Episode 513: Bodega Cats, New Lenses and a new 360 Camera?

In today's episode some new lenses, bodega cats in NYC and rumors about Insta360s new X6.

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Liam Photography Podcast! I'm Liam Douglas, and as always, thanks for spending a little time with me.

This week we've got a nice mix of photography news. We'll be talking about an incredible documentary project featuring New York City's famous bodega cats, several new lenses from both premium and budget manufacturers, Canon's effort to make camera gear a little more environmentally friendly, Sony's newest affordable telephoto zoom, Saramonic's latest wireless microphone system, and finally, we'll wrap things up in our Rumors section with what we're hearing about the upcoming Insta360 X6.

So let's jump right into it.

Story 1 – The Working Bodega Cats of New York City

Our first story isn't about new gear at all—it's about storytelling through photography.

A photographer has spent years documenting one of New York City's most unique traditions: the famous bodega cats.

If you've ever visited New York City, you've probably seen one. Many neighborhood convenience stores keep cats on-site. Officially they're there to help control rodents, but in reality they've become local celebrities and beloved members of the community.

Rather than simply photographing cats, the photographer focused on their relationship with store owners and customers. The resulting project captures personality, humor, and everyday life in a way that's incredibly authentic.

It's a great reminder that compelling photography doesn't always require exotic travel destinations or expensive equipment. Sometimes the best stories are happening just around the corner—you simply have to pay attention.

As photographers, we often chase dramatic landscapes or major events, but projects like this remind us that documentary photography is about people, culture, and preserving slices of everyday life that may disappear over time.

Story 2 – Light Lens Lab Announces a New 35mm f/2 APO Lens

Light Lens Lab has officially introduced its first lens in what it calls its new High Performance Series—a 35mm f/2 Apochromatic lens.

For those unfamiliar with the term, an apochromatic lens is designed to minimize chromatic aberration. In simple terms, it reduces the colored fringes that can appear around high-contrast edges while improving overall sharpness and color accuracy.

The company has built a reputation recreating classic Leica optics, but this lens represents something different. Rather than reproducing vintage glass, they're moving toward designing their own modern, high-performance optics.

Thirty-five millimeters remains one of the most versatile focal lengths available. It's equally comfortable for street photography, documentary work, environmental portraits, and travel photography.

If this lens performs as advertised, it could become an interesting option for photographers looking for premium image quality without stepping into the extremely expensive Leica ecosystem.

It'll definitely be one to watch once independent reviews begin appearing.

Story 3 – Canon is Developing a PFAS-Free Lens Coating

Canon announced that it's working on a new optical coating that eliminates fluorine compounds commonly known as PFAS.

PFAS have become a major environmental concern because they break down extremely slowly and have earned the nickname "forever chemicals."

For years, fluorine-based coatings have been widely used on camera lenses because they repel water, fingerprints, oils, and dirt. They're extremely effective, but environmental regulations around the world are beginning to place greater restrictions on their use.

Canon says its new coating is designed to provide the same protective benefits while eliminating those environmentally problematic chemicals.

This isn't the kind of announcement that's going to make photographers rush out to buy a new lens tomorrow, but it does show how manufacturers are beginning to adapt to changing environmental standards.

If Canon succeeds, it's likely we'll see similar technology adopted across the industry over the next several years.

Story 4 – 7Artisans Brings Its AF 40mm f/2.5 to More Cameras

7Artisans has expanded availability of its autofocus 40mm f/2.5 lens, bringing it to both Leica L-Mount and Nikon Z full-frame systems.

Budget autofocus lenses have improved dramatically over the past few years, and 7Artisans continues pushing into territory that used to belong almost exclusively to first-party manufacturers.

Forty millimeters sits in an interesting middle ground between a traditional 35mm street lens and the classic 50mm standard lens. Many photographers find it offers a very natural perspective that's great for everyday shooting.

For creators looking to build an affordable lens collection, having another compact autofocus option is always welcome.

Competition is ultimately good for everyone because it pushes prices down while giving photographers more choices.

Story 5 – Saramonic Introduces the K9 XTX Wireless Microphone

Saramonic has announced its new K9 XTX wireless transmitter, and the headline feature is impressive transmission range.

Wireless audio has become increasingly important as more photographers also create video content, and reliable long-distance performance is always welcome.

Whether you're filming weddings, documentaries, interviews, YouTube videos, or commercial productions, maintaining a stable wireless connection is critical.

The new transmitter is designed for professional production environments where subjects may be moving significant distances away from the camera.

Audio quality often gets overlooked compared to camera upgrades, but poor audio can ruin an otherwise excellent video.

As I always like to remind people—you can get away with average video if your audio is excellent. The opposite is rarely true.

Story 6 – Sony Introduces the FE 100-400mm f/5.6-8 OSS

Sony has announced a brand-new FE 100-400mm f/5.6-8 OSS telephoto zoom aimed squarely at enthusiasts looking for reach without spending several thousand dollars.

The biggest selling point here is accessibility.

Traditionally, 100-400mm lenses have been premium products carrying premium price tags. Sony appears to be targeting photographers who shoot wildlife, aviation, sports, or outdoor events but don't necessarily need a constant f/4.5-5.6 professional lens.

Yes, the slower maximum aperture means you'll sacrifice some low-light performance and subject separation, but modern Sony sensors perform exceptionally well at higher ISOs.

For many hobbyists, that's a worthwhile tradeoff if it means getting a lightweight lens at a much lower price.

It'll be interesting to see how this compares against Sigma and Tamron's offerings once reviewers get production samples in hand.

Rumors – What Can We Expect from the Insta360 X6?

Now let's move into this week's rumor section.

As expected, the rumor mill has already begun spinning regarding the next-generation Insta360 X6.

Nothing has been officially announced yet, but based on industry chatter and Insta360's release cadence, many expect the X6 to arrive sometime in 2027.

Among the features enthusiasts are hoping for include:

A larger image sensor for even better low-light performance.

Longer battery life.

Higher-quality 8K or possibly enhanced high-frame-rate recording.

Better HDR video and improved dynamic range.

Faster AI-powered reframing and export times.

Stronger wind-noise reduction for outdoor creators.

Improved waterproofing and overall durability.

Faster wireless transfers and more efficient editing workflows.

One of the biggest questions is whether Insta360 will continue refining the dual 1/1.28-inch sensor approach used in the X5 or make another significant jump in sensor technology.

Another area many creators—including myself—would love to see improved is battery efficiency. Longer recording times without overheating are becoming increasingly important, especially for travel vloggers and action camera users.

Of course, these are all rumors and educated speculation at this point. We'll have to wait for Insta360 to make things official before knowing exactly what's coming.

But if history is any indication, the X6 will likely continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in consumer 360-degree cameras.

That wraps up this week's photography news.

If you'd like to hear more discussions like this every week covering cameras, lenses, photography news, filmmaking, drones, and creator technology, be sure to subscribe to the channel and click that notification bell so you don't miss future episodes.

I'd also love to hear your thoughts down in the comments.

Which story caught your attention this week? Are you interested in Sony's new affordable 100-400mm lens? What do you think of Canon's move toward environmentally friendly lens coatings? And what features are you hoping to see in the Insta360 X6?

Thanks so much for listening, and until next time, keep shooting, keep creating, and keep seeing the world through a lens.