This is The Digital Story Podcast #871, November 29, 2022. Today's theme is "The Secret Lives of Photographers." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

It's true: we love our cameras, taking pictures, and hanging beautiful images on the wall. We are photographers. But many visual artists are also talented in other areas of creative expression. I've learned this over the years during casual conversations at workshops and conferences. And many times I've been impressed with the revelations. This week's podcast is dedicated to the secret (artistic) lives of photographers. I hope you enjoy the show.

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The Secret Lives of Photographers

Last week I reached out to our community of photographers who follow me on Substack and asked them about their hidden talents. I got some great responses.

Here in the order of most popular talents are what they shared.

• Playing a musical instrument.
• Writing short form essays and articles.
• Graphic arts.
• Painting.
• Songwriting.
• Drafting.

I also provided an "Other" category where readers could list activities that were not included in the poll. I found some of these fascinating, and want to share a few of them with you.

Barb: "Tapestry weaving is a great addition to Photography. They are both about images but the tactile nature of working with yarn has a fulfillment all its own. They both use color and light but the visualizations are wonderfully different and complimentary."

Evelyn: "Watercolor, ukulele, weaving, spinning and knitting are my things besides photography."

John: "Watercolor painting, graphic design, piano playing. All compliment photography and each other."

Karl: "Wood working , wood turning, copper art, driftwood art."

Carl: "I am furniture maker (22 pieces in our home) and wood turner of both open and closed form vessels."

Jim: "Musically I am primarily and organist and pianist, but six years ago, at age 50, decided to teach myself bass guitar just to learn something new. For my full time work, I am a technical writer, but also enjoy some casual writing and blogging for fun."

Clearly we have a talented audience here. Thanks to everyone who voted in the polls and contributed comments. I thought this was a lot of fun.

Sony Will Supply Apple with 'Advanced' Image Sensor for the Next iPhone

You can read the entire article on PetaPixel.com.

Sony is set to provide Apple with a "state-of-the-art" image sensor for its next iPhone that will supposedly double the amount of light it can capture and give it the ability to clearly capture a face even with a strong backlight.

Nikkei Asia reports that it has learned Sony will supply Apple and "other smartphone makers" with access to the new image sensor, which the company is producing in response to pressure from Samsung Electronics, which also makes smartphone sensors.

According to the report, Sony's new image sensor doubles the saturation signal level in each pixel which allows it to capture more light while also allowing it to reduce overexposure or underexposure in certain settings. As a result, the sensor is capable of not only better low-light performance, but it is better able to meter starkly different exposures, such as a face that is heavily backlit by the sun.

At the time of the announcement and in that detailed presentation in February, Sony did not say when the new sensor would find its way into consumer devices or even when it intended to manufacture the sensors at scale. Those questions appear to be answered now though, as Sony is preparing to be able to provide it for use in smartphones that are expected to be released in the Fall of 2023.

The latest sensor on the iPhone 14 is already extremely impressive, so adding even more imaging prowess to the smartphone will no doubt further close the gap between standalone cameras and mobile devices.

Canon's new 'Pro' webcam software costs as much as just buying a capture card

You can read the entire article on TheVerge.com.

It felt like companies were offering some goodwill during the pandemic when they released free software that allowed a camera you already own to work as a webcam, but now, Canon's looking for some of that sweet recurring subscription revenue. A new update to its EOS Webcam Utility software adds a bunch of new features, but only as part of a new Pro tier that costs $5 per month or $50 per year.

Opting to pay gets you new features like streaming up to five cameras at once via USB, wireless single-camera streaming, 60fps support, finer controls for custom scene profiles, watermark insertion, control of your camera settings via the UI, and some further granular tweaks. While much of that sounds nice and may make for a better experience when using the EOS Webcam Utility, the Pro version tops out at just 1080p resolution (the free tier is still stuck with 720p). That seems a little paltry for a paid service utilizing a variety of cameras capable of outputting 4K via their HDMI ports.

Look, I get it: Camera companies are thirsty for recurring revenue streams just like everyone else -- and normally, their only source is a pro service program like Canon Professional Services (CPS). But while some of these new features added to Canon's webcam software seem nifty, I can't shake the fact that basic capture cards are really cheap now, and two years of this service costs about as much as buying an Elgato CamLink 4K for yourself -- which supports the same 1080p / 60p and even goes up to 4K resolution without any subscription. As for all the advanced software control, OBS may be a pain in the ass to learn, but it's free to use.

It's a relief to see that Canon will maintain the free tier for owners who just want the basics and can't be bothered to buy additional hardware for streaming, but now it seems like a safe bet that most new features will be kept behind the paywall.

The 2023 TDS Photography Workshop Lineup

• Inkjet Printing Workshop for Photographers Online Workshop - Nov/Dec 2022 and Nov/Dec 2023. SOLD OUT
• Maximizing Your Micro Four Thirds Camera Online Workshop - Feb. 2023.
• Ultimate B&W Photography Online Workshop - April 2023
• Pt. Reyes In-Person Photography Workshop - May 2023
• Infrared Photography Online Workshop - July 2023
• Sedona Arizona In-Person Photography Workshop - Oct. 2023
• Wine Country in Autumn In-Person Photography Workshop - Nov. 2023

You can sign up for any of these events by visiting our Photography Workshops Page. Inner Circle Members receive a 10 percent discount on all events.

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 51 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #870, November 22, 2022. Today's theme is "Totally Fun Holiday Gift Guide for Photographers." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

There are many accessories and optics that can make a photographer's work more creative and efficient. And sometimes we don't even know that those helpful items can be. But maybe after today's podcast you'll have a better idea. Here are my suggestions for fun and functional goodies for the visual artists in your life.

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Totally Fun Holiday Gift Guide for Photographers

• Lens Cap Keeper Holder Buckle Kit (52-67mm) $13 - The buckle could be attached on the camera strap. Each buckle holds three sizes of lens caps on opposing sides of the holder. Fits most lens caps. Easily attaches to your camera's neck/shoulder strap/bag strap and no extra modification of your camera or lens cap is required. Avoid losing your lens cap during shooting sessions on the go.



• Everyone's a Photographer Until T-Shirt $17 - Everyone's A Photographer Until Manual Mode designs. Do you or someone you know love taking pictures? Then get this funny design. Photographer will absolutely love this design.

• FanVince Winter Gloves - $17 - With the Unique and Sensitive touchscreen Fingers Capability (touchable thumb and forefinger), all your touchscreen devices, even the smartphone covered with screen protector, can be easily clicked used. Coming with enough silicone particles on the palm, thumb, index finger and middle finger, which effectively increases the grip strength and abrasion resistance of the touch screen gloves.



• Geekey Multitool TSA Friendly $18 - Original Stainless Steel Key Shaped Pocket Tool for Keychain | Bottle Opener, Screwdriver, Ruler, Wrench, Bit Driver, File, Bike Spoke Key | TSA Friendly - Its features include a 3.2/3.3mm Bike Spoke Key, a Screwdriver tip that will fit a #2/3 Slotted, #2 Square Drive, #2/3 Phillips, and #2/3 Combinations (Phillips/Slotted or Phillips/Square) screw all in one bit, Imperial and Metric Closed Wrench, ¼ inch Open Wrench, ¼ inch Bit Driver, Scoring Tip, Serrated Edge, Can Opener, Wire Stripper, File, Imperial and Metric Ruler, Protractor, Bottle Opener, Multi-head fit Driver, and a Lanyard Hole.



• ALPS Mountaineering Classic Trekker $30 - The Classic Trekker quickly locks into place thanks to its high-quality fast locking lever system, making on-the-go adjustments a breeze. Featuring 7075 aluminum construction, the Classic Trekker is both durable and lightweight. You can use the Classic Trekker as a traditional walking staff or trekking pole with the length extension feature. Another bonus feature is you can remove the round wooden top to reveal an accessory mount allowing the Classic Trekker to double as a monopod. You won't want to hit the trails without the Classic Trekker.



• Apple AirTag 4 Pack - $75 - Precision Finding with Ultra Wideband technology leads you right to your nearby AirTag (on select iPhone models).
• Neewer Photo Studio Lightbox $115 - Shooting Light Tent with Adjustable Brightness, Foldable and Portable Tabletop Photography Lighting Kit with 80 LED Lights and 4 Colored Backdrops. Featuring 80 LEDs, a CRI of 85+, 6000-6500K color temperature, the 20" × 20" × 20" / 50 × 50 × 50cm light box provides bright white light to showcase your products. The brightness adjustment knob on the power adapter allows you to conveniently adjust light brightness. Easily set up the light box with the hook-and-loop fasteners. The foldable design lets you fold it down and carry it wherever you go.



• KODAK Slide N SCAN Film and Slide Scanner with Large LCD Screen $180 - With the new SLIDE N SCAN Digital Film Scanner from KODAK, you can view, edit and convert your old photos, no tech savvy necessary! This easy yet elegant 22MP scanner delivers crisp, clear, beautiful images with the press of a button. Best of all, there's no straining to see. Watch old memories come to life on the large 5" LCD screen with extra wide viewing angle and gallery mode--perfect for previewing pictures, or for using the scanner as a desktop photo frame! Unlike other frustrating scanners that require you to remove the tray and reposition slides each time, our easy-load insert system allows for continuous feeding, speeding up the scanning process significantly. In addition to the main 50mm slide holder, three adapters are also provided for compatibility with 135, 110 and 126mm films. You can finally skip the stressful software and complicated onboard buttons--and simply scan!

Fujifilm Japan is temporarily ceasing X100V orders due to having too many to process

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com.

Fujifilm announced the release of its X100V APS-C digital camera back in February 2020. Now, nearly three years later, Fujifilm Japan has announced it is having to temporarily stop orders due to having too many back orders, according to a new report from FujiRumors.

In the public notice posted to Fujifilm Japan's website, it reads 'we have received orders that have greatly exceeded our initial plan, and we are unable to keep up with the supply of products, so we will temporarily stop accepting orders from today.' Based on the public notice being issued only by Fujifilm Japan for now, it appears as though this cessation of new orders will only be affecting the Japanese market. We have contacted Fujifilm representatives to confirm whether or not similar measures will be put in place in other regions.

Derrick Note: B&H posted a Request Assistance button on their site for the camera stating: "Unfortunately, our supplier cannot provide an accurate timeframe so we have suspended backorders for this item. Reach out to our Experts (available via Live Chat or Phone) to find an alternative solution tailored to your needs." and Amazon Marketplace is selling "renewed" cameras for $2,169.

The 2023 TDS Photography Workshop Lineup

• Inkjet Printing Workshop for Photographers Online Workshop - Nov/Dec 2022 and Nov/Dec 2023. SOLD OUT
• Maximizing Your Micro Four Thirds Camera Online Workshop - Feb. 2023.
• Ultimate B&W Photography Online Workshop - April 2023
• Pt. Reyes In-Person Photography Workshop - May 2023
• Infrared Photography Online Workshop - July 2023
• Sedona Arizona In-Person Photography Workshop - Oct. 2023
• Wine Country in Autumn In-Person Photography Workshop - Nov. 2023

You can sign up for any of these events by visiting our Photography Workshops Page. Inner Circle Members receive a 10 percent discount on all events.

The Average US Adult is Hoarding Over $2,000 of Unused Tech: Report

You can read the entire article on Petapixel.com.

