Fuji Launches New Retro Compact – XF1

July 10, 2024September 16, 2012 by Dan Carr

Fuji knows how to design a cool looking camera and the new XF1 is no exception. This takes the same sensor from the popular and highly regarded X10 and puts it into a even more svelte package. FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) is proud to announce the launch of the XF1, a pocket-sized premium compact digital camera. This latest addition to Fujifilm’s X-series range of cameras is due to be on sale in November this year. With its perfectly matched lens and sensor, careful attention to detail on appearance and design, and accessible technology, the XF1 extends the X series …

Sony Takes The Bull By The Horns – RX1, A99 , NEX-6

July 10, 2024September 12, 2012 by Dan Carr

Anyone that monitors the photographic industry can’t help but notice that Sony has been making some noise in recent years. Just two or three years ago I wouldn’t dream of looking to them for groundbreaking photo technology or lust-worthy camera hardware but fast forward to 2012 and Sony are making big waves. As their lens lineup expands and improves, Canon and Nikon need to watch their back because Sony are intent on becoming number one and they are on the right track. Tonight saw the simultaneous launch of a frankly bewildering number of new products for the 2012 Photokina show. …

Sony About To Launch Full Frame Compact – RX1

July 10, 2024September 9, 2012 by Dan Carr

This week is set to be Sony’s biggest ever week in the photography industry. Not only are they about to launch the A99, a full frame DSLR with incredible photo and video specs, but they are also set to launch a full frame compact camera called the RX1. The development has been hinted at by well connected people in the past but the confirmation was broken today by PhotoPrice.ca when they got hold of the first image of the upcoming camera. The only other compact, mirrorless full frame camera on the market is the Leica M9 , and soon to …

First Canon 24-70 f2.8 II Reviews Coming In

July 10, 2024September 7, 2012 by Dan Carr

I have this lens on order myself and intend to do a full review as soon as I get it. Unfortunately there are so far no signs of it coming to Canada. In fact a Canon rep even said he’s ‘not expecting it this month’ which is somewhat worrying as B&H is expecting to begin shipping theirs next week. I have to buy mine in Canada to take advantage of my CPS discount otherwise I would have just gone with B&H.

New Line Of Zeiss Lenses Coming For Canon & Nikon – First Is Distagon 55mm f1.4

July 10, 2024September 6, 2012 by Dan Carr

Zeiss issued an interesting press release this morning that revealed some future plans prior to the Photokina show next week. As well as revealing that they will produce some mirrorless system lenses next year , they unveiled the first in a new line of lenses for full frame Canon and Nikon cameras. The first will be the Distagon 55mm f1.4 and it is pegged as a lens family for ‘demanding users’. In other words this is going to be bomb-proof but also incredibly expensive. OBERKOCHEN, 06.09.2012.During photokina 2012 in Cologne (September 18-23), Carl Zeiss will present attractive new pro- ducts …

Why Bother With The Fuji X-Pro 1? Just Get the X-E1!

July 10, 2024September 6, 2012 by Dan Carr

So Fuji went and announced a new camera in the X-Series today called the X-E1. It’s pegged as the more affordable version of the X-Pro 1 but in my mind it makes the X-Pro 1 a now pointless purchase. You see the X-E1 features the exact same 16MP sensor as its bigger brother, it adds a built in pop-up flash and it is physically quite a bit smaller. What’s the catch then ? Well you loose the hybrid optical viewfinder that Fuji touted as the major feature of the Fuji X100 and the X-Pro 1. But here’s then thing, that …

Zeiss Announces New Compact 28-80 t2.9 Cine Zoom

July 10, 2024August 30, 2012 by Dan Carr

OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 30.08.2012. Carl Zeiss will display the new cine zoom lens Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 at the IBC in Amsterdam, the leading international trade show for film, radio and television, from September 7 to 11, 2012 in hall 11 booth G64. The new Compact Zoom CZ.2 28-80/T2.9 by Carl Zeiss is a cine zoom lens ideally suited to a wide variety of shooting situations. It is easy to handle, compact and versatile. It takes pictures in 4K resolution — in full format. This is the second Compact Zoom CZ.2 lens from Carl Zeiss, complementing the Compact Zoom CZ.2 70-200/T2.9 presented …

Canon Expands Cinema EOS Lineup With The New C100

July 10, 2024August 29, 2012 by Dan Carr

Back in November last year I interviewed one of Canon’s product developers Eric Allen who worked on the C300 Cinema camera. At the time I asked him if this was the bridge camera between the DSLR world and a professional camera system or whether that mantle was being assumed by the 4k DSLR that is also being released shortly. Eric replied definitively that the 4K DSLR was a different thing entirely, leading us to assume that there would soon be a camera that more closely bridged that gap that now exists between the DSLRs and the C300. That time is …

Profoto Announces New B4 Air

July 24, 2024August 27, 2012 by Dan Carr

Profoto updates their Air lineup again, introducing the new B4 Air which will take flash durations down to 25,000 of second. This could well be the new king of portable strobes for action sports photogs. My question is what is Elinchrom playing at ? They have a loyal following in the portable strobe world with the Ranger RX but it has been years since any updates. They need to come out with something new soon or I will be switching to this new B4 system! Profoto Introduces New Pro-B4 1000 Air Durable new battery generator sets a new standard for …

Fuji’s Upcoming New Products For Photokina

July 24, 2024August 24, 2012 by Dan Carr

Leaked images of Fuji’s new cameras have appeared online today and boy do Fuji know how to design a camera. The first is the cheaper alternative to the X-Pro 1 , the X-E1 which is available in black or silver. The second appears to be a regular point and shoot camera but given Fuji’s now standard retro makeover and it looks gorgeous. No real word on specs yet but it is clear that the X-E1 doesn’t include an optical viewfinder. This is actually a good thing in my opinion as my experience withe Fuji X100 left me dissatisfied with focus …

Canon 40mm f2.8 STM Firmware Update

July 24, 2024August 21, 2012 by Dan Carr

Firmware Version 1.2.0 addresses the following phenomenon 1. If pressure is applied to the lens barrel while the lens is mounted to the camera (pressure can be applied even while attaching the lens cap or while carrying the camera with the lens attached in a bag), the autofocusing function of the lens may stop working. A Canon EOS 1D X, 5D III (at v1.1.3 or later) or a Rebel T4i/650D is needed to install the upgrade. Alternatively, the lens can be sent to Canon Service to have the firmware upgrade installed.Download Firmware 1.2.0

Are Sony About To Change The Camera Industry ?

July 24, 2024August 9, 2012 by Dan Carr

It’s not all that often that I feel compelled to write about something based on a rumor but this warrants further discussion for two reasons. Firstly the source has been remarkably reliable in the past and secondly, what they are rumoring is a real game changer. Sony Alpha Rumors is reporting that Sony’s next NEX cameras will feature support for apps, and an internet connection. In my opinion this has been a long time coming. Think of how successful photography apps have been on the iPhone. Now imagine if that was coupled to a camera that actually had some power and real quality? …