The spanish website DSLRmagazine announced via twitter (Click here /via noisyc) that Leica is working on two new models (one low end and one high end camera). In a second tweet they added that while the models will be shown at Photokina in September they will probably not be ready for the mass production. The may will go the Fuj marketing route that usually displays a model months before it’s ready.

Leica already said many times that they will make a mirrorless camera without the rangefinder optical system. And that it would be a high quality product (of course).

This is the kind of news we knew it would come
Kodak filed Chapter 11 for bankruptcy and this means that they will now try to restructure the company. You may have noticed that Kodak is suing Apple, Samsung, Fuji (and some other companies) because of patent infringement. They are trying to find some money here and there.

This is really not good news for people like me that uses Kodak film for their work (I own the Mamiya 7). Really a bad day for the photography history!

Here is the press release:
Read the rest of this entry →

Even in these days of holiday I cannot rest SLRmagic just announced a superfast 50mm M-mount lens that aims to compete against the super expensive Leica Noctilux lens (which costs over $10.000 at Bhphoto).

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge the images.

PRESS RELEASE
NEW: THE SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95
SLR Magic expands its M mount lineup with a new normal focal length lens

Hong Kong, China (January 1, 2012)  – SLR Magic opens up the M mount lens lineup with the new SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 ultra fast normal focal length lens. The world’s fastest interchangeable camera lens with an image circle beyond full frame coverage in its focal length, the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 concept lens will be publicly available for experience testing in September 2012 at Photokina in Cologne, Germany.

The field of view of this new HyperPrime Lens corresponds to a 50mm lens in 35mm format. It is optimized to be shot wide open. This ultra fast normal focal length prime lens opens up many new creative composition opportunities, particularly in the fields of available light, in portrait, and street cinematography. Built with modern non aspherical lens technology, the lens excels at defocusing busy backgrounds at T0.95. A minimum focus distance of 0.70m allows for artistic bokeh effect. A fast maximum aperture of T0.95 makes the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 ideal for available-light photography.

Our highest priority in the development of all HyperPrime lenses is to fulfill the demands of professional cinematographers and photographers. The design and build of the SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 is solid and reliable.

The SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95, a concept lens, will be available from authorized SLR Magic dealers by the end of September 2012.

Technical Data
SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95
Lens Type: Fast normal lens with seven Tantalum glass elements to  ensure superior cinematic performance.
Compatible Cameras: All RangeFinder M mount, LM mount for cinematography,  E-mount, and micro four thirds cameras
Optical Design: 12 elements in 7 groups
Distance range:  0.70m to ∞, combined scale meter/feet
Aperture:  Manually controlled diaphragm, 12 aperture blades (circular), Lowest value 16
Bayonet:  M-mount, E-mount, micro four thirds
Filter Mount: 62mm; filter mount does not rotate.
Surface Finish: Black anodized
Length to bayonet mount: approx. 95mm (approx. 3.74in) without hood approx. 110mm (approx. 4.33in) with retractable hood
Largest diameter: approx. 73mm (approx. 2.87in)
Weight: approx. 975g (approx. 34.39oz)

Andrew Chan
Product Manager

The Leica Camera Blog reports that Leica will announce some new “surprise product” in 2012. And we are not talking about the pre announced mirrorless system only. Dr. Kaufmann “told us that they haven’t been discussed or discovered by Leica Rumors or the Leica Forum until now.“.

After reading that I checked back some strange rumors from unknown sources. They might be false but it’s the only rumor I got that haven’t been posted by anyone. The rumor says that Leica could use Fuji organic sensors for their next cameras (including the M10). I repeat, the rumor is from unknown sources but what’s true is that Leica will no more rely on Kodak sensors. And Fuji organic sensor technology looks very promising….

Mr. Stefan Daniel (Director Product Management at Leica Camera AG) had an interview with Leica Blog (Via Megapixel). And there are first small hints about the future Leica mirrorless system with electronic viewfinder:
1) “The experience with the very successful Leica X1 leads us to the opinion that a Leica with an interchangeable lens should have at least an APS-sized sensor.”
2) “I think that the quality of the 1.4MP finders is already very good, and sometimes even more accurate than an optical finder, think of white balance or exposure. Over time, as technology is improving, optical finders will get less and less important. The X100 finder is a very nice concept and well executed.”
3) “Offering additional functions such as video and live view would extend the usability of the M camera significantly. CMOS is a prerequisite for it, therefore it will be the technology of the future.”

Now that sounds intriguing. Stefan praises the Fuji X100 finder concept. So will they try to use a hybrid viewfinder on their cameras? Would be amazing!