For a long time, third-party optics usually meant compromise somewhere, but in 2024, does that apply anymore? Is it possible for a photographer to be perfectly happy shooting with, for example, Sigma lenses and nothing else?
Canon is well aware of the requests to see third-party lenses that are equipped with autofocus, like those made by Sigma or Tamron, on its mirrorless RF mount, and while nothing is set in stone yet, the company is in active discussions to make it a reality.
Many camera manufacturers choose to support, or at least turn a blind eye to, third-party lens makers. Some even wholeheartedly embrace them. However, Canon has infamously taken a stance to deny third-party manufacturers access to its RF mount. The fascinating twist is that many companies were beginning to produce manual and autofocusing lenses before the crack-down, creating an exclusive market of very rare lenses that hit the streets before the curtain fell.
When it comes to protecting its intellectual property, Canon is among the most litigious. Whether printer ink or lenses for the RF mount, the company spends significant effort shutting down unregistered third party brands. From the outside looking in, this can come off as petty, aggressive, or even greedy.
Meike's promised 85mm f/1.4 autofocus lens that it announced in April is finally shipping for a very reasonable $470. But the promised RF support is, as most probably predicted, probably not coming.
The original Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD has quite a wordy title to say. Luckily, it's worth the hassle because it is one of my favorite lenses in recent memory. Sharp, compact, and affordable, the Tamron 70-180 f/2.8 was an immediate hit. However, debuting on Sony E-mount, we now have a brand new version, and it promises to shake things up again.
A camera producing an error when photographers use unofficial third-party batteries isn't anything new. However, reports of possible digital rights management (DRM) being used in Nikon batteries, at least with its new Z8 camera, is worth taking a closer look at.
Meike has announced a new 85mm f/1.4 autofocus lens for Sony E, Nikon Z, Leica L, and -- surprisingly -- Canon RF mounts. If this stands, Meike will be the first third-party manufacturer to come to market with an autofocus-equipped lens for Canon's mirrorless mount.
Canon successfully saw the removal of over 1,500 Amazon listings of third-party printer toner from vendors that it believed infringed on its patents as part of an aggressive campaign to protect its intellectual property.
Canon has said the quiet part out loud: it doesn't want you to spend any of your money on anything other than Canon products. This is a huge mistake, and I'm pleading that the company rethink this strategy.
Canon has ordered lens manufacturer Viltrox to stop selling RF mount products, according to a leaked customer chat text.
In June, Tokina announced that it would be increasing the prices of some lenses in the U.S., and today the company has provided a detailed list of those price changes.
Viltrox has announced a new 85mm f/1.8 autofocus lens for Canon RF mount, making it the first lens the company has produced for Canon's mirrorless cameras that features autofocus.
Wristcam, an accessory strap with two built-in cameras, has announced expanded functionality through its new Wristcam Messenger app. Users can now send and receive live video with anyone with an iPhone, even if they don't have a Wristcam or an Apple Watch.
Have you found yourself wishing your Apple Watch had a camera? The developers of the Wristcam seem like they did, as their device integrates two cameras into an Apple-certified strap that can be controlled via an Apple Watch app.
Despite scoring the iPhone 12 a "6 out of 10 for repairability," iFixit has found that its standard camera module repair tests were "unreliable," giving a buggy and inconsistent experience. In short, it fails.
A few weeks ago, it was discovered that Android 11 would limit third-party camera apps' access, essentially "forcing" apps to use the phone's built-in camera app even if you have a different app selected as your Default. But while the limitation might seem a bit Apple-esque, Google says it's a necessary trade-off to protect users' privacy.
If you're a Fuji user looking for an equivalent to the "nifty fifty" lenses available for Nikon and Canon DSLRs, you've probably considered picking up Fuji's old XF 35mm f/1.4 or the XF 35mm f/2. But what if there was a more affordable, faster option out there? The Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 wants to be that lens.
Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki has gone ahead and confirmed what many of us believed: the third-party lens maker will be focusing most of its resources on creating "DN" lenses for mirrorless cameras. That includes lenses for full-frame, APS-C and Micro Four Thirds systems.
