IndiaWilds Newsletter Vol.11 Issue I

IndiaWilds Newsletter Vol. 11 Issue I

ISSN 2394 – 6946

Download the full Newsletter PDF by clicking the below button –
IndiaWilds Newsletter-January-2019 (5.9 MB, 239 downloads)

Environmental violations & Accountability:

IndiaWilds Newsletter PDF - January 2019

IndiaWilds Newsletter PDF – January 2019

Delhi and other metros as well as much of urban India is reeling under the impact of air pollution. India today has 20 of its cities in the global list of worst polluters. Not only air, our water is also polluted. Rivers and lakes have become illegal dumping grounds for untreated sewage from residential apartments and untreated effluents from industries. However, it is surprising that even though there is a hue and cry about the environment violations and vandalism by people as well as industries and Government departments, there is no call for accountability.

Till date no body is penalised for suppression of facts and doing partial EIA (Environment Impact Assessment) or other such blatant violations of environment and forest laws. When MoEF/ NBWL officials pass projects in violation of environment and wildlife laws due to pressure from ministers or other extraneous pressures or inducements, no one is hauled up and penalised. Even the Hon’ble Supreme Court had castigated the Government saying the Ganga is polluted due to corruption in the State Pollution Control Boards. However, even after that statement no action has ever been taken to trace out and penalise the people responsible for the violations. This is extremely surprising.

In the case of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue, which is branded as Statue of Unity, there was no Environment Impact Assessment done. ( http://www.indiawilds.com/diary/indiawilds-newsletter-vol-6-issue-vii/ ) Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) had said that EIA (Environment Impact Assessment) is not required as the project is less than 20,000 sq. meters. However, the EIA notification (amended 14.09.2006) says that for projects open to air the activity area has to be considered for assessing the EIA. Nobody cares for these violations, as it was the pet project of the current PM. However, lack of environment impact assessment and subsequent creation of facilities for the 182 meter statue constructed at a cost of 2989 crore rupees is leading to gross violation of laws.

Statue of Unity

Statue of Unity




As if the construction of the Statue is not enough, recently the Government is trying to introduce seaplane service so that visitors can reach the site comfortably. However, for this the Government feels that there is one problem lurking in form of crocodiles.

These crocodiles, estimated to be around 500, are now being captured as some Government officials fears that they may cause some inconvenience to tourists using the seaplane. The mugger crocodiles are a protected species. If an EIA would have been conducted, then it would have been an open and shut case against the project and against any seaplane landing.

It may be pertinent that in 2018 there was also a plan to start the Seaplane service in ecologically fragile Chilika lake. Following the hue and cry the Government of Odisha didn’t allow seaplane service as that would have led to massive ecological impact as well as impact of livelihoods of fishermen. Unfortunately, both the Central as well as Gujarat Government is ruled by the same party and there is no one to raise their voice within the Government. (IndiaWilds October 2018, https://www.indiawilds.com/diary/indiawilds-newsletter-vol-10-issue-viii/ )

Unfortunately, the Government doesn’t care for wildlife and 500 crocodiles will be captured and arbitrarily translocated to some other place. This is unprecedented.

Never before did we have a situation where 500 of a species listed under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act is being translocated without any rhyme or reason. This is against the law and against ethics as well. However, when the powers to be don’t care for law, ethics is not even a minor irritation for them. (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/15-out-485-more-to-go-crocodiles-removed-for-seaplane-to-unity-statue-5554420/)

The officials who didn’t do EIA and the ministry officials who turned a blind eye to the project and who are now quiet about the forcible capture and relocation of the crocodiles will not face any question about their complicity in such a gross violation of law. And this is not the only case.

In down south in Bangalore, a judgment by NGT (National Green Tribunal) regarding the buffer area around lakes have led to much of stress among people. On 4th May 2016 NGT the National Green Tribunal had given an order that the buffer zone around lakes is 75 meters instead of 30 meters. The buffer zone is a no-go zone as far as constructions are concerned. The NGT order had said “The distances in respect of buffer zone specified in this judgment shall be made applicable to all the projects and all the Authorities concerned are directed to incorporate such conditions in the projects to whom Environmental Clearance and other permissions are now granted not only around Belandur Lake, Rajkulewas, Agara Lake, but also all other Lakes/ wetlands in the city of Bengaluru”. NGT had also penalised two developers 5% of their project cost.

