Olympus reveals flagship compact at Photokina

Olympus is set to display a mock-up of their next flagship compact at Photokina, Cologne, Germany, this week, but it's not known at this stage whether it will adopt the company's FT format sensor. The unnamed compact will feature a Zuiko Digital branded zoom lens, and uses the same accessory port as the E-P2 and E-PL1 mFT cameras, allowing the option of an electronic viewfinder and stereo microphone (albeit not at the same time). Olympus are being coy as to whether the sensor is an mFT size imager, meaning it's likely not.

Fujifilm outs X100 rangefinder-esque compact

Fuji has announced the development of a new rangefinder styled compact with a 12MP APS-C CMOS sensor (with what looks like offset micro-lenses to improve peripheral illumination), fixed 35mm-equivalent f/2 Fujinon lens, HD movie option and hybrid optical viewfinder. It's expected to be released early in 2011, but there's no word yet on price. In case you're wondering, no, that's not a Nikon compatible hotshoe.

PHOTOKINA 2010, COLOGNE, GERMANY, September 20, 2010 - FUJIFILM Corporation is pleased to announce the new FinePix X100, a high-grade digital compact camera featuring an APS-C CMOS sensor, a Fujinon 23mm fixed focal length lens and a newly developed Hybrid Viewfinder, due for commercial release in early 2011.

The FinePix X100 is aimed at the professional photographer or keen enthusiast looking for exceptional quality pictures from a compact camera. It is designed to appeal to the millions of DSLR users who need a slim back-up camera for high quality in-fill shots when the use of a bigger SLR system is either inconvenient or impractical. Or, of course, it can be used as a professional's only top-end camera, if size and versatility are the primary considerations.

Fujifilm has closely studied the current line-up of professional cameras and feels that there is a strong need for a compact high-quality (APS-C based) camera as a counterpoint to an SLR. Using the experience of working with generations of photographers using famous emulsions like Velvia, Provia, Astia etc., Fujifilm engineers distilled this knowledge into months of careful study to create the perfect compact-sized professional camera.

The priority for this model is picture quality, so it was decided to make the highest quality possible lens and sensor combination, built from the ground-up. The lens chosen is a fixed, prime F2 lens, made by Fujinon, manufactured to perfectly match the APS-C custom sensor. Added to this is the newly-developed EXR Processor, which combines all the latest image processing technology Fujifilm has technology built up over the years.

Other cameras on the market look to fill the need for the ultimate ‘compact’ professional camera, but the Fujifilm development team believe that, having listened to the marketplace, the FinePix X100 offers a number of technical developments that will set this camera apart from other contenders. The main technologies employed in this camera are as follows:

Hybrid Viewfinder (New Development)

The Hybrid Viewfinder on the FinePix X100 combines the window-type “bright frame” optical viewfinder found in high-end film cameras such as 35mm or medium-format cameras, and the electronic viewfinder system incorporated in fixed single lens or mirrorless digital cameras.

By using integrating a prism for the 1,440,000 dot LCD panel image on the viewing screen in the reverse-Galilean optical finder, the Hybrid Viewfinder can show both the shooting frame and a variety of shooting data. Of course, it can also be used as a high-quality electronic viewfinder to compose or playback shots. With this ability to instantly switch between optical and electronic viewfinder images with simple “one touch” control. The new Hybrid Viewfinder offers users expanded freedom in the composition and enjoyment of photography in a range of challenging shooting conditions.

While digital compact cameras have become ever slimmer and more compact in recent years, composing and viewing shots on large, higher resolution LCD panels on the back of the camera has become the mainstream practice for today's users. On the other hand, shooting with an optical viewfinder is the standard practice for conventional film cameras and the preferred method for large numbers of digital camera owners. Many prefer the finder to be as close as possible to the eye so the user can focus attention exclusively on photo composition to get a clear view of the subject without distraction.

