This Friday, I had the prospect to check the brand new Nikon Z50 II in my favourite check lab – the Prague Zoo. What I appreciated (and didn’t like) about this digicam can be detailed in my upcoming Subject Overview. For now, although, right here’s somewhat teaser shot taken at an absurdly excessive ISO of 28,800. And apart from the same old Picture Theme Problem on the finish of our Information, I’ve a distinct type of problem for you. Are you able to determine the species of pigeon – with structurally coloured feathers – within the following picture?
Current Bulletins
- Artralab Comparable 35mm F1.4: Does the phrase “Comparable” within the identify consult with the Leica lens it’s attempting to emulate? You be the choose. This $530 new lens from Artralab is actually worth (the unique Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 prices $4,095). Just like the Leica lens, the Comparable options 7 components in 5 teams and 10 aperture blades. Apparently, the Comparable allows you to focus 0.2m nearer to your topic than the Leica (with a minimal focus distance of 0.8m). The lens barrel is CNC machined from a single block of aluminum. The 200-gram lens accepts 43mm filters. You possibly can select between a black or silver end.
- DJI Matrice 4 Sequence (4T and 4E): Whereas this drone could also be a bit overkill for the common person, it’s fascinating to see how a lot these small flying gadgets can do in the present day. The Matrice 4 is primarily meant for emergency response groups, geospatial surveying, building, mining, conservation analysis, and so forth. Along with three normal lenses, the drone also can carry an infrared thermal digicam, laser vary finder, or NIR auxiliary gentle. The Matrice 4 is able to recognizing sure animal species, avoiding excessive voltage energy strains, flying at evening, and far more. This superior gadget retails for $4,799 (Matrice 4E) or $7,299 (Matrice 4T).
- Satechi Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure: This new accent, unveiled at CES, addresses a couple of points with the in any other case glorious Mac Mini M4. When Apple designed the Mac mini, they didn’t wish to embody one thing as hideous as an influence button. Satechi solves this with a chic slot that allows you to energy on the gadget with out lifting it. From a useful perspective, the true spotlight is the flexibility to increase the Mac Mini’s storage by as much as 4TB of SSD (M.2 2230/2242/2260/2280), which may be mounted contained in the hub. Additionally useful are the 2 USB-A ports, a further USB-A 2.0 port, and an SD card reader. All this in a design that completely enhances the fashionable look of the Mac Mini M4. It will likely be accessible beginning mid-February for $99.
The Rumor Mill
OM System using the classic wave?
To date, OM System has appeared to keep away from the classic design sentiment that’s in style in the present day. Nonetheless, the business success of cameras just like the Fujifilm X100VI, Nikon Zf, or Leica Q3 is tough to disregard (and there are additionally rumors of a Canon try on the way in which). What about OM System? They might flip to the OM 3 and OM 4.
Each movie cameras had been launched within the first half of the Nineteen Eighties and competed with one of the best cameras of the time. The totally mechanical OM 3 was related in nature to Nikon’s FM2, and the OM 4 with its progressive “Multi Spot” metering system was extra in competitors with the Nikon F3. The design of those iconic fashions is claimed to be the muse for an upcoming OM system digicam. On the technical facet, the brand new digicam is predicted to be related (and even similar) to the present OM-1 II.
By way of 4/3 Rumors
A rumored OM System zoom with lengthy attain
New rumors recommend a quick mid-range telephoto zoom from OM System. Nonetheless, for the reason that firm already has a 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO, we must always count on one thing completely different. In response to 4/3 Rumors, the lengthy finish might be prolonged as much as 200mm. If the utmost aperture stays at f/2.8, OM System customers would have a really versatile lens on their fingers. Pairing it with a 1.4x teleconverter would lengthen the attain to a powerful 280mm at f/4, making it a wonderful selection for wildlife pictures.
By way of 4/3 Rumors
Yashica Metropolis: a reminder of what we (didn’t) love about point-and-shoot cameras
With the rise of smartphones, basic point-and-shoot cameras met the identical destiny as trilobites, dinosaurs, and the Mauritian dodo chicken. The explanation? They provided little that smartphones couldn’t do exactly as properly! Even so, there’s a current TikTok development to purchase previous compact cameras, and a few firms are responding. Yashica, for instance, is predicted to announce a digicam known as the “Metropolis” with a sensor so small that even a cellphone beats it. (For reference, it ought to have a 4.7 x 3.5 mm sensor; by comparability, the iPhone 16’s 8.2 x 6.1mm sensor is greater than 3 times the realm.) I’m not towards point-and-shoots if they provide one thing distinctive in comparison with a cellphone, however this one doesn’t look interesting in any respect.
