Photography News & Essential Gear: SanDisk, Contax & More
The Latest Photography News & Warnings
This episode of the Petapixel podcast tackles several pressing industry topics, ranging from critical hardware warnings to eccentric luxury gear.
Critical SanDisk Warning
• The hosts address mounting reports of catastrophic data loss and failure regarding SanDisk portable SSDs, particularly the iconic rugged models.
• They advise listeners to avoid purchasing these drives until the company issues an official acknowledgment and resolution.
The Contax G2 Fashion Collaboration
• Discussion turns to the controversial release of a refurbished Contax G2 by fashion house Casablanca, priced at a staggering $8,500. While the hosts find the Cerakote color scheme "hideous," they admit to a lingering desire to own this legendary rangefinder.
Tech Support & Troubleshooting
• The hosts highlight the dangers associated with unofficial DJI apps on the Google Play Store, which serve as scams that can capture user data and financial information. They emphasize that for Android users, side-loading the official application directly from the manufacturer is the only safe method.
Never-Get-Rid-Of Gear
Moving to the main topic, the hosts share pieces of gear they refuse to discard:
- Jordan’s Picks: A nostalgic Sony TRV 330 camcorder and a Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 lens.
- Chris’s Picks: His original Nikon FE film camera from 1979 and specialized gaffer tape.
- Jaren’s Pick: A highly functional Peak Design Tech Pouch for organized travel.
Technical Q&A
"Manually focusing to infinity actually doesn't work. Objects like stars... are not going to be at infinity. They're actually going to be a little bit in front of it."
- The hosts discuss the nuances of focusing on stars and distant objects, clarifying that most lenses are designed to focus slightly past the physical infinity mark.
- They provide advice on PC versus Mac for creative work, suggesting that while thermal throttling is a common challenge for PC laptops, high-performance units like the MSI Creator series offer viable alternatives.