New Noktor f/0.95 lens for Micro Four Thirds

Some readers (hit the comments section for more links) have already noted that this lens is probably based on an existing f/0.95 lens for CCTV made by different manufacturers:

Details are still sketchy. Here are some info captured by Google Cache:

  • With a maximum aperture of F/0.95, the Noktor Hyperprime is the fastest lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras (no adapter needed). At open aperture, the lens renders pictures and video with extreme shallow depth of field for a unique aesthetic.
  • Extreme Low-light Shooting.
  • In low-light photography and cinematography, the lens exceeds the perception of the human eye. From nightscapes to campfires, now you can shoot in situations that are often impossible to capture with a normal lens.

Technical Specifications

  • Focal Length 50mm
  • Maximum Aperture F0.95
  • Minimum Aperture F16
  • Autofocus No
  • Internal Focusing No
  • Rear Focusing Yes
  • Minimum Focus Distance 1.9 ft. (0.6m)
  • Angle of View 46°
  • Lens (Elements) 8
  • Lens (Groups) 7
  • Dimensions 2.9×2.1 in.
  • Weight (280g)
  • Mount Type Micro Four Thirds
  • Accepts Filter Type Screw-on
  • Filter Size 62mm

I single sample shot with a pre-production version is available here.

The 50mm f/0.95 Nokton is the first product offering, with other focal lengths in development. No plans for a super wide yet (source).

Via Noktor

Posted in Noktor| 31 Comments

Hasselblad H4D-40 presentation

Here is the official video from Hasselblad:

More detailed videos from each of the featured photographers after the break:

Read More »

Posted in Hasselblad| Tagged | 9 Comments

Sony EVIL camera specs

Sony has expressed their interest in releasing an EVIL camera before. Here ere are some detailed specs of the upcoming mirrorless camera from Sony:

  • 14mp APS-C CMOS
  • brand new Sony E mount
  • used SDHC or MS
  • RAW supported
  • 3.0 LCD 920K color
  • 11 AF point
  • ISO 200-12800
  • video recording (model NEX5: 1080  NEX3:720p) format Mp4 or AVCHD
  • built-in flash and AF Assistance light
  • new FW50 batteries
  • body: NEX5-D/K/A  NEX3-D/K/A
  • lens: 18-55/F3.5-5.6 , 16mm/2.8

The new mount will be called E-mount (an adapter will be available for Alpha mount lenses) and the expected camera names are NEX3 and NEX5.

Posted in Sony| Tagged , , | 38 Comments

Pentax will have another product release this month

The rumored date for the next Pentax announcement is February 24, 2010 (it could be +/- 1day in the US). This is weird because PMA ends at February 23rd.

My guess is that this announcement will be for the recently leaked Pentax W90, which appears to be another waterproof p&s camera. Not sure why this model was not announced with the last batch of compact Pentax cameras.

Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 3 Comments

Pentax 645D also gets a countdown

Update: as rumored before, the expected price of the Pentax 645D is going to be around US$ 6,500.

This is a screenshot from Pentax Japan’s website:

Here is a better screenshot (the background changes depending on the day/night time – the above shot was taken during the night cycle):

Not clear how long the countdown will go, but the Pentax 645D is expected to be released in March of 2010.

Posted in Pentax| Tagged | 22 Comments

New Panasonic Lumix cameras in March

Update: here is a comparison for the silhouettes:

This teaser is from Panasonic UK site:

“Find out more on the launch of our new models” combined with the silhouettes of two cameras indicates that Panasonic may release a new Lumix G and another smaller model (LX4?) during Focus on Imaging show in Birmingham NEC (March 7-10, 2010).

Posted in Panasonic| Tagged | 13 Comments

New Pentax lenses and K-m2?

UPDATE: this is the same Japanese magazine called CAPA that I covered over @ NikonRumors few weeks ago. Those are pure speculations/predictions. Here is another one from the same magazine  – Sony EVIL camera:

and another one for the Sony Alpha series:

A new Pentax leak on dchome.net (translation) – some new Pentax lenses were published in an unknown magazine:

  • DA*10-16 f/4 ED AL SDM
  • DA*20 f/2 SDM
  • DA*28 f/2 F2 SDM

and some more details about the upcoming medium format Pentax 645D and K-m2?

