Happy With Your Camera? The Best Black Friday Lens Deals are Here

If you’re looking for the Best Black Friday Deals on Lenses, then you’ve come to the right spot!

This Black Friday, there are loads of lens deals for the photographer that is pretty happy with their camera. If you don’t need a new one, then we’ve got just the solution for you: lenses! A new lens can breathe life into an older camera with ease. Plus they can inspire your creativity. We’ve found some of the best on the web, so check them out below. But if you’re looking for a bigger roundup, then here’s where you need to go.

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Essentials: TACS Automatic Vintage Lens II – Dark Metal Watch

Essentials is a revamped series featuring products we’re currently lusting over in quick, bite-sized posts.

It took me a long time to get into watches, but the TACS Automatic Vintage Lens II – Dark Metal Watch deserves credit for being the gateway drug to what I hope doesn’t become an addiction. Despite that I’m often surrounded by folks who geek out about watches, I’ve never been too interested in anything beyond my Apple Watch. That changed when I realized watches could be functional and fashionable accessories. While folks are keen on wearing a Leica around their necks, they’re also sometimes keen on sporting a watch on their wrist too. And if you want to combine the two, then the TACS Automatic Vintage Lens II – Dark Metal Watch could be for you.

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This Is Why Sony Got 42.5% of the Mirrorless Camera Market in 2018

Camera deals - Sony a7 III

Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and Co. had better up their game if they want to claim more of the camera market.

As 2019 draws to an end, one thing is for sure – Sony’s dominance in the camera market is alive and well. Just how the camera market will break down for 2019, nobody will know for a while, but we now know who the king of the castle was in 2018. It’s no surprise that it was Sony, and there’s been nothing to suggest that will change for 2019 either. Perhaps the biggest shock is just how much they are dominating others in the market. Join us after the break to see the camera market breakdown for 2018 and to explore what we think other manufacturers need to do to catch up to the steam roller that is Sony. Continue reading…

Double Rope Strap Is the Latest in COOPH x Leica Collaboration

Need a fancy new strap for your Leica? COOPH just dropped their latest camera strap especially made for your precious camera!

If you loved the classic Leica Rope Strap by COOPH but wish it would come in a more comfortable width for your hefty cameras, today’s the day they make it happen for you. The latest to join their camera collection is the Double Rope Strap that was made from their collaboration with iconic German camera maker Leica. As its name suggests, this new offering is constructed using two lengths of repurposed climbing rope for a broader, more comfortable strap. It’s a subtle tweak to the usual rope strap design many photographers have come to prefer when it comes to camera straps, but it’s geared to make a difference, especially for lugging around heavier cameras.

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The Limited Edition Leitz Wetzlar Leica M Monochrom Will Be Very Rare

If you want a limited-edition Leica M Monochrom, you had better act fast as only a handful will be made.

As we all know, Leica makes genuinely great cameras. One that stands out from the crowd and has gained a cult following is the Leica M Monochrom. This M series camera is unique: it has a Monochrome sensor in place of a regular color sensor. Now, Leica has confirmed they have made a limited edition Leitz Wetzlar version of this camera that is dedicated to 150 years of Leica heritage. Join us after the break for all the details. Continue reading…

The New Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art Will Cost $1,099 in December

Now that the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 has a price, you’ll know how long to shake the couch down for the extra pennies hiding under the cushions.

Last week Sigma announced they would be releasing a new 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art lens. While the press release was chock full of details and specs on the lens, the price and any potential release date were mysteriously missing. Following another announcement from Sigma today, this new lens won’t, in fact, be free and you’ll have to wait until December to get your hands on it. Join us after the break for pricing and release details. Continue reading…

If It’s Real, the Leica M10 Monochrom Could Be Perfect for JPEGs

Slated to launch in 2020, the new Leica M10 Monochrom should delight cult followers.

As we know, Leica cameras have a cult following for a good reason. Leica cameras set the standard in the days of film with their gorgeous builds, ease of use, and the stunning images that could be created with them. Leica has continued this tradition as they have transitioned into the world of digital cameras. The original Leica M10 Monochrom was launched in 2015, and it sported an 18 Megapixel sensor that deliberately had the color filter array removed. The new Leica M10 Monochrom slated to hit shelves in 2020 is shaping up to be a megapixel monster that could end up being the best JPEG camera ever. Let’s talk about this after the break. Continue reading…

Review: Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art (The Colors Are a Dream)

No, the Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 DG DN Art isn’t the same lens as the DSLR version.

If you were to spring for one wide-angle zoom lens with a fast aperture on the market, chances are you’d go for the Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 DG DN Art. Sigma is arguably the best lens maker of our time even if you need to lift weights to use them. And with the case of the Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 DG DN Art, you’re going to get fantastic image quality. The cityscape, landscape, event, and travel photographers who use this lens will appreciate that it can more or less stay mated to your camera while providing a lot of versatility. It’s not a portrait lens, so if you’re the type of photographer who avoids photographing people, then the Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 DG DN Art is probably your choice.

