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Leica SL2 gets silver makeover The luxury photo brand has whipped the cover off a new silver variant of its SL2 camera. The aptly named Leica SL2 Silver maintains the same spec as the existing black model, with a 47-megapixel CMOS sensor and up to ISO 50,000 equivalent, but has been given a makeover inspired by Leica’s silver M and R ranges. The high-end full-frame camera is now available with a timeless, minimalist design
That means we get a silver anodised top-plate and baseplate, matched with black leather. While the body- only price is £6200, a couple of lens kits are also being made available. These add a Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH lens for £7920, or the Noctilux-M50 f/1.2 ASPH and the M-Adapter-L for £12,100. The advantage here for photographers with deeper pockets is that all M-Lenses can then be used with the SL-System camera. leica-camera.com “The Leica SL2 Silver maintains the same high spec as the black model”
The flagship Z 9 mirrorless has been given another under- the-bonnet operational tweak, including new features for both photos and video. For example, via firmware version 4.00, a new Auto Capture function grants the ability to shoot both formats remotely and from a variety of angles. This feature is also being made available for use with its Pre-Release Capture function. Video users are getting an expansion of the minimum ISO sensitivity setting to Low 2 in N-Log format, allowing for clearer shadow tones. There’s also an increase in the options available for Hi-Res Zoom speed, affording more precise control. Stills shooters are promised a superior performance when using 3D tracking, with more precise capture of small and fast-moving subjects, while an exposure delay mode has been added to the Custom Settings menu to help reduce blur caused by camera shake if using a tripod. Other refinements include a selection of shutter release sounds that can be volume-adjusted, plus the amount of options that can be assigned to custom controls has been increased. nikon.co.uk Stills & video boost for Nikon Z 9
Lightweight yet heavy-duty portrait kit from Hasselblad Not too long ago, 45- and 60-megapixel resolutions in a medium-format camera were only available from Hasselblad. Now that flagship mirrorless cameras from consumer manufacturers are achieving comparable levels of spec, the company has responded with the 100-megapixel Hasselblad X2D 100C Lightweight Portrait Kit. With a price tag comparable to a modestly sized family car, this is very much a professional’s plaything. The kit is comprised of the flagship mirrorless medium-format camera, the X2D 100C, plus two lenses. These are the XCD 1,9/80, a bokeh-producing wide-aperture autofocus lens offering the equivalent of 63mm; and the XCD 4/45P, an ultra-lightweight and compact lens specifically designed for capturing portraits where some of the surrounding environment is included, which offers the equivalent of 36mm. hasselblad.com
Raft of new accessories from Novo Photo accessories brand Novo has some brand-new products to share. First up is the Italian-designed Novo Calder 40L Backpack, a high-tech waterproof nylon construction that has a lightweight aluminium frame sewn in to ensure the bag doesn’t lose its shape. A padded and vented back panel and harness claims and 2kg respectively. There are two complimentary pro ball heads – the BHP-32 and BHP-40, plus a compact
MPH-10 monopod head. Both tripods can also be converted into a monopod configuration by detaching one leg and fastening it to the central column. They each have a weight hook and 1/4-inch accessory port and are available as legs only or with the ball heads as described, with prices ranging from £229.90 to £369.90. The £149.90 MPH-10, meanwhile, is built with aviation- grade aluminium and boasts a smooth, two-way pan and tilt action, offering 360° panning. Lastly there’s Novo’s Anex, described as a photo and video support ecosystem of clamps. This includes a column, a flexible arm, ground spike and camera connectivity products. With seven new products to choose from across these categories, pricing ranges from £14.90 for a micro clamp to £199.90 for the Anex MGSP-1 Macro Ground Support Bundle. novo-photo.com
to provide comfort, while an adjustable waist belt and sternum straps ensure a snug fit and balance. The backpack can be accessed either via its top or rear, with space for a 15-inch laptop and an included Interchangeable Camera Unit, the latter incorporating its own grab handle and shoulder strap. We’re told the space will suit a pro mirrorless camera or DSLR with 70-200mm lens, plus four or five additional lenses. With a suggested retail price of £299, the weight is 2.6kg in total, or 1.6kg without the camera unit. Also immediately available are two carbon-fibre tripods in the Novo Helix T50 and T200, with five- and four-section legs and load-bearing capacities of 10kg
Issue 109 | Photography News 7
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