Lowepro Photo Active Backpacks Designed For Mirrorless & Pro Mirrorless Kits

/in /by

Lowepro has announced a new Photo Active backpack collection for mirrorless and pro mirrorless users, featuring dual-side access panels for quick access to gear. 

Great for a weekend hike or big travel adventure, Photo Active is made for today’s top mirrorless and pro mirrorless kits and more. The range provides go anywhere, carry anything solutions for enthusiast photographers/active creatives who also carry lightweight, rugged outdoor gear.

The Photo Active collection features 3 points of entry for easy access to gear in any part of the pack. The 50/50 gear split provides organization for a wide variety of gear such as cameras, drones, clothing, travel gear, laptops, tablets and hydration reservoirs whilst the QuickShelf™ customizable divider system allows users to easily configure the bag interior for the day’s gear set.

The dedicated CradleFit™ laptop compartment suspends and protects up to a 13-inch laptop in the BP 200 model and up to a 15-inch laptop in the BP 300 model, then converts to carry a hydration reservoir for active outdoor use. The ergonomic, ventilated ActivZone™ back panel offers all day carrying comfort, and the All Weather AW Cover™ protects pack from the elements.

Don’t miss the two harness pockets for sunglasses, sunscreen or earbuds, removable waist belt, tricot-lined top stash pocket for glasses, phone, wallet or ID plus dual side stretch pockets for water bottle/compact tripod and exterior trekking pole attachment points.

Photo Active is available in two sizes, BP 200 and BP 300, and two colors, Black/Dark Gray or Blue/Black.

Pricing starts from £149.95 for the BP 200, and £174.95 for the BP 300. The Photo Active series will be available towards the end of June.

Nikon Firmware Update For Z6 & Z7 Released

/in /by

Nikon has released firmware version 2.0 for the Nikon Z7 and Z6 cameras, bringing eye-detection AF, extension of low-light AF detection range, and the addition of AE tracking in the continuous high-speed (extended) mode.

Nikon has announced firmware update version 2.0 for the Nikon Z6 & Z7 cameras, offering a variety of new features.

The following main functions will now be available through the firmware update:

  • Eye-Detection autofocus (AF) in stills mode
  • Extension of the low-light AF detection range
  • Addition of the auto-exposure (AE) tracking capability to the continuous high-speed (extended) mode 

Eye-Detection autofocus (AF) in stills mode

The new Eye-Detection AF function automatically detects and focuses on human eyes in the auto-area AF (AF-S, AF-C) mode. When the eyes of multiple people are detected, the multi-selector or sub-selector can be used to select which eye the camera focuses on, even when looking through the Electric View Finder. Once the photo is taken, the user can easily verify that the image is in focus by pressing the ‘OK’ button to zoom in on the eye that was the intended focus target.

Extended low-light AF detection range

The new firmware enables even faster autofocus when recording dark or dimly lit scenes, with both still-image photography and movie recording. It extends the AF detection range* from −1 EV to −2 EV on the Z 7, and from −2 EV to −3.5 EV on the Z 6. When the Z 6’s low-light AF function is enabled, the available low-light AF detection range* will be extended** from −4 EV to −6 EV, so it will be able to autofocus with even darker conditions.

Auto-exposure (AE) tracking in continuous high-speed (extended) mode

Previously, exposure was locked with the first shot in a burst of high-speed continuous shooting. Firmware version 2.0, however, adds support for AE tracking in continuous high-speed (extended) mode, allowing the cameras to track exposure just as it does focus (AF tracking). This ensures that all images captured with a burst of high-speed continuous shooting are not only in focus, but also exhibit optimal exposure, even when the brightness of the scene changes during the burst.

The new firmware can be downloaded (free of charge) from Nikon’s Download Centre.

