📸 The Magazine For Photographers - Issue 50

Welcome to a brand new Issue of my Magazine. A truly brilliant one, enjoy the read :)

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The Brand New OM System OM-3

OM Digital Solutions has finally pulled back the curtain on the OM System OM-3, a camera that mixes old-school charm with modern tech. If the design looks familiar, that’s because it’s straight-up inspired by the Olympus OM-1 film camera.

At first glance, the OM-3 looks like something straight out of the 1970s. It’s got that classic, elegant design with plenty of dials and buttons, which should make any old-school photography fan happy. The only giveaway that it’s not a film camera? The digital sensor and that 3-inch vari-angle display on the back. Speaking of dials, there’s something special making a comeback: the Color Profile control dial. The last time we saw this was on the Olympus PEN-F, and it gives photographers quick access to customizable color and monochrome profiles. You can fine-tune saturation across 12 different color channels, tweak highlights and shadows, and even add grain and toning effects in black-and-white mode for that classic film look. There are built-in presets, but let’s be real—most photographers will want to dial in their own custom looks.

Size-wise, the OM-3 is slightly wider but also much thinner than the OM-1 II, measuring 139.3 x 88.9 x 45.8 mm (or 5.5 x 3.5 x 1.8 inches, if that makes more sense). It’s also noticeably lighter, weighing just 496 grams (17.5 ounces) with the battery and memory card. That’s a good 100 grams lighter than its flagship sibling, making it a great option for people who want something more compact without sacrificing too much in the performance department. And yes, it still comes with modern perks like IP53-rated weather sealing, so it’s built to handle tough conditions.

While the outside is all vintage, the inside is fully modern. The OM-3 has the same 20.37-megapixel stacked BSI Live MOS sensor and TruePic X processor as the OM-1 II, which means you’re getting serious speed. It can shoot up to 120 frames per second with locked focus or 50 fps with continuous autofocus (as long as you’re using a compatible lens). The autofocus system is no joke either, with 1,053 cross-type phase-detect points ensuring fast and accurate focusing. And if you’re into action photography, Pro Capture Mode can save up to 70 frames before you even press the shutter, so you never miss the perfect shot.

That said, there are some trade-offs compared to the OM-1 II. The OM-3 has only one UHS-II SD card slot instead of two, which might be a dealbreaker for some. The in-body image stabilization is slightly less effective, offering 6.5 stops instead of 8.0. And while the electronic viewfinder is fine, it’s definitely a downgrade from the OM-1 II’s—it has a lower resolution at 2.36 million dots and a smaller magnification range. The good news? The 3-inch vari-angle LCD screen is the same, so no complaints there.

The OM-3 also packs plenty of computational photography features like High-Res Shot (80MP tripod, 50MP handheld), Live ND, HDR, and Focus Stacking. It also offers solid video options, including C4K up to 60p and log recording, plus two new OM Cinema profiles for a polished look straight out of the camera.

The OM System OM-3 starts shipping in late February 2025. The body alone will set you back $1,999.99 in the U.S. or $2,799.99 in Canada. If you want to grab it with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm f/4 Pro lens, that’ll run you $2,299.99 in the U.S. or $3,199.99 in Canada.

Image credits: OM System

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Interview with Marcus Cederberg

This week’s Interview with the incredible Marcus Cederberg, a well known photographer, whose style is immediately recognisable. I absolutely love his images!

You can find him on Instagram as: @marcuscederberg

Enjoy the amazing Interview ;)

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a Swedish hobby photographer, 57 years old living in the middle part of Sweden with my family and 2 dogs. I am working full time as a IT-manager.

How did you get into photography?

My father was a photographer and a journalist, so I am more or less raised with an analog dark room…I started with digital photography on a more professional lever when iPhone came and a camera was always acceptable.

What role does composition play in your photos?

It´s essential, crucial. A minimalistic photo with a less great composition is often pretty boring. I think my compositions are one of the key ingredients to my success.

What do you think sets your work apart from others in the industry? 

I am not sure, but one difference is that as many photographers try to get as much as possible INTO the frame, I do the opposite, trying to get as much as possible out of the frame to create the picture I want.

How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue creating new and uniqe photographs? 

For me it has to be fun, being a hobby it has to be joyful to create my works. Without pressure. But some days it is harder to try to tell as much as possible, with as less as possible.

What are some of the most important qualities for a great photographer to have, in your opinion?

I don’t know really, for me I am a mix of an artist and a businessman. I focus on both the artistic  side as the commercial. A quality that I appreciate in other photographers are if they have a unique style and if they stick to it.

What gear do you use? 

I use a Canon M50 with various lenses and a DJI Mini 3 Pro, all chosen for its small size and easy to carry and travel with.

What is your editing software of choice and much time do you spend editing?

I usually use Pixelmator and Affinity Photo for the most, I have not learned Photoshop since I have thought it was to complicated, but now with the new version with the AI generative fill, I have started to explore also Photoshop. Some of my works are more or less direct out of the camera roll, some others are heavily edited where I have spend many hours on just one picture.

How did you find your signature photography style?/editing style ? 

It was pure coincident , I was with my family at a public pool facility where I took a shot of a pair of orange sunglasses hanging on a hook on a big green wall. When I posted it on Instagram, I discovered that many liked it, thats how it all started. And when Instagram picked med as a suggested  user and I gained many thousands new followers, then it really took off.

What are your thoughts about AI in photography? 

Interesting and somewhat scary. I have started to experiment with some AI basen works where I develope it further. Its fun. AI will be a total game changer both for photographers and the society in general.

Do you prefer shooting alone or with company? 

Alone !

And tips for beginners? 

