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Leatherman's all-time bestselling multitool gets biggest update ever

Gizmag news -

With DNA linking directly back to Leatherman's very first PST multitool from 1983, the Wave has long served as a cornerstone for the brand. It was the company's first one-handed tool, allowing users to flip out the blade without having to open the pliers, and went on to become its all-time international bestseller. This month, the Wave receives its most significant update ever, bringing us the all-new Wave Alpha. The Alpha adds some serious cutting muscle while improving upon the Wave's staple one-handed operation, hand feel and grip.

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Category: Knives and Multitools, Gear, Outdoors

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Transparent UV light sensor warns users before skin damage hits

Gizmag news -

Scientists have developed a fully transparent skin sensor that accurately measures UV radiation, detecting light and converting it to electrical signals. So when the Sun's rays reach damaging levels, an alert is triggered on the user's smartphone that it's time to cover up.

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Category: Wearables, Consumer Tech, Technology

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Inner speech glitch explains why people with schizophrenia hear voices

Gizmag news -

For decades, scientists have suspected that the voices heard by people with schizophrenia might be their own inner speech gone awry. Now, researchers have found brainwave evidence showing exactly how this self-monitoring glitch occurs.

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Category: Brain Health, Body and Mind

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Cameras, jargon and meaning: a reflection on mirrorless

Digital Photography Review news -

The M EV1 is, perhaps, the exception that proves the rule, in the sense that by not conforming the existing pattern it helps clarify that pattern that otherwise exists.

Photo: Richard Butler

The very nature of hubris is, perhaps, that you can't recognize it in the moment.

When the Leica M11 was launched, I mused that the increased versatility and precision offered by its live view system might risk making the optical viewfinder and rangefinder design look irrelevant. Having now used a camera shorn of those features, I appreciate their value more than ever.

But there was another, unexpected, prompt for self-reflection when it came to working out how to describe the M-EV1. Namely: is it a Mirrorless camera?

What is a Mirrorless camera?

It's generally been our position that rangefinder cameras aren't Mirrorless. Somewhat facetiously, I've sometimes pointed out that the rangefinder optics themselves typically contain a mirror, but, more seriously, the point is that rangefinders existed for many decades before we ever had need to describe a camera as Mirrorless. And, given the way they are primarily used is radically different (manual focus via an optical viewfinder, rather than via a liveview feed from the sensor), it seemed unnecessary to retroactively include them in the class of cameras we were trying to give a name to.

The M EV1 throws a spanner in the works, though (or perhaps removes one). In every respect it operates like a Mirrorless camera being used in manual focus mode, so surely it's Mirrorless, in both the small and big 'M' senses. And, if it is, then, by extension, all Leica Ms are.

"When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean" - Lewis Carroll's Humpty Dumpty

And yet, that's not really how these things work. Mirrorless is an especially awkward example, in that it's become a noun but its origin is descriptive. But most people will recognize that it doesn't apply to literally any camera without a mirror, because that would include all compacts, smartphones and most cameras ever made. At which point we could probably just say 'camera.'

Having helped propose, promote and popularize the term 'mirrorless' in the first place, we're aware of it being an imperfect choice, but it's the one that's stuck. So while I look forward to the accusations of Humpty-Dumptyism, I think it's fair to say enough people recognize what's meant by it, and hence that it's legitimate to use it to mean what we intend, rather than what the word itself seems to imply.

Why do you call it full-frame?

This isn't the only instance of what sounds like an adjective being taken up as a noun in a way that shouldn't be taken too literally. The term full-frame came about because there was a period during which early DSLR users were pairing film-era lenses on cameras with sensors smaller than "35mm" film. Full-frame was a reference to the size of sensor that mimicked the dimensions of that film, using the full imaging circle for which those lenses were designed.

Yes, the German name for the "35mm" format translates as "small picture." Award yourself 10 DPR points for trivia knowledge. Then deduct 20 if you think it's a useful contribution to a discussion about digital photography.

