Camera
Behind the shot: Tambora Sandwich
Today, I’d like to tell you a nice story about mistakes, drone crashes, coincidences and one very cool shoot in which I took a panorama of Tambora Volcano in Indonesia.
Tambora is a volcano on the island of Sumbawa. In 1815, Tambora produced the largest volcanic eruption in recorded human history, which spewed 37-45 cubic kilometers (8.9-10.8 cubic miles) of rock, weighing about 10 billion tons, into the atmosphere. This left a caldera measuring 6-7 km across and 600-700 m (2,000-2,300 ft) deep. The eruption caused a volcanic winter, with 1816 being the second-coldest year in the northern hemisphere since around 1400. Now, doesn’t that sound like something you’d want to visit?
But first, let’s go back in time to a few days after the beginning of my trip to Indonesia in April last year. After taking a few days to do some formalities and get my work permit to allow me to guide my workshop a few weeks later, I used the rest of my time before meeting my participants to do a bit of shooting by myself. I took a short ferry from Bali to the small Penida Island (Nusa Penida), where I settled for a few days in the southwest of the island, where I could shoot some nice beaches with my drone. Unfortunately, this plan went south quickly when I crash-landed my (previously) trusty DJI Mavic II Pro into a tree, followed by it falling to the side of a cliff without any chance of recovering it.
“This plan went south quickly when I crash-landed my (previously) trusty DJI Mavic II Pro into a tree…”
It always hurts losing a drone. Not only are they expensive, but I was now lacking one of the most important tools I have as a nature photographer, and I still had over a month of shooting ahead of me. Luckily, I had invited Noah, one of my workshop participants, to arrive in Indonesia 10 days early to do some shooting together, and he was scheduled to arrive a few days after I lost the drone. I immediately asked Noah for help, and he gladly agreed to have a new drone shipped to him and bring it to me when he arrived. And so, I got a sparkling new Mavic III Classic. The accident and its consequences would greatly affect the upcoming Tambora shoot.
Noah and I traveled to our first shooting location: Moyo Island, specifically the spectacular Mata Jitu waterfall. A short motorcycle trip from our lodge, Mata Jitu is a wonderful gem located in a valley. It boggles the mind to think that in the distant past, people found this waterfall hidden deep in the middle of the jungle without any aids or roads. The waterfall features cascading pools of turquoise water created over the millennia due to the minerals contained in the flowing water.
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Mata Jitu Waterfall. The drone’s stability allowed me to shoot a relatively long exposure while still maintaining sharpness. DJI Mavic III Classic,
F5.6 | 0.6 sec | ISO100 |
Mata Jitu is fed by a beautiful stream, which is so serene that it’s almost always reflective. I took advantage and took an image of the stream and surrounding trees. For a longer exposure, I used an ND filter and a polarizer, which I positioned in a way that didn’t hurt the reflection. The high humidity condensed on my front element, enhancing the magical feeling in the image.
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Canon 5D4, Tamron 24-70mm F2.8 at 52mm
F8 | 15 sec | ISO100 |
After wrapping up the Moyo Island shoot, we took a 2-hour police boat (that’s what we found, don’t judge!) to the main Island of Sumbawa. We spent the night in a local hostel and prepared for the main event: the climb to Tambora.
Tambora Volcano is one of the most famous Indonesian volcanoes and one that produced the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history back in 1810. Before the eruption, it was a conic volcano, standing 4500m above sea level. Today, it’s less than 2500m. Imagine an eruption so monstrous that it exploded through and destroyed 2km of solid rock. If you’re not scared, you’re not imagining hard enough.
Anyway, today the volcano is quite dormant, and you can easily climb up there, even scaling most of the way up with a 4×4, albeit in a crazy, hellish drive. The journey up the volcano begins next to the sea, in comfortable plains, but this quickly changes to denser and denser vegetation and alternating climate zones: fields, rainforest and finally, the barren wasteland you learn to expect when ascending a gigantic monster of a volcano. Our 4×4 was well-suited for the drive but kept overheating, which added some anxiety to the mix.