Foaming water in Bellandur lake

Foaming water in Bellandur lake

However, the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) initially said that NGT order won’t be applicable to existing projects and created confusion. The NGT took note of the BBMP order and gave it a tongue lashing as the BBMP had cast aspersions about NGT and called it a quasi-judicial body. The BBMP then withdrew the notification. The builders continued to construct in violation of the NGT order. The NGT order was based on an expert committee report which had said many projects were started based on partial clearances and blatant violations. However, the consumers continued to buy houses. Now consumers are putting pressure saying that if NGT order is implemented then 90% of the people will suffer and their hard-earned money will be wasted. It is expected that the NGT order will be trashed as the Government is people or builder-centric.

This is the exact alibi used by Government to push for dams and projects despite violations. The Government talks about huge amounts already sunk in the project and asks the Supreme Court to allow it to complete the project. This principle of fait accompli is a massive loophole which is often used to regularise ecologically devastating projects in India. The NGT had allowed Ravi Shankar to hold a massive cultural program on the banks of Yamuna in Delhi on the grounds that large sums of money had already been invested in clearing and compacting the riverbank before it was brought to the notice of NGT. The Government departments involved in this illegality were not penalised. And the organising committee were penalised a small amount, some say because it was a high profile project blessed and inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

Recently the Union Coal secretary was convicted by court for corruption in allocation of coal blocks to private parties. There has been heartburn in the bureaucracy over this conviction and the general refrain of bureaucrats is that they were merely doing their duty and hence shouldn’t be penalised. The question that no one seems to be asking is ‘how long will this country tolerate corruption and the corrupt’? When will we start holding people accountable for their actions?

Unfortunately, the society has also undergone a sea change in its morality. To make matters worse, the unprecedented political polarisation along religious lines even leads to people condoning corruption based on political affiliations. So statutory watchdogs like CAG, CVC etc are no longer working the way they should be.

Today people celebrate and talk about the huge amount of money siphoned off by several businessmen in connivance with the ruling party and fled abroad. Tomorrow the party in power may change. If that happens, another set of people will be the rulers. However, the rules of the game have changed. The precedence for corruption has been already created. And these kinds of things probably will continue even after change of regime. So who will question the Government departments, ministries, PSUs, undertakings as well as industries and common people? If we don’t hold individual officers and ministers responsible for their actions in destroying ecologically sensitive places as well as species by their acts of omission and commission, then be prepared for dystopian times.

And the truth is we are not doing anything about it.

 



Conservation News:

Government launches National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):

Air pollution is one of the biggest global environmental challenges of today. For sometime, the Government of India has been making some noises about containing air pollution. On 10th of January, the Government of India launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). This is supposed to be a time bound national level strategy for pan India implementation to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the Union Cabinet minister for MoEF&CC said “Collaborative and participatory approach involving relevant Central Ministries, State Governments, local bodies and other Stakeholders with focus on all sources of pollution forms the crux of the Programme.” He further informed that taking into account the available international experiences and national studies, the tentative national level target of 20%–30% reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024 is proposed under the NCAP taking 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration. “Overall objective of the NCAP is comprehensive mitigation actions for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution besides augmenting the air quality monitoring network across the country and strengthening the awareness and capacity building activities.” the minister further added.

Unfortunately, the air pollution is such a severe issue, that big cities like Delhi have become unlivable. Increasingly people are suffering from respiratory diseases. Many are dying without their deaths being attributed to the severe air pollution. Masks have become the norm for people walking in the gardens or driving in the roads. It hasn’t happened overnight. The dust pollution due to the virtually all pervasive constructions going on in Delhi is not the focus of Government agencies as the builder lobby weild enormous clout with the ministers and Government agencies due to their money power. Hard growth trees are being cut off to make way for buildings. Illegal mining in the aravalis is continuing due to the nexus of mafia with Government agencies and ministers. So the Government’s statement about launching a National Clean Air Programme is unbelievable to many.

