Category: News

News (industry, events)

Panasonic Lumix L10

Today Panasonic announced a new advanced compact camera, the Lumix L10. Back in March, somewhat unexpectingly, Panasonic refreshed the ZS/TZ lineup with a viewfinder-less model. Now to celebrate 25 years of Lumix, the L10 represent the top of the line Lumix compact camera. With the insides of a GH7 (the same m4/3 sensor), and the form factor of a LX100, with a 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 equivalent zoom, it positions itself as a compact all-in-one suited for photo and video, with all the recent developments found in the S series, including the LUTs, and a microphone port.

At US$1,499 (CA$2,099) in silver or black, it is not that budget friendly. A titanium gold special edition for the 25 year anniversary will cost US$1,599 and be available in limited quantities.

A bunch of influencers got flown to Osaka, Japan for the announcement. Here I just have the Press Release.

RIP Portra and T-Max

In the continuation of Eastman Kodak bringing back the films from Kodak Alaris into their own umbrella, the latest “victims” are Portra and T-Max. While the brand will not be continued, both line will be renamed.

Long live to Ektacolor Pro and Ektapan (via Petapixel, as I’m not on the Eastman Kodak mailing list).

Ektacolor Pro will be in 160, 400 and 800 ISO, much like Portra. The 800 ISO film will cost more. Ektapan will be in 100, 400 and 3200 ISO, like T-Max. Both will be available in 135 and 120. Not sure yet about sheet film.

Now the only thing that is missing is that 800 ISO colour film that is found in the disposable cameras.

Previously: Ektachrome, Ektar, Tri-X, Kodacolor, Gold 200 and Ultramax 400.

Ektachrome 100

Kosmofoto tells us Kodak Ektachrome E100 added to Eastman Kodak’s in-house distribution.

The legendary slide film, discontinued and then revived, is now being folded back to Eastman Kodak. This comes after Ektar 100 and Tri-X 400. It’s looking like the whole range of Kodak product is being repatriated from Kodak Alaris. It feel reassuring after learning that Kodak Alaris was being bought by private equity. The were just the exclusive distributor of Eastman Kodak in a deal with the Kodak UK pension, but now it seems that the deal changed and Eastman Kodak is getting it back.

News: instax mini Evo Cinema

The tl;dr: Fujifilm announced the instax mini Evo Cinema: a movie camera shaped Instax mini Evo camera.

That means it is a digital camera that directly print on Instax mini. But the rest feels very gimmicky:

– record short videos (up to 15sec) and then print a thumbnail with QR code to share it with other.
– the “Eras Dial”: it’s like a film simulation dial but for time period specific effects, including with the audio.

Most of it requires the use of the associated mobile app.

The ergonomics look interesting, with a grip allegedly inspired by Fujifilm own FUJICA Single-8 movie camera (an 8mm film movie camera from 1965) and a viewfinder attachment to turn the small rear LCD into an EVF. Seriously Fujifilm, make this a proper movie camera that can do 4K and you get my money.

It feels like we are being punked by Fujifilm. The fact that there are very few articles (no review) and very few videos on YouTube about it is either that Fujifilm didn’t send the camera to influencers. Even the Fujifilm corporate channels are light on content with only a video in Japanese. Reading closer what Peta Pixel knows, it seems that the instax mini Evo Cinema is set to be released in Japan, with an unknown prices and international availability.

RIP Martin Parr

British photographer Martin Parr dies aged 73

Martin Parr, a British documentary photographer, was known for his colour pictures of Britain. He is often named as an influential figure among street photographers these days.

The Guardian has a short retrospective of Martin Parr photography.

The also further pieces on or by Martin Parr, with his recent work:

– August 2025 — ‘There’s something very interesting about boring’: Martin Parr on his life in pictures

– July 2025 — Decks appeal: Martin Parr captures life on a cruise liner – photo essay

– April 2025 — Martin Parr catches the cherry blossom season in Kyoto – in pictures

(One of my) Local photo store closing

The Montreal Gazette is reporting that ‘A real institution’: Old Montreal camera shop Photo Service to close after 89 years:

The sign Photo Service Ltee protruding from the facade and viewed from below
Photo Service Ltee sign

A Montreal photography institution is closing after 89 years of operation. Photo Service in Old Montreal will slide the key under the door on Jan. 3, leaving many photo professionals and hobbyists in limbo.

Not the first time, nor the last time. Lozeau already closed a while back (I didn’t talk about it here) after they got pillaged by Henry’s.

Last time I tried to get to Photo Service it was 3PM on a Saturday and they were closed. Feels like their hobbyist customers have to come during the week. Camtec was open, on the same street, and then I could just mail order, even though I always try to patronise local stores.

[..] the film processing lab, which he says is among the best in the city. The store’s processing and archiving services will continue after the shop’s closure thanks to a partnership with Kant Photo on Stanley St., the details of which have yet to be ironed out.

Not sure what that means. Redirect the customers? Expand Kant Photo activities with their lab machines?

Another major factor, Savard says, is Sony’s refusal to recognize Photo Service as an authorized retailer, “for unexplained reasons, despite all our efforts. We’re almost the only store of this size in Canada not to be recognized.”

Never been a fan of Sony cameras, not sure why, but that looks like Sony would rather sell at Best Buy… or they really hate small family operated outlets, as it seems to be a similar situation elsewhere.

Anyway, life goes on, that mean more business for the stores that are left.

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