Issue 110 is alive and kicking! Packed to the staples with advice, tests and guides, it showcases the winning images from our recent Photo Video 24 event in Cambridge, brings you all the latest news, including details on Sony’s A6700, and provides unmissable buying advice for anyone in the market for memory. Check it out.
ISSUE 110 1 Aug-18 Sep 2023 photographynews.co.uk
Pg12 PV24 winners / Marvel at the best from our annual event
Pg17 Memory game / The latest cards and drives to keep your images safe
Pg26 Canon EOS R100 / Beginner model has surprisingly broad appeal
Sony stuns with hybrid A6700 APS-C model offers impressive stills and video features as it arrives alongside a fresh telezoom and hotshoe mic “The A6700 incorporates the latest cutting-edge stills and video capabilities”
ELECTRONICS LEVIATHAN SONY is hotting up this summer, releasing an all-new APS-C mirrorless in the guise of the A6700, plus a compact shotgun mic, the ECM-M1. Both are available as you read this. Coming in September, meanwhile, is Sony’s 50th full-frame E-mount lens, the FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II. The A6700 incorporates the latest cutting-edge stills and video capabilities from its full-frame Alpha and Cinema Line cameras, enabling the company to lay claim to its most advanced APS-C mirrorless camera to date. Boasting a 26.1-megapixel effective resolution and a Bionz XR processor, it supports 4K-resolution video up to 120fps and a wide exposure latitude equivalent to 14+ stops. The model also features the S-Cinetone picture profile found in the brand’s professional cinema cameras, said to provide refined movie imagery that doesn’t require colour grading, as well as stunning skin tones. Weighing around 493g, the portable camera features a touchscreen vari-angle LCD and customisable front dial. A five-axis IBIS system provides five stops of compensation, plus there’s support for Sony’s Creators’ Cloud platform. SUMMER OF SONY Big releases abound with a first APS-C model in four years, plus a new telezoom
Described as compact and lightweight for its telephoto zoom class, at 149mm in length and 794g, the FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II is claimed to be the world’s first zoom to offer half-macro capability throughout its zoom range, with a maximum magnification of 0.5x. Using a 2x teleconverter, both a super-telephoto focal length of 400mm and life-size 1:1 magnification macro shooting are possible across all focal lengths. The manufacturer suggests that the XD (extreme dynamic) linear motor has increased autofocus speed by up to 20%, while the tracking of moving objects is twice as efficient in terms of accuracy. Also improved is focus-tracking performance when zooming, with high-speed bursts of up to 30fps
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Lens and mic complete new trio
EDITOR’S LETTER ROGER PAYNE
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suppressing other noise, perfect for recording interviews and selfie videos. Various filters to minimise background noise, vibration and low-frequency signals also make an appearance. When connected to the Multi Interface Shoe of a compatible camera with a built-in digital audio interface, the audio signal is directly transferred to the camera in digital form, so no degradation occurs. The A6700 retails for around £1450 body only and the ECM-M1 mic for £349, while the FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II will be about £1750 once it goes on sale in September. sony.co.uk
possible when paired with Sony’s flagship A1. A ‘Mode3’ SteadyShot setting has been added to provide stability when shooting subjects in motion, and a detachable tripod mount is included to boost this further, while the lens has a dust- and moisture-resistant design and fluorine-coated front element to combat fingerprints and grime. Finally, the compact, lightweight ECM-M1 is pitched as the world’s first shotgun mic with eight dial- selectable recording modes. An ultra-directional setting captures sound from the front while effectively
Artificial intelligence (AI) is such big news, the government wants to regulate it. It seems to be pervading every aspect of our lives and, for people like me who write for a living, it appears to be creating something of an existential crisis. But it isn’t just writers who could be looking for new jobs, of course, it’s photographers as well. For example, the PN design team recently showed me the beta AI functionality in Photoshop. Open an image and then highlight areas you want to change, add or remove. Some of the results were hilariously bad, but others were convincingly decent quality. So are we facing the stuff of nightmares, or is it something that we’ll all have forgotten about in 12 months’ time? I’d suggest it would be naive to think the latter, but let me offer some solace for those who worry about the former. A couple of weeks ago, I was listening to Radio 4 as I drove to the office. Sir Grayson Perry was being interviewed about his latest display, and was somewhat inevitably asked for his thoughts on AI. Was it set to put all artists out of work? Far from it, countered Perry. The reason (and I’m paraphrasing here) is that creative output needs Roger Payne
human emotion to be applied for it to be truly memorable. An algorithm can’t convey feeling, it doesn’t respond to a situation like a human does. It’s just an algorithm. For me, this struck a chord. When I visit a location with a camera and take photographs, I am subconsciously recording what stands out, what sums up the essence of that place, what I’ll remember it by. If I’m generating images on a computer without visiting somewhere, how could I know what emotions said location would evoke? That’s not possible without actually going there. It’s the same for every image you create – you apply your own interpretation each time the shutter is pressed. No matter how much AI advances, that will never be taken away. Will it? Enjoy the issue.
