credits: Panasonic Panasonic looks to be adding another telephoto zoom to its L-mount lineup, this time a 100-500mm f/5-7.1. The lens is already in development and could be announced fairly soon. For L-mount users, this would be a welcome addition at the long end of the system, especially as Panasonic has been steadily increasing its lens options alongside those from Sigma, Samyang, and more recently Viltrox. The 100-500mm is expected to weigh in around 1.3 kilograms, putting it roughly in the same class as Canon’s RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1. That is not exactly light, but it is a reasonable trade-off for the reach. What many are hoping for most, though, is quick and reliable autofocus. If Panasonic nails that, it could give this lens a real edge over Sigma’s comparable telephotos, which sometimes lag behind when it comes to AF speed. While the L-mount continues to see healthy growth, things have been quieter on Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds side. The last new MFT lenses were announced about two years ago, the Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 35-100mm f/2.8 and the updated 100-400mm f/4-6.3 II ASPH. Camera updates have also been slow, the G97 arrived in late 2024 but didn’t bring much beyond a mandatory switch to USB-C. For now, it seems Panasonic’s energy is focused on building out the L-mount ecosystem, and this new 100-500mm could be the next big piece of that puzzle.

credits: Canon Canon’s EOS R6 Mark III has been the subject of speculation for what feels like years, but it now looks like the wait is nearly over. According to leaks, the camera is in its final testing phase and will likely debut with the same 32-megapixel sensor found in the recently announced Cinema EOS C50. The timing, however, could complicate things: with the C50 not expected to ship until December, an EOS R6 Mark III announcement might slip into early 2026, possibly just ahead of the CP+ trade show in February. If the R6 Mark III does indeed get that new sensor, it will also need more processing power to take full advantage of it. Canon’s solution, seen already in the EOS R1 and R5 Mark II, is the DIGIC accelerator, a secondary processor that helps reduce bottlenecks and speeds up file handling. If included in the R6 Mark III, it would enable faster burst shooting, longer sequences, and pre-capture modes, along with improvements in autofocus responsiveness. Physically, the R6 Mark III isn’t expected to deviate much from its predecessor, though rumours suggest Canon could introduce a dual-hinge, multi-angle screen similar to the one on Sony’s A9 III. There is even talk of an OLED panel replacing the current LCD, though that seems less likely given cost concerns. Other possibilities include the addition of AI-powered in-camera editing tools, such as upscaling and denoising, features Canon has been experimenting with in its flagship cameras. Let’s see if these rumours hold true!

What Is Reverse Lens Macro Photography? Normally, your lens is built to focus on subjects a few meters away and beyond. But if you flip that lens around (literally mount it backwards) it works in reverse and suddenly lets you focus on things just a few centimetres from your camera. It is an old trick that photographers have been using for decades, and it is still one of the cheapest ways to try out macro without fancy/expensive gear. How to Do It Use a Reversing Ring (or DIY It). A reversing ring is an adapter (around $10–$20) that screws into the filter thread of your lens and attaches to the camera mount. That way, you can mount your lens backwards safely. Without one, you technically can just hold the lens backwards in front of your camera, but it is a little awkward and you risk dropping/damaging/smudging it. Pick the Right Lens. Wide-angle primes (like 24mm or 28mm) are great for this. The wider the lens, the higher the magnification when reversed. A 50mm works too, but the magnification isn not as extreme. Get Close, Really Close. With a reversed lens, the focus distance is tiny, sometimes just a few centimetres. You will have to bring your subject almost right up to the lens to get it sharp. Manual Everything. Autofocus won’t work with this technique. You will need to move the camera itself back and forth until the subject looks sharp. Same goes for aperture —> if your lens doesn’t have an aperture ring, you might be stuck shooting wide open unless you use tricks to lock the aperture in place. Camera Settings

credits: Viltrox Viltrox has closed out their lightweight Air Series with the launch of two new autofocus lenses: the AF 9mm f/2.8 Air for APS-C cameras and the AF 14mm f/4.0 Air for full-frame systems. Both follow the same lightweight design philosophy that made the Air Series popular among photographers who prefer gear that doesn’t weigh a ton. The AF 9mm f/2.8 Air is the first ultra-wide in the series with a 113.8° field of view, roughly equivalent to 13.5mm on full-frame. Weighing 175 g for Sony E and 190 g for Nikon Z, it is also one of the lightest autofocus lenses of its type. Inside, the optical design uses a mix of ED, HRI, and aspherical elements to cut down on chromatic aberration and maintain edge-to-edge sharpness. The f/2.8 aperture adds low-light versatility, and with a minimum focusing distance of 0.13 m, it allows for some creative close-up compositions. Autofocus is quick and reliable, with eye and face detection included, while video users will appreciate the minimal focus breathing. For full-frame shooters, the AF 14mm f/4.0 Air offers a 112.6° angle of view. Despite being wider than the 9mm, it still weighs 170 g for Sony FE and 185 g for Nikon Z. It uses a similar optical formula with multi-coated ED, HRI, and aspherical elements to handle flare and ghosting. Autofocus runs on a STM motor, and like the 9mm, it supports 58mm filters and firmware updates via USB-C. Both lenses also include basic weather sealing for durability. The AF 9mm f/2.8 Air and AF 14mm f/4.0 Air are available for $199 (€229 / £190). You can see full details on Viltrox’s website here

