Indholdsfortegnelse for No. 275 i Digital Photographer

And so begins a new year! 2023 was another exciting one for camera releases and photo technology development, which kept us busy on Digital Photographer. This has all culminated in our popular Gear of the Year awards, which you’ll find on p24 of the magazine. Here, we round up all of the best products we saw pass through our doors over the past 12 months, from cameras to lenses, accessories to software. Be sure to take a look to see if your dream purchase is among them and feel free to drop us a message on social media or an email if you agree (or disagree) with our selections. After reviewing the past, it’s time to look forward and dive into our lead feature on the pro techniques you will…

Xingyao Optics’ Brightin Star is a Chinese lens manufacturer that, until now, has developed affordable manual focus lenses with large apertures. The Brightin Star 50mm f/1.4 AF (85mm full frame equivalent) is an APS-C prime lens with autofocus, available for the Nikon Z, Fujifilm X and Sony E mounts. But with the large number of 50mm lenses now on offer for APS-C mirrorless, it will have to offer something unique to be considered among the best Nikon Z lenses, the best Sony lenses and the best Fujifilm lenses. With only a teaser poster having been released, not much is known about the lens at present. The poster displays the name of the lens along with the mounts that it will be released for. In addition, the poster says it’s ‘coming…

Viltrox continues to expand its lineup, offering a new prime lens that’s great value for money. The Viltrox AF 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle has been released for the Sony E mount and, according to Viltrox, the Nikon Z mount will follow shortly. The lens is tailored for astrophotography, landscape and architectural photography, with a 91.6º angle of view in a compact body. Weighing just 157g, it’s designed for portability, providing a wideangle option for those on the move. It’s comprised of 10 elements in eight groups, including two ED lenses, one lens with a high refractive index and two aspherical lenses, to combat aspherical and chromatic aberration. Unlike many of Viltrox’s lenses, this 20mm f/2.8 has AF – and a fast and precise one at that, with the inclusion of an…

For animal-loving photographers, having a furry friend posing in front of the camera may seem like a dream come true. However, in practice, it can be a lot more challenging than it appears. Animals are notoriously difficult subjects to work with, not only in photography, and have a shorter attention span than their human counterparts. And, whereas communication with your model is essential when taking human portraits, it is far more of a challenge to direct your animal subjects when photographing them. Today, I am meeting Matt Elliott, an experienced pet photographer based in Bristol. Known for his ability to create photographs that capture the unique personalities of pets and the special bond between them and their owners, Matt is a pet owner himself, meaning that he understands the profound…

BEAT THE WEATHER “I use a hard shell backpack made by ThinkTank when photographing in snowy conditions. It’s not only rugged but it’s waterproof too. Water can silently ruin camera equipment, so by having a waterproof and shockproof case, I never worry about my equipment.” Finn O’Hara submitted his photograph, titled ‘Mikaël Kingsbury, Olympic Freestyle Skier’, to the prestigious International Photography Awards, an annual competition that attracts entries from top professionals, amateurs and students worldwide. His skier photograph was originally a commission from a client, however, Finn saw its potential and decided to follow his instincts. “I took it another step further by creating an image that I couldn’t take during the pandemic. I had imagined what it would be like if we had a skier flying through a cloud…

KEEP IT FRESH “Unconventional angles and fresh points of view is something that started with the launch of both GoPro Cameras and drones. With the advance of technology, shrinking cameras allow for new angles, unconventional perspectives and new points of view.” Mario Tarantino describes himself as a ‘monochromantic’ but it was the photographic potential of brutalist architecture that led him to capture the image that won an award. “I submitted the photo because I felt the narrative I wished to convey when looking at it,” says Mario. He already had a creative direction in mind before being on location. “I wanted to create an outer-worldly narrative, a meeting place or place of worship on another planet. Once on location, the sheer scale of the monument was impressive. To convey that…

