This is a major change for 43rumors. Not only because the website will become far more cleaner (and I hope nicer) but also because new features will be added. One of the most precious value of 43rumors is…you! And that’s why the new 43rumors websites runs on buddypress (a social blog). You will be able to become official 43rumors members. You can make friends, send messages to each other, create fan groups and in near future forum and wiki will be added!

I will give you more infos soon but let’s do the installation now and fix the bugs!

Thanks!

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Popsci tested the Leica Elmar-M 24mm f/3.8 lens ($2,400) on the Olympus E-P2 ($850 body-only) using the Novoflex’s Leica M-Mount Micro Four Thirds adapter ring ($270). They also shot with the Olympus 17mm f/2.8 lens ($275) for comparison.

Christian Erhardt, Leica’s VP of Marketing tells why that combination doesn’t work very well:

“Our lenses our designed to work best with full format, the light can hit different pixels of the sensor at a very extreme angle–once you have that, the image may be slightly out of focus, or not as bright around the edges.”.

But he also explained why Leica choosed to not join the MicroFourThirds alliance: “One reason why we’ve decided not to move into Micro Four Thirds is that we have looked at the sensor size and realized that it cannot produce the image quality that we need. Therefore we decided to stick with the full format in addition to APS-C. It’s all about the ratios“.

Do you really think the Leica X1with fixed lens(!) that sells for $1,995.00 is a better solution?
By the way, Popsci came to the conclusion that the price difference doesn’t justify the use of the Elmarit instead of the Olympus 17mm lens

Source: Popsci
Found via: Noisycamera

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Added “PAL<->NTSC Menu” patch for Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic GH1.
In short – it allows you to change video standard on the fly.
“Video Out” menu is used. It’ll simultaneously set you TV output standard
and also camera shooting standard.
As a side effect, this patch enables Video Out menu for regions where it was
disabled.
Firmware download and how-to on DVXuser.com
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Amin Sabet tested the new Olympus 9-18mm lens (Serious compacts)
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Panasonic Lumix G2, uma G1 com vídeo (fotodigital online…portuguese!)
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Olympus E-PL1 review on Reghardware
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Olympus E-PL1 “Bounce Flash”? (Thedigitalstory.com)

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We “predicted” it on 43rumors and now it is here! The new 3D lens for MicroFourThirds cameras. The lens will be on sale by late 2010 and also the image of the lens is just a prototyp. But also other 3D stuff has been announced:

Press release:
ThePhoblographer
DDay (italian)
Gizmodo
dpreview
engadget

Panasonic is pleased to announce the development of the world’s first* twin digital interchangeable lens. The revolutionary new accessory will make high quality 3D shooting possible with an interchangeable lens system camera for the very first time. As 3D content becomes increasingly popular across a variety of platforms, Panasonic plans to release this new lens for sale before the end of the year to deliver the joy and excitement of 3D shooting to interchangeable lens system camera users.

Having already taken the lead in 3D technology, Panasonic has had great success with the launch of their 3D-capable VIERA televisions and 3D Blu-rayTM Disc Players. The 3D market is predicted to steadily grow over the coming years, as explained by industry analysts, Screen Digest: “As consumers slowly replace the main TV set in their house, and as the price of 3D TVs continue to fall, Screen Digest expects that 3D TVs will be in around a quarter of households in major developed markets by the end of 2014***. “

The introduction of the 3D lens aims to respond to demands of consumers who want to enjoy 3D shooting for themselves whilst also expanding Panasonic’s range of 3D products. The lens will allow users to capture images in 3D which can then be viewed back using 3D-capable VIERA televisions in the comfort of their own home.

“As consumers slowly replace the main TV set in their house, and as the price of 3D TVs continue to fall, Screen Digest expects that 3D TVs will be in around a quarter of households in major developed markets by the end of 2014. “

Until now, 3D shooting with an interchangeable lens system camera has only been possible by using panorama systems or a combination of two lenses and two CCDs, but these systems have drawbacks including the need for a dedicated 3D camera and the difficulties of capturing moving objects. Panasonic’s new 3D lens for the LUMIX G Micro System features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses, to be processed with a 3D image processing system. Thanks to Panasonic’s advancements in optical technology, image processing system, and lens barrel design, the 3D lens still manages to retain an extremely compact size.

