There is another new lens coming from China: Cheecar 25mm f/1.7. Here are the details:
More Cheecar lenses can be found here. Cheecar lenses are sold on eBay.
Cheecar to announce a new 100mm f/2.8 full-frame 2x macro lens (R/EF/Z/E/L)
The post New Cheecar 25mm f/1.7 lens appeared first on Photo Rumors.
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Canon EOS 20D and 17-40mm F4 L lens | ISO 100 | 3.2 sec | F4 Photo: Dale Baskin |
The theme for our December Editors' photo challenge is 'Happy Holidays'.
Show us what the holiday season looks like through your lens. Whether it’s colorful lights, dazzling decorations, festive gatherings, or just a cozy moment, we want to see your best holiday-inspired photos.
For this challenge, submit one or more photos that embody this month's theme. Each person can enter up to two photos.
DPReview editors will review every photo you submit to an Editors' Challenge. We'll publish our favorites in a gallery on the DPReview homepage at the end of the month.
Submissions will open on Sunday, December 1st, and you have until Saturday, December 7 (GMT) to submit entries. User voting will begin once submissions close and will help inform DPReview Editors' picks, but will not select them. They are one factor in our evaluation. Visit the December Editors' Challenge page to see the full details.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out some of the other open and upcoming challenges hosted by members of the DPReview community. Or, see some of the great photos from recently completed photo challenges.
Click here to see the December challenge details
The previously reported Brightin Star AF 50mm f/1.4 APS-C autofocus lens is now available for Sony E and Fuji X mount.
Additional information on the lens can be found here:
Brightin Star AF 50mm f/1.4 APS-C autofocus lens officially announced (E/Z/X)
The post Brightin Star AF 50mm f/1.4 lens now available appeared first on Photo Rumors.
Given the conflicting and wrong information circulating online, I contacted Viltrox directly and asked them about their 135mm f/1.8 LAB lens coming for other mounts. This is the response I got:
“Fuji X mount? I haven’t heard anything about Fujifilm X mount, but Nikon Z mount will be launched in the future, though the timeline is uncertain.”
The E-mount version of the lens is currently available at Amazon, B&H Photo, Pergear, and Viltrox store.
The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB FE lens for Sony E-mount is now available for pre-order
Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB and 35mm f/1.7 lenses coming to Nikon Z-mount
The post Viltrox 135mm f/1.8 LAB lens is also coming for Nikon Z-mount, but not for Fuji X-mount appeared first on Photo Rumors.
�This week, we published our initial review of Sony's latest flagship, the a1 II. As part of the camera's launch event, editor Richard Butler was able to use the camera to shoot part of an American football game. Video director Mykim Dang went along with him to capture the experience, and the result is a very entertaining video that also covers the basic specs and features of the a1 II.
You can see full-resolution versions of some of the images Richard captured, along with a series of portraits he took while in New York City, in our sample gallery.
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| Images: Angelbird, 3 Legged Thing, Peak Design |
Happy weekend, everyone! It's been a busy week here at DPReview, covering the launch of the Sony a1 II, but we've still found some accessories worth taking a look at. But first, as always, let's check out the deals.
Next week, the US is celebrating Thanksgiving, which is shortly followed by the traditional shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Many brands have already started their sales, so there's plenty of discounts to be had. Next week we'll be putting out an article rounding up some of the best prices on our favorite gear, so stay tuned for that.
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| Photo: Richard Butler |
In the meantime, Nikon's at it with the sales again. The company's latest full-frame camera, the Z6III, can be had for $200 off. When we reviewed it earlier this year, we were impressed by its versatility and capability for shooting both stills and videos.
$2,296 at B&H $2,296 at Adorama $2,296 at Amazon |
| Photo: Dan Bracaglia |
What's that? You're not impressed by a mere $200 off? Fair enough. You can still get the Nikon Z8 for $500 off list, but the real jaw-dropper is the Nikon Z7 II, which is available for a full $1,000 off MSRP. It's a decidedly last-gen camera at this point and doesn't feature the company's latest autofocus tech that impressed us so much in the Z8 and Z6III, but if you're looking for a high-res full-frame camera to shoot landscapes with, it's hard to imagine that you'll find something better for $2,000.
$1,996 at B&H $1,996 at Amazon $1,996 at Adorama |
| Image: Peak Design |
A few months ago, Peak Design announced a new lineup of outdoor-focused camera bags, made of durable, weather-resistant materials and designed to be comfortable to wear on long excursions through varied terrain while carrying the gear you need to get the perfect landscape shot.
