Pentax D FA 645 25mm f/4 lens (medium format) to be announced soon

By PR admin | Published: January 28, 2011

I just received this rumor from Asia – Pentax will be announcing a new lens for its digital medium format 645D camera: Pentax D FA 645 25mm f/4. The Google translation is not very clear, but here are some of the mentioned specs:

  • built-in hood lens
  • built-in filter holder
  • weather proof
  • some kind of a special coating/lens element
  • aperture range: f/4 – f/32
  • 12 lens elements in 8 groups
  • minimum focusing distance will be less than 0.5m
  • internal focus
  • 96° angle of view
  • 25mm in medium format is actually very wide – aprox. 20mm in 35mm equivalent.

I was told that this lens will be announced for the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Japan (February 9-12, 2011). Pentax is listed in the list of exhibitors for that show. A new compact camera is also expected (it could be more than one new model). The rumored Pentax NC-1 EVIL camera will not be announced in February.

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Canon update

By PR admin | Published: January 27, 2011

Canon (as well as Nikon) lost 15% market share in the UK (probably because of the growing mirrorless market). At the same time Canon’s profit rise 26% this year, beating analysts’ estimates. The future looks promising according to a Goldman Sachs analyst:

“Single-lens reflex cameras will probably record double- digit growth this year to become Canon’s earnings driver, while compact cameras may slowdown”

There are also rumors floating around about a new Canon full frame camera in a small body (Canon 3D):

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Sony 50mm f/1.4, 300mm f/2.8 and 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 lenses listed as discontinued

By PR admin | Published: January 27, 2011

Sony Hong Kong has listed the following three Sony lenses as discontinued: 50mm f/1.4, 300mm f/2.8 and 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3:

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If someone will be acquiring Kodak, now would be a good time

By PR admin | Published: January 26, 2011

Kodak was already in a bad shape and it got even worse today (source: Marketwatch):

“Eastman Kodak Co. said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter profit dropped 95%, as revenue declined in both the company’s traditional film business and its digital segment.”

There were some speculations last month that Kodak is for sale. The stock is currently down over 15%. If someone is interested in buying Kodak, there is a discount today.

Posted in Kodak| 25 Comments

Sony DSC-HX100V camera leaked

By PR admin | Published: January 26, 2011

Sony Nordic Images published a picture and brief description of a new Sony HX100V camera:

  • The camera incorporates technology not only from “Cyber-shot” series development but also from “Handycam” and the “a (alpha)” series
  • DSLR quality with Manual to Auto, Higher resolution 50p Full HD movie & 3D in one body
  • 30x Ultra high zoom H with Hi-speed AF, GPS & compass
  • Equipped for Full HD movie shooting in AVCHD format
  • Intelligent Sweep Panorama
  • 16.2-megapixel back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, 27mm-810mm*1 f/2.8-5.6 Carl Zeiss “Vario Sonnar T*” lens, and “BIONZ” Imaging Processor for high-speed signal processing
  • Movie mode supports 1920 x 1080 Full HD

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Ricoh CX5 camera announced

By PR admin | Published: January 26, 2011

The previously rumored Ricoh CX5 compact camera got officially announced today. The main features:

  • High-speed autofocus using the unique hybrid AF system developed by Ricoh
  • Improved image resolution through use of super-resolution technology
  • Super-resolution zoom equivalent to up to 600 mm in addition to the 10.7× 28–300 mm optical zoom
  • High-quality photography that widens the range of image expression
  • 14 different types of Scene Modes providing easy access to whole suites of photographic techniques specifically adapted to the subject
  • Creative shooting modes that allow you to enjoy shooting creative images
  • High-definition 3.0-inch, 920,000-dot LCD monitor
  • A wide variety of functions based on the concept of the CX5 being “a tool that you will find yourself wanting to use every day”
  • Price: £259.99

Full press release after the break:

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Pentax acknowledges K-5 sensor issues, offers a fix and an apology

By PR admin | Published: January 26, 2011

Pentax issued this statement about the stains on the Pentax K-5 sensor:

“To PENTAX K-5 Digital SLR Camera Users
We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for your patronage of PENTAX products.

We deeply regret that the first shipment of our PENTAX K-5 digital SLR camera included some products with a stained image sensor — a problem which we believe was caused during manufacturing – causing them to occasionally produce images with spots which look something like water drops, and which users cannot remove with ordinary cleaning methods.

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Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 6 Comments

Pentax K-5 Silver leaked

By PR admin | Published: January 25, 2011

I mentioned about the upcoming Pentax K-5 SIlver last week and today two pictures were leaked by Pentax Europe. This also means that the other rumors about the upcoming NC-1 mirrorless camera from Pentax are probably also true. The images are now removed but a pentaxforum member was able to capture them:

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Fuji X100 updates including first photo samples

By PR admin | Published: January 25, 2011

credit: The Fuji Guys

  • A Norwegian website got a hold of a pre-production version of the Fuji X100 and posted multiple test images at different ISO. Check it out asap because I am afraid the review will be pulled down. Update: yes, all Fuji x100 sample images were removed from the site.
  • Dpreview published a preview of the camera (without sample images).

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Posted in Fuji| Tagged | 23 Comments

Nik Software Silver Efex Pro 2 spy shot

By PR admin | Published: January 24, 2011

I just received this screenshot of the upcoming Silver Efex Pro 2 software. You can see a list of all the new features on niksoftware.com. Silver Efex Pro 2 will be released in February 2011.

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Posted in Other| Tagged | 4 Comments