Aperty - the new AI-powered photo editing app for professional portrait photographers by Skylum is now available. You can get a lifetime license until September 30th; after that, the lifetime option will no longer be available. Here are the app’s key features:

• Skin Toning: Make subtle changes to the skin tone of specific areas thanks to an accurate facial skin segmentation model; remove the red hue or unify the overall color. On top of that, the new app's state-of-the-art face mesh model provides unique makeup correction capabilities, allowing the application of extra textures like blush, highlight, and contour, and changing the color of lips, brows, and other elements.
• Eye Enhancement:  Add iris flare, remove redness, and adjust eye shape with a comprehensive suite of tools to perfect a subject’s eyes in portraits.
• Teeth Whitening: Ensure radiant smiles with advanced teeth whitening and brightening capabilities.
• Makeup Application: Enjoy customizable options for creative makeup styles and colors to compliment any complexion, clothing, or backdrop.
• Bokeh Effects: Create stunning depth-of-field effects with the bokeh feature, adding dimension and allure to portraits.
• Body Enhancement: Adjust bodily proportions to correct posture and account for unflattering angles, making sure portraits capture subjects in their best light.
• User-Friendly Interface: The editing workflow is tailored to the natural progression of portrait photographers' editing process.
• Automated Batch Retouching: This feature allows for quick adjustments across multiple photos, enhancing skin tone, makeup, and facial features consistently, ideal for lookbooks, yearbooks, portfolios, and more.
• Advanced Technologies: With 60% new neural networks, precise depth estimation maps, and 3D Face Mesh technology, Aperty provides advanced human segmentation for flexible and precise retouching. This technology allows for automatic enhancement of specific facial features and isolation of individuals within group photos.
• High-Quality Results with an Easy-to-Use Editor: Aperty has been developed with insights from professional photographers to ensure exceptional quality and user-friendly operation.
• Expert Collaboration: We have partnered with renowned photographer Julia Trotti, incorporating her expertise to refine the software’s design and guarantee top-notch results.
• Time-Saving Technology: Aperty’s advanced algorithms allow users to complete their editing tasks in a fraction of the time compared to traditional editors.
• Batch Editing: Effortlessly group and edit multiple photos simultaneously, applying consistent changes across your entire collection.

Skylum announced a new photo editing app for professional portrait photographers

The post Skylum Aperty now available (AI-powered photo editing app for professional portrait photographers) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Tamron announced a new 90mm f/2.8 Di III MACRO VXD macro lens (model F072) for Nikon Z and Sony E mount:

• Orders: B&H | WEX | Foto | Calumet | Erhardt
• Additional information
• Press release
• Product page
• Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III Macro VXD lens key features:

• Next-generation macro lens for Full-Frame mirrorless cameras
• Delivers high-resolution images with soft, circular bokeh
• Premium optical construction of 15 elements in 12 groups
• Includes 4 LD (Low Dispersion) lens elements to suppress aberrations
• 12-blade circular aperture diaphragm for circular bokeh
• Design also creates 12 rays for starburst effects for creative shots
• BBAR-G2 coating minimises ghosting and flaring for sharp results
• Achieve clarity and precision even in backlit conditions
• Impressive flat-field resolution with edge-to-edge sharpness
• High-speed and accurate AF with impressive subject tracking
• Design enables convenient, straightforward, and reliable operation
• Features a moisture-resistance construction and fluorine coating
• Compact and lightweight build enables maximum portability
• New lens hood design with a sliding window for use with filters
• Includes Tamron Lens Utility for function, customisation, and updates

Screenshot

The post New Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III MACRO VXD macro lens model F072 announced (for Z/E mount) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The previously rumored Leica Q3 camera with a 43mm f/2 APO lens is now officially announced:

• Orders: Adorama | B&H | Calumet | Koch | WEX
• Leica Q3 43 accessories
• Press release
• Full-frame BSI-CMOS-Sensor with Triple Resolution Technology (60MP / 36MP / 18MP)
• Hybrid Autofocus System (Phase Detection AF + Contrast AF + Depth from Defocus + AI)
• Tilting 3" display and 5.67MP OLED viewfinder
• Maestro IV processing engine
• Fast and convenient connectivity with the Leica FOTOS app
• Newly designed Leica 43mm APO-Summicron f/2 ASPH lens with integrated macro mode and leaf shutter featuring 11 elements in 8 groups plus 7 aspherical lens elements for eliminating aberrations
• Expanded digital zoom range includes: 60mm (31 MP), 75mm (20 MP), 90mm (14 MP), 120mm (8 MP) & 150mm (5 MP)
• Burst shooting up to 10 fps (mechanical shutter) or 15 fps (electronic shutter)
• Visual compensation system for more stable photos & video recordings
• 4K up to 60 fps & FHD up to 120 fps for video flexibility
• New gray leatherette
• ISO range from 50 to 100,000
• Leica UX and intuitive operation
• Full metal housing
• Durable design with IP52-rated dust & water spray protection
• All other features identical to the original Leica Q3 (28mm)
• Compatible with all existing Q3 accessories:

Leica Q3 43 camera accessory

Leica announces a new Q3 camera with a 43mm f/2 APO lens

Via LeicaRumors

The post Leica announced a new Q3 camera with a fixed 43mm f/2 APO lens appeared first on Photo Rumors.

