Sony Alpha 1 firmware update version 3.01 is available for download.
Firmware Version 3.01 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
Get the Sony Alpha 1 at B&H.
Sony Alpha 9 III firmware update version 3.01 is available for download.
Firmware Version 3.01 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
Get the Sony Alpha 9 III at B&H.
Image quality, vignetting, and distortion test results are now available on the Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens page.
This lens is all about convenience.
Compared to the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens
Support this site by ordering the Sigma 16-300mm F3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | WEX | Camera Canada
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Image quality, vignetting, and distortion test results are now available on the Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sports Lens page.
Especially because of its low price, I was anxious to see the performance of this lens.
Compared to the Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS Lens
Compared to the Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens
Compared to the Sigma 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 400mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens
There are many slower-than-f/4 zoom lenses to compare with.
Please share!
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Canon EOS C500 Mark II firmware update version 1.1.4.1 is available for download (Canon AU).
Firmware Version 1.1.4.1 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
Get the Canon EOS C500 Mark II at B&H (save $5,000.00 at firmware release time).
Just posted: Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS Lens Review.
Expect this lens to become super popular among birders and other wildlife photographers.
Please share!
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The Canon PowerShot V1 is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon | Camera Canada
My son-in-law just launched a startup, Muddy Dog Snacks, featuring top 9 allergen-free, gluten-free, and artificial ingredient-free human treats, protein energy bars, to be more specific. Great taste is included (my grandson loves them).
Usually, online buyers want to see photos of the product they are purchasing, and I was handed the technical responsibility for that job (I know, shocking, but my price was unbeatable). Sam wanted complicated collages included in the mix, and lighting a complicated set can be challenging. Fortunately, the shooting day featured significant cloud cover that created a soft light in the sunroom, which is conveniently located near the kitchen where subject prep was happening.
To help contain the mess and provide a white background with a bit of reflected fill, a 20x20" cyclorama was placed on the floor. The 85mm focal length was optimum for the overhead shot because it provided a great perspective without the need for a ladder, and the relatively high camera position meant the tripod legs were wide at the floor level, which practically eliminated their shadow impact.
With the focal length selected, the lens choice was easy. The Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens is the best available. It provided EOS R5 Mark II image quality good enough for the first billboard.
The Muddy Dog Sir CA Shepherd Cinnamon Apple Energy Bar collage is shown above, and the other 3 optoins are shown below:
A larger version of this image is available here.
Just posted: Sony FE 16mm F1.8 G Lens Review.
Great performance in a tiny package with a low price.
Please share!
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He's talking to you.
This bull provided a great evening performance, resulting in numerous keepers. However, the engaging eye contact made this image stand out from the others.
"DT" wants to know if you will be joining me for the Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park Photo Tour this September. He wants to show you what his 2-year-older rack looks like.
Images such as this one are a realistic goal. Even if you've never photographed wildlife, I'd love to have you join me this September (2025). There is just one spot open.
Learn more: Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park Photo Tour
Contact me for more information or to sign up.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Learn more about the Sony HVL-F46RMA Wireless Radio Flash Sony HVL-F28RMA External Flash at B&H.
ProGrade Digital introduces three new products:
PROGRADE DIGITAL™ ANNOUNCES PRO MINI
USB 4.0 SOLID STATE DRIVE Streamline Your Workflow With The Compact High Performance PG10.5
San Jose, CA April 3, 2025, 8:00 am PT — ProGrade Digital™, founded with a mission to provide the highest quality professional grade digital memory cards, solid state drives, hubs, and workflow solutions, announces the PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD, available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. The PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD is based on the latest USB 4.0 technology, which is designed to achieve a maximum bus speed of up to 40Gbits/sec and provides a read speed of up to 4000MB/s, a write speed of up to 3500MB/s, and a sustained write speed of 1250MB/s. The PG10.5 is also equipped with ProGrade’s patented magnetic base and comes with an adhesive metal plate that allows users to mount the reader to any work surface or directly mount to the PG20 Pro Hub. The PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD ships with a high-quality certified USB 4.0 cable, assuring maximum performance possible.
