Latest episode
Is pop-up flash DEAD? • 360 camera drones • How to choose a macro lens
46:39|Welcome to the latest episode of Bokeh Face: The Digital Camera World Podcast!This week we're taking an In Focus look at flash (02:26). Is the pop-up flash dead? Here's how it happened, why it happened, when the on-camera flash aesthetic came back and what companies like Godox and Viltrox are doing about it with pocket-sized hotshoe flashguns.Then we Gear Up with the latest generation of drones that feature 360 cameras – the DJI Avata 360 and Antigravity A1 (14:48). Does this really change the game for imaging, or does it only change it for existing drone shooters?Finally, in Trouble Shooting we look at how to buy a macro lens (27:45). What do you need to be aware of, what options are available, should you buy second-hand… and could you even get away with a broken lens?⏰ TIMESTAMPS ⏰00:00 Whatever happened to Tetris?02:26 Pop-up flash, come back!03:35 Why did it disappear?04:15 Has high dynamic range made us lazy?05:49 Are people scared of flash?07:03 Why the resurgence? 08:50 Constant light lacks power09:30 Illuminating a distant tree10:17 Chris has a solution13:00 Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro 14:48 360 drones 15:42 Drone meets 360 camera18:09 What’s the headset for?18:53 DJI Avata 360 & Antigravity A119:36 What’s the weight? 22:11 Let’s talk prices24:20 Omni-directional collision aid 25:12 The November Rain church 26:27 Easier to crash? 27:45 How to buy a macro lens 29:42 How to choose a macro lens30:28 Mike’s broken Tamron34:15 Telephoto lenses for close-ups?35:38 The variety just isn’t there 36:35 Some other choices39:13 You don’t need autofocus40:08 Focus peaking 41:39 Image stabilisation: yes or no?43:09 What macro did Chris just buy?Get in touch with us at:bokehface@futurenet.comWatch the show in full at:youtube.com/digitalcameraworldGet all your camera news, how-tos, reviews and buying advice at:digitalcameraworld.com
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Budget super telephoto zooms • Smart telescopes • Travel compact cameras
46:05|We take an In Focus look at smart telescopes. Intelligent devices that allow anyone to find, observe and photograph celestial objects from the comfort of their own home, while Chris walks Mike through the new Dwarf Mini smart telescope from DwarfLab. Then we Gear Up with the Panasonic Lumix TZ300 compact camera and its huge 15x optical zoom, with Chris applauding its 1-inch sensor and billing it as the return of the all-in-one travel camera. Finally, in Trouble Shooting, Mike delivers his top budget super telephoto zooms for sports and aviation photography. A relatively recent class of lenses that has made long-distance photography much more accessible for those who cannot justify the expenditure of a 600mm f/4 prime (which is most of us!). Enjoy all that and more, in the latest episode of Bokeh Face: The Digital Camera World Podcast. Get in touch with us at:bokehface@futurenet.comWatch the show in full at:youtube.com/digitalcameraworldGet all your camera news, how-tos, reviews and buying advice at:digitalcameraworld.com
Bring Canon AE-1 back from the DEAD! • Waterproof compact king • Why buy a Mk II lens?
47:32|Welcome to Bokeh Face! In this episode:We take an In Focus look at the cameras we want to bring back from the dead. Mike advocates for a full-frame mirrorless camera inspired by the legendary Canon AE-1, while Chris picks the Olympus PEN-F and throws a curveball in the form of the long-forgotten Samsung Galaxy Camera.Then we Gear Up with the Nikon Z 70‑200mm f/2.8 VR S II, exploring the question: Why buy a Mark II lens? This prompts Chris to explain why old lenses could be throttling your camera’s resolution, while Mike discusses the new Nikon’s wealth of upgrades and muses whether or not they’re worthwhile.Finally, in Trouble Shooting, we take a deep dive into the world of affordable waterproof cameras. What’s out there? How much should you expect to spend? And what do you need to worry about when getting your pride and joy wet? Get in touch with us at:bokehface@futurenet.comWatch the show in full at:youtube.com/digitalcameraworldGet all your camera news, how-tos, reviews and buying advice at:digitalcameraworld.com
New AI camera (not as bad as you think?) • Is medium format superior? • Why use custom buttons?
52:32|Welcome to Bokeh Face! In this episode:We take an In Focus look at medium-format mirrorless cameras, discussing whether or not they should be seen as the pinnacle of digital-imaging quality and something all photographers should aspire to own.Then we Gear Up with Caira by Camera Intelligence, a camera (or half of one) with a Micro Four Thirds sensor and mount that attaches to a smartphone. The two combine to deliver dedicated camera imaging power with the intuitive functionality of a smart device. Oh, and it’s infused with Nano Banana AI. Controversial? Yes. Warranted? Let’s discuss… Finally, in Trouble Shooting, we delve into the rather dry but incredibly useful world of custom buttons. What are they? How do you set them up? Are they worth the effort? And what are their use cases?Get in touch with us at:bokehface@futurenet.comWatch the show in full at:youtube.com/digitalcameraworldGet all your camera news, how-tos, reviews and buying advice at:digitalcameraworld.com
Is this retro compact camera a gimmick? • OM-3 Astro • Best portrait lenses!
49:06|Welcome to Bokeh Face! In this episode:We take an In Focus look at Yashica’s “chassied-up” FX-D 100, 300 and S300, fixed-lens compact cameras that look – to the untrained eye – like the sexy, old-fashioned SLR cameras of yesteryear, while touching upon the huge range of retro-style compact cameras available from other brands. But are they capable little cameras or little more than a gimmick? And who are they actually for? Then we Gear Up with OM System’s brand-new OM-3 Astro, a dedicated astrophotography version of the retro-cool OM-3 with a modified Infrared Cut Filter. Following a discussion about previous astro cameras such as the Canon EOS 20D and Nikon D810A, James and Chris discuss why astro-centric cameras exist and why some photographers choose them over a still-capable standard offering. Finally, in Trouble Shooting, the Bokeh Face boys tackle the best lenses for portrait photography, delving deeper than the tried-and-tested 85mm, by exploring a few strategic alternatives – and a few curveballs – along with examples of their use cases. Get in touch with us at:bokehface@futurenet.comWatch the show in full at:youtube.com/digitalcameraworldGet all your camera news, how-tos, reviews and buying advice at:digitalcameraworld.com
MFT: The wildlife photographer’s cheat code? • Is VR the next imaging frontier? • Supercharge your street photos
56:43|Welcome to Bokeh Face! In this episode:We take an In Focus look at spatial photography – and virtual reality in particular. Where is the technology right now? Why is Canon leading the way in terms of specialized VR optics for mirrorless cameras? How does VR compare to augmented reality? And where is VR imaging headed in the near future? Then we Gear Up with OM System’s incredible range of Micro Four Thirds super-telephoto lenses that make it such a tantalizing prospect for wildlife photographers. We discuss whether or not a small MFT sensor is really that big of a deal when the payoff is a 2x crop factor that puts you closer to the action, and the dramatically reduced weight and size of the system’s bodies and lenses.Finally, in Trouble Shooting, we reveal our top tips for street photography, including key compositional techniques, how to make the most of natural light, and why you might want to stop relying on that 35mm prime and consider mixing up your choice of focal lengths.Get in touch with us at:bokehface@futurenet.comWatch the show in full at:youtube.com/digitalcameraworldGet all your camera news, how-tos, reviews and buying advice at:digitalcameraworld.com
Sony A7 V: Too pro for its own good? • Meta's smart camera glasses • Second-hand cameras: Bargain or beware?
53:11|Welcome to Bokeh Face! In this episode:We take an In Focus look at Meta's smart glasses from Ray-Ban and Oakley. Do these camera-powered AI specs deserve a place in your imaging arsenal? How good is the image quality? Do they look better than all those other, ugly smart glasses? Can anyone tell when they're filming, or are they set to be the latest gadget for pervs? Then we Gear Up with the Sony A7 V, the long-awaited fifth generation of Sony's mid-range mirrorless cameras… but this one is about as far removed from a mid-range camera as you can imagine. With pro-level specs and features, and an increasingly pro-level price, this camera is fantastic – but does it spell doom for mid-range bodies?Finally, in Trouble Shooting, we discuss the pitfalls, pros and cons of buying second-hand camera gear. Is it as risky as people fear? What are the things to watch out for? Where is the best place to buy (or sell) used gear? We share some happy stories and horror stories of buying second-hand kit – is it buyer beware, or simply buyer be aware?Get in touch with us at:bokehface@futurenet.comWatch the show in full at:youtube.com/digitalcameraworldGet all your camera news, how-tos, reviews and buying advice at:digitalcameraworld.com