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Another Sunday, another brand new Issue of my Magazine. A truly amazing one, enjoy the read ;)
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In this Week's Issue
Samyangâs New Prime AF 35mm f/1.4 P
Samyang has just dropped its first lens in the all-new Prime Series: the AF 35mm f/1.4 P. Designed for Sony E-mount cameras, this lens sets the tone for what Samyang says is the start of its third generation of products. Earlier this year, the company rebranded itself as LK Samyang, and itâs clear theyâre on a mission to shake things up in the photography world.
Samyang says itâs built to be the perfect mix of high-end performance and everyday practicality. Translation: itâs lightweight, compact, and easy to use without sacrificing quality. The whole design revolves around three ideas: portability, practicality, and convenience. Oh, and it wonât break the bank, which is always a plus.
At just 470 grams (about 16.6 ounces), itâs light enough to pair beautifully with smaller cameras like the Sony a7C or ZV-E1. But donât let its size fool you â Samyang promises impressive image quality, even when shooting wide open. Theyâre especially proud of how sharp it is at close distances (as close as 0.3 meters or 0.98 feet). Autofocus? Super quick and quiet, thanks to a linear stepping motor thatâs built to handle big focus shifts smoothly. Whether you're into portraits, street shots, or travel photography, Samyang says this lens can handle it all.
Videographers arenât left out either. The lens is designed to minimize focus breathing, which is a fancy way of saying your videos will look super smooth. Plus, itâs weather-sealed in five places to keep out dust, rain, and snow, so you can take it just about anywhere. On the outside, it features a textured focus ring for better grip, a matte finish, and Samyangâs signature subtle red ring for a bit of style. It even has a USB port for firmware updates â a nice touch to keep it future-proof.
Inside, the lens is packed with 12 elements in 10 groups, including three aspherical elements, a high refractive element, and an extra-low dispersion element. The nine-blade aperture goes from f/1.4 to f/16, promising creamy, smooth bokeh for those dreamy background blurs.
As of now, Samyang hasnât shared details about U.S. pricing or availability, but itâs already listed in the UK for ÂŁ440 (around $560). While Samyang is part of the L-Mount Alliance, this new series is, for now, exclusive to Sony E-mount cameras.
Sample shot
Image Credits: LK Samyang
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Interview with Tyron Shi
This weekâs Interview with the legendary street photographer Tyron Shi, whose cinematic almost dystopian visuals are one of a kind.
You can find him on Instagram as: @tyron.shi
Enjoy this amazing Interview
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Iâm an artist from New York, currently based in Manhattan, working as a freelance graphic designer, motion graphics animator, photographer, and cinematographer (not normally all at the same time).
How did you start with streetphotography?
Street photography has always been a genre that stuck with me since before I even started taking photos. I always liked the way shots from the genre looked and felt; there was something really interesting about documenting split second moments in time and creating something intentional out of the unintentional.
How do you shoot in low light situations, and what equipment do you use to achieve the best results?
I donât really use anything special, just a medium ISO of around 800 and a steady hand.
For anyone that isnât so steady (including myself at times) I recommend a camera or lens with image stabilisation, or a lens with a fast aperture (around f1.4), or even both of course.
How do you determine the right camera settings for a particular shot?
I used to do my camera settings manually from trial and error when I first started out but then after gaining enough experience, I got to a point I was just able to know the settings from looking at the scene in front of me. Nowadays, I just use aperture priority and let the camera figure out the shutter speed from my ISO and aperture values. Some might see this as laziness but I feel like the semi automatic modes on cameras have a time and place. Even though I still use manual settings when I need to, I like to let my camera work with me so I can just focus on composition and subject matter.
How do you approach finding inspiration for your photography, and how do you avoid creative burnout?
Inspiration tends to present itself to me through various sources outside of photography, most often I find myself just getting inspired by the people in the city around me.
Whenever I get burned out, I just take a break and do something else. In fact, I recently just started posting work online again after a three month break to take the time to work on my other interests outside of photography.
What are some of your dream shooting locations?
Honestly, Iâd be happy if I had the chance to go anywhere in the world since I never really get to travel. If I had to pick, I would go with major cities in China. I used to go as a kid with my parents on work trips and was always amazed by the seemingly infinitely tall skyscrapers and colourful lights in the dense haze.
What gear do you use?
My main camera used to be a Canon R5 with mainly the 35 and 85 1.4 L lenses, but now I mostly use those for work (artwork documentation and real estate) and less causal use. Since November I use a Fujifilm X100V mostly.
