In late February, Sigma surprised us by announcing its 15mm F1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye lens, an optic squarely aimed at astrophotography. Sensing an opportunity, we put the lens into the hands of José Francisco Salgado, a professional astrophotographer, just in time for a photography trip to the Canadian sub-arctic to shoot the aurora borealis.

An important note about these sample photos: When shooting sample galleries for lenses, we typically keep ISO values as low as possible to prevent image noise from affecting the apparent sharpness of images. By its very nature, astrophotography often requires higher ISO values, even with the fastest lenses. As a result, we asked José Francisco to capture his nighttime photos using ISO settings that were appropriate to the conditions. To allow for critical evaluation of sharpness, he also included several daytime photos in the gallery that were photographed at low ISO values.

What did he think of the lens? "Diagonal fisheye lenses are part of my arsenal to capture very wide sky subjects such as auroras and the Milky Way," he told us. "The Sigma 15mm F1.4 DG DN is the fastest and sharpest diagonal fisheye lens I have ever used. Its focus lock is a feature that, as an astrophotographer, I have been wishing for for years."

You can learn more about the lens here.

View the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye sample gallery

Note: Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.

José Francisco Salgado, PhD is an Emmy-nominated astronomer, night sky photographer, public speaker, and photo tour operator who creates multimedia works that communicate science in engaging ways. His Science & Symphony films through KV 265 have been presented in more than 260 concerts and 215 lectures in 21 countries.

José Francisco, a seasoned aurora photographer, leads his Borealis Science & Photo Tours in Yellowknife, Canada, where you can view, photograph, and learn about the Northern Lights.

You can follow him on Flickr, Instagram, 500px, Facebook, and Twitter

Image: Canon

Canon has announced it is developing the EOS R1, which it describes as the "first flagship model for [the] EOS R system."

It would be consistent with the company's previous development cycles to deliver a pro sports flagship in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics, so it doesn't come as a complete surprise.

The company has tried to avoid using the word 'flagship' in reference to its current EOS R3 high-speed model, meaning this will be the first model to explicitly take over from the EOS-1D series of DSLRs at the top of the Canon lineup.

Details in amongst the marketing speak are rather vague, but the company promises to improve on both stills and video performance compared with the existing EOS R3, with a
"Digic Accelerator" processor providing additional capabilities beyond those of the existing Digic X processor with which it will be paired.

This co-processor is likely to be tasked with handling the complex algorithms created by the machine-learning process, as the company talks about "never-before-seen" advancements in autofocus. The camera will aim to better track subjects when multiple plays overlap and intersect, with one of the few details of new features being an "Action Priority" function that will shift the AF point to a player it recognizes as taking a decisive action.

Canon says the new camera will be built around a new CMOS sensor and that the camera will be capable of implementing sophisticated noise reduction that would currently need to be applied in PC-based software.

We'll expect more concrete details at the Paris Olympics approach, but Canon suggests the camera is already being field-tested in preparation for them. Canon says it's aiming for a 2024 launch.

We finally got a development announcement for the long-rumored Canon EOS R1 flagship camera. Not many details were revealed as to what the camera specifications would look like (no pricing info either).

Canon EOS R3 vs. Canon EOS R1 side by side:

Press release:

CANON DEVELOPS EOS R1 AS FIRST FLAGSHIP MODEL FOR EOS R SYSTEM

New Image Processing System Further Improves AF and Image Quality

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 15, 2024 - Canon U.S.A., Inc. today announced that its parent company, Canon Inc. announced today that it is currently developing the EOS R1, a full-frame mirrorless camera, as the first flagship model for the EOS R SYSTEM equipped with an RF mount and is aiming for a 2024 release.

The EOS R1 is a mirrorless camera geared toward professionals that brings together Canon’s cutting-edge technology and combines top-class performance with the strong durability and high reliability sought in a flagship model. This camera will dramatically improve¹ the performance of both still images and video and meet the high requirements of professionals on the frontlines of a wide range of fields including sports, news reporting, and video production.

