Tony Northrup (again) says MFT is going to die in a couple of years

Tony writes:

The past year has been disasterous for camera manufacturers, and it looks like some of them could go into bankruptcy in the next few years. Nikon and Olympus each reported 3 straight quarters of losses. Sony & Fujifilm don’t report the profits and losses for their imaging departments, but it can’t be good. Pentax and Panasonic seem like afterthoughts to their bigger parent companies… and nothing is getting better any time soon. First, I go through every major manufacturer and discuss my take on whether they’ll still be making camera gear in 3-5 years. Some of the predictions might surprise you. But what really happens if your camera manufacturer decides to shut down? It’s happened before, so I take a look at how the process unfolded and what it means to end users. Do you need to sell your gear immediately because resale value plummets? Can you still get your cameras repaired?

Olympus financial report: Reduced the operating loss and sees solid E-M1 MarkIII sales

Olympus released the full fiscal year report. Overall the company revenue grew 4% despite the Covid 19 outbreak. Olympus says:

Excluding this impact, both revenue and operating profit were in line with forecasts

In the Imaging Business:

Revenue Declined 8% due to difficult business environment, lack of new products in 1H caused by the restructuring of manufacturing bases, and COVID-19 impact in 4Q. Operating loss decreased due to absence of restructuring expenses recorded last year and improved SG&A efficiency.

Olympus also saw “a solid start of new product “OM-D E-M1 MarkIII”introduced in 4Q“. Regarding the forecast for the Imaging Business Olympus writes:

Some dealers are moving toward resuming business but still many regions are under severe outing restrictions. Online marketing (such as utilizing SNS) will need to be strengthened
Expect demand in end consumer market to take more time

In the digital camera field of the Imaging Business, if the market contracts more sharply than anticipated, the Olympus Group may be unable to adequately counter the resulting sales decline with the restructuring measures currently implementing, and this may adversely affect the Olympus Group’s earnings.

43rumors note: Call me crazy but I expected worse results. On a less optimistic note….I believe the upcoming year will be terrible too in terms of sales. Future Covid-19 outbreaks will create future mess in production and distribution.

New Irix Cine 15mm T2.6 lens for MFT

Press text:

Irix extends its line of film lenses with the ultra wide-angle Irix Cine 15mm T2.6
Irix, the producer of the Cine series, currently has a set of cinematographic lenses in its portfolio, including an 11mm ultra wide-angle lens, a standard 45mm lens, and a 150mm macro telephoto lens. Today Irix premieres their fast, filter-ready wide-angle cine lens, the Irix Cine 15mm T2.6. This product will open unlimited possibilities for filmmakers and cinematographers alike.

New Lens, New Possibilities
The newest member of the family, the Irix Cine 15mm T2.6, is a fast, filter-ready ultra wide-angle lens, which makes it an extremely versatile piece of equipment that works in a multitude of lighting conditions.
The Irix Cine 15mm T2.6 optical system is made up of 15 elements arranged in 11 groups (including 3 HR lenses, 2 EDs, and 2 ASPHs). Its precise construction ensures beautiful and vivid colors, image sharpness, and minimal distortion, despite the ultra-wide field of view. The high quality construction ensures low lens breathing, which is an extremely important feature in filmmaking.
Like all Irix Cine line lenses, it is designed for filming at a maximum resolution of 8K UHD, allowing for super-panorama shots (CinemaScope).

Irix Cine family
Ease of use and convenience is extremely important to us. Irix Cine lenses are ready for any film set. Very similar weights (as well as equal distances between rings) between Irix Cine lenses accelerate work on the set, without forcing changes of gimbals, rigs, tripods, etc. Irix also offers an innovative magnetic mounting system (MMS) for accessories, such as sun visors or lens covers.

Irix Cinematic Design
Irix lenses are used by both professional operators and amateurs alike. Irix Cine 15mm T2.6 has all the features and properties necessary to wora on the set. By minimizing the phenomenon of diffraction, the lens aperture (made of 9 rounded blades), provides a sharp image, regardless of the T value. The precise mechanics allow for the smooth adjustment of the T value from T2.6 to T22.
As with other Irix Cine lenses, the product has been equipped with an innovative adaptive ring that allows for ergonomic work both in manual sharpening and with follow-focus systems, thanks to which you can easily and quickly adjust your lens to your rig. The 180 degree focusing ring ensures precise alignment and a smooth focus pulling.
The lens front has been optimized to work with 95mm matte boxes. Toothed rings (Mod 0.8 M standard), ensure compatibility with most follow focus accessories and aperture adjustment available on the market.

Ready to work in any conditions!
With film lenses, it is extremely important that the equipment is suitable for work regardless of weather conditions. Irix Cine 15mm T2.6 has been sealed in four key places, so you can shoot in the desert and in full rain, meaning you can be sure that your equipment will remain safe.

Main features:
UltraHD 8K resolution
43.3 mm imaging field (Full Frame)
Fast aperture T2.6
86mm front filter thread
ultra wide angle imaging field
minimal distortion
compact and lightweight construction
very low lens breathing
sealed construction
95mm front diameter
magnetic accessory mounting system (MMS)
Removable lens hood
compatible with follow focus systems
engraved markings filled withUV-reactive paint
adapter ring for faster work on the set
possibility of mounting an additional lens support foot

Available mounts
Irix Cine 15mm T2.6 is available in Canon EF, Sony E, MFT, and PL mounts, each with either metric or imperial focus markings.

Pricing and availability
The lens will soon be available in a wide network of dealers available at: https://irixlens.com/dealers- list/ and at https://storeeu.irixlens.com for 1195 Euro.

Weekly 43rumors readers pictures roundup…


Martin Gallego‎
Coronavirus crisis.
The cruelty of loneliness. A patient waits to receive an oncological radiology treatment. Can Ruti Hospital, Badalona, ​​May 2020.
Olympus Pen F + MZuiko 12mm F2
http://martingallego.blogspot.com/
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