New research has revealed that the average U.S. adult is sitting on over $2,000 worth of unused tech -- with the majority of consumers surveyed owning at least one camera in their home that they are not using. According to new data from camera reseller, MPB, alongside research provider CINT, the U.S. is hoarding over $650 billion worth of technological devices they do not use.

In MPB's online survey, which was completed by 13,000 adults, two-thirds of Americans revealed they have at least one piece of unused tech in their home. The average U.S. adult is estimated to be sitting on $2,459 worth of unused tech.

The average amount consumers spend every year to keep up with the latest technology is over $500. And two-thirds of consumers surveyed feel that the cost of technology is too expensive.

According to the survey, millennials and Generation Z are holding on to the most unused tech. Adults aged between 18 to 34 have an average of $3,691 worth of unused tech in the U.S. 56 percent of them have at least one unused camera in their home.

When asked why they had not sold an unused piece of tech, the two most popular reasons consumers gave were that they did not think they would receive much money in return and they or someone close to them might need it one day.

My Twitter Account Now Permanently Suspended

Without warning and for no reason.

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 51 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #869, November 15, 2022. Today's theme is "Scratches, Dings, and Paint Chips." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Most enthusiast photographers go to great lengths to protect their gear. We use high tech camera bags, half cases, aluminum bottom plates, protection filters, lens hoods, and more. But what level of concern is truly important for our equipment? We explore these worries and more on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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The Story of Kent Porter

In Sonoma County, we have a photography legend named Kent Porter, who has worked as a photographer for the Press Democrat for 34 years. During the past five years, he's been concerned with the effects of climate change here in Northern California.

I think you will find his story interesting.

How Front Element Scratches Affect Your Images

You can read the entire article on LensRentals.com.

To put it simply, front element scratches will reduce the contrast and sharpness of your images, but nearly exclusively at the point where the scratch is on the element. So will you notice these scratches in your images? Probably not. This is because of how lenses capture light. In general, dirt, debris, and damage will be most evident when it's closest to the focal plane (sensor). At lower aperture values (f/1.4, f/2.8, or f/3.5 for example), a front element scratch will be almost impossible to detect, and dust or damage on the actual sensor (or on the rear element of the lens) will appear as a small shadow or possibly a blurry artifact. At higher aperture values (f/16, f/20, f/22, for example), a front element scratch may be a bit more noticeable, appearing as a place with less contrast and hazier. A rear element scratch or sensor scratch will be much more apparent at higher apertures, appearing as a flare, or in some cases, even a black blob. This is why it's easy to test whether or not you have sensor dust - just set your aperture to f/16 or above, point the camera to the blue sky, and press the shutter. You'll likely see sensor dust pretty easily, as dark spots.

To illustrate this point, we pulled some scratched lenses from our repair department's inventory and did some side-by-side comparisons. Example photos are below, and as you can see, both lenses performed near equally to their undamaged brethren. I doubt you'll be able to see any differences between the scratched and unscratched comparisons.

As you can tell from above, you likely won't be able to see the differences between one image and the other, and scratches will have almost no noticeable changes to your images. However, one place where it can have larger effects is when you have flares in your images, so let's look at how each lens performs when we're intentionally flaring lights.

That said, obviously, regardless of these results, no one wants to put a big scratch on the front of their lens, so, it's important to take means of protecting their lens if they can, so here are some tools that can help protect the front of your camera lens.

The Best Filter System I've Tested: We Review the Kase Wolverine IV Magnetic Filter System

You can read the entire article on Fstoppers.com.

The Kase Wolverine IV magnetic system is the best filter system I have ever used when it comes to usability. Nothing comes close to how straightforward and easy this system is.

There are two ways to use this filter system. The first is with a static circular adapter ring that attaches to the lens. This static ring is small, lightweight, and screws on with the filter threads on the front of most lenses. Once it's screwed onto the lens, you can attach multiple circular filters via the magnets in the filters and adapter rings.

