New Zeiss Batis to be announced in late March. New Sony 16-35mm GM lens in April


Image on top shows Zeiss photographer Greg Watermann using the new Batis lens

Quick update on the previous Zeiss and Sony lens announcement rumors:

Zeiss will announce the new Tele portrait Prime lens during the second half of March. Specs are unconfirmed although it seems it could be something like a 135mm f/2.8

Sony will announce the new 16-35mm f/2.8 GM lens in April. And there could be a new camera too…

Ricoh/Pentax has no plan to go back to mirrorless…yet

[shoplink 303880 ebay][/shoplink]

Image on top shows the [shoplink 303880 ebay]Pentax Q[/shoplink]

PentaxForums had the chance to interview Ricoh/Pentax managers. When they asked them about the possibility of going back making 1 inch or APS-C mirrorless system cameras that’s the answer they got:

We keep watching the trends in the mirrorless camera market, however there is no specific plan on our roadmap at the moment.

And regarding the Q-Line they say:

The Q series is still an active line and the Q-S1 and lenses are still being made and marketed for Asian markets.

Imaging Resource says the GFX “produces the best lab shots we’ve ever come across”


ISO 100: Fuji GFX (left) vs. Pentax 645Z (right)

Imaging Resource posted the Fuji GFX Labs shots. And the great news is that Fuji really managed to squeeze out much more from the Sony 50MP sensor than Pentax managed to do with the Pentax 645Z (which sues the same sensor). Imaging Resource writes:

Well, based on this initial First Shots assessment, the Fuji GFX is simply stunning, both at low and high ISOs. This camera produces the best lab shots we’ve ever come across. Detail is fantastic, and high ISO performance is excellent.

Impressive work from Fuji! Now lets hope IR will add the Hasselblad X1D Lab shots soon too. I am curious to see if Hasselblad can match the GFX performance.

GFX System Camera & Lenses
GFX 50S Medium Format Mirrorless Camera at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm GF 63mm F/2.8 R WR Lens for GFX at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm GF 32-64mm F/4 R LM WR Lens for GFX at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm GF 120mm F/4 R LM OIS WR Macro Lens for GFX at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

GFX 50S Accessories at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm EVF-TL1 EVF Tilt Adapter for GFX 50S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm H Mount Adapter G, for GFX at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm RLCP-002 Rear Lens Cap for GFX Lenses at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm BCP-002 Body Cap for GFX at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm FLCP-62II Front Lens Cap fpr GF 63mm Lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm VG-GFX1 Vertical Battery Grip f/GFX 50S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm NP-T125 Rechargeable Battery for GFX 50S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm BC-T125 Battery Charger for NP-T125 Battery at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Fujifilm AC-15V AC Power Adapter for GFX 50S at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

Japanese companies report a 5% shipment increase in system cameras for January 2017

CIPA released the January report based on Japanese camera manufacturers shipments. And again there is a small good news to report. In January we got a 5% increase of camera shipments over the previous year.

Our reader Mistral (Thanks!) also noticed this:

– mirrorless cameras: +48.3 in number of units sold and +47.4% in turnover (shipments)
– DSLRs: -11.1%  in number of units sold and +6.5% in turnover.
– This is also the first month ever during which shipments of mirrorless cameras to Japan were higher than those of DSLRs.