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Hasselblad X1D II 50C camera and XCD 35-75mm F3.5-4.5 zoom announced (Updated)
Hasselblad has announced an update to its cropped medium format mirrorless camera, in the form of the new X1D II 50C. Although it shares the same 50MP cropped (essentially 44 x 33mm) MF CMOS sensor as the original, it has some improved features and a new processor to speed up operation. This includes quicker start-up (now just under 4 seconds, from my time with the camera at the London launch) and continuous shooting now at 2.7fps, while black-out times between shots have also been reduced, claims the company. Other improvements include a new, larger 3.6-in 2.36-million-dot touchscreen at the rear with some menu and UI changes. The viewfinder display has…
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Nikon to add Eye AF option in firmware update
If the Eye AF feature is as good as that found on the Sony a7 (later models) and a9, and the new Canon EOS R which has seen a fair amount of negative press (and mostly unwarranted in my opinion), then it will be a highly- prized option.
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Nikon announces availability of ultra-wide 14-30mm F4 S zoom for Z-mount
Nikon has officially announced the Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S lens, the first ultra-wide, moderate speed zoom for its full-frame mirrorless system. The Nikkor Z 14-30mm F4 S was previously disclosed in a ‘roadmap’ during the launch of the new system at Photokina 2018. Weighing just 485g (17oz) and measuring 85mm (3.5 ins) long when retracted, the new lens is relatively light and compact, especially when compared with the current Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR for DSLRs. With a nearly flat front element the new lens also supports screw-in (82mm) filters, a world’s first for the focal length at the time of publishing according to Nikon. The…
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Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4 sample gallery
Update (06/12/2019): Read our review of the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4 S here. The Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4 is Nikon’s first zoom for its mirrorless Z 7 and Z 6 full-frame models. Given the marketing spiel about it being high-end, it is really just a consumer-grade lens, and one that seems more geared towards filmmakers than photographers. That said, it’s quite a capable performer, and we put it to work on the Nikon Z 7 in London’s Canary Wharf – take a look and please leave a comment. All images are edited to taste in Capture One Pro 12. Please click on the thumbnails for an enlarged view.…
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Sony announces Full Frame 24mm F1.4 G Master Prime for E-mount
Sony has announced a new ultra-high speed lens for its mirrorless APS-C and full-frame camera systems, the FE 24mm F1.4 G Master Prime. It has a relatively complex design of 13 elements in 10 groups, with three of those being ED glass to reduce CA and focuses to (a fairly typical) 0.24m (0.79 ft). Sony claim the adoption of two XA (extreme aspherical) elements effectively suppresses sagittal flare, more commonly known as coma. Thus, with its wide angular field of view and ultra-high speed F1.4 maximum aperture, should appeal to photographers hoping to capture the night sky without the tell-tale aberration that results in smeared stars (point light sources), usually more…
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Canon announces new mirrorless full-frame EOS R system
After images and detailed specifications leaked over the weekend, Canon has today confirmed the existence of its first full-frame mirrorless camera, the EOS R. Adopting a new wider 44mm diameter RF mount than the current EF mount along with a short 20mm register, the introduction of the camera heralds a brand new system for Canon. Four new lenses; RF 50mm F1.2L USM, RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM, and ultra-high speed RF 28-70mm F2L USM, a stabilized RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM, and a trio of RF-EF adapters have also been announced. With a 30.3-MP Dual Pixel CMOS, presumed to be related to the EOS 5D Mark IV sensor,…
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Rumor sites leak Nikon mirrorless Z6, Z7 and lenses
Nikon’s intention to enter the full-frame mirrorless segment hasn’t exactly been kept secret, we’ve seen mention of it in the mainstream press (admittedly where the publisher has a camera title in its portfolio). However, on the eve of the official announcement, several of the Japan-based rumor sites have published images of the 24-MP Z6 and identical-looking 45-MP Z7 cameras. They’re also confirmed three new lenses, two primes; 35mm F1.8 S, 50mm F1.8 S and one zoom; 24-70mm F4 S and an F-mount adapter. All will be revealed tomorrow but here are few musings based on what little we know so far. Firstly, the camera looks very similar to the Sony…
