Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 II Rumors, Sony Commerce-In Sale

My plan for later this month had been to check two completely different Leica cameras at a climbing occasion. However, there’s an previous and clever climber’s saying: “Never attach two Leicas to one harness!” So, I made a decision as a substitute to check one of many cameras at a much less adventurous – although no much less fascinating – occasion. Here, the worst that would occur was that I may fall into deep mud on the fringe of a pond with the Leica Q3. I used to be prepared to take that danger, so now I can current the primary photograph from a sequence I’m planning. You will quickly hear my first impressions of this digicam, however for now, let’s transfer to the information from the previous week.

Recent Announcements

• Insta360 Antigravity A1: Among the various slogans within the official promo video, this one caught my ear: “You’re not piloting your drone, you’re flying.” That feeling comes from the 360 diploma view from the twin cameras, mixed with “Vision Goggles” that allow you to see wherever you flip your head. Navigation is managed in an modern approach, by tilting the whole Grip controller. Why would you need a 360-degree digicam on a drone? Beyond the traditional 360 methods, just like the Little Prince-style tiny planet, you achieve the power to decide on any angle of view in post-production. The official launch is deliberate for January 2026. The value has not but been introduced.
• Meike AF 24mm f/1.4 MIX: A full-frame autofocus lens for Nikon Z, Sony E, and L mount. The optical design of this 556g lens options 15 components in 12 teams. Sony’s counterpart focuses even nearer (0.24m vs 0.28m), accepts smaller 67mm filters, and weighs noticeably much less at 445g. An analogous Sigma lens is barely lighter nonetheless. The largest distinction, nonetheless, is value: $589 for the Meike. By comparability, Sony’s model at present sells for $1,498, and Sigma’s L-mount for $879.
• Yashica City 300: A really compact point-and-shoot digicam (183 grams) that follows within the footsteps of the City 100 and City 200 fashions, however guarantees considerably improved picture high quality. That expectation is backed by some key upgrades: a 50MP sensor (up from 13MP), in-body picture stabilization, RAW capturing, and a 24mm equal f/1.8 autofocus lens (beforehand only a fixed-focus zoom). The sensor measurement is a small 1/1.56″ kind (4.2x crop issue). Price is HK$3,280 (round $420).

The Rumor Mill

Bokeh King and Travel King

That’s the royal standing of two rumored Sigma lenses, with an anticipated announcement in late August or September. So, what lenses are we speaking about? The “Bokeh King” may very well be a Sigma 135mm f/1.4, whereas the “Travel King” may very well be a Sigma 20-200mm zoom.

In each circumstances, Sigma could be breaking new floor. The solely portrait lens to ever provide comparable specs as a Sigma 135mm f/1.4 was the cumbersome, heavy, and guide focus Mitakon Speedmaster 135mm f/1.4. Among at present produced lenses, the closest contenders are the Nikon 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM.

The Sigma 20-200mm, however, may enchantment to a large viewers. At 20mm you’re already vast sufficient for many landscapes, whereas 200mm reaches additional than the overwhelming majority of ordinary zooms. The closest parallels is perhaps the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G or Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6, however each lenses finish effectively earlier than the 200mm mark. A zoom this formidable gained’t be particularly quick, however the precise specs stay to be seen.

Via Sony Alpha Rumors

Hasselblad X2D II announcement set for August twenty sixth

This medium format digicam has been talked about for a while. As is usually the case, there’s lots of hustle and bustle behind the scenes earlier than the official launch, and a few sellers are so excited that they can not hold the key below wraps. This time, the leak got here from the Slovak retailer fotovideoshop.sk. The shock wasn’t in regards to the digicam itself, however in regards to the lens anticipated to launch alongside it: a Hasselblad XCD 35-100mm f/2.8-4 (about 28-80mm full-frame equal). The retailer rapidly pulled the itemizing, however as soon as the arrow leaves the bow, it’s gone.

Via Photo Rumors

Nikon rumored to launch a Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S Version II

A 24-70mm f/2.8 II: one of many solely lenses not talked about in Spencer’s article Which Lenses Does Nikon Z Still Need, and it’s rumored to be introduced later this month! Perhaps there’s one thing poetic about that, the impossibility of predicting the longer term. However, it is usually noteworthy that Nikon is perhaps changing their present Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S so quickly, regardless that it’s broadly thought of a really robust lens. What may justify a brand new model? Perhaps making it smaller and lighter, or making it an inner zoom? Maybe including PZ or different video options? Or maybe it is not going to be a standard 24-70mm f/2.8 in any respect and might need a unique focal size or aperture. The reply stays to be seen, however in line with rumors, it’s possible you’ll want to attend lower than two weeks for the reply.

