Leica M Digital Camera

If only money were no object in life I’d have all of the toys that I can’t have now. There would be a Porsche 911 in the driveway instead of a Hyundai Sante Fe. My shotguns would all be custom made Italian beauties instead of American and Turkish. And my digital cameras would be Leicas.

At Photokina in Germany recently Leica introduced several new models for 2013, all of which are truly beautiful. The model that really got my attention was the stunning Leica M, a truly modern digital camera that has the look of a Leica from the 1950s.

Here’s information from the official brochure:

The new Leica m unites more than 50 years of experience developing the rangefinder system
with the innovative potential offered by the digital age. as the latest milestone in the current
m family, it is one of the most compact full-format system cameras currently available. For
example, its new 24 ×36mm CmoS sensor delivers full 35 mm format without compromise.
System compatibility has always been a characteristic feature of the Leica m-System, and the
new m is no exception: it benefits from access to the entire portfolio of m-Lenses, recognised
as the world’s best lens system. introduced in 1954, it has been continuously advanced and
improved over time. and today, almost every m-Lens ever built is compatible for use with the
digital m. But that’s not all: with the new Leica r-adapter, almost every Leica r-Lens can also
be used with the Leica m, expanding its options into the world of Leica r-Photography, too.
The successful story of the Leica m-System continues.

The Leica m features a newly-designed high-resolution, 24-megapixel CmoS sensor in full
35 mm format. in combination with the Leica maestro image processor, originally featured
only in the Leica S-System, the Leica max 24-mP sensor generates the outstanding image
quality of the Leica m. For the first time in the history of the digital m-System, every component in the image creation flow, from lens to image file, are Leica in-house developments. as a result, our team of engineers has successfully perfected the entire image creation chain for use with m- and r-Lenses without compromise, in order to exploit the full potential of these lenses. The consequence of this is images with superior sharpness and the finest reproduction of detail. The new m delivers extremely low-noise and richly detailed images, even at higher sensitivities of up to iSo 6400. in combination with fast Leica lenses, this low noise performance makes the camera an ideal tool for available-light photography. The integrated imaging electronics of the Leica maestro processor also allow particularly fast response times and an almost instantaneous start-up time – and ensure that the photographer is always ready to shoot.

The M will be available in early 2013, and is set to sell for a mere $6,950.

Kingston DT 109 Flash Drive

By Bayle Emlein

Big Things in Small Packages

The tiny Kingston DT109 flash drive comes in 8GB and 16 GB versions and seven fashionable colors. Measuring 1.5" long, half an inch wide, and 1/16" thick, it's a good thing that it comes in bright colors. I've managed to lose mine several times while it was still plugged into the USB port. I can remember when I couldn't pick up 5 MB, and stubbing one's toe on the drive could lead to significant injury.

Despite its small size, the DT 109 has a substantial hole for adding a lanyard or attaching it to a key ring. I'm not sure how much extra weight I want hanging from a USB port, but I do really appreciate the compact size. The way my work desktop sits, I have bent several USB drives out of shape while getting in and out of my chair. This feather weight midget sites within the protection of decorative bezel.

The model reviewed here is the 8 GB black version, run in Windows XP and 7. The spec sheet warns that the urDrive software does not work Mac operating systems. This special Kingston software that promises to pop up like a desktop for your USB, with bookmarks and favorites so that it's like taking my home preferences with me wherever I go. It addition to the expected passive storage we have become used to, urDrive promises engaged, active storage that allows easier organization of files, including photos, videos and music for folks who want extra help navigating their portable storage. Other features include a built-in photo viewer, web browser, games and a music player.

When I started the installation process, urDrive insisted that I re-install .Net Framework: I'm still discovering pieces of computer that haven't gotten replaced after the Great Summer Crash. I opted for installing breakfast instead. Once installed, I am promised that the urDrive software will use Norton PC Checkup to scan and improve my computer. There is a secure child-safe sandbox called Fooz Kids and access to more grown-up social and multiplayer activities.

With the holidays, and my birthday, approaching you're probably starting to think about shopping. The only drawback to using the DT109 as a stocking stuffer is that even in it's packaging it's likely to get lost in the toe. Can I suggest two of the same, or complementary colors? At a gram each and with those crafty holes, it will be easy to attach them to the backing and they will make elegant and practical earrings with just the right amount of dangle. Get a handful for those last-minute gifting opportunities and hope that you have left-overs. Less caloric than fruitcake.

