The mongoose within the image under will not be wild, however was taken within the Prague Zoo. I didn’t even take it with any new, attention-grabbing tools. So what makes this photograph so priceless to me? It’s the primary photograph I took after a three-week photographic absence enforced by six damaged ribs. It proves that I will maintain a digital camera in per week after I go to Ecuador. Hooray! I’ll have extra tales for you quickly, straight from the tropics. For now, right here’s the most recent pictures information from the temperate zone.
Current Bulletins
- Panasonic Lumix S9: The Lumix S9 is a full-frame digital camera for the L-Mount system, primarily based round a stabilized 24.2 megapixel sensor. Regardless of the sensor measurement, the digital camera could be very compact (12.6 x 7.39 x 4.67 cm) and light-weight (486 g with battery and reminiscence card). Whereas this isn’t actually a wildlife digital camera – it doesn’t have a viewfinder or intensive dials/buttons – it nonetheless permits as much as 30 FPS steady pictures, pre-burst taking pictures, and hybrid AF that may detect folks, animals, vehicles, and bikes. The digital camera’s primary focus is for on-the-go videography; it will possibly seize as much as 6K video from the total width of the sensor, and there’s even a devoted lookup desk (LUT) button on the again of the digital camera. The worth is $1,498.
- Panasonic Lumix S 26mm f/8: This pancake wide-angle lens was introduced alongside the Lumix S9. Collectively, they make a really pocketable full-frame combo for touring and videography on the go. The compromise that comes from the flat design (solely 18 mm / 0.71 inches lengthy) and lightweight weight (58 g / 0.13 lbs) is the dearth of autofocus and the utmost – and solely – aperture of f/8. The worth is $198.
- Leica D-Lux 8: The eighth era of Leica’s compact digital camera relies on a 21MP 4 Thirds CMOS sensor and a built-in Leica 10.9-34mm f/1.7-2.8 lens. The lens doesn’t cowl all the sensor space, so the ensuing decision is 17MP, and the lens is equal to a 24-75mm on full-frame. Though the total specs usually are not but identified, a take a look at the highest of the digital camera means that the D-Lux 8 has misplaced the 1/4000s shutter pace and in addition the “T” (for lengthy exposures), which is certainly a downgrade. A characteristic that will not be appreciated by the everyday point-and-shoot photographer, however which I personally contemplate a serious enchancment over earlier generations, is the power to shoot in DNG (RAW). The worth is about at $1,595.
The Rumor Mill
Pentax returns to its roots
I’ve already knowledgeable you many occasions in my weekly information that Pentax is creating a model new 35mm movie digital camera. At first, I anticipated some form of reincarnation of a beforehand widespread mannequin just like the K1000, Tremendous A, and even the LX. In accordance with the most recent info and a brand new teaser that appeared on RICOH’s YouTube channel, that seemingly won’t be the case.
The brand new digital camera is alleged to have a set lens, guide movie rewind and, most surprisingly, it should shoot in half-frame format. The quantity 17, which seems on the finish of the teaser and a few quick photographs, seemingly refers back to the half-frame measurement of 17 x 24mm, which is roughly equal to an APS-C sensor in space (23.5 x 15.7mm). The benefit is clear; you may match twice as many photographs per roll of movie. However half-frame cameras weren’t notably widespread again within the day, and they’re much less customary than conventional 35mm movie. We’ll learn how Pentax’s “new-old” digital camera will look quickly, maybe as early as this summer time.
Canon is sort of a volcano about to erupt
Over the previous few weeks, the crater has begun to smoke closely, the primary pyroclasts have erupted within the type of the EOS R1 growth announcement, and the primary lava has begun to leak from the cracks on the facet of the volcano within the type of rumored specs for the EOS R5 Mark II. As this lava solidifies, new information are crystallizing.
