Sweet Lineup of Rare Leicas Up for Grabs in Leitz Photographica Auction

If your need is strong and your wallet is ready, there’s a bunch of rare Leica goodies waiting for you in the upcoming Leitz Photographica Auction.

We’ve been keeping an eye on rare Leica cameras on our vintage finds features, but the upcoming 34th auction of the Leitz Photographica Auction (formerly WestLicht Photographica Auction) is most likely your best bet for scoring some of the rarest. Chances are, you’re still missing one or two (or even all) of the items in the collection, so mark your calendars and make plans for Wetzlar, Germany on June 8th if you’re keen on checking them out.

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Wundershine Reframe Lets You Easily Swap Your Photos on Display

If you’re planning to print and frame some of your photos, the Wundershine Reframe system lets you swap and “refresh” your photos with ease. 

Getting photos printed, framed, and put on display can sometimes be a tedious task, so it’s not surprising that many opt to skip it altogether for their homes and even work spaces. But looks like that’s going to change with the Wundershine Reframe System, a smart and elegant picture frame that allows you to swap photos on display with ease. Amsterdam-based Wundershine says they’ve found an elegant solution to displaying photos on our walls by reinventing the traditional picture frame. With the Reframe system, we can now print our photos on demand and swap the frames with new photos whenever we feel the need to “refresh” what’s on display.

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Review: Instant Dreams Is a Beautifully Flawed Marketing Flick

Instant Dreams is fundamentally a marketing flick that hides behind the guise of a documentary, and is as beautifully flawed as the Polaroid film it celebrates.

Since November 2017, there has been anxious hype around Instant Dreams–a documentary that is supposed to give the Instant film initiative a major pat on the back. The film, done by Willem Baptist, offers hypnotizing visuals while following the stories of a few key individuals who adore Polaroid and the culture. Those visuals are some very gorgeous scenes mixed in with perplexing shots and motion graphics that cause someone to either look away or be hypnotized without intense concentration. At the same time, Instant Dreams does very little to tell the stories of these folks, and does even less to humanize them through the lens of objectivity. Overall, it ignores a few elephants in the room.

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We Updated Our Sony A9 Review After Testing Firmware Update 5.0

The Phoblographer’s Sony A9 review has been updated to include our tests with the latest version 5.0 Firmware.

Taking a page out of Fujifilm’s books, Sony released a major firmware update for their flagship A9 last week that brings the camera’s firmware to version 5.0. This new firmware update leverages the company’s latest developments into Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and object recognition, and also adds Real-Time Tracking (first seen in the Sony A6400) along with automatic Eye Autofocus to improve upon the already unparalleled performance of the Sony A9.

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The MindShift PhotoCross 15 Backpack has Side Access and Weatherproofing

The PhotoCross 15 Backpack is the latest addition to all the choices out there for the daring and discerning adventure photographer.

Still on the hunt for the perfect camera backpack for your adventures and outdoor photography? The MindShift PhotoCross 15 backpack, Think Tank Photo’s latest offering, promises to keep your precious gear protected from all the brutal trips you’ll take in search of the perfect shot. Boasting of rugged materials and a faceted design, this backpack is poised to both withstand the harsh elements and provide photographers with a comfortable carry on long days out in the field.

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Canon EOS R Said to Get Improved Eye AF Firmware on April 18th

The Canon EOS R will become a little bit better with the 1.2.0 firmware update.

One of the great things about Mirrorless cameras has been the extra support they get in the form of firmware updates. While DSLR’s used to get them, they were very infrequent. However, with the Mirrorless market being so competitive, and with each company always trying to one up each other, firmware updates have become a very normal part of Mirrorless ownership. A new firmware update for the Canon EOS R has been baked by the software guru’s at Canon HQ and it will be ready to push to the masses on April 18th with some goodies in tow. Continue reading…

Could a Full Frame Mirrorless Canon Rebel Be an Ace in The Hole?

A cheap and cheerful, Full Frame Mirrorless Rebel camera from Canon really might make sense.