Notwithstanding the lack of effective initiatives by the Government, the CEO of NITI Aayog, Shri Amitabh Kant who was also present at the launch said that NCAP is a path breaking initiative and one of the most critical and most significant programme as it addresses one of the most alarming challenges of urbanization i.e. air pollution. “Today cities occupy just 3% of the land, but contribute to 82% of GDP and responsible for 78% of Carbon dioxide emissions; cities though are engines of growth and equity but they have to be sustainable and it is in this context that NCAP being a very inclusive program holds special relevance.” said Shri Kant.

The NCAP will be a mid-term, five-year action plan with 2019 as the first year. However, the international experiences and national studies indicate that significant outcome in terms of air pollution initiatives are visible only in the long-term, and hence the programme may be further extended to a longer time horizon after a mid-term review of the outcomes. The approach for NCAP includes collaborative, multi-scale and cross-sectoral coordination between the relevant central ministries, state governments and local bodies. Dovetailing of the existing policies and programmes including the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and other initiatives of Government of India in reference to climate change will be done while execution of NCAP.

There will be use of the Smart Cities program to launch the NCAP in the 43 smart cities falling in the list of the 102 non-attainment cities. The NCAP is envisaged to be dynamic and will continue to evolve based on the additional scientific and technical information as they emerge. The NCAP will be institutionalized by respective ministries and will be organized through inter-sectoral groups, which include, Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Heavy Industry, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, NITI Aayog, CPCB, experts from the industry, academia, and civil society. The program will partner with multilateral and bilateral international organizations, and philanthropic foundations and leading technical institutions to achieve its outcomes.

City specific action plans are being formulated for 102 non-attainment cities identified for implementing mitigation actions under NCAP. Cities have already prepared action plans in consultation with CPCB. Institutional Framework at Centre and State Level comprising of Apex Committee at the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change in the Centre and at Chief Secretary Level in the States are to be constituted.

In addition, sectoral working groups, national level Project Monitoring Unit, Project Implementation Unit, state level project monitoring unit, city level review committee under the Municipal Commissioner and DM level Committee in the Districts are to be constituted under NCAP for effective implementation and success of the Programme.

Other features of NCAP include, increasing number of monitoring stations in the country including rural monitoring stations, technology support, emphasis on awareness and capacity building initiatives, setting up of certification agencies for monitoring equipment, source apportionment studies, emphasis on enforcement, specific sectoral interventions etc.

The launch ceremony was attended by more than 150 participants representing central and state governments, industries, national & international organizations, Universities and research institutes from across the country.

Sl. No State Cities Sl. No Cities
1 Andhra Pradesh Guntur
Kurnool
Nellore
Vijaywada
Vishakhapatnam
2 Assam
Guwahati
Nagaon
Nalbari
Sibsagar
Silchar
3 Chandigarh
Chandigarh
4 Chattisgarh
Bhillai
Korba
Raipur
5 Delhi
Delhi
6 Gujarat
Surat
Ahmedabad
7 Himachal Pradesh
Baddi
Damtal
Kala Amb
Nalagarh
Paonta Sahib
Parwanoo
Sunder Nagar
8 Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu
Srinagar
9 Jharkhand
Dhanbad
10 Karnataka
Bangalore
Devanagere
Gulburga
Hubli-Dharwad
11 Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal
Dewas
Indore
Sagar
Ujjain
Gwalior
12 Maharashtra
Akola
Amravati
Aurangabad
Badlapur
Chandrapur
Jalgaon
Jalna
Kolhapur
Latur
Mumbai
Nagpur
Nashik
Navi Mumbai
Pune
Sangli
Solapur
Ulhasnagar
13 Meghalaya
Byrnihat
14 Nagaland
Dimapur
Kohima
15 Orissa
Angul
Balasore
Bhubneshwar
Cuttack
Rourkela
Talcher
16 Punjab
DeraBassi
Gobindgarh
Jalandhar
Khanna
Ludhiana
NayaNangal
Pathankot/Dera Baba
Patiala
Amritsar
17 Rajasthan
Alwar
Jaipur
Jodhpur
Kota
Udaipur
18 Tamilnadu
Tuticorin
19 Telangana
Hydrabad
Nalgonda
Patencheru
20 Uttar Pradesh
Agra
Allahabad
Anpara
Bareily
Firozabad
Gajraula
Ghaziabad
Jhansi
Kanpur
Khurja
Lucknow
Muradabad
Noida
Raebareli
Varanasi
21 Uttarakhand
Kashipur
Rishikesh
22 West Bengal
Kolkata
23 Bihar
Patna
Gaya
Muzaffarpur