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| The entrance to Tambora National Park. Now that’s gotta make you feel welcome! |
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| Our 4×4 making its way in the rainforest. |
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| Our Tambora camp. Much better than nothing! |
After finally arriving at camp, we turned in as early as we could since a very early rise was awaiting us. We were up at 2 a.m. to have a quick breakfast and start our climb. The night was rainy, and it wasn’t at all certain we would be able to get up there or even see the landscape, which was a bit discouraging. But the weather gods smiled upon us, and 2 hours’ trailless climb later, we were standing on top of Tambora with plenty of time to go before sunrise. The sky was luckily (and surprisingly) clear.
I hiked around a bit to get behind a large peak on the rim and prepared my drone for liftoff. When I sent it away, I could see a wonderful cloud inversion on the far side of the caldera. Having the Mavic III meant that I had the reception and battery capacity to fly almost 5km (over 3 miles) away and shoot the caldera with the cloud inversion surrounding the drone’s point of view from below. This definitely made the shot and made me feel very lucky to have lost my previous drone, even though I had to go through a lot of stress to get the new one. All is well that ends well.
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“Tambora Sandwich”: 18-image, 3 row panorama
DJI Mavic III Classic, wide-angle converter |
Tambora’s volcanic crater is so gigantic that I had to get creative. I put on the wide-angle lens adapter and positioned the drone in the best vantage point I could find. This meant having the entire bottom of the image filled with the cloud inversion. I then proceeded to shoot a 3-row, 18-image panorama to cover the entire subject (with some margins for error).
Compositionally, it was important to include the clouds on both sides of the crater, as well as the bottom of the image. This is done to show the extent of the cloud inversion, which made even the huge caldera seem relatively small. In addition, note both the large cloud located slightly off-center to the left and the smaller clouds inside the crater. These subjects’ positions in the frame meant I had to have more compositional weight on the bottom right as a counterbalance. Luckily, the cloud inversion was thicker on the right, in addition to the prominence added by the light coming from the right side.
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| Noah and I, tired but satisfied on top of Tambora. Coffee was well-deserved. |
Big thanks to Noah, who not only carried the new drone all the way from the US but also kindly allowed me to use his behind-the-scenes shots after my phone broke down during the trip.
Erez Marom is a professional nature photographer, photography guide and traveler based in Israel. You can follow Erez’s work on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to his mailing list for updates and to his YouTube channel.
If you’d like to experience and shoot some of the world’s most fascinating landscapes with Erez as your guide, take a look at his unique photography workshops in Svalbard, Greenland, Madagascar, the Lofoten Islands, Namibia and Vietnam.
Erez also offers video tutorials discussing his images and explaining how he achieved them.
Selected Articles by Erez Marom:
| Photo: Abby Ferguson |
Unfortunately, this Film Friday brings some disappointing news. Price hikes are in the news everywhere right now, and that includes film prices, at least for those in Japan. Earlier this week, Fuji Rumors shared that, along with a redesign of a disposable camera, Fujifilm is increasing the price of its film in Japan.
Fujifilm Japan’s press release explains that the prices are increasing because of the costs of making and transporting the film. “As the prices of materials, raw materials, and transportation costs for photographic film continue to rise, we have been working to absorb costs by improving production efficiency and cutting expenses, but as it is difficult to absorb the costs through corporate efforts alone, we will be revising the prices of some of our photographic film products,” a machine-translated version of the release states.
| Price change date | Selected products | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1 | Color Negative Film | 135 | Approximately 21% to 22% |
| April 1 | Disposable Film Camera | 135 | Approximately 44% |
| April 1 | Reversal Film | 135/120 | Approximately 31-52% |
The release says that 35mm color negative film prices have increased by around 21 or 22%, while 35mm and 120mm reversal film prices increased by roughly 31 to 52%. The QuickSnap disposable camera is also around 44% more expensive. While the new prices took effect on April 1, it was not an April Fool’s Day joke. A search on Bic Camera, one of Japan’s largest electronics retail chains, currently has a single roll of 135 Velvia 50 priced at 6050 yen, or $41.57. If you want a five-pack of 120 Velvia 100 in Japan, you’re looking at 23,650 yen, or $162.51.
Color negative film isn’t nearly as bad, but it’s still extremely expensive. A single roll of 135 Fujifilm 400 – typically considered a beginner-friendly budget option – is listed at 2420 yen, or $16.63. For comparison, that same film is listed at B&H in the US for $8.39.
