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 Okay-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 submit. If you happen to’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 worth hooked up 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 count on marginally much less shadow noise and barely higher excessive ISO efficiency in comparison with the colour model. I particularly like that there will probably be an non-obligatory built-in pink filter for upping distinction.
The large draw back is that the monochrome GR IV prices $2,200, a full $700 greater than the colour model. You’ll be able to preorder one at the moment, and the digital camera ought to ship across the center of February. —Scott Gilbertson
Fender Rebrands PreSonus App
Courtesy of Fender
Massive information for guitarists and followers of dwelling recording: After having bought PreSonus in 2021, Fender has determined to rebrand the music manufacturing software program beforehand often called PreSonus Studio One as Fender Studio Professional.
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 a couple of different options that ought to preserve longtime Studio One customers (like yours actually) joyful. 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 title makes all the things simpler to know for Fender customers, who can use the Fender Studio app (akin to GarageBand) on their tablets and cell units, 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 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 provide its most iconic wristwatch a brand new “reverse-panda” makeover. As a substitute of a traditional “panda” design of white dial and black sub-dials, the aesthetic is switched (therefore the title), and it’s simply the form of fashion tweak that makes collectors come operating.
