The Curious Story of the $14,000 Mamiya Pistol Camera

The Mamiya Pistol was in use by the Japanese Police force many years ago.

It made total sense when reading that the Mamiya Pistol camera was a half-frame machine. This camera was used by Japanese Police for a while. It was their primary choice after the Doryu didn’t get finished in time. The police couldn’t wait. And the Mamiya is a whole lot smaller. The design resembles a revolver more than the semi-automatic pistol that its competitor was likened to. But according to Wired, they were never used. And lucky for you, you can own a piece of history by snagging this Mamiya Pistol camera on eBay. It’s accompanied by an equally historical price, if you get my drift.

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Save An Extra 20%: Spooktacular Halloween Deals On Presets, Guides

If you don’t make the most of these savings on presets, tutorials, and more, your decision will come back to haunt you.

There are tons of Halloween deals this weekend. However, the deals here on Lightroom presets, Photoshop actions, photography guides, and photography software are some of the best. By using the code SPOOKY20, you can save an extra 20% off of the listed prices. You can get 1500 Lightroom Presets for $29 (plus take the additional 20% off). 3,100 posing cards that will help you breeze through portrait sessions are just $29. There’s a great deal on DeNoise Software too. You can pick it up for just $14. Over 1,000 sky replacements can be yours for only $29, and you can learn Lightroom with Serge Ramelli for only $37. Remember, you get to take an additional 20% off of all of these prices.

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A Great Guide for Street Noobs: Essentials of Street Photography Review

If you’re like me and you’re new to street photography, The Essentials of Street Photography guide is an eye-opener that you need to read.

I have long admired photographers who can effortlessly hit the streets and capture the world around them. Even though I consider myself an outgoing guy, street photography has always induced feelings of fear. Am I going to get yelled at? Will someone threaten me? How do I approach someone? All of these questions race through my head, and I know they race through other photographer’s heads too. Capturing candids of people going about their daily lives is a lot harder than it sounds. So, when I had the opportunity to read The Essentials of Street Photography, I jumped at the chance. It’s really quite amazing what you can learn just by picking up a simple book. Is this street photography guide right for you? Find out in our essentials review.

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These Bargain Priced Mirrorless Cameras Are Under $600 Each!

We’ve found some great deals on presets as well as these incredible Mirrorless cameras.

In 2020, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a very capable Mirrorless camera. In fact, you can get your hands on Mirrorless cameras that will do a top job for under $600. The Olympus EPL9 can be yours for just $449! The Sony a6000 is a bargain at $548, and so is the Canon M50 at just $579. You can even get your hands on a Panasonic GX85 with two lenses for only $597.99. In all, we have found a dozen Mirrorless cameras under $600 that will amaze you. We’ve also found top deals on presets too. You can get 5,100 Lightroom presets for only $29, learn Lightroom with Serge Ramelli for only $37, and pick up over 7.000 LUTs for $39. Check out all the deals on Mirrorless cameras and more after the break.

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Time to Meet Some of the Most Gorgeous Olympus Trip 35 Cameras Ever!

These Olympus Trip 35 cameras were given beautiful leather skins, and they still work!

Universal truth: These cameras are stunning. The Olympus Trip 35 is already one of the most coveted Olympus film cameras on the market. The 40mm f2.8 lens that comes with it offers a truly compact camera experience. These ones, in particular, have been given new life with new leather skin. Better yet, there’s an assortment of colors. We could easily see a photographer with one of these slung around them at a party. These cameras are statement pieces for sure. They tell you that the photographer using them cares about the way that they carry themselves. Of course, it tells others that you’re a photographer too. And also, very importantly, it tells folks that you stand out from the crowd. The Olympus Trip was designed to go anywhere and everywhere with you. There’s a great reason why over 10,000,000 units were sold.

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Wow $1,698! This Is The Lowest Price Ever On The Sony a7 III, and More

Camera deals - Sony a7 III

Sony are starting their holiday sales off with a bang!

If you have been waiting to join team Sony, your wait is over! For a limited time, you can score some massive deals on Sony cameras and lenses. The Sony a7 III is just $1,698! This is the lowest price ever on this feature-packed Mirrorless camera. The Sony a7r4 Iv is only $2,998, the a7r III is just $2,298, and the 42 Megapixel a7r II is only $1,298! The Sony a9 is also on sale for just $2,998! There are also deals on the a600 with two lenses. It’s just $698, and the a5100 with a lens can be yours for $498! You’re also going to find deals on 10 Sony primes, including the excellent 20mm f1.8 G ($848), the FE 35mm f1.8 (just $698) and the 85mm f1.8 (only $548). There are also deals on 19 Sony zoom lenses too! Head past the break to see these early holiday deals on Sony cameras and lenses.

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Their Best Camera Yet! But a Ways to Go! Panasonic S5 Review

The Panasonic S5 is everything I wanted in a camera from Panasonic.

