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The production model Light L16 product photos are out and pre-orders shipping in July

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The Light L16 is a unique oddity amongst cameras. If you’ve never heard of it before, it uses an array of 16 cameras and lenses to create “DSLR quality in the palm of your hand”. Whether that claim is true or not remains to be seen. But see we will, and quite soon now. First announced in October 2015, Light L16 will enter into its Expanded Beta phase in May, with pre-orders starting to be shipped in July.

Thanks to our friends at Light Rumors, we also get to see the first product images of the final production camera. It’s had a little bit of a redesign from the original shown in 2015, and more closely resembles the prototypes we saw in a video last July.

The original design had the flash sitting at the top left where the “Light” logo currently resides, with the logo previously below it. This has since been moved over to where the laser focus assist beam was, and the focus assist has nudged over slightly. The lenses, though, seem to all be in the same positions.

And we can now clearly see what each of those lenses are. I’m guessing that these are the “full frame equivalent” focal lengths.

  • 6x 150mm f/2.4
  • 5x 70mm f/2
  • 5x 28mm f/2

The “grip” section is flat. Early images of the unit showed a slightly protruding, rounded area. There’s a tiny hole next to the light logo which is presumably the microphone for when shooting video.

It seems to be suitably thick enough for hand-holding with both hands without accidentally having your finger cover a lens or two. The view from the other side shows the little slot which would likely be where the wrist strap connects.

Surprisingly, there’s no photos of the “front” (I’m using the smartphone definition) of the camera. The bit which would hold the LCD. Given that we can see the top and both sides, the USB and other potential sockets probably live underneath.

Also, today, Light have sent out an email stating that they’re expanding their beta program. In May, they will begin shipping pre-release L16s loaded with beta software. These will go out to pre-order customers who volunteered to beta test. After this is complete, they expect to begin mass production of hte L16.

The final pre-order shipments will begin on July 14th, 2017. But, they had a lot of pre-orders. They don’t expect all them to have completed shipping until late summer.

I always thought this was a neat idea. But I’ll see how it takes off once it’s out in the real world, first.

[via Light Rumors]

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  • Great Dear Leader

    It feels like its been for ever and ever about this product.

    • Michael Gmirkin

      Yep. Agreed. It’s been a long road… But it’s finally actually making its way to market. Let’s hope they get it mostly right at launch, unlike Lytro.

  • AsianReaper

    What a strange and useless product . Make for a mildly interesting talking piece when taken off the shelf to show off yet another useless virtue signaling purchase .

    • Michael Gmirkin

      You sound like you have no idea what you’re actually talking about…

      It’s a pocketable camera of [approximately] cellphone form factor that gives high resolution images of arguably DSLR quality without having to lug around a DSLR and all its lenses and other accessories.

      And the tech will eventually make its way into cellphones, to improve image quality and make the world a better place, where Truth, Justice and the American Way can flourish. [/snarkasm]

      • AsianReaper

        Because I think it’s another gimmick much like the litro or whatever that abomination wa called ? Cool . Not fussed either way mate.

  • pincherio

    But… can I make calls and surf the net with it?

    • Michael Gmirkin

      Not at present. It is a camera, not a cellphone. However, Light is working to miniaturize the components and license the technology to cellphone manufacturers… But, their G1 model is simply an Android-based pocketable, arguably DSLR-quality camera. We’ll see what final image quality looks like but their recent Cuba photoshoot was quite promising…

      http://captured.light.co/mostly-cuba

  • I would be genuinely interested in it if it’s source code would be somewhat accessible to community. Here’s why. Although this looks as a cool toy for photographers(like Lytro cameras) – with some software modifications this could be more useful tool for 3d CG and some research things.

    Just think about it: With a potential of simultaneous recording of multiple cameras, in one device, this could work as awesome 3D photo scanning device. In one, somewhat cheap, device, that fits into pocket, it would be possible to record videos/photos with parallax shift, that would allow to later processing of these images into 3D geometry.

    Even more: this could be awesome video camera for some special effects applications, because combining video layer and generated 3D geometry – this would make CGI FX workflow more accessible for amateur cinematographers.
    Here’s why: A lot of times special effects in movies are created from three parts: 1st – filmed footage(video from camera), 2nd – composited elements(3d objects, that are composited into environment) and 3rd – 3d recreation of environment(3d geometry of filmed scene, that is matched on top of video), that is used so composited elements can interact with scene, like cast shadows, reflections, and so on.
    The 3rd step is the hardest and the most time consuming step, because it is pain in the ass to re-create 3d environment and make sure that it makes to the video and movement of the camera. But with a device like this, – it could record video from multiple point of views, and use these views to generate 3d environment and simultaneously match it to filmed video.

  • Michael Gmirkin

    For anyone truly unfamiliar with it, I heartily recommend watching these couple videos (they’ll get you sorted in short order):

    https://vimeo.com/143690545

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shOVId44_Ng

    And for news / rumors, I suggest:

    http://www.lightrumors.co

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