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Why the Leica SL2 Is Good for a Certain Type of Portrait Photographer

The Leica SL2 is more or less a camera for creative photography and that makes it great for portraits.

It’s no surprise that the Leica SL2 could probably be one of the best options for portrait photographers using medium format. During my time with the Leica SL2 before its announcement, I thought carefully about who this camera is targeted towards. In many ways, I liken it to the Canon 5D Mk II’s launch many years ago. That was a camera designed for the creator–the portrait, landscape, studio, and documentary photographer who did things slowly with careful setup. It’s not a speed demon like the Sony a9 II. It’s not designed for those who do sports, photojournalism, etc. Part of this is due to the autofocus system coupled with the fantastic lens lineup that Sigma, Panasonic, and Leica all offer. The camera will have issues in low light, but the image quality will always be solid. For that reason, I think the Leica SL2 is a great camera for the photographers amongst us that do slow work. And let’s be honest: there’s a ton of you.

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I Told Myself I Wouldn’t Buy Another Leica, But I Was Stupid to Say So

Leica cameras are beautiful, but I thought I grew out of them.

Everything I can do with a Leica camera I can do with any other camera. What makes Leicas so special are their lenses and how they work specifically with the sensors in their cameras. I’m referring specifically to the M series. The L mount cameras and the Leica Q series are nice, but with their price points they don’t make a lot of sense for the type of work I do. If I did a lot of photojournalism in war zones, the Leica SL would be a mainstay. I still own my Leica CL film camera, and after selling my Leica M4P I have come to be at peace with letting it go. But, the itch came roaring back. And as a gift to myself for the site turning 10 years old, I bought an old Leica M6 TTL. I’m sure no one would be able to tell what came from my Hexar AF and what came from the Leica M6 unless they really knew the differences of the images straight out of the camera. To that end, I accepted that the Leica M cameras were a luxurious item for me and my film photography–but film in and of itself is really a luxury.

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So You Want to Buy a Leica…You Should Know This

If you want to buy a Leica, you’re most likely going for a Leica M camera and need to know these things.

Someone out there will tell you they’re thinking about buying a Leica. What they typically mean by this is a Leica M camera. The Leica M isn’t necessarily for the photographer with a lot of money. Instead, it’s for the photographer who wants to create and capture photos in a completely different way. The inherent design and functionality of a Leica go against much of what modern tech is. Yet somehow or another, a Leica M can be a better image capturing device than others on the market. In the past few years, Leica cameras have gone down in price and on the second-hand market: it’s not difficult to find a good one. So if you want a Leica, then we’re going to talk you through the purchasing process.

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Review: 7Artisans 28mm f1.4 (This Lens Belong on a Film Camera)

The 7Artisans 28mm f1.4 is a reminder that cheap lenses are just an impulse buy for photographers.

If you look around on Instagram and at reviews of the 7Artisans 28mm f1.4 on the web, I’m very positive that the reviewers got a free copy of the lens and hyped it up. I’m even convinced that they’ve done excess editing to the images. But I bought mine with my own money. This has to be one of the most disappointing lenses that I’ve bought from 7Artisans. I purchased the company’s 50mm f1.1 and was given the 35mm f2 for free. Both of those lenses were pretty good. But the 7Artisans 28mm f1.4 is disappointing when shooting with it wide open and adapted to Sony. It only starts to become really worth anything when stopped down past f2.8. However, I’ll state that it has a look–and that look is best achieved on a Leica. It’s nothing compared to a proper Leica lens, and I doubt that the optics are even designed in the same way. But this purchase was a reminder to me that cheap lenses are often an impulse buy. Was I expecting Leica quality? Heck no. I wasn’t even expecting Voigtlander quality. But I was expecting the lens to be better than others on the market when adapted to Sony. Yet somehow or another, this lens absolutely sung to the heavens on Leica bodies.

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Check Out the Impressive Winners of the Leica Women Foto Project Award

Leica Camera USA has proudly announced the three outstanding photographers who will receive the inaugural Leica Women Foto Project Award.

Earlier this year, Leica Camera USA launched the Leica Women Foto Project, a platform promoting the expansion of diversity and inclusion in photography by highlighting the importance and impact of a woman’s perspective. Three winners and their compelling stories have finally been chosen, with Debi Cornwall, Yana Paskova, and Eva Woolridge besting over 600 submissions across the United States. Each of them will receive $10,000 and a Leica Q2 to tell a story through the female viewpoint. If you’re looking for inspiring and thought-provoking projects by female photographers, these winning series are definitely worth checking out.

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Grab This Limited Edition Gold Leica R4 for $3,150

Fancy a limited edition gold Leica R4? Prepare $3,150 for our latest vintage find, and it’s all yours!