8 GB $16.00
16GB $30
Or whatever sale your search brings you to the day you go shopping

Roxio Bad Piggies

Roxio, the creators of the wildly successful Angry Birds franchise, has a new game out that they hope will re-ignite their fire. The new game is Bad Piggies and it’s available now for Android and iOS at their respective online stores for $0.99. Their last game, Amazing Alex, was a brief hit but has faded fast.

Here’s some basic information on Bad Piggies:

The game is very much based around physics, like Angry Birds. However, there’s no destruction here. Instead, your goal is get the Bad Piggies from Point A on a map to Point B.

You do this by constructing various contraptions — vehicles, really — that help the Piggies travel. Remember, pigs can’t actually fly, despite the information to the contrary.

As you travel through the map, you grab various collectibles (essentially the equivalent of eggs in Angry Birds) and are scored based on the three-star system.

The same things that made Angry Birds a huge success are present here in the Piggie version. You can complete levels relatively quickly, it isn’t all that hard to beat the levels, yet it’s still a mentally challenging game in terms of physics.

Audio-Technica Headphones Review

By George Harding

Your mobile device most likely has a jack for headphones or ear buds, so that you can listen to your music with better quality than the speakers in the device allow.

Audio-Technica has worked on developing headphones and ear buds that produce very high quality sound. I received a review copy of dip, inner ear headphones with a mic for calls.

These are not just plain ordinary ear buds, no sir! They may look like ear buds, but are not.

There are three features that set these out from other similar products. One is the frequency response, 20 – 23,000 Hz. This gives you better highs and lows than others.

Second, there is a microphone included, so that you can talk without holding the phone in your hands. The hands-free feature allows you to do other things while listening

Third, there is a built-in volume control which will work with any smartphone with a 4-pin jack. The control includes the microphone and can also be used to answer and end calls.

In addition, the headphones come with a cable wrap holder, which you can use to wrap the cord up so it doesn’t get caught on everything.

This is a great product with innovative features.

www.audio-technica.com       Price about $20

COMDEXvirtual 2012

November was always Fall Comdex time in the good old days. Until the dot.com bubble burst and the whole world of Comdex collapsed, that is. For many years we attended both Fall Comdex in Las Vegas every November and Spring Comdex in either Chicago or Atlanta. It was a great time and we miss it.

Comdex has returned but not in Vegas, it’s now a virtual Comdex and everything is online. We “attended” last years event and enjoyed it. There were quite a few vendors and a lot of information was available.

If you’d like to attend you can register at: http://comdexvirtual.com/comdex/

Hasselblad Lunar Mirrorless Camera

One of the most interesting stories to come out of this year's Photokina show concerns the joint venture between Hasselblad and Sony. Back in the late sixties when I first got started in photography Hasselblad was the accepted King of medium format cameras and their cost reflected it. They mad a premium product and charged a premium price. I would have loved to have owned a complete system but that would have been several years pay for me!

Here's information on the new Hasselblad Lunar:

Swedish medium format camera company, Hasselblad, has released a new mirrorless ILC with an APS-C sensor that has a lot in common with Sony's Alpha NEX-7. The reason for this: The Hasselblad Lunar camera was developed together with the Japanese electronics company.
 
Inside this very aggressive-looking--and admittedly bulky--camera is a 24.3-megapixel sensor, a 2,359k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, the TriNavi control system as well as Sony's Bionz image processor, specifications that are also found in the NEX-7. Even the user interface has an identical color scheme and appearance, although we noticed that the main menu was laid out a little differently. The Lunar prototypes that were on display also had familiar-looking 18-55mm zoom lenses attached. Needless to say, this "little-Hassy" will be compatible with E-mount and A-mount lenses, though the latter requires an adapter.
The camera is expected to be available early-2013 and standard models should retail at 5,000 euros (US$6,520). Of course, as a luxury product, it will also come with a choice of more expensive materials for the handgrip such as titanium and carbon fiber. However, we're sure that many NEX camera owners are hoping that this partnership between Sony and Hasselblad could lead to even better E-mount lenses. We have our fingers crossed.

The Best Tech Support Story. Ever. Absolutly true.

By Bayle Emlein

There is a long build-up around why I keep dropping by this place on the far side of the city to reclaim a printer cable that was "borrowed for longer" when I picked up the rest of the equipment, but I'll save that story for later. 

When I reclaimed my cable (there a good bit of back and forth between us) and the borrower finally decided that she might need to go out and buy herself one so she could return the borrowed one. She asked what she needed to buy and I said "An A to B USB printer cable." There was more discussion about where to get them and whether or not printer cables are of a standard configuration. Now remember, this as a verbal-only exchange, as in phone tech support to some far away land. Her question to me was, "How do you spell USB?"

