PENTAX announces limited edition 645D

Good news to all you camera enthusiasts, especially PENTAX camera collectors. PENTAX Imaging Company has just announced a new limited edition camera that folks like you will no doubt want to get their hands on. To celebrate winning the Camera Grand Prix Japan 2011 “Camera of the Year” award, Pentax has decided to release a limited edition version of its 645D DSLR.

The limited edition PENTAX 645D camera features an elegant, lacquer-finished 645D body, a matching leather strap, 645D Body Mount Cap, DS-80 Center-Spot-Matte Focusing Screen, and a specially designed paulownia-wood box packaging. This high-performance digital SLR captures images at effectively 40-megapixels, packs a large CCD sensor, a dependable, dust-proof, weather-resistant body, and can work in temperatures as low as 10°C. It's no surprise it won the Camera Grand Prix Japan 2011 award.

PENTAX is planning built-to-order production of this sexy looking camera with a minimum four month delivery period from the date each order is placed. Though no word on pricing has been mentioned, it will be up for pre-order on the PENTAX webstore soon.
source: Ubergizmo

Pentax announces exclusive limited edition of its 645D Medium-format

The Pentax 645D is one of the most impressive camera that I had the chance to review, and today I am glad to report that Pentax Japan announced a new 645D limited edition to celebrate its "Camera of the Year" award delivered by the Camera Grand Prix Japan 2011.

This limited 645D comes with a unique lacquer-finish body, with a matching leather strap, 645D Body Mount Cap, DS-80 Center-Spot-Matte Focusing Screen, and a specially designed paulownia-wood box packaging.

There is no word on the price of this camera yet Ok we just got confirmation on this New Japan 645D and it will cost you something around 1.2 Million Yen (10,800€), also make sure you will be patient enough to wait at least four month for your camera to arrive after placed your order!
source: Akihabara News

Kodak EasyShare C1550 Point-And-Shoot Camera

Kodak has released another point-and-shoot camera namely the EasyShare C1550. This compact camera sports a 16-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 5x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch LCD display and 640 x 480 video recording capabilities at 25fps. The Kodak EasyShare C1550 sells for just $99. [DCViews]
source: TechFresh

Hama IR Light Sensor Remote Camera Trigger

Hama has just announced a new Infrared Remote Trigger that lets you take photos from up to 5-meter away (which is further than it sounds). The Hama IR Light Sensor Remote Camera Trigger is perfect for landscape and macro photographers who don't want to touch the camera to press the shutter button, and it's even more ideal for wildlife photographers who want to set their camera up to catch some pictures of wildlife without having to stand with the camera and do their best to look like part of the scenery. The device consists of a transmitter and a receiver that can be mounted on a tripod using the integrated 1x4-inch (6.4 mm) thread. The Hama IR Light Sensor Remote Camera Trigger is priced at £79.99 ($129). [Hama]
source: TechFresh

Pentax releases limited edition 645D DSLR, only for diehard fans

Do you love Pentax very much? If you don't fall into either of the Nikon and Canon camp, and love the Pentax so much, then you'll probably like what you see above. It's not a normal DSLR mind you. Also, it could be yours… if you're willing to wait four months. Pentax is giving a very limited edition high-five to its medium-format 645D DSLR. The 40 megapixel stunner, recently crowned 2011 “Camera of the Year” at the Camera Grand Prix Japan, is getting a luxe lacquered makeover in this made-to-order kit. If you're the type to collect overpriced (we assume) pieces of photographic paraphernalia, then this custom paulownia-wood box and its contents are probably up your alley. What do you get for all this premium exclusiveness? Well, there's the aforementioned specially-designed body, a leather strap, body mount cap and center-spot-matte focusing screen. Not included is an actual photographer to take the pictures for you (or keep your swag clean) — now that would be high-end. There's no word yet as to what this stately beauty's gonna cost, but that shouldn't stop you from pre-ordering it on the company's site right now. Money may not buy you happiness, but it can get you a rare toy.
source: 2DayBlog.com

New Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G

Hello DX-format shooters, Nikon introduced its new AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens just for you. Ideal for intimate details or general portraiture, the new AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G lens has a minimum focusing distance of just 0.53 feet (6.4 inches) to allow users to capture extreme close-up photographs and High Definition (HD) video with a life-size 1:1 reproduction ratio. Expected to be available in August, the versatile AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G will have an estimated selling price of $279.95.
source: GIZMOGRAPH

Nikon Shows Off Rather Dull Future Camera Concepts

Nikon is showing off a few of its own concept cameras on the I Am Nikon blog. These prototypes were on display at La Cité des Sciences in Paris, and are now conveyed across the world in photographic form for your titillation.

