The PetaPixel Podcast

This week's podcast is proudly sponsored by OM SYSTEM. Right now, they’ve got deals that’ll have you upgrading your camera gear. For example, the shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, and crushproof Tough TG-7 is a camera that’s as rugged as your adventures that is available now for $50 off: $499.99.   That is not all though! Nearly all M.Zuiko Pro lenses are an incredible $200 off. And for those looking for versatility without compromising on quality, most non-pro M.Zuiko lenses are now up to $400 off. And as if that wasn’t enough, here’s something to get excited about: Order the brand new OM-1 Mark II and receive a free BLX-1 battery (with the purchase of an OM-1 Mark II body or kit. The OM-1 Mark II body only is  $2,399.99 while the kit, which includes the OM-1 Mark II with 12-40mm PRO II lens, is $2,999.99 U.S.The savings don’t stop there! Bundle your OM-1 Mark II with qualifying lenses and save an additional $300, plus receive that free battery! Time is ticking. Don’t miss out on these incredible deals—remember, they’re only available until March 31st. Head over to explore.omsystem.com/petapixel or visit your local authorized OM SYSTEM retailer to take advantage of these unbeatable savings today! The team dissects the week's biggest news including the reveal of Sony's 247-megapixel medium format sensor. Leica also admitted that selling L-mount cameras is harder than selling its M- or Q-series bodies. Also, Canva acquired Serif Affinity to become a player in the professional editing space. Finally, Fujifilm made its Limited Edition X100VI available to purchase in the United States last week and that was a whole ordeal with twists, turns, and an uncertain ending. The team is also joined by Matt Lloyd, ASC, CSC, who is a director of photography and a cinematographer, and you may know his work from Ava Duvernay's Origin, Marvel's Spider Man: Far From Home, Power Rangers, Fargo, and Insecure. He's also from Calgary, Alberta, where Chris and Jordan call home. Lloyd shares his experiences shooting a wide variety of subjects (music videos, television, and feature-length films) with both film and digital and explains what it's like working in Hollywood and the types of equipment he chooses for the different projects. 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, where we talk about first dates 07:25 - Sony has a new 247-megapixel medium format sensor 09:33 - Leica admits selling L-mount cameras is harder than M or Q series: https://petapixel.com/2024/03/22/leica-selling-l-mount-cameras-is-tougher-than-selling-a-q-or-an-m/ 13:36 - Canva acquires Affinity 17:23 - Fujifilm X100VI limited edition sale nearly crashes Fuji's site and sells out in minutes. Fuji will cancel "suspicious" purchases and raffle them. 22:16 - Matt Lloyd talks abou making feature-length movies, TV, and music videos 1:06:51 - What have you been up to? 1:08:05 - Logitech Mevo Core initial impressions 1:11:21 - Tech support 1:24:00 - Never read the comments

When a listener asked Chris, Jordan, and Jaron to share how their careers (all the highs and lows) have gone over the years, the team decided it was worthy of a main story segment to itself. Speaking of creative journeys, OM SYSTEM has announced their last call for entries in their contest and community-based project Tell Your Story which is aimed at promoting and showcasing the capabilities of the OM SYSTEM OM-5 camera. Renowned for its class-leading performance and weather-sealed design capable of handling any environment, the OM-5 offers remarkable computational features such as Live ND and Starry Sky AF. Building upon the success of last year's initiative, Tell Your Story II strives to identify and empower emerging talents to advocate for OM SYSTEM products within their social communities. Through March 25th, 2024, photography enthusiasts of every skill level are invited to participate in Tell Your Story II. The project will be showcased on Instagram, on the @omsystem.generation channel. Candidates selected for Tell Your Story II will receive support from OM SYSTEM, including the OM-5 camera, lenses, and mentorship  by esteemed OM SYSTEM Ambassadors, including Brooke Bartleson and Peter Baumgarten, to bring their projects to life. Details about the program and how to participate can be found at explore.omsystem.com/petapixel. Did you know that Chris Niccolls was very disinterested in photography for most of his young life? Did you know that Jordan Drake used the money from a canceled trip to Europe to buy a video camera, forever changing the course of his career? Did you know Jaron got his start working at a photographic lighting company? Humble beginnings all, and the three share what sparked them to continue in the photography and video space, how teaching is important to them, and how that despite the lows (of which there are many), the highs still get them excited about every day. Burnout is real, but the trio explain how they either avoided it or worked through it to be where they are today. 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. For those curious about our Audacity compressor settings: Threshold: -16 dB Noise floor: -40 dB Ratio: 3:1 Attack time: 0.10 secs Release Time: 1.0 secs Check both "make-up gain for 0 dB after compressing" and "compress based on peaks." In This Episode 00:00 - Intro, where Jordan asks what our first jobs were 10:24 - Leica Will Deliver a Mirrorless Medium Format Hybrid Camera ‘Within 2 Years’ 16:23 - The Hydrus Underwater Drone Wants to Be the DJI of the Sea 21:39 - Logitech joins Micro Four Thirds with the Mevo Core 26:27 - The $230 Full-Frame 50mm f/1.8 is 7Artisans’ First Autofocus Lens 30:09 - Chris, Jordan, and Jaron talk about their professional photo and video journeys 1:06:18 - What have you been up to? 1:10:23 - Tech support 1:23:23 - Never read the comments

