How the Absurd Contax 1000mm f/5.6 Lens From the 1970s Performs Today
Japanese photo retailer Map Camera, best known for its monthly and annual camera sales charts, recently tested a truly absurd lens, the Contax Mirotar 1000mm f/5.6.
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10 Years Later, Hasselblad’s Mirrorless Gamble Has Paid Off In a Huge Way
Hasselblad's latest financial statements offer further proof that it is a company in rebirth, and that Hasselblad's decision to join the mirrorless medium format market was exceptionally shrewd and well-timed.
Photographer Points His Lens At the Growing US Surveillance Camera Network
As debate intensifies over surveillance cameras, a photojournalist in Philadelphia has set out to document the omnipresent devices monitoring us.
Elusive Pallas’s Cat Recorded by Camera Traps in Iran
Camera traps set up by a wildlife photographer in Iran have captured the rarely seen Pallas's cat.
Nikon is Selling an Adorable Plushie Keychain of its Mascot
Nikon is releasing a cute plush keychain toy of its mascot Nikon-chan that is exclusively available in Japan.
Just How Good Are Moment’s T-Series II Lenses for iPhone?
I don’t usually reach for my iPhone Camera app for much beyond quick clips, social posts, and photos, and I’ve certainly never put any accessories or lenses on it. Then came the Moment T-Series II lens set, and now that very well might change.
Sony Is Utterly Dominating the Global Image Sensor Market
Alongside an in-depth digital camera market share breakdown, the annual Nikkei Industry Map also analyzes global market share for many other industries, including digital image sensors.
The Reel Snaps on The Reel are up-to-the-minute updates and quick hits from the PetaPixel news desk.
Photographer ‘Didn’t Miss a Thing’ As His Kids Grew Up
The Guardian just published a story about photographer Nick Haymes who, after confronting the fragility of life after 9/11, decided to photograph every moment of his family's life. His book, Chronograph, shows how he documented everything as they grew up.
We are given a ringside seat as arms get broken, beloved pets die and hairs start sprouting from armpits. The mundane side of life – verrucas, messy kitchens, Lina cleaning out an ear with a cotton bud – is captured in the same way as birthday parties and rites of passage.
Sabrent’s New Cordless Air Duster Blows (As it Should)
Sabrent has announced its first air duster, the Blowzer. As reported by Camera Jabber, Sabrent's $69.99 Blowzer X6 Cordless Air Duster is an alternative to using canned air to clean electronics or get dust off of your lenses. However, definitely don't use this to clean your camera's image sensor. There are special kits for that.
A RODE Co-Branded Viltrox Lens?
Camera Beta on Weibo (spotted by Asobinet) published a photo of a Viltrox 50mm f/1.4 Pro lens that also had a RODE logo inscribed near the lens mount. It's doubtful that RODE is getting into the lens game... this is super weird, right?
When AI gets something wrong, or just makes something up, it is often referred to as a "hallucination." Well, not everyone agrees with that term. AP was asked on Bluesky to ban it, in part because, "the term 'hallucinate' is an inaccurate, industry-friendly term that should be banned when reporting news about AI fabrications.”
Fair point. Although AP doesn't seem like it will be changing its stance just yet, it does seem open to the conversation and may revisit it in the future.
Fender’s Mix Headphones Are Finally Available in the U.S.
Fender's Mix headphones that I reviewed a couple of months ago are now available in the U.S. through BestBuy, Amazon, and directly through Fender Audio's website. The main selling point of these cans is that they're super versatile and modular, I just found the $299 asking price to be a bit steep for the level of performance they offered.
Samsung to Host a Galaxy Event on August 27
Samsung announced that it will hold a Galaxy Event on August 27 where it will introduce another addition to the Galaxy S26 family of devices.
On August 27th, Samsung Electronics will hold ‘Galaxy Event August 2026’ to introduce the newest addition to the Galaxy S26 family — purposefully designed to bring many Galaxy S26 experiences from camera to AI, along with the latest One UI, to those who look for what truly matters most to them.
The event will be live streamed on Samsung.com and Samsung's YouTube channel starting at 9 PM KST.