DOWNSIZING The smaller A6700 has all of Sony’s most up-to-date features
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What’s inside 03 News A round-up of the hottest kit, from cameras and lenses to accessories and firmware updates, as well as the latest club news 09 Samsung word search A total of 20 words listed, but only 19 can be found. Tell us which one is missing and you could win a 256GB Samsung memory card 12 Photo Video 24 winners Attended our annual creative extravaganza in Cambridge this year? Or maybe you’d just like to see some inspiring images from your fellow PN readers? Either way, you’ve come to the right place, as we reveal the winning photographs from the creative competitions on the day
17 Buyers’ guide: memory and storage
21 Making movies: working an angle
We all need memory, whether it’s to house your images in-camera or back them up after. This guide will offer gigabytes of information on the latest products to make sure your precious pictures don’t go astray 24
Learn how recording B roll footage and content from a range of angles can elevate your videomaking to new levels 24 Buyers’ guide: learn by association Joining a society or association can refine your craft and improve the quality of your work. These are the main players for PN readers 26 First tests New products are given the once-over by our expert team. This time around, we look at the surprisingly versatile Canon EOS R100, ultra-wide Fujifilm XF8mm and very handy Vanguard VEO City Technical Pack
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Third-party lens manufacturer Tamron has announced a 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens for Nikon’s Z mount. With a range suited to portrait and travel photography – enabling the capture of dramatic vistas at 35mm and dynamic close-ups at 150mm – it’s the world’s first zoom for Nikon’s mirrorless range that offers a maximum wide-open aperture of f/2. A new design offers improved operability and comfortable ergonomics, while the incorporation of a VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor grants highly precise AF. Topping off the package is a moisture-resistant construction, fluorine coating and hood-locking mechanism. The focal range also suits Nikon users who don’t want to be constantly switching out lenses. Tamron’s latest is expected to land with us some time this autumn at a price yet to be decided. tamron.eu Tamron develops ‘world first’ f/2 zoom for Nikon Z
Bags of ideas from Tenba New York company adds more options for image makers on the move
the likes of a 16in laptop, 12.9in iPad Pro, documents plus a battery, cable and adapters. A supplied ‘BYOB’ insert can fit a compact camera with two to three lenses, or can be removed and carried by utilising its own shoulder strap. Described as ‘take anywhere’, further features include a trolley strap and the fact it meets the definition of airline carry-on luggage. Pricing for the bag starts at £219. Alternatively, the 18L LT and 20L LT are lightweight backpacks benefitting from dual side access. Each option fits a mirrorless camera or DSLR with up to a 70-200mm f/2.8 attached, while being compatible with either 14in or 16in laptops respectively. Both feature a tripod/gimbal pocket, trolley strap, pivot-fit harness and convertible top pocket that can either be used to store gear or a rain jacket. Pricing for the two varies from £150 to £190, again depending on colourway. uk.tenba.com
CAMERA BAG SPECIALIST Tenba has expanded its Axis V2 collection with a flurry of new ways to transport our photo and video kit. These include new slings and backpacks – both of which are available right now.
Designed to be lightweight with body- contouring foam to provide comfort, the 4L Sling Bag has the capacity for a camera with one or two lenses and up to a 24- 70mm f/2.8 lens attached, while the larger 6L variety can accommodate a camera and two to three lenses, also with up to a 70- 200mm f/2.8 lens attached. Both options feature pivot straps, allowing them to be converted into a waist pack if so desired. Additional accessories can be stashed in a front pocket, with the ability to expand the set-up by adding lens capsules, battery pouches and card wallets. Straps on the underside allow a monopod or tripod to be carried, while a double-sided rain cover grants weather protection. Pricing varies from £89 to £105, depending on the bag and colourway selected. Decide between regular black or military-grade Multicam Black fabric. Next up is a 16L RoadWarrior briefcase and camera bag that can accommodate
SLING YOUR HOOK The Tenba Axis Sling 6L is a complete on-the-go kit-carrying solution
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News
It seems a long time since the L-Mount Alliance, a development partnership initially between Leica, Panasonic and Sigma, was first announced back at Photokina 2018. In many respects, the world at large – and the imaging industry in particular – is in a different place. At that time, the trio of manufacturers agreed to produce own-brand lenses and camera bodies based around Leica’s L-Mount. Membership of the Alliance has continued to grow – with Leica announcing that Astrodesign Inc and Samyang Optics Co are the latest two companies to sign up. These follow 2021’s two prior joiners in Ernst Leitz Wetzlar and DJI. Leica’s head of product management for professional camera systems, Stephan Schulz, insists the new members bring experience and expertise in both the photo and video markets: “The L-Mount is an up-to-date lens interface that unifies photo and video applications in the best possible way. With Astrodesign, the L-Mount Alliance gains an innovator in advanced pro video. With Samyang, we welcome an agile lens maker that, within a short period of time, has developed an impressive lens portfolio for photography Leica’s L-Mount Alliance adds video & stills expertise
and cinematography.” leica-camera.com
Enhanced video for Panasonic Lumix GH6 The promise of a more flexible workflow is at the heart of version 2.3 for the Panasonic Lumix GH6 hybrid mirrorless. Newly added is support for 4K/120p and 4K/100p HDMI output plus Raw video output to a Blackmagic Design external recorder. The firmware can be downloaded free of charge. panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc
Canon skates through history
Canon’s recent PowerShot V10 vlogging camera has been put to good use, alongside its EOS C500 Mark II cinema camera and XF605 video camera, in capturing the temporary transformation of London’s Natural History Museum into a skatepark last month. As part of a team up between Canon and Red Bull, skaters were handed the keys and allowed to skate among the venue’s 80 million artefacts, with their once-in-a- lifetime antics captured on Canon cameras to form a promotional video, which can be viewed here: youtube.com/watch?v=V7ZXKHC13cg One of the set pieces involved rigging up 64 Canon DSLRs to enable a ‘bullet-time’ sequence in which pro athlete Leticia Bufoni kick-flipped over a velociraptor skeleton within the museum. The Canon EOS R5 was also utilised once the sun had gone down, with its low-light capability enabling the team to capture atmospheric shots of the skaters at the museum after hours. canon.co.uk
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM Canon and Red Bull’s overnight skating takeover of the Natural History Museum, London
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Print life begins at 40 for Permajet’s parent The Imaging Warehouse, parent company of brands including inkjet photo paper specialist Permajet, Nova Darkroom Equipment, On-Line Paper and Premier Ink, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this August. Having grown from humble beginnings as a darkroom equipment supplier and evolved to meet changing customer needs, its own milestones have included creating the Nova Slot Processor, before joining the digital revolution in the nineties with the development of pigment inks and, subsequently, setting up Permajet itself. Recent acquisitions of On-Line Paper and Premier Ink have further solidified The Imaging Warehouse’s position as a comprehensive provider of print solutions. “Reaching 40 years in business is a remarkable achievement of which we are all truly proud,” enthuses Robin Whetton, MD at The Imaging Warehouse. “Our journey has been marked by constant innovation, customer-centricity and a passion for helping our customers bring their creative visions to life." Throughout August, it will have special offers for customers and is raising funds for the Woodland Trust, helping to create, restore and protect UK woodland. theimagingwarehouse.com
Club news
Salon on tour
The London Salon of Photography has revealed its 2023 London Salon Exhibition selections and the news that it’s touring the country. From 25 July to 6 August, it can be found at Creek Gallery, Faversham, while from 26 August to 1 October it will be at Patching Gallery, Nottingham. Wilkinson Cameras in Liverpool and Carlisle will host in October and November. Chairman Judith Parry was delighted with 783 prints being entered by 124 entrants, of which 129 were accepted by the exhibition – with seven medal winners recognised. thelondonsalon.org
Analogue film enthusiast Lomography announced a new colour- negative film, the LomoChrome Color ’92 35mm ISO 400, described as ‘new’ and, simultaneously, a ‘classic’. A limited-edition production in 35mm format, the film will soon be joined in both 120 and 110 formats, too. The film is so named because it’s ‘designed to capture everyday life with a hint of nineties nostalgia’. Described as having a powerful film grain, it delivers a soft, mesmerising look in sunny conditions and a subtle, painterly aesthetic in photos taken at dusk. lomography.com Chrome is where the art is
FLOWER POWER David Harris’s Poppyfield Panorama was among last year’s medal winners
The Hebden Bridge Town Hall will host the Hebden Bridge Camera Club’s display of members’ imagery between 26 August and 2 September. Visitors will vote for their favourite images, with winners from last year’s exhibition on display. For photographers seeking to get involved, the club meets on Wednesday evenings from September to April at Hope Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge. hebdenbridgecc.co.uk Hebden Bridge CC puts on a show Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club has recently rebranded to Wokingham Photography Club, just in time for its new season starting 14 September. “It reflects the changing nature of our world,” explains club chair Glynis Jodrell. “We believe the new name will help us appeal to a broader range of people. Photography in its widest sense is what we’re passionate about.” wokinghamphotography.club New name in Wokingham
Sony enables vloggers with firmware tweak Sony’s video-first ZV-E1 camera, which appeared in spring this year, is already getting an under-the- bonnet tweak. A firmware update is being made available that enables 4K/120p video recording. Sony thinks this marks a significant milestone for pushing the boundaries of creativity through the camera’s small, user-friendly form factor. Alongside the above refinement, ZV-E1 users are also being given FHD/240p recording in the same update. Head to Sony’s Creators’ Cloud website if you’re an existing user wanting to avail yourself of this new functionality. creatorscloud.sony.net/cameraupgrade/4k120p
Camera strap design reaches its peak Peak Design has introduced a new Micro Clutch hand strap for mirrorless cameras. The company reasons that ‘cameras have mostly got smaller, but hands have stayed the same stupid size’. The strap has been manufactured for drop protection and comfort, perfect for street photography, outdoor shooting and extended portrait sessions. It’s not just any old strap, however. A low-profile, machined aluminium baseplate conceals a hidden attachment, allowing easy access to the camera’s battery. Also included is a removable tripod plate. Fitting a wide range of mirrorless camera bodies, RRP for the Peak Design Micro Clutch is £65.99. peakdesign.com
130 not out
Kingston Camera Club’s 55-strong membership celebrates its incredible 130th anniversary this year. kingstoncameraclub.co.uk
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Panasonic
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Best-in-class features, support and performance are all great justifications for changing to Panasonic’s full-frame mirrorless marvel. Add in a £200 trade-in bonus until 2 October and it’s a done deal Gimme five: the case for the Lumix S5 II
GET £200 TRADE- IN BONUS HERE!
MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS AND videographers are currently making the switch and deciding that, when it comes to full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Panasonic Lumix S5 II is the one to beat. Available since the start of this year, the Panasonic Lumix S5 II has been designed to fulfil the demands of the most ambitious creators, who put image quality and mobility first. At the core of the camera is a newly developed 24-megapixel full- frame CMOS sensor, which supports
a first for the Lumix camera range: hybrid phase detection autofocus. Phase Hybrid AF improves subject recognition and tracking abilities, including eye tracking, making speed and accuracy a sure bet even in the most challenging environments. The Panasonic Lumix S5II is compatible with over 60 native lenses from the L-mount alliance, including Panasonic, Sigma and Leica. In July, prolific lens-maker Samyang joined the L-mount alliance – and if that’s not enough, the mount is designed to work with mount adapters such as the MC-21, which enables the use of Canon EF lenses too. Stills and video superstar Video capabilities include 6K video in 3:2 ratio or 5.9K in 16:9 at 30fps – and 4K video up to 60fps. Plus a new, low-profile heat-management system enables unlimited recording times. It’s no wonder, then, that this model not only holds huge appeal for demanding photographers, but also fulfils the key needs of filmmakers. If your Fujifilm or Sony camera has that particular photo style you
rely on, Lumix has you covered with Real Time LUT, which allows you to easily import your Lightroom presets so you can recreate that look in- camera, no editing needed. LUTs add colour and contrast shifts to video or stills. giving results a particular look and feel. They make grading video footage that much easier. Panasonic offers users an impressive free library of LUTs that help create a variety of atmospheres and moods. Fully featured The Lumix S5 II can capture 9fps with mechanical shutter or 30fps with electronic shutter for up to 300 images. We also get the obvious advantage of a huge 96-megapixel High Resolution mode and dual- native ISO sensitivity, which enables and enhances low-light performance by offering an expandable ISO of up to 204,800. Noise is effectively suppressed even at ultra-high sensitivities, beautifully rendering dark areas. Dual card slots feature, while the image stabilisation system is the best in its class. New Active IS enables users to walk and shoot
• Real Time LUT – pre-load colour presets from your previous camera/workflow. • Top image quality for both stills and video. • Best-in-class stabilisation. • Comprehensive video features for all your creative needs. • Direct compatibility not only with lenses from Panasonic itself, but also the likes of Sigma, as well as Canon EF lenses via MC-21 adapter. • Plus – until 2 October – get a £200 trade-in bonus when you switch! Five reasons to grab the Lumix S5 II
at the same time, compensating significantly for camera shake. Naturally, everything is encased in a durable, magnesium-alloy, full die-cast frame, with the sealing of all joints, dials and buttons making the camera dust and splash resistant. What’s more, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the Panasonic Lumix S5 II’s performance. As an extra incentive to act now, potential purchasers can take advantage of a £200 trade-in bonus, running until 2 October this year at selected retailers (terms and conditions apply).
IN THE WILD The Panasonic Lumix S5 II can go anywhere thanks to its rugged build and weather sealing
panasonic.com
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News
A Samsung memory card! WIN!
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A V S Y P M O I D U A LMOOBHLAOJG K I Q E F V Z H L C B C M R E D I L S L A W A E O G X I K M Y M N T Y I Q W G V B L I N DRAOBYROTSH OFZEBRAZANE LRZWEVSNMSA R E G A G A I N E S D BSTVCOJVJLP I N I E R F X H S R H TEHFAAMMAGO R LQONDWOAMN AJDREESESOE T J K M C I F X I V S EENOHPORC I M B K O L A B M I G E H With the need for superfast, high-capacity memory greater than ever, the Samsung 256GB Pro Plus microSD card could be just the ticket – and here’s your chance to win one. Boasting up to 160MB/s read and 120MB/s write speeds, the card is ideal for expanded mobile device storage and capturing quality photos or 4K UHD video. Complete the word search below, comprising words related to summer, and you’ll find one word in the list that’s not in the grid. Email us on puzzle@photographynews.co.uk with that word in the subject box by 18 September 2023 and the winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries received. Only entries from UK residents will be accepted. Well done to Dean Bostock, our winner from issue 108. The missing word from issue 109 was ‘cocktails’. samsung.com/uk/memory-cards
Let Zhiyun’s new Crane take the strain
Photographers who also shoot video and want to take their efforts to the next level are being tempted with a premium Zhiyun Crane 4. Key features of this three-axis handheld gimbal stabiliser include built-in balance indicator lights at each motor to provide an at-a-glance indication of calibration status. Bluetooth connectivity delivers direct shutter control of the supported camera, removing the possibility of a cable getting in the way. Operators can easily start or stop recording, as well as trigger photo capture remotely. Furthermore, the gimbal can withstand a payload equivalent to heavier full-frame DSLRs, as well as compact cinema cameras like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K. Four high-capacity batteries offer up to 12 hours of use, a 1.22-inch colour touchscreen gives precise control, and a fill light provides 10W of power. The basic Crane 4 costs £669, while a Combo kit with various extras is £749. zhiyun-tech.com
TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT Quickly change from portrait to landscape with the Zhiyun Crane 4
Editorial team Editorial director Roger Payne rogerpayne@bright.uk.com Chief sub editor Matthew Winney Sub editor Ben Gawne Junior sub editor Lori Hodson Contributing writers Will Cheung, Adam Duckworth, Ellie Jennings, Gavin Stoker Advertising team Sales director Sam Scott-Smith 01223 499457 samscott-smith@bright.uk.com Senior sales executive
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MPB
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Which of the 25 nominees will be entered into The Photo and Video Kit Hall of Fame? Hurry up and cast your free vote to be in with a chance of winning a cutting-edge camera worth £1200 Win a Sony A7 III by voting with MPB
YOU’LL NEED TO be quick in heading to kithalloffame.com – as ballots are now open for The Photo and Video Kit Hall of Fame! Your vote will automatically enter you into the competition to win a Sony A7 III – and the closing date is 4 August. In offering the largest online platform for the buying and selling of used photography and videography equipment, Hall of Fame host MPB will be familiar to many PN readers. MPB has been running The Photo and Video Kit Hall of Fame for the past three years and has witnessed thousands of votes cast around the world. Now, it is looking for its Class of 2023 – here’s how you can help. Each year, industry experts put forward 25 nominees across five categories. Voting is then opened to the public to decide which cameras, lenses and drones will be inducted into the Hall of Fame’s five categories: Classic, Game Changer, Road Tested, Trendsetter and Iconic. This year, each voter will also be entered to win a Sony A7 III full-frame mirrorless camera worth £1200 from MPB. The competition and the voting itself are free to enter – get your skates on and make your selection of the best-of-the-best gear! A shortlist of excellence The Photo and Video Kit Hall of Fame’s nominating committee of experts from the UK, US and Europe this year features the following dream team. From the UK are SheClicks and Camera Jabber founder Angela Nicholson, freelance videographer and public speaker Jenny Alice, plus travel and adventure photographer as well as YouTuber James Popsys. “Industry experts put forward 25 nominees across five categories. Voting is then opened to the public to decide”
Find any of the above deserving of their particular nominated accolade, or simply want to win that Sony A7 III? Vote now by heading online, with entries open until 4 August 2023. MPB will announce its five inductees on World Photography Day, Saturday 19 August, with competition winners revealed shortly after.
