Lytro offers 500px users a $250 discount on its new Illum light field camera

Only a couple days ago, we reported about a special offer from Sigma, who let you test drive their new dp2 Quattro camera ahead of its release, basically for free. (While being billed for the camera's list price of $999, participants will be reimbursed when they send it back.) Here comes another great offer, this time from Lytro, who are keen on getting their new Illum light field camera into the hands of photographers.

Together with the online photography community 500px, Lytro is offering members of the community a one-time special deal on the Illum, at $250 off of its (admittedly rather hefty) $1,599 list price. So if you're a member of 500px (or have just decided to join the community in order to benefit from the deal) and have had an eye on the Lytro Illum, you can get it for a discounted price of $1,349 if you order before July 31st, 2014.

While that's still a large chunk of money, the savings will easily buy you a set of filters, extra batteries and a nice bag to carry your shiny new light field camera. So how does it work? Over on its blog, 500px describes the process, which basically only involves pre-ordering the camera regularly from Lytro, and then forwarding the pre-order number to 500px along with your membership details to receive the discount.

But why should you get the Lytro Illum in the first place? Because right now, it is the only DSLR-styled camera in the world that lets you record so-called light field images which let you refocus and change perspective after you've taken the shot. The technology inside the Illum also has advanced significantly from Lytro's first take on a consumer friendly light field camera, sporting a higher resolution sensor, a much larger screen as well as better ergonomics with many more customizable shooting options.

If you want to learn more about the Lytro Illum, we've covered it in detail when it was originally announced. For even more information, head over to Lytro's website.