Difficulty level: Intermediate Time taken: Two hours What you’ll need • Sturdy tripod • Wide-aperture lens • Remote camera release • Image-editing software Light pollution is changing the way we see the night sky, how we photograph it and our connection to the stars. When taking astro photos nowadays, it is hard to escape the reality of light pollution from nearby towns and cities, even out at sea or in rural areas. Sometimes, it is necessary to travel to dark-sky places that provide an ‘open window’ to the universe, but it is a battle photographers are often up against. Luckily, the modern astro photographer can also call upon a series of techniques that lift the curtain of light pollution that prevents us from getting a clear view of our home…

Hi Charlotte, tell us more about the online exhibition you curated The exhibition ‘My Journey – My Project’ runs from 19 December until 29 February 2024 online. The exhibition was the result of a year-long project of a group I was mentoring. During the year, we covered a range of skills including how to write an artist statement and how to curate a set of images from a bigger body of work. Every individual exhibiting has followed their own path and the selection of images you see is just the tip of the iceberg of their projects. How did you come up with the idea? The idea to have an exhibition came about as I saw each individual’s work bloom and develop. I was so proud of the work that…

GuruShots is billed as the world’s leading photography game. It’s an online platform that gives global exposure to people who love taking photos. GuruShots members start as Newbies and compete with other photographers to win challenges, increase their ranking on the site and eventually progress to ‘Guru’ status. Challenges are voted on by Gurus and the wider GuruShots community, and there’s a fresh competition brief, such as the Night Photography challenge, every day. All the winners receive prizes from GuruShots’ sponsors, including Lowepro, Kodak and Lensbaby. For more information, visit www.gurushots.com…

The Nikon Z f combines a retro aesthetic, reminiscent of the Nikon FM2 from the 1980s, with advanced technology from the Nikon Z 6II and the Z 8. It’s a full-frame mirrorless camera with the 24.5MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor from the Nikon Z 6II and Z 6, but it’s combined with the powerful Expeed 7 processing engine that’s found in the top-tier Nikon Z 9 and Z 8. Its body design also harks back to the Nikon Df DSLR of 2013 and it’s the full-frame counterpart to the APS-C format Nikon Z fc, but with superior build quality. The camera’s impressive capabilities stem from this fusion of the sensor and processor and together, they enable a top native sensitivity setting of ISO 64,000, 0.3 of a stop higher than…

Price: £8,000/$9,195 leica-camera.com All of Leica’s cameras are iconic in their own right, but it is Leica’s M series of cameras that perhaps has the most fervent following. Since last year’s reveal of the latest generation of the M-series with the Leica M11, we have been waiting for Leica to unveil its usual collection of variations on that core camera. So far we have seen the black-and-white-sensor M11 Monochrom, and now it is the turn for this generation’s Leica M11-P variant. The Leica M10-P was unique for its focus on a redeveloped silent shutter for quieter street photography or photojournalism, where discretion is absolutely paramount. The M11-P is also a camera that is aimed at these audiences, but a quieter shutter is not the focus of the M11-P. Instead, the…

The 35mm f/1.8 AF is the newest lens in TTArtisan’s AF prime range and will be available for Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Nikon Z mounts. The company is best known for its affordable manual focus lenses, but TTArtisan has been slowly releasing autofocus lenses to cover all of the essential focal lengths. The new 35mm f/1.8 is equivalent to 50mm on a full-frame, a classic focal length that can cover a wide range of genres and is much favoured by the best photographers of all time. The f/1.8 aperture allows versatility in different lighting scenarios, which also enables great fall-off into smooth bokeh. The autofocus addition is a feature that will be welcomed by all users. We have seen the AF functionality of the TTArtisan primes in full effect…

Vanguard has launched its tallest and most stable tripod ever. The Alta Pro 3VL sets new standards in height and stability with an extendable height of 1.8m and robust 3cm diameter legs providing outstanding stability. It comes in two versions, an aluminium model weighing 3.26kg and a lighter, 2.92kg carbon fibre edition. Both tripods are capable of taking a maximum payload of 25kg, making them perfect for mounting camcorders and cameras with cine lenses, and pack down to 85.5cm. Vanguard has replaced the standard central column with a levelling system, CNC machined from a solid aluminium block. This not only delivers smooth and precise movements but ensures the highest quality finish. The levelling system can rotate through 360° degrees and the vertical can be moved 15° allowing for fast and…

