Luminous Landscape Publishes Final Report on Photokina 2012

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

Image Source: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-GH3KBODY

 
Luminous Landscape has published a nice report on many incredible new cameras and lenses introduced at this year's Photokina show in Germany.
 
(Click Here) to read the full report on Luminous Landscape
 
Rather than attempt to paraphrase the report, I refer you to it for your reading pleasure.
 
What strikes me? Well, of course, I'm tuned in to Leica and Panasonic.
 
Leica has announced the new Leica M, the first CMOS sensor-based digital rangefinder in the M line, and the M-E, which is a slightly stripped-down M9, priced significantly lower, but still >$5,000.
 
Panasonic brought out the long-awaited 35-100mm f2.8 X-Series zoom. This is sure to be a big seller. I recently reminded myself that I am a prime shooter by ordering the Lumix 12-35mm f2.8. Certainly a very nice lens, mine went back. In its place came a gorgeous Olympus 75mm f1.8, which I have yet to report on.
 
More interesting to me is the Lumix DMC-GH3. The GH3 is the largest Micro 4/3 body to date. While I really like the small size of the DMC-G3 that I use, I think a little more space will be welcome. However, if it gets as big as my Nikon D700 or thereabouts, I'm going to question why I'm shooting Micro 4/3s. Really though, the smaller size and weight of the lenses still answers that question successfully.
 
The GH3 has a new LiveMOS sensor that is reportedly better at high iso, and has better dynamic range than previous sensors. The body is weather sealed, and has five custom function buttons. The external buttons are very useful on the G3, even though it's limited to two - five would be nice. The GH3 shoot 6 frames per second. It also incorporates wifi capability, but that is yet to be supported by software that Panasonic is developing. I like the idea of triggering the shutter via wifi, and automatically uploading by same. This would make my iPad a nice remote controller and image reviewer.
 
Of course, the GH3 is targeted at video shooters as well, just as the GH1 and GH2 did. I'm not personally interested in video so much, but the ability to record high fidelity audio (including a plug in for external microphones) is attractive, especially for recording the music events that I regularly attend.
 
There are really some great offerings by other companies, perhaps most notably Sony, Fujifilm, and Nikon. So, check out Luminous Landscape's report to see all the news.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Carl Zeiss Announces Big Plans for Photokina

Image Source: http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=2745

 
Photokina, to be held in Cologne, Germany September 18-23, 2012, is one of the premier photographic trade shows in the world. Carl Zeiss has posted some information about exciting news that they plan to formally announce during the show.
 
(Click Here) to read the Carl Zeiss page.
 
First, they plan to exhibit a new manual focus 55mm f1.4 lens for SLRs. Zeiss already offers the awesome Planar 50mm f1.4 for SLR mounts, but this lens is reported to give optical results formerly only available from lenses designed for medium format cameras. And Zeiss sure knows how to design those. If you know medium format cameras, you know that the legendary Hasselblad image quality relies on Zeiss lenses.
 
Next, and here's a big one, Zeiss plans to unveil a series of autofocus (yes, autofocus) lenses for mirrorless cameras. With Zeiss' collaboration with Sony, I'm sure this will mean NEX mount. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make them for Micro 4/3 too! My heart says yes they will; my brain says no. It would make Sony angry. But, I'll keep my fingers crossed. How great would it be to have both Pana-Leica and Zeiss lenses for Micro 4/3? As I've reported in the past, Zeiss does make some very expensive cine lenses for the Micro 4/3 mount. Fingers crossed on both hands that they'll make the new line fit M4/3 as well.
 
Finally, they hint at an exciting new lens addition to the popular manual focus Zeiss lenses for the Leica M mount.
 
I am very excited to hear the details!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Interesting Options Coming in September? New Lower Cost Leica M9, Fuji XPro Cameras

 

 
Leica M9
Image Source: us.leica-camera.com
 

I think it's still in the realm of rumors, but probably correct. LaVidaLeica has a post hinting at a Leica "ME," to be announced at Photokina in September. Reportedly, it will be along the lines of the M9, with a real rangefinder, and will cost less. Well, that will be interesting to see. I don't know exactly what they'll do to reduce the cost, but I'd like to see an affordable Leica M digital (along the lines of the Leica CL from the 70s). It won't invalidate the original M9 and new M10 (also expected to be announced), any more than the CL invalidated the M6 (it didn't).

 

(Click Here) to see the post on LaVidaLeica

 

There are also some rumors of new Fujifilm Xpro cameras to be announced, following on the XPro-1. I find the XPro-1 very interesting, but I think most users have some complaints. The biggest one is focus speed, from what I can tell. I hope Fuji has addressed the issues.

 

I have recently bought a used Leica M9. Even though I've spent my camera budget for the foreseeable future, I welcome all of these new additions. Looking forward to hearing the official announcements!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

By the way, new M9s are lower in price than I've ever seen right now:

 

 
 

Rumor - Four New Lenses To Be Announced By Panasonic at Photokina in September - Does This Affect My Olympus 75mm Lens Order?

 

Lumix 35-100 f2.8 X Zoom
Image Source: http://www.43rumors.com/ft3-four-new-m43-from-panasonic/
 
According to a post on 43rumors, Panasonic will announce four new lenses at Photokina in September. The 35-100mm f2.8 news has been out there for a while. This could be a nice lens. I think a tele-zoom at f2.8 would be more interesting to me than the 12-35mm f2.8 turned out to be.
 
(Click Here) to read the original post on 43rumors.
 
Speculation also says that Panasonic is likely to announce a lens that competes with the new Olympus 75mm f1.8. This has me thinking - should I wait and not purchase the Olympus lens?
 
Reasons to NOT purchase the Olympus 75mm:

• Mega OIS (vibration reduction) will likely be included in the Panasonic lens. Since I use Panasonic bodies, and Olympus puts vibration reduction in their bodies, I won't ever get this from an Olympus lens.
• Frankly, I'd rather have a Panasonic lens.
• The Olympus lens is only available in silver.
• I've already been waiting six weeks for my Olympus order to be shipped

Reasons to GO AHEAD and purchase the Olympus 75mm:

• Who knows exactly what Panasonic will announce? I'm convinced 75mm is a great focal length for me. If Panasonic announces a 60mm, that won't be long enough for me.
• Most importantly, when will a new Panasonic lens really be available? Probably 2013. I'm not waiting that long.
• I'm sure the Olympus lens will have wonderful build and image quality.
• I somehow doubt that Panasonic's lens will be f1.8 or faster (but that's just a guess). I want that fast f-stop.
• I'm impatient.

So, I'm going ahead with my Olympus 75mm f1.8 purchase.

 
DMC-365.blogspot.com