Best Photography — Curated from The Hiro Report

I've written before about how great these compact, MagSafe iPhone tripods are. I used one daily for a year for both taking family and group photos and just for keeping my phone at just the right viewing angle at my desk while I worked. Sadly, I lost it. Moft must have heard my expletives, because they released a new version of the iPhone stand with built-in Find My capabilities and a Bluetooth camera remote. I've ordered another one.

Malcolm-Jay's Camera Hacks channel just dropped a ~16-minute walkthrough of WLV-01, the monochrome waist-level digital camera he's been hand-building for months on a Raspberry Pi 5 and a Sony IMX585 full-spectrum sensor — his own firmware does focus modes, Brenizer mode, double exposure, aspect-ratio overlays, slider mode, a dedicated video mode, and a web interface for tethered control, all wrapped in a 3D-printed body. The camera has a Sony E-mount, so you can adapt almost any lens to work on the system. It's available as a DIY kit or fully assembled. Love seeing indie experimentation in the photography space.

I first shared about this flash when it was released last year, but I finally got my hands on one and wanted to share it again— it's totally blown me away. The iT32 is a modular flash, meaning you can buy the flash once and then swap out the hotshoe part of it to use with all your different camera systems, which all have their own unique flash triggers and TTL requirements. Best of all, the hotshoes that magnetically slot on to the bottom of the flash can also be used as wireless triggers— meaning you can pop the flash off the camera and set it on a tripod off to the side or behind your subject to get some dramatic or artistic lighting effects that are impossible to achieve with on-camera flash. The whole thing is tiny, powerful, and about half the price of other flashes I've bought in the past. I'm thinking about picking up a few more— the hotshoe can work as a wireless trigger for several of the flash units at once.

Prism Lens FX — the brand that built an entire business teaching digital filmmakers to fake the look of film with in-camera filter effects — just released a reloadable 35mm film camera starting at $49.99. Aren't all film cameras reloadable? Well, yeah, most of them. This is essentially a disposable camera that you can reuse over and over again. It's got a fixed focus, aperture, and shutter, a built-in flash, and an all-plastic body just like a disposable. HOWEVER, apart from being able to constantly put new rolls of film in, it also features a cool magnetic filter mount so you can add one of three effects filters that you can get as part of a bundle to change the quality of the lens. Looks like a fun way to document the summer.

Fujifilm announced a cool new addition to their Instax line of instant cameras this week. This new one looks more like an old 8mm film camera than the usual Polaroid-like format of the others in the line. This one is unique in that beyond shooting and printing stills, it also takes 15 second video clips, and it has a built-in dial to choose from different "eras" of film looks from the 1930's up to 2020's. It launches in Japan later this month.

I picked up this dream camera in late 2024 and carried it with me almost daily for the first half of the year. I am not carrying it daily anymore, but it’s still my most-used camera apart from my iPhone.

Moment dropped a new version of their Pro Camera app for iOS, bringing a ton of advanced features for both photos and videos into one central app. Like Halide, it will let you manually control your shutter speed, ISO, EV, focus, white balance, and opt out of Apple's sometimes heavy-handed processing on your photos. It ALSO lets you apply custom LUTs to both photos and videos, shoot in Apple Log 2, offers open gate and even anamorphic desqueezing in case you picked up an anamorphic lens for your iPhone. Best of all, it's a one-time purchase and they have a full roadmap for making the app even better in the months ahead.

Leica released a new version of their iconic M-series cameras, this time ditching the glass rangefinder in favor of an electronic viewfinder. While it can be seen as a controversial move if you forget that no one is forcing you to buy this camera, I think it's a really savvy move to increase the accessibility of the Leica M range. Like all Leicas, the new camera is gorgeous and costs an insane amount of money. Even if you have no interest at all in this camera, I highly recommend watching YouTuber GxAce's fantastic review that is almost more of a time-traveling cyberpunk documentary than a camera review.

VSCO has finally launched an app that they should have made ages ago—a camera app that lets you apply their fantastic, customizable photo filters to your photos in real time as you take them. The app features all the manual controls you might expect from a "Pro" photo app, with an elegant live view that shows you exactly what your photo will look like with the filters and manual controls applied. I don't think this is going to replace the Leica LUX app as my go-to iPhone camera, but it's a great alternative.

This is a really clever combination of iPhone photography app and collective art experiment/experience. The premise is that you sign up and join hundreds of thousands (or millions?) of others, each of whom gets to take one photo that gets added to a collection to be revealed at Art Basel in Miami this December. You have to join a waitlist, and you’ll be notified when it’s your turn to take your photo. Once you’ve taken your photo, you can see all the other photos as they get added, which is really cool. I’m eagerly waiting my turn.

