Fuji X100 first impressions from the CP+ show floor

Fuji X100 Rear View

credit: farwesttexasphotog (flickr)

A reader send me his first hands-on impressions with the Fuji X100 camera from the CP+show. He was not allowed to take any sample images:

  1. Three shutter sounds are programed in. They all sound HORRIBLE. Nothing like the satisfying “click” one would expect from a retro-classic camera.
  2. No front filter threads as far as I can see. Not sure what the deal is with that unless they have a non-standard mount. ND filter is built in.
  3. Focus ring rotation can be set to adjust clockwise or counter-clockwise. That’s neat.
  4. Eye point detection sensors are problematic. Moving my hand over the rear LCD activated the EVF and shut down the LCD. Placement of the eye sensors seems wrong.
  5. Menu system level 1 is a two-way tree “Camera” and “Set”. Cascades down from there. Seems like an ok user interface.
  6. I think I’d prefer a $1200 camera to feel a bit heavier. It feels too light a.k.a. cheap to me. I jokingly suggested they stick some lead weights in it… an underling scribbled some notes (!).
  7. No seals on the battery/SD card compartment or interface door. I’d expect a rubber ring as a minimum at this price point.
  8. The focus mode slide switch on the left side seems to be a weak point to me. If it’s not sealed I suspect also a point for water ingress. It’s the weakest control device on the unit IMHO.
  9. The top dials and on/off/shutter release all feel fine.
  10. The viewfinder is pretty good. It’s easy to switch from EVF to OVF.
Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 31 Comments

Voigtlander SL II Heliar Classic 1,8/75 and Nokton 1,2/35mm ASPH II lenses announced

Voigtlander announced two new lenses today. The Voigtlander Nokton 1,2/35mm (Leica M-mount) was already reported here last week (the actual aperture is f/1.2 instead of the rumored f/1.1).

The second lens (pictured above) is a new Voigtländer SL II Heliar Classic 1,8/75mm version for Canon and Nikon:

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Posted in Voigtlander| 19 Comments

CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show Day 2 (Sony, Ricoh, Fuji)

CP+ day two updates are coming from a PhotoRumors reader who was at the show in Yokohama, Japan:

“Show small compared to Photokina and PMA.  I think even PDN+ is bigger.  Nikon booth was a big yawn, as was Canon.  Lots of interest at the Fuji X100 stand (a 30+ minute line for hands-on look-see-touch-feel).  Sony stand was busy.  Sigma and Pentax too.”

The pictures include the upcoming Ricoh GXR with Leica-M module, various Sony NEX lenses and prototypes and the Fuji X100 camera:

Thanks B!

Posted in Fuji, Ricoh, Sony| Tagged | 2 Comments

No word on the 46MP Sigma SD1 camera

Update: Sigma has posted some SD1 sample images on their website.

I was expecting to hear some updates on the Sigma SD1 during the CP+ show in Japan. The camera was initially scheduled to be released around February of 2011. I hope this will not turn into another almost 2 years delay like the SD15.

The Sigma SD will have a 46 MP(4,800×3,200×3 layers) 24×16mm APS-C X3 sensor and dual TRUE (Three-layer Responsive Ultimate Engine) II image processing engine. There were some rumors that Sigma is working on a full-frame version of that sensor. The SD1 will not have video, but they may consider it in future models.

Posted in Sigma| Tagged | 27 Comments

Pentax 645 lens roadmap

At the CP+ show Pentax showed a roadmap for their 645 format lenses. There is a medium telephoto zoom for 2012, a standard zoom for 2013 and another medium telephoto zoom for 2014.

Via DCWatch

Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 13 Comments

CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show Day 1 (videos)

The first day of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show is now over. Here is some video coverage for some of the new products introduced at the show:

JVC GC-PX1:

Kenko C-Mount camera:

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Posted in JVC, Kenko Tokina, Pentax, Ricoh, Sigma, Sony| 9 Comments

Sigma to also produce Micro Four Thirds lenses

In addition to the E-mount 30mm f/2.8 lens prototype, Sigma announced that it will start the development of new Micro Four Thirds lenses.

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Posted in Sigma| 5 Comments

Sigma shows 30mm f/2.8 E-mount lens prototype

Sigma E-mount 30mm f/2.8 lens prototype

Sigma E-mount 30mm f/2.8 lens prototype

After Sigma endorsed Sony’s decision to let other manufacturers produce E-mount lenses, they showed their first prototype of a E-mount 30mm f/2.8 lens for Sony NEX system at the CP+ show in Japan.

Via DCWatch

Posted in Sigma, Sony| 13 Comments

Sony A77 and other prototypes shown in Japan

Sony A77 camera prototype

At the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Japan Sony will also display a prototype of the upcoming Alpha 77 camera (replacement of the current A700) which will have translucent mirror technology, new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensors, full HD video (AVCHD) with continuous AF. The camera is expected to be released later in the year (before Cliq).

Other Sony prototypes: new flash, battery grip and 500mm f/4 lens which will have new control buttons, incl. 15x image magnification:

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Posted in Sony| Tagged | 4 Comments

Sony NEX (E-mount) roadmap


The above NEX roadmap shows that Sony will be releasing new 24mm (Zeiss), 30mm, 50mm and 55-200mm lenses for their E-mount system in 2011. For 2012 there should be a new high performance standard zoom G lens, a wide angle zoom and another mid-telephoto lens.

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Posted in Sony| Tagged | 6 Comments

Olympus shows a concept mock-up of a M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lens

During the CP+ show Olympus will display a concept M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lens to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Zuiko lens brand. This looks like the first step from Olympus towards a high end digital PEN model which is rumored to be announced by the end of the year. Read the whole Zuiko brand story after the break:

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Posted in Olympus| 5 Comments

Fuji X100 update

Today Fuji officially announced the X100 camera to the US market (?). This means only one thing: pre-orders are now accepted. Price and delivery dates are unchanged. Here are the latest FujiFilm X100 updates:

    • Fuji X100 OVF display explained:

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    Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 17 Comments