Equipment

ZEISS is touting its latest release as a "perfect" portrait lens with serious Macro chops to boot -- a 50mm, f/2.8 model for APS-C cameras sporting Sony E and Fuji X mounts.

Ever since we here at LensRentals first tested a Sony A7R, we were dying to take a look under the hood. Say what you will about Sony as a company, but they create some of the most elegantly-engineered camera bodies we’ve seen. Plus, the A7R is something of a groundbreaking camera, and we wanted to see how they crammed all that stuff into its little body.

Tablet photography is something of an oxymoron for most photographers, but there are those who occasionally (or more than occasionally) snap a photo on their iOS or Android tablet, and Sony would like to help those people take better pictures.

To that effect, the company has released a new add-on that will allow tablet users to securely fasten their QX10 or QX100 lens cameras to their tablets as well as their phones.

For those intrigued by the notion of add-on lenses for smartphones but put off by the bulky design, Apple offers hope with a couple of recently patented designs for swapping camera components on an iPhone without turning it into an unwieldy monster.

The E-M10 wasn't the only announcement to come out of Olympus tonight. Also arriving (and also noteworthy) is the longest superzoom Olympus has ever made, and a new, tougher tough camera -- both of which have some world's first features to their name.

Alright, it's time to set aside all the Fujifilm talk for a moment, because it's now Olympus' time to shine. Debuting tonight is the new OM-D E-M10. A camera that packs features from the E-M1 and E-M5 into a more affordable package that Olympus is proud to call 'the OM-D for all.'

Well, well. Fuji's done it again. They've simultaneously wowed fans and foes with the newly announced X-T1. There's a lot to learn here and a lot to discuss. Let's take a look at some of the details and perhaps more subtle or overlooked points.

For all you hipster and pro photogs out there, I’m sure you already know that the X100S has already been out for quite some time now. So if you’re looking for another one of those lengthy, technical, in-depth pixel peeping reviews about this camera? Then you’ve most definitely came to the wrong place.

This is about a four-month adventure with a piece of technology that the good folks from Fujfilm generously offered to let me put on my left shoulder. A journey through life as someone who makes pictures for a living.

Nikon's release of the D610 was met with a bit of... hostility... from many of the D600 users who were and still are dealing with sensor spot/oil/dust (whatever the heck you wanna call it) issues. But it looks like at least a few D600 owners have been treated to a nice surprise from the company service center.

It's finally here! About one bazillion (official statistic) leaks and one teaser later, Fujifilm has finally announced the much-longed-for X-T1. With a weather-resistant body, a large and powerful OLED EVF and the fastest autofocus in its class, Fuji promises that this camera will make for a "truly remarkable photographic experience."

When DxOMark tests out the quality of mobile phone cameras, they usually classify and rank them as such. There's a whole mobile section to the site where one can compare different smartphone cameras using a different scoring system.

The thing is, the Lumia 1020 is no typical smartphone. Nokia has touted it as a camera first, and it seems DxOMark was listening. When they put the Lumia 1020 through its paces, they tested it as a full-fledged camera. And it didn't perform half bad.

A few weeks ago, we shared a video by photographer Karl Taylor that gave you a behind the scenes look at what a day-long fashion shoot in his studio was like. And even though a few of our readers poked fun at the video's obvious product placement, a lot of people learned a thing or two and came back with followup questions regarding the light modifiers that Taylor was using throughout the day.

Fortunately for us, Taylor was listening, and has produced this very informative follow-up video in which he discusses the differences between his go-to modifiers, complete with side-by-side comparisons.

Well, that didn't last long. Only a few days after Hasselblad revealed the exciting news that a 50MP CMOS Medium Format camera was in the works, PhaseOne has made a very similar announcement. Like Hasselblad, PhaseOne is calling this one a "world's first," only this time the title is "world's first CMOS-based medium format digital camera back."

Will Fujifilm have anything left to say when it actually announces the X-T1 next week? Given the number and detail of the leaks we've seen appear ever since the company teased the camera earlier this week, we're not entirely sure.

Most of the specs and information on the recently-teased Fuji X-T1 that will make landfall on January 28th have already leaked, but the final piece of the rumor puzzle fell into place today when Digicameinfo published the official-looking product shots you see here.

I have learned many lessons in my years as a professional photographer, but if there is one that really sticks out it is that every time I have gone for the cheaper option is has cost far more than I have saved in the long run.

