The need for speed…and the need for cheap :) SLRmagic 35mm f/1.7

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If you need a fast lens but you don’t want to spend a lot of money this lens is probably the right lens for you! The [shoplink 14881]SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 MC lens[/shoplink] only costs you $79.99!

And the image quality is not bad at all…check out following post on dpreview (click here). Does one of our readers own the lens? Are you satisfied?

You can find the [shoplink 14881]SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 MC lens on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

UPDATE:
Ruy sent us those links where he explains how to get a similar lens for $15 only!!!
http://www.dchome.net/viewthread.php?tid=790031&highlight= (japanese)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1041&message=34012546

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The reason why Leica didn’t join MicroFourThirds (+ Leica lens test on the E-P2)

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Popsci tested the [shoplink 14883]Leica Elmar-M 24mm f/3.8 lens ($2,400)[/shoplink] on the [shoplink 14830]Olympus E-P2[/shoplink] ($850 body-only) using the Novoflex’s Leica M-Mount Micro Four Thirds adapter ring ($270). They also shot with the Olympus 17mm f/2.8 lens ($275) for comparison.

Christian Erhardt, Leica’s VP of Marketing tells why that combination doesn’t work very well:

Our lenses our designed to work best with full format, the light can hit different pixels of the sensor at a very extreme angle–once you have that, the image may be slightly out of focus, or not as bright around the edges.”.

But he also explained why Leica choosed to not join the MicroFourThirds alliance: “One reason why we’ve decided not to move into Micro Four Thirds is that we have looked at the sensor size and realized that it cannot produce the image quality that we need. Therefore we decided to stick with the full format in addition to APS-C. It’s all about the ratios“.

Do you really think the Leica X1with fixed lens(!) that sells for $1,995.00 is a better solution?
By the way, Popsci came to the conclusion that the price difference doesn’t justify the use of the Elmarit instead of the Olympus 17mm lens :)

Source: Popsci
Found via: Noisycamera

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(FT5) Samyang 35mm f/1.4 for FourThirds to be announced at Photokina

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Samyang just revealed that “We would like to show a sample on Photokina. It starts 21 September of this year.
35mm will be 1.4 we don’t plan to make it 1.2. It should be available at the end of this year.”

We form 43rumors already told you months ago that this lens will also be available with native FourThirds mount!

Source: Fredmiranda

Samyang lenses for FourThirds are also sold with different brand names like “Falcon” and “Vivitar”. Check it out:
– [shoplink 14885]Falcon (Vivitar) 85mm f/1.4[/shoplink] – [shoplink 14887]Samyang 85mm f/1.4 IF MC[/shoplink] – Opteka 8mm f/3.5
– http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574825908&toolid=10001&campid=5336351024&customid=&icep_uq=Samyang+8mm+Olympus&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg”>Samyang 8mm f/3.5
Falcon 8mm f/3.5
Rokinon 8mm f/3.5
Bower 8mm f/3.5

Maybe you will surprised to read how well those lenses do perform! Check out the latest Samyang reviews on photozone…not bad at all!

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a little bit of everything (Panasonic firmware Hack updated)

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Added “PAL<->NTSC Menu” patch for [shoplink 14828]Panasonic GF1[/shoplink] and [shoplink 14826]Panasonic GH1[/shoplink].
In short – it allows you to change video standard on the fly.
“Video Out” menu is used. It’ll simultaneously set you TV output standard
and also camera shooting standard.
As a side effect, this patch enables Video Out menu for regions where it was
disabled.
Firmware download and how-to on DVXuser.com
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Amin Sabet tested the new [shoplink 14818]Olympus 9-18mm[/shoplink] lens (Serious compacts)
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Panasonic Lumix G2, uma G1 com vídeo (fotodigital online…portuguese!)
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[shoplink 14832]Olympus E-PL1[/shoplink] review on Reghardware
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Olympus E-PL1 “Bounce Flash”? (Thedigitalstory.com)

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Panasonic GF1 price drops on Amazon and Adorama (also in Europe)

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More we get closer to Photokina more we can find new price drops (especially in US).
The Panasonic GF1 with 20mm f/1.7 Lens price dropped at $739.43 (click here). But here is an even better price on Adorama…$724! (click here). Yes, I expect new GF camera/cameras at Photokina, but I am not sure if it/they will replace the current model…

Also in Germany the price is getting cheaper and cheaper:

The best deal is on Pixmania Deutschland (707,00€ with the following code “PIX12DE07”)

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Rumors from others: No mirrorless camera from Canon? Sony to stop fullframe production?

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Canon: According to their official press release they could also choose to make DSRL even more compact instead of going mirrorless! Read more on mirrorlessrumors.com

Sony: According to our sources Sony will heavily invest reasearch and development in the NEX system. In 2 years there could be no more Sony DSLR around! Read more on mirrorlessrumors.com

Samsung: New NX100 and three new lenses at Photokina. Again mirrorlessrumors.com

Discuss all rumors and news inside our new forum: mirrorlessforum.com (still in beta version)

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Panasonic first intechangable 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds

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We “predicted” it on 43rumors and now it is here! The new 3D lens for MicroFourThirds cameras. The lens will be on sale by late 2010 and also the image of the lens is just a prototyp. But also other 3D stuff has been announced:

Press release:
ThePhoblographer
DDay (italian)
Gizmodo
dpreview
engadget

Panasonic is pleased to announce the development of the world’s first* twin digital interchangeable lens. The revolutionary new accessory will make high quality 3D shooting possible with an interchangeable lens system camera for the very first time. As 3D content becomes increasingly popular across a variety of platforms, Panasonic plans to release this new lens for sale before the end of the year to deliver the joy and excitement of 3D shooting to interchangeable lens system camera users.

Having already taken the lead in 3D technology, Panasonic has had great success with the launch of their 3D-capable VIERA televisions and 3D Blu-rayTM Disc Players. The 3D market is predicted to steadily grow over the coming years, as explained by industry analysts, Screen Digest: “As consumers slowly replace the main TV set in their house, and as the price of 3D TVs continue to fall, Screen Digest expects that 3D TVs will be in around a quarter of households in major developed markets by the end of 2014***. “

The introduction of the 3D lens aims to respond to demands of consumers who want to enjoy 3D shooting for themselves whilst also expanding Panasonic’s range of 3D products. The lens will allow users to capture images in 3D which can then be viewed back using 3D-capable VIERA televisions in the comfort of their own home.

“As consumers slowly replace the main TV set in their house, and as the price of 3D TVs continue to fall, Screen Digest expects that 3D TVs will be in around a quarter of households in major developed markets by the end of 2014. “

Until now, 3D shooting with an interchangeable lens system camera has only been possible by using panorama systems or a combination of two lenses and two CCDs, but these systems have drawbacks including the need for a dedicated 3D camera and the difficulties of capturing moving objects. Panasonic’s new 3D lens for the LUMIX G Micro System features two optical systems installed within the diameter of the lens mount, creating stereo images from the left and right lenses, to be processed with a 3D image processing system. Thanks to Panasonic’s advancements in optical technology, image processing system, and lens barrel design, the 3D lens still manages to retain an extremely compact size.

This new compact 3D-capable interchangeable lens allows easier handling and instant 3D shooting, producing 3D images without distortion or time lag between left and right images, even for moving objects.

Through expanding its range of 3D products, Panasonic will continue to lead the industry by bringing a true-to-life 3D experience to its customers.

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