Home Blog

NEW from Sigma: Introducing the FIRST Canon RF Mount 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary Lens

Photo courtesy of Sigma

It’s an exciting time for Canon users everywhere – Sigma has officially launched the long-awaited release of their first ever APS-C dedicated standard zoom RF Mount lens: introducing the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens. The equivalent range on a crop sensor Canon camera is multiplied by 1.6x, making it approximately 28-80mm. With that range, it’s the perfect companion for all your travels and optimal for street photography because it’s light and easy to maneuver. We first saw the release of this lens for Sony E Mount in 2021 and Fujifilm X Mount the following year. 

If you’re a fan of Sigma lenses and shoot on a Canon mirrorless camera, but don’t want to use an adapter, this one’s for you! This lens really opens up low-light possibilities with its fixed aperture of f/2.8, when we consider the current available lineup of Canon RF zoom lenses (all of which have variable apertures).   

50mm f3.2 1/4000 ISO 800

Let’s Go To The Beach

Summer has officially begun here in New York City, so we took this lens down to Coney Island and tested it out with the portable Canon R10, which has an APS-C sensor. It’s an excellent choice if you’re ever limited to taking just one lens with you. It’s also great for beginners who are still exploring what type of photography they might be interested in, given the focal length range. You can shoot pretty much anything on this all-rounder from portraits to landscapes, and it will perform well whether it’s broad daylight or an indoor setting. If you’re a big fan of the DG DN | Art Series, you may be missing out on certain features such as an aperture ring or customizable buttons, but this is an ideal lens to keep on your camera for everyday use, due to its versatility and size. Sigma is known to create their lenses with dust and splash-resistant material, which makes them all the more fun to take along for your summer adventures.  

21mm F3.2 1/4000 ISO 1250
This image was taken after the sun went down, you can see the details on the kite even in low-light.

Lens Construction

This lens is petite when you compare it to similar ones! When combined with the compact R10, it’s a great setup for the outdoors and walking around with it is easy and lightweight. It’s just under 3 inches tall and has a filter size of 55mm. The barrel has thermal properties very similar to aluminum, giving you consistent optical performance in any environmental condition. It uses slim internal metal components, offering the perfect balance of lightweight and durable design with robust functionality. Weighing in at just 290g, it was recognized as the smallest and lightest F2.8 standard zoom for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras available on the market, at the time of announcement (October 2021). 

50mm F3.2 1/4000 ISO 125
18mm F13 1/250 ISO 100

In these photos you can notice the varied effects you can achieve with the depth of field.

Fixed 2.8 Aperture  

The combination of a fixed aperture of 2.8 and an APS-C camera allows you to get quite a shallow depth of field, blurring out the background nicely. The lens is capable of creating a nice blur while maintaining excellent sharpness of your subject. The colors look great and it was an excellent location to take scenic wide shots. There’s lots of room to play regarding depth of field between 18-50mm. While shooting outdoors, the AF worked quickly and quite excellently, allowing us to shift focus on different subjects without a hitch. Indoors it was slightly less efficient and did benefit from taking a moment to refocus on the subject between shots – but this is expected with low light levels. Nature shots tend to be a bit easier to focus on due to the variety of textures and contrasts; it allows the AF system more points to focus on when compared to something more even, like a face for instance.  

41mm F2.8 1/60 ISO 100
A close-up of our model's lips.

In The Studio

Since we mostly used the wide end outdoors, we also wanted to test out the lens’ portrait-capturing abilities in an indoor, studio setting. We invited a model to our studio and used a three point external flash set up. The camera’s minimal focusing distance of 4.76 inches at the wide end was a pleasant surprise! You’re able to get quite close and for instance, in the shot below where we focused on the model’s lips, everything looks clear and sharp. At one point I used a powerful flash as the backdrop and I was able to get shots with very minimal chromatic aberration. The lens is designed to support high-speed AF as well as in-camera aberration correction, as long as the camera you’re using already supports it. Despite not being a macro lens, at 18mm the lens allows you to get impressively close to your subject. I really love the difference in the depth of field you can achieve, whether you want your background slightly or extremely blurred. 

25mm F3.5 1/80 ISO 100
25mm F3.5 1/80 ISO 100

Little to no chromatic aberration is present, even on a very bright background.

Who Is This Lens For?

This lens is a wonderful catchall lens when you will be out shooting all day, and just want one lens on your camera. It’s a major upgrade if your current goto is the Canon 18-45mm F4.5-6.3, having a fixed aperture allows you to get much better images in low light situations and overall better image quality. This lens is also a great option for anyone who has been using an adapter to use other lenses on their Canon mirrorless APS-C cameras. While it is technically compatible with full frame mirrorless cameras, it is not recommended as you would be compromising on image size and quality. With that said, don’t rule it out this lens is part of the Contemporary line and is incredibly affordable retailing at $599. You can order it now on our website. Overall, it’s a wonderful and versatile introduction to the RF mounts from Sigma and we’re looking forward to the release of the 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | C later this year.

Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art Lens | Review

New Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art Lens
Photo courtesy of Sigma, shot by Alexandre Souetre.

Sigma has just announced their latest addition to the DG DN | Art line up. Meet the new compact 50mm lens with a maximum aperture of F1.2. While there are a number of 50mm lenses available on the market, we’re delving into all the features that set Sigma’s apart from the others.