Sigma Patented Some Wild Super Zooms
While patents don't always turn into products (and when they do, it can often be years before they come to market), sometimes they're so unusual they deserve a bit of attention. According to filings spotted by Asobinet, Sigma patented a variety of lens concepts including a 400-1500mm f/14-18, a 150-600mm f/5-6.3, and a 200-800mm f/6.3-8. That first lens, while ambitious, is dark and has us wondering at what point we'd rather just crop a faster, shorter lens versus deal with that kind of aperture. You can't argue that Sigma isn't thinking outside of the box, though.
A Closer Look at the GX-P1 Digital Panoramic Camera
Yesterday, we shared that Casey Cavanaugh, better known as GxAce, had made significant progress on the development of a brand-new digital panoramic camera he was calling the GX-P1. Today, Cavanaugh published a video on Instagram that showcases the new camera's design at length, giving us a more complete look at what to expect.
"We’re working through the software, electronics, optics, controls and finding manufacturing partners now, with the goal of crowdfunding GX-P1 by the end of the year. It’s an incredibly ambitious project for us but we are building something from our hearts, and we know that the dream of a camera like this isn’t just in our hearts alone."
The camera uses an anamorphic lens to create the panoramic perspective, which is a smart way to keep sensor costs down. On that note, there are no details on the sensor quite yet. Expect those when the camera is fully revealed as part of a crowdfunding campaign by the end of 2026. As a panoramic enthusiast, I am very excited.
Watch the Total Solar Eclipse From the Edge of Space
As the dust settles on last week's total solar eclipse, which delivered some incredible photos, popular YouTube channel Veritasium has shared its video from the eclipse, during which the team sent a camera 92,000 feet into the air above Spain to capture the eclipse from the very edge of space itself.
Speculation That EssilorLuxxotica Wants to Take Over Nikon Resurface
A business publication out of Japan has resurfaced speculation that the eyeglasses juggernaut EssilorLuxottica has an interest in buying out Nikon.
xAI Sues Photographer, Blaming Him for Sexual Images Created With Grok
Elon Musk’s xAI is suing a prominent Arkansas photographer accused of using Grok to turn photographs of his minor clients into sexually explicit images -- arguing that he is responsible for the resulting material.
Photos of ‘Cat in the Hat Serial Killer’ Are AI-Generated, Police Say
AI-generated pictures and videos purporting to show one of Dr. Seuss' characters as a serial killer have prompted police in the U.K. and Ireland to state that "Cat in the Hat was not in your driveway."
Celebrated Photographer Jay Maisel Dies at 95
Jay Maisel, the influential American photographer who was the subject of the 2018 documentary Jay Myself, has passed away.
The First-Ever Earthrise Photo Was Taken 60 Years Ago on a Film Camera by a Robot Spacecraft
60 years ago, a robotic spacecraft captured the first Earthrise photo -- a stunning view that the Artemis II crew recreated earlier this year.
Film Lab Robbed of Camera Gear After Suspects Smash Through Door With Garbage Cans
A film lab and camera store was burglarized overnight, with surveillance footage showing two people using garbage cans to smash their way into the store before filling them with stolen camera equipment.
Photographer Builds ‘Place Your Best Photo Finally Gets the Audience it Deserves’
Award-winning landscape and nature photographer Greg Boratyn is best known for his photography skills, but he's also now putting his background in software development to work with a new digital photography platform, grid.photo, designed to provide passionate photographers an alternative to Instagram that celebrates photos above all else.
Exhibition Uncovers Historical Photos From a Century of US Deportation Campaigns
A new exhibition chronicles photographs showing a century-long history of U.S. enforcement campaigns that targeted Mexican immigrants and American citizens alike.
The FCC Has Given Insta360 a Big Chance to Dethrone the Dominant DJI
According to the latest BCN Ranking in Japan, DJI made all 10 of the best-selling video cameras last month. Even by DJI's lofty standards, that level of dominance is absurd. In the US, this dominance is under threat from legal issues and competitors alike.
Using AI Slop to Sell Cameras Will Never Make Sense to Me
It's Saturday, and instead of enjoying the nice weather, I'm drawn to my computer to write the equivalent of a deep sigh. Two companies decided to publish generative AI slop this weekend designed to sell cameras, and I will never understand it.
