Aesthetical appealing

Sometimes, camera manufacturers overlook an important point, which can be summed up by a slogan from a popular TV show: "If it looks good, eat it!" In other words, if a camera looks good, people will buy it—even if it's not the best on the market.

This article from The Photographer provides a great example.

Photo courtesy of The Photographer.

By today’s standards, the Nikon Df is far from one of the best cameras available, yet its design is so appealing that if you're looking to buy one on the used market, you should be prepared to pay around $2,000. Keep in mind that this camera was released in 2013 and it's a 16 MP camera. 

...what made the Nikon Df so interesting was that it was a camera purely for photographers. Today, you see cameras that are hybrid devices, offering up to 8K video functions and pushing aside the need for image-makers. The Df did not do that. In fact, it had a lack of video functions, which was initially seen as a drawback. However, in 2025, this has become one of the most appealing cameras 2025.

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.

Photos from last weekend

 Last weekend was a wildlife weekend. Here are some of the pictures I captured:

Duck In Flight

A motorcycle rider passed by, and I couldn’t resist capturing some shots.

 

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.