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Accessory Roundup: new cages for new cameras

Digital Photography Review news -

Images: PGYTech, SmallRig, Chimera, Epson

Another week down, another chance to check out some new accessories. This time around, we've got some massive printers, a wildly fast SD card, cages for new cameras and more. But first, as always, the deals.

Deals of the week Image: Nikon

The Nikon Z7 II has been included in our Best Cameras for Landscapes buying guide because it provides a lot of image quality at a very reasonable price. This week, it's even cheaper, selling for $500 under MSRP.

Buy now:

Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo Image: Nikon

If you're more excited by style and shooting experience, Nikon's retro-inspired Zf is also on sale for $200 off.

Buy now:

Buy at Amazon.comBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at MPB More mounting options Image: Chimera

Chimera, a lightning company that prides itself on building quality modifiers that it says will be "durable and long lasting," is giving users even more mounting options. Its new Chimera Pro series light modifiers are compatible with Bowens mount rings, which many users may already have, given the widespread use of the mount by several of the biggest names in lighting.

There are several different modifiers in the Pro series, including a 30" lantern and four sizes of its "LightBank" softboxes. Pricing will depend on what option you're going with, but they're currently available to preorder at B&H and Chimera's website.

An SD card that reaches new heights Image: Adata

SD Express has been around for a few years now, but Adata says its latest card is the first to support the SD 8.0 Express specification. That means it has write speeds of up to 1200MBps and read speeds up to 1600MBps. Adata says that's 12 times faster than standard UHS-1 cards and four times faster than what UHS-II cards are capable of. It even trades blows with some relatively high-end CFExpress cards despite being the same tiny SD form factor we're all familiar with.

Of course, the elephant in the room with SD Express is that there currently aren't any cameras that support the standard; they'll work in a standard SD card slot, but only at UHS-1 speeds, which sort of defeats the purpose. But if a camera manufacturer ever does decide to support the standard, it seems like there will be cards ready to go for it.

Currently, there's no word on pricing or availability for Adata's SD8.0 Express card, but the company says it'll come in a 512GB capacity.

Kitting out the Canon EOS R50 V...

The cage lets you attach accessories like the sold-separately handle, as well as various coldshoe-compatible add-ons.
Photo: SmallRig

Canon's latest camera is the video-focused EOS R50 V, which seems like it's designed specifically to fit into a cage or a gimbal. It's no surprise, then, that SmallRig has already stepped in to make a cage for it, which adds a deeper grip and a plethora of mounting points. It also has a built-in Arca-Swiss quick-release plate, which could be a big upgrade since, by default, some larger tripod plates will block the EOS R50 V's battery/SD card compartment. If you don't need all the mounting points, SmallRig is also selling an L-shaped mounting plate that adds the grip and tripod plate but doesn't go all the way around the camera.

Buy at SmallRig Buy at Amazon Image: SmallRig

Also available from SmallRig: a furry windscreen that attaches to the camera's hotshoe and covers the microphone to cut down wind noise. Thankfully, its design includes a coldshoe mount as well, so you can still mount a microphone, monitor, light or other accessory on top of your camera.

Buy at SmallRig ... and the Insta360 X5 Photo: PGYTech

The EOS R50 V isn't the only camera getting a cage this week. PGYTech has designed one that locks on to Insta360's latest 360 camera, the X5. The X5 is a bit of a blank slate camera, so the cage adds some attachment points for coldshoe accessories, as well as a bit of protection in the form of silicone lens covers.

Buy at Amazon Print big Image: Epson

Recently, Epson announced two new large-format printers: the SureColor P7370 and the SureColor P9370. At 24" and 44" respectively, the printers are aimed more towards commercial use than home use, but they're also designed to be a bit less expensive than higher-end models. While the company's site doesn't currently have pricing info, PetaPixel reports that they're around $1000 cheaper than their higher-end counterparts. That's because they use a 10-ink system instead of a 12-ink one, though Epson says they're still capable of "accurate color reproduction and industry-leading print permanence."

The two models will be available in "summer 2025."

Read last week's roundup

Bosch's magnesium motor cranks up boost for faster ebike future

Gizmag news -

Bosch calls the all-new CX-R its highest quality ebike drive unit to date, high self-praise from one of the world's largest ebike drive suppliers. The new magnesium-housed motor cranks torque and power to the top of the lineup and adds a new top speed "race" mode for getting fired up on all cylinders in a hurry. It might just inspire a new generation of fast, fully adrenalized electric mountain biking.