The polarizing filter that comes with the pack doesn't have the common dual circular feature that allows it to rotate once attached. Instead, because it's being attached via the magnets, it's never fixed in place and can therefore be rotated to whatever orientation you need.

Additionally, you can attach ND filters on top of the polarizing filter should you need to control the exposure too. In my experience, most people tend to want the ability to shoot with one ND and one polarizing filter. This smaller, static adapter ring offers this ability in what I think is the most user-friendly manner I have ever experienced. It is, without a doubt, the best-implemented filter system I've ever used.

With so many filter systems on the market, it can be difficult to figure out which is best for you. As photographers, many of us have our own personal preferences. Despite this, I find it difficult to imagine anyone disliking this system. Aside from the poor performance of the 6-stop filter, the Kase filter system comes closest to perfect overall.

The polarizer and 10-stop filter system are true standouts amongst many of the options available on the market. Coupled with the fact that this system is incredibly easy to use, it makes for what could be the best option on the market.

The 2023 TDS Photography Workshop Lineup

• Inkjet Printing Workshop for Photographers Online Workshop - Nov/Dec 2022 and Nov/Dec 2023. SOLD OUT
• Maximizing Your Micro Four Thirds Camera Online Workshop - Feb. 2023.
• Ultimate B&W Photography Online Workshop - April 2023
• Pt. Reyes In-Person Photography Workshop - May 2023
• Infrared Photography Online Workshop - July 2023
• Sedona Arizona In-Person Photography Workshop - Oct. 2023
• Wine Country in Autumn In-Person Photography Workshop - Nov. 2023

You can sign up for any of these events by visiting our Photography Workshops Page. Inner Circle Members receive a 10 percent discount on all events.

The 2022 Oregon Coast Workshop a Success

Here's a brief overview of the wonderful time we enjoyed together last week.

What's new in the latest Capture One 23 release

You can read the entire article on PhotoFocus.com.

Smart Adjustments - Aimed at portrait, wedding and event photographers, the Smart Adjustments offers consistency in your portraits in just a few clicks with Smart Adjustments. Automatically adjusting Exposure and White Balance to match looks across a series of images. Designed to work where copy/apply could not give consistent results before. Smart Adjustments can be added as a Style getting you closer to one-click editing.

Cull and Import Upgrades - Sort and select images faster with a dedicated function specifically designed for culling. View, rate, tag and browser with zero delays (no preview generation required). View similar images for faster selection on import or with the new dedicated cull view. Specially designed with high-volume photographers in mind, to make finding your best shots faster.

Also: Layers in Styles, Change Capture Time, Improved Performance for Sony Files, and performance enhancements.

My Twitter Account Suspended

Without warning and for no reason.

Virtual Camera Club News

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 51 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.

Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.

This is The Digital Story Podcast #868, November 8, 2022. Today's theme is "Fujifilm Muscles Up with the New XT-5." I'm Derrick Story.

Opening Monologue

Yes, the Fujifilm X-H2 and X-H2S are great cameras for those who need those capabilities, but for many of us who are more straight photography oriented, the X Series is what caused us to fall in love with brand in the first place. And now with the announcement of the X-T5, the affairs continues. We'll take a look at the new 40MP wonder, plus more stories, on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.

Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!

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Fujifilm Muscles Up with the New XT-5

Let's start with an overview of the specs:

• 40MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR BSI Sensor
• 4K 120p, 6.2K 30p, FHD 240p 10-Bit Video
• 7-Stop In-Body Image Stabilization
• 425-Point Intelligent Hybrid AF System
• 3.69m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
• 3" 1.84m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
• 20 fps E. Shutter, 15 fps Mech. Shutter
• Improved Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
• ProRes & Blackmagic RAW via HDMI
• 160MP Pixel Shift Multi-Shot

From B&H Explora - you can read the entire review here:

All of this is fine, but there are two and a half changes that I really noticed in my week of use. The first is a more robust grip: rather than the gradual slope of the XT-4, the hand rests along a steep wall that may not be much deeper than its predecessor but feels more secure in the hand. It was the first thing I noticed when I picked the camera up, and it's felt good every time since.