While traditionalists prefer the clear, sharp view of an ‘optical’ finder, modern electronic displays, giving data like shutter speed, aperture, white balance, exposure correction and sensitivity can aid the photographer tremendously. The new Hybrid Viewfinder on the FinePix X100 aims to give the user the ‘best of both worlds’

Further specifications for the Hybrid Viewfinder are as follows:

The reverse Galilean optical finder with a 0.5x magnification features all-glass elements made from high-refractive index glass and demonstrates low chromatic aberration and distortion.

In optical viewfinder mode, the brightness of both the “bright frame” and text data is automatically adjusted according to the brightness of scene area, ensuring that shooting information is always easily and clearly viewable.

Displayed shooting data is constantly updated according to changes in shutter speed, exposure, sensitivity and other settings.
In electronic viewfinder mode, the photographer can preview the picture or playback the result with the “through the sensor” image review. Available with one-touch switching ease, this capability enables the user to preview and confirm exposure settings, depth-of-field effects, white balance, and macro shots.

12.3 Megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor

The FinePix X100 features a custom CMOS high-performance sensor, internally optimized and developed exclusively for this model. Optimization of the angle-of-incidence in conjunction with the specially developed lens maximizes light gathering efficiency extending to the perimeter of the sensor for a sharper image with exceptional clarity.

When shooting HD movies, the combination of the large-sized sensor and the large aperture F2 lens, lets users shoot a soft out-of-focus touch (bokeh) - a capability not available in conventional compact cameras.

The ideal combination of a fixed focal length lens, high-sensitivity sensor (approx. 10 times the sensitivity of a conventional compact*1) and a high-performance image processor captures exceptionally high-quality images over the entire sensitivity range from low to high ISO settings.

The high-speed CMOS sensor read-out and the EXR Processor's enhanced focusing system contributes to the high-speed AF performance, while the combination of the optical viewfinder and extremely low shutter time lag enhance the pleasure of every shot.
*1 Comparison with other FinePix compact camera models.

23mm F2 Fujinon (Aspherical) Lens

The newly-developed lens offers a focal length of 23mm (135 equivalent: 35mm) and a widest aperture of F2. Made from molded glass, the lens contains 8 elements in 6 groups.

The adoption of the non-collapsible lens structure with minimized lens length not only contributes to the compact size but also eliminates telescoping of the lens when the power is on. It's ready to start shooting the moment you turn it on.

Exploiting the merits of fixed focal length lens, this lens delivers sharp resolution of the total image from the center to the corners. In addition, the lens features not only the large F2 aperture value, but also an optical architecture that maintains a high degree of resolution even when closed by 1 to 2 stops.

The lens uses a 9-blade aperture diaphragm. A large F2 aperture and high-quality optics let users take beautiful photos with a soft out-of-focus (bokeh) effect. The lens enables macro shooting as close as 10 cm. Featuring a built-in ND filter (equivalent f-stop reduction of 3), the lens can enhance depth-of-field even in bright shooting conditions by enabling the aperture to be kept wide open. Shutter speed can also be reduced to capture waterfalls, or any shot where intentional blur is required.

EXR Processor (Newly Developed)

When combined with the high-performance lens and high-sensitivity sensor, the newly developed EXR Processor achieves the highest definition, sensitivity and wide dynamic range image quality of any digital camera produced by Fujifilm.

Throughout development of the processor, Fujifilm has re-examined every aspect from response to the circuit structure, and achieved a significant leap in signal processing performance for a more responsive and faithful reproduction of the image.
The graphical interface (style and rendering of the LCD information) has been upgraded in the newly developed LSI to enhance the user experience and to improve the clarity of the information presented.

Design

Inspired by the beauty and form of classic cameras from the past, the FinePix X100 combines all the latest technical digital innovations in a beautiful, traditional chassis which oozes class and prestige.

The ergonomics of the design offer the perfect balance between compact convenience and user-friendly operation.
The camera controls have been carefully thought out to give the photographer simple and speedy access to aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc, to allow maximum creative expression with minimum hassle. Custom modes can also be used for a one-touch change in settings.

