This camera is ultra powerful at 22 megapixels, 61pt AF, and having the ability to capture 6.9fps. If these specs remain true, we could be looking at a replacement for the 7D. Shipping for this unit will likely be taking place in late March or early April. This camera does not trump the Nikon 36mp D800, so it seemed important for the man Masaya Maeda of Canon to destroy rumors that Canon was falling beyond recently:

“Regarding how Canon responds to the competition from Nikon’s D800 and the concern of the successor of 5D Mark II, Maeda indicates that although he cannot leak information about un-announced product, the way Canon develops new product is to satisfy the needs of professional photographers. For instance, the introduction of EOS-1D X is to satisfy professional photographers to photoshoot sports events like the Olympics, in terms of their requirement of high FPS and high image quality under high ISO settings. If Canon thinks the market wants the high resolution models such as the 30+ MP of Nikon’s D800, they can easily develop such products…” – Maeda

This quote comes from Canon Rumors where they’ve also got a tip that the 5D Mark II could remain “current” enough to gain additional hardware and attention from Canon even when the III is out and about. This would be great news for owners of the 5D Mark II and those who still want to pick one up now that the price will inevitably go down. Seeya then!

[via Canon Rumors]

Five multi-coated glass elements, in four groups, are sandwiched inside, with a dial on the front used to adjust the aperture. Lensbaby is positioning the new model for portrait photographers as well as those wanting tilt-shift style shots; there’s a simulator here which can mimic the sort of effects it’s capable of.

Close ups of 17-inches are supported, and because the Edge 80 mounts on Lensbaby’s existing lens bodies it’s overall a cheaper way of outfitting your camera bag with kit; assuming, of course, that you want more than one single effect. The lens bodies themselves start at $150 for the Muse.

Inside, Sony has used eleven elements in ten groups, three of which are Extra-low Dispersion glass. The company has also debuted a new Nano AR Coating system which promises to reduce internal reflections by up to 80-percent over earlier models, cutting down on lens flare and ghosting. The carbon-fiber lens hood is also lined with black velvet fibers, so as to absorb incident light.

On the outside, there are interlocking seals front and back to keep out dust and moisture, which Sony says are good enough to keep driving rain from ruining your shot. There’s also a new autofocus drive, up to four times as fast as regular Sony lenses for tracking speedy subjects.

A smattering of buttons – including four focus-hold buttons, evenly spaced around the barrel – round out the main features. The 34 cm long lens will go on sale in March, built to order and with pricing on request.

The 24-70mm zoom lens is a popular size, though not a cheap one if you go with first-party glass. Neither the Canon L-series F/2.8 lens ($1300 street) or Nikkor F/2.8 ($1900 street) comes with anti-vibration technology, which the two companies have focused on longer telephoto lenses thus far. Considering that Tamron’s budget competitor Sigma sells their copy of the 24-70mm lens for about $900, expect the SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD to come at or near that price. There is no previous generation in this size for Tamron.

The company claims that its new image stabilization improved on the original VC design by using a reverse-mounted magnet and coil system, which attached the lens element directly to the coil. The lighter coil and magnet allows for a considerably more compact lens than other 24-70mm options, a design choice that Tamron employs in other models as well. Two extra refractive index elements help to keep chromatic aberration low.

For those without budgets that extend into five digits, Tamron makes some solid lenses. Typically they can’t quite match the clarity and definition on Canon and Nikon’s high-grade glass (even if Tamron claims “resolution at the top of its class”). They excell at cheap all-in-one zooms typified by their 18-270mm range, which I can personally report is quite satisfactory. Canon shooters looking for a top-end alternative might want to hold on to their wallets, though: the camera maker is rumored to have its own 24-70mm with anti-vibration technology in the pipeline.

[via Cnet]

This device will be looking rather similar to the current 7D and the 5D Mark II of course, but with a slightly larger display than either of them, appearing also to have a different aspect ratio than we’re currently used to seeing on either device. There’s a few button re-arrangements as well, starting with a “rate” button on the left, a joystick on the removable battery grip on the bottom, and no pop-up flash anywhere to be seen, not one!

There’s a brand new scroll wheel here, a slightly modified interface on the display if you look VERY closely, and the secondary display at the top of the camera does not appear to be active at all. Also that Canon 200-400mm lens is an absolute beast, and the source speaking with the photographer here in-person says that that piece of the equation should be released in March or April – soon!

[via Aperture Academy]

In fact, the lenses are actually more expensive than the C300 itself, each carrying a sticker in excess of $40k. The Canon CN-E 14.5-60mm T2.6 L S Cinema Zoom Lens with EF Mount comes in at $42,750, as does the Canon CN-E 14.5-60mm T2.6 L SP Cinema Zoom Lens with PL Mount. $44,650 gets you the Canon CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L S EF Mount Cinema Zoom Lens or the Canon CN-E 30-300mm T2.95-3.7 L SP PL Mount Cinema Zoom Lens.

Inside the C300 there’s an 8.29-megapixel Super 35mm CMOS sensor, while on the outside there’s a 4-inch rotating 1.23-megapixel LCD preview display and dual-CompactFlash memory card slots. Recording is in Canon’s 4:2:2 50 Mb/s MPEG-2 XF codec, and if the Cine lenses are looking too rich for your blood then you’ll be pleased to hear that the company’s existing DSLR lenses are supported too.

Sample clips from the EOS C300 can be found here.

[via CanonRumors - thanks Paul!]

The Galaxy Nexus’ 1080p HD video recording mode is used, for maximum detail in the final clip (despite multiple angles being recorded at once) and Kogeto says it plans to offer other versions to suit different Android devices in due course. Meanwhile, the firm is hoping to license the tech to manufacturers, in the hope that they integrate it into their own phones.

You can see what sort of final clips are possible at Kogeto’s online “dotspots” sharing hub: remember, you can not only play the clips normally but drag them left and right while the footage is still running. The Kogeto ICONIC is expected to go on sale in the first half of 2012, priced at $79.

[via Android Community]

Rumors are continuing to mount for Nikon’s latest DSLR monster, christened the D4. The last we heard it was going to be unveiled at the event in Hong Kong this Friday, along with a spiffy new 85mm f/1.8 lens. Now some financial press cables spotted by Nikon Rumors suggest that the camera will go on sale sometime in February. An exact date wasn’t provided, but the suggested retail price is listed at a whopping $6000. THat puts the D4 in between the current D3x and D3s models.

For that kind of money you’d expect top-notch specs, and sure enough, that’s what you get. The Nikon D4 is said to use a 16.2 megapixel full frame sensor with a lightning-fast 10 frames per second shooting speed, and an ISO range from 100 to 102,400. On the video side of things, the D4 gets the standard 1080p recording at up to 30fps, with the added benefit of H264 B frame compression. The viewfinder uses the sought-after pentaprism design with 100% coverage of the shooting target, and photographers can use 51 separate points of autofocus. Other little touches include illuminated buttons and face detection.

If you’re not interested in the new camera body there’s a Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8G lens to look forward to, which will cost around $500 separately. There’s still no actual photos of the uber-camera floating around, but we shouldn’t have long to wait. You’ve got between now and February to finalize a second mortgage to finance your newest piece of photographic excess.

[via The Verge]

The wheel looks like a rotary dial and features ten different filters, including a Dual Image Lens that produces two identical images like a 2-way split image filter, a Triple Image Lens that does the same but three ways, and a Quadruple Image Lens again four ways.

It also has a 60mm Macro Lens for taking photos roughly 60mm in distance from the lense, a Green Filter, a Red Filter, a Red Filter with a clear heart shape center, and a Yellow and a Blue filter each with a clear circular spot in the center.

The Holga iPhone Lens Filter Kit SLFT-IP4 is available now and retails for $29.99. The case it self comes in five different colors of black, white, silver, red, and blue. For examples of what each of the filters would look like, you can visit the Holga product page.

[via TUAW]

Without the relatively recent invention of the smartphone, none of this would have been possible – and indeed without the invention of several components that aren’t yet a reality, neither will this concept turn into something we can actually use. As you’ll quickly come to understand, the actual working nature of this device takes a back seat to what’s perhaps possible in the future should things like completely transparent computer chips and wires. What we DO have here though is something I’d certainly love to try out if and when it does come to fruition in the future for the invisible photographer in all of us.

The forefinger module senses whether your finger is straight, bent, or bent with the rest of your fingers. If you bend only the one finger, the other piece of the puzzle takes a photo. If you bend several fingers, you’ll begin to take a video. The thumb module has only a camera lens and an on/off button visible and is responsible for both collecting the media and transporting the resulting files to your smartphone. From there you can do whatever you want with the files as they sit on your smartphone while the Air Clicker remains free and clear.

Try not to think too hard about how impossible this is at the moment, instead imagine a world with no bulk and jump around in anticipation!

[via Yanko Design]

Canon Chairman and CEO Fujio Mitarai stood in front of the in Hollywood noting that the camera is not only well-suited for accurate color correction, but is especially well made for skin tones. The C300 will be costing $20,000 USD in stores starting in 2012 and will be completely unaffordable by the likes of you and me. Word also states that the undeniably powerful sensor in addition to the versatile form factor are far more likely to be deciding factors for those in a position to purchase this camera.

The sensor is a Super 35mm CMOS and is capable of bringing 4k resolution with this devices many various EF zoom lenses. Lenses come in several sizes: two 14.5-60mm lenses, two 30-300mm lenses, three EF prime lenses at 24mm, 50mm, and 85mm. The CMOS sensor is able to deliver 1920 x 2160 pixels in greens and 1920 x 1080 pixels in reds and blues, incorporating approximately 8.29 million effective pixels with “a pixel size that is larger than that for conventional professional camcorders.”

Note also that both the Canon EOS C300 (EF mount) and the Canon EOS C300 PL (PL mount) will cost $20,000 while the EF will be available in January and the PL will be available inside March, both of them 2012. For a look at how awesome this camera can be, have a peek at the short film Mobius as filmed with the camera released by Canon this week. Vincent Laforet, the director of the film, used a pre-production unit of the C300 to film the movie, and below the film you can find a behind the scenes film as well:

This is one of those projects that was once a Kickstarter sort of situation, where before it had enough cash to get started, the designer headed to the world forum to get money from people who wanted to see the design become a reality. As it stands, this project has 1,300 backers with a total of $68,201 raised, so you know good and well that people thought the idea rocked. What’s going on right now is that the design rests with BiteMyApple where they’re currently in the process of getting more OLLOCLIPS shipped in from the manufacturer.

The three lenses start with the Fisheye – in this lens you’ve got an approximately 180 Degree field-of-view that’ll have your aquatic friends wishing they could breath without gills so they could see the results of the photos taken with the lens inspired by their own eyes. Next there’s the Wide-Angle lens which lets you see double the field of view that the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S can see – pump up the visual volume! Finally there’s the Macro lens which is a 10X multiplier that lets you get inside 12-15mm of your subject with clarity.

The Fisheye and the Wide-Angle lens sit on opposite sides of the OLLOCLIP while the Macro lens is concealed within the clip, able to be used once you unscrew the Wide-Angle lens that is normally attached to it. To switch between either the Wide or the Maco lens and the Fisheye, you’ve only to flip the entire clip around to the other side. Simple as can be!

This little monster can be found over at BiteMyApple for $67.99, and again, at the time this post is made, they’re currently awaiting a new shipment so they can sell them to YOU!

The catch for Canon micro four thirds camera users is that even if they had a lens on with aperture control, the aperture settings didn’t work. The lenses need power to make the aperture function. If you are, a user that is in this boat the new LiveLens adapter will bring your aperture control back. The adapter snaps on the front of your camera and you can mount the lenses directly to it.

You can then control the aperture using a little screen on the adapter. The downside is that you lose your automatic focus capability. The adapter is for video shooters where you are using manual focus so that loss isn’t such a big deal. The adapter is expensive at $488 but if you have a bunch of lenses you want to use this may be the best route to go.

[via Wired]

The kit has multiple parts that are packed inside a rugged Pelican case to keep it all safe. It includes two Lensbaby lenses for PL mount cameras with a Muse PL with Double Glass and the composer Pro PL I already mentioned. It also has a Composer Pro with a Canon mount for DSLR video shooters. The kit also includes a number of interchangeable optics that are used with the lens mounts for all sorts of creative options.

Optics in the kit includes the Sweet 35, Double Glass, Plastic, and Single Glass. The optics allow for different effects like blur and creative focus. It also has the Fisheye, Soft Focus, and Pinhole/Zone plate Optics. You can check out all that is included in the $2,900 kit on the official kit page.

I’m going to redirect your attention back to the original announcement post for all the extra specification details you might need that aren’t listed here in the post, just so you know what you’re getting into. See that ginormous pile of lenses? That’s certainly one of the camera’s biggest strengths: versatility. Then there’s the big 3-inch AMOLED display on the back, a hypersonic dust reduction mode for cleaning the sensor, and several completely NEW lenses just for this release including 18-100mm, 16mm, 60mm, and 85mm focal length.

One of the most indicative of power photo comparisons Pozadzides does for his hands-on post is a comparison of chocolate photographed by two different combos. First there’s the Canon 1D Mark IV and a 50mm 1.4 Sigma lens, then the Samsung NX200 with a 60mm 1.4 lens. The first camera is right around $5,000 to purchase, while the NX200 is much closer to $1,000. Then there’s a gallery of photos taken by Pozadzides that shows a whole slew of different lighting conditions, combos, and environments of all sorts.

At this point I should remind you to head back to Pozadzides’ original post to see the rest of his hands-on look at the device since he’s so generously allowed this album to be public, then you should also take a look at our OWN hands-on with the device here, complete with awesomely loud surroundings at IFA 2011:

[via GeekBeat]

The update helps the lenses to perform better in tracking focus for video recording, silent auto focus, and exposure control. The stability of the optical image stabilizer is also enhanced for video recording. The lenses that are being updated will fit the entire 2011 line of G series digital cameras including the LUMIX GF3, LUMIX GF2, LUMIX GH2 and LUMIX G3.

The new firmware brings the lenses to version 1.1 and supports the following lenses:

• LUMIX G 14mm / F2.5 ASPH. (H-H014)
• LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042)
• LUMIX G FISHEYE 8mm / F3.5 (H-F008)
• LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS100300)
• LUMIX G VARIO 7-14mm / F4.0 ASPH. (H-F007014)
• LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014045)
• LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS045200)

The video you’re about to watch is quite loud, so make sure you’ve got your headphones turned down somewhat, then get your sharp listening ears out because there’s a massive amount of what I’d call “bonus” noise going on here because everyone is so excited to see all the new gadgets – ravenous fans, I tell you! What you’re going to get a look at here is the NX200, a camera capable of an ISO range of 100-12,800 and the recording of Full HD movies.

Lenses of all sorts come capable of working with this device, all of them part of the Samsung i-Function family, each of them putting the controls for camera settings on the lens itself so you’re able to access them without taking your hands off the controls. Additionally, i-Function 2.0 lenses allow the control of smart filters amongst other functions directly from the lens in Lens Priority mode.

You’ll be getting a quick journey through the device through its rear-facing 3-inch AMOLED display while our Samsung presenter flips the hardware around with great ease. An interchangeable lens compact camera with great potential!

The camera has a 5x optical zoom, a 26mm wide-angle lens, and lovely drag and scroll menu options for a fun and completely customizable experience. You’ll be able to use a new Live Panorama function, complete with connections to 3D HDTV, you’ll be looking at images and panoramic shots in-depth and with fabulous detail. You’ll have access to Smart Filter giving you a menu of 14 artistic effects, Funny Face and Water Paint included.

Samsung’s new MV800 POS will cost you a clean $279 when it’s all said and done. Will the 26-130mm, f.3.3-5.9 lens give you all you want in a single camera? Or will you decide that you’d rather hit up the Android devices Samsung is pushing as a replacement for said single cameras? Interesting, isn’t it, that they’d introduce a camera and a camera replacement on the same day. Have a look at the official intro video below:

As you may already know, we certainly enjoy Lumix. Our review of the LUMIX DMC-GF2 should be evidence enough of that. What we’re pretty dern excited to hear about today is that the lens we spoke about in the first piece of this post will be coming out both on its own and as part of a kit which will upgrade the name of the GF3 to a much more hardcore GF3X. This camera is capable of recording 1920 x 1080 Full High Definition video in AVCHD format, is certainly one of the smallest profiles on a camera with such enticing specs, and it comes in black – and now silver as well!

In the GF3X full package deal, you get a camera and lens combination that allows you to grab Light Speed AF of approximately 0.1 second. That’s fast, man, real fast. With this combination you’re also getting POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) so you’ll be able to take high-class photos even in the lowest of light situations. Of course finally there’s the easy-to-operate zoom lever right down the side of the lens barrel along with the manual focus you’ve grown to love. All the options fitting of a cool customer of Panasonic.

The LUMIX GF3X will be available in a black body and black lens or a silver body and silver lens kits options in October 2011 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $749.99. Check out more information on the 14-42 lens in the post about the just-announced Panasonic Lumix X Series. Lots to be seen!

Both this first unit, again called the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm for short, and the second unit, the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm, are both coming out with nano surface coatings for reduction of ghosting and lens flare, and both of them with optical image stabilization. Now remember here I said “for short”, as the full names of lenses as powerful as these are prone to gigantic full names.

They read like so:

The full name for the first lens, as spoken about above, is LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./ POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042).

Th full name of the second lens, as mostly spoken about below, is LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-PS45175).

Both are massive mouthfuls to speak of, and both are made for masterpieces. This second lens, the only in the 45-175mm range, is being billed as “the world’s smallest digital interchangeable power zoom lens”. It’s got the ability work with its internal zoom motor that’ll allow you to adjust your focal length using its side-mounted rocker. What Panasonic calls this lens kit’s “Multi-Actuator Floating Inner Focus System” controls three lens groups separately and as a result, as Panasonic puts it, “achieves a reduction in both size and weight without compromising picture quality.” The rest of this kit’s specifications read like a comic book description of Iron Man’s mobile suit:

The new lens system features two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lenses which suppress chromatic aberration and contribute to high descriptive performance across the entire zoom range 45-175mm. The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) integrated into the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. makes it easy to shoot sharp images even in low-lit situations. With improved sensitivity of the gyro sensor, the new POWER O.I.S. also suppresses large, slow movements two times more effectively** while small, fast movements are compensated for by the conventional MEGA O.I.S.

LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. contains seven aperture blades to help produce an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas even while shooting at large aperture. Adopting an inner focus system driven by a stepping motor, the lens’ superior optical design supports Light Speed AF of approximately .15 seconds and fast aperture control results in a shortened shutter time lag of approximately 20% when compared to the LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S.

Sound massively impressive to you? The first lens will be available as either a separate unit, all by itself for an SRP of $399.99 in October 2011 and will be compatible with the DMC-G3, the DMC-GF3, and the DMC-GF2 with a firmware upgrade. You can also get a combination of the first lens and the Lumix GF3, a combination therefor called the LUMIX GF3X, for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $749.99.

The second lens, aka the 45-175mm lens in this situation, will be available in either black or silver starting in September 2011 for an SRP of $449.99.

This little camera has a 24.3MP image sensor with high performance and a bunch of creative options. The case of the camera is magnesium alloy for strength and lightweight. The interchangeable lens camera weighs 10.3-ounces. The NEX-5N is a similar camera with a resolution of 16.1MP. This camera can also shoot full HD video at 60 frames per second.

The A77 DSLR camera claims to have the world’s fastest continuous autofocus performance. It can capture full image resolution of 24MP at 12 frames per second with full phase detection auto focus. The camera also introduces the first 3-way adjustable screen that can tilt and pivots freely. The A65 camera has the same Translucent Mirror Technology and can shoot 10fps with a 2-way adjustable screen. Along with the cameras, new lenses have been unveiled along with a NEX-VG20 camcorder.

This little cutie is a pretty darn good replica of the original version which, believe it or not, is a whole lot bigger. As the artist shows, you don’t necessarily have to plop a drop of mixed alchol in there, you can use this little guy for everything from jellybeans to SD cards – or a single roll of film would work too. Can you imagine all the things you’d think of to drop in?

Then again, you could toss back a few shots of whiskey and go on a photo hunt, I suppose that wouldn’t be the worst idea should you remain safe on the jaunt. The best part about this entire situation is that the shot glasses are for sale, they’re inexpensive, and they come in a set of three. Just head over to the Awesomeness section at Photojojo and drop $18 for the win!

And don’t forget to pick up a set for your ol’ friend yours truly!

What this will get you is a teeny tiny mirrorless camera with a brand new mirror, SLR-speed focussing, and an overall sweet result. Contrast detection in AF used in cameras that normally have no mirror is quite slow at the moment, especially when you’re considering you’re using lenses made to rock and roll. Now you’ve got a small gun messing with the big guns, if you know what I mean. Does this mean the device you’re rolling with is still a mirrorless camera? You be the judge of that – we’re calling it an advanced frankenstein.

This type of new mirror is called a “pellicle mirror”, and isn’t actually all that new when you consider it’s been being used for more than 40 years by the Pellix 45 made by Canon in 1965. This camera was the first to use such a mirror and it’s been used sparsely since – of course you can see the mirror type in action again in the Sony A55 and A33 DSLRs of 2010, too. Why on earth this solution hadn’t been used in lens adapters up until now – we cannot say. It’s sort of like pop art – it seems so obvious, but the first person to do it gets credit!

[via PhotoRumors]

Polaroid has unveiled the Studio Series 58mm 2.2x Telephoto and 0.43x Wide Angle Lens Travel Kit that sells for $49.99. The lenses mount onto the existing lens on your camera and converts it over or more zoom. The Polaroid Studio Series 0.3x HD Ultra fisheye lens adapter is also offered in 37mm and 52/58mm versions. They will fit on any camcorder or DSLR lens and offers 180-degree field of view. The lens is priced at $269.99.

The most interesting of the lenses is the 900mm Mirror Lens for outdoor and sports shooting. It uses reflection optics and lenticualr light refraction such as a telescope uses. The lens is priced at $299.99. These lenses are very cheap and should be appealing to photographers wanting more lens options at a lower price than buying a new camera or DSLR lens.

With a clever little gear system in place on this invention comes a simple twist to open, a flower that reveals the lens in a series of transformermers. So simple it’s hard to believe that such a thing hasn’t already been created for the good of humanity. Imagine using such a worm gear system and Thermoplastic Elastomer to block the sun while you take your ultra high-quality photographs and videos without needing the super expensive equipment that the super pros use.

This design is a winner of one of the 2011 Spark Awards and has been featured on Yanko Design and soon quite a few other sites now that we’ve published it – how would you like to own such a contraption as this? The first step to getting anything produced is convincing someone to invest in it. Show the world you’re interested and said items will come to you! This device again is just a concept at the moment but we’re sure its designers Rhie Hyi Joong & Lee Sang Hwa would be overjoyed to have it made and sold.

[via Yanko Design]

The resulting pictures can be shared via your Facebook profile, Google+ galleries or any other method, or uploaded directly to a Pixeet account and viewed there. There are examples here, which you can drag around to explore the scene, and despite the limitations of the iPhone 4′s 5-megapixel camera, the end result – even in full-screen – is surprisingly good.

Video recording is also supported (though doesn’t get stitched together as with stills) so that you can fit more of the scene into the frame at any one time. Cases for the iPhone 3G/3GS and iPhone 4 are available, each priced at $49 complete with the Pixeet lens.

