What’s Happening at Sony and Samsung | Photo Plus Expo 2015

The Big Photoplus show just started and here are the first videos and pictures from the company booths:

Adorama Exclusive – PhotoPlus 2015: The Leica SL Camera (Youtube).
Adorama Exclusive – PhotoPlus 2015: Sony RX1R II, a7S II and a7R II (Youtube).
Adorama Exclusive – PhotoPlus 2015: Sony FS5 4K XDCAM Camera (Youtube).
What’s Happening at Sony and Samsung | Photo Plus Expo 2015 (Youtube).
Hands-On from the Mitakon booth with the 135/1.4 and 35mm f/0.95 for APS-C E-mount is now up on Admiring Light.
Emin Kuliyev tried to shoot to the new Mitakon 135mm f1.4 (3Kg +camera Sony a7RII) Youtube.
Hands-On with the Leica SL and Leica Q, including the 24-90 and 90-280mm lenses, with full size samples (Admiringlight)
Hands-On with the Sony RX1R II, Sony A7S II and Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8, including full size samples from the Loxia 21mm (Admiringlight).
Hands-On with the Fujifilm 35mm f/2 and 1.4x TC (Admiringlight).

Lensbaby released a new toy which you can buy in almost all different mounts at BHphoto (Click here).

This is the official presentation text:

Create unique, stylized photographs with a slice of sharp focus surrounded by beautifully blurred imagery by using Lensbaby’s Composer Pro II with Edge 50 Optic, available here with a Sony E mount. This updated tool is completely compatible with the established Optic Swap System and can use any of the numerous optics available. This version improves on the original Pro model by featuring a metal body as well as an improved tilt function that ranges from 0-15° in any direction.

Bundled with it is the Edge 50, offering a normal angle of view with coverage for full-frame image sensors. This flat field optic differs from your standard lens by creating a slice of focus when tilted that can be manipulated in position by tilting the Composer and in size by manually changing the aperture from f/3.2 to 22. The optic also offers manual focus which, by using the close focus extension feature, can focus as close as 8″ from your subject. Additionally, this optic has a 46mm filter thread as well as an internal 9-blade diaphragm for smooth out-of-focus areas.

-Composer Pro II features an upgraded metal body with charcoal gray accents and an improved tilt control from 0-15° in any direction.
-Compatible with Lensbaby Optic Swap System.
-Edge 50 is a flat field optic that creates a sharp slice of focus surrounded by blur when utilized with tilt. When used straight ahead, the optic functions much like a normal lens.
-Aperture range from f/3.2 to 22.
-By using built-in close focus function, the Edge 50 optic can focus as close as 8″ from the subject
-Lens construction featuring 8 multi-coated glass elements in 6 groups.
-Optic accepts 46mm filters for additional creative shooting techniques.
-Internal 9-blade aperture diaphragm for smooth out-of-focus elements.

Fuji just announced their new lenses:
35mm XF 2.0 can be preordered at Amazon (Click here).
XF1.4X TC WR Teleconverter can be preordered at Amazon (Click here).

Rico Pfirstinger published the very first hands-on reviews:
First Look: Fujifilm XF1.4x TC WR Teleconverter Lens
First Look: Fujifilm XF35mmF2 R WR

Leica just announced their brand new autofocus mirrorless Full Frame system! The Leica SL is a 24MP camera with 4.4MP EVF, 11fps, 4K video and worldwide fastest autofocus!!! Official press text on that Mirrorlessrumors page (Click here).

All info here:

Leica SL camera and lens preorders:
Camera and Lens preorders at BHphoto (Click here).
Leica SL camera at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
Leica SL 24-90mm at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).

Leica SL camera tests and reviews:
Test by Jono Slack on L-camera-forum. Official Leica SL site by Leica. Hands-on by TheVideoMode. Preview at TheVerge. Hands-on at Dpreview. Reviews at Reidreviews (for subscribers only). French review at Lesnumeriques. First look at Amateur Photographer. Hands-on at Digitalphotopro. Hands-on at Photographyblog.

Leica SL image samples:
Dpreview. Lesnumeriques (Scroll down).

Leica SL videos:
New camera at a glance (Leica Forum). Hands-on video by TheVideoMode. 4K video sample by Lesnumeriques. Italian intorduction by Pmstudionews. Fred Mortagne with the Leica SL in Los Angeles (Vimeo). Leica SL-System – Reflections (Youtube).

Leica SL tidbits:
Compatibility with all lenses ever built (Image on Twitter)
The SL camera seen from “inside” (Image on Twitter).
Leica also says it has the “world’s fastest autofocus” of any camera, mirrorless or otherwise!
Leica SL vs Sony A7 size comparison (i.imgur.com/42taQ81.jpg)

Leica SL specs and press release:
L-camera-forum. Bjp. PetaPixel. ePhotozine. Photographyblog.
Donwload the official press text and spec sheet (pdf on Wetransfer here).

Leica SL lens specs:
L-camera-forum. Official Leica SL site by Leica.

Product images (Click on it to see them bigger):

Note: This post will be continually updated. Reload the page to see them.

Camera and Lens preorders at BHphoto (Click here).
Leica SL camera at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
Leica SL 24-90mm at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).

Leica SL camera and lens preorders:
Camera and Lens preorders at BHphoto (Click here).
Leica SL camera at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
Leica SL 24-90mm at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).

