Pro Photo 230

One of my Covid-era stay-at-home-activities has been editing the forthcoming magnum opus, A Few Of The Legends, by photographer Peter Adams. It’s a 600+ page book that’s been 36-odd years in the making and includes many of the most famous names in 20th-century photography that Peter has managed to interview and photograph. It’s been a mammoth project that, in addition to all that time, has cost close to $500,000 to produce, involved around 250,000 kilometres of travel (much of it overseas) and generated 42,000 film negatives (plus countless digital files). Publication – delayed by the pandemic – is scheduled for August 2021. The editing process proved to be hugely educational… I thought I knew a lot about photography and photographers, but Peter’s face-to-face interviews often reveal little details (or even big…

Fujifilm has added an interesting new model to its X mount line-up of APS-C mirrorless cameras. The X-S10 essentially represents a new category of bodies designed to appeal to users who still want a higher-end feature set, but prefer a more compact camera with a less classical user interface. Fujifilm. describes it as a cross between the X-T30 and the X-H1, giving you some idea of the different combination of capabilities, form factor and pricing. There’s no doubt that Fujifilm is targeting DSLR users here, hence the adoption – for the first time aon an X mount body – of a conventional PASM main mode dial. Like the X-H1 and the X-T4, the X-S10 has five-axis in-body image stabilisation via sensor shifting, albeit a much more compact module than used…

Leica’s Q series of fixed-lens full-frame cameras has been a bigger success than the company originally envisaged, with the Q2 currently one of its biggest sellers. Consequently, a Monochrom version makes a lot of sense, creating what has to be the ultimate digital street photography camera. On the outside, the Q2 Monochrom gets the ‘stealth’ treatment with a matte black finish and a complete absence of badging. Even the discreet model name engraving is still picked out in black rather than white paint. Not surprisingly, the magnesium alloy body is weather sealed (to the IP52 standard) so you don’t have to worry about shooting in the rain. On the inside, the Q2 Monochrom has a B&W version of the Q2’s 47.3MP (effective) CMOS sensor, and the removal of the Bayer filter…

Panasonic has introduced a series of \ firmware updates for the Lumix DC-S1H (Version 2.2), S1R (Version 1.6), S1 (Version 1.6) and S5 (Version 2.0), plus the DC-G100 (Version 1.1) mirrorless cameras. For the Lumix S series cameras the upgrades include adding head recognition to the AF detection capabilities and improved tracking with small or fast-moving subjects. The S1R gains 5K video recording in the MOV format with 10-bit 4:2:0 colour, while the S5 gets C4K recording with the option of 10-bit 4:2:2 colour plus a number of other video enhancements, including a RAW video output via HDMI. The G100 adds support for the Lumix Webcam software. For more details visit www.panasonic.com.au Olympus has issued a firmware upgrade for its E-M1X OM-D flagship, adding a bird detection mode to the camera’s…

Panasonic has launched its first boxform video camera, the Lumix BGH1, which uses the Micro Four Thirds lens mount. The compact cube shape is very versatile in video-making and cinematography, enabling the camera to be more easily configured in a cage with accessories such as an external monitor and recorder. It’s also easier to use with a gimbal or mount in a pro-grade drone. The construction employs a combination of magnesium alloy and aluminium, so the BGH1 weighs in at a very modest 545 grams. However, on the inside the BGH1 has the capabilities of a pro-level video camera, starting with 4K DCI and 4K UHD recording internally at 50/60p with 10-bit 4:2:0 colour. It delivers a 10-bit 4:2:2 output via its HDMI output. The camera records video with a designated…

Making the most of what can be achieved in designing lenses for mirrorless cameras, Sigma has introduced a new line of compact premium primes in the Sony FE mount and the L mount (which it shares with Leica and Panasonic). Designated the I series, there are three new lenses joining an existing model, the 45mm f/2.8 DG DN, that now becomes an I series lens. All four are part of Sigma’s Contemporary line – one of the three ‘Global Vision’ classifications that the lens maker uses to primarily signify the application (the other two are Art and Sports). The three new I series lenses are 24mm f/3.5 DG DN, 35mm f/2.0 DG DN and 65mm f/2.0 DG DN. All three have metal barrel constructions with weather sealing, manual aperture collars and…