Right now, I’ve two issues touchdown for you – an Ecuadorian Hillstar on a Chuquiraga flower, and one other spherical of images information. And shortly, chances are you’ll learn my first impressions of the brand new Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 lens, presumably as early as subsequent week. If luck is on my aspect, I’d even get my fingers on all of Nikon’s current 35mm lenses for a direct comparability. I’ve little doubt that it’s going to be one other thrilling and fascinating week!
Latest Bulletins
- Vanguard LVL Common Tripod Levelling Adaptors: Having a leveled tripod may be helpful for capturing panoramas or recording movies. The brand new Vanguard LVL Sequence incorporates a common leveling system that may be connected to any tripod beneath the tripod head. Relying on weight of your gear, you possibly can select from 5 LVL tripod adaptors, starting from a diameter of 42mm (20kg load capability) to 72mm (40kg load capability). It provides between 115g and 355g to the burden of your tripod, with costs from $70 to $127.
- MoveMic 88+: A flexible wi-fi microphone that may join on to a cellular system by way of the MOTIV Video or Audio apps – or to a digital camera, laptop, or exterior recorder by way of the optionally available MoveMic Receiver (3.5mm jack, USB-C, or wirelessly by way of 2.4GHz). The built-in battery lasts as much as 8 hours of recording. The standalone microphone is priced at $299, whereas the bundle with the receiver prices $449.
- Peak Design Curler Professional with XL Digicam Dice: For individuals who desire rolling their gear on wheels moderately than carrying it on their backs. The dimensions complies with most airline carry-on baggage limits (36cm x 23-28cm x 56cm). The hybrid development incorporates a inflexible polycarbonate shell (inside) and a sturdy, weatherproof cloth (outdoors). Alongside the curler, Peak Design additionally launched a brand new XL Digicam Dice, which is somewhat bigger than the prevailing “L” measurement. The Curler Professional will likely be obtainable on Kickstarter in black, sage, and eclipse colours beginning at $425 (full value will likely be $600). The XL Digicam Dice will likely be priced at $140.
The Rumor Mill
The golden period of quick 35mm lenses
A minimum of, that’s the way it appears when lately introduced lenses. The avalanche began with Nikon’s 35mm f/1.2 S, rapidly adopted by Viltrox with its LAB 35mm f/1.2. And this week, Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki hinted that we will quickly anticipate a extra compact, lighter, and optically refined model of their current 35mm f/1.2 lens. Sadly, the obtainable mounts will possible be restricted to Sony E and Leica L for now.
By way of L Rumors
Sigma is planning a “very severe digital camera”
The lately introduced Sigma BF stands for “stunning foolishness,” referring to a line from Okura Tenshin’s The Guide of Tea. Nevertheless, Sigma has lenses in its portfolio that deserve a very severe digital camera, and primarily based on a current interview with PetaPixel, CEO Kazuto Yamaki agrees. Whether or not such a digital camera will ever be launched, and whether or not it should use the Foveon sensor that has been in growth for nearly a decade, stays to be seen.
By way of PetaPixel
Seemingly quick 21mm lens for M-mount
Leica cameras have been having fun with outstanding success recently, with file gross sales and a rising curiosity of third-party lens producers. One of many newest additions to this ecosystem might quickly be a 21mm wide-angle lens from Thypoch, lately showcased on the CP+ commerce present: the Thypoch Simera 21mm f/1.4. Whereas there are not any particulars obtainable about this lens but, it’s anticipated to supply a superb worth, particularly with Leica’s personal comparable ones costing $9,195.
By way of Leica Rumors
Panasonic considers new fixed-lens digital camera
Over the previous decade, smartphones have been one of many predominant causes for the drastic decline of the skilled digital camera business. Nevertheless, I don’t see their impression as solely unfavourable. Many customers have been launched to a pastime they could by no means have found in any other case. And from this huge pool of smartphone photographers, a pure subset has emerged: those that need one thing as moveable as a telephone, however higher in high quality. Fastened-lens cameras could possibly be simply the answer, as evidenced by the success of the Fujifilm X100VI, Leica Q3, and Ricoh GR III. Will Panasonic be the following model to leap in? In response to a CP+ interview with Panasonic executives, it’s on their radar.