Every announcement out of Hasselblad recently has had the model names Lunar or Stellar attached, and as such has been more mockery than announcement. We'll be honest... we're not really Hasselblad's target market where those cameras are concerned.

But Hassy has something new for us, and it's not a Sony dressed in Hasselblad clothing: it's 'the world's first 50MP medium format CMOS sensor camera.'

One of the things you kind of take for granted with a digital camera sensor is that every pixel is the same size, but Fujifilm may turn that idea on its head with a new RGBW sensor design that uses bigger pixels for white and green frequencies.

We don't like sharing two stories about the same camera in one day, but the Fuji teaser we told you about this morning was followed in short order by a massive photo leak and more spec information that we figured you would appreciate seeing/hearing about.

About six months ago, well-known photographer Scott Kelby switched from Nikon -- which he had shot for many years -- to Canon. The switch has caused a flurry of questions from the photo community, and so today, Kelby asked Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon to stay for a few minutes after they wrapped up an episode of The Grid to help him answer this question.

There’s been a lot of interest in the newly released Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 SP Di VC USD lens. (For those wondering what the initials mean, VC means vibration control, the others all read ‘marketing drivel’.) But meaningless initials or not, with a price under $1,100, a superior range, and vibration control, this lens has created a lot of excitement.

Fujifilm lovers rejoice! It looks like you have a brand new X-Series interchangeable lens shooter coming your way at the end of this month.

Building your own touchscreen, WiFi-enabled digital camera might seem like the most expensive of photo-related DIY projects, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, Adafruit can show you how to put one together for less than $150!

"Do-it-yourself" can mean a lot of things, but for camera dweebs, it's usually entailed some degree of scavenging and recycling parts from factory-made cameras. Grad student and specialty camera builder Kevin Kadooka understands the ease and accessibility of the practice but doesn't think it's sustainable -- eventually we'll run out of old cameras to cannibalize.

Recent rumors indicate that Olympus is getting ready to release some new gear at the end of the month; and now, thanks to the good people at 43 Rumors, we can get our first look at what that gear will look like.

We’re not entirely sure what Sony was trying to do with this video, but we find ourselves sort of …

The CamRanger has been a big hit with photographers, and if you have $300 to spend on a wireless controller for your DSLR then it is a phenomenal option. But if you don't want to spend that kind of money, own an Android device and don't mind hacking a bit of router firmware, you can actually get similar results using this DIY rig for less than $40 bucks!

Considering the plethora of smartphone lens add-ons on the market, it will probably surprise you to learn that new kid on the block Moment and their two lenses for iPhone and Galaxy devices achieved full funding in just ONE DAY. They did this with one simple promise: that these lenses are the world's best lenses for your phone. Period.

Whatever you want to call the emerging category of camera/lens assemblies that snap onto a smartphone, there no doubt it's growing. Case in point: Sony's QX line and JK Imaging/Kodak's SL series will soon by joined by a Vivitar model that made a very quiet debut last week at CES.

There are a few of big deals worth mentioning today that should make a lot of people happy, whether they're looking to purchase a new camera, new lens or new software. And, since we listed them in that order, that's the order we'll share them in.

There are a lot of tips and helpful articles out there about buying your first 'nice' camera, or even how to make sure everything is working well when you get one as a gift, but there's significantly less help for those who are considering buying their first flash. Enter DigitalRev and their "10 Things to Consider Before Buying a Flash."

Within much of the photography community, the Hasselblad Lunar and Stellar are something of a running joke -- rebranded Sony cameras that slap on exotic and/or luxurious materials and sell for thousands more than the originals.

But just in case buying a standard Sony NEX-7 Hasselblad Lunar isn't luxurious enough for you, the company is releasing a more expensive limited edition that will only find its way into 200 hands.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 might just be that unusually sexy gem that will intrigue the masses and add a dash or two of fun into your photography. A camera that is going to have clients talking and friends gawking.

There's one final gear announcement from CES that we just didn't manage to get to this week, and that is the new line of Kodak-branded products that JK Imaging showed off at the trade show. From lens cameras that look an awful lot like cheap knock-offs of Sony's QX10 and QX100, to an updated line of superzooms, a Micro Four Thirds model and a couple of 'rugged' action cameras, here's what JK/Kodak brought to the CES table.