Posted in Pentax, Sony| Tagged , | 12 Comments

Apple releases Aperture 3

Just in time before the release of the rumored Aperture 3 book in Europe, Apple announced today the latest version of its photo management software – Aperture 3.

Amazon is now taking Aperture 3 pre-orders.

Posted in Apple| Leave a comment

Pentax W90 to be announced

Apparently Pentax has one more camera to announce for PMA this year – the Pentax W90.

The camera is expected to be waterproof (update: the web page was removed):

Posted in Pentax| 2 Comments

Canon EOS Rebel T2i (EOS 550D)

Canon EOS Rebel T2i - click for larger view

Canon PowerShot SX210 (click for larger view)

Update #4: pre-order options: body only | lens kit | new PowerShots.

Update #3: New Canon PowerShots also released.

Update #2: ok,  it is official now – dpreview has the details.

Update #1: In Europe the new Canon is called EOS 550D.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i feature summary:

  • It produces 17.92 million pixel photos from a self-cleaning CMOS sensor that is nearly identical to that of the EOS 7D. The key difference is the number of readout channels: the 7D’s sensor has eight, while the T2i has four. The focal length cropping factor is 1.6x, relative to a full frame camera. The Rebel T2i accepts both EF and EF-S lenses.
  • The body is a compact 5.1 x 3.8 x 3.0in (129.5 x 96.5 x 76.2mm). It weighs 18.7oz (530g).
  • It shoots continuously at up to 3.7fps for a Canon-specified 34 Large Fine JPEG or 6 RAW frames. The T2i accepts either SD/SDHC or SDXC memory cards.
  • The sensitivity range is ISO 100-6400 in 1/3 step increments, plus H (ISO 12,800).
  • The 9-point AF system in the T2i is derived from the EOS 30D and features a single cross-type sensor at the centre plus eight single-line sensitive outer points. If an f/2.8 or faster lens is used, the centre AF point detects focus with greater precision than with slower aperture lenses.
  • Ambient and TTL flash metering is handled by the same 63-zone, dual colour layer meter found in the 7D. Exposure calculations incorporate data from the new metering sensor as well as all 9 AF points.
  • Unlike the 7D, the T2i’s built-in flash is not a wireless TTL controller for remote Speedlites.
  • The T2i’s exposure compensation range is ±5 stops.
  • Video features and options closely match those of the 7D. The T2i offers up to 1920 x 1080 pixel (1080p) video capture at 30fps with the option of connecting an external stereo mic (via a 3.5mm miniphone jack) plus both manual and automatic exposure modes. It creates H.264-encoded movie files with a .mov extension and has a 4GB clip length limit. The resolution and frame rate options are:
  • 1080p: 1920 x 1080 pixels at 30fps (actually 29.97fps)
  • 1080p: 1920 x 1080 pixels at 25fps
  • 1080p: 1920 x 1080 pixels at 24fps (actually 23.976fps)
  • 720p: 1280 x 720 pixels at 60fps (actually 59.94fps)
  • 720p: 1280 x 720 pixels at 50fps
  • SD: 640 x 480 pixels at 60fps (actually 59.94fps)
  • SD: 640 x 480 pixels at 50fps
  • There is also a movie crop mode which captures 640 x 480 video from a small area at the centre of the image sensor. Canon projects that the typical maximum clip duration for 1080p and 720p video will be about 12 minutes.
  • The rear LCD is a three inch (diagonal), 3:2 ratio, 1.04 million dot TFT.
  • Power is courtesy of the new Lithium Ion Battery Pack LP-E8.
  • Optional accessories include the new Battery Grip BG-E8 and Wireless Remote Controller RC-6.
  • The Canon EOS Rebel T2i has an expected street price of US$799 in the U.S. In a kit with the EF-S 18-55mm IS, the expected street price is US$899. A ship date for the new camera has not been set. Going forward, the Rebel line will be comprised of three models: the EOS Rebel T2i, EOS Rebel T1i and EOS Rebel XS. The XSi is discontinued.

Full press releases after the break:

Read More »

Posted in Canon| 9 Comments