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The Latest News:

The New Lumix S1R II

Panasonic has just dropped the Lumix S1R II. It builds on the original S1R, however the body is lighter and more compact, trimming down to 795g, and they’ve finally upgraded the autofocus to a Phase Hybrid AF system, meaning it can now track people, animals, and even vehicles. It also shoots up to 40 fps with a pre-burst mode, has 8 stops of stabilization, and can crank out 177 MP images using its High-Res mode.

But the real game-changer? Video. The S1R II is the first Lumix camera to shoot in 8K, offering 8.1K at 30p, 4K at 120p, and even 5.8K ProRes RAW internally. It’s packed with cinema-level features like Open Gate recording, False Color for exposure, real-time LUTs, and external SSD recording for high-bitrate footage. At $3,300, it’s actually $400 cheaper than its predecessor, which is a rare thing these days.

You can see full details on Panasonic’s Website here

The Sony 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS

Sony just announced its longest zoom lens yet—the FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS for full-frame mirrorless cameras. At first glance, it looks a lot like the 200-600mm, with a similar design and controls. It’s a little longer, thicker, and about 360g heavier, but the layout remains familiar—three focus hold buttons, a focus limiter, Optical SteadyShot (OSS), and a new DMF toggle switch.

Inside, Sony has packed 27 elements in 19 groups, including six extra-low dispersion (ED) elements to keep chromatic aberrations in check. Autofocus gets a big upgrade, with dual linear motors for faster, quieter focusing. It’s built to handle high-speed shooting, keeping up with the Sony a9 III’s crazy 120 fps burst mode.

The minimum focusing distance is 1.7m at 400mm and 3m at 800mm, with a max magnification of 0.23x. It’s set to launch mid-March for $2,899.99 in the U.S. and $4,099.99 in Canada.

You can see full details on Sony’s Website here

Something Worth Checking Out

AI is something that most photographers/creatives see critically, and for absolutely good reason. HOWEVER the fact at the end of the day is that there sadly is no stopping AI, so the best thing you can do is learn how to use AI to your own advantage, whether that be with helping you with daily tasks, writing, editing, your day-job etc.

This is where ‘‘The Rundown AI’’ Newsletter comes in. It will teach you how to use AI to your advantage, increase your work efficiency (something every creative needs) etc. 

Definitely check it out if you haven’t already ⬇️

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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: Monkichi

You can find him on Instagram as: @monkichi823

Let’s Analyse this Image:

Composition & Framing

• What’s working:
  The circular frame is used very well, creating a strong visual focus on the subject while providing a good sense of depth. The contrast between the dark outer structure and the bright inner space draws the eye directly to the person. Also: The use of symmetry and negative space enhances the minimalist aesthetic.

• What could be tweaked:
  The image is already well-balanced, but experimenting with a slightly wider crop could add more breathing room around the circular frame.

Lighting & Mood

• What’s working:
  The lighting is subtle but effective, with soft highlights on the curved wall adding texture and dimension. The black-and-white treatment gives the photo a timeless and abstract quality which I like very much.

• What could be tweaked:
  A slight increase in shadow detail on the subject could make them pop even more against the background.

Depth & Perspective

• What’s working:
  The circular frame naturally creates a layered effect, with the foreground wall, the subject and the background stairs. The diagonal handrail/staircase introduces a nice dynamic contrast to the otherwise symmetrical ‘‘stale’’ composition.

• What could be tweaked:
  Adding a slight vignette could subtly emphasize the subject (the person) even more, guiding the viewer’s eye deeper into the scene.

Story & Emotion

• What’s working:
  The solitary person, framed within the circle, evokes feelings of introspection, transition, or even surveillance. The ‘‘cold’’ looking (and overwhelming) concrete gives it a very dystopian look.

• What could be tweaked:
  If the goal is to emphasize the human element further, waiting for a slight motion blur in the person’s movement could add a sense of energy, reinforcing the idea of ‘‘passing through a space’’ rather than being part of it.

The Rest of this Issue is for Premium Subscribers

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