Nikon is set to introduce a new model, slated to be the Df, if a series of TV teasers aired in the US is anything to go by. Is this a picture of the real thing? Maybe, maybe not. We should know tomorrow though. The lower dial to the right of the pentaprism (from the front) is used to select the ISO settings. How novel.
Build quality is impressive, and the aperture ring is nicely weighted, an improvement over the 14mm and the Zeiss 12mm in my opinion. I'm not keen on the plastic, petal shaped hood, especially as it was Fuji who followed Leica with the more effective squared hoods. It's not flocked with felt either, which I prefer. I've had the lens for a few days now and thought I would add a few samples. I'll be adding more in due course.
Fujinon XF 23mm f1.4 at 1.4, ISO200 out of camera JPEGs from X-Pro1.
At 100-percent actual pixels (taken from the extreme corners) there are some slight double edged effects consistent with slightly over-corrected designs.
After the Storm; Fujinon XF 23mm f1.4 at f1.4, ISO200. X-Pro1.
DxOMark has published the results of the full-frame 36-MP Sony A7R. The lab concludes the sensor is very close in performance to that used in the Nikon D800 and D800E. Read the full review here at DxOMark. Please note that as the author of the review I can't comment further on any aspect of the results.
The Sony A7R can be pre-ordered at Wex in the UK for £1,699. US readers can pre-order at B&H Photo at $2,298, or at Adorama for $2,298
Leica has today announced a new carbon fibre Traveller tripod and two new ball-heads. The new lightweight tripod weighs 1.2kg but at the time of posting the firm has not disclosed the packed size or the maximum height. The tripod and heads are available now, with the price of the tripod being £430, and £200 and £330, respectively for the heads.
The firm also announced a new Elmarit-S 45mm f/2.8 ASPH for the S cameras yesterday (it's the equivalent to a 35mm lens in 35mm camera terms). The price, without shutter is £4,650 or £5,500 with (all prices include sales tax). The datasheet can be found here.
For more information, please visit www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk
I've been using the new Lexar Workflow HR1 Hub (available to pre-order here) for a few days and I thought I would share some thoughts on it before reviewing it (maybe not here on my site as I'm very busy - it depends on how much interest is shown, I guess).
The first thing to note is that it's a USB 3.0 powered hub, and, if you haven't realized already it doesn't come with any card readers - they're extra, although at $28.41 each the CF and SD (SDHC/SDXC) relatively accessibly priced. If all four bays are used, that's a total of $193.60, and getting on to be pricey. Where things get interesting is of course that the hub is designed to be 'future-proof'. When a new card standard is launched, all you need do is swap out the card readers. And, to prove the point Lexar has announced a card reader for XQD cards, presently only used by the Nikon D4. At $44.99 / 39.95, it's pricier than the standalone Sony XQD Memory Card Reader but slightly lower than the firm's equivalent offering. I'm assuming they're positioning the hub for the new CFAST cards and others in pipe as well, but there's no mention of specifics currently, only a hint.
It shouldn't be a issue, as the card readers themselves can be used as standalone readers, which is neat, and come supplied with a USB 3.0 cable and soft neoprene cover to prevent detritus from enter the card slot. Each card reader slots into a male USB 3.0 connector at the rear of the reader bay, so it's a simple plug and play device. As for transfer speeds I've yet to really put it to the test - my main Mac is USB 2.0 though I will try it with an excellent photo-oriented Chillblast (UK custom-built) USB 3.0 PC that I have in for testing.
A new Zeiss lens will be introduced shortly, I can reveal. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment, but I'm sure I won't be upsetting the firm by saying I believe it's for Canon and Nikon DSLRs, meaning a ZF.2 or ZE mount retro-focus model. My own guess is that's the previously announced 1,4/55 lens (shown above). The firm previously said in an 'development statement' that the model will be available at the end of 2013. I believe we may hear more as soon as next week, and I also expect one or two carefully selected review sites (in the US mainly) to publish their initial findings on the day of the announcement...
For more information, please visit the Zeiss blog here.
I'm not going to reveal the outcome, please visit the site here.
I have been using the Sony Zeiss 1,4/50 with the SLT-A99 for the past week or so for review in one of the magazines I contribute to. It's going back tomorrow, so if there any readers who would like to ask me questions about it, feel free.
