It’s Time for Canon and Co. to Stop Making Flashes

Half-hearted attempts at making flashes and other lighting accessories are not winning anyone over.

To get ahead in many photography genres, photographers need to learn how to light using flashes and strobes. Fortunately, you can buy excellent (and affordable) gear from the likes of Godox, Flashpoint, Westcott, Profoto, and others. All of these companies have been innovating in this space, and they have found a way to bring costs down. However, first-party companies have become incredibly stale when it comes to making flashes. They still charge the earth for their lights too. A new announcement from Canon pretty much confirms our thoughts. Let’s talk about this after the break.

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Sony Users Have Two More Great Tamron Lenses To Look Forward To

Tamron is continuing its push to make Sony’s Mirrorless platform the most well-rounded out there.

It took Tamron a while to start pumping out lenses for Sony’s E mount, but man, the flood gates have opened. Over the last year and a half or so, Tamron has released some stunning yet highly affordable glass for the platform. This, of course, should be expected, seeing as Sony owns a double-digit percentage in the company. Still, the rate at which Tamron lenses are popping up is impressive. The line up of Tamron lenses featuring Sony’s E mount is set to grow more too. New patents have shown up on the web. They might not be the most exciting lenses ever. Still, they will help round out their current collection. Read on past the break to find out what’s coming.

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The Leica 28mm f2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH is Making a Big Claim

The Leica 28mm f2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH will run you around $5,195 and is making a huge claim.

Before writing this article, I spent some time researching the big claim Leica is making in the press release. Today, they’re announcing the Leica 28mm f2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH for the L mount. It’s been a long time coming, but we expected it. It’s the widest prime that they make for the system. And like all things Leica, it’s expensive. In fact, it’s going to cost you $5,195. We can expect that with a Leica lens in terms of image quality. The SL system is also incredibly well weather-sealed. The cameras are IP rated, and the lenses can hold their own with the cameras. But what’s sort of shocking us is their big claim in the press release.

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The Panasonic 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro OIS Is the Lightest Around

There isn’t a lens like the Panasonic 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 Macro OIS for L mount yet.

I’m going to be the first to admit that I’m really, really liking what the L Mount alliance is becoming. Like Android phones, there’s still a lot of fragmentation, but the pieces are starting to work better. And the new Panasonic 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 Macro OIS is a critical part of the puzzle. The L Mount needs more native lenses that are affordable yet good. I’ve got a ton of faith in this latest offering from Panasonic. Mind you, this doesn’t seem like a Panasonic Lumix S Pro lens, so it’s not their highest grade option. But they’re packing a lot of quality into it!

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Sony Smartphone Sensor Sales Are Down, But Things Still Look Rosy

Don’t for one second think that the popularity of Smartphone cameras is dwindling.

The smartphone market took a massive hit a few years ago. Overpopulation in the marketplace and consumers being content was the reason. Now, though, Smartphone sales are on the up in a big way. A big reason for this is because of the cameras they house. Smartphone cameras are better than ever before. They can tap into powerful AI. The quality of lenses is increasing. Smartphone sensors are also becoming more powerful. However, last year Sony smartphone sensor sales went south. Is this something for smartphone photographers to worry about? Let’s talk about this after the break.

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How Fujifilm Natura Can Become the Greatest Film Simulation

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If you’ve looked at Fujifilm’s stable of films, you’re probably wondering what the next Film simulation will be. In our minds, there’s only one big one left: Natura. It’s nowhere as famous as the company’s other film emulsions. The reason for this is it was only available in Japan. But I’d argue that this is the most revolutionary high-speed color film ever made. I adore the look of Portra 800. And CineStill 800T is also pretty dope. But Natura 1600 was even better.

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Got a Really Creative Project with No Photoshop? We Want to See It!

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Hey folks,

This time, it’s all about In-Camera creativity! If you’re a photographer who has a conceptual series and you don’t use Photoshop, we want to feature you. This is a further evolution of the series that we’re doing around No Photoshop. It’s our mission to show the masses that photography doesn’t necessarily mean you need Photoshop. There’s a line between being a photographer and a Photoshop artist. Maybe you’ve got the skills to not even use post-production. Sure, we’ll allow a bit of Lightroom or Capture One editing, but we want to feature photographers with the creativity and know-how to pull it off in-camera. Maybe you’re using lens filters or flashes, etc. We just want to feature the best of the best. After the jump, we’ve got instructions!

