“Panasonic implemented a price increase for Lumix cameras and lenses in the US on September 28, 2025, primarily in response to escalating tariffs on imports from China and other affected regions (where much of their manufacturing occurs). This follows similar hikes by competitors like Canon, Sony, Nikon, and Fujifilm earlier in the year. The adjustment aims to offset costs while keeping the overall impact below 1% on profits, according to Panasonic’s fiscal reports. Specific percentage increases vary by product (typically 5-15% based on prior tariff-related adjustments), but exact figures for this round have not been publicly detailed beyond announcements urging pre-hike purchases. The increase applies broadly to the Lumix lineup, including full-frame S-series, Micro Four Thirds G-series, and compact models.”
IDSworks released a new hand grip + thumb grip for the Sony RX1RIII camera (now in stock) – a compact accessory that enables secure single-handed operation and easy adjustment of settings without risking drops, while preserving the camera’s slim profile:
Key Features:
Allows one-handed control and quick access to camera settings.
Mode dial adjustable without flipping up the thumb grip.
Back wheel remains unobstructed for seamless adjustments.
Compensation dial accessible with the index finger during grip.
Thumb grip follows the camera’s indented profile for a secure, non-slip fit that avoids accidental button presses.
Includes a standard 1/4-20 thread for mounting additional accessories.
Comes with a PVC washer to protect the lens when using the 1/4-20 thread.
Limited-time offer: Free C-shape finger band (just pay shipping) with full set purchase before the band’s official launch (expected in 1-2 months).
Specifications:
Total weight (hand grip + thumb grip): 47 grams.
Base height increase: 3mm (requires special screw).
Thread placement accounts for 1.5mm height difference between camera base and lens.
Materials: Aluminum grip pad (standard for finger band compatibility).
DxO FilmPack version 8 film emulation software is now officially released (buy here) with a new Time Warp mode and full Photoshop integration for analog style and historical immersion. Here is what’s new in DxO FilmPack 8:
Time Warp Mode: Introduces two tools—Time Travel slider for applying era-specific film looks from over 200 years of photographic history (including grain, color shifts, and degradation), and ‘Ageify’ slider for progressively aging and distressing images based on authentic film stocks and effects.
Full Adobe Photoshop Integration: Provides seamless access to the entire film rendering library directly within Photoshop, allowing application to layers or flattened images without switching software; enhances existing compatibility with DxO PhotoLab and Adobe Lightroom Classic.
15 New Analog Film Renderings: Meticulously engineered additions including CineStill 800T (cinematic low-light), Harman Phoenix 200 (vibrant with distinctive grain), Lady Grey B&W 120 ISO 400 (sophisticated black-and-white), and Kodak TMAX Pro 3200 (ultra-sensitive), increasing the total library to 153.
Scanned Film Optimization Tool: New feature for preparing home-scanned negatives and slides, with one-click tonal inversion for color or black-and-white, plus over 10 dedicated tone curve presets to correct common color shifts and density issues.
Expanded Time Machine: Adds 17 new historical images with corresponding renderings to enrich the visual timeline and provide insights into film’s evolution.
Themed Webview Browsing: Introduces a curated ‘Portrait’ theme for more intuitive exploration of the archive to discover suitable looks.
Digital Camera-Inspired Renderings: Four new profiles based on the color science of popular Fujifilm and Sony cameras, incorporating subtle tones, contrast curves, and color profiles into the ecosystem.
High-Resolution Creative Effects: All textures, frames, light leaks, and other overlays upgraded to high resolution for clarity on high-megapixel RAW files across print and digital formats.
Workflow Enhancements: General improvements including refined scan and effect options for better integration and usability.
Financial Performance: Leica Camera Group achieved record sales for FY 2024/25 (April 2024–March 2025), with revenue up 7.6% to €596 million (from €554 million the previous year), alongside continued profitability growth.
Regional Sales Growth: Europe led with 7.6% increase (Germany at 11.4%), followed by Asia (7.3%) and North America (6.2%); online sales rose 12.5%.
Key Growth Drivers: Expansion in Photo core segment and new areas like Mobile (smartphones), Smart Projection (projectors), Watches, and Eyecare; Sports Optics remained the second-largest segment despite market challenges.
Product Launches in Photo Segment: Leica Q3 (top digital camera seller, new 43mm variant in Sept 2024), SL3 and SL3-S full-frame cameras, D-Lux 8 compact, and M11-D (display-less M-System model).
Mobile Segment Developments: Ongoing Xiaomi partnership with Xiaomi 14T (Sept 2024) and Xiaomi 15 series (March 2025) featuring Leica lenses; Leica LUX app launched June 2024 (over 1M downloads); Leica LUX grip added Feb 2025.
