Latest news with #Z6III
Tom's Guide
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Tom's Guide
I used to think Nikons were only for grandpas — but the Z5II just converted me
Listen, I'm not a Nikon hater. In fact, I own two vintage Nikon film cameras (only one of which now works). I know as well as anyone that Nikon makes some of the best cameras, which produce lovely images. As it happens, we also use two Nikon Z7IIs for our product photography here in the Tom's Guide U.K. review studio. And that's precisely because of the imaging excellence — the 45MP sensor gives plenty of space for cropping, and Nikkor glass is sharp enough to meet professional standards. However, I've just never really felt compelled to buy a modern Nikon. I know this is subjective, but they're just, well… boring. The Z f aside, today's Nikons don't have the charm of Fujifilm, or the cool 'content creator' factor of Sony. I genuinely don't ever remember seeing a young person with a Nikon. When I think of Nikon cameras, I see the Toyota Corolla. Well made, competent at its job, prime taxi fodder. But hardly a buttock-clenching drive. A grandad car. It's really difficult to fault the Nikon Z5II, especially on value for money. While it doesn't offer some of the elite features of its bigger brother, the Z6III, there's still plenty of pro features on offer here at a surprisingly low price tag. This week, though, I may have finally shaken my Nikon prejudice. I've spent the last few days testing the Nikon Z5II for my upcoming review, and I'm really struggling to think of reasons why you wouldn't buy this camera. Maybe it's that I'm older now than I ever have been. Or maybe it's because the Z5II offers simply unbeatable value for money. We loved the Nikon Z6III when we tested it last year. It's a true professional hybrid, jam-packed full of pro features for both stills and video. I'm talking subject detection AF, 120fps drive, 6K internal RAW internal. It's a damned powerhouse. The Z5II is not that. But neither is it far off. My personal camera — currently a Fujifilm X-T5 — is used for architecture photography (my hobby) and location product photography (my work). I don't need all the features of the Z6III, but I do need beautiful images, dual card slots, IBIS, strong subject detection AF and excellent handling when shooting at pace. Like the $2,499 Z6III, the Z5II delivers all of those things, only at a much, much lower price tag of $1,699. If you're an enthusiast, semi-professional or even a pro photographer, the Z5II offers a hell of a lot for the money, and ought to be top of your shortlist. The closest non-Nikon competitor is the $2,199 Canon EOS R6 Mark II, which is very similarly specced. The Canon's AF is in a different league, but that's not to say the Z5II's is poor. And I'm not sure the delta between the two is worth the $500 Canon premium. Of course, there's the higher-res Sony A7 IV, the 33MP king of the mid-market full frame domain. But with an MSRP of $2,499, the Z5II likewise has the A7IV undercut so heavily that it's difficult to justify spending that much more for 8.5 more megapixels. Two days into testing, I took the Z5II on a press trip to Frankfurt, photographing a new product at a busy event full of other journalists and content creators. It was a bit of a scramble getting to the product, and when I did, I was usually at an odd angle. In those situations, a camera must handle intuitively — you don't have time to be messing around finding settings. The Z5II was one of the easiest cameras I've used on shoot. The grip is comfortable, the layout sensible. Almost all of the rear is remappable, and instead of locating Fn buttons along the top plate, as you'll find on many of the best mirrorless cameras, there are two Fn buttons inside the grip, near the lens — just like the Fujifilm GFX100 II. In my opinion, this is the most intuitive place to host Fn buttons, removing the need to awkwardly bend a finger up onto and across the top plate. Despite its price, the Z5II handles like a professional camera. It was an excellent compadre for on-location photography, and I've no doubt it'll excel in a studio or wedding environment too. As I mentioned above, my primary camera is the Fujifilm X-T5. It's a competent performer for work, but also serves my personal needs very well. I shoot in black and white, so a driving factor in my personal camera choices is the quality of the mono profiles. I like to see my color profile applied through the EVF while shooting, to work with contrast and shadows as I frame and expose. This is a major reason for using Fujifilm, as I've not found anything (except maybe the Leica Monochrom) that fires up my inspiration quite like Acros — high contrast, sharp shadows; for shooting a monolithic slab of concrete on a bright sunny day, there's little better. That said, using Nikon's mono profiles on a blistering sunny day in Frankfurt proved a surprising treat. The Deep Mono profile in particular, is