We know it can be tough to stay inspired during these times. Nikon's mission has always been to empower creators. Right now, we can do that by helping creators stay inspired, engaged and growing. That's why we're streaming all of our Nikon School Online courses free for the entire month of April.

https://www.nikonevents.com/us/live/nikon-school-online/

South Korean panel maker Samsung Display has decided to end all of its production of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels in South Korea and China by the end of this year, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Samsung Display, a unit of South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, said in October that it suspended one of its two LCD production lines at home amid falling demand for LCD panels and a supply glut. “We will supply ordered LCDs to our customers by the end of this year without any issues,” the company said in a statement.

In October, the Apple Inc supplier said it will invest 13.1 trillion won ($10.72 billion) in facilities and research to upgrade a production line, as it contends with oversupply amid weak global demand for smartphones and TVs.

The investment for the next five years will be focused on converting one of its South Korean LCD lines into a facility to mass produce more advanced “quantum dot” screens.

“Quantum dot” screens are exactly LCD screens just with one additional layer (or some modern even without it!). All QD is doing is just changing led spectrum, and it is all.

Sony‘s Press Conference for NAB now Rescheduled to Monday April 20th 9:00 am PST / 12:00 EST

Sony continues daily monitoring of the evolving situation around the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which has seen an escalation globally and, as such, is taking various precautionary measures.

As we place the utmost importance on the safety and wellbeing of our employees, partners and industry colleagues, we support the difficult but important decision from National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show 2020 (https://nabshow.com/2020/attend/onsite-services/coronavirus-update-and-resources/) to no longer hold the Las Vegas conference in April.

We are eager to share our innovations with the NAB community digitally via press conference time of 9:00am PST on Monday April 20, 2020.

Sony would like to thank the community of innovators for their understanding and ongoing support during these challenging times. Our thoughts remain with those who are suffering from this tragedy.

To stay updated, please follow @sonyelectronics and please visit https://pro.sony/event-nab for future update.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today that they will be hosting a Virtual Press Conference to unveil the company's new professional imaging products and technologies. The Virtual Press Conference, which will be streamed on the Canon U.S.A. website at usa.canon.com/VPC2020, is scheduled to air on Monday, April 20, 2020, at 1:00 PM EDT/10:00 AM PT.

"As Canon continues to monitor the global response surrounding the spread of COVID-19, the effects of which have impacted every aspect of our lives, we would like to thank everyone for their understanding and ongoing support during this challenging time," said Kazuto Ogawa, president, and chief operating officer, Canon U.S.A., Inc "The road ahead is long and filled with uncertainty, but when the broadcast and cinema industries are ready to resume 'normal' activities, Canon wants them to know we will be there to continue to support professionals with new products and technologies that meet their needs."

The new Canon broadcast and cinema products featured during the Virtual Press Conference are aligned with the current and growing needs of the respective industries such as 4K UHD and HDR, as well as evolving technologies.

For more information and the latest updates, please visit usa.canon.com/VPC2020 and follow us on Twitter at @CanonUSAprovideo and Instagram @canonusaprovideo.

Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. has developed a technology for compressing ultra-high-definition, high-volume video data to the minimum size needed for AI video recognition applications. This technology can compress video data to just one tenth the size of data prepared using conventional compression technology intended for visual confirmation by humans. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in demand for AI analysis of video data in various business areas. The spread of 5th-generation mobile communications system (1), in particular, is expected to contribute to an explosive increase in the number of ultra-high-definition video images captured by cameras, as well as many images captured on the street and on production lines. In developing this new compression technology, Fujitsu focused on an important divergence in the way in which AI and humans recognize images. Namely, AI and humans tend to differ in the areas of the image that are emphasized as important for judgment when recognizing people, animals, or objects in video data. Fujitsu has developed a technology to automatically analyze the areas that AI values and to compress data to the minimum size that AI can recognize. This makes it possible to analyze a large amount of video data without compromising recognition accuracy, and at the same time significantly reduce operating and data transmission costs. It is also anticipated that the technology will allow users to analyze more advanced video data by combining multiple video data stored in the cloud, sensor data, and performance data such as sales data.

Background and Challenges

In recent years, technology for analyzing images using AI has been developing rapidly and is expected to be one of the driving forces for digital transformation in many companies in a variety of industries. With the advent of sophisticated 5G mobile services in 2020, demand for AI analysis is expected to increase even further, accompanied by the increasing use of ultra-high-definition 4K and 8K cameras and large amounts of video data for applications including behavioral analysis in the manufacturing and retail industries. Despite this, the processing demands for deep learning techniques used for image analysis present considerable challenges. One effective technique for securing computing power to deal with these tasks is to process in conjunction with the cloud, but since video data is often very resource-intensive, there is a need for high-compression technology that can transmit all video data to the cloud without compromising quality so that network bandwidth does not become overburdened.

About the Newly Developed Technology

Compressing video reduces image quality depending on the compression rate, and if the area that AI is focused on is compressed excessively, the recognition accuracy decreases. Fujitsu has developed a video compression technology that automatically analyzes the area of an object recognized by AI as judgment material in an image of 1 frame of video data, compressing (2) the image with the minimum image quality required for recognition for each area (Figure 1). By applying this technology, the size of video data can be significantly reduced compared with conventional compression technologies while maintaining recognition accuracy.

Technology to automatically estimate the compression ratio without affecting AI recognition accuracy The effect of image quality degradation specific to compression on recognition accuracy is analyzed for each area. The compression ratio that does not affect recognition accuracy is automatically estimated based on the AI recognition results (Figure 2). The degree of importance of features in the process of recognition by AI is determined for all areas by aggregating the effects on the recognition results when the compression ratio of the entire image is changed and the image quality is changed. The compression rate immediately before the recognition accuracy rapidly deteriorates in each area is estimated as a compression rate that does not affect the recognition accuracy. It also feeds back the AI results of successive images to increase the compression to the maximum AI can recognize. In so doing, the technology achieves high image compression while maintaining AI recognition accuracy.

Effect

The newly developed technology was applied to video footage taken by a 4K camera of multiple workers packing in a factory. It was confirmed that the data size could be reduced to 1/10 the data size of conventional compression technology without a deterioration in recognition accuracy. This technology is expected to be used for applications that do not require strict real-time performance, as well as for the analysis of advanced video data that combines multiple video data stored in the cloud, sensor data, and performance data such as sales data.

Future Plans

Fujitsu Laboratories is evaluating this technology in a variety of cases, and is carrying out additional research and development to further refine compression performance. Fujitsu expects to commercialize this technology by the end of fiscal 2020, and introduce it into a variety of applications for different industries, including its Fujitsu Manufacturing Industry Solution COLMINA service platform .

In reality it looks like adaptive compression aimed at very tiny niches.

Sony Corporation ("Sony") today announced that it will establish an intermediate holding company "Sony Electronics Corporation" effective April 1st, 2020. Sony Electronics Corporation will incorporate the three businesses that comprise its Electronics Products & Solutions ("EP&S") segment (Imaging Products & Solutions, Home Entertainment & Sound, and Mobile Communications) and related global sales and marketing, manufacturing, logistics, procurement and engineering platforms.

Through the establishment of Sony Electronics Corporation, Sony will not only accelerate the integrated operation of the EP&S businesses, but also aim to optimize its organizational structure, talent and business portfolio, while further enhancing competitiveness and creating new business.

http://vimeo.com/nomofilms/strangetimes

GoPro is pumped to share that the small, but mighty, team behind ReelSteady, known for enabling mind-blowing cinematic effects for the FPV drone community, is joining the GoPro Family.

“The force is strong with these guys,” says GoPro Founder and CEO Nick Woodman. “WOWing our customers is core to our DNA, and Robert and Andy have been WOWing users and viewers alike with their ReelSteady products in a way we think the GoPro community is going to love. Given Robert and Andy’s passion for next-level visual effects, we’re really excited for what our future holds with them as a part of our team.”

The ultra-creative duo of Robert McIntosh and Andy Russell share backgrounds in film and video games, fostering a unique skill set that intersects the arts and technology and have a passion for enabling creators of all skills to easily make cinematic content that “looks expensive.”

In a few short years, ReelSteady has built a passionate following within the FPV drone community with the cinematic features and effects their ReelSteady products enable.

We expect their background, skills and passion will help us continue to grow our software efforts and develop more ways across our app ecosystem to help our customers create cinematic visual effects and premium editing features.

You may recognize some content that has been powered by their products—like this Longboard Freestyle video and this micro-drone video that went viral a few years back (created by Robert, himself).

“Everything we’ve done so far has had no official link to GoPro, and now as part of the team, everything we create will be embedded from within GoPro,” Andy says. “We are excited, especially for our customers, for what is to come—collaboration as part of the GoPro Team to create amazing things that will enhance the GoPro experience for everybody.”

