(FT2) The first little Sigma lens rumor :)

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[shoplink 18951 ebay][/shoplink]Image on top: The current very nice [shoplink 18951 ebay]Sigma 30mm f/1.4[/shoplink]30mm f/1.4 lens for Four Thirds mount.

As I told you a couple of times I still have no Sigma related trusted source. But for the first time a new source sent me a couple of info about the future Sigma products! As usual don’t get too excited about rumors coming from new sources. I hope some other source can confirm or dent the rumor as soon as possible :)

According to the Sigma source: “Sigma guys are sending to our factories some micro 4/3s prototypes, (they have an actual “sigma” character logo = prototype) reworks of current 4/3rs. There are some issues with new panasonic autofocus compatibility but they do work fine on the olympus ep3. No release date (we just have seen the prototypes, i think release depends on sigma)“.

The source also sent me more info I first want to check before to post here. Thanks for any help you sources can give to me ;)

If Sigma is really going to rework some of the current Four Thirds lenses than this is definitely good new. Some of those lenss are really amazing. I made you a list of all current 4/3 lenses (Click on lens name to see current auctions on eBay):
[shoplink 18947 ebay]Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18948 ebay]Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18948 ebay]Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18949 ebay]Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18950 ebay]Sigma 24mm f/1.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18951 ebay]Sigma 30mm f/1.4[/shoplink] [shoplink 18952 ebay]Sigma 50mm f/1.4[/shoplink] [shoplink 18953 ebay]Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3[/shoplink] [shoplink 18955 ebay]Sigma 55-500mm f/4-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18956 ebay]Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18957 ebay]Sigma 105mm f/2.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18958 ebay]Sigma 135-400mm f/4-5.6[/shoplink] [shoplink 18959 ebay]Sigma 150mm f/2.8[/shoplink] [shoplink 18960 ebay]Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6[/shoplink]

Just a reminder: A couple of months ago our friends from DSLRmagazine interviewed MR. Kazuto Yamaki from Sigma. There is a part concerning the future Micro Four Thirds lens development (google translation!):

1) “The lenses will have a completely new design.
2) “We have the challenge that some of these lenses should be optimized for taking videos. That requires a special internal mechanism. Therefore it is more difficult to achieve extreme focus, brightness and high correction. For video applications may be interesting to have change of focal power, and therefore not only optics but mechanics should be different.
At this point, we think there should be two different sets of lenses, one optimized for video and one optimized for stills.

 

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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a little bit of everything…

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Micro 4/3 vs High-end Compact (Panasonic GF3 vs LX-5)

Panasonic GF1 review at Wetakepictures: “I have been very happy with the Panasonic as my main (only!) digital camera, it is very capable, and is a good companion to my medium format camera when i am setting out to take pictures, and great on it’s own as well. For me, I don’t especially like SLR cameras, and find the handling and style of the Panasonic a lot nicer to use. It does almost everything that I want a digital camera to do.

Street Photography with Olympus 17mm and Optical Viewfinder (TheDigitalStory).

Richard Franiec says E-PL3 accessory grip also suitable for PEN Mini (Dpreview).

Enthusiast camera review by C.Garrad (with the E-P3 and E-PL3).

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Olympus 45mm lens now available for preorder on Amazon.

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The new Olympus 45mm f/1.8 is now available for preorder on Amazon US too (Click here). This means one thing, that the lens will be in Stock soon! And probably a couple of days before the [shoplink 23110]Panasonic-Leica 25mm f/1.4[/shoplink] which has been announced three weeks before.

The Olympus 45mm is one of those lenses that are easy to recommend. Relatively low price, well thought specs and top notch image quality! Read the reviews at Lenstip or DSLRmagazine to get impressed by this lens!

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Waiting for signs about the GH3. Big GH2 price drop in US.

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As you know Panasonic officially stated that the next two camera to be announced will be the PRO GF and the GH3. I got some rumors about the GH3 from unknown sources but still almost nothing from trusted sources (a part the global shutter rumor). While waiting to get my first more reliable news about the GH3 our reader noticed that there is a big price drop in USA on the current GH2! The GH2 body price felt down to $809 at Panasonic store (Click here).

I ask my unknown and first time rumor sender to be patient. I always try to double check rumors to avoid bigger mistakes. If I will not get any answer from my trusted sources I might post the rumor with a low credibility ranking. Thanks!

And if you have some rumors to share feel free to contact me at 43rumors@gmail.com or use the anonymous contact form on the right sidebar. Thanks again!

 

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New Olympus reviews

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[shoplink 23567][/shoplink]

Techcrunch (Click here) tested the Olympus E-PL3: “Coming at this from an amateur’s standpoint, I find the E-PL3 slightly lacking, especially when compared to its slightly larger cousins. However, it was a dream to carry around on vacation and it’s surprisingly easy for almost anyone to use, making it a good second camera for the home. While I believe something like the E-P3 gives entry-level DSLRs a run for their money, the E-PL3 is a more subtle camera, requiring real buy-in and understanding before it becomes clear why you would spend $700 on this versus a Canon Rebel.“. E-PL3 price and availabiltiy check at [shopcountry 23567].

