There are not many videos out there which have been shot with a f/0.75 aperture lens(!) and a Micro Four Thirds camera. The maker of the video is seelling that [shoplink 20634 ebay]Kowa 44mm f/0.75 on eBay[/shoplink]: “This is a very unique and beautiful lens that produces a soft blur due to its fast aperture.I tried it also with the HD video mode on my [shoplink 17361]Panasonic GF2[/shoplink] and the result was stunning. This lens can be adapted to almost any camera as far as you buy the right adapter for it, I previously used it on my [shoplink 20637]Canon 50D[/shoplink] and on a [shoplink 20638]Sony NEX 5[/shoplink]. I can say that due to the sensor size and distance from the back of the lens, you will get better results with the NEX but any mirrorless camera (EVIL camera) is good to use with that ultra fast lens.”

P.S.: Panasonic GF2 is in Stock at [shopcountry 17361]

Also Enticingthelight (Click here) tested the E-PL2: “Olympus have built a beautiful-image maker with this E-PL2; if you like shooting JPEGs, you’ll love this camera. It is also a camera that is simple to operate, yet can be customised in hundreds of ways, thus appealing to both the newbie and the experienced shooter.”

The Japanese website DC.watch.impress (Click here) tested the three new E-PL2 converters. There are many full size image samples you can analyze!

Click those links to visit the E-PL2 product page: [shopcountry 18844].

Reminder:
The new Olympus E-PL2 accessories are on auction at eBay and in Stock in some stores:
– MAL-1 Led Light at [shoplink 20217 ebay]eBay[/shoplink], Amazon US, Amazon Deutschland, Amazon UK, Amazon France.
– PenPal bluetooth module at [shoplink 20218 ebay]eBay[/shoplink], Amazon Deutschland, Amazon UK, Amazon France.

Where does it fall short? “Overall we’d say the [shoplink 18844]Olympus E-PL2[/shoplink] has a slight edge over the GF2. The GF2 crops look less contrasty and softer than those from the E-PL2“. Interesting: “With a larger sized sensor you might expect the [shoplink 20638]Sony NEX-3[/shoplink] to produce superior result to the micro Four Thirds cameras, and it does, but the differences aren’t that marked at least at this lowest sensitivity”

Panasonic GF2 direct links to [shopcountry 17361].
Olympus E-PL2 direct links to [shopcountry 18844].

DCresource (Click here) posted their Olympus XZ-1 review: “The XZ-1 is Olympus’ best compact camera in many years. It offers a good design, super-fast lens, beautiful OLED display, manual controls, and plenty of point-and-shoot toys. It does have its share of annoyances — perhaps more so than its competition (at least those cameras that I’ve used) — though I have to cut Olympus some slack, as this is their first generation model. The XZ-1 is absolutely worth your consideration — just be sure to check out the other models in its class before you buy.”
Click those links to visit the XZ-1 product page: [shopcountry 19904].

Trustedreviews (Click here) posted their Olympus E-PL2 review: “Taking everything into account, we’d still be hard pressed to choose between this and the GF2, which only falls down in comparison because unlike the E-PL2 it doesn’t feature body integral anti shake, but is otherwise we feel more streamlined and slightly easier to use. The Olympus counters with its impressive and fun Art Filters, so ultimately a personal hands on is going to be the best way for you to make this particular purchase decision.”
Click those links to visit the E-PL2 product page: [shopcountry 18844].

Reminder:
The new Olympus E-PL2 accessories are on auction at eBay and in Stock in some stores:
– MAL-1 Led Light at [shoplink 20217 ebay]eBay[/shoplink], Amazon US, Amazon Deutschland, Amazon UK, Amazon France.
– PenPal bluetooth module at [shoplink 20218 ebay]eBay[/shoplink], Amazon Deutschland, Amazon UK, Amazon France.

UPDATE: Those are the first unboxing pictures coming from Japan (More at dmaniax.com). Shots with the x100 from the same person: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotois/sets/72157626059913905

UPDATE2: Adorama is accepting Fuji X100 preorders (Click here).

The dpreview forum user “Ncruces” posted the patched source code to open the Quesabesdes RAW files with DCraw. Download from here: http://db.tt/jSGfK7R.

The dpreview forum user “ebrandon” posted two links to download the “before” (unprocessed TIFF) http://db.tt/uM3tnCm and the “after” (post-processed TIFF) http://db.tt/dvXlxHS.

Meanwhile Entincingthelight explains you why the X100 is NOT to expensive: “I think I’ve shown that the X100 is not the expensive proposition many are making it out to be. For the photographer who wants a well-built, relatively compact, externally simple digital camera with physical dials, and for whom a fast wideangle lens covers most of his/her needs, the X100 is almost cheap, especially if you consider this photographer will probably use the camera for many years before replacing it.”

P.S.: In USA the camera will start shipping on March 7 (Source: Dpreview forum).

You can subscribe to be notified when the X100 will be in Stock at [shopcountry 19929]. P.S.: Where in Europe???

Reviews

DPreview added the studio comparison samples which usually means that they will soon publish the final GH2 review. Have fun by comparing the GH2 results with other cameras. Dpreview also added GF1 downloadeable raw files for all ISOs, for comparison against the GF2.

Digitalcamerareview tested the Panasonic GH2: “The Panasonic GH2 surpasses the quality and performance of a point-and-shoot and just about every entry-level DSLR on the market. A high quality – though not perfect – kit lens, and an excellent 16 megapixel sensor and processing engine help the GH2 succeed. There’s a touchscreen for those who want it and a familiar array of controls for those who don’t. Right now, it’s safe to say that there’s nothing else like it.” The final rating is 4.5/5 points.

A short GH2 test at Outbackphoto.

Black GH2 finally in US

The GH2 is still out of Stock in all US online stores. In those months we only saw a few [shoplink 16254]Silver GH2[/shoplink] in Stock here and there. Now Amazon updated the availability status for the Black GH2+14-140mm kit (Click here). They say it will be in Stock on March 8, 2011.
Click those direct links to check price and availability: [shopcountry 16254].

David Babsky (at Stevehuffphoto.com) posted a new Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95 review: “It’s useful for “pulling focus” (manually adjusting the focus) when shooting VIDEO on an m4/3 camera, and for shooting m4/3 video in (almost) darkness and up very close.“..”It MAY be just what you need, but it depends on what you like to shoot. Soft, contextualised portraits? Great! Harsh nitty gritty? No. Close-up sharp details? Yes, but only at f2.8 or smaller. The world in sharp focus? ..No: no point in paying extra for that 0.95 aperture.”

Cameraquest has a new status update:
I’ve shipped over half of February’s 25/.95 to customers. The remaining .95’s are delayed by customs. I hope to start shipping the remaining .95’s by Saturday February 26th or Monday February 28th. The shipment is indeed SOLD OUT. The NEXT PRODUCTION RUN will be in April.

43rumors reader H.Hackbarth posted a full size sample on Flickr taken with the GH2 + Nokton.

There is a comparison between the Leica 25mmf1.4 vs. Voigtlander 25mmf0.95 at thaidphoto.com

The only place where you can find the the Nokotn is on [shoplink 15659 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. But in most cases you have to pay more than the original price!