After our short holiday break we are back with tons of news from the world of photography. Out of all the launches, nothing is bigger news than seeing the first film camera to come out of Pentax’s Film Project—the 17. This 35mm half-frame camera is designed for everyday shooters and is looking like an exciting entry into film photography. Nikon also dropped some big news with the release of the Z6 III, a revamped all-around model that features the world’s first partially-stacked sensor. Rounding things out is Canon who expanded their EOS VR System with APS-C lenses that should be much more accessible for individuals looking to start creating VR content.
Pentax’s Film Project kicks things off with 17 half-frame camera
Pentax’s Film Project excited photographers of all walks of life. A new film camera? In 2024? Many didn’t think it would happen. This week we finally got a look at what we hope is the first release to come out of the project—the 17 Film Camera. It may not be the K1000 remake or medium-format monster experienced photographers were hoping for, but the 17 is designed for everyday adventures and those who are film curious.
Let’s talk format. The 17’s half-frame format offers a couple distinct benefits. Perhaps the biggest advantage of half-frame shooting is that you can capture double the images on a single roll of film (a standard 36-exposure roll of 35mm film will allow for 72 shots on the 17). With film and processing prices higher than every this should make working with film more affordable. It also natively shoots in vertical orientation—perfect for our smartphone-driven social media world.
The camera itself is designed to be simple to use and have a style that references Pentax’s legacy in camera production. It isn’t an all-manual affair and only offers Program-type modes and a unique Bokeh mode that prioritizes the use of the f/3.5 maximum aperture to create images with a shallow depth of field. Focus uses zone focusing with a set amount of positions to cover macro, close-up, portraits, groups, and landscapes. It should be easy for new film photographers to get into.
The 17 is hopefully only the first in a new wave of film cameras from Pentax, but we will have to wait and see what may come. If you want to learn more we had a live panel discussion with some of Ricoh’s experts about the camera and film in general.
Nikon elevates the all-arounder with Z6 III and partially-stacked sensor
Third-generation products are the ones that tend to kick things up a notch. The Nikon Z6 III absolutely proves that with a huge improvement over its predecessor, including the use of a world’s first partially-stacked sensor. With the new sensor comes improvements to image quality, speed, video capabilities, AF, and more. It is an extremely flexible and powerful camera system.
Stacked sensors have been used in only the highest-end (read: expensive) camera bodies. Nikon’s use of a unique 24.5MP partially-stacked CMOS sensor in the Z6 III brings some of that “professional” technology to the masses. The faster readout speeds and processing from circuit parts being placed on the top and bottom of the sensor allows the Z6 III to gain some features from the Z8 and Z9 while keeping it’s mid-range standing and pricing.
Getting into the specifics here, the Z6 III is going to see a huge improvement in AF. Nikon claims it is just as good as the systems in the Z8 and flagship Z9. It’ll work in low light down to -10 EV and has all the subject detection options as the pro models. This puts it at about 20% faster than its predecessor. Combine this with 14 fps continuous shooting with the mechanical shutter or 20 fps with the electronic shutter for a serious action photography machine. Pre-release Capture makes getting the shot even easier by ensuring up to a second before you hit the shutter is recorded.
As for imaging, the resolution isn’t increased, but sensitivity is now the best yet for a Nikon camera with a native range of ISO 100-64,000. Video gets serious as well with up to 6K 60p in raw. Both N-RAW and ProRes RAW are available internally to the CFexpress Type B card slot.For 4K you can achieve up to 120 fps with a DX crop.
As for the body, the Z6 III looks very similar to the previous model, though there are some under-the-hood changes. The viewfinder is now Nikon’s best with a 4000-nit peak brightness and a 5.76m-dot resolution. This is going to ensure you can see your image clearly at all times.
There’s honestly so much more to talk about with this camera, but we will leave it there. Check out our livestream for even more information.
Canon releases APS-C RF-S 3.9mm dual fisheye lens for VR system
Canon is one of few manufacturers making VR-capable camera equipment that isn’t extremely expensive or difficult to use. They are making things even easier today with the addition of the RF-S 3.9mm f/3.5 STM Lens for the EOS VR System. By creating an APS-C VR lens for the EOS R7, creators now can get started in virtual reality production at a lower price point and even gain some new features over the existing RF 5.2mm.
The main goal of the RF-S 3.9mm is to make VR production easier. It accomplishes this in a couple ways. The primary method is by simply making the equipment more available by coming in at a lower price—the EOS R7 and RF-S 3.9mm are nearly half the price of the full-frame options. The other way is by making the system easier to use. This lens offers autofocus with an STM system and has a slightly narrow field of view at 144º that means shooters won’t have to worry as much about getting their feet or equipment in the frame.
This isn’t the only VR news from Canon’s lens division as they also revealed at Apple’s WWDC event that an RF-S 7.8mm f/4 STM Dual Lens is on the way. This lens is designed specifically for Apple’s Spatial Video, such as on the Vision Pro. Few details are available yet, but expect more later this year.
In other news…
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Insta360 upgraded their compact action cam line with the 4K-capable GO 3S.
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FUJIFILM is bringing some more film news with updates to their instant camera line: the INSTAX WIDE 400 and INSTAX MINI LiPlay Hybrid.
See you next week!
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