Samsungs is working on a new interchangeable lens system…for smartphones!

Bildschirmfoto 2015-12-11 um 11.06.42

In many countries Samsung pulled out from the mirrorless system camera market. And while doing so their press text also added that note:

“We will continue to thoroughly evaluate market conditions and will make further adjustments to maintain our competitiveness in emerging Camera categories.”

So what do they mean with “emerging Camera categories“? Well maybe that new Samsung patent discovered by Engdtj.kipris.or.kr can give us some clue. The image you see on top shows a Samsung patent design for a completely new interchangeable mirrorless system for smartphones!

How it works step by step:

one

The mount is not fixed on the Samsung smartphone. It’s more of a plugin. To add the mount you have to detach a piece from the back of the camera.

two

And then add the “mount module”

three

It’s not clear from the image what’s the size of the sensor. But I doubt it’s APS-C. It’s much smaller.

Bildschirmfoto 2015-12-11 um 11.06.42

If such a new system could be successful is yet unclear. The problem I see with that patent:

If you leave mount module and lens attached on the smartphone becomes big, clumsy and not very handy to use.
If you keep them separate you have to carry them “loose” and in pieces in your pocket.

But maybe I am to “old school” and I prefer to have a camera with proper controls than something like this.

Thanks Jurji and GSMarena for sharing this!

World’s first Medium format to Sony E-mount lens reducer adapter announced!

BAVEYES-HB-SE

Kipon-Baveyes today announced the development the first medium format to Sony E-mount lens reducer adapter!

It’s the BAVEYES HB-S / E 0.7x adapter. You can now mount Hasselblad C Series – F Series – CF series lenses on Sony Full Frame E-mount cameras. You keep the original focal length and gain 1 stop aperture by using the adapter.

There is no word on pricing and shipment at Kipons site.

Zonlai 25mm f/1.8 lens comes in Sony E, MFT and Fuji X mount!

zonlai-discover-25f18-e-mount_22431147477_o

I don’t know who designed this lens but the Vietnamese site Keh.vn posted a review of the E-mount version of the new Zonlai 25mm f/1.8 E-mount lens. And the site mentions that the lens is available for X-mount and MFT too. The MFT version is already on sale on eBay (Click here).

Image samples shot on the E-mount version can be seen on Flickr.

Features:
Focal Length: 25mm
Aperture Range: F1.8-16
Focusing Range: 18cm-Infinite
Dimensions: ?60mm X 33mm
Weight: 142g
Materials: Multi-coated Optical Glass / Metal body
Color: BLACK/SILVER

Fuji big release day on January 15: X-PRO 2, 100-400mm XF and a new X70 compact!

Bildschirmfoto 2015-12-09 um 17.39.18

Well it seems January 15 is really a big day for Fuji lovers. Not only will they announce the X-PRO2 and the 100-400mm Xf lens. But Fujirumors reports that there will be a new X70 compact camera too! And according to one of my sources the compact camera will be announced on the same day of the X-PRO 2.

It will have the following specs:
– 16MP Xtrans II sensors
– 28mm lens
– very compact size
– no EVF
– price under $1,000.

Olympus will launch a new line of f/1.2 lenses at CP+

The patent image above shows Olympus f/1.0 prime lens designs.

So far only Panasonic released a faster than f/1.4 MFT prime lens (the Nocticron 42,5mm f/1.2). After that we got no other super fast (autofocus!) lens. There where some f/1.2 patents from Sigma, f/1.0 from Olympus and another f/1.2 patent from Panasonic. But what’s coming for real?

Well Olympus sources confirmed a new line of fast f/1.2 prime lenses will be announced at CP+. The new f/1.2 prime roadmap will show 2-3 prime lenses with different release times.

Reminder: The 300mm PRO f/4.0 Olympus lens will be announced on January 6.

Sony product announcement on January 5th will be streamed live.

Bildschirmfoto 2015-12-08 um 11.34.57

Sony will live stream the CES product presentation on January 5th. Traditionally Sony uses the CES event to announce Cybershot cameras. Only once they announced a mirrorless system camera (the A5000 two years ago). And there is yet no hint or rumor about a possible A5200 or A6000 announcement at CES. I guess CP+ in February is the far more likely event to introduce new E-mount cameras and lenses.

I am also wondering what happened to the “large prime” release teased for late 2015 on the official Sony roadmap…

Bildschirmfoto 2015-12-08 um 11.40.55