Ricoh GXR A12 Leica M-mount

The Ricoh GXR A12 is a new GXR system lens mount unit that accepts Leica M lenses. The unit is equipped with an APS-C format CMOS sensor and the Leica M-mount. The A12 also offers a newly developed focal plane shutter, an electronic shutter, a number of lens correction functions to accommodate the different lenses, and a focus-assist function to improve the accuracy of manual focusing. The Ricoh GXR A12 will be released in September 2011 for $649 each. [PhotographyBay]
source: TechFresh

Ricoh GXR Leica M-mount module gets a September ship date, lets you swap lenses with one sensor

Sure, you've seen cameras with interchangeable lenses - you might even own one or two - but a cam that lets you swap out the sensor with the lens? Now that's pretty unique. Ricoh's GXR has been around since 2009 and does exactly that, with four lens / sensor combos, including two zooms and a pair of fixed lenses. Now, the company has confirmed that its new Leica M-mount module will ship on September 9th, letting you use your existing Leica lenses with the GXR. The module includes a 12.3 megapixel APS-C sensor and has a 27.8mm Leica M bayonet mount, with support for RAW image capture and 720p video. It also has an "open" price, which means it's still anyone's guess as to how much you'll be shelling over. But if you own a collection of Leica glass and are interested in experimenting with such a unique sensor-swapping camera system, you're probably somewhat open to open pricing.
source: Engadget

Vivitar rolls out 690 HD camcorder: waterproof, 720p, $60

Vivitar may have bad-mouthed newfangled digital cameras last year, but that hasn't stopped it from selling them. The company's latest is the 690 HD, a compact, Flip-like camcorder that records 720p video and is rated for use up to ten feet underwater. You'll also get an SD card slot for storage and a 2-inch LCD 'round back, but you'll have to make do without other niceties like an optical zoom or HDMI port -- compromises that shouldn't be too hard to take considering the $60 price tag.

Press Release:
VIVITAR® INTRODUCES UNDERWATER HD POCKET VIDEO CAMERA

Los Angeles, Calif., - August 2, 2011- Vivitar, a leading brand of digital cameras and photographic accessories for over 70 years, launches the 690 HD underwater digital pocket video camera. The sleek, easy to use video camera makes the perfect gift, or the perfect, easy-to-carry accessory to capture a day of memories.

Vivitar's 690 HD latest sensation offers waterproof features with a built-in microphone and speaker for your underwater adventures. The digital camcorder also includes a handy SD memory card slot so that every moment can be shared.

In addition, this amazing software is easily uploaded to Facebook, Myspace, Flickr, Picasa Albums, Photobucket, Youtube and more so that your social media never sleeps.

For your full Vivitar experience, the new 690 allows you to create your own movies and has a 4x zoom capacity allowing you to get a close up of every moment. If you are looking to capture the faces of friends and family during the holidays, Vivitar 690 will not only do it well, but will do it in high definition.

The Vivitar 690 is a perfect gift for the upcoming holiday season, especially because of its $59.99 MSRP. After recording a days worth of memories, the Vivitar 690 offers an AV cable so you can easily access your recordings on your closest television.

Vivitar is owned by Sakar International, an Edison, NJ-based company with over 30 years experience in the consumer electronics space. Vivitar digital cameras and accessories are available at Target, Staples, Wal-Mart, RadioShack, K-mart and many other major retailers. For additional information, please visit www.vivitar.com.

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About Vivitar®

Vivitar® is a leading brand of digital photographic and entertainment products, offering a complete line including digital cameras, digital video recorders, digital display devices and all related accessories.

For over 70 years, Vivitar has cultivated a rich heritage of photographic product development and imaging technology innovation.

The ViviCam series of digital cameras is one of the broadest product lines of digital cameras on the market today with features and performance designed to satisfy every level of photographer from novice to professional. Vivitar offers digital cameras from 5-14-megapixels.

With offices in the UK, United States, Latin America, Canada and Hong Kong, Vivitar enjoys a global reach. Vivitar products are distributed worldwide through a wide variety of retailers. www.vivitar.com

Spyro peripheral goes on FCC adventure

Spyro has seen a lot of action in his day, but few, if any, of his adventures have been quite so trying as his recent trip to the FCC. The commission took a close look at the Portal of Power peripheral for the upcoming Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure title. The circular device lets users store game information across platforms using plastic figures, so progress made on, say, the 3DS version of the game will transfer over when they boot up the PS3 version. The plucky dragon and his pie-like Portal of Power are due to arrive in October.
source: Engadget

Capture your DSLR with a Capture Camera Clip System

All photographers will agree that carrying a DSLR camera with a shoulder strap gets pretty annoying when your hand gets tangled up with the strap just when you want to snap a shot. I first saw the Capture Camera Clip System on Kickstarter and it looked great. The idea was simple. Make a clip that can quickly attach and detach your DSLR with no need of any strap to get in the way. The clip attaches to your belt or camera bag and you just slide in the Arca-Swiss tripod mount that's attached to the camera's tripod hole. It's priced at $79.99 direct and is a must have for all photographers.
source: The Gadgeteer

Camera Lens Cap Holder

Lens cap covers are a necessary evil. They protect my DSLR camera's lens when I'm not using the camera, but they are so easy to lose. I've resorted to buying those keepers that you glue on to the cap and attach to the camera strap with an elastic band. You don't lose the lens cap – if the glue holds – but the cap is flopping around while you use the camera. And when you have multiple lenses, you have to change the lens cap keeper as you change the lens. Enter Mark Stevenson, who invented a patent-pending Camera Lens Cap Holder that slides over your camera strap and holds multiple sizes of lens caps for a given camera type. You just snap them on the holder and they're held by friction – just as they are when they're on your lens. Mark's Kickstarter project was funded at 375% percent of the request. Hopefully these will be available for purchase soon.
source: The Gadgeteer