(FT5) Here is the Panasonic fast MicroFourThirds lens: 25mm f/1.4 (+ fast zoom!)

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And finally, here is that fast lens we told you about a month ago. Panasonic says that the following three lenses are ‘under consideration’:

– 25mm f/1.4 lens (It could be a MFT version of the [shoplink 16340]Panasonic 25mm f/1.4? (Click here to see the classic FourThirds lens on eBay)[/shoplink])

– Bright zoom (this is the new video lens we are waiting for!)

– Bright Wide-Angle

That’s good news! That’s exactly the lenses we need now. A fast zoom for our [shoplink 16254]GH2[/shoplink], and a fast standard prime.

UPDATE: I like that “etc” at the bottom right of the picture :)

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First Panasonic GH2 video test!

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Prototype [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink] Footage from Photokina 2010 from Andrew Reid on Vimeo.

EOSHD posted a first preview of the new [shoplink 16254]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink]. You can see some basic ISO-test. He says: “ISO 800 is silky smooth, it looks like ISO 200 on the GH1. It really is virtually noiseless. ISO 1600 is clean and ISO 3200 perfectly useable especially in video mode. Like with the GH1 there is a step change between ISOs higher up. On the GH1, the degradation happened between 800 and 1600 but on the GH1 it only goes down hill between 3200 and 6400 – a great improvement!“

UPDATE: Amazon fixed the issue and removed the GH2. Link below does’t work anymore :(
Weird: Amazon has the SILVER Panasonic GH2 available for preorder for…$0,01 only (definitely a mistake!)


First GH2 Light Speed AF Demo (with the 14-140mm lens)

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New Lensbaby 40mm f/1.6 for MicroFourThirds

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Image courtesy: Tyson Robichaud

Our friend Tyson Robichaud just announced the new Lensbaby 40mm f/1.6 for MicroFourThirds lens ([shoplink 16319]Lensbabies for classic 4/3 mount are already available[/shoplink]) T.R writes:”This Lensbaby offers not only a relatively affordable choice, but one that will double as an Nikon F Mount adapter. When the standard Lensbaby Composer element is removed, the Tilt Transformer acts as a lens conversion mount which will enable any compatible Nikon lens to function as a tilt lens would.  Think macro with a controlled slice of focus enabling you to shoot an entire bug in focus at f/2.8 or f/4!  Or, create the tilt miniature “effect” with a fisheye or a super telephoto lens!  If you prefer to avoid the tilting portion of the deal, center your lens and lock it down with the locking ring on the Tilt Transformer and viola!  You have yourself an F mount adapter, or a 40mm (80mm efov) f/1.6 portrait lens!”

Read more here: http://tysonrobichaudphotography.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/micro-43-lensbaby-tilt-transformer-is-here/

[shoplink 16319]Click here if you want to see current Lensababy 4/3 mount auctions on eBay[/shoplink]!

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Olympus E-5 image samples

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Finally we have many websites posting Olympus E-5 image samples!

Look at the photo galleries at DPreview, Letsgodigital, Photographyblog, Fotopolis, Photokinashow and FourThirdsuser.com

Images from the E-5 are quite good, even up to ISO 3200. This is definitely the Olympus camera with the best image quality.

You can now preorder the Olympus E-5 at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here)

If you want to know more about the upcoming Olympus compact camera take a look at the Hands-On Photos on Photographyblog and Quesabesde.

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Photokina news (Sigma surprise, FinePix X100 for $1.000 only!)

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Sigma is contending the throne for the most exciting new Photokina product announcements with the FinePix X100 and Panasonic GH2. The new Sigma SD1 has a 15.3MP X3 foveon sensor.
More about that camera on Engadget and Dpreview. There are two reasons why we should be interested in future Sigma developments.

1) It looks like Sigma is working together with Olympus. Nagy (one of our readers) had an intuition: “Look at the reflection of the matte screen in Sigma SD1! http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/news/img/SD1-front.jpg. The autofocus system features an 11 point twin cross sensor. The shifted twin cross type sensor improves AF accuracy. It is absolutely the same specifications as the Olympus E-3/E-5 AF modul. Did they buy an AF modul from Olympus?“. Or did both buy the AF technolgy from the same third-party manufactor?

2) According to two of our sources Olympus is testing foveon sensors on their PEN prototypes. And Sigma is part of the FourThirds “coalition”.

I will closely follow the Sigma SD1 reviews!

And now let’s talk about that awesome Fuji FinePix X100. We have good news. We all expected the X100 to cost around $1.500-$1.700 but according to Engadget the real price will be $1.000! The camera itself will be available in March 2011. Read the Engadget Hands-on (Click here) and on Photographyblog


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Panasonic and Olympus new firmware updates!

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Panasonic today announces the new firmware updates for the interchangeable lens Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. and the camera DMC-G2 of LUMIX G Micro System. The included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition is also going to be updated.
Firmware Ver.1.3 for LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S.
  • Improved AF performance in speed is available
  • Reduced start-up time (lens)
Firmware Ver.1.1 for DMC-G2
  • Compatibility with the new interchangeable 3D lens LUMIX G 12.5mm / F12 (H-FT012)
PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition (Ver.1.1)
  • Compatibility with the image shot with DMC-G2 and the new interchangeable 3D lens LUMIX G 12.5mm / F12 (H-FT012) for loading and sorting the 3D image or converting it to 2D image or writing it back to the SD Memory Card.
The Firmware Ver.1.3 for Lumix G Vario HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. will be released at the beginning of October, 2010 and the Firmware Ver.1.1 for DMC-G2 and PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition update program will be available in November 2010.

Our friends from ForumOlympusFrance found the Olympus has firmware update! The update on following lenses “Improves sequential shooting speed on E-5 cameras.”

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