To be nominated in the Road Tested category means a product is among the tried and true of the imaging world. This year’s shortlist comprises the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, Sony A7 IV, Fujifilm X-Pro3, Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II and Canon EOS R6 Mark II. Meanwhile, in with a chance of being named a Trendsetter this year, beloved for their style as much as the way they shoot, are the Fujifilm X-T5, Canon EOS R5, Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD, Fujifilm X100V and the DJI Mini 3. Finally, the cream of the crop when it comes to photo and video kit make up the shortlist for MPB’s Iconic category. Offered up for your votes this year are the Sony A1, Leica Q2, Mamiya RZ67, Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM and Leica M6.
Sharing their opinions from the US were photojournalist and sustainability activist Aditi Mayer, digital content creator and freelance filmmaker Léa Sabban, plus landscape photographer and filmmaker Michael Shainblum. Finally, adding expertise from Europe were wildlife photographer and conservationist Sasan Amir, freelance photographer and creative Frauke Hameister, plus urban/street photographer and content creator Thomas Kakareko. The above were led by MPB CEO and founder Matt Barker, who explains: “The Photo and Video Kit Hall of Fame is a unique opportunity for photographers and videographers around the world to make their mark in choosing which kit will go down in history. We’re thrilled to be providing
a Sony A7 III to a lucky voter, so I encourage you to get voting. I can’t wait to see what comes out on top!” To steer you in the right direction for making your own choice, the Classic category is for gold-standard photo and video kit that has stood the test of time with amateurs and pros alike. The nominees for being crowned a Classic are the Nikon D3, Sony A7R V and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV cameras, as well as the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art and Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lenses. Game Changers are disruptive elements in the field of tech, so it’s not so surprising that DJI drones have won this category two years running. The nominees for 2023 are the Ricoh GR IIIx, Canon EOS R3 and Nikon Z 9 cameras, alongside two DJI drones in the Mini 3 Pro and Mavic 3 Pro.
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LEICA Q2
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MAMIYA RZ67
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For what it’s worth
payment. You can change your mind until you get paid and your gear will be returned free of charge. As well as offering a risk-free transaction, you can sell from the comfort of your own home, with the convenience of doorstep pick up and the knowledge that you’ll get paid within days. No wonder MPB was voted best used specialist retailer in the 2022 Photography News Awards. Don’t just take our word for it: the platform is rated ‘excellent’ on Trustpilot, with 19,000+ reviews. For an instant quote from MPB, simply visit mpb.com/en-uk/about-selling . Or to shop its many thousands of cameras, lenses and accessories, head to mpb.com
MPB differs from other online traders in second-hand goods in that it’s not a marketplace. It buys kit directly from current owners, with its team of product specialists evaluating all items before they’re resold. While sellers can avoid the likes of eBay seller fees, buyers of its used products can also feel secure in the knowledge that every item has been MPB approved. So the quality of the products available for purchase is never called into question. Put simply, if you’re looking to monetise existing kit, perhaps to upgrade to the latest covetable gear, MPB can value it. Selling to MPB is risk-free as your equipment is insured from collection to
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Reader contest Photo Video 24: Cambridge
Back in June, Photography News held a day-long festival of imaging in the historic city of Cambridge. To add a competitive element, we ran photo challenges all the way through this 24-hour extravaganza. Here are the results!
thinking about 2024 – more news on that front early next year. Finally, cheers to all the readers who came along to support the event. And, of course, a huge thanks to our sponsors MPB.
The results are featured here – well done to all the winners, thanks to everyone who entered and, if you weren’t selected, better luck next time! Because, though Photo Video 24 is over for 2023, we’re already
For the first time since its inception in 2013, Photo Video 24 ventured outside of London. From a shortlist of locations, Cambridge was chosen for its variety of photo opportunities within a small geographical area. Photo Video 24 kicked off at midday on 3 June and finished a whole 24 hours later. In that time, we ran contests and challenges to keep participants inspired and engaged, with prizes kindly provided by MPB.
“Cambridge was chosen for its variety of photo opportunities”
WORDS BY WILL CHEUNG
Classic Cambridge Summing up the city in pictures was the name of the game in this category. There’s so much beautiful, classic architecture in the city, you may be forgiven for thinking it was an easy theme to shoot. Not so.
