Image: Rollei

Rollei has just announced its first-ever mirrorless lens. The Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8 is available for Nikon Z and Sony E mounts. However, like the Rollei 35 AF release last year, it's likely only Rollei-related in name.

The Rollei name is associated with iconic film cameras like the Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex and the original Rollei 35, but the actual company that made those products is long gone. The brand is currently owned by Rollei GmbH & Co. KG, which is based in Germany. Like Kodak, Rollei is more in the business of licensing its name these days. In January 2024, Mint Camera was granted a license to use the Rollei name for the Rollei 35AF, a film camera with autofocus capabilities. Now, it seems as though a lens manufacturer may also have been granted a license to the Rollei name.

On the left is the lens design and MFT chart for the Rollei AF 85mm F1.8. On the right is the same information for the 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8.

Images: Rollei and 7Artisans

The new lens uses the same design and shares specs with the 7Artisans AF 85mm F1.8. That includes an optical design with 10 elements in 7 groups, with two ED and two HR elements. It also features 11 aperture blades and the same F1.8 maximum aperture. Both can focus as close as 0.85m (2.8') and offer autofocus via a stepping motor that supports face and eye tracking.

The exterior of the 7Artisan lens and Rollei lenses also shares similarities. Both offer a 62mm filter thread, metal construction and a USB-C firmware port. They each offer a custom function button.

The E-mount Rollei 85mm (left) offers an aperture ring, while the Z-mount model (right) does not.

Images: Rollei

The lenses look fairly different from the outside, though. The Rollei version looks a bit more burly, with more aggressive knurling. Also, while both the Nikon and Sony versions of the 7Artisan lens feature an aperture ring, only the E-mount Rollei lens offers the same; the Nikon model lacks an aperture ring. Of course, the most obvious difference is the massive Rollei label.

The Rollei lens is available for pre-order now for €299 (RRP €349), with full availability coming on July 9. Rollei says pre-ordered lenses will be delivered by July 7. Those in the US are out of luck, though, as it doesn't appear the lens will be available here.

Press release (machine translated from German):

The first Rollei lens: AF 85 mm F/1.8 for Sony FE and Nikon Z

Norderstedt, June 11, 2025. Rollei is writing a new chapter in its rich history and presenting its first proprietary lens: the Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8 , available for Sony FE and Nikon Z mounts . With the introduction of the VAF (Full-Frame Autofocus) series, the company is expanding its product portfolio with its first proprietary lenses specifically developed for modern mirrorless full-frame cameras . The 85-millimeter portrait lens combines proven Rollei quality with state-of-the-art technology and sets new standards in image quality and user-friendliness.

The 85-millimeter focal length is ideal for portrait photography , delivering natural proportions without distortion. The Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8 makes optimal use of this classic focal length and, thanks to its F/1.8 aperture, delivers razor-sharp results even at wide open aperture . The 11 aperture blades create a creamy, perfectly round bokeh that elegantly separates the main subject from the background and enables professional portraits with impressive depth of field.

The innovative HFT-X (High Fidelity Transfer) coating significantly reduces ghosting and flare while preserving natural contrast. Combined with the high-quality glass selection of 10 elements in 7 groups, including two ED and two HR lenses , the lens ensures high edge sharpness and minimizes chromatic aberrations for brilliant image quality right to the corners .

The precise STM (stepping motor) autofocus operates quickly and virtually silently , which is particularly beneficial for video recording. Face and eye tracking are fully supported , making the lens an ideal choice for both photography and videography. The minimum focusing distance of 0.85 meters at a maximum magnification of 0.12× also enables detailed close-up shots.

Despite its weight, the Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8 weighs just 477 grams and sits perfectly balanced in the hand. Intuitive operation is ensured by a high-quality metal aperture ring (Sony FE version only), an AF/MF switch , and a freely assignable FN button . The linear aperture ring on the Sony version enables smooth, silent aperture adjustments for professional video recordings.

Both lenses feature a precise metal mount (E-mount and Z-mount, respectively) with full EXIF ​​data transfer and a USB-C firmware port for fast updates in just 30 seconds. The 62mm filter thread is compatible with all common filters from the company.