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Hasselblad, Stop Living In the Past and Worry More About the Future

Hasselblad, a once innovative company, has been left behind by almost everyone.

The name Hasselblad resonates with force throughout the Photography community. Rightfully so. The company is steeped in heritage and lore. Their cameras were so good at one point that NASA decided their cameras should be used in space. In fact, their 501 EL made it to the moon. This thrust the Swedish company into the limelight, and the rest, as they say, is history. For years Hasselblad was one of the top camera and lens makers. Seen by many as the ultimate craftsmen, photographers paid top dollar for Hasselblad gear. Step forward to 2021, and Hasselblad still has a mighty reputation. Their cameras and lenses are still meticulously crafted. However, in terms of performance, they’re a shadow of their former selves. Fujifilm has shaken up the Medium Format market so much that Hasselblad has been in a tailspin. Let’s talk about what they need to do to course correct.

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Samsung’s New Smart-ISO Pro Sounds Cooler Than it Really Is

Smart-ISO Pro takes HDR photography and bumps it up a notch by using multiple conversion gains.

Samsung is continuing its mission to make smartphone photography hard to ignore. We already know just how good smartphone cameras are thanks to AI. Samsung, though, are pushing boundaries with their ISOCELL sensor technology as well. Back in 2010, Apple introduced HDR technology with iOS 4.1. Since then, smartphone manufacturers have been trying to come up with ways to introduce better dynamic range. Now, Samsung thinks it has the answer with its new Smart-ISO Pro feature. After the break, we’ll talk about what it is and if it’s as revolutionary as they claim.

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Canon Could Have Big Plans for EOS M Cameras in 2021

eos m50

EOS M cameras from Canon will fight to live another day.

Canon’s EOS M cameras are, let’s say, interesting. There have been a couple of success stories from this line of cameras, but for the most part, the cameras have been forgettable. We will say that interest in the cameras is decent in Japan. (This is a country where small cameras are cherished.) In other parts of the world, the Canon EOS M line has faltered. However, this isn’t stopping Canon from forging ahead with them. If the noise from some insiders is true, there will be new EOS M cameras. On top of that, Canon is apparently ready to re-invent the line. Let’s talk about this after the break.

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OM Digital Solutions Are Going To Wow Us. Here’s What We Want To See

OM Digital Solutions only has one shot at getting this right.

Since officially taking over the Olympus, OM Digital Solutions have been a little on the quiet side. A new website has been launched, and a few interviews have been given. Apart from these things, there hasn’t been a lot to write home about, until now. In another recent interview, an OM Digital Solutions exec said that the company plans to wow everyone. What could this mean? After the break, we’ll break down what products we want to see going forward with this ‘WOW’ factor.

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Alice Camera Is Showing the Big Boys How to Drive Camera Tech Forward

An AI-Infused camera known as the Alice Camera should be a wake-up call to Canon, Nikon, Sony, and all other camera manufacturers.

It has been a while since a new camera made me tingle. The wait for a camera to do such a thing is over now. A new campaign on Indiegogo from Alice Camera is finally infusing smartphone technology into an interchangeable lens camera (ILC). If the big boys are smart, they will pay attention to this AI-infused camera. While it may not be perfect, the geniuses behind it are certainly moving photography and videography in the right direction. Find out why this new smartphone-powered camera has us in a tizzy after the break.

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There’s Been a Big Decline in DSLR Sales During the Pandemic

While Mirrorless camera sales have suffered, but DSLR sales have dropped off so much that the end for them might be close.

Let’s not beat around the bush here. The DSLR is dying. It pains me to say that because I’m a huge DSLR fan. I will, of course, still be able to use my DSLRs for many years. Still, recent sales figures show that the platform is dying a quick death. The pandemic has ravaged the camera industry, and there have been huge drops in sales across the board, but just wait until you see the DSLR sales numbers. After the break, we’ll discuss the latest numbers from CIPA, and we’ll ready ourselves to say farewell to DSLRs.

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Do Micro Four Thirds Cameras Need a 29mm f0.8 Lens?

This new Micro Four Thirds lens from Voigtlander is an oddball option with a hefty price tag.

Variety is certainly the spice of life, but sometimes new products hit the market and they make us scratch our heads. Voigtlander is no stranger to the Micro Four Thirds platform. They have made some great lenses for the m4/3 users before. While we’re sure their new offering will be nice, it’s still a little odd. The Voigtlander 29mm f0.8 manual focus lens has just been released, but we can’t help but wonder if it’s really needed. Find out all the deets about this new lens after the break.