credits: Sony There is finally some news on the long-awaited Sony A7 V. According to several reliable sources, the new full-frame camera will be unveiled later this year, putting an end to months of speculation. Rumors about the A7 V have been swirling for quite some time, with the camera’s supposed price even leaking back in July 2025. But after that, the conversation went quiet. Now, reports suggest the camera is set for an official debut in October or November. Insiders say Sony had initially planned an earlier launch but decided to wait, partly because the A7 IV is still selling well and partly to see how Trump’s tariff policies would affect the market. The A7 V won’t be arriving alone in Sony’s lineup refresh. The company is also preparing to release a new lens this year, though not at the same time as the camera. Instead, the lens is expected to be announced first, with speculation pointing strongly toward the FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS. This lens was already rumoured earlier in the summer, and its timing lines up neatly with Sony’s broader release strategy. As for technical details about the camera, nothing has been officially confirmed, and most reports should still be treated as rumours. Early indications point to the A7 V debuting with a new sensor, but sources stress that this will be more of an evolutionary upgrade than a revolutionary one. Even so, there is already speculation that the A7 V will outperform Canon’s upcoming EOS R6 Mark III, which is thought to be using the sensor from Canon’s EOS C50 cinema camera. We will see what the future holds!

credits: SongRaw SongRaw, a relatively new lens maker out of China, has announced its second lens: the AF 85mm f/1.2 Moonlit. The company debuted its first lens, a 50mm f/1.2, earlier this year at NAB in Las Vegas. This time, it chose the IBC show in Amsterdam to reveal its latest release, which will be available for Sony E and Nikon Z mounts first, with Leica L-mount versions expected later. The 85mm f/1.2 Moonlit is built from 18 elements in 10 groups, including aspherical, ED, and high-refractive glass to keep aberrations under control. It uses a 13-blade diaphragm, more than most lenses in this class, which should help produce smooth, round bokeh. Aperture control is handled by an external ring with a de-click option. The lens focuses down to 0.85 meters with a maximum magnification of 0.13x, so it’s not a close-up lens, but that’s expected at this focal length. Autofocus is powered by a stepping motor paired with a lead-screw system, which should keep focus fast and relatively quiet. SongRaw is marketing the “Moonlit” name as a nod to the f/1.2 aperture, meant for low-light and night shooting, but the 85mm focal length also makes it a classic portrait option. Unlike rivals such as Viltrox or Sirui, which usually aim to keep prices under $1,000, SongRaw is positioning itself a bit higher. The 50mm f/1.2 it launched earlier this year retails for $999, while the new 85mm f/1.2 Moonlit is expected to land at around $1,200 when it ships later in 2025.

credits: PRC Pattern Recognition Company (PRC) rolled out Excire Search 2026, the newest version of its Lightroom Classic plugin that uses AI to make managing photos and videos faster and less tedious. The update builds on the core tools us photographers already know, like AI search and auto-tagging, but brings in new features to speed things up, improving usability, and expanding into video. The most notable change is the AI-powered culling system. Instead of manually sifting through hundreds of similar shots, you can now let the software group photos by scene, content, or subject, then rank them based on factors like eye or face sharpness, overall clarity, or even aesthetic value. The plugin can automatically apply flags for quick picks and rejections, helping you narrow down the best images in a short amount of time. Alongside this, PRC has added a redesigned search panel that integrates directly into Lightroom. For the first time, video files are also supported. Excire Search 2026 can analyse frames from video clips, generate keywords, and make them searchable inside Lightroom alongside stills. PRC emphasizes that all AI processing runs locally on the user’s computer, with no files sent to the cloud. Excire Search 2026 is available starting September 17, 2025, for $199. You can see full details on PRC’s website here

