Photo Rumors

Reikan FoCal 2.0 released (Autofocus calibration tool for Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras)

By PR admin | Published: October 3, 2015

FoCal Version 2.0 Final has been released for both Mac and Windows platforms:

Uncompressed 14-bit RAW firmware update fot the Sony A7R II coming in mid-October

By PR admin | Published: October 2, 2015

Sony Japan announced that their new uncompressed 14-bit RAW firmware update for the A7rII camera will be officially released in mid-October. There is no information regarding the A7sII firmware update.

Posted in Sony| Tagged firmware, Sony a7R II| 36 Comments

Rokinon 50mm f/1.2 and 21mm f/1.4 mirrorless lenses now shipping

By PR admin | Published: October 1, 2015

The Rokinon 21mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.2 mirrorless lenses are now shipping and are currently in stock at Amazon:

A silver version of the lenses is also available:

Posted in Rokinon| Leave a comment

The latest patents from Canon, Panasonic and Konica Minolta

By PR admin | Published: October 1, 2015

The latest Canon patent is for a 58mm f/1.4 lens (probably to compete with the Nikon 58mm f/1.4).

Canon also filed a patent for a EF-S 9-20mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens (designed for APS-C DSLR cameras). This could be the replacement for the current EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens. Canon also has a new patent application for a global shutter.

Posted in Canon, Konica Minolta, Panasonic| Tagged Patents| Leave a comment

This Tiny1 camera from TinyMos is designed for astrophotography

By PR admin | Published: October 1, 2015

Tinymos are working on a new small Tiny1 camera that is specifically designed for astrophotography. There is not much information available on their website right now:

“The Tiny1 is a small and powerful camera that delivers excellent image quality in low-light situations.
The Tiny1 is currently in development and will be available for crowdfunding at the end of the year.”

but there are several sample photos taken with a prototype:

Posted in Other| Tagged astrophotography, TinyMos Tiny1| 1 Comment

New Kinoshita Kistar 55mm f/1.2 lens

By PR admin | Published: October 1, 2015

Kinoshita Kogaku Kenkyujyo, a Japanese optical laboratory that designs lenses for various purposes, announced the Kinoshita Kistar 55mm f/1.2 lens – a modern interpretation of the famous Tomioka Kogaku Auto Tominon 55mm f/1.2 from the ’70s. The new lens is meant to be used on mirrorless cameras with the appropriate adapter. Here are the lens specifications:

7 elements in 6 groups
minimum focusing distance: 50cm
8-blade iris
filter thread diameter: 55mm
single-layer coating
64.5mm (max. diameter) × 56mm (length)
310g
Contax/Yashica mount
price: ¥124.200 (approx. $1,049 – but is currently listed for $1,465 on eBay)

Additional information:

Posted in Kinoshita| Tagged Kinoshita Kistar 55mm f/1.2 lens| 15 Comments

Ricoh announced a new limited edition GR II camera kit

By PR admin | Published: September 30, 2015

Ricoh Japan announced a new limited edition GR II camera kit to celebrate the 10 years anniversary of the GR product line. Only 1,200 kits will be produced. The price was not announced (update: the UK price is £999.99). Shipping will start on October 23rd. The Ricoh limited edition GR II kit includes:

Posted in Ricoh| Tagged Limited Edition, Ricoh GR II| 17 Comments

Sales of Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II camera to resume in November

By PR admin | Published: September 30, 2015

Olympus Japan published an update on the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II availability – sales will resume in November, 2015. The company pulled the camera out of the market few weeks ago because of a manufacturing issue. US owners of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II can use this form to send the camera for back for repair.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II camera was announced back in August in the following configurations:

E-M10 II body (black): $649 (B&H | Adorama)
E-M10 II + 14-42mm lens (black): $799 (B&H | Adorama)
E-M10 II body (silver): $649 (B&H | Adorama)
E-M10 II + 14-42mm lens (silver): $799 (B&H | Adorama)
The Olympus ECG-3 grip is $59 (B&H | Adorama)

Posted in Olympus| Tagged Olympus E-M10 Mark II| 4 Comments

Fuji announced a new Instax Mini 70 camera

By PR admin | Published: September 30, 2015

Today Fujifilm announced a new Instax Mini 70 camera ($139.95). Why? Because the Fuji Instax cameras are one of the best sellers on Amazon and the company reported a strong growth for that product line in their latest (2015) annual report: