Flashhavoc released the new Zoom Mini R2 TTL for Olympus MFT cameras. It’s already available for preorder at Adorama (Click here). Here is the Press text:

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After a very long wait, Flashpoint and Godox TTL and HSS support will soon be available for Micro Four Thirds cameras, with the release of the Flashpoint Zoom Mini R2 TTL Speedlite for Olympus!
The Zoom Mini R2 TTL for Olympus are Flashpoint’s version of the compact Godox TT350 radio Master Speedlite, and are now available for pre-order from Adorama for $84.90. Most significantly the Zoom Mini R2 TTL (and Godox TT350) provide a 2.4GHz radio Master mode, which can fire and control the complete Flashpoint and Godox 2.4GHz Flash System. Which finally opens up the Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera system to a range of popular large and small off camera strobes, with full TTL and HSS supported!

NOTE – Many of the current flash units will also require a user installed firmware update to add the Olympus radio slave mode.

A stand alone transmitter unit for Olympus will be available later in the year. And as Flashpoint and Godox are currently in the process of developing a new X2 transmitter, there is a good chance the Olympus version may go straight to the new design once ready. The Zoom Mini R2 TTL provide simple control for 3 remote slave groups, with a radio range of approximately 30 meters. Powered by just 2 AA batteries, and provide a guide number of 24 meters (ISO 100, @105mm). Recycle times are from approximately 0.1 – 2.2 seconds, and provide up to 210 full power pops per battery charge.

FLASHPOINT ZOOM MINI TTL FEATURES

• GN 24m (ISO 100 @ 105mm)
• Powered by 2 x AA batteries

• HSS to 1/8000th
• Flash Mode – TTL /M / Multi
• 1st Curtain Sync / 2nd Curtain Sync
• FEC / FEB – 1/3rd Increments (±3 stops)
• Manual Flash – 1/128 – 1/1 output control (1/3rd increments)
• Flash Zoom 24 – 105mm

• Radio Master & Slave Modes for Flashpoint R2 / Godox 2.4GHz X Radio System
• 3 Remote Groups A / B / C
• 16 Channels
• Range to 30m

• S1 and S2 Optic Slave Modes

• Recycle Time: 0.1 – 2.2 Seconds
• 210 Full Power Flashes (using 2500mAh Ni-MH Batteries)

• Head Tilt/Swivel: -7 – 90 Degree Tilt, 0 – 270 Degree Swivel
• Backlit LCD Screen
• AF Assist Light

• Sound Prompt
• Custom Functions
• Settings Memory
• Overheat Protection

• USB Port for Firmware Updates

The Zoom Mini R2 TTL provide a USB port for firmware updates, now located inside the battery compartment. There is also no PC sync port provided. (Though a communication port for legacy clip on external radio receivers is not included in the compact speedlite).

More info at flashhavoc.com/godox-flash-system-overview/

That’s a unusual new camera: Boxfish Research released their 360 degree and 5K capable camera. In their press release they write that it is “utilising Micro Four Thirds sensors and specially calibrated lenses“. I guess that by MFT sensors they mean Four Thirds sensor as this camera has no MFT mount:

Boxfish 360: large sensors deliver crisp underwater 360 degree video

Just released, the Boxfish 360 underwater camera allows professional content creators to capture sharper, more colourful and more exciting perspectives of the underwater world.

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Auckland, New Zealand – 06 April 2017: Boxfish Research has today announced the release of their professional underwater virtual reality camera, the Boxfish 360. By utilising Micro Four Thirds sensors and specially calibrated lenses, the videos and photos captured by the Boxfish 360 offer higher clarity and better colour rendition than rigs based on action cameras. First unveiled at CES 2017, the Boxfish 360 has since undergone extensive user testing and the company is now taking orders.

While 360-degree virtual reality story telling has made huge leaps since the early days, underwater content creators are still hampered by the soft focus, muddy colours, and obvious seams introduced by action-camera based rigs. “The physics of small sensors, small domes, and light filtered by water simply limits what you can achieve with action cameras underwater,” said Richard Robinson, award winning Photojournalist and Underwater Photographer who has tested the Boxfish 360 extensively on assignments. By using larger cameras, Boxfish Research managed to halve the camera count of existing rigs, while increasing the sensor area almost five times. This is a win across the board: Better image quality, fewer seams, longer runtime, and a faster workflow. “The beauty of the Boxfish 360 is that the cameras stay inside the waterproof housing at all times, and a single hatch provides tool-less access to the recorded files and for charging,” said Axel Busch, company co-founder. “It only takes a minute to swap batteries and cards. You are back in the water faster and the production workflow is much more streamlined”.

The Boxfish 360 features three frame-synced MFT cameras, with images from each combining to create a single immersive, 5K 360-degree video and DNG RAW photo. With up to 90 minute runtime and an anodised aluminium housing rated to a depth of 300m (1000ft), the camera is the perfect tool to tell any immersive story. As an exciting bonus the Boxfish 360 features electronic recording of depth, water temperature and camera orientation during the dive. This creates an entirely new scope for stabilization, rich data overlays, HUD style displays or scientific research opportunities.

Full specifications and purchase information are available through http://www.boxfish-research.com/360. The Boxfish 360 is priced at USD 14,990. A demo reel is available on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=832Rfp31Czg.

About Boxfish Research

Boxfish Research is innovating underwater observation with remotely operated vehicles and video equipment built for cinematographers, scientists, educators, and adventurers. By focusing on ease of use and high quality data capture, Boxfish Research is expanding the possibilities for humans to understand and experience our underwater world.

via Dpreview

Getting Started Guide: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Throwback Thursday: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3, Multi-Aspect Master (Dpreview).
Things We Love: Flip-Out (Articulating) LCD Screens on Digital Cameras (Explora).
FAQ: What is a Flash Diffuser and How Do You Use It? (Adorama Learning Center).
Exposure Triangle: Making Sense of Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO (Phototraces).
Micro Four Thirds Depth of Field Explained (Michael Rammel)

Plenty of news on the facebook E-M1II group and the GH5 group.

Jan: “I shot a little sample video with the new SLR Magic 8mm F4. It would be kind of you to share it! https://youtu.be/4CVPL2VuKL8“

Nick just sent me that message:

I want to report that my GH5 was stolen along with an SLR Magic Anamorphot 35mm T2.4 lens during a workshop visit to Barcelona yesterday. I was taking footage around the Gothic area – Carrer d’en Monec (Map ref: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@41.3887062,2.1774242,3a,75y,316.24h,41.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6uKFZX5WCpO_rpheeReWbA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1) when I was tricked and let go of my guard. From under my nose in a mere second my camera was swiped and suspects ran off.
Serial number of Lumix GH5 is WG-PP001244. The SLR Magic had a white sticker on it saying the number SLRM355 I think though Im awaiting confirmation.
Please could you get a message out to readers of 43rumors to be wary. Especially that map reference in Barcelona!. There is a reward leading to the recovery of the Camera and SLR Magic lens.

I hope 43rumors readers can help him to find the camera again!