B&H Photo News Roundup: Week of December 15, 2024

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B&H Photo News Roundup: Week of December 15, 2024

We’re on the final stretch before the holidays, and even though the releases have slowed down, there’s still some last-minute items hitting the news. This week, Viltrox introduced an AF 35mm lens, Sirui released a 40mm T1.8 1.33x Anamorphic lens with autofocus, and Panasonic added to the Lumix lineup with the G97 and ZS99.

Viltrox Adds a 35mm to the AF Lens Line

Available in Sony E, FUJIFILM X, and Nikon Z mounts for a wide range of mirrorless coverage, the Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 E Lens is designed for quick, intuitive photography with compact cameras. Whether it’s landscapes, architecture, nature, or portraiture, the 35mm lens ensures reliable image capture.

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 E Lens
Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 E Lens

A fast and quiet STM autofocus motor keeps your subjects in focus and supports Eye AF with compatible cameras. Extra-low dispersion, high-refractive, and aspherical lens elements for an optical construction of 11 elements in nine groups which reduces optical aberration and image distortion.

A maximum f/1.7 aperture makes for improved low-light shooting. Achieve a pleasing bokeh with the nine-blade diaphragm for a cinematic look. The lens also supports electronic aperture control and EXIF data transmission.

The 35mm lens adds a well-loved focal length to the preexisting AF E lens line from Viltrox. The focal length’s versatility will benefit any shooter, casual or professional, looking to capture a wide variety of subject matter.

Panasonic Improves the Lumix Line

Panasonic is giving the Lumix line a refresh with two new camera models: the Lumix G97 and the ZS99. Based on previous compact digital cameras, both offer still image and video content options in familiar form factors with marked improvements to design.

The G97 features an upgraded 1,840k-dot free-angle LCD for better viewing of your content. A USB-C port takes connectivity to this decade for better compatibility with other modern cameras. Bluetooth 5.0 technology transfers data faster over a longer distance and with greater power efficiency. A 3.5mm headphone jack and a 3.5mm microphone input are also available for audio capture.

Panasonic Lumix G97 Hybrid Mirrorless Camera
Panasonic Lumix G97 Hybrid Mirrorless Camera

The upgraded camera has the same 20.3MP CMOS sensor and Venus Engine processor as the previous G95 for the same reliable image quality and UHD 4K video capture with low noise. A built-in five-stop, five-axis dual I.S. system ensures camera shake does not affect your image’s sharpness. Use compatible Lumix lenses with O.I.S. to unlock the full benefits of this stabilization. The G97 is equipped with the Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens for ultimate shooting versatility.

The ZS99 is a powerful point-and-shoot sure to appeal to content creators and on-the-go photographers. A pocket-sized zoom with 30x range captures anything from concert videos to landscapes on your next vacation to portraits of your friends on a night out. To mitigate camera shake when shooting handheld at zoom range, the ZS99 is equipped with a five-axis HYBRID O.I.S system.

Panasonic ZS99 Digital Camera
Panasonic ZS99 Digital Camera

Even better, the camera features a tiltable LCD screen to make taking selfies or shooting vlogs easy to frame. It also has a USB-C port for charging and wireless sharing via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. All of this in an ultra-portable form factor make the ZS99 quite appealing to someone who doesn’t want to miss the moment but doesn’t need all of the complicated bells and whistles of a mirrorless camera.

No matter which you choose, these two new cameras are sure to appeal to those wanting to invest in a separate device other than their phone for all of their memory-making.

Sirui Releases an Anamorphic Lens with Autofocus

Sporting a compact size and autofocus capabilities, the Sirui 40mm T1.8 1.33x AF Anamorphic Lens allows you to achieve a cinematic look with your footage while utilizing quick adjustment tools. The lens comes in Sony E, MFT, FUJIFILM X, and Nikon Z mount options with the option to select blue or neutral flaring depending on the look you are searching for.

Sirui 40mm T1.8 1.33x S35 AF Anamorphic Lens
Sirui 40mm T1.8 1.33x S35 AF Anamorphic Lens

The lens features a T1.8 maximum aperture and a consistent 1.33x squeeze ratio. At its maximum aperture, the lens creates a unique hexagonal bokeh. When you stop down to T2.4, you can achieve the classic, round bokeh typical of an anamorphic. Its 40mm focal length is equivalent to a full-frame 42mm lens.

An advanced STM step motor makes up the lens’s construction for fast, accurate autofocus. Utilize onboard switches to toggle the stepless aperture and switch between manual/auto focus options. The Sony E and Nikon Z mount versions also feature an Autofocus Lock/custom setting button. Upgrade to the latest firmware with a USB-C port.

Filmmakers who want to level-up their footage with anamorphic lenses but need the efficiency of an autofocus lens will be happy to see this technology come to a Sirui model. Run-and-gun shooters and portrait photographers will find operation more intuitive.

In other news…

  • Shopping with a budget for the beloved filmmaker in your life? Check out this article from our Explora writer Zach Young: Useful Filmmaking Gifts at Every Budget Level

  • Has time gotten away from you and now you’re scrambling for last-minute gifts? Here’s a comprehensive list of products with the option for next-day delivery, thoughtfully categorized for your convenience.

  • And finally, whether it’s for you or for a loved one, we still have great Holiday Deals available on cameras and lenses from your favorite brands: from Nikon to Canon and Zeiss to Venus Optics.

See you next time for the product releases and news you need to know about.

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