A new CFexpress 2.0 Type A memory card from ProGrade Digital:
PROGRADE DIGITAL ANNOUNCES NEW CFEXPRESS 2.0 TYPE A 120GB GOLD MEMORY CARD
The Addition of the CFexpress 2.0 Type A 120GB Gold Memory Card Provides a New Lower Price and Capacity Point Ideal for Still Shooting Applications
San Jose, CA August 27, 2024, 8:00 am PT — ProGrade Digital, Inc., founded with a mission to provide the highest quality professional grade digital memory cards and workflow solutions, announces a new CFexpress™ Type A Gold-class memory card in a 120GB capacity. This new capacity features the same industry-leading quality as the current ProGrade CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold 240GB and 480GB memory cards. The Gold line has a VPG 200 rating and has an NVME host interface with PCIe Gen3 x1 interconnect. ProGrade Digital’s CFexpress 2.0 Type A 120GB Gold card is fully compliant with the CFexpress 2.0 specification and provides a read speed of up to 900MB/s, burst write speed of up to 800MB/s, and sustained write speed of 450MB/s – ideally suited for high-resolution shooting applications.
“Our new CFexpress Type A 120GB Gold memory card provides a lower price point for Sony camera customers not needing the higher capacity of our CFexpress Type A 240GB or 480GB memory cards,” said Josh Brewer, Product Manager of ProGrade Digital. “With the VPG 200 rating required for select cameras, our CFexpress Type A Gold line of memory cards now offers our customers a lower price point for still shooters, and the same level of high performance and reliability they’ve come to expect in our Gold line.”
ProGrade Digital CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold Memory Card:
CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold Delivers:
Like all ProGrade products, each memory card contains a unique etched serial number to ensure best-in-class after-sales support and tight quality control of the components used inside. Using this serial number, a customer can register their product at http://progradedigital.com/register to receive product updates.
Get your ProGrade Digital CFexpress Gold Memory Cards at B&H.
The little green heron's strike happens extremely fast and infrequently. Thus, photographing this bird in action involves lots of waiting with occasional sudden lightning-fast action. A few minutes into waiting for a strike, attention deficit kicks in, and one's mind begins to think about other matters. Of course, the sudden action we have been waiting for happens while our minds are adrift, and we miss the shot.
That is not the case with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II. Mind drift is no longer an issue with the R5 II's game-changing pre-continuous shooting feature because we can seemingly capture images from the past.
Without being especially alert while half-pressing the shutter release, I still captured this heron's surprise full strike and recoil. This image is the second in the 20-fps sequence to have the tadpole fully out of the water. The tadpole's alignment with the shadow behind it, along with a nice stream of water falling from the catch, made this selection optimal.
While the general area of tadpole attack could be estimated, the specific prey location was unknown. Thus, framing slightly wide to account for whatever happened made sense, and this image is cropped by just over 10% in both dimensions. Because of the R5's ultra-high resolution, the final image still measures 4830 x 7241 pixels, about 35 megapixels.
A larger version of this image is available here.
Canon has released a new version of Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility, and other camera software.
Changes for Digital Photo Professional 4.19.10:
To install the updates, select "Check for updates" on the application's Help menu. Alternatively, download here. (thanks, Scott!)
Image quality are now available on the Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II PZ Lens page.
The version I bar was not set high, and the II easily cleared it.
Compared to the Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS PZ Lens
Here are more comparisons:
Compared to the Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens
Compared to the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens
Support this site by ordering the Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II PZ Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Sony | Adorama | WEX | Camera Canada
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Just posted: llano Fast Dual Camera Battery Charger Review.
If your Canon LP-E6NH and Sony NP-FZ100 batteries are in the same condition as mine, this review will be highly relevant.
The llano Fast Dual Camera Battery Charger is available at Amazon, where the user reviews are quite positive. Use coupon code llano0420 to save 10% (use code llano15DE to save 15% at Amazon DE).
Amazon US: Canon LP-E6NH | Sony FZ100
Amazon UK: Canon LP-E6NH | Sony FZ100
Amazon CA: Canon LP-E6NH | Sony FZ100
Amazon DE: Canon LP-E6NH | Sony FZ100
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II begins shipping tomorrow. Are you ready?! Receiving a camera as incredible as this one is exciting, and using it is super fun. Enjoy the anticipation.
