Think Tank Photo just announced the upcoming release of our first camera bag specifically designed for Micro Four Thirds systems. It is called the Retrospective 5: http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/retrospective-5-pinestone.aspx

The first “german” Fuji X100 is for sale on [shoplink 21487 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Panasonic Announces AVCCAM Importer Software Accelerating And Streamlining Import Of AVCHD Files Into Final Cut Pro (Imaging Resource).
The first Micro Four Thirds only shop in Spain: http://www.micro43.net/.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ18 Review (Photographyblog).
iSuppli on Japan Image Sensor Industry Hit by Disaster (Image Sensor World)
The 1-Minute Food Pic (TVsmith)

Steve Digicam’s reports that a new firmware update (version 1.2) has been published. He says following features will be added “picture orientation: Horizontal/Vertical, to the camera menu. The camera will record which way the image was oriented when captured, so in playback, the orientation of an image can be rotated by using the control ring. The desired orientation is then saved in the Exif portion of the image file. Photographers can choose to turn this function on or leave it off.”

Olympus Japan doesn’t list the new firmware. Maybe Steve published the news to early :)

Check out the XZ-1 direct links at [shopcountry 19904].

P.S.: There is a $7 price drop on the XZ-1 on Amazon (Click here).

Just a short note about the recent 43rumors website improvements.

Some of you are might experiencing a 43rumors layout problem. To fix that just reload the website or clear the browsers cache. The layout problem is here because last week we worked on the theme to fix some issues we had with the new IE9 browser. Reload the page and everything will be fine!

There ar e a few things I worked on the last couple of weeks:
1) Member can now edit their own comments. This was a one of the features you asked me to implement.
2) I now added a basic forum. I am going to work on it to allow image posting and other features. The main reason why I added a forum is that some of our articles are source of very interesting discussions. The problem is that after 2-3 days the article gets lost on page two or three of the website. This because I do post 3-4 articles every day. The coolest thing about the forum is that comment system and forum are synchronized. That means that if you write a comment below a post it will be also displayed inside the forum. And inside that forum the latest comment is always on top. This should make you easy to follow interesting discussions. The forum is available here: https://www.43rumors.com/forums/. You need to be a member to post inside the forum.

Future roadmap:
1) We are currently developing an advanced cache systems + Ajax loaded content. This should speed up the website by a 25-40%.
2) A reader images pool. I would love if members could share their best images on 43rumors.

The meeting idea:

Starting from May I will travel a lot because of work. I have planned trips to Antwerp (my second home), Barcelona, New York City and Montpelier. I thought it could be an idea to organize some meetings in a nice informal place like pubs :) We can talk about the website about m43 and about whatever else you want. Let me know if you are interested. I am in Antwerp from 17 to 28 April.

—
All they work on 43rumors is done by a professional designer and a professional servers assistant. And as you already now you can help me to cover this costs by simply using our affiliate links to purchase your products. We earn a small commission for everything you buy. Example: If you click on of these links [shopcountry 16254] you are free to buy whatever product you want (Cameras, books or whatever) and we will earn a small commission for it. Important: You pay the normal price not any penny more! And the cool thing is that you will support us!

Panasonic Introduced two new Camcorder at NAB and will even send one to Space! (Akihabaranews)
That is a very interesting article for all GH2 owners that want to learn how to create HDR images: HDR Workflow with GH2 and 7-14mm Zoom (Outbackphoto)
Off-Camera Flash with the Olympus E-PL2 Micro Four Thirds Camera (Thedigitalstory).
High End compact camera test at DC.watch.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 review at CNET UK.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Review at Digitalcamerareview.
Test Fujifilm X100 : le mode vidéo (Focus Numerique).
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS vs Panasonic Lumix TZ20 / ZS10 High ISO Noise (CameraLabs).

Short links to the camera/lenses present in that post:
Panasonic GH2 at [shopcountry 16254].
Panasonic 7-14mm at [shopcountry 14822].
Olympus E-PL2 at [shopcountry 19904].
Fuji X100 at [shopcountry 19929].

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]