The other change is one I'm personally more conflicted about, but it's also something others will undoubtedly celebrate: the removal of the flip-out vari-angle screen. That particular feature is now the exclusive domain of the X-H series, where the functional benefit for video types (like me) will be universally worth the usability downgrade for photo types (like me). I was content to make that trade-off with the X-T4, but I know many resented it, and those folks will be quite happy with FUJIFILM's return to the 3-way tilt mechanism of the X-T3. This means that you can get your high- and low-angle photography without affecting the camera's rotational center of gravity: you don't need to compensate for the additional weight sticking out the left side, and you do feel that in your day to day. Additionally, that third "tilt," where the screen completely detaches on one side from the main mechanism, gives additional flexibility while shooting off-angle portraiture.

The biggest change to the XT-5 isn't visible: The X-Trans 5 looks just like its predecessor, but it is a milestone in APS-C engineering. The 40MP sensor means a massive 53% jump in pixel count, marking the largest increase the line has seen and may ever see. In fact, the X-Trans 5 sensor is the highest-resolution APS-C sensor on the market, period.

I love my X-T4 the same way I loved my X-T3 before it and the X-T2 before that but, once again, FUJIFILM has come out with a camera that's made me take a long, hard look at the credit limit on my Payboo card. Darn it, I think they've got me again.

The Fujifilm X-T5 is scheduled to begin shipping on Nov. 17, 2022. You can preorder it now for $1,699.00 US.

OM Digital Solutions is removing the Olympus name from its entire product portfolio

You can read the entire article on DPReview.com.

Last year, OM Digital Solutions (OMDS) announced it would gradually transition from using the name the Olympus branding it acquired to its own OM System brand it developed. Now, that transition is getting fast tracked, just a week after OMDS announced the first interchangeable lens camera bearing its new OM System name, the OM-5.

In a press release posted to its Japanese website, OMDS announced will be replacing the 'Olympus' name on all of its current product lineup with 'OM System.' According to the announcement, the change will impact all products in OMDS' lineup, including cameras, lenses, binoculars and accessories. Aside from swapping 'Olympus' with 'OM System,' the affected products will otherwise remain unchanged, with the original specifications and build quality.

This change comes nearly two years after Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) completed its acquisition of Olympus' camera and imaging portfolio under its then-new OM Digital Solutions subsidiary. Ten months after the acquisition, OMDS announced its new OM System brand, which it implied would serve as the successor to the historic brand formerly known as Olympus.

The Olympus name has been on various cameras, lenses and accessories in some form since the 1930s. While the brand and the products bearing its name has seen various owners over the years under the greater Olympus umbrella, this transition to OM System appears to mark the end of a name that's been stamped on cameras of all shapes and sizes for almost a century, including the game-changing OM-1 and its popular Olympus Pen lineup.

The New Nimble Photographer Weekly Newsletter

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.

Because of this rotating content, you won't see the same layout each time. There will be a certain freshness about The Nimble Photographer Newsletter that you typically don't see with other publications.

The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is a valuable addition to our existing community benefits that include TheDigitalStory Podcast, The Nimble Photographer website, TheFilmCameraShop, and Derrick Story on Medium.com.

How to Sign Up

You can Sign Up for Free to the Nimble Photographer Newsletter and receive each edition weekly in your inbox.

I'm looking forward to sharing lots of great content with you.

Are Modern Photos Too Perfect?

You can read the entire article on FStoppers.com.

We are at a remarkable time in photography: cameras and lenses are more capable than ever, and we can create images that photographers could only dream of a decade ago. And for the most part, that is a great thing. However, there can be a downside to that. Are images too perfect nowadays?

