Back in April, Fujifilm said they’d be releasing firmware updates for several cameras
and the firmware updates for the Fujifilm X-H1 and X-T2 are now available for download.
The updates reflect the feedback received by Fujifilm X Series users with regards to improving usability and adding new functions.
Both firmware updates can be accessed via the Fujifilm website.
There’s a new budget autofocus lens from Samyang that’s designed for Sony mirrorless shooters.
The Samyang AF 24mm f/2.8 FE is a Full-Frame Sony E Mount lens that’s lightweight, small and reasonably priced.
Inside the new 24mm lens you’ll find 7 elements in 7 groups as well as three aspherical lenses and two high refractive lenses. Plus, the Ultra Multi Coating helps to minimise chromatic aberrations and unnecessary light dispersion.
Other stand-out features include a quiet autofocus system and a minimum focus distance of 24cm.
The Samyang AF 24mm f/2.8 FE, which weighs in at 93g and measures just 37mm long (without the hood and rear cap), will be available from July for £279.99.
Leica has announced the SF 60 flash unit and SF C1 remote control unit for use with Leica S, SL and M systems, they can also be used in combination with Leica Q and Leica CL.
While the flash unit provides an extensive range of options for flash-photography in a compact form, the remote control unit enables off-camera flash with the SF 60 and provides countless additional creative opportunities.
The SF 60 weighs 300g and a height of 98mm. It offers TTL flash, HSS to 1/8000s, flash head with tilt swivel function, a zoom reflector, integrated diffuser and reflector card and a master/slave capability. It has a guide number of 60 at ISO 100. It can also offer constant LED light output for video recording in low light. It’s powered by 4 AA batteries.The Leica SF C1 remote control unit adds a multitude of creative options. It is mounted on the hot shoe of the camera and enables wireless remote control of SF 60 flash units in the 2.4-GHz frequency band. The flash units can be organised in up to seven channels, each with three groups, and controlled either together or separately with the same or different settings. Photographers can use all functions of all the flash units, just as if they were mounted on the camera.
Both units are now available for purchase from authorised Leica UK stores and dealers, and online at the Leica Store for the following prices:
Leica SF 60 flash unit – £450 including VAT
Leica SF C1 remote control unit – £250 including VAT
Meike have announced the MK-X1EM, a new hand grip for Sony A cameras
The new grip can be used with Sony a9, a7 Mark III, and other a7 models. It’s designed to improve the comfort of the grip. The bottom of the grip has a 1/4 inch screw hole for use with tripods. There is also a quick release slider on the bottom for easy use with tripods.
The MK-X1EM is available on Amazon for £57.99
Sigma has announced the pricing for the 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro lens.
The lens, first revealed at CP+ in February 2018, is the long-awaited first macro optic in the Art line of lenses. It will be available for £499.99 including VAT. Canon mount will be available at the end of May and Sigma mount in June. A Sony FE mount is also in the works.
The lens will also be dust and splash proof. The focus-by-wire system eliminates the direct mechanical connection between the focus ring and the focus drive system. Controlled by SIGMA’s latest algorithm, a newly developed coreless DC motor adjusts focus with optimal speed and low noise. Full-time manual focus is available even during autofocus, allowing the photographer to make minute focus adjustments simply by turning the focus ring.
Meike have announced a new version of the 50mm f/1.7 lens for full frame Sony mount cameras.
This prime manual lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.5m and consists of 5 groups in 6 elements, with a 52mm filter thread.
Earlier in 2018, the mirrorless version of the lens was released in several mount options.
The lens is priced at £114.99 and is available through Amazon.
Hasselblad has announced that the XCD 21mm f/4 lens, which is the widest lens available for the X1D camera, is available for order.
Hasselblad say the lens will be shipping to customers in mid-May. The lens provides a 17mm full-frame equivalent view, which Hasselblad say makes it ideal for landscape and architecture photography.
Like the other XCD lenses, XCD f4/21mm lens has an integral central shutter offering a wide range of shutter speeds and full flash synchronisation up to 1/2000th second.
The XCD 21mm f/4 lens can be ordered now for £3299.
The Samsung PRO Endurance microSDHC / microSDXC is a new memory card that offers users up to 128GB of storage space and delivers read speeds of up to 100 MB/s as well as FHD recording and 4K support via write speeds of up to 30 MB/s.
Even though the memory card can be used in smartphones and cameras, it’s actually designed with Dashcamowners in mind as it can capture 43,800 hours of continuous video recording.
The Samsung PRO Endurance offers 25 times higher endurance than previous speed-focused cards, comes with a limited warranty up to five years and features Samsung’s 4-Proof protection making it water, temperature, magnetic and x-ray-proof.
The PRO Endurance memory cards are now available, starting at £30.99 for 32GB, £58.99 for 64GB and £111.99 for 128GB. For more information, visit the Samsung Memory Card website.
Meike have announced their first auto-focus lens for Canon EF mount cameras.
The MK-85mm f/1.8 lens is a full frame optic that offers AF capability. It features a construction of 6 groups with 9 elements and has a 28.5 degree angle of view. The minimum focus distance is 0.85m and a filter thread size of 67mm.
No pricing or availability has been announced as yet.
Venus Optics has announced the 9mm f/2.8 lens. It’s priced at £499 and is available in Fujifilm X-Mount, Sony E-Mount and Canon EOS-M.
Laowa say this is the widest lens available for APS-C cameras and features a 113 degree angle of view, fast f/2.8 aperture and close to zero distortion.
The extreme 113° angle of view and ultra-fast f/2.8 aperture allows photographers to create impressive astro-photography shots with ease. It also gives photographers a fast and wide-angle option for landscape photography and low-light shooting. For videographers, the compact size of this lens is friendly to the use of gimbals or even handheld shooting without much of shaking. The lens is designed with a 49mm filter thread which gives additional portability for screw-in filters.
The lens is available to order on the Venus lens website. The first 100 orders will get a set of Laowa 49mm filters for FREE (CPL + UV + ND1000). Shipping is expected to start from early April.
The National Photographic Society is now a part of The International Association for Photographers (The IAFP)
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