The upper control deck/bottom surface has been cast from magnesium alloy (semi-solid metal casting) to contribute to a high-precision camera body with high rigidity. All dials on the upper control deck are fabricated from metal. Adoption of traditional ’manual‘ dials lets the user confirm the position of the settings without turning on the power. Premium quality is evident in every detail. The chassis has been finished with high-quality leather accents and is a delight to use and a pleasure to hold.

 

Technical Specifictions

More information can be found at the special X100 site here.

Pre-order yours here at Adorama.

Pre-order at B&H Photo

Pre-order at Amazon UK

 

UPDATE: Read our review of the Fuji Finepix X100 here.

Interesting finds on eBay; Nikon 2000mm f/11 Reflex Nikkor

Further to our NASA specced 'blad story for sale by exotic camera specialist and retailer Photo-Arsenal, I happened on this rarity while perusing their site on eBay. I've never seen one for sale before (it's on for a reasonable $20K), but I did get a chance to play with one once, courtesy of Nikon back in '79 or '80. As a visitor to the annual Olympia (or was it the Islington Design Centre?) photo event in London*, I wasn't the only one able to peer through the Nikon EM they had attached to it.

Parellels Comes To The iPhone and iPad

Parallels Mobile is an application that allows to control Parallels Desktop for Mac with an Apple mobile device, including iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Parallels Mobile allows you to connect to Parallels Desktop running on a remote Mac via the Internet or local network and work with the virtual machines installed on it. With Parallels Mobile, you have full control over your virtual machines. You can remotely start, stop, suspend, and pause a virtual machine. When a virtual machine is running, Parallels Mobile gives you mouse and keyboard control over it and shows in real time everything that happens on your virtual machine desktop. In other words, you can work with a virtual machine running on a remote Mac the same way as if you were sitting at your desk at home or in the office. Parallels Mobile is free and it can be downloaded from the App Store, right here.

If you're a Mac user and running the newly released Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac, now you have a great system with this Mobile version that will allow you to access any vitrual Windows computer running on a Mac that's using Parallels Desktop 6. The Desktop version of this application will cost you a hefty $80 but the mobile version is free.

To read the complete pdf set up gide for Parallels Mobile, click here to download it.

NASA Hassleblad For Sale - Same Color As A Tonka Truck

EBay seller Photo-arsenal-worldwide is flogging this mint-in-package NASA Hasselblad camera; bidding now stands at nearly $34,000 but is accepting offers......

Click here to place your bid!

Black Magic by Pogus Caesar - A Book of Photographs

A book of photographs by Pogus Caesar celebrating Britain's iconic black musicians is to be published next month. The book features evocative, nostalgic and largely unpublished images of musical legends like Stevie Wonder, Grace Jones and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.

Most of Caesar’s photography is based around his home city of Birmingham, documenting a spectrum of well-known personalities and recording significant events including the Handsworth riots, Birmingham tornado and the regeneration of the Bullring.

Cameo

Photographic Portrait Prize 2010 Shortlist

Four photographers have been shortlisted for the £12,000 Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, the major international photography award. Firmly established as the leading showcase for new talent in portrait photography, the prize is sponsored by international law firm Taylor Wessing.
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2010 will showcase the work of some of the most talented emerging young photographers, alongside that of established professionals, photography students and gifted amateurs. Selected anonymously from an open competition, the diversity of styles reflects the international mix of entrants as well as the range of approaches to the portrait genre, encompassing editorial, advertising and fine art images. The judges have selected 60 portraits for the exhibition from nearly 6,000 submissions entered by 2,401 photographers. The exhibition will run from 11 November 2010 through to 20 February 2011 at the National Portrait Gallery, London.
As well as the first-prize winner and three runners-up, the exhibition will feature the ELLE Commission. For the second year running, ELLE magazine will commission a photographer selected for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition to shoot a feature story. The ELLE Commission was judged by the fashion magazine's editor-in-chief, Lorraine Candy, together with the art director, Tom Meredith, and picture editor, Hannah Ridley.
With its substantial prize fund and high-profile exhibition and tour, the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize continues the Gallery's long tradition of championing the very best contemporary portrait photography. The following four photographers have been shortlisted for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2010:

