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.

Collaborative Spirit

Dani Connor recently published a video answering questions, and she mentioned a few points that caught my attention.

The first is the lack of a collaborative spirit within the wildlife photography community. This is something that has affected me personally—both when I started wildlife photography in South Florida and now after moving to a new place in Central Florida. It’s difficult to find people willing to share information about where to see and photograph certain animals and birds. While I understand the need to protect wildlife, I wish there were more trust within the community. After all, not everyone is out there with a heavy camera and a zoom lens.

The second point is how difficult it is to make money—or even a living—solely from wildlife photography. Many people assume that if you have a camera, you must be making money from your photography, but that’s far from reality. Of all the photography genres, wildlife photography is probably one of the hardest and least profitable.

 

Wildlife Photography vs Environmental Photography

 

Wildlife Photography and Environmental Photography overlap in some ways but have distinct focuses:

Wildlife Photography

• Focuses on animals in their natural habitat.
• The subject is the animal itself—its behavior, movements, and interactions.
• Photographers often use telephoto lenses to capture distant or elusive subjects.
• Examples: A close-up of a bird in flight, a lion hunting, or a macro shot of an insect.

Environmental Photography

• Broader category that includes nature, landscapes, and human impact on the environment.
• May feature wildlife, but the emphasis is often on the ecosystem, conservation, or the relationship between nature and human influence.
• Can include landscapes, pollution, deforestation, and climate change documentation.
• Examples: A photo of a forest recovering from a wildfire, a polluted river, or a wide-angle shot of animals within their changing habitat.

If you’re shooting a Carolina Wren perched on a branch, that’s wildlife photography. If you frame the wren against a deforested background to highlight habitat loss, that’s environmental photography.

Where the past meets the present

 This family came to an event dressed as the late 1800s and made me smile. Can you guess why?