This week's episode is brought to you by OM SYSTEM! Get ready to take your photography to the extreme. This morning, OM SYSTEM announced the Tough TG-7, a dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof camera featuring an F2.0 high-speed zoom lens, RAW recording, and a 4x optical zoom lens to ensure you capture perfection with fast shutter speeds and minimal blur. The OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 is your key to capturing extraordinary images, whether you're diving underwater, braving freezing temperatures, or exploring rugged terrains. The TG-7 will be available on the OM SYSTEM website as well as authorized OM SYSTEM retailers by the end of the month for $549.99. To learn more about the TG-7, visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel.

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This week on the PetaPixel Podcast, the team comes together for a special episode from Apple Park! Chris, Jordan, and Jaron spend some time discussing topics they didn't get to mention in their first impressions of Apple's latest handhelds.

While there is plenty to say about the new iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max, the trio also needed to talk about the new medium format Fujifilm GFX 100 II, a camera that grabbed headlines despite releasing the same day as Apple's big event. A spirited discussion, the team debates who this camera is actually for, what it is best at, and how it fits into an already pretty crowded photo market, especially at its $7,500 asking price.

Finally, Chris, Jordan, and Jaron chat with photographer Blair Bunting and answer some of your questions about his flight to the edge of space.

We used Riverside to record our interview with photographer Blair Bunting.

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In This Episode

00:00 - Intro
03:00 - Who is the Fujifilm GFX 100 II For?
11:28 - What We Didn't Say About the Apple iPhone 15
27:56 - Chris can't sleep
29:14 - Tech Support
37:39 - Blair Bunting answers questions about his photo shoot at the edge of space
01:04:00 - Never read the comments


What We Didn't Say About the Apple iPhone 15

A photography podcast. Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake join PetaPixel's Editor-in-Chief Jaron Schneider for a weekly discussion on current events in the photo industry, camera equipment, technology, culture, and more.

Technology

Tech News

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Software How-To

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Fujifilm held another Fujikina event, this time in Australia, to announce four new products: the X-T50, the GFX100S II, XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR lens, and the GF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR. Two of these announcements, the lenses, were expected: Fujifilm is one of the few companies that publishes lens roadmaps well ahead of official product announcements. But the two cameras were less so, especially considering the GFX 100 II was announced so recently, seeing the GFX100S II may have come as somewhat of a surprise. The X-T50 is also a bit unexpected and it brings a new dial to the party that is just for film simulations. 



There is a lot to discuss, and that's not even touching on the new Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art II, which was also announced this week. It's a packed episode that you won't want to miss!



In This Episode:

00:00 - Intro (first food you'll grab in Japan)
06:27 - Nikon bought RED for just $85M
09:23 - Contextualizing that value
11:12 - Fujifilm's profits are soaring
15:06 - Sigma's new 24-70mm f/2.8 is REALLY good
19:33 - Fujifilm's MASSIVE week! Everything Fuji announced and what excites us!
21:44 - X-T50
25:05 - GFX 100S II
28:58 - XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR
35:05 - GF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR
40:43 - Fujifilm makes a lot of cameras now
47:06 - What have you been up to?
51:03 - Tech support, and a disclaimer
52:46 - How close would a full frame with a 1.4x teleconverter be to an APS-C camera at the same shutter speed and f-stop?
55:14 - What is a good Sony lens to get started with videography?
57:24 - What is your favorite camera menu system?
1:02:04 - What is your favorite obscure camera feature?
1:05:46 - Is the photo and video industry toxic?
1:11:38 - Never read the comments


Fujifilm Had a MASSIVE Week!

Thanks to OM System for sponsoring the PetaPixel Podcast! Right now, OM SYSTEM is offering one of their best spring deals yet. You can get the sleek and versatile E-M10 Mark IV camera body, and guess what? They’re throwing in a free M.Zuiko 14-42mm II R lens. That’s right, free! Visit OM SYSTEM’s website at explore.omsystem.com/petapixel and check out the E-M10 Mark IV bundle!



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Before yesterday, the QuickTake 100 was the last time Apple built the hardware and complete, full-fledged software for an image capture device. Even though the iPhone has been equipped with a camera from the beginning, Apple has relied on third-party developers to make its camera hardware actually useable for anything other than quick snaps. The company dabbled in camera development but shied away from jumping all the way into the pool.



But with Final Cut Camera, Apple signaled very loudly that it is shifting its perspective: it's now making the software required to take full advantage of its capture hardware. There really is no other definition of a camera company than that.



We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.



We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode:

00:00 - Intro (what was your first photo and video editing software?)
09:13 - What is going on with the Canon EOS R1? 
19:31 - Insta360 is in the midst of a crisis.
27:21 - It gets worse: GoPro says Insta360 infringed on its patents 
30:21 - Apple's new iPad Air
30:56 - iPad Pro
44:43 - Apple is finally a camera company now (again)
56:40 - What have you been up to?
1:01:03 - Tech Supportapalooza
1:30:16 - Ben Horne


Apple is a Camera Company Now (Again)


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Visit your nearest authorized OM SYSTEM retailer or visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel for more details on how to upgrade your gear today!