89%

Overall score

Jump to conclusion

Key specifications

• 43mm F2 image stabilized lens
• 60MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor
• Options to crop in to 60, 75, 90, 120 or 150mm equiv focal lengths
• 5.76M dot OLED EVF with 0.79x magnification
• 3" tilt touchscreen LCD with 1.8 million dots
• Native ISO range of 100-100,000 (ISO 50 manually selectable)
• Hybrid autofocus (PDAF + contrast AF with DFD)
• Continuous shooting up to 15fps (7fps with AF-C)
• 8K video capture in UHD or DCI ratios up to 30p (H.265)
• Apple ProRes 422HQ support for 1080p video capture up to 60p
• AI-assisted perspective control and dynamic range tools for JPEG mode
• IP52-rated dust and water resistant
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with connection to Leica Fotos app
• Wireless charging via optional hand grip add-on

The Leica Q3 43 will be available from today at a recommended price of $6895, nearly $900 (15%) more than the existing Q3 was at launch, though that price has risen by $300 in the meantime. An optional accessory grip, giving a more pronounced hand-hold and adding Arca-compatible flanges for tripod mounting, will cost $250.

Index:

• What's new
• How it compares
• Body & handling
• Image quality
• Autofocus
• Video
• Conclusion
• Sample gallery
• Specifications
• Press Release

What's new

In terms of what's new, the answer is a paradoxical middle ground between: 'very little' and 'everything.'

The only major feature change present in the Q3 43 is the focal length of its lens and, consequently, the equivalent focal lengths of its crop modes. It's a completely new design comprising 11 lenses in 8 groups, including 7 aspherics [per a design patented by Panasonic]. It wears Leica's 'APO' branding, indicating an apochromatic design that should optimize sharpness and minimize longitudinal chromatic aberration.

The focal length may sound unusual, to those more used to 28, 35 or 50mm options, but there's a logic to the use of 43mm. 43mm is the length of the diagonal of a full-frame sensor, which means a 43mm lens is neither slightly wide-angle, as a 35mm would be, nor slightly telephoto, as a 50mm is.

The result is a camera that's more flexible than a fixed 50mm would be, and more distinct from the existing 28mm Q3 than a 35mm would be. As someone who frequently uses the 35mm focal length, I found myself missing the slightly wide view I'd become familiar with, but quickly settled into the perfect normal view of the world the 43 gave me.

Anyone who's used Panasonic's 20mm F1.7 on Micro Four Thirds, Nikon's 40mm F2 on Z-mount, a 28mm lens on APS-C or Pentax's 43mm F1.9 Limited will instantly be at home. I'm not going to make claims that it matches the human field of view, because we don't see a single field of view all at the same time, with the same acuity across the scene (our eyes don't work like cameras), but it does intuitively feel like it captures 'the world in front of me.'

You don't really need to use the camera to know whether the Q3 or Q3 43 is right for you, as it's simple a question of whether you prefer to capture a wide view including a lot of the scene, or if you want to be able to be a bit more selective. It's really that simple.

'Macro' capabilities

Rotate the ring nearest the camera (on the right of this image) and a new distance scale slides forward from the barrel of the lens, showing the close focus range of the lens.

As with the previous Q cameras, the 43mm lens has been designed with a close-up option. This is engaged by turning the ring nearest the camera to the 'Macro' position. As you do so, a distance scale for closer focusing pushes forward, replacing the standard scale and indicating the closer focus range.

In its standard setting the distance scale indicates the range from 0.6m (23.6") to infinity. Switching to the Macro position shortens this minimum focus distance down to 0.27m (10.6"), now maxing out at 0.6m.

Triple resolution and crop modes

The Q3 makes the most of its high-resolution sensor, offering 60, 75, 90 120 and 150mm equivalent crops of its sensor of approximately 31, 21, 14, 8, and 5MP, respectively. Of course, cropping in not only reduces the available resolution but also uses an increasingly small region of the sensor, with the expected reduction in image quality and low light performance as a consequence. The pixel-level IQ will look the same, but when blown up or viewed at a common size, the smaller sensor images will look worse. By 150mm equiv, you're well into compact camera territory, so it's probably worth only using in good light.

If you don't find yourself needing 60MP files all the time, the Q3 43 can also output or 36 or 18MP files from its full sensor. These are downsampled from the original capture, so should be more detailed than actually using a 36 or 18MP camera. You can select the output size for JPEGs and Raw independently, so can opt for small JPEGs and full-sized Raws or, lower-res Raws with full-sized JPEGs, if you can come up with a rationale for doing so.

Leica Looks

In addition to the 'Film Style' color modes that come pre-installed on the camera, the Q3 43 lets you download up to six 'Leica Looks' via the Leica Fotos app. The distinction is that you can adjust settings such as contrast, saturation and sharpening for Film Styles, whereas Leica Looks are fixed, uneditable presets.

The latest version of the Fotos app adds a Leica Chrome option, bringing the choice of Leica Looks to seven. This can be installed on either of the Q3 cameras or the SL3. Unlike the SL3, though, you can't edit the quick settings page, so you can't put Leica Looks into that menu, if you use them rather than the Film Styles.

Perspective correction

It's a mode perhaps better suited to the original Q3's wide-angle lens, but the intelligent perspective correction mode does a good job of delivering an straightened image, out-of-camera. Click here to see an un-corrected version. Leica Q3 43 | F7.1 | 1/500 sec | ISO 100 Photo: Richard Butler

The Q3 43 has Leica's perspective correction function. When switched on, this analyses the scene, looking for converging lines it thinks should be parallel, then calculates the necessary corrections based on this. The corrections are only applied to the JPEG image but the uncorrected Raw can be saved alongside. The JPEG is scaled back up to whatever resolution you're currently operating the camera at.

How it compares

There are no other prime-lens compacts offering a 43mm (or equiv) field of view. The most obvious peer is the Ricoh GR IIIx, which has a 40mm equivalent prime lens built in. Its 24MP APS-C sensor can't match the image quality and resolution of the Leica but also allows it to be much, much smaller and less expensive. The Ricoh's lens is a stop slower in absolute terms, before you consider the impact on depth-of-field and whole-image light capture of its smaller sensor.