The rest, 4 more questions, of this Interview are for Premium subscribers only.

Nikon’s Z-Mount 35mm f/1.2 S

Nikon has finally unveiled the long-awaited Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2 S, a lens that’s been on the company’s roadmap for a while and had photographers wondering if it would ever see the light of day.

This new 35mm f/1.2 S is designed to deliver a balance of sharpness and dreamy, creamy bokeh. It follows the same high-end philosophy as Nikon’s 50mm f/1.2 S and 85mm f/1.2 S lenses, making it a natural extension of their premium lineup. Inside, it packs 17 elements in 15 groups, including three extra-low dispersion elements and one aspherical extra-low dispersion element to keep color fringing under control. The 11-bladed aperture helps create that soft, out-of-focus blur that portrait and street photographers love.

To keep image quality top-tier, Nikon has thrown in its best coatings—Meso Amorphous Coat, Nano Crystal Coat, and ARNEO Coat—to cut down on ghosting and flare. Autofocus is powered by a multi-focus stepping motor system, designed for speed and precision. For videographers, the lens includes a clickless control ring and is built to suppress focus breathing, making it a solid option for cinematic work. Two customizable L-Fn buttons on the barrel offer extra flexibility for different shooting styles. And, of course, it’s sealed against dust and moisture for durability in tough conditions.

A couple sample images:

The Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.2 S isn’t cheap—this level of optical performance rarely is. It’s set to launch in late February 2025 for $2,799.95.

Image credits: Nikon

Photo Analysis

Welcome to the new part of the Magazine Issue where we take a closer look at a photo and analyse it so that you can learn and better your own photography from it ;)

Photo by: @laura.gzo

Composition

  • What’s awesome:
    The hiker’s placement is spot on. Sitting in the lower left third, they add a good sense of scale against that mountain. The way the ridge leads your eye toward the peaks makes the whole scene feel balanced and intentional.

  • What could be better:
    There’s not much to complain about, but the foreground at the bottom feels a little empty compared to the crazy detail in the mountain/top half. Maybe just a bit more texture or something to break it up would’ve helped. (however in that case its not really in your hands haha)

Lighting

  • What’s awesome:
    The lighting is very good. It’s soft, moody, and hits all the right places, making the snow-covered path pop. The way it interacts with the mist gives everything this really dreamy, cinematic quality (incredibly done).

  • What could be better:
    Some (very few) of the highlights on the snow are a little too bright, which makes them lose some detail. If they were toned down just a bit, you’d keep all that nice texture in the snow.

Colors

  • What’s awesome:
    The cool tones work beautifully, making the scene feel properly cold and intense. And then there’s that yellow jacket—perfect contrast. It instantly pulls your eye to the hiker without feeling out of place.

  • What could be better:
    The whole image leans pretty heavily into the blue tones, which makes sense for the mood, but maybe just a tiny bit of warmth in the highlights could make it even richer.

Depth & Atmosphere

  • What’s awesome:
    That mist is brilliant. It adds so much mystery and mood, making the whole scene feel surreal. It also helps separate the layers in the image, giving it that deep, 3D look.

  • What could be better:
    In some spots, the mist softens the mountain’s details a little too much. A slight boost in sharpness there could help keep that epic, rugged texture without losing the atmosphere.

Mood & Storytelling

  • What’s awesome:
    This shot feels like an adventure. It’s the kind of image that makes you want to be out there, experiencing the moment yourself.

  • What could be better:
    Not much, honestly. If anything, a slight sense of movement—like a bit of disturbed snow from the hiker’s steps—could add even more life to the scene. (however thats almost nitpicking at this point hahah)

Photography Tip of the Week

The weekly photography tip is only accessible to Premium Subscribers of The Magazine For Photographers.

Photographer of the Week

Photographer of the week goes to: Max McNeil

You can find him on Instagram as: @captured_for_posterity_

A few of his images:

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A Leica Photographer’s Field Jacket?

Leica is marking the 100th anniversary of its iconic Leica I 35mm camera with a bunch of collaborations, and the latest one is actually useful—no fancy collectibles, just a seriously well-designed field jacket made for photographers who spend time in the elements.

The Shackleton Frank Hurley Field Jacket was created with input from Leica and photographer Levison Wood, and it’s built to handle tough conditions. It’s fully waterproof, with sealed seams and Aquaguard zippers, plus a hood that extends far enough to keep both you and your camera dry. There’s an insulated pocket to stop your batteries from dying in the cold, roomy cargo pockets for extra gear, and even a built-in lens cloth on a retractable lanyard. The elbows, shoulders, and seat are reinforced so it holds up against backpacks, harnesses, and whatever else you put it through.

This isn’t the first time Leica and Shackleton have teamed up—they released a heavy-duty down parka back in 2019. Both jackets are named after Frank Hurley, the Australian photographer who captured Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary ‘Endurance’ expedition to Antarctica. When the ship was crushed by ice and started sinking, Hurley dove into freezing water to rescue his film plates.

Shackleton made him smash most of them to save weight, but he managed to keep around 150. Hurley later went on to photograph both World Wars, pioneering composite photography to show the scale of battle in a way a single frame couldn’t.

If you want to channel some of that adventurer energy, the Shackleton x Leica Frank Hurley Field Jacket is available now for $950. It comes in black, in sizes small through extra-large. If it’s anything like Leica’s last photographer’s jacket—a $795 collaboration with Aether that sold out in hours—it won’t be around for long.

Image credits: Leica x Shackleton

The Rest of this Issue is for Premium Subscribers

The Premium Version of this Magazine is now on a ‘‘Pay What you Want’’ model. Meaning you get to decide the price.