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In this Week's Issue
The Brand New Fujifilm X-M5
Fujifilm just dropped their newest camera, the X-M5, and it's clearly aimed at creators who want something compact, lightweight, and versatile. Weighing in at just 355 grams (about 13 ounces), this little guy is officially the lightest camera in Fujifilmâs X-Series. Itâs perfect for anyone who needs a camera they can carry around every dayâwhether for photos, videos, or both.
The X-M5 is powered by a 26.1-megapixel backside illuminated X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, backed by Fujifilmâs X-Processor 5 engine. What does that mean in real-world terms? Basically, youâre looking at high-quality images with low power use, so you wonât have to worry about constantly draining your battery. The camera comes with Fujifilmâs AI-powered subject-detection autofocus, which can not only track faces and eyes but also animals, cars, planes, and even drones. So, whether you're photographing your dog or a motorcycle zooming past, the autofocus is designed to keep up with the action.
One of the coolest things is how this camera handles video. It can record up to 6.2K at 30p in 4:2:2, 10-bit, which is pretty impressive for a compact camera. You also have options for shooting in 4K at 60p or 240p in 1080p if youâre into slow-motion videos. Fujifilm even added a 9:16 short movie mode, making it easier to shoot vertical videos for social media. Plus, you get three built-in microphones (front, back, and surround sound), complete with noise reduction for steady audio quality.
Now, while the X-M5 sounds pretty decked out, there are a few things missing. It doesnât have in-body image stabilization (IBIS), so youâll have to rely on its digital stabilization instead. That works fine for minor shakes, but if you're walking while filming, it might not be as smooth as you'd hope. Also, thereâs no viewfinder, which might be a dealbreaker for some, but the vari-angle LCD touchscreen should still give you plenty of flexibility to frame your shots.
Fujifilm stuck with their classic dial design for this camera, which includes a Film Simulation Mode Dial. This lets you choose between 20 different film simulations, with eight popular ones featured directly on the dial and space to add three of your personal favorites. If you're into that retro film look, this feature is definitely going to be fun to play with.
As for accessories, you can pair the X-M5 with Fujifilm's $200 cooling fan if you're worried about the camera overheating during long video sessions. Thereâs also a tripod grip available for another $200 if you need extra stability.
The X-M5 will come in two colorsâsilver and blackâbut theyâre releasing at different times. Silver is set to hit shelves in November 2024, while the black version wonât be available until April 2025. Both will be priced at $799.95 for the body only, or $899.95 if you want the kit that comes with the 15-45mm lens.
Image Credits: Fujifilm
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Frame.io V4 is here
Adobe and Frame.io have just launched Frame.io V4, and itâs loaded with updates that make collaborating on photos and videos a lot smoother. If youâve been using Frame.io, youâll notice things run faster and are more efficient now. And if you havenât checked it out yet, this version might be worth a lookâespecially with the new Camera to Cloud (C2C) features that simplify how photographers and videographers work.
Frame.io V4 introduces a new way to tag and sort your files, so you can label them with things like star ratings, due dates, and media types. This means managing large projects or setting up review processes with clients is way more straightforward. You can even create custom Collections to keep everything organized as you move through different stages of a project.
Another improvement is the new streaming player. If buffering or slow previews have been a pain in the past, V4's updated player should help a lot. Itâs designed to give you smoother playback with less lag, and now you can scrub through your footage frame by frame with high-res previewsâno more guessing where the perfect cut is.
Although Frame.io started as a video platform, theyâve been expanding it for photographers too. The new version supports RAW photo files and brings all those organization tools to mobile, with redesigned apps for iOS and iPad. On top of that, thereâs now a direct connection between Frame.io and Adobe Lightroom, thanks to the Camera to Cloud integration. If you're shooting photos, they can be automatically uploaded to the cloud for instant editingâmaking the whole process much quicker.
For example, think about a wedding photographer. Youâre snapping photos while your files are instantly sent to an editor, who could be working either on-site or remotely. Or, maybe you want to share some shots with wedding guests right awayâthis new setup makes that possible without needing any extra gear or cables.
