Nikon has announced the Nikon Z fc, its retro-style camera with an APS-C sensor! We also have two new lenses from Nikon (that are also sold as kit lenses for the Nikon Z fc), a new lens from Canon, and much more. Here’s the best news I’ve selected for “The Photography News Show”!
CAMERA NEWS
Nikon Z fc Camera
The Nikon Z fc is an APS-C mirrorless camera from Nikon, that brings the latest technology in a vintage package with a “slower approach” to photography.
n fact, there are knobs for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation.
That’s quite a shift from the modern design we’re used to seeing from Nikon.
It surely is a throwback to cameras that Nikon produced back in the days, but it also reminds me of Fujifilm mirrorless cameras, which have adopted this approach for quite some time.
With the Z fc, Nikon wanted to create an “everyday camera”, small enough to always carry it with you and capture memories from your daily life.
For this reason, this could work perfectly as your first camera if you’re starting out with photography, also because it will really help you lock in the fundamentals thanks to all knobs for the settings.
Or, if you already have a Nikon Z, the Z fc could be your secondary camera, the one you take with you when you just go for a stroll.
Specs-wise, it has:
- 20.9-megapixel sensor
- 4K video
- Hybrid Autofocus
- Eye detection Autofocus
- LCD flip screen
- Built-in Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
It’s retailed a bit above $950, and you can pre-order it at this link.
Nikon is also selling special editions in different colors, together with the kit lens, which you can only get on Nikon’s website for $1,200.
LENS NEWS
Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR + Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8
Besides the Z fc, Nikon has also released two new APS-C lenses that are proposed as a kit with the camera:
They both are very compact, and they perfectly pair with the Z fc.
The 1st is the typical kit lens that can be used in a variety of scenarios, while the 28mm, which is an equivalent of a 40-ish millimeter, can be an interesting first lens to experiment with some portraits or street photography.
Price-wise, they both come a bit below the 300 dollar mark.
So basically, you could get the camera with these two lenses for less than $1,400.
Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM
While if you’re a Canon shooter and you’re looking for a great all-in-one solution for your landscape photography, Canon has just released the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM.
The typical lens for landscape photography is 16-35mm, and it’s a focal length that I personally love. Still, in some cases, I wouldn’t mind having a wider reach, and usually, the solution is to change the lens, or if you don’t have it, just be stuck at 16mm.
I do believe going for a 14-35mm is a great idea, that adds more versatility to your landscape photography, and you can get it at this link.
If I would shoot with Canon, I would get this lens right away, but as I use Sony, I hope that they will add a similar lens in the future.
Tokina Lens Roadmap
Lastly, lens manufacturer Tokina has updated its roadmap, with 6 APS-C lenses scheduled to be released later this year, and 1 full-frame lens.
They all are prime lenses, and we have the:
- 56mm F1.4 for Fujifilm
- 23, 33, and 56mm F1.4 for Sony E mount
- 2 undisclosed prime lenses for Sony & Fujifilm
- The crazy 500mm F8 for multiple mounts
The Tokina 500mm F8 will be a reflex (also known as mirror) lens, and it’s a technology that allows you to have a long focal length in a small package and at a very cheap price.
To give you an idea, Tokina already has the 400mm F8 Reflex MF lens in the lineup, and it costs $250.
So I’m really curious to see where the 500mm will land price-wise, but I do believe is gonna be very cheap.
DRONE NEWS
DJI MINI SE Available in Selected Markets
A few episodes ago, I shared with you a rumor about the upcoming release of the DJI Mini SE, which is supposed to be the cheapest DJI drone yet, with a price tag of $299.
The drone was released a few days ago, but unfortunately just for selected markets, specifically, in Southeast Asia, Australia, Russia, and South America.
DJI made it clear with a statement that they will not sell this drone in the US nor Europe, where the entry-level drone will remain the Mini 2.
That’s quite a bummer as it would have been great to have a cheaper alternative, but I guess they didn’t want the Mini SE to cannibalize the Mini 2 sales in those markets.
GIMBAL NEWS
ZHIYUN-Tech WEEBILL 2
Chinese manufacturer Zhiyun has just released the Weebill 2 gimbal, which is an improved version of the previous Weebill-S.
It keeps the same form factor that improves handling and weight distribution, and it comes with an upgraded motor torque and core algorithm which improves accuracy and stability.
From the outside, the big change is the introduction of a 2.9” touch screen that can be easily folded, which greatly increases usability as you won’t need to use your phone to access all the settings, which can be quite frustrating.
The screen can also be used as a remote screen, but you’ll need to get the additional transmitter accessory.
It weighs 1.5 Kg and has a maximum payload of 3.3 Kg, with support for larger cameras such as the Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K.
Price-wise, it starts at $549, and there are different versions to choose from based on the accessories you need.
The most complete version, which includes the image transmitter, the focus motor, and the case, comes at $899.
You can order it at this link.
PICTURES OF THE WEEK
“The City that Finally Sleeps”
This week we have a book called “The City that Finally Sleeps” by photographer Mark Seliger, which documented the streets of New York City during the COVID lockdown.
New York is known as “the city that never sleeps”, and these pictures definitely caught my attention as they show a completely different New York, in an almost post-apocalyptic scenario.
The project was funded by Sony and B&H, and the earnings will be donated to New York Cares, the largest volunteer organization in New York City.
RUMORS
Sony ZV-E10 soon-to-be Launched
This week we have some leaked images of a new APS-C camera from Sony, called the ZV-E10. It will have a body similar to the A5000 series, with no viewfinder, and being part of the ZV lineup, it’s made for vloggers.
As of now, the ZV lineup just has the Sony ZV-1, which has a 1-inch sensor and a fixed lens.
So the ZV-E10 should be a higher-end version of it, with a bigger sensor and interchangeable lenses, with a price of about $900.
It should be announced in just a few days, so, let’s wait and see!
Tired of reading? Watch “The Photography News Show!”
Watch the show on youtube