Fujifilm's X100 VI has a wider, 35mm equiv lens – though we found it much easier to adapt to the 43mm field of view from 35mm equiv than we do switching back and forth between 35 and 28mm – and the cameras themselves are fairly different. The Fujifilm offers an interesting optical/electronic hybrid viewfinder and an APS-C sensor, whereas the Leica is full-frame and uses a conventional EVF.

Sony's long out-of-production RX1 series would also be a meaningful comparison, thanks to its similarly-sized sensor and 35mm F2 lens, but sadly it's a line that appears to have been abandoned.

As with most fixed-lens cameras, all four are built around in-lens 'leaf' shutters. These can't reach the 1/8000 sec exposures often offered by high-end focal-plane curtain shutters but can sync with flashes all the way across their mechanical shutter speed ranges.

Body & handling

The Q3 43's body is essentially identical to that of the Q3, which itself was a relatively gentle refresh of the design of the Q2. The principle difference being that the 43 version comes in a grey leatherette finish, and has the numbers 43 both on its lens and milled into its hotshoe.

It's a design that takes its styling cues from Leica's history, particularly with the rounded edges to the body, without directly mimicking the company's flagship M rangefinder series. But, while there's little risk of it being mistaken for an M, the overall design and use of typography is unmistakably Leica, even if you were to cover up the red dot logo on the front.

The controls are pretty minimal, with a dedicated shutter speed dial and aperture ring, both of which have 'A' positions, to pass their control over to the camera. Other than this, there's a command dial on the rear shoulder that contains a customizable button at its center. It's a system that helps focus all your attention on the fundamental settings of photography.

The command dial, in its default Auto setting, takes on a different role, depending on your exposure mode.

There are two more custom buttons along the top rear edge of the camera with the option to customize the central button of the four-way controller, which is primarily used for navigating the menus and positioning the AF point. Any of these buttons can be customized by holding them down. You can narrow-down the list of parameters available to be assigned to the buttons (on a per-button basis), so if you want to switch their function regularly, you can get straight to the options you want to select from.

There's a focus tab on the lower right of the lens that includes a small button. This button needs to be pressed to move the focus ring out of the 'Auto' position, to engage manual focus.

Interface

The Q3 43 has the most recent version of the interface Leica has been evolving for the past few years. As on the Q3 and SL3, pressing the menu button brings up a quick settings screen showing the exposure settings at the top and an array of other camera settings below. This display is touch-sensitive and swiping left brings up a similar quick settings menu but for video settings, taking you into video mode.

Pressing the Menu button again takes you to Page 1 of the menu proper, and pressing it again starts to toggle through the menu tabs. As with the D-Lux8 this raises the odd prospect of pressing left to jump one page to the left but having to press Menu to do the opposite (pressing right on the four-way controller adjusts the current setting or enters a sub-menu). It's a little quirk that doesn't take too long to adjust to, especially as there aren't many reasons to visit the main menu.

The Q3 43's interface resembles that of the original Q3 so doesn't yet include the updates made for the SL3, such as red color-coding for stills and yellow for video, or the ability to customize the quick settings menu. Instead you can save your prefered menu options in a 'Favorites' tab that appears as the first page of the main menus.

Viewfinder

The Q3 43 has the same 5.76M dot (1600 x 1200px) viewfinder as the existing Q3 model and the same 1.8M dot (560 x 640px) touchscreen that can be tilted up and down.

On the side of the camera is a small rubber door, behind which you'll find a Micro HDMI port and a USB-C socket. Video footage can be output over the HDMI port but precisely what resolution and codec is used depends on whether you're shooting L-Log, HLG or standard DR footage and whether you're simultaneously recording internally.

The USB port is a 3.1 Gen 2 interface, meaning it can transfer data at up to 10Gb/s. This can be used for tethering to the Leica Fotos app, if you use an iPhone.

Battery

The Q3 43 uses the same battery as the wide-angle Q3, the 16Wh BP-SCL6. The battery life is rated at 350 shots per charge, using the CIPA methodology, which we find can regularly mean getting twice this figure. 350 is a very decent rating for a camera you're likely to want to shoot with over the course of a few days.

The camera can be charged over its USB-C port, even while the camera is being operated. There's also the option at add wireless charging. If you add an optional handgrip, the camera gains the ability to charge using standard Qi wireless chargers.

Image quality

Our test scene is designed to simulate a variety of textures, colors and detail types you'll encounter in the real world. It also has two illumination modes to see the effect of different lighting conditions.

Because the Leica Q3 43 has so few direct peers and we've not always been able to get hold of production-spec Leicas for long enough to shoot our test scene, it's a little difficult to know what to compare it to. So we're primarily going to see how it looks alongside the Sony a7R V, with which it shares a sensor.

The detail levels are fractionally lower than with the Sony 85mm F1.4 GM lens, especially in the far corners, but very good for a fixed-lens camera. Noise levels, if anything, appear lower, despite Sony appearing to apply some sort of processing/noise reduction.

The Leica's JPEG engine isn't pulling out quite as much detail as the Sony, despite what appears to be quite heavy sharpening, that's causing a little bit of over-shoot at high-contrast edges. Leica's Standard color response is also quite unusual, with very magenta pinks and slightly dark yellows. The light pink patch is very neutral, which typically gives accurate, rather than attractive caucasian skin tones.

The default noise reduction aggressively supressed chroma noise but leaves unusually high levels of luminance noise. This approach both protects detail and gives the impression of detail, but means the images have a very high noise level. There's an argument that this luminance speckling is analogous to film grain, but it takes some getting used to.

White balance

We also found the Q3 43's Auto white balance could err on the neutral or even cool side. While, theoretically, you might expect auto white balance to try to cancel-out any tint the lighting might have, in practice most people prefer it to leave a little warmth to the scene. The above photo, shot using daylight entering from windows behind the camera, is the one that prompted me to stop using Auto white balance, as JPEGs were appearing very clinical.

