which still offers some protection, but on a lower level than what Victus has to offer.
We can see what looks like brushed matte aluminum on the sides of the phone.
Ergo, we can surely anticipate the Pixel 7a to come with some protection over its screen, but we remain curious to see as to what Google has in store for the phone’s backside. It’s likely going to be some sort of plastic again, but they might surprise us and offer a higher grade Gorilla Glass front, and a lower one out back.
Lastly, regarding the phone’s sides: we’re betting on aluminum. We’ve seen the material both on the 7 and the 6a, so it would only make sense to keep things in line and incorporate it once again in the Pixel 7a. Most probably in a matte finish, as before.
Google Pixel 7a display
Here’s the deal: one of our biggest gripes with the otherwise excellent Pixel 6a was its 60Hz display, especially after seeing the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro’s screens and their 90 and 120Hz refresh rates respectively. With higher refresh rates slowly becoming a sought-after feature, it would be great to see such an improvement in the Pixel 7a.
Why fix what isn’t broken? Hefty bezels though.
And lo and behold, recent leaks point to a 6.1″ display with a 90Hz refresh rate! Huzzah! The display is likely going to be 2400 x 1080 pixels in resolution for a 20:9 ratio, same as the Pixel 5a, 6a and 7. From the renders we can tell that the smartphone will feature a hole-punch style of selfie camera, centered at the top of the screen, and it’s likely going to have an optical under-screen fingerprint sensor, as with its brothers.
Google Pixel 7a battery
So, we’ve not seen any interesting reports or leaks regarding the Pixel 7a and its battery capacity or capabilities. However, we sure know what we’d like to see and what we’re probably not going to get. Spoilers – the latter is a bigger battery.
The Pixel 6a had a capacity of 4,410mAh, which we found to be quite dependable, even with sometimes heavier usage. It is, unfortunately, limited to 18W of charging speed via cable only — no wireless charging. The Pixel 7 has even less capacity with 4,355mAh, but can at least handle a slightly faster 20W, both for wired and wireless charging.
So, ultimately we’re hoping to see the battery from the Pixel 6 make a return in the 7a for a sweet 4,614mAh of capacity and the ability to receive a faster charge of around 20W wired and wirelessly. What more could we ask for?
Well, if we’re lucky, Google is going to meet us halfway and give us a Pixel 7a, with a battery capacity of around 4,300mAh, that has wireless charging capabilities and faster wired charging. We’d bet our money on the capacity part of the prediction, even though we hope to have nailed the rest too.
Google Pixel 7a features and software
With this being an Android phone, coming from the guys who make Android, it’s no wonder that it has some extra features, which are exclusive to the Pixel series. Several instantly come to mind as staples: Google assistant’s Pixel-exclusive features like Direct My Call and Call Screening, Google’s impressive camera post-processing enhancements, and voice typing.
Google Assistant is significantly capable on Pixel devices. It has the ability to accept calls from strangers in your stead. It can also hold a call for you on customer service lines, until the other end is ready to proceed, so you don’t sit there wasting time. If you don’t usually use voice assistants, then a Pixel phone may be a game changer for you.
The Pixel camera capabilities are legendary, not so much because of the tech inside, but because of Google’s Camera app, which is exclusive to their smartphones. It utilizes HDR+ to enhance the dynamics of your snaps greatly, and underpins them with vibrance and clarity.
The visor-styled camera bump is not a feature, but helps the phone stand out quite a lot.
There are other futuristic features too, like the option to erase photobombers from your shots with a tap on a button, or other powerful retouch tools, which not only let you do the usual, such as adjusting contrast and cropping, but go as far as removing motion blur from photos.
And, yes, we did mention voice typing. Why’d we do that? It’s not like it’s something new in the world of tech. Well, Google has achieved impressive results with their rendition of the feature, which can truly be relied on a whole lot more than your typical third party app.
While all of this sounds wonderful, truth is that the Pixel 6a did see some cut features when compared to the 7, so we’re expecting the same approach this time too. Good news is that Google is nice and usually cuts the ones that people don’t use as much, so you don’t need to worry about it.
Google Pixel 7a hardware and specs
We say Google, you say Tensor! Of course, we can bank on the latest Tensor G2 being included in the Pixel 7a. This practice became notable with the Pixel 6a, where Google crammed the latest SoC from the Pixel 6 into their budget offering, which is exactly what made it worth it.
That is certainly what is going to bring an above-average performance to the Pixel 7a, especially for a phone from its expected price range. We’ve also had this backed up by recent leaks, and it would only make sense, given Google’s habits of recycling parts across its range of phones.
That being said, we’ve not had any notable spills about RAM. So what would be a safe bet? 8GB, for sure, and make it LPDDR5. We’ve seen the exact same type and quantity on both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 6a, which is what we are basing our prediction on.
Should I wait for the Google Pixel 7a?
You should wait for Pixel 7a if you’ve always wanted to try the best that Android has to offer, but are not willing to spend extra for a Pixel 7 or 7 Pro.
You should not wait for Pixel 7a if you’ve already gotten a Pixel 7, Pixel 6 or 6a, as those phones are going to last a long time, as per Google’s own support plans. We’re expecting the Pixel 7a to be potent, but it is not likely to blow either of its predecessors out the water just yet.
The new issue of Digital Photographer (opens in new tab) is out now!
This month we have another amazing issue for you, packed full of pro techniques, advice and insight.
Shoot in low light
Make the most of long nights and short days with pro-level low light skills (Image credit: Future)
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Winter is well and truly here – the nights have drawn in and it seems we spend most of our lives in the dark. There are advantages to this however. Low light conditions offer tremendous drama and atmosphere, to match a huge range of subjects. Learn not only to overcome the main challenges of low ambient light levels, but to embrace the colour and deep shadows for unique effects. Capture stunning images of the night sky, as part of a wider landscape, use motion blur for energy and enhance detail in software.
Capture your best urban landscapes
Learn to see the city as a dynamic landscape and capture its secrets! (Image credit: Future)
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Cities offer us so much to tantalise the senses, even before we pick up a camera. One of the mistakes we make after we do is that we focus on the familiar aspects, to the exclusion of many of the other textures and patterns the urban environment has to offer. In our feature this issue we have collated a selection of the best pro tips for shooting city locations for maximum impact. Use movement to your advantage, work with contrasty lighting, focus on textures and use seasonality to your advantage. Wherever you live and whatever the season, there’s something here for you to try!
Top wildlife photo skills
Expert photographer Graeme Green explains how to capture birds in flight (Image credit: Future)
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Birds have always inspired artists – they piqued Da Vinci’s interest so you’re in good company. They are also amongst the most tricky subjects to shoot correctly, with both technical quality and creative impact. In our Creative Project this month Graeme Green (opens in new tab) walks us through his insider secrets to better bird photos, from the shoot to the edit.
Take your pick – we put four photo backpacks to the test to see which is the best bag for your buck. (Image credit: Future)
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Laowa now has a total of six lenses with an aperture of f/0.95, so how useful is it to have this aperture, and what are the results? As a landscape photographer mainly, this maximum aperture is something I had never really considered, although I do understand the usefulness of such an aperture for different types of photography, especially in low light and video. So, how does the lens perform throughout the apertures, and does it have the ability to provide results that are in line with or better than similar lenses in this price range? I tested it to find out.
Build and Handling
The Laowa CF 25mm f/0.95 APO has a full metal construction, and the lens does look and feel beautifully made. The rectangular lens hood is also metal, with a plastic slide-on lens cap, which slides and locks into place with an audible click when seated on the lens. It has a filter thread of 62mm. There is no image stabilization on the lens, so you are relying on your camera’s IBIS if using it handheld.
Weighing in at 575 g, the lens is hefty, but considering the maximum aperture, it is still remarkably compact, with a length and diameter of 81 mm and 71 mm, respectively. With an aperture range of f/0.95 to f/11, the lens presents itself with a whole host of photographic subject opportunities, from dreamy shallow depth-of-field shots to wider vistas, which surprisingly, it performed really well at.
This APS-C lens is available for Fuji X, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Sony E. For the purposes of this review, I tested the lens on the Fujifilm X-T5, which provides an equivalent focal range of around 35mm on a full frame sensor. The f-stops are clearly etched into the lens, and there is a switch that allows you to turn the aperture ring smoothly or enables a click at the aperture stops. This is not an audible click, merely haptic. Both the aperture and focusing rings turn smoothly, with the focusing ring noticeably having strong damping but smooth friction when turning. I found this really useful, as you have more control when doing fine adjustments.
This apochromatic lens (APO) helps correct chromatic and spherical aberrations, which is the fringing you often get. This fringing is due to lenses only focusing some colors at the same point, which is corrected here.
Performance
This lens is extremely sharp, but for extreme sharpness, I’d stop it down to between f/4 and f/11, where it really shines. At f/0.95, it is sharp but with a slight dreamy-like softness, which I think would be great for portraits and close-up nature photography. Video at this aperture would also be very interesting and provide some unique results. Once you begin to stop down, the quality of the glass and the sharpness it produces really start to show. I found myself quite surprised at the overall sharpness of the image, even at the edges.
