Canon patents 42x zoom lens

By PR admin | Published: March 20, 2011

Canon filed a patent for a 42x zoom lens or the equivalent of 27-1116mm. This lens is obviously designed for a point & shoot camera and if Canon releases such model, it will be biggest zoom available.

Patent details:

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Posted in Canon| Tagged | 9 Comments

Zeiss 85mm f/2.0 T* ZM Sonnar lens to be discontinued?

By PR admin | Published: March 19, 2011

A reader sent me a tip that the Zeiss 85mm f/2.0 T* ZM Sonnar lens is no longer listed on zeiss.com website:

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Posted in Zeiss| 8 Comments

First FujiFilm X100 shipment arrives in the US, Canada and Australia

By PR admin | Published: March 18, 2011

The Fujiguys got the first X100 with serial# 00001

Fujiguys tweeted today that the first Fuji X100 shipment has landed in the US, Canada and Australia:

The timing makes sense because B&H started taking X100 pre-orders three days ago and they usually  don’t release an item for sale unless there is a shipment on the way. B&H is currently sold out and are no longer taking pre-orders. Amazon is still taking pre-orders.

Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 8 Comments

Canon doesn’t need a mirrorless compact system camera

By PR admin | Published: March 18, 2011

AP published a statement from Rainer Fuehres (head of Canon Consumer Imaging in Europe) that Canon doesn’t really need a new mirrorless compact system camera since their current products are selling very well. He went further by saying that if Canon creates a new system camera, it will be something different:

“The idea of the compact system camera is nothing to do with whether the camera has a mirror or not, but about creating a small and more portable system. If Canon does take part I hope we won’t introduce just a me-too product, but we’ll use the opportunity to do something different.”

Nikon executive made a similar statement last year. It seems that Nikon and Canon are taking their time and are planning to bring something different to the growing mirrorless market.

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Posted in Canon| Tagged | 12 Comments

Update on the disaster in Japan

By PR admin | Published: March 17, 2011

A week after the disaster in Japan, the situation does not look very good. Companies continue to issue warnings about halted production and damaged plants. Fortunately there has not been any life loss reported from the major photo equipment manufacturers. Those are the latest updates:

B&H sent out the following email today to all Fujifilm FinePix X100 pre-orders:

B&H received the following note regarding availability of the Fujifilm FinePix X100 today from Fujifilm USA. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. We are mindful, though, of Japan’s human tragedy, which is ongoing and will remain so for some time. Lives are lost and families are homeless on a scale which seems, from news reports, as great or greater than any natural disaster in memory.

FUJIFILM FinePix X100 Statement

March 16, 2011. Due to the March 11th earthquake that affected northeast Japan, the factory responsible for production of the new Fujifilm FinePix X100 digital camera has been temporarily shut down due to safety concerns. FUJIFILM is currently assessing the factory conditions as well as accessibility via domestic logistics and working to determine the potential impact on the X100 market availability and initially scheduled release dates. FUJIFILM is making every effort to quickly gather the information needed to provide an accurate update to our retail partners and consumers. FUJIFILM appreciates your patience and will provide a formal update as soon as possible.

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Posted in Fuji, Samyang| Tagged | 3 Comments

Sony NEX 7 to be released soon, no full frame NEX camera in sight

By PR admin | Published: March 16, 2011

 

The information I received few days ago is that Sony will be releasing a new NEX 7 camera. Sony Japan already discontinued the NEX 3 model and NEX 7 is the next logical step. The new Sony NEX 7 is expected to have improved functionality across the line, no further details were provided. This is how the camera was described to me:

“When you look in front of the new Sony NEX 7 with the 24mm Zeiss mounted, the new camera looks like a twin of the Minolta Dimage A2 – a really small nice pro body.”

The source went further by saying that Sony currently is not working on a full frame NEX camera.

Posted in Sony| Tagged | 47 Comments

B&H now taking pre-orders for the Fuji X100

By PR admin | Published: March 15, 2011

B&H just started taking pre-orders for the Fuji X100. Based on past behavior, this indicates that shipment is expected in the next 1-2 weeks. B&H also did not have a waiting list before, so if you order now there is a good chance you may get the camera by the end of the month.

Note also that after Fuji acknowledged delays in the X100 shipment, they also temporary halted the production of the X100 in Japan. This camera will be backordered for a very long time.

Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 11 Comments

Lexar started shipping the 64GB and 128GB SDXC memory cards

By PR admin | Published: March 15, 2011

Lexar announced today that they started shipping the 64 GB and 128GB SDXC memory cards that were announced during CES 2011 in January. The 128GB version will cost $279.95 and the 64GB will costs $129.

Press release and a video from the Lexar production facility:

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Posted in Lexar| 4 Comments

FujiFilm FinePix X100 production halted, lens hood and leather case available for pre-order

By PR admin | Published: March 14, 2011

Update: Adorama also has the LC-X100 leather case available for pre-order.

The first news is that in adition to the FinePix X100, Adorama is now taking orders also for the LH-x100 lens hood and 49mm thread adapter (you can see a picture of it here):

Today FujiFilm UK posted a press release indicating that none of the workers in the Taiwa-Cho factory were injured. There were some structural damages to the building and as a result the production of the Fuji X100 has been temporary halted:

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Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 7 Comments

Earthquake in Japan: Sony and Canon halted production in multiple plants, only minor injuries reported

By PR admin | Published: March 11, 2011

Bloomberg reported Sony has halted production and evacuated six factories in northeastern Japan.

According to AP, Canon also halted production in some of their plants. Only 12 employees suffered minor injuries.

Nikon (factories located in Sendai) reported no injured employees, factories not significantly affected.

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Posted in Canon, Sony| 7 Comments