Photo Rumors

The latest patents from Ricoh, Canon and Sony

By PR admin | Published: February 5, 2014

Ricoh filed a patent for a removable wireless flash.

Canon filed a patent in Japan for a ring strobe with a prism design.

New Canon 70-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS lens patent.

Posted in Canon, Ricoh, Sony| Tagged Patents| 2 Comments

New Ricoh WG-20 and WG-4 compact cameras leaked, Pentax name is gone

By PR admin | Published: February 4, 2014

In addition to the new HD Pentax DA 1.4x AW AF teleconverter, for the CP+ show Ricoh will also announce three new waterproof/shockproof/crushproof/dustproof and freezeproof compact cameras. The WG product line was under the Pentax name before and it seems that from now on it will be part of the Ricoh brand. Here are the details:

Posted in Pentax, Ricoh| 32 Comments

Hasselblad did it again: “elite” Hasselblad HV camera announced, priced at $11,500

By PR admin | Published: February 3, 2014

The rumors I reported last month were true – Hasselblad just announced their new “elite” HV camera priced at €8,500 / $11,500. The new camera has a 24.3MP full-frame sensor and comes with a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 2,8/24-70 ZA lens ($1,998). Based on the specifications, the HV is most likely based on the Sony a99 camera ($2,798). Additional information can be found at this dedicated website.

Posted in Hasselblad| Tagged Hasselblad HV| 145 Comments

Deal of the day: new Fuji rebates (up to $200 off)

By PR admin | Published: February 2, 2014

Today Fujifilm introduced a new rebate program for several of their cameras and lens kits:

Fujifilm X-E1 for $599 (reg $799) with free shipping and 4% Adorama reward (available also in silver)
Fujifilm X-PRO1 for $999 (reg: $1,199.95) with free shipping and 4% Adorama reward
Fujifilm X-M1 for $499 (reg: $699.95) with free 32GB card & extra battery, free shipping (available also in silver and brown)
Fujifilm X-A1 for $499 (reg: $599.95) with free 32GB card & extra battery, free shipping (available also in blue)
Fujifilm X20 for $499 (reg: $599.95) with free 32GB card & extra battery, free shipping and 4% Adorama reward (available also in silver)
Fujifilm XQ1 for $499.95 (reg: $499.95) with free 32GB card and free shipping (available also in silver)

Similar savings are available also on Amazon and B&H.

Posted in Deals, Fuji| 2 Comments

Pictures of future Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8, 16-55mm f/2.8 and 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses

By PR admin | Published: February 2, 2014

With the announcement of the X-T1 camera, Fujifilm updated their XF lens roadmap. Optyczne published two pictures of the upcoming XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R OIS WR, XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R OIS WR and XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R OIS WR lenses (above). The next pictures shows the Fujinon XF 56 mm f/1.2, XF 10-24 mm f/4, XF 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS, XF 16-55 mm f/2.8 OIS and XF 50-140 mm f/2.8 OIS lenses:

Posted in Fuji| 14 Comments

Canon prepares to move 50% of their production back to Japan by 2015

By PR admin | Published: January 31, 2014

Canon is preparing to move 50% of their production back to Japan by 2015:

“Japanese imaging and optical equipment maker Canon plans to return 50% of its production on-shore by the year 2015. Chairman and CEO Fujio Mitarai cited the weak yen and expenses of manufacturing overseas as the main reasons for moving back production to Japan.”

Posted in Canon| 25 Comments

Zeiss Touit 2.8/50M macro lens for Fuji and Sony mirrorless cameras announced

By PR admin | Published: January 30, 2014

Today Zeiss announced their Touit 2.8/50M macro lens for mirrorless cameras (Sony and Fuji). This lens was initially announced at Photokina back in 2012. As I previously reported, the price of the lens is $999 and B&H is currently taking pre0orders for the Sony and Fuji versions.

Product video

Technical specifications

Focal length	50 mm
Effective focal length if used on APS-C camera	75 mm
Aperture range	f/2.8 – f/22
Lens elements / Groups	14/11
Focusing range	0.15 m (6.02″) – infinity
Free working distance	0.05 m (1.97″) – infinity
Angular field** (diag. / horiz. / vert.)	31° / 26° / 18°
Diameter of image field	28.2 mm (1.11″)
Flange focal distance	E-Mount: 18.0 mm (0.71″) X-Mount: 17.7 mm (0.70″)
Coverage at close range (MOD)**	23.5 x 15.6 mm (0.93 x 0.61″)
Image ratio at MOD	1:1
Filter thread	M52 x 0.75
Rotation angle of focusing ring (inf – MOD)	720°
Diameter max. (with lens shade)	E, X: 75 mm (2.95″)
Diameter of focusing ring	E, X: 65 mm (2.56″)
Length (without lens caps)	E, X: 91 mm (3.58″)
Length (with lens caps)	E: 104 mm (4.09″) X: 108 mm (4.25″)
Weight (without lens caps)	E, X: 290 g (0.64 lbs)
Camera mounts	E-mount, X-mount