credits: Latent Co. Aphera is a new RAW photo editor built for macOS, with a focus on speed, colour, and a simpler editing workflow. It comes from Latent Co., a small team made up of photographers Ryan Carver and Naz Hamid and colour engineer/software developer Juan Pablo Zambrano. Carver and Hamid have both previously worked with VSCO, and the team says Aphera partly came from their frustration with how complicated and preset-heavy RAW editing software has become. The app has its own imaging pipeline and is designed to handle up to 100MP RAW files in real time. The editing tools are mostly based around film-inspired colour and manual control. Aphera combines its own colour science with handcrafted Looks and a colour-grading system influenced by analog photography and cinema. Editing is completely non-destructive, with culling tools, bulk editing, keyboard controls, project organisation, and the ability to create and save your own Looks. There are profiles for hundreds of camera and lens combinations, along with support for multiple export formats. Lightroom is an obvious comparison given the combination of RAW processing and organisation, but the developers say that they are not trying to match Adobe feature for feature. The focus is more on keeping the workflow relatively lean while still providing proper colour and RAW controls. Now, let us talk about pricing, which is a little strange and judging by comments on the internet, most photographers are not really liking it. A lifetime license costs $99. That purchase lets you keep using the software permanently and includes one year of updates. After that year, you can continue using your existing version without paying anything. If you later want the newest updates, another year costs $99. So, for example, you could skip two years of updates, keep using Aphera in the meantime, and then pay $99 again when you decide the newer features are worth upgrading for.

credits: Canon Canon may have even more new cameras on the way than we previously thought, with two additional models appearing in regulatory filings. The newly registered DS126986 and DS126991 join three unreleased Canon cameras that were already known, bringing the current total to five. Both new models were spotted in a Japanese regulatory database, although registrations like these do not necessarily guarantee a commercial release, and there is always a chance that one of the entries could turn out to be an accessory and not a camera. The wireless specifications give us at least a few clues about what they might be. DS126986 has dual-band Wi-Fi 4 at 2.4 and 5.1 GHz along with Bluetooth, which could point toward another interchangeable-lens EOS R camera. DS126991 is much more basic, with only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and no Bluetooth at all. That is unusually limited by recent Canon standards, as cameras released throughout 2024 and 2025 generally offered at least Wi-Fi 5. Current speculation suggests this second registration could therefore belong to a lower-cost PowerShot, where dropping faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth would be an easy way to keep hardware costs down. That leaves us with what could eventually be three EOS R cameras and two PowerShot models across the five registrations. The existing roadmap has not really changed, the EOS R8 Mark II is still rumoured for September with a 24MP sensor and retro-style body, while an EOS R10 Mark II could follow later and the EOS R7 Mark II is currently expected in the first quarter of 2027. On the compact side, Canon is also rumoured to be preparing a more photography-focused successor to the PowerShot G7 X Mark III, alongside the potentially cheaper DS126991.

credits: SmallRig SmallRig has announced the new Potato Jet Tribex Pro Monopod, taking the single-handle clutch system from its Tribex Tripod and putting it into a smaller monopod for both photographers and videographers. The main feature is SmallRig’s X-Clutch hydraulic system, which connects the leg sections to a single handle. Rather than opening and locking each section separately, that one control can extend the monopod and lock everything into place. The three-section monopod has a working height of 90 to 170cm, collapses to around 89cm, weighs 2.6kg, and supports loads of up to 25kg. There are separate photo and video versions depending on how you want to use it. The video version can be paired with a three-prong folding base and compact fluid head, with damping for smoother panning and a fixed counterbalance system designed for camera rigs weighing up to 4kg at a 50mm centre of gravity. The head itself supports up to 6kg. SmallRig has also gone with a snap-on quick-release system that is compatible with DJI RS-series and 501PL plates. The photography version can instead use a standard ball head, with either the folding base or a traditional single-point foot. SmallRig is also selling the Tribex Pro in four configurations. The Barebone/Basic Edition includes the monopod without a head or folding base for $200, while the Standard Edition adds the three-prong base for $360. Both the Photo Kit and Video Kit cost $430, with the former adding a ball head and the latter including SmallRig’s fluid video head. There are also 1/4-20 mounting points for accessories, while the silicone feet have hidden spikes underneath for softer ground.

