credits: Adobe Adobe has announced a major round of Creative Cloud updates, with Lightroom and Photoshop leading the way. The focus this time is on speed, AI-powered precision, and tools that help creatives move from capture to final result faster, especially photographers dealing with high-volume workflows or editing on the go. In Lightroom for mobile and web, a new one-tap tool called Scene Enhance intelligently detects and adjusts sky, water, and other landscape elements for cleaner, more balanced edits. Meanwhile, desktop users finally get access to the long-previewed Reflection Removal feature. This AI-powered tool automatically detects and erases glare or unwanted reflections from glass. Another highlight is the expanded Generative Remove function, which can now eliminate people and distractions in a single click. Adobe is also teasing a powerful new AI photo curation system, with filters for subject sharpness, eye clarity, and image grouping to help photographers, especially event shooters, streamline their workflow during import or catalog review. Photoshop also gets meaningful upgrades, including Dynamic Text tools for quick type formatting inside bounding boxes, and faster, more accurate Select Subject and Remove Background features thanks to improved cloud processing. These enhancements are designed to speed up complex edits without compromising precision.

credits: Sigma Sigma has officially unveiled the long-awaited 17-40mm f/1.8 DC DN Art lens, a modern mirrorless follow-up to the iconic 18-35mm f/1.8 Art that helped define the DSLR era for APS-C shooters. Sigma says this new lens was designed with hybrid creators in mind, offering internal zoom, minimal focus breathing, and fast, silent autofocus via a high-response Linear Actuator (HLA) motor, ideal for everything from still photography to video/gimbal use. The lens also supports video-friendly features like an external aperture ring that can be clicked or de-clicked, two customizable buttons, and a physical AF/MF switch. Weighing 535g (18.9 oz), it’s noticeably lighter than its DSLR predecessor, despite offering a wider focal range. The optical formula includes 17 elements in 11 groups, with four SLD and four aspherical elements to control aberrations and distortion. Sigma also claims its Super Multi-Layer Coating keeps ghosting and flare in check, even in backlit scenes. Aperture ranges from f/1.8 to f/16 via an 11-blade diaphragm for smooth bokeh and consistent rendering throughout the zoom range. The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC DN Art will be available on July 10 for Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Leica L mounts at a price of $919. Canon RF mount users will get access in August. You can see full details on Sigma’s website here

credits: OM System The rumoured OM System OM-5 II is set to be released later this summer, however some specifications have already been leaked. Here is what we know: The new OM-5 II is sticking with the same ultra-compact build as the original, weighing just 366g and with IP53 weather sealing and freeze-proofing down to -10°C, it’s clearly made to handle tough conditions. Inside, the OM-5 II is expected to keep the 20.4MP Live MOS sensor and TruePic IX processor, which still holds up for both stills and 4K video. For creative shooters, the in-camera Live ND filter and Handheld High Res mode return, letting you shoot 50MP images without a tripod or do dreamy long exposures with zero extra gear. The autofocus system gets a nice bump with 121 cross-type phase-detect points, plus face and eye detection. Pro Capture is back as well, buffering frames before you press the shutter (a major bonus if you’re shooting unpredictable subjects). Stabilization looks like another strong point: the 5-axis IBIS now delivers up to 7.5 stops with supported lenses, making handheld long exposures and smooth video easier than ever. The OLED EVF stays at 2.36 million dots and offers up to 1.37x magnification depending on the finder style. As noted before, you can expect the official release sometime soon, likely in time for peak summer shooting season.