WINNER
DAVID JENNER “‘Worth a punt?’ was taken at
5.45am,” David tells us. “I managed to capture dawn breaking over this line of punts moored on the river Cam. I love the tranquillity of this early morning scene, before the hustle and bustle on the river later in the day. “Holding Photo Video 24 in Cambridge was a real change of scene from previous years, and the inclusion of video will certainly open up the event to lots of other people. I really enjoyed getting to know a city I had only visited once before and I’d like to congratulate the whole Photography News team for putting on such a comprehensive array of excursions and workshops. “Let’s not forget the sponsors, MPB. I look forward to putting my prize money towards a new lens for my recently purchased Nikon Z 8.”
SHORTLISTED
A STUDY IN IMAGE MAKING The bustling university city of Cambridge provided a delight of subject matters, from grandiose, historic architecture and pretty riverscapes to crowds of tourists and students hurrying to and fro GARETH DANKS Judge’s comment: Gareth’s unique approach to his entry made for a striking image that simply oozed mood and intrigue. MARTIN AMERY Judge’s comment: Bike, classic background and awesome light combined brilliantly to put Martin’s image onto the shortlist. GABRIELLA ATKINSON Judge’s comment: There’s so much to like about Gabriella’s photograph: the calm serenity, glorious light and telephoto compression has combined to produce a wonderful composition.
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Candid Cambridge
Venture into Cambridge on most Saturdays during the year and the potential for street photography is enormous. Colourful characters, street performers, locals and tourists all make for great potential subjects. “I’ve been to Cambridge a couple of times, but as a tourist rather than a photographer,” Darrell notes. “My winning shot was actually one of the first I took at Photo Video 24, during the Introduction to Cambridge photo walk.” The photo was shot on a Nikon D500 with a 70-200mm at 105mm. Exposure was 1/30sec at f/11. WINNER DARRELL GODLIMAN Judge’s comment: While Darrell called his picture ‘Learned friends’, we don’t know if this trio were playing solitaire or working. Either way, it’s a beautifully observed and captured scene that sums up Cambridge brilliantly.
SHORTLISTED
NICK BISWELL Judge’s comment: Photo Video 24 took place on a warm day and ice cream was definitely on the agenda. Nick’s image sums up the mood very well indeed. JOSHUA BAKER Judge’s comment: A strong street picture that deserved to be shortlisted, but ultimately better editing would have improved the shot even further. DAVE HARRIS Judge’s comment: Lovely patterns and a great colour palette make for an eye- catchingly different candid. DAVID JENNER Judge’s comment: The dog does it for this one. Its complete disinterest in its family is nicely captured.
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Reader contest Creative Cambridge
This category was the perfect opportunity for expression. Entries included multiple exposures, colour popping and light painting. It was a fascinating mix, but in the end the winning image was a wonderfully observed reflection.
WINNER
DAVE HARRIS “I’m amazed, pleased and proud to have won the Creative Cambridge contest,” remarks David. “There’s life in this old photographic dog yet! “I was walking in the gardens of Trinity College, in front of the Wren Library – a very beautiful building with very dirty windows! Behind the windows, I could get a glimpse of college life. I cleaned a small section and took a shot. I noticed that, because of the light, I was getting a reflection of my cap in the image, which I liked. “I moved along until I had an interesting subject, lined up my cap to provide the cupola to the columns, waited for the right light and shot. “I’ve attended a number of times when Photo 24 (as it was then) has been in London. There is endless interest in the capital, so I’ve always enjoyed it. But I loved the idea of being in a new city, and Cambridge is a cracker for photographers. I’d be more than happy to return to Cambridge next year. “I’ve accumulated loads of gear over the years, but am thinking of selling it and buying a light mirrorless with a single standard zoom lens. All through MPB, of course.” Judge’s comment: We love the composition and that made it a clear winner. It’s a simple yet complex set-up, and while there is plenty for the eye to enjoy, the viewer’s attention goes straight to the two students at work. The fact they are the only people in shot is very much a good thing. Also, the framing of the columns and photographer’s shadowy reflection adds intrigue to a compelling image.
SHORTLISTED
DAVID JENNER Judge’s comment: I loved how the photographer went for a dramatic silhouette as his punt went under a bridge, framing the punt ahead and using the Bridge of Sighs for context; a fabulous image. MARTIN AMERY Judge’s comment: Colour popping is not a technique that works for many pictures, but it does here – helped by strong leading lines and the stunning background of Trinity Lane, one of the city’s most photogenic streets. GARETH DANKS Judge’s comment: Trinity Lane makes another appearance in the Creative Cambridge shortlist, this time with a very low camera viewpoint and dramatic lighting. This makes for an impactful image.
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Photo Treasure Hunt
The Photo Video 24 Treasure Hunt ran for the duration of the event. To enter, readers had to identify and photograph for themselves the five visual clues scattered around the city. The winner was randomly chosen from the correct entries received, and we’re delighted to announce that the winner was Ray McMurray, who has won a £500 MPB voucher. Well done to Ray and thanks to everyone who got involved.
SEE FOR YOURSELF If you’re ever in Cambridge and have a few hours spare, search for these sights and give them a snap!
