
A new year means more new products are on the horizon—not to mention the anticipation of what this year’s conventions might bring. But before we get too carried away wondering what’s to come, let’s revisit what came out this past week, including new products from Leica, DZOFilm, and Wescott.
Leica Levels up with the SL3-S
Leica treated us to a new mirrorless powerhouse: the SL3-S. Its centerpiece? A hybrid autofocus system with 779 AF points utilizing phase, contrast, and object detection in all burst modes up to 30 fps. A 24 MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with an impressive ISO range of 50 to 200,000 makes for superior low-light performance even greater than its predecessor. The SL3-S has been optimized for use with Leica M, R, S, and Leitz Cine lenses.
This technology combines with the Maestro IV processor and 8GB of buffer memory for reliable color output at a reasonable file size. Up to 6K resolution footage can be transmitted quickly to CF Express Type-B cards using efficiency codecs and the L-Log color space. Images in DNG and JPEG formats at 24MP and handheld Multishot modes at 48 and 96MP are supported by the system.
Unlimited 6K Open Gate internal recording is supported by the SL3-S, ensuring its video capabilities are just as extensive as its photo capabilities. Use the full size sensor and 5.9K RAW external recording for post-production flexibility with high dynamic range. A USB-C port allows you to connect an SSD for larger storage with a future update promising cloud communication with Frame.io.
One of the largest improvements to the SL3-S is the expanded 779 autofocus points on its sensor, over twice the amount of the previous version. A combination of Phase Detection AF, Object Detection AF, and Contrast Detection AF ensure continuous shooting has full autofocus support.
The SL3-S is also the first Leica camera with Leica Content Credentials and CAI-compliant hardware. Add tamperproof metadata to your images and receive access to verification tools for a review of content, production, and editing process history. A 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization algorithm gives you five stops of shake reduction for sharper handheld images no matter the circumstances.
DZOFilm Combines Probe and Zoom Functionality
DZOFilm’s newest probe lens adds zoom capabilities to your close-up shooting. The X-Tract 18-28mm T8 FF Probe Zoom allows you to get up close and personal with your subject matter. The lens features a 100 to 73° field of view and an ARRI PL mount for wide-angle capture with compatible full-frame cameras.
A waterproof, dustproof, and anti-fog design means you can take the X-Tract virtually anywhere in any terrain or weather condition. The lens also boasts controlled focus breathing and parfocal abilities. Other features of the lens include a T8 maximum aperture, a 2:1:1 maximum magnification, and a 0.24” minimum focusing distance.
Internally, the lens has extra low-dispersion elements, high-refractive index elements, and advanced lens coatings which cut down on flaring and chromatic aberration. Its outside diameter is less than 1.2”, which helps it fit into narrow spaces. With all of that in mind, it’s clear there is no shortage of creative shots you could capture with this lens.
Wescott Releases Powerful and Portable Flashes
Ensuring you have a reliable flash wherever you go, Wescott announced two powerful new strobes: the FJ400 II and FJ800. Both strobes feature fast recycling times, interchangeable battery options, and OLED touchscreens for quick adjustments that make them ideal for on-the-go photographers.
The FJ400 II 400Ws Touchscreen Strobe features a 0.01 to 0.9-second recycling time and 1/24,000 second shutter speed in Freeze mode, making it a fast and intense flash. It comes in multiple configurations including one and two light kits, a newborn portrait kit, and a dual light kit with the FJ200 model.
The FJ800 800Ws, in contrast, features a 0.01 to 1.8 second recycling times and a 9-stop power range. It supports 1/8000 shutter speeds via high-speed sync and 1/25,000 second shutter speeds in Freeze Mode. The FJ800 is 5500K color calibrated with a self-monitoring cooling system to sustain performance at full power for longer periods of time.
Both new lights have new Creative Mask programs of up to 6 lighting combinations without moving the strobe. Touchscreen controls help you save time when making changes to your dynamic range and other settings. Power can be delivered to the lights via plug-in sources, FJ Pro batteries, and FJ ProMax batteries for flexibility on set.
In other news…
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OBSBOT upgraded the SE series with the Meet SE and Tiny SE cameras. Both cameras feature integrated AI for smart video capture with different form factors for a variety of uses.
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Insta360 updated its smartphone gimbal model with the Flow 2 Pro with 1-tap pairing, native iOS tracking, 10-hour runtime, and a ring light tracking indicator. It comes in gray and white colorways as well as a creator kit configuration with additional accessories.
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Check out the newest episode of the B&H Photography Podcast, where our host of ten years Allan Weitz passes the torch to Derek Fahsbender.
That’s all for this week! See you next time for more product releases and reviews.
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