The images above and below and were photographed at a distance of 35 cm from the subject, which is the minimum focusing distance. With a combination of the dampened focus ring and the focus peaking activated, it was a joy to use this lens. At every turn, you could see the peaking slowly move through the subject due to the heavy glide of the focus ring. Yes, you may say that is what it is supposed to do, but with this lens, you really notice the control given by the friction, which is a great thing for precision.
The sharpness and detail this lens achieves at f/11 are incredibly good, as you can see in the image below.
The lens does suffer from quite a lot of vignetting until you reach f/4, then it is barely noticeable. However, this didn’t bother me for the images I had taken at f/0.95, as it helps draw you into the image. In some of the images below photographed at f/0.95, you will be able to see the extent of the vignetting.
I carried the lens around attached to the camera for a couple of weeks, and it is heavy, but I got used to it very quickly. When outside with the lens, I intentionally decided not to take a tripod with me so that I could see how quickly I could react with the manual focus should the need arise. I did miss a couple of shots because of this. That, of course, is merely down to practice. When taking my time, the focus was spot on and the resulting images sharp.
The images below were all captured at various apertures ranging from f/0.95 to f/11, with a minimum shutter speed on some of them at 1/30 second, and thanks to the IBIS of the camera, they still remained sharp.
What I Liked
Extremely sharp
Nice size considering the maximum aperture
Ability to enable or disable the click of the aperture ring
The build quality
The damped focusing ring
What I Didn’t Like
No EXIF data
The weight: not too heavy a lens, but you are aware it’s on the camera
No autofocus: admittedly, I’m not a fan of manual lenses for everyday shooting as I like the ability to focus quickly if needed
No weather-sealing
Conclusion
I did really enjoy using the Laowa CF 25mm f/0.95 APO. The sharpness of the images and the build quality of the lens are great, but after my time with it, I was left with a couple of thoughts. If it was able to autofocus, I think it would excel in terms of everyday usability. Without the autofocus, is it something that I personally would use for my photography? I’m not sure. Conversely, when shooting landscapes, I more often than not shoot fully manually, so with the sharp images achieved with the lens, it could be worth it.
There are other lenses out there with a similar focal length, perhaps not this maximum aperture, and around a similar price range that have autofocus, and I’d tend to lean toward them. That is simply because of my own preference for autofocus in a lens. If this is not a factor for you when it comes to lenses, then it’s definitely worth considering, not only because of the maximum f/0.95 aperture but because of the sharpness when stopped down.
Guiding your mount can make a huge difference to the quality of your deep-sky images. This is because accurate tracking enables you to increase the length of your exposures while ensuring you get good, point-like star shapes by avoiding star-trailing.
Fitting your guide camera to an off-axis guider (OAG) is a popular alternative to the time- honoured practice of fitting it to a separate guide telescope to make sure that your mount tracks objects accurately.
They also resolve two of the issues associated with using a separate guidescope – additional weight and unwanted movement between the two telescopes.
NGC 253 (Sculptor) by David Attié, Abu Dhabi. Equipment: C11 XLT Fastar, focal reducer 0,63x, CCD Moravian G2-4000 (internal filter wheel), Skyméca Off Axis Guider Skytrack, LodestarX2, Az-Eq6, Baader LRGB filters.
OAGs are small and light, but most importantly, they have a small prism that picks off a sample of the view to find a guide star, through exactly the same telescope that you use for imaging.
They’re not without their own issues – it can be difficult to achieve simultaneous focus of the imaging camera and the guide camera, and the reduced field of view captured by an OAG’s prism can make locating suitable guide stars difficult.
But they do get rid of unwanted movement between the main scope and guide scope, and combat the problem of ‘mirror flop’ in Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, when the scope’s mirror moves slightly during long exposures as the scope tracks.
More like this
If you’d like to know whether an OAG could help you take better images, read on as we put four to the test.
An Active Galaxy by Terry Hancock, Fremont, Michigan, USA. Equipment: Astro-Tech AT12RC, Paramount GT-1100S German Equatorial Mount, QHY16200A mono CCD, QHYOAG-M Off Axis Guider, Optolong LRGB filters.
How we tested our off-axis guiders
All off-axis guiders were tested using the same criteria: build & design, connectability, ease of use, features and guide star quality.
The features we looked at included:
Attachment
We checked how easy it was to attach each off-axis guider to the telescope and to the imaging and guiding cameras. We also tested the rigidity of the connections, as any movement here could result in inaccurate tracking.
