Innholdsfortegnelse for 8/12/25 i Amateur Photographer

One of the great things about photography as a hobby is that you don’t necessarily need to leave your home to do it. This week Andrew Fusek Peters shows what can be achieved in your own garden. Meanwhile on the other side of the world we talk to Bellamy Hunt, aka Japan Camera Hunter, about living and running a camera retail business in the Land of the Rising Sun. He makes a living satisfying the huge demand for classic film cameras, which is so strong that even the famous Yashica name has been revived for a faux-analogue digital camera, which we test this week. Finally, don’t miss our tribute to one of my favourite fashion and portrait photographers, Patrick Demarchelier, who created many iconic images of the ’80s and ’90s.…

BUDGET lens maker Viltrox has released the AF 15mm F1.7 Air, a tiny and affordable wideangle prime for APS-C cameras (Sony E, Nikon Z and Fujifilm X mounts). The new lens, which weighs only 180g, features 12 lens elements in 10 groups, with three extra-low dispersion (ED) elements controlling chromatic aberration and three high-refractive index (HR) elements enhancing edge-to-edge sharpness, according to Viltrox. The AF 15mm F1.7 Air also offers a standard 58mm filter thread, and is available to buy now for £217.50. More details about the lens can be found at bit.ly/newviltroxair…

There’s been a surge in demand for compact cameras in recent years and many younger Gen Z photographers are picking up older point-and-shoot cameras, so are they on to something? As smartphones have been around throughout the entire life of teenagers and young adults today it’s entirely possible that they could have never even picked up a point-and-shoot compact before, and for good reason – some of the best smartphones like the iPhone 16 can pretty much do everything you could ever need, all from a convenient smart device that slips right in your pocket. Talking ’bout my generation While smartphones are incredible and we’ve seen many films shot on them, such as the recent 28 Years Later and even Stormzy’s documentary, Big Man, it would appear that younger content…

Julie Tennant, US Canon EOS 80D, 18-135mm Julie came third in 2024’s Animal Kingdom round. The judges said: ‘The blue of the peacock contrasts beautifully with the yellow wall behind, and the placement of the bird’s head and neck in the bottom right corner balances with the blue doorframe, creating a very pleasing result. It’s an unusual take on an animal picture, which makes it stand out.’ Julie says: ‘I’m from Scotland but moved overseas 21 years ago, travelling extensively before eventually settling in New Jersey, USA. About 30 minutes from my house is a large sculpture park called Grounds for Sculpture. I enjoy visiting, both with and without my camera. On this particular day, I’d gone there with the intention of photographing the sculptures and surrounding landscape. ‘A few…

LETTER OF THE WEEK Immediate impact Damien Demolder’s Final Analysis (AP 22 July) encapsulated the essence of photography and image-making very thoughtfully. The stark, silhouetted image of three traditionally shaped bird cages hanging on a wire did show that ‘successful images have an immediate impact’, but with deeper meaning emerging when we see that it is barbed wire and the cages are ‘mini-prisons’ for small birds. My thoughts went immediately to the print of the painting of a goldfinch (see right) that hangs on the wall of our bedroom. I first saw this painting in the Mauritshuis in The Hague. It is a small painting, just 34x23cm, but it did have ‘an immediate impact’ on me; it is a very fine painting by Carel Fabritius of a colourful little bird,…

STEVE FAIRCLOUGH Regular contributor Steve speaks to Patrick Demarchelier’s son, Vincent, about a new book of his father’s work ANDREW FUSEK PETERS How top photographer Andrew’s photos of garden wildlife have become a bestselling book ANDY WESTLAKE Technical Editor Andy tests the Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art, the largest-aperture zoom for APS-C mirrorless cameras JOSHUA WALLER Online Editor With its film-camera looks, how does the Yashica FX-D 100 measure up? Joshua reviews it to find out JOHN WADE This week in Final Analysis, our regular contributor takes a look at Brighton’s Daddy Long-Legs – an engineering marvel…

YASHICA has announced three budget digital compacts, styled like 35mm film SLRs, with built-in film simulations for those yearning for the analogue vibe without the faff. The Yashica FX-D 100 (reviewed on page 29) features a 13MP Sony sensor and 25-75mm f/1.6 lens for £244.99; while the FX-D 300 offers 50MP, a 24mm f/1.8 lens with up to 60mm digital zoom, and image stabilisation, for £349.99. Finally, the FX-D S300 adds an electronic viewfinder and 3-axis in-body stabilisation for £434.99. All three will be available in October.…

Patrick Demarchelier Patrick Demarchelier (1943-2022) was a world-famous French fashion and portrait photographer. He moved to Paris, aged 20, to further his career and then to New York in 1975. His work for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar placed him at the very top of the pantheon of fashion photographers. He also shot covers for Rolling Stone, LIFE, Elle, Newsweek and Mademoiselle and ad campaigns for the likes of Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Versace and L’Oréal. In 2007 he was honoured as an officer of the French Order of Arts and Literature. Demarchelier died, aged 78, at his home on the island of St. Barthélemy in March 2022. Patrick Demarchelier was one of only ten photographers to have shot two Pirelli calendars; he reinvented photographic portraiture of the British royal family…

