What can deal with its prey higher – the American Harris’s Hawk, the European Golden Eagle, or the Japanese Nikon D6? And the way does the brand new Nikon Z 35mm f/1.4 carry out within the discipline? I sought solutions to those and different questions whereas photographing birds of prey yesterday. I’ll share my findings with you quickly. Within the meantime, here’s a small pattern photograph, and, most significantly, one other weekly roundup of pictures information.
Latest Bulletins
- Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.: The final lacking piece of Leica’s trio of f/2.8 lenses was introduced along with the Leica Extender L 2.0x (the L 1.4x was launched earlier). The optical building of the lens consists of 20 parts organized in 15 teams. It has mud and splash proofing, and a pleasant element is the detachable Arca-Swiss suitable tripod foot. The minimal focusing distance is 0.65m (1:5.1 magnification). With a weight of 1540g, it’s on the heavier facet because of the all-metal tube. The identical goes for the worth, which is $3,295. The massive draw back? This has the identical optics because the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 Sport, which sells for $1500 in the identical mount.
- Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Artwork: An f/2.8 zoom with a formidable vary – obtainable for Sony E and Leica L mounts, however harkening to Canon’s RF 24-105mm f/2.8. (The brand new Sigma will not be fairly as vast because the Canon, but it surely prices half the worth and is 310 grams lighter.) The magnesium barrel extends when zooming, and is provided with a zoom lock swap. There’s a de-clickable aperture ring and two programmable buttons. The lens design is mud and splash resistant. The minimal focusing distance is a formidable 0.45m (1:3.1 magnification). Worth is $1,499.
- Peak Design Out of doors Line: Peak Design has introduced a brand new line on Kickstarter that features two new backpacks (45L and 25L), two Out of doors Slings (7L and 2L) and Ultralight (Mesh) Packing Cubes (sizes from 12L to 1L). If I deal with the primary variations of the 45L pack in comparison with the present Journey Backpack 45L, they’re: High entry to the pack with expandable flex house, a twine hook carry system, redesigned buckles, anatomically formed shoulder straps with massive pockets, load lifters with ladder system for strap fitment, 4 facet flex pockets, water bladder compatibility, and a bunch of different particulars. The stowable hip belt and naturally digicam dice compatibility (XS to L) have been retained. Obtainable in January 2025.
- GoPro HERO13 Black: It has the identical sensor (5.3K60/4K120/2.7K240 video, 27MP pictures) because the earlier technology, however there are a selection of different enhancements. Video can now be shot in Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) HDR. Maybe the largest {hardware} innovation is the flexibility to vary the sphere of view with three lenses (Extremely Large, Macro and Anamorphic). Additionally new are 4 ND filters with ND elements of 4, 8, 16 and 32x. The non-compulsory “Contacto Magnetic Door and Energy Cable Equipment” permits the digicam to be powered by an exterior energy provide. Built-in GPS returns to the Hero 13, and the battery capability is 10% larger. The worth is $400. GoPro additionally introduced a miniature brother of the 13, the GoPro HERO Compact, for $200.
The Rumor Mill
Leica to announce the M11-D
After an extended wait, it seems like subsequent week Leica will announce the brand new technology of its minimalistic mannequin, the M11-D. We will count on that it’s going to get a 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor like the opposite M11s. Nonetheless, the listing of different options might be quite brief. When you’ve got a second, let’s listing all of them: Aperture, shutter velocity, ISO and focus (guide after all). So, that’s it. One of many fundamental traits of the digicam is that it’s 100% chimping-proof, because it has no rear show. As a substitute, it is going to have a pleasant analog wheel to set the ISO. It can additionally make it very straightforward for customers to decide on the picture format, as the one choice might be DNG (uncooked). What extra may a photographer need for an estimated €9,350?
Through Leica Rumors
Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 quickly obtainable for Canon
The Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Up to date will not be new below the solar. The truth is, it was introduced virtually a 12 months in the past. At the moment, it was just for cameras with L-mount, Sony E-mount, and Fuji X-mount. Nonetheless, on September 26, a model for Canon cameras might be launched. Canon already has a lens with the identical vary and sells it for an inexpensive $299. So why would anybody need to purchase a third-party lens that prices greater than twice as a lot? The reply is the f/2.8 aperture. Although it lacks the picture stabilization of Canon’s RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6.
Through Sigma
Fujifilm X-Professional: The Legend Continues?
It’s been virtually 5 years since Fujifilm introduced the X-Pro3 – a digicam whose design was a bit just like the Contax G2 movie digicam, a bit just like the Leica M-series cameras, and a bit like its personal extremely profitable X-100 collection. The X-Execs have been (I exploit the previous tense as a result of you possibly can’t get new ones anymore) APS-C rangefinder cameras with interchangeable lenses. It seems like Fujifilm, which is now firmly established within the area of interest of retro cameras, is about to roll out a brand new technology of this digicam. To this point, solely details about a greater hybrid viewfinder has been leaked. Senior product/coaching Supervisor Billy Luong (Fuji Man) mentioned a while in the past that the brand new X-Professional “wants to face out a bit” and that it must have “one thing particular.” What particular Fujifilm will provide you with, we will solely guess for the time being.
