credits: Godox Godox refreshed their mid-range portable strobe with the new AD400Pro II, slotting it between the pocketable AD200Pro II and the big AD600Pro II. On paper it’s still a 400Ws light, but this update brings faster response times, more flexibility for mixed photo/video work, and a few other updates. Power is adjustable across 10 stops, from 1/512 to full, and the detachable 21.6V/2600mAh battery is rated for about 460 full-power pops. Recycle times are noticeably quicker than before, dipping as low as 0.01 seconds at lower outputs, and there’s now a Freeze Mode with flash durations as short as 1/27,770s (t0.1) for freezing high-speed motion. The built-in LED modeling lamp has also been upgraded: it’s 30W, colour temperature adjustable between 2800K–6000K, and has a high CRI/TLCI rating. Wireless control continues through Godox’s 2.4 GHz X system with a 100-meter range, compatible with all the usual transmitters. A small but practical tweak is the new group indicator lights, which color-code up to 16 groups so complex setups are easier to manage at a glance. The body still weighs around 2kg and comes with the expected reflector, bag, charger, and battery. The flash comes in at $649. You can see full details on Godox’s website here

credits: RIcoh Ricoh has officially announced the long-awaited GR IV compact camera. At first glance, the design looks familiar to the old GR look, but inside there are some major updates. The camera is built around a new 25.7-megapixel APS-C sensor paired with an upgraded 18.3mm f/2.8 lens, equivalent to 28mm on full-frame. The lens design has been reworked with seven elements in five groups, including aspherical and low-dispersion glass. Ricoh has also introduced its new GR Engine 7 processor and kept its dedicated accelerator unit, which together promise better performance at high ISO. The native range now runs from ISO 100 up to 204,800. One of the most notable improvements is stabilisation. The GR IV now has a five-axis in-body image stabilisation system rated for up to six stops of shake correction, compared to the three-axis, four-stop system in the GR III. Autofocus has also seen a big overhaul, with Ricoh highlighting faster, more precise performance and stronger low-light focusing thanks to an updated image-plane phase detection system. General usability has been improved as well, startup time has been cut down to 0.6 seconds, macro switching and general responsiveness are all quicker. The camera includes 53GB of built-in memory along with a microSD card slot, records 14-bit RAW files, and has a 3-inch touchscreen with improved responsiveness. Video is still capped at Full HD, but it supports 60p recording. Photographers can also use new crop modes for 35mm and 50mm equivalents. Ricoh will release the GR IV in mid-September at a price of $1,499.95. A closer look at the new camera will follow in this week’s Sunday magazine issue ;) You can see full details on Ricoh’s website here

credits: Nikon Word is spreading that Nikon will release a new version of its Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens. The original, released back in 2019, has built a reputation as a near-flawless standard zoom: sharp, reliable, and already a workhorse for a lot of Nikon shooters. Which raises the question, why replace it? What has the Nikonrumors community scratching their heads is the price. According to the latest reports, the new version will come in at around $500 more than the current lens, which makes people wonder what exactly Nikon has changed. A simple refresh with minor tweaks wouldn’t normally justify that kind of jump, so speculation is running wild. Some are guessing Nikon could be working on a faster 24-70mm f/2, which would be a first, though it would likely be a hefty piece of gear. Others think we might see a 20-70mm f/2.8, which would add more flexibility at the wide end, or even an internal zoom design that would make the lens more practical in day-to-day use. For now, it’s just talk, but if Nikon really is preparing a second-generation 24-70mm, we shouldn’t have to wait long before the details become official.

credits: Sigma Sigma has added another fast APS-C prime to its lineup with the new 12mm f/1.4 DC | Contemporary. It’s now the widest autofocus f/1.4 prime available for mirrorless cameras in this format, giving photographers and videographers an ultra-wide option that’s still compact. The lens measures under 7cm in length, weighs 225g, and takes standard 62mm filters, so it’s a pretty small package considering how wide and fast it is. The lens comes in Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Canon RF mounts, giving roughly an 18mm field of view on Sony and Fuji bodies and about 19mm on Canon APS-C cameras. Sigma has tailored the design a bit depending on the mount: the Sony and Fuji versions include both a manual aperture ring and a wide focus ring, while the Canon RF version instead gets Canon’s familiar control ring. All three have weather sealing and a coating on the front element to help keep out water and smudges. Autofocus is designed to be quick and quiet, and Sigma has worked to reduce focus breathing. Inside, the optical design packs 14 elements in 12 groups, including aspherical and SLD glass to keep distortion and aberrations under control. Sigma also points to reduced sagittal coma flare, which is especially important for astrophotography. The lens can focus down to 17.2cm and it is designed to stay sharp even when shot wide open. The new 12mm f/1.4 DC | Contemporary will be available in early September for $629. You can see full details on Sigma’s website here

credits: Hasselblad A leaked press release has given us an early look at Hasselblad’s long rumoured X2D II 100C medium format camera and the XCD 35–100mm f/2.8–4 zoom lens. The new camera still carries a 100MP medium format sensor but adds some big upgrades, including true end-to-end HDR for better highlight retention and richer tones. Autofocus gets a major step up too, with continuous AF (a first for Hasselblad), 425 PDAF points, LiDAR assist, and an AF illuminator to help in dim light. The in-body stabilisation has also been reworked, now promising up to 10 stops of correction. Design-wise, the X2D II 100C is a bit more refined than its predecessor. It’s slightly lighter, comes in a new graphite-grey finish, and features a redesigned grip. The rear screen is a brighter 3.6-inch OLED that tilts, and Hasselblad has added a 5D joystick and customizable controls to speed up handling. Storage shouldn’t be an issue either, with 1TB of built-in SSD space plus a CFexpress Type B slot for expansion. On the software side, Phocus Mobile 2 has been updated so you can edit, process HDR RAW files, and even remotely control the camera straight from an iPhone or iPad. Alongside the camera, Hasselblad introduced the XCD 35–100mm f/2.8–4, a versatile standard zoom that covers a 28–76mm full-frame equivalent range. Inside are 16 elements in 13 groups, including three aspherical and five ED elements, to keep things sharp across the frame. Autofocus is driven by the fastest stepping motor in the XCD lineup, and as with other Hasselblad lenses, there’s a built-in leaf shutter that syncs with flash at up to 1/4000s. The X2D II 100C will launch at $7,399, with the zoom lens priced at $4,599.

credits: Maven Maven Filters has kicked off the third wave of its magnetic filter system on Kickstarter. The lineup first showed up in 2022 with the basics like NDs and circular polarizers, then expanded last year with a big batch of new options including infrared filters and improved polarizers. Now, wave three is here, and it brings eight new filter types plus a handful of accessories to round out the system. Some of the new filters are pretty creative. There’s an LPL + Diffusion filter that combines a polarizer with a softening effect, a laser protection filter, Dream Soft for hazy, cinematic shots, and an IR830 filter that blocks out wavelengths below 830nm. Night shooters get a new Star Walker filter to bring out the stars, while other additions include diopters for close-up work, Star Arms for starburst effects on bright lights, and a set of color filters for black-and-white photography. Maven has also built a magnetic ring light that snaps right onto the system. It’s small, charges over USB-C, and lets you adjust color temperature from 2700K to 6000K. The Kickstarter campaign has already passed its first two stretch goals, unlocking an H-Alpha filter for astrophotography and a kaleidoscope filter. A third stretch goal at $250,000 would add a Miami Skies filter designed to boost sunset and landscape colours. Prices start at $69 for a single filter, though that doesn’t cover the adapter ring. For people just starting with Maven, the $199 bundle includes an adapter, cap, case, and four filters, while higher tiers like the $499 option have 10 filters plus extra rings. You can see full details on Maven’s kickstarter page here

credits: Sigma After months of leaks and speculation, Sigma has finally confirmed what many expected: the company is releasing a 200mm f/2 DG OS | Sports lens, the first of its kind for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The lens uses a fairly complex optical formula with 19 elements in 14 groups, including pairs of FLD and SLD glass. Sigma says the design should keep aberrations in check while delivering sharpness right across the frame. It also features an 11-blade circular diaphragm, which should help with smoother background rendering at wide apertures. Autofocus is powered by Sigma’s High-response Linear Actuator (HLA), built for speed and accuracy. It can focus as close as 1.7 meters, giving a maximum magnification ratio of 1:7.6. Optical stabilization is also built in, with Sigma’s OS2 system claiming up to 6.5 stops of shake correction. While it’s a sports lens at heart, the reach and subject separation of the 200mm f/2 could get portrait and landscape photographers interested, in fact most of the presented sample shots are portraits and landscapes. On the outside, the 200mm f/2 follows the design of Sigma’s Sports line. It’s weather-sealed, weighs just over 1.8 kilograms, measures 201mm long, and accepts large 105mm front filters. The barrel includes three customizable AFL buttons, plus dedicated switches for focus modes, focus limiting, stabilization, and custom settings. An Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot comes standard, designed specifically for this lens to make handholding easier when needed. The Sigma 200mm f/2 DG OS | Sports is set to arrive in early September for Sony E and L-Mount systems at a price of $3,299. You can see full details and sample shots on Sigma’s website here

