Current 20mm still sells fine :)

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I was checking around to see if there was some kind of price drop on the current 20mm pancake lens. No way guys, the price actually went up to $399 at Amazon and BHphoto. And according to the Amazon Ranking the lens still sells well even at that higher price tag. It’s good news that Panasonic did sit down on the success and worked on a new version!

More sources came back to me to tell me the lens will be announced tonight (in USA) or 4-5am London time. So stay tuned on 43rumors to follow live the announcement!

US deals roundup:
Panasonic GF3 with 14-42mm lens (Brown) for $279 at Panasonic store (Click here). Use Coupon Code: “SECRETGF3”.
Black GX1 for $199 at Adorama (Click here). Silver GX1 for $199 at Adorama (Click here).
Adorama also sells the E-P3 with lens and free bag for $349 in Black (Click here) and Silver (Click here).

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(FT5) Hot! First image of the new 20mm f/1.7 II lens!

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The new Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 II lens just leaked in Japan (Digicaminfo). And here are the full specs of the lens that will be announced very soon!

– Seven lenses in five groups. 2 aspherical lens.
– Filter diameter is 46mm
– Total length 25.5mm, maximum diameter 63mm
– 87g Weight
– The exterior Barrel is of metal
– It will come in silver and black
– Estimated retail price of around 40,000 yen

In short: The lens has the same lens design as the previous model although we don’t know yet if the image quality has been improved by using new single lenses. The good news is that Panasonic managed to make the lens even more lighter than the previous version (87g versus the 100g of the older pancake). I am not sure yet btu I think the autofocus performance has been improved too!

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For sources: Sources can send me anonymous info at 43rumors@gmail.com (create a fake gmail account) or via contact form you see on the right sidebar. Thanks!
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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct

 

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Vizelex Light Cannon from Fotodiox (Lens Turbo clone?)

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First we had the Speed Booster (first Leica R to MFT adapter is shipping)  then we had the [shoplink 38940 ebay]Lens Turbo[/shoplink] (coming soon) and now we have a third new adapter offering a 0,72x focal length conversion and 1 stop increase: It’s the Vizelex Light Cannon from Fotodiox Pro (available here at Fotodiox). What I am not sure about is if actually that Vizelex is based on (or has the same) Lens Turbo design or if it’s a completely new lens. These are the full details and the focal length multiplier is the same from the Lens Turbo:

 

The Vizelex Light Cannon from Fotodiox Pro is an advanced lens mount adapter that not only attaches a Nikon Lens (including G & D type) to a Micro 4/3 (MFT) camera body, but has added light focusing optics which makes the lens wider by a 0.72x factor and increases the maximum aperture of the lens by 1 stop. This effectively allows use of your 35mm lenses on a crop sensor camera and not lose the angle of view normally associated with lens mount adapters (ie, 50mm lens stays roughly a 50mm lens equivalent).

Additionally, this light focusing optic gives a faster than normal aperture, turning a f/2.8 into the equivalent of a f/2.0; perfect for shooting in low light situations, when you need a faster shutter speed, or want a lower ISO sensitivity! The blue dial on the adapter is an aperture adjustment dial which allows the iris to be adjusted on even the Nikon G & D lenses; on older Nikon lenses with a aperture dial on the lens, the blue dial on the adapter can act as a depth of field preview lever allowing you to switch back and forth between wide open and stopped down to a certain f-stop.

As with all Fotodiox Pro series adapters, these adapters have been specially crafted to endure professional use. The leaf spring design in the adapter holds the lens tight to the camera body ensuring there is no play between the camera and the lens. The all metal design and polished surface is designed to guarantee a smooth mounting and long lasting experience. With unique styling, the lens mount adapter maintains a professional appearance. Although the lens will fit physically, automatic diaphragm, auto-focusing, or any other functions will not operate correctly while using this adapter. Because of this “stop-down mode” will need to be used when metering since the lens does not have the ability to have its aperture controlled by the camera body. You can shoot with manual mode or aperture priority mode. Infinity focusing is guaranteed.

Adapter Type Vizelex Light Cannon – Nikon G Lens to Micro 4/3 system
Infinity Focus Yes
F-Stop Gain 1-Stop
Crop Factor Gain 0.72x
Aperture Control Yes via Adapter
Material of Construction Brass with Stainless Steel Finishing
TTL flash metering Yes
Manufacture Fotodiox Inc.
Warranty 24 Months

 

The adapter is priced at $159.95.

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P.S.: The Leica R to MFT adapter is finally in Stock at Metabones (Click here). You can use some great Leica lenses with it:

  • [shoplink 38869 ebay]28mm F2.8 Elmarit-R (here on eBay)[/shoplink]. This becomes f/2.0 on the Speed Booster
  • [shoplink 38870 ebay]35mm F2.8 Elmarit-R (here on eBay)[/shoplink]. This becomes f/2.0 on the Speed Booster
  • [shoplink 38871 ebay]50mm F2.0 Summicron-R (here on eBay)[/shoplink]. This becomes f/1.4 on the Speed Booster
  • [shoplink 38872 ebay]90mm F2.8 Elmarit-R (here on eBay)[/shoplink]. This becomes f/2.0 on the Speed Booster
  • [shoplink 38873 ebay]28-70mm F3.5-F4.5 Vario-Elmar-R (here on eBay)[/shoplink]. This becomes f/2.5-3.5 on the Speed Booster
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The new Fuji sells fine but the GX1 sells better :)

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The new Fuji X-E1 is climbing the Amazon ranking (Click here) but it still can’t beat the GX1. The $199 Black version deals is gone from Amazon but the silver is still there and you can find both colors on Adorama and ebay too. Here is the list:

Black GX1 for $199 at Adorama (Click here) and [shoplink 39760 ebay]Adorama eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Silver GX1 for $199 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and [shoplink 39759 ebay]Adorama eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

Adorama also sells the E-P3 with lens and free bag for $349 in Black (Click here) and Silver (Click here).

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Competition news: New Fuji X-M1 targets the E-PL5 and GF6.

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We got some news from the competition. The Fuji X-M1 has been announced (price and specs at Amazon & full news and review report at MirrorlessRumors). It’s the first time Fuji will play a role in the advanced entry level segment. The camera is made to compete in the same segment as the [shoplink 33622]Olympus E-Pl5[/shoplink] and  ($599) and the [shoplink 37832]Panasonic GF6[/shoplink] ($599). The X-M1 is a little bit pricier ($699 body and $799 for the kit).

Question for you now is:

Considering the Fuji's price and features: Do you think this is a camera that can seriously compete against the GF6/E-PL5?

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New GH3 firmware to be released in July!

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Panasonic just announced a new firmware for the GH3 (Click here to visit the page). it will be released in July. These are the firmware fixes:

– “Low Light AF” is added that makes it possible to set focus on the subject in low-lit situations (-3EV). This function is popular in GF6/G6.
– “Silent Mode” is added which suppresses electronic shutter, shutter sound, operation sound and flash emission with a single setting.
– “Exposure Comp. Reset” is added which resets the setting of exposure compensation to ±0 whenever the camera is turned off or the shooting mode is changed.
– Connection problem with Apple Mac computers via Wi-Fi is fixed.

I really like that new “silent mode”. Great firmware update!

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