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Category: Bicycles, Transport

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Massive magnetic H2O hammock lets the whole crew kick back in water

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A hammock that not only lets a dozen or so people chill out and relax but does it on the cool, crystal-clear water? Count us in. It's the new Bote Hangout Water Hammock 15, and while it's far from the only water hammock out there floating lakes and bays, it's definitely bigger and badder than average, adding a few innovative features that make a laid-back day on the water that much more enjoyable.

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Category: Outdoors, Lifestyle

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Showcase your skills: 8 photography contests to enter in May

Digital Photography Review news -

The month of May brings new opportunities to get your work seen by a large, international audience. While they sometimes get flak, photography competitions, when judged fairly and conducted with integrity, offer exposure to industry decision-makers, an opportunity to get your work published or exhibited and recognition that can elevate your career.

As we've learned, not all competitions are created equal. Some have been exposed as cash grabs at best and content farms at worst. We waded through a long list of open calls and came up with this list of eight competitions worth considering. From Pop Art to Landscape and Black & White, there is a genre for every type of photographer.

We'll lead with the free-to-enter competitions and follow with contests that require an entry fee. No matter the contest, it's essential to read the rules and terms and conditions closely. As a former judge, I can't tell you how frustrating it is to disqualify a promising submission because a watermark was left on or the photo was formatted incorrectly. Reading the requirements will at least get your foot in the door.

We wish you the best of luck if you decide to enter any of these competitions. While there is no guarantee that your work will be selected, and rejections are always discouraging, taking steps to get your work out there is always valuable. If any noteworthy contests are missing, let us know.

The CEWE Photo Award Image: CEWE Photo Award

Deadline: May 31st

Entry Fee: Free

Website

CEWE is a leading photo printing company based in Europe. Its annual competition offers €250,000 in prizes, including vacations and photography gear. Participants can enter up to 100 photos, taken on anything from a full-frame camera to a smartphone. CEWE also donates €0.10 for every entry to the SOS Children's Villages International. There are 10 categories to enter, including Travel & Culture, Landscape, Food and Macro/Close-up.

Banff Mountain Photo Essay Competition Image: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Deadline: May 5th

Entry Fee: Free

Website

The Banff Photo Essay Competition emphasizes storytelling through a curated series of images that delve into mountain culture, natural history, adventure, wildlife, sports and the environment. Open to amateur and professional photographers, you must submit three to five images that can stand independently but also combine to create a narrative. A prize of CAD 3000 and a showcase at the Banff Centre of Mountain Film and Book Festival will be awarded to one Grand Prize Winner.

Photometria Awards Open Call, "Non Stop Pop" Image: Photometria

Deadline: May 31st

Entry Fee: The first image is free or €5 for up to 3 photos

Website

This competition invites professional and amateur photographers to explore the influence of pop culture on modern society. Submissions will be judged by Magnum photographer Alec Soth, who is looking for compelling and original interpretations. The overall winner will receive Nikon gear and the top 25 images will be exhibited during the 17th Photometria International Festival in Ioannina, Greece.

The Motif Collective: Black and White Photography Competition & Sunrise and Sunset Image: The Motif Collective

Black and White deadline: May 7th

Sunrise and sunset deadline: June 7th

Entry Fee: $12 to $36, depending on the number of submissions

Website

The Motif Collective currently has two contests: Black and White and Sunrise and Sunset. April's contest, which closes on May 7, focuses on the art of monochrome imagery. The May contest is dedicated to sunrises and sunsets and closes on June 7. Both are open to professionals and amateurs worldwide; participants can submit up to six images. The prize pool scales with the number of entries and can reach up to $10,000 in total cash rewards. There will also be an artist showcase gallery promoted across its social media channels.

International Garden Photographer of the Year Macro Art Photo Project Copyright: © Zsolt Varanka

Deadline: May 6th

Entry Fee: €16 for up to 4 single images

Website

The Macro Art Photo Project from International Garden Photographer of the Year asks that photographers from all over the world capture the fine details of plants, insects and other natural forms. Only single entries are accepted as the judges aren't looking for a series of images. Winners will get international exposure through exhibitions and publications.

reFocus Awards: Black & White Photo Contest Image: reFocus

Deadline: May 13th

Entry Fee: Anywhere from $12 to $50 for single images and series

Website

The reFocus Black & White Photo Contest is open to student, amateur and professional photographers. Individual entries or a series of two to five monochrome images can be submitted. Winners receive $4000 in cash prizes, custom-engraved trophies and features in the reFocus Artist Directory. There is also a People's Vote Award, which allows the public to select standout work.