Previously, the bags – two backpacks and two slings – were available to preorder on Kickstarter, but they're now available to buy via normal retail channels. If you want to learn more about the bags, be sure to check out our full article on them here.
Peak Design Outdoor Pack
25L $250 at Amazon 45L $330 at Amazon Buy at B&HPeak Design Outdoor Sling
2L $59 at Amazon 7L $89 at Amazon Buy at B&H |
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Red is CFexpress type A, blue is SD, and yellow is CFexpress type B. Image: Angelbird |
Angelbird, a company best known for its SSDs and memory cards, has released a new lineup of card readers called the PKT series. As the "pocket" name implies, they're meant to be carried around; the USB-C port on them is recessed to reduce wear and tear, the card slot has a cover to prevent dust or lint from building up in them and they have a write protection switch that can help prevent accidental data deletion or formating.
There are three models: one for SD cards, which can transfer data at 5 Gbps, and CFexpress type A and B models, which both run at 20Gbps through a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 connection.
The PKT readers certainly aren't cheap – each one costs around $100 – but they sure do look nice. They're made out of aluminum, which you can get engraved with custom text for no extra cost, and each one features a distinctive splash of color so you can tell which reader you're grabbing at a glance. They also include a three-year warranty and a 32 cm (12.6") USB 4 cable.
| SD reader | $99 at Amazon $99 at B&H |
| CFexpress type A reader | $99 at Amazon $99 at B&H |
| CFexpress type B reader | $99 at Amazon $99 at B&H |
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PolarPro's iPhone case lets you add accessories without having to use an entire cage Image: PolarPro |
Filter and camera accessory company PolarPro has updated its 'LiteChaser' iPhone case lineup to support Apple's latest phones and add even more attachment options, including a set of effects lenses that can be used with your phone's main camera.
There are a few case options; the base one lets you attach filters and lenses and comes with a removable grip with two 1/4-20 threads and a cover that can flip down to protect your phone's cameras, while the 'ProCase' includes all that plus a cold-shoe mount that you can use to add even more mounting points to your phone. For those who like using their phone without a case, there's an easily removable 'EXO' backplate that attaches via MagSafe and gives you a slot to add filters and lenses.
The company sells a variety of specially made filters for the system, including a 2-5 variable ND, a black mist filter, and a circular polarizer, as well as an adapter that lets you use standard 67mm screw-on filters. The filters it made for the iPhone 15 version of the case are also forward-compatible, so you can still use them if you've upgraded your phone.
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| Image: 3 Legged Thing |
3 Legged Thing's latest product isn't a tripod or other apparatus to mount a camera; instead, it's a set of clip-on lavalier microphones that you can use to record – you guessed it – three people at once. The company pitches the system, called the 'Str3amcase' towards content creators and videographers doing interviews, livestreams, or vlogs.
The kit comes with two transmission modules and one receiver module, which can also pull double-duty as a microphone, though given the lack of onboard recording you'll have to find a way to discretely run a cable off it. If you don't need to record a third person, you can clip it to a camera's shoe mount instead of a collar and use its 3.5mm jack to output audio. You can also connect it to a phone via USB-C.
The transmission modules have their own clips, but can also be magnetically attached to things as well. If you'd rather not use the built-in microphones, you can also attach a lavalier to them via a 3.5mm jack.
The two transmitter modules and receiver module nestle into a charging case that's powered via USB-C.
$130 at 3 Legged Thing
7Artisans launched their Black Friday Deals:
They also offer Balck Friday specials on their Amazon store:
The post 7Artisans Black Friday Deals appeared first on Photo Rumors.
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$1000 might sound like a lot of money for a camera, but it's probably the least we'd recommend spending if you want to go beyond phone photography. The picks on this list will give you more control than a phone and offer a more satisfying photographic experience.
At this price point, your main options will be entry-level interchangeable lens cameras or enthusiast-tier compact cameras with a built-in lens. Compact cameras offer more control than a phone and a greater zoom range, but – despite having sensors that are around 60% larger – likely won't offer a huge jump in image quality compared to the latest flagship phones.
Meanwhile, an interchangeable lens camera won't be as easy to carry around and comes with the added expense of lenses. However, they can make you feel even more involved in the photographic process, and the flexibility of swappable lenses will let you learn and grow into different types of photography as you develop your passion. They also feature much larger sensors than phones and the majority of compacts.
