Sony Cyber-shot RX100M2 and RX1R compact cameras officially announced

Sony-RX1R-camera
Sony-DSC-RX100M2-camera

Sony officially announced the Cyber-shot RX1R ($2,798.00) and RX100M2 ($748.00) compact cameras – check the key features of the new models at the bottom of this post. Several new accessories were also introduced:

Sony VFA-49R1 49mm filter adapter for RX100, RX100M2 and RX1R ($29.95):

  • Easy on/off with one-touch release
  • Receiver securely attaches to lens barrel
  • Using the VFA-49R1 adapter, now it is easy to expand the DSC-RX100/100M2’s shooting creativity by easily adding high-quality

Sony AG-R1 attachment grip for RX100/RX100M2 ($14.95):

  • Provides reliable and secure grip for active shooting
  • Durable rubber-like material
  • Easily attaches with double-sided tape

Sony-HVL-F43M-flash

Sony HVL-F43M TTL flash for Sony cameras: (Adorama):

  • High-power illumination (guide number: 43)
  • Longer effective range of over 30 ft. (10.5m)
  • The innovative “Quick Shift Bounce” system allows the HVL-F43M to orbit 90 degrees left and right, allowing you to maintain horizontal light distribution even when shooting vertically. In addition to pivoting side-to-side, the flash unit can also tilt down 8 degrees or back 150 degrees, ensuring customers the lighting freedom they need to capture that perfect shot.
  • Versatile bounce angles: 90° up, 90° left. This allows the flash head to be rotated while maintaining the set bounce angle, so you can quickly switch between horizontal and vertical format without changing the light angle.
  • The built-in bounce sheet can be used even when shooting in a vertical position without changing the angle of reflected light.
  • Auto white balance (signals color temp. to camera)
  • Auto zoom optimized for camera sensor size
  • Dust and Moisture resistant design: sealing materials are set at joints of outer materials (body, LCD panel, Mounting Foot etc.) and around movement/operating parts thereby increasing the life of your flash unit.
  • Modeling light capability allows the HVL-F43M to pulse, helping photographers determine where shadows will fall before taking the picture, so they can alter lighting or subject positioning as necessary.
  • Retractable wide-angle panel (15mm angle)
  • Wireless Ratio Control allows customers to wirelessly control up to three groups of flashes, as well as specify the luminosity ratio for each group, so they can enjoy multiple-flash lighting techniques without the need for special equipment or tedious exposure settings.
  • Simple controls, test button, power saving mode
  • TTL metering capability, high-speed sync
  • Fast recharging — up to 38% quicker than HVL-F36

There is also a new “premium leather-like” case for RX-100 & RX-100M2 ($84.95)

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Posted in Sony| Tagged , | 51 Comments

Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH lens announced

Panasonic-Lumix-G-20mm--F1.7-II-ASPH-lens
Panasonic-Lumix-G-20mm--F1.7-II-ASPH-lens-side

Panasonic announced a new version of their 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH lens ($429.95). The new lens is also available in silver:

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Posted in Panasonic| 6 Comments

Long awaited Canon EOS M firmware update officially released

Canon_eos_m_mirrorless-camera_front

Canon officially announced a new firmware update 2.0.2 for their mirrorless EOS M camera which significantly improves the sluggish AF. Here is a list of the fixes and improvements:

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Posted in Canon| Tagged , | 9 Comments

Many US camera and lens rebate programs will expire this weekend

Nikon-rebates
The Nikon rebates will be renewed next month, but many of the high-end lenses will not be included (end June 29th).

Fuji-rebates
The current Fujifilm rebates will not be extended (end June 29th).

Canon-rebates
Those Canon savings will expire on July 6th.

Sony-rebates
Sony’s offers are valid till June 29th.

tamron-rebates
Tamron lens savings are set to expire on June 30th.

Sigma-rebates
Sigma rebates are valid till June 30th.

Tokina-rebates
Tokina rebates are valid till August 31st.

Posted in Canon, Deals, Fuji, Nikon, Sigma, Sony, Tamron, Tokina| 4 Comments

New Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 II MFT lens to be announced tomorrow

Panasonic-20mm-f1.7-II-MFT-lens

Tomorrow Panasonic will announce a new 20mm f/1.7 II MFT lens that will replace the current version. The new lens will have seven elements in five groups, the filter size will be 46mm. Two different colors will be available: silver and black. The lens dimensions are:

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Posted in Panasonic| 4 Comments

First pictures of the Sony RX100M2 and RX1R cameras

Sony_RX1R_camera

Sony_RX100m2_camera

Tomorrow Sony will announce two new compact cameras –  RX100M2 and RX1R. Here are the latest images and specifications:

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Posted in Sony| Tagged , | 3 Comments

“Big” Canon announcement in the next few weeks?

