Nikon apologizes for facebook statement (and says Megapixel race is dead!)

You might remember Nikon’s statement on Facebook last week: “A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses, and a good lens is essential to taking good pictures!”. Nikon recognized the mistake and said that “We know some of you took offense to the last post, and we apologize, as it was not our aim to insult any of our friends. Our statement was meant to be interpreted that the right equipment can help you capture amazing images. “e appreciate the passion you have for photography and your gear, and know that a great picture is possible anytime and anywhere.

What’s more important is the ePhotozine interview with Nikon (Click here): “Nikon believe that the megapixel race ended years ago with the Nikon D3s. Its not a megapixel race anymore but instead a development of quality and the 10mp sensor in the Nikon 1 series has been specially selected to enable high speed.

P.S.: Nikon V1 + 1 Nikkor 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 VR Preview Samples at Dpreview.

Mirrorless news roundup…

Luminous Landscape (Click here) wrote an interesting Ricoh GXR A12 Field Report: “The Ricoh GXR-M is a very appealing camera for anyone who owns Leica M mount lenses, or who would like to. At 1/7th the price of an M9, and with its very good build quality and wide ranging features, it’s a relative bargain. A Live View LCD and an optional EVF give the GXR-M capabilities that many users, even those that may currently own an M9, will find very attractive. Certainly it can serve as an ideal back-up body for an M9 owner.

Nikon 1 V1 Mirrorless Compact Camera Review at ePhotozine (Click here): “The price of the V1 seems expensive compared to other mirrorless cameras and the consumer orientated features (lack of AEB, Manual controls on the mode dial, etc) could be a disappointment to some. If you can live without the EVF, and don’t mind a smaller buffer then the J1 appears to be much better value for money, although with a shorter buffer for continuous shooting“.

Nikon V1 Photos (Photographyblog).

Nikon J1 review: TechRadar labs data (Techradar).

Nikon V1 review: TechRadar labs data (Techradar).

Nikon V1 comparison shots added to dpreview database.

Samsung lens roadmap

Photorumors found that screenshot showing the Samsung NX lens roadmap for 2012! Two lenses will be announced within the first 6 months of 2012 and the other three by end of the year.

12-24mm f/4 ED iFn VCM (Voice Coil Motor)
24mm f/1.8 ED SSA iFn
55mm f/1.8 iFn pancake
80-400mm f/4-5.6 OIS SSA iFn
135mm f/2.0 OIS SSA iFn

Sounds Like a very intriguing roadmap. The 24mm and 55mm lenses are definitely on top of my wish-list!

 

Kodak said to Weigh Bankruptcy! What will happen with Leica?

Image on top: The Leica M9 uses a 18 Megapixel Kodak sensor.

According to Bloomberg Kodak is “weighing options including a bankruptcy filing because of concerns raised by possible buyers of its patent portfolio, said three people with direct knowledge of the process.

If you read the full article you get (a pretty scaring) idea of what is going on with Kodak. If Kodak quits the digital camera business (and sensor business) than many medium format manufacturers and of course Leica will have to look for new sensor partners.

Months ago there were soem rumors saying that Leica is ready to use Sony sensors for their future mirrorless cameras. But who will make the sensor for the S-system? That’s another big question that needs to be answered if Kodak quits the sesnor business.

Confirmed. The new Fuji system is a “premium” system and not Micro Four Thirds.

It is certainly nto a surprise anymore but at leats now it is official. Fuji’s new interchangeable system will not become part of the Micro Four Thirds system This will be “premium” cameras! That is what the Fujiguys tweeted today (Click here / found via Noisycamera).

My guess is that the sensor is larger than APS-C but not as large as Fullframe sensors. But that’s just a guess for now…

Thom Hogans guess about the new Fuji sensor (+ X100 in Stock).

First the good news for our US readers. After a long time the Fuji X100 is now in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

As you know yesterday Fuji announced the launch of a new mirrorless and interchangeable lens system for Spring 2012. I read Asian, European and American press releases and nowhere you can find any info about the sensor size. One of my Asian sources told me the sensor is definitely bigger than APS-C but he couldn’t unveil me the exact sensor size. Now let’s hope we can find some more info as soon as possible. I am really intrigued about that new Fuji system!

Meanwhile Thom Hogan wrote: “I’m still trying to fully decipher the materials from the Japanese press conference where Fujifilm made the announcement, but these things seem vaguely clear: (1) a new lens mount (i.e. not m4/3); (2) a larger than APS/DX sensor, but not as big as full frame/FX; (3) higher resolution and better noise handling than any existing FX sensor (which means more than 24mp and better than D3s); and (4) non-Bayer in nature.

HUUUUGE SURPRISE! X-mirrorless system with large sensor (larger than fullframe???)

What a huge surprise! Fuji announced the launch of a new X-mirrorless system with a sensor that will have a “resolution and low noise that will surpass the 35mm full size sensor“. It will be a new interchangeable system! Fuji promise to show a mockup and specs of the system for the CES show in January 2012. The system itself will be on market by Spring 2012!!!

In contemporary Fuji announce the X-S1 mirrorless camera which looks exactly like a DSLR but has an EVF instead of OVF.

One more deal news: The Fuji X100 is in Stock at Amazon for the normal price (Click here)!