First Zeiss Touit lens review confirmes a “spectacular” performance!

The video on top shows you the official Zeiss Touit lens presentation. But marketing aside…how good are the lens in real testings made by “independent” reviewers? The Spanish website DSLRmagazine (google translation here) is the first website that had the pleasure to test the lenses. And the results are nothing less than stellar! They write that “The optical performance is the highest level we ever tested. You could say that at the moment are “state of the art” optics for CSC.“

Well done Zeiss…well done!

Zeiss preorder links:
12mm f/2.8 at BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and Uniquephoto (Click here). In Europe at FotoMundus.
32mm f/1.8 at BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and Uniquephoto (Click here). In Europe at FotoMundus.

First Zeiss unboxing video and image samples!

Dunkelkammer (Click here) is the first website that has published image samples and comparison between the new Zeiss “Touit” and Fuji lenses!

And shortly after Dunkelkammer aslo Fujirumors posted  a Zeiss versus Fuji comparison: “The Quality of the Zeiss is beautiful, the feel is gorgeous, I like them, but image quality wise, they do not seem to be better than the Fuji’s.“

Zeiss preorder links:
32mm f/1.8 at BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and Uniquephoto (Click here).
12mm f/2.8 at BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and Uniquephoto (Click here).

Ricoh GR news roundup (And Ken Rockwell doesn’t like the GR).

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It’s time to catch up with some interesting Ricoh GR news (preorders at Bhphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). Let’s start with one hell of negative comment written by Guru Ken Rockwell: “Personally, I don’t see any reason for this camera, but that’s just me. Hobbyists love to throw all sorts of money at gadgets like this, so don’t let me stop you.“. He really likes to be direct ;)

Anyway, I don’t agree with Ken. The camera is the cheapest and smallest APS-C fixed lens compact. And that alone makes it worth to be considered. And what about the image quality? Just see these links:
Threeguyswithcameras (Cool name for a website!) posted a nice Ricoh GR review: “I think photographers all over realised too – the level of interest, intrigue for this camera, and even ignorant criticism far surpasses that of the Nikon Coolpix A (which is no slouch itself, to be honest).“
Extended GR comparison at Dpreview.
First ISO test at Techbang.
Image samples at Coolhunting.
Nouveau Ricoh GR: prise en main (Lepidi).

What do you think?

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Preorder links: Bhphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).

 

Nikon A outclasses the rest of the high end compacts (X100s may be the exception).

DxOmark (Click here) published the full Nikon A sensor test results. The Nikon beats all other tested High End Compact cameras. But it has to be said the the brand new X100s hasn’t been tested yet. I guess the Fuji will outclass even the Nikon A.

The Coolpix A shipments just started at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). And the Fuji X100s is also shipping at Amazon (Click here).

Leica M video test by Johnnie Behiri.

Leica’s first full frame HDSLR – is the M240 video capable? from Johnnie Behiri on Vimeo.

Johnnie Behiri has no good words when it comes to talk about the Leica M video quality:
“Spending a day with the camera left me wondering, was Leica ever talking to any professional cameraman before implementing HD recording for this unit or just decided to “join a trend” without really meaning this camera to be a capable working video tool?.
To my opinion, the video quality coming out of the camera is very disappointing and its operation in video mode is nothing but easy/logical. I hope features/video quality can be enhance with a firmware update.“

That said it’s obvious Leica don’t bother about video. This is definitely a photographers camera and I doubt Leica will veer have serious intentions to compete in the hybrid foto-video camera world!.

Nikon Coolpix A review (and in Stock in US).

After Canon, Fuj and Pentax also Nikon has a high end APS-C fixed lens compact camera. And it’s finally in Stock at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). But how does it compare with its rivals? Photographyblog posted the full Coolpix A review and writes: “smaller and more pocketable than its rivals, but with slower auto-focusing and no built-in viewfinder. It’s definitely an interesting camera in its own right that would make a great second camera for Nikon DSLR owners, but ultimately a few crucial shortcomings and some fierce competition limit its appeal to a wider audience.“

Pb isn’t really enthusiastic about the camera but everything is relative. The Nikon is really a pocketable camera while the Fuji X100s is not. You have the choice :)