B&H Summer Deals, L-Mount Alliance Grows – digitalcameras.ie

Final week I labored on one thing new for me – organising a small exhibition of my darkroom images at an area restaurant. Exhibitions like this are cheap methods to get your images out into the world. It is also a pleasant problem to decide on the images, sizes and preparations that finest fit your work. If this is not one thing you’ve got completed earlier than, why not take the time to go to a number of close by retailers and ask in the event that they characteristic native artwork? That is my advice of the week. Within the meantime, here is the largest information on the planet of images that got here whereas I used to be busy making prints.

Current bulletins

• New L-Mount Members: The L-Mount Alliance – launched by Leica, Panasonic and Sigma – has gained two new members. The primary is Samyang, finest recognized for its low-cost guide focus lenses, however has ventured into autofocus lately. The opposite addition is Astrodesign, a video-centric firm primarily based in Japan. Is the L-mount changing into a juggernaut that can exchange Canon, Nikon and Sony? In all probability not, nevertheless it’s getting extra compelling yearly.
• Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 AF Lens for APS-C: For $549, this autofocus-compatible lens will likely be a compelling choice for APS-C shooters trying to save cash over full-frame glass . The lens already existed for Fuji crop-sensor photographers, however is about to be out there for Nikon Z and Sony E as effectively. It options an all-metal development with a devoted aperture ring, in addition to a USB-C port for future firmware updates.
• Zhongyi APO 200mm f/4 Macro: If you happen to want a protracted working distance as a macro photographer, this 1:1 macro lens from Zhongyi would possibly pique your curiosity. It’s now out there for all widespread lens mounts, however observe that it is a absolutely guide lens with no digital connections. Guide focus is ok for macro images, however the lack of digital connections is one thing I discover regarding as a macro photographer who often shoots at f/22 (darkish viewfinder alert). However I would not low cost that objective fully – Zhongyi’s MTF chart seems good and the $499 price ticket is compelling.
• Three Sony bulletins: In case you missed my articles this week, Sony simply introduced an up to date 70-200mm f/4 with 1:2 magnification all through the zoom vary (and teleconverter compatibility for remodel the lens right into a 140-400mm f/8 with full 1:1 macro capabilities). In addition they introduced the a6700 mirrorless digital camera, their first new a6000 sequence digital camera in about 4 years. And eventually, Sony has launched a brand new compact in-camera shotgun microphone referred to as the ECM-M1.

The rumor mill

Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S coming quickly?

In line with a report on Nikon Rumors, it will not be lengthy earlier than the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S sees the sunshine of day! It ought to be introduced in August or September. For reference, we’re all the way down to the final two lenses within the Nikon Z roadmap, and this one is one in every of them (though the f/1.2 aperture is not confirmed). The opposite is a mysterious 135mm S-line lens. My query is, what surprises will we see as soon as the roadmap is full?

Canon RF 200mm f/2 patent pending

Canon has aggressively launched mirrorless equivalents for its widespread unique telephoto lenses, however one lens that has but to see the sunshine of day is an RF 200mm f/2 (or RF 200mm f/1.8). Patents are definitely no assure {that a} lens will ever exist, however no less than this patent exhibits that Canon hasn’t forgotten about this focal size and most aperture. The EF 200mm f/2 L and f/1.8 L lenses are widespread with some sports activities, wildlife and portrait photographers, and it seems like we’ll see an RF equal in some unspecified time in the future.

By Pepapixel

A microscope lens for mirrorless cameras

Venus Optics is in the future away from asserting yet one more probe-like macro lens – this time, able to a whopping 50x magnification! With a magnification vary of 10x to 50x, the Laowa Aurogon 10-50x is principally a microscope, however with a mirrorless goal mount. It ought to be out there for Canon EF, Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon F, and Nikon Z at a minimal. Pricing data and different particulars have not been launched, however no less than you will simply have to attend. about 24 hours to listen to them.

By way of Canon Rumors

Picture contest nook

Pure Panorama Images Awards

• Topic: Panorama images with minimal manipulation in post-production
• Charges: $40 for six photos, $60 for 12 photos, $100 for 18 photos, $30 for mission registration
• Prizes: $5,000 for Photographer of the Yr, $2,000 for Challenge of the Yr, six prizes of $1,000, seven prizes of $500
• Deadline: July 31
• Be aware: I’ll take part on this one 🙂

Epson Pano Value

• Topic: Panoramic images of two×1 format or bigger
• Charge: $20-22 per entry
• Prize: $40,000 prize pool, together with printers, gear vouchers and money
• Deadline: July 17 simply earlier than midnight – hurry!

Good Offers and New Gross sales

B&H runs an ongoing “Summer time Tech Offers” web page that options a number of gross sales, particularly on reminiscence playing cards, arduous drives, and laptop {hardware}. Take a look at the total record right here.

Some of the important gear for photographers is on sale proper now – half of the DataColor Spyder X Professional! (Was $399, now $199.50.) If you have not coloration calibrated your monitor but, take that as an indication to do it ASAP. Modifying images on an uncalibrated monitor is like throwing darts with a blindfold on.

One other deal that caught my eye is the Apple 16.2″ MacBook Professional with the M1 Professional chip. I am actually inspired that Apple has launched extra high-end laptops lately, because it wasn’t one thing they used to do previously. I assume they can be extra versatile on pricing now that they manufacture the M1 and M2 chips in-house. Both manner, the precise financial savings will differ relying on the configuration you select. The one I hyperlink right here is every part a photographer would want and is on sale for $1900 (was $2700) – however mess around with the choices and also you would possibly discover one other machine that fits your wants.

Different pages of curiosity

Every week, the impression of AI-generated images grows deeper as they reshape the world of images. The viral story this time is a bit totally different, nevertheless. A picture has been disqualified from an Australian images contest as a result of the judges deemed it to be AI-generated… besides the picture was actual. The confusion could also be on account of the truth that the person within the picture is standing in entrance of two mannequins, which look barely “unreal” (like most fashions do). The stakes have been low this time, nevertheless it raises the query of whether or not actual images – particularly documentary work – will likely be dismissed by the general public or governments as pretend, on false grounds of AI era, just because it exhibits one thing that bothers them.

If you have not heard of Meta’s (AKA Fb) new app referred to as “Threads”, you most likely will quickly. There are already over 100 million customers and the app has solely been out for about two weeks. Though Threads is meant to be a competitor to Twitter, it is also carefully tied to Instagram – you even log into the app out of your Instagram account. Nonetheless, there may be one huge caveat to remember. As said immediately by Meta, “Since Threads is powered by Instagram, to be able to delete your Threads profile and knowledge, you’ll need to delete your Instagram account.” This makes my advice to photographers fairly easy: do not be part of Threads on a whim. Or for those who do, no less than create a brand new Instagram account first, so you possibly can safely delete feeds later if it is advisable.