Jeffrey Stockbridge for Tic Tac and Tootsie (twin sisters Carroll and Shelly McKean) from the series Nowhere but Here

Jeffrey Stockbridge, born 1982 in Woodbine, Maryland, moved to Philadelphia to study photography at Drexel University in 2002. Stockbridge's shortlisted photograph is of Tic Tac and Tootsie, 20-year-old twin sisters Carroll and Shelly McKean taken in Kensington, North Philadelphia. The twin sisters, who live on the street and suffer from insomnia, are both addicted to Xanex and have resorted to prostitution to supply their habit. Stockbridge says: ‘Enduring unthinkable pain on a daily basis, the sisters are both incredibly strong and weak at the same time. Caught in the grip of their addiction, they do whatever it takes to survive, except for getting clean.' Upon graduating in 2005, Stockbridge was placed as runner-up in the New York Times Magazine's ‘Capture the Times' photography competition for his series on abandoned houses in Philadelphia, titled Occupied. He has exhibited widely in the US since graduation and received many grants and awards for his projects documenting urban blight in Philadelphia.

Nikon mark production of 55 millionth Nikkor lens

Nikon D3x with 5cm f/2 second version & 'tick-marked' first version (right) from 1959

Nikon announced today that production of Nikkor lenses has exceeded 55 million units since the company started making lenses for the Nikon F SLR back in 1959. The milestone was achieved in August 2010. Nikon's first SLR lens delivered with the eye-level model F was the so-called "tick-marked" Nikkor-S 5cm f2 (pictured above right).
Before that, Nikkor was a trade-name to be found on the lenses of their own rangefinder cameras, but also that of rivals such as Canon and Leica. Indeed, the first Canon camera was largely made by Nikon, certainly all of the optical components, including the rangefinder and the lenses, as that's what Nikon specialised in.
As a subsidiary of Mitsubishi, one of the largest shipbuilders in Japan, Nippon Kogaku KK (Japan Optical Co, Ltd), as Nikon was then known as, was the main supplier of optical ordinance to the Imperial Japanese Navy).
According to a translator friend of mine living in Japan, the approximate English translation of "Nikkor" is sunlight, there's no exact translation.

For more information see the translated press release here.

Just in case you're wondering why the 'tick-marked' lens (notice the short lines or 'ticks', by the aperture and distance scales) isn't attached to the D3x in the above, it's because it doesn't fit! The Nikon F mount used to sit proud of the body, it doesn't now, so the first 'tick-marked" versions (2.8, 3.5, 5, 10.5 and 13.5cm) with their wide aperture ring and thus deeply recessed claw mount prevent the lens from attaching. You can see just how recessed it is in the above picture. The still very early second (and onwards) versions do fit, thanks to their modified aperture ring.

Nikon make leaked D7000, lenses and SB700 official

After a number of recent leaks on the inter-web, Nikon has today officially announced the D7000, new AF-S 35mm f/1.4G, refreshed the AF-S 200mm f/2G VR (with VR II and Nano Crystal coat) and rolled out a new SB-700 flash. Introduced initially as a replacement to the D90, my own opinion is that the D7000 will eventually replace the D300s as the semi-pro APS-C format DSLR (the D7000 has a particularly advanced spec), leaving way for new pro-level FX (full-frame) cameras. Few pros use APS-C crop DSLRs these days, as evidenced by Nikon's rush to add FX lenses.

Detailed information on the new camera and lenses can be found here.

The big news apart from the metal body, 100 percent viewfinder coverage and 16.2MP CMOS sensor is the HD movie mode. Besides now recording up to 20 mins using H.264 AVC it boasts 1080(24p), which should be attractive to pro film-makers, though at the optional 25fps / 30fps settings resolution drops to 720p. The price is attractive too at £1100 / 1303 Euros, including tax, body only. The lens to get is not the 18-105mm VR, which is available in the kit option, but the recently updated 18-200mm VR II.