Photo: Carey Rose

We only adopted the term because it avoids using milimeters to refer both to focal length and as a descriptor of a format, often in the same sentence. Somewhat ironically, the term "35mm" sensor itself also sounds adjectival, but in reality no part of a "35mm" sensor measures 35mm.

Again, there's little sense arguing over what the words might appear to mean: the majority of people using the term and hearing the term agree what it means. And that's the way language works. It doesn't matter if logically all systems are full-frame, because that's almost certainly not the meaning that's someone's attempting to convey, and it's not the meaning most people would take from it.

What constitutes medium format?

Apparently, there's still room to argue, even when the terminology doesn't appear to describe something specific. For example, the use of 'medium format' to describe formats larger than 35mm.

It's a definition that was already in widespread use, but that some photographers seem determined now to retroactively restrict it solely to formats used in the film era. This ignores the facts that the economies of scaling semiconductors are radically different (and are unlikely to ever make film-mimicking medium and large formats affordable), and that digital significantly outperforms film, so you don't need the same expanses of sensor to achieve excellent tonal quality and resolution.

Full-frame only directly mimics a film format because there were so many people with significant numbers of then-modern film lenses to prompt its continuation.

Photo: Phil Askey

In my opinion, it's senseless to bind a new technology to the specifics of a dead one and insist on the creation of a new term, when 'medium format' serves perfectly well. Especially given that, as we've seen, the resultant neologisms such as full-frame and Mirrorless might prove even more objectionable.

Does it actually matter?

So what of the M EV1? Is it a Mirrorless camera? Sort of. Probably. Why not? You could see it as the exception that proves the rule, or recognize that it's a question to which the answer doesn't matter.

Rangefinders sell in such small numbers that it really doesn't matter whether the person speaking is including them, when they say Mirrorless, or whether the person hearing them assumes they are or aren't. Either way both probably know, from context, what was meant, so the distinction becomes irrelevant.

It's not just photographers who have this problem. The name for modern pedals that cyclists clip their shoes into? 'Clipless.'

Photo: Richard Butler

The remaining ambiguity will leave room in the margins for someone to say "but what about the M EV1?" or "medium format only refers to 645 and larger."

But that brings us back to the issue of self-reflection. It's worth asking yourself: do you really believe the language is unclear, or that anyone's being misled? Or do you just want to beat someone over the head with a piece of arcane, esoteric knowledge that you happen to have acquired?

Rocket launches are blasting a new hole in our ozone layer

Gizmag news -

As private companies race to make spaceflight routine, Earth’s upper atmosphere has become an unintended testing ground. Each launch is a triumph of human ingenuity, but behind that brilliance lies a quieter equation. One where exhaust and propellant residues react with ozone, thinning the layer that shields life below. It’s a problem scientists are just beginning to quantify, and one that’s rising as fast as the rockets themselves.

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Category: Environment, Science

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The DPReview team discusses the new Fujifilm X-T30 III

Digital Photography Review news -

Earlier this week, Fujifilm released the X-T30 III, its latest entry-level, SLR-shaped mirrorless camera. It is a subtle update over its predecessor, adding a film simulation dial, more film simulations, updated video specs, a new processor and updated autofocus. The company also released a new kit lens, the XC 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS. It offers a wider perspective than most kit lenses and will be familiar to those used to the ultrawide lens on their smartphones.

Editors Dale Baskin, Richard Butler, Mitchell Clark and Abby Ferguson sat down to talk about the new camera and lens. You listen to our discussion in the video above.

If you're looking for more information on the X-T30 III, check out our first look video and initial review. You can learn more about the lens in our separate article covering the announcement.

Indian Motorcycle turns independent after Polaris sell-off

Gizmag news -

“Polaris and Indian Motorcycle both stand to benefit from this deal…” said Polaris Chief Executive Officer Mike Speetzen following the announcement that Polaris had sold a major portion of its stake in Indian Motorcycle to Carolwood LP, a multi-strategy private equity firm based in Los Angeles.

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Category: Motorcycles, Transport

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The next chapter for the DPReview forums is coming soon. See what's changing.

