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The Latest News:
Sony’s New 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
credits: Sony
Sony has introduced the FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro G Master OSS, its first G Master lens built specifically for macro photography. The release comes a decade after the well-regarded 90mm f/2.8 G Macro OSS and brings with it several key upgrades.
Optically, the lens is built with 17 elements in 13 groups, including two XA (extreme aspherical) and two ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, plus Sony’s Nano AR Coating II to cut down on flare and ghosting. It uses an 11-blade circular aperture for smooth out-of-focus rendering. While the older 90mm lens offered a standard 1:1 ratio, the 100mm f/2.8 GM pushes to 1.4:1 natively, with a minimum working distance of just 3.5 inches. With teleconverters, it can reach up to 2.8:1 magnification while still maintaining autofocus.
Autofocus performance is also a big step forward. The lens uses four of Sony’s Linear XD motors (the same system found in its high-end telephoto primes) delivering focus speeds nearly twice as fast as the 90mm Macro. Physically, the lens is similar in size to its predecessor, measuring 147.9mm in length and weighing 646g, with a 67mm filter thread. It features internal focusing, a focus clutch, range limiter, and weather sealing. Pricing for the lens is at $1,499 with shipping scheduled to begin November 13. A closer look at the new lens will follow in this week’s Sunday magazine issue ;)
You can see full details on B&H’s website here
Lexar’s Stainless Steel SD Cards Are Here
credits: Lexar
Lexar’s new gold and silver metal 1TB SD cards are now available, after they were first revealed at NAB this past April. Unlike the usual plastic memory cards most of us are used to, these are made from stainless steel and come in metallic gold or silver finishes. Lexar says the steel shell is dramatically stronger than plastic and both models are rated IP68, meaning they can handle dust, dirt, and water.
On the performance side, these are UHS-II SDXC cards that promise read speeds of up to 280 MB/s. Write speeds peak at 205 MB/s on the Gold and 160 MB/s on the Silver. In practice, though, the important number is the sustained V60 rating, which guarantees at least 60 MB/s. That is enough to comfortably handle still photography and most 4K video workflows, though anyone working with higher-bitrate 8K footage will probably need something faster.
Both cards can be used in UHS-I slots too, though they will run at reduced speeds. The 1TB Armor Gold is already available at $369.99, with the Silver Pro expected later this year for $364.99.
You can see full details on Lexar’s website here
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Photo Analysis
Welcome to a new addition to the magazine: the photo analysis, where I will analyse a photo and talk about the composition, lighting what’s positive, what’s negative etc. so that you can learn and better your own photography from it ;)
This week’s photo by: Patrick Noack
You can find him on Instagram as: @patrick.noack
Let’s Analyse this Image:
Composition & Framing
What works well:
The perspective is pretty good. Everything runs into the distance —> the train, the lamps, even the lines in the tiles on the ceiling and floor. It all naturally funnels your eye deeper into the frame, which creates a good sense of depth/3D look.
Having the woman in frame breaks up the hard geometry and brings some life into what could have been a purely architectural shot. Without her (and also the one person in the distance), it might have looked too sterile and lifeless.
The little details, like the clock way in the back, the train’s descriptions etc. give the photo some nice anchors. They are not obvious at first, but once you spot them they add a lot (more on that in the storytelling part).
What could be better:
The massive lamp cropped on the right is pretty rough. It is just so big and bright that it yanks your attention even though it is not meant to be the subject. Cropping differently or pulling the angle a bit would have helped.
The big dark blue block of structure on the left feels heavy and doesn’t contribute much. It just eats space and doesn’t add much to the scene (some would even say it pulls attention).
The depth is pretty good as it is, but the station sign blocks that final vanishing point a little. If the framing had been shifted, even slightly, the lines could have led you all the way in and made the shot feel even deeper (it honestly is just a small little detail but on closer inspection it could have really changed this shot a lot in my opinion and all it would have taken is some slight repositioning).
Light & Atmosphere
What works well:
The lamps are the first thing that hit you. They just line the ceiling cleanly and throw this even, kind of sterile glow across the whole station. They are strong but they really define the space.
The reflections on those glossy tiles up top are a nice touch too. Without that, the ceiling could have been just a big flat surface, but instead you get this shimmering (almost wet) look that keeps the photo from feeling too empty up there + again you get all that texture.
The train isn’t overly lit but just enough to stand out against the platform.
What could be better:
The lights are a bit overcooked in a few spots and your eye just keeps going up there instead of resting where it should.
Because they’re so dominant, the ceiling ends up becoming the focus rather than the train or the person on the platform. It tips the balance of the photo.
The lower half of the frame, especially around the platform floor, is much darker in comparison, so it feels like the bottom doesn’t hold its weight. It’s almost like the photo is split into “super bright” and “super dark” with not much middle ground.
Emotion & Story
What works well:
The atmosphere is understated in a good way. It feels like an everyday Berlin U-Bahn moment → calm, slightly empty, with two people moving through the scene. Nothing dramatic, just a candid moment.
Having “Ruhleben” and “Berlin” on the train is a great storytelling element. You know exactly where you are without having to be told. Of course, the distinct look of the station already screams Berlin, but the text locks it in.
What could be better:
The woman’s body language doesn’t give you much. She is mid-walk, but there is nothing expressive about her posture or movement. It is neutral, so it doesn’t add much emotion or ‘‘Interest’’.
Overall, it feels more like a documentation of a space than a shot that pulls you into a story (the star of the show here honestly seems to be the light + the train). That is not necessarily bad, but it leaves you wanting just a little more in terms of storytelling.
Colour & Tone
What works well:
The yellow of the train is what carries this photo in my opinion. Against the muted greens and darker tones of the station, it really pops. It is classic Berlin, and again immediately makes the shot recognisable.
The cooler tones of the tiles and shadows balance nicely with the warmth of the train. The palette feels cohesive overall.
What could be better:
As touched on before, the ceiling lights are a little harsh. They are this clinical white that feels a bit disconnected from the rest of the tones. If they were toned down a bit, they would sit in the frame more naturally.
The shadows, especially on the left, are muddy and lack definition. They just turn into a block, which makes that side of the frame less interesting.
Balance
The whole image feels a bit top-heavy. The lamps are so bright and strong that they dominate, while the bottom half feels weaker.
The yellow train definitely helps ground the lower half and balance the composition, but it doesn’t quite match the strength of the lights above.
The left side is (just a touch) too dark, so the weight of the frame tips unevenly. A little more detail or light on that side would have balanced it better.
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