Photo Rumors

The latest 4/3 lens patents from Olympus, Sigma and Konica Minolta

By PR admin | Published: September 11, 2013

Few new lens patents for 4/3 cameras:

Olympus filed patents for 15mm f/2, 17mm f/1.8 and 17mm f/2.8 pancake lenses for 4/3 sensors.

Sigma filed a patent for 75mm f/1.8 lens (150mm equivalent) for 4/3 sensors.

Posted in Konica Minolta, Olympus, Sigma | 2 Comments

Fujifilm to announce X-A1 camera and XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS lens in the next few days

By PR admin | Published: September 11, 2013

I the next few days (could be as early as tomorrow) Fuji will announce their entry level Х-А1 mirrorless camera which was described to me as "plasticy" and will come in four different colors. Fujifilm will also announce the XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS lens that was added to their roadmap few months ago. This will most likely be the last announcement from Fujifilm for this year. I do not expect the X-E1 to be replaced before the X-Pro1. The next major announcement (X-Pro2 with a new sensor?) will probably be at the 2014 CES show in January.

Posted in Fuji | Tagged Fuji X-A1 | 11 Comments

Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens coming in 2014, new ZUIKO lens roadmap, no more Four Thirds products

By PR admin | Published: September 10, 2013

Last week I reported that Olympus will announce also a new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens. The new lens was briefly mentioned in the E-M1 press release:

"The M.ZUIKO Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO (80–300mm, 35mm equivalent) also joins the new M.ZUIKO PRO lens category. This lens is currently under development, with a planned release in the latter half of 2014. It will be a telephoto zoom lens with a bright constant f2.8 aperture and will feature a dustproof and splashproof construction rugged enough for professional use."

Update: here is another picture of the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens from Olympus Nordic:

Olympus also published a new ZUIKO lens roadmap that revealed two new MFT PRO lenses:

M.ZUIKO PRO wide-angle zoom lens
M.ZUIKO PRO 150-350mm or similar super-telephoto lens

The Japanese website DC.Watch reported that Olympus has merged their Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds lines and in the future will focus only on Micro Four Thirds products. The E-5 camera (marked as discontinued) and current Four Thirds lenses will still be sold in retailers (Google translation):

Posted in Olympus | Tagged Olympus E-7, Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens, Olympus roadmap, Roadmaps | 45 Comments

Hasselblad to launch its first retail store in Japan

By PR admin | Published: September 10, 2013

Just like Leica (who followed Apple's example) Hasselblad is about to launch its first-ever retail store in Tokyo, Japan. Currently none of the major US stores are carrying the latest Lunar or Stellar cameras.

Press release:

Posted in Hasselblad | 26 Comments

Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera, M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens announced

By PR admin | Published: September 10, 2013

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera and M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO lens are now officially announced and they are expensive! E-M1 body only costs $1,399, the lens is $999 and the camera+lens combo is listed for $2,199. Here are the other accessories that were introduced:

Additional coverage:

Olympus OM-D E-M1 camnera and 12-40mm f/2.8 lens accessories listed on Amazon Germany

By PR admin | Published: September 9, 2013

The official announcement of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera and 12-40mm f/2.8 lens is tomorrow. Several new camera and lens accessories are already listed on Amazon Germany. Here is another specs of last minute specifications update on the new camera and lens: