Wetpixel/Under The Jungle Cenote Workshop 2021
Articles
Canon unveils three new Powershot models
Canon has released a series of new Powershot compact cameras. There are updates to its “G”, “S” and “SX” series cameras, with new models being the G15, S110 and SX50 HS. The G15 has a 28mm wide-angle f/1.8 to f/2.8 lens, Canon’s HS SYSTEM where the camera’s DIGIC 5 image processor and newly designed Canon 1/1.7-inch 12.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS image sensor work together to enhance low-light image quality at a maximum ISO speed of 12800. Canon has also announced the release of the WP-DC48 Waterproof housing. Lastly, it shoots 1080p Full HD video and will be available from October at $499.99.
The S110 also has a 24mm wide-angle f/2.0, Canon’s HS SYSTEM with the same maximum ISO speed of 12800. Canon will also offer a housing for it, the WP-DC47. The camera will be available from October at $449.99.
The PowerShot SX50 HS has a 50x optical zoom (24-1200mm) and 24mm wide-angle lens with Optical Image Stabilization. The camera has 1080p Full HD video with an optical zoom while recording. It will be priced at $479.99.
New micro 4/3s lenses from Olympus
Also at Photokina today, Olympus has announced that it will release two new lenses for its micro four thirds cameras. The BCL-15mm f8.0 Body Cap Lens is just 9mm thick with three glass lens elements in three groups and gives a single focal length of 30mm (35mm camera equivalent). It has a fixed f8 aperture and hence a shallow depth of field, is compatible with manual focusing using a lever and capable of close-up shooting as close as 30 cm.
Of more interest perhaps is M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro prime lens originally announced in February. This gives a single focal length equivalent to a 120mm lens on a 35mm camera. Its closest focusing distance is 19mm and it has an Extra-low Reflection coating.
The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 60mm f2.8 Macro will be available from October priced at £429. The BCL-15mm f8.0 Body Cap Lens’ availability and price are still to be announced. Lastly, Olympus is working on a fast 17mm f/1.8 wide-angle prime, dates and prices also to be announced.
Olympus announces new PEN EVIL cameras
Olympus has added two new models to its PEN EVIL camera range. The new models are known as the E-PL5 and E-PM2. Both feature the 16.1-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor and new TruePic VI image processing engine as used on the OM-D E-M5. This gives them both a maximum ISO of 25,600, which combined with three modes of in-body image stabilization should ensure good low light capabilities.
Olympus has also released three new PEN lenses that are of potential interest to underwater photographers. Please stay tuned.
Both cameras will be available from October with the E-PL5 retailing at $649.99 and the E-PM2 at $549.99.
Panasonic LUMIX GH3 released at Photokina
As part of the roll out of new cameras at Photokina, Panasonic has launched the LUMIX GH3 EVIL camera. With features aimed at videographers, the camera produces 1080 50p (60p in USA) AVCHD video at 28 Mbps or 760p/60i/30p/24p output, All-I or IPB compression options (at up to 80 or 50 Mbps respectively) and timecode support. It has a new 16.05 megapixel Live MOS sensor and Venus processing engine, with a native ISO range of ISO 200 to ISO 12800. Flash sync speed is 1/160 second.
Canon announces the EOS 6D
Canon UK has announced the release of its new full-frame SLR, the EOS 6D. The camera has the EOS 6D features a newly-designed 20.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and a native ISO range of ISO 100-25,600 (extendable to 50-102,400). It also has in camera HDR processing and a new 11 po9nt AF system, with enhanced low light capabilities. Video recording is 1080p30 (25).
The EOS 6D’S pricing and availability are still to be confirmed.
Olympus and Sony to form partnership
The blog 43 Rumors has published a translation of a piece from NHK newsweb which suggests that Olympus and Sony are planing to form a partnership. The 43 Rumors translation is::
“Sony and Olympus announced yesterday, September 14, that they have entered into exclusive negotiations to conclude a capitalistic partnership. Olympus discussed with several potential partners but eventually chose Sony. Sony will invest ¥50bn (i.e. €485m or $640m) in Olympus. Olympus and Sony will set up a joint-venture to develop medical devices of the next generation, such as high definition endoscopes with video and 3D technology. In order to leverage Olympus’s business of digital cameras, which is in a slump (literally: 不振), Olympus and Sony will promote cooperation and jointly develop some components. Both parties expect to sign a definitive agreement within a month.”
Japanese island seeks to protect dolphins
As a poignant counterpoint to the ongoing slaughter of dolphins and whales at Taji, an island in Japan has taken an entirely different approach to its interaction with cetaceans. Bluevoice.org has published a film about the remarkable relationship between the inhabitants of Toshima, a small island off Tokyo, and a pod of wild dolphins. A female dolphin, who, along with her baby was registered in the island’s ledger as an official citizen in 1998, presently leads a pod of Toshima dolphins and the island is seeking to both protect its dolphin population and to promote eco tourism in order to get people to visit and interact with them.
RED announces mount for Nikon lenses
RED has announced the release of a Nikon lens mount for the EPIC and SCARLET cameras. The mount, available in aluminum or titanium, allows for full electronic autofocus and iris control from the camera body. Both electronic lens mounts also feature a positive lock to ensure even the heaviest lenses are secure. The titanium mount is stronger and will not be affected by temperature changes. RED now offers four different mounts with their DSMC cameras: PL, Canon, Nikon, and Leica M.
Both versions are available now with the aluminum mount at $800 and the titanium one at $2,200.