A Bokeh Masterpiece

Weighing an astonishing 745g, this lens is the lightest in its class.* Incorporating Sigma’s first ever 13-blade diaphragm, this lens produces bokeh that’s smooth as butter. It corrects various optical aberrations, such as spherical aberration, coma, and distortion, producing mellow, round expressions every time. The aberration correction on this lens is phenomenal (pictured below), delivering natural colors and edges. This holds true even in low light settings. We happened to test this lens out on an overcast, gray day at Brooklyn Bridge Park – perfect conditions for shooting. It began to drizzle mid-afternoon, so we got a chance to experience the excellent weather-sealed build firsthand.

Precise Aperture Control

The rain gave us an excuse to head indoors and check out how the lens performs in a lowlight environment. Aside from producing beautiful bokeh, the 1.2 aperture provides a shallow depth of field allowing you to silence everything in the background and get a clear focus on your subject. In darker settings, you’re welcome to raise your shutter speed without compromising the clarity of your focal point. A standout feature of this lens is the impressive minimization in focus breathing. This is especially useful when recording video, as it gives you a much more natural shift from your subject in the foreground, to a subject in the background. You can see this in action in our YouTube (linked) video.

Photo courtesy of Sigma, shot by Xiao Ting Wu.

Compact Powerhouse 

Every glass element in this 50mm is crafted to be ultra-thin. It uses high-refractive-index glass and incorporates four specially shaped aspherical lenses. It has a filter diameter of 72mm, leaving plenty of room for accessory attachment and creative filter stacking combinations.

Close-up Capability

With a minimum focus distance of 15.8 inches, you can get fairly close to your subject. Sigma has also incorporated floating focus in this prime lens. Through thoughtful optimization of the internal movement of lens elements during focusing, this lens attains exceptional optical quality while maintaining a compact form. You will notice stability in close-up shots, and high-level image quality is guaranteed regardless of the shooting distance.

Photo courtesy of Sigma.

Innovation At Its Finest

Sigma has developed a new system to make the HLA (High Linear Accuracy) smaller but still powerful. The HLA is characterized by its accuracy and quietness. This new system is in both focus groups of the lens. With this innovation, the lens can focus quickly and quietly. You can tell that this lens was designed with its weight in mind, and we love how compact it is. It’s perfect for photographers who value portability and convenience without compromising on image quality.

Take a look at this edge-to-edge clarity! The surface accuracy of the aspherical elements on this lens ensures that your images will never come out blurry or distorted. Image courtesy of Jonny Carillo.

Buttons & Operation Features

Adding to the list of features, the lens is equipped with an AFL button that can be assigned to your preference of function in your camera settings. We found it useful for Eye AF on the Sony A1. Alongside its classic aperture ring, it features convenient additions like an aperture ring lock switch and a click switch, allowing you to toggle between audible clicks or smooth, silent adjustments.

Photo courtesy of Sigma, shot by Xiao Ting Wu.

Final Verdict: Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art Lens

The Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art lens offers remarkable visual precision, sophisticated functionality, excellent portability and is now available for pre-order. In comparison to similar lenses, such as the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 G Master, this fast-aperture art prime lens is a more affordable choice. Would you try this lens out? Let us know what you think in the comments.

* As an AF 50mm F1.2 interchangable lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. As of March, 2024 by SIGMA 

Sony Expands E-mount Lineup with the New FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G Lens

Looking for a compact, everyday lens to add to your gear? Meet the FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens, Sony’s newest addition for full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras. Whether you’re a novice or pro, this high-performance lens is a game-changer. Let’s dive into the reasons why this lightweight lens is turning heads and would make a great addition to your camera bag.

Compact Powerhouse

Weighing a remarkable 440g, the design of the Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens caters to those who are constantly on the move and don’t want to be weighed down. It’s significantly lighter than competing lenses, such as the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II (695g) and the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Lens (540 g). It’s the perfect standard zoom lens for long shooting sessions. Due to its compact nature and versatile range, you’ll find yourself reaching for this staple lens time and time again.

Versatility at Its Best

With a zoom range spanning from 24mm wide-angle to 50mm standard focal length, this lens is optimal for most scenarios; from landscapes and cityscapes to portraits and detailed close-ups. The large f/2.8 constant aperture is a thoughtful addition to the G series lineup, that many will appreciate. It allows for excellent performance in low-light situations and depth of field control. It features a dedicated aperture ring, a customizable focus hold button and AF/MF switch.

Top-Notch Optical Performance

The FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens promises exceptional image quality, with sharpness and clarity maintained across the entire zoom range from corner to corner. This is a lens that refuses to compromise on performance, ensuring that your photos and videos are captured with the utmost precision and detail. Flare, ghosting, and color bleeding are efficiently minimized, ensuring crisp, detailed images as seen in the following image. 

Peak Autofocus Performance

With top-notch tracking capabilities, this lens seamlessly synchronizes with Sony’s α9 III camera at speeds of up to 120 fps1. Whether capturing 4K 120p or FHD 240p videos, it ensures precise and silent focusing, maintaining smooth and uninterrupted capture even at high frame rates2.

Stellar Close-up Capabilities

Thanks to some serious optical fine-tuning, this lens shines when it comes to close-up shots across all its focal lengths. You can get up to 0.3x magnification with autofocus (AF) and even a tad more, 0.33x, when you switch to manual focus (MF). Plus, with the ability to focus as close as 0.19 m (about 0.63 ft) in AF and just a smidge closer at 0.18 m (roughly 0.59 ft) in MF at the wide end, you’ll find that capturing all those intricate details is made easy.

Conclusion

The Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens is the brand’s most compact and lightest standard zoom, with an aperture of F2.8, to date. It offers portability and versatility at an affordable price point. Its silent and quick auto-focus is a highlight feature that can be appreciated at events, for street photography and other situations where you’d want to fly under the radar. The operability of this lens aims to please its users with well-loved features like the auto-focus ring and two customizable focus hold buttons. This lens comfortably allows you to get excellent images over a wide range of subjects, every time – especially when you’re traveling. 

Ready to take your photography to the next level with the Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G lens? Pre-order this groundbreaking lens today and start capturing your world in unparalleled clarity and detail.

 

 
1 Sony test conditions. Maximum continuous frame rate may be lower in some shooting conditions. Continuous shooting speed may vary depending on the lens used in AF-C focus modes.

 

2 Depending on the camera and settings used.

Start Here: Intro to Leica Cameras + Top 6 Reasons Why YOU Should Care in 2024

Leica q3 - Why Leica cameras are worth it

Elevate Your Photography with Leica: An Introduction to Leica Cameras

Over the years, you’ve grown by leaps and bounds as a photographer. Now, you’re hitting a wall. And obsessing over gear doesn’t help. So, how do you rediscover the joy you felt when you first fell in love with photography?  

Not many brands can claim to have changed the history of modern photography. Leica can. Read on to find out what makes the iconic German brand synonymous with adventures in excellent image-making.

The Legend of Leica 

At the beginning of the 20th century, cameras were unwieldy contraptions that required considerable skill and energy to operate. They were bulky, sat on tripods, and their heavy glass negatives demanded punishingly long exposure times. For obvious reasons, the idea of taking photos quickly and discreetly was out of the question.  

Photography Stripped to Its Essentials

The first Leica, a little camera from the Ernst Leitz optical company, a manufacturer of microscopes in Wetzlar, Germany, changed all that. It weighed around 400g (14oz) and was small enough to fit into a coat pocket, making it cheaper to manufacture at scale, and easy to carry around.

The Leica’s design made it quick and easy to use, and brought photography to amateurs, paving the way for the ubiquity of modern photography. Remember, before the smartphone, there was the Leica!  

How Leica Revolutionized Photography

Leicas were small enough to carry around all the time, quiet, quick, and easy to use. They were adored by photojournalists and photographers of everyday life. Street photographers loved that they did not draw attention to the photographer, and war photographers depended on their sturdiness and simplicity. 

Everyone from Henri-Cartier Bresson to Sebastião Salgado has used a Leica. Robert Capa made them famous in war. And pioneers of color photography like William Eggleston have favored them too. 

Of course, no tool will turn you into a master photographer overnight. But a camera stripped to its essentials can help focus your attention on the most essential elements of image-making, which remain the same over a hundred years later.

The Leica Camera Lineup Today

Series Sensor Size Lens Compatibility Viewfinder Type Key Features Recommended Use
M Series Full Frame M-Mount (Manual), Vintage Leica Thread Mount Optical Rangefinder Manual analog-style operation, High precision, Compact size Documentary photography, Street photography
Q Series Full Frame Fixed Summilux Lens Electronic Electronic viewfinder, Light-weight body, Fixed lens Everyday use, Travel photography
SL Series Full Frame L-Mount (Wide Range of Manufacturers) Electronic High-resolution sensor, Fast autofocus, Robust video capabilities, Weather-sealed body Professional use, Versatile photography including video
Sofort Series Instant Film Fixed Lens with Custom Effects Optical Easy to use, Options to share images, Custom lens effects and film styles Fun, instant photography, Social sharing

With the many camera mounts and styles out there, finding your way around a new lineup can be a challenge. So, here’s a quick roundup of Leica’s lineup today.

Leica M-Series: The Classic Rangefinder Camera

Leica M-Series cameras epitomize the classic rangefinder-style cameras that Leica first became famous for. They continue to prioritize manual analog-style operation and higher precision over the convenience of electronic tools.

YouTube player
Leica M-Series: Leica M11

Rangefinders are known for their:

  • Compact size
  • Discreet operation
  • Optical viewfinders
  • Precise focus capabilities, and
  • Exceptional imaging quality.

M-Series cameras can be paired with any manual M-mount lens going back to the 1950s, and even with vintage Leica Thread Mount glass that’s almost a century old.

The Leica M11 Digital Rangefinder Camera is the latest iteration of the M-Series. Updated with the latest digital tools but staying true to the original Leica design philosophy, it remains a favorite of documentary photographers even today. 

Leica Q-Series: Compact Fixed Lens Excellence

YouTube player
Leica Q-Series: Leica Q3

The Leica Q-Series cameras are more contemporary than their M-Series brethren. While marginally short of the optical quality of the more premium M-Series, they make up for it in convenience and ease of use. 

Standout features that set them apart from M-Series cameras include: 

  • The inclusion of an electronic viewfinder
  • A fixed Summilux lens
  • A noticeably lighter-weight body

For those interested, here’s a more detailed comparison of M and Q-Series Leica cameras.

Leica SL-Series: Advanced Mirrorless Technology

YouTube player
Leica SL-Series: Leica SL2

The Leica SL-Series caters to users seeking the versatility of the latest mirrorless technologies with the unmatched optical quality that Leica is known for. The Leica SL2, for instance, combines a high-resolution sensor with fast autofocus and robust video capabilities, wrapped in a weather-sealed body

SL-series Leicas accept all L-Mount lenses. They give you the option to pair with more affordable lenses from a wide range of manufacturers. Of course, you’ll find that you most often get what you pay for. 

The Sofort Line: A Leica for the Smartphone Age   

The Sofort Series is Leica’s most accessible and affordable line of cameras. They’re Leicas for the smartphone era: fun and easy to use, with easy options to share images, and a host of custom lens effects and film styles to choose from. 

The Leica Sofort 2 Digital and Instant Photo Camera is the latest camera in this lineup (also comes in red)

Top 6 Reasons Why Paying More for Leica Makes Sense

Top-of-the-line Leica cameras, such as the M-Series, tend to be fairly pricey. A Leica M11 Digital Rangefinder Camera will set you back $8,995, for instance, and that’s without a lens. Toss in a Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 and we’re already north of $14,000! So why do Leicas cost so much? Are they worth it?

Leicas are Value For Money

A Leica M-Series camera like the Leica M11 can cost significantly more than comparable models from other manufacturers. There are good reasons for this. As, we’ve suggested earlier, with Leica, you get what you pay for.

[1] Unmatched Image Quality 

When stacked against other high-end cameras, Leica’s output is distinguished by its richness, detail, and texture. Leica has kept pace with advances in digital technology, releasing more and more superior sensors and algorithms with every new model, but it is the legacy of German optical engineering that truly sets them apart.

Listen to any Leica aficionado gush about their favorite camera and what stands out are the constant references to the ineffable qualities of Leica glass. The Leica look, it’s soft bokeh and particular color rendering, are what people refer to again and again. There’s no other way to put it: the best Leicas consistently produce excellent images.

[2] Durable Build Quality

Crafted from premium grade magnesium and brass, Leica cameras are not just durable but are destined to age gracefully. The extensive market for Leica second-hands will give you an idea of just how long Leica cameras and lenses can last. Not only do they hold up well, but they also perform just as well for decades. 

[3] Timeless Styling 

Many photographers covet Leica cameras for their timeless design aesthetic. But Leica cameras are not just beautiful to look at, they’re also amazing fun to use. That’s because the Leica design philosophy has always derived form from function.

Leica cameras remain compact, well-balanced, and easy to operate quickly and discreetly. They continue to feel as good in the hand as the best-designed objects of the analog era. Even today, few cameras are more fun to use.   

[4] Access to Legacy Lenses

All Leica M-Series cameras accept M-Mount lenses dating to the 1950s. With Leica’s history of superior lens-making and the incredible longevity of Leica’s lenses, that’s a lot of lens pairing options for the discerning image-maker.

Like most mirrorless models, Leica’s SL-Series cameras are also compatible with a wide variety of third-party lenses via adapters.  

[5] Strong Resale Value

The most expensive Leicas, such as the M-Series cameras tend to last a long time and perform consistently across their life cycle. This means they do not lose value as fast as most other cameras. You could sell your Leica M-Series at a future date and recoup much of your initial investment.

[6] The Leica Community

Beyond the camera, Leica offers entry into a vibrant community of passionate photographers. From the legendary Leica Akademie workshops to user forums and photo walks, being a Leica photographer means having access to a world of inspiration, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities with fellow aficionados and professionals.

Final Thoughts

Leica systems strip photography down to its bare essentials. They return your attention to what truly matters when making images, make photography fun, and help capture extraordinary images every time.

For a complete catalog of Leica products that we carry, head over to the Focus Camera site

While you’re there, sign up for our excellent weekly newsletter. It has all the latest information on new offers, deals, and any upcoming workshops that you might be interested in. Touch base on social media for more updates on all things Leica!

Feature M10 M11 Q2 Q2 Monochrom SL2 SL2-S Sofort Line
Sensor 24MP CMOS 18MP CMOS 47.3MP CMOS 47.3MP CMOS (B&W) 47.3MP CMOS 24MP CMOS Fujifilm Instax Mini film
Sensor size Full-frame Full-frame Full-frame Full-frame Full-frame Full-frame N/A
Best Intended Use Street photography, Documentary Documentary, Portraiture Travel, Everyday Street photography, Monochrome Professional, Sports, Wildlife Professional, Landscape Instant photography, Fun, Casual
Highlight Feature Rangefinder focusing, Classic design Full-frame sensor, 4K video Compact size, Fixed high-quality lens Black & white sensor, Unique tonal rendition High-resolution sensor, Fast autofocus High video resolution, Lightweight body Instant prints, Creative effects, Sharing options
Viewfinder Optical rangefinder Optical rangefinder Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
ISO range 100-6400 64-50000 100-50000 100-25000 100-50000 50-50000 N/A
Max shutter speed 1/4000 sec 1/16000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/2000 sec 1/4000 sec 1/8000 sec N/A
Video No 4K at 30fps 4K at 30fps 4K at 30fps 5K at 30fps 4K at 60fps N/A
Weight 660g 680g (black), 600g (silver) 718g 718g 840g 740g 280g (Sofort 2)
Price ~$6,000 ~$8,995 ~$4,295 ~$4,795 ~$5,995 ~$4,395 ~$300 (Sofort 2)
Mirrorless/DSLR Rangefinder Rangefinder Mirrorless Mirrorless Mirrorless Mirrorless N/A

Sample Photos Taken on Leica SL2

Take your photography to the next level with Leica gear and accessories. Leica cameras and lenses are renowned around the world for the finest image-making and build quality. Most importantly, their compact designs and elegant modern engineering make taking pictures fun for both professionals and amateurs.    

Portrait Photography Basics – 5 Easy, Practical Tips

Doing portrait photoshoots as a new photographer is tough. You have to work one-on-one with subjects to capture their persona, manage your equipment, and appear confident and in charge (even if you don’t feel that way). So, to ease your pain, we made a portrait photography basics cheat sheet with 5 practical tips.

1. Shoot In Manual

We shouldn’t have to say this. Yet, we do find ourselves having this conversation relatively often: do not shoot in automatic mode.

We understand why a new photographer would want to switch their camera into automatic and focus exclusively on positioning their model. However, it’s impossible to get the shots you want and need if the camera runs the shoot.

A lot of key elements come together to make a well-composed portrait including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. If you’re not 100% sure what all of this means and want a better understanding of the basics, we recommend you check out our post on the exposure triangle.

Focus Exposure Triangle

2. Experiment With Moods & Expressions

Repeating “ok now give me a big smile!” for an hour will not only give you limited results but also annoy your subject. Come prepared with prompts that provide opportunities for varied moods and expressions—happy, laughing, serious, thoughtful, loving, peaceful, etc. 

Keep in mind that everyone’s preferences are different. Perhaps they’re not crazy about their smile and prefer a more serious shot. Unless you already know your subject well, you won’t know those personal details until you’re mid-shoot.

Also, be sure to keep photographing as the person transitions through different emotions. Often, a genuine moment comes mid-direction or when a person laughs at themselves for unintentionally making a silly face.

Portrait Photography Tips 1

3. Know The “Classic” Portrait Formula

There is an easy formula to follow if you want to take a “classic” portrait: simply keep your subject at an angle. 

Start by positioning their feet diagonal to where you plan to take the shot—the rest of their body will follow. Your subject will naturally turn their face to you while their chest stays at an angle. Voilà! That’s it.

This form of portraiture has gone to the wayside in favor of more active poses (see #4). However, it’s still a good skill to have in your arsenal for headshots and school portraits.

4. Get Your Model Moving

The background of your portraits doesn’t have to an aesthetically pleasing blur. You can also incorporate your environment as long as it doesn’t take away from the person paying you to take their photo.

If possible, let your model sit, lean, climb, jump, and get inspiration from the surroundings. This rule applies to you, the photographer, as well. Move around the space and take photos at various distances and angles. The worst-case scenario is that they’ll never see those experimental shots. Best-case, you capture something really special.

5. Choose The Right Lens

The last tip on our list is arguably the most important. Make sure you own a lens that will facilitate the intended look and feel of the portraits. Commonly used portrait lenses are often in the 50mm-200mm range with a wide aperture. A couple of good examples are the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Full-Frame Lens, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens, or the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E.

We hope you found this portrait photography basics roundup helpful! If you have any other practical tips that you want to share, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Sony FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS: Premium New E-Mount Telephoto Lens From Sony 

The best modern lenses are sharp, fast, and light. Toss in cutting-edge auto-focus and electronic image stabilization, and it’s easy to see why they so often outshine their classic counterparts. Nowhere is this clearer than in the case of long lenses.    

Sony’s FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is the lightest 300mm F2.8 lens available for mirrorless full-frame cameras. Part of Sony’s G Master series of lenses, the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS offers the highest image quality of Sony’s entire lineup. It’s also a joy to handle.    

If you photograph action, sports, or birds, this one’s for you.   

Photo: courtesy of Sony

Lightest Large Aperture Tele for Mirrorless Full Frame Cameras 

Dig the longer reach and compression of a tele, but are put off by its unwieldy bulk? You’ll certainly appreciate the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS.  

Weighing in at just 51.9 oz (1470 gm), the FE 300mm F2.8 is the lightest large-aperture 300mm lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras available today. With significantly reduced fatigue, you’ll remain sharp all day, improving your odds of grabbing that perfect shot. 

Excellent Ergonomics and Handling 

The FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is beautifully balanced. It handles extremely well in either vertical or horizontal orientations and has a range of sophisticated autofocus and optical image stabilization features to ensure your images are always tack sharp. This makes it an excellent lens for shooting handheld.

Photo: courtesy of Sony

Features that make the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS great for shooting handheld include:   

  • Algorithmically enhanced autofocus 
  • Function ring access to power focus 
  • Repeatable, linear manual focus ring 
  • Full-time direct manual focus access 
  • 4 customizable focus hold buttons
  • Focus range limiter switch 
  • 3 Mode optical image stabilization 

The Highest Level of Optical Performance 

The FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is the 18th lens in Sony’s much-loved G Master lineup. GM lenses offer the highest optical quality lenses Sony has to offer, and the FE 300mm F2.8 doesn’t disappoint.  

The FE 300mm features:  

  • 3 Super Extra Low Dispersion glass elements 
  • 1 Extra Low Dispersion glass element 
  • An 11-blade circular aperture 

The lens delivers outstanding edge-to-edge resolution and contrast with minimal optical aberration. If you like Sony’s color science, it renders wonderfully. And its silky smooth bokeh means subjects pop out against the background, making for consistently striking images.

Photo: courtesy of Sony

The Perfect Companion for Your FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS Lens 

If you’re in the market for an Alpha series camera to mount your FE 300mm F2.8 on, you can’t do much better than the Sony Alpha 9 Mark III today.  

Announced alongside the FE 300mm F2.8, to mark the 10-year anniversary of Sony’s introduction of full-frame mirrorless systems, the Alpha 9 Mark III has a lot going for it. What sets it apart, though, is the global shutter. The Alpha 9’s sensor reads every pixel simultaneously, eliminating annoying rolling shutter issues that ruin a perfect action shot.

 

Photo: courtesy of Sony

For a full list of the Alpha 9’s tech specs check out the product page.  

How Do You Get Your Hands on One?    

The FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is a truly premium piece of kit. Professionals and demanding enthusiasts will want nothing less. Pre-order today to get to the top of the line.  

Once you’re up and running, hit us up on social and show us what you’ve been up to with your fantastic new tools.   