Fujifilm hasn’t said whether the pricing outside of Japan will be affected, but it seems possible that the higher costs will be implemented elsewhere. Given the recent tariffs, that seems especially likely in the US. If you’re an analog photographer, it may be a good time to stock up on some film.
| Image: Laowa |
Venus Optics released a teaser of sorts in January for its first zoom probe lens, with a promised release date of sometime in Q2 this year. Details were slim at the time, but now, in conjunction with NAB, the company has revealed more information on the unique Probe Zoom macro lens.
The new full-frame probe lens from Laowa uses a modular design with four interchangeable front modules and two rear tubes. The rear tubes offer slightly different focal ranges, coming in at 15-24mm T8 and 15-35mm T12. Laowa says it is the “widest and largest range probe lens” available, with a 110.5° angle of view and a 2.3x zoom range.
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| Images: Laowa |
The four front modules allow users to switch between a direct view, periscope, 35° view, and a new 90° view. Each module can rotate 360° independent of the focus and zoom ring with Laowa’s patent-pending rotation design. Combined with the two rear tubes, this set enables eight combinations, making it a versatile option for macro content. The probe is 40cm (15.7″) long, helping it reach subjects in tricky locations. Plus, the barrels are waterproof, opening up even more possibilities.
The January announcement promised a Q2 release, but things appear to be slightly delayed. The company now says that it will be available to ship in Q3 of this year, so macro enthusiasts have to wait a bit longer. Laowa did provide some details on pricing now, however. The Probe Zoom Macro 15-24mm T8 Direct View lens will be $3,499, and the 15-35mm T12 Direct View lens will be $3,999. Laowa says more details on the lens and pricing will be announced soon.
In addition to the new lens, Laowa also announced it is offering 10% off select products from April 3 to 13 on the Laowa Cine website and to selected resellers, including B&H.
Laowa Debuts Its First-Ever Probe Zoom Macro Lens at NAB Show 2025 & Adds Its New 90-Degree Module to the Set
Las Vegas, US – April 3, 2025 – Laowa, renowned for its legendary probe lenses over the past decade, is proud to announce the debut of its highly anticipated Probe Zoom Macro Lens at NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas. The new Probe Zoom features two focal lengths – 15-24mm T8 and 15-35mm T12 with 4 interchangeable front modules including the Direct View, Periscope, 35° View and 90° view. The 90-degree module is designed with a user-friendly 360° rotation mechanism while maintaining precise focus and zoom control. Visitors can try on the show at North Hall Booth N2823.
Alongside this groundbreaking innovation, Laowa will also unveil its first-ever broadcast lens and showcase a selection of its newly launched lenses and popular series. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience Laowa’s latest optical advancements firsthand and have a chance to win the popular 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D FF lens on site.
In celebration of Laowa’s continued innovation in the realm of optics, customers around the world can enjoy an exclusive, limited-time 10% online discount on selected products across NAB period, available only on the official laowacine.com website and selected US resellers.
Laowa Probe Zoom Macro Lens: A Revolutionary Addition
The Laowa Probe Zoom Macro Lens set is an innovative addition to Laowa’s industry-renowned Full Frame probe lens lineup, featuring the 15-35mm T12 and 15-24mm T8. Being the widest and largest range probe lens on the market, it boasts a 110.5° angle of view and a 2.3x zoom range for significant changes in magnification and perspective. The 40cm-longest waterproof tubular design empowers filmmakers to capture deep, hard-to-reach subjects with unparalleled flexibility and top-notch image quality.
Key Features:
- 15mm Ultra-Wide Perspective
- 2.3x Zoom Range with Parfocal Design
- 4 Versatile Modules: Direct, Periscope, 35° View and the additional 90° View
- Up to 2.3x Magnification for extreme close-ups
- Unrivaled Sharpness & Superior Image Quality
- Waterproof, Long Tubular Barrel for versatile shooting conditions
- 360° rotation for front modules
The lens set features a modular design with 4 interchangeable front modules and 2 main barrels, allowing users to switch between Direct View, Periscope, 35° View, with one more 90° perspective announced. The rear tubes come in two focal ranges: 15-24mm T8 and 15-35mm T12, offering 8 unique combinations.
With a maximum T8 aperture, 15mm ultra-wide perspective, up to 2.3x magnification, and a waterproof barrel, this lens excels in extreme close-ups (as close as 5mm), low-light conditions, and underwater filming. It’s a versatile tool for advertising, wildlife documentaries, and cinema production, delivering unmatched storytelling potential.
