We regularly have a tendency to hunt out hanging topics elsewhere, whereas hidden gems are proper beneath our noses simply ready to be found. This week, whereas spending time with photographer Petr Jan Juračka, I had the once-in-a-lifetime likelihood to carry an enormous vertebra from the most important Triceratops skeleton ever discovered. The very subsequent day, I headed out into the streets of Prague to seize pattern photographs for our upcoming Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 evaluation. It’s all the time fascinating to be a vacationer in your personal metropolis, attempting to see acquainted scenes with recent eyes. And whereas I used to be having these experiences, the images world continued alongside – right here’s what it introduced us this week.
Current Bulletins
- Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB for Z-mount: Sony customers have been having fun with this lens for some time now, and now it’s Nikon’s flip. The focal size and aperture are the identical because the Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, however the lenses differ in loads of particulars. As an illustration, regardless of having two fewer components, the Viltrox is considerably heavier (1265g vs. 995g). It might probably additionally focus 10cm nearer (0.72m vs. 0.82m). And the largest distinction is the value – the Viltrox is available in at $899, whereas Nikon’s Plena prices $2,497. How do these variations translate into real-world efficiency? We’ll let you already know quickly.
- Novachips CFExpress 4.0 Kind A and Kind B: Korean reminiscence playing cards provide a beautiful steadiness of value, capability, and pace relative to extra common manufacturers. These from Novachips all have a VPG 400 certification, guaranteeing a minimal sustained write pace of 400 MB/s. The playing cards are available two sequence – Excessive and Categorical. Merely put, Excessive provides larger efficiency, whereas Categorical prioritizes capability. CFExpress Kind A is out there in 4 capacities: 330GB, 660GB (Excessive), and 800GB, 1.6TB (Categorical). CFExpress Kind B provides 660GB, 1TB (Excessive), and three.2TB (Categorical). Costs vary from $199 to $899.
- Suppose Tank Picture Walker Professional Backpack: A brand new lineup of three digicam backpacks is out there in 16L, 24L, and 30L sizes. They’re created from ballistic nylon and polyester with a sturdy water-repellent coating (rain cowl included). The digicam compartment is accessible from the entrance. The tallest backpack within the sequence has an inside peak of 47cm and a depth of 16cm, which means it will possibly maintain a Nikon Z9 with a mounted Nikon 600mm f/6.3 lens, together with the lens hood. The backpacks have a detachable waist belt, a baggage sleeve, a number of pockets, a richly structured organizer, and a secret again pocket. Costs differ by measurement: $230, $250, and $290.
- SmallRig cooling fan for Canon EOS R5-series: SmallRig doesn’t simply make cool issues – it additionally makes cooling issues. This new accent guarantees to considerably prolong the recording period of the Canon R5 and R5 Mark II. On its YouTube channel, SmallRig claims that the fan can fully get rid of overheating points when recording at 4K for prolonged durations of time. At 8K decision, it ought to greater than double the recording time. It requires an exterior energy supply, corresponding to a V-mount battery (bought individually). The value is $60.
The Rumor Mill
The VCM Canon lens lineup is about to develop.
All three present Canon VCM lenses – 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm – share a number of key options: a most aperture of f/1.4, Voice Coil Motor (VCM), a de-clicked aperture dial, and even the identical kind issue. This makes them versatile instruments equally suited to each images and video.
Subsequent week, Canon is anticipated to formally announce the widest lens within the lineup, the Canon RF 20mm f/1.4L VCM. A 28mm f/1.4L VCM can be anticipated quickly, in addition to “two lenses longer than 50mm, however one in all them can be slower than f/1.4”. Will these longer lenses be the rumored 85mm and 135mm? And what is going to their most apertures be? We’ll have to attend a bit longer to search out out.
By way of Canon Rumors
Canon teases two “V” cameras
Solely one in all them, nevertheless, is an actual shock. One of many two is undoubtedly the Canon PowerShot V1, which was first seen at CP+ in Japan final month. Nevertheless, it was solely formally introduced for the Asian market, not globally.