 

Equipment Discussions:

Vitec acquires timelapse slider maker Syrp

Vitec group is a conglomerate which has most of the photography and filming equipment vendors of repute like Manfrotto, Gitzo, Joby, Lowepro, Lastolite, Litepanels, OConnor, Sachtler, Vinten, Wooden Camera, Petrol, Teradek, Paralinx, SmallHD, Rycote, Anton/BauerVitec etc. Over the years it has acquired all the startup successful brands that made a name in different areas of photography and filmmaking equipment and services. Vitec group is also listed in the London Stock Exchange and its 2017 revenue is £378.1 million. So it comes as no surprise that Vitec group has acquired Syrp.

Vitec Imaging Solutions
23 January 2019
ACQUISITION

Vitec acquires Syrp, leader in sliders and motion technology, expanding innovation capabilities for future product development. Vitec Imaging Solutions, a Division of The Vitec Group plc (“Vitec”), a global provider of products and solutions to the Broadcast and Photography markets, is pleased to announce that on 23 January 2019 it acquired Syrp Limited (“Syrp”), a New Zealand based slider and motion control company. Syrp designs and develops motorised camera sliders as well as motion control hardware and software that enables independent content creators to remotely control their camera equipment, allowing for the capture and smooth tracking of shots for video, time-lapse and hyper-lapse imagery.The acquisition of Syrp adds electronics and software features that control cameras to Vitec’s current product portfolio. Syrp will be integrated into Vitec’s Imaging Solutions Division, which will commercialise the brand’s innovative product offering to content creators worldwide. This will facilitate easy access to Syrp sliders and motion controls, as the perfect complements to Manfrotto and Gitzo’s tripods and heads.

Syrp Vitec acquisition

Syrp Vitec acquisition

Founded in 2012 by two skilled videographers, Syrp has been dedicated to empowering independent filmmakers and photographers to explore new creative possibilities in dynamic photography and filmmaking. This commitment is perfectly aligned with Vitec’s purpose to provide innovative solutions for capturing and sharing exceptional content.

Syrp’s brand and products will benefit from Vitec Imaging Solutions global distribution network, with its highly efficient customer service, logistics, and integrated shipping capabilities. The brand will also receive the added support of Vitec’s integrated marketing campaigns and social media presence.

With the acquisition of Syrp, Vitec will expand its ability to provide customers with innovative solutions for the creation of exceptional time-lapses and hyper-lapses thus matching the growing demand for engaging digital and social media dynamic content.

Going forward, Syrp’s New Zealand facility will become Vitec’s R&D center of excellence for mechatronic and motion control products.

Marco Pezzana, Divisional CEO of Vitec Imaging Solutions, commented: “We are continuously improving our commitment to offer our customers solutions for creating and delivering great content by helping them to unleash their creativity. Syrp designs exceptional products that allow independent content creators and photographers to capture extraordinary images and for this reason, it represents a perfect complement to our extensive brand line up. We are proud to welcome a talented pool of R&D engineers and passionate content creator specialists to our Imaging Solutions Division”.

Vitec’s retail partners can count on the widest and most innovative assortment of premium imaging equipment available on the market, under a number of exciting leading brands through its comprehensive portoflio that now includes Syrp in addition to Manfrotto, Gitzo, Lowepro, JOBY, Lastolite, Colorama and Avenger.