First up is the Multi-Ball (above), a camera with many, many spherical eyes arranged on yet another, larger sphere. Its purpose is to “capture the atmosphere of a scene,” but coming in the wake of the amazing Lyto plenoptic camera, which lets you focus pictures after you have shot them, it looks rather old already.

The Big Screen Camera is just that: a big LCD screen with a pair of handles and a small camera embedded somewhere inside. Anyone who has used a tablet to take a photograph will know that this is simultaneously great (big screen!) and awkward (you look like a dork). Still, at least with Nikon behind it, you'll be sure to get a good-quality capture, unlike the crap you get from the iPad which looks like you shot it through a piece of frosted, dimpled glass.

Third is this new take on the SLR. The lens is the biggest part, and the screen and handle hang off it like appendages. This, too, has been foreshadowed in the current market. Take a look at Sony's NEX cameras to see tiny bodies clipped onto big lenses.

Finally there is the mystery i-Ball. Nikon is saying nothing. The paranoid Englishman in me says that this is some kind of surveillance device. But in reality, Nikon probably has no idea what it does either, and just included it because it looks cool.

None of these concepts seems to be anything particularly thought-provoking. I'm sure y'all can do a lot better. I'm going to lead off with a lens-changing camera with a 3G radio and a Android-running processor. I could then have Hipstamatic-style fun with a proper, big-sensor camera. What about you? Suggestions, as ever, in the comments.

A Vision of the Future of Photography [I Am Nikon via Rob Galbraith]

tt-i Buddy NightOwl camera records your RV adventures

tt-i, creator of sporty cameras such as the tt-i EagleEye, has announced the addition of a new camera to its “buddy” lineup. Called the NightOwl, this camera is designed for RV (recreation vehicle) and Motorhome owners who want a camera to capture their journey while out on the road. The NightOwl is a high definition camera that can be attached to your windshield with a special mount that makes use of a suction cup to stay fixed on your windshield.

To ensure the camera can last for long road trips, you can plug it into the vehicle's cigarette socket to keep it juiced. The NightOwl has no moving parts, which means that bumpy journeys aren't going to dislodge anything while you're on the go. It has an SD card slot to support up to 64GB memory cards, has motion detection, night vision, a built in screen that can fold away, and a real-time stamp on video so you don't forget when the video was recorded.

The tt-i Buddy NightOwl is available now for $375 (with an 8GB SD card).
source: Ubergizmo

LockCircle, a $100 Body Cap for Canon

Is there any part of a camera system that can't be gussied up and sold for a huge markup? Of course not. And today we have the latest candidate for the cash of over-monied photographers: the $100 body-cap for Canon SLRs.

The cap, called the LockCircle, is a circular chunk of aluminum which twists snugly into the open lens mount of any Canon EF-mount SLR. In this manner it mimics exactly the function of the free plastic cap that came with the camera.

But that's not all. The LockCircle comes in three finishes: titanium, black or clear, and its knurled and dimpled styling makes your camera look like an old-fashioned dial telephone.

I kid. There is a serious purpose for this over-engineered chunk of metal. Those knurls and dimples, along with its deep profile, mean you can screw and unscrew the thing with gloves on. Supposedly the cap protects the interior of the camera from dust and rain in fierce weather.

You can see the problems immediately, right? First, you may be able to change the lens while wearing gloves (assuming you can get the cheap plastic rear cap off the lens itself), but you won't actually be able to operate the camera. Second, if the weather is so extreme that you can't take off your gloves for a few seconds, then it's probably not a good idea to open up your weather-sealed camera to the elements, letting the grit and rain blow in onto the sensor.

Third, it costs $100. That's enough to buy you a second-hand 50mm lens. Why not just use that as a body-cap. A body cap that you can use to take a photo instantly, instead of after a cap-and-lens-juggling struggle?

I'm sure there's somebody reading this who still wants one. the link is below. I hope you enjoy it. You can keep it next to your Titanium Leica M9 (just $29,000).