Join OM SYSTEM for Lens Fest! Now through March 31st, you’ll find incredible discounts on nearly all M.Zuiko Pro lenses, now $200 off. Plus, unlock savings of up to $400 on most non-pro M.Zuiko lenses, along with exclusive camera and lens bundle deals. OM SYSTEM's renowned legacy in cutting-edge optics shines through with the line of compact, lightweight lenses delivering impeccable image quality. Designed for adventure and many built to withstand any environment, the M.Zuiko Pro series of lenses are not only durable but also weather-sealed for peace of mind in every shooting scenario. Don't miss out on Lens Fest – upgrade your gear during one of the biggest lens sales of the year! For more information, visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel. Last week, Nikon made the surprise announcement that it had acquired RED Cinema, one of the most well-known American cinema camera companies. In an instant, Nikon went from an often-ignored player in the video space to a top-tier competitor in the space up against the likes of Arri and Sony. What does this mean for the camera space going forward? Well, a heck of a lot, and Chris, Jordan, and Jaron break it down as well as speculate on how they think Nikon will handle its new crown jewel over the next few years. We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio: https://creators.riverside.fm/Petapixel 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: 08:54 - Why Kate Middleton's Photoshop fail is important 16:50 - Canon is 50% of the way through negotiations to bring third-party optics to RF mount 21:35 - Canon wants to achieve "overwhelming number one share" of mirrorless market by 2026 27:10 - Fujifilm doubled manufacturing capacity for the X100VI, but it still wasn't enough 29:14 - Is it possible for any camera brand to replicate this level of popularity? 36:06 - Nikon Acquires RED in Massive Shakeup of Cinema Camera Market 50:52 - What have you been up to? 53:13 - Tech Support 1:17:46 - Never read the comments

Today’s podcast is brought to you by OM SYSTEM and their award-winning TOUGH TG-7—a camera built to withstand the most extreme conditions. The TOUGH TG-7 is built like a tank. It’s waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, exploring underwater wonders, or simply documenting everyday moments, this camera rises to the occasion. From now until March 31st, save $50 on your purchase of an OM SYSTEM TOUGH TG-7. To take advantage of this special offer, visit your local OM SYSTEM authorized retailer, or head to explore.omsystem.com/petapixel. Don’t miss out on your chance to capture the extraordinary with the OM SYSTEM TOUGH TG-7. This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, Chris and Jordan share their favorite movies from the last year that they think will have a positive impact on your photography and filmmaking. The duo rarely agree when it comes to movies, but they do have some common ground when discussing best film and best cinematography. If you find inspiration in how other people see the world and tell stories, you're going to want to hear why Chris and Jordan recommend these films. 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: What is your favorite snack at movie theaters? 09:25 - Stop being so elitist about your sensor size 15:00 - Sigma's 500mm f/5.6 is super popular 17:14 - Canon: no camera is high res enough to make content for Vision Pro 23:06 - Pentax's film camera will launch this summer 27:05 - The Year's Best Movies to Inspire Your Photography 30:51 - Jordan's #5: BlackBerry 32:56 - Chris's #5: Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 35:09 - Jordan's #4: Killers of the Flower Moon 37:27 - Chris's #4: Oppenheimer 39:28 - Jordan's #3: Poor Things 40:44 - Chris's #3: The Holdovers 43:11 - Jordan's #2: Maestro 45:53 - Chris's #2: Anatomy of a Fall 48:40 - Jordan's #1: Past Lives 52:14 - Chris's #1: Poor Things 54:50 - The movies with the best cinematography (lightning round) 1:03:45 - About watching movies on planes... 1:05:04 - Jaron's picks for television entertainment 1:09:29 - Tech support 1:23:31 - Chris with his version of a segue 1:24:04 - Never read the comments

