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The Digital Photography Review Newsletter
The most popular weekly photography newsletter, with over 400,000 subscribers
Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Hello and welcome to the 869th DPReview newsletter!

This week we ran a full review on the new vivo X60 Pro+ smartphone, which left our reviewer wondering, 'might this be the best smartphone out there for photographers?' Editor Jeff Keller explains why he sold off all his full-frame Canon gear in favor of a more compact system (Micro Four Thirds). And we launched our complete beginner's guide to shopping for a video-capable camera. 

We also published a handful of lens galleries, including one on the new budget Nikon Z 28mm F2.8 (see below), an update to our Nikon Z 105mm F2.8 macro gallery and a DPReview TV gallery on the Canon RF 600mm F11 lens. 

Thanks for reading!

Dan


Evolving my camera system for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galapagos

Fourteen months ago, DPReview editor Jeff Keller was supposed to be visiting the Galapagos Islands, but covid quickly changed his plans. In preparation for the trip, he had already planned on upgrading his camera system. Find out what Jeff settled on, and how he reached that decision.

Find out why Jeff swapped his full-frame kit for Micro Four Thirds 

The vivo X60 Pro+ might be the best smartphone out there for photographers – if you can find one

The vivo X60 Pro+ claims to be a smartphone for 'pro photography.' While that's up for debate, there's no question this $1,200 device offers a lot of photographic power in a (relatively) small package.

Read our vivo X60 Pro+ smartphone review

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm F2.8 (SE) sample gallery

The Nikon Z 28mm F2.8 (SE) is a compact wide-angle prime lens for the mirrorless Z-system, styled to recall classic Nikkor designs of the manual focus era and weighing in at only 160g (5.7 oz). Check out our gallery of samples!

View our Nikon Z 28mm F2.8 gallery

Beginner's guide to buying a camera for video

In this guide we'll be explaining the key technologies and features of today's hybrid stills/video cameras, to help you cut through the jargon and make the right buying decision.

Read our guide to buying a camera for video

News updates
Published Wednesday, July 7, 2021 7:12:00 PM GMT

The series of timelapse videos show ESA and NASA astronauts installing an ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA).

Published Wednesday, July 7, 2021 5:09:00 PM GMT

A new regulation in Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) prohibits the production and distribution of phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1), which Fujifilm says is found in the emulsion for Velvia 100 film.

Published Wednesday, July 7, 2021 4:01:00 PM GMT

The open-source photo workflow and RAW editing darktable has been updated to version 3.6. The new major release adds many features to darktable, including improvements to workflow, color editing and much more.

Published Wednesday, July 7, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

The Nikon Z 28mm F2.8 (SE) is a compact wideangle prime lens for the mirrorless Z-system, styled to recall classic Nikkor designs of the manual focus era and weighing in at only 160g (5.7 oz). Check out our gallery of samples!

Published Wednesday, July 7, 2021 1:49:00 PM GMT

Photographer Joel Kowsky photographed the International Space Station transiting the Sun as two astronauts performed a spacewalk. It was a combination of excellent planning and some good fortune to create an awesome and unusual image.

Published Tuesday, July 6, 2021 6:19:00 PM GMT

Gordon Laing is back with another ‘Retro Review,’ this time digging into the Coolpix 100, Nikon’s first consumer digital camera.

Published Tuesday, July 6, 2021 3:55:00 PM GMT

We recently wrote about a security flaw with Western Digital My Book Live devices. Since then, more details have come out about the vulnerability, which may be more widespread than originally thought.

Published Tuesday, July 6, 2021 3:48:00 PM GMT

CIPA's May 2021 data still pales in comparison to shipments in 2019, but the numbers reveal a promising recovery from the COVID-19 downturn and suggest there is an equilibrium for the photo world on the horizon.

Published Tuesday, July 6, 2021 1:00:00 PM GMT

In this video, watch as photographer Joey Schusler takes the Tamron 70-300 F4.5-6.3 Di RXD III on a rafting trip along the Grand Canyon.

Published Tuesday, July 6, 2021 1:00:00 PM GMT

The Nikon Nikkor Z MC 105mm F2.8 VR S is a short telephoto macro prime lens for the company's full-frame mirrorless Z mount. We've just added several more images to our ongoing gallery of samples, including 1:1 and 1:2 macro shots.

Published Monday, July 5, 2021 3:05:00 PM GMT

The YN 85mm F1.8R DF DSM lens offers autofocus and a special control ring at a relatively affordable price point.

Published Monday, July 5, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

A decade ago I wrote some articles on the history of photography. Now I'm writing an eBook. Slowly... In the meantime, Barney and I thought we'd post the first chapter here on DPReview to see if anyone would be interested. Anyone other than me and Barney.

Published Monday, July 5, 2021 1:00:00 PM GMT

In this guide we'll be explaining the key technologies and features of today's hybrid stills/video cameras, to help you cut through the jargon and make the right buying decision.

Published Sunday, July 4, 2021 7:00:00 AM GMT

Fourteen months ago, DPReview editor Jeff Keller was supposed to be visiting the Galapagos Islands, but covid quickly changed his plans. In preparation for the trip, he had already planned on upgrading his camera system. Find out what Jeff settled on, and how he reached that decision.

Published Saturday, July 3, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

Canon's RF 600mm F11 USM offers a relatively affordable way to add a lot of reach to an EOS R-series camera, but is it the best choice? Chris Niccolls takes a closer look.

Published Saturday, July 3, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

Chris and Jordan took plenty of photos at the Calgary Zoo while filming their review of the Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM. Click through for a virtual trip to the zoo.

Published Friday, July 2, 2021 10:26:00 PM GMT

Instagram's CEO went on record stating that their focus on the popular app, owned by Facebook, is shifting. Feeling alienated, photographers are moving to Twitter to share their work and build their communities.

Published Friday, July 2, 2021 4:41:00 PM GMT

Microscopes are expensive. Researchers in Germany hope that their new project that uses scavenged iPhone 5 camera modules and LEGO to create DIY microscopes for students will help make microscopes and science more accessible.

Published Friday, July 2, 2021 2:00:00 PM GMT

Stephen Dowling had the pleasure of running into Pennie Smith – the photographer behind the Clash's iconic 'London Calling' cover photo – at a concert in 2007. Lo and behold, she was shooting with the exact same camera she used nearly 30 years prior to capture one of rock's most famous photographs.

Published Friday, July 2, 2021 1:47:00 PM GMT

Details on DJI's Mini SE drone first appeared on Walmart's site and store shelves. However, a few questions remained including which type of controller it would use. All this info was published on DJI's Brasil website.

Published Friday, July 2, 2021 1:44:00 PM GMT

A burgundy and rose gold version of the L-398A Studio Deluxe lll is set to commemorate the light meter manufacturer's big—though some might argue the standard version looks nicer.

Published Thursday, July 1, 2021 8:47:00 PM GMT

VSCO, the maker of popular creative tools for mobile photographers, has released a trio of new infrared filters. The pair of color IR filters and a black and white filter are designed to simulate the look of classic film infrared photography digitally.

Published Thursday, July 1, 2021 2:33:00 PM GMT

Wing, owned by Google parent company Alphabet, recently launched a free app in the United States to help remote pilots legally fly their drones.

Published Thursday, July 1, 2021 1:00:00 PM GMT

The Vivo X60 Pro+ claims to be a smartphone for 'pro photography.' While that's up for debate, there's no question this $1,200 device offers a lot of photographic power in a (relatively) small package.