Today we are returning to our regular talks with a long list of new products that have been announced in the past several weeks including new cameras from Nikon, Fujifilm, GoPro, and DJI, many new lenses from Canon, Sigma, and others as well as a host of accessories from monitors to mics as well as more AI magic.
Nikon ZF (00:01:00)
This is Nikon’s first mirrorless full-frame retro camera (Nikon had the Nikon DF which was a retro DSLR that we reviewed almost 10 years ago). Much more recently in late 2021, Nikon released the APS-C retro mirrorless Nikon ZF-C.
The ZF sits in terms of the specs somewhere between the Z6II with the same 24MP sensor but with improved AF and processing that is closer to the new Z8 (but not quite at the same level).
It does have a few other improvements compared to older generations (again think Z6 II) but at the end of the day, it is probably more about the look and feel of this camera and not any specific technical feature.
The Nikon ZF is already available for order for just under $2000.
Official Nikon ZF video
Fujifilm GFX100 II (00:03:47)
This new smaller 102MP medium format camera has a super high res removable EVF (9.4M dot) with 10bit 4K 60p video capability, better AF, official 8-stop IBIS, Frame.io integration, SSD recording option, timecode, and much more.
There is also a new FUJIFILM GF 55mm f/1.7R WR Lens (equivalent to 44mm f/1.3 on an FF camera) that was announced for the GFX line.
The Fujifilm GFX100 II sells for around $7500. The FUJIFILM GF 55mm f/1.7R WR Lens sells for $2300.
B&H video of the Fujifilm GFX100 II camera
Gopro Hero 12 (00:07:55)
This announcement was pretty low level but there are a few new features on the 12th version of the GoPro. These include a longer battery life, improved video stabilization, a new wide-angle lens accessory, and new tools such as vertical capture, 10-bit Log video, timecode syncing, and our personal favorite, a standard tripod mount (1/4″ 20) on the bottom of the camera (sadly with no arri pin holes).
The GoPro Hero 12 Black sells for $400.
Official GoPro Hero 12 video
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 (00:10:13)
DJI introduced the third member to its Osmo Pocket family with a new twist touch monitor, a much larger 1″ sensor, faster AF, and 4K 120p video recording option.
The compact camera also supports 10-bit HLG video and HDR video, live streaming via YouTube and any RTMP platform, Quick Charge feature, three integrated microphones, and built-in support for optional DJI wireless Mic 2.
The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 sells for $520.
Official DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Canon RF10-20mm F4 L IS STM (00:13:27)
Over the past month or so Canon introduced 4 new and very interesting lenses. The first is the ultra-wide zoom RF10-20mm F4 L IS STM lens.
This is the widest zoom ultra-wide angle FF mirrorless lens as far as we know and it is very impressive in terms of size and weight as well. It also has a built-in image stabilizer which is quite unique for an ultra wide lens.
The Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM Lens sells for $2300.
Official Canon RF10-20mm F4 L IS STM video
Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM (00:17:35)
The second unique lens announced by Canon recently is the first ever 24-105mm f/2.8 full frame lens. This lens is bigger and heavier than the f/4 version and is more or less on par in size and weight with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens but has a focal range that allows the user to shoot both full body and headshots from a fairly close distance.
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM sells for $3000.
Official Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM video
Official Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM video with Lindsy Adler
Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM (00:21:55)
Another lens announced by Canon is a fairly compact ultra-long telephoto zoom lens in the form of the RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM. This lens is relatively compact (when collapsed although it does extend quite a bit) and relatively light for an 800mm zoom lens at around 2KG.
The lens has 17 elements in 11 groups with image stabilization and 9 aperture blades. It has an 80cm min focus distance and a 95mm front filter thread.
The Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM sells for $1900.
Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM official video
Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM (00:23:20)
Finally, Canon also announced a compact APS-C RF-S zoom ultra-wide lens that was very much missing for its expanding APS-C line – the RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM. This compact stabilized lens will allow Canon APS-C shooters to go much wider (equivalent to 16mm to 28mm on FF).
The Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM sells for $330.
Official RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM video from Canon
Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena (00:24:29)
Nikon finally joined Sony and Canon with a 135mm fast prime lens recently. The new NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena will be the heaviest (almost 1kg) and most expensive of the 135mm lenses with an 82mm front filter thread, 16 elements in 12 groups, and 11 rounded aperture blades.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena sells for $2500.
Official Nikon NIKKOR Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena video
Nikon Nikkor Z 600mm f6.3 VR S (00:26:28)
Several weeks ago Nikon introduced yet another member of its PF family – the Nikon Nikkor Z 600mm f6.3 VR S (interestingly it has no PF in its name but it does use Phase Fresnel elements).
This lens is the mirrorless descendent of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR DSLR lens but it has a longer focal range and slightly slower aperture with a decreased weight (1470g) and improved AF and stabilization in a native Z mount.