It's worth noting that camera makers sometimes assume that beginners will stick with the basic 'kit' zoom that comes with the camera, so it's worth checking whether a good selection of lenses is available (at a price you're willing to spend) before deciding which brand's system to buy into.
24MP Dual Pixel APS-C CMOS sensor | 4K/30p video (60p with crop) | 15fps shooting (23fps with e-shutter)
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| Photo: Shaminder Dulai |
There are a few things that earn it the top place of this list. The first is its stand-out usability, with dual top-plate dials for controlling exposure settings and a joystick to control its very capable autofocus system. It also has a decent selection of lenses; third parties like Sigma have stepped in to round-out the selection of primes and higher-end zoom lenses available for it, meaning you've got a lot of good options if you want to move beyond the kit lens that came with it.
With the EOS R10 Canon has re-created the capability and usability of its popular Rebel series DSLRs in its RF mirrorless lens mount. Now that there's a wider variety of lenses available for it, it's an excellent pick for those looking to get into photography.
See Canon EOS R10 studio scene
While we much prefer the higher level of control that the EOS R10 provides, the less expensive Canon EOS R50 may also be worth a look if you're extremely budget-conscious but still want to stay in the Canon ecosystem. It has fewer control points – most notably, it misses out on the EOS R10's joystick – and it loses out on features such as 4K/60p video capture and an articulating display, but it's still pretty capable.
We don't recommend the cheaper still EOS R100. It's based on a previous generation of technology, so it's slower and has less sophisticated autofocus.
20.9MP APS-C sensor | Subject recognition AF | Full-width 4K video up to 30p
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| Photo courtesy Nikon |
The Z50II makes a case for being the best pick for beginners, thanks to a simple and effective AF system with automatic subject detection. However, while plenty of prime lenses are available, Nikon appears to be blocking bright zooms from third-party makers, limiting your upgrade options compared with its rivals.
Read our Nikon 50II Initial Review
Nikon's Z fc is a stylish camera based on the original Z50, which means it has the same sensor as the Z50II. We like it a lot, but the autofocus on the Z50II is such a marked improvement that it's hard to recommend picking up a Z fc at this point – you can read our full comparison between the two cameras here. If you have a strong attachment to the Z fc's aesthetics, your best option is probably holding-off for a bit to see if Nikon updates the Z fc. If that's not an option, see if you can get it on sale or used.
24MP APS-C sensor | Hybrid AF with Real-time Tracking | 4K video capture
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The Sony a6100 offers a lot of power in a compact, well-priced body. The 16-50mm power zoom isn't the best, though. Photo: Richard Butler |
It was a very capable and affordable camera when it was launched several years ago, offering some of the best autofocus around and a wide selection of lenses. The latter part is still an advantage, but many competitors' autofocus systems are now on par with, or even more capable than, the a6100's. However, it's still worth considering if you want to get both a camera body and a decent lens for under $1,000.
See the Sony a6100 studio scene
20MP 1" Stacked CMOS sensor | 24-70mm equiv. F1.8-2.8 lens | 4K video capture
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| The RX100 VA can deliver excellent image quality, backed up by good autofocus |
The Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100 VA is an updated RX100 V with the same 20MP Stacked CMOS sensor, fast 24-70mm equiv. lens, hybrid AF system, clever popular viewfinder and excellent 4K video quality. The 'VA' adds a larger buffer, new metering, white balance and AF modes, an improved EVF refresh rate and more.
Sony essentially created this class of cameras with the original RX100 model. A large sensor gives image quality that's still a match for a good smartphone but with the benefit of an actual zoom lens. The Stacked CMOS sensor and a built-in viewfinder add to the cost but also create a very powerful camera.
The RX100 VII is also worth a look. It's more expensive, and its lens is slower, taking away some of the low light performance, but it offers a much longer zoom, giving still more benefit over a smartphone.
Read our Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V review
See the Sony Cyber-shot DSC RX100 V studio scene
26MP APS-C BSI CMOS sensor | Fully articulated 3" LCD | 6.2K 3:2 video up to 30p
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It's aimed at creators taking pictures and video for the web, with a suite of vlogging features meant to let you shoot video that's ready to upload as soon as you transfer it to your phone and a dial that lets you easily switch between 'Film Simulations,' Fujifilm's much-loved color modes. It also has the full suite of stills features from larger, more expensive models – minus a viewfinder – and its X-mount lens mount also gives you access to the most complete range of APS-C lenses, no matter where your photography or content creation journey takes you.
