Read FREE online
Get the latest issue FREE to your inbox when you sign up for our newsletter at photographynews.co.uk
If you prefer a print copy delivered to your door, a yearly subscription costs just £19.99 . See our website for details.
Continued from page 1
In the camera categories, this year was the first time that no award was handed out in the DSLR class. Reflecting the shift in the market to mirrorless models and the reduced investment in R&D, we decided it was best to retire it entirely. Despite this, familiar names were still top of the pile, with Nikon triumphing in three categories: best enthusiast APS-C mirrorless camera for the Z fc, best top-end full-frame mirrorless camera for the Z 9 and best video-focused camera for the Z 8. The remaining prizes in camera categories were split evenly between Canon, Leica, Fujifilm, Panasonic, OM System, Polaroid and Sony – all of which picked up the one award each.
EDITOR’S LETTER ROGER PAYNE
This time last year, my wife and I were unpacking boxes following a week-before-Christmas house move to North Norfolk. Admittedly, a fair number of boxes remain unpacked, but let’s not talk about that. I was hoping our relocation would inject new life into my photographic endeavours, as it’s an undeniably beautiful part of the country – and I’ve achieved that with a moderate degree of success. I haven’t taken as many images as I might have hoped for (and that’s for a number of reasons), but I have learnt some valuable lessons. The most salient has come from my early-morning dog walks, which I’m now lucky to do on a beach rather than a pavement. My pooch and I head to the coast in all weathers – sun, rain, wind, the lot – and I’ve begun to appreciate just how much a landscape changes on a daily – in fact, hourly – basis. The same landmarks are there, but they always look different. As a result, I’ve found myself looking closely at subtle changes in light, the sky, the surrounding flora and fauna; it’s a constantly changing environment that always presents new opportunities. And that’s before you include the people interacting with the environment, which offers even more options. Roger Payne
Nikon won again in the lens categories, picking up a couple of awards in the superzoom and standard lens categories. Sigma also picked up two awards: best macro lens for the 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro and best wide-angle for the 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. Other optic winners included Zeiss, Samyang and Canon. If lighting is more your bag, Rotolight picked up some prizes: one voted for by you, the AEOS 2 Pro winning best LED light; one selected as an Editor’s Choice award in the best on-camera flash category for the Neo 3 Pro. Meanwhile, Godox picked up a brace of gongs, with the AD400 Pro securing best portable flash and the V1 nabbing best on-camera flash. Elinchrom and Nanlite picked up wins in mains flash and LED light. Services are always hotly contested categories. MPB – clearly a PN reader “If lighting is more your bag, Rotolight picked up some prizes”
I now take a camera with me every time we go out for a walk. While I’m not always happy with the results, looking back at the images does show how much the landscape changes over the seasons. It’s helped me see familiar locations in an entirely new light. To the issue, which sees us announce the PN Awards winners for 2023. Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote. Find all the winners on page 13 (or some edited highlights to the right). I have also been testing Fujifilm’s GFX100 II – read my review on page 30. It’s quite something (the camera, that is). Enjoy the issue and your photography in 2024. Stick with us and we’ll keep you up to date with all things photography.
SWEET VICTORY Both the Nikon Z fc (above) and Sennheiser MKE 400 (top) won in their respective categories favourite – continued its remarkable run of victories by retaining its best used specialist retailer award, while Chiswick Camera Centre overcame some massive names to scoop best retailer. Amazing Internet walked away with best photo website provider, and a well-deserved win for Chris Simmons Photography saw him retain best training provider for the second year running. The full list of winners, plus the other nominated products, starts on page 13. Our congratulations to all our winners and nominees, not to mention a huge thanks to everyone who took the time to vote. Same time next year?
Follow us:
@photonewsPN @photonewsPN
@photonewsPN
TOP DRIVE The Sandisk Extreme Pro Portable SSD V2 is among the winners
What’s inside 03 News Winners from the Photography News 2023 Awards, plus a tasty selection of new products, including a tiny macro lens from Panasonic 09 Samsung word search Pit your word-finding wits against our photo- focused puzzle. A 256GB Samsung memory card awaits one lucky winner!
13 Photography News 2023 Awards: The winners You voted, we counted, and now it’s time to reveal the best products and services in the imaging industry. If you’re looking to purchase some new gear, take a look at what your fellow readers believe to be the best 30 Big test: Fujifilm GFX100 II A big test for a big camera. Fujifilm’s medium format GFX100 II looks like a phenomenal all- rounder on paper, but how does it fare out in the field? Roger Payne finds out 39 Buyers’ guide: holidays and courses Making plans for your picture-taking in 2024? You’ve come to the right place, as we round up
27
a fine selection of options to help you learn, both at home and away 43 First tests Canon’s 10x RF 24-240mm superzoom for mirrorless models is put to the test by Will Cheung, while we also test the mettle of the carbon-fibre and aluminium Benro Cyanbird five-section tripod
06
43
Issue 113 | Photography News 3
photographynews.co.uk
Powered by FlippingBook