This camera employs the newly developed image processor DIGIC Accelerator in addition to the pre-existing processor DIGIC X. The new image processing system, composed of these processors and a new CMOS sensor, enables large volumes of data to be processed at high speeds and delivers never-before-seen advancements in Auto Focus (AF) and other functions.

By combining the new image processing system and deep learning technology to an advanced degree, Canon has achieved high-speed and high-accuracy subject recognition. For example, subject tracking accuracy has been improved so that in team sporting events where multiple subjects intersect, the target subject can continually be tracked even if another player passes directly in front of them. In addition, the AF “Action Priority” function recognizes subject movement by rapidly analyzing the subject’s status. In moments during a sports game when it is difficult to predict what will happen next, this function automatically determines the player performing a certain action, such as shooting a ball, as the main subject and instantly shifts the AF frame, thereby helping to capture decisive moments of gameplay.

The combination of the new image processing system and deep learning technology will help to improve image quality. Canon implements the image noise reduction function, which has been previously developed and improved as part of the software for PCs, as a camera function to further improve image quality and contribute to user creativity.

Canon is working on field tests for this camera and will support capturing definitive and impactful moments at international sporting events to be held in the future.

Going forward, Canon will continue to expand the EOS R SYSTEM lineup of fascinating cameras and RF lenses, thereby continuing to meet the demands of a wide range of users and contribute to the development of photography and video culture.

The post Finally: Canon EOS R1 flagship camera development announcement appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Sony released their FY2023 consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Here is the information related to the camera business:

• In FY23, digital cameras and interchangeable lenses generated increased sales and operating income thanks to enhanced product appeals, and televisions and mobile communications reduced costs, enabling the entire segment to achieve a level of operating income that exceeded FY22 results and our projections at the beginning of FY23.
• The market for interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras, which is the main source of sales and profit for this segment, showed strong growth in the previous quarter, primarily in China and Japan, and has continued to remain strong since April.

Nikon’s yearly financial results are out (for the year ended March 2024)

Canon Q1 2024 financial reports: “Decline in Imaging sales leads to lower operating profit”

Tamron releases financial results, plans to release 7 new lenses in 2024

Source: Sony

The post Sony released their FY2023 financial results appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Simera 28mm F1.4 Image credit: Thypoch

Chinese lens maker Thypoch has announced its Simera 35mm & 28mm F1.4 lenses are coming to Z, X, E and RF mounts. The new lenses are versions of Leica M-mount offerings released in September 2023. You'd be forgiven if you're unfamiliar with Thypoch, the company is a new player in the lens market and the M-mount lenses were its launch products.

Both lenses are pretty straightforward; they are fully mechanical with manual focus and aperture rings, and they don't communicate any EXIF data back to the camera.

The 35mm version is composed of 9 elements in 5 groups, has a 14-blade aperture and has a minimum focus distance of 0.45m (1.5 ft). It's about 64mm long, give or take a little depending on your mount, and weighs 297-310g, depending on which mount you choose.

The 28mm version has 11 elements in 7 groups, a 14-blade aperture and a minimum focus distance of 0.4m (1.4 ft). It ranges from 68-72mm long and weighs 344-368g, again dependent on which mount is selected.

The aperture ring on both models can be set to 'click' or 'de-click,' which may be of interest to video users.

Between the aperture ring and the focus ring is a depth of field indicator, perhaps its most visual calling card beyond the rangefinder-style design. Adjusting the aperture from shallow to wide adds red dots, which indicate the breadth of focus users should expect. It's an interesting feature, 'cute' may be the word, but we suspect the novelty will wear off eventually.

The M-mount version had metal construction and a metal hood, and Thypoch has not indicated that this has changed for these additional mounts.

Simera 28mm F1.4 Z-mount Image credit: Thypoch

Price and availability

A quick update to my previous post: Panasonic to announce a new Lumix camera on May 22 US time (May 23 in China):

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LUMIX USA Official (@lumixusa)

Two additional Panasonic cameras registered in Asia

One of the models is rumored to be a new L-mount camera with specs similar to the Leica SL3:

Both Leica and Panasonic to announce new L-mount cameras in the next few months

What’s next?

