Off Brand: Sony A9 announced

Yesterday Sony did announce the new Sony A9. The news is interesting for two reasons:

  1. This is the first Mirrorless System Camera that seems to be capable to do Sports Photography. Nikon and Canon do own that segment and it’s the first time they might have to be really worried?
  2. The A9 does NOT compete against the new Panasonic GH5. Video specs are quite disappointing (no S-LOG, no 4k60fps and so on)

So for now the Panasonic Gh5 remains the king of the Hybrid Mirrorless world.

a bit of everything…


7 Mistakes Photographers Make

The Hows and Whys of Cinema versus Photography Lenses (Explora).
GH5 Owners Choose Teams Over Autofocus Issues (Fstoppers).
GX850 vs GX85 by MirrorlessComparisons.
How to Backup Photos While Traveling with an iPad and Raspberry Pi (Movingelectrons).
The Pro Ergonomik Camera: The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II (PhotoDanielM).
Nissin Di700a for Olympus (Ugofoto.blogspot.it).

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

Thierry:Workaround to get the metabones working on the GH5:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H58ucgYvRw
In brief: while powering on the GH5 press the button on the metabones. Once powered up press the button again (to unlock the f-stop). all good!
This is not my recording so credits go to the original poster.

Panasonic 8-18mm lens announced!

Preorders:
Leica 8-18mm lens at  Adorama, BHphoto, Panasonic and Amazon.
ZS70 compact camera at  Adorama, BHphoto, Panasonic and Amazon.

Previews:
Dpreview.

Images:
Dpreview. Imaging Resource.

LEICA Wide Angle Zoom

Designed to shine even under adverse weather conditions, this wide angle combines nimble mobility with legendary LEICA Lens performance. From ultra-wide-angle 8mm landscapes through 18mm in close-in spaces, the corner-to-corner clarity of this LEICA DG lens expresses every detail, even in low light [F2.8-4.0]. And it accommodates 67mm filters for greater creativity in both photos and videos.

The Ultimate in Optics

With a LEICA DG Lens you shoot with the ultimate in optical quality and performance. Each lens meets and exceeds the strict quality standards set by Leica Camera AG. Thanks to the sophisticated, pro-level design of these lenses, distortion is minimized to render brilliant, edge-to-edge clarity and detail in all your images.

Defy the Elements

With its splash/dust/freezeproof construction*, this durable lens is also tough enough to withstand heavy field use in nearly any weather or location. The system inside is protected from sand, rain and temperature. Now there’s nothing holding you back from capturing the creative nature, landscape and other shots you want.

*The lens supports this feature in conjunction with splash/dust/freezeproof LUMIX cameras.

Video Support

With the H-E08018 lens you will experience smooth aperture changes without sudden jumps in exposure during video capture, its silent design delivers enhanced audio capture in any scene. Just as reliably, its stunning AF performance records excellent 4K video, where precise focusing is especially essential.

Nano Coatings

Reduce unwanted ghosting and flaring for clarity with the Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating. Developed by Panasonic, this ultra-thin coating reduces bothersome reflections across the entire light spectrum. The result: Crystal-clear pictures even when shooting a light source in the dark.

The Inside Story

The exceptional H-E08018 lens comprises 15 elements in 10 groups:

  • • aspherical Extra-Low Dispersion lens
  • • aspherical lenses
  • • Extra-Low Dispersion lenses
  • • Ultra High Refractive Index lens

The Aspherical (ASPH) Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) lens helps reduce size and weight, for high-resolution, high-contrast images from corner to corner. ASPH lenses also reduce size and weight, effectively preventing spherical and distortion aberration.

ED lenses correct chromatic aberration rendering sharp, high-contrast images with clear colors from corner to corner.

An Ultra-High Refractive Index (UHR) lens improves optical performance, reduces size and weight and achieves uniform image quality from the center to the edges of the image.

LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH.

Covering 16 mm Ultra-Wide Angle to 36 mm (35mm camera equivalent)

Newark, NJ (April 18, 2017) –Panasonic is proud to introduce a new wide zoom digital interchangeable lens, the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. (35 mm camera equivalent: 16-36 mm) as the second lens to be introduced from its LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Series.

Covering a focusing distance from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto, this new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 series achieves exceptionally high descriptiveness for both photo and video recording and yet its size is compact. All lenses also take advantage of Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology to minimize ghosting and flaring. The 8-18 boasts a rugged, dust/splash-proof design and is freeze-proof down to -10℃ to deliver professional use under harsh conditions. The high-quality video recording capability is also one of the advantages of this lens series.

