First product announcement of the year: Slrmagic 50mm f/0.95 M-mount (tested on GH2).

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Exactly on Midnight SLRmagic officially announced their new top quality Hyper Prime 50mm f/0.95 Cine M-mount Cine lens. Even if it’s not a native Micro Four Thirds lens you can use it via M to m43 adapter ([shoplink 28038 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay)[/shoplink]. Unlike the Noktor this is a high quality lens made specially for people looking for superb bokeh. It’s actually five times cheaper than the [shoplink 23018 ebay]Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95[/shoplink] and we have been told that it will have almost the same image quality (of course we have to see real tests to see if they are claiming the truth). Our friend Seb Farges tested the new lens on the [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink]. After the video you can read the full lens press release and specs.

World Premiere !!! SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE T0.95 / 50mm Part I : The Night Tests from Seb Farges on Vimeo.

PRESS RELEASE
NEW: THE SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95
SLR Magic expands its M mount lineup with a new normal focal length lens

Hong Kong, China (January 1, 2012)  – SLR Magic opens up the M mount lens lineup with the new SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 ultra fast normal focal length lens. The world’s fastest interchangeable camera lens with an image circle beyond full frame coverage in its focal length, the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 concept lens will be publicly available for experience testing in September 2012 at Photokina in Cologne, Germany.

The field of view of this new HyperPrime Lens corresponds to a 50mm lens in 35mm format. It is optimized to be shot wide open. This ultra fast normal focal length prime lens opens up many new creative composition opportunities, particularly in the fields of available light, in portrait, and street cinematography. Built with modern non aspherical lens technology, the lens excels at defocusing busy backgrounds at T0.95. A minimum focus distance of 0.70m allows for artistic bokeh effect. A fast maximum aperture of T0.95 makes the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 ideal for available-light photography.

Our highest priority in the development of all HyperPrime lenses is to fulfill the demands of professional cinematographers and photographers. The design and build of the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 is solid and reliable.

The SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95, a concept lens, will be available from authorized SLR Magic dealers by the end of September 2012.

Technical Data
SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95
Lens Type: Fast normal lens with seven Tantalum glass elements to  ensure superior cinematic performance.
Compatible Cameras: All RangeFinder M mount, LM mount for cinematography,  E-mount, and micro four thirds cameras
Optical Design: 12 elements in 7 groups
Distance range:  0.70m to ∞, combined scale meter/feet
Aperture:  Manually controlled diaphragm, 12 aperture blades (circular), Lowest value 16
Bayonet:  M-mount, E-mount, micro four thirds
Filter Mount: 62mm; filter mount does not rotate.
Surface Finish: Black anodized
Length to bayonet mount: approx. 95mm (approx. 3.74in) without hood approx. 110mm (approx. 4.33in) with retractable hood
Largest diameter: approx. 73mm (approx. 2.87in)
Weight: approx. 975g (approx. 34.39oz)

Andrew Chan
Product Manager

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New reviews roundup…

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The Olympus E-P3 got tested at Letsgodigital (Click here): “The 12.3 megapixel sensor has remained the same and the new ISO 12800 is simply unusable. This does not mean that the camera shoots bad photos, there are competing models available that capture more detail. It does depend on what you need/want. Overall, the Olympus PEN E-P3 is a fine camera to shoot with.”
Olympus E-P3 price check at [shopcountry 23568].

ThePhoBlographer (Click here) tested the Olympus E-PL3: “The E-PL3 does face some tough competition from less expensive and equally or better specced cameras like the Sony NEX-C3 and the Panasonic GF-3 which offers a very user friendly touch interface. If you are considering purchasing this camera for yourself or as a present, I would suggest that you take a look at some of the other offerings on the market before you pull the trigger“.
Olympus E-PL3 price check at [shopcountry 23567].

Panasonic GX1 versus E-P3 shootout part two at SteveHuff (Click here): “if you are looking for a great JPEG camera and do not like shooting RAW then the E-P3 would be the better bet between the two“.
Panasonic GX1 price and in Stock check at [shopcountry 26836].

New Olympus 12-50mm lens IQ comparisons at PekkaPotka (Click here).

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(FT4) Big Olympus announcement soon! Wathersealed camera with integrated viewfinder.

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The [shoplink 22259 ebay]Olympus 35 SP rangefinder film camera[/shoplink]. Will Olympus take inspiration form the past for the new m43 camera?

Finally the time has come for us to see a real new kind of a camera! Our top sources just sent me a huge “warning”. Olympus is going to announce a new product very soon….within the next couple of weeks!!! The big PMA event starts on January 10 so it’s easy to guess that Olympus will show the new camera there. It’s a weather-sealed camera with integrated viewfinder. I didn’t get any detailed specs now but I have been told it’s a damn nice product, a camera “that many at 43rumors will like to buy“. I don’t know yet if the camera will have a rangefinder style (viewfinder on the corner like on that [shoplink 22259 ebay]Olympus 35 SP (See here on eBay)[/shoplink] or a more classic DSLR alike design like the glorious [shoplink 27042 ebay]Olympus OM-1 (See here on eBay)[/shoplink]. Can’t wait to see get the images of the real cam soon!