By way of DPReview
Good Offers and New Gross sales
B&H Picture is presently working its conventional Winter Commerce-in sale, this time centered on Canon cameras and lenses. When you’re planning to improve your present (working) gear, you may commerce it in at B&H to not solely get the worth of your gear but in addition obtain as much as a $400 bonus towards the acquisition of a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and choose lenses. Right here’s the listing of eligible objects you may select from:
- Canon EOS R5 Mark II was $4,300, now $3,900
- Canon EOS R5 Mark II with 24-105mm f/4 was $5,400, now $5,000
- Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM was $2,100, now $1,900
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM was $2,100, now $1,900
- Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM was $2,800, now $2,600
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM was $2,100, now $1,900
- Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM DS was was $2,600, now $2,400
- Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM $2,300, now $2,100
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM was $2,500, now $2,300
- Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM was $2,600, now $2,400
Notice: Not too long ago, stories have surfaced that SanDisk Excessive PRO SDXC UHS-II reminiscence playing cards (64GB, 128GB, and 256GB V60) might are compatible points with the EOS R5 Mark II. When you personal these playing cards and had been planning to make use of them with the brand new digicam, contact SanDisk relating to a guaranty substitute.
The Apple Mac Mini is, because the identify suggests, a very small desktop laptop – smaller than most laptops. After all, you’ll want peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, however I can simply think about taking it alongside when shifting between your private home and your workplace. At the moment, the earlier model with the M2 or M2 Professional chip is presently accessible at a fairly enticing value. Plus, with the earlier era Satechi Stand & Hub, which lets you add as much as 4TB of SSD storage (see above), you don’t should pay a fortune for the upper storage variations.
- Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 10-Core CPU, 16-Core GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) was $1,900, now $1,500
- Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 10-Core CPU, 16-Core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) was $1,300, now $1,000
- Apple Mac mini (M2, 8-Core CPU, 10-Core GPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) was $800, now $530
- Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 10-Core CPU, 16-Core GPU, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD) was $1,700, now $1,450
- Apple Mac mini (M2 Professional, 10-Core CPU, 16-Core GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) was $1,500, now $1,300
Different Pages of Curiosity
The Nikon Z9 is a digicam that may survive comparatively tough therapy, as I’ve inadvertently verified a number of instances in apply. As a part of the upcoming Artemis III mission, the Z9 can even show its capacity to outlive on the lunar floor. You can learn concerning the checks of the protecting “spacesuit” for this digicam earlier on this web site. And in the event you had the prospect to go to Nikon’s sales space at CES in Los Angeles prior to now few days, you might see it for your self. The aim of the thermal blanket is to guard the digicam from the mud and excessive temperature modifications within the moon’s atmosphere.
Come to consider it, I as soon as borrowed a Nikon D5 by Nikon Skilled Service (NPS). The digicam had simply returned from the Dakar Rally with Marian Chytka, and it was nonetheless spilling sand once I acquired it. I can’t assist however suppose {that a} lunar blanket could be simply as helpful right here on Earth! Marian and his group are presently photographing this 12 months’s version of the identical grueling rally. You possibly can learn an interview about what it’s prefer to {photograph} the Dakar Rally and take a look at Marian’s beautiful pictures on the Megapixel web site.
Yesterday, in a considerably joking tone, I had a debate with a buddy about what it means to shoot or edit photographs as knowledgeable photographer. Does a professional press completely different buttons on the digicam? Do they use secret “skilled” slider combos and methods of their enhancing software program that amateurs don’t have entry to? Or do they simply really feel extra stress whereas taking pictures, understanding that their household would possibly go hungry in the event that they don’t get the shot? Actually, we haven’t come to a definitive reply. What I’m nearly sure of, although, is that what Tim Laman goes by to get a singular shot is one thing no informal newbie would ever endure.
Picture Theme Problem, Week #84
Final week’s theme was metallic, and you may see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody on your submissions! This week’s theme is near dwelling, and you may submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, January 18, 2024!
Week #83 Outcomes
This picture by Pieter Kers reveals the metallic skeleton of the ING constructing underneath building:
I like the bizarre view and the attractive gentle.
Subsequent we’ve a photograph from rjbfoto with some very cool metallic main strains:
Rjbofoto says that this picture reveals the legendary tram quantity 28 in Lisbon – good work.
Lastly, a pair of attention-grabbing metallic photographs by Andrew Gusew (first picture) and Darin Marcus (second picture). Would you consider that these are two completely different photographers taking photographs of two completely completely different topics? Very attention-grabbing work!
Thanks everybody for submitting their photographs within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the near dwelling theme.