Profoto unveils the B20 and B30 – Refined to perfection

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 10, 2025


Profoto B20: B&H Photo / Adorama
Profoto B30: B&H Photo / Adorama

Profoto unveils the B20 and B30 – Refined to perfection

Profoto is proud to introduce the Profoto B20 and B30, the latest advancements in its industry-leading compact flash series. Building upon the trusted foundation of the B10-range, these new flashes bring faster performance, a class-leading powerful LED, and greater versatility to photographers and content creators worldwide.

Designed for professionals who demand reliability in any environment, the B20 and B30 are built to endure. Their sturdiness and rubberized surface ensure a secure grip and long-lasting durability, even when using the heaviest modifiers. “Regardless of location, these flashes are ready for any creative challenge” says Göran Marén, Product Manager at Profoto.

With a 13% faster recycle time than the B10Xs’, photographers will never miss a critical moment. The new user-replaceable flash tube allows for seamless on-set swaps, keeping workflows smooth and uninterrupted. A wide power range provides unmatched creative flexibility, from subtle fill light to powerful illumination.

To further enhance adaptability, the B20 and B30 introduce three flash modes: There are three flash modes: ECO for increased equipment lifetime, Boost for a little extra power, and Freeze for the shortest flash duration and elimination of motion blur.

For hybrid photo and video professionals, the built-in bi-color LED now boasts 50% more output than its predecessors, offering an improved continuous light source for video shoots, live streaming, and on-location setups.

With Profoto’s renowned Light Shaping System, you have over 120 modifiers and accessories to turn your creative vision into reality. The B20’s and B30’ features the renowned and intuitive Profoto UI, which practically eliminates dealing with cumbersome technical settings.

“As with all Profoto products, the B20 and B30 are engineered with premium components and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring unmatched reliability and consistent color accuracy. With unrivaled reliability, speed, and precision, these flashes are built to work as hard as photographers do,” concludes Göran Marén, Product Manager at Profoto.

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Sony FX3A Announced With 2.36M Rear LCD

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 9, 2025


Sony FX3A: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Sony quietly released the Sony FX3A, which includes a rear LCD upgrade from 1.44M dots to 2.36M dots. The USB-C has also been upgraded to be more compatible than the previous camera’s USB 3.2 Gen 1 port. This update is similar to other revisions of Sony cameras.

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New Godox Ving V480S

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 8, 2025

Godox announced the Godox Ving V480S, and pre-orders have begun on B&H Photo

Key Features
  • Portable Shoe-Mounted On-Camera Flash
  • Compatible with Sony ADI / P-TTL
  • 2.4 GHz X Wireless Radio System
  • Manual, Multi, HSS & 2nd Curtain Sync
  • Up to 650 Full-Power Flashes
  • 1.7 sec Recycling Time
  • Stable Continuous Shooting
  • Touchscreen Design & LED Modeling Light
  • Includes Battery, Power Adapter & Cable
  • Includes Mini Stand & Pouch

Delivering plenty of light in a portable flash body, the Ving V480S TTL On-Camera Flash from Godox combines their 2.4 GHz X system for wireless flash control and TTL auto flash capability. The V480S is compatible with Sony ADI / P-TTL and also offers manual, multi, HSS, and second curtain sync characteristics. The V480S is similar to the Godox V860III and V350 flash units— smaller than the V860III and bigger and more powerful than the V350—designed as a medium-size, compact, yet powerful lighting solution with advanced features. A convenient LED modeling light is located right in the center of the flash body. Experience fast recharge and long-lasting shoots with a versatile flash head that tilts from -7 to 120° and rotates 330°. The flash runs on an included rechargeable battery to allow recycling times of 1.7 sec, providing enough energy for up to 650 full-power flashes. The V480S comes with a detachable battery, a USB-C cable, a power adapter, as well as a mini stand and a pouch.

Greater Lighting Control
Sony ADI / P-TTL-compatible, the Ving V480S flash offers support for high-speed sync, 2nd curtain sync, and much more. The flash can be used in manual mode or programmed to fire multiple stroboscopic flashes, and it can also function with high-speed sync for quicker shutter speeds. On top of this, the flash features a guide number of 164′ at ISO 100 along with flash durations from 1/600 to 1/20,000 sec, and adjustable output from 1/256 to full power.

