a bit of everything…


DPReview TV: the 2018 DPReview Awards

Panasonic’s website about the S1-S1R design story (L-rumors.com).
Stability Now! In the Field with the Moza Air 2 Handheld Gimbal (Explora).
BCN chart shows Sony’s Full Frame sales success in the past year (MirrorlessRumors).
Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN Micro Four Thirds thorough review (Asobinet).

Share your best pictures on our new Instagram MicroFourThirdsGallery.

Plenty of news on the facebook E-M1II group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.

New Mecablitz M360 announced

Press text:

Compact entry level flash

Not only compact mirrorless cameras are in vogue, camera accessories are also getting smaller and more practical. Metz presents an entry level flash that can easily be mounted on any camera and, with its self-explanatory operation, is a reliable companion for many photographers, who especially appreciate speed, for example when photographing events and outdoors. Metz is expanding the M-series of the successful mecablitz M400 as a first step with the mecablitz M360 high performance and low priced version.

With its 190 gram weight and compact size, the mecablitz M360 is not only lightweight, but is also easy to use, making it perfect for beginners. It hardly needs any space in the camera bag, it is instantly plugged into the camera – and you can use the flash straight away. Only two buttons are necessary to control it: The power button turns the flash on and off; the second button displays the various operating states of the M360 (flash ready, exposure OK, standby* etc.) and triggers a test flash. The camera determines the correct illumination of the subject via TTL, whereby the maximum guide number 36 at ISO 100 provides enough power for almost all lighting situations. Thanks to its compact format, the mecablitz M360 is ideal for mirrorless compact cameras, but also DSLR users will appreciate the self-explanatory operating concept.

A flexible companion

The mecablitz M360 offers many additional features that a photographer needs for various lighting situations: The power zoom (24 – 105 mm), the fully swivelling reflector with extendable reflector card and the integrated wide angle diffuser (14 mm) enable flashes on the ceiling, eye-reflexes in flash portraits and the illumination of groups of people. The plug-on diffuser supplied can be used as a soft focus by the photographer.

Useful features

The mecablitz M360 can synchronise to the first or second shutter curtain if the camera supports this feature. With this flash, Metz also offers the option of installing firmware updates via a micro USB socket, thus keeping the device up to date. The mecablitz M360 will be available as a version for the camera manufacturers Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus / Panasonic / Leica and Sony.

* Function depending on camera

Technical data

Features

  • Maximum height guide number 36 at ISO 100 (105 mm)
  • Vertical (-7 / + 90 °) and horizontal (270°) swivel reflector
  • Simple operating concept
  • Motorised zoom for 24 -105 mm illumination
  • Integrated wide angle diffuser for 14 mm illumination
  • Extendable reflector card
  • Flash readiness and exposure control indicator on the device and on the camera (depending on the camera)
  • Automatic device shutdown
  • Wake-up function through the camera
  • Metal base with quick lock (except Sony Multi Interface version)

Flash functions

  • TTL flash operation
  • Synchronisation on the 1st and 2nd shutter curtain (depending on the camera)

Dimensions and weight

  • 64 x 100 x 80 mm (width x height x depth)
  • 190 g

Power supply

  • 2 × AA alkaline manganese batteries
  • 2 × AA NiMH batteries

Scope of delivery

  • mecabounce diffusor
  • Protective bag

via metz-mecatech.de

Weekly 43rumors readers pictures roundup…


Lucio Bracco OneEye
Olympus e-pl5 ir 720nm converted – Zuiko 7-14 Pro

1) To submit your picture for the weekly readers roundup post you can choose one of the following two options:
Instagram: Follow @microfourthirdsgallery and tag us on your picture to give us the permission to repost your image on the instagram gallery and on 43rumors (we will credit you)
Facebook: Submit your picture on our group: facebook.com/groups/microft. Please add the hashtag “#microfourthirdsgallery ” to grant the permission for reposting on 43rumors. Without the hashtag we will not add your picture!

2) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: instagram.com/microfourthirdsgallery and facebook.com/groups/microft
3) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me 43rumors admin will be posted weekly on 43rumors.

Note: When sending a pic feel free to also add a link to your site to promote yourself! And please do share one single picture per week only. Do not spam :)

This is the weekly selection:

Read more

a bit of everything…


Olympus OM-D E-M1 Series – System Benefits

Nikon says they are not yet worried about L-mount competition (L-rumors.com).
Luxury that Lasts: Camera Bags, Straps, and Fashions for Photographers (Explora).
New CIPA results for October: Time to give up any hope in a possible recovery? (MirrorlessRumors).
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Limited Edition Review (Photographic-central)

Share your best pictures on our new Instagram MicroFourThirdsGallery.

Plenty of news on the facebook E-M1II group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.

Meyer Optik Görlitz is back but your money is not!

Meyer Optik Görlitz got acquired by the German company OPC Optic. And while the new company said they will keep making Meyer Optik branded lenses they also said they will not give the money back to those who had lens preorders on crowdfunding platforms.