LockCircle [LockCircle via PetaPixel]

brite-View Air SyncHD/DX sends Full HD signals sans wires

brite-View's Air SyncHD/DX device, also known as the BV-2822 if model numbers are your cup of tea, is a 1080p video/audio wireless transmission kit. To put it in plain English boys and girls, the brite-View Air SyncHD/DX is capable of sending Full High Definition signals without the need to go through physical cables, hence lowering, nay, eliminating the chances of you (or some other member of the family) tripping over it. This purchase will feature a quartet of HDMI connections and two sets of component video inputs on the transmitter side.

The moment you establish a wireless HDMI link between the transmitter and receiver, you are able to beam the whole primary video/audio source to a secondary HDTV as long as it is placed within range (normally in the same house, of course). There is a maximum transmission range of 6 feet for uncompressed 1080p content, while 1080i content sees the range extended to 100 feet.

Installation is a snap, and since the transmitter itself sports an integrated HDMI splitter, you can easily broadcast to a second HDTV which is attached to the receiver, while the HD A/V signals are sent to the primary HDTV via the transmitter. How much for some wireless convenience in your life? We're looking a $299.99 for the Air SyncHD|DX.
source: Ubergizmo

Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Interchangeable Lens Camera with 18-55mm Zoom Lens Available For Pre-Order at Amazon

Amazon has begun taking pre-orders for Sony's upcoming interchangeable lens camera ‘Alpha NEX-C3′ via its online store. This compact camera retails for $649.99 and comes bundled with a 18-55mm zoom lens. To refresh your memory, the Alpha NEX-C3 offers a 16.2-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, a 16mm wide-angle lens, a 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD screen, Sony's BIONZ image processor, slots for Memory Stick PRO Duo/ Pro-HG Duo media and SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, an HDMI port and 720p HD video recording capabilities (30fps).
source: TechFresh

Leica Releases Lens Mount Adapters For S2

Leica has recently released a new series of lens mount adapters for the Leica S2 medium-format DSLR camera. The Leica S-Adapter V can be used for Hasselblad V System lenses, the Leica S-Adapter P67 for the Pentax 67 system lenses and the Leica S-Adapter M645 for the lenses of the Mamiya 645 system. These lens mount adapters allow photographers to use more additional lenses for their Leica S2 camera. The UK suggested retail price of the Leica S lens mount adapter (all versions) is £525($845) including VAT. [PhotographyBLOG]
source: TechFresh

Canon IXY 32S Digital Camera With Touch Shutter Function

Canon has introduced a new digital camera ‘IXY 32S' for the Japanese market, which is basically an updated version of its IXY 31S (IXUS 310 HS/ELPH 500 HS). Unlike its predecessor, this new model is equipped with a new Touch Shutter function, allowing users to determine the ideal timing in which to capture a photo while viewing the scene on the camera's viewing monitor. As for the rest of the specs, it sports a 12.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor, a 24mm ultra wide-angle lens, a 4.4x optical zoom lens, a 3.2-inch Clear Live LCD T monitor, Canon's DIGIC 4 image processor and 1080p Full HD video recording capabilities (24fps). The IXY 32S will start shipping in Japan from August 4th for unannounced price yet. [dpreview]
source: TechFresh

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Digital Camera Now Available Via B&H Photo

The Panasonic DMC-GF3 is now available for purchase via B&H Photo. FYI, the DMC-GF3 is Panasonic's smallest and lightest compact system camera to date. The camera features a 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor, a built-in pop-up flash and a 3-inch touch-sensitive LCD screen with a resolution of 460,000 dots. The DMC-GF3 also offers full HD movies at 1920 x 1080 at 60i (NTSC)/ 50i (PAL) in AVCHD format with stereo sound and full-time auto-focus, a 4fps continuous shooting, a fast contrast-detect auto-focus system that can lock onto a subject in approximately 0.1-0.18 second, Venus Engine FHD processor, RAW support and an ISO range of 160-6400. B&H Photo sells the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 for $699. [B&H Photo]
source: TechFresh

Canon releases the IXY 32S in Japan

Here you are another Point and Shoot that was supposed to hit the Japanese market early April but that has been postponed for obvious reasons (March 11 Earthquake).

