Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2025 i Smart Photography

In the race between RAW and JPEG, RAW always seemed to have an edge. RAW files could store a lot more and were easier to work on. However, the situation appears to be changing. Every time a new camera is launched, one has to wait for the software to update to be able to process RAW files. Secondly, JPEG editing in apps has improved radically. Again, in camera editing has improved remarkably and in some cases, you do not need post production tinkering at all. Also, editing available for JPEG files is now really good. What do you think? HERE’S WHAT MAKES US #1 WE ARE GLUED TO THE GLOBAL IMAGING INDUSTRY Our team is updated with all the benchmarks and road blocks that the field of photography and imaging…

Nikon has released the Nikkor Z DX MC 35 mm f/1.7, a small and affordable prime lens designed for close-up work. Offering a 1:1 magnification ratio, it allows users to capture fine detail at short distances while maintaining sharpness across the frame. The bright f/1.7 aperture delivers smooth background blur and performs well in low light. Compact, lightweight and priced for enthusiasts, the lens expands Nikon’s APS-C mirrorless range and strengthens the Z mount ecosystem.…

7 Artisans’ AF 35mm f/1.8 lens offers budget-conscious full-frame photographers a sturdy, metal-built option with practical ergonomics. It features a responsive autofocus system, a custom function button and a tactile aperture ring, lending it a professional feel uncommon at this price. With balanced contrast and minimal distortion, the 35mm f/1.8 suits street, documentary, and travel shooters who prioritise usability and character over absolute technical perfection. Compact, affordable and durable, it broadens the choices for creators in the growing third-party lens market.…

Sony’s latest firmware introduces seamless cloud connectivity for direct uploads to Google Drive and Adobe Lightroom. This streamlines backup and editing for professionals who need instant access to captured content. The feature, now available on select Alpha and FX cameras, reduces turnaround times for agencies and production houses. It signals Sony’s ongoing investment in integrating capture and post-production workflows under its Creators’ Cloud ecosystem.…

Ashok Kandimalla 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…

Google Pixel 10 PRO ₹1,09,999/- (store.google.com) With the Pixel 10 Pro, Google doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel or throw headline-grabbing numbers for impact. The Pixel 10 Pro, like the previous generations, isn’t just about megapixels and gigabytes, but about what the software can do for you. The result is a device that feels like a natural extension of Google’s ecosystem that places AI at the forefront of every interaction. The question is, does this AI-first approach deliver a phone that truly stands out in a crowded market, or is it merely another incremental update? From the moment you pick it up, the Pixel 10 Pro feels like a refinement of a winning formula. The design retains the signature camera bar and the curved matte glass back (there’s Gorilla Glass…

1. Olympus 77 AF Olympus was on a roll in the seventies and early eighties. The OM-1 was a runaway success and so were the OM-2, OM-3 and OM-4. And then Minolta launched its first autofocus SLR and was soon followed by Canon. Not to be left behind, Olympus rushed to the market with the OM-77 AF. Olympus had, however, rushed to the market without perfecting the technology. Olympus fans rushed and bought the product, only to be sorely disappointed. The lens used to rush forward and backward to autofocus and very often, focused wrongly. The word spread and the OM-77 AF became a liability on dealers’ shelves. Olympus had no option but to withdraw the camera from the market. 2. Samsung NX system Samsung sprung a surprise in the…

Panasonic has delivered a major firmware update across its S-series cameras, including the S9, S1II and S5II lines. The update enhances video stability, autofocus reliability and codec performance, while improving colour grading flexibility for hybrid creators. The company has also introduced new “Titanium Gold” adventure kits, giving select models a visual refresh. These updates underline Panasonic’s ongoing commitment to supporting its existing Lumix base through regular feature upgrades and stylish new bundles.…

