Sigma Q&A: Talks about f/1.8 zoom and mirrorless strategy

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Imaging Resource interviewed Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki. Here are some key insights:

1) Why Sigma opted for a mirrorless system camera:
“There are many advantages [for a mirrorless camera over a DSLR]. The [lower] focus accuracy and mirror shock [of a DSLR], does not exist in the mirrorless system. So we decided to go to mirrorless.”

2) Why Sigma opted for a new APS-H sensor:
“We thought that if we go to full-frame, the file size would be huge and the processing speed would be very slow. So we thought that APS-H is a good size for the customers.”

3) About future f/1.8 zooms:
“We’d like to expand this series, but it’s quite challenging, so we are not sure if we can develop another lens.”

4) Asked if Sigma will keep developing lenses that fit fot both APS-C and MFT mirrorless systems:
“If we can increase the sales volume, we can reduce the cost, and we can provide the products which the customers want.”

5) Why the new SD Quattro camera don’t record video:
“Because we have the three-layer stack, so the data size is about two times or three times [as much as a traditional sensor].”

The full Nik Software Collection is now available…for free!!!

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It doens’t happen often you get something good for free. Well today is the day this happens for real! Google who recently bought Nik Software announced that it’s now available for free! Grab it here:

MAC: dl.google.com/edgedl/photos/nikcollection-full-1.2.11.dmg
WIN: dl.google.com/edgedl/photos/nikcollection-full-1.2.11.exe

via SonyAlphaForum

Not for free but heavily discounted:
$700 off and 1 year US seller warranty on the [shoplink 301875 ebay]Sony A7rII by ElectronicsValley on eBay[/shoplink].
$600 off and 1 year US seller warranty on the [shoplink 301876 ebay]Sony A7sII by ElectronicsValley on eBay[/shoplink].

And here it is the new X-PRO 2 firmware update!

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X-PRO 2 owners got their first firmware upgrade (Download here). The firmware update Ver. 1.01 from Ver.1.00 incorporates the following issues:

  • 1. The Phenomenon is fixed that in rare cases, established customized menu settings are reset to factory default setting when the camera is turned off.
  • 2. Improvement of image quality when shooting in the long exposure mode.

Leica Q review at Dpreview

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Dpreview posted their full Leica Q review and writes:

The Leica Q is the most affordable full-frame Leica camera to date. Its 24MP sensor is good though not class-leading, and the fixed 28mm F1.7 Summilux lens is superb. The camera is built beautifully and responds rapidly. With the exception of a few software issues and some troublesome noise banding in pushed Raw files, the Leica Q is an excellent camera that you’ll want to bring along for documenting the world around you.

If you want to save some $ on the Leica Q get it grey imported. It’s $350 off with 3 year US seller warranty [shoplink 301877 ebay]on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

More grey imported deals:
$700 off and 1 year US seller warranty on the [shoplink 301875 ebay]Sony A7rII by ElectronicsValley on eBay[/shoplink].
$600 off and 1 year US seller warranty on the [shoplink 301876 ebay]Sony A7sII by ElectronicsValley on eBay[/shoplink].

Fujifilm Q&A: Fuji 4K cameras will change form factor. New Telephoto and a smaller 35mm f/2.0 primes are “under consideration”.

Fujitalk

Imaging Resource interviewed Mr. Toshihisa and Makoto from Fuji. Here are a couple of interesting info:

  1. Fuji has around 14% of the market share in the global mirrorless system camera market. In Thailand they have 40% of the market share
  2. Fuji doesn’t ask customers to buy a new camera every two-year “it’s ridiculous“. They prefer them “to spend more money for lenses or accessories, and so on. That’s more beneficial to the customers.
  3. About 4k: “If we develop 4K movie-capable cameras, we will need to change the form factor.
  4. Fuji says its way to early to introduce cameras with organic sensor.
  5. The lens request they got from the customers is a fast telephoto prime lens and a more compact 35mm f/2.0 lens (smaller than the existent).

First NAB rumors: Canon will show first 8K mirrorless camcorder prototypes!

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NAB Show interviewed MR. Tim Smith, Senior Advisor, Film and TV Production at Canon. And he said:

We will be showing not only our existing product line, with a few surprises, but we will also be showing working 8K cameras and 8K displays that look into the future of production.

Not certainly THE mirrorless system camera we are waiting to get from Canon. this will be a camcorder and not a photo-centered device. But still exciting to hear Canon is now pushing to become innovative again!

via CanonWatch.