ISO Invariance | Exposure Latitude

Lens performance

Our test scene isn't supposed to be a lens test, but it's shot from a reasonable distance, so for this focal length, it doesn't do a bad job. The lens is very, very sharp, all the way up to its widest F2.0 setting. There's a tiny drop-off in corner sharpness and some hint of vignetting, but these are only noticeable by comparison with stopped-down shots. Given we're looking at pixel level at a 60MP image, it's fair to say the lens is excellent.

These images were processed using Capture One, which enables us to use the manufacturer's distortion correction profile but disengage correction of lateral chromatic aberrations and vignetting. The Q3 43's lens is designed with geometric distortion corrected mathematically, so that other aberrations can be corrected optically without either increasing the size and complexity of the lens or adding to those aberrations through attempts to correct distortion.

Leica applies its 'Summicron' branding to the Q3 43's lens and both our test scene and real-world shooting suggest it's essentially free from chromatic aberration.

We don't see any sense in assessing the performance of a lens with some of its elements removed: we're only interested in the quality of the final image. And if the corners look this good after correction, we don't believe it's relevant whether that was achieved through glass or mathematics, especially if it allows the lens to be this comparatively small.

Autofocus

The Q3 43's lens has a small focus tab, much like Leica's M-mount lenses. There's a small release button on the upper lip, which needs to be pressed to release the focus ring from the AF position into the manual focus range.

The Q3 43 has a series of AF modes: a basic AF spot, an AF field that can be shifted and scaled, multi-field or a large zone. There are also Eye/Face/Body detection and Eye/Face/Body + Animal detection modes that select a subject in the scene. You can then press the four-way controller to select between recognized subjects.

Autofocus on the Q3 43 is very quiet and reasonably speedy. We didn't subject it to our standard autofocus test because we simply don't believe that it usefully represents the sorts of autofocus challenge a camera with a 43mm lens will be subjected to. There was at least one rushed shot where the camera claimed to be in focus but wasn't, but for the vast majority of our usage, it proved very quick for a fixed prime compact.

However, one issue we did encounter is that the Q3 43's detection modes don't let you specify an AF point to pre-select a subject. This is disappointing, and we found we had to turn face detection off when trying to shoot candid photos including multiple people: the camera would constantly jump from one subject to another, and find and lose people's faces faster than it was possible to select them.

It's been a while since we encountered a subject recognition system that doesn't work in conjunction with a selected AF point and we found it made autofocus operation slower and more fiddly, at least in some circumstances.

This was our only real gripe about the AF, though. Generally, it's swift and confident enough that you can rely on it without having to think too much.

Video

The Q3 43 has pretty ambitious video specifications, including up to 8K/30 capture and ProRes 422HQ footage at up to 1080/60. The camera can record video for up to 29 minutes. Leica says it'll be possible to connect external mics via the USB socket, with options becoming available in October.

To access video capture you press the menu button then swipe left on the screen, revealing the video settings menu. You can then choose from a range of resolutions and codecs.

There are also FullHD / 1080 options at up to 120p either played back at capture speed or as slow-mo. Shooting up to FullHD/60 can be done using the ProRes 422HQ codec.

The level of detail capture in 8K is very high. UHD footage is essentially the same as DCI footage but with the edges cropped off, both in 8K and 4K modes. 4K footage up to 30p is derived from the same sensor readout as the 8K modes, and shows levels of detail comparable with the Canon EOS R5 II's oversampled 'HQ' modes.

Framerates above 30p are sub-sampled (with the halved rolling shutter rate suggesting 50% line skipping). These modes are not just less detailed but exhibit prominent moiré.

Unfortunately, while detail capture is high, the rolling shutter rates are pretty significant. Most modes show over 30ms of rolling shutter, which will make them very prone to warped and distorted motion if things move quickly across the camera or if you pan.

Rolling shutter can also interact awkwardly with attempts at stabilization, as the movement to correct shake can both counter and exaggerate the distortion caused by the slow readout, leading to the so-called 'Jello' effect. We don't see video as a particularly critical feature on a camera with a fixed 43mm lens and no means of monitoring audio, but the results are a little disappointing given how promising the specs look on paper.

Conclusion

By Richard Butler

The Leica Q3 43 is a beautiful piece of engineering and design, and a welcome addition to the range if you don't see the world through the angle of view offered by the existing 28mm Q cameras.

Image quality is superb, with a lens that's very sharp and with high cross-frame consistency even at wide apertures. The camera's controls are also nicely focused on the fundamentals of photography, which is refreshing after the feature and icon overload that much of the industry has sleepwalked into.

The thread on the front of the lens has been cut so that the screw-in hood lines up exactly when fully tightened. It feels indicative of the attention to detail that's gone into the camera.

The camera had a couple of quirks that felt relevant to the way it might be used. While its autofocus was swift and responsive, the autofocus interface feels a generation or so behind the competition. Its face detection mode ignoring your chosen AF point can make it almost impossible to keep the camera focusing on your preferred subject, especially when shooting candids.

The Q3 43's Auto white balance mode can also be rather painfully literal: neutralizing any color cast in the scene and seemingly erring on the side of a rather cool rendition. This is no problem if you're shooting Raw but a little off-putting. Most modern cameras recognize that there are times you want to preserve some of the ambience in a scene, or at least keep the colors on the flattering side of neutral. The rather hands-off approach to luminance noise also takes some getting used to.