Wildlife photographer Steve Perry published two videos on this lens testing it against other Nikon lenses and was very impressed with its performance (see first and second videos here).
The Nikon Nikkor Z 600mm f6.3 VR S sells for $4800.
Official Nikon Nikkor Z 600mm f6.3 VR S video
SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports (00:30:37)
Sigma had already announced that it is finally working on a new 70-200mm DG DN lens for E and L mounts. The lens which should be announced in the next few weeks includes 15 elements in 20 groups with 6 FLD 2 SLD and 3 aspherical elements will have an inner zoom design and is said to be “lightweight” (more than the DSLR Sigma lens), with low breathing, dustproof and splashproof build and include and aputure ring and 3 AFL buttons.
The lens was officially announced today and will sell for $1500.
Official Sigma 70-200 DG DN lens video
Classic Cooke SP3 Full Frame Cine Lenses (00:32:35)
Not too long ago Cooke announced a new line of compact Cine lenses. This line called SP3 is much smaller and more “affordable” compared to other Cooke Cine lenses. There are 5 lenses in the current line – 25mm, 32mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm prime lenses.
The lenses come in an E mount but there is a user-changeable mount (RF, Leica L, and M options). The lenses have focus scales marked in both feet and meters, 58mm front filter threads, 9 blades, and T2.4 apertures.
Each of the Classic Cooke SP3 Full Frame Cine lenses sells for $4500.
B&H video on the new SP3 Cooke lenses
TT Artisan 500mm f/6.3 lens (00:35:05)
TT Artisan recently announced an interesting telephoto lens – the TT Artisan 500mm f/6.3. This lens is fully metal with a foot and comes in E/Z/RF and L mounts.
The lens is designed for stills but can be used for video as well with what looks like geared focus and aperture rings (it is hard to be sure just from the images).
The lens sells for only $330.
Official TT Artisan video on the 500mm f/6.3 lens
Hollyland Mars M1 Enhanced (00:38:25)
We reviewed the original Mars M1 wireless monitor about a year ago and during IBC 2023 we saw the updated version with improved menus and reduced latency as well as some other small improvements.
Hollyland is still working on a 7″ version which should probably be announced sometime next year.
The Hollyland Mars M1 Enhanced sells for $500.
Official Hollyland Mars M1 enhanced video
Shure SM7DB Mic (00:42:16)
The Shure SM7b has been one of the most iconic voice microphones in the world for many years and is very common for professional live and broadcast work.
Despite its appeal and unique vocal signature, it has one feature that has always been an issue for users and that is the need for a very high gain to make it work properly. With the newly released SM7DB, Shure fixed this issue by integrating an amplifier into the mic itself (user-selectable 18dB or 28dB of gain). The mic also has a bypass switch, as well as four EQ options.
Unlike the original, the new mic does require Phantom power but this should not be a major issue for most users for a mic in this class (or price range).
The Shure SM7DB Mic sells for $500.
B&H video about the new Shure SM7DB mic
New Apple M3 Computers (00:44:15)
Apple had a major announcement recently about its new line of Apple M3 laptops and iMacs. The new chips are faster and based on a 3nm technology (vs. 5nm of the M1/M2) the CPU/GPU core count is similar to the previous gen but the Max variant can now be equipped with up to 128GB of Unified Memory.
According to Apple the performance cores of the new M3 family are 30% faster than the M1 and 15% faster than the M2 (comparing apples to apples – pun intended), while the efficiency cores are 50% faster than the M1 family and 30% faster than the M2 family.
GPU is where most of the improvements happen with a new feature called Dynamic Caching, which promises to increase average GPU utilization and performance by only the amount of memory each task needs at a given time.
We found the behind-the-scenes look at the Apple event at least as interesting as the announcement itself as it was shot on an iPhone but using the same tools that Apple typically shoots its very high-end videos including large drones, dollys and various other tools used typically with Arri Alexa cameras.
You can buy the new Apple M3 computers at B&H starting at $2000.
The official Apple M3 event video
The official Apple M3 BTS video
QNAP TVS-h874T 8-Bay Thunderbolt supported NAS (00:53:37)
We have been using an 8-bay QNAP TVS-h874 for our own storage for quite some time now. This advanced NAS uses a 12-gen Intel CPU with ample memory and is very capable.
Recently QNAP added new versions of this NAS which includes 2 Thunderbolt 4 connections for even faster connecting options. We are not sure if these could be added to the existing model (they are added via a PCI-E card on the back) but they certainly do make the unit more versatile.
You can find more information on the TVS-h874T on the QNAP website.
The units sell starting from $2900.
Amazon replaces Background generative AI (00:57:30)
Generative AI is everywhere and it is now on Amazon as well. The company announced that it is starting to include a service that allows sellers to add different backgrounds to their white background products.
This will likely make some photographers pretty unhappy reducing the need for commercial product photographers for amazon retailers in the near future.
Amazon video on its new generative AI feature
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Iddo Genuth 
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