The post Update: Panasonic to announce a new Lumix camera on May 22 appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Image credit: Sirui

Announced in mid-April, Sirui has released the Night Walker 16mm T1.2 S35 cine lens, its latest addition to the Night Walker line of APS-C / Super35 cine lenses. It is available starting today for Canon RF, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, Fujifilm X, and L mounts.

The 16mm (24mm equiv on APS-C) prime lens is composed of 14 elements in 5 groups, which include three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements to reduce chromatic aberration. It also has a 13-bladed aperture.

The controls are fully manual, which isn't unusual for a cine lens. Along the barrel is an aperture ring and focus ring. The lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3m (11.9"). It is compact at about 93mm (3.7") and weighs about 587g (1.3 lbs), but depending on your mount choice, these measurements shift a few grams or millimeters.

Sirui's Night Walker line is touted as having excellent low-light performance, which the company says helps solo filmmakers reduce the need for external fill lighting. It promises sharp visuals with minimal focus breathing.

Listed at $400, but available for $340 at an 'early bird' discount, the lens presents an intriguing value proposition, one which may be best suited for casual users curious about cine lenses who aren't sure if they need to invest in more expensive gear.

There was no clear word on whether the Night Walker 75mm T1.2 S35 cine lens, which was also announced last month, would be available soon.

Buy now:

 
The previously rumored Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II lens leaked on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3xDo1DKi_0

Sigma to announce a new 24-70mm f/2.8 Mark II lens next week

The post The upcoming Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II lens leaked online appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The previously rumored  Thypoch Simera 35 f/1.4 and 28mm f/1.4 lenses for Z/X/E/RF mounts are now officially announced and available for order at B&H Photo and the Thypoch website. Thypoch lenses are also sold on Amazon.

Additional information:

Thypoch Expands Simera 35mm & 28mm f/1.4 Lineup to Z/ X/ E/ RF Mounts

Thypoch, the emerging manufacturer of photo lenses in vintage look, is set to expand its popular Simera 35mm f/1.4 and Simera 28mm f/1.4 lenses to include Z/E/X/RF mount options. This expansion comes in response to feedback from Thypoch’s fans and users, who have expressed a desire for more versatility in their lens options.

The Thypoch team is committed to maintaining the exceptional performance of the original M-mount lenses while fine-tuning the new mount solutions for optimal results. The release of Z/E/X/RF mount lenses will provide photographers with enhanced capabilities to capture transient moments with precision and clarity.

Improved User Experience

1. 1.The ergonomic crescent-shaped focus tab for the Z/E/X/RF lenses marks a significant improvement in the focusing experience. It’s a game-changer for focusing, replacing the old infinity lock with a design that makes focusing smoother and more intuitive, enabling photographers to achieve precise focus on their subjects with greater ease and comfort.

1. 2.The subtle resistance at 0.7m and closer on the focus ring will be removed in the latest versions of Z/E/X/RF lenses. This enhancement caters to the user experience of non-rangefinder cameras from Nikon, Sony, Fuji, and Canon.

Retained Design and Optics

1. 1.The classic design of the automatic depth-of-field scale provides a quick and easy way for photographers to determine focus distance when shooting at hyperfocal distances, ensuring that every shot is perfectly focused.

1. 2.Simera 35mm f/1.4 and Simera 28mm f/1.4 for Z/E/X/RF mount have a constant maximum aperture of f/1.4 and a constant minimum focusing distance of 0.45m and 0.4m. Photographers are therefore able to achieve beautifully blurred backgrounds and crisp subjects in low-lighting conditions as well. Both lenses feature built-in floating elements (FLE) to ensure optimal image performance at close distances, delivering sharp imaging from center to edge and conveying subtle narrative texture.
2. 3.Clicked and de-clicked aperture modes symbolized by icons “sun” and “moon” are also in place for users to choose based on their needs. Videography is made easier via de-clicked aperture modes, which enable users to switch apertures silently and seamlessly.

