Okay, so today was the first day of photokina, so let’s see what there is to report on. Some exciting stuff from Leica, Fujifilm and Olympus was already announced yesterday, see my previous post.
Leica X1 in black
Today, another Leica goodie was presented: the long-rumored, all-black Leica X1! It’s got the same features as the standard model, the only differences being the all black body and a slightly more textured “vulcanite” leatherette covering. In this way, the X1 fits perfectly into Leica’s tradition of offering a silver-and-black next to an all-black version of each of their rangefinder camera models (– the X1 being the exception of course, as it isn’t a rangefinder).
 The new all-black Leica X1. Picture courtesy of Leica Camera AG. Continue reading Photokina day 1: The highlights
According to a press release published only minutes ago, Carl Zeiss are going to introduce their CP.2 line of cine lenses not only in several SLR mounts, but also in Micro Four Thirds mount. This will enable users of current and future HD capable Micro Four Thirds cameras such as the Panasonic GH1 to use these brilliant lenses for videography.
 The Zeiss CP.2 cine prime lens lineup. Picture courtesy of Carl Zeiss AG. The CP.2 “Compact Prime” series is a line of lenses created for cinematography and videography, currently ranging from 18 to 85mm with T-speed ratings between 3.6 and 2.1. The line will be extended by a 50mm/T2.1 macro and a 100mm/T2.1 lens soon.
Link to the original press release @ zeiss.de.
I just got back from a weekend celebrating my grandfather’s 90th birthday, and although I’m tired and not really in the mood for working on this site, here’s something that’s so exciting I need to post about it right away!
43rumors recently published a link to a japanese website showing what seem to be the first sample pictures from the new Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95 for Micro Four Thirds – the first dedicated fast manual prime that MFT users have been waiting for since … well, since forever.
Here’s the link to the original Japanese site, and here’s a Google English translation.
P.S.: They also have a picture of the lens on a black E-P2 + VF-2, which looks really sexy and desirable!
This has to be the most exciting news this year so far, and I’m not certain if it can be surpassed by anything else! Last night, it was rumored on 43rumors.com that an exciting Micro Four Thirds announcement would be made soon, and that it wouldn’t be any of the major players. Later is was also mentioned that it would be a rangefinder company, leaving only a hand full of possibilities. Today the bomb exploded, and now it’s official: Cosina not only announced to join the Micro Four Thirds consortium, they also announced production of a dedicated 25mm f/0.95 Micro Four Thirds lens – although completely manual, as with all Cosina made lenses.
 The just-announced Voigtländer Nokton 25/0.95 MFT. Picture via 43rumors.com. Click for larger version. The news is all over the web already, so here’s a collection of links leading to the most important information.
http://www.43rumors.com/cosina-co-ltd-joins-the-micro-four-thirds-system-standard-group/
http://www.43rumors.com/the-new-voigtlander-25mm-f0-95-for-microfourthirds-has-been-announced/
http://www.digitalkamera.de/Meldung/Voigtlaender_Nokton_25mm_F0_95_MFT_und_Heliar_Classic_75mm_F1_8_VM/6691.aspx
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1008/10082619cosinamicrofourthirds.asp
EDIT: According to this translation of Cosina’s original Japanese announcement, they’re going to produce even more Micro Four Thirds products (not necessarily only lenses!) in the future. Thanks to the OP on dpreview forums.
Finally! A lot of people have been eagerly awaiting this review, and now it’s finally here. Since yesterday, the dpreview review of Panasonic’s latest mid-range Micro Four Thirds model, the Lumix G2, is online.
Personally, I’m not overly interested in Panasonic’s G-series. Maybe this will change in the future when more interesting models come … But what’s definitely interesting about the G2 is its 3″ twist-and-tilt touchscreen LCD, which allows for some rather intuitive operation of the camera.
To find out how the G2 to fares, and how it compares to both its predecessor, the G1, and to its smaller sibling, the G10, read the review!
Sometime last week, dpreview also published their review of the Samsung EX1/TL500, on which I reported ealier. Don’t miss that as well!
Buy the Panasonic G2 from B&H Photo Video Audio!
Buy the Samsung EX1/TL500 from B&H Photo Video Audio!
|
|
September 21st, 2010, 9:39 pm | 
