

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 8, 2023 • 1h 22min
What Does Content Authenticity in Photos Actually Mean?
We’d like to take a moment to give a shoutout to our incredible sponsor, OM SYSTEM. You probably know them as Olympus, but they've undergone an amazing transformation into OM SYSTEM. And to celebrate OM SYSTEM week, the second anniversary of the OM SYSTEM brand, they've prepared something truly extraordinary for you.
OM SYSTEM is giving away an unforgettable Lindblad Expedition for two to the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland aboard the National Geographic Explorer. And the best part? They are also including an OM-5 camera and lens to ensure you bring back the absolute best images of your voyage.
This is a giveaway you won't want to miss! So, make sure to head over to their website and enter for a chance to win. All you need to do is share what nature means to you. But remember, the clock is ticking. Visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel and enter before November 13th!
When the M11-P launched as the first camera to support the Content Authenticity Initiative's (CAI) CP2A technology, a lot of questions immediately flooded in: what does it do? How does it work? Does it protect copyrights? Is it like cryptocurrency?
The answer is actually surprisingly simple, but the CAI and the companies that have partnered with it have not done the best job of explaining how the technology will actually work for the average photographer and general photography consumer.
In this week's podcast, the trio discusses how this system works, how it can be put into cameras, how people are intended to interact with it once the photos are out in the world, and the remaining roadblocks the CAI has to navigate to make the CP2A a standard the average person understands.
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
07:56 - Canon makes the world's first 24-105mm f/2.8
13:30 - On the flipside, who are long, slow lenses for?
16:10 - Make sure to watch the Chris vs Ted Forbes camera showdown
16:12 - The new M3 Max is more powerful than the original M1 Ultra
22:41 - A new neural network promises to majorly improve smartphone photos
28:29 - What does content authenticity in photos actually mean?
48:21 - What have you been up to?
50:52 - Tech support
1:09:54 - Never read the comments

Nov 1, 2023 • 1h 16min
The STRANGEST Things We've Seen at Trade Shows and Press Events! (feat. Ted Forbes)
Once again, we would like to thank our sponsor, OM SYSTEM, who make The PetaPixel podcast possible. OM SYSTEM is celebrating a significant milestone this Friday—it’s their 2nd anniversary, OM SYSTEM Day. OM SYSTEM wants to involve the community in their celebration, so, from now until November 13th, they're inviting you to share what nature means to you with a chance to win an OM-5 kit, an incredible piece of photography gear, and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure: a five-day Lindblad Expedition for two to Iceland on the National Geographic Explorer.
To participate and get more details, head over to explore.omsystem.com/petapixel. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with nature on a deeper level and potentially win some amazing prizes. Share your thoughts, share your passion, and let OM SYSTEM celebrate nature with you.
This week, Jaron is out so Chris and Jordan are joined by Ted Forbes to reminisce about the worst, weirdest, and downright strangest things they've ever seen at trade shows and press events.
But before they regale you with those stories, the trio discuss Apple's new M3 processors and the computers you can find them in and how they feel about the winning entry of the world's largest photo competition being staged. They also talk about TIME magazine's choice to name two Sony cameras and one Canon camera as three of the best inventions of 2023. All that and more in this week's podcast!
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
04:00 - Apple adds new M3 processor-powered Macs
11:50 - Picture that won the world's largest photo competition was staged
19:04 - Sony and Canon cameras named as some of the best inventions of 2023
21:41 - Giggster bought ePhotozine, after failing to buy Imaging Resource and Outdoor Photographer
28:21 - The strangest things we've ever seen at press events and trade shows
44:55 - What have you been up to?
52:11 - Tech support
1:07:00 - Never read the comments