Read our Fujifilm X-M5 initial review
If you plan to shoot more videos than photos, you may want to consider the Sony ZV-E10 II. Its lack of a mechanical shutter makes it worse for photography, but its autofocus tracking performance in video sets it apart from the X-M5. It also has video-centric features like a front tally light and included wind sock, and it can shoot 4K 60fps without having to crop in too tightly on the frame.
Click here to read the ZV-E10 II review
Sony also makes a compact vlogging camera called the ZV-1 II. It gives up a lot compared to the ZV-E10 II: it has a much smaller Type-1 sensor, no 10-bit video, no 4K 60fps, and, obviously, no ability to switch out lenses. In return, you get built-in ND filters, which will help if you're shooting in direct sunlight, and a built-in lens, which means that you're getting a complete package for under $1,000. Still, it's hard to recommend when cameras like the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 exist and when many phones rival it in vlogging capabilities.
Click here to read our Best Cameras for Vlogging buying guide
This buying guide is based on cameras used and tested by DPReview's editorial team. We don't select a camera until we've used it enough to be confident in recommending it, usually after our extensive review process. The selections are purely a reflection of which cameras we believe to be best: there are no financial incentives for us to select one model or brand over another.
Here is a quick update on my previous post - the first rumored lens is the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.4 P FE (replacement of the existing version):
Here are the specs of the new lens:
The second lens is the Samyang AF 12mm f/2 RF-S (the lens already exists for Sony E and Fuji X mounts):
The post Pictures of the upcoming Samyang lenses: AF 35mm f/1.4 P FE and AF 12mm f/2 RF-S appeared first on Photo Rumors.
The previously rumored Leica M11 camera and Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 ASPH lens in glossy black paint are now officially announced as expected. Pre-orders are open at B&H Photo (lens), Koch, and WEX UK. Additional information is available here:
Leca also announced new taupe accessories: leather bag, strap and case
Officially announced: Leica M11 camera and Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 ASPH lens in glossy black paint
Leica also reported the best financial result in the history of the company:
Leica reports the best financial result in the history of the company
Other Leica related news:
Pixii Max digital rangefinder camera sensor test results by PhotonsToPhotos
Additional pictures:
The post Leica announces new camera and lens in glossy black, reports the best financial result in the history of the company appeared first on Photo Rumors.
Earlier this week, Sony announced its FE 28-70mm F2 GM lens, its first constant F2 zoom. The company promised "prime levels of performance" and said the lens doesn't rely on software corrections.
Our sample gallery shows how the lens performs in general use as a portrait lens and contains a few samples designed to show how it renders sun stars and its vignetting performance throughout its aperture range. There are also some shots designed to show off how it renders bokeh when wide open at F2.
A note on processing: our standard procedure for lens galleries is to export the JPEGs using Capture One, as it gives us more control over how lens corrections are applied than Adobe Camera Raw. However, we shot this gallery with the just-announced Sony a1 II, which currently isn't supported in Capture One, so we reverted to processing these images using ACR. We've worked to use settings similar to our standard C1 recipe. No correction for vignetting or distortion was applied.
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The 11th annual International Landscape Photographer of the Year competition has announced the winners of its 2024 awards, showcasing stunning imagery from around the world. Photographers competed in various categories, including the coveted Landscape Photographer of the Year, requiring a portfolio of at least four images, and Landscape Photograph of the Year, recognizing the power of a single captivating shot.
This year's competition saw Canadian photographer Andrew Mielzynski, an amateur with a deep connection to the natural environment, claim the top prize for his portfolio of stark images with simple color palettes. Ryohei Irie from Japan captured the Landscape Photograph of the Year award with a mesmerizing image of fireflies illuminating a forest.
Beyond the overall winners, the competition presented awards in specific categories, including Black and White, Aerial, Snow and Ice, and Forest, along with at-large winners. In addition to the overall and category winners, we've included several of our favorite photos from the 202 photographs recognized this year. You can visit the competition's website to see all the winning images or to download its 2024 eBook.
