Innehållsförteckning för October 2024 från Smart Photography

Yesterday, as I sat relaxed at my home, nostalgia swept over me as I mentally went through the technological advances in everything photographic over the years. I remembered my early fixed-lens rangefinder camera where I had to struggle to focus on contra-jour lighting. Thankfully, then came the SLRs and the ones I used had split-image screens with a microprism ring around it. Focussing became much easier but compared to modern cameras, they all were very slow, and photographing subjects like birds in flight required quickness and skills that very few possessed. The arrival of autofocus seemed like manna from heaven, but the early autofocus cameras still lacked speed, accuracy and consistency. Today it seems like we are in a golden era of autofocus that can easily track fast-moving subjects with…

Sony has declared itself the leader in the global full-frame mirrorless camera market, as stated in its 2024 corporate report. The report indicates that Sony’s lens business is currently more profitable than its camera division. Additionally, the company sees greater growth potential in the cinema camera segment compared to mirrorless cameras, while its smartphone and TV sectors continue to face challenges. Sony aims to capture 60% of the image sensor market by 2025, projecting an increase in its global share from 49% in 2022 to 53%. The report also introduces the new C2PA standard, which aims to combat the rise of fabricated and AI-generated images by providing a Camera Authenticity Solution for media professionals. Despite ongoing challenges, Sony’s overall business remains healthy, with positive forecasts and anticipation for upcoming camera…

Panasonic has introduced two innovative 4K multi-purpose cameras, the AW-UB50 and AW-UB10, aimed at transforming video production across various sectors. Unveiled on 11 September 2024, these cameras are designed to meet the growing demands of corporate, educational, and live entertainment video production, and are expected to hit the market in early 2025. The AW-UB50 features a full-frame MOS sensor, while the AW-UB10 utilises a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) MOS sensor, both equipped with advanced IP protocol support, including Panasonic’s AW control protocol and NDI® HX2. These features make the cameras suitable for a range of professional applications, from broadcasting to live event coverage. What sets these cameras apart is their user-friendly design and compact size, measuring under 10cm in height, width, and depth, allowing for versatile installation even in tight…

NEWSWATCH Speculation is rising that Nikon may be exploring global shutter technology, a cutting-edge advancement in image capture. While Nikon typically takes a conservative marketing approach, recent statements from RED Digital Cinema’s CEO, Keiji Oishi, suggest a focus on global shutter sensors. Oishi highlighted RED’s commitment to this technology, which allows for more natural and organic imagery, as well as its potential for cinema and broadcast. There is growing belief that Nikon could leverage RED’s expertise to enhance its own camera technology, possibly integrating global shutters into future high-end models. Though unconfirmed, this could mark a significant shift for Nikon.…

Prasenjit Dutta Prasenjit Dutta is a 40-year old wildlife photographer based in Kolkata, India. He has a special affinity for birds. His eight-year journey in photography has allowed him to develop a unique perspective on these fascinating creatures. In addition to his photography work, he has also written a book in Bengali about vultures, named ‘Mrito Shaharer Pakhi’. The book was published by Hawakal Publisher. It highlights his commitment to conservation and education. Moving forward, Prasenjit is excited to continue exploring the realm of birds and wildlife, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and visual art.…

At the 2024 International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) show in Amsterdam, 7Artisans unveiled ten new autofocus prime lenses, compatible with Sony E, Nikon Z, Leica L, and Fuji X mounts for APS-C cameras. The lenses are designed to have almost identical size and weight, with an expected price of around €230 each. The new full-frame lens series will be named INFINITE, featuring: Full-Frame INFINITE AF Lenses (E/Z/L): • 7Artisans AF 24mm f/1.8• 7Artisans AF 35mm f/1.8• 7Artisans AF 35mm f/2.8• 7Artisans AF 40mm f/2.8• 7Artisans AF 50mm f/1.8• 7Artisans AF 85mm f/1.8 APS-C AF Lenses (E/Z/X): • 7Artisans AF 27mm f/2.8• 7Artisans AF 35mm f/1.4• 7Artisans AF 25mm f/1.8• 7Artisans AF 50mm f/1.8 These new offerings promise to enhance the creative possibilities for photographers and videographers alike.…

