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TTArtisan’s New Silver 40mm f/2 Lens

TTArtisan has added a silver finish to its AF 40mm f/2 lens for Sony E, Nikon Z, and L-mount cameras. It is not a new lens in any technical sense, just a cosmetic update to the existing black version, but the lighter finish gives it a more old-school look that will probably appeal to people using retro-style camera bodies. Other than the colour, everything else stays the same.

The lens itself sits in a pretty practical spot. At 40mm on full frame, it is a slightly wider “normal” lens that works well for everyday shooting. The aperture runs from f/2 to f/16, and the optical design uses nine elements in six groups, including ED and aspherical elements to help keep colour fringing and distortion in check. Closest focusing distance is 0.4 meters, which is close enough for detail shots without pretending to be a macro lens.

Autofocus is handled by an STM stepping motor, so it should stay quiet and smooth, especially for video. There is also a clicked aperture ring, which gives clear feedback when changing f-stops and will feel familiar to anyone who likes manual controls. Depending on the mount, the lens weighs roughly 167 to 176 grams and uses a 52mm filter thread, keeping it small and easy to carry. Pricing is at $168.

You can see full details and sample shots on TTArtisan’s website here

The Latest Canon EOS R7 Mark II Rumours

The Canon EOS R7 Mark II is shaping up to be one of Canon’s more interesting upcoming releases, and fresh rumours suggest it may end up being a fairly serious APS-C camera. After missing what many expected to be a late-2025 announcement, new reports now point to a launch in the first half of 2026, possibly even ahead of CP+ in Japan at the end of February. That would put it back on the near-term roadmap rather than something further out.

The biggest talking point right now is the sensor. According to new information circulating via Canonrumors, the R7 Mark II could feature a 40-megapixel stacked APS-C sensor, with support for 8K video at up to 60 frames per second. This isn’t the first time 40MP has come up. Earlier rumours in 2025 mentioned that resolution before later shifting to 33MP, and now the higher figure is back again. That back-and-forth suggests Canon may still be testing multiple sensor configurations internally and hasn’t locked in the final spec yet. If the R7 Mark II really is positioned as Canon’s APS-C flagship, whatever sensor it gets will likely form the basis for other future APS-C models as well.

A jump to 40 megapixels wouldn’t be shocking. Fujifilm has been offering 40MP APS-C cameras for a while now, and Canon may feel pressure to respond, even if the jump from 32.5MP isn’t massive in real-world terms. A stacked sensor would help offset the higher resolution with faster readout, higher burst speeds, and improved video performance, which fits the idea of a flagship model. There are also hints that Canon is working on at least one more APS-C body, possibly an R10 Mark II or a more video-focused model, though it is unclear when that might arrive.

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Weekly Photo Technique Exploration

Welcome to a new section of the magazine where every week we will explore a new photography technique from across various photography genres.

This week’s technique: Golden Ratio Compositional Technique

The Golden Ratio Technique

The Golden Ratio compositional technique is one of those ideas that sounds intimidating at first, but in practice it is really just a way to guide the viewer’s eye through an image in a smooth, natural flow. It has been used for centuries in art, architecture, design and of course photography. The Golden Ratio helps create balance that doesn’t feel forced. Instead of splitting a frame evenly, it places visual weight slightly off-centre thus letting the image breathe while still making it feel intentional/not random.

What It Actually Is

Technically, the Golden Ratio is a proportion of roughly 1:1.618. But you don’t need to remember that number at all. What matters most is how it the photo feels in the end:

• The eye moves naturally through the frame

• Nothing feels crammed, awkward, random

• The photo has flow instead of static balance

Strictly visually speaking it often shows up as

• A spiral (most common (also called the Fibonacci spiral))

• A grid similar to the rule of thirds, but more fluid

• Or a curved path that leads your eye inward

Golden Ratio vs Rule of Thirds

A lot of photographers learn the rule of thirds first, and that is a great starting point. The Golden Ratio just takes that idea a bit further. Look at it like this → Rule of thirds = clean, structured, more predictable; Golden ratio = smoother, more organic, more dynamic → in essence → with the golden ratio technique you are letting the composition gently guide the viewer toward your subject.

How to Use It While Shooting

You don’t need to actually visualise spirals in your head while shooting (you can of course do it if you prefer to). Instead, I would advise (especially beginners) to look for natural curves and leading elements in the scene.

→ Let a path, river, shoreline, road etc. curve through the frame toward your subject

→ Use foreground elements that lead inward rather than pointing straight at the center

→ Place your main subject slightly off-center, with visual weight flowing/pushing toward it

→ ‘Build’ the photo so the eye enters from one corner and spirals inward

Where It Works Especially Well

The Golden Ratio is perfect for scenes that already have natural movement or flow.

• Landscapes like rivers, coastlines, winding roads, hills

• Nature → plants, shells (of course), waves, tree branches

• Street photography → curved streets, staircases

• Architecture of course → arches, ramps, spiral staircases and so much more

• Basically any scene with natural curves or repeating patterns is perfect for this technique.

Using the Golden Spiral

Many cameras and editing programs let you overlay a golden spiral or golden ratio grid. This is pretty useful, especially when reviewing or cropping later.

In practice you want a workflow somewhat like this: Shoot freely in the field, try to imagine the composition but don’t force it, In post, check how your shot aligns with a spiral overlay, Finally adjust the crop slightly if needed. Most of the time, you will realise you were already close without trying.

Why It Is Worth Understanding

The real value of the Golden Ratio is in training your eye. Once you start noticing flow, balance, visual weight, etc. your compositions naturally improve across the board.

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