Olympus OM-D 5 Axis Image Stabilization Helps Photographer With Tremors

I’ve been keeping an eye on the new Olympus OM-D E-M5 since it was announced. The smaller form factor, weatherized body with 5 axis image stabilization and pocketable M43 sized lenses makes a very exciting package. Their 5 axis image stabilization is really raising the bar. This technology has allowed a photographer with a palsy or tremor to overcome his physical limitations to shoot sharp photos and smooth video. It’s great how technology can improve peoples lives. … Continue Reading

Canon G1X Compact Carry Camera With a Confusing Name

Information was leaked today about a new Canon fixed lens compact camera the G1X. Canon has been on the sidelines for the mirror-less camera revolution and it looks like they are finally going to release something that photographers might be interested in using when they don’t want to lug around a full DSLR rig. The name is a little too close to the Panasonic GX1 to be a coincidence. The marketing guys at Canon may be trying to ride the wave of consumer interest in large chip carry cameras generated by Panasonic and the Micro Four Thirds consortium that has culminated in the Panasonic GX1 which is an amazing little carry camera with interchangeable lenses. To be fair this is an often played game only it’s usually done with a little more subtlety like the Sony A77 to compete with the Canon 7D.

Canon has to be a little careful treading on their compact camera market and super strong DSLR sales but they realize that the market is changing and they don’t want to lose market share to their competitors. It’s probably not a bad time for them to step up. After all, being first to market with a new technology isn’t always the best place to be in a long game like consumer camera sales.

Here’s some of the leaked info from Wells Fargo Advisor: … Continue Reading

Catching Up With the Panasonic GH 2

I work mostly with Canons right now but I am a huge fan of the micro four thirds cameras like the Panasonic GH 1 and now the GH 2, so I thought it was time to check in with whats new on Vimeo under the GH 2 tag. The first video that caught my eye is from Mike Kobal who has been shooting motion fashion since the beginning of the DSLR video movement and is now trying his hand at music videos. Mike had several nice things to say about the GH 2 on his blog:

My first impressions of the GH2 during this shoot: The high resolution viewfinder is a dream to use, the higher refresh rate is also very nice, af is a lot faster, being able to connect an external monitor and using it during recording is great! Overall, the GH2 is a big improvement over its predecessor.

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Matthew Duclos Dives into Micro Four Thirds

Lens expert Matthew Duclos posted an interesting overview of the Micro Four Thirds system on his Circles of Confusion blog focusing on the broad spectrum of lenses available.

The flange depth of the M4/3 system is so short that most lenses (still and cine) will have plenty of room to add a mount adaptor in between the lens and the camera. For example, The flange depth of the M4/3 system is approximately 20mm where as PL mount flange depth is 52mm. That means that you have a HUGE space of 32mm to add a mount adaptor. . . . There are a slew of other options for using other lenses including but not limited to Eos, FD, Nikon F, Leica R, Leica M, M42, PL, PV, etc. etc… Pretty much anything with a flange depth greater than 20mm which is just about anything except for C-mount lenses.

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Zeiss Announces Two New CP.2 Lenses and Mounts for Nikon, Sony Alpha and Micro Four Thirds

Today at IBC, Carl Zeiss announced two new lenses in the CP.2 lineup as well as the anticipated but still appreciated news that the interchangeable mounts will soon work with Nikon, Sony and Micro Four Thirds HDSLR’s.

In 4th quarter of 2010, ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 lenses will be available with F-mount. The Compact Prime CP.2 series, presented last April, were the first lenses developed especially for shooting with HDSLR cameras. Since then, the lenses have been highly sought after by cinematographers and film photographers alike. In addition to the PL-, EF- and F-mount, Carl Zeiss will soon also be offering the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses with Micro 4/3 and A-mount.

Rich will be showing the CP.2 line in the Zeiss booth at PhotoCine Expo so be sure to check them out in person. Richard will also be on the panel “Everything You Wanted to Know about Lenses for HDSLR Cinema” so get your tickets before it’s too late. … Continue Reading

Panasonic AG-AF100 Website Launches

Panasonic has launched a micro site for their new AG-AF100 video camera that they have labeled as a “Memory Card Camera Recorder”. How are we supposed to come up with a cool acronym based on that? Anyway, you can get a few more details as they finalize and keep an eye on it for sample footage and more information (my assumption). Just don’t try to follow them on any social network sites, their aren’t any ways to connect yet.