40th AOP Photography Awards Image: AOP Photography Awards

Deadline: May 15th

Entry Fee: Anywhere from £50 to £90 for a single image or project

Website

The Association of Photographers (AOP) deems its awards competition as the "Oscars" of the photography world. While this competition is only open to AOP members, everyone from students to assistants and professionals at any stage in their career can apply for inclusion. The 10 open categories include Documentary, Portrait, Best Moving Image and Still Life. Winners will be exhibited and featured in a book.

Nature Photographer of the Year Image: Nature Photographer of the Year

Deadline: May 25th

Entry Fee: Free for Youth Category and £34 to £49.50

Website

NPOTY features 12 categories including Birds, Landscapes, Underwater and Natural Art. There's also a Youth category for photographers under 18 and the Fred Hazelhoff Award for Best Portfolio submission. The total prize pool is £25,000 with the overall winner receiving £3000. Winning images are displayed at the Nature Talks Photo Festival and receive international recognition in publications and exhibitions.

Magnum master printer reveals the art and precision behind the prints

Digital Photography Review news -

Printing images successfully in a darkroom requires lots of skill, especially if you're printing iconic photographs for Magnum Photos, a cooperative of photographers going back to 1947. Such is the case for Pablo Inirio, a Magnum master printer. This video profile of Inirio briefly walks through his background and process in the darkroom, giving interesting insight into what a master printer does.

Inirio explains how amazing it was seeing a photograph develop for the first time. "The first time I saw an image come up in the developer, I was like, wow, this is great," he says. "You know, because it's almost like a little bit of magic in there, you know? You know it's just a chemical process and all that. But still, when you see the image comes up, it's like, wow, this is cool. From then on, I was hooked."

"it's almost like a little bit of magic in there"

Inirio started working for Magnum in 1992 after he answered an ad asking for a printer for an agency. They initially hired someone else, but they called him back two to three weeks later because the person they had hired left. Throughout his time working for Magnum, he's printed images from Bruce Gilden, Gilles Peress, Eugene Richards, Burt Glinn, Inge Morath and many more.

What stood out to me most about the video was his process walkthrough. Being a master printer means you often need to repeat a print months or years later. Because of this, Inirio says he tries to keep the process really simple and keeps notes to save himself time later. His notes take the form of outlines on a working print, labeling sections that he's dodging or burning or adding contrast filters. You can even buy reproductions of his test prints, complete with mark-ups and notations. Seeing how he looks at a photo relative to printing is fascinating, and I've found myself closely examining his notations on prints many times.

If you've never had the opportunity to step inside a darkroom, this is a neat video to watch to see what the process is like. As Inirio points out, it's not really like how movies show it, with pictures hanging up with clothespins. But it is a truly special process that, even when you've been doing it for a long time, still feels a little bit magical.

Fecal transplants reduce alcohol cravings as human trials progress

Gizmag news -

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have found fecal transplants may be helpful in reducing drinking behaviors in those suffering severe alcohol use disorder (AUD). The work points to a compelling relationship between the gut microbiome and addiction disorders, with large-scale Phase 2 human trials currently underway.

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Category: Addiction, Brain Health, Body & Mind

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Neewer's powerful Q6 outdoor flash is available for pre-order

Digital Photography Review news -

Image: Neewer

Neewer announced that its new outdoor studio flash, designed to overpower even midday sunlight and fill large softboxes, is available for pre-order. The company says the Neewer Q6 offers 600Ws output, a consistent 5700K color temperature, fast recycle times, TLL/HSS support, smartphone app control and a quartz flash tube.

The Q6 weighs 3kg (6.6 lbs) without the handle and is 195 x 185 x 170mm (7.7 x 7.3 x 6.3"), roughly the size and weight of a small dumbbell. If you've fitted your camera with a a compatible flash or wireless trigger, it can use Canon E-TTL, Nikon i-TTL, Sony TTL and Fujifilm TTL systems. It also supports Manual and Multi (Stroboscopic) modes. Neewer has equipped it with features like front/rear curtain sync, a "masking" mode that exposes the subject and background separately, making it easier to separate them while editing, burst modes for continuous shooting and timelapse capabilities from 0.01 to 30 seconds.

Main Specs:
  • Color Temperature: 5700K (+/-150K)
  • Full Power Flash: 400 (with modeling light off)
  • Flash Duration: 1/20400s max
  • Recycling Time: Approx. 0.01-0.9s
  • Flash Mode: TTL/M/MULTI/BURST MODE
  • Stroboscopic Flash: 1-100Hz, 1-100 times
  • Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC): -3EV to 3EV, 1/3 EV increments
  • Sync Mode: High-speed sync, front/rear curtain sync
  • Delay Flash: 0.01-30s

Neewer promises a constant 5700K (±100K) color temperature across power levels for color accuracy, an essential element for product and commercial photography. Flash power is adjustable in 0.1-stop increments, from 1/512 all the way up to full power (1/1), giving users precise lighting control.

