Migrating winter birds haven’t but arrived at their breeding grounds, however for some birds, courtship is already in full swing. Many owls, together with the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) on this picture, are on the peak of their mating season. Take a stroll in a park or forest after sundown, and chances are you’ll effectively hear the sounds of those magnificent nocturnal hunters. Their flight is as silent as ever, however their far-reaching hoots now enliven the darkness of the forest. What else are you able to hear this week? Maybe some information from the pictures world.
Current Bulletins
- Canon PowerShot V1: Some extent-and-shoot digital camera with an built-in 8.2-25.6mm f/2.8-4.5 lens and a surprisingly massive sensor: 18.4 x 12.3mm (1.4″-Sort). That is about the identical measurement as Micro 4 Thirds (although a 2×3 facet ratio) and offers the lens a 16-50mm equal focal size. It’s a pleasant and compact (379g) alternative to hold alongside if you want one thing small. Canon has added some higher-end video options, together with a totally articulating LCD, 4K/60p video (although with a 1.4x crop), and 10-bit Canon Log3. Video is feasible as much as two hours constantly, and really curiously, there’s a built-in 3EV impartial density filter. The digital camera is anticipated to be accessible in April 2025, with pricing but to be introduced.
- Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens: The fifth member of the Leica Traditional Line is greatest suited to rangefinders just like the M11-P. Its brass barrel design takes inspiration from the first-generation mannequin launched in 1959, whereas the optical method (7 parts in 5 teams) stays trustworthy to the second era from 1962. Technological developments are mirrored in using trendy optical glass and coatings. The lens accepts 46mm filters and comes with a steel hood. Value is $3,895.
- Voigtlander Colour-Skopar 35mm f/3.5: Cosina describes this new VM-mount lens (appropriate with Leica M) as a “light-weight and compact wide-angle lens with the newest optical design.” With a size of simply 14mm from the mount, a 34mm filter measurement, and a weight of solely 99g, its compactness is really exceptional. Attaching the steel lens hood almost doubles its size. The optical design consists of 6 parts in 4 teams, together with one double-sided aspheric component and three anomalous partial-dispersion parts. The lens shall be accessible in silver and black for round $680.
- DJI RS 4 Mini: The lightest member of the DJI video gimbal household (890g / 2.0lb) can deal with smartphones (with the brand new telephone holder) and mirrorless cameras weighing as much as 2kg (4.4lb). The elective RS Clever Monitoring Module permits for straightforward topic monitoring. You may function your digital camera instantly from the gimbal, together with energy zoom in case your lens has it. The 3100mAh battery supplies as much as 13 hours of runtime. The DJI RS 4 Mini is priced at $369, whereas the Combo Equipment is on the market for $459.
The Rumor Mill
First leaked picture of the Lumix S1R II
A picture has leaked, probably from one of many influencers invited by Panasonic to Norway for an early hands-on with the Lumix S1R II. Don’t count on an excessive amount of from the hyperlink beneath – the picture high quality is on par with customary sightings of the Yeti and Loch Ness Monster. Nonetheless, it serves as stable proof that the official announcement is simply across the nook.
Primarily based on rumored specs, the S1R II is anticipated to characteristic a 44 MP “excessive pace” sensor, 176 MP Excessive Res mode, 40/10 FPS digital/mechanical shutter, 8 stops picture stabilization, 1.5 second pre-capture, 8k 30p (4K 120p with out crop), multi-angle display screen much like the Sony A9 III/A1 II, a weather-sealed and ventilated physique, a measurement corresponding to the S5 II (only a tiny bit thicker), and tally lights on each the back and front of the digital camera. All that for a worth round $3,500. The anticipated announcement is February 25.
By way of L Rumors and 4/3 Rumors
First picture of the upcoming supertelephoto from OM System
OM System simply up to date their lens roadmap and included a really small picture of an upcoming supertelephoto. What does the picture present? The lens appears to be white! That’s a uncommon incidence within the OM lineup. Up to now, the one “massive white” lens is the 150-400mm f/4.5 TC 1.25 IS PRO, priced at $7,500. This new telephoto zoom is anticipated to cowl shorter focal lengths, in all probability round 50-200mm (100-400mm full-frame equal), with an estimated aperture of f/2.8. If you happen to’re already saving up, you’ve nonetheless acquired a while – the lens is anticipated to be accessible close to the tip of 2025.