Oct 25, 2023 • 1h 23min
What is REALLY Going on with the Fuji GFX 100 II? (feat. Jim Kasson)
This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, the team is joined by camera expert Jim Kasson who explains what he found in testing the new medium format Fujifilm GFX 100 II and why it matters.
Once again, we would like to thank our sponsor, OM SYSTEM, who make The PetaPixel Podcast possible. OM SYSTEM is celebrating a significant milestone this Friday—it’s their 2nd anniversary, OM SYSTEM Day. OM SYSTEM wants to involve the community in their celebration, so, from now until November 13th, they're inviting you to share what nature means to you with a chance to win an OM-5 kit, an incredible piece of photography gear, and a once-in-a-lifetime adventure: a five-day Lindblad Expedition for two to Iceland on the National Geographic Explorer.
To participate and get more details, head over to
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
.
In This Episode:
00:00 - Intro
05:42 - Darren Aronofsky says it takes 12 people to use the 18K Big Sky camera
08:44 - Full details of the sensor have also been published
10:21 - CineStill doubles down
13:24 - EOS M is dead
20:54 - Fujifilm left out some important information about the GFX 100 II. Guest Jim Kasson explains.
43:11 - What have you been up to?
48:08 - Tech Support
1:03:30 - Never read the comments

Oct 18, 2023 • 1h 21min
CineStill's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week
This week's podcast is brought to you once again by OM SYSTEM. Right now, OM SYSTEM is offering some great Fall Savings on cameras and lenses. Now through November 15th, you can grab the compact, lightweight OM-5 for just $999.99. That’s $200 off its regular retail price. To make your photography experience even better, OM SYSTEM has a special offer on the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm F2.0 lens. This fantastic lens is currently available at half price. Normally $799.99, you can get it now for just $399.99.
Don’t miss out! These fall savings from OM SYSTEM are only available through November 15th. Visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel or your nearest OM SYSTEM authorized retailer to get your hands on the OM-5 and 12mm lens today!
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CineStill, once one of the most popular film brands, is facing widespread backlash for defending its trademarks in a manner that is being described as intimidation and bullying.
CineStill has sold motion picture film and analog photography equipment to still photographers for over a decade, including the company’s popular CineStill 800T high-speed color film. The company now finds itself embroiled in a major controversy within the analog community, and the situation has devolved into allegations of intimidation and harassment.
The whole story behind CineStill's current situation is a bit of a long one, but it's worth reading. While we of course recommend reading PetaPixel's coverage, another excellent story worth your time can be read over at 404Media.
Chris, Jordan, and Jaron welcome PetaPixel's News Editor Jeremy Gray onto the pod to discuss the situation and present all the facts so you can make your own decisions on how to think of the once-beloved film brand.
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.
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In This Episode:
00:00 - Intro
04:14 - Sigma should make an APS-C L-mount camera
09:30 - Sony adding haptic feedback to future camera shutter buttons?
13:30 - 7Artisans' new $479 9mm f/5.6 lens for full-frame is insanely wide
17:42 - The story behind CineStill's terrible week
45:38 - Tech support
1:02:35 - Never read the comments

Oct 11, 2023 • 59min
Two Never-Before-Seen Lenses Unveiled in One Day!
This week’s podcast is brought to you by OM SYSTEM. With the hot temperatures of summer behind us, there is no better season for outdoor photography than autumn. Fall colors, crisp morning air, and golden light all set the stage to capture portfolio-worthy images. The OM SYSTEM OM-5 is the ultimate companion for the outdoor enthusiast. Built to endure your adventures, this mid-range mirrorless camera is a rugged marvel, with its weather-sealed body to safeguard against dust, water, and extreme temperatures, ensuring unmatched durability. The OM-5 offers advanced technology to deliver stunning image quality and exceptional performance in any condition. From breathtaking landscapes to action-packed moments, the OM-5 empowers you to embrace your adventurous spirit while preserving the memories of your journey.
Learn more about the OM-5 and the highly respected M.Zuiko lens series by visiting explore.omsystem.com/petapixel.
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This week, Canon and Nikon simultaneously released two lenses that have never been made before! Nikon unveiled a 600mm f/6.3 VR S Super Telephoto Prime lens that it promises is the lightest in its class with no sacrifice to image quality. While he didn't get enough time with it to do a review, Chris shares his thoughts on the new Z-mount lens.
On the total other side of the spectrum, Canon announced a 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM, a focal range that has never been seen before. Chris, Jordan, and Jaron discuss!
Also, we're testing some new microphones, so let us know what you think!
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.
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In This Episode:
00:00 - Intro
03:12 - We have new mics, tell us if they're good (or bad)!
06:52 - TWO new lenses that have never existed before
07:09 - Nikon 600mm f/6.3 VR S Super Telephoto prime
11:18 - Canon RF10-20mm f/4 L IS STM
15:27 - What have you been up to?
23:46 - Tech support
45:13 - Never read the comments

