There seems to be a new rebate battle in USA! After Olympus also Panasonic launched a new rebate action that will last until May 5th. A super nice list of Lens deals is available at BHphoto (Click here).
Here are the single camera deals:
GH2 with lens for $749at Amazon (Click here).
Panasonic GF3 with 14mm pancake lens sells for $395 at Amazon (Click here).
The video teaser you see her eon top created quite a buzz! Time to make a summary of what’s going on. First, Olympus sent out nuts to many journalists (like Techradar and Photographyblog for example). Damian Mcgillicuddy received a big mystery package from Olympus. And than we had that new teaser at http://getolympus.com/worldsfirst/ (I posted the video on top of this post).
Olympus is known to make such campaigns for important camera releases (the last one was for the [shoplink 29074]Olympus E-M5[/shoplink] for example). So many here started to speculate that something BIG might will be announced soon. And also that “PRO image quality” statement sounds so good. There is even some chinese website listing the E-7 :)
But I think Olympus marketing is just playing a big game on the not so big (at least for me) Olympus TG-1 iHS camera that has been already leaked (via Photorumors). The video clearly suggest that this is a splashproof new Though camera (here is a list of these cameras on Amazon).
So should we give up all our hopes? The only thing that speaks for something really BIG is the package sent to Damian Mcgillicuddy.
He is a pro photographer and certainly not exactly the target customer for a Though camera! And looking at the size of the package he received this looks more like a big camera or big lens. I suspect he got an early production version of the 75mm f/1.8 or 60mm macro lenses. My sources told me that both lenses would arrive in early Summer. So may Olympus will soon give us the final specs and price and release date of these two jewels?
One of the most amazing lenses for the Micro FOur Thirds system is the new Voigtlander Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95. It is now shipping in may countries and it’s time to see the first user tests! ThePhoBlographer (Click here) posted the video you here see on top and some image samples on their website. Steve Huff (Click here) also had a quick look on the lens. Two of our readers also sent me an email to shrae their experience wiht the lens: 1) “I just got the Voigtlander 17.5mm f/0.95 and it is an utterly superb lens: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dckyoto/sets/72157629567579710/ There’s something about the colour reproduction and contrast in the bokeh, some of the shots look almost as if they have been taken with an ND filter. Really sweet!” 2) “Just share this with other M43 interested people. I am continuing with tests on the new Nokton 17.5mm, and it is wonderful. This shows how sharp and precise the close distance focusing is, and the creamy bokeh!!! https://plus.google.com/115255826572441766446/posts/EYWQ7Lk1oaq”
As you know the lens has some color fringe when used at full aperture. A reader (thanks!) made me notice that article at Adobe (Click here). it explains how to remove it in lightroom! Amazing!
And below you can find some direct links to stores having the lens in Stock (mostly via eBay): In Europe at [shoplink 30684 ebay]Photoalps (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 30685 ebay]Bayernphoto (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 30686 ebay]Topfoto (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 30687 ebay]Digitalhandel (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 30688 ebay]Shphoto (Click here)[/shoplink], In Asia at [shoplink 30680 ebay]Breguetcamera (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 30682 ebay]BennyWong (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 30683 ebay]ShipfromJapan (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 30681 ebay]FatJump (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 30683 ebay]ShipfromJapan (Click here)[/shoplink], In USA at Bhphoto (Click here).
Hurry! The E-M5 body only is right now in Stock at Adorama (Click here). UPDATE: I have been told by Adorama they just got them in Stock and they will soon update the website information.
Now after Dpreview everyone else is also publishing their own Olympus E-M5 review. Here is one post to rule them all! TheVerge (Click here) writes: “The Olympus OM-D E-M5 does nearly everything right: it’s fast, gorgeous, and takes great images and video. Its biggest setback is its price: at $1099.99, you’re definitely paying a premium for the E-M5’s gestalt, even over Olympus’s own PEN line of very good Micro Four Thirds cameras.” Engadget (Click here) says: “The $1,300 kit price will be a tad too much to swallow for some, but with a solid body and a diverse collection of lenses, there hasn’t been a better time to hop aboard Micro Four Thirds.”
Full E-M5 review at ePhotozine (Click here): “The price of the camera is relatively high compared to other Micro Four Thirds cameras, however we feel that the added performance, handling and features of the camera make it easily justified.”
Getolympus just launhced a new teaser for a new camera you can see here: http://getolympus.com/worldsfirst/. It says “Pro image quality from a whole new perspective“. But don’t get too excited guys! After seeing the video on that website I think this may be the Olympus TG-1 iHS already leaked via Photorumors. Here is the picture:
It’s a shockproof and waterproof 12Megapixel camera with tiny 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor and a 4x zoom that starts with a fast f/2.0 aperture. All good and nice but is it worth a teaser like that?
ePhotozine (Click here) reports that Olympus UK lowered the price of their complete PEN range. As you know there is also a rebate in USA. I haven’t heard of a new PEN camera announcement any time soon. But what I know that the competion is becoming tuffer and even Canon is going to release a mirrorless system “almost as good as DSLR” suggesting they will use a Four Thirds sized sensor like in the Canon G1X (via MirrorlessRumors).
P.S.: One thing we know is that the GH3 will arrive in late August and the GH2 with 14-42mm lens just got a $100 price drop. It is now in Stock for %749 via Samys at Amazon (Click here).