Nikon has announced special offers to mark Anant Chaturdashi, encouraging customers to capture festive moments with their cameras. By registering any Nikon Mirrorless Z series camera or lens purchased between 1st September and 31st November 2024 on the MyNikon App, customers can enjoy a 6-month extended service warranty. Following similar promotions during Onam, Nikon continued to emphasise the joy of photographing the vibrant Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, including the Ganpati Visarjan, using its range of mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Shoppers could also benefit from cashback and discounts on various models until 30th September. Map Camera sales for September 2024 1. Fujifilm X-T 52. Fujifilm X- 100 VI3. Canon EOS R5 II4. Nikon Z 85. Sony Vlogcam ZV E 10 II6. Fujifilm X-T 507. Sony a 7 C II8. Canon EOS R…

At the 2024 International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) show in Amsterdam, multiple Chinese manufacturers, including 7Artisans, TTartisan, and AstrHori, showcased new lenses designed for the Nikon Z-mount. These developments signal an increasing availability of third-party lens options for Nikon users, with additional models expected to be released for the Z-mount in the near future. This expansion reflects the growing interest in the Nikon Z system among photographers and videographers.…

Nikon has revealed the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4, a new addition to its Z series lens lineup, offering a fast aperture and lightweight design at an accessible price. This versatile prime lens is perfect for a range of photography styles, from portraits and landscapes to travel and street shots. Weighing 420g and measuring just 74.5mm x 86.5mm, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 boasts a wide f/1.4 aperture, allowing photographers to achieve striking depth of field and smooth background blur. The nine-blade diaphragm enhances the circular bokeh, making subjects stand out against soft, out-of-focus backgrounds. Designed for modern content creators, this lens features near-silent autofocus thanks to its STM motors, making it well-suited for video production. The focus breathing suppression minimises shifts in the angle of view when adjusting focus, and…

In a recent announcement, Tamron has revealed its latest addition to the macro photography lens lineup, the 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Model F072), set to launch in October for Nikon Z and Sony E-mount mirrorless systems. This new lens boasts a sophisticated optical construction of 15 elements in 12 groups, incorporating four Low Dispersion (LD) glass elements. These elements work to control light divergence, effectively minimizing both spherical and chromatic aberrations for superior image clarity. Tamron has also equipped the lens with its second-generation Broad-Band Anti-Reflection (BBAR-G2) coating, designed to reduce ghosting and flare, ensuring that photographers can capture images with high contrast and color fidelity even in challenging lighting conditions.…

Vimal Parmar An independent marketing consultant and digital print evangelist with over 40 years of experience in the imaging industry. @vimalparmar Printed Photobooks: Preserving Stories Beyond the Digital World Dear Readers, Since we began our journey into the world of photobooks, your feedback has been incredibly valuable. Many of you have shared personal stories about creating photobooks—whether as cherished keepsakes, heartfelt gifts, or a way to convey your visual narratives. These stories have been truly inspiring, and we are excited to explore more experiences from people who have embraced this creative process. As part of this exploration, I am reaching out to my broader network to connect with people who have created photobooks for personal fulfilment. This search is distinct from the work of professional photographers who craft elaborate wedding…

1) What does JPEG stand for? 2) Is JPEG compressed? 3) Which is higher quality? JPEG or PDF? 4) What does TIFF stand for? 5) Which manufacturer recently launched a camera with a built-in graduated ND filter? • OM SYSTEM• Nikon• Sony• Panasonic 6) There are three types of autofocus points – standard, cross-type and dual cross. Which is the most powerful? 7) How much higher speed does a f 1.4 lens give compared to a f 1.8? • .4 X• 1.5 X• 2 X• 2/3 X 8) Name three different video file types. 9) To get a good cricket shot, which type of lens do you need? • Wide angle zoom• Telezoom• Superzoom 10) Name three resolution choices available to shoot video. ANSWERS 1) Joint Photographic Experts Group2) Yes3)…

At the 2024 International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam, Blazar Lens announced the launch of what it claims to be the world’s first autofocus anamorphic lenses. The innovative 1.33x APEX series, currently in its prototype phase, attracted significant attention at the event, featuring two focal lengths: a 35mm T1.6 and a 50mm T1.8, both designed to cover Super 35 (S35) sensors. The lenses are set to be available for various mirrorless mounts, including Sony E, Nikon Z, Leica L, and Fuji X, with plans for a Canon RF mount option under discussion. Blazar’s decision to implement a 1.33x squeeze ratio is rooted in practical considerations, as autofocus systems tend to struggle with wider anamorphic ratios. This makes the 1.33x design a more feasible and effective choice for users. While the…

