Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Think Tank Photo Retrospective 5 Camera Bag

By

Think Tank Photo has announced a new bag aimed at Micro Four Thirds and other mirrorless camera users – the Retrospective 5.  Akin to the rangefinder-esque design of many of today’s mirrorless cameras, the Retrospective 5 camera bag mixes old-school look with new-school features.

It is available in black and Pinestone colors and can accommodate a mirrorless camera with 2-3 lenses and several other accessories.  The Retrospective 5 should be available in May for $129 direct from Think Tank Photo’s website.

 

Samsung NX11 Launch Delayed Until Mid-April . . . Probably

By

Just got word on the lingering Samsung NX11, which was announced in December 2010 with an anticipated release date of February 2011.  After checking it out at CES 2011 and posting a hands-on review, I’ve been waiting and waiting for it to show up at B&H Photo, Adorama and Amazon.

But those retailers don’t even have a product listing for the camera yet – a bit odd for a camera that was supposed to be out last month. [Read more…]

Sony NEX-7 Coming Soon?

By

The rumor mill is churning about a new NEX flagship camera from Sony.  The rumored Sony NEX-7 was tipped to Photo Rumors as a follow up to the popular NEX-3 and NEX-5, along with the following description:

When you look in front of the new Sony NEX 7 with the 24mm Zeiss mounted, the new camera looks like a twin of the Minolta Dimage A2 – a really small nice pro body.

That description reminds me of the recently announced JVC GC-PX1, although it is a fixed lens camera.  Not much more about the new mirrorless camera is known at the moment.

[via Photo Rumors]

2011 Samsung NX Series Lens Line Up Unveiled

By

Samsung has unveiled its plans for five new lenses for its NX system to be available later this year.  All of the new lenses will be i-Function lenses and will be staggered in their release beginning in May.  The new lenses are as follows:

  • 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 ED OIS (available in May)
  • 16mm f/2.4 (available in July)
  • 60mm f/2.8 Macro ED OIS SSA (available in August)
  • 85mm f/1.4 ED SSA (available in October)
  • 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 OIS (available in December)

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Sony Opens E-Mount for Third-Party Lenses

By

Sony has announced that it will be unlocking the keys to its popular NEX camera models (i.e., the E-mount specifications) and allow third-parties to develop lenses for the system.  What’s more, Sony won’t charge them a dime.

Given the initial popularity of cameras like the NEX-5 and NEX-VG10, I would expect to see plenty of lenses down the road from the likes of Sigma and others.  In fact, Sony is touting the endorsement of the move by Sigma, Zeiss, Cosina, and Tamron.

No specifics on what glass will be the first on store shelves, but my guess is that these guys already have stuff in progress.

Any Sony NEX owners out there with a wish-list of lenses from Zeiss, Sigma, etc.?

Schneider-Kreuznach to Make Micro Four Thirds Lenses

By

Schneider-Kreuznach has announced that it will develop lenses compatible with the Micro Four Thirds system (e.g., Panasonic GH2, Olympus E-PL2, etc.).  No word on when the first batch of lenses for these cameras will be announced or what the prices might be, but one would expect that we’ll see something (at least a concept) by CliQ 2011.

Panasonic G2 Review

By

The Panasonic G2 is one of the many Micro Four Thirds system cameras available now.  As you may know, Micro Four Thirds cameras don’t have a mirror like traditional DSLRs.  Instead, the G2 and other Micro Four Thirds cameras utilize a live view system where the composition is displayed on the camera’s rear LCD panel.  With the G2, you also have the option of viewing an electronic viewfinder (EVF) in a manner similar to traditional optical viewfinders.

The Panasonic G2 is the big brother of the previously reviewed Panasonic G10.  The upgrades are mild in most instances, but could the difference maker for some shoppers.  The G2 offers the same 12.1MP found in the G10, as well as HD movie capture.  However, the G2 features a tilt/swivel LCD and improved video capture modes put the G2 well ahead of the G10.

To see how the G2 stacks up, read on. [Read more…]