Handbook 2024

Camera

Film and digital insights and equipment for photography enthusiasts

Camera3 min read
Making Movies
In the same year that Nikon launched the FM2, 1982, Sony introduced the first video camera/recorder; the terminology quickly shortened to camcorder. The Sony Betamovie was the first combined video camera and recorder, and it used Sony’s Beta format c
Camera6 min read
Vital Statistics
NIKON Z f $3,949 body only, recommended retail price Type: Enthusiast-level digital mirrorless camera with Nikon Z bayonet lens mount Focusing: Automatic via 299 points (89 percent vertical/96 percent horizontal frame coverage) using hybrid phase/con
Camera4 min read
Pentax Spotmatic
Of all the likely millions of pictures taken of The Beatles, the most significant for the camera industry depicted the Fab Four clutching Pentax Spotmatics. In fact, there are many photos from the early 1960s showing Paul, John, George and Ringo with
Camera2 min read
From The Editor
Every year we select the reviews of the products we think have been the most significant new releases over the past 12 months or so. These are the products that, in one way or another, enhance our ability to take better photographs and su8bsequently
Camera1 min read
Pink Lady® Food Photographer Of The Year 2024 Finalists
Since launching back in 2011, the Pink Lady® Food Photographer Of The Year competition has grown to attract many thousands of entries from all over the world. It is open to both amateur and professional photographers. Food is, of course, a vital part
Camera3 min read
Making Movies
Regardless of the many upgrades, it’s still hard to see the X100VI being the first choice for any serious video-maker, but it is capable of serious results so there’s potential as a compact back-up camera or for shooting in situations where anything
Camera18 min read
Heritage Value
Technology has rather trumped tradition in camera design over the last decade or so, but with retro being very much in fashion everywhere – and the promise of new film cameras (serious ones, that is) any time soon – the value of heritage is starting
Camera17 min read
Forty-fied
It doesn’t happen very often. The very first X100 was revealed at the 2010 Photokina, the assembled audience of generally cynical camera journalists applauded. Afterwards in the press room, the talk was mostly all about cancelling orders for whatever
Camera7 min read
Vital Statistics
FUJIFILM X100V $2899 recommended retail price Type: Fixed prime lens digital compact camera with hybrid optical/electronic eyelevel viewfinder. Lens: Fujinon Super EBC 23mm f/2.0 II (equivalent to 35mm). Eight elements in six groups (two glass-moulde
Camera1 min read
Camera
Editorial Editor: Paul Burrows paul.burrows@futurenet.com Art Director: Kristian Hagen kristian.hagen@futurenet.com Photography All copyrights and trademarks are recognised and respected. Advertising Advertising Director: Jim Preece jim.preece@future
Camera1 min read
Vital Statistics
Leg Material: Carbonfibre and aluminium alloy. Leg Sections: Five. Leg Angle Settings: Three. Tripod Body Material: Magnesium alloy. Head: Ball-type with dual panorama adjustments, quick release Arca-Swiss plate, bubble level. Folded Length: 46 centi
Camera11 min read
At The Front Of The Q
Do you wonder whether camera designers are surprised when a new model turns out to be a big hit? After all, for it to get to market (many don’t), plenty of people along the way must have thought it was a good idea. But how good? For Leica, its herita
Camera2 min read
Making Movies
It’s hard to see anybody buying the Q3 specifically to shoot video, even if 28mm has been dubbed ‘the cinematic focal length’. Interchangeable lenses are still more desirable, and the crops are a bit harder to work with when shooting video (although
Camera5 min read
Vital Statistics
Recommended retail price Type: Fixed prime lens digital compact camera with electronic viewfinder. Lens: Leica Summilux 28mm f/1.7 ASPH. Eleven elements in nine groups (three aspherical types). Aperture range is f/1.7 to f/16, adjustable in 1/3-stop
Camera9 min read
Wild Wide
Even with the extra freedoms derived from the mirrorlss camera configuration and the availability of in-camera correction processing, there are optical designs that remain challenging. One of them is combining an ultra-wide focal length with an ultra
Camera1 min read
Vital Statistics
Format: Full frame (35mm format) digital sensors. Angle-of-View: 114.2 degrees (diagonal). Construction: 19 elements/15 groups. Eight special elements – three ‘F’ low-dispersion (FLD) types, one super-low diffraction (SLD) and four aspherical types.