Photoreview Australia (Click here) tested the Olympus E-P3: “Overall performance for the review camera was similar to the E-P2 unit we tested, which isn’t surprising since the sensors of both cameras are very similar. The new camera appears to have a wider dynamic range than its predecessor, although the Digital ESP metering remained slightly biased to recording shadow detail.“.
Also CNET Asia (Click here) reviewed the E-P3: “Overall, compared with its predecessor, the Pen E-P3’s improvements definitely impressed us, especially its fast autofocus speeds as well as saturated yet pleasing color reproduction. Our only gripes with the camera would be its high ISO noise performance and the wobbling effect in videos, which we hope Olympus will be able to fix in the form of a future firmware upgrade.“. E-P3 price and availabiltiy check at [shopcountry 23568].

P.S.: Imaging Resource tested the GF3 rolling shutter effects.

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New Olympus refurbished camera list.

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[shoplink 25483 ebay][/shoplink]

After a couple of weeks without (m-)43 products [shoplink 22691 ebay]Olympusmarket[/shoplink] is back offering plenty of new refurbished cameras and lenses. All the products are like new and can be bought by EU citizen only. US readers can find refurbished stuff at Adorama (Click here to see the full list). Click on the products name to see the auction on eBay:

Micro Four Thirds cameras and lenses

[shoplink 25460 ebay]Olympus 9-18mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25461 ebay]Olympus VF-2 viewfinder[/shoplink] [shoplink 25462 ebay]Olympus 14-150mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25463 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25465 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25467 ebay]Olympus E-P1 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25468 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 25469 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 25470 ebay]Olympus VF-2 viewfinder[/shoplink] [shoplink 25472 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25476 ebay]Olympus 14-150mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25477 ebay]Olympus 17mm pancake[/shoplink] [shoplink 25479 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 with 14-150mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25480 ebay]Olympus 9-18mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25486 ebay]Olympus E-P2 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25488 ebay]Olympus E-PL2 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 25489 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 with 14-150mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25451 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 25452 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25453 ebay]Olympus E-PL2 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25455 ebay]Olympus E-PL1 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25456 ebay]Olympus FL-14 flash[/shoplink] [shoplink 25457 ebay]Black Olympus 17mm pancake[/shoplink] [shoplink 25458 ebay]Olympus 14-150mm lens[/shoplink]

Four Thirds cameras and lenses

[shoplink 25459 ebay]Olympus E-450 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25464 ebay]HLD5 vertical grip[/shoplink] [shoplink 25466 ebay]Olympus E-520 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25471 ebay]Olympus 25mm pancake[/shoplink] [shoplink 25473ebay]Olympus E-600 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 25474 ebay]Olympus E-620 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25475 ebay]Olympus FL-50R flash[/shoplink] [shoplink 25478 ebay]Olympus 9-18mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25481 ebay]Olympus 12-60mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25482 ebay]Olympus 35mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25483 ebay]Olympus 50-200mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25484 ebay]Olympus FL-36R flash[/shoplink] [shoplink 25485 ebay]Olympus E-450 with kit lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25487 ebay]Olympus 18-180mm lens[/shoplink] [shoplink 25491 ebay]Olympus E-5 body[/shoplink] [shoplink 25450 ebay]Olympus E-450 double lens kit[/shoplink] [shoplink 25454 ebay]Olympus E-620 with HLD5 and kit lens[/shoplink]

Olympus XZ-1

[shoplink 25449 ebay]Black XZ-1[/shoplink] [shoplink 25490 ebay]White XZ-1[/shoplink]
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Olympus E-5 and Panasonic LX5 firmware update.

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[shoplink 21136 ebay][/shoplink]

Today it’s firmware update party! Also Olympus announced a new [shoplink 17163]Olympus E-5[/shoplink] firmware: “Firmware version 1.2 ensures the movement of the dial on the optional HLD-4 battery grip matches the movement of the selected AF point.“. You need the Olympus Digital Camera Updater software to upgrade the E-5: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_downloads_updater.asp

It is not a Micro Four Thirds camera but many on 43rumors do own it and the news is worthy to be posted :)
Panasonic released a major firmware upgrade for the [shoplink 21136 ebay]Panasonic LX5[/shoplink] high end compact camera. You can download it here: http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/LX5/index.html

The main changes are:
Auto Focus speed-up.
[HIGH ISO NR] has been added to the [REC] menu.
Improved auto white balance performance.
[ACTIVE MODE] has been added to the [MOTION PICTURE] menu.
The AF/AE Lock operated by half-pressing the shutter button has been improved.
When [MF] is set, you can make fine adjustments to the focus using a simpler operation than before.
The position and size of the AF area you have set are now stored.
The upper limit of the shutter speed in Manual Exposure Mode has been raised. (Max 250 seconds approximately)
[MINIATURE EFFECT] has been added to My Colour Mode.
[MONITOR] / [VIEWFINDER] has been added to the [SETUP] menu.

And those are the direct LX5 search links at [shopcountry 21136].

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