The PetaPixel Photography Podcast

We would like to thank this week's PetaPixel Podcast sponsor, OM SYSTEM. They have been a big supporter of PetaPixel over the years and we were lucky enough to recently get the chance to travel to Costa Rica with OM SYSTEM Ambassador and Master Bird Photographer Ben Knoot, and it was an amazing experience. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel.Did Chris and Jordan’s journey to Costa Rica inspire you to capture your own travel moments? OM SYSTEM is running a street and travel photo contest right now.Grand Prize: OM-3 or OM-5 Camera Kit + WANDRD camera bagHow to Enter:Post your best street or travel photo on Instagram (must be a NEW post)Use hashtag #TravelWithOMSYSTEMTag @omsystem.camerasComplete your entry hereDeadline: February 16th Winners Announced: March 2ndEnter the contest today!Last week, we found out that the Z-mount might not be quite as open as we previously thought because Nikon is suing Viltrox. While right now it could be as simple as seeking royalties for using the mount, it could also just as easily end up being a similar situation to Canon, who runs a closed mount. Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode:00:00 - Intro (and Chris's favorite bird photos from Costa Rica)17:43 - Leica is reportedly considering a sale: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/26/leica-camera-considering-selling-a-majority-stake-for-1-2-billion-report/21:59 - TTArtisan chose a unique color scheme for this lens: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/23/this-might-be-the-ugliest-lens-ive-ever-seen/25:25 - Ektar and Tri-X join Kodak's line of directly distributed films: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/21/ektar-and-tri-x-are-now-being-distributed-directly-by-kodak/29:37 - Sony has a new global shutter, square sensor: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/19/sonys-newest-global-shutter-image-sensors-are-square-and-speedy/31:35 - Nikon ZR gets its first firmware update: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/26/nikon-zr-update-extends-max-recording-time-to-6-hours/37:28 - Nikon is Suing Viltrox: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/21/nikon-files-lawsuit-against-viltrox-in-china-over-z-mount-patent-report/57:27 - What have you been up to?1:01:55 - Tech support1:24:57 - Feel good stories of the week

The hosts dive into whether modern cameras have become disproportionately expensive. They discuss recent sticker shock with everyday items and critique Evoto's controversial AI headshot generator, raising privacy concerns. A unique subscription camera aiming to replicate film surprises is also examined. Through comparisons, they reveal that while some camera series have seen price increases, many remain stable or even cheaper than before. Plus, they share their own New York adventures, from street photography to local favorites!

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses. It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. Join today: https://petapixel.com/members/This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, Chris Niccolls, Jordan Drake, and Jaron Schneider are joined by Sarah Teng to talk about the Instax Mini Evo Cinema. And, in a weird bizzaro world twist, it's Chris who has to convince Sarah that it's great. She's not sold, but Chris absolutely loves this weirdo video/printer/instant camera hybrid. Also, the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome finally has a price and release date, but it's a lot more expensive than the base model. Apple launched a new suite of creative apps called the Creator Studio, Adorama was literally giving X half cameras away, and you can get a GoPro-branded laptop for some reason. Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode:00:00 - Intro, and Sarah Teng is back!12:11 - The Ricoh GR Monochrome costs $700 more than the base model16:32 - Fujifilm is releasing an all-white X half in China17:52 - Meanwhile, Adorama is literally giving X halfs away20:33 - Pentax isn't sure how to make the DSLR popular again26:43 - You can get a GoPro laptop, if you're into that30:56 - Nikon's 24-105mm f/4-7.1 is a new kit zoom for the Z5 II32:57 - The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV isn't being discontinued36:20 - Apple Creator Studio is the long-awaited competitor to Adobe Creative Cloud44:15 - Is the Mini Evo Cinema the best Instax camera ever?1:03:54 - What have you been up to?1:10:10 - Tech support1:16:28 - Feel good story of the week: Don't ever change, Radio Shack

