The PetaPixel Photography Podcast

PetaPixel
  • 4.8 (90)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake join PetaPixel's Editor-in-Chief Jaron Schneider for a weekly discussion on current events in the photography industry, camera equipment, technology, culture, and more.

  1. 6D AGO

    Are Lenses ACTUALLY More Expensive Now?

    Tether Tools makes the entire tethering workflow easy. From cables to accessories, everything is designed to work together right out of the box. But they also make workstations. Their new AeroTrac is a compact, lightweight workstation you can customize with accessories for your specific workflow. Built for photographers, it works just as well for audio, video, and podcasting setups. Check it out at tethertools.com/aerotrac Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo. Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank 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

    1h 37m

  2. JAN 28

    Nikon is Suing Viltrox

    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

    1h 28m

  3. JAN 20

    Are Cameras ACTUALLY More expensive now?

    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

    1h 31m

  4. JAN 14

    Chris REALLY Likes the Instax Mini Evo Cinema... but Sarah Isn't Sold

    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

    1h 21m

  5. 12/24/2025

    The Annual Airing of Grievances [Bonus Episode]

    Do you ever get tired of manually searching for, organizing, and culling your images? We do, too, and that’s where Excire can help! Excire’s photo-management software harnesses AI to make tedious tasks 10x faster, easier, and more fun. Thanks to Excire, you can easily get your images organized, stay on top of culling, and instantly find any photo in your catalog—so you can spend less time managing your images and more time doing what you love!  And since the AI runs locally on your computer, you’ll never have to worry about privacy or security. Best of all, Excire can be integrated seamlessly into your current workflow, either using the standalone image organizer, Excire Foto 2025, or the Lightroom Classic plugin, Excire Search 2026. To purchase an Excire lifetime license or to download a 14-day free trial, visit http://excire.com/en/shop/!  PetaPixel viewers can receive 15% off their purchase with the special discount code PETAPIXEL. 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 Episode00:00 - 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

    1h 32m

  6. 12/17/2025

    PetaPixel’s Bold Camera Predictions for 2026 (Feat. DPReview's Richard Butler)

    The holiday season is here, and the OM SYSTEM Holiday Savings Event continues. Right now, you can save up to $400 on many of the cameras and lenses that OM SYSTEM makes, including the popular travel camera, the OM-3. But that's not all: right now, almost every lens in the M.Zuiko lineup is on sale right now. Whether you're building your first OM SYSTEM kit or adding to an existing collection, there's never been a better time to go light without compromising on image quality. Check out the full lineup at explore.omsystem.com/petapixel or visit your local authorized OM SYSTEM retailer today! Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo. Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank. Now for the fifth year in a row, PetaPixel has gathered its team together to gaze into the future and see the facts, the truths, that will come to pass in the camera industry in 2026. As always, we are prepared to be very wrong. 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 (were you naughty or nice this year?)09:53 - No, Sony did not intentionally brick third-party lenses, Viltrox confirms13:17 - Sony a7 V dynamic range is really good15:41 - Ironically, The Stringer used photos from Dave Burnett without permission or attribution17:37 - About that 7Artisans Floral Bloom lens21:06 - Japan railway pleads with photographers to stop being dangerously dumb25:51 - Z9 got yet another firmware update26:38 - The CP+ Photo Show in Japan will be the biggest ever29:35 - BOLD Predictions for 2026, feat. DPReview's Richard Butler 1:28:14 - What have you been up to?1:37:02 - Feel good story of the week

    1h 40m

  7. 12/10/2025

    The 2025 PetaPixel Awards

    Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo. Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank. 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 Episode00:00 - Intro08:03 - Affinity sees 3M downloads in 33 days12:02 - Martin Parr passed away14:06 - This photographer built his own medium format rangefinder (and so can you)17:05 - Tamron 150-500mm firmware update20:13 - Crucial SSDs are no more22:55 - The Antigravity A1 is now available25:55 - Green lenses are beautiful28:16 - The 2025 PetaPixel Awards29:26 - Accessory of the Year24:55 - Software of the Year37:47 - Workstation of the Year42:48 - Smartphone of the Year48:25 - Zoom Lens of the Year52:12 - Prime Lens of the Year56:43 - People's Choice Award: Camera of the Year1:00:35 - Camera of the Year1:07:09 - Photo Company of the Year1:07:38 - Technology Innovation of the Year1:09:19 - What have you been up to?1:16:43 - Tech Support 1:31:57 - Feel Good Story of the Week

    1h 35m

  8. 12/03/2025

    Grading Every Camera Maker: 2025 FINAL Review (Feat. Gordon Laing)

    Do you ever get tired of manually searching for, organizing, and culling your images? We do, too - and that’s where Excire can help! Excire’s photo-management software harnesses AI to make tedious tasks 10x faster, easier, and more fun. To purchase an Excire lifetime license or to download a 14-day free trial, visit http://www.excire.com/en/shop! EXCIRE BLACK FRIDAY SALE: PetaPixel viewers can receive 30% off their purchase with the special discount code PETAPIXEL30 -- valid through December 7th! Now saving when you shop for your favorite gear at B&H Photo is even easier with the B&H Payboo Credit Card, which lets you Save the Tax — you pay the tax, and B&H pays you back instantly! (Save the Tax on eligible purchases shipped to eligible states.) Or you can pay over time with 6 and 12 month financing (on minimum purchases of $199 for 6 months, and $599 for 12 months). Terms apply, learn more at http://bhphoto.com/payboo. Credit card offers are subject to credit approval. Payboo Credit Card Accounts are issued by Comenity Capital Bank. In July, The PetaPixel Podcast team was joined by Camera Labs' Gordon Laing to give mid-term grades to every major camera and lens manufacturer. Now that the year has ended, it’s time for them all to get graded on their finals in this annual tradition! 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 Episode00:00 - Intro08:26 - You can now edit 32K video in Resolve10:29 - Sony's new smartphone sensor promises 17 stops of DR12:39 - Thypoch's new Eurka 28mm f/2.8 is inspired by another cool, obscure lens16:04 - The custom film simulation recipe from the limited edition GFX100RF17:11 - Review Roundup25:28 - Grading Every Camera Maker in 2025 Feat. Gordon Laing27:17 - Canon34:21 - Nikon40:12 - Sony53:35 - Panasonic Lumix1:03:28 - Fujifilm1:14:18 - Hasselblad1:18:02 - OM System1:24:16 - Leica1:28:55 - Sigma1:35:26 - Tamron

    1h 42m
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4.8
out of 5
90 Ratings

About

Chris Niccolls and Jordan Drake join PetaPixel's Editor-in-Chief Jaron Schneider for a weekly discussion on current events in the photography industry, camera equipment, technology, culture, and more.

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