credits: Brightin Star Brightin Star first showed its APO 35mm f/1.7 ASPH. at CP+ 2026 back in February, and now, around six months later, the new Leica M-Mount lens is finally available to order. It is only the company’s second M-mount lens, following the 28mm f/2.8 Pancake released in 2023. The 35mm is a very different design, though, combining an f/1.7 aperture with an apochromatic optical formula and becoming the first lens in Brightin Star’s new Apex higher-end series. It is built primarily for Leica M cameras, but Brightin Star also offers adapters for Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, Fujifilm X, Fujifilm GFX, and L-Mount. Inside are 11 elements arranged in seven groups, with six aspherical surfaces used throughout the optical design. The APO designation means Brightin Star has put particular emphasis on controlling chromatic aberration and colour fringing, while the aperture uses 11 blades. This is a completely manual-focus lens, with a fairly long 307-degree focus throw for more precise adjustment. It can focus down to 0.3m, although rangefinder coupling works to around 0.7m. Getting closer than that requires live view on a compatible Leica body or using the lens adapted to another mirrorless camera. Physically, the lens measures 43mm long and weighs 266g. It comes in a classic black finish and has reportedly been in development for more than two years. The Brightin Star APO 35mm f/1.7 ASPH. is currently available to order for $759, with shipping expected to begin in November. Its eventual retail price is listed at $1,199. Brightin Star is also offering discounted mount adapters alongside it, currently ranging from roughly $30 to $42, depending on the camera system.

TTArtisan has announced the new AF 85mm f/1.8 Neo, a compact full-frame portrait prime for Sony E and Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras. The idea behind the lens is pretty simple. TTArtisan has stripped things back and focused mainly on the optics, autofocus, and keeping the overall design (and price) slim. The company sums up the approach as “Pure image. Nothing extra.” That becomes pretty obvious when looking at the design. Rather than using a traditional metal exterior, the body is made from reinforced fibreglass. The Sony E-mount version weighs 332 grams, measures 90.5mm long, and accepts standard 62mm filters. There is also an unusual detail on the barrel. What initially looks like a large manual focus ring is actually just a grip. Like the AF 50mm f/1.8 Neo TTArtisan released last month, the new 85mm uses a 3D-printed construction that does not include a manual focusing mechanism, meaning that this is an autofocus-only lens. Speaking of autofocus, the lens uses a STM stepping motor, and can focus down to 0.8 meters. That range is pretty typical for an 85mm portrait lens, although photographers who often use manual focus will obviously want to keep the lack of a focus ring in mind. Optically, the AF 85mm f/1.8 Neo uses 12 elements arranged in eight groups, including two ED elements and two high-index elements. TTArtisan says the design is intended to maintain good detail and natural colours while keeping sharpness consistent from the centre toward the edges. There is also an 11-blade aperture diaphragm. Combined with the 85mm focal length and f/1.8 maximum aperture, that should provide good background separation for portraits. TTArtisan’s early sample photos (see down below) show relatively smooth background blur with a slight cat’s-eye shape toward the edges, although proper hands-on testing will give us a better idea of how the lens actually performs. In terms of competition, there are already quite a few autofocus 85mm primes available for both systems. The AstrHori 85mm f/1.8 II AF and Meike 85mm f/1.8 SE Mark II (both $199), for example, are other third-party alternatives, while Sony and Nikon both have their own native 85mm f/1.8 lenses (in the $600-$800 range). The TTArtisan AF 85mm f/1.8 Neo is available to preorder for Sony E and Nikon Z-mount cameras for $99.

Godox’s latest lighting accessory is not actually a light at all. The new ES01 Electric Suction Base is a small, battery-powered mounting system that lets you attach flashes and compact LED lights to surfaces where a normal light stand would be difficult or simply get in the way. Godox has been releasing quite a few compact flashes lately, including the retro-looking iM30Pro in June and the universal iT32 iFlash last autumn. The new ES01 works with those and several other Godox lights, essentially turning a wall, window, desk, or other smooth surface into a temporary mounting point. The ES01 can support up 590 grams and uses a small electric motor to create and maintain suction. Press the button once and the motor activates the vacuum system. When you are done, another button releases the suction so the mount can be removed. The built-in battery is rechargeable through USB-C. Godox has also included a low-battery warning system, a red indicator light comes on and the unit starts buzzing when the battery is getting low, which is (of course) important when you have a flash hanging from a wall or window. The single ES01 works with a fairly long list of Godox flashes, including the TT350, V350, iT32, iT30Pro, iT22, iT20, iM22, iM20, iM30 Pro, and iM30. It also supports the LED6R and LED6Bi compact LED lights, as well as other hot-shoe flashes that remain within the mount’s weight limit. It is pretty small as well. Godox describes it as being roughly the size of a tennis ball. It measures 68 × 68 × 42mm and weighs 69 grams. For heavier lighting setups, Godox also introduced the ES01 K3. This combines three ES01 suction bases with a triangular mounting bracket, increasing the maximum supported weight to two kilograms. That extra capacity means the K3 can handle considerably larger lights. Godox lists compatibility with the AD100Pro, AD100Pro II, AD200Pro, AD200Pro II, AD300Pro, and AD300Pro II flashes, along with the P260C Pro, FH50Bi, FH50R, and LED308II LED lights. Other lights using a baby pin or 1/4-20 mounting point can also be attached as long as they, again, stay below the weight limit. The Godox ES01 Electric Suction Base is priced at $29, while the heavier-duty three-cup ES01 K3 kit costs $79.