Best Photo Video 24 Video
Super 24 Challenge
WINNER IHAB SALEM
Ihab Salem wins a £500 MPB voucher for his entry. “I’m more motivated than ever to improve my work,” enthuses Ihab. “The event was a great chance to practise and learn. The location and people were all great. I’m still weighing up my options on how I’ll spend my prize, but a Lumix 24-105mm lens is likely.” Judge’s comment: The winner caught not only the beauty of Cambridge but the spirit of the event, with image makers capturing life through their lenses throughout the 24 hours. And the dog on the paddle board enjoying the river was a great, well-captured moment of fun! Adam Duckworth, editor-in-chief, Pro Moviemaker
Rowing Club Challenge
Our thanks go to MPB, sponsors of Photo Video 24. MPB is the world’s biggest dealing platform for pre- owned photo and video kit. Check them out! PN mpb.com And finally…
WINNER FLORENCE TAWNS
PN joined forces with the Cambridge Rowing Experience to provide readers a Sunday morning shooting challenge. Cambridge Rowing Experience runs training sessions for would-be rowers, taking them through the technicalities of the sport, providing some basic training and practice on the river Cam. The challenge for PN readers was to capture aspects of the session, from candids of clients in training and close-up studies of the boats, through to action shots on the river. The winner was Florence Tawns for her picture of a trainer overseeing trainee rowers. She wins two Cambridge Rowing Experience tickets worth £65. Judge’s comment: What we love about this picture is the brilliant choice of a slower shutter speed to blur the foreground rowers while retaining sharpness in the trainer. There’s a real sense of energy in the shot. cambridgerowing.com
WINNER ALASTAIR RAY
From 1pm on 3 June until 11am on 4 June, a new photo challenge was announced using social media – on the hour, every hour. Our winner was Alastair Ray’s well-framed image for the 3pm ‘In the Market’ theme, and he wins a £500 voucher.
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Buyers’ guide
Buyers’ guide
Memory matters
We wouldn’t get far as digital photographers and content creators without memory cards and storage. Capacity, reliability and speed are major considerations, so join us for a tour of the latest kit at our disposal
pressure involved. Indeed, if you’re moving seriously large amounts of data around, such processes can be done overnight. Just make sure the screen saver is turned on to prevent screen burn-in. Regarding backing up: always envisage the worst-case scenario. This might seem unnecessarily pessimistic, but the fact is that hard drives can fail at any time and without warning. It’s definitely worth having at least two copies of your pictures on separate hard drives, perhaps even a third for off-site storage. Or use a cloud service. Memory and storage might not seem quite as glamorous a subject as cameras and lenses – but that changes now. Keep yourself safe with the help of these more-than-handy solutions.
camera will be pedestrian at best in the newer model, with limited frame capacity and buffering. Ideally, you’ll need to update SD cards or invest in far more expensive CFexpress Type B cards. Speed is generally less of a concern with hard drives, although it depends on what you are doing. SSDs (solid-state drives) have the considerable advantage of speed, are more reliable in the longer term and, GB for GB, are more expensive. But if you are shooting high-resolution stills or recording 4K video (or higher) for a living, spending as much as you can afford on the fastest drives is well worth it. If you’re an enthusiast and most of your backing up and data storage is done at home, there’s less time
WORDS BY WILL CHEUNG
UP TO SPEED Lacie’s Rugged SSD is just one of many superlative products in our buyers’ guide
WHETHER IT’S THOSE little cards you slip into a camera or the anonymous boxes sitting next to your computer, memory is crucial to every digital creator – and not a subject to be taken for granted. If you’ve been a photographer for a while, you’re likely to have memory cards bordering on ‘vintage’. These may have been cutting edge when you bought them – and still reliably capable – but if you have upgraded cameras recently, odds are you’re not making the most of this new kit. As an example, let’s assume you’ve changed from a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV to an EOS R5 mirrorless. The DSLR was 30 megapixels and could shoot at 7fps, compared with the 45-megapixel EOS R5 that can rattle along at up to 20fps. The SD cards that might have given a good performance in the older
“MEMORY MAY NOT BE AS GLAMOROUS AS CAMERAS – BUT THAT CHANGES NOW”
Samsung › samsung.com/uk/memory-storage
Consumer electronic giant Samsung has been the market leader in flash memory since 2003. It currently offers microSD cards, NVMe drives, SATA drives and portable SSDs. Top of its microSD range is the Pro Plus, available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. The latter costs £74 including SD card adapter. This UHS-I, V30 card has a write speed of 130MB/s and is seriously tough, protected from water, extreme temperatures, X-rays, drops, magnets and wear, backed up with a ten-year limited warranty. For image makers on the move, Samsung’s Portable SSD T7 drives are a pocketable and reliable storage solution. Three are available: Touch, USB 3.2 and Shield. If ultimate ruggedness is important, the T7 Shield is the SSD to buy. Sold in three colours and in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities from £97 to £286, the Shield has an IP65 water- and dust-resistance rating and is designed to survive a 3m drop.
Sony › sony.co.uk
Sony’s latest additions to its extensive memory card line-up include top-end CFexpress Type A cards in the CEA-M1920T (1920GB) and CEA-960T (960GB), priced at £1550 and £860 respectively. Both cards are moisture, bend and drop resistant, and offer long-term stability and reliable operation without any dropped frames or overheating. More affordable is the CEA-G CFexpress A series, available in 80GB, 160GB, 320GB and 640GB capacities with prices ranging from £220 to £1200. These cards feature Sony’s Tough design with IP57 dust and water protection. Sony has further applied the Tough design to its range of CFexpress Type B and SD cards. In fact, the SF-M Tough UHS-II SD 512GB claims to be the world’s toughest SD card, has read and write speeds of 277MB/s and 150MB/s, and costs £280.