credits: Antigravity Antigravity, a new drone brand started by Insta360 and other partners, has officially unveiled its first product, the Antigravity A1 Drone. Set to go head-to-head with DJI, the A1 stands out as the first drone capable of shooting 8K 360° video. Its dual-lens system, mounted above and below the body, can capture the entire scene without blind spots, and Insta360’s stitching tech ensures the drone itself disappears from the shot. At 249 grams, the A1 also stays under common weight limits, making it easier to fly in most regions without extra restrictions. The drone comes with Vision goggles and a new Grip controller that ditches the usual twin-stick setup. Instead, pilots steer by moving the controller and looking around with the goggles, which track head movements. The result should be a more natural flying experience, with the drone going where you point while you explore the view in real time. The A1 also borrows features from Insta360’s cameras, like the ability to reframe footage in editing, switch angles after the fact, and add effects such as Tiny Planet or horizon flips. Most of the specs are still under wraps, including exact flight speed, battery life, and detailed video recording options. Antigravity says pricing and bundle info will be announced closer to the official launch in January 2026. Until then, the company is running a co-creation program where selected testers can fly pre-production units, share feedback, and even compete for part of a $20,000 reward pool. You can see full details and sample shots on Antigravity’s website here

credits: TTArtisan TTArtisan is giving Fujifilm shooters a new option with its AF 75mm f/2 portrait lens, now available for X-mount. The lens first launched last year for Sony E and Nikon Z, and later for L-mount, but this marks the first time Fuji users get their hands on it. On APS-C, that 75mm focal length comes out to about 112.5mm equivalent, which lands right in the classic portrait territory. The lens itself is pretty compact and not too heavy, coming in at 326 grams and only 74mm long. It’s built from metal, has a dedicated aperture ring, and takes 62mm filters. Inside, you’ll find 10 elements in seven groups, including an extra-low dispersion element and four high-index elements. The nine-blade aperture is designed to give portraits smooth, rounded background blur. Autofocus is handled by a stepper motor, which should keep things quick and quiet, and it works with eye, animal, and vehicle detection on Fuji cameras. You can also get in as close as 0.75 meters for tighter portraits. 75mm isn’t a super common focal length, but it’s been popping up more often recently, and TTArtisan clearly sees it as a good fit for portrait work. The lens ships with a metal hood, and there is a USB-C port for firmware updates. Pricing for this new X Mount variant is at $199. You can see full details and sample shots on TTArtisan’s website here

credits: Venus optic Venus Optics, the maker of Laowa lenses, looks set to bring back a classic design with a new 200mm f/2 prime for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The buzz started after the company shared a few sample shots online and a leaked photo of the lens itself appeared (both shown above). While the sample images don’t reveal much in terms of sharpness or overall rendering, they do show the kind of shallow depth of field and strong subject isolation you’d expect from a fast telephoto prime like this. Rumours suggest the lens will weigh around 1,600 grams (about 3.5 pounds), making it quite a bit heavier than other popular long primes such as Nikon’s Z 135mm f/1.8 Plena (995g) and Sony’s 135mm f/1.8 G Master (950g). But the Laowa lens would also be in a different category, both longer at 200mm and equally fast at f/2. More interestingly, rumours from China claim the lens might even cover medium-format sensors, such as those in Fujifilm’s GFX system. If true, that would explain both the size and weight, since the lens would need larger glass and a bigger image circle. What makes this especially exciting is how rare modern 200mm f/2 lenses are. Back in the DSLR era, Canon and Nikon both had legendary versions, but neither has brought one to their RF or Z mirrorless systems. Fujifilm is currently the only company with a 200mm f/2 in production, though theirs is for APS-C and lands at an equivalent 300mm. Given Venus Optics is already sharing teasers, a full announcement probably isn’t far off.

credits: Freewell Gear just released a new accessory called the Real Lens Hood, for photographers using fixed-lens cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI, Leica Q3 43, Fujifilm GFX100RF, and Ricoh GR III/GR IIIx. The hood attaches directly to the built-in lens and supports 49mm filters, but its main trick is a flip-down design that should make adjusting filters quicker and easier. The design varies slightly depending on the camera, but all versions share some common features: a CNC-machined aluminum body, flip-to-access mechanics, and an NFC-enabled lens cap that links to manuals and support via smartphone. For the GFX100RF, Freewell is also offering a silver version to match the silver body option of that camera. The company positions the Real Lens Hood as a way to make filter use less fiddly for compact camera shooters, especially those who rely on polarisers or mist filters. The hoods are available, with pricing that changes depending on the model. The X100VI version costs $70, the Ricoh GR III/IIIx hood is $100, and both the Leica Q3 43 and Fujifilm GFX100RF versions are $130. Those higher-end models also ship with a hybrid CPL/Black Mist filter included in the box. Freewell has also been building out related accessories for these same cameras, including wooden L-brackets for the X100VI and GFX100RF and a thumb grip with a cold shoe mount for the Leica Q3 43. You can see full details on Freewell’s website here