Via NikonRumors

The post Thypoch expands Simera 35mm & 28mm f/1.4 lineup to Z/X/E/RF mounts appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Last week, Google announced the Pixel 8a, which slots in below the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro in Google's smartphone lineup. Although it's a member of the Pixel 8 family, the 8a uses the same sensors and lenses found in the Pixel 7a to keep its price lower than its siblings.

On paper, one of the Pixel 8a's headline features is a 64MP image sensor. However, the camera uses binning to deliver a 16MP image; you can't capture full-resolution photos using Google's camera app. To do that, you'll need to step up to the Pixel 8 Pro. You can see the full rundown of the Pixel 8a's camera specs in our launch coverage.

We used the Pixel 8a in various lighting conditions, from daylight to nighttime. This gallery was primarily shot with the phone's main camera, though we've included some images from the smartphone's ultrawide camera as well. We've also included images captured using Google's Night Sight and Long Exposure modes.

View the Google Pixel 8a sample gallery

Note: Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.

Buy now:

AstrHori will soon announce three new products (two lenses and one lightmeter):

→ New AstrHori 85mm f/1.8 autofocus lens for Nikon Z mount:

→ New AstrHori 28mm f/13 Periprobe lens with several improvements from the previous model:

→ New AstrHori Lightmeter II with a new design and more accurate metering (see previous version here):

→ AstrHori 120mm f/2.8 Macro 2x lens:

→ AstrHori is currently offering up to 20% off their products until May 25th:

The post Three new products coming soon from AstrHori appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Adorama started a new promotion where you can get up to 5x the bonus points on purchases sitewide from now through 6/30/24 with the Adorama Edge Credit Card:

The VIP Rewards Tier Bonus Points offer is valid on purchases from 5/06/24 through 6/30/24. Promotional Points earned is based on tier level with VIP Rewards earning 3 points per dollar spent, VIP Perks earning 4 points per dollar spent, and VIP Pro members earning 5 points per dollar spent on purchases during the offer period (minus any returns and adjustments) when they make a single receipt purchase. This offer does not apply to shipping charges, taxes, Adorama Gift Cards, select products or other fees associated with the purchase on an eligible product. The VIP Rewards Tier Bonus Points offer can not be combined with any other VIP Bonus Points promotion on purchases during this promotional period. The highest point bonus will apply if eligible for multiple purchase bonus campaigns. For VIP and VIP Perks members, bonus points will be posted to your account 35 days from shipment of product, within 10 business days for VIP Pro members and bonus points will expire 12 months from issuance. Earning points on qualifying purchases is limited to 30,000 for VIP and VIP Perks and 50,000 for VIP Pro members per member year. You must be a VIP Rewards member and logged into your Adorama Account at the time of purchase to earn VIP Reward points. VIP Pro Membership is available for $49.99 for one year (taxes may apply on the membership fee). For your convenience, VIP Pro Membership will automatically renew every year, at the then current rate in effect, unless cancelled. You can adjust your auto-renewal preferences in your Adorama online account profile.

Apple and Leica products are excluded (see the full list).

The post Deal of the day: get 5x bonus points promo from Adorama appeared first on Photo Rumors.

I already briefly mentioned the new Topaz Video AI 5 release. The latest version comes with improved AI model quality, a better user interface, and more integrations for professional editing workflows. Here is the full list of fixes from the previous version 5.0.2:

• Added back reset button for timeline zoom.
• Added .SER as an importable file type.
• Fixed certain input tiff sequences failing to load with projects.
• Fixed 0s elapsed bug when finishing export.
• Fixed stabilization not reloading in app (loading with error).
• Fixed benchmarking failing to load.
• Fixed trim + crop + rotation persistence across projects.
• Fixed EXR+DPX failing to reconvert.

New releases: Topaz Photo AI 3.0.1, Video AI 5.0.3, Gigapixel 7.1.3, Luminar Neo 1.19.0 + DxO PhotoLab sale

The post Topaz Video AI 5 is here appeared first on Photo Rumors.