Synology › synology.com/en-uk
Synology has an impressive array of all-in-one storage. The DS423+ is one of its newest NAS products. It’s a four-bay unit, available as an enclosure or pre-loaded with four SATA drives. The stand-alone unit is priced at £487, or comes fitted with four 4TB WD Red Plus drives at £1116. Go for maximum capacity and the DS423+ can be bought loaded with four 18TB HAT5300 drives at £4388. The DS423+ has a read/write speed of 226/224MB/s and comes equipped with two 1GbE Lan ports and two M.2 NVMe SSD slots. If you want your own private cloud at a reasonable price, the DS423+ is it. Files can be accessed via mobile apps, desktop or browser across various platforms so data can be accessed, synced or shared anywhere.
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Buyers’ guide
Sandisk Professional › westerndigital.com/en-gb
hard drive range. Capacities from 4TB to 20TB are available, with the lowest-capacity unit at £320. While performance is not SSD level, a useful 260MB/s read/write speed is offered. Sandisk boasts plenty of portable options. The Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2, available in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities, is ideal for the on-the-move image creator. It’s fast, with a 2000MB/s write speed, tough and portable, and this pro-grade memory device is also great value – the 1TB unit sells at £125.
For an external hard drive that looks the business, go for the Sandisk Professional G-Drive. Proving beauty is more than skin deep, it’s a high-performance unit with a storage capacity of 7.68TB, read speed of 2900MB/s and write speed of 1900MB/s. It boasts dual Thunderbolt 3 ports for daisy chaining up to five additional devices. The Pro Studio SSD is not cheap at around £1700, though a more affordable option can be found via the G-Drive Pro desktop SATA
Western Digital › westerndigital.com/en-gb
Thanks to its comprehensive product portfolio, you won’t struggle to find a solution to your internal and external hard drive needs with Western Digital. A popular external memory choice is the My Book Duo family with capacity starting from 16TB, priced at £549, to 44TB at £1294. Out of the box, My Book Duo drives are formatted NTFS for Windows compatibility – and for Mac users a downloadable NTFS driver is available. The hard drive is set up to be Raid 0. If your need is for a lightweight, portable drive, the My Passport Ultra family is made for you – and it’s decent value. The 1TB drive is priced at £81 and the 5TB at £158. Each unit comes loaded with backup software, enabling fuss-free automated backup. In addition, 256-bit AES hardware encryption means you can protect data with a password via free downloadable software.
Prograde › progradedigital.com
Covering all card storage options, Prograde’s memory line-up includes SD, CFast, microSD, CFexpress Type B and CFexpress Type A. The Prograde CFexpress Type B 2.0 (Cobalt) 1700 is available in 165GB, 325GB and 650GB capacities at £185, £462 and £790 respectively. You get impressive performance from Cobalt cards, which have read speeds of 1700MB/s and write speeds of 1500MB/s. Go for the CFexpress Type B Gold card and write speed drops to 1300MB/s, but so does price. Find five capacities, with the 512GB version costing £185. Prograde also has high- performance card readers in its range.
Lacie › lacie.com/gb/en
Lexar Professional › lexar.com
Lacie has an extensive range of memory products, so whether you require portable or desktop drives, conventional hard drives or SSDs, this is a fantastic place to start hard storage shopping. If you need a tough portable drive for location shooting, the Rugged family has plentiful options worth looking at, including the Mini, USB-C, SSD Pro and SSD. The SSD and SSD Pro feature IP67- rated water resistance, plus drop (to 3m), dust and crush resistance along with high performance. For desktop storage, the Lacie 1big Dock is available in 4TB, 8TB, 10TB, 16TB, 18TB and 20TB, with prices ranging from £360 through to £950. Inside each 1big Dock is a Seagate IronWolf Pro drive with 280/240MB/s read/write speeds. It’s also covered by a five-year warranty. The reliable 1big Dock has 60W power delivery to keep the laptop charged. Additionally, there are Thunderbolt ports as well as SD and CompactFlash card slots.
Memory specialist Lexar has a full range of memory cards, USB flash drives and SSDs. The 2000x SDHC/SDXC UHS-II Gold series sits at the top of the SD card range. Available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, the Gold series theoretically offers 300MB/s read and 260MB/s write speeds, making its SD cards almost the fastest money can buy. With performance comes expense – the 128GB Gold card costs £199, while it’s £399 for the 256GB version. Lexar has Gold series CFexpress Type A and Type B formats, too. The CFexpress Type B delivers an awesome 1900MB/s read and 1500MB/s write performance together with rugged durability as well as added protection against extreme temperatures, shake and vibration. Card capacities extend from 64GB up to 2TB. Lexar’s latest addition to the CFexpress B Diamond series is a 512GB card, which joins the 128GB and 256GB sizes. With a write speed of 1700MB/s and VPG400 video class rating, it’s fast enough to capture smooth 8K Raw video and retails at £770. PN
Angelbird › angelbird.com
Angelbird might be a new name to many UK image makers, but the brand is fast building a reputation for reliable kit. It designs, engineers, assembles and tests kit in its native Australia, paying attention to functionality, endurance and reliability. Its CFexpress Type B SX cards are available in 160GB and 330GB capacities, priced at £156 and £360 respectively, which is competitive. If you need serious shooting capacity, Angelbird offers 2TB and 4TB CFexpress Type B cards at £1152 and £2160. But the 4TB card is currently only compatible with the Nikon Z 9 and Red V-Raptor 8K cameras.
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