Fuji is back to making weird little cameras, and I love it. This week they released the Fuji X-Half, a little camera designed to get you as close as possible to the experience of shooting an analog half frame film camera in a digital camera. The camera shoots vertically oriented 3:4 photos by default and even has a thumb wind "film advance" lever. One of my favorite things is that you put in virtual rolls of film, wherein you choose what sort of film simulation you want to use, how many frames you want to be on it, and then you shoot away through the optical viewfinder until you finish the roll—only then can you see what you actually captured. The camera will even save a virtual contact sheet that shows you all 36-72 photos in one image, in addition to each individual frame. There's a lot more fun stuff this camera can do that makes it seem like it would be a blast. I love seeing Fuji experiment like this.

- Ever since getting my Leica M10-P, I've really made an effort to try and bring it with me just about every time I leave the house. It's small enough and hardy enough to really be able to lug it everywhere. That said, there are times where I don't want to worry about it flopping around my neck, or when I want to bring a spare lens or two, so I started looking for a really small everyday carry bag I could use for my outings. After trying a bunch of options, I've settled on this awesome 5L camera sling Peter McKinnon made in collaboration with Nomatic. It's got a customizable internal padded section for a camera and a lens or two, as well as small pockets for SD cards and batteries, while still leaving just enough room for me to throw in a wallet and sunglasses, or notebook and pen. I particularly like the structured outer shell that zips completely open for visibility and easy access to the camera compartment. The sling works great both as a shoulder bag and as a fanny pack, and doesn't scream "I've got a fancy camera in here." I dig it.

On the opposite end of the camera tech spectrum, Polaroid has released a new “flip” model of its instant film cameras. The design nods to a Polaroid I had as a kid, now updated with smoother, more modern aesthetics. It includes features for sharper focus and better exposure than traditional models, though I’m a bit puzzled by the decision to also offer smartphone-based control for exposure settings. Still, I love the look and can’t wait to read more reviews.

This quirky little camcorder feels like a modern spin on early 2000s handheld Flip Video cameras. It records nine-second clips up to 27 times a day, and you transfer them to your phone by unplugging the memory module and popping it into your iPhone’s USB-C port. I’m fascinated by this high-tech/low-tech mashup. The app even lets you create folders and share moments via QR codes. It’s as if they’re intentionally resisting mainstream camera and social tech. Will it replace the wildly popular DJI Pocket 3*? Absolutely not—but it’s cool to see fresh ideas in this space.

- In preparation for the photo challenge, I wanted to get my cameras cleaned up. At the risk of oversharing, I had some gross dust and schmutz building up between the shutter and exposure comp dials that I just couldn’t blow off* or swab away with Q-tips. A frustrated bout of web searching led me to this kit from K&F Concept, and it’s exactly what I needed. Three minutes with the combination of a bulb blower, soft brush, and smudge remover, and my two main camera bodies are looking nearly brand new.

Since getting a new camera recently, I’ve been searching for a new camera strap to go with it. After looking at a bunch of beautiful leather straps and other popular/trendy options, I’ve ultimately decided to stick with the Peak Design Camera Leash, the strap I’ve had on my Fuji X100V for years. It’s lightweight, super adjustable, very durable, and I love the Peak Design anchor system that makes it SO easy to swap the strap on and off while still remaining very secure on the camera. I like it so much that I added one to my Christmas list so I can have one on each of my cameras rather than swapping back and forth each time I go out.

The latest offering from Pixii is the only full-frame digital rangefinder camera on the market that I know of other than Leica’s vaunted M series digital cameras. At just half the price of a new Leica M11, the Pixii is a really neat, modular, upgradeable, software-defined camera. Best of all, you can send older models in and, for a fee, they will upgrade your components (new sensors, new processors, etc) as they are released. So, for example, there are folks who bought the original Pixii 5 years ago with an APSC sensor, that are sending their cameras in to be upgraded this month to the new full frame sensor. How cool is that? That said, it does have some limitations that keep it from really being a fit for me (no mechanical shutter being a big one in my mind), BUT I’m really rooting for these guys and would love to see them bring some more competition to keep Leica on its toes.

Another great way to get into an otherwise expensive and complex hobby. This is a great starter drone that can be scaled up with a remote and FPV goggles if needed. $$$

The Neo is DJI’s latest micro drone. It’s unique because it costs just $199, requires no controller or FAA license, and can go from your pocket to airborne in about 3 seconds. While its basic function is as a “selfie drone” that takes high-res photos and 4K videos with AI-powered subject tracking, it can also be hooked up to a remote controller or an FPV headset for immersive flight. I got mine last week, and I’ve been having a blast—more impressions to come in a future Hiro Lab™ write-up. (Amazon Affiliate Link to support the site.)