According to Pixeet, an Android version of the app is in the works, and should be released in September. Obviously you’ll need to mount the lens to your Android handset, however, and Pixeet includes a self-adhesive metal ring which can be placed over any suitably-sized camera lens to give the fish-eye something to snap onto.

They decided to break out the tiles and made a chess board and then used all the lenses for the chess pieces. I don’t know anything about chess other than it looks rather boring to me. The lenses in white are Canon offerings and the ones in black are Nikon. If you are a photo geek, you can even rent the giant chess set for your next party.

The downside is that the cost of renting the thing is $9,221 per week. Lenses are expensive. I wonder if you bought all those lenses what it would cost you. Shipping will pucker your sphincter, $1,100 to $2,400 round trip. You do get a free t-shirt though.

The AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens has a minimum focusing distance of just 0.53 feet or about 6.4 inches. This allows you to really get up close for both still photos and HD video with a life-size 1:1 reproduction ratio. To ensure great lens performance while up close, Nikon’s Close-Rance Correction System is used to to achieve critical focus.

The lens is very compact and weighs only nine ounces. It’s also super quiet with Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor technology that lets you get closer without disturbing your subject. A great travel companion for your DX-format DLSR, this compact, versatile, and affordable lens is priced at $279.95. For more information visit the product page.

The whole thing weighs 225, which Sony reckons is a roughly 6-percent reduction on the NEX-3, while the battery life is extended by 20-percent to around 400 shots on a full charge. The E-mount system gets a new lens, too, in the shape of the 30mm F3.5 SEL30M35 macro, with a 1:1 magnifying ratio and minimum working distance of 2.4cm. Obviously you can also use existing lenses from previous NEX-series cameras.

Sony has tried to lower the expertise bar to entry, with a new Photo Creativity mode that uses more readily understood terms like “background defocus”, “brightness” and “color” to adjust settings. There’s also a Picture Effect system for creating in-camera effects on stills and video; NEX-3/NEX-5 owners will be able to download a firmware update from June 20 to add the same abilities to their existing camera.

The Sony Alpha NEX-C3 will go on sale in August, with either a 16mm lens for $599 or an 18-55mm lens for $649. The new macro lens will be $249 in October 2011.

Press Release:

Sony introduces world’s smallest, lightest* interchangeable lens camera with APS-C sized sensor

Easy-to-use α NEX-C3 with 16.2 effective megapixels, HD video and friendly new interface

DSLR-quality images with 16.2 effective megapixel Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor
Intuitive new ‘Photo Creativity’ interface for jargon-free adjustment of picture settings
In-camera ‘Picture Effect’ with real-time preview
Multi-frame imaging techniques including 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR and Handheld Twilight mode
Optional accessories including compactHVL-F20S travel flash and 30mm F3.5 E-mount macro lens
* Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras with APS-C size image sensor, as of 8th June 2011

The new α NEX-C3 by Sony is the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens digital camera in its class.

Offered in a choice of stylish colours, the NEX-C3 features an attractive new body design that combines a satisfyingly solid metal top casing with an easy-to-use streamlined grip shape. Reducing the size of main circuitry shrinks camera body weight to just 225g – that’s almost 6% less than the NEX-3.

Image quality, functions and usability of the NEX-C3 also surpasses that of the NEX-3.

Resolution of the large Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor is boosted to 16.2 effective megapixels, capturing stills and 720p HD video with breath-taking clarity. The large, DSLR-sized sensor also lets you produce pro-quality ‘bokeh’ background defocus effects, whether you’re shooting HD video or stills.

Even if you’re not familiar with specialist photo jargon, the NEX-C3 puts sophisticated picture controls within easy reach, whether you’re shooting stills or HD video. The intuitive new Photo Creativity interface replaces technical terms like ‘aperture’, ‘exposure value’ and ‘white balance’ with the friendlier and more intuitive ‘background defocus’, ‘brightness’ and ‘colour’.

There’s no need to dig into confusing menu options or guess their effect on your composition. Just turn the camera’s rear-mounted control wheel and instantly see the effect of your settings previewed on screen. If you wish, two or more different settings can be combined to create more sophisticated creative effects.

A new in-camera ‘Picture Effect’ setting lets users add extra impact to stills or HD video during shooting, without the worry of editing images afterwards. ‘Picture Effect’ options include Partial Colour, Retro Photo, Pop Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Posterisation, High-key and Toy Camera. There’s also a ‘Soft Skin’ effect that removes wrinkles and blemishes from portrait subjects.

Tilting for comfortable viewing at any angle, the high contrast 7.5cm Xtra Fine LCD features TruBlack screen technology for high-contrast images with rich, deep blacks. It’s a great way to compose shots and judge the effect of adjusting picture settings, even when you’re viewing outdoors in bright sunlight.

Advanced multi-frame imaging technologies by Sony broaden the possibilities of the NEX-C3 further still.3D Sweep Panorama captures extra-wide images in 3D to enjoy on your 3D TV. Auto HDR ‘stacks’ a high speed burst of three successive exposures to capture extreme shadow and highlight details in a single frame. Similarly, Handheld Twilight and Anti-Motion Blur modes automatically combine six exposures to capture smooth, low-noise images: this avoids hand-blur and subject-blur when you’re shooting in available light.

The NEX-C3 works even harder to capture more amazing images and HD video between battery charges. Improved energy efficiency boosts battery stamina to a generous 400 still shots per charge – over 20% more than the NEX-3/NEX-5.

New E-mount 30mm macro lens (“E 30mm F3.5 Macro”) and accessories
The versatility of the α E-mount compact camera system grows with new style-matched accessories to expand your shooting possibilities even further.

Joining the range of E-mount interchangeable lenses, the SEL30M35 is currently the world’s lightest1 life-size macro lens (138g) for interchangeable-lens cameras. This high-quality 30mm F3.5 macro lens features a 1:1 magnification ratio and minimum working distance of just 2.4 cm, making it ideal for capturing detail-packed close-ups of small subjects like flowers and insects. Despite its extremely compact size, the SEL30M35 employs one ED glass and three aspherical lens elements for excellent optical performance, with minimised aberration and very high edge-to-edge sharpness and contrast. It also offers smooth, quiet autofocus operation whether you’re shooting stills or HD video. The macro lens is supplied with a matching lens hood.

HVL-F20S Flash
Also available as an option, the new HVL-F20S is a style-matching flash that clips onto the camera’s Smart Accessory Terminal. Powered directly by the camera, the flash requires no batteries, achieving an ultra-compact size and light weight when you’re travelling. With a generous GN20 (50mm, at ISO 100, m) flash power rating and adjustable head, it’s ideal for creating natural fill-in and bounce flash effects with portraits and everyday shooting subjects.

The expanded range of co-ordinating accessories features a new body case/lens jacket, soft carrying case, straps and value accessory kits.

Version 04 firmware update for NEX-5, NEX-3
Available from June 20th, a firmware upgrade for existing NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras adds the new ‘Picture Effect’ function as introduced on the new NEX‑C3. It also adds a Peaking function to assist with more precise manual focusing. Available free to registered users, latest Version 04 firmware update for NEX-5/NEX-3 can be downloaded from:
NEX-3
Windows:
http://support.sonyeurope.com/dime/downloads/downloads.aspx?f=FW_NEX3_V04_WIN&site=odw_en_GB
MAC OS:
http://support.sonyeurope.com/dime/downloads/downloads.aspx?f=FW_NEX3_V04_MAC&site=odw_en_GB

NEX-5
Windows:
http://support.sonyeurope.com/dime/downloads/downloads.aspx?f=FW_NEX5_V04_WIN&site=odw_en_GB
MAC OS:
http://support.sonyeurope.com/dime/downloads/downloads.aspx?f=FW_NEX5_V04_MAC&site=odw_en_GB

Memory Stick™ PRO-HG Duo HX
Available from May in capacities up to 32GB, the range-topping Memory Stick™ PRO-HG Duo HX now boasts blazing data transfer speeds of up to 50MB/second. The fastest-ever Memory Stick is optimised for sustained burst shooting with today’s A-mount and E-mount cameras from Sony.

The new NEX-C3 ultra-compact digital camera with interchangeable lenses by Sony is available from August 2011. The new HVL-F20S flash will be available during summer 2011.

1 As of 8th June 2011

Rather than rotating the iPhone 4, or automatically stitching multiple shots in sequence, the fish-eye style Dot lens grabs the full 360 in one go. Simply putting the phone down on a level surface is good enough; both still photos and video are supported, and Kogeto’s app will make sharing them online straightforward (with in-app upgrades to unlock extra editing features).

The idea came from a $3,500 “affordable” panoramic camera, Lucy, which Kogeto was funded to produce by the The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for schools to use. Dot is obviously nowhere near as advanced, but it is a whole lot cheaper and more portable.

It could also spawn a Color-style group sharing experience, if adoption takes off. Kogeto envisage using GPS location data to create real-time grouped video sets, allowing viewers to see events – such as sports games or concerts – from various perspectives at the same time.

[via Forbes]

The new optic clips onto the Lensbaby Composer, Scout, Muse, and Control Freak lenses, and supports up to 3-inch macro shots depending on mount. It’ll suit both full frame and APS-C cameras, too; there’s a demo video showing it in action here.

Sample shots of the sort of images the new optic can produce below, and plenty more to peruse here. The Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic is available now, priced at $180.

Press Release:

Lensbaby® Introduces its First 35mm Optic with 12-Blade Adjustable Aperture

The Sweet 35 selective focus optic has the sweetest spot of all

Portland, OR – March 1, 2011 – Lensbaby, manufacturer of award-winning Creative Effects SLR camera lenses, announces the addition of the Sweet 35 Optic to its Optic Swap System. The Sweet 35 Optic, a 35mm selective focus optic with an internal 12-blade adjustable aperture, creates a Sweet Spot of sharp focus that photographers can move around the photo by tilting their Lensbaby lens. The Sweet 35 Optic boasts the widest focal length of any selective focus Lensbaby optic, features close-focus capabilities, and is available now for use with the Lensbaby Composer®, Muse®, Control Freak™ and Scout lenses.

Departing from its interchangeable magnetic aperture system, Lensbaby has created its first optic with an adjustable aperture. With the Sweet 35, photographers can quickly and seamlessly change the aperture from f/2.5 through f/22, simply by rotating the dial on the front of the optic. The aperture opening is what controls the size of the Sweet Spot of sharp focus, giving photographers the ability to see the Sweet Spot change through the lens, without missing a moment.

“Changing the look of images from my Lensbaby lens with the Sweet 35 optic by quickly adjusting the aperture dial at the front of the optic has become habit-forming and allows me to create photographs I would never see through another lens,” said Craig Strong, Lensbaby Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer.

The Sweet 35 allows focus down to 7.5 inches from the front of the lens when used with the Lensbaby Composer and as close as 3 inches when used with the Muse. The 35mm focal length is just wide enough on full-frame cameras and just normal enough on APS C senor cameras, making the Sweet 35 perfect for landscape, environmental portrait, and event photography.

“The Sweet 35’s easily changed apertures, wider focal length, and close focus ability make it our most versatile and fun optic,” said Strong.

Sweet 35 Optic Product Specs:
Focal Length: 35mm
12-blade internal aperture, controlled by a dial on the front of the optic
Aperture range from f/2.5 through f/22 (sweet spot size ranges from 15%, at f/2.5, to 40%, at f/22, of total image area on APS-C sensor cameras)
Selective focus optic (creates a sweet spot of focus surrounded by gradual blur)
Compatible with Lensbaby Composer, Scout, Muse, and Control Freak lenses*
Focus distance when used with: Composer: 7.5” to infinity / Scout: 6.5” to infinity / Muse & Control Freak: 3” to infinity
4 multi-coated glass elements, in three groups
46mm front threads**
*The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with the Composer with Tilt Transformer for Micro 4/3rds and Sony NEX Cameras.
**The Sweet 35 Optic is not compatible with current 37mm Lensbaby accessories.

The Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic is available now for $180.00 (MSRP) from www.lensbaby.com, Lensbaby-authorized photo specialty stores worldwide, and from adorama.com, amazon.com and bhphotovideo.com.

The first example from the company will apparently be a 28mm f/2.8 model with a 4-group/5-lens design. Unsurprisingly, given the estimated pricing, it appears to be a manual rather than an auto-focus lens, but Zhongyi Optics has said it intends to make versions for Sony’s NEX range of interchangeable lens cameras as well.

[via 43Rumors]

The 60mm Macro Lens packs optical image stablization – as on the 18-200mm and 16-80mm – together with a Super Sonic Actuator (SSA) for faster, quieter auto-focus. As for the 85mm F1.4 CSC portrait lens, that has full time manual focus.

Finally, the 16-80mm Advanced Standard Zoom throws in OIS and Voice Coil Motor (VCM) autofocus. The five lenses will be released between May and December – see the table below for more details – with pricing tba.

Press Release:

Samsung Launches New 2011 NX Series Lens Line Up

NX Series further strengthened with launch of five new lenses, allowing every photographer to create professional quality images

SEOUL, Korea – February 21, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced five innovative new lenses for its NX camera system. The new lenses bring more premium innovation to the range, featuring class-leading technology such as a premium portrait lens and lenses for movie capturing, opening new creative avenues for NX users to explore.

All of the lenses are compatible with Samsung’s unique i-Function system, which helps users create powerful effects easily through quick and convenient controls. The new launches, along with the five lenses released in 2010, mean that there are now 10 high-performance lenses available for the NX system, making this one of the most comprehensive ranges available in the Compact System Camera (CSC) market. Samsung’s new lenses have been created to allow users to maximize the potential of their NX system cameras, achieve professional-looking results and enjoy taking photos whatever their level of photography experience.

The new lens range includes Samsung’s 18-200mm multi-purpose Long Zoom Lens. This model features modes which are optimized for creating high-quality movie content with a single lens. The new long zoom lens also has a fast, silent Auto-Focus due to Samsung’s use of Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technology, so users can capture important events without recording the sound of the camera’s AF. The lens also features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to cancel out any hand movement and deliver crisp, clear images, even when a subject is far away.

Samsung has also launched a light, compact 16mm F2.4 Ultra Wide Pancake Lens. The bright aperture of this lens helps to capture wider images even in low light, and deliver a shallow depth of field. The new lens’ compact size and sleek design make it the perfect companion to the stylish NX camera range, and its ultra wide angle is ideal for taking landscape shots and deep perspective pictures.

For the ultimate in super fast and silent Auto Focus, Samsung’s new 60mm Macro Lens features a Super Sonic Actuator (SSA) to deliver a fast, quiet Auto-Focus and also has an Optical Image Stabilization so users never have to miss the timing of that perfect close up shot. For more advanced photographers, the lens offers the ability to manually fine-tune focusing using the Full-Time Manual Focus.

The Premium Portrait Lens also launched today is the ultra bright 85mm F1.4 CSC lens, designed for professional photographers. This lens also includes the SSA to provide a fast and silent Auto-Focus. Like Samsung’s 60mm Macro Lens, the 85mm Premium Portrait Lens also includes the Full Time Manual Focus, giving advanced photographer’s greater control over their preferred settings. The bright F1.4 lens offers the ideal solution for capturing perfect and professional looking portrait pictures of friends or loved ones.

Samsung’s 16-80mm Advanced Standard Zoom Lens is optimized for taking great movies and still shots. Like the 18-200mm long zoom lens, it has a fast, silent Auto-Focus and Optical Image Stabilization. To make capturing great footage easy in any situation, the lens includes VCM modes ranging from landscape to portrait.

“At Samsung we are committed to ensuring that we remain at the cutting edge of imaging technology, and these five new lenses are testament to that ambition and the growing strength of compact system camera photography,” said Mr. Hyunho Chung, executive vice president and head of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. “These are products that a professional photographer would be proud to use, but we make them so easy to use that a novice could get amazing results every time, and that is a credit to our strong R&D team. We are continuing to innovate in this exciting market and we have more significant developments planned for the future, which will add to our growing strength in the compact system camera market.”

So far, Sony has managed to persuade Carl Zeiss, Cosina, Sigma and Tamron to at least give a thumbs-up to the specifications being made public, though not all have said that they’ll actually be making lenses. Only Tamron has gone beyond “endorsing” the publication, in fact, though we’re guessing that won’t be the case for long.

Sony expects to begin disclosing the E-mount specs from April 1 2011, though they’ll need to pass a “predefined process of approval” and sign a license agreement first.

Press Release:

Sony Discloses Basic Specifications of the “E-mount” for Interchangeable Single Lens Cameras without Fee 08 February 2011

Sony Corporation announced today it will disclose the basic specifications of its “E-mount” for interchangeable single lens cameras, without fee, to manufacturers of lenses and mount adaptors, starting April 1st, 2011.

This opens the way for manufacturers of various lenses and mount adaptors to effectively develop products conforming to “E-mount” specifications.
Users of the Sony’s “NEX-3”, “NEX-5”, “NEX-VG10” and other “E-mount” compatible Sony digital imaging products to be launched in the future will now be able to use interchangeable lenses from both Sony and various other manufactures, while they will also be able to attach non-Sony lenses to their Sony digital imaging products via a mount adapter.
Sony believes the growth of digital imaging products employing the “E-mount” will further increase the enjoyment of photography and video shooting among an even wider range of users.

These basic specifications will be disclosed to manufactures of lenses and mount adaptors following a predefined process of approval and the signing a license agreement with Sony.

As of today, the decision to disclose basic specifications of the “E-mount” has been endorsed by the following companies.

Carl Zeiss AG
As an independent lens provider, Carl Zeiss welcomes the disclosure of the “E-mount” specifications by Sony. It helps manufacturer’s product development, benefits customers and therefore assists in establishing “E-mount” as a new, healthy and strong system on the market.

