From pocket-sized prime lenses to fast zooms designed to weather the elements, there are lenses of all shapes and sizes for Micro Four Thirds shooters. If you’ve recently acquired one of these cameras then we’ve got some ideas for your next lens.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Meike has announced a new 35mm T2.2 cinema lens for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera systems.
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The fully-manual lens is constructed of 10 elements in 8 groups, features an aperture range of T2.2-T22, has a minimum focusing distance of 42cm (16.5in) and is the equivalent of a 70mm lens on a full-frame camera. Its focus ring offers 270-degrees of rotation, its front filter thread is 77mm and it weighs 660g (23oz).
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The Meike 35mm T2.2 is available to purchase on Meike Global’s website for $ 359.99.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
The post Tiniest Interchangable Lens Micro Four Thirds Cameras for Travel with Amazing Quality appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.
In this video by MarkusPix, he looks at some of the tiniest ILC micro-four-thirds cameras and shows how well they hold up on his travels when taking some portraits.
In the video, he specifically looks at the Panasonic Lumix GX1 (2012), GX850 (2017), GM1 (2013), GM5 (2014) and uses the M Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 lens (which he describes as a great portrait lens).
He also uses the Godox Ad200 with the world’s smallest flash trigger – the FlashQ.
He states that the GM1 is one of the smallest and lightest ILC M4/3 cameras in the world. It has no viewfinder, hot shoe or image stabilization. However, the GM1 has a 16mp CMOS sensor, with a shutter speed of up to 1/16,000th, face detection, built-in wireless, built-in flash, video, and time-lapse recording.
Mark also states that the GM5 is one of the smallest and lightest ILC M4/3 cameras in the world. It has similar features to the GM1 but the GM5 has an electronic viewfinder and a flash shoe.
The GX! has a hotshot and can take an optional EVF (you can’t use a flash while using the optional EVF as it connects to the flash hotshoe). It has some similar features as the above cameras, but it also has optical image stabilization and built-in flash. The battery door opens all the time and the menu is confusing.
The GX850 (also known as the GX800 and GF9) has no EVF or hotshoe, but has a tilting screen, better LCD resolution, focus stacking and face detection. The images are very sharp. It also has a built-in flash.
So check out his experiments and see if you think these cameras would make a great (lightweight) travel companion.
Have you used these cameras? Do you agree? What are your thoughts?
Or do you have any cameras you’d add to the list?
Share with us in the comments below.
The post Tiniest Interchangable Lens Micro Four Thirds Cameras for Travel with Amazing Quality appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Caz Nowaczyk.
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Vazen, a Chinese optics manufacturer, is set to launch a trio of anamorphic lenses for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Showing at the Cine Gear Expo and spotted by Newsshooter, the company will be offering 28mm, 40mm and 65mm focal lengths with a 1.8x anamorphic effect.
The lens on show at Cine Gear is a 40mm T2 that will be shipping at the end of this month. When used on Micro Four Thirds cameras, such as the Lumix GH5/s, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera or Z-cam E2, it will produce 2.39:1 aspect ratio images. Vazen claims the lenses will provide ‘buttery smooth oval bokeh, signature blue horizontal flare and the widescreen cinematic look’ as well as a minimum focus distance of 0.82m (2.7ft) for the 40mm example. The focus and aperture rings are fitted with gears and the front filter thread measures 110mm.
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Below is sample footage captured with the 40mm T2 lens:
The 40mm version weighs 1.8kg (3.97lbs), is 110mm x 175mm (4.33in x 6.89in), and will cost $ 3,250. Users will have to wait until much later in the year for the 28mm and 65mm models. For more information see the Vazen website.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm F1.7 ASPH is a fast zoom lens that covers several popular focal lengths. When mounted on a Micro Four Thirds body, where it’s equivalent to 20-50mm, you can hit 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm or 50mm with a single lens (and a fast one, at that). It will ship in July for $ 1799/£1799.
The lens was originally announced last year at Photokina, and saw a mockup under glass at CP+ back in March.
