

The PetaPixel Podcast
PetaPixel
A photography podcast. Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake join PetaPixel's Editor-in-Chief Jaron Schneider for a weekly discussion on current events in the photo industry, camera equipment, technology, culture, and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 27, 2024 • 1h 43min
Grading Every Camera Maker: 2024 Final Review (Feat. Gordon Laing)
As the holiday season draws near, now is the perfect time to purchase gifts that will bring joy to your loved ones. And if you’re ready to spoil yourself or someone special with an incredible camera deal, we’ve got the best winter offer waiting for you. Right now, OM SYSTEM is offering Black Friday pricing, and you don't want to miss it! For a limited time, the OM SYSTEM E-M10 Mark IV camera is available for $299.99 off its regular price of $999.98. Right now, you can grab the camera for just $699.99! Plus, when you buy the camera body, you’ll get the M.Zuiko 14-42mm II R lens for free—that’s an amazing deal!
Don’t wait! To take advantage of these incredible deals, visit your local authorized OM SYSTEM retailer or head to explore.omsystem.com/petapixel today!
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 fime for them all to get graded on their finals.
Support Chris and Jordan directly with a PetaPixel Membership!
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, welcome back Gordon Laing!
12:09 - Sony announced the new a1 II and 28-70mm f/2 GM
14:22 - About those onion rings...
17:44 - Great news: Tamron isn't closing the door on prime lenses after all
21:35 - Yongnuo made an "Art" lens. Wonder where the idea for that name came from
26:04 - Leica made more money in 2024 than an other in its entire 100-year history
27:01 - DJI launched the MicMini
30:52 - Grading every camera (and lens) maker's 2024!
31:14 - Canon
45:08 - Fujifilm
55:26 - Leica
1:04:14 - Nikon
1:08:55 - OM System
1:12:28 - Ricoh/Pentax
1:14:42 - Panasonic
1:20:21 - Sigma
1:26:59 - Sony
1:40:24 - Feel good story of the week

Nov 13, 2024 • 1h 37min
Fuji Eterna, Final Cut Pro 11, and the Fall of Sony's Airpeak
This episode is brought to you by OM SYSTEM, and their Black Friday pricing is here! There are incredible savings on OM SYSTEM gear that you won’t want to miss. OM SYSTEM has nearly every lens on sale, right now, with discounts up to $700 off! It’s the ideal opportunity to expand your kit, upgrade to the lenses you’ve had your eye on, or purchase a holiday gift for a loved one.
Whether you’re looking for a new camera or the right lens for your next adventure, check out OM SYSTEM’s Black Friday deals. Head over to explore.omsystem.com/petapixel to see all the savings. Offers end December 8.
Tamron’s holday savings are live! Save up to $200 on select lenses including versatile all-in-one zoom lenses for flexibility in various shooting scenarios, fast aperture zoom lenses for excellent low-light performance and beautiful bokeh, ultra-telephoto zoom lenses for far-reaching shots with exceptional clarity, prime lenses offering sharp detail and superior image quality, and fast wide-angle zoom lenses for dynamic landscapes and architecture shots.
Tamron's lenses offer high-quality and fast performance that are designed to elevate your photography experience. Shop now and save at tamron-americas.com.
This week on The PetaPixel Podcast there is a lot to discuss, with Fujifilm announcing it will make a new cinema camera next year, Final Cut Pro getting its first version change in 13 years, Sony bowing out of making drones, and more!
Support Chris and Jordan directly with a PetaPixel Membership!
Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/
We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.
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 (Chris finished his new studio!)
06:11 - Fujifilm is developing a dedicated GFX cinema camera called the GFX Eterna
11:35 - Apple Moves to Final Cut Pro 11, updates iPad app and Final Cut Camera, too
26:26 - Hasselblad announced a new 75mm f/3.4 P lens
28:18 - Sony's Airpeak has been discontinued
29:10 - Why did the Airpeak fail?
33:44 - The FlashBack "non-disposable digital disposable camera" got a $330K investment on Shark Tank
37:29 - Benro's Theta self-leveling tripod Kickstarter is nearly two years delayed
42:11 - What is the state of photobooks in 2024? With Mixbook CEO and Co-Founder Andrew Laffoon
1:20:34 - What have you been up to?
1:22:20 - Never read the comments
1:33:40 - Feel good story of the week

Nov 7, 2024 • 1h 39min
What Are the Best Entry-Level Cameras Right Now?
Demis Hassabis, Co-founder and CEO of DeepMind, dives into the exciting world of entry-level cameras. He shares insights on recent models like the Nikon Z50 II and Canon EOS R10, discussing their features and user-friendly designs. The conversation also touches on the advantages of mirrorless systems and nostalgic photography journeys with first cameras. Listeners can learn about current trends and innovations in camera technology, along with tips on selecting the best gear for enthusiastic beginners in photography.

