Usually there are two reasons why an item gets marked as “discontinued” at BHphoto (Click here). And only one single lens is in Stock at Amazon (Click here). My guess is that there is not enough request for that lens that justifies the $300 price difference between the equal Silver and Black version. It really looks like Olympus want to cheat us on that. They should simply offer the Black lens for the same price and stop.
Back in summer Olympus surprisingly showed their Google Glass version (more on that on CNET). Now I spotted a new patent that combines that futuristic technology with the use of an Olympus camera. The glass works as a sort of a viewfinder positioned directly over your eye. The electronic image appears as soon as the camera will be hold close to it. The Olympus patent describes how this also helps to miniaturize cameras because you will not need any built-in viewfinder nor LCD screen.
You can read the details fo the patent at freepatentsonline.
The Polaroid iM1836 is the first non-Panasonic and non- Olympus camera that will also be compatible with MFT lenses. And here are some more facts about the camera:
1) The US company Sakar actually makes the camera. It borrowed the Polaroid name and (although not official) it also seems to have borrowed the Nikon J1 design.
2) The camera is modular. It means it has no sensor built into the camera itself. It’s built into the lens in case of the original Polaroid lenses (with 1 inch sensor). And while they didn’t say much about it I suspect there will be a MFT adapter with built-in sensor. You should be able to use all MFT lenses attached on that adapter.
3) Just to avoid any mistake. There is also a second model called “iM1030” that doesn’t run Android OS (while the iM1836 is based on Android).
4) There is no production version of the camera yet and price will be close to $400.
All in all this is an attempt to build an “universal camera” a la Ricoh GXR. A camera with support for all possible system lenses and based on an open source platform. Will it work out? My answer is …no :)
Loading ...
What happens when you realize how cool the Micro Four Thirds world is?
What I am going to feature is almost a Christmas tale (because it happened on Christmas) :-)
J Shin wrote a long and interesting post at Leicarumors about how it came to the abandoning of the Leica world, and to the entry into the MFT world. Definitely worth to be read.
Have fun!
Let’s keep talking about past Olympus cameras and today I will shortly introduce you to the [shoplink 35694 ebay]PEN-EED (auctions here on eBay)[/shoplink]. As you see it had a built in optical viewfinder. Produced from 1967 to 1972, it is a more expensive automated-exposure model, with a CdS meter, a 32mm f/1.7 lens and a hot shoe. Why did Oly created the EED? The Pen E had no fast lenses and only slow shutter speeds, The Pen D’ had no automatic exposure. The EED combined the best from both cameras. And how did Olympus advertise this camera? Just look at the image here:
LOL!
A list of all PEN-EED auctions can be found on [shoplink 35694 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] or via Slidoo (Click here).
Source: Olypedia, pdf manual at Butkus, Image samples can be seen at Rangefinderforum.
Update: hands-on video at engadget.
It's common in our Micro Four Thirds world to use third party lenses on MFT camera via the use of adapters. But what about using MFT lenses on other cameras? Polaroid just did that, a new mirrorless camera that is compatible with MFT lenses with the use of an adapter. I am wondering why they didn't make it with native MFT mount. There is little info about the camera now:
18 megapixel, 1080p video, Android OS, 3.5 inch display, pop-up flashand $399 price with a 10-30mm lens included.
2012-13 Cinematography Show Reel from Chris Forshaw (shot with GH2 and GH3)
Olympus 17mm f/2.8 test at SLRgear.
Olympus 15mm pancake test at Lepidi and at Quesabesde.
Lumix X 12-35mm f/2.8 review (Soundimagesplus).
Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 ASPH test at Fotopolis (translation here).
Olympus 60mm macro first impressions at ThePhoBlographer.
Geometric distortion correction (M43photo).
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Review (Photographyblog).
Marocchio: “Not a rumor, but here’s the full collection of capsule toy pens that are currently available here in Japan. They’re 200 yen each, and have removable lenses. Pretty cool!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marccocchio/sets/72157629108158375/“