Via Nikon Rumors

Good Deals and New Sales

B&H Photo is at present working a giant summer trade-in sale, this time specializing in Sony gear. If you’re seeking to improve your present gear, you may commerce it in at B&H to not solely get the worth of your gear, but in addition obtain as much as $1,500 off in extra credit score ($1,000 bonus + as much as $500 sale) in the direction of the acquisition of chosen Sony cameras and lenses. Here’s the relevant gear:

Cameras

• Sony ZV-E1 (was $2,398, now $2,098)
• Sony a7CR (was $3,198, now $2,898)
• Sony FX6 (was $6,498, now $5,798)
• Sony a7C II (was $2,398, now $2,198)
• Sony a9 III (was $6,398, now $5,898)
• Sony a1 (was $5,898, now $5,398)
• Sony a7R V (was $4,198, now $3,198)
• Sony a7S III (was $3,798, now $3,498)
• Sony FX3A (was $4,098, now $3,798)
• Sony a7 IV (was $2,698, now $2,398)

Lenses

• Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II (was $2,448, now $2,148)
• Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II (was $2,498, now $2,198)
• Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II (was $2,998, now $2,698)
• Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS (was $6,498, now $6,198)

Bundles

And should you’re not a Sony shooter, the ongoing Deal Zones today have financial savings on tripods, backpacks, and extra.

Other Pages of Interest

DJI might be finest recognized for its drones and motion cameras, so it’s no marvel that many have been stunned when it ventured into the manufacturing of robotic vacuum cleaners! You gained’t discover the vacuum listed on DJI’s official web site simply but, however you may see the ROMO in motion in this video. If tightening rules and hefty fines have made you nervous about flying your drone outside, vacuuming may very well be a secure and undeniably helpful different, albeit much less productive for images (most likely).

The historical past of the Pirelli calendar goes again to the early Nineteen Sixties. What started as a seemingly odd promotional merchandise has since turn into each a coveted collector’s piece and a prestigious photographic fee. Over the years, Pirelli has enlisted a few of the largest names in images—Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Steve McCurry, and Helmut Newton, to call only a few. The 52nd version, for 2026, shall be entrusted to Norwegian photographer Sølve Sundsbø. An article in El País gives a behind-the-scenes take a look at how such a calendar is made. As a enjoyable reality, Czech supermodel Eva Herzigová already appeared within the Pirelli calendar thirty years in the past and can return this yr, portrayed as a water nymph submerged in a large aquarium.

Before you dive into our personal inspiration pool with this week’s Photo Theme Challenge, I like to recommend having a look on the successful photos from the AAP Black & White Photography Awards. The finest equilibrium between kind and content material, and thus probably the most votes from the jury, went to the dreamlike {photograph} ‘Balance’ by Dutch photographer Astrid Verhoef. The thematic vary of the 25 award-winning works could be very broad, from panorama and wildlife to conventional portrait images.

Photo Theme Challenge, Week #115

Last week’s theme was clouds, and you’ll see the outcomes on this thread. Thank you to everybody on your submissions! This week’s theme is main traces, and you’ll submit your outcomes on this thread by Saturday, August 23, 2054!

Week #115 Results

For the “clouds” theme, I knew we’d get lots of landscapes, and I wasn’t disenchanted. Let’s test just a few of them out, beginning with Mauro70’s photograph of Laghi di Bellavista within the Italian western Alps:

Although the mountain scene and the reflection have lots of visible affect right here, the fluffy clouds properly complement the acuteness of the rocky shore.

Next, we have now rjbfoto’s Lofoten Islands photograph:

Here, the silhouette of the island takes a supporting function to the superb cloud formation on the high. I additionally love the distinction between the underside left nook and the nebulous feeling within the distance.

Finally, we’ve bought one from new member rmcasa, additionally of Lofoten!

rmcasa’s photograph could be very robust and vibrant within the foreground, with an clearly intentionally framed formation of rocks. And the ocean splash offers method to a a lot larger splash of cloud within the sky that enhances the little wave. Very good photograph!

Thanks everybody for submitting their pictures within the problem, and we hope to see extra subsequent week within the main traces theme.