Everywhere you go these days it seems that Full Frame is the buzz word in the photography world. The gap between APS-C cameras and Full Frame cameras has closed significantly, but there is perhaps still an ounce of difference between the two platforms with Full Frame only just squeezing out a win. With Fujifilm and Sony dominating the APS-C markets, Canon and others may well have to move in a different direction. A recent interview with a Canon exec shed light on a rather interesting topic, and it turns out that there may be a cheaper Full Frame camera coming from Canon in the near future (yes cheaper than the EOS RP). Could this mean a Full Frame Canon Rebel is in the works instead of an APS-C offering? Lets talk about it. Continue reading…

Fujifilm X-T3 Firmware 3.00 Brings Improved Eye Detection to The Camera

The Fujifilm X-T3 just keeps on getting better and better.

Fujifilm have really set the standard for customer and product support. When the Original X-T1 was released it was an incredibly flawed device, but after listening to the complaints the company pushed update after update to the camera and it become quite the powerhouse. This continued with the X-T2 and all of their other cameras as well. The Fujifilm X-T3 is no different in this regard, and Fujifilm have been incredibly consistent when it comes to pushing updates to their APS-C monster. Today firmware version 3.0.0 has hit and it packs some great autofocus updates. Continue reading…

The LIT Xenon Flash Gives Smartphone Cameras TTL and HSS Flash

Lit Xenon Flash

If you have been wanting a speedlite to elevate your smartphone photography, you should check out this LIT Xenon flash on KickStarter.

Do you use your smartphone for the majority of your photography, or maybe even use just in a pinch? If so, chances are you have probably wished you could have access to a better flash than the LED that sits on the back of your phone. The guys and gals over at LIT have wanted better mobile photography lighting solutions as well which is why they have come up with a Bluetooth Xenon Flash that is as powerful as a regular speedlite, and that can do High Speed Sync and a whole lot more. Join us after the break for more details. Continue reading…

The Parrot ANAFI Thermal Drone Does Thermal Imaging

With the release of the new ANAFI Thermal, European drone group Parrot seeks to make high-quality thermal imaging accessible to the professional drone market.

If you’re an imaging expert or industry professional who dabbles in highly specialized photography such as thermal imaging, the new ANAFI Thermal could just be the drone solution for your work. With this new offering, European drone group Parrot boasts of an improved ANAFI platform to provide a lightweight and easy to use drone, sensor, and software package for professional thermal imaging.

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We’ve Updated Our Sony a7r III Review to Include Animal Eye AF Tests

The Phoblographer’s Sony a7r III review is now updated to include our tests with Animal Eye AF.

With the new Sony a7r III firmware 3.0 update, photographers are getting a pretty significant boost to their camera’s performance. A lot of this boost has to do with autofocus algorithms and what the Sony a7r III is now capable of with Animal Eye AF and the AI database that has been transplanted into the Sony a7r III. In addition to that, photographers who are using the camera for portraits and such will have an easier time getting an eye in focus–but in a way that won’t throw off the flow of a photo shoot. Our Sony a7r III review has the full report.

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The EU’s New Copyright Laws Should Come to the USA ASAP to Protect Photographers

The new copyright laws that have swept across the European Union will help protect photographers and content makers, but not without controversy.

News coming out of the European Union today is that 19 of the partnering nations have agreed to enact new copyright laws that will bring copyright issues into the 21st century. While the bill had been heavily opposed by many across the pond and beyond, the new laws will hopefully help protect those of us who create images and content from greedy corporations who feel like they can just take as they please. As controversial as this topic has been, there is no doubt that these new copyright laws should become norm in the States as well–especially for the protection of photographers.

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John H.D. Wagner Explores the Idea of Loss Through Empty Spaces

The latest episode of CineStill Frames brings to light the poignant story and motivation behind the way John H.D. Wagner photographs empty spaces.

If you’re fond of photographing empty or abandoned spaces, the latest installment of CineStill Frames will change the way you think about it. In this episode, director Brendan Leahy introduces us to Indiana-based artist and film photographer John H.D. Wagner, whose night crawls in search of moody vacant places to photograph are more poignant than they appear.

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X-Rite’s New ColorChecker Photo Passport 2 Hits The Market

X-Rite ColorChecker PhotoPassport 2

Getting things right in camera is the way to do things, and the new X-Rite ColorChecker Photo Passport 2 will help you do just that.

