New SIGMA DP1 Merrill, SIGMA DP2 Merrill and SIGMA DP3 Firmware download.

Sigma (Click here) just issued new firmware updated for the the DP1/2/3 cameras. Benefits of the firmware update:

SIGMA DP1 Merrill firmware [Ver.1.04]
?Improves the stability of operation.
?Improves the precision of bounce flash shooting when ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER SA-STTL and ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG ST SA-STTL are used.
?When you enlarge an image, it used to enlarge the center of the image. However, the new firmware magnifies the image depending on the focusing position.
?It is possible to select the file name of the image either from “SDIM” or “DP1M”.
?It has integrated the color tones of Custom White Balance (Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash) among the DP Merrill series.
?Corrects the phenomenon that the AEL setting goes back to default if the AEL button is set for “Central AEL + AEL”, and alternate MF to AF or vice versa, while it is still displaying the operation icon.
?Corrects the phenomenon that self-timer shooting whilst using P Mode would cancel the program shift for the customized shutter speed and aperture settings if you press the release button.
?Properly displays the image according to the selected magnification percentage.
?Corrects the phenomenon that the selected exposure is not appropriately applied when an external flashgun is used with Custom Mode.
?Corrects the phenomenon that, in rare cases, images are not recorded properly when the battery level is low.
?Corrects the rare phenomenon that the recording process does not go perfectly when the camera is turned off right after taking the image.
?It displays the size of the file when you select an image and open the Image Info Screen.

SIGMA DP2 Merrill firmware [Ver.1.05]
?Improves the stability of operation.
?Improves the precision of bounce flash shooting when ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER SA-STTL and ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG ST SA-STTL are used.
?When you enlarge an image, it used to enlarge the center of the image. However, the new firmware magnifies the image depending on the focusing position.
?It is possible to select the file name of the image either from “SDIM” or “DP2M”.
?It has integrated the color tones of Custom White Balance (Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash) among the DP Merrill series.
?Corrects the phenomenon that the AEL setting goes back to default if the AEL button is set for “Central AEL + AEL”, and alternate MF to AF or vice versa, while it is still displaying the operation icon.
?Corrects the phenomenon that self-timer shooting whilst using P Mode would cancel the program shift for the customized shutter speed and aperture settings if you press the release button.
?Properly displays the image according to the selected magnification percentage.
?Corrects the phenomenon that the selected exposure is not appropriately applied when an external flashgun is used with Custom Mode.
?Corrects the phenomenon that, in rare cases, images are not recorded properly when the battery level is low.
?Corrects the rare phenomenon that the recording process does not go perfectly when the camera is turned off right after taking the image.
?It displays the size of the file when you select an image and open the Image Info Screen.

SIGMA DP3 Merrill firmware [Ver.1.02]
?Improves the stability of operation.
?Improves the precision of bounce flash shooting when ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER SA-STTL and ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG ST SA-STTL are used.
?When you enlarge an image, it used to enlarge the center of the image. However, the new firmware magnifies the image depending on the focusing position.
?It is possible to select the file name of the image either from “SDIM” or “DP3M”.
?It has integrated the color tones of Custom White Balance (Sunlight, Shade, Overcast, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash) among the DP Merrill series.
?Corrects the phenomenon that the AEL setting goes back to default if the AEL button is set for “Central AEL + AEL”, and alternate MF to AF or vice versa, while it is still displaying the operation icon.
?Corrects the phenomenon that self-timer shooting whilst using P Mode would cancel the program shift for the customized shutter speed and aperture settings if you press the release button.
?Properly displays the image according to the selected magnification percentage.
?Corrects the phenomenon that the selected exposure is not appropriately applied when an external flashgun is used with Custom Mode.
?Corrects the phenomenon that, in rare cases, images are not recorded properly when the battery level is low.
?Corrects the rare phenomenon that the recording process does not go perfectly when the camera is turned off right after taking the image.
?It displays the size of the file when you select an image and open the Image Info Screen.

Mirrorless news roundup…

Yvonne Venegas: The Personal View of Things from Leica Camera on Vimeo.

The State of the Mirrorless Camera Industry – May 2013 by AdmiringLight.
Nikon Coolpix A review at Dpreview.
Fuji X100s, Ricoh GR, Nikon Coolpix A: compared by Mike Kobal.
Fuji X100s review at CameraLabs.
Leica X Vario image smaples at Photographyblog.
Ricoh GR photos at Photographyblog.
Ricoh GRD free mini ebook at F-stopeight.
Ricoh GR: Discussion with 4 phtotographers at F-stopeight.

Amazon sends out warnings. The shipment of X100s’ is water damaged?

Amazon (Click here) just issued that warning on the Fuji X100s camera page. And according to unconfirmed rumors it seems that there is a very curious cause. The X100s shipment from Japan has been water damaged! If this is true than you will have to wait a long time before you can get your preorder.

The only store that has a limited amount of X100s in Stock is . And they charge you  $230 extra for it :(

Leica X Vario announced! Specs as expected.

And here it is the new Leica X Vario. And no, Leica marketing wasn’t playing with us rumor sites. We were correct right from the first time when we leaked the image and specs. It has the a fixed Vario Elmar 18-46mm 1:3.5-6.4 ASPH lens and a 16.1MP CMOS APS-C sensor. There is no built-in viewfinder, you rely on the 920k dot 3″ LCD to frame the images. A wonder why Leica teased the cameras as “Mini M” if there is no Messucher. You can of course use an external EVF. Price is 2450 Euro or 2250 Pounds or 2850 Dollars (preorders here at BHphoto). Here are some more images via Leica Forum:



 

For my personal joy of revenge I will re read all the massive amount of comments accusing me of posting wrong images and specs…what a satisfaction :)

 

New teaser and first image samples taken with the Leica X Vario!

Leica posted that new teaser of the Leica X Vario Type 107 camera. Specs are known and the teaser only confirms the leaked image we posted days ago. More important is that Jonathan Slack (Click here) posted the first image samples taken with the new camera. As beautiful as the images can’t be, the 16 megapixel APS-C sensor (and the slow lens) doesn’t justify the 2450 Euro price tag. At least for me. You may have another opinion. I would rather spend 799 dollars on the discounted Fuji X cameras at at Amazon (Click here to see the dedicated Amazon page).

Fuji is doing what Leica should have done….