Camera4 min read
Hasselblad 500c
Akeen ornithologist and amateur photographer, Victor Hasselblad tried many camera systems in his quest to find the ideal tool for taking pictures of birds. He liked the image quality of 4×5- and 5×7-inch sheet film, but even ‘portable’ cameras like t
Camera8 min read
Sigma And The Art Of Making Fine Lenses
Sigma’s DG DN lenses for full frame digital mirrorless cameras are specifically designed to exploit the optical and mechanical design advantages of the configuration’s short flange back distance. All these lenses are currently available in the Sony F
Camera1 min read
Ilford – Quality And Innovation In Photo Printing
Photographers and print-makers can rely on these 100 percent cotton fine-art inkjet papers to produce the highest quality digital prints in either colour or B&W. A 100 percent cotton rag fine-art paper with a weight of 280 gsm, Smooth Cotton Sprite h
Camera2 min read
Zhiyun – Creative
Zhiyun Molus X60 RGB LEDs have revolutionised photographic and video lighting, and have enabled products never thought possible only a few years ago. The Zhiyun Molus X60 full-colour RGB COBtype cinematography light is one of them. It’s exceptionally
Camera2 min read
Hoya Filters – Superior Performance And Protection
Hoya Fusion One Next Filters Hoya has been a name synonymous with high-quality on-lenses filters for over 80 years since the company was establishment in 1941 as Japan’s first specialty manufacturer of optical glass. Hoya continues to develop new tec
Camera3 min read
Profoto – Travelling Light Profoto BioX & BioX Plus
While professional flash lighting was once traditionally studio based, the emphasis has now switched to more portable, battery-powered systems that can be used anywhere at any time. Swedish flash manufacturer Profoto has been at the forefront of this
Camera3 min read
Ricoh GR III Series – Less Is So Much More
Ricoh’s GR III series compacts are loaded with ‘big camera’ features, yet remain comfortably pocket-sized. The newest models add an HDF filter and a Zone Select AF function for precisely targeted autofocusing. The long-running Ricoh GR series of prem
Camera16 min read
The Graduate
It was critical for OM Digital Solutions that the original OM System OM-1 was a success. It certainly helped that it was still badged Olympus and wearing the famous model number that got it all started back in 1972, but OMDS nevertheless put a lot in
Camera3 min read
Making Movies
With the core elements of the previous model carried over to the Mark II upgrade of the OM-1, it’s not surprising that not much changes in terms of its video capabilities. However, the enhancements to the AF system are also available here, making the
Camera7 min read
Vital Statistics
OM SYSTEM OM-1 MARK II $3779 body only, recommended retail price Type: Enthusiast-level and semi-professional interchangeable lens digital mirrorless camera with Micro Four Thirds System bayonet lens mount. Focusing: Automatic ‘Cross Quad Pixel AF’ h
Camera3 min read
Making Movies
Fujifilm is actively targeting video users with the GFX100 II, specifically promoting it as an affordable alternative to the so-called ‘large format’ cinema cameras which mostly all cost a fortune. The larger imaging circle derived from the 44x33 mm
Camera18 min read
In A Class Of Its Own
When the GFX100 was launched at the 2018 Photokina - the last one ever as it’s turned out - it represented a whole bunch of digital medium format camera ‘firsts’… in addition to being the first 100 megapixels mirrorless digital medium format camera,
Camera10 min read
Vital Statistics
FUJIFILM GFX100 II $12,599 body only, recommended retail price Type: Professional digital medium format mirrorless camera with Fujifilm G bayonet lens mount. Focusing: TTL automatic hybrid system using phase-difference detection and contrast-detectio
Camera7 min read
In The Mood
The world of cinema lenses is a fascinating one. It spans the hugely expensive optics used in mainstream movie and TV productions – such as those from Leitz Cine and Zeiss – to all manner of vintage lenses often picked up for a song. The latter gaine
Camera1 min read
Vital Statistics
Format: Full frame (35mm format) digital sensors. Image Circle: 44 millimetres. Angle-of-View: 46.8 degrees (diagonal). Construction: Seven elements/six groups. Minimum Focus: 60.9 centimetres. Aperture Range: T1.2 to T16. Overall Length: 87.0 millim
Camera14 min read
Love Your Work
Almost immediately after the Z 9’s launch there was talk – undoubtedly based on Nikon’s long track record with such things – of a more compact and more affordable version of the flagship Z mount flagship, but which maintained all the key capabilities
Camera2 min read
T-stops And F-stops - What's The Difference?