The truth about the photography market is that no one is making a bad camera. But bad decisions are surely made. And the Panasonic s5 is one of the best decisions the company ever made at the worst time. Released and announced during the pandemic, it’s a way to get people into their system pretty cheaply. However, I think if the Panasonic S5 were released ahead of the S1 and S1r, the system would have a ton more converts. The Panasonic S5 is seriously the first camera that’s made me consider the L mount with any seriousness. Not only is the camera the best thing currently in Panasonic’s lineup, but it’s probably the best L mount camera aside from the Leica SL2. With a 24MP full-frame sensor, great image quality, and good enough autofocus, I think photographers will really like it.

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Affordable Superzoom: Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Review

The Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 is an affordable superzoom lens for photographers shooting E Mount or L Mount mirrorless cameras.

Many sports and wildlife photographers rely on super-telephotos. Of course, there are compromises for their versatility. The Sigma 100-400mm f5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary is no exception. It was designed specifically for mirrorless cameras. At the cost of a brighter aperture, Sigma kept the weight and size down. Its direct competitor, the Sony 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 G Master, has a similar tradeoff. However, the Sigma is more than 60% cheaper ($949 USD). We’ve been testing the lens for the last few weeks in Sony E Mount, but it’s available for L Mount mirrorless cameras too.

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Should This Portrait Photographer Offer Their Client a Free Reshoot?

If you’re a portrait photographer, what should you do when you when you’re unhappy with the photos you made for your client?

A portrait photographer that earns money from their work has likely encountered a client that isn’t pleased with the images they paid for. Maybe they don’t like the edits, or sometimes they’re unhappy with the final selection. A client not being happy is part and parcel of being a photographer that charges their skills. But as photographers, we tend to be our own worst critics. And if the occasion arises where we’re not pleased with images we shot for a client, what should we do about it?

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Our Rokinon and Samyang Lens Guide is Bigger and Better Than Ever

If you’re in the market for some quality primes at affordable prices, take a closer look at Samyang and Rokinon lenses. 

Over the years, the staff at The Phoblographer have reviewed over two dozen Samyang and Rokinon lenses. The quality of optics in their lenses is excellent. More recently, we’ve been excited about their improved build quality. The great thing is that while the quality has gone up considerably, Rokinon and Samyang’s prices have stayed low. This is great as it gives many photographers the ability to buy fantastic primes without destroying themselves financially. We now have an updated Rokinon and Samyang Buyers Guide for anyone who wants quick access to all Rokinon and Samyang lenses we have reviewed over the last 11 years.

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Opinion: Photographers Have Too Many Card Format Types

History is repeating itself, and we have too many card format types again.

It was bad enough that Apple took out support for the SD card in their MacBook Pros. It’s still in the iMacs thankfully, but the trust SD card has been the mainstay of photographers for well over a decade. There was a time where we all loved and used CF cards. And Sony dried to push Memory Stick Duo on us. But it failed. Some camera manufacturers now use SD cards and XQD card formats. Some also use SD and CFExpress. CFExpress and XQD aren’t necessarily backward compatible with each other. And then there’s CFExpress Card A. Technically, we have four different card types. Why? In some ways, I understand the technical reasons. But in other ways, I think it’s pretty stupid.

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7 Gorgeous Lenses for Street Photographers Who Zone Focus

Zone focus is everything for street photographers, and these are some of our favorite lenses for it.

For years, photographers have taken to the streets with their Leica in hand. With elegance and respect for their subjects, they’ve documented daily life. There’s something romantic about capturing the moment as it happens around you. Being an observer and having a camera with you can facilitate beautiful conversations. And zone focus can help you get the photos you want with ease. The most skilled street photographers are faster than a camera’s autofocus. They combine hypersensitivity with foresight. And most of all, they never let a lost moment get them down. We’ve spent the past decade reviewing tons of lenses. And here are some of the ones we lust over.

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Is It Ever Okay to Shoot Photos in a Graveyard?

Graveyards are a sensitive topic, which begs the question: is it okay to photograph them?

For many people, talking about death or anything linked to it brings out a host of sensitives. Losing a loved one isn’t easy, nor is the aftermath of arranging where to keep them. Because of the pain associated with someone dying, talking about it is somewhat taboo. For those who have opted for a burial, graveyards become the home of the ones they’ve lost. They’re peaceful environments: a place for reflection and closure. They’re also often public spaces, and people have the right to photograph in them. But does that make it okay?

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The Best Sigma Prime Lens Guide Just Got Even Better

If you love Sigma prime lenses and want information about them at your fingertips, you need to check out our guide.

Few companies have done what Sigma has for photographers. Over the last few years, Sigma has become one of the leading producers of world-class third-party optics. The build quality of their lenses and the image quality from them have set new standards. Sigma’s prices remain incredibly low compared to first-party offerings still. The staff at The Phoblographer has worked hard, reviewing almost all of Sigma’s prime lenses that have hit the market. Our Sigma prime lens guide was already one of the most complete on the web, but our recent update makes it even better. Join us after the break to find out more.