ON1 announced the new ON1 Effects 2024 with several enhancements, including the AI Style Advisor, which uses AI technology to recommend personalized filter stacks based on user edits. The new version also features over 100 new effects presets reflecting the latest styles, a redesigned user interface for better efficiency, and significantly improved performance with faster photo loading and smoother editing overall. Additional updates include a new color-wheel style control in the Color Balance Filter, a revamped Layers pane for better usability, a new feature for pasting external photos as layers, and expanded support for new camera and lens profiles:

AI Style Advisor
One of the standout features of ON1 Effects 2024 is the AI Style Advisor. This new tool assists users in selecting the perfect looks for their photos. By leveraging AI technology, ON1 Effects learns over time and recommends stacks of filters tailored to enhance images. The AI Style Advisor learns from users' editing preferences, ensuring increasingly accurate and personalized recommendations. It also features AI recommendations from the ON1 team.

Updated Effects Preset Collection
ON1 has curated over 100 new presets for ON1 Effects 2024. These presets reflect the latest looks and styles, allowing photographers to stay ahead of the curve and achieve professional results in seconds.

User Interface Overhaul
ON1 has prioritized user experience with an overhaul of the Effects interface. The redesigned layout emphasizes simplicity and efficiency, enabling users to access essential tools. The modernized interface maintains familiarity for existing users while offering a more streamlined and visually appealing editing experience.

Improved Performance
ON1 Effects 2024 delivers enhanced performance across the board. Opening photos is over twice as fast, and brushing, zooming, and panning is smoother. Furthermore, batch exporting has been optimized for efficiency, resulting in up to 2x faster processing times.

Updated Color Balance Filter
The Color Balance Filter features a new color-wheel style control for intuitive color adjustments. This visual approach allows users to achieve precise color enhancements with ease.

Layers Pane Enhancements
In response to user feedback, ON1 has revamped the Layers pane to improve functionality and familiarity, particularly for Adobe users. The adjustable layout and enhanced layer settings offer greater flexibility and control over the editing process. Switching between layers is now faster and smoother as well.

Paste Pixels
ON1 Effects 2024 introduces the ability to seamlessly paste photos and pixels from external applications as new layers. This feature streamlines the integration of external content into ON1 Effects edits, enhancing creative possibilities.

Expanded Camera and Lens Support
ON1 Effects 2024 supports a wide range of new cameras and lens profiles.

Price and Availability
ON1 Effects 2024 is available to order today at a discount of up to $40 off the regular price of $69.99. All ON1 product owners qualify for the upgrade price. ON1 Everything subscribers, who always get all the latest software from ON1, can download ON1 Effects 2024 for no additional cost from their ON1 account.

The post New ON1 Effects 2024 now available with new AI technology appeared first on Photo Rumors.

CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association in Japan) published their latest camera production data (orange: 2024, black: 2023, blue: 2022):

March 2024 CIPA numbers by ZoetMB

March was a great month for the industry.  Much is up compared to January and February and also compared to March of 2023.  Only DSLR’s are down year-to-date.

CIPA has predicted 5.89m ILCs, 1.52m compacts and 9.57m lenses for calendar 2024.  Based on 2023 shipping patterns, ILC’s could conceivably come in at 7.1m.

Mirrorless now takes 82.5% of ILC units and 91.8% of ILC shipped value.

That compares to:*

2023: 6.001 million bodies (+1.25%), 9.639 million lenses (-0.92%).
2022: 5.927 million bodies (+10.8%), 9.7 million lenses (+1.6%).
2021: 5.348 million bodies (+0.75%), 9.55 million lenses (+6.1%)
2020: 5.308 million bodies (-37.3%), 9 million lenses (-36.6%)
2019: 8.462 million bodies (-21.4%), 14.2 million lenses (-21.1%)
2018: 10.76 million bodies (-7.9%), 18 million lenses (-6.4%)
2017: 11.68 million bodies (+0.6%) 19.22 million lenses (+0.156%)
2016: 11.61 million bodies (-11.1%), 19.19 million lenses (-11.6%)
2015: 13.06 million bodies (-5.6%), 21.7 million lenses (-5.2%)
2014: 13.84 million bodies (-19.2%), 22.9 million lenses (-14.2%)
2013: 17.13 million bodies (-15%), 26.7 million lenses (-12.2%)
2012: 20.16 million bodies (+28.5%), 30.4 million lenses (+16.9%)
2011: 15.69 million bodies (+21.7%), 26.0 million lenses (+19.9%)
2010: 12.89 million bodies (+30%), 21.69 million lenses (+34.7%)
2009: 9.91 million bodies (+2.2%), 16.1 million lenses (+2.5%)
2008: 9.7 million bodies (+17.4%), 15.7 million lenses (+25.6%)
2007: 8.26 million bodies, 12.5 million lenses
*Bodies = ILC bodies

