When Nikon added an 800mm S-line prime lens to their roadmap, I had flashbacks to the F-mount 800mm f/5.6E FL. That lens was Nikon’s crown jewel for years – a $16,300 piece of glass that very few photographers could justify. Would the mirrorless version, the 800mm f/6.3 that I’m reviewing today, be any different?
The Sword-Billed Hummingbird: A Knight of the Andes
To date, we know about 377 different species of hummingbirds. The vast majority are found in various habitats in Central and South America. Distinguishing between species takes some practice, as the differences are often subtle. However, the species I'm going to introduce to you today is an exception. You only...
Photography News: Canon Lens Rumors, Tycho Crater Up Close
Spencer’s notes on AI, chatGPT, and the photography world resonate strongly with what I’ve personally been feeling for a long time. For years before the advent of AI in our industry, I was concerned with the “value” side of photographs. What is it that makes an image really worthwhile?
Panasonic Leica Summilux DG 12mm f/1.4 ASPH Review
The Leica DG Summilux 12mm f/1.4 ASPH lens from Panasonic is a fast, high-performance prime lens built for the micro four thirds system. With the full frame equivalent focal length of 24mm and a wide maximum aperture of f/1.4, this lens is built to capture low-light scenes and, if you...
Some Notes on AI, ChatGPT, and the Photography World
One of my favorite expressions is a “sea change” moment. Even Merriam-Webster’s entry for sea change is highly evocative: “Archaic. A change brought about by the sea.” You can imagine a time in the past when the ocean represented the ultimate unknown. To watch the sea, of all things, change, would be grand and terrifying.
The Hard Life of a Predator
Being at the top of the food chain doesn’t mean you’ve got it all figured out. Sure, it’s nice to slither through the woods, swim in the water, or lurk in a burrow, knowing that nothing can eat you. But like everything else in this world, being a predator has its bugs. Literally.
Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro Review
The first serious lens that I ever bought as a photographer was one of Nikon's 105mm macro lenses. It might as well have been glued to my camera. Landscapes, cityscapes, and of course macro photos - 105mm was my go-to focal length for everything. Even though I've moved on from...
Natural vs Artificial Light in Photography
Light is the most important part of photography, period. The nature of the light you capture has a fundamental impact on how your photo turns out. Good light can make a photo portfolio-worthy, while poor light can ruin even the most careful composition. But what makes light good in the first...
Photography News: New & Rumored Sony Lenses, MacBook Sales
In exactly one month, I will be on a plane heading to the country with the greatest bird diversity in the world. A country whose coastline is bathed by the Pacific and the Caribbean waters. Do you know what country it is I'm talking about? Here's another hint - it...
How to Buy an Apple MacBook for Photography (2023 M2 Update)
Now that Apple has introduced the 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pros with the new M2 chips, I thought it was a good time to update my guide to buying a MacBook as a photographer! This article covers the Air and Pro lines, including the M1 vs M2 chip and other important considerations.