Upcoming Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM Promises More Pop Than an F1.4 Lens

Curious about the upcoming Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM? Canon Europe’s interview with the company’s lens development team should answer your questions about its design, bokeh quality, and other details.

If you’re new to the Canon RF mount, or want to know more before making the switch, specifically when it comes to the Canon RF 85mm f1.2L USM lens, Canon Europe should have all the answers for you. In their insightful interview with the Canon lens development team, we learn why this f1.2 lens should be the go-to glass of portrait photographers, its bokeh quality, design features, and other interesting info.

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Street Photography: Our Favorite Gear and Accessories for 2019

If you’re looking to add to your collection of street photography gear – or just getting started – this guide is for you.

Great street photography can be some of the most compelling forms of art that the human eye can see. And while a photographer is only as good as his or her creative capabilities, having solid gear will certainly help them along their way. Quality accessories are essential too. There are many tools the enthusiastic street photographer can use to get better, more consistent shots. So here is a piece that includes our favorite gear and accessories for street photography. We loved putting it together and no doubt, you’re going to love it too.

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The New Weather Sealed Tamron SP 35mm F1.4 Lens Is Only $899

The new Tamron SP 35mm f1.4 lens for Full Frame DSLR cameras will be available in Nikon and Canon mounts.

Fans and long-time users of the Tamron SP Series lenses are in for a treat; the company just announced the newest member of the family right in time for the 40th anniversary of the series. The SP 35mm f1.4 Di USD (Model F405) for Full Frame DSLR cameras was reported as in-development in February, and will now be available for $899 first at Tamron USA dealers in Nikon F mount by June 26th, and then in Canon EF mount a month later).

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Review: Zeiss 40mm f2 Batis (A Lens for Sony FE Photojournalists)

The Zeiss 40mm f2 Batis is rugged and has good image quality, but it’s in an odd place.

The 40mm focal length is one that photojournalists can truly benefit from; and in the case of the Zeiss 40mm f2 Batis for Sony FE cameras photographers will be quite pleased with the results if they’re discerning about their look. Similar to what Sigma did, with their 40mm f1.4, the Zeiss 40mm f2 Batis has a muted color tone for the film look. It isn’t as sharp, but it is also slightly more affordable, smaller, lighter, etc. This lens also boasts weather sealing, fast autofocus, and the signature display window on top to give the photographer a ton of information that they need right then and there. The working photojournalist will surely find the Zeiss 40mm f2 Batis to be a good lens for their needs; but at the same time this doesn’t feel like a Zeiss offering. Further, I’m a bit befuzzled at why Zeiss didn’t make this an f1.4 lens.

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The Best Sony Lenses For Most Genres of Photography

There are fantastic Sony lenses available for just about every genre of photography now.

No matter what genre of photography you like to shoot, chances are that there are Sony lenses for you. It took Sony a little while to really cater to all photographers who jumped into their Mirrorless ship, but now the E Mount lens selection is as robust as any. You may pay a little more for Sony branded lenses when compared to some of the third party offerings on the market, but there is no doubt that the sheer quality and performance of Sony lenses is well worth the price of admittance. Here we will take a look at the best Sony lenses for different genres of photography.
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The New Profoto B10 Plus is Just the Size of a Long Lens

The new Profoto B10 Plus should come in handy if the lighting is a typical problem when you’re shooting on location.

Addressing a growing need for reliable and more convenient photography gear for shooting on location, Profoto has just unveiled the “seriously small” B10 Plus. Need a reliable flash that can go where you need to? This handy yet powerful lighting is just the size of a large lens — only slightly bigger than the Profoto B10 — making it the perfect companion for shooting on the go.

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Candid Quotes from Photographers Who Shot Punk Rock’s Golden Age

The stories of rock photographers and the images they shoot are amongst the most emotional.

Rock photographers often go about not only capturing concerts but other special scenes many others don’t get access to. At a recent panel event, Bob Gruen joined fellow punk rock documentarians David Godlis, Marcia Resnick, and Paul Zone on a stage at the Museum of Arts and Design. The event was held in collaboration with a current exhibit showcasing a bunch of memorabilia from the era. At the panel, each of the photographers spoke about a number of their images and the stories behind them.