Vitec Imaging Solutions provides cutting edge imaging accessories designed to meet the fast changing needs of demanding professional and hobbyist photographers, video makers, independent content creators, bloggers and social sharers. Enquiries: Vitec Imaging Solutions Fabrizio Grimoldi fabrizio.grimoldi@vitecgroup.com

Olympus launches OM-D E-M1X professional mirrorless camera

Olympus has launched the OM-D-M1X micro4/3rd mirrorless camera with 20.4Mp sensor. Here are the salient features:
Resolution: 20.4 MP
Processor: Dual TruePic VIII processor
Shooting speed: 15fps with mechanical shutter and 60fps with electronic shutter. Can shoot 103 raw files in burst using mechanical shutter.
ISO: Upto 25600
Image stabilization: 5 axis sensor shift image stabilization in the body gives 7 stops stabilization. 7.5 stops with select lenses
AF: 121 phase detection cross type sensors and 121 contrast detection sensors
Olympus - OM-D E-M1X professional mirrorless camera

Olympus – OM-D E-M1X professional mirrorless camera

Grip: Integrated vertical grip for the first time gives an impression of professional cameras of Canon and Nikon.
Video: DCI 4k (4096 x 2160) @24P and UHD 4k (3840×2160) upto 30p. The 24P in DCI 4K is true 24p at 237 Mb/s in IPB. UHD 4k is recorded in 102 Mb/s bit rate.
External microphone jack: available for monitoring audio during video recording
Log: OM-Log for video recording.
External video recording: Using HDMI one can output video in 4:2:2 colour.
Timelapse: built-in timelapse video mode for 4K UHD video at 5 fps. Full HD timelapse can be recorded at 120fps.
Media: Dual SD card slots and one USB C port for tethered shooting.
Viewfinder: 2.36m-dot, 0.83x-magnification electronic viewfinder and 3.0″ 1.037m-dot vari-angle LCD touchscreen
ND: The effects of ND filter is simulated to give ND 2 upto ND32.
Interval shooting: The Interval shooting mode allows 999 actuations from 1 sec to 24hr intervals
Focus stacking: In-camera focus stacking can bunch upto 8 images. Manually focus bracketing is allowed with few select Olympus lenses
Shutter life: The shutter is rated upto 400,000 actuations
Weight: Body weighs 997 gms with battery and cards
Price: $2999 US Dollars

Panasonic shipping a New Handheld Camera with 4K recording, IP Connectivity and streaming capability:

Panasonic has announced the AG-CX350, a 4K 1.0-type handheld camcorder that offers both creativity and connectivity for live events, IP Production, sports, and news gathering.

The CX350 is a handheld camcorder that is optimized for 4K/HD production with live broadcasting capabilities. With its integrated lens design, the CX350 brings impressive new features including 4K 10-bit 60p capture, HDR recording, and is equipped with the RTMP/RTSP/RTP protocol for live streaming and NDI | HX-ready IP connection. At only 4.2-lbs. (body only), the CX350 is also the lightest 4K 10-bit fixed-lens camcorder in its class.

AG-CX350, a 4K 1.0-type handheld camcorder

AG-CX350, a 4K 1.0-type handheld camcorder

The 1.0-type MOS sensor (approx. 15.03-megapixels in UHD/FHD) provides exceptional depth-of-field and offers a great balance between image quality and sensitivity (F12/F13 in High Sensitivity Mode). The CX350 can capture in UHD (3840×2160), Full HD (1920×1080), HD (1280×720), and SD (720×480). Like the EVA1, the CX350 offers 10-bit 4:2:2 color sampling with ALL-Intra (400-Mbps) and LongGOP (150Mbps) and can be recorded in UHD up to 29.98p/25p and FHD up to 59.97p/50p. It also supports the 10-bit HEVC codec at UHD up to 59.97p/50p with a low bit rate of 200Mbps. The HEVC 10-bit codec can be natively decoded and played by computers with 7th Generation (or later) Intel Core i7 chips. All of these formats and compression rates can be recorded internally to lower cost SD cards.

The CX350 offers multiple forms of IP connectivity. It is the first handheld camcorder with in-camera NDI | HX compatibility (requires license purchase), allowing for high-quality IP video connectivity with live production switchers, including the Panasonic AV-HLC100 Stream Studio. The CX350 contains the RTMP (Real Time Messaging Protocol) function, which enables video streaming to key social platforms like Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Internal HD recording (MOV) while streaming content is also available. The CX ROP app for iOS/Android tablets enables IP remote control of the CX350 with Gigabit Ethernet LAN connector (RJ45), or wireless module (AJ-WM50). With the app, you can control functions such as camera settings, picture quality adjustment, REC start/stop, menu settings and more.