Coming to you from aows, this interesting video discusses the idea of reintroducing imperfection to photos. I think this is an important thing to think about. A lot of photography today places technical perfection at the top of the list of priorities. And no doubt, we should not confuse the idea of deliberate imperfection with not possessing sound technique. Rather, we should reassess if the constant pursuit of technical perfection is hindering us from improving our photos in other ways. After all, there are a lot of photos out there that are clinically sharp, with beautiful colors and crisp editing, and yet, they are often somehow lacking something -- something that makes them compelling, that makes the viewer unable to look away. When our technique is good, it is time to make room for other aspects of image-making as well. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

Virtual Camera Club News

Update on the 2023 TDS Workshop Season - We're off to a great start for the 2023 TDS Workshop Season. Workshops are filling up quickly.

Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.

My Writing on Medium.com: I now have 51 published articles on Medium.com. And if you haven't visited the site, and enjoy good writing on a variety of topics, I suggest that you may want to take a look. You can just go to the home page and enter "Derrick Story" in the search field. And if you like what you read, then follow me!

The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.

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Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.

See you next week!

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With the announcement of the OM System OM-5 mirrorless camera, Micro Four Thirds enthusiasts now have a clear choice between two new OM System cameras. Which is right for you? Let's start with the mid-level OM-5.

OM System OM-5

Mid-level cameras such as the OM-5 tend to get similar technology as their flagship brethren, but not all of the pro-level niceties. Let's start with what you get for your $1,199.99. Take a look at the following comparison illustration with the earlier Olympus E-M5 Mark III.

You'll see by looking at the comparison chart and key features, that much emphasis is placed on technology and weather resistance. This is a compact, durable, highly capable camera that you can take just about anywhere. It could also serve as a solid backup camera to your existing OM-1 if you needed that.

So, what are the shortcomings when compared to the flagship OM-1? For starters, the micro-USB port on the OM-5 is older technology compared to the USB-C port on the OM-1 (but you do get native the USB webcam support). Also, the mid-level camera did not receive the upgraded menu system that its big brother sports. There's a single UHS-II memory card slot instead of two, and it uses the smaller 8.46Wh BLS-50 battery, which has less power, but does keep the body compact.

OM System OM-1

The OM System OM-1 mirrorless camera weighs in at $1,000 more ($2,199.99). So what's the reward for the extra hard-earned money?

Start with a 20MP Stacked BSI Live MOS MFT sensor, 5.76m-Dot OLED electronic viewfinder, dual UHS-II SD card slots, DCI/UHD 4K 60p 10-bit video recording, USB-C connectivity, redesigned menu system, cross quad pixel phase-detection AF, new BLX-1 battery rated for 520 shots (about 200 more than the OM-5), and faster sequential shooting.

Other noteworthy characteristics include: highly durable shutter unit that clears 400,000 shutter actuations (according to in-house testing conditions), night view mode makes it possible to view subjects even in dark environments, and independent AEL and AF-ON buttons.

All of this in a rugged, weather resistant design that will prove to be highly reliable in just about any environment.

So Which One Is Right for You?

The obvious starting point is price. The $1,000 difference between the two cameras is a big deal for many enthusiasts. Next, can you live with the older menu system, micro-USB connectivity, and a single card slot?

If your primary goal is to enjoy the latest technology in MFT photography in a rugged, compact body, and you can live with the feature differences, the the OM-5 presents a pretty good value at $1,199.99. However, if you want the faster, more robust performance of the OM-1, plus the "best of the best" spec for Micro Four Thirds, then go with the OM System OM-1.

My view is that the OM-1 is the obvious choice for professional use, sports photography, and serious photojournalism. The OM-5 is a good choice for travel photography, hiking, family gatherings, and folks who love technology but don't necessarily need every professional feature.

Product Links and Comments

There are product links in this article that contain affiliate tags. In some cases, depending on the product, The Digital Story may receive compensation if you purchase a product via one of those links. There is no additional cost to you.

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