What’s old is new – and this has never been more true than in summing up photography in 2023. Last year saw the launch, not just of a new DSLR, but also a film camera, a mirrorless camera that looks like a film camera and two cameras that only shoot in black and white. At the same time, what’s new is new. In 2023, we saw a camera with a full-frame global shutter sensor, a 24-105mm f/2.8 lens, two cameras with AI-busting protocols to certify your images, a $600 fully manual instant camera and a camera the size of a cigarette packet that works like a phone. It has been a year of genuine innovation, with exciting announcements coming thick and fast. And, as the global production problems began abating…

SHOOT LONG-TERM PROJECTS The landscape is constantly changing due to the time of year, weather and natural phenomena. It’s worth visiting the same location throughout the year to capture how these elements affect the scene. This will provide you with valuable experience and new challenges to overcome in terms of lighting and weather conditions, as well as help you develop your photographic style. Mik Dogherty Mik Dogherty is an outdoor photographer, based in the New Forest National Park in southern England. Mik is self-taught and had been a keen film photographer in his younger years, although a career in the Royal Navy and then the petrochemical industry had put his hobby on hold. In 2010, the advent of digital cameras helped Mik to revisit his passion. After suffering from mental…

One of the biggest factors in 2024 will be artificial intelligence, which inspired most trends of the past year. We have seen a number of perfectly generated images, mostly themed around human-like subjects and depicting utopian scenarios, which left a lasting impression. This year, a symbolic response to this movement is emerging from the classic photographic genre. The biggest trend of 2024 is likely to be the creation of so-called hyper-realistic photographs that mimic the aesthetics of AI-generated images. This approach involves using ultra-high-definition techniques to create hyper-realistic images of the subject and incorporating significant elements found in generated images. This could, for example, mimic the liquid texture of skin. The trend may divide opinions but it allows photographers to re-examine the medium and use new techniques in light, composition…

One of the most challenging tasks in photography is to freeze a fastmoving subject in motion, such as a racing car, a bird in flight or a plane at an air show. Taking photos in automatic mode (A) can be frustrating as the camera’s settings need adjustments in exposure and focus. This means that some shots may be usable and sharp, but many will lack precision. To capture those dynamic and dramatic moments, technical knowledge and practice are the keys to success. Here, the exposure triangle comes into play, which consists of three elements: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. These settings all have an impact on each other. For action shots, the priority is to select a fast shutter speed, such as 1/1,000 sec, to freeze the subject. However, this…

Panagiotis Dalagiorgos Panagiotis is an awardwinning photographer from Greece, who specialises in nature and macro photography. He bought his first camera and macro lens during the pandemic lockdowns in 2020 and has been photographing the small wonders of nature ever since. He recently started working as a professional photographer in other genres, but says that nature photography will always be his first love. Macro details “To achieve this shot, I had to experiment a little before I got it right,” Panagiotis explains. “I didn’t want to sacrifice too much of the contrast and details.” He applied a technique known as focusstacking, which involves capturing multiple images with various focus points and merging them during post-processing. “At this magnification, f/2.8 covers a minimal part of the subject,” he says. By using…

WIN! SAMSUNG 256GB PRO PLUS MICRO SDXC MEMORY CARD WITH SD ADAPTER Every issue, one Digital Photographer reader wins a Samsung 256GB PRO Plus MicroSDXC memory card with SD adapter. Boasting up to 160MB/s and 120MB/s read/write speeds, the card is perfect for high-res stills and Ultra HD video. It is the go-to card for the modern content creator using mirrorless, smartphone, action cam and drone cameras. Find out more at samsung.com/uk/memory-storage About the shot: I was photographing Little Egrets in a flooded inlet and stumbled upon this lone figure standing poised, its gracefully preening silhouette contrasting with the dark foliage and highlighting the delicate balance between nature and the challenges it faces. This photograph captures the resilience of the Egret navigating a changing environment. As rising sea levels…