Nikon has released firmware version 3.00 for the Zf, bringing a major creative addition in the form of a new in-camera Film Grain mode. This effect adds a nostalgic texture that mimics analogue film, appealing to photographers who prefer vintage aesthetics without post-processing. The update also improves autofocus tracking, high-frequency flicker reduction, and Pixel Shift behaviour. Nikon has streamlined certain menus to enhance operational speed, particularly for street and travel shooters who rely on quick reactions. For studio users, improved display readouts and refined AF limits offer better control. The Zf continues to benefit from Nikon’s steady firmware roadmap that keeps it competitive in its class.…

Sigma has unveiled a trio of full-frame lenses — the 35mm f/1.2 II Art, 135mm f/1.4 Art, and a versatile 20–200mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom. Together they cover a wide range of photographic needs, from studio portraits to travel work. The Art primes focus on optical excellence and wide-aperture character, while the travel zoom prioritises convenience. The range highlights Sigma’s strategy to expand its Art line with more expressive, hybrid-friendly designs for Sony E and L-Mount systems.…

Mohit Ghatak Mohit Ghatak is a Singapore-based regional business leader with a deep passion for travel and photography. His work has been published in Smart Photography, Sanctuary Asia, BirdingASIA, Forktail, The Wild Lens, and FotoNostrum, and his images have also featured in several leading wildlife publications. Drawn to both culture and the natural world, Mohit is inspired by the stories behind the images. Through his photographs, he hopes to spark curiosity and appreciation for the diverse ways in which people and nature shape our world. Hoi An is a city in the central region of Vietnam, where history, culture, and everyday life come alive in colors, textures, and light. Every corner seems to hold a story waiting to be discovered. From above, farmers and buffalo move across lush green fields,…

Viltrox AF 20mm f-2.8 Z Air Full-Frame Lens ₹19,000/- Photography enthusiasts following the market will have noticed a tsunami of new lenses from China. The first to appear were straightforward manual-focus lenses of standard focal lengths. This was followed by a wave of more specialized designs: low-distortion ultra-wide, fisheye, super-macro, probe macro, and tilt/shift lenses. Today, more than a dozen Chinese manufacturers produce lenses of every variety. However, autofocus (AF) options remain relatively less, as only a handful of companies have mastered the complex technology required, ranging from electronic communication with camera bodies to advanced motors and servo mechanisms. Viltrox is one such company. In addition to offering autofocus lenses of standard focal lengths, it also creates distinctive lenses that stand out for their compact size, light weight, unusual focal…

DJI Osmo 360 ₹69,990/- (djiindiashop.com) Native 8K 360 video with dual 1-inch-class sensors and square HDR pixel architecture designed specifically for panoramic capture, improving sensor utilization and efficiency. It delivers 120MP 360 photos (up to 16K), enabling ultra-detailed stills for high-resolution VR galleries and immersive web embeds. It has long-record endurance, up to 100 minutes of continuous 8K/30 capture thanks to improved cooling and processing, a rare feat in 360 bodies this compact. Another heighlight is its low-light strength from 2.4µm pixels, f/1.9 optics, and up to 13.5 stops dynamic range, while preserving detail in high-contrast scenes like city nights and sunsets. It has built in storage at 128GB, magnetic quick release mounts, and direct DJI Mic transmitter support via OsmoAudio, recording two wireless mics without a receiver, as a…

Kitamura’s list of best selling mirrorless cameras in Japan for August 2025 reveals that the Top 10 places in the list are shared between Sony, Fujifilm and Nikon. Shockingly, Canon is nowhere to be found in the Top 10. Here are Kitamura’s Top 10. Sony appears to be in full control, Fujifilm on a steady rise and Nikon firm. Canon, however, has slipped out of the Top 10. These days, Panasonic and OM Digital seldom get into the TOP 10.…

Viltrox has introduced the AF 85mm f/2 Evo, a compact and affordable portrait lens aimed at enthusiasts and social creators. Lightweight and well-balanced, the lens offers smooth autofocus, ED glass for clarity, and a nine-bladed diaphragm for pleasing bokeh. Priced competitively, it undercuts most brand-name equivalents while maintaining respectable sharpness and rendering. The AF 85mm f/2 Evo stands as an accessible entry into portrait photography for mirrorless users seeking quality optics without the premium price tag.…

Fujifilm’s GFX ETERNA 55 brings the company’s large-format sensor technology to professional video production. Built around a 102MP GFX sensor, the camera supports up to 8K/30p and 4K/60p recording, ProRes HQ codecs, and 12-bit RAW output via HDMI. The camera inherits Fujifilm’s signature Film Simulation modes, providing cinematic colour straight out of the box. Its dual displays, internal ND filters, and robust build make it well-suited for high-end studio and location work. The GFX ETERNA 55 marks Fujifilm’s bold move into large-format cinematography.…

Canon’s EOS C50 joins its Cinema EOS range as a compact yet professional-grade video camera. Designed for small crews and solo filmmakers, it features a full-frame sensor, ProRes recording, built-in cooling, tally lamps, and XLR audio inputs. The C50 balances portability with professional connectivity, making it ideal for corporate, documentary and streaming productions. It also integrates with Canon’s expanding RF ecosystem, offering broad lens compatibility via adapters. The model is expected to appeal to content producers who need broadcast-level performance without bulky rigs.…

Srini Swaminathan Srini Swaminathan calls himself an Explorer, Educator and a Golden Retriever (because he is ‘fur’ever curious about the world!) Having started his career in the oilfield rigs and platforms, Srini has tra’well’ed to 44 countries – some for work, some for marathons and some for satiating his curiosity. A leisure ultramarathoner and cyclist, Srini has cycled Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Bhuj to Assam. He is also an author and translator. He lives in Chennai and wishes to take his street Indie dog Oreo in a backpack around the world. He is @srini091 in Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)…

@vimalparmar Dear Readers, Since September 2025, I have been focusing on the topic of photozines, one of the most cost-effective and creative ways to step into the world of photobooks. Photozines are compact, affordable, and easy to produce. Even a good neighbourhood copier outlet can print one for you, provided you have a ready-to-print digital file. Several online platforms now offer this service too. The best part is, many of them do not even require a print-ready file. You just need 25–30 photographs and a rough idea of captions. Simply log in, upload your images and text, and you are all set! Since most platforms may not list a ‘zine’ option, just choose or request an A5-size booklet printed with photographs and centre-pinned (stapled) binding. As I shared in my…

Viltrox AF 135 mm f/1.8 LAB ₹99,995/- In our previous review, we explored the compact and budget-friendly Viltrox 20 mm f/2.8 lens. This time, we’re diving into the opposite —a large, fast premium lens designed for portraiture. With this release, Viltrox seems to be throwing down the gauntlet to the big-name OEMs. Design & Build Quality This is an all-metal lens that is very large, heavy, and solidly built. It is heavier than some of its peers from the other manufacturers. This is despite the use of advanced magnesium alloys in its construction. There are two rings on the lens – the first is for focusing and the second is customizable. You will find two function buttons and three switches - AF/MF, Aperture click stop enable/disable, and Focus range limiter.…

Apple iPhone Air ₹1,19,900/- (apple.com) I’m not going to lie; I’m a Pro Max kinda guy. Ever since Apple released the 11 Pro Max, I’ve naturally gravitated towards the biggest, mostest iPhone. The iPhone Air then is the kind of phone I’d expectedly veer away from, the antithesis of the Pro Max, a phone that prioritized slimness and hand-feel over camera versatility and battery life. But, three weeks of testing the Air has me reconsidering my priorities, appreciating the in-the-hand benefits I’d long forgotten. Just as there’s no getting around the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s bulk, the Air’s wispy thin 5.6mm profile and 165 grams weight rewards you each time you pick it up, a testament to the fact that slimming a phone down can have a very visceral impact…

Sony, Ricoh and Fujifilm have two entries each in the TOP 10. Also, the list includes only one full frame camera, one micro four thirds camera and three APS-C cameras. The rest of the cameras feature smaller sensors.…