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Photographer: Andrew Mielzynski, Canada
Subject and location: Cono de Arita in the Salar de Arizaro, Atacama Desert in Argentina
Description: The Cono is a perfectly cone-shaped volcano at 3,690 meters above sea level. It’s very graphic due to the contrast between the dark, perfectly formed cone and the bed of white salt that is found at its base.
Copyright Andrew Mielzynski / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Andrew Mielzynski, Canada
Subject and location: Winter Cottonwoods, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Description: During the pandemic, I went out for a walk at a local park during a fierce winter storm. I ran across this scene. It seemed very chaotic, with many layers of trees. I loved how the snow, driven by high winds, was embedded into the bark of the trunks. The snow on the bark created a textural contrast that adds detail and interest to the trees. I took a few frames, trying to simplify the scene in front of me and settled on this one, loving the tones, the depth, the order and the minimalism. Even in a chaotic scene, there seems to be a sense of balance that feels orderly and pleasing.
Copyright Andrew Mielzynski / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Andrew Mielzynski, Canada
Subject and location: Found in a roadside ditch near Heathcote, Ontario, Canada
Description: After a melt, we had a flash freeze with extremely cold temperatures and a clear blue sky. I was driving by a ditch on the side of a road that had been filled with water and had to stop and look (as we photographers do, can’t pass a ditch without investigating). This is what I found. Great textures and patterns, tones and flow, with lovely graphic lines creating a dynamic, abstract designs. I love this type of work – it’s so much fun, yet challenging to find just the right composition.
Copyright Andrew Mielzynski / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Ignacio Palacios, Australia
Subject and location: Pumice Field, La Puna, Argentina
Copyright Ignacio Palacios / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Ignacio Palacios, Australia
Subject and location: Seven Colors Mountain, Siloli Desert, Bolivian Altiplano
Copyright Ignacio Palacios / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Ignacio Palacios, Australia
Subject and location: Arita Cone, La Puna, Argentina
Copyright Ignacio Palacios / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Gheorghe Popa, Romania
Subject and location: Early Autumn, Vânători Neamț Natural Park, Romania
Copyright Gheorghe Popa / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Gheorghe Popa, Romania
Subject and location: Poisoned Beauty, Geamăna, Apuseni Mountains, Romania
Copyright Gheorghe Popa / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Gheorghe Popa, Romania
Subject and location: Whispers of the Sunken Trees Cuejdel Lake, Romania
Copyright Gheorghe Popa / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Ryohei Irie, Japan
Subject and location: Traces of Light, Ichinomata, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Description: The Landscape Photograph of the Year Award went to Ryohei Irie of Japan. He likes the mysterious atmosphere created by the standing dead trees and firefly light. “I have been visiting this Subject and location for several years during the firefly season, and it is an interesting place because the intensity and length of the firefly light and the Subject and location where the fireflies fly vary greatly, depending on the year and time of day, resulting in completely different works, even when photographed in the same way.”
Copyright Ryohei Irie / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Justinus Sukotjo, Indonesia
Subject and location: Mother Care Framing, Walakiri Beach, Sumba Island, Indonesia
Copyright Justinus Sukotjo / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Himadri Bhuyan, India
Subject and location: The Flow, Sohra, Meghalaya, India
Copyright Himadri Bhuyan / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: J. Fritz Rumpf, United States
Award: The Black and White Award 2024
Subject and location: White Tie Affair. Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Copyright J. Fritz Rumpf / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Benjamin Barakat, Switzerland
Award: The Aerial Award 2024
Subject and location: The Final Dune, Namibia
Copyright Benjamin Barakat / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Jeroen van Nieuwenhove, Iceland
Award: The Snow and Ice Award 2024
Subject and location: Isþyrlu – Ice Swirl, Scoresbysund, Greenland
Copyright Jeroen van Nieuwenhove / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Shirley Wung, Taiwan
Award: The Forest Award 2024
Subject and location: Fireflies flying in the Misty Mountains, Wufeng Township, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Copyright Shirley Wung / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Federico Delucchi, Italy
Award: The Exciting Sky Award 2024
Subject and location: Aurora, meteor shower and other cool stuff, Rocca la Meja, Italy
Copyright Federico Delucchi / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Laura Bennet, United States
Subject and location: Sumba Island, Indonesia
Copyright Laura Bennet / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: William Preite, Italy
Subject and location: Pale di San Martino, Falcade, Dolomites, Italy
Copyright William Preite / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Siegfried Makedanz, Germany
Subject and location: Sandfellsjökull Glacier Lagoon, Southern Iceland
Copyright Siegfried Makedanz / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Sabine Weise, Germany
Subject and location: Moonscape Overlook, Utah Badlands, USA
Copyright Sabine Weise / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Yuriy Vantowski, United States
Subject and location: Mount Bromo, East Java, Indonesia
Copyright Yuriy Vantowski / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Tanay Das, India
Subject and location: Kistwa, Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Copyright Tanay Das / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
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Photographer: Rajesh Jyothiswaran, United States
Subject and location: Texas, United States
Copyright Rajesh Jyothiswaran / The International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Samyang will soon announce two new lenses - one APS-C and one full-frame. The APS-C model will most likely be the already leaked Samyang AF 12mm f/2 RF-S lens for Canon RF mount:
New Samyang AF 12mm f/2 RF-S lens for Canon RF mount leaked online
The second full-rame lens will most likely be this leaked 35mm model:
The post Samyang to announce two new lenses soon appeared first on Photo Rumors.