The new LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH offers a zoom range of ultra-wide16 mm to versatile 36 mm (35mm camera equivalent). It covers a variety of daily shooting situations, from dynamic landscapes to street photography. Taking advantage of the F2.8-4.0 high-speed performance, it is suitable for capturing starry sky or a night scenery. With a filter (67mm) such as ND or PL, this lens provides various expression in both photos and videos.

Comprised of 15 elements in 10 groups, the lens system features an aspherical ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens, three aspherical lenses, two ED lenses and an UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens. The use of these lenses effectively suppresses spherical distortion or chromatic aberration to achieve high resolution and contrast from center to corners.

The sensor drive at max. 240 fps enables to take full advantage of cameras with high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF. It also helps to reduce wobbling. Notably, the new lens excels in video recording performance. In addition to the silent operation achieved by the inner focus drive system, the micro-step drive system in the aperture control section helps the camera to smoothly capture brightness changes when zooming or panning. The optical design achieves exceptional barycentric stability to minimize image shifts during zooming. The AF tracking performance when zooming is also improved thanks to high-speed frame analysis for focus control.

Offered in sharp, metallic black, it stylishly matches the LUMIX G Digital Single Lens Mirrorless (DSLM) cameras.

The LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Series lineup will expand with additional 50-200mm (100-400mm, 35mm camera equivalent) telephoto zoom lens.

Panasonic announces the Lumix DC-ZS70 / TZ90

Preorders:
Leica 8-18mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama, Panasonic and Amazon.
ZS70 compact camera at BHphoto, Adorama, Panasonic and Amazon.

New LUMIX DC-ZS70

24mm Ultra-Wide-Angle 30x Optical Zoom* in a Compact Body for 4K VIDEO/4K PHOTO

Newark, NJ (April 18, 2017) – Panasonic is proud to introduce a new LUMIX DC-ZS70 as a new model in the popular “Travel Zoom” ZS series. By upgrading the sensor to 20.3-megapixel resolution, the LUMIX ZS70 boasts a 30x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 24-720mm) packed in a pocket-sized body while enabling 4K VIDEO/4K PHOTO capture. The new tiltable rear monitor allows users enjoy a variety of selfie shots including 4K selfies and panoramic selfies.

The versatile ultra-wide-angle 24mm 30x optical zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens is useful in virtually all situations. Having passed Leica’s stringent standards, the LUMIX ZS70 boasts exceptional optical performance with stunning clarity and minimum distortion and flare.

The new 20.3-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor and Venus Engine image processor allows users to capture high-quality images even for high-sensitivity recording in dimly lit environments.

The LUMIX ZS70 is capable of recording smooth, high-resolution QFHD 4K videos in 3840 x 2160 at 30p (60Hz) in MP4. *1*2 Taking advantage of 4K technology, users can capture fleeting photo opportunities at 30 fps in 8-megapixel equivalent resolution as a 4K PHOTO. Additional functionality based on 4K technology are also available. Post Focus enables users to easily select the in-focus area after shooting. The Focus Stacking function allows users to adjust the depth of field after shooting by combining multiple images shot with the Post Focus function, all inside the camera. In addition, the LUMIX ZS70 incorporates a Light Composition function with which the camera synthesizes the images by choosing and saving brighter pixels. This makes it possible to produce more luxurious, dramatic images of situations such as fireworks or night scenes inside the camera with ease. 4K Live Cropping in video recording achieves stable panning or zooming with high-resolution 4K video footage. Users can make perfect Full-HD videos by adding impressive effects after recording the original footage in 4K. Thanks to camera’s digital operation, this can be done without physically moving the lens.

For even faster response and higher mobility, the LUMIX ZS70 integrates the DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology*3 to achieve ultra-high-speed AF of approx. 0.1 sec. It contributes to high-speed burst shooting at 10 (AFS)/5 (AFC) fps. The LUMIX ZS70 also features a variety of AF functions, such as Touch AF, 49-point AF, and Low-light AF that help users to get the best results in a wide range of shooting situations.

