Weekly News Roundup

News

Feb 8

Welcome to your weekly dose of all things black and white. The first full week of February has brought a wave of high performance gear and impressive financial milestones. From Canon’s record breaking wide angle glass to Fujifilm’s historic market performance, the industry is showing significant momentum as we head into the spring season.

Canon Sets a New Wide-Angle Standard

On February 4, Canon officially unveiled the RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM. This lens now holds the title of Canon's widest and fastest non-fisheye prime. It features the new Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technology combined with a Nano USM, designed to provide the near-silent, high-speed autofocus required for modern hybrid workflows. Because of its large front element, the lens includes a rear gelatin filter holder rather than standard front threads. It is priced at $2,599 and is scheduled to begin shipping toward the end of the month.

Fujifilm Posts Record-High Revenue and Profits

Fujifilm Holdings reported its third-quarter financial results this week, revealing record-high revenue and operating income. The company’s imaging division saw a 14.6% increase in revenue year-over-year, driven by sustained global demand for the X-series digital cameras and the Instax instant photography line. This financial stability has allowed Fujifilm to revise its full-year forecast upward, aiming for its best fiscal year in history. The success of the X100 and GFX systems remains a primary engine for this growth.

Clever Supply Refines the Camera Sling V2

Clever Supply Co. has released the V2 6L version of their popular Camera Sling. The updated design focuses on physical refinements based on long-term user feedback. New features include a pivoting shoulder strap connection for better weight distribution, bottom cinch straps for carrying extra gear like a tripod or jacket, and a hidden internal pocket for an AirTag. The bag remains constructed from weather-resistant waxed canvas and American leather, maintaining its $198 price point despite the addition of an external accessory pouch and improved internal dividers.

Light Lens Lab Announces the 75mm f/2 SP-II

Light Lens Lab has officially moved its 75mm f/2 "SP-II" lens into the final production stage. This M-mount prime is a meticulous recreation of the legendary Cooke Speed Panchro Series II cinema lens. It utilizes a classic Double-Gaussian design and is designed to provide a "vintage" rendering that is atmospheric and soft wide open at f/2, while becoming "clinically" sharp when stopped down to f/2.8. Notably, the lens provides an image circle large enough to cover 44x33mm medium format sensors, making it adaptable for GFX and Hasselblad users. Pre-orders open on March 1 with a starting price of $749.

Adobe Launches TrueTexture Upscaling in Beta

Adobe has introduced a new "TrueTexture" AI upscaling tool within the Lightroom beta environment. Unlike standard AI enlargers that often smooth out fine details, this model is specifically trained to recognize and preserve the structure of film grain and digital sensor noise. For monochrome photographers working with archival scans or older digital files, this tool aims to increase resolution without losing the organic, tactile quality of the original image. It is available now for Creative Cloud subscribers in the beta gallery.