The CX350’s integrated lens contains a wide angle of 24.5mm at the wide-angle setting with minimal-distortion. The 20x optical zoom lens covers the range from 24.5mm to 490mm (35mm film equivalent at 4K/HD). It also has the 35x(HD) / 24x(4K) Intelligent Zoom function. In both 4K and HD shooting modes, the CX350 uses 5-axis hand-shake correction that combines the effects of both optical and electronic image stabilization, providing a steadier image in unstable shooting conditions.

In addition to capturing conventional gamma modes (HD, SD, FILMLIKE 1/2/3 FILM-REC, VIDEO-REC), the CX350 now supports HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) to capture a wider dynamic range. The HLG standard was developed jointly by the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) and NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) and is currently supported by both TV stations and streaming services. When shooting HLG, the CX350 can be set to HDR or SDR Color Setting on each output – LCD/EVF, SDI and HDMI.

For sports shooters, Variable Frame Rate (VFR) recording can be set in the range of 1-fps to 60-fps (59.94Hz). In FHD mode, Super Slow motion can be achieved at 120-fps/100-fps (59.94Hz, 50Hz). The CX350 can also capture 720p AVCHD 8-Mbps, for a video analysis and compatibility with DV Sports and XoS Digital, plus an interchange format.

Additional key features of the CX350 include support for AVCHD, simultaneous SDI and HDMI output (UHD video via HDMI and output of HD video via 10-bit, 4:2:2 SDI), two audio channels from the built-in stereo mic, or two XLR audio inputs, and low power consumption at 17 W. Two toggle switches for GAIN and WHITE BALANCE are available, as well as two Accessory Shoes for additional versatility. In addition, the CX350 will offer future P2 capability (via a free firmware update).

The AG-CX350 will be available in late February 2019 with a suggested list price $3,995.

 

Canon Announces Vixia HF G50 4K camcorder:

Canon has announced a 4K camcorder named as Vixia HF G50 4k camcorder. The Vixia HF G50 has a DIGIC DV 6 image processor with 20x optical zoom. The

Vixia HF G50 can zoom in from a wide 29.3 to 627mm. This would be good for wildlife shooting.
It has an 8 blade aperture for rounded bokeh.

The camcorder has got 5 axis image stabilization so handholding becomes easy with reduce in shake. Nevertheless if one is prone to zooming in to the full 627mm then a stable support is preferable. The camcorder records UHD 30p video.

Canon Vixia G50 records up to UHD 4K30 3840 x 2160 video to separately available SD cards in the two SD card slots. One can also record Full HD 1080p at upto 60fps at 35Mb/s in MP4 mode.

AG-CX350, a 4K 1.0-type handheld camcorder

AG-CX350, a 4K 1.0-type handheld camcorder

For ease of operation there are a total of five buttons where you can assign various functions. There is a tiltable EVF and the 3 icnh LCD screen has a touchscreen.

The Canon Vixia HF G50 camcorder is priced at 1099 US Dollars. It will be available in April 2019.

PRESS RELEASE
Packing a Powerful Punch in a Compact Body: Canon Introduces the New VIXIA HF G50 4K UHD Video Camcorder
ENG-Style Camcorder is The First G-Series Camcorder with 4K 30P Recording and 20x Optical Zoom Lens

MELVILLE, N.Y., Jan. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — A versatile addition to the VIXIA G-series family of camcorders, Canon U.S.A.Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the Canon VIXIA HF G50. The camcorder is the first VIXIA G-series camcorder to feature 4K 30P recording and is an ideal tool for advanced amateur filmmakers, wedding videographers and student reporters. Featuring a genuine wide-angle Canon 20x (29.3-601mm)* optical zoom lens, the VIXIA HF G50 provides a well-rounded feature set at an affordable price point.

“As filmmaking and videography continue to grow into a more ubiquitous medium of visual expression, it is imperative that creatives have products that help capture their unique vision,” said Kazuto Ogawa, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “Not only is Canon eager to view what our users create with the VIXIA HF G50, we are excited to be with them along the way as their skills and ideas further evolve into the future.”

