New Leica 25mm pictures at CNET and Dpreview (+ 20mm pancake in Stock for $389)


Credit: Shawn Low/CNET Asia)

Before to read the test, if you are from US, you can get the Panasonic 20mm pancake for $389 on Amazon (Click here). It’s in Stock via Vann’s!

Shawn Low from Cnet Asia (Click here) tested the new Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens: “We think the lens produced good, pleasing bokeh (the quality of blur) unlike some kit lenses which can make out-of-focus elements appear harsh. The lens produced sharp images all the way to the edges. The lens also produced natural colors that were very close to what our eyes perceived. Although we had a positive experience with the Leica 25mm F1.4, we think that the lens’ minimum focusing distance of 30cm can sometimes be limiting.“More pictures at Cnet Asia.

Dpreview (Click here) posted more 25mm versus 20mm pancake image comparisons. There is a huge discussion about those images. Someone on DPreview said the [shoplink 14796]20mm f/1.7 lens[/shoplink] is actually sharper. To me it looks like the new Leica is sharper than the pancake when you look at the the center of the image.

You can preorder the Leica 25mm f/1.4 at Adorama (Click here), J&R (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here). I didn’t find any preorders in Europe yet.

New Panasonic Leica 25mm image samples and videos! (G3 in Stock in UK)

Leica DG Summilux 25mm f1.4 ASPH with Lumix G3 sample video from Gordon Laing on Vimeo.

The nice (and very fast) guys from CameraLabs (Click here). managed to post a complete set of full size images and video test on their website. And you can found even more images on Flickr (Click here). There is not a lot to say about those image and video samples. I like those images, they have some kind of “sex appeal” that makes me want to buy the lens :)
P.S: You can preoder the lens at Adorama (Click here) and on [shoplink 23181 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

And the Panasonic G3 is now in Stock at Amazon UK (CLick here). What’s impressive is that they are the first Amaozn store to have it in Stock…they also have beaten the japanese store!!! Other preorders are available at Amazon, Adorama and B&H. In Europe at Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, and worldwide on [shoplink 22077 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].

P.S.: Below you can see the reportsed omuser image samples taken with the Leica 25mm lens

New lens reviews (C-mount lenses, Panasonic kit lens and Olympus lenses)

The video on top shows the latest work form Seb Farges. he used the GH2 + C-mount Canon 35mm 1.2 ([shoplink 23221 ebay]Click here to see that lens on eBay[/shoplink]) + Cine-Nikkor 10mm 1.8 ([shoplink 23222 ebay]Click here to see that lens on eBay[/shoplink]).

Disappointed… 4/3 lens adapted to μ4/3 (jjsemplephotography).

Sharpness comparison, PL45 vs ZD50 (m43photo.blogspot.com): “When it comes to the general sharpness and contrast, I think that the 100% views show the PL45 to be slightly better.

Olympus Pen + Holga lens image samples on Flickr and Dpreview Forum.

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42 review at Photozone: “In terms of sheer optical performance the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH O.I.S. is not a great lens. However, when looking at the auto-corrected results, and this is where it counts from a user perspective, it’s capable of producing quite good results.

Full Panasonic G3 review at Digitalcamerainfo!

[shoplink 22077][/shoplink] Digitalcamerainfo (Click here) posted a 22 page long full detailed [shoplink 22077]Panasonic G3[/shoplink] review! Yes you should take at least 30 minutes of time, a coffea and read the test carefully. And they did like the camera a lot: “As you will have no doubt seen from our direct comparison pages in this review, the G3 simply dwarfs the competition for control options.”…”It has a new 16-megapixel sensor that was able to keep noise to a respectable minimum, offered the best color accuracy of our comparison group, and managed a respectable dynamic range of more than 6.5 stops.”…”Altogether, it makes the G3 a very promising member of the Micro Four-Thirds family, and a very good entry-level camera in its own right.”.

Thanks T.J. Donegan for providing the nice review!

