Metz files for insolvency

Metz-Mecablitz-44-AF-1-and-52-AF-1-units-for-Sony-Multi-Interface
The German TV and flash manufacturer Metz has filed for insolvency (insolvency is not the same as bankruptcy). Approximately 600 jobs would be affected.

Just yesterday the company announced up to $90 mail-in rebates on their flashes in the US.

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New Sony α7 II (ILCE-7M2) camera and 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II lens to be announced in the next few days

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The current Sony a7 model

Update: the new Sony a7 II camera is now officially announced.

In the next few days Sony will announce a new a7 II full frame camera (ILCE-7M2) with 5 axis in-body stabilization that will replace the current a7 version. This is what we know so far for the new model:

  • 35mm full frame Exmor CMOS sensor with 24.3MP resolution
  • 5 axis in-body stabilization
  • LCD screen: 3.0", 1.23 million dots, 107 degrees upward, 41 degrees down tiltable
  • EVF 0.5" with 2.36 million dots
  • ISO range: 100-25,600 (ISO50 available). Video ISO rangeL 200-25,600
  • Shutter speed: 30 seconds -1/8000 seconds
  • The shape of the grip and position of the shutter button is changed
  • Battery capacity: 270 shots when using EVF, 350 shots when using LCD screen
  • Continuous shooting: 2.5 fps, 5 fps with speed-priority continuous shooting
  • Video: XAVC S, AVCHD, MP4
  • Battery: NP-FW50
  • Size: 126.9mm x 95.7mm x 59.7mm
  • Weight: 599g (including battery and memory card)
  • New vertical grip VG -C2EM (sold separately) with two NP-FW50 batteries
  • Media: Memory Stick PRO Duo / PRO-HG Duo / XC-HG Duo, SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Sony will also announce a new 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II lens:

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Adobe released Lightroom 5.7 and DNG Converter 8.7

Adobe-Lightroom-logo
Adobe released Lightroom 5.7 (download links: Windows | Mac) and DNG Converter 8.7 (download links: Windows | Mac). Here is a the full list of newly added cameras and lenses:

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The latest patents from Sigma, Canon and Panasonic

Sigma 17-55mm f:2.8 OS lens patent
→ Sigma filed a patent for a 17-55mm f/2.8 OS lens.

Canon 11-24mm f:3.5-4.5 lens patent
→ Canon filed a patent for a 11-24mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Canon 70-300mm f:4-5.6 lens patent
→ Canon got a new patent for a Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens.

Canon half translucent mirror patent 2 Canon half translucent mirror patent
Canon filed another half-mirror/translucent mirror patent.

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Posted in Canon, Panasonic, Sigma | Tagged | 5 Comments

X-series filters on Kickstarter

X-Series-Traction-Filters
There is an interesting Kickstarter project on new series of ultra-slim, weather-sealed X-Series ND and UV filters:

  • Highest Quality Optics: Capture critically sharp images with SCHOTT B270 and AGCglass from Germany and Japan allows near 99% light transmittance. The X-Series filters have been precisely designed and engineered with the highest quality lenses in mind.
  • Traction Frame: CNC Machined no-slip Traction Frames makes taking filters on and off a snap. No more wasted time removing filters means when you use your X-Series Traction Filter you’ll have more time to capture your time sensitive shots
  • Multi-Resistant Coating (MRC): State-of-the-art MRC hardens both optical surfaces, increases light transmittance, achieves true color neutrality, and maximizes contrast fidelity - while at the same time decreasing flaring and ghosting. This means you don’t have to worry about loss of image quality - your photos are more true to life and will have more impact with your audience bringing you more satisfaction in your work… or more sales!
  • Nano Coatings: Our new nanotec® nano coating layer protects your lens by repelling dirt, water and other elements by beading rather than absorbing. This means your X-Series Traction Filter stays crystal clear for years to come.
  • Eliminates Vignetting: Machined down to 3.5mm (X2, X1) and 3.2mm (X3) to eliminate unintended and undesired optical vignetting on full-frame wide-angle setups. Again, this means your photos are more true to life and you can save time in post-production correcting optical vignetting
  • Completely weather-sealed construction: Residue left after evaporation can make your lens appear dirty and lead to hours of tedious cleaning and post production “spot removal.” When you’re shooting in the elements with your the X-Series Traction Filter, you don’t have to worry about moisture getting into the lens because of the weather-sealed construction.
  • 25 Year Ironclad Guarantee: We’re so confident in our materials that we offer an unparalleled 25 Year Ironclad Guarantee.

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Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS lens now shipping

Zeiss-Vario-Tessar-T-FE-16-35mm-f4-AZ-OSS-SEL1635z-lens
The new Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS lens is now shipping in the US and is currently in stock at B&H. DxOMark recently published their test results of the lens:

Sony-Vario-Tessar-T-FE-16-35mm-f4-ZA-OSS-lens-review
DxOMark's conclusion:

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Fujifilm X-T1 graphite silver edition now shipping

Fuji-X-T1-silver-side Fuji-X-T1-silver-top-LCD-screen
Fuji-X-T1-silver-top Fuji-X-T1-silver-front
The Fujifilm X-T1 graphite silver edition mirrorless camera is finally shipping in the US and is currently in stock at B&H.

Posted in Fuji | Tagged | 11 Comments

Significant discounts offered by almost all camera manufacturers

Black-Friday-photography-deals
The combination of a strong dollar, slow camera sales and the upcoming Black Friday is bringing some very good deals in the US. Nikon just offered a new rebate program and further reduced the price of the D610. Even Leica is now offering significants savings on the M 240 digital rangefinder and M lenses - something we have not seen in the past few years. Canon recently reduced the prices of their lenses. Fuji also offers some incentives and Sony brought back their a7 trade-in program.

Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-camera-price-drop
The latest significant price drop is on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera - now listed for $599 at B&H, Adorama and Amazon. A big Olympus lens savings (up to $800 off) will be coming up for Black Friday on November 28th. Here are the details:

Olympus-lens-savings
You can track all recent and future price drops, rebates and discounts here and here.

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