I've been updating the Canon EOS R5 Mark II review page, and now is a good time to re-read it.
The Canon EOS R5 Mark II Setup page may also be soon relevant to you.
If you didn't preorder the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, now is the next best time to do so: B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada
Just posted: Canon RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye Lens Review.
Niche lens that inspires creativity.
Support this site by ordering the Canon RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada
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With the Canon EOS R5 Mark II in hand, it is time to find subjects, and few are cuter than whitetail fawns.
This one cooperatively posed in front of a distant background, which the Canon EOS R5 Mark II and RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens turned into a strong blur. Your eye sees nothing but deer (and a few raindrops).
Image quality test results are now available on the Tamron 28-300mm F4-7.1 Di III VC VXD Lens page.
See the optical performance of this new super zoom lens.
Compared to the Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Lens
Compared to the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens
Compared to the Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens
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Support this site by ordering the Tamron 28-300mm F4-7.1 Di III VC VXD Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | WEX | Camera Canada
Noise test results are now available on the Canon EOS R5 Mark II page.
Read the image quality discussion.
Support this site by ordering the Canon EOS R5 Mark II from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada
Resolution test results from the Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM Lens are now available on the Canon EOS R5 Mark II page.
As expected, these results appear identical to the R5 results — excellent.
Support this site by ordering the Canon EOS R5 Mark II from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada
Tamron as shared the 1st Quarter 2024 Financial Results.
A selection of quotes:
"The interchangeable lens camera market grew by approximately 10% in both volume and value, driven by strong performance in mirrorless cameras."
"The interchangeable lenses market grew by approximately 10% in volume basis and approximately 25% in value basis."
"Net Sales and Operating Income showed double-digit or higher increase in all segments."
"Net Sales significantly increased by approximately 1.4 times and Operating Income significantly increased by approximately 1.7 times YoY."
"Achieved record high Net Sales and Operating Income for the 1st half of the year."
1H: "Sales of mainstay Photographic Products Segment increased by approximately 1.4 times"
"Own-Brand products sales are expected to increase by double digits due to new model launches and sales recovery in Europe and US markets."
"OEM products sales in the 1st half far exceeded the plan, leading to revised sales forecast decrease in the 2nd half compared to the 1st half. However, the initial sales forecast in the 2nd half, which are planned to decrease YoY revised upward to double-digit growth."
"The initial forecast for single-digit increase in Sales and Operating Income has been revised doble-digit increase by maintaining a high profitability due to higher gross profit from higher sales and favorable foreign exchange efforts."
Tamron now plans to introduce 7 new lens models in 2024, up from 6 in the original plan, and up from 5 in 2022 and 2023.
From Manfrotto:
MANFROTTO EXPANDS THE BEST-SELLING BEFREE TRAVEL TRIPOD RANGE
August 7th - Manfrotto, the world-leading manufacturer of professional photography, video, and cinema production equipment with over 50 years of experience, announces the addition of 3 new models to its top-selling Befree travel tripod range. Designed for creators using the latest mirrorless cameras, the new Befree tripods offer a lightweight, feature-rich solution for on-the-go photography and videography.
With the rise in popularity of mirrorless cameras and the increasing demand for high-performance, portable equipment, Manfrotto is meeting the needs of professional photographers and hybrid creators with the launch of these new Befree models.
Expanding the existing product range, the new additions offer a seamless blend of cutting-edge technology and exceptional performance, positioning them as the must have travel companion to ensure the best shots of any travel experience.
Catering to different scenarios and offering solutions for professionals working in various contexts – whether it is capturing captivating images on-the-go or creating high quality video content, the new Befree tripods provide the precision and reliability required by today’s travel professionals.
Designed to provide the best-in-class solutions for photographers and creators seeking enhanced creativity and functional design in a lightweight package, the new models are available in both aluminium and carbon fibre, providing options for users who value durability and lightweight constructions.
The new Befree models include a full Arca-compatible model for professional photographers, a hybrid model for creators looking capture both photos and videos, and for the first time ever, a standalone tripod leg option that can be paired with the user’s preferred head.
