More info about the new Sigma “ART” lenses (with MTF charts). Poll: What will you buy or not buy?

For those of you wondering what’s so special with the new “Sigma ART” definition check out the official Sigma website:
Sigma 19mm lens page (Click here)
Sigma 30mm lens page (Click here)
Sigma 60mm lens page (Click here)

As I wrote on MR days ago the word “ART” stays for the high quality photographer prime lenses. They are designed to be high quality alternative of other companies lenses but at the same time priced much lower than the competition. The official Sigma pages also contain the MTF, Distortion and Vignetting chart (you have to tab to “Performance chart” on Sigmas page).

With the Tamron 14-150mm zoom and Panasonic 14-42mm II kit lens we had a total of five new MFT lenses (althaugh most of them are just “updates” of existing lenses). And now tell me…

I am going to buy...

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(UPDATED) Three new MFT primes from Sigma! First Micro Four Thirds zoom from Tamron!

Tamron just announced a new Micro Four Thirds lens. it is the 14-150mm F/3.5-5.8 Di III VC zoom. But sadly they didn’t unveil neither the release date nor the price. Source: DC.watch and Photoscala. Specs are here via Tamron website:

Focal length 14-150mm (equivalent to 28-300mm in the 35mm/full-frame format)
Maximum aperture F/3.5-5.8
Lens construction 17 elements in 13 groups
Minimum focus distance 0.5m (19.7 in.)
Maximum magnification ratio 1:3.8 (at f=150mm: MFD 0.5m)
Filter size φ52mm
Length*1 80.4mm (3.2 in.)
Entire Length*2 85.24mm (3.4 in.)
Diameter φ63mm
Weight 280g (9.9 oz.)
No. of diaphragm blades 7 (Circular diaphragm)
Minimum aperture F/22
Standard accessory Flower-shaped lens hood
Compatible mount Micro Four Thirds

But the even bigger news comes from Sigma. They just announced the new 60mm f/2.8 prime lens for Micro Four Thirds! And there is also a new updated version of the current 19mm and 30mm f/2.8 primes! Here are the images (Click on them to see large size) and full press release:

YOKOHAMA, Japan Jan. 29, 2013Sigma Corporation of America a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the release of four new lenses for the ART product line, including three lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and one lens for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors. This announcement comes at the start of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013 this week in Yokohama, Japan.

The new and updated Sigma lenses include the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM, which will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts, and the 30mm F2.8 DN, 19mm F2.8 DN and 60mm F2.8 DN lenses, which are available for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-Mount camera systems. Pricing and availability on all of these lenses has yet to be announced.

The 60mm F2.8 DN lens is entirely new to the Sigma lineup, while the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM and the 30mm F2.8 DN and 19mm F2.8 DN lenses are existing focal lengths that have been redesigned with enhanced optical performance and included as part of Sigma’s new Global Visioncategory restructuring. All three DN lenses incorporate telecentric optical designs and a linear, auto focusing motor that ensures accurate and quiet focusing for video recording. They also boast metal exteriors and a simply shaped focus ring, with varying textures to distinguish each part of the lens. In addition, DN users can choose between a black or silver finish to match their favorite equipment.

“We’re really proud of the super sharp lenses we’ve produced in the past year and these new Art lenses will continue to impress our fans and critics alike. They’re ideal for the landscape, portrait, still-life, close-up and casual photographer who values creative, dramatic outcomes above compactness and multifunction,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “The lenses are entirely made in Japan and they boast the new product line’s sleek design and enhanced quality control. We’re quite proud of these changes – and additions – to our lens lineup; they’re further evidence of Sigma’s forethought in this fast-moving industry.”Here are more details on these new lenses from Sigma:

  • 60mm F2.8 DN – Featuring the natural perspective of mid-range telephoto lenses, together with a shallow depth of field, this lens allows the photographer to capture a single part of a subject with great bokeh effects. It has an angle of view equivalent to 120mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The minimum focusing distance is 19.7 inches; the maximum magnification is 1:7.2. This lens also contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize axial and transverse chromatic aberration.
  • Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, wide-angle telephoto lens has an angle of view equivalent to 38mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). As a wide-angle lens with excellent mobility, it is ideal for studio photography, architecture and starry skies. Its minimum focusing distance is 7.9 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:7.4.
  • Sigma 30mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, standard telephoto lens has an angle of view equivalent to 60mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 45mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens, which is perfect for casual and formal portraiture, documentary photography, travelogues and everyday shooting, includes a double-sided aspherical lens that enhances its optical performance. Its minimum focusing distance of 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:8.1.

