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What I would like to see released in 2024

June 5, 2024 /

Manufacturers are often accused of not listening to customers when it comes to introducing new features but I’m sure it’s complicated to strike a balance between what’s achievable and their users’ wishes.

Nevertheless, it’s still odd that we haven’t seen some features that would appear to be easy to add, such as those via software or firmware updates.

So, here’s a list of some firmware or software (via the maker’s app) features that I would like to see added to cameras this year:

  • Auto aperture series selection, where the photographer can program the camera to select and capture a series across a range of aperture settings. The camera must alter the aperture and make an exposure between each automatically. Ideally, also the feature must access the self-timer.
  • Highlight adaptable metering; to capture the sensor’s widest possible dynamic range; a sort of auto-ETTR mode for RAW files. Instead of deliberately underexposing (typically by adopting a lower-than-reported ISO sensitivity), I would like to see the camera’s meter adjust exposure levels based on the highlights and lower ‘exposure’ automatically just avoiding clipping.

In terms of hardware, I would like to see:

  • A high-quality manual focus 35mm F2.8 Shift lens (or Tilt and Shift) with a removable tripod bracket (for the times you would use it handheld with IBIS). I’m surprised someone like Zeiss (who used to make one with a Contax (C/Y) mount) or Sigma hasn’t released one already for Sony FE, Leica SL and Fujifilm GF cameras (if the mount can be licensed). Adopting one design over several mounts should make it easier to recoup investment in R&D.
  • Canon EF to RF mount adapters with an (ideally removable) tripod foot for heavy lenses such as the EF 11-24mm F4L, 85mm F1.2L and all those Zeiss Otus and Milvus lenses.
  • Nikon FTZ adapter with a tripod foot for heavy lenses. If the manufacturer could add a built-in AF motor (from the D850 DSLR for example), or offer one as a variant, so much the better. How hard could that be?