Construction
Off-axis guiders should be light, to avoid stressing the focus tube, yet robust enough to support the weight of both an imaging camera and a guide camera. The pick-off prism should be of high quality – adjustable yet held securely.
Ease of focus
It’s important that both the imaging and guiding cameras achieve focus at the same point, so we checked that this was possible and noted any adaptors and spacers that were required to attain good focus with both.
Image quality
The pick-off prism can introduce optical aberrations as it collects light from the very edge of the field of view where optical distortions are at their worst. We checked the quality of the guide stars to ensure their suitability.
Prism use
We noted the size of each prism, as this would affect the area of sky that would be covered, and checked if the prism’s position could be adjusted to allow us to choose a specific area of the sky from which to select guide stars.
Best off-axis guiders
Celestron Radial Guider
The Celestron guider is beautifully made with a black satin finish outside and a ridged matt finish inside to avoid reflections.
The horizontal orientation of the 9.5mm-wide prism is adjusted by unlocking the 1.25-inch eyepiece holder and rotating it.
The vertical angle of the prism’s face can also be adjusted to locate more stars by using a tapered pin on a knurled bolt in the base of the eyepiece holder.
The prism can be rotated inside the OAG by 142°, giving the largest amount of adjustment of all the units on test.
With our Canon 450D DSLR camera attached using a standard ‘T’ mount and our Starlight Xpress autoguider inserted in a 37mm eyepiece extension tube, we easily achieved focus on both cameras.
However, we had to use our own extension ring to achieve focus. We found that the best way to focus this OAG was to set it up in the comfort of indoors and then focus it on the roof tiles of a house some distance away, before making the final adjustments outside.
Adding a 40mm ‘T’ extension tube at the rear of the unit allowed us to install and focus our Starlight Xpress CCD imaging camera using its ‘T’-threaded faceplate.
Well designed and with plenty of adjustment, we found suitable guide stars without too much difficulty and were rewarded with well-shaped stars in our test images.
Meade Off-Axis Guider
The Meade Off-Axis Guider has a simple construction with a black satin- finished ‘box’ section, and gloss-finish, tall 1.25-inch eyepiece holder, an SCT slip ring and a 43mm ‘T’ extension tube.
The tall eyepiece holder meant that we didn’t have to use eyepiece extension tubes to bring the guide camera to focus.
Matt black ridges inside the unit were incorporated to stop reflections.
Meade also supplied a 1.25-inch nosepiece, which seemed an odd choice as this diameter cuts into the prism’s light path quite considerably.
Adjustment of the prism isn’t as slick as on the other OAGs. Once aligned it remains solid, although there is no adjustment for the face angle.
We achieved focus on both the imaging and guide cameras, using our own ‘T’ extension tube for the imaging camera, but there was only one bolt to hold the eyepiece or guide camera in place.
This OAG doesn’t have a built-in method of rotating the pick-off prism to help locate suitable guide stars, although at 12.9mm wide, it does have a large prism.
To frame the imaging object with our DSLR and locate a suitable guide star meant releasing the SCT slip ring, locating a star by rotating the whole unit and then slackening off the three retaining grub screws in the camera’s ‘T’ mount and rotating the DSLR.
Although awkward to use, we managed to find suitable guide stars and, once we were locked onto them, our test images showed well-formed stars.
Telescope Service Off-Axis Guider
Telescope Service supplies its unit as a series of modules, making for a flexible solution.
We ordered the OAG, SCT adaptor, 1.25-inch eyepiece adaptor, plus 40mm and 10mm ‘T’ extenders.
We also used our own 17mm extension tube to space the DSLR camera away from the eyepiece holder to avoid it catching on the camera’s flash housing.
The orientation of the 10.1mm-wide prism is adjustable in exactly the same manner as the Celestron and Orion units, but with a 136° angle of rotation.
Despite very careful adjustment of the prism, this OAG didn’t produce particularly well-formed guide star shapes, especially when using our ED80 refractor.
This could have affected the tracking accuracy, but we found we were still able to autoguide successfully.
The flexibility of its solid connection for either a ‘T’-mounted guide camera like a QHY5 or the 1.25-inch nosepiece of a guiding eyepiece or autoguider (like our Starlight Xpress SXV guider) is a bonus with this OAG.
Although a rather tight fit, the compression ring in the eyepiece holder made it easy to slide the autoguider in and out to achieve focus.
Orion Deluxe Off-Axis Guider
Orion products are normally supplied with a good range of accessories and its Deluxe OAG is no exception.
It comes with three extension tubes, an Allen key for adjustments and a comprehensive manual.
