CP+ 2010: Ricoh has exhibited prototypes of its A12 and P10 lens modules for the GXR system at the CP+ photographic trade show. According to the show report by Japanese website DC Watch, the company has also shown mock-ups of future modules, where lenses can be detached from the camera body to mount third-party lenses and bellows from manufacturers such as Hasselblad and Leica.
Samsung announces its 6-inch E-ink display (600x800) with 8-gray scale eReader for the US market. The most visibly distinguishing feature of the Samsung eReader is its electromagnetic resonance stylus pen, that allows you to make annotations in the margins and to record your own thoughts and interpretations while reading. With 2GB of internal memory, the Samsung eReader can easily store 1,500 books or 24,000 pages of memos. An external Micro SD card slot increases the device's storage capabilities by an additional 16GB...
The UK Policing and Crime Minister has reasserted that anti-terrorism should not be used to stop photographers and photojournalists. In a meeting with a Parliamentary photography group and journalists, David Hanson MP said the Sections 44 and 58A of the 2000 Terrorist Act should not be 'used to stop ordinary people taking photos or to curtail legitimate journalistic activity'. He also said guidance to that effect has been provided to the UK police forces, advising that these powers should not be used to stop innocent members of the public, tourists and journalists.
BenQ Europe announces the 12 Megapixel DSC C1250. The new camera comes with a 3x optical zoom lens and a bright 2.7-inch LCD display. Furthermore, the C1250, the offers Scene Detection Technology to analyze the scene in detail: Subject brightness; Contrast; Distance and Overall hue. The camera then immediately chooses one of eight possible modes, to ensure perfect settings: Landscape, Night scene, Night Portrait, Sunset, Macro, Portrait, Backlight, and Backlight Portrait. The C1250 will be available in Europe in April...
HOYA launches the long-waited PENTAX 645D medium-format digital SLR camera. The 645D has been developed to provide super-high-resolution images produced by large image sensors to serious landscape/outdoor photographers. The new camera incorporates a large, high-performance image sensor (44x33mm) offering an image resolution of approx. 40 megapixels. The body is dust-proof, weather-resistant with 70 special seals, and outstanding cold-resistant to assure solid operation at a temperature as low as –10°C...
HOYA launches the smc PENTAX-D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL[IF] SDM AW lens. When mounted on the Pextax 645D camera body, this standard lens offers a focal length of 43.5 mm (35 mm format), which produces an angle of view close to that of the human eye. As such, it can be used for many different kinds of subjects and applications, including landscapes and portraits. With seven special seals, the dustproof, weather-resistant construction effectively prevents the intrusion of dust and water to the lens interior...
Five years after announcing its development, and following a month-long online campaign trailing the launch, Pentax has finally unveiled its much anticipated 645D medium format digital camera. The first digital version of the company's 645 medium format camera system, it features a 40MP, 44 x 33 CCD sensor, 921k dot 3.0" LCD and is compatible with the existing 645 system lenses. The camera will initially be available only in the Japanese market at a suggested retail price of ¥850,000 (~ US $9,400) from May 2010.
In conjunction with its announcement of the 645D medium format camera, Pentax has announced the smc D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL[IF] SDM AW lens. First in the D FA 645 lens series, this weather-resistant prime lens features a Supersonic Direct-drive Motor (SDM) autofocus drive and Quick-Shift for instant AF/MF switching. It is also the company's first 645 system lens to incorporates a rounded diaphragm.The 55mm lens will be available alongside the 645D camera at a suggested retail price of ¥100,000 (~ US $1,100).
Canon launches the REALiS SX7 Mk II Multimedia LCOS projector. This new model offers SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) native resolution and 4000 lumens of brightness, delivers excellent, lattice-free motion and still images. The Photo Image Mode allows you to easily make changes to improve look & feel of the content being projected. The Color Level and Temperature functions allow for fine-tuning by selecting from easy-to-use presets. The SX7 carries a hefty price tag of $6999, but a bit of Internet shopping will get you much better deals...
Tamron will develop a 70-300mm F/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens. The new lens - to celebrate Tamron 60th anniversary - can be used with both full-frame sensor and AF 35mm cameras with a zoom range of 70-300mm; or with APS-C sensor cameras where the angle of view will change the zoom range equal to 109-465mm. Furthermore, it offers image stabilization-VC (Vibration Compensation) and an ultrasonic auto-focus drive -- USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). The lens has been produced for the Nikon mount, Canon and Sony mounts will follow...