So what does this mean for ReelSteady customers? No changes in the immediate future. ReelSteady products will continue to be sold on the ReelSteady website and supported by GoPro customer support. But what all ReelSteady and GoPro customers should be excited about is the magic that Andy and Robert will bring to the work being done across the GoPro App ecosystem to enhance the cinematic output of your content.

“Its feels kind of like we pulled the golden ticket and are going to Wonka’s factory to see how the products we’ve used for years are made,” said Robert. “We are huge GoPro fans. We built a company and product to specifically serve GoPro users and are fired up to join the GoPro Family to continue creating solutions from the inside. It is really exciting to be here!”

Probability of being cancelled - around 90%.

Madavor Media has acquired the Imaging Resource brand and website, allowing IR’s uniquely objective, balanced and always good-humored voice to continue into the future!

Madavor is a pretty unique company; their slogan is “The power of passion - The energy of enthusiasm”. That describes their publishing business very well; their strength has been how they’ve focused their mostly-print business on a range of subjects that people are truly passionate or enthusiastic about. In the photo arena, they publish the Outdoor Photographer and Digital Photo Pro magazines, and the Digital Photo and HDVideoPro websites.

IR will fit right in with those pubs, with a lot of strategic advantages on both sides of the equation.

Going forward under Madavor, the IR staff will consist of just the two main IRHQ guys, Dave Pardue and William Brawley, hopefully with some support from freelancer Jeremy Gray as well. This is a lot more supportable than the 10 people (counting employees and freelancers) that we previously employed.

After 22 years of 6.5-day weeks, it's definitely time for me to step back a little; I need some serious time to clear my brain and relax in my basement workshops (woodworking, a little metalworking hopefully to be expanded on, electronics and 3D printing).

I also want to pursue other passions, especially intellectual property consulting and expert witness work. I’ve worked as both a consultant and an expert witness on patent cases, and absolutely love it, but I couldn’t pursue that work while simultaneously continuing to run IR.

https://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2020/03/17/ir-version-2.0-is-here-madavor-media-acquires-the-brand

Most probably site won't survive this year, sadly.

Next some of T line models will be removed from market.

At the Q4 of 2020 they can have only around 40-50% of models compared to present lineup.

To survive they can rise prices from 20 to 30%. But also some mergers can follow, in this case all can change.

https://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2020/03/12/how-to-really-weather-seal-a-camera-olympus-behind-the-scenes

As department will go down, you can certainly find lot of shown stuff at auctions.

Also it shows how wrong Japanese companies are making all-in-one super expensive bodies.

And for reference - such sealing has very bad quality - rubber becomes stiff or something gets under sealing and it just kills camera by water damage in exact moment you needed it the most.

CP+ 2020 is scheduled to take place from Thursday, February 27th through Sunday, March 1st with a larger scale.

"According to a new study by West Virginia University researcher Nancy Lan Guo, the microscopic toner nanoparticles that waft from laser printers may change our genetic and metabolic profiles in ways that make disease more likely. Her findings appear in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences."

For the third consecutive year, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has been recognized as one of the 2020 World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Canon is the only company to be honored within the Imaging Technology industry category out of 132 honorees across 21 countries and 51 industries. The recognition highlights Canon's ongoing innovative and proactive approach to corporate social responsibility initiatives and reflects the strong values, culture and leadership that continually drive the company forward.

"To be named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute is an honor that speaks to the widespread integrity present at every single level of our organization," said N. Scott Millar, senior vice president & general manager, Corporate Human Resources, Audit, Ethics & Business Consultation and senior vice president, Human Resources, Canon Solutions America, Inc. "This distinction recognizes our mission to implement positive change in businesses across the country. We are proud to carry it forward as we serve these communities through our advanced solutions and initiatives."

"Congratulations to everyone at Canon, U.S.A. for earning this recognition," said Ethisphere's Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich. "This is a moment to acknowledge the leaders working to advance corporate cultures defined by integrity and affirm those companies contributing to broader societal imperatives and the greater good."

As a global leader dedicated to defining and advancing standards of ethical business practices, the Ethisphere Institute bases its assessment upon the company's Ethics Quotient® (EQ) framework, which offers a quantitative way to determine a business' performance in an objective, consistent and standardized manner. The information collected provides a comprehensive view into a company's corporate governance, risk, sustainability, and compliance and ethics practices.

