Just posted! Our lens review of the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH (also known, somewhat cyptically, as the H-H020). There's little doubt that this year's small-bodied Micro Four Thirds cameras have attracted a lot of attention, and by way of an appetiser for our upcoming Panasonic GF1 review, we take a look at its compact, large aperture kit lens. True to the system's spirit of cross-brand co-operation, we've also taken the opportunity to shoot an extensive samples gallery using the Olympus E-P1. Click through to discover whether we found the lens to be up to standard.
Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 lens review
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Just posted! Our lens review of the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH (also known, somewhat cyptically, as the H-H020). There's little doubt that this year's small-bodied Micro Four Thirds cameras have attracted a lot of attention, and by way of an appetiser for our upcoming Panasonic GF1 review, we take a look at its compact, large aperture kit lens. True to the system's spirit of cross-brand co-operation, we've also taken the opportunity to shoot an extensive samples gallery using the Olympus E-P1. Click through to discover whether we found the lens to be up to standard.
Breeze Systems releases DSLR Remote Pro v1.0 for Mac
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Software maker Breeze Systems has launched a Mac version of its DSLR Remote Pro software. Version 1.0 for Mac brings the remote control of Canon DSLRs to the Apple platform, allowing users to control focus, shoot time-lapse sequences and display live images from their computers. The software is now available at an introductory price of US $75.
Canon PowerShot S90 samples gallery
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Just Posted: Our preview sample gallery from the Canon PowerShot S90. We've just got hold of a production version of this latest photographers' compact, so, given the apparent level of interest, have put together a preview samples gallery. Canon made a big play of its 'high sensitivity' 10 megapixel sensor so we've made sure we've tried it at a range of ISO settings, and have included a couple of low-light portraits under challenging tungsten lighting.
Pentax K-x brief hands-on
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Pentax's K-x offers an awful lot of K-7 features in what is essentially the same body as the K2000 (K-m). In fact, its high specification and low price are most reminiscent of the much-loved K200D, which could make this a welcome addition to the upper-entry-level market. We were able to borrow a pre-production model so that we could look beyond the various color options to see just what this latest little Pentax offers.
Hartblei creates medium format camera with 35mm lens mount
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Germano-Ukrainian specialist lens maker Hartblei has announced a medium format camera designed with a 35mm lens mount. The Hartblei CAM can mount any digital or film medium format back up to 4.5x6cm and will be available in Canon EF, Nikon F or Sony Alpha mounts. The company is working to develop the EF-mount version so that it can electronically control the apertures on Canon's latest 17mm and 24mm TS-E lenses. Mounting the Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8, either on the native Nikon version on the EF mount version with an adapter, gives a viewing angle of 135°.
Carl Zeiss announces 18mm F3.5 for Canon
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Carl Zeiss has announced the price and availability of the Canon-mount version of its 18mm F3.5 lens. The 'ZE-mount' version of the Distagon T* 3.5/18 super-wide angle lens was first shown in March at the Photo Imaging Expo in Tokyo and will be available in Autumn 2009 for a suggested retail price of €1049.
Novoflex brings mount adapters for Micro Four Thirds
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Novoflex has announced prices for eleven adapters for the Micro Four Thirds standard, including Pentax K, Nikon F and Sony Alpha adapters with built-in aperture control rings. The adapters provide only a mechanical connection between the lens and the body but retain automatic metering for aperture priority mode and allow focusing to infinity. All should be in stock in the US by October, according to the US distributor. Click through for US and European recommended prices.
Leica M9 and hands-on preview
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Leica has officially revealed the M9 - a full frame version of its M-mount rangefinder. The Leica M9, with its 24 x 36mm, 18 megapixel sensor is, according to the company: 'the world's smallest full-frame system camera.' The body is available in a new 'Steel Gray' finish and offers minor button re-arrangement over the M8 - all the major changes relate to the internals. The Kodak-developed CCD sensor features improved offset microlenses to optimize performance at the edges of the frame along with a sensor cover with improved filtering of infrared light so lens-mounted IR filters are no longer needed. Most importantly, the 35mm film-sized sensor means every Leica M-mount lens provides the originally intended field of view.
Leica X1 and brief hands-on
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Alongside the M9 Leica has also announced the X1, a compact camera with a large APS-C sensor and a fixed 35mm equivalent field-of-view F2.8 autofocus lens. Featuring a design reminiscent of M-series rangefinders, complete with analogue-style shutter speed and aperture dials, the camera offers a choice of fully automatic or manual control. A 2.7" LCD and 12Mp CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 100 to 3200 round off the specification. Registered owners will be able to download a copy of Adobe Lightroom to process the camera's DNG raw files. During our visit to Leica two weeks ago we were lucky enough to get our hands on a pre-production camera, click through for our initial impression and hands-on pictures.
Leica Factory Tour
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Two weeks ago we visited the Leica Factory in Solms, Germany, for an introduction to the M9 and X1 cameras, and the S2 medium format DSLR system. As well as discussing these new products, we were given a guided tour of the production and assembly areas for the M series rangefinders (including the M9), the M lenses and the S2. Click through for an insight into the painstaking process by which Leica puts together its cameras and lenses.
Hands on with the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6L Lens
Yes you heard right 1200mm of lens. Weighing in at 36.4 lbs and measuring just over 2.5 feet long this lens will give any wildlife photographer wet dreams. It has no image stabilisation (IS) will break even the toughest photographers back, has a hefty price tage of $120,000 and will make any bank managers heart skip a beat. This lens gives new meaning to the word Telephoto lens.
Watch a hands on video review of this lens – HERE.
The Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 Super Telephoto Lens. Watch the hands on video review.
Sigma releases 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
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Sigma has announced an image-stabilized telephoto zoom in the shape of the 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS. Suitable for use on both APS-C and full frame cameras, this lens incorporates Sigma's Optical Stabilization technology allowing hand-held shooting at shutter speeds up to 4 stops slower than usual, along with a circular diaphragm for attractive rendition of out-of-focus backgrounds. The minimum focus distance is 1.5m giving a maximum magnification of 0.26x; unlike Sigma's non-stabilized 70-300mm zooms there's no extended macro focusing option. The lens will available for users of Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Pentax and Sony SLRs at a SRP of £399.
Corel introduces Digital Studio 2010 with touch operation
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Corel has introduced the Digital Studio 2010 image and video editing software package with touch operation. With the right hardware, users can touch and edit their digital files or use traditional mouse operation. The included software allows users to organize, edit and upload photos and videos, create slideshows and home movies complete with soundtracks and voice-over. Digital Studio 2010 is now available for download at a retail price of $99.99 USD or £59 GBP.
Panasonic GF1 preview + samples gallery
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Just Posted: Our hands-on preview of the GF1 - the third model in Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds 'G' system. The GF1 squeezes much the same functionality as the G1/GH1 into a body that's roughly the same size as the Olympus E-P1. We've had an early production sample for a few weeks now; just enough time to produce an in-depth preview and an extensive samples gallery (including plenty of shots taken with the new 20mm F1.7 pancake lens). Enjoy.
Panasonic unveils DMC-GF1 Micro four-thirds camera
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Pre-IFA 2009: Panasonic has introduced what it bills as 'the world's smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera with a built-in flash' in the shape of Lumix DMC-GF1. Sporting a new 'artistic flat' body design similar to that of the recently released Olympus E-P1, the GF1 is 35% smaller than earlier G models. Headline features include the same 12.1Mp sensor as the DMC-G1, 1280 x 720 HD recording in AVCHD Lite format, an optional hot-shoe mounted electronic viewfinder, and a 3 inch LCD with 460k dots.
