📸 The Magazine For Photographers - Bite Size
Read the Latest Photography News and Updates in the Creative Industry in 3 minutes or less ;)
In partnership with
Important note: All photography articles are NOT sponsored
The Latest News:
Tamron’s 150-500mm Got A Firmware Update
credits: Tamron
Tamron’s 150–500mm f/5–6.7 Di III VC VXD lens just got a new firmware update and it brings several meaningful technical changes, especially for Sony shooters. One of the biggest additions is improved autofocus behaviour while zooming, something long telephoto zooms often struggle with due to shifting optical groups. Tamron says the lens now maintains focus more consistently during focal-length changes, which should help in AF-C when subjects move unpredictably. The update also refines AF assist performance, improving responsiveness in low-contrast scenes and situations where the subject’s motion changes rapidly.
The headlines feature, though, is compatibility with the Sony a9 III’s ultra-high-speed 120fps burst shooting. Before, the 150–500mm simply couldn’t operate at those frame rates, limiting its usefulness for photographers hoping to pair the a9 III’s speed with a long-range zoom. With Version 4.00, the lens now supports 120fps bursts, but only when the camera is set to AF-S, DMF, or manual focus. Continuous AF tracking at 120fps still isn’t available, which mirrors the limitations seen on other Tamron lenses updated for the a9 III, such as the 70–180mm f/2.8 G2.
One detail that hasn’t gotten much attention is how Version 4.00 affects stabilisation behaviour. While Tamron doesn’t advertise major VC changes, early testers in Japan report slightly improved stability when panning at longer focal lengths, likely due to changes in how the lens communicates movement data to Sony bodies. The update also improves handshake reliability with newer E-mount protocols introduced since the a9 III’s release, which may help future-proof the lens as Sony continues rolling out high-speed bodies.
You can download the update on Tamron’s utility website here
PolarPro’s New Shift System
credits: PolarPro
PolarPro has introduced a new three-piece diopter system called Shift. It is designed to give photographers and filmmakers quick access to closer focusing distances without having to swap lenses. The set includes +2, +4, and +8 strengths, each reducing a lens’s minimum focusing distance to 50 cm, 25 cm, and 12.5 cm (19.7, 9.8, and 4.9 inches). The diopters don’t change focal length, they simply bring the focal plane forward so lenses can focus on subjects that would otherwise fall outside their native close-focus range.
The system is available in two mounting formats, PolarPro’s Helix MagLock for fast attachment and removal, and traditional threaded versions from 49 mm to 95 mm. Each diopter uses multi-coated cinema-grade glass in aluminium housings, with the MagLock variant weighing around 140 grams and the threaded ones about 98 grams. The MagLock version can also be paired with a variable ND filter as long as the VND is placed behind the diopter. Threaded versions, however, are generally limited to straight NDs because most threaded VNDs are too thick to stack reliably.
Shift differs from split-diopters used in cinema, as it doesn’t attempt to keep two focal planes simultaneously sharp. Instead, it functions more like a modern, higher-quality close-up filter, aimed at extending the usefulness of existing lenses for detail-oriented subjects. The set, +2, +4, +8 diopters and a the specially designed case, is available in both MagLock and threaded options, with prices ranging from $149.99 to $399.99.
You can see full details on PolarPro’s website here
Receive Instagram Growth Tips For Photographers
Get weekly tips on how to grow on Instagram as a photographer sent straight to your inbox! All these tips and techniques helped me grow my Instagram account @theglobalphotographycommunity to 196K+ followers.
Something You Have To Check Out
Are you a social media content creator? (a photographer, videographer etc.)
If so, you know how hard the fight against the Algorithm is (no matter on what platform you are)!
You create amazing content but nobody gets to see it. If there was only a way to stop fighting the Algorithm and avoid it entirely!
→ enter Beehiiv the ultimate platform that lets you connect with your audience without using any Algorithms at all.
Make sure to check them out ⬇️
This newsletter you couldn’t wait to open? It runs on beehiiv — the absolute best platform for email newsletters.
Our editor makes your content look like Picasso in the inbox. Your website? Beautiful and ready to capture subscribers on day one.
And when it’s time to monetize, you don’t need to duct-tape a dozen tools together. Paid subscriptions, referrals, and a (super easy-to-use) global ad network — it’s all built in.
beehiiv isn’t just the best choice. It’s the only choice that makes sense.
Photographer Spotlight
Discover amazing photographers
This time in the Spotlight: Viktor Balaguer
You can find him on Instagram as: @viktor_balaguer
A few photos of his:
Missed The Sunday Issue?
In case you missed yesterday’s Sunday Issue (Snapshot Issue 93) including the amazing interview with the photographer Joao Migues and many more incredible articles, you can read it here.
The Rest of this Issue is for Premium Subscribers