Oct 4, 2023 • 1h 11min
We Ask Google About the New PIXEL 8 PRO!
Thanks to OM SYSTEM for sponsoring this episode of the PetaPixel Podcast! Remember the photo industry buzz of November 2020? That’s when the highly anticipated M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO lens made its grand entrance. If you blinked, it was gone – sold out within just 24 hours. The aftermath? A three-year period on the backorder list.
Navigating through intricate and precise assembly processes, order fulfillment at times extended beyond a year; The excitement is back, though: the M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO Lens is now available at explore.omsystem.com/petapixel or at your local authorized retailer for $7,499.99 without delay. Get yours today!
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This week, Chris, Jordan, and Jaron are joined by Isaac Reynolds, the subject matter expert on the Pixel cameras at Google. He’s worked at Google since 2014 and is responsible for managing the team overseeing camera design, research, and development. The three discuss the new innovations in the Pixel 8 Pro, the technology that makes it special, and Google's overall design philosophy when it comes to smartphones and cameras.
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.
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In This Episode:
00:00 - Intro
05:27 - Photographer wins a gargantuan $109,000 in 10th Prix Pictet Awards
08:53 - Sony Exec on demand for firmware updates: "Sony knows about it"
14:01 - Apple will fix iPhone 15 overheating issues in a coming update
18:10 - Conversation with Google's subject matter expert on the Pixel cameras, Isaac Reynolds
45:53 - Tech support
58:31 - Never read the comments

Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 17min
Our Biggest Disasters While Making Our YouTube Show
While every video that Chris and Jordan produce looks like it came together flawlessly, a lot has happened behind the scenes you might not be aware of.
Thanks to OM SYSTEM for sponsoring this episode! Is your camera gear old? Is it heavy? Not weathersealed? Are you looking to take your photography to the next level? Feeling the need for an upgrade? OM SYSTEM is excited to share their exclusive Trade-In, Trade-Up promotion! Hurry though. This offer ends on October 1st, making this the last week for the Trade-In, Trade-Up promotion.
This incredible offer and bonus savings coupon are only available until October 1, 2023, so act fast! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to upgrade your camera gear and elevate your photography. Visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel for more details and to kickstart your new camera system journey today!
While they are a well-oiled machine, they're not perfect! The duo chats with Jaron about the biggest disasters they've experienced producing their YouTube show over the years and even discuss some problems they had to overcome on very recent episodes.
The trio also talks the week's latest news, including Nikon's new Plena, how CFexpress 4.0 might not help your current cameras but it will make your current cards faster, and TTartisan's ridiculously cheap 500mm f/6.3 lens.
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
33:33 - Nikon's new named lens, the Plena
10:21 - CFexpress 4.0's greatest strength is the new card readers
13:36 - TTartisan's new 500mm f/6.3
17:30 - Our greatest disasters while making our YouTube show
47:33 - What have you been up to?
52:18 - Tech support
1:01:40 - Never read the comments

Sep 20, 2023 • 1h 15min
Is There Any Real Benefit to Retro Camera Design?
This week Nikon launched the Zf, a full-frame retro-inspired camera that packs some serious technology and gives us a glimpse into the company's future. But we have some questions about retro design: is it all nostalgia or is there more to it?
This week's episode is brought to you by OM SYSTEM! Get ready to take your photography to the extreme. This morning, OM SYSTEM announced the Tough TG-7, a dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof camera featuring an f/2.0 high-speed zoom lens, RAW recording, and a 4x optical zoom lens to ensure you capture perfection with fast shutter speeds and minimal blur. The OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 is your key to capturing extraordinary images, whether you're diving underwater, braving freezing temperatures, or exploring rugged terrains.
To learn more about the TG-7, visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel. The TG-7 will be available on the OM SYSTEM website as well as authorized OM SYSTEM retailers by the end of the month for $549.99. Visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel to learn more.
In addition to talking about retro design and digging deeper into their thoughts on the Zf, the trio also chats about the gorgeous ProRes Log profile that is now available on the new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max as well as hits a few of the week's top news stories. Plus, as always, they answer your tech questions and comments.
We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.
In This Episode
00:00 - Intro
10:33 - Apple's iPhone brings ProRes log encoding to mobile, and it's gorgeous
18:43 - Print purchased at estate sale for $2,200 now valued at $250,000
21:20 - Adobe raises Creative Cloud prices as it once again shatters revenue targets
26:08 - Is there any actual benefit to retro design?
40:38 - Chris plays show and tell / What have you been up to?
47:28 - Tech Support
1:01:41 - Never read the comments
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.

