Getting a M series Mac for your photo editing?

If you are thinking about getting a M Series Mac for your photo editing tasks you must read this article published by PC Mag. And this is why you should read it. With the release of M4-based Macs, Macs with M1, M2, and M3 chips are being sold at lower prices. So far, this isn’t a secret. The key detail is that Apple is no longer producing M1, M2, or M3 chips, meaning that once current stock runs out, that’s it. When they’re gone, you’ll have only one option: buying an M4. Keep in mind that the MacBook Air is now three times cheaper than when Apple first released it.

This explains why, when I bought the M3 MacBook Air, I posted about the great deal I got. To my surprise, that deal was gone the very next day—and never came back. 

Right now, it's hard to find new M1, M2, and M3 Macs, but you can get great deals on refurbished units. In this case, I’d recommend considering sellers that offer a one-year warranty and checking if the battery was replaced during the refurbishing process.

PS. Many experts consider the  Lenovo Thinkpad X9-14 Gen 1 as the closest competition to the MacBook Air. And guess what, it priced in around $1850 at Amazon.

Nikon Z 8 New Price

 Nikon Z8 is not $3396 at Amazon, that's 15% off the original price. 

The Nikon Z8 stands out as a versatile and powerful tool for both photography and videography, offering high-resolution imaging, rapid performance, and advanced features in a more compact form factor compared to its flagship counterparts. Its combination of cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design makes it a compelling choice for professionals seeking a reliable and adaptable camera.

Canon R5 Mark II $300 price reduction

 Canon R5 Mark II gets a 7% price reduction at Amazon. 

 

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is a versatile and powerful tool for both photographers and videographers, offering high-resolution imaging, advanced autofocus, and robust video capabilities. Potential users should be aware of the reported issues and consider how they might impact their specific shooting needs.

And the winners are...

No, this post is not about the Oscars but about the The Nature Photo Contest Winners for 2025. 

When discussing what makes a great wildlife or nature photograph, many factors come into play—composition, technique, and various other elements. However, one of the most crucial aspects, in my opinion, is being in the right place at the right time. No matter how skilled or technically proficient you are, it means little if the opportunity doesn’t present itself—especially when photographing wildlife.

A perfect example of this is the award-winning photograph Polar Bear Amid Fireweed Blooms by Christopher Paetkau.

 

I'm pretty sure this picture was captured with a drone, and while drone-mounted cameras are far from the best on the market, this is still a stunning photograph. The award is well deserved.

Criminals targeting photographers

This is disturbing news—criminals are targeting both amateur and professional photographers in New York. Interestingly, they are not going after tourists, likely knowing that attacking a tourist would prompt a different response from the NYPD. Another notable detail is that they seem to be specifically targeting those using Sony cameras. You can read more details about this news at PetaPixel. 

Photographers in New York City are being told to stay vigilant after a string of violent camera robberies linked to a crew of thieves.

My guess is that due to their boxy design, Sony mirrorless cameras are easier to identify as high-end gear. In contrast, Canon and Nikon cameras have a more discreet design, making them harder to recognize—especially if you cover the logo and model number with black electrical tape. 

You might need to start carrying pepper spray in Times Square.

Here are some useful recommendations:

• Standard neck straps can be easily cut. Instead, opt for cut-resistant straps made with reinforced materials like steel wire or Kevlar (e.g., Pacsafe or BlackRapid straps).
• A wrist strap or cross-body sling may also be safer than a standard neck strap.
• Instead of just hanging it around your neck, wear it cross-body with the camera resting at your hip.
• Use black electrical tape to cover the logo and model number to make your camera less recognizable as expensive gear.
• A worn or non-branded strap is less attractive to thieves than a strap with "Sony," "Canon," or "Nikon" branding.
• Never leave your camera unattended on a tripod. 
• Even with precautions, theft can happen. Camera insurance can cover losses in case of theft.
  

 

New products from Sigma

 Christopher Frost reported from Japan about new products coming from Sigma, a new 300-600mm and 16-300 mm lenses and the new BF camera that we have covered before in this blog.

