The video on top explains the tech behind the new innovative Panasonic “Micro Color Splitters” sensor. Panasonic said that new technique allows to “approximately double the color sensitivity in comparison with conventional sensors that use color filters.“.
I hope we will not have to wait to wait a long time to see it on use on a Micro Four Thirds camera!
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P.S.: Thanks to the anonymous sender and to Tim for sending the link!
SLR Magic launched a new MFT lens. Here is the full press release:
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NEW: SLR Magic Monster Lens II 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope for mFT Digiscoping
Hong Kong, China (Mar 28, 2013) – SLR Magic introduces the second edition SLR Magic Monstor Lens 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope lens for Digiscoping and expands their Micro Four Thirds lens lineup.
The SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope for Digiscoping gives you the highest resolution and brightest view possible by three key elements. It features an over sized eye relief, utilized Extra-low Dispersion optics, as well as fully Multi coated glass to help you with spotting the rare bird species. The SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope alsooffers stacked, dual-focus controls, so you can make both rapid and fine-tuning adjustments.
The main difference from the first edition include improvements in image quality due to a new mFT adapter objective offering increased sharpness and contrast over the first edition.
The field of view of this spotting scope on the micro four thirds camera corresponds to a a 840-2520mm lens in 35mm format. The user friendly design allows you to attach your camera by mounting it like any other camera lens. Everything you need comes with the package and there is no need to have a compatible lens to use it. This is the perfect solution for amateur digiscopers who want to take photos or video of wildlife.
The 12-36×50 ED Spotting Scope will be available from authorized SLR Magic dealers by June 2013.
Technical Data
SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED (Premium Extra-low Dispersion glass) for mFT
Lens Type: Spotting Scope
Compatible Cameras: All micro four thirds mount cameras
Magnification: 12-36x
35mm equivalent focal length: 840-2520mm
Objective: Φ50
Lens Coating: Multi Coated
Close Focus: 15 ft.
Weight (oz./g): 28.2/800, 45.86/1300 (with mFT adapter objective)
Water Resistant/Fog proof: Yes
Eyepiece: Straight Zoom
Eye relief: 23mm
Accessories: mFT adapter objective with tripod collar
MSRP: $799
Andrew Chan
Product Manager
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These are the other SLRmagic lenses for sale on eBay:
Current SLRmagic lenses for Micro Four Thirds:
SLR magic 11mm f/1.4 lens you can preorder on [shoplink 22154 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Toy Lens 26mm f/1.4 lens on [shoplink 18603 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 MC lens on [shoplink 14881 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Noktor SLRmagic 50mm on [shoplink 25691 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]
You can finally download the new firmware for the GH3 and three Panasonic lenses at http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/pressrelease/gh3_lens_firmware/
Let us know your findings if you have the time to test the new improvements! Thanks!
The new improvements list expected with the GH3 firmware update
Let me catch up with two news:
1) Very very very soon Panasonic will announce the new GH3 firmware update. I am curious to see if focus peaking will be one of the new features!
2) ThePhoBlographer reports that “Olympus’s former head, Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, is facing five years in prison due to manipulating account balances and we should expect a final hearing within a couple of weeks. He has already pleaded guilty to the crimes. Kikukawa won’t be alone in prison though–other managers also pleaded guilty but they won’t be getting as harsh a sentence.” P.S.: Woodford is now selling his book about the Olympus scandal on Amazon (Click here).
Giulio Sciorio – Professional Photographer – Tells Us How He Uses the Panasonic GH3 Used for Photo and Video at WPPI 2013
you can’t do wildlife photography with MFT Cameras…can you? (Scott Bourne).
Panasonic 12-35mm X lens test at Lenstip.
New Olympus Magazine issue at Olympusmag.
Jackar Lens snapshooter 34mm f1.8 review at Meandphotography.
New 75-300mm F4.8-6.7 II lens test at Nikkeibp.
Olympus 17mm f/1.8 review at SLRgear.
MeFoto GlobeTrotter and RoadTrip Travel Tripods with The Aviator Travel Jib and OliviaTech Motorroid Slider (Oliviatech.com)
Rokinon 7.5mm f/3.5 Fisheye, get wide (Tyson Robichaud).
XZ-10 image samples at Clubsnap.
Before to start to talk about the new minuaturization step taken by Canon and Panasonic we have three GF deals to report:
1) Brown GF3 + 14mm Gold Box deal at Amazon (Click here).
2) White GF3 with 14mm pancake and free soft case for $299 at Adorama (Click here).
3) GF5 with 14-42mm kit lens for $399 at Amazon (via third party reseller).
4) Plenty of deals on all GF + X lens kits on eBay. GX1X (Slidoo eBay), GF3X (Slidoo eBay) and GF5X (Slidoo eBay).
New Canon SL1 vs Panasonic GH3 size comparison via Camerasize.com.
With the new GF camera that will be announced in early April Panasonic will step out from the miniaturization war like they already did with the GH3. But Canon seems to think that the miniaturization is still the way to go and as you see from the size comparison on top the new Canon SL1 APS-C DSLR is smaller than the Panasonic GH3. Yep, the world turned up side down and we have DSLR cameras that are smaller than Mirrorless cameras :)
That said I prefer a DSLR or “DSLR styled” like the GH3 to be big enough for ergonomic reasons. For me the SL1 size makes no real sense. It still doens’t fit in a pocket like a GF5 with pancake lens and you miss the usual advantage of a DSLR like having a nice grip and clear and easy to access button layout. That said I want to hold the Sl1 in my hands before to draw any conclusion.
While we are waiting to see the next new Olympus and Panasonic MFT cameras we have some news to report:
1) Olympus announced a new Olympus announces Stylus VH-520 (more about it on Dpreview).
2) Canon announced the smallest APS-C DSLR ever made. It is the Canon EOS 100D/Rebel SL1 (Specs at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto). The camera has one single goal…go against the mirrorless system camera hype :)
Don’t know if they will succeed with a camera like that…
