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Don't Shoot for Your Audience. They're Fools
The latest from the Phoblographer for November 6th, 2025.
Chris Gampat
November 06, 2025
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Here’s the latest:
Leica Unveils Limited Edition Camera Honoring Photojournalists
By Nilofer Khan
November 6, 2025
Leica is renowned for its cameras, but also for the limited editions it introduces every now and then. The latter segment has its own following, as it features some significant limited editions in its portfolio. However, we are not here to discuss the past, but to offer a glimpse into the future. Leica is introducing a new limited edition version of the iconic SL3. Here's what the new model has to offer.
Panasonic 85mm f1.8 Firmware Update: Photographers Can Skip It
By Chris Gampat
November 6, 2025
Before the holiday season and before Black Friday, we're updating our LUMIX 85mm f1.8 review. You can find our full review here, but the latest findings are below for you to check out. If you're using the lens for photography, I think that you'll probably want to skip this update.
Think Tank FocusPoint RollTop Bag: Comfort, Safety And Style
By Feroz Khan
November 6, 2025
Think Tank has always been a name photographers trust for reliability. Their bags have traveled the world with me, carrying heavy gear through crowded airports, deserts, and various towns and villages in many countries. Some have lasted for years with only minor scuffs. The downside has been weight and rigidity. They built sturdy bags to last, but they didn't always feel light. The new FocusPoint RollTop Backpack 30L changes that view. It maintains the durability Think Tank is known for while adding a sense of ease and agility that feels pleasantly refreshing.
I Sort of Turned the Nikon Zf into a Leica Camera
By Chris Gampat
November 6, 2025
For a while, I was really considering buying an adapter for Leica M lenses to the Nikon Z mount. After all, I've got one for Sony E and Leica L mount. But I don't know what was stopping me from doing it -- especially when I'm an owner of the Funleader Contax 35mm f2 and 45mm f2. These are two lenses that are becoming more and more rare and while the originals are around, I should be appreciating and using them so much more. It was a conversation with a friend that made me realize that I should buy the adapter. Typically, I've always used the Urth adapter. And here's where I say that I purchased one -- and that Urth has never went ahead and worked with the Phoblographer in a press capacity for some odd reason. For just how affordable the lens adapters are though, that's fine.
Don’t Shoot for Your Audience, They’re Fools
By Chris Gampat
November 5, 2025
If there's anything that I realized a long time ago, it's that Instagram really isn't Photography. It's content delivery, and photographers that really respect the artform and their own work shouldn't think of it as the end-all-be-all. But what I see so often is that when photographers realize that something is doing well for them, they do more of it simply just to get more likes, comments, etc. In fact, I remember years ago at the last Sony Kando trip that I attended that this too was the case. In reality though, your audience is made up of fools.
Viltrox Just Made the Best Affordable 85mm Lens for Nikon Z Mount
By Chris Gampat
November 5, 2025
Last month, we reviewed the Viltrox 85mm f2 for Sony E mount. And we found this lens to be something of an identity crisis. By all means, it's a good lens -- but it's clearly designed for the deal-seeking crowd and it's nothing like their 85mm f1.4 that we're in love with. The Viltrox 85mm f2 EVO has an aperture ring, decent focusing, and pretty darn good image quality. And now, it's coming to Nikon Z mount.
Love the Sony 85mm f1.8? Be Inspired by These Great Photographers
By Chris Gampat
November 5, 2025
The Sony 85mm f1.8 is a very affordable, lightweight, fast-autofocusing, and useful lens. It's arguably Sony's best 85mm lens in many different ways. For years, photographers have chosen not to go for the higher-end 85mm f1.4 G Master but instead opt for the more affordable and smaller option. But in addition to that, they all produce really incredible work with this lens. So I dove into the site's archives to find three photographers who absolutely love this lens. If you're into portraiture, these folks will hopefully inspire you.
The Most Important Part of a Photograph Influencers Don’t Tell You About
By Chris Gampat
November 5, 2025
I remember a while ago watching a special from what I believe was the BBC on photographers and how they shoot in the wild. And it still sticks out to me how a few of the photographers really just spoke about the technicalities more than anything else. Very few really talked about how important the moment is. Too few do.
I Didn’t Want a Grip for my Nikon Zf. Then I Found This
By Chris Gampat
November 5, 2025
Last year, I convinced my friend Jackie to get a Nikon Zf with some savings she had. Part of it was because of my review, and she also loved how retro it looked and felt. But it was only this year that I saw her camera -- oddly with a grip attached to it. This puzzled me in so many different ways. I typically never shoot with a grip on cameras and this comes from my background a Leica M shooter. But after holding her camera, I was shocked at how nice it felt and how extra retro the grip made hers look. She bought the NEEWER CA063 L-Shape Handle for Nikon Z f. And that was enough to make me want to buy it too.