Happy Haunting! Halloween must-haves for creators

Halloween is just around the corner, and content creators know that it’s the perfect time to spice up their streams, videos, and content with a dash of spooky flair. Spooky Szn is when some of the best transitions come to life! Whether you’re a YouTuber, Twitch streamer, or social media influencer, there are plenty of Halloween gear and accessories to help you make your content more bewitching than ever. S/o to @meicrosoft, a very fave creator who has got content creation down to a magical science.

Halloween Creator Looks 2023

1. Lighting That Sets the Mood

Lighting is essential for creating the right atmosphere in your Halloween content. Consider investing in some eerie LED lights or color-changing bulbs to add that supernatural ambiance to your backdrop. With the right lighting, you can easily make set look haunted or enchanting, depending on your content style and Logitech’s Litra Beam LX is the perfect item for a moody tone.

The Logitech Litra Beam LX is a compact and versatile LED light that can add a touch of professional lighting to your Halloween content, making it perfect for achieving that eerie or enchanting atmosphere. It is a dual-lit RGB-capable light that does well to light both the front and back of where it’s placed. When it comes to ambiance the Litra beam LX is the way to go. Let’s get spooky.

@claudipia.of

Hello my name is Wednesday Addams 🖤 en español MERLINA Addams 💀#halloweenlook #merlinaaddams #halloweenmakeup #halloweencostume #wednesdayaddams #wednesdayaddamsmakeup Cc: jharnabhagwani

♬ original sound – MGM Studios
@claudipia.of with a beautiful example of a spooky backlight

2. Costumes That Make a Statement

Dressing up is a Halloween tradition, and content creators are a huge part of the inspiration in helping us cultivate the fun. Whether you want to scare your viewers with a ghoulish costume or make them laugh with something quirky, the right costume can be the highlight of your Halloween content. While planning your costume changes for your streams or videos here is some equipment to help you catch it all.

The PivoMax Video Tracker for Smartphones:

Capture every detail of your Halloween costume with ease using the PIVOMAX Video Tracker. This versatile accessory ensures your costume is always in frame, allowing you to showcase your spooky or hilarious outfit to your audience.

DJI Osmo Mobile 6 Gimbal:

Pre-order the DJI Phone Gimbal and take your costume content to the next level. With smooth and stabilized footage, you can confidently show off your Halloween look, even if you’re on the move.

Koah Joey Mini Extendable Tripod:

For content creators who want the perfect angle to showcase their Halloween costume, the Koah Joey Mini Extendable Tripod (SKU: KO-JOEY) is the ideal choice. With a built-in phone mount, it’s a handy tool for mobile content creators to capture their outfits in all their ghoulish or whimsical glory.

@yahairasarahii Halloween as a grape

3. Spine-Chilling Sound Effects

Create an immersive experience for your viewers with the help of eerie sound effects. There are plenty of royalty-free tracks and soundscapes available online that can take your content to the next level. From creaking doors to ghostly whispers, a well-placed sound effect can send shivers down your audience’s spines. When it comes to sound effects, the possibilities are endless, let’s dive into sound!

Logi Yeti G Microphone:

When it comes to capturing spine-chilling sound effects, the Logi Yeti G Microphone is your go-to tool. Its high-quality audio recording capabilities will help you create immersive and eerie audio that will send shivers down your audience’s spines. ASMR ghoulies!

Sony Wireless Streaming Microphone ECM-S1:

For minimal audio delay and long-lasting battery life, the Sony Wireless Streaming Microphone ECM-S1 is your perfect companion for capturing spine-chilling sound effects. Its wireless capabilities allow you to record with freedom and precision.

Sony ECM-W3 Dual-Channel Wireless Microphone:

Achieve high-quality digital sound recording for your Halloween content with the Sony ECM-W3 Dual-Channel Wireless Microphone. This microphone setup is perfect for capturing every eerie sound effect in vivid detail.

Sony ECM-W3S Single-Channel Wireless Microphone:

On the topic of single-channel recording with high-quality results, the Sony ECM-W3S Wireless Microphone is your choice for spine-chilling sound effects. It ensures your audio is crystal clear and full of spooky ambiance.

Halloween Themed ASMR is a perfect use for mics this season @sassysoundasmr

4. Creepy Cameras and Lenses

Quality visuals are a must, especially for Halloween-themed content. Consider upgrading your camera and lenses to capture every terrifying detail. With crystal-clear visuals, your content will be more engaging, and your viewers will appreciate your attention to detail. Our top-picks:

Sony ZV-1 Camera for Content Creators and Vloggers (White):

Ideally, capture every ghoulish detail with precision, the Sony ZV-1 Camera in white. Its exceptional imaging capabilities will make your Halloween content come to life in hauntingly clear visuals.

Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera for Content Creators and Vloggers (Black):

For the perfect camera to bring your spooky content to the screen, consider the Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera in Black. It’s designed with content creators in mind and offers top-notch performance to ensure your Halloween visuals are as dark and dramatic as you desire.

5. Halloween Graphics and Effects

Give your streams a supernatural makeover with Halloween-themed graphics and overlays. From animated overlays to custom chat badges and emotes, there are countless options to add a spooky touch to your content in apps like Capcut and Picsart.

6. Witchy Webcam Transition

Webcam filters are a quick and fun way to get into the Halloween spirit. Become a witch, a vampire, a ghost, or any other Halloween character with the help of special webcam filters. Your viewers will love the playful transformation!

7. Exclusive Discounts

For those on a budget, many retailers offer exclusive Halloween discounts on all the gear and accessories you need to make your content spooktacular. Take advantage of these deals to enhance your content creation setup without breaking the bank.

This Halloween, make sure to explore the possibilities of turning your content into a spine-tingling spectacle. Your audience will be thrilled with the effort you put into creating something special for the season. After all, Halloween is all about fun, and as a content creator, you have the creative freedom to make it a memorable experience for your viewers.