The EOS R5 Mark II is alleged to have a 30% enchancment in rolling shutter in comparison with the EOS R3. In apply, this is able to imply that there wouldn’t be a lot purpose to make use of a mechanical shutter (12 FPS) when a silent digital shutter can go as much as 30 FPS. The Mark II won’t have the corporate’s touch-sensitive Sensible Controller button (discovered on the EOS R3 and 1DX Mark III). Nonetheless, it most probably may have Eye-Managed AF. What concerning the flagship EOS R1? It was noticed being examined on the Monaco Grand Prix final weekend.
Panasonic up to date its Lumix S lens roadmap
I simply advised you concerning the 26mm pancake lens that Panasonic simply introduced for the S9. It can quickly be adopted by one other compact lens, this time with a variable focal size – the 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3. Panasonic’s up to date roadmap additionally revealed plans for the standard zoom lens and a supertelephoto zoom lens.
Good Offers and New Gross sales
In case your major curiosity is making movies, be careful. After an enormous $1,020 low cost, the Blackmagic Design Cinema Digital camera 6K (now $1,575) is a superb deal immediately. This full-frame digital camera can shoot inside 6K Blackmagic RAW video. The digital camera is appropriate with L-mount lenses.
Now you can get SSDs from Samsung for very attention-grabbing costs. Positively the very best worth/capability ratio has the most important 4TB variant (was $500, now $300). Nonetheless, it’s higher to not put all of your eggs in a single basket. For a month-to-month expedition with a high-resolution digital camera (just like the Nikon Z7/8/9), I like to recommend two 2TB drives (was $285, now $200). When you shoot with a 24 MP digital camera and don’t do a lot video, a pair of 1TB SSDs (was $120, now $170) ought to be sufficient for any journey.
Nikon has discounted a variety of its lenses, together with a few of their F-mount glass. The most important worth discount is seen within the telephoto lenses, the place it can save you as much as $500. Right here they’re:
- Nikon AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR (was $3,597, now $3,297)
- Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR (was $1,397, now $1,057)
- Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S (was $6,497, now $5,997)
- Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S (was $4,797, now $4,297)
- Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S (was $2,697, now $2,297)
- Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S (was $3,247, now $2,997)
- Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S (was $2,697, now $2,497)
Different Pages of Curiosity
ESA’s Euclid mission was launched on July 1 final 12 months. Its objective is to create a three-dimensional map of the universe that may embody about two billion galaxies, representing about one-third of the sky. With this map, specialists hope to detect traces of darkish matter and darkish vitality, essentially the most mysterious elements of the universe. In contrast to the James Webb Area Telescope, which has a narrower subject of view and longer vary, Euclid was constructed to seize huge scenes in a single picture. In this text, you may see 5 beautiful photos from the brand new telescope and skim attention-grabbing particulars about them.
This week, I watched the primary episode of an attention-grabbing documentary known as Endangered Amazonia by Jan Dungel. It was nice to see acquainted locations that I can be visiting with my digital camera in per week. However much more attention-grabbing is the writer of this documentary. Jan Dungel will not be solely a photographer, however to begin with a painter. He paints the objects of his curiosity immediately within the subject, primarily based on the actual wildlife in entrance of him. On his web site you may see what photos of birds can appear to be when a brush and paints are used as a substitute of a digital camera.
Picture Theme Problem, Week #51
Final week’s theme was clean, and you may see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody to your submissions! This week’s theme is rocks, and you may submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, June 1, 2024!
Week #50 Outcomes
Let’s try among the photographs we obtained for the “clean” theme, beginning with Tom Pazol’s photograph:
Generally when there may be smoothness, like within the distant reflection right here, you want some texture to distinction it. I believe it’s achieved very properly on this photograph.
Subsequent, let’s see Cory B’s tackle the theme:
I like the smoothness of the water and the rocks right here – it’s a really peaceable and compelling scene.
Lastly, we now have Darin Marcus’s shot:
I like the completely different strategy right here on making one thing clean, very literal this time!
Thanks everybody for submitting their photographs within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the rocks theme!