credits: Evoto AI Evoto AI held its first brand event, Evoto One, where it announced a broad expansion of its editing tools. The company, previously known mainly for AI-powered photo retouching, is moving into new territory with updates to its desktop software, a mobile app, and its first video editing platform. The three main releases are Evoto Desktop 6.0, Evoto Instantfor iOS and Android, and Evoto Video. The desktop update is the most significant. Evoto Desktop 6.0 introduces a new AI Culling tool that can go through thousands of images, group them by scene or subject, and flag the best shots while cutting out ones with issues like blur or closed eyes. There is also a new Cloud Spaces system to sync projects across devices or let teams work on the same project. Other improvements include wireless tethering with live view for over 1,000 cameras, expanded colour tools with auto masks and auto white balance, and more advanced portrait retouching options that now cover hands, clothing, and wrinkles. On the mobile side, Evoto Instant is designed for event and wedding photographers who need to turn images around quickly. Cameras can tether directly to a phone, edits can be applied immediately, and galleries can be sorted using facial recognition. Meanwhile, Evoto Video marks the company’s first step into film and commercial work, offering AI-powered skin cleanup, colour matching, and batch processing for longer clips. Evoto Desktop 6.0 is available now, with pricing starting at $19 per month, while Evoto Instant is free on iOS and Android until the end of November 2025. You can see full details on Evoto’s blog here

credits: Venus Optics Venus Optics has officially announced the Laowa 180mm f/4.5 APO CA-Dreamer 1.5X, its first tele-macro lens. It’s being released in both autofocus and manual focus versions depending on the mount: Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon EF will get AF support, while Canon RF and L-Mount versions remain manual-only. The 180mm focal length gives you more working distance than the usual 60mm or 100mm macro options, which can make a big difference for lighting setups or when you don’t want to scare off your subject. The lens offers up to 1.5x magnification and uses an apochromatic (APO) design to cut down on chromatic aberrations, aiming for sharper detail and cleaner colours even in tricky light. Autofocus models can lock onto subjects starting from 1.5 meters out to infinity, while anything closer still requires manual focus. There is also a USB-C port for firmware updates and EXIF support on AF versions. On the build side, the lens is compact and relatively lightweight, ranging from about 484g to 522g depending on mount. It uses internal focusing to avoid lens extension, helping keep handling steady and reducing dust intake. Other details include a 62mm filter thread, a function button, and a durable housing. Canon RF users who want autofocus can adapt the EF version. The Laowa 180mm f/4.5 is priced at $499. You can see full details and sample shots on Venus Optics’ website here

photo by: @kam_visions Let’s Analyse this Image: Composition & Framing What works well: The symmetry is great. The tunnel naturally funnels your eye right into the distance, and the centred perspective makes it really powerful. The leading lines are also very strong, they basically start at the corners of the photo and all converge toward the middle, which pulls you right in. The lines on the roof (the cables, lights etc.) also add a ton to the depth, because they continue to guide your eye even beyond the subject, pulling you deeper into the tunnel. That yellow railing in the foreground works as a bold leading line, catching you instantly (mostly because of the colour pop) and then drawing you in as well. The subject breaking up the symmetry is a nice touch too, it keeps the photo from feeling too sterile/clinical/symmetrical.

credits: TTArtisan TTArtisan has added a small but practical accessory to their lineup, a 35mm optical viewfinder. Instead of relying on a digital screen, this little finder gives you a classic way to frame your shots, showing exactly what the lens will capture through clear 35mm framelines. Behind the compact design is a 4-element optical setup with multi-coating, which helps keep the view bright and free of distracting reflections. The finder itself is made from aircraft aluminium with an anodised finish, so it is tough but still light at just 25 grams. A soft rubber eyecup makes it comfortable to use, and since it attaches via a universal cold-shoe mount, it will pair easily with a wide range of cameras. It is the kind of quirky little tool that appeals to those who prefer a stripped-down shooting experience, whether for zone focusing or for keeping things simple and unobtrusive. The TTArtisan 35mm optical viewfinder is available for $49. You can see full details on TTArtisan’s website here

credits: 7Artisans 7Artisans officially launched the AF 24mm f/1.8, a new wide-angle prime for Nikon Z and Leica L-mount cameras. The 24mm focal length makes it a flexible option for anything from landscape to street photography and with a f/1.8 aperture, it also offers some room to play with shallow depth of field. Inside, the lens uses three extra-low dispersion elements, two high-refractive elements, and two aspherical elements to help keep chromatic aberrations, distortion, and fringing under control. Paired with an 11-blade diaphragm, the lens aims to produce smooth background blur while maintaining sharpness across the frame. Autofocus is driven by an STM stepper motor, which should deliver quiet and responsive performance, useful for both photography and video work. The 24mm also supports an 83° field of view, weighs about 424 grams, has a metal build and takes 62mm filters. On the design side, 7Artisans has included a de-clicked aperture ring, an AF/MF switch that gives direct control for when you want to switch to manual focus. A customisable function button adds extra flexibility, and there is even a USB-C port for firmware updates. Pricing for the new AF 24mm f/1.8 lens is at $329. You can see full details and sample shots on 7Artisans’ website here