What software do you use and how much time do you spend editing?
I use Lightroom for my creative work and like to spend no more than 5-10 minutes per photo.
What was the most rewarding experience as a photographer?
When an artist I look up to compliments my work, itâs a moment I always remember. Itâs not to say I donât also appreciate compliments in general, but it means a lot to me when the creators of works I look up to and get inspired by feel the same about my work, especially since I commonly struggle with imposter syndrome.
Who or what inspires you?
I find a lot of my inspiration from films, paintings, and non street photographs. I think itâs important to be constantly looking at works from different areas of medium and subject matter to avoid making the same stuff everyone else is and to help find a more individual voice.
How would you describe your style in a few words?
I guess people call it Cinematic photography, I just think of it as capturing moments that look like a movie.
Have you got any tips for beginners?
The rest, 5 more questions, of this Interview are for Premium subscribers only.
Lexar Brings Out Two Affordable Portable SSDs
Lexar has launched two new portable SSDs, the ES3 and SL300, both offering up to 2TB of storage and high-speed data transfer. With prices under $200, these SSDs are a solid option for photographers on the go or anyone needing reliable on-site backups.
Both models are compact, lightweight, and designed to handle demanding workloads. Lexar has equipped them with double-layer graphite sheets that dissipate heat, keeping them cool during long data transfers or intense use. When it comes to speed, the ES3 and SL300 can hit up to 1,050 MB/s for reading and 1,000 MB/s for writing, thanks to USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology and a USB-C connection. They also come with a 2-in-1 USB-C/USB-A cable, making them compatible with most devices.
SL 300
Lexar is clearly targeting users still relying on older external hard drives (HDDs). These SSDs are not only 9.5 times faster, according to Lexar, but theyâre also smaller, more durable, and much more affordable than SSDs were just a few years ago.
In terms of build, both SSDs feature a durable design with drop resistance for falls up to two meters. However, the SL300 takes durability up a notch with an IP54 rating, adding resistance to water splashes and dust. The ES3 doesnât offer this extra layer of protection, so if youâre planning to take your SSD out into the elements, the SL300 is likely the better choice.
ES3
The best part? That added durability doesnât come with a price hike. Both the ES3 and the SL300 are priced at $180 for the 2TB model, while the SL300 also offers a 1TB version for $110. The ES3 is already available, while the SL300 is expected to hit shelves by mid-December. Both are already discounted from their original MSRP, making them even more appealing for anyone looking to upgrade their storage.
Image credits: Lexar
Excire Foto 2025
PRC, a German company known for its AI software, has just launched Excire Foto 2025, the latest version of its photo management app. Itâs designed to make life easier for photographers, especially those drowning in huge image libraries, by helping with organizing, sorting, and even culling photosâtasks that can feel like a never-ending chore.
One of the coolest updates is the new smart culling feature. It uses AI to quickly group your photos by things like sharpness, burst sequences, and subject type. You can even customize it to help pick the âbestâ shots based on specific criteria, like how sharp the eyes are in portraits. Basically, itâs like having an assistant whoâs really good at spotting the keepers.
AI culling
Excire Foto 2025 also steps up its facial recognition game. You can now search for photos based on details like age, gender, or whether someoneâs eyes are open or closed. Plus, it tags faces as either sharp or blurry, which is a game-changer for portrait photographers trying to pick out their top shots.
Keywording, one of the most dreaded tasks for photographers, is now fully automated. As soon as you import your files, Excire analyzes them and applies relevant keywords. No more wasting time tagging everything by handâjust let the software do the heavy lifting so you can focus on shooting.
Search for faces
Another neat addition is Excireâs AI-powered aesthetics evaluation. It scans your photos and gives each one a score based on things like composition, sharpness, and exposure. This helps you find your standout images and might even uncover hidden gems in your archive that you didnât realize were so good.
For those who shoot both photos and videos, thereâs good news: Excire Foto 2025 now supports video files. While it doesnât analyze every frame, it picks a key frame from each video, applies keywords, and makes everything easy to organize. Itâs a handy way to manage your photo and video collections all in one place.
duplicate photo detection
And donât worry about your privacy. Excire Foto 2025 runs entirely on your computer, meaning your files stay local and arenât uploaded to the cloud or accessible to anyone else.
Excire Foto 2025 is available now for macOS and Windows. Itâs priced at $199, but thereâs a launch deal that drops it to $169 for a limited time. If youâre upgrading from Excire Foto 2024, itâs just $69. Thereâs also a free 14-day trial if you want to test it out before committing.