The iPhone 15 Pro is the epitome of a safe bet. The phone is expensive, but not the most expensive; its cameras are specced out but don’t rock the boat and its screen is expansive without being oversized. Packing all of Apple’s latest iOS highlights and a refined design with its titanium build, as well as that coveted USB-C port, this is an iPhone that’s easy to like. If you dare to look beyond Apple’s iPhone line, though, much of what we love about the iPhone 15 Pro can be had for less in an Android alternative. Compact options like the Asus Zenfone 10 and the Sony Xperia 5 V also offer flagship power and advanced camera tech. Apple’s refined design feels great, but Android takes design further, with phones…

Build and handling The Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S follows on from a couple of other super-telephoto lenses that have really impressed us. The most similar is the Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, which has the same kind of design, based on the use of a Phase Fresnel element in the optical path. Build quality is everything you’d expect from one of Nikon’s top-flight, S-line lenses. The lens feels solid and robust, and features a comprehensive set of weather-seals. For added security, there’s also a Kensington lock slot. It’s not just the relatively lightweight build that makes for easy handling. Thanks again to the Phase Fresnel element, the centre of gravity is near the rear of the lens, so it feels very natural in handheld shooting. Performance Although the…

Build and handling I’ve been waiting a long time for this lens, given that the last one from Sony was for the A-mount back in 2008 – but the wait has been rewarded with the lightest 300mm f/2.8 ever made. That’s not just compared with full-frame rivals, it includes the Olympus M.Zuiko 300mm f/4 Pro, which is a Micro Four Thirds lens! The optical formula backloads the heaviest elements towards the camera body, so it feels very well-balanced. Long lenses like this can be very nose-heavy, but I found it nimble in use. The magnesium alloy construction feels as rugged and robust as you would expect of a premium pro lens, with weather sealing and a fluorine coating. I got a little closer than expected while photographing a long jumper,…

Photographer: Alisa Zuniga @the_elevated_exposure Website: theelevatedexposure.com Image location: Monarch Pass, Colorado, USA Type of commission: Personal Shot details: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/250 sec, f/13, ISO 100 About the shot: Every year, Alisa Zuniga takes a trip somewhere different to see in the New Year. However, last year, she decided to stay closer to her home in Colorado, USA. “I chose to head for the south-west because it’s my favourite part of Colorado,” she says. As she was travelling, heavy snowfall transformed the landscape – including the trees, which were barely visible but still beautiful. “My route to Ridgeway takes me up and over Monarch Pass and that moment couldn’t have been more perfect,” says Alisa. “I just knew that I had to stop and…

In 2024, the photography industry will maintain its focus on creating messages and conveying emotions, however, we should see an increased emphasis on immersive experiences through technology such as AI (artificial intelligence), VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality). These technologies have been around for a while, laying the foundations for technical and visual changes within photography. Pictured Get inspired Don’t miss out on the beauty surrounding you. Keep your eyes open –the inspiration for your next project is just waiting to be discovered Following trends is often viewed critically by creatives, but doing so can benefit photographers of all levels. Being aware of new challenges and preparing for them can be conducive to developing and refining your style. The knowledge acquired can be used to shape your future projects…

To capture the title-winning shot, Jon travelled to Mumbai, India, one of the busiest cities in the world. “I read an article years ago about food colourings in sweets, with candy floss as an example, so I could vividly see what the photo series would look like,” he says. Although Jon won the title, he does not describe himself as a food photographer in the traditional sense. “Taking images of lasagne doesn’t interest me, I focus mainly on the human side of the equation. As a food image, it’s a bit different and in the world of photography different is your superpower”. When creating a personal project, Jon finds a back story that initially inspires him that has certain criteria he is looking for – and this idea ticked all…

Meet the editing pro James Abbott is a professional photographer and photography journalist specialising in shooting and editing techniques. His first book was recently released and covers professional image editing skills in both Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Photo. @jamesaphoto jamesaphoto.co.uk What you’ll be using • Eyedropper Tool • Solid Color Adjustment Layer • Blending modes • Layer Opacity • Gaussian Blur AFTER BEFORE  Winter is upon us, and while some parts of the UK have already seen snow, as photographers, we can only hope for more as the season progresses. Snow is a great subject that transforms landscapes, simplifying complex and often barren scenes, However, it can be tricky to edit because of the presence of a blue tint in white snow. In this tutorial, we’ll look at how to…

