43 Rumors – Page 2137 – Panasonic and Olympus Digital Camera News

SLRmagic Hyperprime 12mm f/1.6 lens officially announced (Bye bye Noktor)

November 10, 2011
news
44 Comments

The new SLR Magic Hyperprime 12mm f/1.6 has now been officially announced. As you see the “Noktor” name is gone and so the not so nice green ring you always saw on the lens (now it’s black).

PRESS RELEASE
NEW: THE SLR Magic HyperPrime 12mm F1.6
SLR Magic expands its micro four thirds lineup with new ultra wide angle lens

Hong Kong, China (November 11, 2011) – SLR Magic expands the micro four thirds lens lineup with the new SLR Magic HyperPrime 12mm F1.6 ultra wide angle lens. With this latest addition, the portfolio of lenses for the micro four thirds system is now comprised of five focal lengths. The world’s fastest lens in this focal length, the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12mm F1.6 will be available in November 2011.
The field of view of this new HyperPrime Lens corresponds to a 24mm lens in 35mm format and this ultra fast wide angle of view opens up many new creative composition opportunities, particularly in the fields of interior, architectural and landscape cinematography and photography. Additionally, an ultra fast max aperture of F1.6 makes the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12mm F1.6 ideal for available-light photography.
We place our highest priority in the development of all HyperPrime lenses to fulfill the demands of professional cinematographers and photographers. The design and build of the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12mm F1.6 is solid and reliable.
The SLR Magic HyperPrime 12mm F1.6 will be available from authorized SLR Magic dealers end November 2011.

Technical Data of the SLR Magic HyperPrime 12mm F1.6
Lens Type: Ultra Fast wide-angle lens with three Tantalum glass elements to ensure superior cinematic performance.
Compatible Cameras: All micro four thirds mount cameras
Optical Design: 12 elements in 10 groups
Distance Settings: Distance range: 0.15m to ∞, combined scale meter/feet
Aperture: Manually controlled diaphragm, 12 aperture blades (circular), Lowest value 11
Bayonet: micro four thirds
Filter Mount: internal thread for SLR Magic 58/77 RING (optional) lens hood for 77mm filter; filter mount does not rotate.
Lens Hood: SLR Magic 58/77 RING (optional)
Surface Finish: Black anodized
Dimensions:
Length to bayonet mount: approx. 73/81mm (approx. 2.87 /3.18in) (without/with lens hood)
Largest diameter: approx. 60/79mm (approx. 2.36 / 3.11in) (without/with lens hood)
Weight: approx. 330g (approx. 11.64oz)

Andrew Chan
Product Manager

List of all lens reviews
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/10/20/the-slr-magic-12mm-f1-6-hyperprime-lens-review-for-micro-43-by-steve-huff/
http://www.thephoblographer.com/2011/10/09/review-slr-magic-noktor-12mm-f1-6-for-micro-four-thirds/
http://bertstephani.com/2011/10/05/rso-first-impressions-noktor-hyperprime-12mm-1-6/
http://bertstephani.com/2011/11/07/rso-slr-magic-12mm-1-6-hyperprime/
http://www.beeldlab.nl/new-noktor-hyperprime-12mm-1-6/
http://www.eoshd.com/content/4435/slr-magic-noktor-12mm-f1-6-gh2
http://web.me.com/deepravine/Don_Ravine,_Photographer/A_Deeper_Perspective/Entries/2011/10/13_SLR_Magic_Noktor’s_new_HyperPrime_12mm_f1.6_micro_four_thirds_lensPart_One%3A_First_Impressions.html
http://theeditman.com/blogg/2011/11/03/NewLensSLRMagicHyperprime1216.aspx
http://implausibleblog.com/2011/11/04/slr-magic-12mm-f1-6/
http://3d-kraft.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105:slrmagic-hyperprime-12mm-f1-6review&catid=40:camerasandlenses&Itemid=2

Video test by Adam Troup from Scotland
http://vimeo.com/31696376

Video test by Bob Gundu from Canada:
http://vimeo.com/30872948

Video test by Seb farges from France:
Video comparison with Olympus 12mm f2: http://vimeo.com/30233622
Day Test: http://vimeo.com/30097165 Night test : http://vimeo.com/30165718

Other SLRmagic lenses for Micro Four Thirds:
SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED Straight Spotting Scope lens (w/ hand grip) is now available on [shoplink 25887 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
SLR magic 11mm f/1.4 lens you can preorder on [shoplink 22154 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Toy Lens 26mm f/1.4 lens on [shoplink 18603 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 MC lens on [shoplink 14881 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

Olympus scandal affecting camera sales?

November 10, 2011
news
81 Comments

Believe me, I really live in the middle of the nowhere on a high placed town in the alps. And even the local magazine posted the “Olympus scandal” news on the first page. That negative publicity is going around all over the world. And more negative media reports are coming out every day. Olympus delayed once again the release of the financial report and is facing the possibility of being delisted at the Tokyo Exchange (Source: Bloomberg). And ex-Olympus officials face prison if fraud can be proved (Source: Bloomberg).

Is that kind of news affecting current camera sales? I asked a couple of dealers what they are experiencing in their stores. There is indeed a perception form some potential buyers that you should avoid to buy an Olympus camera. But sales are still constant. So there is nothing to worry about it yet. But I really hope Olympus will take action to convince us and the market that they will do the “right things”. I think that kind of moments can be very positive if you learn the lesson. I still have faith. The history of many companies showed that sometimes bad moments helped to create a new success (See Apple history)

(FT3) Is the new GH2 video feature nothing else than “Progressive Segmentes Frame” recording?

