Last week most US online stores were able to have the Panasonic GH2 in Stock after 6 months of waiting (Check Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto). Does it mean that now everyone on earth can get the GH2? No! A frustrated 43rumors reader from new Zealand wrote us the following email:
“Great to see the GH2 is no fully available in the US, but it has yet to reach New Zealand. We receive the latest models promptly from Canon, Nikon, etc, even the [shoplink 19929 ebay]Fuji X-100[/shoplink], but not Panasonic G series cameras. And no reasons given. The best camera is useless if you can’t get it! I’ve had a GH2 on order since November“.

He asked one of the biggest online shop (photowarehouse) why he can’t get the GH2 and that’s the answer from the websale team:
“Hi xxx, no word yet from Panasonic sorry. Were expecting it before now, but due to what’s been happening in Japan ( Panasonic closing factories and shipping delays), who knows when they will turn up. I have asked Panasonic for updates, and there is a shipment due early next month, but all the suppliers, Panasonic , Sony, Canon etc.. are forecasting massive disruptions and availability issues for the next 4-6 months.”

And here it is a very interesting news…Massive disruptions for the next 4-6 months?

P.S.: The other big New Zealand online store (photo.co.nz) doesn’t even list the GH2.

Malfunction (Filmed with Lumix DMC-GH2) from Ben Bunch.

The launching of the Olympus VR-330 is cancelled (ePhotozine)
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Review (Digiphotomag).
Panasonic Three New Dual Cameras: HX-WA10, HX-DC10, and the HX-DC1 Full 1080p HD Video & Still Cameras (Cameratown).
Capturing Brazil from a four thirds angle! Coming soon! (photographybymassimo)
Another perspective on the Fuji X100 by Chris Bandera (SteveHuff).
Fujifilm X100 : précision et colorimétrie (Focus Numerique)
Olympus XZ-1 reviews at Dpexpert and Photorumors.
Field Review: Olympus XZ-1 (ThePhoBlographer)
Tips and tricks for making Panasonic look more like Canon (EosHD)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX77 Review (Photographyblog)
Canon 2011 earnings will be 27 percent lower because of the earthquake (CanonWatch -> written by my friend Pauline)

Links to the camera present in that post:
Olympus XZ-1 at [shopcountry 19904] Olympus E-PL2 at [shopcountry 18844] Panasonic GH2 at [shopcountry 16254] Fuji X100 at [shoplink 19929 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

How to hack, modify, adapt your iDC follow focus to use with the Panasonic Lumix GH2, GH1 (Mike Kobal)

Noob Conundrum: Canon 60D or Panasonic GH2? (planet5d.com)
[ib] Update (Olympus Japan)
Desmontando una Lumix LX3 (Caborian via Fotoactualidad)
Panasonic AF100 Journey (Outbackphoto)
Panasonic Lumix TZ18 Digital Camera Review (ePhotozine).
Olympus to Launch Regional Headquarters Company for Asia and Oceania in April (Imaging Resource).
Olympus E-PL1s tested at DC.watch.
Win a Retrospective 20 from Think Tank Photo (The Phoblographer)

Pansonic GH2 direct links at [shopcountry 16254].
Pansonic AF100 direct links at [shopcountry 16841].

A 43rumors reader washes the car (GF1+[shoplink 15659 ebay]Nokton 0.95[/shoplink]).

Olympus camera tests

Olympus E-PL2 Field Test Gallery (Outbackphoto).
Olympus XZ-1 ISO Test 100-3200 (TheDigitalStory).

Panasonic compact camera tests

Panasonic LX5 vs Canon S95 vs Nikon P300 (ePhotozine).
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX77 Review (Trustedreviews).
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS16 Digital Camera Review (ePhotozine).
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 review (Trustedreviews).
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 First Look (Digitalcamerareview).

Other news

Gary Fong Intros a Micro Four Thirds Puffer Pop-Up Diffuser (Steve Digicams).
Also Cosina has to delay some product production (DC.Watch).

There is a long list of false news goign around the web today. be warned!

Vitaly Kiselev wrote that on DVXuser.com: “During some early stages of GH2 exploring we found the follow things:
1) Quite big part of firmware is deactivated as it contains most features present in AF100, including waveform. We are looking how to enable it.
2) 4:4:4 color mode on HDMI is present in special video output debug mode. So, it can be also enabled.
3) Sensor can run at variable frame rates from 12 up to 60fsp in 1080p and up to 120fps in 720p.
4) Bitrate can be adjusted up to 110Mbps with B frames and up to 150Mbps without them.”

The new Apple iCam and the end of analogue Photography at System Kamera Forum.

Crazy new camera design at ePhotozine.

If you find more news comment this post!

We were all very excited when Zeiss announced that they will become part of the Micro Four Thirds group. But I do hope they will go much further with their “intentions” because those [shoplink 15756 ebay]CP.2 lenses[/shoplink] aren’t really what we amateurs are waiting for. These manual lenses ideal for professional filmmakers but also to expensive for us amateurs. One more thing, they are not designed from scratch for m43 cameras. They “only” made a new adapter to make it fit on professional cameras like the [shoplink 16841]Panasonic AG-AF100[/shoplink].

Check the availability (and huge price) of those lenses at [shopcountry 15756].

That’s the official press release (via Dpreview)

“OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 30.03.2011. : During the NAB Trade Show in Las Vegas from April 9-14, 2011, Carl Zeiss will present two new mounts for the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses: the E mount and the MFT mount. The MFT mount is particularly suitable for the new corresponding professional camcorders, while the brand-new E mount is perfect for the new Sony cameras like the Super 35 mm NXCAM camcorder. The MFT mount has been available since March.

The new E mount is expected to be available beginning in June. Exactly a year ago, Carl Zeiss introduced the Compact Prime CP.2 series during the NAB Show in Las Vegas. They are the first lenses with interchangeable mount developed specially for filming with HDSLR cameras. Since then, there has been significant demand for these lenses among cinematographers and still photographers adding new video services. Carl Zeiss is now adding a new chapter to its Compact Prime CP.2 success story.

“With these new mounts, we respond to many of our customers’ wishes asking to use the lenses on these new HD video cameras,” said Holger Sehr, Product Manager for Cinematography lenses at Carl Zeiss AG, Camera Lens Division. “Thanks to the interchangeable mounts, now for five different camera systems — PL, EF, MFT, F and E mount — our Compact Prime CP.2 lenses deliver superb flexibility, can be used in many different market segments, and are attractive for both end-customers and rental houses.”

With the interchangeable mount and the 24×36 mm full-format image circle illumination, these latest members of Carl Zeiss compact lens family are extremely versatile. During the NAB Show, Carl Zeiss will present all nine fixed focal lengths of Compact Prime CP.2 series from 18 to 100 mm, which thanks to the new mounts can be used for a wide range of cameras — from SLR to professional camcorders through to professional cine and television film cameras. Moreover, the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses are highly compact with a robust construction, so that they can withstand any demand of cinematographers and photographers on the set.“