 He also shared the first review of the BF Camera that I have seen so far. Check what he has to say about this new camera. 

Would I buy the BF? No. In my opinion, the lack of buttons makes control difficult, requiring too many clicks to adjust settings. Additionally, the camera’s ergonomics are a concern for me. If this is your only camera, it might work for you, but if you own other mirrorless or DSLR cameras, switching to this one could be a frustrating experience.

Regarding the two new lenses: The 300-600mm is an interesting option for wildlife and sports photographers. While this range may provide excellent image quality, I find it somewhat restrictive—especially for photographers who switch between portraits and distant wildlife without changing lenses.

On the other hand, the 16-300mm looks like a perfect travel lens, though I wouldn’t expect it to deliver the same level of image quality as the 300-600mm. Between the two, I’m most excited about the 16-300mm. Unfortunately, neither of these lenses is available for Canon RF cameras yet.

Sigma releasing a new camera

Sigma is releasing a new camera, the Sigma BF. It boasts an exquisite design with a clean, minimalist look, unlike any other camera I've seen.

This full-frame camera comes with a 24MP sensor and an impressive 230GB of internal memory.

While the design is visually appealing, I have concerns about its ergonomics—especially for wildlife photography, where holding the camera for extended periods is crucial.

The Sigma BF camera is priced at $1,999 and is expected to ship in April 2025. This price does not include a lens; however, the camera is compatible with the L-Mount standard, allowing you to choose from a variety of lenses.

More about this camera in this promotional video from Sigma. 

 

 

China is saving the digital camera market

 According to this report from The Photographer. 

...the digital market has seen positive changes thanks to Chinese youth. This comes from the generation’s dissatisfaction with smartphone cameras and their preference for better quality images and videos, which one can only capture with a proper camera. This trend has been more pronounced in China, where large shipments of digital cameras saw an increase of 1.9 million units in 2024, which is about 25%. China now accounts for 28% of the total global shipment value, up 13 percentage points since 2019.

I was expecting an article about how cheap, low-quality Chinese cameras are flooding sites like Amazon, but it turned out to be good news. Even the best smartphones can't match the image quality of a dedicated digital camera. Just invest in a good one and avoid wasting money on poorly made, unbranded models.

Clients be aware

Wedding photography can be a lucrative business, with some photographers charging thousands of dollars for a single day’s session. Believe it or not, many clients are willing to pay that amount to capture one of the most important moments of their lives. Unfortunately, scammers exploit this, preying on emotions and stealing money from those who choose the wrong "photographer." This news highlights how difficult it can be to recover your money once you've fallen victim to one of these impostors.

In a twist to this scam, the so-called photographer actually hired a real photographer to do the job. The photographer completed the work but was never paid. As a result, she is holding onto the wedding pictures until she receives her payment, leaving the bride stuck in limbo.

Rock star sued for posting photos

 Photographers have rights. 

U.S. copyright law plainly states that the person who “authored” a work (or took the picture) is the copyright owner.

And this news is about that. 

If you plan to share or post a photograph taken by someone else, it is essential to obtain permission from the original photographer before doing so. This ensures you respect their rights as the creator of the image. Photography, like any other form of creative work, is protected by copyright laws, meaning the photographer holds exclusive rights to their images unless they have explicitly given permission for others to use them.

Requesting permission can be as simple as reaching out to the photographer through a direct message, email, or a comment on their post. Some photographers may have specific usage guidelines, such as requiring credit, limiting how the image can be used, or even requesting a fee for commercial use. If you are granted permission, always follow any conditions they set and give proper credit by including their name or social media handle when posting the image.

Failure to ask for permission can lead to copyright infringement issues, and in some cases, legal consequences. Beyond legality, respecting a photographer's work helps foster a community where creativity is valued and ethical sharing is encouraged.

New camera for Bird Watchers

Nikon will be releasing by the end of February a new camera specially designed for bird watchers: the Coolpix P1100. According to news posted at PetaPixel: 'Nikon announced the Coolpix P1100, the latest member of its series of super-zoom bridge cameras. It features a massive 125x optical zoom lens that the company describes as the “gold standard” of its class.'