By way of Picture Rumors
Good Offers and New Gross sales
Final week, I wrote about tripods and monopods. Right now, I’ve some offers for you in each classes.
Relating to supplies, I’m personally a giant fan of carbon fiber for its lighter weight. Nevertheless, high-quality aluminum fashions may also do a terrific job if you happen to’re keen to forgive them a couple of further ounces. So, which fashions are presently obtainable at a great value?
Tripods
- Gitzo GT3543XLS Systematic Sequence 3 was $1,292, now $1,100
- Gitzo GT3542L Mountaineer Sequence 3 was $1,411, now $1,100
- Gitzo GT2542 Mountaineer Sequence 2 was $1,213, now $912
- Gitzo GT1542 Mountaineer Sequence 1 was $1,080, now $800
- Fotopro E6 Eagle Sequence Tripod Equipment was $1,200, now $600
- Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 was $500, now $400
- Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 was $500, now $330
- Manfrotto MT190CXPRO3 was $475, now $200
Monopods
The one factor left is to decide on the best head. As a wildlife photographer, the next three heads curiosity me for his or her suitability with supertelephoto lenses:
Different Pages of Curiosity
“I’m not every thing I need to be.” Don’t fear, these phrases didn’t come from a deep existential disaster that I’m having. As a substitute, that is the title of a brand new movie by Klára Tasovská about documentary photographer Marie Jarcovjáková. The movie is a documentary and a life story primarily based on Jarcovjáková’s diaries. What makes it outstanding is that, regardless of being a movie, the whole story is advised by static pictures that the photographer captured over a long time of her each day work. You possibly can watch the trailer right here. (A small behind-the-scenes element about Marie’s images: one among her favourite cameras was the compact fixed-lens Olympus Mju.)
This 12 months, Leica cameras are celebrating their one centesimal anniversary. Probably the most defining second of Leica’s historical past was the very starting – the introduction of 35mm movie as a recording medium. This format, now referred to as full-frame, stays the gold commonplace to today. And the cameras that began all of it had been the Leica 0 prototypes. In June 2025, Leitz Photographica Public sale will as soon as once more be promoting a 0-Sequence digital camera, this time No. 112. For sure, it received’t come low cost. Three years in the past, 0-series No. 105 offered for 14.4 million euros, making it the most costly digital camera on the earth.
The BBC Earth and BBC Earth Discover YouTube channels now function a brand new sequence of quick documentaries by younger artists devoted to wildlife images referred to as In Search of Nature. The first episode takes viewers to the endangered Atlantic Rainforest, the place you’ll see 27-year-old skilled photographer and information Nicole Carneiro at work. In this part, you’ll see not solely how she units up her digital camera and captures her photographs of endangered birds, but in addition how she edits them. Future episodes will take us to the U.S., Kenya, India, and different places around the globe.
Picture Theme Problem, Week #92
Final week’s theme was wild animals, and you may see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody on your submissions! This week’s theme is panorama, and you may submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, March 16, 2025!
Week #91 Outcomes
Let’s try among the photographs we obtained for the “wild animals” theme, beginning with rjbfoto’s picture:
What a dramatic portrait! rjbfoto writes, “It was one among my most fascinating hours, once I visited the mountain gorillas in Bwindi nationwide park in Uganda.”
Ted Stump despatched in a photograph for the primary time:
Two totally different species framed so properly like that is such a uncommon second in wildlife images. Nicely carried out
Mark Fulton’s picture:
Mark writes, “Nicely, *I* assume bugs rely as wild animals.” They certainly do!
Lastly, we’ve Mauro70’s picture:
Mauro captured a really cute second of those sea otters with a peaceful and pleasing background.
Thanks everybody for submitting their images within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the panorama theme.