Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2024 i Smart Photography

Several new cameras were announced in the last two months in India. Looking at the list, it seems that the demand is greater for full frame 35 mm models. The new models are: 1. Canon EOS R1 (24.2 MP) – full frame 35 mm 2. Canon EOS R5 Mark II (45 MP) – Full frame 35 mm 3. Nikon Z6 III (24.2 MP) – Full frame 35 mm 4. Panasonic Lumix S9 (24.2 MP) – Full frame 35 mm 5. Panasonic Lumix G9 II (26.1 MP) – MFT System6. Panasonic Lumix GH7 (25.2 MP) -- MFT System Of course, with the advancements in technology, all formats produce excellent images. What would be your preference? Besides other writeups, this issue has the review of the Nikon Z6 III. Await the results…

In mid-July, new-ish lens company SG-image announced two new lenses for full-frame E-mount cameras. The first is a 55mm f/1.8 autofocus lens, and the second is a 50mm f/1.8 manual focus lens featuring a unique bokeh ring instead of a traditional aperture ring, allowing for special bokeh effects. As for the specifications for the 55mm autofocus lens, it is designed for full-frame format, with an E-mount and a focal length of 55mm. The aperture ranges from f/1.8 to f/16 and the lens has 9 aperture blades. Its construction includes 10 elements in 8 groups. The minimum focusing distance is 0.6m, and while the maximum magnification is unknown, it has a filter diameter of 58mm. The lens weighs 365g and is not dustproof or drip-proof. It features STM autofocus but lacks…

FUJIFILM is set to restart production of some colour negative films in China, according to Chinese media reports. The company will produce “C200” and “C400” colour negative films at a production line in Nanning, Guangxi province. This news was shared on the Xiaohongshu social network and published on the Reddit subreddit r/ AnalogCommunity. The film will be produced by Yes!Star, a company known for manufacturing medical films such as x-ray and dental films. A story on Xiaohongshu detailed the announcement made at a colour film launch conference held by FUJIFILM on 21 June in Nanning. The event, themed “Inheriting the Classics, Reigniting the Passion,” revealed FUJIFILM’s plans to resume production of the two films to meet the growing demand for film photography. It remains unclear whether the films will be…

FUJIFILM is set to introduce the X-M5 in the second half of 2024, contrary to expectations for a FUJIFILM X70 successor. The original FUJIFILM X-M1, previously listed among FUJIFILM’s top ten less successful cameras, faced several challenges despite being technically superior to the X-A1. Lessons from the X-M1’s performance are anticipated to guide the development of the X-M5. The release of the X-M5 is expected to revitalise the X-M line and achieve the success it aims for.…

FUJIFILM India announced film stars Kriti Sanon and Kartik Aaryan as brand ambassadors for their INSTAX range. These youth icons represent the INSTAX spirit well. Kriti’s vibrant fashion sense matches FUJIFILM’s colourful instant cameras, while Kartik’s smile and spontaneity align with the candid nature of INSTAX. INSTAX celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, having launched in India in 2012 with products including Analog Instant Cameras, Hybrid Instant Cameras, Smartphone Printers, and the INSTAX Pal digital camera. The brand has since expanded its retail presence from 1,500 to 2,500 stores, achieving an annual growth rate exceeding 50%. The focus is on Generation Z, with products available through various retail channels and the dedicated platform, Instax.in. Kriti Sanon expressed her excitement, sharing her love for INSTAX and its role in capturing cherished…

NEWSWATCH Kalyan Chattopadhyay tragically passed away on 12 July 2024 due to a freak accident while photographing the Wari (Palki) festival in Solapur District, Maharashtra, India. Known for his passion for exploring cultures through his lens, Kalyan spent over a decade capturing evocative stories and immersive experiences. Honoured globally by photographic societies across more than 10 countries, he received over 50 awards from prestigious organisations such as the Federation of India Photography (FIP), Photographic Society of America (PSA), and Master of Light (MOL). Kalyan founded the Seen Shot Society photography club and served as Chairman of India International Group, both dedicated to promoting photography in India. He believed in the role of a travel photographer as akin to that of an anthropologist, aiming to foster cultural awareness and aesthetic appreciation.…