Flexible Design
The V480S is useful for both on-camera and off-camera operation. The flash will provide ample illumination for most subjects. It features a convenient auto/manual zoom head with a range of 24-105mm, a white catchlight panel, and a built-in wide-angle diffuser. The head can be tilted from -7 to 120° and rotated 330° to control bounce and where the light falls on the scene.

2.4 GHz X Wireless Radio System
The Godox 2.4 GHz X wireless radio system makes it compatible with Godox’s X series transmitters for more advanced functionality and setups. The wireless control of the V480S enables 2.4 GHz wireless flash triggering to extend your shooting possibilities. The flash works with the separately purchased XPro II, X2, and X3 Godox models. With a wireless range of 328′, the V480S lets you choose between 32 channels and set up five groups.

Effective Battery Power
A 7.2V, 2200mAh lithium removable battery is supplied with recharge times of 1.7 seconds, providing approximately 650 full-power flashes per charge. Godox also includes the USB-C cable and power adapter in the box.

Control at Your Fingertips
Ideal for photographers in need of both simple and elaborate lighting setups, the V480S has an easy-to-use design with onboard controls, a 2″ touchscreen interface, and a universal shoe-mounted connection for a wide range of Sony cameras. Additionally, indicators on the LCD panel inform you of the remaining battery level.

Stable Continuous Shooting
The V480S maintains a stable color output and brightness in high-speed continuous shooting.

LED Modeling Light
A 2W LED modeling light with adjustable brightness is integrated into the flash body with 5300K (+/-300K) CCT.

Firmware Updates
Firmware updates are available via its USB-C port for compatibility with the latest camera models and optimal performance.

Additional Details

  • S1 and S2 settings
  • First and second curtain sync
  • +/- 3-step of flash exposure compensation in 1/3 increments
  • Multi-stroboscopic flash mode up to 100 times, 100 Hz
  • TCM converter capability
  • Wi-off mode
  • Standby and screen lock
  • Power switch and auto-off ability
  • Hot shoe connection
  • 2.5mm sync cord jack for connecting an optional sync cable
  • Overheating protection
  • Lightweight at 12.7 oz with the battery included

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Sigma 400-800mm f/8 and 180-800mm f/5.8-8.4 Patents Found

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 8, 2025


Sigma patent filings for a Sigma 400-800mm f/8 and Sigma 180-800mm f/5.8-8.4 were found and you can read them below:

overview

  • [Publication number] P2025085984
  • [Release date] 2025-06-06
  • [Name of invention] Telephoto zoom lens
  • [Application date] 2023-11-27
  • [Applicant]
    [Identification number] 000131326
    [Name or company name] Sigma Corporation
  • To provide a telephoto zoom lens that reduces the overall length and weight of the entire lens system and has little aberration variation over the entire shooting range.
  • [Background Art]
    [0002]
    Telephoto lenses are generally designed to have a short overall length compared to the focal length by adopting a so-called telephoto type power arrangement with a positive front group and a negative rear group. In addition, since the diameter of the front group of a telephoto lens is determined by the entrance pupil diameter of the entire system, if the focal length is designed to be long to obtain a desired angle of view, the diameter of the front group becomes large and the weight becomes heavy. Since the diameter of the front group becomes large and the weight becomes heavy, the center of gravity of the optical system moves away from the photographer, which increases the physical burden on the photographer, especially when the lens is held horizontally. Furthermore, if this is made into a zoom lens, the overall length of the optical system becomes long in order to secure the space required for zooming, and the center of gravity of the optical system moves even further away from the photographer.
  • According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a telephoto zoom lens that reduces the overall length and weight of the entire lens system and has little aberration fluctuation throughout the entire shooting range.


