Camera & Video Gear

Sigma 28-105mm F2.8 Lens

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Sigma released an interesting lens that’s not much heavier than some 24-105mm F4 lenses, the Sigma 28-105mm F2.8.  This lens costs $1500 and we’re happy to have this option.  This lens extends when zooming and does not have optical image stabilization but these were likely necessary sacrifices to keep the weight, size, and price down.  There are some concerns about the manual focusing of this lens.  This lens launches available for Sony E mount and L mount.

Key specifications:

  • Full Frame
  • F2.8 to F22
  • HLA Autofocus
  • 15.8″ Minimum Focus Distance
  • Aperture Ring with Click & Lock Switches
  • FLD, SLD & Aspherical Elements
  • Water and Oil-Repellant Coating
  • Dust and Splash-Resistant Construction
  • Minimal Focus Breathing
  • 82mm Front Filter
  • 18 Elements in 13 Groups
  • 12 Bladed Iris
  • 2.2 lb / 990 g
  • $1500

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Canon C80 Cinema Camera

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Canon C80 Cinema Camera

The long awaited successor to the Canon C70 is here, the Canon C80 Cinema Camera.  The only disappointment to us is that it doesn’t have DGO (dual-gain) sensor like the C70.  However, it does make a few quality of life improvements, a full frame sensor, and provides some additional outputs, all at $5500, so we aren’t really complaining.

Some of the main features include:

  • 6K FF Back-Illuminated CMOS Sensor
  • 6K30, DCI 4K/2K, UHD 4K120 S35 Recording
  • Full Frame and Super35 Modes
  • 12G-SDI and HDMI Simultaneous Output
  • Triple-Base ISO: 800, 3200, 12,800
  • Cinema Raw Light LT, HEVC, AVC Codecs
  • 16+ Stops of Total Dynamic Range
  • Dual-Pixel CMOS AF II
  • Built-In NDs up to 10 stops
  • 1 x BNC Timecode
  • 2 x Mini-XLR Audio In
  • 2 x SD Card Slots
  • $5500

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Ninja Phone from Atomos

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Atomos has released a $399 device that lets you record video from your camera to your phone.  But not any phone.  Right now it’s just the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max and in the future the Samsung S24 will be supported.  We’re not sure this device makes more sense than a dedicated recording device that includes the screen.  But if you’re going very minimalist and you’re willing to have your phone tied up, then the 94 gram weight of this device may be enticing.  But once you add the battery on it does get heavier.  It does record 10-bit in a variety of codecs, but it seems to only handle up to 1080p 60fps so it’s really not clear who exactly this device is for.  Maybe it’s targeted at people operating ultra-mobile, with a quick turn around time, who will be editing and uploading the video on their phone?

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Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm F1.4 Lens

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Nikon Z 35mm F1.4

Props to Nikon for releasing an interesting and affordable F1.4 lens.  And at a desirable focal length at that.  You cannot expect this lens to be optically great at its price but it turns out it’s more than good enough (and stopped down does turn great).  Also, it has nice bokeh and video features.  So this lens is a hit.  We wish more camera companies would give us affordable options and elite performance options so we could choose for ourselves.

Key specifications:

  • $600
  • 415g (14.7 oz.) which is pretty close to the Z 35mm f1.8 S which weighs 364g
  • 62mm filter thread
  • 11 elements in 9 groups (2 aspherical elements)

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Leica D-Lux 8 Digital Camera

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The Leica D-Lux 8 Digital Camera is a quite unexpected camera. But we welcome any camera manufacturer trying something different or novel. This has a 4/3″ sensor and a built-in zoom lens. Panasonic has put out this kind of camera in the past and we always hoped they would continue in this direction.

The price is one element that may create some problems as at $1600 you are competing with a lot of other viable options. But for a Leica branded camera this is cheap.

Key specifications:

  • 17MP Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
  • Leica 10.9-34mm f/1.7-2.8 Lens
  • 24-75mm Full-Frame Equivalent
  • 2.36MP OLED Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.84m-Dot TFT LCD
  • DNG Format Support
  • Built-in Flash
  • Wireless Connectivity
  • USB-C Port, SD Card Slot

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Panasonic Lumix FZ80D Digital Ultrazoom Camera

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There is not much of a market or use case for small sensor cameras anymore (like this 1/2.3″ sensor camera), but ultrazooms is one of the places that they make sense. It has a 20-1200mm zoom range which gives you both a wide angle and an incredible telephoto. Image quality won’t compare to larger sensor cameras but if it’s good enough for your purposes then great. If you just want to photo document everything and want a single camera to compliment your phone without breaking the bank then this camera is worth considering. Nikon is the other company making some pretty interesting small sensor zoom cameras (albeit with somewhat larger bodies than we would like).

We are happy to see cameras coming out in this segment because they are fun and may be a better fit for certain demographic of camera user.

Key specifications:

  • 18.1MP 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor
  • 60x Optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization and 20-1200mm
  • Aperture of f/2.8-5.9 to f/8
  • 2.36m-Dot OLED viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.84m-Dot LCD screen
  • Full HD 4K30
  • ISO 80-3200
  • Up to 10 fps
  • $480
  • Shipping early August of 2024

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Canon EOS R1 Announced

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Canon’s long rumored EOS R1 flagship camera is indeed upon us. Although it would also be appropriate to think about it as an R3 Mark II. This camera has a 24mp sensor and prioritizes speed and thus is less of an all-arounder than the Canon R5 II or the Nikon Z8. If you need the speed of this camera you know who you are. This camera also has good video specifications yet will likely be of less interest than the R5II to most video makers.

Despite Canon making a reasonable effort with this camera it feels disappointing. The direction Nikon went with the Z9 seems preferable. And if this was to be a R3 Mark II it would have been nice to give it something new or better than what the competition can muster. We could be wrong though. These are just first impressions.

Key specifications:

  • 6K 60P RAW video recording
  • 4K, 120P
  • C-log2 and C-log3
  • XF-AVC-S and XF-HEVC-S
  • overhauled and improved DualPixel intelligent AF system
  • 8.5-stop in-body image stabilizer
  • AI in-camera integration for stills
  • Professional, durable body and great ergonomics
  • $6300
  • 2 CFexpress Type B card slots
  • up to 40 fps of RAW, JPEG, or HEIF (HDR-PQ) images using Electronic Shutter
  • great buffer

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Canon EOS R5 Mark II Announced

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The Canon EOS R5 Mark II is here after many years of waiting. Canon shooters, particularly those already using the R5 or R5C, will likely find this camera interesting. The big question is whether or not Canon has done enough at a good enough price relative to the competition.

The Nikon Z8 is a significant amount cheaper and has pros over the R5 II (as well as cons). We do think Canon over priced the R5 II considering it’s really just what the R5 should have been with likely not a large improvement in image quality (in fact, the efforts to improve readout speed can reduce image quality).  What can we say?  Life is full of trade offs.

Key specifications: 

  • $4300 USD
  • IBIS with up to 8.5-stops of stabilization
  • New Canon-designed full-frame back-illuminated stacked CMOS 45MP
  • 30 fps electronic shutter
  • New focus system with eye control focus plus lock onto a subject even if things move in front of them
  • Capture video and stills simultaneously
  • People Priority Shooting lets you register up to 10 people the camera can recognize and prioritize
  • Capture 8K raw at 59.94/50.00 fps, and LOG 2 (although don’t expect this mode to let you capture for long without over heating — perhaps 18-21 minutes)
  • Same 0.5-inch 5.76 million dot OLED EVF fas is found in the Canon EOS R3.
  • Three optional battery grips are available to expand your capabilities
  • Canon LOG2
  • Full-size HDMI

But it is early days.  So let’s wait for the reviews to come in before we judge this camera.

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Nikon Z9H Camera With Global Shutter

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There are now rumors of Nikon releasing a global shutter camera using Sony’s global shutter sensor.  Likely a lower megapixel model compared to the Z8/Z9.  However, for Nikon’s purposes a non-global shutter with a fast read out would make a lot of sense so we’re not at all certain that there is any truth to this rumor.

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ZEISS Nano Prime High-Speed Cine Lenses

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As mirrorless becomes more dominant and relevant to filmmakers, manufactures have started to produce more lenses for their platforms.  Mirrorless mount physics should make possible a better quality of lens than what was possible before.

Zeiss has released this interesting set of lenses with 6 focal lengths all at T1.5: 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 100mm.  It’s $26,000 for the set which works out to $4,333 a lens.  These lenses are “initially available for the Sony E-mount” but we expect that the Canon R-mount is just around the corner.

ZEISS Nano Primes are cinema lenses designed for modern full frame mirrorless cameras — initially available for Sony E-mount. Lenses for everyone looking for highest performance and cinematic look in a small package. The six focal lengths all feature a consistent high speed of T1.5, come with a small and robust real cine lens housing with professional cine ergonomics and have an interchangeable mount.

Nano Primes are lenses for all cinematographers. No matter if up-and-coming or seasoned DP. For all budgets. No matter if small or big. For all projects. No matter if for commercials, documentaries or music videos, for series, independent or features films. Lenses that check all the boxes when it comes to look, ergonomics, size and weight or lens data workflow. Lenses that you can afford. Lenses that won‘t let you down.​

​ZEISS Nano Primes are the go-to lenses for everyday: True Cinema. For All.​

Visit Zeiss’s website for more information.

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