credits: On1 ON1’s new NoNoise AI 2027 is coming in late September, as the company announced just yesterday, with the biggest change being a completely revamped set of AI noise-reduction models. Rather than relying on one general model for every photo, the new version lets you choose a model based on what you are shooting specifically, with options for wildlife, people and concerts, astrophotography, and scanned film negatives. The idea is to remove heavy noise while doing a better job of holding onto small details such as feathers, fur, and texture instead of leaving everything looking overly smooth. TackSharp AI, ON1’s tool for dealing with slightly blurred photos, has been reworked as well, with the company saying it can recover sharpness while introducing fewer artifacts and less additional noise. Masking also gets an upgrade. NoNoise AI 2027 can now create subject and background masks with a single click, and those masks can be combined through layers. So, for example, you could sharpen the eye of a bird while applying stronger noise reduction to the background without having to manually paint everything in. There are also new depth masks for making adjustments based on distance. Beyond noise reduction, ON1 is adding automatic sensor dust and power-line removal, along with Generative Erase for removing larger objects and Generative Expand for extending the edges of a photo. ON1 has also rebuilt its AI inference engine, which should make better use of available hardware and speed up batch processing, particularly when working through folders of high-ISO RAW files. Windows on ARM is now supported natively, and NoNoise AI can open RAW files from more than 800 camera models, including cameras going back roughly 20 years. NoNoise AI 2027 is scheduled for late September 2026 and will be included with ON1’s Photo Studio annual subscription.

credits: Nikon Nikon has released new firmware updates for two cameras, with the Z5 II moving to version 1.20 and the older Coolpix P1000 getting version 1.9. The Z5 II receives the much bigger update of the two, although most of the changes are relatively small. Nikon has renamed “Cloud Picture Control” to “Imaging Recipe,” while “Add Cloud Picture Control files” is now called “Download imaging recipes.” So basically, Nikon is cleaning up the terminology so that it matches what you now see inside Nikon Imaging Cloud. There are a few functional changes as well. Nikon has added new options relating to focus position, automatic monitor switching, Wi-Fi when using Access Point mode, and FTP connection timeouts. If you are shooting video you also get the useful feature of aperture control no longer being restricted when recording video in Shutter Priority (S) mode. The Coolpix P1000, meanwhile, gets a super simple update. Firmware 1.9 fixes a rare bug that could cause the camera to freeze when zooming during continuous shooting, and that is the only change Nikon lists. What is arguably more notable is that Nikon is still updating the P1000 at all. The superzoom originally arrived in 2018, was discontinued in early 2024, and has since been replaced by the P1100. Nikon has been doing quite a bit of this lately, with older cameras including the D6, D780, D850, and D7500 receiving firmware fixes many years after their original releases, which is of course nice to see. Both new updates can be downloaded through Nikon’s download centre.

credits: Capture One Capture One Mobile 4.0 is here, bringing a few more of the desktop app’s editing tools over to iPhone and iPad. Capture One first launched its mobile app in 2022 and has been gradually adding to it ever since, with tethering and many of the familiar editing controls already available. Version 4.0 adds four more tools that users have been asking for, Enhanced Denoise, Colour Balance, Heal/Clone, and Keywords. According to Capture One, healing was actually the most requested feature for the mobile app, with Enhanced Denoise not far behind. The new tools cover a few pretty obvious gaps in the mobile workflow. Enhanced Denoise lets you clean up noise in high-ISO photos directly on an iPhone or iPad, while Colour Balance gives separate control over the colours in the highlights, midtones, and shadows. Heal/Clone can be used to remove distracting objects or copy one part of a photo over another, which is certainly a useful tool to finally have on mobile. Keywords, meanwhile, is about organisation, letting you tag and sort your photos without having to wait until you are back at a computer. Capture One says it is not necessarily trying to make its mobile and desktop apps identical. Instead, they want to bring across the tools that actually make sense on a smaller device, particularly for photographers editing on location or while travelling when pulling out a laptop is not always practical. The mobile app also keeps features such as second-generation wireless tethering with supported Canon cameras and integration with Capture One Live. Capture One Mobile 4.0 is available for iPhone and iPad, with a paid Capture One subscription required after the seven-day trial.

