Pro Photo

In our next issue we’re going to be taking a look at the current state of professional photography in Australia and where the industry might be heading in what are still uncertain times. It’s over 20 years since the digital revolution – and it was certainly a revolution – but the effects are still being felt in terms of how new technologies and their spin-offs impacted every aspect of professional photography. It changed both the photographic and business practices out of all recognition and is continuing to do so as the market shifts in different directions in terms of how images are used. Throw in the effects of two years of restrictions and retractions related to the Covid-19 pandemic – which severely hit any aspect of photography related to social gatherings…

The much-anticipated next-gen Lumix GH series M43 mirrorless camera is unashamedly targeting professional video makers, although there are a few new features that will appeal to photographers. Panasonic sees the GH6 as the more compact – and more affordable – alternative to its pro-level video cams, so it’s been equipped with significantly more high-end features and capabilities than the GH5 II. Consequently, as a hybrid, the GH6 is more a video camera that can also do a good job as a stills camera than the other way around. It’s built around a new Live MOS CMOS sensor with an increased effective resolution of 25.2MP – likely due to a BSI-type design, but Panasonic isn’t saying – and mated with the 11th generation version of the Venus Engine processor which is twice…

From the outside, it’s hard to see much that’s different between Leica’s new M11 digital rangefinder camera and the last few generations of models. On the inside, though, it’s another story and Leica describes the M11 as “massively changed inside”, giving it the tag line, “The Legend Reinvented”. Mind you, some things externally have changed, starting with the adoption of a conventional battery compartment in the camera’s base. The fully-detachable baseplate – a leftover from the film-era M-series camera – has finally gone which, in all honesty, is probably a good thing. As on the SL-series cameras, the battery pack itself incorporates the compartment cover, and it has increased capacity claimed to deliver up to 700 shots per charge. In-camera battery charging is now possible thanks to the provision of…

Is this the camera Canon should have built in the first place? There’s certainly some face-saving in making the new EOS R5 C a cinema EOS system camera, but all the upgrades look to be pretty much what everybody – well, certainly video-makers – have been requesting since the R5 was launched and promptly ran into its overheating imbroglio. Not surprisingly then, Canon has made sure that the R5 C can’t overheat no matter what you ask of it… in fact, the claim is “nonstop recording”. Consequently, the biggest change externally is the extra bulk – primarily additional depth to what is otherwise the R5 body – the result of adding active cooling via a fan and venting. Canon is taking no chances here then, and the R5 C gets a…

The first of the Z-mount supertelephotos promised by Nikon has been rolled out in the form of the Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. If you're wondering about its price tag, there’s no doubt you’ll have to dig deep. A built-in 1.4x teleconverter can be switched into place to give a focal length of 560mm at f/4.0. The optical construction uses 25 elements in 19 groups which includes a total of six special types – two with extralow dispersion (ED) characteristics, one Super ED element, two fluorite elements and two with short wavelength refractive capabilities (SR). The SR elements are formulated to refract (i.e. bend) the blue wavelengths of light more than the red and green to more effectively prevents chromatic aberrations. Autofocusing is via a powerful voice coil motor (VCM)…

Canon has gone for bragging rights with the introduction of the longest focal length autofocus prime telephoto lens for a mirrorless camera system. The Canon RF 1200mm f/8.0L IS USM is, by default, also the longest focal length RF lens, and it’s launched alongside the RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM… both lenses clearly aimed at photographers who are going to be buying the EOS R3 for sports, action and wildlife photography. Canon says both the new supertelephotos support 30fps shooting with continuous AF and AE adjustment. Both are also completely new designs leveraging the size and weight reductions achievable with the mirrorless configuration. Nevertheless, the RF 1200mm f/8.0L still weighs in at 3.34kg and is 53.7cm in length, so you probably won’t be attempting any handheld photography with it, even…