The Panasonic 24-105mm f4 is a lens that will probably not be considered anything special by a number of photographers out there, but for anyone that knows just how wonderful it can be to have a versatile zoom lens, you’ll look at this option with glee. A 24-105mm f4 lens used to be my bread and butter–it quite literally helped me build this site and with us nearing 10 years, I’m happy that this piece of glass is an option.
The last time we heard of a no compromise lens of any sort, it was with Zeiss–but the Panasonic 50mm f1.4 S Pro is looking to do what Zeiss did and vastly improve. For starters, Zeiss didn’t give the user autofocus and those lenses didn’t have weather resistance. For what they charged, I was always shocked at this. With the Panasonic 50mm f1.4 S Pro though, the company hasn’t only created a massive 50mm f1.4 lens, but they’ve given it autofocus capabilities, a clutch to bring it back to manual focus, an aperture ring, hard stops on the focusing ring, weather sealing, and a nice feel. Best of all, they’re not doing it at the Zeiss price of well over $5,000. Instead, the Panasonic 50mm f1.4 S Pro is going for $2,299. That’s still pricey for a 50mm lens, but it’s promising to be a very special one.
When Panasonic announced at Photokina last year that they were coming out with new full frame cameras in cooperation with Leica and Sigma, I think that the entire photo industry was put on notice. There are lots of folks who think that Panasonic created the first real, major threat to Sony in terms of something that professionals would want to use. The Panasonic S1 is only one of the new cameras that the company announced, but during our recent visit to Panasonic’s headquarters, it was the only one available for us to play with. This camera truly feels like a DSLR and in no way feels like a mirrorless camera that we’ve seen and held before. It throws all of the retro aesthetics and idea of embracing a small size out the window and instead does the human equivalent of taking up extra seating space unnecessarily in a public area. When you get your hands on it, you’ll feel the exact same way.
We understand that the perfect camera strap may take a while and some searching to come by, so we bring more options for you to choose from. Today, we have some goodies from Langly, makers of camera bags, apparel, straps, and other accessories. Check out their stylish leather straps, sturdy lightweight slings, and handy wrist straps to see if one of them will catch your fancy.
We all love getting new gear, but are we always getting the most out of it? In this edition of Cheap Photo we have found deals on guides and tutorials that will help you elevate your photography game, we’ve also found deals on great cameras too that you can use to put your new skills to the test. Right now you can get The Art of the Image for just $49! It’s a 12 weeks online course that will take your work to new heights. Other highlights include the Canon G7X Mk II for $649, Canon 5D Mk iV for $1,999, and the Sony A7 III for $1,889.95. There stunning Fujfilm camera and lens bundles are still live too. Join after the break to see all of the amazing photography deals we have found.
Are you a story teller? Because we’d love to welcome you aboard. Hey folks, For our latest hiring, we’re looking to bring on someone who does podcasts, voice actresses and actors. We’ve got details below.
Attention, medium format shooters! Just a few weeks after Lomography announced the Potsdam Kino in 35mm, they also gave word that the new ISO 100 black and white film also now comes in 120 format. The second in the Lomography Kino Films series, this panchromatic emulsion is said to be cut from “a legendary roll of German cinematic film.”
There’s nothing quite as exciting as getting some new glass for your camera. Buying good quality lenses is incredibly important, after all they will determine if you’ll be able to get razor sharp shots, or if you’ll be able to create the bokeh you may desire. Lenses are also incredibly expensive so it’s worth doing your research on them. Fortunately sites like DXO Mark can be used to see how the lenses you’re interested in perform. There results provided on the top 10 lenses aren’t the be all and end all, but the information you can get from DXO Mark can help you make a decision that’s right for you. Join us after the break to see the top 10 lenses you can buy according to DXO Mark.
For every photographer, there is a clear designation between paid, commissioned work and work that you need to do for exposure of some sort. If you’re looking to get the word out about a new project or yourself, it’s often a great idea to allow publications to feature you. Ethically speaking, it’s often a bad idea to pitch yourself and then demand payment simply because a story is about you and there is a practice in journalistic integrity to not pay for information. If your images are part of a great piece though, then it makes a whole lot of sense to ask for a licensing fee. With that out of the way, I highly suggest that any time that you have some sort of new project done and ready to use not only the power of social media and email to get the word out, but also publications. Gatekeepers often look at publications to help them find new talent and your work could be right on that list.
Bill Cunningham is one of the most iconic figures in our industry. A fashion photographer for the New York Times, he was best known for taking candid images of America’s best-dressed people. As with most successful photographers, there’s always a team behind them. John Kurdewan was both a close friend and production assistant for Bill Cunningham. For Bill’s famous feature ‘On The Street’, John was right there beside him helping to put it all together. Their friendship and professional relationship lasted for over 20 years, until Bill’s passing in 2016.
“We never had a single argument,” says Kurdewan. So what was life like working so close to one of the greatest photographers of a generation?