Scores are generated in five key categories:

• Ethics and compliance program (35 percent)
• Culture of ethics (20 percent)
• Corporate citizenship and responsibility (20 percent)
• Governance (15 percent)
• Leadership and reputation (10 percent)

This year's class of honorees profoundly illustrate how companies continue to be the driving force for improving communities, building capable and empowered workforces, and fostering corporate cultures focused on ethics and a strong sense of purpose.

The full list of the 2020 World's Most Ethical Companies can be found at www.worldsmostethicalcompanies.com.

For more information on Canon U.S.A., Inc., visit www.usa.canon.com.

It is enough to say that they have Ebay, John Deer in the list.

We have thoroughly tested all current Tokina interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount) with the Nikon Z 6, Nikon Z 7 and Nikon Z 50 mirrorless camera using the Nikon mount adapter FTZ.

The results confirm that current Tokina lens models showed no issues in general operations with the following exceptions:

Tokina opera 50mm F1.4 FF Issue: Compared with general conditions depending on aperture value AF speed might be slower. Tokina AT-X 70–200mm F4 FX VCM-S Issue: AF communication error. However, the lens will operate normally in manual focus mode.

Please, note that due to mount adapter FTZ specifications, the following Tokina lenses do not AF but will operate in manual focus mode:

Tokina AT-X M100 AF PRO D Tokina AT-X 107 AF DX NH Fisheye Tokina AT-X 107 AF DX Fisheye

For any question about compatibility of Tokina interchangeable lenses with Nikon Z 6, Nikon Z 7 and Nikon Z 50 mirrorless camera contact us via contact form at https://tokinalens.com/news/about_compatibility_of_tokina_interchangeable_lenses_with_nikon_z_6_z_7_and_z_50_cameras_updated/ .

In their February 13th update, they removed 86 authorized dealers, nearly 20% of their network. This is one of the largest mass-removals we’ve seen.

Notable removals include military exchanges (Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Coast Guard Exchange, and others) selling at a discount to US military personnel, camera broker KEH (which used to sell new Canon items alongside their used inventory), and eBay dealers Datavision and Profeel. California and New York state saw the largest reduction in dealers, with 15 and 11 removed respectively.

Move is aimed to destroy smaller stores and help Amazon and big guys.

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/contactus/where-to-buy/authorized-dealers

Olympus Corporation and Panasonic Corporation jointly announced the Micro Four Thirds System standard in 2008 and have since been working together to promote the standard. We are pleased to announce that three more companies have recently declared their support for the Micro Four Thirds System standard and will be introducing products compliant with the standard.

The following companies are joining the Micro Four Thirds System standard group: YONGNUO which develops, produces and sells digital camera switching lenses, performance lighting, video lighting, etc., MEDIAEDGE Corporation, which has been an advocate of video streaming and display system concepts for over 17 years, aiming to produce products that inspire customers, and Venus Optics, the company behind the development and production of LAOWA brand, which produces incredibly practical, cost-effective, and unique products. The possibilities unique to a joint standard are sure to push the enjoyment of imaging ever further.

As the company responsible for initiating both the Four Thirds System and the Micro Four Thirds System standards, Olympus will continue to develop and enhance the product line-up to meet the diverse needs of our customers.

About YONGNUO

YONGNUO regards "reflecting the beauty of the world and writing into a happy life" as the mission of the company. In the field of image in the information society, YONGNUO is a company that integrates the strength of all employees to develop and produce excellent products and make contributions to the society.

YONGNUO Website: http://www.hkyongnuo.com/e-index.php

About MEDIAEDGE Corporation

MEDIAEDGE Corporation has been involved in developing imaging systems for over 17 years, with a track record of sales to various industries and business categories, the support of many loyal customers, and a long history in Japan and around the world. With collaborative development of both software and hardware, the company continues to produce imaging systems that customers can feel safe and sound using.

MEDIAEDGE Corporation Website: https://www.mediaedge.co.jp/

About Anhui ChangGeng Optics Technology Company Limited (Venus Optics)

Anhui ChangGeng Optics Technology Co., Ltd (Venus Optics) was established in 2013. With headquarters in China, we are a leading manufacturer of premium lenses, formed by a group of photography enthusiasts and industry experts. Our mission is to design and create our own portfolio of photographic lenses that are truly unique, practical and affordable.

Venus Optics Website: https://www.venuslens.net/