Sigma announces a new kind of water-repellent and scratch resistant Ceramic Glass filter

Sigma launched a new water-repellent and scratch resistant Ceramic Glass filter. This is the official press text:

Interchangeable lenses are the most important element of photographic expression, and to the photographer they are a valuable personal asset. To help photographers continue to use for many years the lens systems in which they have invested their time, knowledge, and budgets, SIGMA has developed original lens filters that meet the company’s high standards of excellence. In developing its new protective lens filter, SIGMA has leveraged an unprecedented cooperative relationship with a glass manufacturer, resulting in a completely new type of glass called Clear Glass Ceramic. Featuring this advanced material, the SIGMA WR CERAMIC PROTECTOR is a highly reliable filter with outstanding protective capability.

With many applications in aerospace and other industries, glass ceramic is an extremely tough type of crystallized glass that serves as the foundation for Clear Glass Ceramic. While featuring the high transmittance required of optical devices, this advanced new material combines greater hardness than chemically strengthened glass and greater flexibility than sapphire crystal glass. These qualities make Clear Glass Ceramic the ideal material for protective lens filters.

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Source: Sigma Japan.

What’s the mirrorless stuff coming at CES

CES

The CES show starts on January 6th in Las Vegas. What new stuff can we expect from the mirrorless world? Not a lot also because the important CP+ photo show is taking place end of February:

Sony:
Sony will certainly announce a new Action Camera and new Handycams at CES. But so far we got no word about a possible A6xxx. Looks like we will get the camera at CP+ (and so the new FE lenses).

Panasonic:
It’s unclear if Panasonic will officially announce the 100-400mm Leica lens pricing at CES. But for sure there wont be any new MFT camera. The new Panasonic GF 4K camera will be announced at CP+

Fuji:
Fuji will announce the X-Pro2 and the new lenses AFTER the CES show on January 15.

Olympus:
Olympus will announce the new 300mm PRO lens on January 6th. New PEN-F will be announced at Cp+

Samsung:
Samsung is focusing on “emerging camera” markets. And they may hint their new camera business at CES. Maybe a sort of interchangeable smartphone-camera?

Nikon-Canon:
No news so far from those big guys.

Fuji Christmas present: New X-T1 firmware to be released on January 17.

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If you own the X-T1 you will get a nice Christmas present from Fuji. On December 17 they will release a new firmware update. All info is available in the press text below:

FUJIFILM ANNOUNCES NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR THE X-T1

New firmware V.4.20 delivers updated Auto Focus system features, along with several other key upgrades for longer camera lifespan

Valhalla, N.Y., December 11, 2015 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation announced a new Firmware Update V.4.20 for the FUJIFILM X-T1 and X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition X-Series digital cameras that includes updated auto focus system features. Users will also experience instant auto focus that can now be locked when using manual focus for still images and video, Optional Flashgun in Bracketing/Continuous shooting, Focus Zoom, additional Custom Display options, and the movie-record button now doubles as an FN button – all for enhanced visibility and image composition, and longer camera lifespan.  The new firmware will be available for free on December 17.

Firmware update coming December 2015 (X-T1 Graphite Silver and X-T1 Black)

The free, comprehensive firmware update coming on December 17 is specially designed for the FUJIFILM X-T1 and FUJIFILM X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition, and will give users thrilling new features and controls to dramatically enhance their X-T1 shooting experience, including:

1. Instant AF Setting in manual focus – Focus and exposure can now be locked when the AF-L button is used in manual focus mode. You can shoot after locking AF and AE with your thumb.

2.  AF+MF operation with AF-L button – The AF-L button can be used to lock focus in AF+MF mode and you can adjust the focus more accurately using the lens’s focusing ring.

3.  Focus zoom in AF+MF – The FOCUS ASSIST button can be used for focus zoom and fine tuning focus using the lens’s focusing ring with focus zoom activated.

4.  Flashgun in Bracketing/Continuous Shooting – Optional flashguns can now be used for bracketing and burst photography. When using the EF-X8, which is bundled with the X-T1, the flash fires in ISO, FILM SIMULATION and WHITE BALANCE BKT modes.

5. Additional Custom Display Options – Functions have been added to the DISPLAY CUSTOM SETTING option in the setup menu.  Users can choose what they want, then concentrate on shooting.  Additional options include:  Focus frame/Shooting mode / Information background /Focus mode/Shutter Type/Continuous mode/Dual IS mode/Movie mode /Blur warning

6. Fn7 Button – The movie-record button now doubles as an Fn button (Fn7). Press and hold DISP/BACK to select what it controls.

The FUJIFILM X-T1 firmware will be available on December 17.

via Fujirumors.

The new CM33 lens on Kickstarter (For Sony E, Fuji X and Canon M mount).

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The CM33 is a 33mm f/2 pancake-style prime lens that delivers stunning image quality and very close macro focus range with specialized optics. It also includes two new unique features for photographers:

  • “Mods” open up a world of powerful and modular optical effects
  • “Focus Finder” provides the greatest possible manual focus precision

Check it out!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/modulaoptical/cm33-compact-manual-focus-lens-for-mirrorless-with
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/11/prweb13059961.htm
http://www.modulaoptical.com
https://youtu.be/J7hemNnkut4

New cameras: PEN-F, Fuji X-E2s and Samsung strange looking compact camera.

Three new cameras info:

  1. Olympus will launch a PEN-F with integrated viewfinder in early Spring (43rumors)
  2. Fujirumors reports about a possible new Fuji X-E2s or X-E3 camera coming
  3. A new US patents discloses the design of a new Samsung compact camera. And I am just wondering what that strange front ring design is just a pure design element or has some real function. Maybe it’s somehow related to the mount patent we discussed yesterday?

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