We were able to get our hands on a preproduction lens, so click through to learn more about this beast of a lens.
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Make no mistake, the 10-25mm F1.7 is a hefty lens, but it’s not nearly as large or heavy as one would expect given its ambitious spec. The lens is 128mm (5″) long, has a max diameter of 88mm (3.5″) and weighs in at 690g (1.5lb). By comparison, Sigma’s 18-35mm F1.8 Art lens is a bit shorter, but almost 20% heavier, despite covering a narrower range of focal lengths.
The 10-25mm is a pricey lens, and it feels like it in the hand. It’s virtually all metal and is dust and splash-resistant. The lens can function down to -10°C/+14°F.
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It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that this ambitious lens requires a lot of glass. The 10-25mm F1.7 has 17 elements in 12 groups and includes aspherical, ED and UHR elements. The lens is threaded for 77mm filters, which serves as an example as how compact (relatively speaking) the 10-25 is.
The lens uses a stepping motor that focuses quickly and quietly.
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The 10-25 is the first Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lens to have a focus clutch, making it easy to quickly switch between auto and manual focus. As you can see from the photo above, the lens can focus down to 28cm (11″).
With the clutch pulled back, the manual focus response is linear. This will be especially useful for video shooters, since it means you can be certain of how much the focus will change in response to you turning the lens. There’s a feedback stop at either end of the focus range but they’re not hard stops: the focus ring will continue to rotate beyond the close and far points, so it’s not great for use with a follow-focus.
Stills shooters are likely to appreciate that it gives an experience much more like an old, mechanically-driven lens,
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The aperture ring, which travels from F1.7 to F16, is click-less, another feature the video crowd will appreciate. Something we like about the dial, at least on the prototype we used, is that there’s a detent to prevent you from accidentally switching the ring out of Auto mode.
Just as importantly for videographers, the aperture/iris is driven smoothly, without steps. This allows subtle adjustments in exposure (either manually or in auto mode), without the brightness of the video visibly jumping.
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The lens extends when you adjust the zoom, but not by much: here it’s shown at full-extension.
Its comparably low weight should make it easy for a gimbal to stabilize, and the limited change in length should also mean its center of gravity doesn’t move very much. This should make it possible to get away without having to re-balance for different focal lengths, which is a clear benefit over using a series of prime lenses.
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Panasonic released a pair of teleconverters for its S-series full-frame bodies alongside the 10-25mm F1.7. These 1.4x and 2x converters are compatible with Panasonic’s S Pro 70-200mm lenses: the currently available F4 version as well as the F2.8 model coming later this year.
Both teleconverters feature UHR (ultra-high refractive index lens) elements, and Panasonic claims that there’s virtually no reduction in resolution when using them.
The 1.4x and 2x teleconverters are priced at $ 499/£489 and $ 599/£579, respectively.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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| [L-R] Toshi Terada and Shigemi Sugimoto, pictured at the CP+ 2019 show in Yokohama |
We spoke to Olympus at the CP+ trade show in Yokohama, Japan, shortly after the announcement of the OM-D E-M1X. We spoke to Shigemi Sugimoto: Executive Officer, Head of Imaging Business Unit and our old friend Toshi Terada: General Manager, Global Marketing Department, Imaging Business Unit.
We discussed a range of topics, from the company’s new camera to its overall ambitions for Micro Four Thirds.
Please note that this interview was conducted partly via an interpreter, and has been edited for clarity and flow.
We’ve been holding touch-and-try events in many places and have received a lot of very positive feedback from customers. Pre-sales orders are at expected levels and we have had a good start worldwide.
The E-M1X is a model that requires a lot of consideration before users make a purchase, so we believe the users will read many reviews and learn about benefits of E-M1X before buying.
I’ve attended some touch and try events and I was very pleased to see so many customers at these events. We’re also been getting positive feedback from professional photographers.
Some people may feel that the E-M1X is big for a Micro Four Thirds system. However, the feedback we’re getting from customers that have actually tried the product is that it has changed their view. So we hope people will pick up our product and try it.