just marvelous for architecture, with plenty of contrast. It naturally lacks the filmic quality of Acros, but only complemented Frankfurt's sleek modernist and neo-futurist architecture. Tellingly, I had my Fujifilm with me that day, but dropped it back at the hotel after seeing the Z5II's output. I got my first Fujifilm 10 years ago, and I've owned five Fujis in total. I've experimented with other cameras, but in the last few years have rarely thought about switching brands permanently, least of all to Nikon. The Z5II has me really considering what I need long term, though. For light or semi-professional work, it's a phenomenal camera for the money. There isn't anywhere else you can get a new camera with this balance of full frame goodness and pro features for just $1,699. Poignantly, the camera world is currently in the midst of debating the Fujifilm X-E5, which costs $1,699 body only. As an X-E lover, that price tag has me sorely disappointed anyway, but especially so when considering how much camera you're getting for the same money with the Z5II. Counter to my age-related jibes earlier on, I actually think the Z5II is the ideal camera for young photographers, too. Straight out of a photography course, or upgrading to your first full frame mirrorless for commissions? What an incredible investment the Z5II would make to help your career blossom. Have I just become a Nikon shooter? I'm closer to 40 than 20 now, I guess, so it would make sense.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Accessory roundup: Sony's latest grip, a tiny flash and more
It's the weekend, so we're checking in to share some accessories announced this past week. It was a surprisingly busy week for accessories and camera equipment, with a long list of releases from brands like Polaroid, OWC, Laowa and more. First, though, the deals. Nikon's Z6III is an extremely well-rounded camera, ideal for a wide range of photographic genres, including sports, studio, wildlife and everything in between. It's also got solid video chops. Right now, you can grab the Z6III for $400 off the regular price. Buy now: Buy at Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at MPB Buy at Adorama Buy at B&H Photo Buy at MPB If the Z6III isn't quite in your budget, the Nikon Z7II is a slightly more affordable option. Despite that, it is still plenty versatile and offers excellent image quality. It's less expensive than its peers when full-priced, but right now it is $500 off. Buy now: Buy at Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo Buy at Adorama Buy at B&H Photo Sony announced the Wireless Shooting Grip/Tripod (GP-VPT3) and the Wireless Remote Commander (RMT-VP2). Both devices work with Sony's Alpha and vlog camera systems via Bluetooth connectivity. The grip is designed to make it easier to hold your camera, and can support cameras up to 1.5kg (3.3lbs). It can be used handheld or as a small tripod, and offers control over key camera operations like zoom and focus. The detachable remote commander features a Movie button, Zoom/Focus button, and C1 (Custom) button, making it easier to control your camera with one hand from a distance. It offers a range of up to 10m (32.8'). Both will be available for purchase in June but are up for pre-order now. The grip, which comes with the remote, will cost $160. You will also be able to purchase the remote separately for $90. Grip pre-order at B&H Remote pre-order at B&H Grip pre-order at B&H Remote pre-order at B&H Polaroid and MoMA teamed up again to release a MoMA-themed Polaroid Now Generation 3 instant film camera along with limited edition film. The camera is the same as existing Now Gen 3 models, though with a bright blue body featuring a bold MoMA typeface on the front. It comes with three vibrantly colored wrist straps as well. You can purchase the collab version from the Polaroid or MoMA websites for $130. Buy at Polaroid Buy at Polaroid The limited-edition color film includes four frames with the MoMA logo and four frames with quotes from artists in MoMA's collection. It works with Polaroid I-2, Polaroid Flip, Polaroid Now, Polaroid Now+, Polaroid Lab, OneStep 2 and OneStep+ cameras. The film can be bought separately for $22. Buy at Polaroid Buy at Polaroid Laowa announced a new offering for dramatic macro shots. The Laowa 15mm F4.5 Wide Angle Macro lens offers 0.5x magnification, with the ability to focus as close as 12.9cm (5"). It features 16 elements in 11 groups, which includes 2 aspherical elements, 3 HR elements and 3 ED elements. It's a manual focus lens, but allows for auto aperture and Exif data on Sony E, Nikon Z and Canon EF mount cameras. The lens is also compatible on Nikon F, Canon RF and L mount cameras, though without auto aperture capabilities. It's available to purchase through Laowa's website or for pre-order through B&H for $400. Buy at Laowa Pre-order at B&H Buy at Laowa Pre-order at B&H Godox announced the iT30 Pro, its tiniest TTL flash yet. The