Final week, we revealed my first impressions of the brand new Nikon Z5 II. This Monday, I spent one other day with this digicam to refine and ensure my emotions. And sure, I feel I’m fairly assured now. You don’t want a deep checking account to {photograph} wildlife as of late, even on full-frame. I’m actually joyful that this nice interest is changing into extra reasonably priced.
What else did this week carry by way of pictures information? Let’s have a look.
Latest Bulletins
- SongRaw AF 50mm f/1.2 Moonlit: Debut of an autofocus-equipped, super-fast lens from a brand new Chinese language firm, designed for cameras with E, L, and Z mounts. The lens has a declickable aperture ring, an AF/MF change and, like Sony’s 50mm f/1.2, a comparatively modest 72mm filter thread (Nikon’s is 82mm). Contained in the aluminum barrel are 15 optical components organized in 10 teams (together with 2 aspherical). Weighing in at 900g, it’s about midway between the Nikon and Sony. Nonetheless, the lens will lighten your pockets significantly lower than any of its opponents. The anticipated value of round $1,000 is about half the value of both of its rivals.
- ProGrade Digital PG30 Extremely Moveable and ProGrade Digital PG10.5 Professional Mini SSDs: A longtime reminiscence card producer has entered the market with two fashions of transportable SSDs. The smaller of the 2, the PG30, is comparable in form and dimension to an ordinary flash drive. It’s obtainable with capacities starting from 500GB to 2TB and write speeds of 1000MB/s. The bigger PG10.5 resembles ProGrade’s personal card reader and is accessible in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities, with switch speeds of as much as 4000MB/s. The 1TB model is priced at $140 for the PG30 and $180 for the PG10.5.
- Lexar Armor Gold UHS-II SDXC: In my expertise, Lexar used to have issues with the mechanical sturdiness of its playing cards. This appears to be a factor of the previous. Its new Armor Gold line (capacities from 64GB to 1TB) can take lots of actually tough remedy. Its stainless-steel casing is marketed as being 37 occasions stronger than an ordinary SD card, and Lexar says it has been examined to resist a power of 370 Newtons. Speeds are roughly the basic 280MB/s learn and 205MB/s write. The 256GB gold customary prices $120.
The Rumor Mill
Fujifilm is making ready a brand new half-frame digicam
It seems like the brand new vertical half-frame format is changing into the brand new customary. After the Pentax 17 movie digicam, which was launched in June 2024, Fujifilm could possibly be quickly to announce a digicam with the identical format. The primary distinction is that whereas the Pentax makes use of 35mm movie, the Fujifilm will shoot on a Sony digital sensor.
A photograph posted on Fuji Addict reveals a really basic, virtually Leica-like design. Nonetheless, the highest dial will not be used for shutter pace, however just for publicity compensation (+/- 3EV). Like Pentax, Fujifilm will likely be concentrating on much less superior photographers preferring a trendy design, small dimension and easy controls.
The lens with a most aperture of f/2.4 is rumored to be both a 14-25mm zoom or a 17.5mm prime. Considering the 2x crop issue, the focal size can be equal to 28-50mm or a 35mm prime. The lens has a noticeable aperture ring. The leaked picture additionally reveals the presence of a flash, sizzling shoe, prime show, microphones and viewfinder.
By way of Fuji Addict
Canon super-telephoto zoom: the rumor odyssey continues
It’s been a few years now since rumors of Canon’s much-anticipated super-telephoto zoom lens began spreading across the Web. Some might even have noticed it within the discipline. A real unicorn of a lens. Everyone seems to be speaking about it, however few have truly seen it.
Initially, it was going to be the RF 200-500mm f/4L IS USM. Then, maybe as an expression of wishful considering, the lens was to get a built-in zoom. Later, the anticipated most aperture of f/4 was pessimistically downgraded, and there was additionally no extra speak about built-in teleconverter. So what are the present expectations for the long run lens?
The hypothetical upcoming lens must be the RF 300-600mm f/5.6L IS USM. If that is to be the final model, I feel a lens like this can fly off the cabinets like hotcakes. The truth is, the same lens is tough to seek out in Canon’s line-up – a center floor between value, attain, and most aperture. I suppose even the load of such a lens could possibly be safely properly under the psychological restrict of 3kg. If that is the ultimate model, I feel I’d prefer it. What about you?