The Leica Q3 43 didn't magically make me a better photographer in the weeks I was shooting with it. But it did feel, as the best camera do, like something that would encourage me to keep practicing and support me as I went. Leica Q3 43 | F2.0 | 1/60 sec | ISO 160 Processed with Adobe Camera Raw Photo: Richard Butler

Overall, though, it's an impressive photographic tool that has the build quality and attention to detail to leave no doubt that this is a distinctly premium product. That's not going to convince everyone that it's worth the asking price, of course, but that's the nature of luxury goods: the exclusivity is part of the package. But, in a way that's not always been true of Leica's digital cameras, this does feel like a first-rate camera just as much as it's a desirable object.

Personally, I found myself uncomfortable knowing I had something costing so many thousands of dollars slung over my shoulder (admittedly made still more acute by doing it at a time when it was both valuable and secret). And its size, even with a relatively compact lens, meant I couldn't really pocket or conceal it.

Considerations of price and how you feel about the cultural meaning of such a product are deeply personal, and not something anyone is likely to be swayed on. But as a camera, it's very, very good. If you want a camera that's a Leica in every sense, but don't want to commit the rest of your life to a quest for ever more unobtainable M-mount lenses, it's just about everything you might hope for.

Scoring

Scoring is relative only to the other cameras in the same category. Click here to learn about what these numbers mean.

Compared to its peers

The Leica Q3 43 doesn't really have any direct peers. The closest parallel is Ricoh's GR IIIx, which is a much, much more compact camera but also one with a lens that's a stop slower in absolute terms, even before you factor-in the effect of it having a much smaller sensor. The only fixed-lens camera that will give you the same image quality and photo-centric shooting experience as the Q3 43 is the existing wide-angle Q3. And the significant difference between a wide-angle and a perfect normal angle-of-view should make it obvious which makes sense to you.

The Q3 43 offers image quality and shooting experience to live up to the brand story that Leica has built around itself. You can fit a good lens to any number of mass-market full-frame mirrorless cameras can get something like the image quality, but you won't get such an elegantly simple shooting experience (or such a small package). If the Leica brand and all it represents (including cost/exclusivity) doesn't resonate with you, then that's the more pragmatic route to take. But if it does, then nothing else will come close to working as a substitute.

Sample gallery

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.

Photo: Richard Butler

Canon has released a new firmware update for the EOS R5 II, and says it's currently working on removing a limitation that shows up when using the new camera with an older LP-E6NH battery.

Firmware version 1.0.1, which should soon be available on Canon's site, is mostly about bug fixes and improvements. According to Canon, the update will:

• Fix an issue in which movies captured in RAW format may not play back properly on applications due to the attached lens and camera not communicating properly.
• Improve the stability of the touch operation control when the Touch Control is set to Sensitive.
• Fix an issue in which the camera LCD display may become abnormal after the camera resumes operations from the viewfinder off state.
• Fix an issue in which the camera may stop working properly when the shutter button is operated while the BUSY message is being displayed on the screen.
• Fix an issue in which Err70 may be displayed when the display mode is switched between the LCD screen and viewfinder while the BUSY message is being displayed on the screen.
• Fix an issue in which the camera LCD display may become abnormal after using EOS Utility to capture and import movies.
• Fix an issue in which movies captured using EOS Utility may not be played back on the camera.
• Optimize the auto white balance for specific environments when the Custom Picture function is set to ON.

The company also told DPReview that it'll release a firmware update 'later this year' to let the EOS R5 II record 23.98/24p video, even with an older LP-E6NH battery installed. There will still be limitations when using the LP-E6NH battery instead of the LP-E6P that comes with the camera; according to Canon's manual, using the older battery will disable:

• Recording in 8K DCI/8K UHD/RAW/SRAW, Fine image quality, and 239.76/200.00/119.88/100.00/59.94/50.00 fps frame rates
• HDMI RAW output
• Still photo shooting during movie recording
• High Frame Rate movies
• Pre-continuous shooting
• Using Wi-Fi / Ethernet

While the 24p frame rates aren't officially included on the no-go list, Petapixel has reported that people weren't able to use them with the LP-E6NH battery installed and confirmed the omission with its own tests.

Canon says it hasn't finalized when the update enabling 24p will be available, but we'll be sure to update you as soon as it's available.

Image: Tamron

Tamron has announced the 90mm F2.8 Di III Macro VXD, a full frame lens for Sony E mount and Nikon Z mount, the latest in a long line of affordable 90mm Macros from the company.

As the name implies, the lens is focused on capturing 1:1 reproductions at relatively close distances, though it can also be used for portraiture and as a medium-distance telephoto. The company also pitches it as a good option for APS-C shooters, as it will have a 135mm equivalent focal length on those systems.

The lens comprises 15 elements – all of which are spherical – in 12 groups, including four special glass low-dispersion elements. Tamron also says it has a 'moisture-resistant construction' and a Fluorine coating on the front element, which should provide some resistance to oil and dust.

According to Tamron, the lens features the company's first 12-blade circular aperture to ensure "the bokeh remains perfectly circular when the aperture is wide open." Also new is its lens hood; the company says it includes a 'sliding window' that lets you easily adjust filters without having to remove the hood. The lens' filter thread is 67mm.

The 90mm F2.8 Di III Macro VXD is 127mm (5") long and weighs 630g (22.2oz) for the Sony model. The Nikon model weighs 10g (0.4oz) more. Both feature a focus set button as well as a focus limiter switch.

The lens fills a gap in the Z-mount system, as there weren't previously any 90mm autofocus-capable macro lenses for full-frame cameras. Nikon makes a 105mm model, and Venus Optics has a manual focus 90mm F2.8.

The 90mm F2.8 Di III Macro VXD will be available starting October 24th for $699.