For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com. For the full press releases for each of these new lenses, visit Sigma’s news section at www.sigmaphoto.com/sigma-news.

Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN specifications
Lens type Prime lens
Max Format size APS-C / DX
Focal length 60 mm
Image stabilisation No
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds, Sony E (NEX)
Aperture
Maximum aperture F2.8
Minimum aperture F22.0
Aperture ring No
Focus
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Micromotor
Full time manual Unknown
Distance scale No
DoF scale No
Physical
Sealing No
Hood supplied No
Tripod collar No

 

via Dpreview.

The new Panasonic 14-42mm official press release.

.

The new Panasonic 14-42mm has now been officially announced. And it is certainly a nice upgrade although I imagine that not everyone was exactly looking forward for it :)

Here is the official press release from Panasonic:

Panasonic is pleased to announce a new compact standard zoom lens LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. for LUMIX G based on the Micro Four Thirds System standard. LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. offers a versatile zoom range of 14-42 mm (35 mm camera equivalent: 28-84 mm) suitable for a wide range of situations from landscape to portrait. Comprising of 9 elements in 8 groups, the lens system adopts 2 aspherical lenses to achieve further reduction of both size and weight yet maintaining its high optical performance at entire zoom range. The inner focus system driven by a stepping motor assures astonishing comfort to take maximum advantage of high speed contrast AF system and in video recording.

Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) makes it easy to shoot super clear shots even at tele end or in low-lit situations by suppressing the blur caused by a hand shake.

With its minimum focus distance of 0.2 m (14-20 mm) / 0.3 m (21-42 mm) even at full zoom, the new lens provides a maximum photographic magnification of 0.17x (35 mm camera equivalent: 0.34x). 7 aperture blades consists a circular aperture diaphragm and produces an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas even shooting at large aperture.

The new LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 II ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. for LUMIX G is refined in its external design to offer metallic color options of black and silver to offer stylish look on the digital single lens mirrorless (DSLM) cameras of LUMIX G in shooting creative snapshots.

Lens specs
Lens type Zoom lens
Max Format size FourThirds
Focal length 14 – 42 mm
Image stabilisation Yes (Mega OIS)
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds
Aperture
Maximum aperture F3.5 – F5.6
Minimum aperture F22.0
Aperture ring No
Number of diaphragm blades 7
Aperture notes Circular aperture
Optics
Elements 9
Groups 8
Special elements / coatings 2 aspherical lenses
Focus
Minimum focus 0.20 m (7.87″)
Maximum magnification 0.34 x
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Micromotor
Full time manual Yes
Focus method Internal
Distance scale No
DoF scale No
Physical
Weight 110 g (0.24 lb)
Diameter 56 mm (2.20″)
Length 49 mm (1.93″)
Sealing No
Colour Black
Power zoom Yes
Zoom lock No
Filter thread 46 mm
Filter notes Does not rotate on focusing
Hood supplied No
Hood product code n/a
Tripod collar No

via Dpreview.

a little bit of everything…


Olympus E-PL5 Camera Review & Hands on Demo by Whatdigitalcamera.