The new Canon EOS R1 camera is already in stock at Amazon from an authorized US dealer:
Despite the buzz online, I don't think many people pre-ordered the R1 flagship camera:
Canon announced shortages for the latest EOS R1, EOS R5 Mark II cameras, and other products
It seems that the new Canon EOS R1 camera is a flop based on the number of pre-orders so far
The post The Canon EOS R1 camera is already in stock appeared first on Photo Rumors.
Topaz Labs started their Black Friday deals today (see all Black Friday deals here):
For new users: get every app, 12 months of updates, plus Cloud Credits for $299 (54% off), including:
For existing users: upgrade and unlock the latest features across all our apps for just $199, including:
More deals are available on the Black Friday sale page: the pricing adjusts dynamically based on the products you already own, ensuring you get the best possible deal tailored to your current licenses.
Via NikonRumors
The post Topaz Labs started their Black Friday deals today appeared first on Photo Rumors.
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| Images: Canon, Nikon |
It wasn't long ago that many of our reviews of APS-C cameras had to come with a warning: no matter how good the body was, you were almost certainly going to be limited by lens selection. This was especially true with Nikon and Canon's mirrorless cameras. Sony has followed its longstanding tradition of letting third parties build out a healthy selection of lenses, and the selection for Fujifilm's APS-C-only X-mount is second to none, but Nikon's Z mount and Canon's RF mount appeared to be almost completely locked down. As a result, you could count the number of APS-C lens options available on your fingers.
Same old songEven during the DSLR era, the big camera makers had the conflict of interest of trying to up-sell users to their full-frame systems. It's always fallen to companies such as Sigma to provide the lenses to let APS-C work as a format in its own right. "Sigma has done more for enthusiast APS-C than Nikon, Canon and Sony combined" |
But things are changing. Over the past year, we've seen several APS-C lenses announced and released for Canon and Nikon cameras, filling notable gaps in the first-party lens lineups. But while the situation is improving, it's clear that the two companies are still in control.
This week, Sigma released four APS-C primes for Canon's RF mount, making good on its promise to release six licensed lenses for the system – earlier this year, it released the 10-18mm F2.8 and 18-50mm F2.8. Meanwhile, Nikon has allowed Sigma to release select primes for Z-mount – a trio of F1.4 primes at 16, 30, and 56mm. It's worth noting the company's 23mm F1.4 is the only one of its APS-C primes that it hasn't brought to Z-mount; it likely isn't a coincidence that Nikon's only own-brand APS-C prime lens is a 24mm F1.7.
However, Nikon hasn't actively prevented companies like Viltrox and Sirui from releasing a slew of Z-mount APS-C prime lenses, complete with autofocus. If you pick up a Nikon Zfc or Z50II, you can get anywhere from a 13mm F1.4 (20mm equiv.) to a 75mm F1.2 (113mm equiv.) to go with it, as well as most of the classic focal lengths in between.
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Sigma's APS-C prime lens lineup is quite good, and now most of them are available for almost any mirrorless APS-C camera. Image: Sigma |
This is an important change for APS-C shooters. Even going back to the DSLR days, it's felt like many manufacturers have viewed the format as a stepping stone to full-frame rather than something enthusiasts and pros might consciously choose. Neither Canon nor Nikon have been particularly prolific when releasing new APS-C glass. But with the gates being slightly opened, you're no longer limited to a few first-party options, manual-focus-only lenses from third parties, or heavier, more expensive full-frame lenses. Now, there's at least some selection of third-party lenses with autofocus to choose from, alongside Canon and Nikon's offerings.