By way of Canon Rumors
Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB for Nikon subsequent week
Viltrox is anticipated to formally announce its super-fast 35mm lens of its flagship LAB collection subsequent week. The lens will characteristic programmable buttons, an aperture ring, a color show, and a 77mm filter thread. Sony customers had been initially anticipated to be first in line. Nonetheless, it now seems like Nikon shooters will get to see it on the similar time. And whereas we’re within the Rumor Mill part, maybe I can reveal that you simply’ll be capable of learn a evaluate of the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 on Pictures Life quickly. Will probably be very attention-grabbing to match it with the anticipated Viltrox newcomer.
By way of Nikon Rumors and Photograph Rumors
Good Offers and New Gross sales
Canon is reportedly going to answer Trump’s “legendary” tariffs by elevating its US costs within the close to future. If that occurs, any value at which you’ll presently purchase something from Canon may look like an excellent deal in hindsight. For now, although, I’ve picked out a couple of cameras and lenses that deviate from regular pricing in a consumer-friendly course.
Each B&H and Adorama are closed this week for Passover and can reopen April 21. You possibly can nonetheless add gadgets to your cart, however I’m together with Amazon hyperlinks for the merchandise under at this time in case you want the gear to reach sooner.
Cameras
- Canon EOS R3 was $4,999, now $3,999 (at Amazon)
- Canon EOS R5 Mark II was $4,299, now $3,999 (at Amazon)
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II was $2,199, now $1,999 (at Amazon)
- Canon EOS R8 was $1,499, now $1,299 (at Amazon)
- Canon EOS R7 was $1,619, now $1,519 (at Amazon)
Lenses
- Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L was $2,899, now $2,699 (at Amazon)
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L was $2,799, now $2,599 (at Amazon)
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/4 L was $1,599, now $1,499 (at Amazon)
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L was $2,399, now $2,199 (at Amazon)
- Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L was $3,099, now $2,899 (at Amazon)
- Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L was $2,399, now $2,199 (at Amazon)
- Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 was $549, now $449 (at Amazon)
- Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L was $1,399, now $1,299 (at Amazon)
- Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L was $2,099, now $1,899 (at Amazon)
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L was $2,299, now $2,199 (at Amazon)
Different Pages of Curiosity
Jim Brandenburg’s beautiful images had been an enormous and seemingly unreachable inspiration for me after I was simply beginning out with a digicam – and truthfully, they nonetheless are. Once I shut my eyes, I can clearly see that iconic picture of a white wolf leaping throughout ice floes someplace within the Arctic. Sadly, he handed away this week at age 79. Who is aware of what distant and wild worlds he’s photographing now. As a memorial to his expertise, you possibly can take pleasure in a few of his earthly works right here on this web page. Not sufficient? I additionally advocate this inspiring video “Chased by the Mild: A Photographic Journey with Jim Brandenburg“.
I feel it’s essential to at all times have one thing to look ahead to – a kind of “carrot” dangling in entrance of us to get us via the on a regular basis routine. This week I hung a kind of candy carrots proper in entrance of my very own eyes. Don’t fear, you’ll get an opportunity to take a chew if you’d like. A number of days in the past I made plans to go taking pictures within the Alps with the improbable Austrian photographer Bernhard Schubert. And, in fact, I’ll take my digicam to movie one other episode of our on-line workshop collection, the place one other award-winning wildlife photographer will share some information and strategies with our readers.
A current article from Canon Rumors provides a complete new which means to the time period ‘breaking information’. The Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM lens has shortly develop into a well-liked telephoto selection amongst Canon shooters given the sheer attain and $1900 value. Sadly, there have now been a couple of studies of this telephoto zoom actually breaking in two items. In a single case, it even occurred inside a closed digicam bag (whose proprietor didn’t fall off a cliff with it). To Canon’s credit score, they took accountability and changed the broken piece, and presumably they’re trying into the causes and potential options for future copies of this lens.
Photograph Theme Problem, Week #97
Final week’s theme was night time, and you’ll see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody to your submissions! This week’s theme is leaves, and you’ll submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, April 19, 2024!
Week #96 Outcomes
Let’s try a few of the photographs we obtained for the “night time” theme, beginning with Mauro70’s picture:
I like the best way the foreground is made outstanding by the hundreds of fireflies!
vanaf141414’s picture:
The northern lights are a basic a part of night time pictures, and right here they result in a comfy home within the chilly.
AndrewGusew’s picture:
The timber coated in snow appeal to essentially the most consideration, and I like how there’s an echo of a tree within the vibrant disc of the moon. Good!
Thanks everybody for submitting their pictures within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the leaves theme.