The IXY 32S, available in Silver, Black, Gold and Pink, replace the IXY 31S released early March in Japan, comes with a 12.1Mpix CMOS BSI (Back Side Illuminated) sensor, a 4.4x optical Zoom, a 3.2" touchscreen, Full HD Video recording in H.264, ISO 100-3200 expansible to ISO 6400 and SDXC Card support.

The IXY 32S will be available shortly in Japan at around 30,000 Yen.
source: Akihabara News

Canon releases its A3300 IS PowerShot in Japan

Introduced earlier this year at CES 2011 and replacing the AS 3200 IS launched in Japan in February 2011, the A3300 IS that was supposed to be launch in Japan in April is now finally available in Japan. Announced at 14,000 Yen this entry level 16Mpix Camera comes with a 5x optical Zoom, an AF Face detection, IS, SDXC Support and a 720p video mode.

Available in three different colors including silver, bleu and Pink the A3300 IS weight 149 for 95.1×56.7×23.9mm
source: Akihabara News

Video: Inside the Leica Lens Factory

The cost of Leica's lenses becomes less surprising when you see just how they're made

Leica's legendary lenses are famously made by hand, in Germany. Why not outsource the work to a factory in China or Taiwan? Training. Under the right management, Chinese factories can put great quality goods, but it would take years for Leica to train up a workforce as experienced as the one in Germany. Take a look:

The level of manual labor is astonishing, as is the attention to detail. Did you know that the edges of the lens elements were painted black, by hand? Or that the engraved markings on the lens barrel were also hand-filled with paint? Me either.

If nothing else, this is a fascinating look into what goes into making any lens, not just a Leica lens. One thing, though — I'm sure the white coats are mandatory, but what about the stern, steely-gray mustaches?

The Leica Manufacturing Process [Leica via Photography Bay]
source: Gadget Lab

Canon PowerShot A3300 IS Released In Japan

Canon has recently released the PowerShot A3300 IS in the Japanese market. As a successor to the PowerShot A3200 IS, the new 16MP camera features a 5x optical zoom, a face detection, Image Stabilization, SDXC cards support and a 720p video mode. Available in Silver, Blue and Pink, the Canon PowerShot A3300 IS retails for 14,000 Yen ($176).
source: TechFresh

Olympus Tough TG-615 Rugged Digital Camera

Olympus has announced another rugged digital camera ‘Tough TG-615′ for the Japanese market. Based on the existing Olympus TG-610, this new water-, shock- and freezeproof camera sports a 14.0-megapixel CCD image sensor, a 28mm wide angle lens, a 5x optical zoom lens, a 3.0-inch LCD monitor, a modified image stabilizer, a new filter / shooting mode, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot, an HDMI port and 720p HD video recording capabilities. Pricing and release date are still unknown at the moment. [PhotographyBlog]
source: TechFresh

[Review] Fujifilm X100, a true masterpiece!

Let's make it clear immediately and before we go on with our review: Fujifilm's Finepix X100 is one of the most impressive, well-built and fascinating cameras that we tested. By offering an amazing mix of intuitive handling, breathtaking image quality with one of the best viewfinders we have ever seen. This, my dear fellow readers, is how amazing the Finepix X100 is!

Note : This review has been written before Fujiflm upgraded its X100 Firmware that brought to this already amazing camera many new improvements.

I'm one of those kids who never had the chance to play with an old, retro film-based camera and I'm not currently able to afford a Leica M3, but I've always wondered what would it be like to own of these beasts.

The Fujifilm X100 fulfills a long dream that I always had, being able to own one of these retro-Pro compact cameras with stunning personality as well as being able to provide great photos and video. When I received my test sample for my trip in Okinawa back in April, I could not believe how fantastic this camera was. Sure I had the chance to "play" with this X100 at several occasions during the Fujifilm Press Event and at some other events, but receiving the masterpiece in its original box and having the chance to discover piece-by-piece what's in it took my way back to my childhood during Christmas.

I had the chance to play with a lot of cameras in my life and I even remember having the chance to shoot once with my grandfather good old film-based SLR. Nothing really, beside my grandfather's one, prepared me for the X100 and its magical body.

The X100 is everything I love in a single camera, where the past, mixed with the future, and where classical/noble materials like the X100's brushed aluminum is mixed with an impressive high-grade plastic. Think of the X100 as a Jaguar E-Type Speedster, where Eagle, a British company, took the base of the almighty Jaguar E-Type and mounted it with 2011 tech, engine, brakes, and a slightly modified windshield.