Don’t forget to share your Halloween-themed content with us; we’d love to see what you come up with! Wishing you a ghoulishly good time creating and sharing your Halloween content.

Happy haunting!

5 Best Lenses for Fall Photography

5 Best Fall lenses

Happy Fall! This season is all about warm tones, nature, and texture + the occasional Pumpkin-Spiced Latte ofc. Photography gets really distinct, special, and colorful during fall and it is truly a transporting experience. We’ve prepared a list of 5 lenses for Fall of photo favorites that are truly an immersive experience for your photos this autumn! Though the lenses featured are Sony, the focal lengths are transferrable to other systems to emphasize stunning composition.

Fall photography shines because it emphasizes a lot of landscape and detail, so the featured lenses are zoom-focused, intended to help you grab the perfect shots while outdoors. Pair this in combination with the Best Lighting Techniques for Outdoor Photography and capture stunning images this Fall!

In no particular order, the top 5 fall lenses are:

Real Feel:

5 best lenses for Fall
16-35mm

Two lenses in the list are dedicated to short focal ranges, this is intentional as they are the most immersive! The inclusion of these lenses was so important because they emphasize the real feel of the human eye view. Particularly the 16-35 mm and the more mid-range 24-105 mm. These are fan favorites for many landscape photographers (we researched!) and here’s a visual of why! 

16-35mmm

The 16-35mm frames the grandeur of autumn landscapes and dives into the fine textures of the season. This particular lens’s immersive focal length ensures that every shot feels like a journey into the heart of fall. A 547 g lens it holds the coveted title of being the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame F2.8 wide-angle zoom lens.The 16-35 reigns supreme for shots like that below. With a wide f/2.8 aperture, precise autofocus, image stabilization, and an optical design, it ensures stunning image quality on both full-frame and APS-C sensors.

5 best lenses for Fall
24-105mm
24-105mm

The 24-105mm lens is a versatile toolkit to have in your camera bag. From capturing the intricate details of a single leaf to framing a larger slice of the fall scene, this lens does it all. Adaptability and ability to deliver stunning, true-to-life shots make this zoom lens a very valuable addition to the “Best lenses” list.

The Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS lens offers a versatile aperture range from f/4 to f/22, designed for Sony E-Mount cameras in full-frame format. With Optical SteadyShot stabilization, a G lens design for high-resolution corner-to-corner shots, Nano anti-reflective coating, 3 ED glass elements, and a 9-blade circular aperture for stunning bokeh, this lens makes the shot easy!

Telephoto Zoom:

& now three remarkable telephoto lenses from Sony! These lenses aren’t just critical tools when outside; they’re more like gateways to capturing the distant beauty of autumn in glory. Each lens offers a unique perspective, from up-close details to sweeping vistas, allowing you to create photos that transport viewers right into the heart of the fall season. Telephoto is particularly important to fall photography when getting those wildlife shots or unique pictures of dramatic scenery that require you to be far away.

Like, you wouldn’t want to get too close to a polar bear …

70-200mm

Like that featured below, the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Full-Frame Telephoto Zoom Lens is a remarkable mid-range lens of the telephoto choices. Its advanced optical design, featuring aspherical and ED elements, produces gorgeous bokeh thanks to the F2.8 aperture and 11-blade circular aperture unit. The lens boasts precise autofocus, courtesy of four XD linear motors, making it ideal for both stills and movies. 23% lighter than its predecessor, the 70-200mm offers professional control with features like full-time manual focus, linear response, and an aperture ring with a switchable click. Accordingly, it excels in close-up photography with a minimum focus of 1.32 ft at 70mm and 2.69 ft at 200mm, achieving a maximum magnification of 0.3x.

5 best lenses for Fall
70-200mm
100-400mm
5 best lenses for Fall
100-400mm

Sony Alpha FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM Super Telephoto Zoom Lens strikes a perfect balance between reach and portability. An excellent choice for versatile fall landscape photography. With a focal range of 100-400mm, it’s the lens to go for when you need to switch between different perspectives seamlessly.

Featuring a maximum magnification of 0.12-0.35x, this lens excels in capturing intricate details and expansive vistas alike. Weighing approximately 49.3oz (1395g), it’s a lightweight option for a super-telephoto lens. This lens offers both autofocus and manual focus options, providing precise control over your shots.

200-600mm

The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Super Telephoto Zoom Lens is a true powerhouse when it comes to capturing distant subjects and wildlife in incredible detail. With a focal range of 200-600mm, it provides an impressive angle and zoom on the tiniest details. And, with a maximum magnification of 0.2x paired with an 11 circular diaphragm blades create beautiful, smooth bokeh.

The lens is designed for Sony E-Mount cameras and is ideal for full-frame sensors. Weighing approximately 4.66 lbs (2.115 g), it’s robust yet manageable for a super telephoto zoom. Its field of view and AF makes this lens perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects. And with built-in image stabilization, you can achieve sharp shots even at longer focal lengths.

Conclusion

Whether you’re capturing wildlife in its natural habitat or getting up close to distant landscapes, this lens lineup provides the reach and performance you need to make your shots truly spectacular. From the immersive, world’s smallest and lightest full-frame F2.8 16-35mm zoom to the powerful reach of the 200-600mm super-telephoto lens, these lenses provide exceptional focal range for outdoor photography. Coupled with their unique features, including image stabilization and advanced optical designs, they offer a gateway to capturing the beauty of autumn with unmatched clarity and creativity. Whether you’re focusing on wide vistas, intricate details, or anything in between, these lenses are your keys to crafting stunning fall photography.