Lights Out in Scoresby Sund: Capturing a Total Eclipse in the High Arctic
“It was just breathtaking,” Wayne says, the awe unmistakable in his voice. “It was the most epic thing I’ve ever photographed in my life.” …
‘Widow’s Bay’ Cinematographer Reveals How He Created The Show’s Distinctive Look
The cinematographer behind the acclaimed horror-comedy TV show Widow’s Bay has revealed how he created the series’ distinctive cinematic look.
Magnum Photographer Spent Three Years Documenting All 42 of England’s Anglican Cathedrals
A remarkable exhibition brings together a late Magnum photographer's images of all 42 Anglican cathedrals in England, capturing their vast, often little-seen interiors entirely in natural light.
It Looks Like HoverAir’s Flying Gimbal Camera Already Got Banned in the U.S.
The HoverAir Versa, which was announced in July, was advertised as the world's first "flying pocket camera." The first word in that description may have gotten the company caught up in a recent drone ban, as it appears to already be pulled for U.S. customers.
Aphera Is a RAW Editor for Photographers Who ‘Chase Feeling Over Formula’
Aphera is a new RAW photo editor built natively for macOS that prioritizes speed and handcrafted editing over complexity.
Another Photo Contest Falls Victim to a Controversy of its Own Making
DarkSky International's Capture the Dark 2026 photo contest undoubtedly featured some beautiful photos of the night sky captured by talented photographers. However, since the winners were unveiled last week, controversy has reared its ugly head.
Sony’s Sensor Factory Is Back to Full Operation After Major Earthquake
Last month, a major 6.8 earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan. It caused serious damage to multiple structures and forced the evacuation of Sony Semiconductor's facility, which is located in the region. Nearly a month later, the factory has returned to full operating capacity.
Kodak Ektapan 100 Is a Smooth, Sharp, and Beautifully Detailed Film
This week we are taking a look at Kodak TMax 100 black and white film (also now known as Kodak Ektapan 100). TMax 100 is part of a family of films that includes both TMax 400 and TMax P3200 films.
Nikon’s Japan-Exclusive Nikkor Z Wooden Lens Stand Is Gorgeous
I've already complained about how Japanese photographers get much better camera company merchandise options than us Americans, and I'll do it again, too! Nikon Direct, the company's Japanese shop, has awesome new wooden display stands for Nikkor Z lenses, and I want them.
You Can Definitely Buy a ‘Banned’ DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Camera In the US
There's been a lot of attention given to the fact that DJI has yet to officially launch its Osmo Pocket 4 and Osmo Pocket 4P gimbal cameras in the United States. However, that isn't stopping Americans from getting them anyway.
12 Discounted Full-Frame Lenses Great for Landscape Photography
Landscape photography is among the most popular genres, and for good reason. It's a great way to get out and enjoy nature, and having success doesn't require the fastest and most powerful cameras. Here are a dozen discounted full-frame wide-angle zoom lenses for Canon RF, Sony E, Nikon Z, and L-Mount mirrorless cameras that are excellent options for landscape photographers.
Alex Brandon Named AP Chief White House Photographer
Photographer Alex Brandon has been named the Associated Press chief White House photographer after Evan Vucci stepped away from the role earlier this year.
Photographer Captures Day-Old Goslings Leaping From Their Nest
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has shared a series of amazing pictures that show six brave goslings taking a leap of faith.
Nine Million Photos of People’s Faces Discovered in Exposed Database
A website that helps to identify people using just a photo was found to have a massive database of images unsecured on the web.
Royal Navy Photographers Don’t Have a Nice Word to Say About AI
To mark World Photography Day, the Royal Navy has published a compelling short documentary that lifts the lid on what it's like to work as a photographer in Britain's naval force.
SmallRig’s Tribex Tripod Collab with Potato Jet is Now Also a Monopod
SmallRig has announced the Potato Jet Tribex Pro Monopod, which takes the single-handle clutch mechanism that was introduced in the Tribex Tripod and applies it to a photo or video monopod.
The Godox P100 is a Portable Color Printer That Fits in Your Pocket
Godox has announced the P100 Portable Color Photo Printer, a pocket-sized dye-sublimation printer that promises high-quality photo prints fast while photographers are on the go.
Brightin Star’s Luxurious New 35mm f/1.7 M-Mount Lens Is Coming Soon
At CP+ 2026 in February, Brightin Star announced a new APO 35mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens for Leica M-Mount cameras. The stylish new lens is finally available to order, and unlike Brightin Star's typical lenses, it is launching first on Kickstarter.
