I used to be eager about which picture to share to rejoice Father’s Day right this moment. Out of all of the choices, I in the end selected an image that I took this week within the Ecuadorian Amazon. Why this one? In all probability as a result of it provides a barely stereotypical and humorous tackle fathers – as considerably roundish creatures fluttering between joys and worries… not not like a Gorgeted Woodstar (Chaetocercus heliodor).
Current Bulletins
- Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 28-70mm f/2.8 ASPH.: This lens is new from Leica, but it surely’s primarily based on the four-year-old Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Up to date (each have 16 components in 12 teams, minimal focusing distance of 0.19m, and a 67mm filter thread). So the place do the variations lie? For starters, the Leica ideas the scales at about 100g heavier, suggesting a bit extra steel and fewer plastic within the construct. The coatings additionally come from Germany fairly than Japan. However the worth is the place issues actually diverge. The Sigma presently sells for $989, whereas the brand new Leica Vario-Elmarit is obtainable for preorder at $1,890.
- Rollei AF 85 mm f/1.8: “The start of a brand new period.” That’s how Rollei (the once-famous maker of twin-lens movie reflex cameras) is introducing its very first lens for contemporary mirrorless programs. Nonetheless, the lens appears similar to the present 7Artisans 85mm f/1.8 AF, with the identical optical design. Beginning July 9, the lens shall be obtainable for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts for €299. The Sony mannequin may even function a linear aperture ring, whereas the Nikon won’t.
- Manfrotto ONE + Manfrotto 500X Fluid Head + Manfrotto XCHANGE: A brand new tripod system for hybrid picture/video creators. This tripod (20kg load capability, max peak 170.2cm, weight 2kg) options centrally managed leg extension, built-in spikes, and even a leveling base. The middle column will be mounted each vertically and horizontally. The brand new XCHANGE system permits for fast swapping of heads, sliders, or different equipment. Out there in carbon fiber ($720) or aluminum ($500) variations. The brand new 500X Fluid Head ($220) works like a traditional video head with counterbalance, however provides a tilting platform for vertical capturing of stills or movies. And eventually, the Manfrotto XCHANGE adapter ($55) helps you to benefit from the quick-swap system with third-party gear too.
The Rumor Mill
Is DJI about to drop a full-Body mirrorless digital camera?
DJI – greatest recognized for its motion cameras, drones, and gimbals – is rumored to be making ready a daring transfer into the mirrorless digital camera market. And if the rumors are to be believed, it received’t be a shy debut, however a severe splash. The DJI Ronin Mirrorless (working title) is claimed to function a roughly 45MP sensor, 4-axis gimbal-style IBIS, 4K video at 120 fps in 10-bit ProRes RAW, immediate RAW file switch to your telephone or the cloud, good topic monitoring, and a bunch of different options acquainted from DJI’s present lineup.
Given the spectacular rumored specs, what actually raises eyebrows is the recommended price ticket – mentioned to be round €2,500. That sounds about as loopy as Nikon immediately deciding to promote the Z8 for the value of a Z6 III. And what about lenses? The digital camera is rumored to both undertake the L-mount or introduce a brand-new DL-mount system with adapters for RF, E, and Z lenses. Sounds too good to be true? We would discover out this 12 months, as DJI’s first mirrorless digital camera is predicted to make its official debut in late 2025.
By way of Metropolis Journal
New Sigma lenses coming quickly!
Within the coming days, Sigma is predicted to announce two fascinating lenses. Each lenses are anticipated to be designed for Canon’s APS-C cameras. The primary rumor suggests a 17-40mm f/1.8 (26-60mm equal). The second suggests a 12mm f/1.4 lens that ought to present an 18mm full-frame equal area of view. The anticipated costs of those lenses are $799 and $649, respectively.
By way of Canon Rumors
Good Offers and New Gross sales
When you’re heading off on an journey, why not seize it on video? That’s the place an motion digital camera is useful. On this class, GoPro stays the traditional go-to alternative. The GoPro Hero 13 Black is presently on sale for $330 (was $430). When you don’t thoughts skipping options like interchangeable lens mods (together with anamorphic), a GPS module, or the brand new magnetic mounting system, you received’t go improper with the older GoPro Hero 12 Black, now priced at $300 (was $370). And when you’re seeking to save a bit of extra, the DJI Osmo Motion 4 at $249 (was $299) can also be a highly-rated, dependable choice.
Final week, I had the possibility to shoot alongside a photographer who nonetheless makes use of a DSLR. I’ve to confess, the candy sound of a slapping mirror stirred up a wave of nostalgia in me. DSLRs are removed from out of date, particularly now that so many nice lenses can be found at unbelievably low costs. And when you’re not on the lookout for a second-hand choice, these new DSLR cameras are nonetheless in the marketplace and at some very tempting costs too:
Nikon
Canon
Different Pages of Curiosity
I admit, I normally consider drones as annoyingly high-pitched buzzing machines saved aloft by 4 spinning propellers. Nevertheless it doesn’t should be that approach. This week, I found that my neighbor from the close by city of Jablonec nad Nisou (Czechia) is the one producer on the planet that produces drones that fly by flapping their wings, very like a dragonfly or a hummingbird. The Flapper Drones wingspan and flapping frequency (12 instances per second) carefully match that of the world’s largest hummingbird, the Large Hummingbird (Patagona gigas). The sound is pleasantly low-frequency, the wings are innocent to anybody close by, and the flight actually resembles a dragonfly looking or a hummingbird hovering by a flower.
Some animals are recognized to science solely by means of the invention of their lifeless our bodies. Till not too long ago, that was the case with the squid Gonatus antarcticus. Its stays had been sometimes discovered contained in the stomachs of bigger animals (like sperm whales), washed up on shore, or caught in fishing nets. Nonetheless, a Nationwide Geographic Society expedition not too long ago managed to movie a stay specimen for the primary time, at a depth of seven,000 ft, close to the coast of Antarctica. You possibly can watch the video of this elusive creature – together with the fascinating story of the way it was discovered – on the Nationwide Geographic web site.
The identical fiber optic cables which can be used to regulate deadly FPV drones on the battlefield in Ukraine also can serve a wholly peaceable function. Proof of this can be a {photograph} taken by a serviceman from the twelfth Azov Brigade who discovered and captured an picture of a chook’s nest made virtually totally from fiber optic cables. Hopefully, the day will quickly come when that is the one approach such supplies are seen within the lovely Ukrainian countryside.
Photograph Theme Problem, Week #106
Final week’s theme was glowing mild, and you’ll see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody on your submissions! This week’s theme is triangles, and you’ll submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, June 21, 2025!
Week #105 Outcomes
Let’s take a look at a few of the photographs we acquired for the “glowing mild” theme, beginning with
Mauro70’s picture:
These glowing lights add some environment to the group of puffins.
PRG Lagarde exhibits an identical strategy along with his picture of a swallow:
I like the sleek look of the background and the inventive topic placement in that shot!
Frederic Dantzer’s picture is subsequent:
It’s neat how the candles present discrete ranges of bokeh from in focus to pure bokeh balls!
Lastly, Danny’s picture:
On this case, the out-of-focus high quality of the specular highlights present extra distinction for the pelican’s head.
Thanks everybody for submitting their photographs within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the triangles theme.