Another day, another rare vintage Leica spotted. We wish we can say that, but then they wouldn’t be as rare as we would like. Some may find today’s vintage find, a limited edition Leica R4 in gold finish, to be odd-looking (or tacky, if you want to be blunt about it). To others, it may be screaming luxury and interesting rarity. Either way, there’s no mistake that it makes a fine addition to any Leica collection.

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Five Factory-Sealed Leica R4 Units Are Up for Grabs!

Gather your Leica and film-loving buddies, because there are enough SEALED Leica R4 bodies for five of you!

Not so long ago, we gave a heads-up on a limited edition Leica R4 in “used but not abused” condition. But if the gleaming gold and snakeskin leather are too much for you, we’re happy to report you can also snag a Leica R4 body in its classic chrome version. But there are actually five units available in our latest vintage find, so there’s enough for you and four of your Leica buddies or fellow vintage camera collectors!

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7 Powerful Digital Cameras That Focus on Stills First and Video Second

It seems most digital cameras these days are focused on video and stills, but not all photographers need or want video features.

Mirrorless and DSLR cameras seem to offer the best of both worlds when it comes to photography and videography. While the latter of those two is great, not all photographers need cutting-edge video features in their cameras. Fortunately, there are digital cameras that have been made with purists in mind. They can record video too, but these cameras are first and foremost for stills. The digital cameras listed here were definitely built with photography in mind. Continue reading…

Review: Sigma 35mm F1.2 Art DG DN (All of the Bokeh, and Weight)

The Sigma 35mm f1.2 Art DG DN is a fantastic lens, but very heavy.

I’m not sure from where Sigma got the memo that making the Sigma 35mm f1.2 Art DG DN into a mammoth was a great idea. The last time I knew, mirrorless camera lenses were supposed to be small. However, I have to admit that it seems like only Olympus, Fujifilm, and Sony have been sticking to that philosophy. The tradeoff here is a lens that delivers a look unlike anything else on the market. The Sigma 35mm f1.2 Art DG DN is a lens that really chooses to do things differently. It can be used with a click or de-click, has an f1.2 aperture while providing autofocus, adds weather sealing, and is meant to last. With a price tag that will accordingly leave a lasting hole in your wallet, I pondered whether the Sigma 35mm f1.2 Art DG DN is worth purchasing. For the duration of my review, I had a lot of second thoughts. But in this case, I don’t think that it’s Sigma’s fault.

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For $95,000 You’ll Own a Rare Leica MP Titanium and Black MP-3

Looking for the next rare Leica cameras to add to your collection? This bundle we spotted easily fits the bill — and the hefty price tag that goes along with it.

Leica cameras, especially the rare, limited-edition models, are especially sought after both by rangefinder shooters and camera collectors. The two models in our latest eBay find are no exception, especially for those who have an ardent appreciation for the classic film models. If this sounds like you, here’s your chance to score a rare Leica MP Titanium and limited edition Black Paint MP-3 LHSA together. Of course, providing you have the fortune to spare for them!

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A $35,600 Kodak Camera and Others That Tell the Story of 9/11

cameras of 9/11

In the grand scheme of things, the cameras of 9/11 aren’t important. But without them, photographers would not have been able to document this horrific moment in world history.

The terrible events that unfolded in New York City on September 11th, 2001 sent shock waves around the globe. The unthinkable had happened, and terror was brought to our doorstep. New York City streets were filled with citizens fleeing the chaos unfolding around them. There were a few photographers who were in the area that made it their mission to document the scenes. The photographers and the cameras of 9/11 captured the terror, chaos, and heroism of New York City on that fateful morning. Without them, the pictorial history of 9/11 would not be as complete as it is today. The events in New York City on Septemeber 11th will never be forgotten thanks in part to the cameras of 9/11 and the scenes they recorded. The world became a much darker place that day and life as we knew it changed forever. The photographers, along with millions of other NYC residents, started out their day just like any other. Little did they know that their day would become one they would never forget.

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Photography Humor: Add a Red Dot to Your Camera to Make it a Leica

Today’s photography humor is for Leica fans and skeptics alike. 

We photographers have our own jokes and brand of humor which can either brighten our day or give us a bit of motivation. If you’re in need of some photography humor today, we’re sure you’ll definitely get this. This one will make some Leica fans raise their eyebrows and some skeptics chuckling!

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Panasonic’s Leica Summilux 25mm F1.4 II ASPH Lens Will Cost $699.99

Micro Four Thirds fans rejoice, for you have a new Leica SUMMILUX 25mm lens coming your way.

News from Panasonic these days seems to center around their new Full Frame S1 and S1R Full Frame cameras, but today is different. Panasonic has announced that they will be revisiting and releasing a new, improved version of the Leica Summilux 25mm lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. The announcement of the Leica DG Summilux F1.4 II ASPH lens shows that new glass is still being made for the platform and that users have lots to look forward to. Join us after the break for more details about this new piece of Leica branded glass. Continue reading…