It seems Sony's intent on raining all over Leica's parade. First, the company releases the A7 and A7R -- AF-equipped mirrorless full-frame alternatives to Leica's cameras -- and now Sony is supposedly working on a black & white-only full-frame shooter of its own to compete against the M Monochrome.

One of the most simultaneously exciting and vague photography announcements to come out of CES this year was the official confirmation that Nikon's new flagship D4S is on the way. And even though very few details were revealed -- find out about those here -- attendees were given the opportunity to stare longingly at a D4S that the Nikon folks had brought with them to their booth.

Lomography has low-fi imaging fans all aquiver thanks to a tease for an upcoming mystery product.

The Lomo news page merely shows a hand on a plastic crank, accompanied by an audio file that most listeners liken to the clicking sound of an old movie projector. (Sounds more like a playing card in a bicycle wheel to these ears, but a Lomography bicycle would just be too much to hope for.)

Is the Ladibird an iPhone case, a fully-functioning camera or a cleverly designed smartphone add-on? The answers, in no particular order, are yes, yes and yes. The upcoming device manages the increasingly difficult feat of pioneering a new and potentially useful category by turning an iPhone into a seriously capable portrait camera.

Oh GoPro, the action cam crown must rest uneasy on thy sweaty brow. CES has been flush with announcements of new entrants in the wearable camera market, and now Polaroid joins the scrum with a handful of new models. (All manufactured by Polaroid licensee and troubled asset specialist C&A Marketing.)

Admit it, you've always wanted walk around a rainforest hunting Arnold Schwarzenegger using your cool thermal vision and shoulder cannon, and now you can... sort of. While the shoulder cannon is still pending, and your chances of getting Mr. Schwarzenegger to a rainforest of your choosing are slim, a new smartphone case dubbed the FLIR ONE will turn your iPhone into an awesome thermal camera of your own.

Samsung was the first to announce some of its new offerings pre-CES, but the company didn't let all of its cats out of the bag right away. In addition to the NX30, Galaxy Camera 2 and 16-50mm f/2-2.8 premium lens already announced, Samsung yesterday also refreshed its SMART camera lineup with a few point-and-shoots and two superzooms, one of which packs dual grips and monstrous 60x zoom.

Liquid Image, mainly known for its line of scuba masks with integrated underwater cameras, is getting into the action cam business in a big way with the first model to support media streaming via a 4G LTE phone connection.

Sony is looking to take 4K video into the mainstream at CES this year by releasing its first compact camcorder that supports the beyond-HD standard.

Panasonic is looking to boost its appeal to high-end shooters with a new line of super-fast Leica lenses, starting with a 42.5mm f/1.2 model that was introduced Monday at CES.

The debut model in the newly dubbed "Nocticron" (was he a good Transformer or an evil Transformer?) line of glass is pitched as a portrait-friendly lens (35mm equivalent focal length of 85mm) for MFT Lumix cameras.

One of the cool, though not all that useful, announcements to come out of CES yesterday night was of Lexar's new "world's fastest memory card." The announcement is cool because, well, it's the world's fastest memory card. It's not useful (at least not yet) because chances are very good you don't own a camera that can take advantage of it.

Seeing how well DSLR and mirrorless camera enthusiasts get along, Sony has apparently decided to erase the verbal distinction between the two by sliding its latest mirrorless model into the Alpha line.

The CES announcement train keeps on rolling with another one we saw coming thanks to the ever-increasing accuracy of rumor sites. Nikon has officially launched the consumer-level D3300 -- complete with a few hardware upgrades and a new kit lens -- as well as the long-rumored 35mm f/1.8G full-frame lens and a few new CoolPix models.

After many a rumor indicating that this very thing would happen, Nikon has officially announced that the followup to the flagship D4, the D4S, is in development and will be on display at the company's booth at CES in Vegas over the next few days.

It's a good year for glass at CES in Vegas. First Samsung debuts its first premium 'S' lens, then Fuji comes out with the 56mm f/1.2R, and now Sigma is joining the fray by releasing two new lenses: an all-new 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art series lens and a significantly updated 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Macro lens.

A few months back I got to see the mighty, ever-reigning dinosaur kings of rock, the Rolling Stones. I had a general admission ticket and a small pocket camera, and arrived many hours early so as to worm my way clear up to the front.