New Panasonic 12-35mm announced and reviewed (Olympus 75mm 1.8 coming soon).

Finally the first of the two bright Panasonic zoom prototypes has been announced. The 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS lens. You can right now read the full review at Dslrmagazine.com (Click here) and Click here for the google english translation. There is no info about the second 35-100mm X lens. I guess it’s coming much later only. And ina couple of days Olympus will launch the 75mm f/1.8 portrait lens too!

Other mirrorless system really have to do a lot to catch up or at least get close to the Micro Four Thirds Lens offering!!!

Mirrorless news roundup… (X100 ripped after saltwater contact)

Saltwater is a great enemy for all electronic devices. James Mahrer (Click here) had an accident and the X100 got washed by seawater. The camera didnt’ work anymore so he ripped the camera in 1000 pieces to see what’s inside :) Now you know it…use dry bags when you go on sea!!!

And here you have more Mirrorless news:

Samsung:
Samsung 20mm f/2.8 NX iFunction Pancake Lens Review at ePhotozine (Click here).
Samsung NX210 first impression review at Digitalcamerainfo (Click here).
Samsungs new cameras got a price at Adorama:
Samsung NX20 at Adorama
Samsung NX210 at Adorama
NX1000 at Adorama

Pentax:
Pentax K-01 field test images at Outbackphoto (Click here).

Leica:
Previewing the new Leica M Monochrome by TheInvisiblePhotographer (Click here).

Panasonic-Olympus:
Panasonic 14-140mm lens review at ePhotozine (Click here).
Olympus 75.300mm lens review at Photoreview (Click here).
Olympus Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ED Lens Review at Photoreview (Click here).

Sony:
Lori Grunin from Cnet USA (Click here) posted the first full Sony NEX-F3 review: “Though it doesn’t wow us for any particular aspect, the Sony Alpha NEX-F3 is a nice overall package for photographers looking for something with better photo quality and more flexible than a point-and-shoot.

New Leica M Monochrome review roudup! (18 B&W Megapixel = 30 Bayer Megapixels)

One hour with the Momochrome by Steve Huff (Click here). Leica Momochrome thoughts by Luminous Landscape (Click here): “I am confident in saying that the MM’s 18 Megapixel sensor performs more like a 26–32 MP Bayer sensor camera.”. Henri (Click here) posted a couple of image samples.Hands-on pictures by Photographyblog (Click here). And Imaging Resource (Click here) tries to find an answer to the following question “Is Leica Pricing Out Its Loyal Customers with an $8,000 Black-and-White Camera?

Leica M Monochrome is available for preorder at Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Leica X2 and accessories are available for preorder at Adorama (Click here) and listed at BHphoto (Click here).
Leica 50mm Summicron is available for preorder at Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

New Sony NEX-F3 and 18-200mm lens announced!

This is certainly not a spectacular product announcement but a really interesting one for the mass market. Sony released that nice little new NEX-F3 camera and a new 18-200mm super zoom lens. Here is a list of useful links to learn more about the new stuff:

Preorders:
NEX-F3 is available for preorder at BHphoto (Click here)
Sony 18-200mm NEX lens preorder at BHphoto (Click here).

Previews:
NEX-F3: Dpreview, Techradar, Focus Numerique (French), Imaging Resource, ThePhoBlographer,

Image samples:
NEX-F3: Dpreview, Imaging Resource, Flickr Australia.

Press release:
NEX-F3: Dpreview, Focus Numerique (French), Photoscala (German), DC.watch (japanese).

 

New X PRO 1 leather case and New X 100 wide angle lens!

Here are two new sexy accessories for two sexy Fuji cameras :)
The Korean company Gariz announced the new X PRO 1 leather case you can right now found them on eBay (Click here). You can have it in three different colors!
And Fuji also announced the WCl-X100 0.8 wide angle converter that will ship in June for $350. It converts the 35mm lens in a 28mm lens.

Nice!

Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and Canon mirrorless announcement all in 30 days?

Rumors are getting stronger and stronger and it looks like we are now getting into very busy weeks! This Thursday (on May 17th) Sony will announce the new NEX-F3 and 18-200mm Black NEX lens. Right after Panasonic will announce the new G5 and very likely release that long awaited 12-35mm and 35-100mm X lens. And it is not finished! Also Olympus will launch the two new m43 lenses (60mm macro and the 75mm f/1.8). What else? The real suprise could come from Canon. Australian rumors said that the biggest and last non mirrorless company will launch two new cameras and three new lenses in June. Is it true? We shall see!

P.S: I expect Nikon to release a “high end” one camera as next, but I am not sure when they will announce it.