The 3.0-inch 1,040k-dot rear monitor with touch control tilts up by 180 degrees and the camera goes into Self Shot mode automatically once the monitor is flipped. In Self Shot mode, various functions for selfies are available on the LUMIX ZS70, including a newly added 4K Selfie mode. The beauty functions enable users to shoot portraits – especially of women – more attractively with Soft Skin, Defocusing and Slimming effects. After shooting, aesthetic/make-up retouching can even be applied inside the camera with the Beauty Retouch function. And users can choose to capture the background clearly or defocus it depending on the situation with Background Control mode. Panoramic pictures can also be shot in Self Shot mode. A 0.2-inch 1,166k-dot EVF (Electronic View Finder) with eye sensor is also equipped for easy shooting even in sunny outdoor conditions. The Control Ring on the lens barrel enables quick, intuitive operation. For more creative freedom, RAW image recording, Creative Control filter mode, and Creative Panorama mode are available.

With Wi-Fi® connectivity, users can also connect the camera to their smartphone or tablet to expand the flexibility in shooting, storing, and sharing images.

Packing a powerful 30x optical zoom and 4K VIDEO/4K PHOTO shooting performance in an ultra-compact body, the new LUMIX ZS70 offers the enjoyment of a high-quality photo/video shooting and selfie experience in versatile ways any time and any place.

Other Features

5-axis HYBRID O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)+*4, Creative Control, Panorama Shot, AC/USB Charging


*1 Motion picture recording / 4K PHOTO recording

– Use a card with SD Speed Class with “Class 4” or higher when recording motion pictures.

– Use a card with SD Speed Class with “UHS-I Speed Class 3 (U3)” when recording motion pictures with [MP4] in [4K] or [4K PHOTO].

(SD speed class is the speed standard regarding continuous writing.)

– Recording stops when the continuous recording time exceeds 29 minutes and 59 seconds with [AVCHD] in [FHD/60p] [FHD/60i].

– Recording stops when the continuous recording time exceeds 15 minutes with [MP4] in [4K].

– When using an SDHC memory card: You can continue recording without interruption even if the file size exceeds 4 GB, but the motion picture file will be divided and recorded/played back separately.

– When using an SDXC memory card: You can record a motion picture in a single file.

– Recording stops when the continuous recording time exceeds 29 minutes and 59 seconds with [MP4] in [FHD/60p] and

High Speed motion pictures. You can continue recording without interruption even if the file size exceeds 4 GB, but the motion picture file will be divided and recorded/played back separately.

– MP4 motion pictures with [MP4] in [FHD/30p] [HD]: You can continue recording without interruption, even if the file size exceeds 4 GB or 30 minutes in length, but the motion picture file will be divided and recorded/played back separately.

*2 Max.15 min.
*3 Works for still image recording.
*4 5-axis compensation works for video recording except for 4K video recording. 

via Dpreview

a bit of everything…


iPhone Wireless Monitor App for Panasonic Lumix GH5

Panasonic Showcases Latest Video Surveillance Solutions at ISC West 2017 (Panasonic).
Seercam’s Brilliant New Cage for the Panasonic Lumix GH5 Available Soon, Extension Kit to Follow (Creativityinnovationsuccess).
Faking It: Getting the Anamorphic Look without the Anamorphic Expense (Explora).
Panasonic Leica DG 25mm F1.4 vs Nikon 1 18.5mm F1.8 – AF Speed Comparison (BigStreetGuns).
Panasonic GM camera design patent.
Panasonic GH5 vs a puppy (CameraJabber).

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

Chris:Just published the latest episode of Adventure Photography On Location – EP15: The Panorama Route.
In this episode I’m chasing epic views, golden hour and put the E-M1 Mark II weather sealing to the ultimate test ;-)
https://youtu.be/N6Wl3j-0Y58

 

a bit of everything…


GH5 Hands-On High ISO vs a6300

First Lok: naked Sigma lens (Photogearnews).
Panasonic GH5 6K Photo Mode explained (CameraJabber).
Zhiyun Crane vs Moza Air test on the GH5 (Mdifilm).
Panasonic Announces Arbitrator Body-Worn Camera MK3 (Panasonic).
Instagram 101+ Photographing for Engagement (Explora).

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

Jay: E-M1 Mark II review as a Vlogger camera:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeU6QFiZZi8
DCI 4K and IS review for E-M1 II’s video performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6cH3FwsEyQ&t=593s

Carmine:Only to give U notice of our gh5 test about ex tele conv (and comparison). Following the test on our channel https://youtu.be/66kChRBxO3M