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Software Review: Nik Collection 2 by DxO (Now with More Presets!)

Nik Collection 2 by DxO introduces 42 new creative presets and comes bundled with DxO’s own PhotoLab 2 Essential Edition raw converter

DxO is releasing version 2 of their ever popular Nik Collection today, a year after the French company first released its own version of the much-loved of image editing plugins suite after acquiring the previously orphaned codebase from Google. With Nik Collection 2, DxO includes over 40 new creative presets along with support for high DPI displays on Windows. In a move that will surely please many photographers wanting to move away from Adobe and their subscription software model, DxO is bundling DxO PhotoLab 2 Essential Edition, their French company’s own standalone Raw Converter, with the newly updated Nik Collection 2. We got a chance to test drive Nik Collection 2 before it’s public release to see how the updated plugins suite fared.

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Do Photographers Really Need The New $4,999 6K Apple Display?

Apple display

$4,999 dollars will get you the base model of the new Apple Display; yes, just the base model.

Apple recently held its annual WWDC event, and there were quite a few announcements that made Apple fans quite happy. Along with the announcement of the new (and very expensive) Mac Pro, Apple announced that they would also be releasing a new 32-inch 6K display. Wow, 6K you say, that’s amazing! Yes, indeed it is quite special, but is this new Apple display something that photographers need? Let’s discuss after the break. Continue reading…

Here are Some of the Best Father’s Day Gifts for Photographers

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and there is no better gift than the gift of photography for Dad.

If you’re looking to get Dad the perfect gift for Father’s Day this year, look no further than this Father’s Day gift list. The gift of photography is one of the best you can give for Father’s Day. It doesn’t matter if Dad will be new to the art form or if he is a seasoned shooter. A new camera, lens, or some new accessories will make this Father’s Day even more special for him. We’ve gone through our extensive list of reviews and picked gear that will put a huge smile on Dad’s face this Father’s Day. The good news is that all of these items are available at fantastic prices! Check out the gear recommendations for Father’s Day below. Continue reading…

Cheap Photo: Save a Massive 96% on 1500+ Lightroom Presets (Just $29)

An entire library of Lightroom presets for $29; you’ll be set for life.

Cheap Photo is all about bringing you the best deals we can find from around the web, and today we have a great deal for you. For a limited time, you’ll be able to get your hands on over 1,500 Lightroom presets for just $29! That’s a massive discount of 96% off of the regular price. Never again will you be wishing you had the perfect preset as this bundle will have you covered. Not only can you save a ton of money with this deal right now, but you will also save countless hours in Lightroom trying to create the same looks you can get within seconds by using these presets. Find out more about this Lightroom presets bundle after the break. Continue reading…

In the Age of Mirrorless, Do We Really Need APS-C DSLR Cameras?

The APS-C DSLR could be on the way out in favor of lighter, faster Mirrorless models.

The APS-C DSLR has been a gateway camera for many photographers, and some higher spec’d APS-C DSLR models are still used by professionals and hobbyists alike due to their rugged bodies and good overall performance. But with Canon chosing to kill off their sports and action centered EOS 7D models one has to wonder if APS-C DSLR models are coming to the end of the road. Should APS-C DSLRs still be produced by major manufacturers going forward, or should the switch to APS-C Mirrorless cameras take place across the board? Continue reading…

Want High Res Images from the Apollo Missions? Here’s How

Apollo Mission Photography

This collection of Apollo mission photography is probably a must-have for space fans.

It’s hard to believe that this year marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 astronauts setting foot on another planet. This massive achievement would not have been possible had it not been for NASA being put on a fast track to the moon. As you can imagine, thousands of photos were taken along the way from the first flight of Apollo 7, all the way through to one small step for mankind being made. In order to celebrate this huge milestone in history, a new set of fully restored, high-res images have been assembled. Find out how you can get your hands on a commemorative USB featuring breathtaking Apollo mission photography after the break. Continue reading…

Skanda Gautam Reveals the Crimson Revelry of Nepal’s Sindoor Festival

All images by Skanda Gautam. Used with Creative Commons permission.