So Who Won, DJI or Insta360? Featuring Becca Farsace | The PetaPixel Podcast
This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, the Sony FX5 is officially delayed, Kodak has been profitable for a year straight, and a former Sony executive shares that back before it took over mirrorless with the E-mount, another company suggested they team up rather than Sony strike out on its own.
Canon Has Increased Its Massive Digital Camera Market Share Lead
Thanks to the Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA), photographers get a lot of interesting data each month about how many cameras and lenses the Japanese manufacturers are shipping globally. However, for those who want to know who is making each of those cameras, the annual Nikkei Industry Map is the best resource. The latest edition has just arrived.
11 Award-Winning Photos Show Science in Action
The annual 2026 BMC Ecology and Evolution and BMC Zoology photography competition offers researchers out in the field a chance to celebrate the intersection of art and science, showcasing their projects in a visually beautiful way.
Old Photos Show How Air Conditioned Movie Theaters Birthed the Summer Blockbuster
"Always refreshingly cool inside," reads a board outside the movie theater. The photo, taken around 1940, is a clue to how the summer blockbuster got started.
Godox’s New Electric Suction Cup Lets Photographers Put Lights In Unusual Places
Godox's latest lighting product isn't a light at all, but an electric suction accessory that lets users mount flashes and other lights in unusual places.
TTArtisan’s Ultra-Affordable Full-Frame 85mm f/1.8 Lens Costs Just $99
TTArtisan has announced the AF 85mm f/1.8 Neo, a new extremely affordable full-frame portrait prime lens for Sony and Nikon mirrorless cameras. The 85mm f/1.8 prime costs just $99.
The Insta360 Luna Pro Gimbal Camera Aims to Take Down the Osmo Pocket 4
Insta360 has announced the Luna Pro, a slimmed-down, single-camera version of the Luna Ultra it launched earlier this summer. It maintains the Ultra's biggest selling point (the detachable screen) while aiming down-market at the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and 4.
Martin Parr Mural Planned at Iconic Location Where He Photographed ‘The Last Resort’
A permanent mural is being planned in tribute to the late photographer Martin Parr at the iconic location where he created his acclaimed series The Last Resort.
Redditor Who Scraped Photographer’s Anti-AI App Has Change of Heart
Last week, PetaPixel reported that Cara, an anti-AI photo app, had all of its content scraped into a dataset despite the platform explicitly not consenting to the practice. It turns out the story has a happy ending.
NYT Reporter Shocked to Discover VHS Dating Service Tapes Were Faked
A New York Times reporter flew out to Los Angeles to meet the people running the VHS Dates Instagram account, which supposedly digitizes VHS tapes from an "old dating service," only to find the whole thing was staged with actors.
The Dutch GP Has One of the Strictest Camera Policies on the F1 Calendar
The Formula 1 circus is heading to the Netherlands this weekend, the home race of driving sensation Max Verstappen. But keen photographers should know before they go: the event has a very restrictive camera policy.
Two Photographers Spent a Year Planning the Perfect Eclipse Photo and Success Came Down to 30 Seconds
Canadian photographer Liron Gertsman and Texas-based bird photographer Tobias Yoder traveled together to Spain to try and pull off a total solar eclipse photo years in the making. Their success came down to the wire.
Japanese Government Says the Digital Camera Industry Is In Recovery
It's unusual for one country to hold such immense power in a single industry as Japan does in photography. Save for companies like Leica and Hasselblad, nearly all the major camera and lens makers are Japanese. It is little surprise, then, that Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) has a particular interest in the health of the digital camera market.
You Can Play Doom On a 16-Year-Old Canon DSLR
It's possible to run the pioneering 1993 first-person shooter video game Doom on just about anything, even cameras. By using Magic Lantern software on a Canon EOS 550D from 2010, also known as the EOS Rebel T2i and EOS Kiss X4, photographers can install a custom build of Doom on their APS-C cameras.
Google Pixel 11 Pro Review: One Small Step for Phones
Gone are the days of major technological and hardware upgrades from model to model, at least when it comes to the digital camera industry. Smartphones are no exception, and it seems that any annual changes we do see tend to be relatively minor now.