Your choices are no longer limited to a few first-party options, manual-focus only lenses, or glass meant for full-frame bodies
This isn't to say that you can now buy any APS-C camera you want and be assured that all the lenses you want will be available – you are still at the mercy of what Canon and Nikon wish to allow. While plenty of primes are available for Z-mount APS-C cameras, no fast zoom lenses are available; Nikon's all start at F3.5 and end at F5.6 or F6.3.
In fact, there are currently no third-party APS-C zooms available for Nikon Z-mount at all, despite the fact that two have made the jump from E and X-mount to RF – it also goes without saying that there are many others more available on Fujifilm and Sony's systems. That's a bummer for anyone looking to step up from the kit lens or wanting to shoot sports or birds in anything but ideal lighting without having to shell out for and lug around a full-frame 70-200mm.
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Tamron has promised to bring its 11-20mm F2.8 APS-C lens to Canon RF mount this year as well – no word on Z-mount, despite Tamron bringing some of its full-frame lenses to Nikon. Image: Tamron |
RF mount at least has the two constant F2.8 zooms thanks to Sigma, with one more on the way from Tamron, though those are all at the wide end. However, there are far fewer autofocus primes available for Canon, as manufacturers like Sirui and Viltrox aren't producing them. That's not surprising; a representative for the latter once said that Canon had told it to stop producing products for RF mount. The 85mm F1.4 lens that Samyang announced for the system in 2020 also disappeared from the market not long after.
In a perfect world, these problems wouldn't exist. Canon and Nikon would make the lenses that their APS-C cameras needed to stand on their own feet as a real alternative to full-frame options, and there would be robust competition from third parties, which would be allowed to make whatever lenses they want.
None of that seems particularly likely. However, at least those who choose to shoot with a smaller sensor in a Canon or Nikon body have gotten a wider choice of lenses, even if they're still bound by the companies' rules.
At the end of the day, that's better for everyone interested in APS-C, because it means that cameras like the EOS R7 and Z50II are competitive with the Sony a6700 and Fujifilm X-T5 in a way that they wouldn't have been with an extremely limited lens selection. With any luck, this trend will continue, and the APS-C landscape will become more competitive – even if Canon and Nikon aren't giving it their full attention.
Yesterday, Sony announced the a1 II, a new flagship camera aimed squarely at professional photojournalists shooting sports and other high-speed action. The camera uses the same 50MP sensor as its predecessor but features an updated autofocus system that supports more subject recognition types.
While we'll have plenty more testing to do once we get a production model, we were able to get a feel for what the camera is capable of by shooting part of an American football game and several portraits in New York City, as well as using it for other general photography in Florida and Washington State. You can see the results in the gallery above.
Click here to view the sample gallery
Here are a few Sony a1 ll camera specification comparisons with other models:
Sony A1 II camera and Sony 28-70mm f/2 GM lens officially announced
The post Sony a1 ll camera specification comparisons with other models appeared first on Photo Rumors.
The previously rumored Sony A1 II camera and Sony 28-70mm f/2 GM lens are now officially announced:
Sony a1 ll camera specification comparisons with other models
Sony A1 II Digital Camera
We’re thrilled to introduce the Sony A1 II. Packed with groundbreaking features designed to elevate both image quality and shooting experience, the A1 II sees significant upgrades to AF performance, AI processing, and its low-light sensor capabilities; capturing pin-sharp, high-resolution shots with minimal noise. Taking on features of the A7R V and A9 III, this model is equipped with advanced features for filmmakers including 8K 30p recording with 8.6K oversampling and a new 4-axis multi-angle monitor for complete creative control.
Sony 28-70mm f2 G Master Lens
The Sony 28-70mm f2 G Master expands Sony’s premium lens lineup, offering a versatile focal range combined with the renowned quality of Sony’s industry-leading optics. This lens features XD linear AF motors for fast, precise focusing, a constant f2 aperture for impressive low-light performance, and a minimum focusing distance of 38cm across the entire range. With its optical makeup and expressive bokeh, the 28-70mm f2 G Master delivers pin-sharp images that rival prime lenses.
The post Sony A1 II camera and Sony 28-70mm f/2 GM lens officially announced (update: pre-orders now open) appeared first on Photo Rumors.
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