While visiting Dry Tortugas National Park, located 109km west of Key West, Florida, I looked down from the top of Fort Jefferson and saw this group of snorkelers just off Garden Key. Moments after this photo was taken, one of the snorkelers had the bad luck of being stung by a Portuguese man o' war.
Photo: Dale Baskin
The theme for our March Editors' challenge is 'Water'.
Show us the essence of water in its many forms, from the roaring power of the ocean to a gentle rain, reflections on a lake, smooth waterfalls, frozen ice, or even fine art. The possibilities are endless, so let your creativity flow and show us your best photos that revolve around water. Our favorites will be featured on the DPReview homepage later this month.
This challenge is open to photos taken at any time.
Photos can be submitted between Sunday, March 16, and Saturday, March 22 (GMT).
Important: Images MUST include a title and a caption of at least 25 words to be eligible. Viewers want to know the story behind your photo. We will consider both photos and captions when selecting our winners, so make sure to tell us that story!
Visit the challenge page to read the full rules and to submit your photos for consideration as soon as the challenge opens.
CP+ may have ended last week, but that apparently hasn't stopped the flood of accessory news. Today, we'll look at a few lights, bags, computers and more, but first, let's see what's on sale.
Second-gen Goodness
Photo: Richard Butler
Canon's Stacked sensor flagship, the EOS R5 II, is currently on sale for $300 off MSRP. We reviewed it late last year, and came away very impressed – it's a camera that excels at nearly everything.
Panasonic's S5II isn't quite as performant, but it's still quite a good camera. It's also substantially cheaper than the EOS R5 II, especially given the current sale that gets you $500 off.
Godox's latest light for videographers and photographers is the Litemons C30. It's a tiny LED panel weighing 248g that packs an internal battery capable of putting out 30W of light for up to 45 minutes. A USB-C port lets you recharge the battery or run the light for an extended period of time.
There are two versions of the light – a bicolor model, which costs $59, and an RGB model that will run you $89.
If you need something a little more powerful, there's the recently released Elinchrom LED 100 C, a continuous RGB light with an integrated 72Wh battery that provides up to 40 minutes of power in the field. It comes with a diffusion dome and an adapter for Profoto light modifiers and can be charged via USB-C.
Ball-head tripods are great if you want to easily level your tripod without messing around with leg length, but what if you already have a tripod that you like? Vanguard's LVL accessory might be for you. It's designed to sit between your sticks and your tripod's head, adding a bit of height and letting you level your tripod head in a matter of seconds.
Vanguard makes several sizes, so it should be compatible with a wide range of tripods. The smallest, the LVL 42, has a 42mm base and can support up to 20kg (44lb), while the LVL 75 can support up to 40kg (88lb) – just make sure the rest of your tripod can handle that much weight too.
In the bag
Image: Wandrd
If you want to carry around some camera gear without using a massive backpack, Wandrd's Stratus Photo 18L may be the bag for you. It's relatively small and has built-in organization for your camera gear, as well as access hatches on both the right and left-hand side. It's made of weather-resistant materials and has load-adjustment straps and a chest strap, which should let you carry it comfortably even if you've got it filled with gear.
People don't always think of the iPad as a photographic tool, but nowadays Apple's tablets have a lot of processing power and can run many of the apps photographers use on their desktops. The company's entry-level models – the iPad Air and the plainly-named iPad – have just gotten updates that make them better than ever. The Air gets the laptop-class M3 chip, as well as a new, optional keyboard with a bigger trackpad, function row and aluminum design. The M3 iPad Air starts at $599, and the new keyboard costs $269.
The cheaper iPad, meanwhile, gets the A16 chip from the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro. While it's not as powerful as the M-class chips and doesn't support Apple's suite of AI features, it should still be plenty for light photo editing and organization. Its base storage has also been doubled from 64GB to 128GB. It starts at $349, which is what its predecessor sold for ever since Apple cut the price by $100 in 2024.
That wasn't all Apple announced this week, though...