The VIXIA HF G50 camcorder records 4K UHD/30p (4:2:0 8 bit) and 1080p Full HD (4:2:2 10 bit via SDI/HDMI Output) in MP4 format to dual-card SD card slots with dual and relay recording. Users can also record in slow and fast motion interval from 0.4x to 1200x providing users with additional creative possibilities. To help provide enhanced image quality over its predecessor, over sample HD processing can be utilized with information obtained from the 4K 1/2.3-inch sensor and the DIGIC DV 6 image processor.

The VIXIA HF G50 camcorder’s Intelligent Optical Image Stabilization five-axis system Dual-Pixel CMOS AF provides users with powerful image stabilization via a Dynamic mode, which reduces image distortion even when shooting while walking. By adopting the 8-bladed circular aperture applying the EF lens technology, it is possible to take pictures using natural beautiful bokeh. The ergonomically designed and highly portable camcorder has a 3-inch LCD touch panel screen and tilting, user-friendly, high-resolution color Electronic View Finder (EVF).

Pricing and Availability
The Canon VIXIA HF G50 4K UHD video camcorder is scheduled to be available in April 2019 for an estimated retail price of $1099.00.
B&H Link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ…990/KBID/13252

 



Natural History

COUNTRY NOTEBOOK: M. Krishnan: ‘Darker and Smaller (Gaur)‘ shared By Saktipada Panigrahi

https://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?8852-Country-notebook-m-krishnan&p=86705#post86705

 

Wildlife Photography

Black Panther by Shyamala Kumar

https://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?19042-Finally-the-Black-Panther

Arunachal Macaque by Abhishek Jamalabad

https://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?19028-Arunachal-Macaque

Indian-Pitta by Jitendra Katre

https://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?19043-Indian-Pitta

Osprey with catch by Sandipan Ghosh

https://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?19027-Osprey-Flight

Shikra by Deepak Mistry

https://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?19025-On-a-Drink

Chandrataal in Spiti by Jitendra Katre

https://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?19024-To-Chandrataal

Vespa tropica(Greater banded hornet) by Prajwal Ullal

https://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?19047-The-monstrous-beauty

Neelakurinji 2018 Munnar by V S Sankar

https://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?19051-Neelakurinji-2018-Munnar!

 

This is the 121st Issue of IndiaWilds. As we start on our 11th year of publishing IndiaWilds Newsletter it is a time to make a renewed call for people, especially youngsters, to rededicate themselves for the cause of saving India’s wilderness and wildlife, air, water, rivers, oceans, lakes, ponds as well as urban areas as Climate Change has become a reality and urban India has become a toxic mess of polluted lakes, overflowing garbage, polluted groundwater and toxic air. Our kids are reeling under the impact of air pollution and it is leading to telomere shortening of kids and making them forever vulnerable to diseases.

The photo of a python with its fully opened mouth adorns the cover. According to our mythology Nahusha had assumed the role of King of Gods Indra, when Indra had gone into hiding due to a curse. Nahusha, despite being in temporary charge as Indra, King of Gods, wanted to have Indra’s wife Sachi as his own. To avoid him Sachi asked him to come in a palanquin carried by the great Rishis. In his anxiety to reach fast, Nahusha kicked the great sage Agastya and asked him to move fast. Agastya immediately cursed him to become a creature without feet. So Nahusha became a python and feel into earth. He was later relieved of the curse when he encountered Bheema, the second Pandava. So python also is a tale of the arrogance of human beings. In this era when man, blinded by his ego of superiority over all other beings, is trying to set up habitations in Mars and other planets away from earth without thinking of saving earth from becoming a toxic mess unsuitable for life, the mythical story of Nahusa’s curse and transformation into python hopefully can remind us of our stupidity.

This image of pythons open jaws along with its tendons and muscles shows how it can swallow large mammals. A small mouth can become big enough to swallow big deers. Hopefully that can inspire all of us common men and women to rise up to the occasion and create big deeds to save our Planet Earth.

I look forward to your inputs and support in preserving the last tracts of wilderness and wildlife left in our beautiful country and raising awareness about it. For other interesting articles and images check –

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Regards,

Sabyasachi Patra

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IndiaWilds Newsletter-January-2019 (5.9 MB, 239 downloads)
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