“Our new PG10.5, Pro Mini SSD, allows imaging professionals to uniquely integrate high speed SSD storage into their desktop workspace, which includes the ProGrade PG20, Thunderbolt 4, 4 port hub. Leveraging the small physical size of the ProGrade workflow card readers and a patented magnetic base, the PG10.5 leverages a USB 4.0 interface that provides industry-leading read and write speeds – critical to high speed post-production editing and storage. The PG10.5’s small physical size and robust design also allow it to be easily removed from the workstation, studio environment, and easily used in more mobile, non-studio environments”, said Wes Brewer, CEO and founder of ProGrade Digital. It is available now for pre-order and will be shipping end of April.
ProGrade Digital USB 4.0 Pro Mini Solid State Drive Key Features:
MSRP $179.99, $299.99, and $549.99, respectively
Order the ProGrade Digital Pro Mini SSD at B&H
PROGRADE DIGITAL™ ANNOUNCES ULTRA-PORTABLE USB 3.2 GEN 2 SOLID STATE DRIVE
Equipped With Type-A and Type-C Connectors For Maximum Device Compatibility
San Jose, CA, April 3, 2025, 8:00 am PT — ProGrade Digital™, founded with a mission to provide the highest quality professional grade digital memory cards, solid state drives, hubs, and workflow solutions, announces its PG30 Ultra-Portable SSD available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. The PG30 Ultra-Portable SSD uses USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology, which is designed to achieve speeds of up to 10Gbits/sec and provides read and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s, and a sustained write speed of 300MB/s. The PG30 is also equipped with caps that cover the Type-A and Type-C ports, and is IP65 rated, providing water and dust resistance.
“Our new PG30 Ultra-Portable SSD provides imaging professionals with a highly portable SSD that is perfect for quick and easy, ad-hoc file transfer needs. The PG30’s relatively small die-cast aluminum body, dual USB Type A and C connectors, coupled with an impressive IP65 dust and water rating, make it an ideal choice for all imaging professionals seeking the compatibility and reliability that ProGrade is known for.”, said Josh Brewer, Product Manager of ProGrade Digital. It will be available for purchase at the end of April.
ProGrade Digital Ultra-Portable Solid State Drive Key Features:
MSRP $99.99, $139.99, and $249.99, respectively
Order the ProGrade Digital Ultra-Portable USB 3.2 SSD at B&H
PROGRADE DIGITAL™ ANNOUNCES CFEXPRESS TYPE A MOBILE READER FOR FILMMAKERS AND CONTENT CREATORS
Unlock The Full Potential Of Your iPhone™ 15 Or 16 And Capture 4K ProRes 120fps
San Jose, CA – April 3, 2025, 8:00 am —ProGrade Digital™, founded with a mission to provide the highest quality professional grade digital memory cards, solid state drives, hubs, and workflow solutions, announces its new PGM12 mobile card reader, a single-slot CFexpress Type A card reader. The PGM12 reader offers the same performance when transferring data as our full-size USB 3.2 Gen 2 readers, but is more portable due to its compact size.
The PGM12 is an essential tool for filmmakers and content creators who want to utilize the full potential of their mobile devices, particularly for the iPhone™ 15 and 16, especially when capturing 4K ProRes 120fps. With the flexibility to choose the card capacity that fits your creative demands, you’ll never have to worry about running out of space mid-shoot. Designed for versatility, the PGM12 features a patented magnetic base, metal mounting plates, and a flexible cable, providing multiple mounting options to seamlessly integrate with any rig setup. With its mounting versatility, you can also use a MagSafe™ charger, so your device doesn’t run out of battery while shooting. Designed to streamline your workflow, the PGM12 enables fast, direct transfers from your phone to laptops or other Type-C devices—helping you move quickly from capture to post, so you can stay focused on what matters most - creating.
“Our new PGM12, CFexpress Type A mobile card reader is designed to ensure content creators can reliably utilize the full capability of their iPhone 15 or 16 Pro/Pro Max, which requires external storage for up to 120 frames/second, ProRes video recording. Our customers can now record video onto low-power, CFexpress Type A memory cards, at the highest possible quality, and not have to worry about running out of storage space, that might be experienced with a fixed capacity storage device. As a key differentiator, the PGM12 reader is designed to utilize our patented magnetic base mounting system and is small enough to be affixed to an iPhone without impeding the use of MagSafe™ charging while recording”, said Wes Brewer, CEO and founder of ProGrade Digital. It is available now for pre-order and will be shipping at the end of April.
ProGrade Digital PGM12 CFexpress Type A Mobile Reader Key Features:
MSRP $79.99
Order the ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A Card Reader at B&H
Canon has released new versions of Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, and other camera software.