Get caught up
Some accessory news is so big that it gets its own article during the week, but we'd feel remiss not also mentioning those products here.
Image: Apple
As an example, Apple's new computers. The company announced updates to its entry-level MacBook Air and top-of-the-line Mac Studio this week, adding its latest processors. The MacBook Air has enough processing power to handle the typical Photoshop and Lightroom tasks that most photographers need, all while being hyper-portable, while the Mac Studio can handle the highest-end photo and video editing tasks.
Image: Peak Design
Also announced this week: Peak Design's Roller Pro, the company's first piece of roller luggage. It's a bit of a hybrid between a hardshell case and a softshell one, with plenty of padding and a front sleeve that can hold a laptop and other everyday carry items. You can read our full coverage of it here.
It's currently being sold via Kickstarter for a discount over its $599 MSRP, but the usual disclaimer applies: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.
Phototrend published their latest interview with OM SYSTEM executives at the 2025 CP+ show. One of the questions asked was about the future of the currently discontinued PEN camera line, and Kazuhiro Togashi (Vice President of Product Planning and Brand Strategy) responded that "The PEN series is a core part of the OM SYSTEM lineup, and we are actively exploring the possibility of a successor":
There's something magical about the experience of shooting with Polaroid film, no matter how many times you see it roll out of a camera and wait for it to develop. It's clear it's a complicated process even without understanding the ins-and-outs of how it's produced. But, in a recent video, Polaroid has pulled back the curtain, revealing just how complex Polaroid film is.
The video provides a behind-the-scenes look, walking you through the Polaroid factory in Enschede, Netherlands, the only place where Polaroid film is made. It shows the entire process from start to finish, including the mixing of the developer, the cutting of the negative sheets in complete darkness with night vision goggles, how the cassettes are made and more, all the way to quality control and boxing up the finished product.
While the video touches on some of it, it doesn't go into all the details of how interesting the history of the factory is. The factory doors closed in 2008, but a small group managed to save the company, bringing it back, albeit in a much smaller form. For some time, it produced film under the name The Impossible Project. In 2017 the company rebranded as Polaroid Originals, and then in 2020, it was able to rebrand as Polaroid once again. You can watch a full documentary on the story on YouTube as well.
"I mean, this is an ancient technology that nobody uses anymore. So it's not like we can just say hey, let's replace it and put a whole new brains in it."
It's fascinating to see that the factory still uses the same process and machinery as it did in the 1970s. "There's a lot of frustration. You've got to have patience. We've got a machine here from the seventies," explains an employee named Andrew in the video."It stops, starts, stops, starts. I mean, this is an ancient technology that nobody uses anymore. So it's not like we can just say hey, let's replace it and put a whole new brains in it. We've got to try and make do with what we've got, which means refurbishing parts, which means having people learn how this works and specialize in it."
The video also touches on the formula of the film. Anyone familiar with the early Impossible Project days will remember how rough around the edges that film was. I purchased many packs for my beloved SX-70, most of which didn't turn out. While the current film is significantly better than it used to be, it still isn't quite where Polaroid film was quality-wise. Andrew says in the video that they know the quality isn't as good as the original Polaroids, but he explains that the original formula wasn't very environmentally friendly and they are trying to address that.
Whether you shoot Polaroid or not, it is interesting to see the complex process behind something that played such a significant role in the history of photography.
Clockwise from the bottom: 24mm f/2, 55mm f/1.7, 80.5mm f/1.9, 35mm f/2. In the center is the 135mm f/2.8.
Lomography displayed a new series of Petzval lenses at the 2025 CP+ show in Japan with easily adjustable "swirly bokeh" (the lenses are not yet officially announced):
Petzval 24mm f/2
Petzval 35mm f/2
Petzval 55mm f/1.7
Petzval 80.5mm f/1.9
Petzval 135mm f/2.8
Additional pictures:
Petzval 55mm f/1.7
Petzval 135mm f/2.8
The "swirly bokeh" ring
Petzval lenses were created in the 19th century and were the world's first objective lenses for photography. Their most distinctive feature is the swirling bokeh that appears in the out-of-focus areas. This unique bokeh creates a nostalgic atmosphere in portrait photography.