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An Incredibly Important Photo Book Is Up For Grabs On Kickstarter

Remember the Love commemorates the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center

We’ve shared a fair few Kickstarter campaigns here on The Phoblographer in the past, but none are quite as important as this one. Can you believe that this year will mark 20 years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City? For just a few more days, you have the chance to help bring to life a photo book that will help you get past the tragedy of that day. It will have you remembering the love instead. Join us after the break to find out all of the deets about this special photo book.

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Need a Sweet Paid Internship? Or Do You Want to Be Our Science Editor?

We’re looking for interns, entry-level writers, researchers, interviewers, and more.

Hey folks,

We’ve added and clarified a bit on the positions that we’re looking to fill here at The Phoblographer in the coming year. We’re looking to expand our reviews team, our news team, and our art teams. If you need an internship, we’ll give you a paid one. If you need a gig right out of college, we’ve got something for you. And if you like research, we’ve got something for you too! 2021 is looking very bright for us. We’re looking for folks here in America and abroad, and we’d love to have you aboard. Head on past the jump to see the positions and details.

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Calling to Feature Photographers for Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Asian American Month

For Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Asian American Month, we want to tell your stories!

Hi folks,

We took a very firm stand against racism last year by being forthright. In the past 11 years, we’ve worked to feature as many POCs as possible. That means folks who identify as African Americans, Black, Women, and Asian Americans. For Black History Month, we want to bring that even more to the front. We’ll be doing the same for Women’s History Month and Asian American Month. We’ve always believed that Black Lives Matter. If you follow us on Flipboard, you’ll see our storyboards on African Americans, and the two we did on POCs. We’re doing more than other publications, but we can always do more. So, we’re asking for your help.

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Is a 32mp Sensor Big Enough, or Is It Too Late for M4/3?

concert photography

Word on the street is that an 8K capable sensor could be available for OM Digital Solutions, Panasonic, and others soon.

It’s no secret that both Olympus (now OM Digital Solutions) and Panasonic have desperately needed a new sensor. For the past six years, the same old 20 Megapixel sensor has been slapped into their cameras. Because of this, the Micro Four Thirds platform has been at a standstill. Meanwhile, other platforms such as APS-C have moved on in leaps and bounds. This lack of progression has forced photographers to look elsewhere. However, this could change as a new sensor that’s 8K capable could be making its debut soon. Is it too little too late for the platform? Will it be enough to make photographers reconsider the M4/3 platform? Let’s talk about this after the break.

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The Five Cameras We Hope Sony Launches In 2021

We have some pretty good guesses at what we think these newly registered Sony cameras might be.

Unless you live under a rock, you know that Sony just upped the camera ante in 2021. The brand new Sony a1 looks to be a beast of a camera. Just when we thought that there couldn’t be more to come from Sony, we learn this. Apparently, Sony has five more new cameras, including two high-end offerings, coming in 2021. One of these offerings should be fairly obvious. Still, the other four remain a mystery. What could they be? Let’s talk about this after the break.

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M4/3 Rules in Japan, Now OM Digital Solutions Needs to Crack the West

OM Digital Solutions and Panasonic need to crack markets in Europe and the US with their M4/3 cameras.

We have always known that M4/3 cameras from Olympus (now OM Digital Solutions) and Panasonic have been hot sellers in their homeland. But, we didn’t know the M4/3 mount was popular enough to take the top spot on the most popular mount charts for 2020. This will come as a huge boon to OM Digital Solutions. It will also give JIP, the investment firm that purchased Olympus, a huge boost of confidence in their acquisition. This is all fine and dandy, but OM Digital Solutions and Panasonic still need to find a way to crack western photography markets. Let’s talk about this after the break.

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Does Panasonic Have Big Plans for Rangefinder-Style Cameras?

The Panasonic GX10 is apparently in the works and will go head to head with other Rangefinder-style cameras.

We’re suckers for Rangefinders. In fact, a lot of photographers love the look and feel of these cameras. They remind us of days gone by, and honestly, they’re a nice break from the normal, often quite boring DSLR-style cameras on the market. Panasonic has made a few Rangefinder-style cameras in the past. However, it’s been a while since we’ve been excited about one. This could be about to change, though. Panasonic has been making noise about a GX10. Could Panasonic beat OM Digital Solutions to market with a new Micro Four Thirds Rangefinder camera? Let’s talk about this after the break.

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