Every thing involves an finish. After 17 days within the tropical Ecuadorian Andes, going from 300 meters to 4200 meters above sea stage (660 to 13,800 toes), I’m sitting in a gazebo in the course of the Czech forest and writing these strains. Hundreds of images of birds and breathtaking landscapes of the páramo and cloud forest are safely on my pc. I’m going to share a lot of them with you in numerous articles, however for now I’ll simply begin on the again, with the final photograph I took earlier than leaving for the airport. With this image of the Shining Sunbeam, I provide one other overview of final week’s information within the pictures world.
Latest Bulletins
- Pentax 17: Pentax has introduced its long-awaited new compact movie digital camera with handbook movie rewind. As anticipated from an earlier teaser, the movie measurement is 17mm x 24mm – half a conventional 35mm body. Which means that the default orientation of the picture is vertical, and the digital camera should be rotated to take horizontal images! However because of this, a typical roll of movie can maintain 72 frames as a substitute of 36. The built-in lens has an angle of view of 61° (37mm equal) and incorporates 3 parts in 3 teams. Focusing is handbook in six zones. The shutter operates with shutter speeds from 1/350 to 4 seconds. Publicity modes are solely computerized. These anticipating a contemporary successor to iconic SLRs just like the Pentax LX, Okay or Tremendous A will most likely be disenchanted. But when the digital camera is profitable, we may even see extra trendy makes an attempt at movie cameras. The worth is $500.
- Sirui Sniper Sequence new lenses: Final yr, Sirui launched a trio of quick f/1.2 prime lenses – 23mm, 33mm, and 56mm – designed for APS-C cameras with Sony E, Fuji X, and Nikon Z mounts. The Sniper sequence has now been widened and lengthened to incorporate 16mm huge angle and 75mm brief telephoto lenses, each nonetheless f/1.2. The lenses characteristic an STM motor and help topic detection on suitable cameras. The lenses can be found in three colours: black, silver and white. They’re priced the identical at $319 every.
- Lexar Skilled Silver (Plus) UHS-I SDXC: Not each style of pictures requires super-fast (and costly) reminiscence playing cards. In case you’re not taking pictures sports activities or wildlife, and your digital camera has an SD card slot, the brand new Lexar Silver Plus playing cards could also be for you. They help capacities from 64GB to 1TB and (theoretical) write speeds as much as 150MB/s, and most significantly, they begin at simply $15.
- Nikon Z6 III: We’ve already knowledgeable you about this digital camera extensively, however I nonetheless want to point out it in my weekly overview! In case you missed all of our protection, you possibly can examine the announcement, some hidden options, and our comparisons towards different cameras. I intend to get my fingers on this digital camera quickly so I can convey you my first impressions from the sphere.
The Rumor Mill
What’s subsequent from Nikon?
Trying on the Nikon lens roadmap, we see one remaining silhouette. It belongs to the long-awaited Nikon Z 35mm prime lens. From the start, it was assumed that the utmost aperture of this reportage traditional can be f/1.2. However now rumors counsel that Nikon will select an f/1.4 aperture as a substitute – making it the primary Z lens with a most aperture of f/1.4. Rumors counsel that it could possibly be launched as early as subsequent week. If the rumors change into true, what prompted Nikon to determine on f/1.4 as a substitute of f/1.2? Value, or demand for smaller measurement and weight? A 35mm f/1.2, like the one Sigma makes for L-mount and E-mount, would definitely be heavy.
By way of Nikon Rumors
Would you want a pancake?
Pancake lenses often impress neither with their pace nor optical high quality. Nonetheless, they’re well-liked due to their small measurement and low costs. In response to info on Weibo, Chinese language firm Viltrox is about to bake a 28mm f/2.8 pancake. If that occurs, it can seemingly be accessible for a variety of cameras of all widespread mounts.
New high-capacity Sony battery?
To date, I’ve solely seen one digital camera that may stand up to the wildlife taking pictures frenzy in Ecuador with a single battery per day. You may most likely guess that I’m speaking concerning the Nikon Z9. That battery is so giant, you would most likely hook it as much as your electrical automobile and drive the remaining ten miles to the closest charging station if obligatory! Now it appears that evidently Sony can be seeking to enhance the efficiency of its batteries. Apparently, nonetheless, it could solely improve the capability whereas sustaining the form of the battery. This could make them backwards-compatible with present cameras and provides them an extended “vary” on a single cost.
By way of Sony Alpha Rumors
Good Offers and New Gross sales
Are you aware what the Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 (for $4,297) and Nikon Z 800mm f/6.3 (for $5,997) have in widespread? Moreover having the identical most aperture, each telephoto lenses at the moment are discounted by $500. In case you don’t know which one to decide on, you possibly can learn our evaluations right here and right here. My decide is the shorter of the 2. It’s not solely extremely compact and light-weight (for a 600mm lens), but in addition very sharp and quick focusing.
On the lookout for a cheap and dependable wi-fi flash set off on your digital camera? For flash work, I depend on the Godox XProN TTL, which is at the moment discounted to $49 (was $69). In case you don’t have a suitable Godox flash, you’ll additionally want a Godox receiver, just like the X1R.
What must you use for making backups when touring? Positively an SSD! The SanDisk Skilled PRO-G40 is on sale proper now. It’s designed to outlive each conceivable catastrophe (effectively, aside from theft). It’s additionally Thunderbolt 3 suitable, so copying knowledge could be very quick. Obtainable choices embrace:
DxO’s twentieth birthday is an effective time to purchase its merchandise should you haven’t but. Till July 7, all DxO merchandise have a 20% low cost. My private favourite is DxO PureRAW 4, which Massimo not too long ago reviewed for you. However I additionally use the DxO Nik Assortment now and again.
Different Pages of Curiosity
The winners of the 2024 Audubon Images Awards have been introduced. See the profitable images and movies on the competition web site. Throughout the numerous classes, the unifying theme is the birds of North America.
It’s been a number of days since I attempted to {photograph} the world’s largest hummingbird, the Large Hummingbird, at round 3500 meters on the slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes. I simply discovered that I used to be photographing a brand new species to science. It seems that there are literally two species of Large Hummingbirds, as not too long ago revealed by discipline analysis and genetic evaluation. Nature is stuffed with surprises, and so they’re usually proper below our noses. You may learn extra about this within the article Scientists Uncover World’s Largest Hummingbird Hiding in Plain Sight.
And eventually, a web page that permits you to mix one thing nice with one thing helpful. On the nice facet, you should purchase any of 100 stunning wildlife images by famend photographers and have a good looking print on your house. The helpful half is that the proceeds from the sale will go to ocean conservation. You will discover out extra about this, and get a print for your self, on the 100 For the Ocean web site.
Picture Theme Problem, Week #54
Final week’s theme was one thing small, and you’ll see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody on your submissions! This week’s theme is music, and you’ll submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, June 29, 2024!
Week #54 Outcomes
Let’s take a look at a number of the pictures we obtained for the “one thing small” theme, beginning with Tom Pazol’s photograph:
Right here we now have small in its literal sense: a small little world constructed from a damaged egg shell. Properly executed and clear shot!
With PRG Lagarde’s photograph, we now have a distinct tackle small:
On this photograph, the unusually giant bench makes the particular person small. PRG offers a hyperlink to this Ponti’s Bench in case you need to go to it your self in Nantes, France.
Lastly, we now have florin’s photograph:
It’s a 3rd tackle the idea of small: utilizing perspective and distance to make the folks look tiny.
Thanks everybody for submitting their images within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the music theme.