November 10, 2011
Rumors
29 Comments

[shoplink 16254]

[/shoplink]As you know Panasonic announced a “new video mode which is suitable for editing video recorded at high bit rate (24Mbps)“. But what does it mean exactly? Sources from the German website Slashcam said that this is nothing else than a 1080/25p signal recorded as 1080/50i with 24Mbit/s. If you want you can easily convert that 50i video in 25p. De facto this means you can now record 1080/50p in 24Mbit/s. That “trick” is called “Progressive Segmentes Frame” recording.

P.S.: The GH2+14-140mm price recently dropped down to $1299 at Amazon (Click here). More price checks at [shopcountry 16254].

Reminder: A new GH2 firmware update is coming in December. There are many new features and fixes:

– New video mode which is suitable for editing video recorded at high bit rate (24Mbps)
– New functional option with Power Zoom Lens ([DISP FOCAL LENGTH (Display of Focal Length)], [STEP ZOOM], [ZOOM RESUME], [ZOOM SPEED] and [ZOOM RING*])
– Full area enlargement of AF area setting
– Improvement in the speed of consecutive shooting when shot with auto bracket
– Increased number of recordable images in consecutive shooting
– [EX.TELE CONV. (Extra Tele Conversion)] can be set ON/OFF separately in photo or video recording
– More accurate light adjustment of built-in flash
– Improvement in the AF performance in video recording
– Synchronization of alarm volume for low battery with [BEEP VOLUME]
– New [HALF-PRESS RELEASE] function
– Improved NR (Noise Reduction) in high sensitivity shooting
– ON/OFF control of the touch-screen

—

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

First 14-42mm X lens in Stock. Leica 25mm and Olympus 45mm also in Stock.

November 10, 2011
deals
5 Comments

For the first time the Silver 14-42mm X lens is in Stock for almost the normal price at Amazon (Click here). UPDATE: The Leica 25mm lens is finally in Stock for the normal price at Amazon (Click here) !
And also other highly requested lenses are in Stock:
The Olympus 45mm f/1.8 at Amazon (Click here).
The Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4 at Amazon (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
The Nokton 25mm f/0.95 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
A non m43 deal. The Fuji X100 had a price drop at Amazon (Click here). Now in Stock for $1156.

Panasonic GX1 gets already “unboxed” on video. Coming in Japan on 25th of November.

November 9, 2011
news
43 Comments

The guys from MLZphoto sent me the GX1 unboxing video on top. Japanese folk will not have to wait a lot before the camera gets shipped. According to DC.watch Panasonic will ship the GX1 to the domestic market on November 25. All the rest of the world will have to wait weeks if not months (read the usual USA delays).

Preorder ar now available on Amazon Uk and Japan too. That is the new preorder link list:
Black GX1 body at Amazon (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here), Amazon Japan (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Silver GX1 body at Amazon (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here) and Amazon Japan (Click here).
Black GX1 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here), Amazon Japan (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).
Silver GX1 with 14-42mm X lens at Amazon (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here), Amazon Japan (Click here).
Black GX1 with 14-42mm at Amazon (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here), Amazon Japan (Click here).
Silver GX1 with 14-42mm at Amazon (Click here), Amazon Japan (Click here) and Jessops (Click here).

POLL: Do we really need a compact GX model with built-in viewfinder?

November 9, 2011
Rumors
197 Comments

[shoplink 23692 ebay][/shoplink] The picture on top shows the back of the [shoplink 23692 ebay]Panasonic L1 Four Thirds camera[/shoplink]

Now let’s face the big question. Who of you believes a GX model with built-in viewfinder would have been a better product than the newly announced [shoplink 26836]Panasonic GX1[/shoplink]? As you know the chiefs of Pana said that a GX model with built-in viewfinder “may price it out of the range of the people we’re trying to reach. And not everybody wants a viewfinder, so at least this gives the consumer the option of having it or not. Personally I do not use them…“. (Source: Photographyblog).

Let’s make some calculations about the possible price of the GX model with built-in viewfinder:
1) The GX1 body costs $700 at Amazon. The external viewfinder has been priced at around $250. Total price: $950
2) The [shoplink 25396]NEX-7[/shoplink] costs $1200 (but price will go up because of the flood)
3) The [shoplink 19929]Fuji X100[/shoplink] (which comes with fixed lens) also costs $1200.
4) The current Panasonic L1 Four Thirds camera with built-in viewfinder sells for $1900 at Amazon and for $1000 used on [shoplink 23692 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

So let’s assume the price of the GX model with built-in viewfinder would be $1000-$1100. The question is:

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And an even more complicated question is:

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New Panasonic 14-42mm X lens in Stock in Europe and Asia.

November 9, 2011
deals
20 Comments

[shoplink 25104]

[/shoplink] In my modest opinion this is a tiny little jewel of a lens. And as you know I am not often prising Panasonic products (See the not so exciting GX1 camera). The real advantage of the m43 system over other systems is the quality-size aspect. And that zoom (yes zoom!) lens actually rises the bar on a level neither Sony nor Nikon couldn’t reach yet. And in these days the lens is getting in Stock in most European and Japanese stores. it’s worth a news here on 43rumors. The stores having it in Stock are Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon JP and [shoplink 25104]eBay[/shoplink] (Click on the shop names). Anyway, no matter where you buy it, the important thing is that Panasonic learns that these are the kind of products we want to see coming from them!