Oct 30, 2024 • 1h 49min
Retired Sony Exec on How Cameras (and Photographers) Have Changed
Mark Weir, a retired Sony Imaging executive, reflects on two decades of camera evolution and the shifting role of photographers. He shares insights on Sony's strategic shift away from mirrors and the advantages of open standards like the E-mount. Weir discusses how user feedback shaped product innovation and delves into the transformation of visual storytelling influenced by technology and social media. The conversation also touches on emerging trends in photography equipment and the exciting future of the industry.

Oct 25, 2024 • 32min
The Future of Photography According to Apple, Maker of the World's Most Popular Camera
Della Huff, a key player in Apple's product marketing team for camera and photos, discusses the future of photography with Billy Sorrentino from the Apple Design team. They dive into the exciting realm of spatial photography and the transformative Vision Pro technology. The duo explores how immersive content enhances memory preservation and personal expression. Innovations in converting 2D images into stunning 3D experiences are also highlighted, alongside the marketing challenges of introducing such groundbreaking technology to the public.

Oct 23, 2024 • 1h 28min
How to Travel as a Photographer and Not Hate Yourself
Discover practical tips for photographers navigating the challenges of travel. Enjoy humorous culinary anecdotes while gearing up for a trip to Japan. Explore the latest innovations in camera gear and their impact on photography. Learn about essential equipment that every traveling photographer needs, including the versatile Tamron 28-300mm lens. Hear amusing tales from a photography team coping with lost luggage in New York City. Delve into the future of camera technology and the demand for innovation amidst personal journeys through photography.

Oct 16, 2024 • 1h 43min
The Owner of The Camera Store on Industry, Film, and More
The next Supermoon is just around the corner (October 17th), and it’s expected to be the biggest and brightest supermoon of 2024. If you want to capture it in all its glory, you need the right gear. OM SYSTEM’s Micro Four Thirds cameras and M.Zuiko Digital lenses are perfect for the job. Why? The 2x crop factor doubles your equivalent focal length—so, a 300mm lens becomes a 600mm! That means more zoom without the heavy, bulky gear.
So, if you’re gearing up for the Supermoon, OM SYSTEM has you covered. Check out their full line of cameras and lenses at explore.omsystem.com/petapixel, or visit your local authorized OM SYSTEM retailer.
When you've been in the camera industry for nearly 40 years and operated The Camera Store since the late 1990s, you see a lot. Peter Jeuene has done just that and also is the man who gave Chris and Jordan the opportunity to get on camera and become the experts you know today. Peter shares his thoughts on the state of the industry, how film's resurgence has affected his business, how he manages to compete with U.S. retailers and camera brands on the sales front, and even shares some stories from when Chris and Jordan used to work in his store.
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
07:34 - Big Fujifilm Drop: X-M5, 500mm f/5.6, and a new 16-55mm f/2.8
13:46 - The 70mm film reel for "The Brutalist" is split into 26 canisters and weighs 300 pounds
15:23 - "Submerged" is a new feature film that can only be watched on Vision Pro
22:08 - Miss the aurora? Just make AI images, Meta says
26:54 - Nikon news: Z6 III getting C2PA, NX Mobile Air gets Frame.io integration, and EssilorLuxottica buys 5.1% of the company
32:57 - Canon is dropping three new lenses on October 30
37:29 - Talkin' shop with the owner of The Camera Store
1:14:21 - What have you been up to?
1:18:14 - New versions of Fixed lens cameras that viewers want to see
1:22:12 - Tech support

Oct 9, 2024 • 1h 34min
Our Dream Fixed-Lens Cameras
Tom Calton, a YouTube enthusiast known for his passion for compact and classic cameras, joins the conversation on the resurgence of fixed-lens cameras. They delve into nostalgic tales of vintage models and share insights on what manufacturers could do to innovate for modern photographers. The podcast highlights cutting-edge advancements, like a new Nikon hybrid sensor, and discusses classic camera revival potentials from brands like Fujifilm. With anecdotes and technical insights, the charm of fixed-lens photography shines through, celebrating both the past and the future.

Oct 2, 2024 • 1h 43min
JPEG XL: What It Is And Why You Should Care
Ben Salb, an OM SYSTEM Ambassador and macro photographer renowned for his exceptional close-up shots of insects, shares his insights on the beauty of macro photography. He discusses the incredible detail achieved with advanced OM System gear and highlights the latest macro lens releases. The conversation also shifts to JPEG XL, where guests explore its advantages over traditional formats, emphasizing lossless compression and improved image quality. With humor interwoven throughout, the dialogue embraces both technical expertise and creative photography.

Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 34min
Talkin' Backpacks w/ Peak Design's Founder Peter Dering
Peter Dering, Founder and CEO of Peak Design, discusses his innovative journey in the photography accessory market. He shares the company's evolution from Kickstarter to a leader in outdoor gear, highlighting the launch of the new Outdoor series backpacks. The conversation touches on the design principles of comfort and functionality, parallel branding strategies with Red Bull, and the impact of creative camera filters on photography. Dering’s insights reveal how past experiences shape product development and foster community engagement.