Tokina has a lot in store for photographers in 2020. In an announcement that would have been made at CP+ 2020 (RIP), the company revealed that it will be releasing a total of six new lenses: one APS-C lens for Nikon and Canon DSLRs, two full-frame lenses for Sony E-mount, and three APS-C lenses for both the Fuji X- and Sony E-mounts.
Sigma has played a big part in making high-quality glass more accessible with its exceptional ART series lenses, and it sounds like it has no intention to stop. In a recent "Ask the CEO" video from Sigma UK, Mr. Kazuto Yamaki revealed several interesting tidbits about the company's plans moving forward.
The Meike MK-MT24 is one of the most interesting lighting products I’ve ever used. The concept of this product is similar to some macro flash systems that have been on the market for years -- especially the Nikon R1C1 -- but while I knew of their existence, I’ve never once considered them due to their exorbitantly high price (the R1C1 is over $700).
If you're in the market for a DSLR and have been considering getting an entry-level Canon one to save some dough, here's something you should know: it seems that Canon is hamstringing its latest low-end cameras to be incompatible with affordable 3rd-party flashes.
Samyang has announced the first 3rd-party lenses for Canon's new RF full-frame mirrorless camera lens mount. The Korean manufacturer has unveiled an MF 14mm f/2.8 and an MF 85mm f/1.4.
The Hong Kong-based camera equipment company Meike has launched an affordable 50mm f/1.7 manual-focus prime lens for Canon and Nikon's full-frame mirrorless camera systems.
Yongnuo is continuing to expand its 3rd-party lens offerings. Just months after announcing a 14mm f/2.8 ultra-wide-angle autofocus lens, the company is now announcing its first macro lens, the YN 60mm f/2 MF.
There will soon be a new option for people looking for an affordable ultra-wide-angle lens. Yongnuo is reportedly set to launch a 14mm f/2.8 lens with autofocus capabilities.
Sony has become the world leader in image sensor production in recent years by supplying the sensors to third-party companies. Canon, however, has been content with using its sensors solely in-house on its own cameras and products. That's set to change: Canon is now planning to supply Canon-made CMOS sensors to other companies for the first time in the company's history.
One of the big pitfalls of buying a grey market camera has always been how difficult it is to get them serviced or repaired. If you buy a grey market Nikon D810 and it breaks, you're stuck. Well... not anymore.
Since launching back in 2010, Camera+ has been downloaded over 14 million times by iPhone users and has become one of the best-known third-party camera apps.
Now, half a decade later, tap tap tap is going free with its blockbuster app. The app developer has launched a new free version of Camera+ as an easy way for iPhone users to obtain a more powerful camera app.
Last year we reported that Yongnuo is planning to expand its third party lens lineup to include Nikon lenses by the end of 2015. If you've been eagerly waiting to get your hands on a cheap (and possibly look-alike) Nikon lens, your wait will soon be over. The company is planning to launch 50mm and 35mm lenses for Nikon cameras in the coming months.
About a month ago, we reported on rumors that Samyang was going to start making AF lenses under an all new logo "very soon," and it looks like "very soon" is finally about to arrive.
Third-party lenses are on the rise, there's no denying that. Between Sigma kicking large amounts of booty with its impressive lineup and Tamron looking serious with the new 150-600mm lens it recently announced, competition for space in your camera bag is getting fierce.
And apparently it's about to get even fiercer, because rumor has it Samyang intends to step its game up as well.
About a year ago, Samyang took to Facebook and confirmed that a 50mm f/1.2 was on the roadmap, and would quite possibly see the light of day sometime in 2014. Well, if you've been holding out for that release, hoping that a third-party 50mm f/1.2 option would arrive, you might have been waiting for nothing.
Nikon recently released a firmware update for its D3100, D3200, D5100, D5200, and P7700 cameras that maximized battery performance and allowed the camera to more accurately tell you how much charge you have left. But it seems there was an unintended (or maybe not so unintended) side-effect: third party batteries no longer work.
When Apple designed the iPad, they opted for simplicity and omitted things like a USB port or memory card …