This new compact 3D-capable interchangeable lens allows easier handling and instant 3D shooting, producing 3D images without distortion or time lag between left and right images, even for moving objects.

Through expanding its range of 3D products, Panasonic will continue to lead the industry by bringing a true-to-life 3D experience to its customers.

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And if you want to get the lens or just check price and availability click here to see the lens on eBay: Konica 50mm f/1.2 lens

More “need for speed” lenses:
- Fujinon 25mm f/0.85
- Four crazy 90mm f/1.0 Lenses
- Voigtländer 50mm f/1.1
- The Leica Noctilux 0.95
- PEN-F Zuiko Olympus 42mm F/1.2
- Schneider Xenon 0.95/50mm
- De Oude Delft 50mm f/0.75
- The 75mm f/0.85 Leitz lens

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Here a little how-to:

How to share rumors and news:
Every little piece of rumor helps us to get closer to the real “picture”. You can keep yourself anonymous by sending us a message using the contact form on the right sidebar. Avoid to give me your name and email adress. Just send me the message. You can also contact us on 43rumors@gmail.com. Only myself will read those emails. I suggest you to create some kind of fake email account so that I can answer you back! Please don’t expect me to post your rumors before I have checked it with other sources. If I would post every rumor I do receive everyone here would get confused

Some tips on how to send anonymous messages and images comes form our friend from Nikonrumors:

(just replace [at] with @ and [dot] with .) by using one of those free services:

• Anonymouse (email)
• Sendanonymousemail (email)
• Guerrillamail (email)

Anonymous image hosting (upload an image and just email me the link):

• Bayimg (images)
• Imageshack (images)
• rapidshare (images)

By the way, I don’t know if I will be at Photokina. I need a new surgery because of the broken ligament

Thanks all! We will certainly have some exciting time on 43rumors

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You can find more information on Fujifilms website: http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/f/finepix_f300exr/features/

“Hybrid Auto Focus System NEW!
One of the disadvantages of longer zoom compacts is relatively slow auto focusing. Typical compacts rely on Contrast Detection, which works by fixing the focus by searching for contrast differentials.  Some expensive cameras, including many DSLRs, use two focusing systems in tandem to improve the time taken to auto focus. Phase Detection AF works by dividing the incoming light into pairs of images and calculating the phase difference to find if the object is in front focus or back focus position. Contrast AF is generally better in low-lit scenes, while Phase Detection AF is extremely responsive in good light.  Having both systems on one camera is perfect. The FinePix F300EXR uses both Contrast AF and Phase Detection AF to offer auto focus speeds as good as, or sometimes better than expensive DSLRs.  To achieve the incredible AF speed of 0.158*1 seconds, Fujifilm engineers placed pairs of phase detection sensors on the EXR sensor, which work exactly like external sensors on DSLRs.  The FinePix F300EXR automatically selects the optimum focus system, by measuring the amount of light or contrast in the scene. The benefit for the photographer is immediate and obvious: an almost instantaneous capture of the subject in the viewfinder, with no missed shots or subjects half out-of-frame.”

Hurry up Panasonic! There is way to catch up the DSLR autofocus speed!

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Following the release of a Futuresource industry report earlier this month on the Western European market opportunity for Interchangeable Lens Compact Cameras, James Wells, consultant with Futuresource discusses some of the key issues surrounding this market.

“Since the end of 2008 when Panasonic launched the world’s first Interchangeable Lens Compact, Olympus, Samsung and Sony have introduced their own models into this segment. The market was still relatively small last year, with just 80,000 units shipped across Western Europe, compared with 3.2m DSLRs.

