Fujiguys tweeted (found via Noisycamera) that they will not join the m43 for now. Just read the screenshot on top :(
This doesn’t mean that Fuji will never join m43 as the new X system is clearly targeted for the “premium” high-end market with a larger sized sensor (fullframe?). But I will bury my hopes for now. Now it’s up to Panasonic and Olympus to invent something as exciting as the Fuji announcement! Will Olympus-Panasonic ever create a new larger sensor system? I would welcome that and you?
Panasonic just released the new firmware for the GF2/GF3/G3 cameras. You can download it here: http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index.html. The new version 1.1 added the function for using the new power zoom X lenses, the [shoplink 25104]Panasonic 14-42mm X lens[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 25103]Panasonic 45-175mm X lens[/shoplink].
Our reader Roderick Kar made the video comparison you see on top and posted some image samples on Flickr (Click here). And you can see the “transparent” version of the X lenses at DC.watch (Once on the site scroll down to see the pics).
According to Panasonic both lenses should be available in October but I wouldn’t bet on that. The [shoplink 23110]Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4[/shoplink] was supposed to be available in US and European stores in August but only very few lenses have been shipped to “western” countries in late September. And are now still out of Stock at [shopcountry 23110]. Until now Panasonic cameras and lenses always have been in Stock 2-3 months after the announced availability month.
Panasonic 14-42mm X lens at [shopcountry 25104].
Panasonic 45-175mm X lens [shopcountry 25103].
As you all know, Steve Jobs passed away. I have to say I am not a huge Apple fan, there are things I like about Apple and things I do not like. But I don’t want to talk about that right now. What I will miss from Steve Jobs is the ability and the courage to create something “new”. He didn’t fear to create something unexpected, unexplored and most of the times something very simple and easy.
And this is what I sometimes miss in the camera industry. Micro Four Thirds was one of those (few) great inventions that moved me to create that website. But I still see to much fear in the eyes of Panasonic and Olympus (but also other camera makers). It looks like they are all taking boring “calculative” decisions. That’s the wrong way to become successful. Apple was almost dead as company back in the nineties, with no vision and almost no hope. A couple of right decisions, with very clean and revolutionary ideas brought them back to live and success. So please camera makers, there is so much you can do right now! Do not fear, just do dream a bit more!
P.S.: Here are just a couple of things I think you should work on:
– Social integrated cameras (for low-end consumer)
– Easy and simple menus with less complicated options and expandable via a sort of APP store
– Software (APP store) and hardware (modular) expandeable cameras
– Large sensor mirrorless system (See Fuji X)
Our friend Seb farges made the new video yous ee on top: “I’ve found on Ebay for 41€ a [shoplink 25880 ebay]Berthiot anamorphic 2X lens[/shoplink]. I have attached it to a C-mount Fujian 35mm 1.7 with a ring and scotch tape ([shoplink 25881 ebay]The lens is in Stock here on eBay[/shoplink]). The result is, at my opinion, very sharp, event @ the 1.7 Fujian aperture I’ve always have on this movie. When I put it on the Fujian, the picture goes wider, maybe going from 35mm to 16mm. I do not use ETC at all, and there’s a very light light vignetting. I’ve streched it with Premiere in post production with the “transformation effect” with 50 scale height, it seems to be the good ratio (2x lens = 2.66:1 format). This ratio is like this because it’s a 2X on a 16/9 720P. I’ll try on the 4/3 VGA Anamorphic hacked GH1 next time, the ratio will be look more like a regular 2.66.”
New Waterproof housing for the E-Pm1 and E-PL3 at DC.watch.
Subal housings for Panasonic GF2 and GF3 at Wetpixel.
Shana Tova by Megapixel.co.il (happy new year in Hebrew). P.S.: Shana Tova to all our jewish readers!
Now guys, abandon your hopes. Fuji really shaked (or shocked!) the world now and will do their own mirrorless system. They will not join m43 for now! And what’s so special with Fuji’s system? They will make a mirrorless system with ueber-large sensor that will deliver an image quality higher of that delivered by any full frame(!!!) system!!! You can see the official presentation at DC.watch if you don’t believe it! The resolution and Signal-to-Noise ratio will top all current full frame sensors. There are no detailed info about the sensor size and specs but they promised that they will show a mockup at the CES event in January. Now let me say chapeau to Fuji! They really now how to shake the digital camera world. First with the [shoplink 19929]Fuji X100[/shoplink] and now with a complete high-end mirrorless system. I wish Olympus and Panasonic would have such a courage!
It is official! Fuji just announced that they will launch a new interchangeable mirrorless system in Spring 2012. There are no info yet about specs and price. So we still don’t know if they will join the Micro Four Thirds system or not! Fuji said they will reveal the specs before the launch only and that the clear goal is “to archieve the highest image quality possible“!
Damn, I really hope they join m43! We would archieve three important goals with Fuji, new different styled cameras (high quality a là [shoplink 19929 ebay]Fuji X100[/shoplink]), new lenses and a new sensor partner for Olympus!
P.S.: There is still no official press release on Fuji’s website but it should come any time soon. The image I posted on top is from the current fxied lens [shoplink 19929 ebay]Fuji X100[/shoplink].
There is a double hands-on review of the new 12mm f/1-6 Noktor lens:
You can read the first hands-on at ThePhoBlographer (Click here): “How does the lens feel? It’s very well built: all metal body and quite heavy for a micro four thirds lens. But it’s not overpoweringly heavy.”
And the second hands-on has been written by Steve Huff (Click here): “I can see that at f/1.6 it is a little teeny bit soft at the edges but still looks VERY nice. By f/2 it sharpens up and is just about flawless. Also this lens has VERY LITTLE distortion. Oh, did I mention it also doubles as a macro lens?”.
If you are interested in getting this lens there is still NO preorder option yet. The only Noktor lens that ships right now is the Noktor 50mm f/0.95 on [shoplink 25886 ebay]eBay[/shoplink] or on their website.
Spotting Scope lens in Stock:
The other news is that the SLR Magic 12-36×50 ED Straight Spotting Scope lens (w/ hand grip) is now available on [shoplink 25887 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Other SLRmagic lenses for Micro Four Thirds:
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]
