A Brutally Honest Review

The latest from the Phoblographer for April 29th, 2025.

Author

Chris Gampat
April 29, 2025

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Here’s the latest:

The Fix for a Very Annoying Capture One Problem

By Chris Gampat

April 29, 2025

Recently, I moved away from Capture One to Adobe Lightroom -- partially for the better metadata management. I'll admit it -- lots of things are harder to do in Capture One than in Lightroom. But at the end of the day, Capture One just consistently gives me better looking images. On top of that, Lightroom always crashes for me. Recently when I got done with a shoot, I wondered how my edits would've looked in Capture One. Immediately, I was brought back to how much better of a photo editor Capture One is. And so it prompted me to try more things to find a solution to better metadata management.

Kodak Continues to Dominate the Compact Camera Market, BCN+R Reveals

By Nilofer Khan

April 29, 2025

Compact cameras have become a go-to device for many creatives around the world. Whether you are into photography or you like to make short videos, many people are relying on their 1-inch or Micro Four Thirds compact cameras to get the job done. With more people shifting or opting for a smaller camera, BCN+R shares its latest report on the sales of these devices, and which companies are able to woo consumers. The result just may surprise you.

Why Medium Format DSLRs Still Hold Their Value

By Chris Gampat

April 29, 2025

If you're into retro digital cameras, then you might want to consider the super-high-end options: medium format DSLRs. They're pricey still -- but nothing like what they were when they first launched. And if you were to go for any retro DSLR these days for the ultimate image quality, we'd tell you to go for those. Why? Well, by today's standards, you've got a combination of low resolution, beautiful colors, and a large sensor to give you a look that's otherwise hard to get with full-frame cameras even from back then. Typically, folks who've wanted medium format cameras have reached for higher resolution camera bodies. But there's good reason to go for a lower resolution one that's much older. If this sounds crazy, then let's just say that it's a vibe.

Fujifilm GFX100RF Review: The Brutally Honest Review

By Chris Gampat

April 28, 2025

Want to know how I know that the Fujifilm GFX100RF was made for photographers and not really for video shooters? Well, there are a lot of ways. But perhaps my favorite is that, like the Fujifilm X100vi, they didn't even put a video record button on it. Then there's the fact that it has a fixed lens prime, a GF format sensor, and Fujifilm even stopped playing around and gave us a lens hood, the lens filter, etc. There's truly a lot to love about this camera. But most of all, it hold's Fujifilm's greatest strengths: the film simulations. The thing about Fujifilm cameras is that even if your subject is out of focus by a little bit, the image still looks great, especially when combined with skin smoothing. And to be honest, this is the first camera I've shot with that isn't something from Leica or Panasonic that I've really fallen for.

Travel Photographers: Try Our Presets

By Chris Gampat

April 28, 2025

Travel photographers are bound to love using our presets! With the Phoblographer's presets, you can speed up how you work in Lightroom and Capture One. You folks asked for them, and now you've got them! Over the years, the Phoblographer's staffers have tested various cameras and lenses as well as film emulsions. So we decided to make Lightroom presets and Capture One presets that look like the classic film look that you'd see in magazines. In fact, we based it off of old-school photojournalism. That's what we named them for; and we think they're some of the best lightroom presets and Capture One presets that you'll get your hands on. This article gives you visual examples of all 20 presets in our Photojournalism Presets Pack, as applied to various portraits we've taken over the years. And if you want, you can purchase them right here at our store.

OM System is Serious About Creating a PEN F Successor, But Here’s the Twist

By Nilofer Khan

April 28, 2025

In the history of the photo industry, we have had instances where some cameras have a cult following. For example, the Fujifilm X-Pro 3, Polaroid cameras, the Leica M series, the Canon 5D series, and the Sony a6000 lineup have seen some cameras excelling more than others. However, it is often noted that despite the massive success of some models, companies often find it challenging to give us a worthy successor with newer iterations. For instance, the Fujifilm X100VI did not come close to the X100V. On the other hand, the Olympus PEN F never got a successor. While many have given up on the camera, a new report suggests that OM System has not entirely forgotten about the device.

The “Untitled” Dilemma: Artistic Genius or Pretentious Posturing?

By Nilofer Khan

April 28, 2025

An anonymous person once said: "A picture is a thousand words," but there have been instances when a caption itself is worth a thousand words. This has been seen on various occasions, especially when one visits a photography festival or plain gallery walls. While there are takers of people writing extensive write-ups and captions for their images, there is another segment of photography who chose to not attach any words to their pictures or deliberately title them "untitled." In this day and age, when people are gradually losing their habit of reading, where does the mighty "untitled" stand?

5 35mm Lenses That We Absolutely Adore

By Nilofer Khan

April 28, 2025

Every photographer has once in their lives used a 35mm lens. The focal range is ideal for a variety of purposes, including portraits, as it allows one to get closer to their subjects. With 35mm lenses, you get a slightly larger field of view, which a 50mm can't provide. In fact, some who want certain cinematic appeal would often choose a 35mm or a 50mm for their work. So, if you are someone who is looking to invest, we bring to you a few 35mm lenses that will be perfect for your arsenal.

The Best Food Photography Worth Feasting Your Eyes On

By Nilofer Khan

April 28, 2025

Food is one of the few things many people can quickly bond over. Despite the cultural, racial, ethnic, or geographical differences between individuals, food can always erase boundaries. In fact, it is one of the easiest ways to start or end a conversation. While we celebrate this fundamental necessity, we must also applaud those who have continuously portrayed it with dignity and affinity: painters and photographers. The former created some stellar still-life portraits, while the latter took it up a notch to depict the varied ways we can praise our primary source of nourishment. And so, we bring to you a round-up of some stellar food photography, which will make you fall in love with the photographer's creativity and leave you feeling hungry.