Kodak rolls out Professional Portra 400 colour neg

Remember film? No, well maybe not. Kodak hasn't quite let go though, if this press release is anything to go by. They're claiming their new Professional Portra 400 is the world's finest grain 400 speed colour negative film out there. Available from November in 35 mm, 120/220, and 4x5 sheet format, Portra 400 is intended for wedding, portrait and fashion photographers, in case you couldn't guess from the name. There's no word on pricing, but it makes feel like dusting off my quaint F5 and maybe trying out that new AF-S 85mm f/1.4G. I'll have to see if Nikon (and Kodak) are feeling generous.

Olympus Statement 'All Cameras Will Be Mirrorless in the future'

News just in via 43Rumors, confirms what we have been thinking for some time, apparently, Mark Thackara, UK Product Manager for Olympus, spoke with Amateur Photographer magazine and said this “We will continue to do these [Four Thirds cameras] until micro cameras can do what other products can,” and “All cameras will be mirrorless in the future.”

A spokesperson from Olympus Europe, Franziska Jorke, went on to say, the autofocus and burst rate of DSLRs as still being superior to Micro Four Thirds models, along with the optical viewfinders. Jorke predicted that the concept of a camera ‘will change in 5-10 years’. However, in a bid to reassure photo enthusiasts, she said there will always be an Olympus camera body available – whether a DSLR or another type of camera altogether – to allow users to benefit from current Four Thirds lenses.

Written by: Joanne Carter

RED One Mysterium X cameras now widely available

Today is a good day, if you've been waiting to get your hands on RED's next generation Mysterium X camera. It is now widely available for purchase after originally being released only to exisiting RED One owners seven months ago, as an upgrade.

The camera uses a typical P/L mount for lenses and has full pro connections through mini XLR, HD-SDI, Genlock and timecode ports. It revolves around a modular system that can add a CompactFlash card module, specialized viewfinders and stands, and other extras to customize it to a particular form of moviemaking. Videos are still produced in the native Redcode format used in Apple's Final Cut Studio and other pro editing apps.

 

 

The RED One MX costs $25,000 for the body so you need to be serious about this bad boy. Payment needs a 10 percent deposit and is backlogged by seven to 10 days due to demand. Old models using the original Mysterium sensor aren't available except for those who already have a deposit down and intend to continue through the process.

This is what you get when you place your deposit:

Camera body
P/L Mount including BODY CAP
Accessories: (1) SD CARD, (1) mini-BNC to DIN 1.0/2.3 cable, (1) mini-XLR to mini-XLR cable, (1) mini-XLR to XLR adaptor, and BOLT SET
Highly recommend that a CF MODULE is purchased along with each RED ONE

To place your deposit - click here

Lenses

RED PRO T1.8 PRIME SET (I):

Includes: 25mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm
Uses standard PL mount included with RED ONE
Imperial lens measurement version
RED PRO 300mm can be purchased for $4000 (normally $5950) if purchased and delivered on the same order as a RED PRO PRIME SET. The $1950 credit will be calculated at time of order invoicing for RED PRO PRIME SET and RED PRO 300mm
Existing owners of the RED PRO 300mm or original RED 300mm will receive a $1000 credit at time of order invoicing for RED PRO PRIME SET

To order this fine set of lenses for $19,000 - click here

Written by: Joanne Carter

At Last, New Canon G12 Brings HD Video Option

We've been waiting for this feature for a long time, and at last Canon have done it, albeit with 720p/24 HD video (the same as the Nikon  P7000). Other than that, things are pretty rudimentary, such a 10 megapixel CCD sensor, 5x lens with teleconverter, DIGIC 4 processor, and 2.8-inch 461k-dot articulated LCD (remaining the same as the now defunct G11). The difference though is that you now get new Canon's Hybrid IS system from the S95 for better macro performance, along with a new HDR mode and front command-dial. It'll be $499 when it hits in early October.

Check the price of the Canon PowerShot G12 (Amazon US).