Press text (google translated):

OPC Optics acquires trademark rights to Meyer Optik Görlitz following insolvency of Koblenzer net SE

– Entry into the consumer market for OPC Optics
– Brand should be filled with life as soon as possible
– Production and products are optimized and the portfolio streamlined
– Sales via classic distribution – no crowdfunding, no pre-sales
– Takeover of net SE contaminated sites is unfortunately not possible

OPC Optical Precision Components Europe GmbH based in Bad Kreuznach acquires the trademark rights to Meyer Optik Görlitz from the insolvent net SE and the SEMI Verwaltung GmbH. The specialist for aspheric and spherical glass lenses, with the takeover of Meyer Optik Görlitz, now also opens up the consumer market. With the help of their own technological know-how and synergies in the field of lens manufacturing, existing products are to be optimized, production processes professionalized and further products developed. After the unpleasant and sometimes inglorious downfall of the net SE, through which Meyer Optik was already considered lost, this development means a continuation of the popular lens series for the many Meyer Optik fans worldwide – such as Trioplan.

“It was regrettable to look at how Meyer Optik Görlitz, after the successful restart in 2014, by quality fluctuations, the many, sometimes parallel crowdfunding projects on various platforms, pre-sales of unpublished lenses on its own website and ongoing delivery delays, more and more reputation in the market lost. Nevertheless, we now see the chance for us to professionally and successfully establish a traditional German photography brand, “says Timo Heinze, Managing Director of OPC Optics. “To do that, we will definitely adopt a different, more conservative, approach and not crowdfund or pre-sell products. As a manufacturer, you simply have to take the time to grow such a brand so that you can grow your own capacities and ensure consistently high quality. ”

Optimization of the existing and changes of the production

The previous portfolio of Meyer Optik last included about 12 lens series. This, for a niche manufacturer, quite large portfolio is analyzed and streamlined accordingly. It can be assumed that popular model series such as the Trioplan 100 or the P58 (Primoplan type) will be continued. Whether the lenses just announced by the net SE such as the APO-Plasmat 105 or the Nocturnus DSLR will ever be implemented is currently unclear. As a specialist for high-precision aspherical and spherical lenses, OPC Optics will examine and further develop lens models that are considered to be valid.

“Thanks to our own technical expertise, further development is an obvious step and absolutely logical. First, we will perform an as-is analysis of existing designs and designs. Thanks to absolute high-end measurement and production techniques, we are then able to produce the lenses used with absolute precision and thus improve the optical performance. The production of the mechanical components and the assembly of the lenses will continue to be in Germany to ensure the best possible quality, “explains Heinze.

Classic Sales – No crowdfunding, no pre-sales

In contrast to the previous and now insolvent provider of Meyer Optik lenses, OPC Optics will strive for classic marketing with Meyer Optik. Neither crowdfunding nor pre-sales of unpublished products will be part of the business model. In the future OPC Optics will rely on its own direct sales as well as on the stationary photo trade. In this way OPC Optics intends a smooth and above all transparent exchange with its customers.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to take over the net SE contaminated sites

The takeover by OPC Optics includes all brand rights to Meyer Optik Görlitz and the associated products. Open claims from customers and suppliers towards net SE remain with net SE. Thus, vendors would have to contact the administrator of the net SE regarding these matters. OPC Optics, as a supplier of high-precision aspheres, is itself one of the suppliers of the net SE who still have outstanding demands on them.

As part of the reorientation of the brand, OPC Optics is examining whether discounts on the acquisition of an available lens can be realized for customers of net SE who have paid for and have not received a lens. Upon request, customers would then receive an individual offer. When or if such a model can be offered, is currently not fixed.

Further information at www.opc-optics.de (https://www.opc-optics.de)

a bit of everything…


Z CAM E2 The Ultimate B-Roll Camera? 4K 120fps

Panasonic S1 & S1R – Up to Speed (L-rumors.com).
Panasonic LX100 II: solid image quality in studio and real-world shooting (Dpreview).
LUMIX G9 – Episode 3 Outside The Softbox with Jeff Carpenter – High Res Mode
Drobo 8D Thunderbolt™ 3 Storage Solution (Explora).

Share your best pictures on our new Instagram MicroFourThirdsGallery.

Plenty of news on the facebook E-M1II group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.

Olympus re-confirms in interview that they will NOT go Full Frame

Imaging Resource talked to Aki Murata, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Olympus America. And he ruled out that Olympus will go Full Frame. Imaging Resource writes down the arguments:

Olympus’ natural market is in the outdoor/moving-subject

Having a compact, lightweight, rugged system is seriously important for Nature and Wildlife photographers, and the smaller sensor size of Micro Four Thirds is a significant advantage. The difference between carrying a full-frame DSLR with a 600mm f/4 lens vs a Micro Four Thirds body and Olympus’ excellent 300mm f/4 (600mm eq.) is enormous. (And yes, hopefully heading off some of the flaming comments below, I know that the DOF of a 300mm f/4 on a Micro Four Thirds body is going to be greater than that of a 600mm f/4 on a full-frame body. When it comes to exposure though, f/4 is f/4, so the Olympus 300mm will give you the same shutter speeds as a 600mm f/4 on a full-frame body.)

While it seems that almost everyone else in the business is chasing after full-frame mirrorless (Fujifilm and Ricoh excepted) Murata-san made the point that those other players are in the process of leaving behind an important and very significant segment, namely people for whom compactness, light weight and ruggedness are supremely important.

While modern full-frame camera bodies can be quite compact, the lenses that go along with them are a lot larger than their Micro Four Thirds counterparts, especially as you get to telephoto focal lengths. All else being equal, a bag full of full-frame lenses is going to be a lot bigger and heavier than one packed with the Micro Four Thirds alternatives.

Rather than being concerned that they can’t compete in a world dominated by full-frame camera systems, Olympus is rejoicing that the competition has left them with a huge market segment virtually all to themselves.