Canon EOS 3D DSLR camera

This Canon EOS 3D camera was found on eBay, I think it’s fake 🙂

The latest rumors: “Canon have been inviting some people from dealers for a ‘big’ product launch within the 6-8 week timeframe“.

Maybe the new product will be this Canon EOS 3D DSLR camera that showed up on a Chinese website few weeks ago?

Posted in Canon| Tagged | 13 Comments

Fujifilm X-M1 camera, Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R and XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS lenses officially announced

Fuji-X-M1-compact-camera-announced

Fujifilm officially announced their latest X-M1 mirrorless camera, Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R and XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS lenses and a new firmware that introduces focus peaking for the X-Pro1 and X-E1 cameras! Other companies should take example from Fuji on adding features to old models instead of trying to sell you functionality with a new camera.

Fujifilm-X-M1-camera-lenses

Some sample images form the X-M1 can be found here. Few photos taken with the Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R lens are available here.

Fuji X-M1 basic specifications:

  • 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS Sensor
  • Fujifilm Proprietary X-Mount
  • 3.0″ 920k-dot LCD Tilt Monitor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi Connectivity
  • Full HD 1080p Video with Stereo Sound
  • Focal Plane Shutter
  • 100-25600 ISO Sensitivities
  • Magnesium Alloy Body
  • External Microphone Outlet
  • Film Simulation Modes

Fuji XF 27mm f28 lens

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R lens basic specifications:

  • Fujifilm X-mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8-16
  • 27mm Focal Length (35mm Equiv: 41mm)
  • Angle of View: 55.5°
  • 39mm Filter Diameter

Fujinon XC 16-50mm f:3.5-5.6 OIS len

Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS lens basic specifications:

  • Fujifilm X-Mount Lens
  • Aperture Range: f/3.5-22
  • Equivalent to 24-76mm in 35mm Format
  • Angle of View: 83.2-31.7°
  • 1 ED and 3 Aspherical Elements
  • Super EBC Coating
  • Maximum Magnification of 0.15x
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 58mm Filter Diameter

Fuji X-M1-compact mirrorless camera
Fuji-X-M1-brown-silver

The first pre-order options are already available online:

Fuji X-M1 body only

Fuji X-M1 kits

Fujinon lenses

  • Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS lens: B&H

Hands-on videos and press releases:

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Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 33 Comments

Deal of the day: the entire Topaz Labs plugin bundle is now $199.99 (regular price: $299.99)

Topaz-Labs-plugin-bundle-saving
Topaz-Labs-plugin-bundle-saving-coupon

The entire Topas Labs plugin bundle is now $100 off if you use coupon code july4 during checkout. The suite includes Adjust, DeNoise, B&W Effects, ReMask, Lens Effects, Detail, Simplify, Clean, InFocus and DeJPEG products. This offer is valid till July 7th.

You can learn more about the individual Topaz Labs products here.

Posted in Deals, Topaz Labs| Tagged , | 3 Comments

Fuji X-M1: focus peaking function, but no digital split image focusing

Fujifilm X-M1 cameraFujifilm X-M1 camera back

I received some additional information on the upcoming Fuji X-M1 camera: it will have focus peaking function but it will not have digital split image focusing.

Additionally, digicame-info published the full specifications of the soon to be announced Fujifilm products:

Fuji X-M1 specifications

  • The sensor 16.3 million pixels X-Trans APS-C CMOS active
  • ISO range: 200-6400 (100, 12800, 25600 also available)
  • Shutter speed: 1/4000 to 30 seconds (160 seconds in the S / M mode, sync 1/180 sec)
  • 920,000 dot 3.0-inch tiltable LCD monitor
  • Shooting speed: 5.6 fps
  • Video: 1920×1080 30p, 1280×720 30p
  • Sound: linear PCM stereo
  • Advanced Auto function
  • Can be operated with one hand
  • Wi-Fi, smart phone transmission function
  • Built-in flash, super i flash function
  • Media SD / SDHC / SDXC
  • Dimensions 116.9 x 66.5 x 39.0mm
  • Weight: 330g (including battery, media), 280g (only body)
  • Expected release date: July 27 (some colors will be available in September)
  • Estimated retail price of ¥ 75,000 (around $750)

Fuji XF 27mm f28 lens

Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 lens specifications:

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Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 5 Comments