It’s Sunday, 6:40 a.m., and I’ve been staring on the floor of a fishpond for over two hours now, making an attempt to {photograph} Europe’s largest eagle — the white-tailed eagle. I’m standing in chilly, muddy water from the knees down. The scent of rotting silt clings to the air. I preserve myself heat with the thought {that a} wave of tropical warmth is supposedly heading for Europe. Someplace close by, a cuckoo calls. A inexperienced woodpecker simply flew previous behind me, and for hours now I’ve been listening to wild boars splashing round someplace out of sight within the reeds. Nonetheless, the creatures nearest to me are the hungry feminine mosquitoes. And the eagle? Nowhere to be seen. For hours, I’ve been experiencing the true essence of wildlife pictures.
Current Bulletins
- Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D: An ultra-wide autofocus lens providing a 122° area of view with minimal distortion. Its 5-blade diaphragm creates 10-point sunstars. Oddly, the lens can be obtainable in a 14-blade model, however solely with handbook focus. Regardless of its ultra-wide 12mm focal size, it accepts customary 72mm filters. Though the optical design contains numerous glass (16 parts in 9 teams), the lens weighs solely 377g. An in depth focusing distance of 0.14m opens up inventive alternatives for wide-angle close-ups. It’s obtainable with autofocus for Nikon Z and Sony E mounts, whereas Canon RF and L-mount variations are handbook focus solely. The AF model retails for $699.
- Thypoch Simera 21mm f/1.4 ASPH: The fifth, and widest, lens within the Simera lineup, designed primarily for full-frame Leica cameras with an M-mount. The optical development consists of 13 parts in 11 teams, and in contrast to customary Leica rangefinder lenses, this one focuses surprisingly shut, from 0.23m. A tactile resistance level lets if you’ve reached the rangefinder’s 0.7m restrict. The de-clickable aperture ring controls a 14-blade diaphragm, which the producer guarantees will ship “fantastically rounded, dreamy bokeh.” The lens weighs in at 428g and is out there in silver or black for $999.
- Pergear CFexpress 4.0 Kind B Reminiscence Card: CFexpress playing cards was significantly costly, however costs have been step by step dropping because the format turns into extra widespread. Pergear has simply launched 512GB and 1TB choices at very affordable costs: $127 and $212, respectively. Whereas it’s laborious to foretell real-world efficiency primarily based solely on producer specs, for the document, the playing cards are rated for as much as 3500MB/s learn and 3400MB/s write speeds.
- Assume Tank Picture BackLight Lengthy Lens Backpack: A backpack designed particularly for customers of super-telephoto lenses, like 600mm f/4 and even 800mm f/5.6 — which it may well nonetheless match even with a digital camera connected. The trade-off for that beneficiant inside area is its top: at 62.9 cm (24.7 inches), you’ll be counting on the goodwill of airport workers when touring by air. A big, well-organized entrance pocket gives as much as 7 liters of storage, together with room for as much as a 13” laptop computer. The rear panel options two spacious accent pockets. The backpack is waterproof to a level, and for heavier rain, it comes with an actual tree camo rain cowl. The again panel, shoulder straps, and hip belt borrow from mountaineering backpack designs, so it must be comparatively comfy even with a heavy equipment. Value is $276.
The Rumor Mill
Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 must be launched quickly
Nikon and Sony shooters have a brand new Tamron lens to look ahead to, not less than if current rumors are to be believed. The Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 G2 gives extra focal lengths than Tamron’s earlier 17-28mm f/2.8 (and the Nikon Z model). It’s anticipated to characteristic a comparatively small 67mm thread and weigh 450 grams (0.99 kilos), placing it as one of many lighter ultra-wide f/2.8 zooms obtainable. US worth will not be but identified. In Europe, it’s anticipated to land below €1,000 earlier than VAT.
Through Nikon Rumors
Sony a7V rumored specs
It’s been over half a yr since Sony registered a brand new digital camera in China. That digital camera now seems to be the fifth-generation Sony A7. Whereas this information appears pretty credible, the specs nonetheless firmly belong within the rumors class for now. Right here’s what’s being whispered…
The digital camera is alleged to characteristic a 44MP non-stacked sensor able to capturing as much as 20 FPS. For context, the present A7 IV gives 33MP and 10 FPS. The physique measurement and rear display decision must be just like these of Sony’s present flagship, the Sony a1 II. Different upgrades reportedly embrace an improved EVF and higher warmth administration than the a7 IV. The earliest doable announcement timeframe? Someday this summer time.
