The Pentax K-1 is a camera that is great in many ways. It offers features that Canon, Nikon and Sony just don’t in a full frame DSLR while also keeping the price point fairly modest. Pentax’s strategy for years was always to take professional grade features and bring them down to the consumer and enthusiast. For the most part, the Pentax K-1 does that. With cool things like Astrotracer, WiFi, Composition adjustment, and arguably the weirdest LCD screen in the industry, the K-1 is a camera that will suit the needs of most professional photographers when paired with the right lenses.
For years, Pentax has made very well-built DSLRs. With the K-1 out, we asked for permission from Pentax to be able to do the same durability tests that we’ve done with their previous cameras–running it under a faucet. Pentax gave us the go ahead, but also said to be sure that certain ports and enclosures were all sealed.
Fujifilm is bringing back some big savings again here just ahead of the peak shopping season of the year with some incredible deals and savings for you all at up to $400 off. If you have been looking into the Fujifilm system or looking to upgrade your current Fujifilm kit, this would seem to be a really good time to take advantage. You can find all of the Fujifilm deals, here. We have also provided some quick links to the biggest deals below.
It seems that dual cameras is the new ‘it’ feature for high end smartphones as Chinese manufacturer Huawei has unveiled its new Mate 9, which features dual rear facing Leica cameras.
Leica is gearing up to celebrate the 15th anniversary of WestLicht by auctioning off several prized historic cameras in an auction. Highlighting the cameras available is the 1958 Leica M3 owned by Magnum Photographer Herbert List (1903-1975). Leica expects the List camera to sell for somewhere in the range of $45,000-$55,000.
Social Media Week reports that Instagram is currently experimenting with “shoppable photos” hoping to make a stronger push towards e-commerce for the app. Currently a limited number of iOS users are testing out the ability to tap on photos that provide info and links about the items pictured. Clicking the links will drive users to the product’s website where they can complete their purchase.
In the past few years, Sony has been receiving more and more third party support in terms of flash support–Godox, Flashpoint, Phottix, Profoto and others have started supporting the system and the new Impact Venture VE-TTL monolight is one of the latest offerings to offer TTL support with Sony’s flash system. Designed for professional photographers and semi-professionals, this flash system offers lots of power in one of the smallest packages I’ve ever seen. With 600 watt seconds of output, it’s incredibly capable and designed amazingly well.
If you were to choose one walkabout zoom lens for the Pentax K-1, it would most likely need to be the Pentax 28-105mm f3.5-5.6 ED DC WR. This lens has a very versatile zoom range and despite its variable aperture, is still highly capable of doing quite a bit for any photographer who holds it in their hands. Designed as a general use lens for many photographers, this lens can prove great in the hands of portrait photographers, landscape photographers, and so many more that choose to buy into Pentax’s full frame camera system. Then combine the fact that you’ve got weather sealing designed into the lens plus the great sensor at the heart of the Pentax K-1, and this lens could be the only single zoom lens you’ll need if you’re the type to stick to all prime lenses.
Let’s explore some of the visual devices which Minor White used to create photos of the natural world that are truly amazing.
Photographer and founder of the Light Painting Brushes System, Jason D. Page, has created an in-depth tutorial showcasing his method of light painting to create a “Light Man”(or woman). Using tools from his unique lighting system, Page walks you through every step providing camera settings, ideal posing and environmental options, as well as potential trouble areas for those looking to duplicate the technique. The resulting image showcases an illuminated figure with a fiery glow or something akin to what you’d see in a sci-fi film. It’s a easy-to-follow tutorial and potentially useful technique for those looking to do something creative with light painting.