When it comes to the most visually stunning and vibrant festivals of Nepal, we can trust Kathmandu-based photojournalist Skanda Gautam to deliver some of the best photos. Aside from bringing our attention to the most pressing issues of the country, he has also showcased some of the Nepalese festivals and cultural events that every travel and documentary photographer shouldn’t miss when in the country. We’re adding to the pile the Sindoor Festival, which he encapsulates in a series called Red Dawn.

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Review: Vi Vante Matador Noir (The Only Strap You’ll Ever Need)

The Vi Vante Matador Noir isn’t really a luxury camera strap; but more of a well built, nearly unbreakable option.

I didn’t really understand the Vi Vante Matador Noir camera strap until I held it. Then my dad, who was visiting my while I was sick, really understood it too. The former UN diplomat in him is almost as discerning as I am, but he completely understood why someone would spend $250 on a strap like this. The thing about leather straps is that they’re already pricey–and often the sailing rope and canvas straps can serve just as well. But what the Vi Vante Matador Noir is combines the best of both worlds. Is it expensive? Yes. But this is genuinely the only strap you’ll ever need.

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Brendan Barry Transformed a Skyscraper Space Into a Camera Obscura

Brendan Barry converting the entire 46th floor of a Manhattan skyscraper into a camera obscura was the highlight of the Skyscraper Camera Project.

From May 10 to 16, Brendan Barry transformed the 46th floor of Manhattan’s iconic 101 Park Avenue into a creative photographic space. Dubbed the Skyscraper Camera Project, the site-specific installation comprised of a camera obscura, a darkroom, and a temporary art installation. The UK-based large format photographer, educator, and camera maker also photographed some pedestrians on the building’s plaza using a camera built from a scale model replica of 101 Park Avenue.

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Review: Tamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Canon EF Mount)

The Tamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2 incorporates a number of enhancements to the company’s already excellent flagship ultra-wide angle zoom lens

When Tamron released the original version of their SP 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD high-speed ultra-wide angle zoom back in 2015, we praised it for its sharpness, color rendition, and versatility, but felt that there were some areas that Tamron could improve on. Enter the Tamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD G2, Tamron’s 2nd generation refresh of the same lens that we had reviewed some four years ago which incorporates a number of improvements upon the well-received original. A pair of MPUs (Micro-Processing Unit) along with a VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism resides within the SP 15-30mm f2.8 G2 and work in tandem to ensure snappy autofocus performance while maintaining image stabilization.

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7 Powerful, Rechargeable Monolights Perfect For On Location Portraits

These rechargeable monolights will make it possible to do portrait shoots anywhere at any time.

Are you tired of not being able to hold portrait sessions once the light of the day disappears? Do you dread having to shoot on days when the blistering sun is high overhead creating harsh, hard shadows? Do you wish you could take your studio lights with you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this roundup is for you. We are going to be taking a quick look at seven powerful monolights that will enable you to shoot anywhere, and at any time. Continue reading…

Ekaterina Busygina Showcases the Stunning Urban Geometry of the Morpheus Hotel

All photos by Ekaterina Busygina. Used with Creative Commons permission.

It’s been a while since we last put the spotlight on the architectural photography of Moscow-based Ekaterina Busygina. Since then, we found out that she has done quite a lot of traveling around Asia and had a bunch of snaps that showcase some architectural sights in a number of cities. One of our favorites is her collection photos showcasing the Morpheus Hotel in Macau.

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Martin Parr is Under Fire for a Photo Book Reprint He Edited in 2017

A reprint of a 1969 photo book edited by Martin Parr two years ago includes a double page layout with claims of racist overtones, triggering a backlash against the famed documentary photographer.

While Martin Parr has been busy promoting and preserving the works of British photographers and images taken in the British Isles, controversy has recently erupted about his alleged backing of racism within the very genre he supports. It unfolded last week with a tweet from LessThanHumanDebate, which sparked a discussion about a book edited by Parr from the 1960s.

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