Sep 13, 2023 • 1h 13min
What We Didn't Say About the Apple iPhone 15
This week's episode is brought to you by OM SYSTEM! Get ready to take your photography to the extreme. This morning, OM SYSTEM announced the Tough TG-7, a dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof camera featuring an F2.0 high-speed zoom lens, RAW recording, and a 4x optical zoom lens to ensure you capture perfection with fast shutter speeds and minimal blur. The OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 is your key to capturing extraordinary images, whether you're diving underwater, braving freezing temperatures, or exploring rugged terrains. The TG-7 will be available on the OM SYSTEM website as well as authorized OM SYSTEM retailers by the end of the month for $549.99. To learn more about the TG-7, visit explore.omsystem.com/petapixel.
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This week on the PetaPixel Podcast, the team comes together for a special episode from Apple Park! Chris, Jordan, and Jaron spend some time discussing topics they didn't get to mention in their first impressions of Apple's latest handhelds.
While there is plenty to say about the new iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max, the trio also needed to talk about the new medium format Fujifilm GFX 100 II, a camera that grabbed headlines despite releasing the same day as Apple's big event. A spirited discussion, the team debates who this camera is actually for, what it is best at, and how it fits into an already pretty crowded photo market, especially at its $7,500 asking price.
Finally, Chris, Jordan, and Jaron chat with photographer Blair Bunting and answer some of your questions about his flight to the edge of space.
We used Riverside to record our interview with photographer Blair Bunting.
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In This Episode
00:00 - Intro
03:00 - Who is the Fujifilm GFX 100 II For?
11:28 - What We Didn't Say About the Apple iPhone 15
27:56 - Chris can't sleep
29:14 - Tech Support
37:39 - Blair Bunting answers questions about his photo shoot at the edge of space
01:04:00 - Never read the comments

Sep 6, 2023 • 1h 16min
Chris and Jordan have NEVER done ANYTHING like this before!
This week’s podcast is brought to you by OM SYSTEM! With the hot temperatures of summer winding down, there is no better season for outdoor photography than autumn. Fall colors, crisp morning air, and golden light all set the stage to capture portfolio-worthy images. The OM SYSTEM OM-5 is the ultimate companion for the outdoor enthusiast. Built to endure your adventures, this mid-range mirrorless camera is a rugged marvel, with its weather-sealed body to safeguard against dust, water, and extreme temperatures, ensuring unmatched durability.
Learn more about the OM-5 and the highly respected M.Zuiko lens series by visiting explore.omsystem.com/petapixel.
This week, Chris and Jordan published not only their first documentary for PetaPixel but also the first documentary of this style and length in their YouTube careers. "The World’s First U2 Spy Plane Photo Shoot at the Edge of Space" is the story of how photographer Blair Bunting spent the better part of a year planning and training to take a Cold War-era spy plane up to the edge of space to perform a photo shoot that had never previously been attempted, and likely will never happen again.
If you haven't seen it yet, we strongly recommend you watch it first before enjoying this podcast.
The two chat with Jaron about their experience shooting this film, the cameras they used, the lessons they learned, and why they're so excited to finally be able to share it with the world.
In This Episode:
00:00 - Intro
05:23 - What it's like moving from a 2014 DSLR to a 2023 mirrorless camera: what a leap!
10:19 - An international photo competition was letting its own judges enter and win
13:58 - Chris and Jordan made their first documentary!
46:18 - What have you been up to?
51:06 - Tech support
1:02:23 - Never read the comments