New: Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 lens

By PR admin | Published: September 7, 2012


After revealing their Photokina plans yesterday, Zeiss announced a new Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 lens that will start shipping in December 2012 for $2.000 (€1.600). As usual, the lens will be available for F mount (ZF.2) and EF mount (ZE). US price will be $2,122. The technical specs are:

Focal length135mm
Aperture rangef/2 -22
Number of lens elements/groups11/8
Focusing range0.80m (2.62ft) – infinity
Angular field**
(diag./horiz./vert.)		18.7°/ 15.6°/ 10.5°
Coverage at close range**145 x 96 mm (close-up)
Image ratio at close range1 : 4 (close-up)
Filter threadM 77 x 0,75
Length with caps128mm (ZF.2)
130mm (ZE)
Diameter84mm
Weight920g (ZF.2)
930g (ZE)
MountsZF.2 (F bayonet)
ZE (EF bayonet)
Price€1.600 or US$2.000

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Posted in Zeiss| Tagged , | 17 Comments

Pentax K-5 II and K-5 IIs DSLR cameras

By PR admin | Published: September 7, 2012

Two more leaks: the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax K-5 IIs DSLR cameras will replace the current K-5 model and are expected to hit stores in mid-October. The K-5 II Japanese price is expected to be ¥110,000 (around $1,400) the K-5 IIs will cost around ¥120,000 (around $1,500).

Picture of the Pentax K-5 IIs:

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Posted in Pentax| Tagged , | 22 Comments

Pentax Q10 mirrorless camera

By PR admin | Published: September 7, 2012

One of the nine Pentax products that will be announced next week for Photokina will be a new Q10 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that will replace the current Q model:

  • To go on sale in mid-October
  • Expected price is around ¥35,000 (around $440)
  • Available in silver, black and red
Posted in Pentax| Tagged , | 21 Comments

Another Pentax Q-10 mirrorless camera?

By PR admin | Published: September 7, 2012

Update: this one is busted. The pictured camera is the Pentax i-10.

There are already some concerns that the previously leaked images of the Pentax K-5 II and Q10 cameras are faked. Maybe this is the real Penatx Q-10 mirrorless camera:

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Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 17 Comments

Fujifilm X-E1 sample images, $300 kit savings

By PR admin | Published: September 6, 2012

First cat picture taken with the Fujifilm X-E1 and XF 35mm f/1.4 lens

Sample images taken with the new Fujifilm X-E1 camera can be found at the new X-E1 dedicated website. Additional samples taken with various XF lenses can be seen on fujifilm.com.

Another interesting development is that if you buy the X-E1 kit (with the 18-55 lens), you will save $300 compared to if you buy camera and the lens separately (see all pre-order options here). Those are exactly the same savings as the recently announced combo offer on the X-Pro1 + lens purchases.

Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 20 Comments

Firmware update v2.00 for the Fujifilm X-Pro1 coming on September 18th *UPDATED*

By PR admin | Published: September 6, 2012

With all of the buzz surrounding the new Fuji X-E1 camera, I am not sure if you noticed the press release about the previously rumored firmware update for the X-Pro1. There will be four major improvements in v2.00: improved AF and manual focus speed, better operating speed and a new auto-ISO setting of 6400. The new firmware will be available for download on September 18th. The big question is: will the X-Pro1 perform as fast as the X-E1 with the new firmware?

Update: this video shows the AF speed with the new X-Pro1 firmware:

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Posted in Fuji| Tagged , | 10 Comments

Carl Zeiss at Photokina 2012: new Distagon 55mm f/1.4, ZM surprise, mirrorless lenses

By PR admin | Published: September 6, 2012

Zeiss issued a press release about the upcoming 2012 Photokina show. The company has a new Distagon 55mm f/1.4 lens that will be available for sale by the second half of 2013 and will come for both Nikon and Canon mount. The interesting news is the official plan to produce a “family of autofocus lenses for mirrorless system cameras (CSC) that will most likely be available in mid-2013“. In addition, Zeiss promised also a “special” ZM surprise for all rangefinder users – the company will announce at least one new lens with Leica M mount.

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Posted in Zeiss| Tagged , | 15 Comments

Fuji X-E1 and new XF lenses pre-order options

By PR admin | Published: September 6, 2012

Fuji X-E1 (black): Adorama | Amazon | B&H

 

Fuji X-E1 (black) with 18-55 lens: Adorama | Amazon | B&H

Fuji X-E1 (silver): Adorama | Amazon | B&H

Fuji X-E1 (silver) with 18-55 lens: Adorama | Amazon | B&H

Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 lens: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens: Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Posted in Fuji| Tagged , | 9 Comments

Additional Fujifilm X-E1 coverage *UPDATED*

By PR admin | Published: September 6, 2012

Additional Fuji X-E1 coverage (still no word on the XF1 camera):

The new X-Pro1 firmware v2.00 will be available on  September 18th, 2012.

Fuji X-E1 product introduction videos:

More videos after the break:

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Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 7 Comments

Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS and XF 14mm f/2.8 R lenses officially announced

By PR admin | Published: September 6, 2012

Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS (Amazon | B&H) and XF 14mm f/2.8 R (B&H | Amazon) lenses are now officially announced:

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) is proud to announce the launch of two new models to the FUJINON XF Lens range bringing the total number of lenses available to five, offering much broader photographic appeal.

FUJINON XF lenses are the pinnacle of Fujifilm’s optical design technology, with top quality all-glass construction including aspheric lens elements. Developed with particular attention to corner resolutions and vignetting, the FUJINON XF lens line up eliminates chromatic aberration. Their fast f-stop broadens users’ scope of photographic expression, such as low-light photography and scenes with beautiful bokeh effects. The lenses have FUJINON’s “Super EBC Coating” to reduce reflection at a wider range of wavelengths, thereby controlling ghosting. The use of the 1/3EV step aperture ring enables delicate, tactile control of exposure and depth of field.

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Posted in Fuji| 6 Comments