Tamron 90mm F2.8 Di III VXD specifications

Jeff Bridges is developing a new Widelux-copy panoramic film camera that will be called WideluxX. The wideluxx.com website is already up and running. The new camera is expected to be released next year (2025). The original Widelux camera can be found on eBay. Additional information on this project is available here:

The post Jeff Bridges is developing a new Widelux(X) panoramic film camera appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Tamron to announce a new 90mm f/2.8 macro lens for Nikon Z-mount tonight

The latest Ricoh Theta updates (HDR-DNG)

The new Pentax AF180FG flash is now available for pre-order

Ricoh now sells “Grad ND” software for the latest Pentax DSLR camera models

The Leica M11-D camera is now shipping in a new packaging that does not include a charger

Viltrox Announces Global Photo Contest 2024

Canon Powershot 10 White Announced in China

DigitalFoto Solution Limited ICEMAN PRO For Fujifilm X-T4

The post What else is new? appeared first on Photo Rumors.

More Leica Q3 43mm f/2 APO camera leaks appeared online before the official announcement tomorrow:

Via LeicaRumors

The post More Leica Q3 43mm f/2 APO camera leaks before the official announcement tomorrow appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The previously reported TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 "Swirly Bokeh" lens is now officially announced. The lens comes with an M42-mount but can be mounted on any modern camera with an adapter (not compatible with Nikon F-mount). The lens is designed for full-frame, but the actual image field is larger than full-frame and can almost cover medium format. The price is $269. The new lens is now in stock at:

• TTArtisan
• Pergear
• Amazon US
• Amazon CA
• Amazon UK
• Amazon DE

Additional information:

The post TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 “Swirly Bokeh” lens officially announced appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Winners of the 2024 Bird Photographer of the Year awards

Image: Bird Photographer of the Year/Princeton University Press

Yesterday, we got to see the winners of the 2024 Ocean Photographer awards. Today, we're taking to the opposite domain; the winners of the 2024 Bird Photographer of the Year awards have been announced.

The competition, which has been running since 2016, drew over 23,000 submissions, according to its organizers. Photographer of the Year is partnered with Birds on the Brink, a charity that gives grants to bird conservation efforts.

The winning images will be on display at various venues throughout the United Kingdom over the next year.

You can view the silver and bronze finalists, as well as honorable mentions for each category, on the Bird Photographer of the Year website. The site also shows the winners of the Portfolio and Conservation Awards, which are given for a series of images rather than a single image.

Bird Photographer of the Year Winner - Patricia Homonylo, Canada

Image: Patricia Homonylo

The overall winner this year is Patricia Homonylo for her photo entitled When Worlds Collide. According to the organizers, the image depicts over 4,000 birds that died from running into windows in the city of Toronto.

Homonylo works with the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), a charity that aims to save birds who have run into windows after mistaking reflections for the sky. FLAP also works to raise awareness of the issue and ways to make homes safer for migratory birds.

The photo also won the Conservation (Single Image) category.

Young Bird Photographer of the Year - Andrés Luis Domínguez Blanco, Spain

Image: Andrés Luis Domínguez Blanco, age 14

Title: Perspective

Best Portrait - Alan Murphy, USA

Image: Alan Murphy

Title: Winter Pink

Birds in the Environment - Kat Zhou, USA

Image: Kat Zhou

Title: Immersion

Bird Behaviour - Nathaniel Peck, USA

Image: Nathaniel Peck

Title: Scavenger

Birds in Flight - Hermis Haridas, India

Image: Hermis Haridas

Title: Dawn's Whispers

Black and White - David Stowe, Australia

Image: David Stowe

Title: Hippo Impression

Urban Birds - Grzegorz Długosz, Poland

Image: Grzegorz Długosz

Title: Treacherous Journey

Comedy Bird Photo - Nadia Haq, USA

Image: Nadia Haq

Title: A Modern Dancer

15-17 years - Emil Wagner, Germany

Image: Emil Wagner

Title: Human and Nature

11 and under - Julian Mendla, Germany

Image: Julian Mendla

Title: Turbulent Fish Hunt

Video Award - Malkolm Boothroyd

Image: Malkolm Boothroyd

Our slideshow tool doesn't support videos, but you can watch this year's winner, titled Into a World of Ice, below.

We are getting close to the official announcement of the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 pancake lens for Sony E and Nikon Z mount. Here are the latest images from Chinese social media:

Update - the lens will be listed for funding on Indiegogo on September 29:

Additional information on the lens can be found here:

First picture of the upcoming Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 VCM ASPH ED full-frame autofocus pancake lens

Viltrox to announce a new AF 28mm f/4.5 VCM ASPH ED full-frame autofocus pancake lens

Viltrox has a patent for a new 28mm pancake autofocus full-frame lens

The post Getting close to the official announcement of the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 pancake lens for Sony E + Nikon Z appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The 7Artisans AF 85mm f/1.8 full-frame lens for Nikon Z-mount will be announced on September 26th. The lens already exists for Sony E-mount - check the official 7Artisans website for details:

7Artisans announced a new 85mm f/1.8 full-frame autofocus lens for Sony E-mount

The post The 7Artisans AF 85mm f/1.8 lens for Nikon Z-mount will be announced on September 26th appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Sigma is celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Sigma fp camera with an event in Burbank, California on October 25, 2024:

"This will be a full day of learning, product testing, and a celebration of one of SIGMA’s most innovative cameras."

The fp model was announced on October 19 2019. It seems strange to create an entire event just to celebrate an anniversary. "Learning" and  "product testing" of a 5-year-old camera sounds very suspicious. The Sigma fp camera is due for an update, and there is a good chance it will happen on October 25. The camera currently sells for $1,899  - this is the original price, the fp never got a discount in 5 years.

Additional information on the event:

The process of making the Sigma FP full-frame mirrorless camera (video)

The post Sigma fp event on October 25 – will there be a new camera announcement? appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The last Insta360 teaser was for two new 4k AI webcams (Link 2 & Link 2C). Pre-orders are open at B&H and Amazon (international shipping is available when ordering directly from Insta360). Here are the details (check also the official product page):

Exceptional imaging in any environment.