Sports Optics Highlights: New Ultravid Compact Colorline binoculars; efforts to digitalize portfolio with infrared cameras and distance measurement tools.
Smart Projection and Accessories: Cine Play 1 mini-projector launched Nov 2024; Leica ZM 12 watch introduced Feb 2025 with four dial options.
Strategic Initiatives: Leveraged optics/mechanics expertise for user experience; expanded global stores in Wuhan, Tokyo, and Seoul; multi-channel sales model including e-commerce and auctions; plans for further retail growth.
Future Outlook and Anniversary: Celebrating 100 years of the Leica I in 2025 with theme “100 Years of Leica: Witness to a Century,” featuring cultural projects, special editions, global events (e.g., Dubai, Milan, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo), and exhibitions in Leica Galleries.
CEO Quote: Matthias Harsch: “We are meeting the global growth in demand for cameras with high-quality products ‘Made in Germany’… Our business success is rooted in innovation and the expansion of our own global sales network.”
The previously reported Sony FE 100mm /f2.8 Macro G Master OSS full-frame lens is now officially announced. It has an f/2.8 aperture and up to 2.8x magnification when paired with Sony’s 2x teleconverter. It also offers fast and reliable autofocusing, powered by four XD Linear Motors.
Sony Electronics Expands the G Master Series with the Versatile FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS
Delivers Stunning Detail with up to 1.4x Magnification, Advanced Stabilization, and Optimized Macro Controls
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 30, 2025 – Sony Electronics releases the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS (SEL100M28GM), the new medium telephoto macro lens in the G Master series, compatible with α (Alpha) E-mount cameras, featuring 1.4x magnification, advanced stabilization, and intuitive handling. “We’re on a constant mission to expand creative possibilities for visual storytellers, and the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS fulfills that by going beyond traditional macro photography,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “With its world-class optical quality, it enables not only macro photographers, but also portrait and wedding photographers, to take their craft to a new level. We’re thrilled to offer the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS as part of our acclaimed G Master series, maintaining a standard of peak performance Sony creators have become accustomed to.”
Beyond Life Size
The FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS achieves a maximum magnification of up to 1.4x, making it easy to capture flowers, small objects, and other close-up subjects in vivid detail, revealing subtle textures and features that are difficult to see by the naked eye. Compatible with an optional teleconverteri (sold separately), the lens offers up to 2.8x magnificationii. This enables impressive close-up shots while keeping a comfortable working distance. It is ideal for subjects that are hard to approach or for avoiding unwanted reflections.
State-of-the-art Hardware Design
The optical design effectively positions elements including two XA (extreme aspherical) lenses and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements to achieve high-resolution performance from the center to the periphery of the image, reducing chromatic and other aberrations. To allow precise and intuitive focus adjustments for a variety of macro photography scenes, the lens offers three focus-dedicated features: a “Full-time DMF switch” enables instant MF (manual focus) by rotating the focus ring, even in AF (autofocus) mode; the “Focus Mode switch” allows instant switching between AF and MF; the “Sliding Focus Ring” enables FULL MF mode, linked to the distance and magnification scales. The four unique XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors that enable high-speed, high-precision, and quiet lens drive, make autofocus (AF) performance up to 1.9 times fasteriii than previous models. A dedicated aperture ring offers quick, direct control over aperture settings.
Exquisite Image Quality
The 11-blade circular aperture produces beautiful, ball bokeh, while carefully controlled spherical aberration ensures an ideal balance of resolution and background blur — creating the signature creamy bokeh of the G Master line. The unique “Nano AR Coating II” applies a uniform thin film to the entire lens surface, resulting in clear image quality that suppresses flare and ghosting even in backlit conditions. An integrated optical image stabilization system, designed for macro photography, accurately compensates for shift shake (up/down/left/right), angular shake, and front/back shake, ensuring steady handheld shots.
Pricing and Availability
The FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS will be available in November 2025 for approximately $1,499.99 USD and $1,799.99 CAD. It will be sold directly through Sony and at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.
The Ricoh GR IV camera pre-orders are now again at Amazon (shipped and sold by Amazon), The estimated shipping time is 1-2 months. Check also availability at:
If you have a basic understanding of how inventory management and the industry work, you would know that Fujifilm will never officially admit any product discontinuation until it has sold its remaining stock. Of course, you can still find the X-T30 II on Amazon, sold by third-party resellers, but this does not mean the camera has not been discontinued.
I also already reported that the Fujifilm X-T30II camera is rumored to be replaced in 2025 (most likely next month, October):
Connexion
series, compatible with α