The Rollei AF 85 mm F/1.8 for Sony FE and Nikon Z is now available for pre-order for €299 (RRP €349) at www.rollei.de/rollei-objektiv . The official sales launch is July 9, 2025. Delivery of pre-ordered lenses will begin no later than July 7, 2025, ensuring pre-orderers receive the new lens before its market launch.

Last week, Fujifilm released a short teaser video hinting at a new rangefinder-style camera. That video focused on a camera obscured in shadows, as expected for a teaser. Now, though, the brand is back with another video that doesn't make much of an attempt to hide things ahead of the June 12 announcement.

The new video is just as short, but it shows off more specifics than the last. It starts with what looks like a newly designed film simulation dial. That's followed by a brief view of additional controls on the top of the camera, including a shutter speed dial and exposure compensation dial. The only shadowy part of the video where things aren't as clear is a cut to a low-profile lens. Even that shows an F2.8 aperture marking, though.

The launch is set for tomorrow, June 12th, at 6 AM ET, so we don't have long to wait for full details. The announcement will take place at Fujifilm's Shanghai event, the company's second X Summit of the year.

A breakthrough treatment has allowed damaged retinal cells to regenerate themselves. The current research has been conducted on mice, but the pathways are the same in humans, which opens hope for a new way to treat certain kinds of blindness.

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Nikon has announced a massive firmware update for its Z8 camera. Firmware 3.0 introduces an extensive list of new features and performance enhancements. It offers upgrades for both video users and photographers of multiple types, including a new ultra-high resolution tool, improved autofocus, improved VIew Assist for N-Log and more.

The most significant update is the ability to create files up to 180MP by combining Pixel Shift (Nikon's high-resolution feature) with focus shift or AE bracketing, which Nikon says is the world's first camera to do so. This tool allows for greater depth of field, resolution and dynamic range, which is ideal for commercial, fine art and architectural photography.

The Pixel Shift plus focus shift or AE bracketing feature unlocks the ability to combine high-resolution images with focus shifting or exposure bracketing.

Image: Nikon

To use the new focus stacking features, users will need to merge the Pixel Shift structures in NX Studio, and then they can use their preferred software for focus stacking. With AE bracketing, Nikon says the Z8 creates a Pixel Shift cluster at every exposure bracket, which you can then merge for a higher resolution with enhanced dynamic range.

Autofocus has also been improved in many ways. Nikon added an in-camera focus limiter, allowing users to define near and far focus ranges for faster and more precise autofocus. The custom Wide-Area AF feature now enables users to set the focus area at the edge of the frame with smaller increments for more precise control over the size of the custom area. Nikon added a 400% magnification option, making it possible to dial in focus to a highly precise degree. Subject Detection was also added to manual focus and Hi-Res Zoom.

Users can now set near and far focus limits for faster autofocus.

Image: Nikon

On a creative front, users now have the ability to create custom Flexible Picture Controls using NX Studio. These can be saved to the camera via a memory card, allowing users to apply custom looks in real-time. N-log View Assist was also updated, offering enhanced highlights, contrast and details for a more accurate waveform exposure. Nikon says it provides a look very similar to its Rec. 709 LUT.

Image: Nikon

Photojournalists and professional sports photographers also get some specific updates. The Z8 now allows users to record voice memos using an external mic, providing better quality for voice notes on the go. The camera is now fully compatible with NX Field, allowing users to control and monitor up to 10 cameras with an iPhone or iPad and transfer files automatically to an FTP server.

Nikon also added a Maximum Aperture Live View feature, which switches the lens to its widest aperture no matter what is selected. This switch gathers more light for Live View purposes and enables faster autofocus. It then switches back to the selected aperture when taking the shot.

Nikon hasn't announced a release date for the Z8 Ver. 3.0 firmware update, only stating it will be available soon. You can see all of the coming upgrades and monitor availability at Nikon's website and firmware download page.

Dubai is already full of amazing skyscrapers, however a new project by Deyaar Development looks sure to make a big impression on its famous skyline. Soaring to an ambitious height of 445 m (1,459 ft), the tower will contain luxurious residences and even a palace fit for an Arabian prince.

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When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.Nikon Z5II vs Zf: same hearts, different bodies

The Nikon Z5II and Zf are Nikon's two most affordable full-frame cameras. They use the same processor and stabilized 24MP BSI sensor, so they have the same autofocusing systems and support for features like high-resolution multi-shot, JPEG-only pre-capture and 4K 60p video with a crop.