I think after reading the review you will agree that the G3 is a very good cameras…or not?

Theoretically worlwide G3 shipments should start tomorrow. Cick on the following store names to preorder the G3 at Amazon, Adorama and B&H. In Europe at Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, and worldwide on [shoplink 22077 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].

By the way, the image on top shows the Panasonic G3 with the all-black 14-42mm kit lens! Do you like it? Me…yes!

New Camera (pre-)reviews

[shoplink 22904 ebay][/shoplink]

Olympus XZ-1 Field Report at Luminous Landscape: “At low ISOs (up to 400) and without too much file manipulation the XZ-1 is capable of producing very acceptable image quality on up to about 11X17″ prints, and is certainly more than acceptable for web-destined images. In comparison with its primary competitors from Canon, Panasonic and Samsung, I would judge it as having a very slight edge in terms of usability though not high ISO noise.
Direct search links to the XZ-1 at [shopcountry 19904] (Click on shop name).

The Olympus XA: The smallest rangefinder camera by Konstantinos Besios (SteveHuffPhoto.com): “Of course the image quality is not a par with a Leica, but for those instances where even a small camera bag is too much to carry  this little rangefinder is perfect (and the price is really a bargain !!)
See the Olympu XA auctions on [shoplink 22904 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

Panasonic GF3 Hands-On Preview (Photographyblog) and first look at Amateur Photographer.

Spanish GF3 presentation video at Quesabesde.
Preorders at [shopcountry 22077]

Leica Noctilux comparison on Micro Four Thirds

[shoplink 23018 ebay][/shoplink]

The Leica Noctilux is so expensive that only a few people can afford it. So it’s quite impressive that 3Dkraft had the chance to test not one…but two different Noctilux lenses on Micro Four Thirds! He compared the qualities of the [shoplink 23018 ebay]Leica Noctilux-M 1:0.95 / 50mm[/shoplink] with its predecessor, the [shoplink 23017 ebay]Noctilux-M 1:1.0 / 50mm[/shoplink]. He tested the lenses on the GH2: “The Noctilux mounted to a micro Four Thirds camera results in an unusually balanced combination, but still appears “visually” balanced. If your camera is equipped with an electronic viewfinder providing magnification it is very helpful for precise focusing. The Noctilux 1.0 is said to have a certain focus shift on rangefinder cameras like the Leica M9, which was opimized ith the new 0.95er version. However – on cameras with electronic viewfinders this plays no role.
See the test at 3Dkraft (Click here).

Check the Leica Noctilus 0.95 price on [shoplink 23018 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Check the Leica Noctilus 1.0 price on [shoplink 23017 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

P.S.: Get the Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95 on [shoplink 15659 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] if you want a fast lens. It’s “cheap”, has a very good image quality and is native Micro Four Thirds lens!

New Panasonic G3 review (+ new video + preorders on eBay).

Panasonic G3 in Paris (made by Hybridcams.fr).

That tiny G3 is really surprising me. It’s getting a very positive feedback from reviewers and also the image samples do look very good!
The latest review is form Jeff Keller from DCresource (Click here). The first impression is very good: “The camera can be held and operated with one hand, with the most important controls within easy reach of your fingers.” but “controls are more cluttered…that led to lots of accidental button-pressing“. “Highlight clipping seemed improved over previous models…Overall, the Lumix DMC-G3 produces very good quality photos“. “The camera tends to slightly underexpose, usually be 1/3 stop. That’s easy to fix with bracketing or by just increasing the exposure compensation up a bit.”
Final words: “All things considered, the DMC-G3 retains the features that made the G-series a favorite of mine, which is why this latest iteration earns my recommendation.

First preorders are now available on [shoplink 22077 ebay]eBay too (Click here)[/shoplink]. According to Amazon UK (Click here) the G3 will be released on 17 June 2011! You can preorder the camera at Amazon US (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and Amazon Germany (Click here).