Prime or zoom? That’s the query I requested myself in a brand new article revealed yesterday right here on Images Life. Final week, I attempted to reply that query in type – not with a standard prime or zoom, however with one thing I think about a giga-zoom! What else would you name a lens that goes from 24mm to 3000mm? You’ll be able to see the primary pigeon that landed on my reminiscence card from the Nikon Coolpix P1100 because the opening picture of this week’s images information. Have a Comfortable Easter and good gentle.
Latest Bulletins
- Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB: For those who had been hoping this lens would are available a Nikon Z mount, you could be a bit disillusioned – it’s at present solely obtainable for Sony E. Hopefully a Nikon model will seem earlier than lengthy. The plain headline characteristic is the tremendous quick f/1.2 aperture. The optical development consists of 15 parts in 10 teams, together with 5 ED, 3 HR and a couple of UA lenses. The lens is supplied with a multi-function ring, two Fn buttons, a click on/de-click aperture ring and a customizable information show. It’s additionally mud and moisture resistant. AF is powered by Viltrox’s Quad HyperVCM motor. The filter dimension is 77mm, the load is 910g and the worth is slightly below the four-figure mark at $999.
- Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z50II firmware updates: Firmware model 5.20 for the Nikon Z9 provides help for Nikon NX Area, a distant capturing system designed for skilled and company use. For those who’re curious what precisely NX Area can do, Nikon’s official NPS web site has all the main points. The Z50 II additionally will get a slight improve with firmware model 1.01, which unlocks Pre-Launch Seize when paired with the SmallRig SR-RG2 grip. And since we’re on the subject of firmware, Nikon USA has confirmed that the Z6 III will get Hen-detect AF by the top of the yr.
The Rumor Mill
Sony will develop its f/2 zoom lineup
For many years, fixed f/2.8 zoom lenses have been the gold customary in full-frame skilled optics. However instances have modified, and so have apertures. Just a few years in the past, Canon was the primary to interrupt the wall with its 28-70mm f/2 lens. Late final yr, Sony responded with its personal model of the identical focal vary. Now, in line with the most recent rumors, Sony is able to make one other daring transfer on the f/2 chessboard with the (probably imminent) launch of the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM.
One of many wilder rumors even means that this may not be the one new lens on the horizon. Alongside or shortly after this launch, Sony may additionally announce an extended telephoto zoom. It may both be a second-generation FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM or one thing completely new. Possibly a 300-600mm f/5.6? Oh wait, that’s what Canon followers are at present hoping for.
Through Sony Alpha Rumors and Canon Rumors
Sony patents for 400mm, 600mm and 800mm telephoto lenses
Sony has filed patents for 5 new telephoto lens designs. The 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 could sound acquainted to Sony customers, however the remaining three are completely new ideas for Sony. The primary is a 400mm f/4. Subsequent is a 500mm f/4. And final is the large one: an 800mm f/5.6.
To be clear, these are patents, not product bulletins, so it’s attainable that their lives will find yourself on the drafting board and within the heads of their designers. Nonetheless, it’s fascinating to see the place Sony’s ideas and plans are going. For those who may affect the roadmap, which of those would you ship to manufacturing?
Through Sony Alpha Rumors and Asobinet
Influence of latest tariffs on costs of photographic gear
Final week we reported on the upcoming value will increase at Canon. This week, you possibly can learn concerning the upcoming value changes on the rumor websites of Fujifilm and Leica. Whereas The Hitchhiker’s Information to the Galaxy affords the clever recommendation “Don’t panic,” I’d nonetheless advocate not ready too lengthy in the event you’re planning on getting new gear. And never simply due to value, but in addition availability.
Through Leica Rumors, Photograph Rumors and Sony Alpha Rumors
Good Offers and New Gross sales
Maybe because of the aforementioned tariffs, the listing of discounted gear from Fujifilm and Sony is about as quick because the chemical components for hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Nonetheless, that listing does embrace the Fujifilm X-H2S and its youthful brother, the X-H2 – form of. The cameras don’t even have a reduction, however shopping for both at B&H Photograph will get you a bonus FT-XH File Transmitter Grip, usually priced at $999. The deal additionally applies to the X-H2 bundled with the 16-80mm lens, and also you save about $200 on the standard value of the lens by shopping for it as a bundle. Additionally, the first-generation XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR was $1199 and at present sells for $999.
What about Sony? My favourite deal right here is the Sony a7 IV, at present priced at $1,998 (was $2,498). There’s additionally a soon-to-expire a7 IV bundle sale that features a Sony 128GB reminiscence card, a spare battery, and a Assume Tank Photograph Retrospective digicam bag for $2,127 (was $2,635).
Lastly, Sony is doing their fashionable spring trade-in occasion once more. Right here you should have a a lot wider vary of reductions to select from. You’ll receives a commission on your outdated gear, plus as much as a $800 Sony trade-in bonus + as much as $500 instantaneous financial savings. That makes a complete of as much as $1300 + the worth of your trade-in, a superb deal for photographers who’re contemplating a brand new Sony.
Different Pages of Curiosity
A colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), whose stays often wash ashore, has been filmed alive for the primary time in historical past. The person, captured on digicam at a depth of round 600 meters close to the South Sandwich Islands within the South Atlantic Ocean, measured solely about 30 cm – however adults can develop as much as 7 meters lengthy and weigh half a ton. That makes it the heaviest invertebrate on the planet.
The World Press Photograph contest introduced its 2025 Photograph of the Yr this week, together with two finalists. The highest honor went to photographer Samar Abu Elouf for a portrait of Mahmoud Ajjour, a toddler who misplaced each arms throughout an Israeli assault in Gaza Metropolis in March 2024. In line with the United Nations, Gaza now has the best variety of little one amputees per capita wherever on the planet. The opposite awarded photographs additionally carry disturbing messages. Evening Crossing by John Moore takes you to the U.S.-Mexico border, whereas Droughts within the Amazon by Musuk Nolte reveals the altering face of the world’s largest rainforest – as soon as lush and humid, now parched and struggling.
In the meantime, the celebrated Sony Photographer of the Yr 2025 was received by acclaimed British photographer Zed Nelson for his sequence The Anthropocene Phantasm. This long-term documentary mission, which explores the deeply fractured relationship between people and the pure world, took Zed six years to finish and led him throughout 4 continents. You’ll be able to view his award-winning images on the Sony World Images Awards 2025 web site.
Photograph Theme Problem, Week #98
Final week’s theme was leaves, and you’ll see the outcomes on this thread. Thanks to everybody on your submissions! This week’s theme is intersections, and you’ll submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, April 26, 2024!
Week #97 Outcomes
Let’s try among the pictures we obtained for the “leaves” theme, beginning with Mauro70’s picture:
I like that the distinction between the leaves and the buildings work on many ranges: colour, kind, and kind of topic.
Cjay’s picture:
Right here, we now have one thing very completely different from the primary: a closeup that reveals the attractive complexity of a single leaf.
And John Graybosch’s picture:
John’s picture reveals very properly how leaves can seize the fantastic thing about the solar.
Thanks everybody for submitting their photographs within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the intersections theme.