The LEICA SL mirrorless system camera sets new standards in terms of speed, picture quality and versatility

Wetzlar, 20 October 2015. The Leica SL system marks the beginning of a new era of professional photography made in Germany. The Leica SL mirrorless system camera is impressive on account of its innovations in exceptional Leica quality. Its 24 MP full-frame CMOS sensor and perfectly matched components – from superior-quality lenses to its electronic viewfinder – guarantee exceptional imaging performance.

EyeRes viewfinder and touchscreen display for total control of every picture

Developed especially for the Leica SL, this electronic viewfinder is the first of its kind to feature Leica EyeRes technology. With a latency time below the threshold of perception, an impressive resolution of 4.4 million pixels and a magnification reminiscent of a medium format camera, this electronic viewfinder offers an entirely new visual experience and numerous advantages: the final image is visible in the viewfinder before the shutter release is pressed, which enables optimum control over the final picture in any situation. The EyeRes viewfinder is activated simply by looking through it. In addition, the Leica SL also features a 2.95? back panel display with a viewing angle of up to 170° that enables reliable viewing of pictures and efficient touchscreen menu navigation.

Maestro II processor for maximum performance

The high-performance Maestro II series processor guarantees that photographers never miss even the fastest-moving subjects and that the camera responds instantaneously to all commands. Together with 2 GB of buffer memory, the processor makes it possible to capture consecutive exposures at rates of up to 11 frames per second at full 24 MP resolution and 4K video with a frame rate of 30 frames per second. Pictures can be saved simultaneously to an SD memory card as both a JPEG and DNG in line with the fast UHS II standard. Thanks to its Maestro II series processor, the Leica SL achieves the best performance currently possible in the professional camera class and underlines the innovative character of the camera.

24 MP CMOS sensor for exceptional picture quality in 35 mm full-frame format

The 24 MP CMOS full-frame sensor guarantees impressive dynamic range, excellent contrast rendition, exceptional sharpness, the highest resolution, and noise-free images in almost all lighting conditions. The shutter provides speeds from 30 minutes to 1/8000 sec. The sensor reveals its full potential in combination with Leica SL lenses, especially in available-light situations, and captivates users with atmospheric exposures in superior quality at ISO settings up to a maximum of 50,000. What’s more, it is optimised for use with Leica M-Lenses and, in addition to supporting all their functions, delivers the excellent picture quality with which Leica has been synonymous for more than 100 years.

The new movie star: professional video in cinematic resolution

The Leica SL is much more than a professional still-picture camera with video recording capability: it fulfils even the most stringent demands of moviemakers as a fully fledged video camera. Thanks to its 24 MP CMOS sensor and high-performance Maestro II series processor, the Leica SL enables the production of professional videos in 4K resolution. Videos can be recorded in UHD at 30 frames per second or even in Cine4K at 24 frames per second. In full HD, the Leica SL records video at up to 120 frames per second and makes use of the entire sensor area. Here, the logical and intuitive handling concept of the camera makes a clear distinction between still- and motion-picture recording. As soon as the camera is in video mode, the display shows only relevant information for video recording, such as safe area, aspect ratio, zebra function or the recording level of the microphone. An optional audio adapter allows you to connect an external microphone and the audio recording level can be set without accessing the menu. Videos can be output in 4:2:2 10-bit format in 4K resolution over HDMI 1.4.

Aluminium body for robust performance in everyday photography

From the beginning, resilience and robustness were at the focus of the Leica SL’s development. Body components machined from solid aluminium and precisely engineered seals around controls and in the lenses provide optimum protection against dust, moisture and splashes for the sensitive technology inside. At the same time, integrated ultrasonic sensor cleaning removes dust and dirt from the sensor. The glass covering the back panel display is extremely scratch-resistant and features an anti-reflex coating. All these properties make the camera an ideal tool for use in the rough, everyday conditions faced by professional photographers. In the interplay between its equally classic and functional design and its distinctive lines, the Leica SL is another example of Leica’s fine art of engineering.

A new generation of lenses for excellent picture quality

The combination of outstanding imaging performance and the fastest autofocus currently possible makes working with the Leica SL an entirely new experience and enables photographers to produce images in a quality never before seen in 35 mm format. True to Leica’s principles, the new lenses specific to the Leica SL are distinguished by superior optical and mechanical precision. With its wide range of focal lengths and high speed, the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–90 mm f/2.8–4 ASPH. is the ideal standard zoom lens in the Leica SL-System portfolio. The zoom range of the fast Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90–280 mm f/2.8–4 follows on directly from this and the current lens portfolio is rounded off by the Leica Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH., the new reference lens for this focal length.

What’s more, the exceptional compatibility of the Leica SL-System grants photographers access to almost all Leica lenses ever made. For instance, all lenses for the Leica T camera can be used without an adapter. In addition, appropriate adapters allow Leica S, M, and R system lenses and lenses from other manufacturers to be mounted on the Leica SL.

Availability

The Leica SL (Type 601) body will be on sale from 16 November 2015. The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–90 mm f/2.8–4 ASPH. zoom lens will be available at the same time. Further Leica SL lenses will follow.

Leica SL camera and lens preorders:
Camera and Lens preorders at BHphoto (Click here).
Leica SL camera at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
Leica SL 24-90mm at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).