a little bit of everything…

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Panasonic GH2 tested with the macro extension tube: “SLR Magic (they create the famous Toy Lens) asked me to test their prototype macro extension tube for 4/3 sensor camera’s. I ended up with creating “Blossom” It’s all shot within 1 or 2 hours in and around my office and privite house. Postproduction was done in less then a day.“

New automatic retractable lens cap for the XZ-1 (DC.watch).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 Review (Photoradar)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 (Cnet Australia).

Samyang 35mm/1.4 + NEX5 + Canon 550D + Lumix G2 + Samsung NX10 (Dpreview forum).

Sensor Size Doesn’t Matter (Seriouscompacts).

0.95 NOKTON a test by Dario Viola (Vimeo)

The Nokton i in Stock in Belgium at pch.be (Click here), in US at Photovillage (Click here) and of course on [shoplink 15659 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

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(FT5) G3 with LX5 grip and very small EVF.

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A source sent me a rendering he made to explain me how the G3 will look (It’s not the real G3!). It has the same [shoplink 21136]Panasonic LX5[/shoplink] grip and a smaller EVF than the [shoplink 14834]Panasonic G2[/shoplink]. I didn’t found the LX5 grip that comfortable but I have been told the G3 grip is a bit bigger so maybe it’s working better than on the LX5. As you see the left dial is gone. The source also told me the real G3 is a bit more “rounded” than the rendering he made and the EVF is even smaller. Actually it’s a very nice looking camera (he said).

The camera is coming in black, white, brown and silver. UPDATE: It has an articulating LCD screen!

Help me to find the real G3 picture. I am currently checking all kind of websites to find a leak. If you can find something feel free to share it using the anonymous contact form on the right sidebar. Thanks!

Reminder: 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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Interview reloaded: Olympus Four Thirds strategy

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[shoplink 21666][/shoplink]

Last week the chinese website Tech.sina.com posted a short interview with the ex chief of Olympus Akira Watanabe. ePhotozine (Click here) wanted to be sure that the translation from chinese to english is correct and asked Olympus to confirm the correctness of the text. Olympus confirmed that “We will replace E-XXX by PEN series.” and that “E-X and E-XX DSLRs will continue as long as mirrorless systems can’t fulfill SLR users demand. We don’t know when we will have technologies that will be able to substitute this camera class.” It sounds like the [shoplink 21666]Olympus E-30[/shoplink] could be replaced by a newer model. Anyway we didn’t receive any rumor about a possible E-40 or E-50.
Fact is the E-30 is almost impossible to find in Stock (Check [shopcountry 21666])

P.S.: I found a japanese patent (Click here) showing a new Olympus lens. Some japanese reader can help me to find out the specs of the lens?

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Refurbished stuff in Europe

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[shoplink 21957 ebay][/shoplink]

A couple of weeks ago I found a nice store named Olympusmarket that sells Olympus refurbished cameras and lenses. They sell in Europe only and have pretty good deals! I didn’t find any similar stores for Asia or US. Ans I also didn’t find any similar  eBay-store with refurbished Panasonic cameras. Those are the latest auctions:

1) There are ten 14-150mm Micro Four Thirds lenses for 399 Euro ([shoplink 21953 ebay]Click here to see them on Olympusmarket[/shoplink])
2) The Four Thirds 40-150mm lens ([shoplink 21954 ebay]Click here[/shoplink])
3) Silver E-PL1 body ([shoplink 21955 ebay]Click here[/shoplink])
4) Silver E-P1 with kit lens ([shoplink 21956 ebay]Click here[/shoplink])
5) Black Olympus E-P2 body ([shoplink 21957 ebay]Click here[/shoplink])

P.S.: I already bought two E-P1 cameras at Olympusmarket (one white for 201 Euro and one silver for 232 Euro).

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Thom Hogan about the GH2, XZ-1 and Fuji X100

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[shoplink 14826]

[/shoplink] Image on top shows the [shoplink 14826]GH1[/shoplink] which is discounted in US. The GH2 is still out of Stock.

Thom Hogan (Click here) posted a bunch of few “mini-reviews“:

1) Panasonic GH2
He doesn’t recommend the camera because of two reasosn:
– “what I’m getting out of it in images and video looks a lot like a GH1. (Of course, I hacked my GH1 to get better video out of it.)”
-“because Panasonic’s distribution and sales in the US is so screwed up you’re not going to find one on your dealer’s shelves anyway.”
That’s why you should a close look to the recent $50 to $200 instant rebate offers on the GH1 at Amazon (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). The GH2 is still ut of stock (or overpriced) at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay.

2) Olympus XZ-1.
The camera gets a positive review and it’s recommended: “The lens on this camera is superb, and the image quality is very good in raw“. The only problem the camera has is that “controls get reset too easily while handling the camera”
Get the XZ-1 at [shopcountry 19904].

He also tested the Fuji X100 and Sony VG-10. Both are not recommended cameras! (Click here to read more at bythom.com).

P.S.: Fuji X100 links to [shopcountry 19929].

 

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(FT5) Small pieces of G3 rumors

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I received very small pieces of rumors from people that claims to have seen and/or tested the G3. They all do confirm that the G3 has an updated body design. It’s smaller than the G2 (less high, less thick, less wide). The camera has less manual controls and is much more touchscreen oriented than the [shoplink 14834]G2[/shoplink]. The Q-button is integrated into trash button. The left dial is completely gone. As I already told you weeks ago it’s exactly like having the [shoplink 17361]GF2[/shoplink] instead of the [shoplink 14828]GF1[/shoplink].

The 16 Megapixel sensor definitely brings an upgrade compared to the G1/G2 sensor but it is not as good as the [shoplink 16254]GH2[/shoplink] at High ISO.

There are no other new features (P.S.: price $649 with 14-42mm lens). And there will be no new lenses. The real exciting stuff will be announced in late August. And in June Olympus should announce at least two new Micro Four Thirds lenses.

P.S.: A wonder when the G3 will be in Stock in US if the eight months old GH2 is still out of Stock in US stores (See at Amazon, Adorama, B&H, J&R, eBay). Hmmm…..

Reminder: 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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