I'm reviewing the above bag for one of the magazines I contribute to, and I thought I would share some initial impressions. Firstly, it's one of the best sling bags I've seen and it has become a firm favorite of mine which will likely replace my Lens Taxi as my most used pack. However, there are couple of shortcomings.
The first is the overly petite haul loop; it's so thin and weedy* I can't trust it when the bag is full of heavy gear. It would be almost better if it didn't have one (it may be an idea to cut it off - it would also make it impossible for some to grab it from behind). Second, the rear pouch is supposed to take a iPad. It does, but if you have a case for it (I have a very slim Hard Candy case for protection) it won't fit. The TurnStyle 20 easily holds my current review kit: Sony Zeiss 1,4/50 T*, SLT-A99, X-Pro1 and Zeiss Touit 2,8/12 T* and XF-55-200mm f/3.5-4.8R LM OIS., but there's not much room for anything else.
You can buy the TurnStyle 20 direct, here. (Actually this link takes to the range of TurnStyle models).
* This is most unlike Think Tank, their gear is usually close to indestructible
Olympus has revealed the long rumored E-M1 and 12-40mm f/2.8 zoom. It sounds like the E-M1 uses the same excellent panel as the VF-4 (for the PEN E-P5). Prices start at £1299.99 for the body only, £1499.99 for the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 12-50mm 1:3.5-6.3 lens kit and £1949.99 for a kit that includes the new M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 12-40mm 1:2.8 lens.
While the E-M1 seems like a good step up from the E-M5 and PEN E-P5 (both sitting on my desk right now) for stills. the limited 1080/30p video (with a max 24Mbps bit rate) will not give Panasonic GH-3 users any cause for concern, even with the 5-Axis IBIS (which is one of the best for handheld video). Olympus really need to offer 60/50/30/25/24p and IPB and All-I compression and MOV (H.264), MP4 and AVCHD formats. Lets also hope the focus peaking isn't like that found on the E-P5 (it's okay, but nothing like that on the Sony A-99).
ThinkTank Photo, one my favorite camera bag maker's has announced a range of cases, desigbned specifically for Apple iPads and MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops up to the 15-inch model.
For more information, please visit here.
DxOMark has published their first comparison between Canon and Nikon telephoto lenses. In the article they compare the AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR with the latest Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, and new Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM for the Alpha SLTs. As a bonus, they've also included a head to head with Nikon's premier super-telephoto the AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4G ED VR and the Canon equivalent EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM.
To read the article please visit the DxOMark site.
With the introduction of the Leica M sporting both an optical (actually coupled rangefinder) and the option to fit a EVF that works very well together, and with rival Sony offering electronic finders in their SLT cameras, what can Nikon and Canon do with future pro oriented models? Easy, should on-sensor phase detection AF (such as that found on the new Canon EOS 70D) become fast and reliable enough I can think of several solutions. But the one that appeals to me most is a return to the interchangeable finders of their film-era cameras. While the maker's primary concern will be the ingress of dust, how difficult could it be to offer a single body with the option of optical and electronic finders?
The reflex mirror and focusing screen could be retained for the optical (pentaprism) finder and finder based PDAF systems*, and be simply locked up when the electronic finder is attached. You wouldn't be able to switch seamlessly as you can with the Leica M, but that's inherent with the CRF design (and ocular occupying one corner), however it would instantly quash detractors of either system and allow the user to choose the appropriate finder for the job in hand. It's not a new idea, I've been thinking about this for a while but was reminded recently when using my Nikon F5 and again when reviewing the new Hasselblad H5D (pictured above) for a magazine. I've not seen this mentioned anywhere else in print or online, and don't like to make such thoughts generally known on the net, so remember where you read it first.
UPDATE:
* The pedants among you will know that the finder-based PDAF systems are for the most part based in the mirror-box (and use a secondary silvered mirror slung below the main reflex mirror to direct the light to the AF sensor). But it's common to call it a viewfinder based system, as that's how the user perceives it.
Fuji are slashing prices on lenses for the X-E1 and X-Pro1 at $200-$300 a lens. See the B&H site here for details. Click on "Savings Available" A 2% "reward" is also being offered.
Details of the savings for the X-Pro1 can be found here.
B&H Photo are selling the D600 complete with the 24-85VR for just $1,996.95 for this weekend only (it must be some kind of over stock). The deal includes an Oben monopod, 32GB Sandisk SDHC card, Lowepro Rezo 170AW and off-brand spare battery.
Please click here to buy (note this site receives a small commission on sales, but at no additional cost to you).
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