Samyang T-S 24mm 1:3.5 ED AS UMC lens announced

Samyang announced their first tilt-shift lens: T-S 24mm 1:3.5 ED AS UMC. The technical specifications are:

Samyang T-S 24mm 1:3.5 ED AS UMC lens design:

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New: Zeiss Apo Sonnar T* 2/135 lens


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 length 135mm
Aperture range f/2 -22
Number of lens elements/groups 11/8
Focusing range 0.80m (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 range 1 : 4 (close-up)
Filter thread M 77 x 0,75
Length with caps 128mm (ZF.2)
130mm (ZE)
Diameter 84mm
Weight 920g (ZF.2)
930g (ZE)
Mounts ZF.2 (F bayonet)
ZE (EF bayonet)
Price €1.600 or US$2.000

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

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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Pentax Q10 mirrorless camera

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?

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

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*

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

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