Changes for Digital Photo Professional 4.19.30:
To install the updates, select "Check for updates" on the application's Help menu. Alternatively, download here. (Thanks, Scott!)
Physically, the Canon EOS R50 and EOS R50 V appear to be completely different, unrelated cameras. However, their names, differing by only the "V" denoting a video emphasis, suggest a strong relationship.
Image quality is one aspect these cameras share, and entry-level pricing is another. Still, the differences are vast.
Here are the R50 V advantages:
Special thanks to Canon USA's Drew MacCallum for providing most of this rather long list.
Here are the R50 advantages:
The controls and control layout are considerably different between the two camera models, including the mode dial optimized for stills or video, and a zoom lever on the R50 V.
The generalized recommendation comes back to the "V". Those primarily interested in capturing video will want the R50 V, and those focusing on stills may appreciate the R50's EVF over the V's advantages.
Image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results are now available on the Sony FE 16mm F1.8 G Lens page.
Here are some comparisons:
Compared to the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens
Compared to the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Lens
Please share!
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Expectations, an MTF comparison, and specifications are now available on the Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens page.
I'm in for this one.
Please share!
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Order the Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX
Order the Canon RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX
From Canon USA:
Canon Unveils New Lenses for High-Level Social Creators Seeking Visual Excellence and Greater Expression Across Stills and Cinematic Video
MELVILLE, NY, March 26, 2025 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, has announced two new lenses designed for social media creators: the RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ, Canon’s first RF Lens with Power Zoom optimized for cinematic video, and the RF20mm F1.4 L VCM, a f/1.4 hybrid prime lens that enables high levels of expression across photo and video shooting.
The RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens is designed with a variety of shooting scenarios and needs in mind, from cinematic video to livestreaming and selfie POV. The RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens is packed with convenient functions for both still and video formats, including a wide angle of view, smooth cinema-style Auto Focus, optical Image Stabilization that suppresses blur in challenging situations, and more. Its uniform design and simple operability make it a worthy standard lens for the new Canon EOS R50 V camera, also announced today. When paired, the camera and lens make a beautiful, minimalist package, although the lens can also be seamlessly matched with Canon’s larger EOS R series of cameras.
The outstanding feature of the RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ lens is its power zoom design. Its fixed-length zoom with customizable control rings allows each individual creator to achieve their desired style and expressive intentions, while its ease of use allows them to prioritize their creative flow above all else. The use of a ring-style control for power zoom operations instead of a button or lever makes it possible to zoom from any direction regardless of shooting style. This gives more flexibility in angle of view adjustments, allowing users to enjoy great creative possibilities with smooth zooming while securely holding the camera, or zooming to change the angle of view from the front when taking selfies. And in vertical orientation, it provides outstanding operability that does not interfere with camera controls.
The RF20mm F1.4 L VCM is a 20mm ultra wide-angle lens and is the fourth addition to Canon’s RF Hybrid Prime series specifically designed for creators who switch between photo and video shooting. This lens pushes the boundaries of creative expression, offering extensive width, and depth, and beautiful dramatic effects for those who seek a high level of output across still and video shooting. Perfect for creators, video journalists, corporate video professionals, and independent filmmakers, the new RF20mm F1.4 L VCM lens is an impressive addition to Canon’s products that cater to the new era of hybrid shooting needs.
The lens features quiet, fast, and precise AF for both still and video shooting due to Canon’s actuator and focusing systems. It features dramatically reduced focus breathing compared to non-VCM lense, an iris ring for convenient movie shooting, and more. The unbeatable expressive power of an f/1.4 large aperture combined with shallow depth of field lends outstanding optical performance and enables rich, dynamic bokeh. The RF20mm F1.4 L VCM can also be used for shooting rich and clear videos and stills in dark places without increasing the sensitivity. Additionally, the UD and Super UD lenses and the Blue Refractive (BR) optics dramatically reduce the color bleeding that tends to occur with large aperture lenses.
The design of Canon’s RF Hybrid Prime series, now with the addition of the RF20mm F1.4 L VCM lens, was conceptualized to take full advantage of the RF Mount with its minimalist features and compact nature, to create an elegant, sleek camera package that any creator would be proud to take out of their camera bag.
Pricing and Availability
The RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens is currently scheduled to be available in July 2025 for an estimated retail price of $329.99.* The RF20mm F1.4 L VCM is currently scheduled to be available in April 2025 for an estimated retail price of $1,699.00.*
* Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.
