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DPReview TV: Favorite episodes and a subscriber challenge
It’s been almost three years since we launched our new YouTube channel, DPReview TV. Since then, we’ve published almost 250 episodes including product reviews, how-to videos, and more. These videos have allowed us to bring you more photo-related content than ever before, including reviews of products we may not have been able to cover in the past.
Hopefully, we’ve also managed to entertain you along the way. If so, you can help us by subscribing to our channel!
If we hit our goal, Jordan will have to shoot the next several episodes using classic cameras of your choosing.
We’re running a subscriber challenge to see if we can reach 300,000 subscribers by Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14). If we hit our goal, Jordan will have shoot the next several episodes using classic cameras of your choosing. (Pentax K-01, anybody?)
Just subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new videos every week, and make sure to tell us what camera you want Jordan to shoot with in the comments.
For inspiration, we’ve picked ten of our favorite episodes from the wayback machine to remind us how much fun we’ve had over the past few years.
Sony a7 III review
This was DPReview TV episode #1. Fun fact: in the opening scene, Jordan’s son Liam really thought his dad was moving to Seattle.
Chris: “This was a really tough episode to put together. We were still working for The Camera Store at the time, yet wanted to have a full review ready when we announced the move to DPReview. Despite a lot of late nights and evening shoots, I think this really captures the excitement we had about joining the DPReview team.”
Fujifilm X100V review
The improvements to Fujifilm’s X100V camera were big enough that we put one of Chris’s quotes right on the title card for the video: “Yeah, it’s really good.”
Jordan: “It’s bizarre to think that I shot this episode with a tiny little X100V, on a giant monopod with a bunch of audio stuff dangling off it. The episode still turned out great though, and I think it’s due to shooting everything on a the camera’s 35mm equivalent lens, undeniably the greatest focal length of all!”
Best mid-range full-frame mirrorless shootout
This episode may be recent, but it’s relevant to a lot of photographers right now. If you’re getting ready to make the leap to a mirrorless camera, make sure to watch this video first.
Jordan: “These roundup episodes have become a staple of the channel, and I’m always impressed how Chris is able to keep each one unique and engaging. Team S5!”
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 review
Chris and Jordan have reviewed a lot of lenses, but one that keeps getting a ton of views on YouTube is the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8. (Which may also explain why it’s always checked out from the DPReview gear cabinet.)
Chris: “Ah, the early days of DPReview TV when we were constantly struggling to acquire the cameras and lenses we needed. Fortunately, in this case, the older camera body was overshadowed by the fun locations we found.”
Macro photography with Don Komarechka
Before joining DPReview TV as a part time host himself, Chris and Jordan hosted renowned macro photographer Don Komarechka to share some of his macro photography magic.
Chris: “While it may look like some of our macro subjects were planned, Don just arrived in Calgary with a backpack full of macro gadgets, and we went to a park to see what we could find. I think that’s why the episode works so well, we’re all figuring it out as we go with the assistance of an absolute master macro photographer.”
Leica SL2 first impressions from Wetzlar, Germany
After traveling all the way to Leica headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, Chris tried to score a free Leica for his birthday. Did it work?
Jordan: “One of the amazing things about making DPReview TV is the opportunity to meet the people responsible for some of our favorite cameras and lenses. The culture at Leica is very different from any other camera manufacturer, so it was a fun challenge to try and capture that difference with this video. Being able to shoot the episode using a $70,000 cinema prime didn’t hurt either!”
Travel tripod shootout
If you’re like us, you’re probably itching for the day you can travel again. In this travel tripod shootout, we compared four top models from Manfrotto, Peak Design, Gitzo and Surui.
Jordan: “The honesty of Chris’s kids in the intro delights me. Also, the ‘Tripod Vibration Calibration Device’ is a classic Chris idea that sounds ridiculous, but actually worked great.”
Nikon Z7 first impressions review
Remember when Nikon launched the Z6 and Z7? It was so top secret that Nikon arrived at our office with briefcases handcuffed to their wrists and black helicopters circling overhead. Chris and Jordan had to fly to Seattle where we tested the new models together in secrecy.
Chris: “On our first trip to Seattle we finally met all of the DPReview staff. Fortunately, they all turned out to be great people. Whew.”
Canon EOS 90D and M6 II at Michelin Raceway
Oh, how we miss travel. In this episode, Chris and DPReview editor Carey Rose put Canon’s subject tracking to the test at the Michelin Raceway in Atlanta.
Jordan: “I was unable to come on this trip, but had an unexpectedly fun time editing the footage. Chris and Carey have fantastic back and forth chemistry that I’d like to see expanded into a buddy cop series or sitcom.”
Laowa 24mm F14 probe lens
A long, narrow lens called the ‘probe’ is just begging for some NSFW jokes. So much, in fact, that Chris added a short intermission to the episode so you could do exactly that.
Chris: “When Laowa asked if we wanted to take a look at this lens, I was pretty unsure. It seemed like far too much of a niche tool to be interesting to many photographers. Of course, the 325,000 views proves I still never know when something will interest the masses.”
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Our year in photos: Dale's most memorable shot of 2024
Pedestrians with umbrellas wander down a rainy alley in Yokohama’s Chinatown.
Panasonic S5IIX + Panasonic S 28-200mm F4-7.1 | F7 | 1/125 sec | ISO 1600 |
Japan is one of my favorite places to travel. I’m captivated by its culture, cuisine, and the warmth of its people. It’s also a photographer’s paradise, offering endless possibilities, from serene temples and bustling markets to breathtaking landscapes.
My favorite type of photography when traveling in Japan is street photography, especially at night. I never tire of exploring the vibrant cityscapes, from the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo to the atmospheric alleys of Yokohama’s Chinatown.
However, there’s a twist: I seek out rainy conditions. While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical. The umbrellas emerge, the city lights reflect off the wet pavement, and colors take on a vibrant intensity.
I was fortunate to visit Japan twice this year, and it rained both times. What some might consider lousy weather, I welcome as luck. Both my camera and I were thoroughly drenched during several nights of shooting, underscoring the value of weather-sealed equipment. (For the record, despite being so wet they were dripping with water, neither camera nor lens ever missed a beat.)
“While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical.”
Unsurprisingly, some of my most memorable photos of 2024 were captured during these rain-soaked adventures. It’s challenging to select just one favorite because, as many of you will surely understand, how we remember the value of an image is often intertwined with the experience of capturing it.
The photo at the top of this page is one of my favorites from these trips, captured in Yokohama’s Chinatown. Off the main street, the area is full of narrow alleys, many decorated with traditional lanterns, creating small, intimate spaces. I spied these two pedestrians with similar coats and umbrellas turn into one of these alleys and instantly knew there was a potential photo around the corner.
I managed to fire off two shots before the scene lost its magic, but that’s all I needed. I love that you can’t see the main subjects’ faces. They remain anonymous, allowing the viewer to focus on the place rather than the person.
Camera
Godox releases V100, a 100Ws fast rechargeable flash
Image: Godox |
Godox has announced the V100, a 100Ws version of its round-headed V1 on/off camera flashgun. The V100 can deliver up to 100 Watt Seconds of power in manual mode and can shoot over 70 consecutive bursts of light at full power. Recycle times of under 1 sec are possible when used with an external power source (1.7 sec with the internal battery).
Like the existing V1 and V1Pro, the V100 is available in versions compatible with the proprietary TTL flash metering systems of Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm or Olympus/OM System, each of which comes with a small secondary flash that can be used to provide a little ‘fill.’ It also has a 2W LED modeling lamp, to help you understand how its light is going to fall.
Godox says it’s able to sync with the global shutter of Sony’s a9 III, up to shutter speeds of 1/80,000, though the company also says the V100’s minimum flash duration is 1/20,000, so presumably 1/80,000 sec shutter speeds would only experience a fraction of that output.
Image: Godox |
The V100 is powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery that can be charged directly using a USB-C cable or in an optional multi-battery charger if you need to prepare multiple batteries before a shoot.
It’s compatible with the company’s 2.4Ghz radio frequency off-camera communication protocol either as a transmitter or receiver.
Buy now:
No details have been given about price or availability but it’s listed as “Coming Soon” on B&H Photo’s website with a price of $349. B&H is also listing a Pentax-compatible version, not listed on Godox’s website.
Godox V100 C/N/S/F/O
Power Beyond Limits, 100Ws at Hand
Introducing the epic 100Ws TTL Li-ion Round Head Camera Flash V100. The Godox V100 redefines the standards for flagship on-camera flashes, brining an era of 100Ws power to handheld lighting. This groundbreaking flash delivers global shutter sync, a vibrant 2.3-inch color touchscreen, an intuitive menu, and one-tap syn operations. It combine cutting-edge features and professional-grade performance to provide an ultimate solution for professional lighting.
100Ws, Beyond Limits
The V100 sets a new benchmark for on-camera flashes by offering an unprecedented 100Ws power at its maximum output (M mode). With adjustable power steps from 1/1 to 1/256 or from 2.0 to 10, it covers the spectrum from subtle fill light to robust lighting for diverse scenarios, pushing the boundaries of creativity in flash photography.
Intuitive Touchscreen, Effortless Control
Equipped with a 2.3” full-color, high-sensitivity touchscreen, the V100 offers a smooth and responsive interface. Paired with an intuitive menu design and logical control layout, it allows photographers to quickly adjust power levels, activate high-speed sync, switch between TTL/M modes, and pair devices with a single tap, significantly improving workflow efficiency.
Global Shutter Flash Sync
The V100 is seamlessly compatible with cameras featuring global shutter like Sony a9 III. Supporting shutter speeds up to 1/80,000 seconds and offering TTL functionality, it delivers outstanding high-speed continuous shooting with effortless precision. This makes it an ideal choice for sports photography, outdoor bright light, and other fast-paced shooting scenarios.
70 Full-Power Consecutive Flashes
Thanks to its advanced cooling system, the V100 delivers 70 to 100 consecutive flashes at 100Ws without compromising performance. This ensures enhanced shooting efficiency and flexibility, allowing you to handle complex scenarios with ease and capture every brilliant moment of your creative vision.
Zoom range (mm) | 28mm | 35mm | 50mm | 70mm | 80mm | 105mm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Continuous flashes (100Ws) |
75 | 75 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 100 |
Detachable Sub Flash
The V100 continues the highly praised detachable sub flash (SU-1) design from the V1 Pro. This versatile feature enables dual-light setups with a single flash, offering creative lighting solutions for portrait photography.
Wireless Sync, Streamlined Workflow
With the built-in Godox 2.4G Wireless X System, the V100 functions as both a master and receiver unit. Its one-tap pairing capability seamlessly integrates with the X3 trigger or other Godox wireless flash units, streamlining multi-flash setups and boosting productivity.
Powerful Battery, Convenient Charging
Powered by the same high-performance lithium battery as the V1 Pro, the V100 ensures uninterrupted shooting. The Type-C charging port and compatibility with the VC26T Multi-Battery Charger make recharging quick and convenient.
Enhanced Recycling with External Power
The V100 includes a port for the PB960 Lithium-Ion Flash Power Pack, reducing full-power recycling time to as fast as 0.8 seconds. This feature supports demanding, high-intensity shooting scenarios, ensuring peak performance.
Built-In LED Modeling Lamp
A 2W LED modeling lamp with 10 adjustable levels provides flexible options for previewing light effects or serving as a fill light. The lamp supports continuous or interrupt modes, catering to different creative needs.
Comprehensive Accessory Ecosystem
The V100 is compatible with a broad range of Godox accessories, including the AK-R1 Accessory Kit for Round Flash Heads, AK-R21 Projection Attachment, AK-R22 Collapsible Diffusion Dome, and the S2 Speedlite Bracket for Bowens, among others. Whether you’re fine-tuning light, exploring creative effects, or expanding functionality, the V100 is designed to meet every need.
Camera
Fujifilm's updating even more cameras with autofocus improvements
When Fujifilm announced that it was releasing a firmware update to help improve the X-H2 and GFX 100 II’s autofocus performance in October, the community’s response was near-unanimous: what about the X-T5? The camera’s autofocus performance has been a sore spot in recent months, with some users complaining that their cameras were noticeably less accurate after a previous firmware update.
This week, Fujifilm answered. It’s released firmware updates for its flagship APS-C camera, as well as the GFX 100S II, X-T50, X-S20 and X100VI, promising that its “AF algorithm has been partially revised to improve focusing accuracy and subject tracking performance.” According to the release notes, the updates, which you can download using the links above, are solely dedicated to the autofocus improvements.
This is far from the first X-T5 update that promises to improve its autofocusing capabilities, so we’ll likely have to wait for owners to chime in on whether it brings the performance up to a level that they’re happy with. For now, though, it appears that Fujifilm has at least heard the complaints, and is working on addressing them.
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