However, even at a glance, it's clear that the Z5II and Zf are aimed at very different audiences despite their essentially identical sets of features. We'll break down the sometimes subtle things that set the cameras apart from each other, and help you figure out which one is right for you.

Design

The Z5II is styled as modern mirrorless camera with a design that could be described as utilitarian. It has a rubberized grip, is adorned with buttons, dials and ports and has a mode dial on the top.

The Zf, meanwhile, has a retro aesthetic that throws back to Nikon's early 1980s film cameras. The front is covered in a leatherette – which comes in seven colors – and has only the slightest of built-in grips, though the back and sides look a bit more modern with an array of buttons and ports. It's also covered in chrome accents and has a wide variety of dials, which we'll discuss in just a moment.

Handling - Z5II

The Z5II has two programmable command dials, whose functions can change depending on what mode you're shooting in. It also has a joystick on the back for choosing your autofocus point and a prominent front grip that makes it easy to hold onto it even when you've got a large lens attached.

It also has a few extra buttons absent from the Zf: there's a second custom button on the front plate, and the top plate has buttons for controlling ISO, white balance and your "Picture Control" color mode. However, it makes sense that the Zf doesn't have some of those buttons because...

Handling – Zf

... the Zf has dedicated locking dials for ISO and shutter speed and an exposure compensation control on its top plate in addition to its two contemporary programmable command dials. Also found there: a small LCD panel that displays your aperture setting.

When we reviewed the Zf we found some odd quirks where the dedicated dials didn't always fit with the rest of the camera's more modern control logic but Nikon has attempted to address some of these concerns in firmware 2.0, making the camera's handling of functions like Auto ISO a little more coherent.

The camera also doesn't have a focus point joystick, so you'll have to use the four-way controller or touchscreen to pick your focus point.

The Zf's squared-off design also isn't the easiest to hold when paired with larger, heavier lenses, but it helps with the retro aesthetic.

Viewfinders

The Nikon Z5II and Zf's viewfinders have the same resolution and magnification, but the one on the Z5II can get noticeably brighter. At its highest setting, it can put out up to 3000 nits, though it's hard to directly compare that to the Zfs, as Nikon doesn't provide a peak brightness rating for its viewfinder.

Card slots and connectivity

The Z5II has two full-size UHS-II SD card slots, which makes it easy to set it up for redundant recording if what you're shooting is absolutely critical. The Zf, meanwhile has one full-size UHS-II SD slot, and one UHS-I microSD slot. While you can still use it to back up your shots, it's less convenient to do so give the slower speeds of the microSD slot, and the fact that you'll need to buy two types of cards.

For videographers, the Z5II also has a headphone socket for monitoring audio, which the Zf lacks. Both cameras have a 3.5mm microphone input.

Kit lenses

Nikon sells the Zf in a kit with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4 S lens or the Nikkor Z 40mm F2 SE lens. The latter is one of two lenses designed to match the retro aesthetic of the camera body (the other is a 28mm F2.8). However, it, like the rest of Nikon's Z-mount offerings, doesn't have the dedicated aperture ring that would really complete the look and control logic of a film camera. Some of Nikon's other lenses have a programmable control ring, and while that does help with the shooting experience, it doesn't do much to complete the look.

The Z5II is available with either the Nikkor Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 or Nikkor Z 24-50mm F4-6.3. The latter is a collapsible lens that won't take up a ton of room, while the former offers much more reach on the long end. Neither are quite as nice as the 24-70mm F4 S, which is arguably a better fit for the Z5II than the Zf.

Price

The Z5II is Nikon's budget full-frame offering, and comes in at $1699 body-only. At MSRP, the Zf is more expensive at $2000. However, at the time of writing the Z5II is a relatively new camera while the Zf has been around for a while, so the Z5II is still selling for around its list price, whereas the Zf's price has softened. Over time we'd expect a gap to widen back up again.

Conclusion

Unless you have very specific needs, the choice between the Z5II and Zf is largely going to come down to how you want your camera to look and feel.

The Z5II's handling and control logic benefits from decades of refinement since those of the cameras the Zf is modeled on. But the Zf's looks have definite appeal.