Mirror, Mirror, Where Are You? Samsung NX100 Mirrorless Camera

The successor to last year's NX10, now offering a sleeker body, 14.6 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, a 3-inch VGA AMOLED display, an ISO range of 100 to 3200 (with a boost mode hitting 6400), 720p movie recording (H.264), SD / SDHC card slot, optional geo-tagging with GPS10 module and 'Sound Picture' mode that allows users to record audio when a photo is taken.
The new i-Function lens system really interesting though, it features a dedicated 'i-Function' button that allows users to scroll through manual settings, and a focus ring which is used to change parameters for each setting. Users can toggle between shutter speed, aperture, EV, WB, and ISO by simply using the i-Function button and ring on the lens.
With a variety of lenses for the NX100 planned, including a 60mm macro, 18-200mm telephoto, 20mm wide-angle pancake and a 20-50mm compact zoom, we can't wait to give it a try out.

Olympus make E-5 official

Not much has changed over the original (three-year old) E-3 but there's a slight increase in pixel count to 12MP, a less aggressive AA filter, which should mean better micro-contrast (and according to Olympus is superior to both the EOS 7D and D300), a new image processor, and mono 720p 30fps HD movie clips. Fortunately, it has a stereo mic socket, and the 3-inch LCD is a big improvement too, with 921k dot resolution. For more information, please see the press release below.

Tarnished Earth - Powerful Street Gallery of Photographs - Opens Tomorrow - 09/14/10

The stark images tell the story of how Canada’s Boreal Forest is being destroyed by a rush to extract oil from the tar sands which lie just below its surface. ‘Tarnished Earth’ is being staged by The Co-operative, in conjunction with WWF-UK and Greenpeace, as part of its Toxic Fuels campaign. The images contrast the destruction caused by the oil extraction with the Boreal’s pristine wilderness and the traditional way of life of the indigenous First Nation Cree.

Survival expert Ray Mears is due to attend the exhibition to show his support for the Toxic Fuels. Also attending will be Chief Al Lameman who is leader of the Beaver Lake Cree First Nation, a campaigner for improved living conditions on the reserve.

The exhibition is Free to view and is planning to run for four weeks.

To see more images from the exhibition - click here

Aerial view of the oily surface of the Mildred Lake tailings pond adjacent to the Syncrude upgrader north of Fort McMurray. The striking images will show how Canada’s magnificent boreal forest is being destroyed by the rush to extract oil from the tar sands just below the surface.

All Photographs: Jiri Rezac/Greenpeace

Cut in Half

Vast areas of forest are cleared. Paul Monaghan, head of sustainability at the Co-operative, said: 'We recognise the power of art to motivate people to take action and drive change, and we are confident that Tarnished Earth will help raise awareness of the massive environmental damage being caused by the exploitation of Canadian tar sands.' The Co-operative is staging the exhibition in conjunction with WWF-UK and Greenpeace.

Aerial view of the Syncrude Aurora tar sands mine in the boreal forest north of Fort McMurray

Drawing The Line

Drawing the line: activists call the destruction of the boreal forest one of the world's worst ecological disasters.

First Full Image Of Olympus E-5

43rumors.com wasted no time in getting this image out. The E-5 will be released tomorrow but for now we will all have to contend with this image, the first one of the complete camera, to date. Looking very similar to the Olympus E-3, so no great surprises there.

Spec

- Weather-proof (Magnesium) body
- 12.1Megapixel sensor (The same Olympus PEN sensor)
- ISO 100 – 6400 in 1/3 or 1 EV steps
- AVI Motion JPEG(30fps) HD (720)
- 6fps
- it can take a picture with sound.
- mono mic with stereo external microphone input
- 3 inch LCD with 920.000 dots resolution
- 11 points full-twin cross AF sensor (phase-difference detection system)
- 11 area multiple AF (contrast detection system)
- CF and SD dual slot
- Built-in wireless flash

Written by Joanne Carter

Olympus E-5 Uses Same Panasonic 12 MP Sensor, as used in the PEN

Latest update regarding the Olympus E-5, according to 43Rumors, is that the E-5 will not use the 12MPX sensor as previously rumored but the same 12 MP sensor as used for the PEN. 43Rumors go on to say that 'Olympus prefer that sensor to the new Panasonic 16 MP - presumably the GH2'

The E-5 is also expected to be slightly cheaper than the $1699 of the E-3 when that was launched in October 2007. At least we will know fro sure very soon as the E-5 should be unveiled tomorrow, September 14.