However, this OAG is clearly designed for use with a refractor, because it’s also supplied with a 2-inch nosepiece rather than an SCT slip ring, but our own 2-inch-to-SCT adaptor resolved this.
The build quality and satin finish are excellent and the unit features a fully adjustable eyepiece/guide camera focus system, with both coarse and fine adjustment.
Designed for use with the Orion StarShoot guide camera, any guide camera with a ‘T’-thread mounting will be well catered for.
Unfortunately, the built-in 1.25-inch eyepiece holder is only 3mm deep and uses just a single grub screw to retain the eyepiece or guide camera.
This was unstable, so we used our own ‘T’ to 1.25-inch adaptor.
Adjusting the 9.5mm-wide prism is done in a similar way to the Celestron OAG.
The prism extends slightly further into the body than the others on test and the 125° of prism rotation proved fine for locating guide stars.
By including a locking collar for the imaging camera, Orion has allowed for an infinite range of adjustments to be made between the telescope, imaging camera and guide camera, making this the easiest OAG to use to locate suitable guide stars.
If your imaging telescope is a refractor rather than an SCT, this would be the natural choice of OAG for you and it produced excellent, pin-sharp stars in our test images.
Baader RCC OAG Off-Axis Guider
The Baader RCC OAG is a 140° swivel Off Axis Guider fitted with a with T2 thread connection.
This Off Axis Guider is made specifically for the RCC I Rowe Coma Corrector (for Newtonian telescopes) and, along with a Baader T ring, enables the user to guide any DSLR camera without the need for additional extensions.
It can also be used ‘off-axis’ via the use of a reticle eyepiece or LVI Smartguiders. You will, however, need a T-ring for connection of the T-thread to your own DSLR camera, as this is specific to each camera brand and model. The OAG can be used with 1 1/4″ eyepieces.
A photographer has headed out each day for the past seven years to capture a stranger’s portrait in his diverse local community.
Brian Molyneaux set about exploring his hometown of Oakland in California armed with a Nikon D850 and a vintage f/1.4 50mm lens.
The Chicago-born photographer tells PetaPixel that the project is a great way of getting out and meeting people.
“I wanted to put my hand in someone else’s hand and say hello. It started that way and it turned into a bunch of different things,” he says.
Molyneaux says the project was “politically motivated” to begin with and a response to the division within the United States.
“I live in every diverse part of California. I think Oakland is the tenth most diverse place in the country, it’s high up on the list.”
Indeed Molyneaux’s photos show an array of colors and creeds that reflects Oakland’s diversity score which stands at 99 out of 100.
The photographer says that he doesn’t find it “super difficult” to approach people.
“I’ve only been rejected less than 90 times,” he says. Before adding: “It’s a challenge, the project is a challenge.”
Part of the motivation for Molyneaux flexing his social skills each day on the project is deeply personal.
“My mother has Alzheimer’s and it’s pretty advanced, something I read is that meeting and socializing is good for your memory and retaining your memory and staving off Alzheimer’s,” he explains.
“It became a weird homage to my mom, she’s still here, but she’s been gone for years mentally.”
Molyneaux says that he learns something every day from the project and about the people he meets.
Because he shoots with a manual, analog lens he always tries to keep within the classic restrictions of film.
“I shoot 24 photos per person maximum, I want to honor how I learned with film,” he says.
“Most of the time it’s six or seven. One dude said ‘Oh, you wanna take my photo, I’ll give you three shots.’”
More of Molyneaux’s work can be found on his website, Instagram, commercial website, LinkedIn, and Workbook.
Ant Anstead was feeling the love this Thanksgiving weekend!
On Thursday, the Celebrity IOU Joyride host, 43, shared a series of nature photos from his getaway to Sedona, Arizona.
While his girlfriend Renée Zellweger, 53, doesn’t appear in the snaps of stunning red rocks and sprawling canyons, the British car expert hinted at her presence in the caption to his post: “What a beautiful few days for a romantic thanksgiving switch off adventure! We ended up in Sedona which is a magical place I cannot recommend enough! So much to be thankful for x”
He also responded to a fan in his comments who asked if there were any snaps of him and his “romantic partner” from the trip. Anstead wrote back that they took “so many” photos together.
RELATED: Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead’s Relationship Timeline
In response to another comment, the TV host said the pair “laughed so hard” during a difficult hike when one user joked that the “the hike to the Devil’s Bridge nearly killed me last month.”