The latest CIPA results reveal that May was a remarkable month for the photography industry, with camera sales for the January through May period reaching their highest levels in three years. The positive trend extends beyond May, as DPReview noted. Total shipments of interchangeable lens cameras from January to May this year rose by nearly 10% compared to last year and almost 12% compared to 2022. Although CIPA’s data doesn’t specify manufacturers, it categorises digital cameras into built-in lens, interchangeable lens, and DSLR versus mirrorless models. It also details shipments to regions such as China, Japan, Europe, and the Americas. Significantly, the Chinese market has proven vital for digital camera makers. From January to May, 3.04 million cameras were shipped globally, with 706,352 (over 23%) going to China. This is…

Vimal Parmar An independent marketing consultant and digital print evangelist with over 40 years of experience in the imaging industry. @vimalparmar A Father’s Story: Celebrated Through Print Dear Readers, In a heartfelt journey that spans decades, 30-year-old Prasham Vakharia and his mother, Sejal Vakharia, embarked on a remarkable project to celebrate his father’s 50th birthday. The duo meticulously crafted a photobook that chronicled the life of Prasham’s father from his childhood days up to his 50th year. This unique gift was more than a collection of photographs; it was a vibrant tapestry of memories, emotions, and stories preserved in print. The creation of this photobook was a labour of love. Prasham and Sejal reached out to close family and friends, gathering cherished photographs that captured pivotal moments in his father’s…

Phase One is reportedly set to release a groundbreaking 247MP medium format camera in 2025, breaking current consumer resolution records. Currently, top medium format cameras from Hasselblad and FUJIFILM offer up to 100MP, with Phase One’s own XF and XT models at 150MP. The key distinction lies in the sensor size. Phase One’s XF and XT cameras use full-size 53.4 x 40mm sensors, while Hasselblad and FUJIFILM use smaller 44 x 33mm sensors. The new Phase One camera is expected to utilise Sony’s new IMX811 247MP sensor, available in both colour and monochrome. This new sensor features a 3:2 aspect ratio, differing from the 4:3 standard of most medium format cameras, except Leica’s S system.…

In late June, Nikon introduced the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 lens to its Z series lineup for mirrorless cameras. The 35mm focal length has long been favoured by street and documentary photographers for its versatility, balancing wide-angle capability with minimal distortion. The new NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 continues this tradition, offering a lightweight, compact design at 415 grams and 3.4 inches in length. Its wide f/1.4 aperture ensures excellent performance in low-light conditions. The lens features a stepping motor (STM) for fast, quiet autofocus and a clickless control ring for seamless setting adjustments. With a minimum focus distance of 10.6 inches and drip-resistant construction, it promises durability and adaptability. Nikon also emphasises the lens’s minimal focus breathing, maintaining image quality during focus shifts. The NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 is set…

On July 8, Venus Optics introduced a unique Shift-ZOOM lens, the Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6, designed for mirrorless cameras. This ultra-wide zoom lens features an angle of view ranging from 84° to 121°, making it versatile for various photography scenarios. It maintains a fixed f/5.6 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range, allowing photographers greater control over their shots. The lens is compact and lightweight, measuring approximately 3.3 inches (84mm) in length and weighing about 1.09 pounds (497g). It supports 77mm filters when the lens hood is attached and has a close-focusing distance of 15cm, enabling creative shots with good background separation. Additionally, the lens can produce stunning 10-point sunstars, characteristic of many Laowa lenses. The 12-24mm zoom range provides flexibility for landscape, travel, architecture, and interior photography. Despite not being part…

Ashok Kandimalla has been in the photographic field for over three decades and has extensive experience in both film and digital photography. Being an electronics engineer by profession and a photographer, he possesses a unique and deep insight into the technical aspects of digital photography and equipment. He has published more than a 100 articles on photography and some of his writings have also been published in the well-known international magazine Popular Photography. An avid collector of photographic books and vintage cameras, Ashok has a keen interest in the history of photography and a passion for sharing his knowledge on photography through teaching and writing. He is the only Indian photographer to be featured on the Nikon Centenary website. He is presently working as a Management and Engineering consutant. He…

In the Box ✓ Lens ✓ Lens caps (Front & Back) ✓ Lens hood (HA058) When this new Tamron lens landed on our test bench, it was assumed that this was an APS – C lens. After all, Tamron already had a 17 -28 mm f 2.8 and a 28 -75 mm f 2.8 for full frame cameras. We were wrong. Manufacturers these days are looking at innovative focal lengths to entice customers and 17 – 50 mm is certainly the first of its kind. In fact, Tamron call it the world’s first ultra-wide angle standard zoom. Detailed below are our test results. Design & Build Quality One look at the lens and you know it’s a Tamron. ‘ Designed in Japan’, the lens is a polycarbonate affair. Tamron has…