Top 13 Best Products at The Photography Show 2021

If you weren’t able to make it to The Photography Show this year, or want to see what we think is the best of the show, then here’s a roundup of some of our favourite things we saw while we were there. So without further ado, here are some of the Top 13 Best Products at The Photography Show 2021 – and of course there are more products to see that we couldn’t fit into this list, so make sure you have a look at our YouTube channel for even more content.

Canon EOS R3 + RF 16mm, RF 100-400mm

Canon’s new Canon EOS R3 was one of the big stars of the show, with people queueing just to see and hold the camera. We have published our EOS R3 hands-on preview, as well as asking Canon a number of questions in our exclusive video interview. Also on display are Canon’s new RF 16mm f/2.8 and RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 telephoto zoom lens. You can find out more about these new lenses in our first look video on our YouTube channel. Also worth mentioning, is the Canon concept “cameras” which include an automated camera, as well as a posture fitness device that’s not actually a camera at all.

Fujifilm GFX50S II

We spoke to Fujifilm UK about the new Fujifilm GFX50S II – and found out how Fujifilm make the camera so affordable in our video interview above, with the GFX50S II and new GF 35-70mm lens. We also had a look at the new Fujifilm X-T30 II, as well as the new 33mm f1.4 lens, which gives roughly 50mm equivalent on X-series cameras.

Sony Alpha 1

High-speed and high-resolution, the Sony Alpha 1 offers both, with 30fps continuous shooting, as well as an impressive 50MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor. Read our Sony A1 review to find out more about this flagship Sony camera.

Nikon Zfc + Z50 side-by-side

For many people, it’s been the first chance to get hands-on with the new Nikon Zfc (read our review here), the camera brings a retro / classic style to Nikon’s APS-C Z-series mirrorless cameras, with direct control over the shutter speed, ISO speed, and exposure compensation thanks to the top dials. The Zfc has been introduced with a new 28mm f2.8 SE lens to match the camera’s style, which as you can see is quite a departure to the styling of the Nikon Z50.

Nikon Gold FA

Nikon released the Nikon FA Gold in Japan in 1984, in commemoration of winning the Camera Grand Prix prize for the world’s first state-of-the-art matrix metering technology for SLRs. Originally priced at 500,000 yen (£3332GBP at todays exchanges rates, not adjusted for inflation) the camera is plated with 24K gold and decorated with lizard skin. Only 2000 copies exist.

Tamron 18-300mm + 150-500mm E-Mount lenses

This is the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD (Model B061) in Sony E-Mount, designed for APS-C cameras. This lens, which was only recently officially announced, gives you an impressive zoom range in a relatively compact lens body. Designed specifically for mirrorless cameras, it’s an all new optical design, with an X-Mount version to be released shortly. You can see it here next to the 150-500mm telephoto zoom lens.

Lacie Boss – Backup on the go, and more!

The LaCie Rugged Boss SSD 1TB drive, is a backup device you can use anywhere, with a built-in battery, the device has an SD card reader, and also acts as a USB Hub and power bank. You can use it to backup your photos / SD card anywhere, without the need of a computer, and you can use it to power any devices you have, such as a digital camera that supports power delivery over USB. The USB port lets you copy from USB devices, and a USB cable comes with it that lets you play back the contents of the drive on an Android or iOS smartphone/device, using the LaCie BOSS app. As a Rugged drive it is also designed to survive any hard knocks. Find out more information on LaCie’s website.

Pinsta – all-in-one camera and darkroom

The Pinsta camera is a brand-new, not even released yet, pinhole camera with a built-in darkroom / development lab, that lets you develop prints internally. You can shoot with it, and develop prints even on the move, using the provided “dark bag”. More advanced users can use it as a negative enlarger, and when 120 and 35mm negatives are mounted in an internal slide, they can be enlarged to make 4×5 inch prints. The camera is due to be launched on Kickstarter, and you can find more information on www.pinstacamera.com.

Sigma camera history on display at TPS

Sigma are showing their whole range of “i series” lenses, including the recently announced 24mm F2 DG DN, and 90mm F2.8 DG DN, which are compact lenses designed specifically for mirrorless cameras, taking advantage of built-in image correction that comes with Sony E-Mount cameras, and L-Mount cameras. Sigma say that due to this, they are able to design out the optical issues that can’t be corrected with software, such as corner softness, but due to lens correction, they can make these lenses smaller than they would have been able to using traditional lens design.

Olympus Zuiko lenses and branded merchandise

Whilst the latest camera is the Olympus PEN E-P7, we were also impressed by the Olympus branded merchandise, which is pretty cool looking, and Olympus continue to offer a wide range of Micro Four Thirds lenses, giving you the chance to try the lenses, as well as their full range of Micro Four Thirds cameras, with the tough Olympus OM-D E-M1x on show, the E-M1 Mark III, the E-M5 III, and E-M10 IV, which offers excellent value for money, and is perhaps one of the lightest mirrorless cameras with EVF available at the show. One unique feature, that remains incredibly impressive, is Olympus’ live-composite feature, letting you see the photo develop as you take it, and this is available even on the entry-level models.

The Gearing Co. Tripods

The Gearing Co. is most likely a company you’ve never heard of, but they make a surprisingly impressive, and innovate tripod. If you want a tripod that has a mini toolkit built-in, the ability to use the legs (yes more than one) as walking poles, or use one as a monopod, or alternatively convert the tripod into a mini-desktop tripod, then with the Gearing Co. tripod, you can. In fact the feet on the tripod can be converted to a small spike, or even an spike suitable for trekking through snow, with the Trek Kit. The tripods are made in the UK, and designed to be fully field serviceable so that you can clean and service them even when working remotely. The tripods are made to be high quality with 5 layers of carbon fibre, with strength and durability in mind, so that they last a life time. You can find out more information on their website www.gearingco.com.

The Disabled Photographers Society – Second hand cameras

If you’re looking for a bargain, and want to support a worthwhile cause, then The Disabled Photographers Society is a great place to go. With a range of film and digital cameras and lenses available for bargain prices, the number of cameras and accessories available never fails to impress. The national charity are also looking for donations of working cameras to support the work they do. You can find more information on their website.

Minox color-minotar 35mm f2.8 E-Mount

Bringing new life to old lenses, as well as repairing Minox cameras, M.S.Hobbies have a “new” 35mm f2.8 Color Minotar lens for E-Mount cameras. We have a look at the lens in more detail here.

If you want more information on the show, then have a look at our other coverage of The Photography Show 2021.