After months of gestation, tests and a lot of frustration the new theme is finally ready! We tested the theme on other websites before to install it on 43rumors. We wanted to be sure that almost everything works.

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!

Added “PAL<->NTSC Menu” patch for [shoplink 14828]Panasonic GF1[/shoplink] and [shoplink 14826]Panasonic GH1[/shoplink].
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 [shoplink 14818]Olympus 9-18mm[/shoplink] lens (Serious compacts)
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Panasonic Lumix G2, uma G1 com vídeo (fotodigital online…portuguese!)
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[shoplink 14832]Olympus E-PL1[/shoplink] review on Reghardware
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Olympus E-PL1 “Bounce Flash”? (Thedigitalstory.com)

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.

If you are looking for a very high-quality and very fast lens (and you have a lot of money to spend) than you should take a close look on the Konica 50mm f/1.2 lens! I found some image samples of the lens used on a Panasonic G1 here: yotarouyokosuka.com Image samples on Leica cameras are available here on < a href="http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/utsurundesu/20015" target="_blank">Rakuten and Stephen Lee
A small review is available here: portretteur.nl. He also made a comparison with the Canon FD 50mm f/1.2 lens. A little bit of lens porn on Flickr and here :)

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

We are now only two months from Photokina and I expect and increase of rumors and news. I can’t watch all forums and websites alone. That’s why I ask you for a little help! If you find some interesting news and rumors feel free to share it on 43rumors!

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 giving 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 ;)

As you all now fast autofocus is one of the main advantage of classic DSLR cameras. This because a phase detection focus usually works faster than contrast autofocus. But with the release of the F300EXR and the Z800EXR Fuji just introduced a new tecnology called Hybrid AF that will interest many of our MicroFourThirds readers! Fuji found a way to implement phase detection directly on the sensor!

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! :)