RELATED: Ant Anstead Thought Girlfriend Renée Zellweger Was British Until They Met: ‘A Dream Crusher’
The couple first met while filming an episode of Anstead’s show, Celebrity IOU: Joyride, in 2021, and PEOPLE confirmed that the two were dating just days after Anstead finalized his divorce with ex-wife Christina Hall. The exes share a 3-year-old son together, Hudson London.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Anstead opened up about how “grateful” he was that the show brought them together.
“I’m really grateful to the show because these amazing things happen in your world and sometimes when things collide, they collide at the most obscure times when you least expect them,” he said. “And that’s what happened in this case.”
Zellweger was introduced to his two older kids at the start of 2022 and even “hit it off” with his older daughter, Amelie, he told PEOPLE. She also met his son Archie, who lives in England with Amelie and their mother, Louise Storey.
RELATED: Christina Hall Says She’s ‘Exhausted’ by Drama Around Posting Son Hudson’s Face
The lovebirds’ romantic getaway comes in the midst of Anstead’s ongoing legal dispute with Hall over their son Hudson and the issue of the child’s online presence.
In October 2022, Anstead spoke out after receiving backlash for sharing a photo of Hudson days after Hall announced that she would no longer post photos of her son on social media. Users commented that it was “unfair” he can post photos of the toddler while Hall can’t, and that he deserves “all the shade” he gets.
Anstead responded to the comments, explaining that he wrote a “private letter” to Hall a week before he filed for full custody of their son. “He will read the private letter I wrote her on April 21st a week before I stepped up for him. She’s had 25 weeks to agree to not exploit him. She finally has x,” Anstead wrote.
The Galaxy S22 has an upgraded camera that’s better at seeing in the dark and a fresh design compared with its predecessor. These are welcome improvements, but there’s plenty of room for Samsung to further upgrade its main smartphone series. In particular, I’d like to see longer-lasting batteries, more photography features that take advantage of the Galaxy S family’s impressive cameras, and faster charging that doesn’t require an expensive adapter.
Samsung typically releases new Galaxy S devices in the first couple of months of the year, and early rumors suggest it’ll maintain that schedule in 2023. A report from Korean newspaper JoongAng Daily says the Galaxy S23 may arrive in early February.
Samsung leads the smartphone industry, with 21% of the worldwide market in the second quarter of 2022, according to Counterpoint Research. Upgrading core features like the camera and battery could help it maintain that top spot, especially as it faces increased competition from Apple and Google.
Longer battery life for the regular Galaxy S23
The Galaxy S22
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Battery life can never be long enough, but the standard-issue Galaxy S device is in particular need of a boost. The 6.1-inch Galaxy S22 generally lived up to Samsung’s claims of all-day battery life, but sometimes just barely. After using it for a month straight, I noticed the battery level dipped roughly to 30% or 40% by 9 p.m., even with the always-on display turned off and the screen’s refresh rate set to standard. That’s enough to get through a work day, but you’ll likely want to pack a charger if you have after-work plans or a long commute home.
The Galaxy S22 has the smallest battery (3,700-mAh capacity) of the three phones in the Galaxy S22 lineup, and it shows. For example, I was pleasantly surprised when the 6.6-inch Galaxy S22 Plus, which has a larger 4,500-mAh capacity, lasted for about a day and a half when I reviewed it in February. I also had the refresh rate set to high, which typically drains battery more quickly. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, which has a 6.8-inch screen and a 5,000-mAh battery, had similar battery life.
It makes sense that the Galaxy S22 line’s smallest phone would also have the smallest battery. But I hope Samsung finds a way to improve battery life on next year’s 6.1-inch Galaxy phone, whether it’s through better power efficiency or a larger physical battery. After all, Apple made upgrades to the iPhone 13 Mini that gave it an extra two to three hours of battery life compared to the iPhone 12 Mini. Battery life is the main complaint I had about the Galaxy S22, and addressing that would make the Galaxy S23 an even more compelling choice for Android fans who prefer smaller phones.
Korean news outlet The Elec indicates that could indeed be the case, as it reports that Samsung aims to increase the Galaxy S23’s battery capacity by about 5%.
More clever camera features
The cameras on the Galaxy S22 (top), Galaxy S22 Plus (middle) and Galaxy S22 Ultra (bottom)
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy S22’s 50-megapixel camera and the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 108-megapixel camera capture impressively colorful and detailed photos. I only wish there was more you could do with those cameras when it comes to editing and software features.
The Galaxy S22 lineup has shooting options like panorama, night mode, portrait mode, slow motion, super slow motion and Director’s View, which lets you record video using two different lenses simultaneously. Then there’s Single Take, which creates multiple stylized shots with a single press of the shutter button. You can also download the Expert Raw app to get more granular control over photo settings.
