On top you can see the MTF chart of the new Panasonic-Leica 15mm f/1.7 lens. We still haven’t seen any review or even full size image samples yet :(

UPDATE: BHphoto is the first worldwide store accepting preorder of the new Panasonic-Leica 15mm f/1.7 in Black (Click here) or Silver (Click here).

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For six months lens was shown on various photographic events (from Photokina to CP+) but Panasonic never really gave the lens any pricing of shipment info. But finally today Panasonic disclosed the full details that can be read on the following press release:

Panasonic Announce New F1.7 High Speed Leica Summilux 15mm Lens to Allow Photographers to Capture Fashionable Defocused Reportage Pictures

24th March 2014 – Panasonic has unveiled a new digital interchangeable lens, the H-X015 LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. (35 mm camera equivalent: 30 mm) for the LUMIX G range, based on the Micro Four Thirds standard, which is both compact and lightweight.

The new LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. allows photographers to capture supreme daily life pictures with beautiful bokeh.  Exceptional optical performance is assured with certification granted from the world-renowned LEICA.

The new lens system comprising of 9 elements in 7 groups uses 3 aspherical lenses. The aspherical lenses suppress spherical aberration and distortion effectively while enabling the lens unit to be made smaller.

Panasonic’s Nano Surface Coating technology is adopted to minimize the reflection at entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) resulting in the super clear picture quality by avoiding ghost and flare.

The lens incorporates a superior inner focus system, which enables excellent resolution and contrast from close-up to infinity. The inclusion of a newly developed stepping motor makes the focusing action smooth, silent and quicker for use in both photo and video recording.

Notably the performance of AF is by far superior to the phase-difference AF when fast lenses with a smaller F value are used. It is also compatible with the sensor drive at max.240 fps to take maximum advantage of the high-speed AF of LUMIX G cameras.

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. comes equipped with aperture ring and AF/MF switch for direct, intuitive operation.  Furthermore, the robust metal design of LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH., including the hood, is highly reliable and durable for repeated exchange of the lens.

New GM1 kit, DMC-GM1L

The LEICA DG SUMMILUX 15mm / F1.7 ASPH. is the perfect companion for Panasonic’s recently released LUMIX DMC-GM1 and will be available with this camera in a new kit (DMC-GM1L) giving the photographer a sophisticated style with the ‘Got To have It’ camera enabling creative high quality photography.

The GM1 kit will be available in black from mid June priced £999.99 while the lens only will be £549.99 arriving early June. The lens will be available in black and silver.

Mirrorless cameras are getting more and more powerful and batteries have to deliver more and more performance. Well, it just happened that the 2.5K Blackmagic Cinema Camera exploded during a shooting! The cause is likely the battery of the camera.

Just watch the video on top if you don’t believe such a thing can happen for real!

And this is the official Blackmagic response on that mater:

“There have been a small number of isolated incidents where it has been reported the battery had exploded. This is not a common occurrence, and we would like to gather as much information about the situation as possible to ensure that it does not become common. We do apologize for the issue you’ve encountered and would like to assist in getting an RMA set up to sort this out. Do let me know if you have any additional questions.”

Samyang today announced plenty of new lenses! Here are all of them with links to BHphoto preorders (Just click on the blue linked text):

8mm f/2.8 UMC Fish-Eye II

Canon EF-M mount, Fujifilm X mount, Samsung NX mount, and Sony E mount.

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10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS

Canon EF, Pentax K, Sony A, Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Samsung NX, Sony E, and Micro Four Thirds mounts.

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12mm f/2.0 NCS CS

Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Samsung NX, Sony E and Micro Four Thirds mounts.

8mm T3.1 Cine UMC Fish-Eye II Cine Lens

Canon EF-M, Fujfilm X, Samsung NX, and Sony E mounts.

New 24mm and 35mm mounts:

24mm as Sony E-mount and Micro Four Thirds mount. 

35mm as Sony E-mount and a Micro Four Thirds mount

Sony released a major update for the A7 camera series and a smaller update for the NEX-5t, NEX-5r and NEX-6.

The A7 cameras are now reported to startup faster, focus faster with FE lenses and show an improved image quality at High ISO (Jpeg images). Sounds great!

Firmware download links:

A7R

Mac – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

A7

Mac – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

NEX5R

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

NEX5T

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

NEX6

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

It’s here! The new Samsung NX mini with 1 inch sensor (same size as the Sony RX100 and Nikon 1). It’s the smallest system camera ever! It has a very clean and Panasonic GM1 alike design. Specs, price and preorder info can be read here:

Preorders:

Brown: Amazon, BHphoto.

Green:  Amazon, BHphoto

Pink: Amazon, BHphoto

White: Amazon, Bhphoto
 

Press releases and previews:

Preview at Dpreview. Spanish presentation at DSLRmagazine,

Images: