Sigma unveils four new Art lenses

Sigma has unveiled a handful of new lenses that will join the company’s current lineup of Art lenses, which are designed to be high-quality alternatives of the competition, like Canon and Nikon lenses, but with a slightly lower cost than you would normally see with these companies. The four new lenses that Sigma announce are a 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM, 60mm f/2.8 DN, 30mm f/2.8 DN, and a 19mm f/2.8 DN.

sigma_30mm_f14

The 30mm f/1.4 lens is designed for large-aperture APS-C format cameras, and the angle of view is equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera. The lens promises to deliver the highest level of image quality, thanks to a Hyper Sonic Motor for quiet, high-speed autofocusing, as well as a 9-blade rounded diaphragm that creates a bokeh effect. It also has a brass bayonet mount designed to withstand long-term use. The lens has been specifically optimized to reduce field curvature and improve focusing capabilities.

The 60mm f/2.8 DN lens is designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras, as well as Sony E-mount shooters. It has an angle of view equivalent to 120mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The lens contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize chromatic aberration. The lens is specifically created for telephoto shooting and portrait work, and it will be available in both silver and black.

Sigma’s other new 30mm lens is a f/2.8 lens also meant for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount cameras. This lens is meant for everyday shooting and is engineered as an all-around lens that you can anywhere. It’s also perfect for casual and formal portraiture, and documentary photography. The lens includes a double-sided aspherical lens that improves its optical performance.

Last, but not least, the 19mm f/2.8 DN is yet another Micro Four Thirds and E-mount lens that has an angle of view equivalent to 38mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens is designed for street shooting, as well as landscape, architecture, and studio work.

Pricing and availability on these lenses have yet to be disclosed, but Sigma says that the 30mm f/1.4 lens is expected to arrive in a couple of months, while we have yet to hear a release window for the other three lenses.


Sigma unveils four new Art lenses is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Kodak S1 Micro Four Thirds Camera Targets Q3 2013 Launch

kodak s1 Kodak S1 Micro Four Thirds Camera Targets Q3 2013 LaunchKodak is not exactly the best example when it comes to being a company these days, but this does not mean that they have ditched the imaging industry entirely. Not quite, as JK Imaging, who purchased the Kodak brand for its own range of shooters, has just stepped forward to make an announcement concerning the S1, which will jump aboard the Micro Four Thirds camera bandwagon.

It is said that the Kodak S1 will roll out sometime in the third quarter of the year, but apart from that, we do know very little to nothing of the Micro Four Thirds camera other than the fact that it will carry integrated Wi-Fi connectivity in addition to a CMOS sensor from the folks over at Sony. Will JK Imaging be able to ensure that the good name of Kodak is not sullied with the release of the S1? Only time will tell, and we can do nothing but hope for the best and keep our fingers crossed. The thing is, we still do not know whether the Kodak S1 will be available on a worldwide basis or not, but let us hope that it will be.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Asus VariDrive USB 3.0 Laptop Dock, Atomic Battery On Sale For Consumer Use,

Kodak-branded S1 Micro Four Thirds camera teased for Q3 launch

Kodakbranded S1 Micro Four Thirds camera teased for Q3 launch

Kodak may have had a miserable time of it recently, but there’s still hope for those who want a digital camera bearing its hallowed name. JK Imaging, which bought the Kodak brand for its own range of shooters, is announcing the S1 — a Micro Four Thirds camera that’s destined to launch in Q3 of this year. We don’t know much about the hardware at this point, except that it’ll have built-in WiFi and that it’s hinted to carry a Sony-made CMOS. Let’s just hope JK Imaging turns out to be a worthy partner.

[Image Credit: PC Online]

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Via: 43 Rumors

Source: Leon (Sina Weibo), PC Online (Sina Weibo)

New Kodak branded micro four thirds camera from JK Imaging spied

Earlier this month during CES 2013, word surfaced that a company called JK Imaging had licensed the Kodak name for a line of digital cameras. The company has already plastered that Kodak brand name on its digital photography offerings and has unveiled the first digital camera in its new line of Kodak products reports eprice and Weibo. The camera is called the S1.

kodak-s1

Curiously, you can plainly see in the background of the photo here the Kodak PIXPRO Digital Camera branding. It’s unclear if this will be the S1′s official name or if that was another camera unveiled during the JK Imaging press conference. We don’t have all the details on the S1 at this point, but we do know it is a mirrorless camera.

That means a new Kodak-branded micro four thirds camera will be coming to market. If you’re somehow unfamiliar with micro four thirds cameras, they offer interchangeable lenses and significantly reduced size compared to normal DSLR cameras. That significantly reduced size is thanks to the fact that micro four thirds offerings don’t have the mirror system required of a DSLR.

The few specifications that JK Imaging is promising for the camera include Wi-Fi connectivity and apparently the camera will have some sort of smartphone interactivity. I would assume it would have the ability to shoot images over to your smartphone to share on the go. The camera is supposed to release in Q3 of this year at an unannounced price.

[via The Verge]


New Kodak branded micro four thirds camera from JK Imaging spied is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Polaroid iM1836 Runs On Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

polaroid camera Polaroid iM1836 Runs On Android 4.1 Jelly BeanIt was sometime near Christmas when we talked about the Polaroid iM1836 digital camera that will most likely be introduced at CES 2013, and here we are with more details (albeit a wee bit late) about this shooter. Basically, the Polaroid iM1836 is an 18-megapixel camera that was specially designed to adhere to the Micro Four Thirds format standards, making it compatible with the fast growing ecosystem of lenses that are readily available in the market.

Another point of note that should make the Polaroid iM1836 stand out from the rest of the shooters in the market – it is an Android-powered device, running on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system with a 3.5″ touchscreen display located at the back. Polaroid has slapped a $399 price tag on the Polaroid iM1836, where it will be released in the US sometime in the second quarter of the year, followed by an European release shortly after. The Android ecosystem and Micro Four Thirds working hand in hand does seem to shape up to be a pretty formidable tag team, don’t you think so? [Press Release]

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: New Imaging System A Potential Boon For Self-Driving Cars, Logitech UC Keyboard K725-C Announced,

Olympus unveils new Micro Four Thirds 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko lens

Today, Olympus officially announced the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 lens. The new lens is designed for street photographers, and is a fast and moderate 17mm wide-angle lens for the Micro Four Thirds system that features a maximum aperture of f/1.8, as well as depth-of-field and distance indicators. The aperture and focal length make it a great option for street, landscape, or low-light photography.

The lens is constructed mostly from metal parts and features the same Snapsnot Focus mechanism with a distance indicator as already seen on the premium 12mm lens, which allows for easy pan focusing with the built-in distance indicator. Extra-low reflection optical coatings were also applied to the lens to help reduce lens flare and ghosting, even when shooting against the light.

The focus ring on the new lens can be used to quickly snap between manual- and auto-focus modes, and sliding the ring back reveals range markings on the lens barrel that include distance and depth-of-field scales, which act as useful guides when optimizing the focal distance. There’s also a high Refractive index lens to help reduce aberrations.

The lens measures less than two inches long, which makes it compact and easy to carry around. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.8 lens will be priced at around $500, and should be available sometime next month. A release date and price in the UK is still yet to be determined by Olympus.


Olympus unveils new Micro Four Thirds 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko lens is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.


Panasonic finally announces a launch date for its flagship GH3 Camera in Japan

If, like we are, in love with Panasonic GH Series you will be please to hear that the Japanese manufacturer finally announced the launch date of its new GH3 Series in Japan.
Starting from December 13th you will have to choose between the Body Only GH3 (130,000 Yen), the GH3H and its 14-140mm lens (190,000 Yen) and the GH3A and its X VARIO 12,35mm lens (220,000 Yen).
Now while there is no doubt that the GH3 is an incredible camera, Panasonic’s new steep price just make me wonder why on earth …

Panasonic Lumix GH3 launches on December 13th, but pricing remains a mystery

Panasonic Lumix GH3 launches on December 13th, but pricing remains a secret

Panasonic’s forthcoming mirror-less multimedia wonder has been given a release date. Yep, the Lumix GH3, with its ‘unlimited recording time’ and magnesium alloy build, will arrive in the Land of the Rising Sun just over a month from now. While the Japanese press release doesn’t specify pricing, you can expect this Lumix to arrive in body-only and two lens kit variants, one with a 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom lens, and another with a f/4.0 – 5.8 rig. Behind those optic options (not to mention the ability to capture 72Mbps 60p video), you’ll be getting a 16-megapixel sensor, splash-proof shell and a flip-out OLED touchscreen alongside a 614K-dot viewfinder. If that leaked video sample piqued your interest, check out the full spec rundown at the source below.

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Panasonic Lumix GH3 launches on December 13th, but pricing remains a mystery originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic Lumix G5 Review: Small, Mirrorless, Lots of Control [Video]

With all the retro-styled mirrorless cameras today, the traditional DSLR form factor seems relegated to nothing but, well, DSLRs. The Panasonic G5 is a mirrorless camera clinging hard to the classic DSLR mold. But it’s smaller—and much cheaper. More »

Panasonic teases 42.5mm f/1.2 and 150mm f/2.8 MFT lenses, slated for release by 2014

Panasonic teases 425mm f12 and 150mm f28 MFT lenses, slated for release by 2014

Panasonic further reinforced its commitment to the Micro Four Thirds form factor when it released the Lumix GH3 mirrorless camera today, but the company also announced the development of a pair of prime lenses, set to ship next year or in 2014. Details are spotty at this point (limited to what you see in that slide above, in fact), but you can expect a 42.5mm f/1.2 optic (85mm equivalent) and a 150mm f/2.8 lens, which offers a 35mm equivalent of 300mm. There wasn’t even a hint of pricing, but we’d expect both of these offerings to be quite costly, though they’ll likely be significantly less expensive than DSLR equivalents.

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Panasonic teases 42.5mm f/1.2 and 150mm f/2.8 MFT lenses, slated for release by 2014 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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