And if youâre working with certain Canon, Nikon, or Leica cameras, youâll be glad to know those brands are now part of the C2C family. Canonâs C400 and C80 cinema cameras will get C2C support by the end of the year. Nikonâs Z6 III, Z8, and Z9 will integrate C2C through the NX MobileAir app in 2025, and Leicaâs SL3 will be joining later that year as well.
If youâre already an Adobe Creative Cloud subscriber, youâll get all of these new features at no extra cost.
Image Credits: Adobe
Fujifilmâs New XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II
Fujifilm has introduced a revamped version of one of their most popular professional lenses, the Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II. This new iteration brings a significant reduction in size and weight while offering upgraded optical and autofocus performance, making it a notable improvement over the original XF 16-55mm f/2.8 lens that first launched back in 2015.
The original version was known for its solid performance but also for being fairly heftyâcoming in at 655 grams (1.44 pounds). Fujifilm has managed to trim that down considerably with the new model, which weighs just 410 grams (0.9 pounds)âabout 37% lighter. Along with the weight reduction, the lens is physically smaller too, shrinking from 106mm (4.17 inches) to 95mm (3.74 inches) in length. It also now uses a 72mm filter instead of the previous 77mm, which further reduces its bulk.
(Left: New) (Right: Old)
Despite the smaller size, Fujifilm has promised improved optical performance. The updated lens has 16 elements in 11 groups, including four aspherical, three ED (extra-low dispersion), and one Super ED element. This new arrangement is said to deliver better sharpness across the frame, improved corner resolution, and reduced chromatic aberrations. Bokeh quality has also been enhanced with an 11-bladed aperture diaphragm that helps reduce those distracting onion-ring patterns that can sometimes appear.
Autofocus is another area thatâs seen an upgrade. The new XF 16-55mm f/2.8 II lens features a more advanced linear autofocus motor, which, combined with the lighter glass, makes focusing faster, quieter, and smootherâan important boost for both action photographers and videographers. Speaking of close-up performance, the new lens can now achieve a 0.2x magnification (0.3x equivalent), improving on the previous 0.16x, and it can focus as close as 0.3 meters (about 12 inches).
For video creators, Fujifilm has included a few thoughtful updates. The new lens features an aperture de-click switch, which allows for smoother, silent aperture adjustmentsâideal for recording video. Focus breathing, which can cause unwanted changes in framing while focusing, has also been minimized. However, some of these features, like the aperture de-clicking, will require a firmware update on older camera models (itâs already compatible with the X-M5 but updates are planned for the X-H2, X-H2S, X-T5, X-S20, and X-T50).
The new lens will be available in December for $1,199.95.
Image credits: Fujifilm
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Content Authenticity X Nikon Z6
Nikon is gearing up to release a firmware update for the Z6 III camera that will integrate the Content Authenticity Initiativeâs (CAI) C2PA content credentials, aiming for a mid-2025 rollout. This update was revealed at Adobe MAX, where Nikon is showcasing the new firmware to attendees.
The Content Authenticity Initiative, originally spearheaded by Adobe, now includes over 800 partners. Its mission is to boost online trust by offering tools that verify the provenance of digital content. Central to this is the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), which establishes a standardized method for authenticating the origin of a photo.
Nikon is pushing to adopt C2PA in its cameras, emphasizing the importance of protecting photographers and image integrity. The company wants to provide a way to ensure that images remain unaltered, making it easier to verify their authenticity and protect photographersâ rights. The upcoming firmware update for the Z6 III is being developed with news agencies in mind, reflecting the importance of image provenance in industries where accuracy is crucial. Nikon plans to release this update to select agencies in mid-2025.
Nikon has been teasing the integration of C2PA technology since October 2022 and announced earlier this year that it had developed a digital watermark to complement the C2PA standard. While there were earlier hints that the Z9 camera would be the first to get this update, the Z6 III is now the first model with an actual timeline, even though itâs still somewhat tentative.
DJI Air 3S - the Best Drone out There?
DJI introduced the Air 3S, a new drone priced at $1,099 that boasts a dual-camera system, enhanced 10-bit video, a bigger Type 1 sensor on the main camera, and improved low-light performance.
The Air 3S brings together two cameras in one compact drone. The primary camera features a 50-megapixel Type 1 CMOS sensor with a 24mm lens that supports 4K video at 60p HDR and 120p in standard mode. It also includes a 10-bit D-Log M color mode. Then, there's the second camera, a 48-megapixel Type 1/1.3 medium telephoto with a 70mm lens and 3x zoom, which mirrors the same video capabilities as the main camera.
The big deal with this drone, aside from the dual cameras, is the improved image quality, especially in low light. DJI has raised the ISO limits, allowing for better performance in darker conditions. In standard video and photo modes, the ISO goes up to 12,800, and in D-Log M and HLG modes, it reaches 3,200. This should give you cleaner, more detailed footage when the light isnât in your favour.
For low-light flights, the Air 3S is the first DJI drone to feature forward-facing LiDAR, alongside infrared and vision sensors. This setup allows for omnidirectional obstacle sensing even at night, which means itâs much easier to trust the drone to return to its takeoff point safely, even in low visibility.
Another cool feature is the panorama mode, which works with both the main and tele cameras. It stitches multiple images together to create wide-angle shots, and the telephoto camera helps reduce distortion.
In terms of flight time, the Air 3S can stay in the air for up to 45 minutes. It also uses 10-bit O4 video transmission tech that allows 1080p video at 60p to be sent over distances of up to 20 kilometers. The drone includes 42GB of built-in storage, and files can be transferred directly to a smartphone even when the drone is powered off, which is a nice touch for quick file sharing.
The Air 3S starts at $1,099, and for those wanting more, there are bundle options. The Fly More Combo, priced at $1,399, includes extra batteries, a charging hub, an ND filter set, and a shoulder bag. For $1,599, you get the Fly More Combo with the DJI RC 2 controller, featuring a bright 5.5-inch 1080p screen.
A few sample Images:
Image credits: DJI
Photography Tip of the Week
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Photographer of the Week
Photographer of the week goes to: Laura Thompson (IG: @laurathompson_photography)
Congratulations on your luck:)
A photo of hers:
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Thypochâs Simera-C E-Mount Cine Lenses
Thypoch is back with a new lineup of cine lenses for Sony E-mount camerasâthe Simera-C series. These lenses come in four focal lengths: 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm, all with a fast T/1.5 aperture. Theyâre built for high-res, full-frame cameras and stick with Thypochâs vintage-inspired, manual-focus style, this time in collaboration with DZOFilm.
Whatâs great about the Simera-C lenses is that theyâre compact and lightweight, ranging from 380 to 450 grams (13.4 to 15.9 ounces), making them perfect for handheld shooting or mounting on gimbals and drones. The all-metal build is sturdy and weather-sealed, so they can handle a bit of dust and splashes. Plus, all the lenses have aligned focus and aperture gears, so swapping them out in the middle of a shoot is super easy.
Each lens offers a 210-degree focus throw for smooth manual focus pulls, with clear markings in both metric and imperial units. Thanks to the 16-blade aperture and sharp optical design, youâll get that nice, creamy bokeh we all love. And these lenses are sharp enough to handle 8K footage, so theyâre perfect for anyone looking for clean, high-quality images.
Thypoch has jumped on the trend of making compact cine lenses for hybrid shooters, and theyâve nailed it with the Simera-C. These lenses offer a lot of bang for your buck, especially when compared to pricier options like the Cooke SP3 series.
Sample Shot by Thypoch
If you want to grab one, each lens costs $879. Or, if youâre ready to commit to the full set, you can get all four lenses in a kit for $3,169, which comes with a solid metal carrying case and room for the upcoming 21mm lens. Definitely a solid choice if youâre a Sony shooter looking for quality cine lenses that wonât break the bank (completely).