New Z9 Firmware, Lots of Lens Sales – digitalcameras.ie

I am filling in for Libor for this week’s Pictures Information as he travels South America seeking wildlife. He is already despatched me some behind-the-scenes pictures, and let me inform you, you are in for a deal with as soon as he is again. For now, I hope you might be having fun with the atmospheric sunrises and good gentle to date in March. Listed here are latest developments on this planet of pictures that you might have missed.

Current bulletins

• Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM: Sony has had 50mm f/1.4 lenses for ages, however that is the primary to affix its GM line, AKA “Nice Magic”. (I made it up, however I am not far off; it stands for “Gold Grasp”.) Both approach, which means the lens should have Sony’s premium optics and construct tolerances. Accessible across the finish of April for $1300.
• Nikon Z9 Firmware 3.10: Together with some fundamental bug fixes and lens compatibility updates, the brand new firmware improves autofocus accuracy when capturing low-contrast topics throughout a burst of pictures. There’s additionally a barely larger burst price when utilizing flash, assuming the flash has very quick recycle occasions.
• Fujifilm Instax Mini 12: Snigger all you need, however this $90 line of cameras nonetheless sells extra copies than virtually another digicam in the marketplace apart from smartphones. The Mini 12 provides parallax corrections within the viewfinder for close-ups, in addition to higher flash and dealing with options. However the fundamental concept hasn’t modified – it is a enjoyable, featureless sort of digicam.
• Meike 60mm f/2.8 Macro: This cheap ($190) APS-C lens is a completely handbook piece of glass with 1:1 macro capabilities. Not a lot to say besides that this is among the most cost-effective macro lenses at present out there for mirrorless customers, and macro pictures usually does not want autofocus anyway. . It’s out there for Nikon Z, Sony EF, Canon RF, Canon EF-M, Fuji X and Micro 4 Thirds.
• Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 now out there: No shock, the lately introduced Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 has simply began transport, as scheduled. In case you missed my announcement article analyzing this new lens, you may see it right here.

The rumor mill

Nikon Z8 rumors warmth up

Main Nikon occasions are deliberate for the close to future, together with late March and late April. This does not essentially indicate main product bulletins such because the Z8. However the warmth of the rumors is attending to the purpose that I’d count on a improvement announcement throughout the subsequent couple months or so.

Through Nikon Rumors

An upcoming Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 Artwork is within the works

The lens can have a brand new design and Sigma hopes to carry “one thing totally different to customers”, in response to an interview with Kazuto Yamaki, the president of Sigma. Does that imply Sigma will prioritize a light-weight or foldable design just like the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8? That is still to be seen.

Through Picture Rumors

An essential Canon EOS R5 firmware replace may very well be a ‘Mark II’ workaround

Though Canon already has an EOS R6 II, it does not appear like they’re instantly contemplating making an EOS R5 II. As an alternative, nonetheless, present R5 customers might need one main firmware replace to stay up for. The brand new firmware might embrace the most well liked new characteristic lately – a pre-shot buffer – in addition to autofocus enhancements and numerous small adjustments.

Through Canon Rumors

Picture contest nook

Whalebone Journal 4th Annual Pictures Contest

• Subject: 5 Classes – Water, Journey, Human, Delight and Movie/Analog
• Charge: $6 per entry
• Prizes: 5 prizes of $6,000, ten prizes of $500, and numerous prizes of $50 and beneath
• Deadline: March 10

Nature Photographer of the 12 months

• Theme: Unrestricted Nature Pictures
• Charges: €17 to €44.50 relying on the kind of submission (free for youngsters beneath 18)
• Prize: €25,000 in whole prize cash, together with €3,000 for greatest photograph
• Deadline: Might 21

Vincent Van Gogh Pictures Prize

• Topic: Freedom
• Charge: €35 for 3 submissions (€10 for 3 submissions as a scholar)
• Prizes: €1,000 first prize and numerous small money prizes
• Deadline: March 30

Good Offers and New Gross sales

Sony is at present having a pleasant swap occasion at B&H (ending April 2). You’ll be able to stand up to $700 off, plus your trade-in worth, for upgrading your gear. The deepest reductions primarily apply to trade-ins for Sony’s costliest cameras, however there are many good offers on lenses as properly. Extra information right here.

In case you’re a Canon mirrorless shooter, here is a heads-up that a few of their RF lenses are on sale this week, together with favorites just like the 50mm f/1.8 ($40 off for $160) and 100-500mm f /4.5-7.1 ($200 off $2700). Different highlights embrace the 15-35mm f/2.8 ($300 off for $2100) and the 70-200mm f/4 ($200 off for $1400).

Lastly, there are some good gross sales on Sigma lenses this week, each for his or her mirrorless lenses and their DSLR choices. Lengthy story quick, most lenses are $100 off, together with lenses that have been already comparatively cheap just like the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Sport for DSLRs (at present $700). You’ll be able to see the complete record of Sigma affords right here.

Different pages of curiosity

Nationwide Geographic has introduced the outcomes of its “Picture of the 12 months” pictures competitors, and unsurprisingly, the successful photographs are outstanding. I like the successful picture of bald eagles within the rain, however I additionally love the second of a Kazakh hunter on horseback together with his eagle. Apparently, it is sufficient to {photograph} eagles to impress me. You’ll be able to learn extra concerning the successful photographs right here (requires Nat Geo membership).

The Northern Lights have been stronger than ordinary for the previous few weeks, and proper now they’re seen in locations the place you’d usually by no means see the Northern Lights (like Dying Valley in California). Verify your native information to see if it could be seen the place you reside, and also you might need some uncommon pictures alternatives in your future! Proper now, the solar is in a interval of comparatively excessive sunspot exercise – so even when it is cloudy the place you reside, be careful over the following few months and also you would possibly get fortunate. Even the Worldwide House Station has joined in on the motion.