It’s a part of our professional line, along with E-M1 Mark II. One of the user groups we’re targeting is professional photographers, but also the high-level amateur, the enthusiast: they make up much of our target audience, along with the professionals.
Having received feedback from professional photographers, we feel that Micro Four Thirds’ benefits of being compact and lightweight can be appreciated in almost all photographic fields.
We feel that Micro Four Thirds’ benefits of being compact and lightweight can be appreciated in almost all photographic fields
Actually, we are seeing that there are many photographers who started using the Micro Four Thirds as their second camera, are going on to use it as their main camera.
As a part of the professional series with E-M1 Mark II, we will evolve the basic performance and continue to offer innovative features. Also the E-M1X line-up will further improve the level of operability and reliability.
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| The OM-D E-M1 II continues alongside the E-M1X as part of Olympus’s products for professional and enthusiast photographers. |
Initially, we’ve chosen those three subjects that are really difficult to track by yourself, without any help, just using the single point or even using the group target area. They’re really hard to chase, with a fast-moving subject.
We also chose subjects where you need pinpoint focus – the kind of moving subject where it’s really hard to focus precisely on one specific point, for example to focus on the rider’s helmet rather than just to detect a motor bike. That’s the kind of subject where it’s most helpful to have subject detection.
At the moment we have three specific subjects that can be detected automatically and we’re also looking to enhance the range of subjects, the types of subject. That is, if we can manage it using the current hardware, of course: at some point there is a limitation to the hardware. Also, subject detection maybe not be effective for every subject.
We have prioritized the other subjects we could look at: I cannot tell you specific subject names but, as I said, the benefit of subject detection is pinpoint autofocus, [in situations] where we should focus on a specific point. And the kind of subject that’s not easy to chase – that’s the kind of subject we should select in future.
Humans are the most important subject for many photographers. We have face and eye detection already, of course. We know it’s possible to improve those kinds of detection, though, so we feel we should somehow improve [our cameras’ performance] in the future.
This is one possibility: to choose which type of product should have what kind of subject tracking.
We are just launching that kind of new technology, so we should listen to the market to find out how they are using it, or what kind of demand they are looking for. Depending on feedback from market we can consider how to implement this kind of function in a future model.
Our lens roadmap has been well received by customers. We have more plans for the future, and we will continue to listen to our customers’ requirements.
The high resolution of our lenses continues to satisfy professional customers, therefore we will continue building compact, high resolution lenses.
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| The 150-400mm F4.5 TC 1.25x IS PRO is going to launched in 2020: providing a level of reach that’s difficult to match in such a compact form. |
We plan to launch several lenses every year and, of course, there will be releases of lenses before the 150-400mm PRO launch in 2020. So, please look out for a more information about our forthcoming product releases.
As you may recognize, the demand of video capability is increasing. We are, of course, trying to catch up that kind of technology. Videographers are seeing our potential in terms of superb image stabilization performance in a compact and lightweight package.
Our stance for video is not changed: our products are stills-based cameras that also can capture video. We’re not a pioneer in video technology but we know it’s become a necessary technology for photographers, and we have heard from videographers saying they see the benefits of our powerful image stabilization and lightweight system for their video recording. So we’re working to offer a unique video capability for these videographers as well as for photographers who record video.
If that kind of display is getting popular in the market, then maybe we should consider our output take advantage of that display character.
If performance of current displays makes it worthwhile, to have some other kind of the gamma, perhaps Log character, then why not? It’s just a different kind of Raw development, effectively. We can process images to suit the current display technology or for printing or we can process for a wider DR display: it’s really flexible.
In the case of video footage the data file becomes larger to accommodate the dynamic range, but in stills it’s easier. In still photography the dynamic range is defined by the image sensor [so the information is already in the Raw file]. It’s a kind Raw development challenge, we’d just need to optimize the algorithm.
We are a very R&D-orientated company: we focus on the technology which is necessary for photographers
We will keep looking at the standards and the level of performance of these displays: if we find we need to optimize for the display, why not? It all depends on whether there’s a market for this kind of display, whether it’s worth developing.
We have our own perspective because we’re a camera and lens maker. For consumer electronics manufacturers, who are also making monitors, there might also be an element of marketing strategy.
As you know, we are a very R&D-orientated company: we focus on the technology which is necessary. We’re not from the marketing world, so we can look at these technologies solely from the perspective of whether they’re valuable for photographers.
As you know, the E-M1X is a new product line for offering the benefit of a compact and lightweight system for users that require an integrated battery grip for telephoto shooting such as wildlife.
The E-M5 line is important: we can reassure users we are planning a successor model.
We can’t give you the details of future models today, but we can say that we will continue with current lineup strategy and successor models will be coming. We’d like to mention that the E-M5 line is an important product category for middle users: we can reassure users we are planning to introduce a successor model.
The Olympus ILC system has been defined by the benefits of being compact and lightweight, right back to the time of the film camera. We will continue to offer the same benefit while focusing on Micro Four Thirds, this means our brand offers a single mount system for all customers, which makes it to easily understand and can be used for a long time with confidence.
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| The OM-D E-M5 II demonstrates the company’s ability to make small, capable cameras with excellent handling |
A single Interchangeable lens camera system offering high image quality, will continue to evolve as a system, to provide the significant values of compact and lightweight, high resolving power and image stabilization that full-frame cameras cannot offer.
We consider our strengths to be that our cameras are compact and lightweight. High resolution power (means resolution lens) and also image stabilization as you know. Across our entire product lineup we are always looking to enhance these core technologies.
It means to upgrade the customer doesn’t need to change everything. You can keep using the lenses, of course. Also, if we change the [sensor] format size all sorts of things change. The aspect ratio might change, the depth-of-field changes, the effect of focal length changes: the angle-of-view is different – it’s complicated.
A single format system means don’t worry about that kind of thing. Your existing experience can be carried over to the next model.
We believe that all types of photographers will benefit from shooting with Micro Four Thirds. The value of compact and lightweight system offers photographers greater freedom in shooting across many fields.
For example in landscape or bird shooting, users traditionally have to shoot from a fixed point, using a tripod. However, our system offers new shooting styles such as handheld telephoto shooting thanks to its compact and lightweight system together with strong IS. In this way our system is expanding the photography shooting range for cameras.
Olympus has three business domains: Medical, Scientific Solutions and Imaging. Through these, Olympus is contributing to the society by ‘Making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling’. The role of the Imaging business is to make people’s lives more fulfilling through our products, mainly cameras and lenses including related services. We would like to deliver the joy of capturing and expressing special moments through photography to as many people as possible.
Also, the imaging business is contributing as a technology driver regardless of its business size, in terms of the advanced digital technologies, Low-cost production and design technologies, and Mobile technologies.
Olympus is one of the few companies not currently expanding into a new mirrorless format. Given how expensive it is to develop a wholly new system and how much competition there now is (in a market segment whose potential size is still unknown) this is understandable.
The decision leaves Olympus in a position where it needs to clearly communicate the appeal of its system: cameras that can’t necessarily match the image quality of larger systems but that can be smaller and lighter, as a trade-off, and this was a recurring feature of our conversation. The use of a smaller sensor is also part of how Olympus is able to offer the ridiculously good image stabilization in the E-M1X and, potentially, more video-capable models in future.
Mr Sugimoto is right to say that the E-M1X makes a lot more sense once you’ve held it
The thing I was surprised wasn’t mentioned more was how extensive the Micro Four Thirds lens lineup is. As the originator of the modern mirrorless system, Olympus has comfortably the most extensive lens lineup for this style of camera. Of course the quandary is: once you have a lens lineup that stretched from consumer zooms to a trio of F1.2 primes, what else do you do, if the message of small and light isn’t reaching a wide enough audience?
Mr Sugimoto is right to say that the E-M1X makes a lot more sense once you’ve held it: it may look like a massive pro-sports DSLR but is well judged so that it’s big enough to feel comfortable with a large lens on it, but small enough to offer something distinct from the likes of the big twin-grip Canons and Nikons.
Personally, though, the thing that stood out was the confirmation that the company is working on a third-generation of E-M5. I consider the original version to have been the first genuinely great mirrorless camera and think it’s the perfect type of camera to take advantage of the Micro Four Thirds lens range.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Venus Optics has announced the release of a new Micro Four Thirds variant of its Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D lens, adding yet another mount to the Fuji X, Sony E, Canon EF-M and DJI DL versions.
The 9mm F2.8 Zero-D lens features nearly identical specifications and optical performance as the existing versions, with a few notable differences. Its optical construction remains the same with 15 elements in 10 groups, including two aspherical elements and three extra-low dispersion elements, and it features the same seven-blade aperture diaphragm.
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Despite the same optical design, the lens features a 100-degree angle of view, differing 13 degrees from the 113-degree angle of view on the aforementioned APS-C mounts. The Micro Four Thirds version is also slimmed down a bit, measuring in at 6cm / 2.36in long, 5.3cm / 2.09in in diameter and just 210g / 0.46lbs.
Below are three sample photos provided by Venus Optics:
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The Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D MFT mount lens available for pre-order at B&H for $ 499.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Electronics giant Sharp has officially joined the Micro Four Thirds system according to a press release on the Olympus global website. In the statement Sharp is identified as a ‘driving force’ behind 8K imaging, suggesting that the company will use the MFT system for its future camera systems.
Sharp has already shown a Micro Four Thirds prototype 8K camera at this year’s CES show back in January, so this announcement just confirms the company’s direction for the future, saying ‘Sharp will add Micro Four Thirds products to their line-up.’
For more information see the Micro Four Thirds organisation and the Sharp websites.
Press release:
Olympus Corporation and Panasonic Corporation jointly announced the Micro Four Thirds System standard in 2008 and have since been working together to promote the standard. We are pleased to announce that Sharp Corporation has recently declared their support for the Micro Four Thirds System standard and will be introducing products compliant with the standard.
As the driving force behind 8K imaging technology and a product developer, Sharp Corporation now supports the Micro Four Thirds standard. In the future, Sharp will add Micro Four Thirds products to their line-up. The possibilities unique to a joint standard will expand the enjoyment of imaging further.
As the company responsible for initiating both the Four Thirds System and the Micro Four Thirds System standards, Olympus will continue to develop and enhance the product line-up to meet the diverse needs of our customers.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Chinese optical manufacturer Kamlan Optical has announced its next lens will be a 7.5mm F3.2 fisheye for the Micro Four Thirds system. The lens joins an existing line-up of manual focus primes for APS-C and MFT systems, and will be shown at the CP+ show later this month.
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The FS 7.5mm f/3.2 will provide an angle of view of 160° with a construction that consists of seven elements in six groups. It will focus as close as 10cm and will have a minimum aperture of F16. The manufacturer says the lens will measure 48x58mm, will weigh 250g and it will be impossible to mount a filter in the conventional way because of the shape of the built-in hood.
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According to DC Watch, the price in Japan will be about 25,000 yen, which is approximately $ 230. For more information see the Kalman website
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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Olympus has announced its new 2X teleconverter, the MC-20, which is compatible with the company’s 40-150mm F2.8 Pro and 300mm F4 Pro lenses, as well as the 150-400mm F4.5 that will be arriving in 2020. Like Olympus’ pro lenses, the MC-20 is weather-sealed and should function down to -10°C/+14°F, according to the company. The MC-20 will be available this summer.
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In addition, Olympus has released an updated Micro Four Thirds lens roadmap. There aren’t any dates on the roadmap, and the only lens called out is the 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro, which is coming in 2020. The company is planning to release new zoom and fast prime Pro lenses as well as less expensive super telephoto and ‘high magnification’ (presumably travel zoom) lenses.
What Micro Four Thirds lenses are you hoping to see next? Let us know in the comments.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