G shoots Miami People – 30 celebrity portraits, 3 covers, one hybrid (SmallCameraBigPicture).
Panasonic G5 review at CameraLabs.
Against the grain on the new Olympus 60mm f/2.8 macro lens (Tysonrobichaudphotography).
Panasonic 35-100mm test at Camerastuffreview.
Using Adapted Lenses On Your Mirrorless Cameras (Digitalcamerareview).
Panasonic Leica 45mm F/2.8 ASPH review at KurtMunger.
60mm mini review at photofocus.
LED Light with ears, hides them if scared (PersonalView)

Riccardo “Hi,this is my gh2 hacked (vanilla) + 20mm 1.7 pancake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrCFiPayU5A

Triple GH3 video by 43rumors readers:
Snowboarding video shot on the GH3 (Vimeo).
Brimacombe’s Rail Jam Series 2013 shot on GH3 (Vimeo).
Panasonic GH3 night flight with the Cinestar Multi Rotor (Vimeo).

Five new companies join MFT!

Olympus Japan officially announced that five new companies joined the Micro Four Thirds system: Blackmagic Design Ltd, JK Imaging Ltd, Photron Ltd, SVS-VISTEK GmbH, View Plus Inc.

Of course the most known company here is Blackmagic that already released a [shoplink 36264 ebay]videocamera with MFT mount (here)[/shoplink]. Another company that grabbed our attention last week is JK Imaging that will release a Kodak branded MFT camera by end of this year. Than we have Photron a Japanese High Speed camera maker. SVS-Vistek is a German develops cameras for the industry. And to finish View Plus is also a camera maker from Japan.

a little bit of everything…


Panasonic LX7 Setup Guide with Tips and Tricks

Sigma 19mm review at Amdiringlight.
60mm macro review at ThePhoBlographer.
Panasonic zoom guide in spanish at DSLRmagazine.
Chinese GH3 hands-on at DCfever.
Dutch Olympus 45mm/F1,8 test at Pixelmania.
OMD Black and White at Lepidi.
Panasonic GX1 Impressions at TheOnlinePhotographer.
German XZ-2 test at Der Spiegel.
Large Sensor Compact Cameras – Which one to buy? (Digitalrev).

Joe:Check out my unedited, raw footage from the Panasonic GH3 for my upcoming SLRLounge.com review. Puppies!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3fLKTkG5XQ

Tobi Topp:Hello,
I’v been following your site for quite a while now and want to thank you for all the hard work you ut in there! I fell in love with m43 when I got my GH2 in 2010 and since September I run my own litlle company. We shoot with “bigger” cameras now, but I am still in love with these great compact Pany cams!
I shot a short video that might be worth bein gshown on your site as an example of the capabilities of the new GH3 and the 25/50p 50mbps codec. It handled much better in post and the slowmotion is nice! Using it “nude in ice cold wind and snow was no problem at all! I hope you like it https://vimeo.com/56992228

Lumix Link update for the GH3 (and new GH3 work roundup).

LINDA KREUZEN – ON A SHELF from Hugo Goudswaard shot with GH3 and SLR magic

GH3 APP update:
While 43rumors reader are still patiently waiting to receive their GH3 preorders Panasonic already updated the Lumix Link APP. And it has two new features for you current or future GH3 owners:
1) A manual focus function and video recording timer have been added to the Live View screen. Advanced recording settings such as aperture value, shutter speed and exposure compensation can be performed.
2) A function for automatically transmitting pictures recorded on the camera to your smartphone or tablet has been added.
You can download it here on iTunes or Google Play (Thanks Tim for providing the links)

GH3 work roundup:
On top you see an embedded video shot on the GH3 with the SLR Magic 35mm 1.4 and Kowa prominar 8Z Anamorphic lens ([shoplink 36141 ebay]to find here on eBay[/shoplink]).
Than you may watch the GH3 film mode test with a brief GH2 comparison made by Michael on Vimeo.
And also Outbackphoto posted the first short GH3 video on Vimeo.

GH3 in (or out) of Stock status:
USA readers are no under cheater attack! Knowing that it will take some time until the next GH3 will be in Stock I found one guy selling a used GH3 for $100 mroe than the new price at Amazon (Click here). I guess you will have to wait February to receive your preorder. You may save that search on Slidoo eBay to get notified when the GH3 will be in Stock on eBay US. More in Stock status check at [shopcountry 33624].