Befree Advanced AS (Aluminium $199.95, Carbon $289.95)
A must have addition to the portfolio for on the road professional photographers working with mirrorless, the Befree Advanced AS is a flexible, reliable tripod kit for users to directly mount different accessories such as a L bracket, camera cage or tele lens collar mount to suit the shoot they have planned without needing a QR plate interface. Fully Arca-compatible, the Befree Advanced AS is made in Italy to certified industry payload standards.
Befree GT PRO 3-Way (Aluminium $329.95, Carbon $429.95)
For travel hybrid creators that are often on the road and need a tripod kit that is compact but versatile to capture mesmerising pictures and unprecedented video footage, the new Befree GT PRO 3-Way is the go-to professional travel tripod for any trip. This hybrid tripod works seamlessly for photo and video applications thanks to the levelling column and 3-Way head with fluid pan and tilt movements for both vertical and landscape video.
Befree GT PRO tripod legs (Aluminium $199.95, Carbon $299.95)
The Befree GT PRO tripod legs are suited for any professional photographer and videographer who carries out jobs in any studio setup. Super compact, with a fully foldable design and a strong payload, the Befree GT tripod legs can be matched with any head of choice – from the Befree 496 Ball Head to any other head from the extensive Manfrotto range.
With travel becoming more popular than ever, the addition of 3 new models to the best-selling Befree tripod collection ensures the range meets the diverse needs of professional photographers and videographers on the move, ensuring performance and versatility for any shot, in every location.
Get your Manfrotto Befree tripod at B&H.
I have a fresh-from-the-factory Canon EOS R5 Mark II in my hands, and it is time to set it up. I use the following steps to prepare a new (or reset to factory settings) R5 II for use. While the number of steps in this setup guide may seem daunting, the process is not difficult. You've got this.
I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.
To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do, including in RAW-only format. While this setup works optimally for me, you should adjust the camera setup to your needs.
If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established. Consider saving the camera settings to a card (Tools menu, tab 5, Save/load cam settings on card) for an easy restore or replication. The setup file can be copied to a computer drive for long-term storage.
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More Information
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Sony's 2024 Q1 financial results are available on the Investor Relations page.
Presentation
(track ET&S for the Entertainment, Technology & Services Segment (cameras), I&SS for the Imaging and Sensing Solutions segment)
Financial Statements
Supplementary Information
Webcast
Sony's numbers are healthy, including those from ET&S, despite a continued decrease in television unit sales.
Learn more about the new Godox AD600Pro II All-in-One Outdoor Flash at B&H.
This is version II of the flashes used for the site's lens testing. They are a great value.
This flash is also available in the Flashpoint brand at Adorama.
I'm pulling a line item out of my long-forming and yet unpublished Bryan's Laws of Photography. That law is:
Bryan's Law of Following: Those you follow set the quality bar for your imagery. While you may not love your images as much when comparing them to the best, your path to producing great imagery will be shorter if you know what great is, if you have a goal. Follow the greats.
For example, I have long respected Ian Plant's work. He is a photographer I consider to be great and, therefore, follow.
Ian's compositional skills are outstanding, and his ability to combine composition with the perfect light makes his images impressive.
Next steps:
You, too, might start asking, "What would Ian do?" when approaching a composition.
From Tamron Americas:
TAMRON Announces the Launch of the 10.7x All-in-One Zoom Lens
28-300mm F/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD (Model A074)
Commack, NY – Tamron announces the launch of the 28-300mm F/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD (Model A074), a 10.7x all-in-one zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras on August 29, 2024, at $899 USD / $1199 CAD.
The TAMRON 28-300mm F4-7.1 VC is an all-in-one zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. This lens covers a broad focal length range from 28mm wide-angle to 300mm telephoto with superior imaging performance. It achieves a zoom ratio of 10.7x with a length of just 5” (126mm) and weighs only 21.5 oz. (610g). The lens is equipped with the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism, enabling it to focus quickly and accurately throughout the entire zoom range. The lens also features TAMRON’s VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism to ensure sharp hand-held images when shooting at the 300mm telephoto end and in low-light conditions. With an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 7.5” (0.19m) and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.8 at the wide end, the lens allows users to enjoy the world of wide macro photography. It includes a Focus Set Button and a connector port for the dedicated TAMRON Lens Utility™ software independently developed by TAMRON to expand the scope of expression for still images and video. The lens features Moisture-Resistant Construction, and the front element has a protective Fluorine Coating. The new 28-300mm F/4-7.1 VC lets users take photos in an extremely wide range of situations with just one lens.