Digital Photography Review news -

Image: Just_Super / E+ via Getty Images

For over a quarter of a century, DPReview's forums have been home to some of the most insightful discussions about digital cameras and photography anywhere online. They serve not only as a living conversation but also as an invaluable historical archive for photographers around the world.

To ensure we can continue supporting this community for years to come, we'll soon be making some important updates to our forums.

What's happening

Since their inception, DPReview's forums have run on a proprietary, custom-built platform. While that system has served us well, it has become increasingly complex and expensive to maintain. To keep the forums vibrant and accessible, we're migrating to a modern software platform built for today's web.

This update will deliver significant performance improvements and introduce new features, including a mobile-responsive design, enhanced photo galleries, and an all-new direct messaging system that supports group conversations. We've even prepared a short video to give you a preview of what the updated forums will look like.

Our Community Manager, Mathew Anderson, created this 5-minute video to give you a preview of what the updated forums will look like. When it begins

We plan to begin the migration on October 31. During this transition, the forums will enter read-only mode for approximately five days. You'll still be able to browse and search existing discussions, but posting and uploading new content will be temporarily paused while we move all data to the new system.

We've worked hard to ensure no content is lost. When you log back in, all your discussions, posting history, photo albums, private messages, and other data will still be there – you'll simply be joining the same community in a more modern home.

Get more info

We know there will be a lot of questions. To help, we've created a detailed forum thread that provides additional background on this update and what to expect, along with a comprehensive FAQ addressing many common questions. If something isn't covered, please post your questions in that thread and we'll do our best to provide answers.

DPReview's forums are a cornerstone of the online photography community. Updating to a modern platform ensures we can continue to support and nurture that community well into the future.

To all of you who have participated over the years – the experts, the beginners, and even the trolls – thank you for being part of DPReview. We look forward to many more discussions, debates, and shared discoveries in the years ahead.

Thank you for your continued support,
The entire DPReview Team

Read our detailed forum post about this update and what to expect

Read our FAQ about the forum update

Bright light at night is hell on your heart, says new large study

Gizmag news -

After examining 13 million hours of light exposure data, researchers found that experiencing bright light during the dark hours can significantly increase the risk of heart failure and heart attack. The effect was most notable in younger adults.

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Category: Sleep, Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind

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Red gives clue to Red Code / N-Raw puzzle

Digital Photography Review news -

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

The Nikon ZR uses the same sensor as the Z6III but becomes Nikon's first camera to be co-branded 'Red'

Photo: Mitchell Clark

Nikon's video division, Red, has put out a statement giving a few more clues about the distinction between the R3D NE Raw codec that makes it debut in the Nikon ZR, and the existing N-Raw system.

Red appears to confirm that R3D NE ('Nikon Expeed') uses the same TicoRaw compression system as N-Raw, which helps explain why N-Raw files could be opened in software that supported R3D NE, by simply changing the filename extension. However, it says the differences go deeper.

What we already knew

We already knew that the R3D codec locks the camera to one of its sensor's two base steps (ie: one of the two effective gain steps within the pixel) with no additional analogue gain added when you change ISO. By contrast, N-Raw works the same way as most cameras do in stills mode: applying increasing gain as you raise the ISO.

This means N-Raw sacrifices a stop of highlight information each time you raise ISO by a stop, in return for some improvement in shadow noise, but means that you can't mimic other ISO settings after the fact. The R3D method retains these highlights irrespective of ISO setting at the point of shooting, meaning you can apply different tone curves to adjust "ISO" as part of post processing.*

What has been discovered

Video testing site CineD has conducted some tests on the ZR and found some interesting details. The first is that the R3D codec appears to decode its Raw data such that it doesn't expand to use the full range of a 10-bit working space. This is presumably to allow its use with LUTs and alongside cameras that capture a wider dynamic range (either now, or in the future), which would make use of the higher data values. This is comparable to what Panasonic does with its V-Log / V-Log L system. This is not the standard workflow for N-Raw.

In addition to various flavors of Raw capture, the Nikon ZR is the first consumer camera we've come across that can natively capture super-wide dynamic range '32-bit float' audio.