The podcast covers news from CP Plus trade show with Sony and Fujifilm cameras highlighted. Discussions on camera lenses from Fuji and Sigma, and the release of a new Sony lens. Updates on Panasonic zoom lens and firmware updates for cameras. Ethical side of photography in Crisis and Victory episode and advantages of different sensor sizes in photography explored.

Thanks to our podcast sponsor OM SYSTEM! OM SYSTEM unveiled its latest flagship camera on January 30th, the OM-1 Mark II, which builds upon the legacy of the original OM-1. With double the buffer size and impressive high-speed sequential shooting capabilities--up to 50fps with continuous autofocus -- the new camera offers enhanced autofocus performance, accuracy, and reliability.   Anticipated to begin shipping in two weeks, insider information from OM SYSTEM revealed that they’ve extended their pre-order promotion, originally expected to conclude on February 26th, now extended until the end of March. Pre-order your OM-1 Mark II body or kit by March 31st and enjoy an additional complementary BLX-1 battery. Bundle your purchase with select lenses to save up to $300. Visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel for more details! -- Internationally acclaimed photographer and videographer Kristi Odom joined the PetaPixel Podcast this week to discuss underwater photography. She explains how she captured some of her most stunning photos while also explaining general tips and techniques for any photographer interested in giving underwater wildlife shooting a try. 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... Meet Kristi Odom! 06:00 - NASA goes mirrorless 07:38 - Space is very hard on cameras 09:17 - The Z8 gets a major firmware update 16:05 - Canon and Sony (again) say they're both #1. 19:36 - Kristi Odom's spectacular underwater photography 47:27 - Kristi's tadpole work 52:15 - What is on Chris's desk? 53:30 - Tech support 1:16:51 - Never read the comments

We would once again like to thank our podcast sponsor, OM SYSTEM. Just last week, OM SYSTEM announced their new flagship camera, the OM-1 Mark II, along with two new lenses: the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-600 F5.0-6.3 IS and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 II. You can see the new camera and telephoto lens in action in a recent story on PetaPixel where photographer Andy Rouse put them through their paces in Africa. Head on over to explore.omsystem.com/petapixel to learn more about the BRAND NEW OM-1 Mark II, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-600 F5.0-6.3 IS and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 II. Preorders are live right now, with shipments beginning in late February. -- When asked about the expansion of AI in photography, a Samsung executive recently said that there is "no such thing as a real photo." Obviously, there is a lot to unpack there. Chris, Jordan, and Jaron are joined by Allison Johnson from The Verge (and formerly of DPReview) to discuss. 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 07:19 - Italian court orders Getty to remove photos of Michelangelo's David 11:21 - Canon permanently discounts both the R3 and the R5 15:15 - Samsung reports weakest earnings in a decade 21:27 - Samsung argues that there is "no such thing as a real picture" 29:48 - What are the limits of computational photography? 35:25 - Why are full-size camera makers so reluctant to add computational photography? 41:40 - What about Sony Xperia? 43:53 - Are camera companies afraid of what computational photography might mean to authenticity? 47:10 - Companies have to stop thinking they can dictate the terms of a review 51:52 - What have you been up to? 57:20 - Tech support 1:09:11 - PetaPixel's glossary of photo terms 1:10:35 - Never read the comments