“Moving forward there are some factors that will limit growth for the Interchangeable Lens Compact market in the short to mid term, such as certain technological factors that influence camera performance and higher average retail prices compared to entry level DSLRs.

“Another big influence on growth will be whether Canon and Nikon – who currently dominate the wider interchangeable lens camera market – decide to launch an Interchangeable Lens Compact product. Makoto Kimura, Nikon’s president, recently confirmed Nikon will launch a new type of SLR as early as this fiscal year, saying it ‘may adopt the so-called mirrorless structure’. To date there has been no official word from Canon regarding its future plans for Interchangeable Lens Compacts.

“In the short-term, whilst we are expecting significant growth for the Interchangeable Lens Compact market, it will still only reach shipments of 377,000 units across Western Europe in 2010, compared to expectations of 3.3m units for DSLRs.

“Panasonic, Olympus, Sony and Samsung (with a 20% combined share of interchangeable lens camera shipments in 2009) are expected to promote this segment heavily in 2010, particularly at the Photokina show in September in the run up to the important fourth quarter period. The long term aim is to try to break Canon’s and Nikon’s stranglehold on the interchangeable lens camera market. Suffice to say this will be an interesting space to watch over the next two to three years.”

Source: Photographyblog

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For all those of you interested in MicroFourThirds the new Panasonic sensor (used for the new Panasonic LX5) may give us some hints about the next generation of MicroFourThirds sensors.

According to Panasonic the sensor has a new design which allows to capture more light for every single pixel. Quesabesde also noticed a better chromatic noise control (but this maybe depends form the new Venus engine). You can judge the difference between the LX3 and the LX5 sensor by looking at those images: http://www.quesabesde.com/camdig/noticias/Lumix_LX5_muestra_02g.jpg. Panasonic itself claims that the new sensor is noiseless at ISO 800 which (if true) is a very good news considering that the sensor has a much higher pixel density than current MicroFourThirds sensor. Panasonic also said that the LX5 sensor has a better sensivity (by 31%) and saturation (38%) and greater dynamic range compared to the older Panasonic LX3. More image samples have been posted here at DPreview and by RealityScanner on flickr

Image courtesy: Quesabesde.com

P.S.: You can now preorder the Panasonic LX5 on Amazon

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Preorder the cameras on Amazon US:
Click here to get the LX5 ($499 and white model not available yet)
Click here to get the FZ100 ($499)
Click here to get the FZ40 ($399)
Click here to get the FX700 ($399)
Click here to get the TS10 ($249)

Interesting news:
- Optyczne.pl: LX5 and FZ100 presentation (in polish!) + LX5 and FZ100 image samples
- HOT-> First LX5 vs LX3 image comparison here: http://www.quesabesde.com/camdig/noticias/Lumix_LX5_muestra_02g.jpg
- LX5-> According to Panasonic it’ll prove noiseless at ISO 800!
- LX5-> Panasonic has added LED technology to the 3-inch LCD screen
- The LX5 sensor has better sensivity (by 31%) and saturation (38%) and greater dynamic range compared to the older Panasonic LX3

Announcements and Hands-on (latest added link on top):
Photoradar: Panasonic LX5 review
Image samples on dpreview
Reality Scanner: Images samples on flickr -> LX5 and TZ100
Photoscala (german!)
Quesabesde: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 toma de contacto (Spanish) with first image comparison between the LX3 and LX5!
DPreview announcement of the TS10, FX700, FZ45, FZ100 and LX5
CNET UK: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 review (but it’s more a preview!)
Fotointern.ch (LX5 -german!)
Photographyblog: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Hands-On and Image Samples, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Hands-On and Image Samples
Photographyblog: FT10, FX700, FZ45, FZ100, LX5
Pocket-Link: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 – First Look review
PCpop.com (Click here to read the page about the new sensor!)

First videos made with the LX5:

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We have almost finished our new mirrorless forum. Now we need your help to fix all the bugs! it’s time for official testing! Click here at: http://mirrorlessforum.com/forum.php

It is the first worldwide mirrorless camera forum!!!

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