Through Fuji Rumors
Good Offers and New Gross sales
Nostalgia for the fading summer time is perhaps eased by Nikon’s end-of-summer offers, which might prevent as much as $4800 on a brand new lens or $1000 on a brand new digicam. Personally, I’m trying ahead to when the temperatures drop and the leaves begin to change their colours. Possibly some new gear will turn out to be useful for the upcoming photographic harvest. Which of Nikon’s gross sales caught my eye probably the most?
Cameras
Is the Z9 too massive and costly, however don’t need to compromise on AF velocity or sensor high quality? The reply is the Nikon Z8 for $3,697 (was $3,997). For the cash you save, purchase two or three batteries and also you principally get a Z9 in a small physique.
The Nikon Z7 II for $1,997 (was $2,997) is an efficient alternative for these photographers for whom picture high quality and excessive decision are paramount. Panorama, structure, macro – these are the genres during which this digicam excels. Should you’re a hen photographer, you’ll in all probability need to look elsewhere. However a $1000 sale is fairly tempting in case you don’t {photograph} quick motion.
The Nikon Z6 II for $1,497 (was $1,997) is a good all-around digicam that handles a wide range of photographic genres, although it additionally wouldn’t be my first alternative for one thing like wildlife pictures. As a substitute, its wonderful low-light efficiency makes it excellent for avenue, reportage, portrait, and journey pictures. It’s additionally an excellent digicam for taking pictures video.
The Nikon Z5 for $997 (was $1,397) is Nikon’s most cost-effective full-frame digicam, however it’s no slouch. It doesn’t love high-speed wildlife or sports activities pictures. Video isn’t its strongest level both. Nonetheless, if you’d like a cheap full-frame digicam to get nice low-light efficiency and shallow depth of discipline, there’s a lot to love.
Lenses
That is in all probability one of many final alternatives to purchase new supertelephoto lenses for Nikon’s F mount (though used ones might be obtainable for for much longer). At these reductions, nevertheless, the costs on a few of these DSLR lenses are akin to what you’d discover on a “like new” used model. Right here you possibly can see the complete vary of discounted lenses. Beneath is my private choice of the most effective offers, together with each F and Z mounts.
- Nikon AF-S 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR (was $16,297, now $11,497)
- Nikon AF-S 600mm f/4E FL ED VR (was $12,297, now $8,697)
- Nikon AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (was $11,197, now $7,897)
- Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4E FL ED VR (was $10,297, now $7,297)
- Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S (was $4,797, now $4,297)
- Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S (was $3,247, now $2,997)
- Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.4E ED (was $1,997, now $1,397)
- Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S (was $2,497, now $2,097)
- Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S (was $1,347, now $1,147)
- Nikon Z 17-28mm f/2.8 (was $1,197, now $997)
Different Pages of Curiosity
David Tipling is the creator of twenty-two books on birds and hen pictures. Two weeks in the past, on this web site I advised you about Tomas Grim’s upcoming e-book full of fantastic tales from the world of feathered creatures. Should you like each the tales and the pictures, Tipling’s e-book A Chicken Photographer’s Diary will captivate you not solely with its wonderful photographs, but additionally with the accompanying textual content. Get pleasure from studying it.
Everybody likes butterflies, proper? However what if we magnified them 40x, 1500x, and even 3700x? Should you did, an average-sized butterfly may simply cowl two soccer fields with its wings. A bit scary, however alternatively, it could enable us to look at the fragile buildings which can be answerable for a lot of the butterfly’s colours. If you’re on this matter, take a look at Peter Jan Juracka’s pictures for his article Electron Microscope Tales 4: The Great thing about Butterfly Wings.
Photograph Theme Problem, Week #65
Final week’s theme was mist, and you may see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody to your submissions! This week’s theme is solar, and you may submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, September 14, 2024!
Week #65 Outcomes
Let’s take a look at a number of the photographs we obtained for the “mist” theme, beginning with rjbfoto’s photograph:
Right here, we have now a gorgeous illustration of the softening impact of mist. A easy scene is made even less complicated, protecting solely the barest necessities.
Subsequent, let’s have a look at dave’s photograph:
Now, we have now a much less misty scene, which nonetheless exhibits extra element and provides good sunbeams to a peaceful forest scene.
Lastly, let’s check out John Graybosch’s photograph:
The blue and purple tones mix superbly collectively, and the discernible outlines of the wisps of mist complement the scene with the movement of evaporation. Good!
Thanks everybody for submitting their pictures within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the solar theme.