In the realm of virtual communication, first impressions matter. Whether you're pitching a client, teaching a class, or building your online community, your video quality speaks volumes. That's why Link 2 and Link 2C come equipped with the best imaging technology in their class.

At the heart of these webcams lies a powerful 1/2" sensor, which is larger than those found in typical webcams. A larger sensor means they capture more light and more detail, with strong low light capabilities, enabling their use even in poorly lit spaces. This is coupled with advanced HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology to really drive that dynamic range and get greater balance between highlights and shadows.

With support for up to 4K30fps resolution, you'll always look your best on camera. The crisp details and vibrant colors help remove those layers of separation that exist in online communication, and make it feel more like a face-to-face interaction.

Link 2 and Link 2C don't only look after your appearance. They're able to replicate a near DSLR-like depth of field, with an impressively natural bokeh effect for your surroundings. There's also True Focus, which uses faster, more accurate Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) to rapidly focus and avoid blurry shots.

Two unique models.

Everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to their webcam setup. That's why we've created two distinct models, each offering unique advantages.

Link 2: For those who need ultimate flexibility, Link 2 features a built-in 2-axis gimbal for smooth, stabilized footage and AI-powered tracking that keeps you in frame.

Link 2C: Ideal for those with a more fixed setup, Link 2C offers the same stunning 4K image quality and AI features in a compact, gimbal-free design.

Both Link 2 and Link 2C will launch with upgraded, premium accessories. A new Magnetic Mount, included in the box, makes setup a breeze. There's also the option to snap the camera onto a monitor or any magnetic surface for quick and easy positioning.

AI noise reduction and professional audio.

Distracting background noise can derail even the most polished live stream or presentation. Link 2 and Link 2C put an end to that, thanks to their state-of-the-art AI noise reduction technology. From a busy coffee shop or shared workspace to the comfort of your own home, you can count on professional-grade audio.

Powered by advanced algorithms, these webcams filter out unwanted sounds like keyboard clicks, nearby conversations, or traffic noise, ensuring your voice comes through loud and clear.

Link 2 and Link 2C come with three unique profiles to tailor to your environment, including Voice Focus, Voice Suppression, and Music Balance- ensuring whatever the situation, your message is heard.

Intuitive AI-powered control.

Link 2 and Link 2C have taken their AI capabilities up a level. Move freely, gesture effortlessly, and let the camera do the work.

With precision AI Tracking and Auto Framing, you're free to move around while the camera keeps you perfectly centered in the frame. Ideal for educators, presenters, and anyone who needs to move around their space during a video call or live stream. A newly added Group Tracking option also ensures that if you're co-hosting, neither you or your partner take up too much of the frame.

New Pause-Track Areas allow the camera to recognize areas where it shouldn't track you. This is ideal, for example, in an e-commerce live stream, to show products in different positions without the camera following you, or in a presentation setting to ensure sensitive areas or information aren't shown (available on Link 2 only).

Gesture Control has received a significant refresh, allowing for even more control without ever touching your camera. Simple hand gestures trigger actions like starting/stopping AI Tracking, zooming in or out, and activating Smart Whiteboard Mode. Intuitive, convenient, and perfect for keeping your focus on your audience.

Versatile tools for any scenario.

The new generation of Link brings a host of new and updated features for effortless engagements online, with added modes, better control remotely, and professional-grade filters.

Smart Whiteboard Mode*: Auto-detects the whiteboard that you're presenting from, keeping it squared off and in focus. Online presentations have never been easier. Alternatively, there's the existing Whiteboard Mode, which uses small recognition markers to designate the presentation space.

• *Requires the use of the Link Controller desktop software.
• Full 4K Portrait Mode: Capture uncropped 4K vertical video, perfect for social media. Simply attach to a tripod (sold separately) for high resolution streaming.
• Remote Smartphone Control: Adjust settings, switch modes, and control the gimbal (Link 2) right from your phone.
• Background Replacement: Need to hide a messy room or jump into a professional setting quickly? Link 2 and Link 2C offer seamless background switching.
• DeskView Mode: Perfect overhead view for presentations and demos.
• One Click Makeup: A makeup filter that actually looks natural! Perfect when you're running late and want to add a last-minute touch up.
• Privacy Mode: Easily protect your privacy with configurable states where the webcam will face downward and mute itself.

All this in a set of webcams that are compatible with all major video conferencing and streaming platforms, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Twitch, and more.

The post The last Insta360 teaser was for two new 4k AI webcams appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Ricoh is rumored to announce a new Pentax K1 Mark III camera - here are the leaked specifications:

• SAFOX 14 autofocus system
• New full-format sensor, again from Sony, 3 different sensors are installed in the prototypes, for the series I’m guessing the 61M BSI CMOS million pixel sensor
• Very fast fps
• 4K (and higher) video
• USB C 3.2 connection
• Joystick
• Touchscreen (thankfully can be switched off)
• New smart functions (including those that the K3 III doesn’t have yet)
• Bluetooth / WiFi
• New control software for the cell phone (with live view)
• GPS built-in
• Astrotracer built-in
• Key illumination
• Very solid workmanship, very good feel
• Of course, the optical viewfinder (but significant improvements in the information display)
• Production is scheduled to start in Vietnam in October
• LCD display with a slightly higher resolution than the K1 III
• The battery remains the same as in the K1 II, 645Z and other Pentax
• Two CF Express memory card slots

Pentax K1 Mark III camera rumors

Pentax K-1 Mark III camera still under development

Ricoh registered a new R07010 camera in China and South Korea

The post The DSLR is now dead yet: new Pentax K1 Mark III camera rumors appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Godox announced a new iM30 mini camera flash. Here are the key features (additional information can be found here):

• Compact and User-Friendly
  Weighing just 78g and small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the iM30 is easy to carry, ensuring that portability never compromises performance.
• Superior Lighting Performance
  With a guide number of 15 (ISO 100, meters), the iM30 delivers bright and natural fill light, significantly improving the quality of shots in various environments.
• Seven Power Levels
  The iM30 offers seven adjustable power levels (1/64 to 1/1), providing flexibility to adapt to different lighting conditions, making it suitable for diverse shooting scenarios.
• Efficient Power Management
  Powered by two AAA batteries, the iM30 delivers up to 230 flashes on a single charge, ensuring reliability and consistent performance throughout shoots.
• Quick and Simple Operation
  With a single-contact hot shoe design, the iM30 is easy to attach and use with a wide range of cameras, offering a plug-and-play experience without the need for complex setup.