March 2024:  Cumulative Units & Shipped Value:
(All comparisons to YTD 2023)

DSLR Units : 217.1K -10% YTD
DSLR Shipped Value: ¥10.8 billion -3% YTD

Mirrorless Units: 1022K +28% YTD
Mirrorless Shipped Value: ¥121.7 billion +33% YTD

Compact Units: 392K +8% YTD
Compact Shipped Value: ¥20.38 billion +41% YTD

Lenses for smaller than 35mm sensors Units: 1052K +17% YTD
Lenses for smaller than 35mm sensor Shipped Value: ¥21.7 billion +33% YTD

Lenses for 35mm and larger sensors Units: 983.9K +9% YTD
Lenses for 35mm and larger sensors Shipped Value: ¥81.7 billion +20% YTD

Cumulative 2024 Mirrorless unit share (of Mirrorless + DSLR): 82.5% (was 76.7% YTD 2023)
Cumulative 2024 Mirrorless Shipped Value share: 91.8% (was 89.1% YTD 2023)

The ratio of lenses shipped to bodies shipped is 1.64 for YTD 2024.  (was 1.73 for YTD 2023).

Full-year 2024 Geographic Share: (Asia doesn’t include China or Japan)

DSLR:
Units:                   China 14.9%, Asia 07.1%, Japan 4.0%, Europe 33.2%, Americas 39.2%, Other 1.6%
Shipped Value: China 15.8%, Asia 08.8%, Japan 4.8%, Europe 29.0%, Americas 40.2%, Other 1.3%

Mirrorless:
Units:                   China 25.8%, Asia 17.0%, Japan 09.9%, Europe 19.3%, Americas 24.3%, Other 3.7%
Shipped Value: China 27.5%, Asia 16.8%, Japan 08.3%, Europe 18.1%, Americas 24.5%, Other 4.7%

Compacts:
Units:                   China 08.8%, Asia 11.6%, Japan 22.6%, Europe 21.6%, Americas 30.6%, Other 4.9%
Shipped Value: China 12.8%, Asia 14.4%, Japan 13.6%, Europe 23.5%, Americas 30.3%, Other 5.4%

Lenses:
Units:                   China 21.4%, Asia 15.3%, Japan 10.6%, Europe 23.0%, Americas 26.1%, Other 3.5%
Shipped Value: China 26.3%, Asia 16.3%, Japan 10.0%, Europe 20.6%, Americas 22.3%, Other 4.6%

Approximate shipped value per unit (at ¥155.64=$1):
DSLR: $302
Mirrorless: $765
Compact: $334
Lenses: $326

A list of participating CIPA companies can be found here.

Via NikonRumors

The post The latest CIPA numbers appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Every week, we ask newsletter subscribers a question about gear, creativity or life. Last week we asked readers: What's a camera you used to own that you regret letting go of, and why?

Many wrote in to share thoughtful and surprising responses. It was curious to see just how many shout-outs we saw for older film cameras.

Many regretted leaving behind high-end SLRs when they moved to digital. In hindsight it seems a new appreciation has grown for the simplicity and engineering of classic cameras.

A strong subset of responses congregated around medium-format cameras as well (you can count me among that group), which tended to deliver a slower, more deliberate process than 35mm, in part because the cameras generally weren't designed for moving quickly.

