📸 The Magazine For Photographers

Welcome to a brand new Issue of my Magazine. Another amazing one, enjoy the read :)

December 01, 2024

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In this Week's Issue

Lomography’s New $69 Camera

Lomography, the brand known for keeping analog alive, has dropped their newest creation: the Lomourette Half Frame camera. This little 35mm wonder lets you squeeze 72 shots out of a single roll of film—perfect for anyone trying to make their stash of pricey film last longer.

Half-frame cameras have been making a comeback lately, thanks to the analog photography boom that’s driven up film prices. The concept is simple: instead of one standard frame of 35mm film, you get two smaller, vertical shots on the same space. Basically, it’s a two-for-one deal, making your film go twice as far.

Earlier this year, Ricoh’s Pentax 17 jumped into the half-frame game with a more premium vibe. Lomography’s Lomourette, on the other hand, takes a different route. It’s got the same fun, affordable energy as Kodak’s Ektar H35 and H35N. Made from lightweight plastic, it’s super cute, super budget-friendly, and aimed squarely at beginners or casual shooters.

The price? Just $69. For a brand-new film camera, that’s kind of a steal. Of course, the low cost means you’re not getting fancy materials or features. The Lomourette has a built-in 24mm f/8 lens (with an option to stop down to f/11), and it’s all manual. No autofocus, no ISO settings. It’s powered by a single AA battery and comes with two shutter speeds: 1/60s for most shots and a bulb mode for long exposures. Oh, and it’s compatible with Lomography’s Diana F+ flash, which is included, complete with colored gels for some extra creative flair.

Lomography describes the Lomourette in their usual poetic way: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… With the Lomourette, each half-frame captures a fragment of existence.” They’re leaning hard into the storytelling potential of those diptychs (two images side by side), encouraging users to experiment with double exposures, long exposures, and playful narratives.

The Lomourette comes in three adorable versions: a classic black-and-blue, a mint-green-and-tan “Picnic Edition,” and a dreamy blue “Water Lilies Edition” with floral graphics. Each one comes with a matching flash and gel filters. At just $69, it’s a fun, low-risk way to explore the world of film photography (could also make for a nice little Christmas Gift ;))

A few sample shots:

Image Credits: Lomography

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Interview with Throughlucaslens

This week’s Interview with the amazing Travel/Street Photographer Lucas, originally from Zurich, Switzerland.

I like his photos a lot (especially the ones from Cairo, Egypt) because even though he doens’t aim primarily for storytelling (as you will read) somehow most of his pictures do exactly that.

You can find him on Instagram as: @throughlucaslens

Now enjoy this short, but amazing interview ;)

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I'm Luca, a photographer from Zurich, Switzerland. My passion for photography has led me across Asia, from Bangkok to Hong Kong, Myanmar, Taiwan, and beyond. Growing up in a small town, I developed a deep appreciation for the finer details, a perspective that continues to shape my work today.

How did you first get into street photography? Was it love at first click?

It was truly love at first shot. I began pursuing photography in 2019, building on my background in graphics and over a decade of experience in marketing. My aim is to keep exploring the world, capturing its diverse, beautiful, and sometimes raw stories through my lens.

What’s the wildest or most unexpected thing you’ve captured on the street?

One summer night in Hong Kong during typhoon season, I was out on the streets taking photos when suddenly, a heavy rainstorm hit. The atmosphere changed instantly, and the mood became electric. It was a unique moment, capturing the city’s energy and raw beauty through the rain—it felt like the perfect setting for some of my best shots.

How do you decide where to go and shoot? Is it planned or more spur-of-the-moment?

Both. I do plan a lot when I travel, carefully mapping out the places I want to shoot. But at the same time, a lot of it is spontaneous—I let my creativity flow and capture moments as they come.

What’s your go-to gear setup when you hit the streets?

My go-to setup is the Sony A7 IV paired with a 24-105mm lens.

Do you have a favourite city or spot for street photography? Why?

My new favorite city for photography is definitely Cairo, Egypt. Every corner holds a surprise; the city thrives on its contrasts, with centuries-old buildings, streets, and traditions.

Do you prefer shooting in the chaos of a busy street or in quieter, more intimate spaces?

It depends—I enjoy both.

How do you approach people on the street if you want to include them in your shots?

I simply ask if it's okay to take a picture—nothing special. But sometimes, it does take a bit of confidence.

Have you ever had a shoot that just didn’t go as planned?

Yes, many times. Whether it's the surroundings, the people, the light, the weather, or countless other factors, there are a lot of influences that can throw off a shot.

