Digital Photography Review Newsletter: Thursday, February 11, 2021

The Digital Photography Review Newsletter for Thursday, February 11, 2021 [DPReview: Digital Photography Review]( [DPReview on Facebook]( [DPReview on Twitter]( [DPReview on Google Plus]( The Digital Photography Review Newsletter The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 400,000 subscribers Thursday, February 11, 2021 Welcome to the 848th DPReview newsletter. Over the last week we've continued to shoot with Sony's flagship Alpha 1, culminating with the initial review that we published today. (To say that there's a lot of interest in this camera is an understatement.) We also spent some time shooting around with the Fujifilm X-E4, and published a field review of Tamron's lightweight 17-70mm F2.8 for Sony E-mount. It's shaping up to be a snowy weekend here in Seattle, so we'll have some extra variety in our next set of galleries. Until then, be well, and we'll see you next week. Jeff --------------------------------------------------------------- Sony a1 initial review The Alpha 1 is the pinnacle of Sony's engineering prowess, and it shows as soon as you fire it up. With 50 Megapixels, an advanced autofocus system, 30 fps burst shooting (at full resolution) and 8K video, it's truly impressive. Our initial review covers the highlights: look for our in-depth review in a few weeks. [Read our Sony a1 initial review]( Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD field review This compact lens with a very long name is equivalent to around 26-105mm when mounted on Sony APS-C bodies. While it's heavy on the distortion and has some issues with chromatic aberrations, it's very sharp and a good value. [Read our Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 review]( --------------------------------------------------------------- X-E4 sample gallery update We're continuing to shoot with a pre-production X-E4 and have built our gallery up to 90 images. Click-through to size up its photo quality, or just look at cute dog photos. [View the pre-production Fujifilm X-E4 gallery]( TV: Sony a1 review Our friends in Calgary also got their hands on the new Sony a1. With Chris still in quarantine, Jordan set out to see if the Alpha 1 lives up to its billing. And if you haven't already done so, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel! [Watch the DPReview TV Sony a1 review]( News updates [Leaked photos allegedly show off Sony's new FX3 Cinema Line mirrorless camera]( Published Thursday, February 11, 2021 7:00:00 PM GMT As far as what's inside the FX3 camera shown off in the images, little is known, but the two leaked photos give us a good look at what its form factor will be. [Sony a1 initial review]( Published Thursday, February 11, 2021 3:00:00 PM GMT The Sony Alpha 1 is Sony's flagship mirrorless camera for, well, just about anything. With a 50MP sensor, it gives you tons of resolution, but it also lets you fire off burst images at 30 fps for fast action sports. Add in 8K video capture and you have a really impressive package. [AI-powered Same Energy is a visual search engine designed to show you aesthetically similar photos]( Published Thursday, February 11, 2021 2:55:00 PM GMT Canadian developer Jacob Jackson has put his experience working with AI to interesting use with his new Same Energy search engine. Same Energy is developed to show you visually similar images with its results. [DPReview TV: Favorite episodes and a subscriber challenge]( Published Thursday, February 11, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT It's been almost three years since we launched DPReview TV. Relive some of our favorite episodes and support our subscriber challenge: help us reach 300,000 subscribers by Valentine's Day and give Jordan a special challenge of his own. [The 'X-Tra' camera battery Kickstarter campaign appears to have been a scam]( Published Wednesday, February 10, 2021 8:15:00 PM GMT It's come to light that a Kickstarter campaign we shared back in November 2020 is very likely a scam. As such, we've gathered information, shared the rationale behind our decision to cover the project and more. [Slideshow: World Photography Organisation announces the 2021 National Awards winners]( Published Wednesday, February 10, 2021 8:15:00 PM GMT The 2021 National Award winners for Sony's World Photography Awards were recently announced. [Venus Optics releases four Laowa lenses for L mount camera systems]( Published Wednesday, February 10, 2021 4:54:00 PM GMT Venus Optics has brought two of its existing ultra-wide-angle lenses and two macro lenses to L mount camera systems. [DPReview TV: This G-Tech hand warmer can keep you—and your batteries—warm in winter conditions]( Published Wednesday, February 10, 2021 3:00:00 PM GMT Wait... you're reviewing a what? Chris and Jordan work in some pretty frigid conditions, so they've been using the G-Tech battery-powered hand warmer. Find out why they think it's a useful accessory for cold weather photographers. [Sony Japan delays release of its FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens, cites 'production reasons']( Published Tuesday, February 9, 2021 8:30:00 PM GMT Sony Japan has posted a notice to its website informing consumers it's pushed back the planned February 12 release date of its FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens. [Sony's ZV-1 camera can now be used as a webcam over USB thanks to firmware version 2.00]( Published Tuesday, February 9, 2021 7:34:00 PM GMT In addition to general stability and performance improvements, firmware version 2.00 for the ZV-1 [More than megapixels: 108MP Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. 