Here are three of our favorite responses:

1.Canon F1

Canon's first SLR designed for the professional market. Image credit: Steve H/DPReview

Phil A: "I sold a Canon F1, some lenses and accessories to buy the first Nikon DSLR. Big mistake."

2. NIKON F3P

The Nikon F3P was a modified F3 created for photojournalists. It was made to be extra durable with special seals for dust and sand resistance and removed the film door release lock, self-timer and multiple-exposure lever. Image credit: Arne List/Wikipedia

Stephen E Lawrence: "The NIKON F3P, as it’s a working Pro camera that never failed me as a NPS member using it was easy to use, felt like a precision piece that it was and took great pictures every time."

3. NIKON F2

The Nikon F2 was the company's last all-metal mechanically-controlled professional-level Nikon SLR. Image credit: Photopath/Wikipedia

A DPReview reader wrote: "NIKON F2. The F2 was the best looking 35mm film camera ever made. Also loved the sound of the F2 titanium shutter. Perfect. Such a satisfying camera to use and own."

What's your take? Let us know in the comments.

If you want to participate in the next question, sign up for the newsletter. It's the best photography, camera and gear news, delivered right to your inbox.

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And we don't just stop at the news. Newsletter subscriber benefits include behind-the-scenes articles, letters to the editor, exclusive contests, sneak peeks on what we're working on, ways to share feedback directly with DPReview editors to help us shape future stories and more! There is no AI here, only real people writing the newsletters and reading your feedback (me!)

The fastest CFexpress Type A memory cards for Sony cameras are now available for sale (Nextorage NX-A1PRO & NX-A1SE series):

Nextorage NX-A1PRO

• NX-A1PRO640G
• NX-A1PRO320G
• NX-A1PRO160G
• NX-A1PRO80G
• NX-A1PRO40G

Nextorage NX-A1SE

• NX-A1SE1920G
• NX-A1SE960G
• NX-A1SE480G

Additional information:

Nextorage CFexpress Type A NX-A1PRO Series:

• Best-in-class read and write speeds of up to 950 MB/s and 950 MB/s, respectively [1] [2]
• Minimum continuous write speed of 850 MB/s for high-speed continuous shooting [1] [2]
• Stable high-speed continuous shooting and movie recording with our unique low power consumption technology
• VPG400 compatible

Nextorage CFexpress Type A NX-A1SE Series:

• Best-in-class read up to 950 MB/s[1] , write up to 950 MB/s[1]
• High-capacity lineup for long-time video recording
• VPG200 compatible

The NX-A1PRO series is a CFexpress Type A memory card for professional users who handle high-speed continuous shooting and high bit-rate video.

Best-in-class write/read speeds.

The maximum transfer rate of 950 MB/s for both write and read, the highest level in its class, and the minimum continuous write speed of 850 MB/s are achieved. ^{[1] [3]} The number of consecutive shots possible during high-speed continuous shooting has been increased, and the buffer memory release time has been shortened. This reduces the number of missed shots at the desired moment.

Dynamic Auto Power Save, a unique low-power consumption technology that stabilizes video recording.

Nextorage's unique power saving technology, "Dynamic Auto Power Save," reduces power consumption by up to 88% compared to the case without. In addition to reducing power consumption during video recording, thermal throttling* is also suppressed by reducing the temperature rise of the card itself. (*Thermal throttling: a control function that attenuates the transfer rate to prevent thermal runaway). This enables stable video recording. It also reduces the camera's battery consumption, which contributes to extending the available shooting time.

VPG400 compliant, as required for professional video shooting.

All capacities comply with the Video Performance Guarantee VPG400 (minimum guaranteed continuous write speed: 400 MB/s). It has the specifications required for professional video recording.

Abundant lineup of capacities for various applications

80 GB/160 GB capacity lineup for high-speed continuous shooting of still images and VPG200 for video shooting requiring. High capacity 320 GB/640 GB available. The CFexpress Type A is now available to professional users who have not yet used the CFexpress Type A.　We want our customers to experience the performance of our 40GB capacity at an affordable price.

