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Random Thoughts Feb. 12, 2012 - Sigma announced two new compact cameras, the DP1 Merrill and DP2 Merrill, named after inventor of the Foven sensor Dick Merrill. Both cameras feature full 46x3MP APS-C sensors (15.4 effective MP). The DP1 features a 19mm f/2.8 lens (28mm equivalent field of view). The DP2 features a 30mm f/2.8 lens (45mm equivalent field of view). The features and specifications of the cameras look really nice. A few things bother me though. First, no viewfinder, optical or electronic. I'm guessing they will be priced and marketed as enthusiast's cameras, not casual. So why no ovf or evf? Second, for fixed lens cameras the lenses are a bit slow. I would rather see f/2.0 or f/1.8 lenses. Feb. 07, 2012 - Canon announced three new EF lenses today, a new 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM and two f/2.8 primes, the 24mm and 28mm. Both primes are USM (Ultrasonic Motor), and feature IS (image stabilization). What puzzles me is why Canon didn't include IS with the 24-70mm, the lens which needs it more than the other two. When I think about it if the 24-70mm has IS then the primes might not even be necessary. Makes the newly announce Tamron (see below) a bit more attractive to Canon users. The two primes will be availble in June this year, with the 24mm having an approximate retail price of $849.99 and the 28mm a retail price of $799.99. The new 24-70mm will be available in April with a retail price of $2,299.99. For the Official Canon press release see here. Feb. 06, 2012 - Today Tamron announced the first 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to feature image stabilization (Tamron's VC - vibration compensation). No price or release date has been given. I've never been a fan of this range as it's not wide enough on a DX (cropped sensor) camera. I'm still more than happy with my Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 OS lens. Wish it were a constant f/2.8, but I'm guessing it won't be long before before we see a 17-70mm f/2.8 or maybe a 16-85mm f/2.8 lens with image stabilization. Feb. 03, 2012 - Fujifilm announced US pricing for the Fuji X-Pro1, MSRP of $1699 for the camera and MSRP of $599-649 for the lenses. I'm sure the actual retail price will come down a bit, but still too rich for my blood. The X-Pro1 specs look great on paper and the retro design looks fantastic, but with that price point most enthusiasts probably won't even consider buying it. I'll stick with my Fuji X10. Feb. 02, 2012 - Today Pentax announced the K-01 K-mount mirrorless camera. It can accept K-mount lenses without a adaptor, which makes it the same size as a consumer DSLR. My guess is Canon will release a mirrorless EF mount camera and Nikon will release a mirrorless F mount camera, both sooner than later, perhaps next gen. Feb. 01, 2012 - The past few days there have been a slew of camera announcements from Sony, Panasonic, and Nikon. Two cameras that grabbed my eye are the Nikon Coolpix P310 and P510. The P310 looks like a nice compact camera with plenty of user controls while the P510 features a 42X optical zoom. I'm guessing the image quality had to be compromised to produce such a wide range zoom. But having the ability to zoom out to 1000mm can come in handy at times. Jan 26, 2012 - Nikon's official discontinued status of the D700 and D300s should mean an announcement for the D800 and possibly a D400 at next weeks Japanese trade show. Good news for owners of consumer Nikon DSLRs (D3100, 5100, etc.) as Tokina announced a new version of it's 11-16mm lens which will feature a built in motor, along with a new lens coating and aspherical element. The new version looks to have the same specs as the original, except it's 10g lighter. I'll probably pass on this one. Jan 25, 2012 - Getting a new camera bag, the Tamrac Velocity10X from B&H. Replacing my old, beat up Velocity 9 bag. Jan. 22, 2012 - This looks very interesting. If it can be incorporated into cameras it could be a game changer. Study of the Human Eye Could Lead to More Accurate Focus Technology. Jan. 10, 2012 - Lots of new cameras being showcased at CES. Sigma announced two prime lenses for Micro Four Thirds and Sony NEX systems. Sigma also unveiled a 180mm f/2.8 OS HSM Macro lens. Something I'd be interested in. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but I'm guessing it will be out of my price range, at least $1500. Jan. 07, 2012 - Just picked up the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X M100 AF Pro D Macro lens. Can't wait to try it out. Jan. 06, 2012 - Nikon's new D4 flagship camera looks great on paper and is probably just as great to photograph with. But is it really worth $6000? Not to me it isn't. Then again, I'm not a professional photographer. If I were then mabye I could justify the cost. I'll be getting the newly announced Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8g prime lens to review. Jan. 05, 2012 - Today Fujifilm announced 28 new cameras. That's right, TWENTY EIGHT. I know camera makers try to make different models to please different types of photographers at different price points, but 28? Is it necessary to make the same camera with four different zoom ranges (S4500, etc.)? Why not just make 5 or 6 cameras that combine the best features of all of them? Fuji would still have been able to satisfy every photographer's needs at varying price points. Not all of the cameras are listed on the Fujifilm USA website so I'm guessing some of them will have limited distribution, ie country specific. Fuji's new cameras are the FinePix AX550, FinePix JX700, FinePix JX580, FinePix JX550, FinePix JX520, FinePix JX500, FinePix Z110, FinePix Z1000EXR, FinePix JZ250, FinePix JZ100, FinePix SL300, FinePix SL280, FinePix SL260, FinePix SL240, FinePix S4500, FinePix S4400, FinePix S4300, FinePix S4200, FinePix SP150, FinePix SP100, FinePix SP50, FinePix T400, FinePix T350, FinePix F770EXR, FinePix F750EXR, FinePix F660EXR, FinePix HS30EXR, and the FinePix HS25EXR. You can pre-order the new cameras from Amazon.com here  .
Jan. 03, 2012 - New Year's Resolution - think like a photographer all the time by envisioning everthing I see as a potential photograph. Random Thoughts 2011 |