I am currently asking my sources to send me as much info as possible. If you find something on the web, or if you heard a “rumor” help me by sending me a message at 43rumors@gmail.com or use the contact form on the right sidebar (It’s anonymous!).

P.S.: There will be other new products too. (like the XZ-1 successor). And Panasonic will also have an announcement soon!

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

P.S.: The new weather sealed Olympus 12-50mm lens is already shipping. I guess it will sell like hotcakes once the weather sealed camera is out! Check these search links to see if it’s available: [shopcountry 27977].

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GH2 shows its potential again (+ new refurbished Oly cameras)

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Christmas Shootout: Part 1 from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

As you know Canon created a lot of buzz around the new C300 video camera. It’s a super technological and expensive DSLR styled toy made for professionals. The video on top shows a test made by Philip Bloom. Our friend Andrew Reid form EosHD (Click here) made one of those comparisons that will make us m43 owners again feel proud of Panasonic :) Andrew “proves” how the hacked “GH2 really is insane for resolution and the cleanness with which it downscales that 18MP CMOS to 1080p. The codec shows very little sign of AVCHD compression, well on par with the C300′s codec.” Of course we are comparing apple of oranges but damn, the GH2 costs fifteen times less than the Canon! Can’t wait to see what the GH3 can do… ;)

P.S.: Letsgodigital (Click here) tested the Olympus E-PL3 and the camera scores a rating of 85 points out of 100. And here is the new list of refurbished Olympus cameras. Reminder, these cameras can be bought by Europeans only! I already bought five cameras in one month for my family and friends:
[shoplink 27999 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL1 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 28001 ebay]White Olympus E-PL2 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28002 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL1 with 14-150mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28003 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28004 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL2 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 28005 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL2 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 28006 ebay]Silver Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28007 ebay]Silver Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28008 ebay]Silver Olympus E-PL1 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28009 ebay]Silver Olympus E-PL2 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28010 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL1 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 28011 ebay]White Olympus E-PL2 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28012 ebay]Silver Olympus E-PL1 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 28013 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL2 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 28014 ebay]Brown Olympus E-Pm1 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28015 ebay]Black Olympus E-PL1 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 28016 ebay]White Olympus E-PL2 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 28017 ebay]White Olympus E-P1 with 14-42mm lens[/shoplink]

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Panasonic GX1 ISO test at Steve Huff. Becomes Cnet UK editors choice. (+ in Stock status and GF2 deals).

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[shoplink 26836][/shoplink]

Steve Huff (Click here) just got his brand new Panasonic GX1. He first posted some image samples taken with the Leica Summilux 25mm lens and then he compared the ISO quality with the Olympus E-P3 (Click here to see the comparison). I have to say the GX1 does clearly a better job here! And also the guys over at Cnet UK (Click here) fell in love with the GX1: “The GX1 development unit we got our hands on back in November impressed us greatly, and running the finished camera through our regular tests has done nothing to change our opinion.”
There is a hands-on at Expertreviews (Click here) and also the german website Colorfoto (Click here) tested the GX1.

So where is the GX1 in Stock? Here is a short list:
In USA at: Amazon, Adorama and [shoplink 26836 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].
In Europe at: Jessops UK, Amazon UK and [shoplink 26836 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].
In Asia at: Digitalrev, Amazon JP and [shoplink 26836 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].

P.S.: There are consistent price drops on the GF2 in USA and in Europe. An examples:
GF2 with 14-42mm kit lens for $369 at Adorama (Click here). I even found a complete new kit option. The GF2 with 14-42mm X pancak zoom at Fotomundus (Click here).

 

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Ownusers GH2 battery grip now for sale!

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The Taiwanese company Ownuser announced the start of the GH2 battery grip sales. Here is the official press release:

“Dear Customer
We will tell you a good news. PANASONIC GH2’s grip is already on the market in 2011/12/20. On this website, you can get more product information.
http://www.ownuser.com.tw/e_mig_pgh2.html
On this website, you can buy products through PAYPAL (online credit card page, like EBAY)
http://www.ownuser.com.tw/e_paypal_panasonic.html

MIG-PGH2 has four purchase specifications
(1) MIG-PGH2B = only BODY (B = BLACK)
(2) MIG-PGH2AB = BODY + MEB-03-c (A = external AA battery pack)
(3) [New specifications] MIG-PGH2RB =BODY + mini IR 2B & RHS (R = IR Remote, not the wired remote control)
(4) MIG-PGH2RAB = BODY + MEB-03-c + mini IR 2B & RHS

We recommend to buy (1) or (3).
Because AA batteries is not recommended as the main power supply that use on GH2 cameras.
Thanks for your business and support, wish you and your family a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Best regards,
Sincerely,
Ownuser Customer Service”

 

Soon the battery grip will be on sale on eBay too ([shoplink 27770 ebay]Click here to search for Ownuser stuff on eBay[/shoplink]).

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