Panasonic keeps pushing hard on the 4K front and just announced the HC-X1000 4K Camcorder (specs at BHphoto). Reminder: The LX100 will also record 4K (not sure about the GM5 yet). The LX100 and GM5 will be announced on September 15!

Introducing Panasonic New Camcorder HC-X1000

Our reader Brian sent us this mail to warn about a possible issue with the new Metabones Canon EF adapter:

“FedEx delivered today the Metabones Canon EF to Micro Four Thirds Speed Booster, P/N MB_SPEF-m43-BM1, that I had ordered after reading your posting as to its availability.  I have test fit the adapter to all MFT cameras I own, and I wanted to alert you to the fact that it DOES NOT FIT the Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera.  It’s not even close.  The adapter interferes with the forward projecting EVF hood on the E-M1. The adapter also does not fit the Olympus E-M5, although the interference is not as severe.  The adapter will fit the Olympus E-M10, although the adapter remains in contact with the EVF hood.  I don’t know yet if this tension prevents the lens flange from seating flat. If so, this could cause lens decentering.
The adapter does fit fine on Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, and Panasonic Lumix models G5, G6, GX1, & GF5.  I mounted a Canon EF-S compatible Tamron SP AF17-50mm f/2.8 XR LD Asperical (IF) zoom lens on the adapter, and made some test shots with the E-PM2 camera. Result is a 12-35mm f/2.0 zoom lens. Sweet!  This Tamron version lacks IS, but that isn’t a problem on Olympus bodies.
I am a bit surprised that Metabones did not engineer the adapter to fit more camera models, especially the popular E-M5 and E-M1.“

Hope Metabones will release a statement about this soon!

Behind-The-Scenes: From the Trenches of The Writing’s On the Wall (Shot on the GH4 / found via EosHD).

E-M1 review at Photobyrichard.
The Olympus Selfie Cam Isn’t a Toy (Digitalcamerareview).
Hands-on with the Olympus PEN E-PL7 (Dphotographer).
Japanese Nocticron 42,5mm test at DC.watch.
DMC-SZ8 Firmware update service and DMC-LZ40 Firmware update service
Weird patent showing a smaller image circle lens for MFT (Egami).

Gen: “Two clips from our vimeo channel for a travel website we made. One with a hacked GH2 with the standard 14-140mm. Edited in Premiere, classic color correction with a final Lumetri Effect: https://vimeo.com/96129225
The other one filmed with a GH3 and the same lens. Again Premiere, classic CC and Lumetri: https://vimeo.com/102109268”

With a plain simple press text Olympus officially announced the termination of the global warranty program. This is going to affect all buyers that will buy Olympus stuff from abroad. This is likely going to affect seriously the large grey market. This is the official press text:

“Olympus Imaging Corporation has been providing Worldwide warranty for digital cameras and accessories since April 1, 2004, except for some countries and regions.
However, the time has come to stop providing Worldwide warranty because of regulation by laws and differences in the infrastructure of the repair facilities in individual countries.
Please kindly be informed that Worldwide warranty will not be provided with most of our Micro Four Thirds System and compact digital camera products shipped after September of 2014.

The Worldwide warranty card you have, is currently still valid as long as it meets the conditions required for warranty repair. Also, the Worldwide warranty card enclosed with the new products which you purchase from now, is also valid. Local warranty card is valid only in the country where you purchase the product and all repairs undertaken in other countries will be a chargeable service.

For any questions please refer to the “Olympus Authorized Distributor List” and contact our Service Station or Distributor for assistance.”