But not much has changed between the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S22 when it comes to camera features and shooting modes. I’d love to see Samsung take a page from Google, which regularly adds nifty camera tricks that feel practical rather than gimmicky. For example, Google introduced a new feature on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro called Photo Unblur, which sharpens low-quality photos, even ones taken with an older camera. Photo Unblur builds on Face Unblur, a previous Pixel 6 and 6 Pro camera feature I also appreciate. As the name implies, Face Unblur freezes moving subjects that may otherwise look blurry.
Features like these show that Google is not just thinking about camera quality, but also ways to eliminate everyday annoyances with mobile photography. Many of Samsung’s updates, on the other hand, feel aimed at giving content creators more tools for capturing different types of shots and video clips.
While the Galaxy S23 likely won’t launch for another two to three months, Samsung is already making enhancements to the cameras on its current Galaxy phones. It just added a new feature to the Expert Raw app that helps stargazers take better photos of constellations, similar to Google’s Astrophotography feature for Pixel phones. There’s also a new Camera Assistant app that lets you enable or disable certain features, like a faster shutter or automatic lens switching.
Faster charging that doesn’t cost so much
The Galaxy S22 Plus (left) and Ultra (right) both support 45-watt fast charging. But you have to purchase an adapter separately.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy S22 lineup supports fast charging of up to 25 watts for the Galaxy S22 and 45 watts for the Galaxy S22 Plus and Ultra. But you have to purchase a separate charger to do so. Samsung charges $50 for the 45-watt charger and $35 for the 25-watt charger, although you can often find them for less through retailers like Amazon and Walmart. In some scenarios, I also didn’t notice much of a difference between the pricier 45-watt charger and Samsung’s less expensive 25-watt charger when powering up the Galaxy S22 Plus, which you can read more about here.
With the Galaxy S23, I’d like to see a more noticeable improvement in charging speeds, as well as more affordable charger options. The OnePlus 10 Pro, for example, offers either 65- or 80-watt fast charging depending on your region, both of which are speedier than what Samsung has to offer on paper. OnePlus also includes a compatible power adapter in the box.
Samsung and Apple stopped including power adapters in their product packaging to cut down on waste, which is an admirable cause. But I at least wish Samsung would let you choose to include a fast-charging compatible adapter as an option for a discounted price when ordering a new phone, similar to the way it lets you select a storage option or add Samsung Care Plus.
If rumors turn out to be accurate, the base Galaxy S23 model might have the same 25-watt charging speed as the Galaxy S22. That’s according to Ice Universe, a Twitter account with a history of publishing details about unreleased Samsung products.
Samsung is already doing a lot right with the Galaxy S22, particularly when it comes to software support and display quality. But as year-over-year smartphone upgrades have become more incremental than revolutionary, focusing on core elements like the camera and battery are as important as ever.
David Bouscarle from France shows us his mind-blowing photographs on nature and landscape. In this fine Interview with 121clicks.com, David shares some great thoughts on the lines of art and photography. Some of those advice are very inspiring and motivational.
Three things I love about his photography:
Top-notch landscape photographs with spectacular light
Elements such as fog and mist plays a great role in elevating these photographs
Crisp photo editing which really stands out and deserves a mention
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is David Bouscarle. I am 36 and live in the South East of France. I have only been a semi-professional photographer since last year.
How did your journey as a Landscape Photographer happen?
I live in one of the most beautiful areas of France, la Provence. Thus I can easily have access to the seaside or the mountain within less than two hours’ drive. And this has been a real opportunity at the time I started photography. Year after year, landscape photography became a real passion. With its own motives. Even though I still love every aspect of photography.
According to David what are the most important traits of being a Landscape Photographer?
Several parameters have to be kept in mind to get a good landscape picture: composition, light, textures, the site itself, the point of view, and the originality of those parameters. Trying to be original has certainly become one of the most critical aspects in my mind today. We often see the same pictures of the same places, from the same angle, with the same composition, etc… Trying to put down these mental fences, which we put up ourselves, is in my opinion what really needs to be focused on.
How do you prepare yourself before any photo trip?
Nowadays I usually plan my trips and my holidays depending on what inspires me most. I have several softwares I use for this. Google Earth, GeoPortail, and Photographer’s Ephemeris, and I can thus get a rough idea of the lighting conditions of the site I am planning to visit. But I still love to leave some dark areas in the plan. Some great pictures are still taken during a rush of excitement.
Your Gear?
