CameraCraft – July-August 2026
Summary
Dougie Souness on Cuban dance culture and Lawson Wood on Caribbean diving anchor CameraCraft June/July 2026 (Edition #71) — alongside infrared digital conversion tests, Rollei Infrared 35mm film, and a Nikon Z 120-300mm f2.8 TC lens expected to launch at around 7,000 pounds.
CameraCraft June/July 2026 opens with Dougie Souness documenting Cuba's dance, music and sub-aqua scenes. Lawson Wood launches a new series of diving guides. Frances Crickmore shares car safaris and field stalking of Norfolk wildlife. The lenses section tests the Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD FE and the Viltrox Evo 55mm f1.8 FE. David Kilpatrick tests an affordable camera conversion for infrared digital, paired with Neil Burnell's Devon landscape portfolio. Analography reports on Rollei Infrared 35mm film. The editor discusses his workstation ergonomics during a June heatwave. News covers the Nikon Z 120-300mm f2.8 TC VR S telephoto zoom, the Leica SL3-P with 44MP and IP54 weather sealing, and the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 for Nikon Z and Canon RF APS-C systems.
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Content Guide
Features
p.8 · Cuba — Dancing on the Edge
Dougie Souness on photographing Cuba's dance, music and sub-aqua cultures. The article covers shooting in low-light Havana clubs and underwater off the coastline. Souness names the single lens that stayed on his camera for the entire trip.
p.18 · Diving into Life in the Caribbean
Lawson Wood launches a new series of diving guides, starting with the Caribbean. The article includes equipment recommendations for underwater housing and strobe placement. Divers who shoot should copy his pre-dive camera checklist.
p.24 · Farm Friends
Frances Crickmore on car safaris and field stalking of Norfolk wildlife. She details the patience required to photograph hares, barn owls and foxes without disturbing them. The specific vehicle window mount she uses is named and tested.
Tech & Reviews
p.30 · Tamron 35-100mm f2.8 Di III VXD FE
A full test of this fast zoom for full-frame Sony E-mount. Resolution, chromatic aberration and autofocus speed are measured. The verdict answers whether this replaces a 24-70mm or a 70-200mm in a single lens kit.
p.34 · Viltrox Evo 55mm f1.8 FE
An apochromatic standard lens tested on both Sony E and Nikon Z mounts. The review measures edge-to-edge sharpness and bokeh quality. At its price point, this challenges the Sony 50mm f1.8 GM for value.
p.38 · Darkness Visible
David Kilpatrick tests an affordable camera conversion for infrared digital, with a portfolio of subtle Devon landscapes from Neil Burnell. The article names the conversion service and the wavelength filter used. Anyone considering IR conversion should read the exposure compensation table.
p.44 · Analography: Rollei Infrared 35mm
A report on shooting Rollei Infrared film, including development times and filtration recommendations. The results are compared against digital IR conversion for readers deciding between film and digital routes.
Regulars
p.3 · News
Nikon Z 120-300mm f2.8 TC VR S — telephoto zoom with built-in 1.4x teleconverter, expected launch September, likely at least 7,000 pounds. Leica SL3-P — 44MP full-frame, IP54 rated, 8K open-gate video. Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di-III A VC RXD for Canon and Nikon mirrorless APS-C.
p.46 · CameraCraft Crossword
Plus Rearview Gallery featuring deep space rear cover by Daniel Main.
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Editor's Take
The Cuba feature (Souness) is the issue's strongest editorial — it crosses dance photography, street photography and underwater work in a single assignment, giving it a versatility that most photo magazine features lack. The infrared conversion test (Kilpatrick) is the most practically useful piece: it names a specific conversion shop, quotes a price, and shows direct comparisons between converted and unconverted cameras. The Tamron 35-100mm review is technically thorough. Weaknesses: the Lawson Wood diving piece is essentially a book promotion repackaged as a feature — the actual editorial content is thin compared to the Souness Cuba article. The crossword and Rearview Gallery continue to occupy space that could host a fifth feature. The editor's workstation ergonomics discussion is self-indulgent for a four-page opening.
Strengths
• Dougie Souness Cuba feature crosses three photographic disciplines
• Infrared conversion test with named service and real costs
• Tamron 35-100mm review with measurable MTF data
Weaknesses
• Lawson Wood diving feature reads as a book promotion
• Editor's ergonomics discussion overextends the opening
Verdict: Recommended — Buy for the Cuba feature and IR conversion guide; the diving piece is skippable.
