Clifton Cameras and COAP Quarterly Tech Round Up - Q2 2025

By Aled Phillips

Clifton Cameras Quarterly Tech Round-up Q2 2025

A slower Q2 for 2025 after a bumper start with lots of exciting releases in quick succession as the new year came into effect.

I’m pleased to say I’ve managed to get hands on with a lot of the list from Q1, and some standout favourites have to be the Sigma 300-600mm f4, and the Sony 400-800mm G OSS.

The Sigma as you’d expect for a nearly £6,000 price tag, is stunning, the optics are beautiful and crisp, and the lens wasn’t as bad as I was expecting to hand hold. You definitely have to treat it as a number of prime lenses in one, as it was a little tricky to zoom while panning, but when it nails the shot, the results speak for themselves.

The Sony offers a great alternative to the 200-600mm G OSS which has been a stalwart at airshows ever since launch, the quality is as you’d expect from Sony, even though it’s only a G lens, and when conditions allow, 800mm is really fun to utilise in an aviation setting.

Onto Q2!

There are some quite interesting releases here that I think could have some use in an aviation setting, first being the GFX100RF, Fujfilms monster of a street camera featuring the medium format, 100 megapixel sensor from the GFX100SII. It’s fixed 35mm lens (roughly 28mm full frame equivalent) would be great for candid shots walking around any static park, and with the crop options available, there is no end to the editing capabilities.

It'll also make you the most fashionable individual around, as it certainly is a looker!
(https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/fujifilm-gfx100rf)

Nikons main release this quarter is the overdue update to the Z5 II, now featuring the XPEED 7 processor straight out of the Z9 (causing a lot of people, myself included, to question when a replacement flagship will be coming along). At the time of writing this I’ve actually got one sat on my desk next to me. For an entry level full frame camera, nothing screams out that corners have been cut, and, in todays market, there’s not really a bad camera. Offering up to 30fps and pre-shooting, 68% faster autofocus than the original, and a super bright EVF, these are top drawer specs in what is these days, ‘entry level’.

(https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/nikon-z5-ii-with-24-200mm-lens)

Sony came to the table with yet another push forward on lens technology, with their FE 50-150mm f2 GM lens. Although labelled as a portrait lens for which it really does excel in, this could factor as an airliner lens, or when taking images of larger aircraft. The most exciting use I could see for this would be air to air shoots, 50mm on the wide end might be a smidge long for some meetups, but this is the kind of focal range that most photographers in that space are looking for. I used the lens at our recent Sony aviation morning event based at the Aviator café at Staverton airport, and the quality is unrivalled. I’d be really interested to see what this could do shooting in the skies.

(https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/sony-fe-50-150mm-f2-gm-lens)

Another item on this list that I’ve already seen and had a go with, is the Fujifilm X-E5, launched alongside the new XF 23mm pancake lens, this combo, now featuring the 40 megapixel APS-C sensor that Fujifilm seem to be putting into everything, is a pocket rocket and one I could see being put to great use for snapping away at static parks across the airshow scene.

This is the first Fujifilm camera that has really tempted me to upgrade and downsize my faithful X-T2 for holiday snaps, utilising the film simulations built in, and cutting back on pretty much all editing. It can easily be carried alongside a main rig, for behind the scenes point of views, and quick snaps where needed.

(https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/fujifilm-x-e5-with-xf-23mm-f28-r-wr)

Sigma are again on the list with their 17-40mm f1.8 DC Art lens. This is a great lens for crop sensor only cameras, and offers an f1.8 zoom at typical static shoot territory focal lengths. For those that prefer a slightly smaller camera, or who don’t have the budget to stretch into full frame, this offers a professional option that has been somewhat lacking from the crop sensor space. Available in Fuji X, Sony E, L, and Canon RF mounts, this also widens the market for camera bodies this can be used upon.

I loved shooting the RIAT static park at a wide aperture, it opens some fantastic opportunities to really bring individual details to the fore of an image, and go somewhat abstract in the look and feel, something different to the ‘airframe with blue cones’ that we all try and avoid.

(https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/sigma-af-17-40mm-f18-dc-art-lens)

Thank you for taking the time to read this update, I look forward to putting some of these elements through their paces at airshows on the horizon, and seeing some of you there!