Nikon issued a second delay statement for their new A900 and B700 cameras:

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation announced delays in the release of new digital cameras and the effects of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes in a press release dated April 20, 2016. The following is an update on the release of the new COOLPIX A900 and B700 compact digital cameras (announced on February 23, 2016).

On April 20, we announced that release of the COOLPIX A900 and B700 would be delayed until July as more time was required for software adjustment. However, due to the effects of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, release of these cameras is now scheduled for October 2016.

We sincerely apologize to our customers, business partners, and all those who have expressed interest in these models for the delays.

This means Kumamoto will delay Nikon’s and probably also Fuji’s, Sony, Olympus and Panasonic camera roadmap by up to 4 months!

The Brexit is the big news fo the day. And Canon is the first camera company releasing a statement about the event:

Canon Inc Chief Executive Fujio Mitarai said on Friday he was “very dismayed” by Britain’s shock decision to leave the European Union, saying the move hurt Japan’s economic growth prospects.”In Japan, while we can expect to see a temporary surge in the value of the yen, the U.K.’s decision could also bring a halt to the economic recovery that had been underway,” Mitarai, head of the camera and printer maker, said in a statement.

via Reuters.

You can now preorder the Sigma mirrorless camera at BHphoto (Click here).

Sigma issued the following press text:

Sigma Announces Pricing and Availability for sd Quattro, New sd Quattro Bundle and Sigma EF-630 Flash  
Pricing and availability announced for the Sigma sd Quattro camera, a new sd Quattro camera and 30mm 1.4 Art lens bundle, as well as new EF-630 Flash

Ronkonkoma, New York — June 24, 2016 — Sigma Corporation of America, a leading camera, DSLR lens, flash and accessories manufacturer, today announced the pricing and availability of the sd Quattro camera along with a new bundle including the sd Quattro and 30mm 1.4 DC HSM Art lens, as well as pricing for the new Sigma EF-630 external flash. The Sigma sd Quattro features an APS-C sized sensor and a redesigned mirrorless system among other advancements, and will be available in July for the street price of $799 USD. The sd Quattro and Sigma 30mm 1.4 DC HSM Art bundle is expected to be available in July for the street price of $999 USD. The Sigma EF-630 flash is the latest external flash from Sigma and boasts an overhaul from previous models, including a new docking station that allows users to update the flash via personal computer. The ideal match with the new sd Quattro, the new Sigma EF-630 flash will be available in July for Sigma mount for the street price of $379 USD, along with its dedicated USB Docking station for $79 USD. Additional mount availability for systems including Nikon and Canon are to be announced at a later date.

“Our goal with the sd Quattro and 30mm 1.4 Art bundle is to make our new camera available to more photographers interested in the unique aspects of our Foveon Quattro sensor,” stated Mark Amir-Hamzeh, President of Sigma Corporation of America. “The cameras are truly exciting and showcase some great advancements including a new mirrorless design, updated auto-focusing system, a rugged build, and paired with our renowned 30mm 1.4 Art lens make for an extraordinary pair. Additionally, our new EF-630 flash system shows Sigma’s dedication to photography with updated performance from previous models, and makes for an ideal pairing with our new sd Quattro cameras.”

About the sd Quattro and 30mm 1.4 DC HSM Art
The sd Quattro utilizes our proprietary Foveon Quattro sensor renowned for its high-resolution capabilities. A magnesium alloy body makes the sd Quattro durable and rugged, while a dust and splash proof design make it ideal for photographers facing harsh conditions. On top of the new design, these cameras boast a list of useful advancements. These include a two-mode Autofocus detection that combines Phase detection for focus speed and Contrast detection for focus accuracy. The focus settings have also been enhanced with such modes as Movement Prediction, Face Detection, Free Movement, Focus Peaking and a variety of others. The new 2.3 megapixel viewfinder displays close to 100% of the field of view, and when placed in “Auto” will toggle between the viewfinder when the user has the camera to their eye and then to the LCD when the user lowers the camera. A new “Super-Fine Detail” mode brings out the full potential of the Quattro sensor by capturing seven different exposures with one shot and merging them for exceptional dynamic range (images can be extracted individually as well). The Sigma 30mm 1.4 DC HSM Art is a staple prime lens in Sigma’s lineup. This compact prime lens is designed for APS-C sensors and touts a bright 1.4 aperture. Part of the Sigma Global Vision lineup, every Sigma 30mm 1.4 Art is individually tested before leaving our single factory in Aizu, Japan and can be updated and fine-tuned with the Sigma USB dock and Sigma Photo Pro software.

About the Sigma EF-630 Flash
Compatible with most well-known digital SLR cameras, the EF-630 flash will be available in Sigma mount in July with additional mounts, including Canon and Nikon, in the future. The FP Flash function of the EF-630 makes flash photography possible at shutter speeds greater than the normal sync speed, which is typically limited at shutter speeds up to 1/250 second for most cameras. The FP Flash function for high shutter speeds is necessary when setting a larger aperture to limit depth of field when shooting in daylight, as high shutter speeds are used to balance the daylight and the flashlight at any shutter speed.

EF-630 features:

Intuitive user interface: dot matrix LCD screen for improved menu visibility, D-Pad and dial settings controls, and easy one-click disengage function improve ease of use
Slave flash function: for use with multiple flash systems
Modeling flash function: check for intense reflections and shadows before capturing the shot
AF assist light: accurate auto-focus in low light conditions
Auto Power-off: flashgun automatically powers off after a period of non-operation to conserve battery life
Manual flash power level control: manually set the flash power level from 1/1 to 1/128
The new EF-630 Flash can be updated with the latest software from a workstation or laptop using the Sigma Optimization Pro software and Flash USB Dock FD-11 (sold separately).

About Sigma Corporation
Since 1961, Sigma has worked toward a single, simple goal: To imagine and develop photographic technologies that push the envelope, empower photographers and produce unparalleled imagery. We’ve honored this commitment by maintaining control of our design, research and development, and manufacturing processes in our own Aizu Factory. Our products are built with premium materials and are known worldwide for quality and performance. Our family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 45 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Photography is all we do, and it’s all we’ve ever done.

For information about Sigma, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com or follow the company on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Press Contacts
Patrick Santucci
Sigma Corporation
631-227-2031
PSantucci@Sigmaphoto.com
Anya Nelson
Zazil Media Group for Sigma Corporation
617-817-6559
anya@zazilmediagroup.com

It’s official! Hasselblad announced the first digital medium format system camera with autofocus lenses! The presentation page is now online at hasselblad.com/x1d. The camera will ship in late August for 7,900 EUR / 8,995 USD / 5,990 GBP (exclusive of VAT). Here are the first preorder options:

Preorders:
The Hasselblad X1D-50c at BHphoto, Adorama and Calumet.de.
Hasselblad 90mm F/3.2 XCD Lens for XD1 at BHphoto, Adorama and Calumet.de.
Hasselblad 45mm F/3.5 XCD Lens for XD1 at BHphoto, Adorama and Calumet.de.

Key Specs
50MP CMOS medium format (43.8 x 32.9mm) sensor (8272 x 6200 pixels). Pixel well of 5.3 x 5.3 ?m
16-bit colour with up to 14 stops of dynamic range
ISO 100-25,600
3-inch 920K-dot touchscreen display
2.36MP XGA EVF
Dual SD slots, USB 3.0 Type-C, mini-HDMI, Audio In/Out
Wi-Fi and GPS
3200mAh battery
Hasselblad X1D body weight is 725g (including battery)

Great camera don’t you think? Now we have to see how Fuji’s answer will look like!

