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

Samsung NX200 review at Digitalcamerainfo (Click here): “Samsung has produced a camera with image quality, performance, and control to rival nearly any camera in its segment of the market.”

Nikon 1 V1 with 10mm, 10-30mm, and 10-100mm Lenses Ronmartblog (Click here).

Nikon J1 Field Test Gallery Outbackphoto (Click here).

Nikon V1 review at Cameralabs (Click here): “Overall if you only take one thing away from this review it’s that the Nikon 1 system really is something special even with these first models. Don’t get bogged-down by the sensor size and instead revel in the speed. It’s the fastest mirror-less ILC to date and if this suits your subject you’ll love it.“

Fuji X10 analysis at Quesabesde (Click here).

The jaanese blog Egami (Click here) posted another patent about the new Fuji organic sensor. The new technology will allow a super color fidelity because it will be a sort of “Foveon” sensor where one single pixel contains all the RGB color information.

Also Fuji managers have been interviewed by Impressjapan. And they confirmed that the new sensor will surpass the image quality of any current fullframe sensor and it will also have the largest resolution (Megapixels).

If all that turns out to be true than Canon and Nikon could soon feel that the premiership is no more a battle between the two only.

Nikon released a new firmware update (1.10) for the J1 and V1. it brings a new pixel mapping function and support for the FT-1 adapter.
Nikon 1 J1 Firmware Update download page.
Nikon 1 V1 Firmware Update 1.10 download page.

Nikon 1 review at Sansmirror (Click here).

Cnet Asia (Click here) posted the Samsung NX200 review: “Though unlikely to be as popular as its peers, we think that the Samsung NX200 is a capable performer. Its new image sensor manufactured by the chaebol has given it a one stop exposure boost, resulting in better low-light performance than older NX models“.

Also Engadget (Click here) tested the NX200: “Focusing issues aside, we were generally quite pleased with the NX200. Samsung’s latest ILC offers great image quality and performance, with only a few issues.“

Photozone (Click here) tested another Samsung lens, the Samsung NX 16mm f/2.4: “The Samsung NX 16mm f/2.4 gave us quite a ride during testing – it has some bright aspects but it’s certainly not without issues.“

Ricoh GXR Leica M Mount A12 Review at ePhotozine (Click here): “The Ricoh GXR with M Mount module is a great camera to use with the camera providing quick shutter response, a good manual focusing display and a solid well designed body“.

The new Nikon 1 F-Mount Adapter is now in Stock in some stores (Example: Fotohanskeuzekamp)

Fuji released a note to inform that they will soon release a firmware that fixes the “White Disc blooming” effect (Source: Dpreview). And there is a new Fuji X10 review at Techradar (Click here). And the good news for US readers is that the X10 already got a $50 discount at Amazon (Click here).

One more thing: It’s still unclear if the future LX interchangeable camera will have the X10 optical viewfinder or t the X100 hybrid viewfinder.

Ricoh announced the release of a new APS-C 16 Megapixel 24-85mm GXR module. It will be available in early 2012 (very likely in January). You can see the new Ricoh GXR module graph at Ricoh Japan website.

There is no info about the price and lens aperture yet!

Fuji X10 video review by Digitalrev.

The Fuji X10 is in Stock in almost any worldwide store and reviews are being publish almost everyday. Here is a recent list:
New Fuji X10 review at ePhotozine (Click here): “This camera feels great in the hand, but more importantly it feels great as a camera to use, with extremely quick focusing and shutter response it’s very easy to get candid street shots.“. It gets “Recommended” by the reviewer.
Another Fuji X10 review at Outbackphoto (Click here).
Fuji X10 takes to the Streets (Invisible Photographer).

And here are some direct Fuji X10 links to check price and availability: [shopcountry 100018].