Interestingly, CineD also says that it found R3D NE clips a stop earlier than the ZR's ProRes Raw or N-Raw modes, with Nikon responding that there is a "difference of highlight clipping points between N-Log and R3D NE." CineD points out that the Red processing includes a highlight recovery algorithm that recovers detail (but not necessarily color) information around clipping, which is worth being aware of.

Combine all this information and read between the lines of Red's statement and it appears to suggest that R3D NE uses the same basic codec as N-Raw but with a different gain strategy and a different assumed workflow (via Red's Log3G10/RWG gamma and gamut), that requires it to be exposed differently to get optimal results.

So how does it perform?

CineD also found the camera's rolling shutter was a match for the 9.44ms we measured from the Nikon Z6III and that its dynamic range was okay, rather than great, which is again consistent with what we were expecting, given the Z6III's performance.

Sadly, Nikon USA says it will not have any testable cameras available for review until mid November, so we're not yet in a position to check or further investigate any of these findings further.

Red statement:

R3D NE and the Expansion of REDCODE RAW Summary

REDCODE RAW, also known as R3D, is RED’s proprietary RAW video codec that has been shaped and honed with every generation of RED’s cameras. R3D is not just made of up compressed RAW video, but carries with it advanced sensor characterizations, robust metadata, RED’s color science, and unique RAW controls that guarantee precise and consistent results throughout the entire imaging pipeline, from sensor to screen.

Detailed Explanation

REDCODE RAW was the first widely adopted RAW cinema workflow codec, which has constantly been evolving over the years with each generation of RED camera. Its foundation starts with RED’s color and sensitivity characterization of the sensor, and ends in the debayering, decompression, and image processing through the RED managed software development kit that all major post-tools have implemented. This standardization, from sensor to screen, allows RED to guarantee precise and cinematic results throughout the entire image pipeline.

Like all REDCODE RAW formats, R3D NE utilizes the latest in RED’s IPP2 pipeline, from decompression and debayering algorithms, to the advanced RAW image processing such as Chroma Noise Reduction. R3D NE has been optimized to use the existing RAW compression capabilities found in Nikon’s EXPEED ASIC, which is what the NE in R3D NE stands for – Nikon EXPEED.

Inside the Nikon ZR itself, sensor data is processed into a RED industry adopted Log3G10/RWG image, allowing for on-set monitoring with the same 3D LUT’s that would be used in any RED workflow. In addition, sensor gains and colorimetry have been tuned to not only provide exposure and color matching with RED’s ecosystem, but to leverage the same ISO behavior the rest of the R3D ecosystem uses, allowing users to balance their dynamic range shot-by-shot if needed.

In early 2025, RED had introduced the ability to process N-RAW through the latter part of this process, and .NEV became part of the RED workflow. Some tools that already had native .NEV maintained their existing workflow and kept direct decode of N-RAW footage. These applications, such as DaVinci Resolve, have now updated to RED’s latest software update, could however be forced into sending these .NEV’s through the RED software by renaming them to .R3D. These files technically remain N-RAW, and are still indicated as such in the software, as they do not include any of the in-camera characterization, metadata, and workflow that makes REDCODE RAW what it is. Importantly, these renamed files will not be the same as an R3D NE file shot with the same camera – the color, exposure, and latitude will all differ.

REDCODE RAW is an ecosystem, providing consistency from set to screen across generations of cameras. The Nikon ZR, and more specifically R3D NE, is just the latest step in bringing the RED workflow to filmmakers everywhere.

*Technically, ISO is an sRGB JPEG-based standard, so it's best not to take it too literally when being used as a post-processing parameter in Raw video software. (See also the 'exposure' slider in a lot of photographic Raw software, which changes image lightness but cannot change exposure)

Power lines go wild with giant animal pylons

Gizmag news -

Nobody likes to see the view being spoiled by power lines, but they're often a necessary part of modern infrastructure. Perhaps if they could be turned from an eyesore into a focal point, even the staunchest opponents could accept them. Such is the thinking behind this creative project that transforms power line pylons into giant animal sculptures.

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Category: Architecture, Technology

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