Example 1

  • Focal length: 309.00-579.00
  • F-number: 4.11-4.12
  • Angle of view: 7.89-4.21
  • Image height: 21.63
  • Total length: 480.57
  • Back Focus: 34.6000


Example 2

  • Focal length: 409.00-785.00
  • F-number: 8.20-8.21
  • Angle of view: 5.96-3.09
  • Image height: 21.63
  • Total length: 447.39
  • Back Focus: 38.9535


Example 6

  • Focal length: 185.40-785.00
  • F-number: 5.76-8.39
  • Angle of view: 13.15-3.09
  • Image height: 21.63
  • Total length: 478.85
  • Back Focus: 40.1124

via asobinet

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Venus Optics Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 7, 2025


Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye: Venus Optics / B&H Photo

The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens is remarkably compact. This portable design makes it one of the smallest and lightest full-frame fisheye zoom lenses with a constant f/2.8 aperture, ideal for travel, adventure, and handheld shooting. Perfect for landscape photographers, vloggers, and drone-based creators, this lens delivers bold fisheye visuals without the bulk, enhancing mobility and convenience for on-the-go content creation.

Dual Fisheye Effect
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens delivers a versatile dual fisheye effect, seamlessly transitioning between two distinct visual styles on full-frame cameras. At the 8mm end, the lens produces a circular fisheye effect, capturing a 180° field of view. At the 15mm end, it transitions to a full-frame rectangular fisheye effect, filling the entire sensor with the characteristic fisheye distortion. The zoom capability allows creators to switch between these effects without changing lenses, enhancing flexibility for photography and videography applications.

Max. 180° circular fisheye
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens offers an extra-wide view, delivering a sweeping 180° angle of view at its 8mm focal length on full-frame cameras. This expansive perspective captures vast scenes in a single frame, producing a dramatic circular fisheye effect with pronounced curvature, ideal for creative effects, astrophotography, and 360° panoramas.

Diagonal fisheye
As the lens zooms to 15mm, the angle of view narrows slightly, filling the full-frame sensor with a diagonal fisheye image that retains a wide, distorted perspective. Ideal for immersive landscapes, astrophotography,

Constant Fast Aperture
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens boasts a constant T2.9 aperture throughout its zoom range, ensuring consistent exposure and depth of field control. This fast aperture excels in low-light situations, delivering outstanding performance for nighttime shoots or dimly lit environments, while also providing beautiful bokeh for creative flexibility in crafting immersive fisheye visuals.

Close Focusing Distance
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens features a minimum focusing distance of 16cm (6.3”), enabling photographers and videographers to capture subjects at close range with striking visual impact. This close focusing capability enhances the lens’s fisheye distortion, delivering an exaggerated point of view (POV). Additionally, the close focus mimics a bugeye effect, creating a playful, almost cartoonish distortion where subjects appear disproportionately large, adding a unique and bold aesthetic to images and videos.

Full Frame Coverage
The Laowa 8-15mm f/2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye Lens offers full-frame coverage, unlocking the full potential of high-resolution cameras. It delivers a true 180° circular fisheye effect at 8mm and a rectangular fisheye at 15mm, ensuring edge-to-edge clarity and maximum angle of view without cropping.

Specs:

Product nameLAOWA 8-15mm F2.8 FF Zoom Fisheye
Format CompatibilityFF
Focal Length8-15mm
ApertureF2.8-22
Angle of view175°-180°
Lens Structure13 elements in 9 groups
Aperture Blades9
Focus Throw70°
Zoom Throw75°
Aperture Throw42°
Focus ScaleDual Scale
Min. Focusing Distance16cm
Max. Magnification0.23x
Focus modeManual Focus
Dimensions94.5mm*Ø76.4mm (measured in RF mount)
Weight~650g（not including the front and rear cap）
MountsE , Z , L , RF
PriceUSD699

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Sigma Prices Increased in US

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 7, 2025


Sigma increased its prices in the US due to tariffs by about 10%, which is far below what people feared, but still disappointing. I wish they had mitigated price increases more because other companies are managing not to raise prices by shifting production around, but they might not have a high enough margin to work with. You can already see new prices on B&H Photo.

Here are a few examples:

Lens ModelOld PriceNew Price
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art$1,199$1,319
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art$799$879
Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art$1,599$1,759
Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art$1,499<$1,649
Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art$1,349$1,489
Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary$489$538
Sigma 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports$5,999$6,599

via Photorumors

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