Do you ever get tired of manually searching for, organizing, and culling your images? We do, too, and that’s where Excire can help!Excire’s photo-management software harnesses AI to make tedious tasks 10x faster, easier, and more fun. Thanks to Excire, you can easily get your images organized, stay on top of culling, and instantly find any photo in your catalog—so you can spend less time managing your images and more time doing what you love! And since the AI runs locally on your computer, you’ll never have to worry about privacy or security. Best of all, Excire can be integrated seamlessly into your current workflow, either using the standalone image organizer, Excire Foto 2025, or the Lightroom Classic plugin, Excire Search 2026. To purchase an Excire lifetime license or to download a 14-day free trial, visit http://excire.com/en/shop/! PetaPixel viewers can receive 15% off their purchase with the special discount code PETAPIXEL.Surprise! The PetaPixel Podcast team got together one more time for the true Season 4 finale! Grab a glass of eggnog, don your Santa hats, and pull the pole out from the crawlspace, because it's time for the annual airing of grievances!Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode00:00 - Intro (Your most vivid Christmas memory)13:53 - DJI drones have been banned in the US16:30 - Fujifilm to spend nearly $32 million expanding Instax film production20:18 - Benro's electronics Variable ND filter automatically adjusts its strength24:56 - Leica made major updates to the SL3 and Q3 series autofocus26:48 - All visual arts students worldwide can now join ASMP for free27:50 - Ricoh's GR IV HDF is coming soon and has a new electronic shutter31:56 - The Annual Airing of Grievances52:51 - What have you been up to?58:52 - Tech Support

The holiday season is here, and the OM SYSTEM Holiday Savings Event continues. Right now, you can save up to $400 on many of the cameras and lenses that OM SYSTEM makes, including the popular travel camera, the OM-3. But that's not all: right now, almost every lens in the M.Zuiko lineup is on sale right now. Whether you're building your first OM SYSTEM kit or adding to an existing collection, there's never been a better time to go light without compromising on image quality. Check out the full lineup at explore.omsystem.com/petapixel or visit your local authorized OM SYSTEM retailer today!Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.Now for the fifth year in a row, PetaPixel has gathered its team together to gaze into the future and see the facts, the truths, that will come to pass in the camera industry in 2026. As always, we are prepared to be very wrong. Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode:00:00 - Intro (were you naughty or nice this year?)09:53 - No, Sony did not intentionally brick third-party lenses, Viltrox confirms13:17 - Sony a7 V dynamic range is really good15:41 - Ironically, The Stringer used photos from Dave Burnett without permission or attribution17:37 - About that 7Artisans Floral Bloom lens21:06 - Japan railway pleads with photographers to stop being dangerously dumb25:51 - Z9 got yet another firmware update26:38 - The CP+ Photo Show in Japan will be the biggest ever29:35 - BOLD Predictions for 2026, feat. DPReview's Richard Butler 1:28:14 - What have you been up to?1:37:02 - Feel good story of the week

Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode00:00 - Intro08:03 - Affinity sees 3M downloads in 33 days12:02 - Martin Parr passed away14:06 - This photographer built his own medium format rangefinder (and so can you)17:05 - Tamron 150-500mm firmware update20:13 - Crucial SSDs are no more22:55 - The Antigravity A1 is now available25:55 - Green lenses are beautiful28:16 - The 2025 PetaPixel Awards29:26 - Accessory of the Year24:55 - Software of the Year37:47 - Workstation of the Year42:48 - Smartphone of the Year48:25 - Zoom Lens of the Year52:12 - Prime Lens of the Year56:43 - People's Choice Award: Camera of the Year1:00:35 - Camera of the Year1:07:09 - Photo Company of the Year1:07:38 - Technology Innovation of the Year1:09:19 - What have you been up to?1:16:43 - Tech Support 1:31:57 - Feel Good Story of the Week

Do you ever get tired of manually searching for, organizing, and culling your images? We do, too - and that’s where Excire can help! Excire’s photo-management software harnesses AI to make tedious tasks 10x faster, easier, and more fun. To purchase an Excire lifetime license or to download a 14-day free trial, visit http://www.excire.com/en/shop! EXCIRE BLACK FRIDAY SALE: PetaPixel viewers can receive 30% off their purchase with the special discount code PETAPIXEL30 -- valid through December 7th!Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.In July, The PetaPixel Podcast team was joined by Camera Labs' Gordon Laing to give mid-term grades to every major camera and lens manufacturer. Now that the year has ended, it’s time for them all to get graded on their finals in this annual tradition!Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode00:00 - Intro08:26 - You can now edit 32K video in Resolve10:29 - Sony's new smartphone sensor promises 17 stops of DR12:39 - Thypoch's new Eurka 28mm f/2.8 is inspired by another cool, obscure lens16:04 - The custom film simulation recipe from the limited edition GFX100RF17:11 - Review Roundup25:28 - Grading Every Camera Maker in 2025 Feat. Gordon Laing27:17 - Canon34:21 - Nikon40:12 - Sony53:35 - Panasonic Lumix1:03:28 - Fujifilm1:14:18 - Hasselblad1:18:02 - OM System1:24:16 - Leica1:28:55 - Sigma1:35:26 - Tamron