Yes the X100 is that good and it is exactly what a gentleman photographer must own when he is looking for an elegant yet sophisticated powerful camera.

Being so, the X100 is, by essence, the very opposite of any high-end point-and-shoot camera, where both size and weight must reduced to its minimum. The X100 is somehow bulky and will only fit with difficulty in your rear pocket. Doing so will be an insult to this Gentleman's shooter that needs to be properly handled with all the respect that only high-end cameras should receive. Being made with a strong die-cast magnesium alloy body, the X100 is a really "sturdy" camera capable of withstanding the worse if necessary.

I want to give a special mention to the X100's amazing the hybrid optical viewfinder (OVF) / electronic viewfinder (EVF). Being a digital camera, the X100 comes with the usual rear LCD monitor or EVF - a pretty good 2.8" LCD monitor with a 460k dots and 100% scene coverage - but the most impressive part of the X100 is its really sharp and accurate OVF that works like a fighter jet's collimator HUD by transposing digital information over your optical viewfinder. This gives you a DSLR-like optical viewfinder with all the advantages of a digital one. It's a true masterpiece!

Now it's time to talk about image quality. Like its outstanding build-quality, the X100 does not disappoint once you start using it. One of the most impressive aspects of the X100 is that from ISO 100 up to 3200, you get a noise-free picture. It is only when you reach ISO 12800 that you will really start noticing image color desaturation and strong visible noise in JPEG. Once you switch to RAW, you will get a noise-free picture up to ISO 6400.

Another great aspect of the X100 and its fixed lens is that Fujifilm took all the time it needed to fine tune the 23mm lens, giving you a camera that handles chromatic aberrations like no other models within this category!

Another great aspect of the X100 is its three dynamic range (DR) settings with 100% by default, and options for 200% and 400%. The advantage here, and depending of the situation you are shooting, is to help you to increase the amount of details visible in the shadow and highlight areas, bringing out more details. Even though I personally welcome this mode, be warned that it will also increase the noise level in each of your pictures. Unfortunately, this feature cannot be turned off like I would love to do. Still, if you are not sure how to handle this DR mode, Fujifilm gives you the possibility to opt for a fully automatic mode that takes care of this matter for you once and for all.

Despite its "classical" look and feel, the X100 is surprisingly fast. The X100 would be better with a faster auto-focus mechanism, but at least it comes without any noticeable shutter lag, making it nearly impossible to miss a shot - a huge plus compared to many other cameras. The X100 is also reasonably fast when it comes to its continuous shot mode, and offers 5 frames-per-second (FPS) for JPEGs or 8 FPS for RAW files when your shutter speed is above the 1x100th of a second, and drops to a good 3 FPS between 1x10 to 1x100th of a second.

Like most cameras nowadays, the X100 comes with eight different film simulation modes that help increase your creativity. I personally have no need for such "gadgets", but I am sure that many of you will find some smart ways to get the best out of them.

Capable of shooting both JEPG and RAW pictures at the same time, it is worth noting that Fujifilm took the decision to support of SDXC cards, giving you not only fast photo uploading but also up to 64GB of storage space. This is something worth considering when shooting both RAW photo and 720p videos.

Not only does the X100 take great pictures, but it also shoots GREAT video. Granted, the X100's video mode is a bit limited with only the ability to set both aperture and shutter speed before taking videos, as we well as being limited to a 720x24p mode, but it comes with the ability of choosing among the camera different image filter modes and AF. There is no way to switch the X100 to manual focus in the video mode.

Still, the X100 takes GREAT videos, and once you mastered the limitations of the camera and know how it will react, the X100 is a very capable little camcorder that will give you videos as gorgeous as still photos.

I am in love! Yes, the X100 is THE camera that I was always looking for and the only camera I would love to always carry around with me. Maybe it's not as fancy as a Leica M9/M8.2 or X1, the X100 is also way more affordable than these cameras, and still gives you the satisfaction of owning a real camera and not another piece of plastic.

With gorgeous photos and great videos, the X100 is the perfect all-in-one solution for the gentleman photographer. But be careful, its 23mm lens may not be suited for every situation, but here as well, once you understand what you can do with the X100 you will find yourself with limitless possibilities!
source: Akihabara News