Lomography has previously released 55mm and 80.5mm products, but now they have added three new lenses to the Petzval series: 24mm, 35mm, and 135mm. The new Petzval series does not just increase the focal length lineup. The introduction of a high-precision correction mechanism makes it possible to change the level of "swirly bokeh" without focus shift (shift in the focal position. (Capa Camera Web)
Phototrend published their interview with Tamron at the 2025 CP+ show - here is the recap:
Event and Interviewee: Interview with Kota Misawa, Marketing Planning Manager of Tamron’s Imaging Products Business Unit, at CP+ 2025 in Yokohama, Japan.
New Product Goal: Tamron plans to release up to 10 new products per year to meet market demands.
Production Expansion: New factory in Vietnam opening in 2025, aiming for 45% production in China, 45% in Vietnam, and 10% in Japan for stability and efficiency.
Quality Assurance: Emphasis on maintaining "Japanese quality" across all manufacturing locations, challenging stereotypes.
Product Focus: Strong demand for prime lenses (e.g., new 90mm macro lens); plans to expand fixed focal length options alongside signature zooms.
Mirrorless Market: Intent to develop more lens options for Canon RF mount users, adapting to the growing mirrorless segment.
Innovative Lenses: Showcased unique zoom ranges like 50-300mm and 28-300mm at CP+ 2025, reflecting Tamron’s creative approach.
Software Updates: Tamron Lens Utility enhancements planned for 2025, with wireless connectivity under consideration.
Marketing Highlight: Collaboration with Godzilla at CP+ 2025, featuring an immersive booth blending photography and cinematic effects.
Growth Outlook: Misawa credits past success to customer feedback and delivering high-quality, distinctive optics; optimistic about future expansion.
Overall Strategy: Commitment to innovation, adaptability, and strengthening Tamron’s position in the photography market.
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Photo: Richard Butler
Sony has released a firmware update that brings its Content Authenticity Solution to the a7 IV. The company announced a similar update for the a1 II, a1 and a9 III in January. However, this is the first time the tool to authenticate images will be available on something other than high-end, professional-grade cameras.
Software Ver. 5.00 for the Sony a7 IV adds support for the "Write Digital Signature" function for still images. This function allows photographers to add an electronic signature to their images to prove that they were taken with that camera. Authenticity tools such as this are becoming increasingly important with the growing prevalence of generative AI-created imagery and, as a result, the spread of fake images.
Of course, as with the update for the three pro-grade cameras in January, there are some caveats involved. The Digital Signature function requires a paid license and is only available for certain media outlets, not the general public. Unfortunately, Sony still hasn't provided any additional information on if or when it will be available for general consumers. On the firmware update page, Sony simply says that the "timing for the provision of paid licenses to customers other than certain media outlets is yet to be determined."
Even though the current usability is limited, Sony rolling this out to consumer models is a step in the right direction. The Content Authenticity information page also says that "more camera models will be supported in due course," so it sounds like we should see additional cameras with the tool at some point. If Sony makes the feature more widely available beyond media outlets, the Digital Signature feature will already be on cameras and ready for use.
If you want to be prepared, or happen to work for one of the select media outlets, the Sony a7 IV firmware update Ver. 5.00 is now available for download.
Jointly Developed with LK Samyang: A perfect blend of German optical expertise and advanced manufacturing technology
Collaboration with LK Samyang Leads to New Super-Wide Zoom Lens.
At CP+ 2025, the largest imaging exhibition in Japan, which taking place from February 27 to March 1, LK Samyang, in collaboration with Schneider-Kreuznach, unveiled the new AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE super-wide zoom lens. This innovative lens combines Schneider-Kreuznach renowned optical proficient with LK Samyang’s advanced technology, resulting in a significant product for the mirrorless market.
The AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE will officially be released in April 2025 by LK Samyang, marking the first of many innovative products resulting from this strategic partnership. Schneider-Kreuznach remains dedicated to driving optical innovation and expanding ist global market presence through continued investment in research and development and strong collaborations.
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, CEO of the Schneider-Kreuznach, said:
“We are pleased to extend our presence in the still photography market with our expertise in optics. This initiative is an important step for our company, and we are proud to collaborate with LK Samyang. Together, we are developing our first mirrorless lenses designed specifically for photography enthusiasts.“
Mr. Bonwook Koo, CEO of LK Samyang, stated, “We will continue our collaboration with Schneider-Kreuznach to develop and release zoom lenses that meet consumer needs, while ensuring sustained momentum for growth in the interchangeable lens market.”
Fujifilm officially announced the 2025 X Summit in Prague (March 20). They also displayed a teaser fron view of the upcoming/rumors Fujifilm GFX 100RF medium format fixed lens camera:
Fujifilm took to some of its social media channels to announce that its next X Summit will take place in just two weeks. The March 20 event will be hosted in Prague, supposedly at 10 am GMT (5am ET), according to some posts. "The wait is almost over. Mark your calendars for March 20 and get ready to witness something extraordinary. Stay tuned for more updates," teased the Fujifilm X India YouTube channel.
A screenshot from the YouTube video announcing the X Summit and teasing a new camera.
Image: Fujifilm
Fujifilm is clearly aiming to build excitement, and the announcement video included a very brief flash of a camera at the end. The camera is shrouded in shadow, so it doesn't reveal much. A closer examination of a screenshot reveals a compact-looking lens with text that says "Fujinon Aspherical Lens" on the front. That's really all that's visible, though it does seem like the camera may be larger than standard compacts like the X100VI.
The company's post certainly leaves more questions than answers about the upcoming camera announcement. Luckily, though, two weeks isn't terribly long to wait.
We live in a time when camera brands (well, at least one) are stripping down controls while smartphone brands are ramping up physical camera controls. Indeed, the quest to bring a camera-like shooting experience to smartphones is going strong, as we've seen on full display at MWC 2025 in Barcelona. Brands like Xiaomi and RealMe have even gone so far as adding lens mounts to prototype smartphones.
On the less dramatic side are features like Apple's iPhone Camera Control button, which provides quick access to the camera and various settings like zoom. You can also find grips from the likes of Belkin, ShiftCam and even Leica that add shutter buttons and a more camera-like form factor. Now, a lesser-known smartphone brand is getting into the mix with an innovation on the camera itself.
Nubia, which also sells phones under the name Redmagic, opted for a simple control ring on its new Focus 2 Ultra smartphone. According to Notebook Check, the distinctive rotating ring allows users to control zoom or select filters. Such a feature should feel more natural and familiar for zooming in or out, especially for those who use dedicated cameras. Plus, you don't have to remember if you double press, long press, or tap your head three times to get to certain settings. A control ring also means there's no fiddling with getting your finger placed just right to zoom in or out, as is necessary on Apple's Camera Control Button.
Adding to the camera-like experience, the Focus 2 Ultra has a dedicated button that acts as a shutter release when you have the camera app open.
The camera system itself on the Nubia Focus 2 Ultra doesn't seem like anything to write home about; the company says the main shooter uses a Type 1/1.55 (8.3 x 6.2mm) sensor with 2μm pixels and an F1.47 lens, but doesn't provide further details about it or the phone's other cameras. However, it's exciting to see how phone makers are experimenting with physical camera controls on their devices. Especially as phone camera technology improves, it certainly would be nice to have more tactile controls when I leave my dedicated cameras behind.
The company hasn't announced exactly when the Focus 2 Ultra will be available, but Notebook Check reports it'll cost around 300 Euros.
Like in previous years, the 2025 5DayDeal Landscape Photography Bundle contains a package of photography tools at a significant discount. Several different bundles are available, and a portion of the sales will go to charities:
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