Cosina Co., Ltd.
Cosina Co., Ltd is excited by the potential of Sony’s “E-mount” which enables to a large-size image sensor to be incorporated in a compact, interchangeable lens camera. We have high expectations for the “E-mount” with its aims to create a new photography culture, and express its assent to Sony’s decision to provide information related to “E-mount”.

Sigma Corporation
Sigma Corporation fully supports Sony’s decision to disclose basic “E-mount” specifications. We believe this move will spur the further growth and diversification of camera system across the industry, provide photo enthusiasts with a wealth of choice and enrich in their photographic lifestyles.

Tamron Co., Ltd.
Tamron Co., Ltd endorses Sony’s decision to disclose basic “E-mount” specifications.
We aim to offer our customers new solutions and unprecedented photo-shooting enjoyment through the manufacture and sale of “E-mount” lenses.

Micro-4/3 “offers an excellent opportunity for the industry as a whole, as well as for us as a lens manufacturer” he suggests, though the company is yet to reveal what sort of lenses they’re actually working on. Still, given the platform’s cross-manufacturer compatibility, this is good news for anybody looking to add to their camera kit-bag.

[via 43rumors]

Press Release:

SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH now a member of the “Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group”

BAD KREUZNACH, 4 February 2011. Schneider-Kreuznach has joined the “Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group” – a consortium of companies with the objective of improving the possibilities and quality of compact digital cameras. Developed by Olympus and Panasonic, “Micro Four Thirds” is a standard for lens mounts that is tailored to digital system cameras. “This standard has great potential. It simplifies and improves the options for compact digital cameras and offers an excellent opportunity for the industry as a whole, as well as for us as a lens manufacturer. We are working intensively on a corresponding series of lenses,” says Dr. Josef Staub, CEO of the Schneider Group.

The standard defines the sensor size, the lens mount together with the communication protocol, the aspect ratio and the flange back distance, as well as the optical requirements for production and construction. The industry standard has been developed deliberately without taking into account conventional lenses, cameras or sensor sizes. In this way, compatibility problems with older components are avoided as is the need to compromise when designing new components.

The forum standard policy means that any member company can make and distribute accessories for the system that meet the standard. It is therefore possible to combine components from different manufacturers.

About the Schneider Group: The Schneider Group specializes in developing and producing high-performance photographic lenses, cinema projection lenses, as well as industrial optics and precision mechanics. The group comprises Jos. Schneider Optische Werke, founded in Bad Kreuznach in 1913, and its subsidiaries Pentacon (Dresden), Schneider Kreuznach Isco Division (Göttingen), Schneider-Optics (New York, Los Angeles), Schneider Bando (Seoul), Schneider Asia Pacific (Hong Kong) and Schneider Optical Technologies (Shenzhen). The company’s main brand is “Schneider-Kreuznach”. It has around 620 employees worldwide, with 330 based in its German headquarters. For years now the group has been a world market leader in the area of high-performance lenses.

The device will ship with an 18-55mm i-Function zoom lens and will be fully compatible with the company’s new wide array of lenses. Around back of the device there is a 3-inch AMOLED display with an electronic viewfinder and the device will sport both a built-in flash and hotshoe.

In addition to the NX11, Samsung will also launch two new i-Function lenses – a 20mm pancake and a 20-50mm zoom lens. The device along with the new lenses currently have no release date or pricing, but if the NX10 can serve as any precedent for pricing, we should expect the camera to retail for around $600.

The lens uses the piezoelectric autofocus motor and is made for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors. The lens has a 62mm filter diameter and has vibration compensation image stabilization. It has the first standing wave ultrasonic motor that Tamron has used for DSLR lenses. Along with the 18-270mm, focal range the lens has F/3.5-6.3 specifications and will be offered for Nikon and Canon cameras.

The lens for Nikon and Canon cameras will hit Japan on December 20. Tamron will offer the lens with a Sony mount later. The Sony mount lens will not have the VC image stabilization system. The lens weighs 450g and is 88mm in length. Pricing is unannounced at this time.

This pinhole cover is made with the same technology used to make semiconductors, it’s perfect. It’s not gonna get much more perfect, at least, and now you’ll be digitally capturing the magic only your traditional analog pinhole camera was able to before. And what’s this? This Pinwide offers the widest focal length ever offered on a digital camera?

The pinhole itself recesses itself inside the camera making it possible to capture the ultrawide 11mm (22mm equivalent.) Trick the eye with a field of view so wide, you’ll be able to see the pebbles for the mountains. And since it’s attached to your digital camera instead of your ol’ rusty analog one, you can take video too. Pinhole video. Neato. Find it over at Wanderlust Cameras, where you can also purchase one for preorder.

Lens Mount: Compatible with Micro 4/3 cameras
Aperture: ƒ/96 ~ ƒ/128
Field of View: ~ 80°
Focal length: 11mm (22mm equivalent)
Materials: Ultra-high precision metal etched aperture, durable injection molded plastic
Price: US $39.99 (preorder pricing)

Lensbaby has unveiled a new optic system called the Scout. Many of the offerings from Lensbaby move to allow you to create different effects, the Scout is a fixed system. It also ships with a Fisheye lens for wide-angle photography. The Fisheye optic has a 12mm focal length, can capture a 160-degree angle of view as close as half an inch from the lens and can create flare effects in the image.

Lensbaby says that DSLR users with full frame sensors will see a black circle around most of the image and APS-S sensor camera users will see black corners in the image. The lens system is available for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony, and Olympus 4/3rds SLR and is available now for $249.95.

The lens is a 12.5mm/F12 until that puts those two optical elements within the diameter of the lens. Panasonic says that its new lens system allows the user to shoot images with no lag between the right and left images, which allows the user to take 3D photos of moving objects. The images taken with the lens can be viewed on Panasonic 3D Viera TVs.

The photos can also be viewed via Panasonic 3D Blu-ray players as well. It is impressive that the lens is so small and compact, other 3D lenses we have seen are very large and bulky. The lens will sell for $249.99 and will ship in November along with a new 14mm/F2.5 lens at $399.95 and a Vario 100-300mm lens at $599.99.