Do you ever get tired of manually searching for, organizing, and culling your images? Excire’s photo-management software harnesses AI to make tedious tasks 10x faster, easier, and more fun. To purchase an Excire lifetime license or to download a 14-day free trial, visit http://www.excire.com/en/shop! EXCIRE BLACK FRIDAY SALE: PetaPixel viewers can receive 30% off their purchase with the special discount code PETAPIXEL30 -- valid through December 7th!Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/ We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.In This Episode00:00 - Intro08:37 - The Kodak Snapic A1 is a $99 film camera with a double exposure switch11:06 - The AP has switched to DaVinci Resolve12:29 - Arri closed two facilities dedicated to lighting16:12 - Leica's M EV1 is finally available in the US after delays due to the government shutdown17:15 - Q3 Monochrom was announced22:41 - Lumix significantly improved S1 II and S1R II record times25:27 - Laowa made a new half-macro tilt shift lens28:36 - Fujifilm teamed up with a Japanese artist for a limited edition GFX100RF31:35 - The world's biggest walk-in camera is for sale34:38 - "The Stringer" Utterly Ruins the Reputation of Nick Ut and the AP1:29:12 - Read Matt's review of "The Stringer" on PetaPixel1:29:24 - While you were out taking pictures, Polar Pro studied the blade

The holiday season is here, and so is OM SYSTEM’s Black Friday pricing. Right now, you can save up to $400 on many of the cameras and lenses that they make.The OM-1 Mark II, their professional powerhouse perfect for bird and wildlife photography, with blazing-fast autofocus and class-leading stabilization, is $400 off. For those looking for an even lighter all-around travel kit, the OM-3 and M.Zuiko 12-45mm F4.0 PRO package is only $2099.99. And if you’re looking to upgrade your glass, you’ll find big savings on almost al M.Zuikol lenses.Check out the full lineup at explore.omsystem.com/petapixel and take your photography to the next level without breaking the bank.Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo.Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.The PetaPixel team uses different cameras and lenses every day as part of our job but behind the scenes, we carry around a few pieces of mainstay gear that we just can't live without. This week, The PetaPixel Podcast team reveals the equipment they've been carrying this year that keeps the wheels of journalism turning. We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studioIn This Episode00:00 - Intro; Chris and Jordan are working a shift at the Camera Store Next Week!12:25 - We just got the best look yet at Jeff Bridges' WideluxX project15:10 - ARRI is trying to mimic film with a digital plugin18:11 - Fujifilm released the film simulation LUTS it promised20:49 - Light Lens Lab has recreated the Leica Summilux 35mm f/1.424:56 - Mint addresses major Rollei 35AF shortcoming27:40 - Lumix is shutting down its pro services in the UK and Europe31:34 - The R6 Mark III can overheat34:34 - Basketball player runs back onto the court with camera strapped to his leg36:51 - Everything ELSE you missed!41:00 - The Fantasy Camera Draft poll results44:46 - Do you do graphic design? Reach out!45:54 - The gear we use every day (2025 edition)1:07:49 - Chris teases an upcoming new Wotancraft Pilot sling bag1:11:22 - New segment alert: Review Roundup!1:19:51 - What have you been up to?1:23:58 - Tech support1:35-45 - Feel good story of the week

DxO is offering PetaPixel Podcast listeners 20% off any DxO software, including Nik Collection 8, by using the code ‘PetaPixel’ at checkout. If you’re a Photoshop user looking to elevate your color grading and creative editing, Nik Collection 8’s redesigned UXP panel, enhanced masking capabilities, and non-destructive Smart Object workflow make it a game-changer. Create your own non-destructive workflow in Photoshop, Lightroom Classic and DxO’s own powerful PhotoLab 9, that will transform simple captures into compelling, professional-grade photographs.Head over to dxo.com and check out Nik Collection 8. Use code ‘PetaPixel’ to save 20%!Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) OR you can pay over time with our 6 & 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at bhphoto.com/payboo. Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank.This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, the team is joined by photographer David Imel and PetaPixel's Jeremy Gray for a unique challenge: who can draft the best fantasy camera team? Based loosely on fantasy football rules, all five must create a dream team based on eight categories. We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.In This Episode00:00 - Intro 11:55 - Affinity went the DaVinci Resolve route, and is now free13:50 - Lightroom Classic's updates are an example of what AI should be doing17:08 - Sony is the first company to authenticate video files19:35 - The LemurStrap is an innovative approach to camera carry21:50 - A photographer has decided to make anamorphic M-mount lenses24:44- Moment's new line of ultra-light camera bags have some innovative design elements29:07 - Feel good story of the week32:49 - The Fantasy Camera Draft, feat. David Imel and Jeremy Gray