credits: Viltrox Yesterday, at the 2025 Bild Expo, Viltrox dropped a new lens — the AF 85mm f/1.4 Pro for Sony E-mount. This is the latest addition to Viltrox’s expanding Pro lineup, and while versions for other mounts are on the way, Sony shooters get first dibs. The optical design of this new lens is definitely pro-grade: 15 elements in 11 groups, including 3 ED, 9 high-refractive, and 1 ultra-anomalous glass element, all working together to minimise distortion, chromatic aberration, and fringing while delivering edge-to-edge sharpness and high contrast, even wide open at f/1.4. That wide aperture also brings rich, creamy bokeh that’s especially well-tuned for portraits. Autofocus is handled by Viltrox’s new Dual HyperVCM system, a fast and precise setup with support for face and eye detection. The minimum focus distance is 0.79 meters with a max magnification of 0.13x. Build quality also gets the pro treatment: a full-metal barrel that’s both dust- and splash-resistant, with weather sealing throughout and a front element that repels water and smudges. At 800 grams, it’s definitely on the hefty side, but that comes with the territory when you’re packing this much glass. Filter size is a standard 77mm, and the lens is priced at 669€. You can see full details and sample shots on Vitrox’s website here

credits: Yashica Yashica’s New FX-D digital camera is getting a third version and this time, it actually has a viewfinder. After some understandable backlash over the original FX-D 100 and 300 models, which had a classic-looking pentaprism hump with no viewfinder inside, Yashica is launching the FX-D S300, now with a real EVF packed in. This new model keeps the same overall retro/analog-inspired design, including a non-functional film advance lever, but adds a 0.32-inch OLED electronic viewfinder with 1.4 million dots and a 120Hz refresh rate. That translates to an 800x600 resolution, which isn’t super sharp by today’s standards, and yes, some people have already called that out. Yashica’s response? The resolution strikes a balance between experience and affordability, and they’re aiming to keep the FX-D lineup accessible to a wider audience. Aside from the EVF, the FX-D S300 is identical to the FX-D 300: 50MP sensor, three-axis IBIS, fixed 24mm f/1.8 lens, six film simulations etc. It only comes in black and will retail for $679, a step up from the $549 EVF-less version. All three models — the FX-D 100, FX-D 300, and now the S300 — are available on Kickstarter, but only for two more weeks. You can see full details on Yashica’s website here

credits: Snapseed Snapseed, a popular photo editing app, just got its biggest update in years. Version 3.0 marks the first major refresh since 2017, bringing a revamped editing experience and a new set of film-inspired filters that pay tribute to classics from Kodak, Fujifilm, Polaroid, and even Technicolor. The UI has been cleaned up and reworked for smoother, more intuitive editing, especially one-handed, Snapseed is for mobile photographers first after all. But the real star of the update is the new Film section, which features filters based on iconic emulsions like Kodak Portra 400, Gold 200, Fujifilm Pro 400H, Agfa Optima 200, and Polaroid 600 and apparently these aren’t vague “vintage” filters, they’re tailored to have the look and feel of actual film stocks, including some that are long discontinued. Combine all that with support for RAW files, a deep set of editing tools, and the ability to save and reapply your own looks, Snapped still delivers (and the software continues to be free). Version 3.0 is available now on iOS and iPadOS, oddly the Google owned Snapseed has not been updated on the Play Story yet. You can download Snapseed’s latest version here

credits: Manfrotto A lot of new tripods are hitting the market lately and manfrotto just unveiled their contribution: The New ONE Hybrid Tripod, a do-it-all support system designed for creators who shoot both photo and video. There’s no pricing or release date yet, but it’s clearly aimed at creators who want flexibility. The tripod is built in Italy and available in carbon fibre or aluminium. It’s designed to handle everything from stills to smooth video work, without forcing you to choose one over the other. Manfrotto also ditched the usual round legs for a flatter shape (kind of like the Peak Design Travel Tripod) which boosts stability and makes panning smoother. There’s also a new XTEND system that lets you deploy all the legs in one go, and a clever center column that can tilt for overhead shots or be removed for low angles. What really stands out, though, is the new XCHANGE quick release system. You can instantly swap tripod heads, sliders, or accessories without tools, perfect for switching between photo and video setups mid-shoot. And if you opt for the version with the Manfrotto 500X Fluid Head, you’ll get smooth pan/tilt movement and a counterbalance optimized for mirrorless cameras. You can see a full details on Manfrotto’s website here