pocket-sized device, which weighs just 120g (4.2oz), can work as a flash sender, receiver or trigger thanks to Godox's 2.4GHz X system. Despite its diminutive size, the flash packs a punch. It offers a guide number of 49.2 feet at ISO 100. Its power is adjustable from 1/1 to 1/128 and has flash compensation from -3 to +3 EV. It features a full-color 2.8-inch touchscreen, rotary dial and built-in diffuser. The flash is available in versions compatible with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus and Panasonic cameras. It's available for pre-order for $75. Pre-order at B&H Pre-order at B&H If you're tired of dealing with a slew of dongles and docks, this offering from OWC may be just what you need. The new Thunderbolt 5 Dock provides 11 ports through a single cable input, which OWC says is the highest bandwidth available. The front of the dock offers a Thunderbolt 5 port, a USB 3.2 port, a headphone jack, an SD card slot and a microSD card slot. On the back is the power input, a 2.5Gb Ethernet port, two USB 3.2 ports (one 10Gb/s and one 5Gb/s), and three Thunderbolt 5 ports. One of those rear Thunderbolt 5 ports can deliver 140W of power to keep your laptop charged. You can pre-order now for $330. Pre-order at OWC Pre-order at OWC Smartphone creatives have a new tool available courtesy of Sandmarc. Its Star Filter creates multi-point flares from direct light sources. The filter is adjustable, giving users more control over the final look. It can be attached to iPhones using Sandmarc's attachment system, or used as a clip-on attachment. You can pre-order the filter now for $80; shipping will begin mid-June. Pre-order at Sandmarc Pre-order at Sandmarc
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Nikon's new 28-135mm f/4 PZ lens brings power zoom & pro video features
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Less than a year after acquiring RED Camera, Nikon is reinforcing its commitment to video with the launch of the Nikkor Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ, the company's first Power Zoom (PZ) lens for its FX-format mirrorless cameras. Designed for professional videographers, this all-in-one zoom lens is an ideal match for Nikon's Z9, Z8, and Z6 III, offering versatility, precision, and advanced control for solo shooters and small production teams. With a broad 28-135mm focal range, internal focusing, and a short minimum focusing distance, the lens is well-suited for documentary filmmaking, location work, and run-and-gun videography. Power Zoom functionality enables smooth, remote-controlled zooming, essential for professional video production. A stepping motor (STM) allows seamless focal length transitions, suppresses focus breathing, and offers eleven customizable zoom speeds, assignable to the zoom lever or one of two L-Fn buttons. The zoom ring angle and rotation direction can be customized, while remote zoom operation is supported via NX Tether software, SnapBridge, or NX Field apps—allowing control from a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Filmmakers can take advantage of Hi-Res Zoom when using the lens with the Nikon Z9, enabling 4K recording with a 270mm equivalent field of view at the telephoto end. A dedicated Synchro mode allows simultaneous optical zoom and Hi-Res Zoom via a single control. Weighing 2.66 lbs, the internally zooming design ensures a balanced setup—ideal for gimbal use. The lens is also compatible with matte boxes, follow-focus systems, and other professional accessories. Included is a rectangular lens hood with a filter adjustment window, allowing changes without removing the hood. Built with Nikon's premium coatings, the lens features Meso Amorphous coating to dramatically reduce ghosting and flare, while a fluorine coating repels dust, water, and debris. Its dust- and drip-resistant construction makes it a reliable choice for demanding environments. The lens also debuts a distinctive yellow video ring around the mount and cinema-style markings, reinforcing its place in Nikon's growing lineup of professional video tools. The Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 Power Zoom Lens is priced at $2,596.95 / £2,499 / AU$3,399. US: Adorama at $2,596.95 B&H at $2,596.95 UK Jessops at £2,499
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nikon Announces NIKKOR Z 28-135mm F4 Power Zoom Lens for Professional Video; First Look YouTube Video NIKKOR Z 28-135mm Preorder, Price and More Info at B&H
