Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Topaz Labs Texture Effects 1.1 Update Now Available – Save up to 28% off Topaz Products! (new coupon codes)

Burning Dust Effect
Burning Dust Effect

If you were one of the many people who attended my Topaz LabsAdvanced Texture Effects Techniques” webinar then you probably noticed some new features that weren’t available in your copy. That’s because I was using the new 1.1 release, which is now available to the general public.

If you missed my webinar, here’s the video recording of it:

I also recommend that you check out my Texture Effects Review for an in-depth video tutorial of Texture Effects.

This product is so much more than just another texture overlay app so I demonstrate how it can be used alone to do powerful layering to create fine art images. If you don’t own Photoshop, you’ll definitely want to check this product out!

Here’s the before and after of the image edited in my video review using Texture Effects1.1’s new “Weather” texture presets:

New Rain Texture featured in 1.1
New Rain Texture featured in 1.1

Where to order (SPECIAL OFFER)

CLICK HERE to learn more, get a free trial or order yours today!

My readers can always save 15% off ANY Topaz Labs product using the coupon code:

ronmart

For the remainder of the month you can save even more off Texture Effects with a special $20 off deal using coupon code:

EASYTEXTURE

This last deal is only available for a limited time. Once it expires you can still you can use my discount coupon code to get the best price on the web on any (or all) Topaz Labs products. Here’s a screen shot to show you how to use coupon codes:

Enter the coupon code and click Apply Coupon
Enter the coupon code and click Apply Coupon

You may also be interested in adding these textures to your product as well:

Trey Ratcliff's Textures Tutorial
Textures also available separately here
See my discount coupon code page for discounts on this!

Other articles you may enjoy

Here’s some of my Topaz Labs software reviews:

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy these articles:

Disclosure

If you make a purchase using links found in this article, I may make a commission. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, but it does help to support future articles like this.

NOTE: This site requires cookies and uses affiliate linking to sites that use cookies.

If you enjoyed this article, please support future articles like this by making a donation or saving money by using my discount coupon codes. Either way, your support is greatly appreciated!

This blog is intended for freelance writing and sharing of opinions and is not a representative of any of the companies whose links are provided on this site.

The opinions provided are of Ron Martinsen alone and do not reflect the view of any other entity

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Nikon D5, D500 & SB-5000 Speedlight CES Preview

Nikon D5 DSLR Camera
Nikon D5 DSLR Camera

It’s no longer a promise, the incredible D4s is being replaced by a new super camera that even I’m drooling over. Here’s the product highlights for the D5:

  • 20.8MP FX-Format CMOS Sensor
  • EXPEED 5 Image Processor
  • 3.2" 2.36m-Dot Touchscreen LCD Monitor
  • 4K UHD Video Recording at 30 fps
  • Multi-CAM 20K 153-Point AF System
  • Native ISO 102,400, Extend to ISO 3,280,000!!!
  • 12 fps Shooting for 200 Shots with AE/AF
  • 180k-Pixel RGB Sensor and Group Area AF
  • 14-Bit Raw Files and 12-Bit Raw S Format
  • 1000 Base-T Gigabit Wired LAN Support
  • Available in dual XQD or CF only versions (woohoo, they listened!)

Nikon isn’t messing around with this one, and as a Canon shooter I’m thinking this will probably blow away whatever Canon had in mind for the 1DX Mark II. Time will tell, but this is one that I’d definitely replace my 1DX for if I could afford – sadly, I can’t afford that nearly $6500 USD price tag!

Check out my review for the D4s, which really is one of the best sports cameras ever made now add this improved ISO, better burst capacity/speed, more AF points, and a better LCD (for 4k video) and you have the Ferrari of cameras right here!

Nikon D500 DSLR Camera
Nikon D500 DSLR Camera

The Nikon D500 is poised to be the Canon 5D Mark III killer with its very affordable < $2k USD price point for a camera that offers features that are superior to the Canon 5DM3 in every category except megapixels (which the Canon pushes to hard anyway):

  • 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
  • EXPEED 5 Image Processor
  • 3.2" 2,539k-Dot Touch Screen LCD Monitor
  • Video: 4K UHD 30 fps & 1080p 60 fps
  • Multi-CAM 20K DX 153-Point AF Sensor
  • Native ISO 51,200 Extended to 1,640,000
  • 10 fps Shooting for Up to 200 Frames
  • Built-In Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC
  • In-Camera Time Lapse, Up to 9999 Frames

For as good as the D610 and D750 are, this really creates a super compelling option for people who otherwise might be considering the now dinosaur-like 6D or disappointing 7D Mark II.

Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight
Nikon SB-5000 AF Speedlight

Canon was destroying Nikon in the flash department with the excellent 600EX-RT, so it was only a matter of time before they answered with their own SB-5000 radio controlled flashed. This is probably the longest over due product on the market, so it’s good to finally see it arrive.

Conclusion

This is really huge news and more than I think Canon was planning for. It’ll be interesting to see if they proceed with their 1DX Mark II and 5DM4 rollouts this year, or if they go back to the drawing board for a more compelling offer before they show their cards.

Given Nikon’s history, you can really expect to be able to get these products by this March whereas Canon has a habit of announcing 6 – 12 months before they actually build them – and even then they are in limited supply. The Sony A7R Mark II is one of the most compelling and hottest cameras on the market now, so Nikon really needed this to stay alive in the DSLR space. It’ll be interesting to see what Canon does this week to respond as they can’t afford to be second fiddle to either Sony or Nikon in this competitive market.

Where to order

Click the images above to learn more or pre-order.

Other articles you may enjoy

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy these:

Disclosure

If you make a purchase using links found in this article, I may make a commission. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, but it does help to support future articles like this.

NOTE: This site requires cookies and uses affiliate linking to sites that use cookies.

If you enjoyed this article, please support future articles like this by making a donation or saving money by using my discount coupon codes. Either way, your support is greatly appreciated!

This blog is intended for freelance writing and sharing of opinions and is not a representative of any of the companies whose links are provided on this site.

The opinions provided are of Ron Martinsen alone and do not reflect the view of any other entity