It might sound unusual to purchase a digital camera that may solely shoot black-and-white when you possibly can take the output of a shade sensor and convert it to black and white afterward. However having shot with each the Ok-3 monochrome and the Leica M10 Monochrome, I can vouch that there’s positively a greater tonal vary from a monochrome sensor in comparison with changing in put up. Should you’re a devoted black-and-white shooter, it is value contemplating. I actually like the concept of a pocketable monochrome digital camera that does not have a Leica value connected to it.
The GR IV monochrome is actually the identical digital camera because the GR IV—identical lens, identical internals apart from the sensor. Contained in the GR IV is a 26-megapixel sensor with no shade filter array. Primarily based on my expertise with different monochrome sensors, you possibly can anticipate marginally much less shadow noise and barely higher excessive ISO efficiency in comparison with the colour model. I particularly like that there might be an optionally available built-in purple filter for upping distinction.
The massive draw back is that the monochrome GR IV prices $2,200, a full $700 greater than the colour model. You may preorder one today, and the digital camera ought to ship across the center of February. —Scott Gilbertson
Fender Rebrands PreSonus App
Courtesy of Fender
Huge information for guitarists and followers of residence recording: After having bought PreSonus in 2021, Fender has determined to rebrand the music manufacturing software program beforehand referred to as PreSonus Studio One as Fender Studio Pro.
The transfer comes along with a number of native amplifier and results pedal fashions that are actually included within the re-skinned app, in addition to just a few different options that ought to preserve longtime Studio One customers (like yours actually) completely happy. I’m very excited concerning the new timeline view on the prime of the display, for instance, which makes it simpler to trace the place I’m within the context of the general monitor when recording overdubs.
The identify makes every little thing simpler to know for Fender customers, who can use the Fender Studio app (akin to GarageBand) on their tablets and cell gadgets, then simply export it to Fender Studio Professional for extra in-depth recording. It additionally makes Fender the one main instrument producer that owns its personal top-tier recording software program.
I’ve been testing a preview model of the software program for a number of weeks and have been impressed with the replace’s streamlined seems to be and added performance, although admittedly, I’m not the largest energy consumer on the market. —Parker Corridor
Omega’s New Speedmasters
Courtesy of Omega
After the much-admired white-dial Speedmaster Skilled in 2024, Omega clearly feels that now could be the time to offer its most iconic wristwatch a brand new “reverse-panda” makeover. As an alternative of a traditional “panda” design of white dial and black sub-dials, the aesthetic is switched (therefore the identify), and it’s simply the type of fashion tweak that makes collectors come working.