credits: Sandmarc Sandmarc has announced a new 96mm Telephoto lens for iPhone, designed to give mobile photographers considerably more reach without relying entirely on digital zoom. The add-on lens mounts over the iPhone’s existing tetraprism telephoto camera and provides 4x optical magnification, using a multi-element, multi-coated glass design. Exactly how much reach you get depends on the iPhone. On the latest iPhone 17 Pro models, Sandmarc says the combination can reach up to 32x, using the phone’s 8x “optical-quality” setting together with the 4x external lens. On the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro models, the maximum works out to around 20x. At those kinds of magnifications, keeping the phone steady becomes pretty important, so a tripod or some other form of support will make sense most of the time. The lens also works with Sandmarc’s optional polarising and ND filters. One of the two things you will need for this lens to work is a Sandmarc dedicated iPhone case, which starts at $50, as the lens attaches directly to the case and not the phone, and Sandmarc also requires its free Sandmarc Camera app, which provides manual exposure controls, RAW shooting, and settings specifically for its add-on lenses. The new 96mm Telephoto costs $345 and joins Sandmarc’s existing 48mm and 72mm iPhone lenses, priced at $245 and $295 respectively.

credits: Brightin Star Brightin Star’s X-Slim 28mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens for Leica M Mount was originally launched in black in 2023, and now it is available in a new “Liquid Silver” finish. Underneath the new finish, it is the same tiny full-frame manual-focus lens as before. From the lens mount, it sticks out by just 9.9mm, while the complete lens measures 21.5mm long because part of the optical construction extends back into the mount. Weight comes in at 125g. Inside, the 28mm f/2.8 uses six elements arranged in five groups, paired with a nine-blade aperture diaphragm. Focusing is completely manual, with a range from 0.7m to infinity, and the lens includes proper rangefinder coupling when used natively on compatible Leica M cameras. Despite being designed for M Mount, it can also be adapted to quite a few other mirrorless systems. Brightin Star offers kits with adapters for Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, Fujifilm X, L-Mount, and Fujifilm GFX, although adding an adapter naturally takes away some of the appeal of that extremely thin 9.9mm profile. One little thing that has changed is that now instead of the yellow markings of the original, the Liquid Silver version uses black and red markings. Brightin Star has also shared a rare bit of sales information, saying that it has sold nearly 10,000 units of the original black version since its introduction. The new Brightin Star X-Slim 28mm f/2.8 Liquid Silver is available for $318.99.

credits: Adaptalux’s Adaptalux has added a smaller controller to its macro photography lighting system with the new Pod Mini 2.0. It is essentially the little brother to the company’s larger Control Pod 3.0 and acts as the connection point between Adaptalux’s different Lighting Arms and the rest of the system. Where the Control Pod has five lighting ports, the Pod Mini 2.0 has a single port, along with physical controls for brightness and power. It also has Bluetooth built in, so settings can be adjusted remotely without having to touch the unit during a shoot. The Pod Mini 2.0 works with Adaptalux’s LED and Xenon Flash Lighting Arms, giving you the option of continuous light or flash depending on what you are shooting. Power comes from a built-in rechargeable battery, with Adaptalux claiming up to eight hours of runtime. Charging is handled over USB-C, and the pod can continue operating while plugged in. There is also a standard 1/4-20 metal thread, so it can be mounted directly to a camera, tripod, or other support. Adaptalux has updated its smartphone app at the same time, adding multi-pod connectivity so several controllers and lights can be adjusted from one place over Bluetooth. That multi-pod support is where the smaller controller becomes particularly useful. Rather than plugging several lights into one larger Control Pod, you can place multiple Pod Mini units around a macro setup, which gives you more freedom over where each light sits. Multiple pods can also be combined with different types and colours of Lighting Arms for more complicated setups. The Adaptalux Pod Mini 2.0 costs $102.30 on its own, with Lighting Arms sold separately.