In early September, TTArtisan announced the upcoming release of two new lenses: the TTArtisan APS-C AF 14mm F3.5 pancake lens for Sony E mount and the TTArtisan 75mm F1.5 full-frame manual focus lens for M42 mount. While the pancake lens is yet to debut, the 75mm model is now available for purchase. The TTArtisan 75mm f/1.5 lens is noted for its distinctive swirly bokeh effect, which adds an artistic touch to photographs. Its unique optical design produces soft, swirling backgrounds that enhance the subject’s prominence, creating a captivating visual experience. The large f/1.5 aperture allows for clear images in low-light settings and facilitates a shallow depth of field, further isolating the subject. Designed to perform well in backlit conditions, the lens softens light diffusion and blends shadows smoothly, reminiscent of…

Ricoh unveiled its latest product, the Pentax AF180FG auto flash unit, engineered for versatility and durability in outdoor photography. This compact device boasts a maximum guide number of 18 at ISO 100/m and is constructed with a dustproof and weather-resistant design, ensuring reliable performance in challenging conditions, including rain and mist. The AF180FG features a well-balanced body, making it an ideal companion for RICOH’s digital cameras compatible with P-TTL. Enhanced by 18 seals at critical junctions, the unit promises solid operation even in harsh environments when used alongside dustproof and weather-resistant camera bodies and lenses. One of the standout features of the AF180FG is its bounce flash capability, which allows for a 135-degree tilt. Photographers can adjust the flash head to 10 different angles (-10, 0, 30, 45, 60, 75,…

On the evening of September 23rd, the Austrian Parliament hosted the awards ceremony for the 12th Global Peace Photo Awards. Wolfgang Sobotka, President of the Austrian National Council, welcomed the attendees, emphasizing in his speech the importance of dialogue in overcoming conflicts and the role of liberal democracy in providing the best framework for such discourse. These winners were selected from a pool of 21,220 submissions from 122 countries, a notable increase from 2023’s 19,195 entries from 133 countries. This year, the highest number of entries came from India, Germany, Russia, Iran, and the USA. The prestigious title of “Peace Photo of the Year” went to Elisa L. Iannacone, a British-Mexican artist and photographer, for her piece “Dreams of Childhood.” The award comes with a prize of €7,000. Elisa’s winning…

Puneet Verma Puneet Verma is an IT professional and passionate Travel & Fine Art Landscape photographer based in Bangalore, India. Puneet is self-taught and loves to create evocative imagery using long exposure techniques. His work has been exhibited nationally and published in print media in addition to being awarded at TIFA, Epson Pano & Monochrome Awards amongst others. He also conducts astro landscapes photography workshops across India through his initiative, VisCapades. Furthermore, Puneet is the brand ambassador for Nisi and Vanguard India.…

Remembering Wildlife, the fundraising photography book series that has donated more than $1.5m USD (£1.15m GBP) to protect endangered wild animals, will publish its ninth book, Remembering Tigers on 7 October 2024, with an official launch on 9 October at the Royal Geographical Society, London. The hardback coffee table book is a collection of 88 stunning colour images donated by many of the world’s top wildlife photographers – including Art Wolfe, Jonathan & Angela Scott, Greg du Toit and Sergey Gorshkov – to help protect tigers in the wild. This year’s cover image was taken by Sarah Skinner. The aim of the book is to raise awareness of the plight facing tigers and to raise money to protect them, with all profits from book sales going to conservation. There are…

We often undertake travel and take hundreds or even thousands of photographs spending a considerable amount of money and time. While the images lost due to malfunctions of either a card or a camera are rare, accidental deletions can and do happen. You may mistakenly format a card, lose it, or even if neither happens, you can simply run out of card space! So, it is prudent to create a backup at the end of every day while you are travelling, especially if you are going to faraway places spending considerable resources. There are many ways to do it. Having a laptop with sufficient hard disk space is perhaps the best solution but carrying one is a big problem, especially with the severe baggage restrictions that are in place these…