Tomorrow sees the start of the biennial Photokina show in Cologne. As anyone with even a basic knowledge of German knows, Photokina translates as “Camera Gear Wankathon”, and all the major players announce new toys in the hope of attracting extra media attention.
I already feel the stirrings of an ill-informed, opinionated treatise on the current state of the industry; so be ready to ignore that. But in the meantime, those of you with an interest in Micro Four Thirds may want to check out the latest releases from Panasonic and Olympus.
Panasonic’s top of the range model has always been the video-friendly GH series and, as expected, today sees the release of the rather chunky GH3. Videographers are already wetting themselves at the specs, while the rest of us are wondering whether we need something that has increased in size and is now heading for DSLR proportions. Probably not.
Olympus have restated their PEN range by dropping the top model and replacing the mini and the Pen “Lite” with the EPM-2 and EPL-5; both offering internals ripped from the EM-5 with a reduced feature set and rather bland styling compared to the original PEN digital cameras.
On the lens front, Panasonic have a 35-100mm F2.8 X lens introduced now; with more exciting 42.5mm F1.2 and 150mm F.28 lenses promised for the future. Olympus have the long-leaked 60mm macro, a black version of the 12mm F2 (I still don’t want one), and 17mm F1.8. There is also a very weird thing that looks like a lens cap but is actually a 15mm F8 pancake lens. Why?
Schneider-Kreuznach have also released three M43 lenses, but as my German doesn’t extend much beyond translating “Photokina”, I don’t know much about them yet.
Previews and image samples are popping up all over the web, so if you are interested I recommend going here and following all the links.
Comments 🔗
2012-09-17| Robin Parmar says“There is also a very weird thing that looks like a lens cap but is actually a 15mm F8 pancake lens. Why?”
For people who want the smallest possible street photography setup and don’t want to shoot from the hip without worrying about focusing. With these new announcements there’s hardly a lens that isn’t available for MFT. I’m drooling for the 60/2.8 macro and might afford one in my next lifetime.
2012-09-17| Clive saysMy vote for stupidest announcement is currently with Canon, for the abysmally moronic EOS6D. Maybe they consider themselves the Porsche of the photographic world. Everyone knows how Dr. Ferdinand’s old company has the ability to squeeze more different 911 models into their range than is healthy, sane or sensible.
Canon clearly decided to get in on the action with a new 20MP 6D. And the point is? They have produced a new sensor and added on-board GPS and wi-fi to something that reads a bit like a stupidly cut-down 5D Mk III. Lest you were in any doubt that Canon’s strategy people have completely lost it: now you know for sure…
They only really need 4 models at the top end… The 1DX as The Daddy, the 5DIII as the other prosumer full-frame model, the 7D replacement as the APS-C Daddy and the 60D or 70D as the APS-C equivalent of the 5DIII… But no, we get a 6D.
I think we might be forced to task CrapWizard(TM) with the job of suggesting a Photokina equivalent of the Razzies and judging the idiocy…
2012-09-17| TheSon saysSurely F8 is going to be bobbins for a lot of street photography. That thing is practically a glorified pinhole. Maybe its a ‘because we can’
2012-09-18| Spike saysReminds me of SWMBO’s Lomo which is a fixed F8; maybe it has a Lomo look which will appeal to some. Hard to comment on your bobbins because I am not sure whether bobbins is a good thing or a bad thing. Oh God, father/son generation gap!
2012-09-18| Spike saysI agree, quite appalling. First the EOS-M, and now this, accompanied by the brick on stick continuation of the G series, the G15. 5D3, nice enough camera but just a boost to a four year old offering. Only the 1DX has any balls, but at a price. Large choice of large lenses of very varying design quality and even more variable actual quality due to poor quality control. Canon: Large, black and mainly shit. Contrast with Sony. I bloody hate Sony; but they are taking over. RX1; ludicrous price and fatally flawed; but at least Sony had the balls to put it out; why can’t Canikon innovate like this? Even Leica showed more innovation than Canon. Yes, CrapWizard needs to wade into this one.
2012-09-18| Grant saysYes! CrapWizard rules OK! Just make sure your waders are a tight fit under your charmpits and are totally free of the dreaded morale-sapping pin holes. There is nothing on Dog’s earth worse than a gentleman feeling that growing dampness around the collectables brought on by poorly maintained waders. You sound a bit ranty there, have you had your first gin?….
2012-09-18| Spanky saysThe Sony A99 has me tempted to dump the Canon gear and move to Sony. It’s got a full frame sensor, they are starting to get decent lenses, and more than anything, a beautiful EVF.
2012-09-18| Jock saysJeez guys you seem to be getting a bit excited at the thought of a Wankathon in Cologne. Spike if you´re coming over let me know .. I´m a 3 hour train ride away.
2012-09-18| Spike saysCould be a smart move (never thought I’d say that about a Sony).
2012-09-18| Spike saysI find I can be at my most vitriolic if I am unaware of all the facts, so best I stay away. Plus, you and German beer might not be a good combination.
2012-09-19| Clive saysFootnote…
Ended up in a bit of a heated debate with a work colleague today, the subject being the announcement of the Canon EOS6D. Paul reckons that Canon is aiming the 6D firmly at landscape photographers - hence the slower frame rate, GPS and lack of integral flash… Given that subject is his personal favourite, he can’t wait to rush out and snap one up. His other argument was the price difference against the 5D3 and [ha ha] the 1DX.
He’s definitely right to point out the price difference. Sadly I just think that’s Canon’s way of taking the p1$$ out of their customers.
2012-09-19| Spike saysCoincidentally, I was looking at some landscape shots today, taken with the EM-5: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&message=42170682&changemode=1 They would have looked so much better if taken by a 6D; don’t know why the guy even bothered taking them….