This week, I spent a while working towards one in every of my favourite genres of images: intimate landscapes. There’s one thing thrilling to the truth that you will get attention-grabbing panorama pictures wherever. It doesn’t should be a grand vista or a world-famous Nationwide Park; it could possibly be a pond close to your own home. And whereas I used to be busy photographing the grass in a single such pond, just a few attention-grabbing issues occurred on this planet of images. Right here’s the largest information of the week.
Latest Bulletins
- Sony FX2: This video-centered mirrorless digicam has extra options than ever and will make a convincing choice for hybrid stills/video shooters now. The decision is as much as 33 megapixels (from 12 MP on the FX3), and excitingly, the viewfinder is variable-angle. The FX2 can movie 7K oversampled video with 10-bit 4:2:2 inside recording or 16-bit RAW over HDMI. Autofocus and picture stabilization have been improved as properly, and for $2700, it’s even considerably cheaper than the $3900 FX3.
- Suppose Tank Photograph Walker Rolling Backpack: A brand new entry into Suppose Tank’s standard line of rolling backpacks, the Photograph Walker Professional has sufficient options to be a go-to selection for carrying your digicam tools between places. I in all probability wouldn’t hike with it on tough terrain (the burden of the wheels and deal with are a non-starter while you’re making an attempt to go mild), but it surely ought to be an ideal airport bag. Suppose Tank says it’s large enough to suit a DSLR or mirrorless digicam with a 200-400mm f/4 or comparable. It’s accessible quickly for $400.
- Polaroid Flip: A traditional on the spot digicam, new and improved. It now has 4 (fixed-focus) lenses for something from closeups to distant photographs. A sonar-based “autofocus” system chooses between them even in complete darkness. On prime of that, the Flip contains a stronger flash and numerous choices together with publicity compensation and a number of exposures. Perhaps it’s onerous to see the attraction of an on the spot digicam in a world with so many good digital choices! However at the very least from private expertise, cameras like this one (and alternate options from Fuji) are the most well-liked cameras I see amongst my non-photographer buddies.
- 7Artisans 24mm f/1.8 AF for Sony: A brand new third-party autofocus lens, presently solely accessible for the Sony FE mount. At $330, it undercuts the growing old Sony Zeiss Sonnar 24mm f/1.8 ZA considerably. The 7Artisans 24mm f/1.8 AF options two aspherical parts, three extra-low dispersion glass parts, and two high-refractive parts. The load is a reasonably cheap 424 grams (0.93 kilos) and the lens is already accessible on the market.
The Rumor Mill
New Sigma lenses coming quickly for FE and L
It’s rumored that Sigma goes to announce at the very least two new lenses on June seventeenth, and they need to be accessible for Sony E and Leica L mounts. Each are APS-C lenses: a 12mm f/1.4 and a 17-40mm f/1.8. These are some thrilling focal size and aperture mixtures, and there’s some hope that – being APS-C lenses – we may see a model for Nikon Z and Canon RF down the road. (Up to now, we haven’t seen any full-frame Sigma lenses for Z or RF mounts, however a number of APS-C lenses.) Rumors additionally counsel a quick telephoto prime lens and a journey zoom lens from Sigma coming quickly, however there’s no additional data on these lenses but.
Through Sony Alpha Rumors
Hasselblad X2D II pictures leak
Leaked pictures present that model two of the Hasselblad X2D could have a pair of latest management buttons on the again and a barely up to date design. Focus is rumored to be achieved through a brand new LiDAR system, which ought to enhance focus velocity and maybe make the X2D a extra general-purpose software. Followers of Hasselblad’s sensor will probably be relieved to listen to that the X2D II is anticipated to retain a 100 MP decision, with 16-bit colour and 15 stops of dynamic vary.
Through Photograph Rumors
Fuji’s X Summit is heating up
I informed you final week that the Fuji X-E5 was rumored to be introduced at Fuji’s upcoming X Summit. Now we have now just a few extra particulars. The digicam is anticipated to be introduced June twelfth, and it ought to function a 40 megapixel sensor and in-body picture stabilization. Rumors additionally point out a 23mm pancake lens – though it’s unclear if this lens will probably be bought individually, or whether or not the X-E5 will buck the pattern of the X-E4 and have a set lens. There are additionally rumors saying a second digicam will probably be introduced in the course of the summit as properly, so keep tuned!
Through Fuji Addict
Good Offers and New Gross sales
The favored Benro Mefoto journey tripods are having a serious sale this week, ending in roughly two days. Solely a pair of the aluminum fashions are on sale, however the low cost is substantial – the GlobeTrotter had been $265 and is now $95, whereas the Backpacker Traditional went from $170 to $80. These tripods prioritize portability greater than most stability, and I wouldn’t use them in critical wind or with a supertelephoto. However in case you want one thing small for journey, I believe it’s onerous to beat the worth for the cash right here.
If in case you have a Nikon Z DX digicam (the Zfc, Z30, Z50, or Z50 II), one of many few third-party substitute batteries I’d advocate is presently on sale about 20% off: the SmallRig NP-EL25 (was $50, now $40). This battery has a built-in USB-C port for direct charging, a helpful function that Nikon’s $62 EN-EL25 lacks. The SmallRig battery may additionally final just a little longer on account of its bigger capability (1250mAh in comparison with 1120mAh). Sadly, SmallRig’s substitute for the Nikon EN-EL15 is just not presently on sale.
Lastly, word that that Nikon’s digicam and lens reductions expire right this moment, June 1st. (See my roundup right here of the very best and worst of those reductions.) Personally, I’m nonetheless optimistic that we’ll see many of those costs return round Black Friday. However given the uncertainties surrounding tariffs and inflation, it might be good to purchase any essential gear right this moment.
Different Pages of Curiosity
These previous few years have been a good time to be an Aurora photographer, and we could also be getting one other present this week. In line with spaceweather.com, a coronal mass ejection has struck Earth’s magnetic subject, and a collection of robust geomagnetic storms is presently underway. Because of this in case you stay in an excessive latitude, you’ll in all probability be capable to see the Aurora tonight, and even photographers as far south as New Mexico had been capable of {photograph} them earlier than dawn right this moment. Examine exterior tonight, and also you may be fortunate!
Nationwide Geographic Traveller (UK) has launched the outcomes of their twelfth annual picture competitors. Some highlights embrace a standoff between a fox and an eagle, an enormous glacier in Greenland at sundown, and a ship of fruit and vegetable retailers within the Solomon Islands. Have a look and revel in some inspiration for the week.
Lastly, I used to be glad when one in every of my buddies not too long ago confirmed me the images of artist and toy designer David M Chook, who creates tiny sculptures of individuals manufactured from acorns, twigs, and different supplies he finds in nature. He units up these “acorn individuals” exterior and waits for critters like birds and squirrels to wander by, leading to some joyful pictures that may be captured in a yard. Take it as inspiration that good images will be completed wherever so long as you will have a spark of inspiration!
Photograph Theme Problem, Week #104
Final week’s theme was rocks, and you’ll see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody on your submissions! This week’s theme is night time, and you’ll submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, June 7, 2025!
Week #103 Outcomes
Let’s try among the photographs we acquired for the “rocks” theme, beginning with Allan369’s picture of Antelope Canyon, Arizona:
What a surprising and vibrant sample within the rocks! A traditional topic and really beatifully proccessed.
Danny’s picture of the marble caves in Chile:
Nobody may say rocks are boring after seeing Danny’s picture! Nicely completed!
And eventually, Robert’s picture:
We finish with a peaceful distortion of rocks below water. Good blue reflections as properly!
Thanks everybody for submitting their pictures within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the night time theme.