Speculations going wild in Japan about Nikon exiting the camera business

And here comes the next Japanese journal speculating about a possible Nikon exit from the camera business. They base their guess on this fact: Techno System Research analyzed the mirrorless market share and that’s the result:

Sony … 35%
Canon … 30%
FUJIFILM… 12%
Olympus… 8%
Nikon … 7.5%

At the end that’s all just wild rumors btu it’s interesting that it’s lasting for quite some time now in Japan…

via DClife

Joint L-mount alliance event: The group might grow in number!

There was a joint CP+ live stream to explain the future of the L-mount system. If I got the google translation right than these are some of the key info:

  • L-mount is now the third most popular mount in Japan
  • Sigma increased it’s market share since the introduction of the FP
  • Leica said they will keep focusing on the very high end market
  • Panasonic said they are developing multiple cameras and lenses
  • Sigma also want to release some more “crazy” products
  • There is a possibility the L-mount alliance will get new partners

Venus Optics presented five new lenses

For the CP+ show Venus Optics announced five new lenses (3 FF, 1 MFT and 1 APS-C). Here they are:

LAOWA MFT 25mm F0.95

Focal length: 25 mm
, maximum aperture ratio: F0.95
-angle: 46.7 °
– Lens construction: 8 groups 14 sheets (1 aspherical lens, one special low-dispersion lens, including three high refractive lenses)
– Number of aperture blades: 9
・ Minimum shooting distance: 25 cm
・ Maximum shooting magnification: 0.17 times
・ Filter diameter: φ62
mm
・Dimensions: φ71 mm × 86 mm・ Mass: Approx. 570 g
・ Compatible mount ・ Compatible format: Microforcers

LAOWA CF 33mm F0.95 APO

Focal length: 33 mm
, maximum aperture ratio: F0.95
-angle: 46.2 °
– Lens construction: 9 groups 14 sheets (1 aspherical lens, one special low-dispersion lens, including three high refractive lenses)
– Number of aperture blades: 9
・ Shortest shooting distance: 35cm
・ Maximum shooting magnification : 0.125x
・ Filter diameter
: 62mm ・ Dimensions: φ71.5mm × 83mm
・ Mass: Approximately 590g
・ Compatible mount: Sony E / Fuji X / Nikon Z / Canon EF-M
・ Supported formats: APS-C

LAOWA 35mm F0.95

Focal length: 35 mm
, maximum aperture ratio: F0.95
-angle: 63.4 °
– Lens construction: 9 groups 14 sheets (1 aspherical lens, one special low-dispersion lens includes four high refractive lenses)
– Number of aperture blades: 15
・ Shortest shooting distance: 50cm
・ Maximum shooting magnification : 0.1x
・ Filter diameter
: 72mm ・ Dimensions: φ76.8mm × 103mm
・ Weight: Approximately 755g
・ Compatible mount: Sony FE / Nikon Z / Canon RF
・Supported formats: Full frame

LAOWA FF II 45mm F0.95

Focal length: 45 mm
, maximum aperture ratio: F0.95
-angle: 51.3 °
– Lens construction: 9 groups 13 sheets (1 aspherical lens, one special low-dispersion lens, including one high refractive lenses)
– Number of aperture blades: 15
・ Shortest shooting distance: 50cm
・ Maximum shooting magnification : 0.12x
・ Filter diameter
: 72mm ・ Dimensions: φ76.8mm × 110mm
・ Weight: Approximately 850g
・ Compatible mounts: Sony FE / Nikon Z / Canon RF
・Supported formats: Full frame

LAOWA FFII 12-24mm F5.6 C-Dreamer Ultra Wide Zoom

・ Focal length: 12-24mm
・ Maximum Magnification : F5.6
・ Angle of view: 121.9 ° -84 °
・ Lens configuration: 15 elements in 11 groups (including 2 aspherical elements and 3 special low dispersion lenses)
・ Aperture blade Number of
shots : 5・ Shortest shooting distance: 15cm
・ Maximum shooting magnification:
0.4x ・ Dimensions: φ69.4 × 74mm
・ Mass: Approx. 497g
・ Compatible mount: Leica M / Nikon Z / Sony FE / Canon RF
・ Compatible format: Full flame

Panasonic finally talks serious on MFT: Revolutionary zoom, fast primes and GH6 coming!

Panasonic posted this long video chat for the CP+ online event. From around 51:00, Mr. Uno talks about the Micro Four Thirds system and says:

  • Yes we are “considering” to make the GH5 successor (which is just a diplomatic way to say “yes we are doing it”).
  • We are also considering to make a “Revolutionary” new zoom lenses and new fast single focus lenses for Micro Four Thirds.
  • He says “Please look forward to it”

Finally a big bold statement from Panasonic! This breathes some fresh hope into the MFT system believers :)