We would once again like to thank our podcast sponsor, OM SYSTEM! Professional wildlife photographer Andy Rouse recently took the OM-1 Mark II and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-600 F5.0-6.3 IS on safari to Kenya’s Masai Mara and Samburu National Parks. Check out his first impressions of both the camera and the lens, and view his photos from the adventure today: Check out explore.omsystem.com/petapixel to learn more about the new OM-1 Mark II, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 150-600 F5.0-6.3 IS, and the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 II. Pre-orders are live right now, with shipments beginning in late February. Every half-decade or so, medium format experiences some kind of "resurgence," and thanks mainly to Fujifilm's excellent GFX 100 II, many photographers might be interested in jumping over to the large sensor cameras. With Hasselblad's update to the 907x system last week, the team discusses where each medium format system resides, who they're for, what are they are good at (and what do manufacturers want them to do), and what the future of medium format might be. Is it doing just fine on its current trajectory? Would it be a fantastic platform to bring back a TLR-style camera body? Is it the one place a DSLR still makes sense? Chris, Jordan, and Jaron debate. 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 04:57 - RED's new global shutter camera makes some insane promises. 11:09 - OM System has a new OM-1 Mark II 18:23 - Two new Micro Four Thirds lenses 24:37 - Capture One is laying off staff amid "significant" restructure 27:46 - Hasselblad's 907X gets a 100MP upgrade 31:43 - The State of Medium Format in 2024 50:19 - What have you been up to? 53:48 - Tech support 1:18:44 - Never read the comments

We would like to thank OM SYSTEM for their continued sponsorship of the PetaPixel podcast. As most of us here in North America recently learned, winter has officially arrived. So with all of this beautiful snowfall, what better time to get outside and learn the incredibly rewarding art of winter wildlife photography? Today on PetaPixel, read OM SYSTEM Ambassador Art Lefo’s nine tips for photographing wildlife in the winter. In this comprehensive guide, Lefo discusses how he prepares for extreme weather, how he sets up his camera for success, how he captures dynamic compositions, and how he utilizes image stabilization to capture gorgeous photos of winter wildlife.  Big thanks to OM SYSTEM for their continued support, and check out explore.omsystem.com/petapixel to learn more about the OM-1, the OM-5, and their incredible line of M.Zuiko lenses. -- Samsung's new Galaxy S24 Ultra sports a great new display, excellent build quality, and generally a fantastic user experience. But when it comes to the camera system, very little was changed from last year's S24 Ultra. So in 2024, what should someone reasonably expect from a new handheld? Does it need hardware improvements or is software enough? Apple provided mostly software changes and new enhancements, but it also added a new telephoto lens to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Google redesigned much of its camera array in addition to adding AI capabilities. Compared to the field, was what Samsung did enough? Chris, Jordan, and Jaron discuss. In This Episode: 00:00 - Intro 07:27 - Edelkrone's $2,600 motorized tripod weighs 9 kilograms 10:18 - Apple takes the top spot from Samsung in the smartphone market for the first time 14:56 - Nikon lens engineer thinks the Noct should be a series of lenses 19:02 - Chris and Jordan's take on YouTubers quitting the game 27:30 - Does a new smartphone need more than software and AI? What is "good enough" for a new release? 40:49 - What have you been up to? 42:20 - Chris wasn't on an island off the coast of Africa 47:43 - Tech Support

We would like to thank our podcast sponsor, OM SYSTEM. Every journey is a story waiting to be told. A thousand little moments hidden between a beginning and an end. And there is no better way to tell your story than with the OM SYSTEM OM-5. Bundle your savings today and save $550 when you buy an OM-5 body with a 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 II lens. Normally $1,849.99, this incredible kit is now only $1,299.98. You need to hurry though, as this offer is only valid through January 28, 2024. And for all of you Canadians out there, you can get the OM-5 body with a 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 II lens and save $650 CAD; Bundled kit normally $2,549.98 CAD -- Now it is just $1,899.98. Visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel today to get this incredible deal! Curious about how Samsung approached the design of its new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra? The PetaPixel Podcast team sits down with Samsung's Blake Geiser to learn more about what makes this little phone tick. Samsung's new Galaxy S24 smartphone series, headlined by the flagship S24 Ultra, uses much of the same camera hardware as last year's device (with some exceptions) but sees a major lift under the hood. "Samsung AI" is here, but that doesn't mean you can expect to see "AI" everywhere in this phone. Samsung's Blake Geiser sits down with Chris Niccolls, Jordan Drake, and Jaron Schneider to explain what photographers and videographers can expect to find with the new handheld, what's different, and what is worth getting excited about. 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 welcome back! 03:39 - Interview with Samsung's Blake Geiser 27:04 - Does Samsung have any NX1 cameras still kicking around? 28:55 - The secret to Chris's incredible hair 29:00 - Closing thoughts