NASA Commons - 50 Years of Photographs - A New Archive

An incredible archive of images from NASA, known as NASA Commons pertains to demonstrate just how far space exploration has come. The images are brilliant, historically speaking as well as photographically. NASA describe the archive as "an opportunity for the public to participate in the process of discovery." It focuses on key figures in the agency's development, such as astronaut John Glenn, photographed below entering Friendship 7 to begin his historic flight as well as a briefing given by Major Rocco Petrone to President John F. Kennedy during a tour of Blockhouse 34 at the Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex.

To see the full NASA Commons archive - click here

Friendship 7

Collection: NASA Image of the Day Gallery
Title: Friendship 7

Description: On Feb. 20, 1962 at 9:47 am EST, John Glenn launched from Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 14 to become the first American to orbit the Earth. In this image, Glenn enters his Friendship 7 capsule with assistance from technicians to begin his historic flight. Glenn rejoined NASA in 1998 as a member of the STS-95 Discovery crew. This 9-day mission, from Oct. 29-Nov. 7, supported a variety of research payloads including deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope Orbital Systems Test Platform and investigations on space flight and the aging process. Image Credit: NASA

JFK Tour of KSC

Collection: NASA Great Images in Nasa Collection
Title: JFK Tour of KSC

Full Description: A briefing is given by Major Rocco Petrone to President John F. Kennedy during a tour of Blockhouse 34 at the Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex.

Date: 9/11/1962

Spiro Agnew and Lyndon Johnson Watch the Apollo 11 Liftoff

Collection: NASA Great Images in Nasa Collection
Title: Spiro Agnew and Lyndon Johnson Watch the Apollo 11 Liftoff

Full Description: Vice President Spiro Agnew and former President Lyndon B. Johnson view the liftoff of Apollo 11 from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 9:32 am EDT on July 16, 1969.

Date: 07/16/1969
NASA Center: Kennedy Space Center

Mercury -- February 1962

Collection: Spacesuit and Spacewalk History Image Gallery
Title: Mercury -- February 1962

Description: Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr., NASA flight surgeon William Douglas and equipment specialist Joseph W. Schmidt leave crew quarters prior to the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission. Glenn is in his pressure suit and is carrying the portable ventilation unit.

Viking 1 Launch

Collection: NASA Great Images in Nasa Collection
Title: Viking 1 Launch

Full Description: Viking 1 was launched by a Titan/Centaur rocket from Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 5:22 p.m. EDT to begin a half-billion mile, 11-month journey through space to explore Mars. The 4-ton spacecraft went into orbit around the red planet in mid-1976.

Date: 8/20/1975

Written by: Joanne Carter

Mirrorless 22MP Canon EIS Camera Rumored

Chinese whispers have been busy this weekend, apparently reporting on a new high-end Canon range, EIS. Apparently using an Electro Image System. With HD video recording at 1080p at 30/24/25 fps. ISO from 100-6400 that can be increased to 25-25600.

With two lens kits available, a 12-75 f2.8-4.0 IS Macro and 75-300 f3.5-5.6 IS, in addition with the full lens choices including a 5mm F4 fisheye, 8-25mm F4 wide-angle zoom, 14mm F2 pancake, 25mm F1.2 pancake, 45mm F1.5 pancake, and 65mm F2.0 Macro.
It's also been said it will have an LCD touchscreen, dual SD memory card slot, and work with EF lenses via an EF - EIS adapter. Wow, this would be fantastic if brought to fruitution.
Written by: Joanne Carter
Chinese Source

UPDATE: According to the Google translation, the back-illuminated CMOS sensor is 18x12mm, exactly a quarter (1/4) the area of a full-frame 35mm sensor, and close to the micro Four Thirds format of 17.3x13mm. But, I reckon this is a hoax. Why is there a pentaprism, if it's supposed to be a "mirrorless" camera?