It features a durable quartz flash tube (rated for 300,000 flashes), two TFT color screens, color-coded groups, and an intuitive layout designed for easy control. A smartphone app allows you to adjust flash modes, tweak settings and update firmware directly from your phone.

It can also connect to Neewer's sold-separately 2.4G wireless QZ or QPRO triggers, with five groups and 32 channels for flexible multi-flash setups. This lets you control your flashes from up to 100m (328 ft.). A 3.5mm sync port adds compatibility with other triggers.

Image: Neewer

Powered by a 28.8V/3000mAh lithium battery, the Q6 can deliver up to 400 full-power flashes per charge. Fast recycling times (0.01-0.9 seconds) and freeze mode allow you to shoot high-speed subjects, such as cars or cyclists, with precision. It supports up to 1/8000s high-speed sync (HSS), ideal for dance or fashion with movement, and ultra-short flash durations from 1/209 to 1/10989 seconds.

A 30W bi-color LED modeling lamp (2700-6500K) allows for real-time previewing or serves as a continuous light for video. The Bowens mount makes it compatible with a wide range of modifiers, including reflectors, softboxes, snoots and beauty dishes.

Neewer's Q6 aims to be an asset for location shoots where consistent, natural-looking light is critical. It is available for pre-order at a special price of $499.99 (regularly $699.99). The company warns that the US price may increase soon due to tariffs. Shipping is estimated to start on May 18th.

Buy at Neewer

This Chinese camera company has halted shipments to the US – it may not be the last

Digital Photography Review news -

Photo: Yinwei Liu / Moment via Getty Images

QHYCCD, a Chinese astronomy camera company, recently announced on its Facebook page that it will no longer ship cameras to the US because of the tariffs. "This was not an easy decision for us, and we deeply regret any inconvenience it may cause. If you’re in the U.S., we encourage you to reach out to local distributors — they may still have stock available," the post says.

It may be a sign of what's to come, as the US tariffs that have been such a hot-button issue over the past month start to go into effect. Many economists predicted that the US tariffs would have a broader impact on goods coming into the United States beyond higher prices. Justin Wolfers, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan, explained, "If there's equipment from highly-tariffed nations – like China – the tariffs may make them so uncompetitive that retailers drop the brand altogether rather than importing cameras they won't sell." Unfortunately, those predictions are becoming a reality.

"the tariffs may make them so uncompetitive that retailers drop the brand altogether"

The cessation of shipments is already being felt in other industries, too. For example, keyboard company Keyboardio announced in April that it would be pausing all US orders starting on April 23. That date was chosen to ensure orders would arrive in the US before the tariffs take effect on May 2. Keyboardio's post on its website details the reasoning behind this, explaining that DHL has already stopped taking packages that require formal customs clearances coming into the US. The company also cites the overall lack of clarity regarding future fees and delivery times as additional reasons for pausing orders.

Additionally, popular video game controller brand 8Bitdo originally announced on April 30 that it would no longer ship to the US. It has since walked back that statement, saying it is only pausing orders from May 1 to May 5 for Chinese Labor Day. Still, as with many aspects of these tariffs, the situation is in flux and can change on a day-by-day basis.

As with many aspects of these tariffs, the situation is in flux and can change on a day-by-day basis.

The US tariffs are also affecting more well-known brands in the camera industry. PetaPixel reported today that the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has jumped in price to $800 and is listed as out of stock on most websites, including Amazon, B&H and DJI's own site. A DJI spokesperson told PetaPixel that "Due to local market conditions and industry environment, including trade-related policies, we may experience extended delays in restocking, and have had to adjust our pricing strategy."

It seems unlikely that major brands like Sony, Nikon and Canon will pause shipments to the US, though Canon has said that its prices will increase. It's also very feasible that smaller accessory brands will decide to pause orders to the US, just as gaming and computer accessory brands have started to do. Once stock that's already in the US runs out, that could be it for some of these products for those in the US.

Thank you to DPReview reader Fervent Astronomy for the tip about QHYCCD's announcement.

Jayco skeletonizes off-road RV into base-camping toy hauler

Gizmag news -

We've seen a number of skeletal toy-hauling trailers from smaller manufacturers and custom shops, but now Australia's largest RV brand is sending its own rig out into the red dust and tawny grit of the Never Never. The all-new Crosstrail is built to carry a quad or multiple dirt bikes inside an open ribcage of adventure. A few trapdoor and swing-away tricks ensure it can load up everything you need, whether simply escaping for the day or for a full adventure holiday.

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Category: Outdoors, Lifestyle

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