The NX-A1SE series is a CFexpress Type A memory card for video creators who shoot long, high-quality videos.

Best-in-class write/read speeds.

Achieves a class-leading maximum write/read transfer rate of 950 MB/s. ^[1] Reduces data transfer time after shooting.

High-capacity lineup for long-time video recording

The high-capacity lineup of 480 GB,960 GB and 1,920 GB supports long-time movie recording, and is ideal for switching from SD cards, as it dramatically improves shooting time and data transfer speeds compared to SDXC UHS-II memory cards.

VPG200 compliant for stable, high quality video recording

All capacities comply with the Video Performance Guarantee VPG200 (guaranteed minimum continuous write speed: 200 MB/s). It has the specifications required for professional video recording.

Durability

• Both the NX-A1PRO and NX-A1SE series are durable and come with a 5-year warranty in accordance with CompactFlash Association regulations.
• Heat resistance: -10 °C to 70 °C (guaranteed operating temperature)
• Shock resistance (EIA-364-27A compliant)
• X-ray resistant (ISO7816-1 compliant)
• UV resistant (ISO7816-1 compliant)
• Magnetic resistance (based on Nextorage's own testing)
• Electrostatic resistance (conforms to IEC 61000-4-2)

Some Nextorage CFexpress Type B and SD memory cards are now on sale

The post The fastest CFexpress Type A memory cards for Sony cameras are now available for sale (Nextorage NX-A1PRO & NX-A1SE series) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Several new Chinese lenses were revealed at the 25th China International Photographic Equipment and Technology Expo (2024 China P&E) - here is the updated list:

→ Venus Optics Laowa TS 100mm f/2.8 1X tilt-shift medium format lens and TS 55mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 lenses for Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad V mount + Venus Optics Laowa FFII 15mm f/5 Cookie lens + new cinema lenses (check website for updates).

→ Meike has several new autofocus lenses (check website for updates).

→ New TTartinsa lens to be announced in May (check website for updates).

→ Sirui AF 75mm f/1.2 and AF 16mm f/1.2 automatic lenses for Fuji X/Nikon Z/Sony E mount (check website for updates).

→ 7Artisans autofocus lenses: 85mm f/1.8 for Sony E and 27mm f/2.8 for Nikon Z (check website for updates).

→ Zyhongyi Optics (ZY Optics) is also expected to show its first autofocus lenses.

→ Several new Thypoch lenses are coming for Z/E/X/RF camera on May 14.

This is the Nikon booth for the upcoming 2024 China P&E (no new product announcement expected)

LAOWA FFII T/S 55mm F2.8 Macro 1:1, LAOWA FFII T/S 100mm F2.8 Macro 1:1, and LAOWA FFII 15mm F5.0 Cookie

The post Update: more new lenses revealed at the 25th China International Photographic Equipment and Technology Expo (2024 China P&E) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

On May 14th Thypoch will announce the Z/E/X/RF Mount versions of their Simera 35 f/1.4 and 28mm f/1.4 lenses. The two lenses are already available for Leica M-mount at Adorama, Amazon, and B&H Photo (see previous coverage). Here are the details:

• The new lenses will be $120 cheaper than the M-mount versions, priced at $579
• A crescent-shaped focus tab will replace the infinity lock for convenience
• Removal of subtle resistance at 0.7m and closer
• The optics performance stays the same as the M-mount version

Thypoch lenses are coming also for Nikon Z, Sony E, Fuji X, and Canon RF mount

On May 24 Thypoch will announce a new Eureka 50mm f/2 lens for Leica M-mount:

Coming soon: Thypoch Eureka 50mm f/2 lens for Leica M-mount

By the end of the year Thypoch will also announce a new 75mm lens and cine versions of the Simera lens line.

More new lenses revealed at the 25th China International Photographic Equipment and Technology Expo (2024 China P&E):

Update: more new lenses revealed at the 25th China International Photographic Equipment and Technology Expo (2024 China P&E)

The post Three new Thypoch lenses to be announced in the next two weeks (Z/E/X/RF) appeared first on Photo Rumors.