At the Phoblographer we are huge proponents of getting things right in camera instead of having to fix things in post. Getting your image right in camera will help save you a ton of time when it comes to processing your images. Today X-Rite have announced two new products that will help photographers ensure that they can get the perfect white balance and colors both in camera, and in post with their new ColorChecker Photo Passport 2 and their new Camera Calibration Software 2.0 for ICC Profiles. Join us after the break for more details. Continue reading…

Poignant Winning Images from 2019 World Press Photo Contest

If you’ve been excited to see the winning photos of this year’s World Press Photo contest, the wait is now over!

Previously, World Press Photo shared with us their impressive shortlist for the 2019 Press Photo Contest, where the nominees had the chance to bag the World Press Photo of the Year and World Press Photo Story of the Year awards. The winning photos have already been chosen, so if you’re among those who are following the competition closely, the wait for the results is now over!

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Chill Out, the Camera Market Might Be Down 35% But There’s a Reason

The fear mongering over the camera market is getting out of hand.

Another new week, another new report about the declining camera market and death of photography as we know it. Sheesh. Hold your horses people, and stop jumping to conclusions. If you were to look into it I am sure you could apply the same headline to any industry and it would probably match up. Join us after the break to see what the latest CIPA reports states about the supposedly imploding camera market. Continue reading…

These New Sony SSD Drives Are Fast, And Can Take a Beating

Sony SSD

These Sony SSD drives are perfect for the photographer who roughs and tumbles their gear.

Backing up our work is one of the most important things we can do as photographers, but hard drives and SSD’s haven’t always been the toughest. One slight bump, or a splash of water could mean the end of your hard drives and your files, and if that was the only backup you had, you would be in a world of hurt. Apparently someone at Sony HQ has been sitting quietly over in a corner and has been thinking about this for a while now, and they have come up with some new portable Sony SSD drives can can take a hiding. Continue reading…

New Sony a7r III and Sony a7 III Firmware Brings Animal Eye Autofocus

Animal Eye AF is finally available for the Sony a7r III and the Sony a7 III with a new firmware update.

If you choose to update to the latest firmware for the Sony a7r III and the Sony a7 III, you’ll be treated to a number of new features. Chief amongst those features is what Sony is pushing AI–which they’re stating is more akin with referencing a database than cloud computing. In what seems like manufacturers have been doing for many years, this new firmware puts a pretty big database on your camera that Sony also claims will be improved over time. What this ultimately translates into is Animal Eye Autofocus–which Sony also states will be best used for Cats and Dogs initially and more animals to come in the future.

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The Intrepid 4×5 and 8×10 Large Format Cameras Get High-End Improvements

The Intrepid 4×5 and 8×10 large format cameras are now sleeker and more sophisticated with the latest improvements.

If you’re yet to get your own Intrepid large format camera, now would be a great time to contemplate your options. Intrepid Camera Co. has recently announced upgrades for both of their large format camera models. With this news comes the fourth generation of the 4×5 and the second for the 8×10, and the promise of improvements typically only seen in higher end cameras of its class.

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Panasonic S1 and S1R Users Can Now Use Capture One to Edit Images

Capture One adds support for the Panasonic S1, S1R and more.

If you are one of the lucky people who have acquired a Panasonic S1 or its bigger brother, the Panasonic S1R we have some good news for you. No longer will you be bound to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for your editing needs. The guys and gals over at Capture One have added support for a few new cameras today, and both of those are included. Jump past the break to find out more. Continue reading…

Fujifilm: It’s Time to Work With More Third Parties on Lenses

If Fujifilm really want to see their market share grow they should collaborate with third party lens makers.

Fujfilm have really flown out of the gates with their X mount cameras and lenses, and there is no sign of them slowing down, but many Fujifilm users are fluttering eyelids at glass from third party lens makers like Sigma in the hopes that they will start making lenses for the X Mount series of cameras. As much as Sigma would love to oblige, the problem is that Fujfilm doesn’t see the need to collaborate with the likes of Sigma and Tamron, and that’s a real shame. Join us after the break for some insight from both Sigma and Fujfilm in regards to this. Continue reading…