Tamron has announced the development of a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 zoom lens featuring image stabilization and an ultrasonic auto-focus drive. The SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD is the company's first lens to feature its latest Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD) autofocus motor, with full-time manual focus override. The optical design includes an element made from Extra-Low Dispersion (XLD) glass, said to have optical properties similar to fluorite. Designed for both full-frame and APS-C digital SLRs, the lens will be initially available in Nikon mount followed by Canon and Sony versions.
Mamiya has announced the price and availability of its new DM40 medium format camera and a digital back of the same name. Priced at $21,990 for the camera and 80mm f/2.8 lens D series lens, and $19,990 for the digital back, they will start shipping from this month onwards. Both incorporate 40MP, 44 x 33 mm sensors and feature true 16 bit/channel RAW capture, ISO range of 80-800 and capture images at 0.8 seconds per frame. The DM40 digital back can be used with compatible medium or large format cameras via an adapter.
Digital Foci will introduce a new Pearl White version of its Photo Book, a portable digital photo album with an 8-inch 800 x 600 digital LCD color screen and a large 4 GB built-in memory at the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International Convention in Las Vegas this week. Featuring a slim design encased in a soft leather-like case photo display, Photo Book offers over 2.5 hours of battery life and an easy and portable way to enjoy and share digital photos. The Pearl White Photo Book will be available in June priced at $189...
Panasonic launches the new standard zoom lens for LUMIX G Micro System. The Ultra-compact and light weight Lumix G Vario 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH / MEGA O.I.S. lens offers a zoom range of 14-42mm (28-84mm equiv. ) suitable for a wide range of scenes from dynamic landscape to portrait. With its minimum focus distance of 30 cm even at full zoom, the new lens provides a maximum magnification of 0.32x. The new lens will be available from June 2010 with either the new DMC-G2, DMC-G10 or as a standalone lens...
Panasonic announces the new compact, lightweight Lumix DMC-G10 featuring dual Full-time Live View for the LCD and the LVF (Live View Finder). It gives you a live view of what you're shooting, with approx. 100% field of view. The wide-viewing angle 3.0" LCD features 460,000-dot resolution. The Intelligent LCD automatically controls the brightness and provides sharp, clear images in virtually all shooting situations. The DMC-G10 also features Contrast AF system that is not only accurate and easy-to-use, but also very fast...
Panasonic announces the 12.1 megapixel DMC-G2, the world's 1st interchangeable lens camera with touch-control shooting, which offers you a new kind of shooting. The G2 is equipped with the new Venus Engine HD II processor, double Live-View function, AVCHS Lite high definition movie recording, popular My Color Mode and Intelligent Auto mode. The G2 adopts touch-control shooting in an interchangeable lens system camera, once you lock on the subject by touch, the camera tracks the subject even if it moves with the AF tracking function...
Mamiya has last week introduced the new DM40 in its lineup of professional large-sensor DSLRs. Featuring a resolution of 40 Mp (7360x5562) with a peak capture rate of .8 seconds per frame and a sustained capture rate of 60 frames per minute, the DM40 is the industry's fastest large (44x33mm) sensor DSLR. The other members of the DM family, the model DM33 (6726x5040) and DM56 (9288x6000) feature a 48x36mm and 56x36mm sensor respectively. The DM40 DSLR kit including 80mm f.2.8 D lens will be available in the US for $21,990...
Focus on Imaging 2010: Eighteen months after unveiling the worlds first Micro Four Thirds camera, Panasonic has introduced its successor- the Lumix DMC-G2, with touch control shooting. Built around the same body design as the G1, it records 720p HD videos in AVCHD Lite format and features a touch sensitive 460K dot 3.0" LCD. Its advanced touch features allows shooting by just tapping the subject on the LCD. Other features include AF tracking, a dedicated movie mode and a faster Venus Engine HD II processor. We've had a pre-production example in the office and have put together a hands-on preview.
Focus on Imaging 2010: Panasonic has released what it calls 'the world's lightest interchangeable lens camera with a viewfinder' in the shape of Lumix DMC-G10. It features the same 12.1MP Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine HD II as the DMC-G2, also announced today. It also comes with a 460K dot 3" LCD but without the tilt/swivel and touch options of the G2 and gets a lower resolution viewfinder. The G10 can record 720p HD movie in Motion JPEG format. Both cameras can accept the high-capacity SDXC format cards and are offered with a new 14-42mm kit lens.
Focus on Imaging 2010: Alongside the Lumix DMC-G2 and G10 Micro Four Thirds cameras, Panasonic has also released the Lumix G Vario 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH Mega O.I.S. image stabilized lens. Offering an equivalent zoom range of 28-84mm, the lens is a new optical design but offers a similar specification to the original 14-45mm G System zoom. The new lens, known as the H-FS014042, loses the image stabilization on/off switch and metal mount of its predecessor and comes in a slightly larger body.