As a photographer running a business, it can be quite a challenge to keep in touch with existing clients while attempting to attract new customers. However, it is crucial to maintain existing relationships, helping you earn repeat business from previous customers and demonstrating your versatility by showing off the full range of your services. To run a successful photography business, it is not enough to reach out to the general population; you also need to target specific individuals. This is where personal contact comes in handy. One of the best ways to stay in touch with your clients is by sending out a newsletter. This can be a good tool to keep your clients updated on your latest projects and services. They are also a great way to showcase your…

Alan Schaller Alan Schaller is a London-based photographer who specialises in black-and-white photography. His work is known for incorporating elements of surrealism, geometry and high contrast while exploring the realities and diversities of human life. Alan is the co-founder of the Street Photography International Collective (SPi) and also an ambassador for Leica cameras. His work has been published and exhibited internationally, and he has collaborated with prominent brands such as Apple, Nokia, Huawei and Philips. In addition to his photography, Alan has written articles for The Independent. alanschaller.com @alan_schaller Alan Schaller’s photography journey began while he was still pursuing a career in music production. However, he decided to express his creative vision through the camera lens rather than a mixing desk. With a precise sense of light and composition and…

96 Nikon Z f Angela Nicholson tries out Nikon’s latest retro-themed, full-frame mirrorless camera to see if it truly lives up to the reputation of the FM2, the camera that inspired its design 104 Leica M11-P In classic Leica style, this rangefinder camera is missing lots of bells and whistles. Gareth Bevan asks whether it has enough to justify the price 100 DJI Air 3 Drones are increasing in popularity and DJI is a clear leader in this specialist field of photography products, with options for all user levels and budgets. Adam Juniper tests whether this addition to its lineup offers true value 108 Lenses This issue, we explore the Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S, Leica 24-70mm Varo-Elmarit-SL f/2.8, Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS and the innovative Canon…

1 The DJI Air 3doesn’t rotate its camera for 9:16 portrait video, but uses the full height of the 4:3 sensor 2 With aclaimed maximum noise level of 81dB, the Air 3can boast quieter propellers than many of its main rivals Price: £959/$1,099 dji.com SPECIFICATIONS Cameras: 24mm EFL and 70mm EFL Image sensor: 1/1.3-inch 48MP stacked CMOS (same on both cameras) Still image size: 8,064 x 6,048px ISO: 100-6,400 (or 100-1,600 in high dynamic range modes), 100-12,800 night mode Video: 4K 60fps normal mode, 100fps slow-motion mode Max frame-rate: 200fps at 1080p Colour modes: 8-bit or 10-bit 4:2:0 (HLG /D-Log M) Radio/Range: DJI O4/20km (12.4 miles) Max speed: 21m/s (19 m/s in EU) Flight time: 46 min perfect/42 min hover Dimensions (LWH): 207 x 101 x 92mm (folded) Weight: 723g…

Build and handling While I don’t typically like external zoom mechanism lenses, I have to eat my words when it comes to the 24-70mm Vario-Elmarit-SL f/2.8 ASPH. Its build quality is out of this world: even the extension barrel feels really solid while zooming, better than any other external zoom lens I’ve used before. As soon as you mount this lens to your Leica SL2 or Leica SL2-S, you can feel how well it is constructed; it is perfectly balanced, even without a battery grip. Its focus ring is also super-smooth to operate, making this lens a dream if you still love manual focusing. Performance Every image I took during testing was pinsharp. Obviously, this optic is able to shoot wide open at f/2.8, which lets in a tonne of…

Build and handling This is a 24-105mm lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture, which has been the dream of many photographers for a long time. The RF 24-105mm f/2.8L IS USM Z is a big lens, more akin to something like a 100-400mm than any of Canon’s standard zooms, so it can accommodate the new focus and aperture rings. Due to its extended length and intended hybrid use, the RF 24-105mm f/2.8 comes with a tripod foot, which perfectly balanced the camera body and lens in my testing. Performance The performance of the lens was exceptional in my initial hands-on testing. All the way from 24mm up to 105mm, images are sharp with great contrast. My images also had consistent lighting, contrast, and colour temperature throughout the zoom range, which…