Learn More
Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens (expectations, MTF comparisons, specifications, product images)
Canon RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens (specifications, product images)
Order the Canon EOS R50 from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX
Order the Canon PowerShot V1 from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX
From Canon USA:
For All Creators: Canon’s New PowerShot V1 and EOS R50 V Expand EOS/PowerShot V Series
MELVILLE, N.Y., - March 26, 2025 — Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, answers the needs of video creators with the new PowerShot V1 and EOS R50 V. Both cameras are part of Canon’s growing EOS/PowerShot V Series which seeks to help all creators, including cinema, livestreaming, vlogging, and VR, heighten their visual story telling.
Canon Reinvigorates Point-and-Shoot
If you’re a creator, you want the ability to pursue your own visual expression without compromising quality. Something lightweight and compact that can be used anytime or anywhere to lift your vision forward—a camera that works with you. Designed with a smart and modern concept, the PowerShot V1 is a reliable partner boasting key features including:
The Canon PowerShot V1 is also designed with workflow top of mind. Creators can leverage high quality video calls and livestream on a PC with a single USB cable, and the camera works intelligently with smartphones—both wired and wirelessly—via the Canon Camera Connect app.
Cinema Quality in the Palm of Your Hand
A movie-focused, high-performance camera that can fit in the palm of your hand? Yes—it does exist, with the EOS R50 V. The legacy of Cinema EOS technologies is splashed throughout, making EOS R50 V one for all creators who have high artistic ambitions to take to the next level. Key features include:
Creators are not one-size-fits-all, and EOS R50 V was built through creator feedback to make content creation easier. With modern design elements, customization options, and a new lens bundled together, the EOS R50 V is destined to be in your gear bag.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon PowerShot V1 is scheduled to be available in April 2025 for an estimated retail price of $899.99. * The Canon EOS R50 V is scheduled to be available in April 2025 for an estimated retail price of $649.99* for the body only and $849.99* with the RF-S14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ.
* Specifications, availability and prices are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.
Learn More
Canon EOS R50 (specifications, product images)
Canon PowerShot V1 (specifications, features list, product images)
To photograph a lunar eclipse, the sky must be clear. Historically, the Southwest has the USA's clearest winter skies, and going with the odds seemed the ideal decision. Death Valley National Park has the statistically optimal location and a long list of other photography opportunities, so it got the selection.
About 5 hours before the start of the eclipse, the selected Death Valley location, Stovepipe Wells, was getting an extreme storm. While there was little rain, the wind-blown dust and sand reduced visibility below 100 yards (meters) and blew fine sand through the edges of the solid hotel room door, coating everything in my room and creating little sand dunes just inside the door. It was crazy.
The forecast showed this storm coming, but much of the western US had the same or worse forecast. Forecasted clear skies were a flight away, and that option wasn't in play.
Miraculously, a slot of mostly clear sky opened up overhead just before the start of the lunar eclipse and closed just after the full moon reappeared. Heavy clouds were visible to both sides during much of that time, but the moon remained between them.
The primary goal for this trip was to capture the shots needed to create the lunar version of this 2024 Total Lunar Eclipse Phase Progression image. Goal met. #blessed
While the lunar eclipse was a top goal for this trip, most of the time was spent photographing the landscape, including many hiking miles carrying gear. The most solid tripod available is the optimal choice for photographing the dark total eclipse with a big, long-focal-length lens and long exposure, but a lighter model (that could still manage strong winds) was needed for landscape use.
Flying with more than one significant tripod impacts available storage, but this support need was solidly met by the Really Right Stuff TVC-32G Versa Mk2 Ground Carbon Fiber Tripod. A review of the TVC-32G Versa Mk2 has been on the to-do list for ... years, but it is an outstanding choice when short height is sufficient for the need. A lower tripod is typically less impacted by vibrations, and I was sitting for the eclipse, so height wasn't needed in that regard.
A Wimberley WH-200-S Sidemount Head solidly held the RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens and a RF 1.4x Extender on a Canon EOS R5 Mark II for exposures reaching 0.5 seconds.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results are now available on the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS Lens page.
Getting the comparisons started:
Compared to the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens
Compared to the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens
Compared to the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens
Please share!
Support this site by ordering the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Sony | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada
Rent the Sony FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS Lens from Lensrentals.