What’s your take on the ethics of street photography—like shooting strangers without asking?

I mostly compose my photos with people who are unrecognizable in the frame. However, I do ask someone if they’re the main subject of the shot.

Are there any tricks you use to stay unnoticed when shooting?

You have to blend into the street and become part of the scene. Of course, it also takes time and patience—sometimes I wait for up to an hour to capture the perfect moment.

What role does storytelling play in your work? Are you always chasing a narrative?

Not always, but mostly, I like to tell a story through my photos. However, I'm primarily focused on creating a mood, which is why I'm always on the lookout for unique locations.

What’s the most challenging thing about street photography for you?

You need a lot of stamina and fitness, as there are plenty of steps to take. In the places where I like to shoot, it's often hot and humid, which only adds to the challenge. But that doesn’t make it any less rewarding.

Do you have a favourite image you’ve taken, and what’s the story behind it?

Yes, I’m really drawn to all my pictures from Cairo at the moment. They capture the city's stories and often have a surreal quality, where unexpected scenes meet ancient architecture, like the pyramids. It's something you can't find anywhere else in the world.

Do you feel like your style has evolved over time? How so?

Absolutely. Practice makes perfect. The more you shoot, the quicker you get, the better your compositions become, and the more you can anticipate or recognize key moments. Of course, luck plays a part in getting the perfect shot, but above all, it takes time and patience.

How do you know when you’ve nailed the shot? Is it instinct or something else?

The rest, 5 more questions, of this Interview are for Premium subscribers only.

Tamron’s 11-20mm f/2.8 is Coming to Canon RF

Tamron just announced some good news for Canon APS-C shooters: the 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD lens is officially landing for Canon RF mount on December 12. This ultra-wide zoom has been a hit on Sony E-mount and Fujifilm X-mount cameras, and now it’s finally joining the RF lineup.

This lens was first teased for Canon back in April, but the wait is almost over. While Canon hasn’t opened the RF mount to Tamron’s full-frame lenses yet (frustrating for some), this move is a big win for APS-C users. Canon’s own APS-C lens selection is pretty slim, so third-party options like this one fill a much-needed gap.

The 11-20mm f/2.8 is a fast-aperture zoom that covers an ultra-wide 11mm to 20mm range, making it perfect for landscapes, interiors, and creative wide-angle shots. The constant f/2.8 aperture means it’s solid in low light and gives nice subject separation. Despite the fast aperture, Tamron kept the lens compact and lightweight, designed to balance well on smaller APS-C mirrorless bodies.

Under the hood, the lens packs some serious glass: 12 elements in 10 groups, including two GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) elements for sharpness across the frame, plus XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) and LD (Low Dispersion) elements to tackle chromatic aberrations. Autofocus is handled by Tamron’s RXD (Rapid-eXtra-silent Drive) motor, which promises near-silent, fast, and smooth performance for both stills and video.

One notable tweak for the RF version is a physical Manual Focus/Autofocus switch on the lens body—a feature missing on the Sony and Fujifilm versions, where switching focus modes had to be done through the camera menu. This little upgrade should make life easier for Canon users. Like its siblings, the RF version also has a connection port for Tamron’s Lens Utility software, so you can keep it updated and tweak some settings.

The best part? It’s coming in cheaper than the Sony and Fujifilm models. The Canon RF version will retail for $659 (compared to $699 for the others). For a fast, versatile ultra-wide zoom, that’s a pretty sweet deal. Mark your calendars—December 12 is just around the corner!

Image Credits: Tamron

DJI’s Ultimate Power Station

DJI just launched the Power Expansion Battery 2000, a modular add-on for their Power 1000 portable charging system, and it’s a game-changer for anyone needing reliable power in remote locations. Whether you're a photographer working off the grid or just someone with a lot of gear to keep charged, this setup is all about serious capacity and flexibility.

The Power Expansion Battery 2000 packs a hefty 2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power in a compact design. Need even more juice? You can link up to five of these units to the Power 1000 via cables, giving you an insane total capacity of 11 kWh with a consistent output of 2400 watts. That’s enough to handle power-hungry gear like drones or to keep your camera batteries topped up during multi-day shoots.

For photographers, this is a dream for working in remote areas where wall sockets are a luxury. Even if you’re shooting closer to home, setups like timelapse projects that run for days can benefit hugely from this kind of reliable power source.

The design is super practical too. All the ports and buttons are on one side, making it easy to stack and manage cables. DJI also built in some impressive safety features. The battery uses lithium iron phosphate cells, which support up to 4000 charge cycles, and an Intelligent Battery Management System (BMS) to monitor and regulate heat, performance, and battery life—even when multiple units are connected.