A unique 360° rotational ring is installed in front of the lens body, this patent-pending front rotation design allows the tube to rotate independently from the focus and zoom ring, and users can produce sweeping and dynamic shots while being able to control the focus and zoom ring.
The Laowa Probe Zoom Macro Lens will debut at NAB Show 2025—visit us for a hands-on experience!
Pricing and Availability
Laowa Probe Zoom Macro Series will be available to ship by 2025 Q3. The US Price for the Probe Zoom Macro 15-24mm T8 – Direct View lens is $3,499 and 15-35mm T12 – Direct View lens is 3,999. Pricing varies in different countries. More details on the price and updates will be announced soon.
| Image: ProGrade |
ProGrade Digital has announced three new products aimed at making storage extra portable. The company unveiled two highly compact SSDs that each promise fast speeds and excellent reliability, along with a memory card reader meant to work with the iPhone 16 line of phones to unlock 4K 120p recording.
ProGrade CFexpress Type A Mobile Reader
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| Image: ProGrade |
Smartphone cameras are capable of impressive video quality, which is why many content creators rely exclusively on their phones to record video. But those files quickly eat up storage space. Plus, some formats are only unlocked with external recording, such as the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max 120 fps ProRes recording mode. The new PGM12 CFexpress Type A mobile card reader from ProGrade aims to make it easier for users to take full advantage of their phone’s recording capabilities.
The PGM12 card reader is a single-slot CFexpress Type A reader that ProGrade says offers the same performance as its full-sized card readers despite its more compact size. That means promised transfer rates of up to 1.25GB/s. It features a patented magnetic base and metal mounting plates with a flexible cable, making it feasible to mount to your phone or rig in multiple ways. The card reader is small enough to be attached to the back of an iPhone while also using a MagSafe charger, ensuring you don’t run out of storage or battery.
“Our customers can now record video onto low-power, CFexpress Type A memory cards, at the highest possible quality, and not have to worry about running out of storage space, that might be experienced with a fixed capacity storage device,” says ProGrade.
The PGM12 reader is available for preorder now for $80 and will ship at the end of April.
Buy now:
ProGrade Pro Mini USB 4.0 Solid State Drive
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| Image: ProGrade Digital |
The ProGrade PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD is a compact SSD that, like the above card reader, is equipped with ProGrade’s patented magnetic base. It also comes with an adhesive metal plate, so you could mount it to any work surface or to ProGrade PG20 Pro Hub.
It uses USB 4.0 technology, resulting in a promised maximum bus speed of up to 40Gbits/sec. ProGrade says it will offer read speeds of 4000MB/s, a write speed of up to 3500MB/s. It should also provide a sustained write speed of 1250MB/s, which is critical for high-resolution video workflows. It’s compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2 and 3.1 Type-C ports.
“The PG10.5’s small physical size and robust design also allow it to be easily removed from the workstation, studio environment, and easily used in more mobile, non-studio environments,” said Wes Brewer, CEO and founder of ProGrade.
The PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD is now available for preorder. It comes in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities and is priced at $180, $300 and $550, respectively.
Buy now:
ProGrade PG30 Ultra-Portable SSD
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| Image: ProGrade |
SSDs keep getting smaller, as is the case with the ProGrade PG30 Ultra-Portable SSD. This tiny device looks like a classic thumb drive but should offer better performance and reliability. After all, thumb drives aren’t typically meant to be used as working drives, and they often don’t last for extended periods, either.
The ProGrade PG30 Ultra-Portable SSD, though, is more up to the needs of creative professionals. It uses USB 3.2 Gen 2 technology, and ProGrade promises read and write speeds of up to 1000MB/s and a sustained write speed of 300MB/s.
The tiny SSD features tethered caps that protect the Type-A and Type-C ports, while the IP65 rating provides water and dust resistance. It’s also X-ray and shock-proof and comes with a three-year warranty.
“The PG30’s relatively small die-cast aluminum body, dual USB Type A and C connectors, coupled with an impressive IP65 dust and water rating, make it an ideal choice for all imaging professionals seeking the compatibility and reliability that ProGrade is known for,” said Josh Brewer, Product Manager of ProGrade.
The ProGrade PG30 Ultra-Portable SSD will be available for purchase at the end of April and comes in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities.
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