News doesn't take a break, so this week, Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake join me from the comfort of their hotel room on the coast of Vancouver Island. The biggest story? Canon's RF mount is finally open to third-party developers, but there is a catch. That said, there might be a good reason for Canon to make this choice, as its sales aren't doing great. 


The trio also discusses Sigma and Nikon and Canon's response to the situation at RED Cinema. Finally, it can be hard for solo creators to work with larger teams when they're given the opportunity, so the three present their tips for making the most of those types of opportunities. 


We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode:

00:00 - Intro
08:16 - Canon finally opens the RF mount... but just a crack
12:47 - So why isn't Sigma on Nikon Z mount?
16:19 - Camera sales boomed last year, but not for Canon
18:50 - Canon is surprisingly upbeat about Nikon's RED acquisition
22:04 - Should we ditch the term "mirrorless" and just use DSLR? 
28:15 - Our tips for solo creators when they have to work with bigger teams 
43:15 - Insta360 is asking creators to not disclose sponsorships? 
46:24 - What have you been up to?
48:21 - Tech support
1:11:49 - Never read the comments




Image credits: Featured photo licensed via Depositphotos.

PetaPixel VacationCast: Canon FINALLY Opens the RF Mount!

We would like to thank our podcast sponsor, OM SYSTEM. Recently, PetaPixel followed OM SYSTEM Ambassadors Tiffany Taxis and Arthur Lefo as they photographed the incredible winter wildlife of Yellowstone National Park. The photographers had brought the recently released OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II, the company’s latest telephoto zoom lens, the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS, as well as the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO

 
Watch the film on PetaPixel's YouTube Channel, make sure to read Lefo’s 9 Tips for Photographing Wildlife in Winter, and don't forget to also visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel to learn more about the OM-1 Mark II and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-600mm F5.0-6.3 IS lens.

 
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Thank you to Storyblocks for sponsoring this week's main story segment! Download unlimited stock media at one set price with Storyblocks at storyblocks.com/petapixel.

 
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This week, Jordan and I discuss some new developments surrounding Nikon's acquisition of RED as well as some of the top news that came out of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) tradeshow in Las Vegas. That includes some hands-on impressions and testing of Insta360's new camera. 

 
We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

 
We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

 
In This Episode

 

00:00 - Intro... and where's Chris?
08:32 - Nikon's purchase of RED gets clearer
08:48 - Nikon is 'considering' cine glass while RED will continue to use RF
11:31 - When else has a lens/camera maker supported competitors' lenses or mounts?
14:29 - Expect a new camera using tech from both Nikon and RED 'in a few years'
16:02 - Nikon started the process to buy RED two years ago
17:40 - It looks like two-thirds of the X100VI Limited Edition camera orders in the U.S. were suspect
20:41 - Ok, SmallRig's new tripod collab with Potato Jet actually looks sick
23:12 - Blackmagic's big week (lightning round)
28:44 - So, is the Insta360 X4 8K any good? 
44:42 - The sounds of Shure's new MV7+ podcasting mic
47:06 - What have/will you been/be up to?
52:35 - Tech support
1:06:12 - Never read the comments


So, Is the Insta360 X4 8K Actually Any Good?

We want to once again thank our podcast sponsor, OM SYSTEM, who are bringing you an unbeatable deal today! For outdoor enthusiasts and photographers, size and weight of camera gear often plays a big role. The OM SYSTEM OM-5 not only offers cutting-edge technology and unrivaled performance, but also ensures you have room in your bag for other essentials needed for your adventure. Adventure enthusiasts and photography fans alike can now pair the OM-5 with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 II lens for just $1,299.99 after a rebate. That’s a steal considering the quality and performance you’ll experience with this fully weather-sealed camera and lens combination.




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Almost every camera manufacturer makes its own photo editing software, but we aren't super enthused to use any of them -- especially if camera features are locked behind them. 




As long as there is no real reason to ever download it and fire it up, it's actually not a big deal if a camera company's software doesn't work great. Photographers are using third-party software like Adobe Lightroom and Capture One a majority of the time and it probably isn't unusual for them to never feel the need to download first-party software. 




That was until companies started locking features behind these programs. For example, Canon Dual Pixel RAW requires the use of Digital Photo Professional and Sony requires photographers fire up Imaging Edge if they want to use Pixel Shift Multi-Shot. Neither of these programs are intuitive to use and, perhaps worse, they are frustratingly slow and prone to crashing. 




So, looking at the state of photography in 2024, Chris, Jordan, and Jaron asked themselves this: how is it acceptable that all these programs are just varying degrees of bad? The three dig into it while driving from San Jose to San Francisco in the first-ever PetaPixel Carcast!




We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.




We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

What We Didn't Say About the Apple iPhone 15

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