Image Credits: Excire Foto
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Profotoâs New and Expensive Portable Battery Strobe
Profoto has just unveiled the Pro-B3, a new battery-powered flash designed for action and extreme photographers who demand top-tier performance. Priced at nearly $4,000, the Pro-B3 delivers 750Ws of power and introduces a host of upgrades, positioning it as the successor to the now-discontinued B1X, which first launched in 2017.
The Pro-B3 stands out with its increased power, offering 750Ws compared to the B1X's 500Ws. It also features a more powerful constant light source, bumping up from a 24W LED to a 56W LED. While the larger battery (80.7Wh vs. the B1X's 44.4Wh) can handle the increased output, the number of full-power flashes per charge takes a hit, dropping from 325 on the B1X to 250 on the Pro-B3. Profoto seems confident that this tradeoff is worth it for the overall performance boost.
Speaking of performance, the Pro-B3 boasts improved recycle times, ranging from 0.01 to 2.3 seconds, compared to the B1X's 0.1 to 1.9 seconds. Additionally, the flash duration has been significantly shortened, delivering a remarkable 1/75,000 second compared to the B1Xâs already impressive 1/19,000 second. These enhancements are aimed at ensuring photographers never miss the perfect shot, even in demanding scenarios.
Connectivity is a key focus for the Pro-B3. It integrates seamlessly with Profotoâs AirX trigger system, supporting Sync, TTL, High-Speed Sync (HSS), and remote control with a wireless range of up to 1,000 feet. Itâs also compatible with Profotoâs Camera and Control apps, giving photographers even more flexibility in managing their lighting setups.
Despite the added power and features, the Pro-B3 remains portable. It weighs 7.6 pounds without a battery and 8.8 pounds with one. This makes it manageable for on-location shoots, even in challenging conditions. Profoto highlights the Pro-B3âs robust design, stating itâs built to withstand years of professional use.
The Profoto Pro-B3 is available now for $3,995. For those looking for a more complete setup, a two-light kit is also offered for $7,895. (both way to expensive in my opinion)
Image Credits: Profoto
Photography Tip of the Week
The weekly photography tip is only accessible to Premium Subscribers of The Magazine For Photographers.
Photographer of the Week
Photographer of the week goes to: Jonathan Varjabedian
Congratulations on your lucky feature ;)
A few words from him: With photography, I strive to capture the poetry of everyday life-where light, shadow, and fleeting moments tell stories that connect us to the world.
His Instagram: @jvwanderlens
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Retrospekt x Hello Kitty Collab
Retrospekt and Sanrio are back with another adorable Hello Kitty collab, and this time theyâre bringing some Western vibes to the mix. The Hello Kitty âHowdy Partnerâ collection has just dropped, featuring a super-cute 35mm film camera, a roll of custom-themed film, and a matching camera bag. Whether youâre a Hello Kitty fan or just love fun, quirky designs, this set is seriously hard to resist.
First up, thereâs the Howdy Partner FC-11 camera, a classic 35mm point-and-shoot thatâs all about keeping things simple and fun. Itâs decked out with cowgirl Hello Kitty, horses, lassosâyou name it. The camera has a fixed-focus 31mm f/9 lens and works with ISO 200 or 400 film. Plus, itâs got a shutter speed of 1/120 of a second, so itâs great for everyday shooting without any fuss. Sure, itâs basic, but itâs also ridiculously cute. Retrospekt calls it "prairie-chic," and honestly, weâre here for it.
The collection also includes a roll of special Hello Kitty-themed film, and this is where it gets extra fun. Each frame has a pre-exposed border featuring Hello Kitty and her crewâKeroppi, Chococat, My Melody, Cinnamorroll, and Kuromiâall dressed up in Western gear. Imagine snapping your photos and already having adorable frames built in. Itâs like adding instant personality to your shots.
sample shots
And letâs not forget the Howdy Partner camera bag, which is the perfect accessory to tie everything together. Itâs got a bold red-and-pink design, complete with white fringe and snap buttons. Whether youâre toting it around on your adventures or just showing it off on your shelf, itâs a must-have for any fan of the collection.
The Howdy Partner collection is available now, but itâs a limited edition, so donât sleep on it. The camera is priced at $59, the custom film roll goes for $18, and the fringed camera bag is $29. You can grab them from Sanrioâs website or Retrospektâs online store. I personally see it as a potential Christmas present ;)
Image credits: Retrospekt