Geoff sent us this new press release about two special edition Trioplan lenses:

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Meyer-Optik Offers Hyper Limited Editions of the Trioplan f2.8/100 to Commemorate 100 Year Anniversary

Only 100 Titanium Lenses Available, Collectors Can Also Purchase One of 10 Golden Eye Editions

Atlanta, GA – May 21, 2016 — To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Trioplan lens, Meyer-Optik Goerlitz announced today a special series of its new Trioplan f2.8/100 lens, the Titanium edition. Only 100 titanium lenses are available to the public.  In addition, Meyer Optik has issued a second series of 10 special gold plated Golden Eye versions of the lens.

The special commemorative series celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the first Meyer Optik Trioplan. It was in 1916 that Hugo Meyer and Company announced the Trioplan, which soon became a legendary lens that helped establish the golden age of photography. Trioplan lenses became known for their trademark soap bubble bokeh, a look that many lenses and Photoshop enthusiasts still imitate.

“The revival of the Trioplan lenses series became even more special for us this year with the 100 year anniversary of the lens,” said Dr. Stefan Immes.  “Our new Titanium and Golden Eye edition is the ultimate collectors item with a titanium or real gold coating. The titanium edition not only commemorates the Trioplan brand, but also creates a lens that is suitable for the highest demand environments.”
Titanium anodizing gives the surface of the Trioplan f2.8/100 an even, all-over uniform look that is aesthetically unique and physically harder than a standard aluminum f2.8/100 lens.  This sanitary, additive-free finish allows the lens to retain its high corrosion resistance and ability to withstand high-temperature environments, providing hardening and unique coloring of lens components surface without its properties.
The resulting anodize titanium color is achieved without any dies or coatings, therefore the surface properties remain unchanged. Titanium anodization is increasingly used in the aerospace and high-tech markets.  Trioplan f2.8/100 Titanium buyers will get a superior lens that is much less likely to show signs of age and wear.
“As an macro and artistic flower photographer, I was searching for a new inspiration for my pictures with an even more sharp center and blurring surrounding the subject,” said professional photographer Susanne Nagle. “Through research I came across the Trioplan sense concept for making soap bubble bokeh. At first I wanted to buy an old lens, but decided to order the new Trioplan f2.8/100 lens on Kickstarter. I am delighted to use the lens, especially for flower pictures or in the shade of a tree that is blossoming.”

The special 100 commemorative editions will be strictly limited.  The 100 Titanium editions are available at $2499, and the 10 Golden Eye lenses are available for $3499 Pre-orders are currently being taken on the Meyer-Optik website.

The technical specifications of the Meyer-Optik Trioplan f2.8/100 include:
Optic construction as classic triplet (3 lenses/3 groups)
Focal distance: 100 mm
Maximum aperture: 1:2.8 continuous dimming to 1:22
Iris diaphragm with 15 aperture blades specifically constructed of steel segment belt and with special coating
View format: 24 mm x 36 mm (image circle diameter 44 mm)
View angle: 24°
Filter: M 52 x 0.75
Clip-on diameter: 54 mm
Mounts: M42, Canon, Nikon, Fuji X, Sony-E, MFT

About Meyer-Optik-Görlitz
A brand with a proud tradition and reputation for exceptional products, Meyer-Optik-Görlitz started manufacturing innovative, high-quality lenses in Germany in 1896.  In 2014, net SE revived the traditional spirit of the lenses once known throughout the world and started developing new lenses under the Meyer-Optik-Görlitz brand in Germany. Manufacturing handmade lenses started in 2015 with first generation prototypes.  Serial production began in early 2016.
In May 2015, net SE (http://www.netag.de) created a new subsidiary, Meyer-Optik USA Inc. headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Meyer-Optik USA is online at http://www.meyer-optik-goerlitz.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

Panasonic just announced the new Leica 12mm f/1.4 Summilux lens. And it comes for quite a price. You can preorder it now for $1299 at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama. Yeah it’s expensive but it’s also a very high quality lens. Check out the reviews at CameraLabs, ePhotozine and Photographyblog.