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.“

UPDATE: Sorry guys, I had the wrong links on the lens. If you click now you will land on the correct ebay page. Thanks!

SLRmagic announced a new [shoplink 21181 ebay]11mm f/1.4[/shoplink] wide angle lens with Micro Four Thirds mount. But there is a big disappointment. The price is incredibly high…$210!!! It would be a fair price if the lens would have at least a decent optical performance. But from the first images we have seen on [shoplink 21181 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] we can see heavy vignetting and unsharp results.

If you really need a fast wide angle lens get the [shoplink 16968 ebay]Computar 12.5mm F1.3[/shoplink] which is much cheaper (Read the review at EosHD).

Via Twitter (Click here) Zeiss announced that “We’ll ship our Compact Prime CP.2 lenses w. F and MFT to our customers this week“.  Zeiss AG joined the Micro Four Thirds System group and the first products are the adapted [shoplink 15756 ebay]CP.2 lenses[/shoplink]. They are very expensive and meant for professional movie work. Check price at [shoplink 21116].

You can see the first image samples at Flickr. Taken with the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink] and Compact Prime CP.2 85mm/T2.1 Cine Lens.

The commercial on top has been shot entirely with the Olympus E-PL1: “We initially considered using a [shoplink 15024]Canon 7D[/shoplink] but due to the weight factor, that idea was scrapped early in pre-production. We also tested the GoPro HD and ContourHd but the results were not good enough for broadcast.
I suggested we use the [shoplink 14832]Olympus Pen E-PL1[/shoplink] due to its small form-factor and decent image quality, After some testing, we decided that it produced good enough results for the commercial.
Director: Farouk Aljoffrey
Cinematographer: Eric Oh
Production Co.: Planet Films”

The E-PL1 is currently discounted in many stores (because of the E-PL2 release). Check price at[shopcountry 14832].

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 / ZS10 review (Cameralabs).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Review (Steve Digicams).

Aputure Gigtube Wireless Review (Megapixel).

New Panasonic GF2 waterhousing (Recsea).

Panasonic to resume production in some jaapnese plants (DC.watch)

What happened with Noktor? A year ago they launched their Noktor 50mm f/0.95 lens for Micro Four Thirds but the lens is out of Stock since May of last year. I tried to contact them but I didn’t get any answer. So I am asking you if you were able to get some news. It’s impossible to find that lens on [shoplink 15629 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] or in any other store. The website itself hasn’t been updated since a long time! it’s a bit pity because they really had a good start with a lot of viral advertising on forums and blogs. It was the first non Olympus/Panasonic lens with Micro Four Thirds mount and it has that amazing f/0.95 aperture (although the image quality is low). I am surprised to see that they stopped to ship the lens without any explanation.

Check out: http://noktor.com/

There are many other 50mm f/0.95 lenses on eBay but you need an adapter to use them and they are expensive:
– Navitron 50mm f/0.95 for $700 [shoplink 21028]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] – Canon 50mm f/0.95 for $2500 on [shoplink 21030]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] – Schneider 50mm f/0.95 for $4500 on [shoplink 21029]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] – Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M for over $10000 (!) on [shoplink 21031]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

Dear readers.

I had a small surgery today. That’s why I had no tiem to answer your emails and comments. Tomorrow (Saturday) I will have more time to work on 43rumors.

Thanks for your understanding.

P.S.: I am doing fine ;)