(FT4) Olympus E-5 and new PEN at Photokina

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As you have noticed things have been quiet for a while now. During that time we tried to understand why Olympus didn’t announce any FourThirds camera. Months ago we told you that we were almost certain that new FourThirds cameras would be introduced. What we learned is that in fact our rumors were NOT wrong. The Olympus E-5 was ready for the launch since the end of 2009. Also a new mid-range FourThirds camera was ready for the launch in April. In both cases Olympus made a very last minute decision to not unveil the cameras. According to our sources Olympus discussed a lot about the future development of FourThirds and that probably caused the last minute delay.
So what did Olympus choose?
The Olympus E-5 is now undergoing a new upgrade. I was told that the Olympus E-5 will be released at Photokina in September along with the next MicroFourThirds camera. The Olympus E-5 will have completely new features (some of them never seen in any DSLR camera before!!!). You should again take a look at that patent: double simultaneus focus system. I “suspect” this will be one of the new features inside the E-5.
It is also very likely that the camera will be able to record high-quality video.

So will there be no new camera between now and Photokina?
According to one new source Olympus could unveil the mid-range camera in June. It should be the A6xx. But that’s still to be confirmed.

What I am almost certain about is that Olympus will announce a new Olympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PENOlympus PEN at Photokina. And I also believe there will be one more MicroFourThirds camera (The famous High-End camera) by the end of the year.

Let’s make a summary:
FT4= Olympus E-5 with double focus system and video at Photokina
FT4= One more PEN at Photokina
FT2= A new mid-range FourThirds camera in June
FT2= A new High-End MFT camera after Photokina (Oktober-November)

Reminder: (FT=FourThirds)
FT4= Rumor from good known sources which have been often right in the past
FT2= Rumor from new sources

And what about new lenses? I was told that Olympus is working to deliver the lenses we need. I expect many new MicroFourThirds zooms and primes to be announced at Photokina. I have no news about FourThirds lenses :(

Possible future new MicroFourThirds lens list:

Panasonic
– 100-300/4.0-5.6 OIS
– Fisheye 8/3.5
– 14/2.5 pancake

and here comes the future Olympus lenses list:
– 40-150
– 70-300
– 12/2.5
– 20/1.7
– 8mm
– 50mm f/2.0

If you want to share rumors feel free to contact me at 43rumors@gmail.com. I will keep you anonymous of course! If you want me to answer you creat a fake gmail account.

P.S: Big deal on amazon: The Olympus E-P2 with 14-42mm Lens and Electronic View Finder sells for $899 (That’s a -$100 price drop since yesterday!).

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UPDATED: New Panasonic GH1/GF1/G1 firmware update

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Firmware ver.1.3 for Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1

1. Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached).
2. Availability of AF performance in FHD (full HD) movie recording mode with Four Thirds lenses that are compatible with contrast AF.
3. Improved AF performance in movie recording with LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045)LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045).
4. Improved modulation accuracy of flash.
5. Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer.
Click here to download the firmware: Panasonic Japan

Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1Panasonic GF1 firmware update (Ver 1.2):
1. Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached).
2. Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer.
Click here to download the firmware: Panasonic Japan

Panasonic G1 firmware update:
[ Warning ] For our customers safety, after this firmware update to Ver.1.3 or later, your Panasonic Digital Camera (DMC-G1) cannot be operated by unauthorised 3rd party batteries.
(Currently there is no authorised 3rd party battery available in the market.)
1. Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached).
2. Improved modulation accuracy of flash
3. Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer.
Click here to download the firmware: Panasonic Japan

Thanks CK!

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New Noktor video. Noktor f/0.95 lens shipping.

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Large format photography from 43rumors on Vimeo.

The cool thing about the Noktor is that f/0.95 aperture. So why not test the lens inside the darkroom? With no other lens I would be able to shoot in such a place. Take a look on the video to see the results. And keep in mind there was almost no light in the darkroom!
I found the f/0.95 aperture good enough for video shooting. Almost every part of the video has been taken at that aperture. Shooting handheld with a 100mm (50mm x2) lens is not easy. In fact you really need a tripod to take some “calm” pictures. But I didn’t have anyone with me on that day.

You asked me to post RAW images and original videos. Right now I am putting all the images together and I will upload them soon (it will take few hours).

By the way, the lens is in Stock now: http://noktor.com/products.php.

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Rumors from others: Sony NEX to be announced on Tuesday. New Samsung NX camera very soon. And Leica EVIL fullframe?

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I will give you a quick update about the competition. Sony is going to announce the new NEX camera on Tuesday. The specs have been published on SonyAlphaRumors.

Samsung will also announce a new NX camera very soon (k-rumors.com). The new NX5 will be a cheaper Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10Samsung NX10 version which is aimed to compete in the same league of the Panasonic G2 and G10.

And finally a crazy rumors: Leica will announce a fullframe EVIL system for Photokina (Leicarumors.com)

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Panasonic wants to become one of the top 3 camera makers and to build a super-thin, super-light and super-high picture quality camera

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Panasonic just published the “Reports Fiscal 2010 Annual Results” and the “New Midterm Management Plan
In the digital still camera business, Panasonic aims to be one of the industry’s top three makers by achieving sales of 20 million units per year. In the digital interchangeable lens system camera business, the company strives to achieve the world’s smallest and lightest camera. Establishing a dedicated marketing structure for its single lens cameras in each major region of the world, Panasonic will target a market share of 10 percent or more in the segment. In the compact camera category, Panasonic aims to capture new demand mainly in emerging countries by strengthening its lineup through collaboration with SANYO. Further, Panasonic will advance its black-box technologies in lenses and optical image stabilizer to build a super-thin, super-light and super-high picture quality camera

A super-thin camera? Sounds good! Can’t wait to see that on Photokina :)

via: noisycamera

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Olympus E-P2 now in silver

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Press release:
Hamburg, 6 May 2010 – Next week the Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2Olympus E-P2, until now only cloaked in classic black, will also be available in silver. The camera unites the power and performance of an SLR with the ease and spontaneity of a compact.

To enrich photographic potential, the E-P2 includes an accessory port to clip on the electronic viewfinder or other accessories. It also enlivens creative impulses through two additional Art Filters and supplements ease of use with further innovative options.

Cloaked now in silver, the hybrid photo and HD movie Olympus PEN boldly brings fun and simplicity back in SLR quality. It’s a legend in the making – and available from mid of May 2010 for €799 including the M. Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6.

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