The opposite digicam, stays a thriller. Based mostly on the silhouette included within the teaser picture – in addition to some new rumors – it seems to be a compact, entry-level vlogging digicam with an APS-C sensor and interchangeable lenses. Anticipated to be priced round $650, the digicam is rumored to launch alongside a brand new zoom lens – presumably that includes an influence zoom perform. The focal size of this lens is claimed to be 15-30mm, although its pace stays unknown. Almost definitely, it is going to be a gradual lens, prioritizing compactness over pace. We’ll know all the small print on the day of the official announcement, March twenty sixth.
By way of Canon Rumors
Good Offers and New Gross sales
B&H Picture is at present operating a giant trade-in sale, this time specializing in one digicam, the Panasonic LUMIX GH7 (was $2,200, now $2,000). When you’re trying to improve your present (working) tools, you possibly can commerce it in at B&H to not solely get the worth of your tools, but additionally obtain a $500 off credit score ($300 bonus + $200 instantaneous financial savings) in the direction of the acquisition of this Micro 4 Thirds digicam. Along with the digicam itself, you possibly can select from the next discounted lenses.
- Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4 ASPH was $900, now $750
- Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1.7 ASPH was $500, now $450
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7 ASPH was $1,800, now $1,500
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-35mm f/2.8 ASPH was $900, now $800
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH POWER O.I.S. was $1,000, now $800
- Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH was $300, now $270
- Panasonic Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 ASPH was $250, now $150
- Panasonic Lumix G Macro 30mm f/2.8 ASPH MEGA O.I.S. was $400, now $300
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 35-100mm f/2.8 POWER O.I.S. was $1,150, now $950
- Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH was $400, now $300
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 50-200mm f/2.8-4 ASPH POWER O.I.S. was $1,700, now $1,500
- Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm f/4-5.6 II POWER O.I.S. was $650, now $500
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 II ASPH POWER O.I.S. was $1,600, now $1,400
Different Pages of Curiosity
In a really perfect world, extinction can be a particularly uncommon occasion. Sadly, actuality tells a unique story. That’s why any breeding success that helps reverse the tragic destiny of a species is value celebrating. The most recent small however vital purpose for pleasure comes from the Prague Zoo, the place 5 ducklings of the world’s rarest duck species – the Brazilian merganser (Mergus octosetaceus) – have hatched. Sadly, the whole inhabitants of this fascinating and critically endangered species is estimated to be solely about 250 people. Previously, nevertheless, much more hopeless circumstances have been saved, such because the Nene (Branta sandvicensis), endemic to Hawaii, which at one level had solely 30 people left.
In contrast to the aforementioned Brazilian Merganser, which has been pushed to the brink of extinction by human impacts on its pure habitat, some species truly thrive in shut proximity to people. Surprisingly, even shy and secretive predators may be this manner. Following the current success of an city badger in Wildlife Photographer of the 12 months, a fox has now clawed its strategy to the highest of the British Wildlife Images Awards 2025.
Right now, I’d prefer to introduce you to an inspiring photographer – not only for his beautiful photographs but additionally for his way of living. Nikon Ambassador George Karbus proves that it’s attainable to mix skilled images, free diving, browsing, and household life into one seamless entire. Right here’s a hyperlink to his high pictures.
Picture Theme Problem, Week #94
Final week’s theme was spring, and you’ll see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody on your submissions! This week’s theme is sq. composition, and you’ll submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, March 29, 2024!
Week #93 Outcomes
Let’s take a look at a number of the pictures we acquired for the “spring” theme, beginning with AndrewGusew’s picture:
Though there may be ice, the approaching swans inform of hotter occasions!
Mauro70’s picture:
What may very well be extra telling of spring than stunning flowers?
florin’s picture:
Maybe a much-loved insect making a house?
Thanks everybody for submitting their pictures within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the sq. composition theme!