I’ve talked before about how much I love the Halide camera app for iOS. It’s my go-to for more technically complex shots, like capturing the recent solar eclipse where I needed precise control over exposure and color balance. Halide’s newly released “Process Zero” mode uses no software processing, HDR, or AI, giving your photos a raw, unpolished look. It’s perfect for capturing images that are closer to what your eyes actually see, without the over-polished iPhone magic (which I still love!). Check out their blog for some awesome example photos.

This is likely a niche recommendation, but I saw this and knew right away that I had to have it. It’s a small LED light shaped like an old roll of 35mm film. It magnetically attaches to your camera’s hot shoe, providing supplementary light for photo/video work… or you can just hand hold it as a little flashlight. Is it the most effective light? No. Did I buy it immediately because it’s cute and costs less than $10? Absolutely. Just look at the thing, you’ll see what I mean. FWIW, I wound up buying it through Amazon to avoid the $20 shipping fee from the manufacturer—here’s my Amazon Affiliate link to it if you also want to grab one and help offset the Report’s hosting fees at the same time!

Speaking of photography, a few weeks back, I linked to Kino and Halide, two excellent video and photography apps from Lux. This week, Sebastiaan, one of Lux’s co-founders, shared his photography gear guide. Do NOT read this unless you’re prepared to develop a bad case of G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) for some very nice cameras. He has incredible gear and takes beautiful pictures of it. A deadly combination.

DocPop, the yo-yo master and polymath, shared this epic blog post about his experiments with a Sony Cyber-shot pocket digital camera from the early 2000s that had undergone some modding to its sensor. The effects it produces make for totally epic retro cyber futuristic photos. Check them out. If you want to grab one of your own, here’s the link to the vendor.

Last week, I linked to Kino and Halide, two excellent video and photography apps from Lux. This week, Sebastiaan, one of Lux’s founders, shared his photography gear guide. Do NOT read this unless you’re prepared to develop a bad case of G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) for some very expensive Leicas. He has incredible gear and takes beautiful pictures of it. A deadly combination.

With an off-the-top-ropes high-five to BLC for sending me this, there’s a remake/rerelease of the iconic Rollei 35mm film camera coming to market later this year. It will keep the same classic 60’s design, shoot 35mm film, but adds LiDAR-powered autofocus and autoexposure capabilities. I’m thrilled to see more new film cameras coming to market, as it’s my favorite medium for shooting photos. Hopefully, the market will also bring faster, cheaper, and easier ways to develop and scan film negatives to keep up with the increased demand. I, for one, hopped right on the waitlist for this beauty.

Speaking of iPhone photography, one of my favorite travel accessories is this little MagSafe foldable tripod that attaches to the back of your iPhone. It's great for getting really stable long exposure photos, or for group family photos when you don't want to hand your phone to a stranger. It's also a nice little stand for viewing content on your phone hands free while on a plane, or eating.

Tip of the hat to Señor BLC for giving me a new completely unaffordable photographic obsession. Hasselblad's newest camera is an absolutely stunning 100 megapixel medium format digital camera with a form factor very similar to the iconic Hasselblad 500cm (that I've been coveting for years). You can get one for just $8,199 (lens sold separately). Unrelated, anyone in the market for a spare kidney?

At long last, the good folks at Fujifilm have released the follow-up to the viral favorite camera of the last few years-- The Fuji X100V. I have owned three different generations of X100 and have loved every one of them. I'm sure this new one will be a delight, especially with the new 40mp sensor and built-in image stabilization. If you've been trying to get a X100V and striking out for the last year or two like so many others, I'd hop on the pre-order for this sooner than later.

Being a bit of a photo nerd who works from home, I take my camera setup for video calls more seriously than is probably reasonable. After using a dedicated DSLR with a video capture card for years, I switched to the Insta360 Webcam a little over a year ago and haven’t looked back. It offers great video quality, with easy integration on the Mac. It’s on sale now, making it an even easier recommendation. Just make sure you get some good lights, otherwise no camera can save you.

This one comes courtesy of my dear friend, Abu C. For years, Leica has been the only company in the world making digital rangefinder cameras-- Namely, the lustworthy and wallet-shattering M-series digital bodies. Unbeknownst to me, a small French company called Pixii started producing a very unique digital rangefinder camera body a few years back. What's neat about their offering is it 1) Accepts Leica's glass (all M-mount lenses will work) 2) Its internal hardware is upgradeable as new sensors, processors, and even viewfinders are developed 3) It costs about 1/4 of what a Leica body costs. Lastly, this is not some aspirational Kickstarter project, they have been selling the Pixii since 2018 with a regular stream of internal upgrades being released ever since. The 2023 version (and associated upgrades for older versions) include a 64-bit processor, an advanced Monochrome RAW capture mode, and upgraded Wifi to mobile capabilities. I'm super intrigued.