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Jim recently traveled to Japan with tour guide Mike Gulbraa who owns M&M Photo Tours (www.mmphototours.com).  Mike has some amazing photo tours in addition to Japan: Cuba, Africa, Italy, India, South America and more!  The Fotobug highly recommends his tours - small groups and an experienced guide -what is not to like!  Check out Mike's website and do yourself a favor and sign up for one of his fantastic photo tours! 

Boya recently released a new wireless microphone called the Magic Mic.  This new microphone is actually three in one!  It can be used as a hand-held microphone, a desk microphone, and a wireless microphone with two remote transmitters.  The microphone comes in two styles - a USB-C version and a dual port version that also includes an Apple lightning connector.  In addition the microphone uses AI that can reduce background noise!  Jim and Fred run the mike through it's paces!

The GoPro Max 2 and the Insta360 X5 are two of the newest 360 8K cameras.  If you are looking to purchase a 360 camera, which of these cameras are best for you?  Jim and Fred run the two camera through some paces and discuss the pros and cons of each one,   If you would like to leave a comment or question - please check our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/thefotobug!

360 cameras are becoming more and more popular.  There is the Insta360 series, DJI Osmo 360, and the new GoPro Max 2.  These cameras record 8K video in 360 degrees.  Jim and Fred discuss the pros and cons of using a 360 camera and discuss why you might or might not want one! The is not to compare the cameras, but rather to discuss 360 cameras in general!

Jim Beach is an entrepreneur, podcaster and author who just completed a new book, The Real Environmentalists. In this book, Jim reveals the environmental hypocrites but more importantly, the real unsung heroes who are actually working on solutions to help the environment. Please check out Jim's website at www.jimbeach.com and his radio show at www.schoolforstartupsradio.com and be sure to pick up his latest book which will be available after September 30th on all the major book sellers!

Trai Anfield is a UK based photographer and photo workshop leader. Trai is an environmentalist, wildlife photographer, film maker, writer and natural history presenter of BBC Radio 4's Living World. She was also a guest lecturer at Princeton University on the undergraduate Digital Bootcamp, teaching wildlife photography on ITV's upcoming series of 'Robson Green's Weekend Escapes' and running creative film production and photography workshops for a range of commercial clients and charitable organizations. Jim has attended her photo workshop to photograph brown bears in eastern Finland and can highly recommend her workshops. Please visit Trai's website at www.trai-anfield-photography.com for more information!

Ben Geier just published a photography book called Viewing Hours which contains his photos of Americana roadside attractions, hotels, restaurants and more!  His book is now available on Amazon and all the major book stores.  Ben agreed to sit down and discuss his book on The Fotobug.  Ben's website is www.bengeier.com and we recommend checking out the images on his website!

We reviewed the original Hoverair X1 some time ago and recently two new drones were released, the Hoverair X1 Pro and the Pro Max.  The difference between them is the Pro Max records in 8K video and has visual cameras for better collision avoidance.  Jim and Fred take the Pro model out to show off the increased range and the fact it has more and better manual flight modes, as well as a beacon to improve the 'follow me' modes!

DJI has recently come out with the Mavic Mini 4 and will soon release a Mini 5, which means the older Mini 3 can often be a bargain!  There is a difference, however, between the Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Pro.  The Pro model has additional obstacle avoidance and  has higher resolution still photo capture.  It also has the ability to track a moving object and the Mini 3 does not.  However, there is a 'hack' that will allow the Mini 3 to track a moving object - such as a walking person and Jim and Fred demonstrate how to make it happen!

We are always delighted to have Ron Wyatt on our podcast!  Ron talks about his bucket list photo travels places and upcoming workshops.  Ron is planning trips to Cuba, Indochina, Italy and lots more.  To get more information on Ron's workshops and photography go to www.adventureswithron.com  Check out The Fotobug on our YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/thefotobug and don't forget to subscribe!

Ian Plant is a professional photographer and workshop leader who has just created a new photography course for astrophotography.  This is the second time Ian has appeared on the Fotobug!  Please go check out Ian's website at www.ianplant.com and www.Photomasters.com.  Be sure to check out and subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/thefotobug! 

Bryce Way recently contributed to a photo book about Los Angeles from Trope Publishing (www.trope.com) and the book with be available on all the major book sellers beginning November 2024.  Bryce sat down with The Fotobug guys to talk about his photography and future travels. Don't forget to check out and subscribe to The Fotobug Youtube channel - www.youtube.com/thefotobug 

Jim and Fred recently took a road trip to visit several springs in central Florida near Gainsville and near Orlando.  In this episode we explore O'Leno State Park where the Santa Fe rive vanishes into the ground to reappear 3 miles late in River Rise State Park.  In addition, they visit Blue Springs State Park where Jim used to scuba dive back in the late 1960s and where Jacques Cousteau filmed one of his special on manatees.  In fact, there were several manatees in the Blue Run!

Bal Bhatal is a London based photographer know for his amazing night street photography.  Jim and Fred sit down with Bal (known as Mr Whisper) to talk about his photography and his new book "London After Dark".  You can check out Bal's website at www.mrwhisperstudios.coml and be sure to check out his Instagram page MrWhisper M&M Photo Tours have offered to put together a discounted photo workshop with the Fotobug guys and have offered the following possible locations: Tanzania, Kenya, Indochina, Japan, and Italy.  In order to help us choose which one, please visit The Fotobug Facebook page and respond to the poll - or send your choice to [email protected].  You are under no obligation to sign up for the trip - just help us decide!   Also - don't forget to check out our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/thefotobug. 

The new GoPro Hero 12 has added a couple new features: 5.3k video, 1/4-20 tripod socket (finally!) and bluetooth audio!  However, they have removed the GPS capability.  Jim and Fred decided to check out the various audio capabilities including the in-camera microphone, the media-mod microphone, as well as the media-mod with external microphones and of course the new bluetooth audio with earbuds and a bluetooth mike.  We suggest you listen to the audio with headphones to get a better sense of the quality of the various audio tests. Check out The Fotobug YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/thefotobug