Through Sony Alpha Rumors
Rumors flying a couple of new DJI drone
One other rumor out this week considerations the DJI Mini 5 Professional, the following drone that DJI is anticipated to launch. The Mini 5 Professional ought to proceed the development of sub-250 gram drones (exempting it from many flight laws) whereas nonetheless attaining respectable picture high quality. Rumors counsel LiDAR and superior impediment avoidance, a bigger battery, and a 25 kilometer vary. There are even whispers that it might have a 1-inch kind digital camera sensor, which might be extraordinary if the load actually stays below 250 grams. It’s anticipated to be launched on August seventh.
Through Tech Radar
Good Offers and New Gross sales
The most important B&H Bild Expo offers could also be over, however it’s nonetheless doable to seek out some nice values this week. Listed here are a number of that caught my eye:
- Lenovo 16″ IdeaPad Slim 5 Laptop computer (was $790, now $430)
- Apple 13″ MacBook Air M4 (was $1000, now $850)
- Apple 14″ MacBook Professional M4 (was $1600, now $1450)
- BenQ 31.5″ 4K IPS Monitor with 98% DCI-P3 protection (was $1300, now $1200)
- Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Tripod (was $310, now $230)
- Peak Design Aluminum Journey Tripod (was $400, now $360)
- Peak Design Carbon Fiber Journey Tripod (was $600, now $540)
- GoPro HERO12 Black (was $370, now $280)
- DJI Osmo 6 Smartphone Gimbal (was $140, now $110)
- Calibrite ColorChecker Passport 2 (was $120, now $90)
Additionally, Amazon’s Prime Day is coming quickly, and with it, lots of gross sales. It’s not restricted to Amazon — B&H, Adorama, and others all the time attempt to outdo one another, and in earlier years, we now have usually seen even decrease costs than Black Friday. The occasion runs from July 8-11, and we’ll endeavor to deliver you the perfect offers as we discover them.
Lastly, most Sony merchandise are anticipated to get a worth improve starting tomorrow, June thirtieth. This contains nearly each Sony mirrorless digital camera and lens, with costs growing from $30 to $700 relying on the product (usually a couple of 5-15% improve throughout the board). Simply take this as a heads up in case you have been about to purchase one thing from Sony. At the moment will be the final time to do it on the present costs.
Different Pages of Curiosity
You had an opportunity to learn our interview with Vladimír Čech Jr. on Images Life again in October 2022. Earlier this yr, we printed a web based workshop for our Gold Members, the place Vladimír demonstrated his course of for setting digital camera traps and photographing tigers in Sumatra. This week, you may view Vladimír’s pictures of Sumatran tigers and different animals from this tropical island in his interview on PetaPixel. For comparability, take a look at Steve Winter’s photograph of Sumatran tiger, which was taken with a a lot bigger funds.
The Wellcome Images Prize 2025 is a generously funded photograph competitors aiming to have a good time the worlds of well being, science, and human expertise by compelling visible storytelling. The winner in every of the three classes will take residence £10,000, whereas the highest 25 entrants will obtain £1,000 every. The money prizes will little question delight the winners, whereas the remainder of us will likely be fascinated by their photos.
I got here throughout a wonderful article this week referred to as The Distinction Is Inventive Intent. In it, photographer Darlene Almeda explains the distinction between documenting versus creating, and he or she helps display why some pictures work higher than others even with the identical topic. I believe that anybody who enjoys studying in regards to the inventive course of in pictures — or maybe who struggles with it — will discover inspiration there.
Picture Theme Problem, Week #109
Final week’s theme was fog, and you’ll see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody to your submissions! This week’s theme is dramatic shadows, and you’ll submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, July 5, 2025!
Week #108 Outcomes
Let’s take a look at a few of the photographs we obtained for the “fog” theme, beginning with Tom Pazol’s photograph:
The darkish and moody fog provides a peaceable environment this scene with a number of hidden surprises!
Stea’s photograph:
Right here, the fog is a little more upbeat however provides simply the correct amount of thriller to the panorama.
Lastly, dave’s photograph of Mount Wellington in Tasmania:
The fog very properly enhances the robust coloration scheme and connects the rougher rocks with the graceful sky.
Thanks everybody for submitting their pictures within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the dramatic shadows theme.