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
1. 10.7x zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras that covers the focal length range from 28mm wide-angle to 300mm telephoto
The greatest feature of the 28-300mm F/4-7.1 VC is its 10.7x zoom focal length range. In response to users stating that 200mm is not quite long enough at the telephoto end for an all-in-one zoom lens, TAMRON has extended the focal length to 300mm. Exceptionally portable, the lens features a highly compact design. This single lens allows shooting in everyday life and during travel, including landscapes, snapshots, portraits and sports photography. It's an extremely versatile lens that lets users take photos in any situation of any subject without changing lenses.
2. Outstanding imaging performance
This new TAMRON zoom has an optical construction of 20 elements in 13 groups. It includes one XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) lens element and an LD (Low Dispersion) lens element to efficiently control aberrations such as chromatic aberration. The BBAR-G2 (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection Generation 2) Coating suppresses ghosting and flare, producing clear images even in backlit conditions. It boasts best-in-class image quality as an all-in-one zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras.
3. Lightweight and compact lens body
Despite covering a 10.7x focal length range from 28mm wide-angle to 300mm telephoto, the lens is very compact, with a length of only 5” (126mm) and a weight of 21.5 oz. (610g). Small and versatile, it can be casually carried anywhere, and users are unlikely to tire even after long hours of shooting. It's ideal for people who want to carry a smaller camera bag. Additionally, the lens makes it easy to frame accurately when shooting still and moving images while zooming in and out, such as sports and wildlife, and is designed to be comfortable to use.
4. Equipped with VXD, TAMRON’s top-class linear motor focus mechanism
The 28-300mm F/4-7.1 VC is equipped with the VXD autofocus drive that includes TAMRON’s premium linear motor focus mechanism to ensure that the focus is attained quickly and accurately throughout the 10.7x zoom range. Upending the stereotype of all-in-one zoom lenses having slow autofocus, its nimble operation allows users to capture more fleeting photo opportunities. The quietness supports photography and videography in conditions that require silence.
5. TAMRON’s proprietary VC mechanism
Although it's compact, the 28-300mm F/4-7.1 is equipped with TAMRON’s proprietary VC mechanism that lets users take steady photos, especially at the 300mm telephoto end of its broad 10.7x range. VC effectively suppresses camera shake that often occurs when shooting in the telephoto range or under low-light conditions, thereby helping users take sharp photos without a tripod.
6. Proprietary software tool TAMRON Lens Utility for lens function customization and firmware updates
7. High convenience and operability
- 67mm filter size, same as most other TAMRON lenses for mirrorless cameras
- Focus Set Button for assigning camera function and TAMRON Lens Utility function
- Enhanced overall lens design for user-friendly operation
- Zoom Lock mechanism
8. Protective features (Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating)
9. Compatible with many camera-onboard features and functions, including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF
SPECIFICATIONS
Model: A074
Focal Length: 28-300mm
Maximum Aperture: F4-7.1
Angle of View (diagonal): 75°23'-8°15' (for full-frame mirrorless format)
Optical Construction: 20 elements in 13 groups
Minimum Object Distance: 7.5” / 0.19m (WIDE), 39” / 0.99m (TELE)
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:2.8 (WIDE) / 1:3.8 (TELE)
VC (Vibration Compensation): Yes
Filter Size: Ø67mm
Maximum Diameter: Ø77mm
Length*: 5” (126mm)
Weight: 21.5 oz. (610g)
Aperture Blades**: 9 (circular diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture: F22-40
Standard Accessories: Flower-shaped hood, Front cap, Rear cap
Mount: Sony E-mount
* Length is the distance from the front end of the lens to the lens mount face.
** The circular diaphragm stays almost perfectly circular up to two stops down from maximum aperture.
Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. are subject to change without prior notice.
This product is developed, manufactured, and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation.
Orders
Support this site by ordering the Tamron 28-300mm F4-7.1 Di III VC VXD Lens (or anything else) from B&H.
Just posted: Canon AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter Review.
What is the Canon AD-E1 Multi-Function Shoe Adapter? Do you need one? Find out now.
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Sony Alpha 7 IV firmware update version 3.02 is available for download.
Firmware Version 3.02 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
Always read the precautions.
Get the Sony Alpha 7 IV at B&H.