Okay guys and gals, here’s to some serious pornography. Yes, I’m serious! Today, several exciting and breathtaking announcements have been made in anticipation of this year’s photokina (which will commence tomorrow, and not today as I accidentally stated in my previous post – apologies again!), some of them so absolutely stunning that’s they are seriously close to pornography! 😉

So here’s what I’m talking about:

• Fujifilm today announced the development of yet another large-sensor fixed-lens enthusiast’s compact – but this time it could be the real thing! It’s got a stunning, classic rangefinder design, support for full manual operation (seperate shutter speed and exosure correction dials on top and an aperture ring on the lens), and a unique hybrid electric-optical viewfinder, featuring a semi-transparent high-resolution LCD that is projected into the optical viewfinder image.
• Olympus announced the development of yet yet another large-sensor fixed-lens enthusiast’s compact featuring a Zuiko branded lens. Judging from the pictures (the camera is only a mock-up so far), it’ll feature a Micro Four Thirds sensor. Detailed specs are unknown as of yet.
• Leica will present the M9 Titanium, which has been designed by VW chief of design Walter de Silva – the man who draw the stunning Audi A5! It looks absolutely gorgeous, and like the new Fuji it’ll feature a hybrid viewfinder with electronically projected framelines! Also the two new re-branded Panasonic models, the D-Lux 5, successor to the D-Lux 4 and close-to-identical to the Panasonic LX5, as well as the V-Lux 2, successor to the V-Lux 1 and close-to-identical to the Panasonic FZ100.

More after the cut! Continue reading Photokina day -1: Exciting announcements!