* With still-image photography in AF-S mode, ISO 100, f/2.0 lens, at 20° C/68° F

**The low-light AF detection range will not exceed −4 EV with the Z 7

Meike Announce Metal Hand Grip For Nikon Z6 & Z7 Cameras

/in /by

Meike has announced a new hand grip for the Nikon Z6 & Nikon Z7, a full metal base plate offering extra grip and increased balance to help minimise camera shake when shooting handheld. 

Meike MK-Z7G Hand Grip Key Features:

  • Anti-slip leather-like hand grip enhances comfort when holding the grip.
  • fixes to the camera bottom to increase its weight for anti-vibration and anti-shaking.
  • Features two 1/4 screw holes at the bottom of the grip, which enables you to attach the grip to the camera and a tripod so that shooting is handier.
  • Replace batteries freely with no need to uninstall the hand grip.
  • Size: 133.2×64.8x21mm

No pricing or availability is currently available.

Canon 85mm f/1.2L USM Lens Announced

/in /by

Impressive resolution for every detail

Designed for the EOS R System, the RF mount redefines the possibilities of photography and videography, providing the tools for users to enhance their skills and shoot creatively without limitations. Developed in line with technological advancements and end user feedback, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM uses the RF mount’s advanced possibilities to enhance image quality and communication between the lens and the full-frame mirrorless camera body.

The 85mm short telephoto lens provides the ideal focal length for portraits and a flattering perspective for faces. The RF 85mm F1.2L USM is only the second lens in Canon’s line-up, after the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, to use Canon’s unique BR optic technology, which effectively corrects axial chromatic aberration that is not completely correctable with a combination of traditional glass lenses – improving resolution and sharpness. Ensuring incredibly high image quality for every shot, the aspherical and UD lens elements reduce lens aberrations enabling stunning optical performance.

High-speed, high-quality

The RF 85MM F1.2L USM is one of Canon’s fastest aperture autofocus lenses for its full-frame mirrorless range of cameras. When coupled with the short telephoto length and Dual Pixel CMOS AF, the fast f/1.2 aperture creates stunning shallow depth of field, bokeh and background separation. The lens aperture makes the subject leap from the image, whilst the nine-aperture blade system enhances the subject against the smoothly blurred background, ideal for portraiture photography. The ultra-wide aperture transmits 50 percent more light than an f/1.4 lens for shooting in challenging, lighting conditions – down to -6EV (EOS R) and -5EV (EOS RP) – capturing the atmosphere in every moment.

Using the same ring type USM motor as the RF 50mm F1.2L USM, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM ensures sharp focus is found swiftly and accurately, allowing objects to be tracked as they move around the frame. Coupled with a new microprocessor, which uses a new high-performance CPU and firmware, the lens utilises the EOS R system increasing data transfer, resulting in faster operation and AF, allowing the photographer to capture split-second moments.

Exceptional handling and durability

Incorporated in Canon’s RF lenses is a control ring – where settings are programmable to TV, AV, ISO and exposure setting – adds a layer of customisation, making it ideal for wedding photographers who need ranging settings for both perfect candid moments and beautifully modeled shots. The lens is also equipped with a full-time manual focus ring, which allows manual focusing by turning the focusing ring, without the need to switch to MF mode. Ideal for shooting outdoors, or on location, the RF 85mm F1.2L USM features the iconic L-series weatherproofing, sealing the lens to protect against adverse weather conditions when shooting outdoors or on location.

Award-winning wedding photographer and Canon Ambassador, Félicia Sisco commented, “As a wedding – and portrait – photographer, I need to be able to trust my tools so that I can focus on the subject and tell their story. I have been using Canon’s iconic 85mm 1.2 lens for over 20 years because of its speed and wide-aperture which guarantees beautiful images, even in low light.

“The new RF 85mm F1.2L USM is better than I could have imagined. This lens produces a depth of field and bokeh that is impossible to achieve with other lenses and I already know it will become a staple in my kit bag. It separates the subject from the background and delivers a sharp focus on the subject’s eyes which is simply breath-taking, capturing every special moment.”