The Power Expansion Battery 2000 is available now on DJI’s online store for $899.

Image credits: DJI

FilmNeverDie’s New $230 Point-and-Shoot

The FilmNeverDie Nana 35mm point-and-shoot camera has officially launched worldwide, slightly later than its initial June 2024 release date. A labor of love from FilmNeverDie founder Gary Wong, the Nana has been in the works for over a year and was successfully pre-sold through Kickstarter at an introductory price of $130.

2024 has been a refreshing year for film photography enthusiasts, with the Nana joining the Pentax 17 and Mint Rollei35AF as part of a small wave of new cameras in the market. Announced in October 2023, the Nana stands out as a motorized, reusable 35mm film camera that aims to simplify the film photography experience while honoring classic design.

Named after Wong’s daughter, the Nana embodies both personal significance and the brand’s mission: to make film photography more accessible to a new generation. “We’ve created a camera that honors the legacy of classic designs while incorporating modern conveniences that today’s photographers expect,” says Wong.

The design takes cues from the iconic Contax T2, combining a sleek metal body with modern features like motorized film advance and a built-in flash. It sports a 31mm f/11 one-element lens with an aspherical element for sharp, high-quality images. The camera has a fixed 1/125s shutter speed and focus-free operation, covering a range from 1.5 meters to infinity. FilmNeverDie is also working on an optional attachment to add a second focus mode, which will mount to the lens via a 30mm thread (though this feature is still in development).

Compact and lightweight, the Nana measures 110mm x 62mm x 38mm and weighs 300 grams when loaded with film. It runs on AA batteries, making it easy to keep powered wherever you go. For early adopters, the first 1,000 units include a roll of FilmNeverDie Zatsu 400 color film. The camera also comes with a two-year warranty for added peace of mind.

The Nana is priced at $232 and is available directly from FilmNeverDie’s website and through a wide range of global retailers. It’s a stylish yet functional option for those looking to dive into film photography or expand their collection with something fresh and innovative (also: potential Christmas Gift 2 ;))

Image Credits: FilmNeverDies

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: John Oliver

Congratulations on your lucky feature ;)

A few words from him:

Photography is more than just capturing a moment; it’s about telling a story, evoking emotions, and seeing the world through a unique perspective. Through my lens, I aim to showcase the beauty and wonder of landscapes—places that inspire awe, peace, and connection with nature.

His Instagram: @ijohnoliver

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Another Auction another Leica Record

The first OstLicht camera auction in China was full of surprises, with some jaw-dropping sales, including a rare Leica camera that smashed records, selling for an unbelievable €3.62 million (about $3.8 million). As noted by Kosmo Foto, this event, held at the Fotografiska Museum in Shanghai on November 16, featured 164 lots, 99% of which found new owners. Many of the cameras on offer were incredibly rare, making it a dream for collectors.

One of the stars of the show was a 1960 Leica IIIg, brought to China for OstLicht’s 33rd auction since 2001. This one-of-a-kind olive green model was originally made as a prototype for the German Army (Bundeswehr) but never went into production. In pristine condition, with its original 50mm f/2.8 Elmar lens, the camera kicked off bidding at €80,000 (around $84,000). A heated 14-minute bidding war between three buyers sent the price soaring to an astonishing €3.62 million—more than 45 times its starting price and miles above the estimated €140,000–€180,000.

But that wasn’t the only big-ticket item. A Leica M3 Chrome No. 8 from 1953, one of the earliest M-mount cameras ever made, almost hit the €1 million mark, selling for €945,000 ($991,173). This near-mint beauty is a significant piece of Leica history. Another standout was a Leica MP Black Paint camera paired with a Summicron 50mm f/2 lens, which went for €710,000 (around $745,000).

There were some unusual finds too, like the E. Leitz New York Leica Gun Rifle Outfit, a bizarre yet iconic setup from 1937 featuring a Leica IIIa camera and a Leica Telyt 200mm f/4 lens. Only 12 of these exist, and this one fetched €533,400 (just under $560,000).

In total, 10 lots sold for six-figure sums, with Leica dominating the spotlight. According to OstLicht Auctions’ Peter Coeln, pulling off this event alongside their Chinese partner Lidong-Auctions and Fotografiska Museum was both a challenge and a thrill. “With around 80 collectors in the room and 150 more bidding online and by phone internationally, this auction was something truly special,” he said. “We’re already excited for what’s next.”

Image Credits: OstLicht Auction

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