If you prefer a more modern design, or aren't all that particular about how your camera looks, the Z5II's larger grip, AF joystick, brighter viewfinder and full-fat dual card slots are all compelling reasons to pick it; the lower price is just the cherry on top.

Nikon Z5II

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However, if you're really into the retro aesthetic, or like the thought of the thought of shooting with dedicated shutter speed and ISO dials, the Zf may be the way to go. Either way, you'll be getting the same image quality and a very similar set of features.

Nikon Zf

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Back in 2018, Elecrow hit Kickstarter with an electronics learning lab-in-a-box based around the Raspberry Pi. A 2nd generation crammed the lab into a laptop form factor. The CrowPi 3 "playground for programming, electronics, and pure maker magic" goes all-in-one.

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Royal Enfield made a ruckus at the 2023 EICMA trade show with its electric Him-E adventure motorcycle concept. Nearly two years on, we're finally getting a glimpse of what the brand's been cooking up with this recipe, as a test mule has been spied up in the mountains of Ladakh, India.

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A new study has found that the level of regret reported by transgender individuals following gender-affirming surgery is less than 1%, which is significantly lower than the regret associated with having children, getting a tattoo, or undergoing plastic surgery.

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The sea cucumber has been found to naturally produce a sugary compound that inhibits an enzyme instrumental in facilitating cancer growth, according to a new study. The next step is to find a method for producing the marine-derived anticancer compound in large quantities.

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Scientists at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed a new class of lightweight, highly conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) wiring that does away with copper and aluminum entirely. Using a process called Lyotropic Liquid Crystal-Assisted Surface Texturing (LAST), they've created core-sheath composite electric cables (CSCEC) that don't just conduct electricity, but are flexible and, most importantly, are super lightweight.

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Japanese outdoor gear staple Snow Peak has long dazzled the Western world with gear that's entirely different from that which we're accustomed, but loaded with function and style. In fact, it's one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking of "glamping." We've previously seen how the company can turn the simple concept of a tent into a multi-room six-person base camp complex for those willing to pitchfork over $3,000, and now it's launching a more affordable, consumer-friendly take on that concept for a smaller group.

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Whether you call it foiling, foilboarding or hydrofoiling, it's a watersport that can be difficult to master without expert guidance. The SmartFoil is designed to provide that guidance, courtesy of a compact and streamlined board-mounted device.

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Image: Profoto

Lighting equipment company Profoto has announced its latest portable flash units, the B20 and B30. The new battery-powered monolights build on the company's B10-series, promising improved performance, greater durability and more features.

The B20 offers 250Ws of power, while the B30 offers 500Ws, which is consistent with the B10X and B10X Plus, the predecessors of the new lights. However, the latest models provide more power from the bi-colored LED for continuous light, delivering 50% more output. The B20 and B30 promise up to 5000 lumens with a 2800 to 7000K color temperature range. They offer a CRI greater than 94 for accurate color reproduction as well. Overall, the B20 and B30 are more ideal for hybrid creators than the previous models were.

The B20 and B30 also offer faster performance. The company says they recycle 13% faster than the B10X, resulting in a recycling time as quick as 0.01 seconds for both lights. The lights also offer an eleven f-stop power range, one stop greater than their predecessor.

Image: Profoto

Profoto built the B20 and B30 for demanding use in a range of locations and situations. They feature a rubberized exterior for better handling and durability. There's also an optional handle, which makes it easier to adjust lights even when working with large modifiers. Both are compatible with more than 120 light shaping tools, giving creatives more control.

The flash tubes in Profoto's newest lights are now user-replaceable, allowing users to quickly swap out the tubes on set to keep working. Both lights offer a new Eco mode, which Profoto says "protects internal components, reduces thermal stress and extends your gear's lifespan." There is also a Boost mode, for added power, and Freeze mode for the shortest flash duration needed for freezing motion. The company also says there's no risk of overheating or misfires.

The B20 and B30 feature a dedicated 3.5mm sync port for when wired triggering is necessary. They can also be controlled wirelessly through Profoto's AirX technology.