Of the 5 fall lenses presented in this article, which stands out the most? Conversely, If you have personal experience, Tell us below!

A Gamer’s Perfect Set-Up: New Yeti Microphones + Litra Beam LX

Yeti Mic for streaming

With nearly 7.6 million streamers on Twitch alone, gaming has evolved from what was once an intimate living room session to a massive shared spectacle with global couch surfers. Records are countlessly being broken as we speak, like that of the young star Kai Cenat who continues to stream past the former ceiling hitting 300,000 subscriptions on Twitch- Go Kai! But, outside of likable personality, what sets you up for success when you’re streaming, creating, and going live? 

Your setup.

Keeping things fun as a creator is a part of the job, and keeping content current is a part of the work. But, Logitech’s new Yeti GX, Yeti Orb, and Litra Beam LX bring fun to streaming in the simplest of ways. It’s the thing you don’t have to think about, the ambiance, and efficiency that uniquely elevates your Youtube, TikTok, Twitch, and endless amounts of other streams. And this applies to ASMR, gaming, educational, and musical categories alike.

Yeti GX, Yeti Orb, Litra Beam LX | Logitech Promotion.

The New Yeti Lineup

The Blue Yeti Microphone is no stranger to the creator world, it’s been dominating streaming for quite some time. Proudly its successor, the Yeti GX has officially arrived. With a sleeker build, RGB lighting, and GHub software controller the Yeti has elevated in ergonomics as well as sound. Noise and key click rejection have optimized this mic for Gamers. And the glorious return is accompanied by friends! See below the Litra Beam LX and Yeti Orb.

The Litra Beam LX is a lighting genius. A thoughtful lamp bringing not only fun colorways but a soft-box (link to Softbox) like essence into a compact product body. With its TrueSoft Technology, the front-facing key light brings cinematic color and advanced diffusion into play. Goodbye, harsh shadows! Hello Vibrancy. Accompanied with a backlight capable of 16 million color combinations, the LX is a game-changer. Puns intended.

And, The Yeti Orb, is not only cute and compact but powerful. And, who doesn’t love that? With RGB lighting, Blue VO!CE presets, and a quick plug-and-play setup. This successor to the Yeti Snowball is a fanciful upgrade emphasizing modern sound and feel. With the Yeti Orb, it’s easy to be camera-ready.

Now when you Preorder any of these items get the chance to win an EPICBOOM. Offer ends 9/29.

In the dynamic world of streaming and content creation, staying at the top of your game is an around-the-clock job. Logitech’s Yeti GX, Yeti Orb, and Litra Beam LX are the secret ingredients to elevating your content. An exceptional streaming setup makes all the difference helping you reach new heights in the world of online entertainment, and the new lineup clearly delivers. Are you ready to step your game up?

Check out some product spex below comparing the Blue series to the latest Logitech G release.

Product Highlights

 

New from SIGMA: The First Telephoto Lens?

23mm F1.4 DC DN Sigma Fujifilm X Mount

Exciting News for Fujifilm X Mount Users! Sigma introduces two new lenses: The 23mm F1.4 DC DN and 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS. Elevate your Fujifilm lens lineup with Sigma’s newest additions to the Fujifilm X mount series.

Sigma now has six Fujifilm x Mounts, the newest being two contemporary additions that are phenomenal in design and sharpness.

All X mount aficionados! Prepare to capture moments like never before with two outstanding lenses that bring innovation, performance, and versatility to your photography toolkit.

📸 1. 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary for FUJIFILM X Mount Step into a world of creativity with the remarkable 23mm F1.4 DC DN lens. This APS-C format lens marks a significant expansion of SIGMA’s high-quality, fast-aperture prime offerings for crop-sensor mirrorless camera systems. Designed with precision, this lens sets a new standard in optical performance within SIGMA’s DC DN line.

Unleash your artistic potential with its F1.4 maximum aperture, delivering unparalleled resolution and stunning bokeh effects. Equipped with a field of view equivalent to 35mm on a full-frame camera, the 23mm F1.4 DC DN | C introduces the classic 35mm focal length to APS-C mirrorless cameras, making it perfect for a wide range of creative applications.

🔍 2. 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary for FUJIFILM X Mount For those who crave the thrill of capturing distant subjects in breathtaking detail, meet SIGMA’s first Ultra-telephoto zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. Ideal for wildlife, sports, and more, the 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | C lens is a game-changer in ultra-telephoto photography.

Joining the esteemed ranks of DC DN lenses, this addition completes the lineup with an impressive six models for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Boasting uncompromising image quality and a comprehensive range of functions, this lens ensures ultra-telephoto photography is both smooth and comfortable.

But that’s not all! Enjoy the convenience of lightweight and compact design, making it easy to take your photography adventures to new heights. Allowing us to explore the worlds of close-up photography and the unique compression effect that this lens offers.

As bonus: We found a unique feature that Sigma offers as a company. A secret that is absolutely too well kept is that Sigma actually offers a Mount Conversion service, allowing you to adapt these lenses to different camera mounts and expand your creative horizons even further.

Curious to see these lenses in action? Check out our comprehensive breakdown video on YouTube, where we delve into the details and showcase the remarkable capabilities of these SIGMA gems. Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or a seasoned pro, these lenses are bound to elevate your photography game.

YouTube player

Get ready to explore new dimensions of photography with SIGMA’s Fujifilm X Mount lenses. Elevate your artistry, capture life’s most fleeting moments, and unlock your full creative potential. These lenses are more than just tools – they’re gateways to a world of visual storytelling.✨