How 2025 is Winning Back Photographers

The latest from the Phoblographer for September 5th, 2025.

Author

Chris Gampat
September 05, 2025

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Here’s the latest:

Is Sigma Creating a New Trio of Bright Aperture Lenses?

By Nilofer Khan

September 5, 2025

Sigma Corporation has created a series of wide-aperture lenses over the years. While there are more options in the f1.4 range, such as the 23mm f1.4, the 50mm f1.4 DG, and the 85mm f1.4, the number reduces a little with f1.2. However, it appears that the company is keen on expanding its range, as a new patent has recently been made public. How do they aim to achieve this? Let's have a quick look.

How 2025’s New Wave of Compact Cameras Are Winning Back Photographers

By Nilofer Khan

September 5, 2025

Compact cameras have seen a great return in recent years. One reason is that these devices are easy to use, convenient to carry, and allow one to make images anywhere. While the numbers are decent, they are not entirely spectacular, as smartphones are still the go-to choice for many. However, per a new report, this could change very soon, as there seems to be hope for digital cameras. How? Let's have a look.

How Ridhima Saini Turned the Sony a7R into Pure Magic

By Nilofer Khan

September 5, 2025

The photo world has seen plenty of innovative gear over the years. The Kodak Brownie, for example, put photography in the hands of the masses in the 1900s; the Leica I, launched in 1925, was the first 35 mm rangefinder to reach mass production; and the Polaroid Land Model 95, introduced in 1948, gave the world its first instant camera. Many more models followed, each building on the last and urging photography to move forward. Now, in 2025, however, the industry seems to have hit a plateau. Only a handful of manufacturers are still competing for photographers’ attention. Amid the slowdown period, one young creator has unveiled a camera that might revive our fascination with gear: Ridhima Saini. As a student, Saini's take on cameras could be the thing we were looking for.

The 4 Best APS-C Cameras, And The One to Skip

By Nilofer Khan

September 5, 2025

While full frame cameras are popular, APS-C have not lost their appeal. The format has repeatedly outnumbered full frame cameras in many camera sales charts, as they have become more innovative in recent years. With camera prices increasing, an APS-C is quite ideal for beginners to switch from their phones. If you are someone who is also looking for their first digital camera, these options could be the one for you. Have a look.

Help the Phoblographer Get to 2,000 Members

By Chris Gampat

September 4, 2025

In 2025, we're trying to get to a minimum of 2,000 subscribers as part of our membership program! Capture One is discounted for members! The New Phoblographer membership is now based on our website. Yes, we moved away from the app. It was a bittersweet move -- but what we're offering you now is even better. Don't worry -- if you had a membership, we won't be leaving you behind. It's all based on the website. We're working to sort the discounts out again, but those are coming. And best of all, it's on the website. Good photography should be experienced on a large screen. So check out the details below.

Is the Fujifilm X Pro 1 Still a Good Camera in 2025?

By Chris Gampat

September 4, 2025

I still remember the hype when the Fujifilm X Pro 1 was launched and how I was stuck in an office at B&H Photo not being out there to play with it. This camera changed everything. I completed our review and even updated it. And I held onto this camera until late 2023 when I really needed money and sold it. This camera was, and still is, really great if you've got it in solid condition.

Ars Imago Introduces The M-BOX For Faster Film Development

By Feroz Khan

September 4, 2025

If the Lab-Box was about freeing you from the darkroom, the new M-Box is about freeing your hands as well. Ars-Imago has announced the M-Box, a motorized accessory designed for the Lab-Box daylight tank. This add-on allows film photographers to automate agitation during development while using their Lab-Box. It features rechargeable batteries, USB-C charging, and three different rotation programs. The M-Box brings precision and convenience to home development in a way that feels easy to use.

How the Reto Pan Revives a Dying Format

By Chris Gampat

September 4, 2025

I think the Reto Pan is a fantastic camera with lots of great reasons for you to want to shoot with it. Finally, I mean, we’ve got a 35mm compact camera that goes between panoramic format and standard format. That’s awesome. When I started this review on June 6th, I was so hyped about this camera. It’s uniquely different in every single way. Other publications have gotten their reviews out as well – but mine; well I took my time with it even though I shot only a single roll of film. And that’s what I realized: I love film, but I’m the type of person who will shoot lots of it and then put off developing for something like a year or so. And this camera is no exception in a world where so many excellent digital cameras give me a look that I’m yearning for with less work.

The Japanese Camera Manufacturers are Scared. And They’re Pretending Like They’re Not

By Chris Gampat

September 4, 2025

I've been saying, perhaps more prominently than other camera reviewers and journalists, that the camera industry needs a shake up. Those who are saying it, have only really been saying it recently. And many of the other publications perhaps won't say it because they don't want to rock the boat. But I don't care. In 2022, I said that the camera manufacturers have to learn from the watch industry about how to adapt to the world post-smartphone. But they never truly adapted. Instead, their products lost their soul and they tried to say that they were innovative. In truth, there haven't been many innovations and they're all literally in bed with one another using each others parts. That's why I'm so happy about the news that Andrea Pizzini from posted about DJI making a full-frame mirrorless camera.