This camera offers an impressive 3000mm equivalent optical zoom and up to 12,000mm digital zoom. For those unfamiliar with the difference, optical zoom is achieved through the physical movement of the lens elements, while digital zoom is created by processing or cropping the image within the camera.

Naturally, the image quality at 12,000mm will be significantly degraded due to the limitations of digital zoom. Photos captured using optical zoom will be sharper, but even then, don't expect miracles. Once you exceed 1000mm, additional factors such as atmospheric haze can further impact image quality.

The camera is priced at $1,099.95.

For birders who prefer a convenient, all-in-one setup without the hassle of changing lenses and aren't concerned with top-tier image quality, this camera is a viable option. However, for photographers who are passionate about capturing high-quality bird images, this may not be the right choice.

Is the digital camera market recovering?

It's no secret that the digital camera market has shrunk in recent years. According to some analysts, this trend is primarily due to the rise of smartphones with better cameras and the impact of the pandemic.

However, a recent report published by PetaPixel indicates that digital camera sales in Japan increased in 2024 compared to 2023.

Canon’s sales volume in 2024 was 151.4% of its 2023 level. Fujifilm landed in second place with an 18.6% market share.

Market Recovery Indicators:

• Increased Shipments: The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) reported that global shipments of mirrorless cameras reached approximately $17 billion in the first half of 2023, marking a 20% year-over-year increase and setting a record high for the third consecutive year.

• Growth Projections: The global digital camera market size was valued at USD 7.16 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2024 to 2030.

The shift towards smartphones with advanced camera capabilities continues to impact the digital camera market, necessitating innovation and adaptation from traditional camera manufacturers.

I believe digital cameras will always have a market, even as they compete with smartphones. The fact remains that, due to size limitations, the image quality of photos taken with smartphones cannot match that of mirrorless cameras. Over time, lenses and digital cameras will continue to become smaller and more efficient, but their superior image quality will ensure their place in the market.

Godox is releasing 3 new flashes

According to a recent article on PetaPixel, Godox is set to release three new compact and affordable flashes.

While I haven’t tested these new flashes yet, I’ll admit I’ve fallen into the trap of buying compact flashes in the past. Although they’re better than having no flash at all, their limited features and performance often leave much to be desired. To put it politely, the results have been far from impressive.

A telephoto lens that has never existed before

 According PetaPixel, Sigma may be releasing in 2025 "a telephoto lens that has never existed before".

In an interview, Yazuto Yamaki, Sigma's CEO, said "..one of the products that excite me a lot is a telephoto lens that has never existed before...” 

Yamaki also said that this would be a lens targeting Sport and Wildlife photographers. 

Canon R6 Mark II price goes down

 Canon R6 Mark II drops by almost $500 now that rumors of Canon R6 Mark III release intensified.

If you are looking for a new camera you can get this deal at Adorama where the price went down from $2499 to $1999. 

The Canon R6 Mark II is one of the cameras recommended by me for Wildlife Photography. 

Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Recommended, Full Frame, 24.1 MP non stacked sensor , New ($1999), Used ($2029-$1949), Dual Card Slot. Includes In Body Stabilization. Good Low Light Performance. Auto Focus in this camera is more sophisticated than the one included in the R6 Mark I. 30 FPS in Electronic Mode. It uses the LP-E6NH Battery. Very low Rolling Shutter. No fully weather sealed. 

Paul McCartney, the photographer

Almost everyone on Earth knows Paul McCartney as the legendary musician and former Beatle. However, what many may not realize is that he's also a talented amateur photographer.

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm is an unprecedented exhibition, revealing extraordinary photographs taken by the beloved musical icon. Organized by the National Portrait Gallery in London, the exhibition will open at the Portland Art Museum on September 14, 2024, and run through January 19, 2025.

From the few his pictures that I have seen published in many articles around the web I can say that his composition is nice and reflect the history of the group during that time period from 1963 to 1064.