I use a Canon 6D and I essentially bring three lenses on the field. A 16/35, a 70/200 and a 85mm which I use a lot in forests. Along with a good tripod, I insist, a LOT of batteries. I also use a lot of filters NG, GND and above all a polarizer on each of my lenses. There is this thing to that is often left aside when one thinks photography, but a good backpack and an even better pair of shoes also have a huge place in the landscapes photographer’s mind.
Your Inspiration?
I find inspiration in a lot of different disciplines. Photography of course, but also cinema and even music. Some photographers who really inspire me these days are Xavier Jamonet, Adam Gibbs, Guy Tal, Dorin Bofan and actually a lot more. Some movie makers are inspirations as well: the way they use colorimetry in their movies, but also the atmosphere they build. Guillermo Del Toro, Christopher Nolan and Daren Arofnosky are good examples.
Your Photographs are rich in colors and composition. Can you share us your post processing techniques?
I spent a good amount of time on post-production techniques to eventually find my own « touch ». I manage my galleries with Lightroom, I export and apply the initial process with DPP Canon and then I finish with Photoshop with which I usually set up contrasts and colour via a lot of luminosity mask and selective colour mask. Tony Kuiper’s panel can be found on the internet. And I use it a lot.
One thing David has learnt as a photographer over the years?
To become a good landscape photographer, I think that one really needs to develop, and eventually master, the ability to read the field like a book. It allows the photographer to quickly adapt to a site he or she has never been before, thus increasing efficiency. But above all, this ability allows the photographer to really become him(her)self in creating new dimensions and new pictures. Undoubtedly the work of a lifetime.
Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity with 121clicks.com, any final thoughts?
As a conclusion, there is this advice I can give to anyone into photography: spend your « extra money » on plane tickets. Forget about the extra photo gear! Buy yourself the essential stuff you need and get the f*#k out!
Many thanks to 121clicks.com for this wonderful opportunity to share some of my work and reflexions on photography.
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You can find David Bouscarle on the Web:
Copyrights: All the pictures in this post are copyrighted to David Bouscarle. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.
The Simpsons’ house may be one of the most recognisable homes on TV. The famous animated family that never gets any older has been living in Springfield for an incredible three decades. Perhaps most incredibly, despite changing the house’s colour very slightly, the family doesn’t seem to have made any major structural modifications in that time.
But how might 742 Evergreen Terrace look in a different style? Well someone’s tested that out, presenting the Simpsons family home in various styles of British homes, from a Tudor mansion to a 1990s new build. Suffice it to say, these are some extreme makeovers (if you’re looking to draw up plans for your own house, see our pick of the best laptops for architects).
The Simpsons’ house as it appears in the series (Image credit: Fox)
The Simpsons were designed to be a typical American family with a typical American house. How accurate the portrayal is can be debated, but their Springfield home has become iconic, and it’s recognised all over the world.
But what if they lived somewhere else… in the UK, for example. The home improvements quotation website HouseholdQuotes (opens in new tab) has envisioned how the world’s favourite TV family might live if they were in the UK, redesigning the iconic Simpsons home in several British housing styles in an exercise it describes as “part hopeful fantasy, part guide to British architectural history” for anyone who doesn’t know their Tudor Manor from the Burns Manor or art deco from Artie Ziff.
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The Simpsons’ house reimagined with a Tudor-era half-timbered style and thatched roof (Image credit: HouseholdQuotes)
The Simpsons house with some Georgian refinement (Image credit: HouseholdQuotes)
This Edwardian style is perhaps a little ornate for Springfield’s most famous residents (Image credit: HouseholdQuotes)
Hmmmm, is what we imagine Marge saying to this Art Deco design (Image credit: HouseholdQuotes)
Flanders would be banging on the wall if the Simpsons lived in this semi (Image credit: HouseholdQuotes)
Now, we’d actually quite like to see the Simpsons relocated to a terrace (Image credit: HouseholdQuotes)
This is perhaps the one the Simpsons would choose (Image credit: HouseholdQuotes)
Loving the cars outside this modern minimalist take on the Simpsons’ home (Image credit: HouseholdQuotes)
The home makeovers have attempted to (more or less) preserve the scale of the original Simpsons house, which is a lot bigger than you might think. It’s hard to imagine Springfield’s finest living in some of the houses, but others could be great ideas one-off episodes. We’d particularly like to see the Simpsons in a British terrace or semi.
Nevertheless, in all cases the similarities are similar enough for us to recognise it as the Simpsons’ abode. That’s partly thanks to the fact that creators of the iconic series put a great deal of attention to the design of every aspect of the characters and setting and were very consistent and precise, as we can see in the original The Simpsons style guide.
