Camera Makers, AI Rebuilds, and the Gear Market

The hosts welcome each other back and share stories about pets they have had, including cats, dogs, fish, hamsters and a guinea pig.

The hosts discuss where to photograph baseball from, how player handedness and the lineup affect position, and the timing and access involved in team photography. They also talk about their experiences photographing baseball and the long tenure of some team photographers.

The panel discusses an AI-assisted attempt to recreate Adobe Creative Cloud apps, including the project’s pricing, its reliance on Adobe-related tools and the possibility of legal disputes. They debate whether the project is ethical and what it suggests about AI’s role in creative work.

The hosts discuss Getty’s restructuring and move to private ownership after its planned Shutterstock merger failed. They consider the reported funding, the concerns of photographers waiting on payments, and Getty’s role in licensing images of events as well as stock photography.

The hosts examine Godox’s detachable phone flash, its xenon bulb and LED, attachments, price and limited guide number. They debate whether a separate flash can work well with smartphone photography and whether add-ons make phones cumbersome to use as creative tools.

The panel questions the audience and practical uses for Sony’s USB-C spatial microphone, including its formats and the fact that it occupies a phone’s port. They see possible uses in sound-focused short videos but consider the product a niche option.

The hosts discuss Sony’s wireless mic system, its design, accessories, price and compatibility with Sony cameras. They focus on the proposed wireless monitoring and recording features, including the possibility of low-latency Bluetooth, and note that the system needs testing.

The panel reviews Sigma’s 50–120mm f/2.8 and Tamron’s 16–50mm f/2.8 APS-C lenses. They discuss portability, focusing, optical characteristics, price and how the lenses compare with other standard zooms.

The hosts examine Fujifilm’s new square-format Instax camera, discussing its size, filter effects and how it compares with smaller instant cameras and portable printers.

The panel discusses reports that demand for the OM System PEN may be outstripping supply, especially in Japan, and awaits more information about global sales. They consider the camera’s compact companion-camera design, price and capabilities, and compare it with the PEN F and OM-3.

The hosts consider reports that DJI’s smart cameras outsold the combined shipments of Japanese camera makers in the period discussed. They attribute the appeal of action and gimbal cameras to easy operation, stabilization, audio and convenient workflows, and debate why traditional camera manufacturers have not addressed those needs as directly.

The panel continues discussing how camera companies could respond to changing video demand. They talk about manufacturers repeating one another’s approaches, the need to take risks, Fujifilm’s willingness to try different products, possible competition from Chinese brands, and examples including Nikon’s KeyMission and the Pentax 17.

The host asks listeners what they want to know about the iPhone Duo, beyond why someone might want a folding phone, and invites them to share questions.

Jordan describes travelling with his family, visiting Tokyo and Shimoda, and staying at a quiet hotel with an onsen. He reflects on using his phone for most of his video and a Panasonic L10 for photography.

Chris talks about turning 47 and making Thanksgiving dinner at a campground for a family gathering, including cooking two turkeys.

Sarah describes visiting her sister in Chicago and preparing for Fujikina in New York. She explains that a Fujikina subway photo display at Delancey Street and Essex Street has had prints repeatedly taken and replaced.

The hosts congratulate Hugh Brownstone on his camera bag made with Oberwerth, discuss design details for street photography and note that the first batch sold out.

The hosts thank listeners and ProGrade Digital, briefly preview an unusual draft planned for the following week, and sign off.