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 debuts a new power zoom lens aimed at professional videographers, the Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ, an all-in-one lens ideal for documentaries and location work. NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- B&H is to announce Nikon is making good on their renewed dedication to video with the release of their latest lens, the Nikkor Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lens. It's the first Power Zoom lens the company has made for their FX, full-frame format, and one they've designed to pair with their flagship Z9 mirrorless camera, Z8 and Z6 III cameras. An all-in-one lens aimed at the professional market, the lens's broad focal range, internal focusing mechanism, and short minimum focusing distance make it an ideal choice for documentaries and location work by a solo videographer or small crew. Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ Lenshttps:// Product Highlights: Full-Frame | f/4 Maximum Aperture Wide-Angle to Telephoto Zoom Stepping Motor AF System Power Zoom Functionality Programmable Control Ring & L-Fn Buttons Meso Amorphous Coating Internal Zoom Mechanism 13.4" Minimum Focusing Distance Rotatable Tripod Collar Rectangular Lens Hood w/ Filter Window Power Zoom lenses are particularly useful for video production, allowing digital control over aperture adjustments, and more importantly, smooth, remote, and uniform control over the zoom function. The Nikon Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ uses stepping motor (STM) to change between focal lengths, suppressing focus breathing and offering 11 different zoom speeds that can be assigned to the lens's zoom lever or one of its two L-Fn buttons. The zoom ring angle and direction of rotation can be customized. Additionally, users can control zoom remotely with a computer, smartphone, or tablet using the NX Tether software or the SnapBridge or NX Field apps. The convenient 28-135mm focal range benefits a variety of compositions, all of which can be accomplished without changing the lens. The lens also supports close-up work with a minimum focus distance of 13.4" in the 28-50mm range and 22.4" in the telephoto range. When used with the Nikon Z9, Z8 and Z6 III camera the Hi-Res Zoom feature enables 4K video recording with a 270mm equivalent angle of view at the telephoto end. A dedicated Synchro mode allows for simultaneous optical zoom and Hi-Res Zoom using a single control when recording. The internal zoom mechanism results in a 2.66 lb balanced lens suitable for use with gimbals. Other professional accessories, including matte boxes and follow-focus assemblies, are also supported for use with the lens. The lens comes with a rectangular lens hood that helps users control the light entering the lens and includes a filter adjustment window allows for making changes without detaching the hood. Built to approximate the height of the Z9, the lens features Nikon's best anti-reflection coating, the Meso Amorphous coat, to significantly reduce ghosting and flare. An additional fluorine coat repels dust, water, and debris, adding to the lens's dust and drip-resistant construction. In addition to the two assignable L-Fn buttons and zoom lever, the lens also features a distinctive yellow video ring around the mount and new Cinema Lens style text. Learn all about the Nikon Nikkor Z 28-135mm f/4 lenshttps:// First Look YouTube Video on Nikon Nikkor Z 28-135mm f/4 lenshttps:// Digital Camerashttps:// Nikon Z Lenseshttps:// Nikon Camerashttps:// Nikon Mirrorless Camerashttps:// Tripods – Camera Tripodshttps:// Camera Bagshttps:// More Categories USB C Headphoneshttps:// Curved Gaming Monitorshttps:// External Hard Driveshttps:// 4K Monitorshttps:// About B&H Photo Video As the world's largest source of photography, video, and audio equipment, as well as computers, drones, and home and portable entertainment, B&H is known worldwide for its attentive, knowledgeable sales force and excellent customer service, including fast, reliable shipping. B&H has been satisfying customers worldwide for more than 50 years. Visitors to the website can access a variety of educational videos and enlightening articles. The B&H YouTube Channel has an unmatched wealth of educational content. Our entertaining and informative videos feature product overviews from our in-house specialists. You can view the B&H Event Space presentations from many of the world's foremost experts and interviews with some of technology's most dynamic personalities. Tap into this exciting resource by subscribing to the B&H YouTube Channel here. In addition to videos, the B&H Explora blog presents new product announcements, gear reviews, helpful guides, and tech news written by product experts and industry professionals, as well as our award-winning podcasts. When you're in Manhattan, take a tour of the B&H Photo SuperStore, located at 420 Ninth Avenue. The techno-carousel spins all year round at the counters and kiosks at B&H. With hundreds of products on display, the B&H Photo SuperStore is the place to test-drive and compare all the latest gear. The B&H Payboo Credit Card offers the industry's best instant savings and special financing, subject to credit approval. Visit B&H's Payboo Page to learn more and apply. Contact InformationGeoffrey NgaiB&H Photo Video212-615-8820https:// View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE B&H Photo Sign in to access your portfolio