Image: Profoto

Both models are relatively compact and lightweight, making them ideal for on-location shoots. The B30 is a bit larger, though, as it offers more power. The B20 weighs 1.9 kg (4.3 lbs), while the B30 weighs 2.1 kg (4.7 lbs). Likewise, battery life differs between the two. The B20 promises 400 full-power flashes, while the B30 only promises 220 flashes at full power.

The Profoto B20 and B30 are available for purchase now. The B20 costs $1995, while the B30 costs $2395.

Buy now: Profoto B20 at B&H Profoto B30 at B&H

Around this time last year, Yaber launched two portable 1080p projectors designed to provide entertainment on outdoor adventures. The T2 and T2 Plus both required a dongle to access Google TV, but the company has now rectified that with the T2 Plus GTV edition.

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When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission. Photo: Richard Butler

As part of our upcoming review of the Fujifilm GFX100RF, we put the medium format 'compact' in front of our test scene to help evaluate its image quality.

Our test scene is designed to simulate a variety of textures, colors and detail types you'll encounter in the real world. It also has two illumination modes to see the effect of different lighting conditions.

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Unsurprisingly, the GFX100RF's Raws capture noticeably more detail than the 61MP full-frame sensor used in the Q3, Leica's high-end large sensor compact, and substantially more than the Fujifilm X100VI's 40MP APS-C sensor. The camera's JPEG engine does a good job of preserving those details.

The lens can't match the $2700 dedicated Macro lens we used for the GFX100 but the JPEG processing does its best to make up for the difference.

Those trends continue in low-light, and looking at high-ISO Raws noise performance follows sensor size. The JPEG engine does a decent job of not blurring away details when applying noise reduction.

Dynamic Range

The GFX100RF has excellent dynamic range performance at its base ISO of 80; it adds very little read noise to the image, meaning there's little difference in images shot at the same exposure but different ISOs, and then brightened to match each other in post. Its files also provide plenty of room to raise shadows, which will help if you want to shoot at a lower exposure to protect highlights.

The PDAF banding we saw in our original DR tests for the GFX 100 doesn't appear in our tests for the GFX100RF: there are reports it was also fixed on the GFX 100 via software update.

Lens Performance

Our studio test scene isn't designed to test lenses, but it can still tell us something about some aspects of performance. The 28mm equiv lens on the GFX100RF has be be shot quite close-up, but it's still around 30x the focal length away from the chart, so should be reasonable representative of real-world performance. Our tests are shot at F5.6 to maintain a reasonable depth-of-field and across-frame-consistency, but the F4/F5.6 comparisons we've shot show little difference in corner performance (it's vignetting, rather than sharpness differences that has more of an impact).

With all of that said, the lens performs well under these conditions. It's quite sharp in the center. It performs reasonably well out to the corners, where there's some light falloff visible in the Raws (which the JPEG engine does a good job of correcting). While the original GFX100, paired with Fujifilm's 120mm F4 macro, renders our scene more uniformly and sharply, that lens alone weighs more than an entire GFX100RF.

At F5.6, chromatic aberration also seems well-controlled compared to the X100VI's lens.

Following projects like the Pego and Atlantica, Madeiguincho showcases its woodworking expertise once again with the Barca. Designed as a family vacation home, the timber tiny house features a compact but practical interior and runs off-the-grid with solar panels.

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The Royal Navy is testing how to use robots to seek out and detonate mines and other threats found near vital yet vulnerable undersea cables and pipelines at greater depths than a human diver can safely reach.

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Celiac disease frustratingly restrictive, the only real medical intervention for sufferers being to avoid gluten altogether. What's more, diagnosis is arduous and involves consuming gluten to stimulate the painful autoimmune condition. But it may soon be much simpler and pain-free, thanks to a new blood test that can detect the biomarkers of celiac disease even when someone is on a gluten-free diet.

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Best known for its large, luxurious motorhomes, Tiffin has slowly followed its corporate sibling Airstream in branching out into a more adventurous realm. And it hasn't done so by building a boundless stretched Class A glamper bus, the likes of the Loki Coach, but by diving into the smaller end of the motorhome market. Adding to last year's GH1, this year it grows its "Adventure" lineup with both a larger camper van and the all-new Open Trail Class B+ all-terrain camper bus, a compelling super-sized hard-wall camper van with off-road chops and two sleeping areas.

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