By way of 4/3 Rumors
Zeiss Otus for Z-mount
It appears that evidently the hypothesis and wishful considering of many photographers is about to return true. On February twenty fifth at 8:00 AM ET, Zeiss will unveil an up to date lineup of its legendary Otus lenses, which ought to embrace an Otus ML 50mm f/1.4 and, fairly probably, an Otus ML 85mm f/1.4.
Along with the anticipated Sony E-mount model, these lenses are additionally rumored to be appropriate with Canon and Nikon mirrorless methods. The lenses are anticipated to value £2,100 (50mm) and £2,350 (85mm).
By way of Nikon Rumors
Good Offers and New Gross sales
For on a regular basis workplace work, a fundamental pc monitor suffices. Nonetheless, the scenario is completely totally different on the subject of picture or video enhancing, the place coloration vary and accuracy are key. Listed here are three displays on sale at present with very broad coloration gamuts – the final one being an particularly whole lot for those who don’t thoughts a 1920×1200 pixel monitor:
Contemplating a brand new digital camera backpack for the upcoming season? You then would possibly like certainly one of these 4 choices which are at the moment on sale. The Vanguard pack is specialised for carrying lengthy telephoto lenses. The F-Cease Gear backpack, paired with the big PRO ICU insert, can accommodate nearly any digital camera gear comfortably for backpacking. In the meantime, the 2 choices from NYA-EVO and MindShift are greatest described as versatile on a regular basis backpacks for standard-sized digital camera kits.
Different Pages of Curiosity
I’m certain you understand the basic Jungle E book, the place the evil tiger Shere Khan was equally matched with Baloo the bear, Mowgli’s protector. Fortunately for them, Shere Khan wasn’t a Siberian tiger. A male Siberian tiger can weigh over 300 kg (660 lbs), making them the world’s largest cat. Bear meat makes up about 10% of their diets. On this compilation of path digital camera footage captured by Chinese language researchers, you may see a tiger pursuing a bear very like a home cat pursues a mouse.
Greater than two-thirds of our planet’s floor is roofed by water. And photographically, the alternatives beneath the floor are virtually as plentiful as these above. The sheer fantastic thing about the profitable pictures from Underwater Photographer of the Yr 2025 took my breath away. You’ll probably admire that, alongside the profitable pictures, you too can watch movies the place the photographers share the tales behind their award-winning pictures.
As soon as once more, let’s concentrate on nature within the Nature in Focus picture contest. Throughout my journey to Sri Lanka, I witnessed the respectful relationship the predominantly Buddhist inhabitants has with the pure world. However even there, issues are removed from excellent. The profitable collection, Trapped Between Worlds, by Sri Lankan photographer Supun Dilshan, is a testomony to this. His poignant pictures doc the implications of conflicts between the island’s largest land mammals, elephants, and the ever-expanding human inhabitants.
Photograph Theme Problem, Week #90
Final week’s theme was breaking guidelines, and you’ll see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody in your submissions! This week’s theme is tender, and you’ll submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, March 2!
Week #89 Outcomes
Let’s take a look at a few of the pictures we acquired for the “breaking guidelines” theme, beginning with Mark Fulton’s picture:
Though this picture is of a leaf, it clearly additionally has an summary high quality that’s considerably disturbing. Mark says, “Balanced composition??? What if it isn’t SUPPOSED to be balanced?”
Bhoward’s picture:
About this one, Bhoward mentioned, “Backlit. Shot via glass. Crow is on the opposite facet of a limb at a distance. Excessive(ish) ISO. Background intersects with the topic in some disturbing methods. Odd wing placement for the crow. But it surely does have rule of 3rds… so not completely out of order. NEVER MORE! (Poe reference.)” I discover it fascinating how the general picture high quality degradation in varied methods is remarkably uniform! It’s a fantastic and moody picture.
Tom Pazol’s picture:
Tom writes, “Used tungsten white steadiness outside!” I believed the colour impact was fairly fascinating.
Thanks everybody for submitting their photographs within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the tender theme.