Godox iM30 Camera Flash Compact, Powerful, and Versatile Announced

The post New Godox iM30 mini camera flash announced appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Here is a quick recap of the latest news from the last few days while I was offline:

Nikon

Nikon Z6III firmware update version 1.02 released

What to expect next from Nikon?

The first underwater camera housings for the Nikon Z6 III are here

Canon

Canon Speedlite EL-5 Recalled

Leica

What’s next for Leica? (updated rumors recap)

The Economist: “The demand for high-end cameras is soaring”

Kamerakraft LMGRIP grip v3.0 for Leica M film cameras now in stock

Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 50mm f/3.5 Type I / II VM lens review

Fujifilm

Fujifilm X-M5 Rumor Verified? Coming in October?

Freewell X100VI/X100VI Telephoto 1.5X and 2-in-1 Macro Wide Angle Lenses

Sony

Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD Firmware V2 Released With Improved AF

New Metabones eND Smart Adapter Opens up a New Degree of Freedom for Cinematography

Other

Profoto A1X Firmware D2 Released

Blazar 35mm T1.6 and Blazar 50mm T1.8 1.33x Full Frame Anamorphic AF Cinema Lenses

Chinese Autofocus Zoom Lenses Coming Soon

TTArtisan 90mm f/1.25 Showing Up Discontinued

The post What else is new? appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Steve Gantlett is on a mission: to find whoever misplaced an SD card full of bird pictures in Norfolk county, England. According to his post on X, formerly Twitter, the card has around 3,700 bird pictures taken in Iceland.

Gantlett posted his original in-search-of on Monday but followed up on Tuesday, saying that the person hasn't been found yet. If it belongs to you, or you know someone who went to Iceland in May and then was in the UK, it may be worth reaching out to Gantlett; he's @cleybirds on X.

If you don't have an account on that site, feel free to leave a comment here and we'll see what we can do. We'll be sure to update this story if the rightful owner is found.

Winners of the 2024 Ocean Photographer of the Year awards

Image: Oceanographic and Rafael Fernandez Caballero

Earlier this month, Oceanographic Magazine announced the winners of its 2024 Ocean Photographer of the Year awards. The outlet says the awards are meant to "shine a light on the wonder and fragility of our blue planet, and to celebrate the photographers giving it a voice."

According to the outlet, over 15,000 images were submitted for consideration. The finalists and honorable mentions for each category are on the Oceanographic website. The images selected will be shown in a gallery at the Australian National Maritime Museum beginning on November 28th, 2024.

The Ocean winner: Rafael Fernandez Caballero

Image: Rafael Fernández Caballero

Winner of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 award, Rafael Fernández Caballero, told Oceanographic that he shot the image during the Mexican sardine run in late 2023. He said "For years, I’ve visited the Mexican sardine run, always hoping to witness a whale feeding on a baitball," adding that "it’s not just about the image itself, but about the shared experience and the thrill of being in the right place at the right time."

The winning image depicts a Bryde’s whale opening its mouth to eat a school of fish.

Location: Baja California Sur, Mexico

Wildlife winner: Manuel Castellanos Raboso

Image: Manuel Castellanos Raboso

Artist statement: A triumphant mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish proudly displays its catch amidst a feeding frenzy.

Location: Baja California Sur, Mexico

Fine Art winner: Henley Spiers

Image: Henley Spiers

Artist statement: Born during the great mobula aggregations of spring, juvenile Munk's devil rays remain in the Sea of Cortez long after their parents have left, using the shallow bays of Espiritu Santo Island as a nursery.

Location: Baja California Sur, Mexico

Adventure winner: Tobias Friedrich

Image: Tobias Friedrich

Artist statement: A scuba diver looks tiny swimming in front of a shipwreck.

Location: The Bahamas

Conservation (Impact) winner: Frederik Brogaard

Image: Frederik Brogaard

Artist statement: The second biggest whale, the fin whale, lies waiting for its turn to be butchered at a whaling plant in Iceland before getting sent to Japan.

Location: Iceland

Conservation (Hope) winner: Shane Gross

Image: Shane Gross

Artist statement: A green sea turtle is released by a researcher after being caught while trying to catch sharks.

Location: Seychelles

Human Connection: People & Planet Ocean winner: Zhang Xiang

Image: Zhang Xiang

Artist statement: A traditional Chinese fisher makes their way across the beach as the sunset’s golden haze is reflected in the sand and water.

Location: Fujian, China

Young Photographer of the Year winner: Jacob Guy

Image: Jacob Guy

Artist statement: The algae octopus is an elusive creature.

Location: North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Ocean Portfolio winner: Shane Gross

Image: Shane Gross

Artist statement: Baby plainfin midshipman fish, still attached to their yolk sacs.

Location: British Columbia, Canada

Female Fifty Fathoms Award winner: Ipah Uid Lynn

Image: Ipah Uid Lynn

Artist statement: A whale shark surrounded by a swirling school of fish.

Location: The Maldives