20.2MP Canon 1DX II]( Published Tuesday, February 9, 2021 5:57:00 PM GMT Photographer Kevin Raposo wanted to see if the 108MP Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra could best a professional DSLR camera. He pitted the Galaxy against the Canon 1DX II, which has a 20.2MP sensor. Can you tell the images apart? [Taking to the skies with the DJI Mini 2]( Published Tuesday, February 9, 2021 3:26:00 PM GMT Join filmmaker Jordan Meyers as he uses the DJI Mini 2’s advanced camera and intelligent flight modes to capture stunning drone footage in the cold and wintery Cascade Mountains. [Sample gallery: The Fujifilm GF 45-100mm F4 on the GFX 100]( Published Tuesday, February 9, 2021 3:00:00 PM GMT The Fujifilm GF 45-100mm F4 R LM OIS WR is a medium zoom for the GFX system of medium-format digital cameras. It's equivalent focal length of roughly 36-80mm may not be all that familiar these days, but it makes for a nice walk-around lens for landscapes and portraits alike. [Alice MFT camera combines smartphone AI with interchangeable lenses, now live on Indiegogo]( Published Tuesday, February 9, 2021 2:30:00 PM GMT A Micro Four Thirds camera that uses the same AI photo trickery as smartphones to improve the way pictures look promises open-source access for custom applications and live streaming video direct through your phone [Caught on video: Photographers robbed of $7,000 in gear while stuck in traffic in San Francisco]( Published Monday, February 8, 2021 8:24:00 PM GMT Last Friday, a pair of real estate photographers captured images near a park in San Francisco. After leaving, a vehicle pulled up behind them in traffic, smashed the back window, and made off with a bag of equipment worth $7,000. [Royal Photographic Society makes 165 years of its Journal free online]( Published Monday, February 8, 2021 7:06:00 PM GMT The Society has literally photographed every page of its Journal magazine between 1853 and 2018, and made it all free to read online in a massive treasure trove of photographic history [Reveni Labs’ new Spot Meter uses unique two-eye aiming method]( Published Monday, February 8, 2021 6:12:00 PM GMT Reveni Labs has launched a new Kickstarter campaign for its compact, lightweight Spot Meter. The project, which has been already met its funding goal, aims to offer film photographers an easy-to-use, small light meter at a reasonable price. [Nikon Q3 financial report: imaging business revenue and profit down double-digits as it prepares for future sustainability]( Published Monday, February 8, 2021 3:59:00 PM GMT Nikon's 2021 fiscal year might look grim on paper, but it seems the company is taking the steps required to stay sustainable in a shrinking market. [Fujifilm X-E4 pre-production gallery updated with more samples]( Published Monday, February 8, 2021 3:00:00 PM GMT We've topped off our Fujifilm X-E4 pre-production sample gallery with a wide variety of additional images showcasing an array of 'Film Simulations,' for your viewing pleasure. Have a look! [Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD field review]( Published Monday, February 8, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT The Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is a compact general-purpose lens for Sony's APS-C, E-mount mirrorless cameras. So how does it perform? Read our review to find out. [Video: How to make a negative from peel-apart instant film]( Published Sunday, February 7, 2021 6:34:00 PM GMT A lot has changed since Jake Hicks' excellent tutorial was written. Polaroid is now manufacturing instant film, again, and here's how you can make a negative from a print. [Interview: Learn how robotics company MRMC puts cameras where photographers aren't allowed to go]( Published Sunday, February 7, 2021 3:00:00 PM GMT Robotics company MRMC has seen demand for its remote camera pods explode in the past 12 months, including at the recent presidential inauguration in the US. We sat down (remotely, of course) with representatives from MRMC and Nikon recently to learn more about the setup. [Sony a1 sample gallery (DPReview TV)]( Published Sunday, February 7, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT Our team at DPReview TV just finished their review of the new Sony a1. Here's a gallery of images they shot while testing the camera, straight from the frozen northlands. [Gear from yesteryear: What does a 40-year-old lens look like at 46 Megapixels?]( Published Saturday, February 6, 2021 3:00:00 PM GMT Just for fun, we dusted off an old Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm F2.8 AI-S lens and slapped it on a Nikon Z7 and Z7 II to see what it's simple optical formula can do on a thoroughly modern full-frame camera. [DPReview TV: Sony a1 review]( Published Saturday, February 6, 2021 3:00:00 PM GMT With Chris still in quarantine, Jordan becomes a one man camera reviewing machine. He takes us through the Sony a1 from top to bottom, then tells us what he thinks. (Spoiler: he's impressed.) [U.S. Senator Mike Lee reintroduces Drone Federalism Bill]( Published Friday, February 5, 2021 6:59:00 PM GMT Utah's Senator Mike Lee reintroduced his previously-defeated Drone Federalism Bill on February 4th. If passed, it could hit hobbyist and commercial drone operators, financially. [Affinity Photo 1.9 released: Free update improves performance, adds astrophotography stacking, and more]( Published Friday, February 5, 2021 6:45:00 PM GMT Affinity Photo has long been a strong competitor to Adobe Photoshop. With its new version 1.9 update, Affinity Photo is an even stronger photo editing application. Available for macOS, Windows and iPad, Affinity Photo 1.9 adds many new features and promises improved performance. [KamLan to launch $300 32mm F1.1 manual lens for APS-C camera systems]( Published Friday, February 5, 2021 4:02:00 PM GMT The fully-manual lens is set for a February 12th release for Canon EOS-M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds and Sony E mount camera systems. [The absolute beginner’s guide to film photography: Color print film]( Published Friday, February 5, 2021 3:00:00 PM GMT One of the greatest joys of experimenting with color print film is discovering the wide variety of options out there, each rendering color/grain/contrast differently than the next. Want to know more? We've got you covered in our complete beginner's guide. [Photography-themed playing cards take a gamble on Kickstarter]( Published Thursday, February 4, 2021 10:44:00 PM GMT The Dutch Card House Company launches a set of neat playing cards with a fun photography theme. You received this email because you subscribed to the Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) weekly newsletter. To unsubscribe, [click here](. Alternatively, log into dpreview and visit your user profile settings ([( uncheck the Newsletter Subscription checkbox, then click on Save changes. © 2021 [dpreview.com]( Digital Photography Review, all rights reserved. DPReview, 428 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA