Fuji's Water Resistant Lens Raises Bar in Image Stabilization
Fuji releases it's first water resistant lens and it raises the bar in image stabilization... literally. As if the water resistant part of it wasn't enough, the new lens, XF18-135mmF3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, carries two high-precision gyro sensors, raising 5 stops of image stabilization. For example, if a photo is taken at 1/15s with stabilization on, the image will come out as crisp as the same shot taken at 1/500th. Impressively, Fuji is calling this the world’s most advanced image stabilization system on the market.
And the features don't stop there, other impressive features include 20 sealing points, “for a durable, weather-resistant and dust-proof design,”, and new air vents integrated into the interior and bottom of the lens barrel to keep dust and moisture away.
For a full listing of it's new features click here. The 18-135 will join Fuji’s current X-Series lineup in July for $900, and you can pre-order one at B&H by clicking here.
[Via PetaPixel]
Leica Announces Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens with New T-System
Photos by Leica
Leica sets the bar even higher this week as they announced their mirror-less interchangeable lens in the new T-System with auto focus. The new Leica T is still as beautiful as older Leica models, but finally incorporates a more innovative and more intuitive image quality that matches all but the best mirror-less cameras now on the market. It's two new lenses feature an amazing 16.3-megapixel APS-C sensor, at an 18-56mm F3.5-5.6 and a 35mm equivalent 23mm F2 prime. Going further, each has a shutter with a maximum speed of 1/4000 of a second and an ISO range of 100-12500. Leica is also promising a 11-23mm F3.5-4.5 wide-angle zoom and 55-135mm F3.5-4.5 tele-zoom lens too.
The body of each Leica T is cut from a solid block of aluminum and features a user-friendly touch screen, and an optional electronic viewfinder with a built-in GPS and Wi-Fi. The camera body alone (available in black or silver) is priced at $1850. As far as the lenses go, the 16-56mm F3.5-5.6 zoom costs $1750, while the 23mm F2 prime is set a bit higher at $1950. Leica prices stay high, but are worth every penny, every time. C
Check out its photos and let us what you think.
[Via DP Review]
Disney Movies Anywhere Launched As Disney's First Movie Streaming Service
Disney, while a huge industry in itself, has a huge market for most of its productions. Creating many works that families can trust to watch as a whole, the characters and plot lines of every story becomes a huge potential for money and legacy years after each release. A company invested in expanding whenever possible, Disney launched today that a new streaming service called Disney Movies Anywhere will be available for consumers to stream their favorite Disney films with an app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Apple TV will also be providing the cloud-based service access, but consumers can log in to the website on a computer or laptop as well.
Disney's streaming option has been speculated for the past few years with many wondering if they would join with UltraViolet, another popular digital streaming service. However, they decided to go their own route and team up with iTunes as the main destination for film purchases. They're the only major studio that won't be affiliated with UltraViolet, and their separation as well as Apple's from the digital movie service is being blamed for the slow-rising popularity. However, with iTunes consumers will have the ability to select from about 420 films produced by Disney, Pixar, and Marvel with the appeal of a "buy once watch anywhere" approach. Content previously purchased on the web as well as digital copies can be accessed from accounts as well. The hope by both Disney Movies Anywhere and UltraViolet is that digital movie purchases will become more appealing to all.
It seems that the bait trying to lure consumers into the Disney digital kingdom will be the ability to purchase Disney's latest blockbuster Frozen three weeks before its release on DVD and Blu-Ray. Another push for consumers to join will be a free digital copy of the Disney-Pixar classic The Incredibles. Disney, while creative all on levels, seems to approach everything they do as an enterprise, and this is only going to increase their market value more than it's already worth.
[via Variety]
Surreal Photoshop Creations by Caras Ionut
Photos by Caras Ionut
Elephants walking a tightrope, umbrellas shielding meteor showers, a toddler walking a buffalo... these are unfathomable scenes made real by Digital Artist and Photographer Caras Ionut. With an expertise in photoshop, Ionut manipulates combinations of his own photography, to create surreal and dreamlike imagery that is nothing short of amazing. Besides sharing these remarkable photographs, Ionut’s website also offers tutorials and classes on using Photoshop.
Check out these photos and see more of his work here.
[Via Demilked]
Olympus Unveils New E-M10: Portable and Affordable
Just this week Olympus impressed the photography world with the unveiling it's new O-MD E-M10, which highlights their new Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera, and looks like it's quite the competition for the latest Fujifilm release. And they didn't stop there, they also announced a new 14-42mm zoom lens, a fast 25mm wide-angle lens, a body cap lens, and an impressive long zoom, creating a durable camera with plenty of accessories to match.
Although the new model looks very similar to the E-M5, it's proportionally smaller, feels more durable with it's metal body, and the best part: it's much more affordable. The E-M10 also has some pretty neat features, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, a more advanced autofocus system, a sharper screen, and the same image processor as the 16-megapixel sensor found in the high-end E-M1. Basically, it gives you pro-style performance in a digital camera that is much easier to carry around.
The Silver and Black versions of the OM-D E-M10 will be available in stores in March, and will cost you $699 for the body only and $799 bundled with a kit including the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42 mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens. A release date for the accessories are yet to be announced.
You can learn a lot more about this camera by heading over to Olympus. For now, definitely check out the following photos.
[Via PetaPixel]
Fujifilm launches new all-black version of the FUJIFILM X100S
Photos by FUJIFILM Corp
In response to popular demand from customers around the world, FUJIFILM Corporation announced this week the release of an all-black version of the award winning, premium compact camera, FUJIFILM X100S. Released in January 2013, the FUJIFILM X100S showcased the world's first Hybrid Viewfinder and features their Fujinon 23mm F2 fixed single focal length lens and the amazing APS-C size X-Trans CMOS II sensor, offering an ever so clear 16.3 million pixel with an optical low-pass filter-less design. It allows you to capture the latest in premium digital quality with a reminiscent analog feel in handling.
Available now for pre-order for shipment in February 2014, the new X100S Black offers a discreet look along with its already quiet shutter release, making this camera absolutely perfect for street photography. Not only is the body now available in black, but the X100S accessories are available in black as well to coordinate.
Take a look!
[Via FUJIFILM Corp]