If you’re new to cine lenses you might be wondering about the T-stops and how they’re different from f-stops. The T stands for “transmission” and the T-stop – also called a T-number – is a measure of exactly how much light is passed through the lens
Camera3 min read
Making Movies
The Z 9 and the Z 8 are again very close in capabilities when it comes to shooting video. The Firmware 2.0 upgrade for the former added all the additional recording options that come as standard with the Z 8. These start with internal recording of 12
Camera7 min read
Vital Statistics
NIKON Z 8 $7,449 body only, recommended retail price Type: Professional or enthusiast-level digital mirrorless camera with Nikon Z bayonet lens mount Focusing: Automatic via 493-points wide-area system (90 percent vertical/horixontal frame coverage)
Camera4 min read
Nikon F And F2
While Leica gave the 35mm film format some respectability during the 1930a, ’40s and ’50s with its rangefinder cameras, it still wasn’t really considered a serious tool for the working photographer. A few adventurous souls had adopted the 35mm rangef
Camera7 min read
Sound Choice
When you start shooting video, you learn very quickly that the sound is as important as the vision. A good soundtrack adds more dynamism, depth and emotion to the imagery and, if you’re recording voices, they need to be clear and understandable. Audi
Camera1 min read
Vital Statistics
Design: Mid-side configuration. Mid mic = supercardioid with 133 dB SPL. Side mic = bidirectional with 119 dB SPL. Dual/AD converter circuits, so no input gain control necessary. Outputs: Line = 3.5 mm stereo minijack. Phono = 3.5 mm stereo minijack.
Camera12 min read
Finder Keeper
It’s pretty hard for a digital Leica M camera to look anonymous. From a distance it might just be mistaken for one of Fujifilm’s X-Pro models or maybe even an X100, but up close there’s no mistaking the shape and styling. Yup, that’s a Leica alright,
Camera3 min read
Vital Statistics
LEICA M11-P $15,390 body only, recommended retail Type: Coupled rangefinder digital camera with interchangeable lenses using Leica M-bayonet mount (with contacts for 6-bit coding for lens ID). Focusing: Manual via double-image rangefinder in view-fin
Camera2 min read
Vital Statistics
Panel Type: 68.4 centimetres (26.92 inches) IPS with white LED backlighting. Display Area: 596.7x355.6 millimetres. 16:9 aspect ratio. Native Resolution: 3840x2160 pixels (163 ppi). Viewing Angles: 178 degrees horizontal and vertical. Brightness: 400
Camera8 min read
Results Driven
Invest all you like in camera and lenses, but an absolutely key component in the digital imaging workflow – in terms of managing the final output – is a dedicated photography monitor. No self-respecting professional photographer would be without one,
Camera6 min read
Thanks For Your Support
It’s always tempting to think that image stabilisation systems mean that you don’t ever have to carry a tripod again, but the reality is that there are plenty of situations where one is essential. Very long exposures is an obvious one, but also it’s

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