credits: Rollei Rollei just released its very first lens — the Rollei AF 85mm f/1.8 STM. It’s a full-frame portrait lens coming in Sony E and Nikon Z-mounts and set to ship next month. This marks a pretty major shift for Rollei, which has been around since 1920 and is best known for its iconic Rolleiflex TLR cameras. Now, with this lens, they’re calling it “the beginning of a new era.” The lens has a vintage vibe with a chunky textured grip, all-black finish, and a bold orange accent ring around the front. Specs-wise, the 85mm f/1.8 features 10 elements in 7 groups, including two ED (extra-low dispersion) and two HR (high-refractive) elements to reduce chromatic aberration and boost sharpness. It’s also got an 11-blade aperture for smooth bokeh and a quiet STM motor for autofocus, which should make it great for both portraits and video work. Rollei claims it delivers sharp results with minimal flare or ghosting, even wide open. Interestingly, there are a few similarities to existing lenses, especially the 7Artisans 85mm f/1.8 and Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8. All three lenses share some optical and mechanical DNA, including STM motors and very close magnification ratios. Rollei has worked with Viltrox in the past, so it’s possible there's some collaboration happening here again, though the design and finish of the Rollei lens set it apart visually. The new Rollei lens is available to preorder at 299€ (roughly $340). You can see full details on Rollei’s website here

credits: Lailens Lailens, one of the newest names in the growing wave of Chinese lens makers, has announced two upcoming lenses for Leica shooters: a fast 50mm f/1.1 for M-mount and L39, and a compact 35mm f/1.8 for L39 screw-mount rangefinders. The company only formed last year and relies on DJ Optical for its glass, but they are already making moves with the 50mm f/1.1. lens. Stylistically, the 50mm f/1.1 looks straight out of Leica’s catalog, though the price tag definitely doesn’t — it’s up for preorder at $800, that of course is still not ‘‘cheap’’ but it is a fraction of what Leica’s f/1.4 or Noctilux primes will cost you. For context, Leica’s 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. starts at over $5,000, and if you want the legendary Noctilux f/0.95, you’re looking at least $14,000. Specs-wise, the Lailens 50mm f/1.1 features a fast aperture range from f/1.1 to f/16, a 13-blade diaphragm for smoother bokeh, a minimum focusing distance of 0.7m, a 52mm filter thread, weighs just under 400 grams, and it’s fully manual. That said, the official product page is pretty bare, no optical design info, no claims about sharpness or chromatic aberration, and only a handful of sample photos, which look decent but don’t offer much insight. Alongside the 50mm, Lailens is teasing a 35mm f/1.8 L39-mount lens, though details are even scarcer there. The company has shared a CAD rendering, but no specs, pricing, or release date yet, only that it’s expected later this year. You can see full details and sample shots on Lailens’s website here

credits: Fujifilm Fujifilm accidentally spilled the beans on the rumoured X-E5, the camera leaked on the company’s own website. While the page was quickly taken down, most of the details are ‘‘officially’’ out now. Here is what the web page told us: The X-E5 is priced at $1,699.95 for the body only, or $1,899.95 bundled with a new XF 23mm f/2.8 lens. Design-wise, it’s got the same retro vibe that made the X100VI such a hit, but with the added versatility of interchangeable lenses. The top plate is aluminum, complete with a dedicated viewfinder bumped off to the side for the classic rangefinder look. One standout feature is the new customizable Film Simulation dial tucked beneath the top plate, you can set up three custom film looks and quickly switch between them using a windowed dial that mimics old-school controls. Under the hood, the X-E5 shares the same 40.2MP sensor found in the X100VI and X-T5, paired with up to 7 stops of in-body stabilisation, a first for the X-E line. The EVF is a 2.36M-dot panel that supports multiple viewing modes, including a clever "Surround View" that lets you see a frame line (just like a Leica optical viewfinder), a semi-transparent preview, or a more traditional black mask. The rear LCD isn’t groundbreaking at 1.04M dots, but it should get the job done. The camera is not weather-sealed, and while it has Bluetooth for easy sharing and pairing, the Bluetooth button is actually styled like a film rewind knob, one of those little Fuji touches that adds to the charm. The X-E5 and Fujifilm’s new lens should launch officially in a few days.