The PetaPixel Photography Podcast

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A few weeks ago, Jordan Drake challenged Chris Niccolls and Jaron Schneider's historical camera pricing knowledge with a test: are cameras actually more expensive now than they were 10 or more years ago? The answer was mostly no, but it got them thinking... was the same the case for lenses?

em>Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

In This Episode:
00:00 - A very jetlagged intro14:52 - Despite Nikon's lawsuit, Viltrox says it isn't adjusting its product roadmap plans17:12 - OM System's new camera is an astro-focused OM-321:43 - Zeiss Aatma T1.5 primes are small, fast, and extremely expensive25:29 - Nikon posts huge losses27:59 - Fujifilm had record-high profits and Canon's camera business grew, too30:46 - Viltrox's first L-mount lens is the 16mm f/1.831:57 - Canon announced two new wide-angle lenses37:20 - Canon's new limited edition G7 X mark III looks great, but you'll probably never own one40:15 - Ricoh Pentax is releasing a limited edition camera strap made from recycled train seats42:59 - Are lenses actually more expensive now?1:03:50 - What have you been up to?1:08:30 - Check out the Exposure Festival in Calgary1:11:07 - Tech Support1:32:23 - Feel Good story of the week

We would like to thank this week's PetaPixel Podcast sponsor, OM SYSTEM. They have been a big supporter of PetaPixel over the years and we were lucky enough to recently get the chance to travel to Costa Rica with OM SYSTEM Ambassador and Master Bird Photographer Ben Knoot, and it was an amazing experience. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel.

Did Chris and Jordan’s journey to Costa Rica inspire you to capture your own travel moments? OM SYSTEM is running a street and travel photo contest right now.

Grand Prize: OM-3 or OM-5 Camera Kit + WANDRD camera bag

How to Enter:Post your best street or travel photo on Instagram (must be a NEW post)Use hashtag #TravelWithOMSYSTEMTag @omsystem.camerasComplete your entry hereDeadline: February 16th Winners Announced: March 2nd

Enter the contest today!

Last week, we found out that the Z-mount might not be quite as open as we previously thought because Nikon is suing Viltrox. While right now it could be as simple as seeking royalties for using the mount, it could also just as easily end up being a similar situation to Canon, who runs a closed mount.

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode:
00:00 - Intro (and Chris's favorite bird photos from Costa Rica)17:43 - Leica is reportedly considering a sale: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/26/leica-camera-considering-selling-a-majority-stake-for-1-2-billion-report/21:59 - TTArtisan chose a unique color scheme for this lens: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/23/this-might-be-the-ugliest-lens-ive-ever-seen/25:25 - Ektar and Tri-X join Kodak's line of directly distributed films: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/21/ektar-and-tri-x-are-now-being-distributed-directly-by-kodak/29:37 - Sony has a new global shutter, square sensor: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/19/sonys-newest-global-shutter-image-sensors-are-square-and-speedy/31:35 - Nikon ZR gets its first firmware update: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/26/nikon-zr-update-extends-max-recording-time-to-6-hours/37:28 - Nikon is Suing Viltrox: https://petapixel.com/2026/01/21/nikon-files-lawsuit-against-viltrox-in-china-over-z-mount-patent-report/57:27 - What have you been up to?1:01:55 - Tech support1:24:57 - Feel good stories of the week

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses.

It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. Join today!

This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, the team is in New York City and spends time chatting in different hotel rooms together! The big topic that has been on everyone's mind lately is pricing, and the idea that photography has become too expensive. Jordan thought it might be worth checking to see if that's really the case, and quizzes Chris and Jaron on if modern cameras really are pricier than they were just a few years ago.

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode:
00:00 - Intro from New York City hotel rooms!10:08 - Evoto messed up big14:54 - The "Await" camera is trying to mimic the experience of film21:17 - The Sony a7 V is killing it in Japan24:30 - Thypoch's new lens is based on 1970s cinema optics27:59 - Let's talk one more time about the GR IV Monochrome's price34:39 - Are cameras actually more expensive now?57:35 - What have you been up to?1:03:50 - Tech support

With a PetaPixel Membership, not only can you support original PetaPixel reporting and in-depth reviews, but you can also remove ads from the website and gain access to some seriously great perks, too. Members get $15 off the Moment Store, 5% off certified pre-owned gear from KEH, 25% off the PetaPixel Merch Store, and now can download full-resolution RAW files and JPEGs from the latest cameras and lenses.

It costs just $3 per month or $30 per year. Join today: https://petapixel.com/members/

This week on The PetaPixel Podcast, Chris Niccolls, Jordan Drake, and Jaron Schneider are joined by Sarah Teng to talk about the Instax Mini Evo Cinema. And, in a weird bizzaro world twist, it's Chris who has to convince Sarah that it's great. She's not sold, but Chris absolutely loves this weirdo video/printer/instant camera hybrid.

Also, the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome finally has a price and release date, but it's a lot more expensive than the base model. Apple launched a new suite of creative apps called the Creator Studio, Adorama was literally giving X half cameras away, and you can get a GoPro-branded laptop for some reason.

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode:
00:00 - Intro, and Sarah Teng is back!12:11 - The Ricoh GR Monochrome costs $700 more than the base model16:32 - Fujifilm is releasing an all-white X half in China17:52 - Meanwhile, Adorama is literally giving X halfs away20:33 - Pentax isn't sure how to make the DSLR popular again26:43 - You can get a GoPro laptop, if you're into that30:56 - Nikon's 24-105mm f/4-7.1 is a new kit zoom for the Z5 II32:57 - The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV isn't being discontinued36:20 - Apple Creator Studio is the long-awaited competitor to Adobe Creative Cloud44:15 - Is the Mini Evo Cinema the best Instax camera ever?1:03:54 - What have you been up to?1:10:10 - Tech support1:16:28 - Feel good story of the week: Don't ever change, Radio Shack

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Surprise! The PetaPixel Podcast team got together one more time for the true Season 4 finale! Grab a glass of eggnog, don your Santa hats, and pull the pole out from the crawlspace, because it's time for the annual airing of grievances!

Check out PetaPixel Merch: store.petapixel.com/

We use Riverside to record The PetaPixel Podcast in our online recording studio.

We hope you enjoy the podcast and we look forward to hearing what you think. If you like what you hear, please support us by subscribing, liking, commenting, and reviewing! Every week, the trio go over comments on YouTube and here on PetaPixel, but if you’d like to send a message for them to hear, you can do so through SpeakPipe.

In This Episode
00:00 - Intro (Your most vivid Christmas memory)13:53 - DJI drones have been banned in the US16:30 - Fujifilm to spend nearly $32 million expanding Instax film production20:18 - Benro's electronics Variable ND filter automatically adjusts its strength24:56 - Leica made major updates to the SL3 and Q3 series autofocus26:48 - All visual arts students worldwide can now join ASMP for free27:50 - Ricoh's GR IV HDF is coming soon and has a new electronic shutter31:56 - The Annual Airing of Grievances52:51 - What have you been up to?58:52 - Tech Support