● £185 ● vanguardworld.co.uk The Vanguard VEO Metro B25L is a medium-sized camera backpack with smart-looking ‘urban’ styling. It’s essentially a three-section design, with most of the main compartment given over to carrying your kit. There’s also a small section for personal items at the top, and a laptop/tablet pocket on the back. In terms of capacity, this bag will hold a mirrorless camera plus four or five lenses, with the largest lens you’re likely to fit being a 70-200mm f/2.8 or 100-400m telezoom. I filled it up with my Sony Alpha A7R V with 24-105mm f/4 zoom attached, plus 16-35mm f/4, 100-400mm f/5-6.3, 40mm f/2 and 135mm f/2.8 lenses. Note the bag isn’t deep enough to hold a camera with a vertical grip. All your precious kit is well-protected,…

You said... Imagery by Charly @ImagerybyCharly A plastic tablecloth that I use to lay on the ground for a low shot and impromptu rain guard. Plus the normal items needed. Hugh Maxwell Photography Most important thing is the camera and lenses covering from 20mm to 200mm; followed by a few filters, cable release, spare battery and lens cleaning cloth. Kevin Henderson Microfibre cloth, as I realised early on my sleeve wasn’t the best tool for cleaning a lens! The Tyne and Beyond @tyneandbeyond At this time of year, insect repellent, and lots of it! Fergal Maur Small zip bag with: spare card, spare tripod plate, allen key tool, emergency £20 note, cleaning cloth, tissues, paracetamol and a folded plastic carrier bag. Tim Smith Ear plugs, spare batteries. Rachel Dee Emergency…

DJI, best known for its drones and action cameras, has launched its first 360 camera, the Osmo 360. If you are not familiar with 360 cameras, they incorporate dual wide-angle lenses to record a spherical 360° ‘wrap around’ view which you can then edit/flatten for the best camera angles or compositions, using dedicated software. As such, 360 cameras appeal to cyclists, motorcyclists, alpine sports fans and other users on the move. Key features of the Osmo 360 include two 1-inch CMOS sensors which keep the same 360° image field as a traditional 1-inch rectangular sensor, while eliminating the unused area of traditional rectangular sensors. This results in 25% more sensor utilisation, according to DJI, as well as lower power consumption, in a compact and relatively light (183g) body. Furthermore, the…

NEW research from Samsung reveals that the average UK holidaymaker takes an average of 52 shots a day – but a lot never make it online thanks to common frustrations like crowds and strangers in the background, bad lighting, people looking away and unflattering angles. Samsung is pitching the hands-free mode and AI editing features in its new Galaxy Z Flip7 smartphone as a remedy to some of these woes (or, of course, you could just get up earlier to beat the crowds and get better light…).…

There’s nothing quite like a book that fits in your palm but punches in the gut. Kyugoro by MAKIKO may be small in stature – modelled after a pocket hymnal – but it carries the weight of a century’s worth of displacement, discrimination, and dignity. Inspired by the discovery that her great-great uncle emigrated to the US around 1900, MAKIKO constructs a quiet but stirring narrative around the Japanese-American experience. At its heart is the chilling aftermath of Pearl Harbour: over 120,000 people of Japanese descent rounded up and interned in camps across America. Through 80 duotone photographs, this palm-sized powerhouse of a book explores themes of identity, community, and belonging – all while whispering, not shouting. The photographs are subtle, contemplative. They don’t demand attention; they invite it. And…

Zeiss Ikon launched its series of Contaflex cameras in 1953. Over the following 20 years or so, 12 versions were made with ever-increasing degrees of sophistication and indeed weight. A wide range of accessories was available, and these precision-made leaf-shuttered SLRs proved very popular. But the Contaflex 126 is a different beast altogether. It may share the name and bear a superficial resemblance to the rest of the family, but it’s something of a cuckoo in the nest. Kodak introduced the 126, or Instamatic cartridge, in 1963. It was intended to provide a simple, foolproof way for less technically savvy users to load film into their cameras. Although the film is 35mm wide, the format is not the same. The film, which has one perforation per frame and sits within…

WIN! The AP Pic of the Week winner will receive a beautifully framed print of their winning image worth up to £100. If you Love it, Frame it! ThisPicture.com is an experienced, high-quality framing company with a unique, easy-to-use website. Build single or multi-image frames with a few clicks of your mouse and select from a wide range of frames, window mounts and glazing options. Each frame comes with a three-year guarantee and FREE P&P within the UK. Visit thispicture.co.uk Flying High by Linda Dunham Canon EOS R6 Mark II, EF 100-400mm L (with Canon adapter), 1/4000sec at f/8, ISO 160 ‘The photo is the Red Arrows flying at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), where it was not the best conditions for flying. The grey overcast skies started…

There are two types of picture that I enjoy. First there’s the one typified by the Ansel Adams print hanging in my hall. As you’d expect, it is perfectly composed, lit and exposed. It’s a work of art, and I never tire of looking at it. The second type is exemplified by the picture I’m looking at this week. This could never be called a work of art. But it is intriguing. What is this fiendish machine? Where is it? What is it doing? Let me explain how I came upon it. My daughter lives on the south coast, a few miles outside Brighton. One day, in her local fish and chip shop, she overhead a conversation between two people. One said, ‘Have you noticed those strange concrete blocks that…