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Cezary Bartczak’s Custom Pinhole Cameras Are Beautifully Unique

We got to chat with Cezary Bartczak, a craftsman of pinhole cameras that are simply stunning.

“When customers from all continents send me sample images or links with pictures taken with cameras made with my own hands, it’s a great feeling, and I’m very proud of that,” says Cezary Bartczak, a maker of pinhole cameras who hails from Poland. A couple of weeks ago, we were introduced to this wonderful craftsman. When we dug a little deeper into Cezary’s work, we were blown away by his craftsmanship and the passion he has for his work. Immediately, we knew we had to have a sit down with him to find out more. Come find out about the world of custom camera making and what drives Cezary to make incredibly unique pinhole cameras.

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“Oxygen” Is the Story of Dancers Living with Cystic Fibrosis

Katarina Premfors’s work with Scuola di Sci Monte Bianco and Courmayeur la Danza aims to raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis, a condition that impacts roughly 100,000 people worldwide.

“There is no known cure and only half of those with the disease live to the age of 40,” explains photographer Katarina Premfors. She continues, “the symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis affect the respiratory system and the digestive system. Those who have it often find it very difficult to breathe.” Cystic Fibrosis is a rare disease, and the impact it has on those who are diagnosed is heartbreaking. But because it’s so uncommon, many people may not be aware of it and the impact it has on people who have it. That’s why the work Premfors does is so important – especially in a time when those with respiratory conditions are at great risk due to COVID-19.

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Check Out This Minolta CLE Looking Fine in Brown Leather

The Minolta CLE is a fantastic camera, and this version combines fashion with functionality.

With the deal that Leica and Minolta made many years, Minolta created the CLE. Some circles will say that it’s the superior camera. Others swear by their Leicas. But I think everyone will agree that this 50th-anniversary edition is gorgeous. Using the same M mount lenses everyone loves, this camera is a beast. It places the shutter dial on top vs. Leica’s front-facing dial on the CL. And most importantly, it places the strap lugs on both sides. Leica, on the other hand, put them both on one side.

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15 Big Deals for the Budding Landscape Photographer

These deals on guides, presets, and more will help you become a better landscape photographer.

There’s more to landscape photography and being a good landscape photographer than most people know. It’s a hard genre to master, but it can be incredibly rewarding once you get it down. So, where do you start? Well, a good place would be with guides, tutorials, and presets that will get you on the right track. Learn Lightroom with Serge Ramelli for just $37. Learn the ins and outs of landscape photography with Ian Plant for only $29. The Bundle of 1,000+ Sky Overlays will ensure your images always look stunning for just $29, and the $29 Black and White Landscape editing bundle will give you an edge over the rest. Check out all of the exceptional deals for landscape photographers after the break.

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Hobbyist Birders Will Love It: Canon 600mm F11 IS STM Review

The Canon 600mm f11 IS STM is a super-telephoto that’s easy to use and wallet-friendly.

We recently reviewed the Canon 800mm f11, and now it’s time to take a look at its smaller brother, the Canon RF 600mm f11 IS STM. Canon broke the mold when they launched these lenses, and many photographers are interested in their performance, especially because of the fixed f11 aperture. So, the biggest question is whether the 600mm version of this lens performs better than the 800mm version. Is it worth your time? Let’s find out in our full review.

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The Phoblographer’s Guide to Buying a Tripod: And Why You Should

If you think the world of buying cameras is daunting, just wait until you look at the world of purchasing a tripod.

Fact: you’re not as stable as you think, and a tripod will do a much better job than level ground most of the time. There are entire swaths of photographers out there who will tell you they don’t need a tripod. But truth be told, there are loads of times when tripods are handy. If you’re a landscape photographer or an astrophotographer, then you understand how fantastic a tripod can be. Image stabilization can’t do everything, but tripods do something that makes you more prone to creating a better photo. In this post, we’re going to explore the world and ideas behind buying a tripod.

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This Is the Cheapest We’ve Seen the Olympus EM1 Series, and a Huge Preset Sale

This seasons holiday deals are starting to roll in, and there are already huge savings to be had on Olympus cameras, lenses, presets, and tutorials.

Wow, there are some fantastic deals on Olympus cameras and lenses at the moment. You can pick up the Olympus E-M1 II for just $899, and the new Olympus E-M1 III is only $1,399! The E-M1X has a price cut of $1,000, making it just $1,999. There are deals on Olympus lenses too. The 17mm f1.2 Pro is just $1,089. The 12-45mm f4 Pro is only $549, and the 25mm f1.8 can be yours for just $299. Don’t forget about the presets and guides, either. Serge Ramelli’s Lightroom course is on sale for only $37. You can score over 1,000 sky replacements for $29, and you can learn about nude photography for just $69. Check out all the deals on Olympus cameras and more after the break.

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