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Adam Ottke

Los Angeles, CA
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Articles from Adam Ottke

Lenses Are About to Get Smaller and Better Thanks to Harvard's New Flat Optics

Leave it to the same university that would probably save our world from an apocalypse to, until that need arises, create better, smaller lenses. Harvard’s School for Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) recently expanded on a previous design for flat optics by adding nano silicone antennae that actually bend the light.

Arri Announces the Alexa Mini - 4K, Lightweight, Compact, Probably Not Affordable

Making generous use carbon fiber throughout the 4K cube that will be released as the Arri Alexa Mini, Arri's newest camera takes a direct stab at RED's Dragon, as both feature incredibly similar specifications — even their 2.3 kilogram weight. Of course, Arri isn't new to the game; they know enough to bring some game with the Mini. 

Leaked FAA Document Hints at Possibly More Lenient Drone Regulations

According to Forbes, a document leaked online and captured before it could be removed outlines some of the FAA's thinking with regard to the implementation of regulations for drones under 55 pounds -- a final decision about which is due by the end of the year.

10K Video Time-Lapse Created with a PhaseOne IQ180

That's 10K – as in your 4K monitor, but not really...because it's 10K. Yes, photographer Joe Capra created a stunning 10K time-lapse with a PhaseOne IQ180 that shoots images with a resolution of 10,328 x 7,760 pixels. While this video is clearly put together in a proof-of-concept style, the clips still astound.

Both Versions of Sigma's 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Now Available for Pre-Order

Sigma's hot, new sports telephoto-zoom lens is now available for pre-order in both of its configurations, the Sport and Contemporary models. The Sport model features superior image quality along with increased weight and a heftier price tag. It comes in Nikon F, Canon EF, and Sigma SA mount options for $1,999.

CalDigit's TS2 Thunderbolt Station Dock is a Nifty Convenience Packed with Features

Thunderbolt docks have always been something that I've wanted, but haven't absolutely needed. The $300-$500 price range of these little all-in-one boxes didn't spark urgency in my search for the perfect dock either. Given a little time for the excitement (and price) of Thunderbolt-related technology to die down a bit, however, the prospect began to grow more interesting.

How Camera Companies Are Doing It All Wrong, and How They Could Fix It

Patrick Hall shared some opinions about what features our professional DSLRs absolutely should have, but don’t, going into 2015. And he was right. But as happy as having those features would make us, not one or even all of them would allow any single company to become the next Apple or Google of the photography world.

G-Tech Hits CES 2015 with a Major Focus on Rugged Lifestyles

While familiarity with LaCie's signature, bright-orange-accented Rugged series hard drives comes with the territory of being in the photography business, G-Technology has always relied on the simple reliability of its HGST hard drives and Apple-inspired looks to gain them the same notoriety -- until now.

Huge Nikon and Canon DSLR and Lens Bundle Savings

Have some money saved from the holidays? Maybe a few B&H Photo Video gift cards? Now may be the perfect time to buy with savings of up to $900 and $850 on Nikon and Canon bundles, respectively. B&H Photo Video is offering instant rebates on most Nikon and Canon systems, including the newer Nikon D750, D610, and D4s, and Canon 7D Mark II, 5D Mark III, and 1D X. 

Why Instagram's Update with Five New Filters Gives Me Hope

For an app that brings the hipster out in everyone, Instagram showed it can really grow up today. Five new filter updates almost wouldn't matter. So what? We have a million other apps and editing tools and already sometimes too many Instagram filters. But today's update brings something that Instagram has lacked from Day One: subtlety. 

Seagate's New 8TB Archive Hard Drive Is The Next Big Breakthrough In Our Lives

We all love talking about what we'll see in the Nikon D5 or what Phase One's next big announcement will be. But for the most part, as important as it is, there's not much fun in "real" tech. Networking, cloud storage, hard drives...that's all kind of boring? Definitely not first date material (not second, or third, or fourth either).

How Sainsbury's Produced the Most Touching Ad of the Holidays

Sainsbury's produced a stunning, almost four-minute video commercial for this holiday season. The cinematic spot recreates a historical World War I moment in which, for a day or two in several spots along the front lines, the war paused for Christmas. Both sides were able to meet, play games, talk (as much as they could) and forget, for just a few hours, about why they were there. 

Caleb Pike Shares Five Simple, But Important Tips on Being the Best Assistant You Can Be

There's no doubt that assisting is, hands down, the best way to really learn how to shoot professionally. Set etiquette is one thing that will come with time, but equally important are the little things that all add up and that will make you the best second pair of hands to have on set, second to none -- if you pay attention to these things.

Adobe Releases Plugin to Help Migrate from Aperture and iPhoto to Lightroom

Adobe has released a plugin it promised a while ago to migrate photo libraries from Apple's soon-to-be-forgotten Aperture and iPhoto apps into its own Lightroom. If you're worried about Apple's switch to its own all-in-one photo app, "Photos," or simply want to ensure similar functionality to that found in Aperture, Lightroom has long been an industry-standard alternative.

Best Way to Get a Deal on a High-End 4K Display? Buy Apple's New 5K Retina iMac, Shipping Today

For those who don't follow Apple news (who are you?), Apple announced their rumored 5K 27" Retina iMac today. While we're sure options can drive the price up, the new iMac starts at a lower price than many of the decent 4K displays sell for on their own: $2,499. With shipments beginning today, there's no doubt this is the best new deal in the Apple Mac lineup. 

Storehouse: The Best Media Sharing App in the World Adds Lightroom Support

Every day, people are taking more and more fantastic photographs. The only problem is that they’re all stuck in the Camera Roll or Lightroom. What if there were an easy — I mean, actually EASY — way to share multiple photos and videos from your shoots along with text in a clean, media-centric, easy-to-view format for your followers to enjoy?

Camera Comparison from Every iPhone Ever Created

Photographer Lisa Bettany, creator of the Camera+ and MagiCam iPhone apps, put together a fascinating and thorough comparison of images coming from every generation of the iPhone ever created.

Hasselblad H5D-50c WiFi Adds (You Guessed It) WiFi to the 50MP CMOS System

Hasselblad and PhaseOne are officially flip-flopping as PhaseOne just added its no-WiFi IQ150 following a much earlier IQ250 announcement and Hasselblad is now releasing a WiFi-enabled version of its H5D-50c. In addition to WiFi, the new version brings several firmware-related improvements that will find their way into the current H5D-50c and CFV-50c models via a future update.&n

PhaseOne Announces the IQ150: The IQ250 Minus WiFi for $29,990

At a $5,000 "discount" compared to the IQ250, the IQ150 seems almost identical in every way. While we don't currently have much information, we do know that the IQ150 features the same Sony 50MP CMOS sensor that is featured in the IQ250, Hasselblad H5D-50c, Mamiya Leaf Credo 50, and Pentax 645z, boasting the same native and useable ISO range of 100-6400.