As far as I could ascertain, I kept a professional face and demeanor as I spelled it to her, slowly.

A Really Thin Lens from Olympus

Olympus has announced the thinnest lens we’ve seen in ages! Here's the announcement:

Is It a Body Cap or a Lens? It’s Both.
Olympus introduces an intriguing new lens for its Micro Four Thirds line. The BCL-15mm f8.0 Body Cap Lens serves as a body cap when carrying the camera around without its interchangeable lens, and transforms to become a pan-focus snapshot lens to capture images. The lens is so thin – just 9mm thick – that it can easily be mistaken for a camera-mount body cap. With three glass lens elements in three groups, it can be used as a wide-angle lens equivalent with a single focal length of 30mm (35mm camera equivalent). In addition to daily use as a “pan-focus” lens featuring a wide angle, fixed f8 aperture and deep depth of field, it is compatible with manual focusing using a lever and capable of close-up shooting as close as 30 cm. A lens-protection barrier is provided so the lens can be mounted permanently on the camera and even put in a pocket together with the camera.

Personally the wonderful M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8 makes a lot more sense to me. It’s several times faster and not that much thicker. We use ours with the external VF-1 Viewfinder and it is a great “street" camera. The great photographers of the past would be carrying a PEN with the 17mm f/2.8 with them 24/7.

Wal-Mart Drops Kindle

Wal-Mart has joined rival Target is dropping the Amazon Kindle from sales in their stores. While Wal-Mart isn’t saying why it’s obvious to me, Amazon.com is stealing sales from them.

It’s the same problem that motivated Target to drop Kindles. People go into the brick-and-mortar store and try out the products hands-on then go online and buy it from Amazon.com at much lower prices. One reason I know about people doing this is because I’ve done it myself. Many times. Why any company in their right minds would continue with this business model is beyond me.

We support all three companies business decisions because this is business and every company should do what they have to do to remain profitable. It’s the American capitalism model at it’s best. May they all live long and prosper.

Pentax Full-frame dSLR

One of the most interesting rumors we’ve heard is that Pentax is finally working on producing a pro-grade full-frame dSLR. The reports we’ve heard is that it’s still six months to a year away but that’s only an eye-blink away to us.

It’s going to interesting to see what lenses will work with a full-frame sensor since Pentax has only produced APS-C lenses for their K-mounts lately. Of course, Pentax has many excellent 35mm K-mount lenses so they will have a full array of products available when they finally bring a new dSLR to market.

iPhone 5 Shipping Delay

There must be an enormous wailing and gnashing of teeth by all of the FanBoyz and Gurlz who ordered their iPhone 5 from the iFruit company online store. They were told today that they will not have their phones shipped on September 21st. The new shipping date isn’t for two weeks! Woe is me!!

All of those Fanz who had planned on showing off their new toy to what they knew would be a chorus of oohs and aahs from those lesser people who didn’t have the latest and greatest will just have to wait and use their old, out-of-date device for a little longer.

October Issue

The October issue of our monthly ePub is being emailed out this morning, As usual it's loaded with great articles, columns and reviews. If you aren't a subscriber just add a comment to this post or send me an email and I'll add you to our list.

To all of our regular readers, we hope you enjoy our work!!

Olympus Stylus XZ-2

Olympus had a slew of new product announcements this week. One of the most interesting is the Olympus Stylus XZ-2, a high performance compact camera.

Here’s some information about the “game-changing, flagship high-performance point-and-shoot” that “combines optical brilliance, the manual controls of an SLR, and the unbeatable convenience of a lightweight compact in a body every imaging enthusiast should love.”

The $600 compact has a 12-megapixel sensor with ISO 12,800 sensitivity, 1080p video capture, a swiveling 3-inch touchscreen, and a 4x lens that zooms from 28-112mm with an f/1.8-2.5 aperture for “expressive background defocusing and sophisticated bokeh, plus the flexibility to use short, blur-free exposure times in low light.”

Also, the XZ-2’s hybrid control ring is built around the lens and switches between analog and digital operation: “digital operation provides a solid click on controls, whereas the analog operation offers a smooth, gliding feeling,” the company says.

Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 DG OS HSM Lens

We received email from Sigma describing their new lenses for digital SLRs. One that really caught our eye is the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 zoom. It’s truly impressive looking and should be ideal for sports or nature photography.

Here’s how Sigma describes it: Although high-function digital cameras now deliver improved picture quality at high-ISO settings, adjusting your lens to a large aperture is still the most effective strategy for action shots. And even if you have to take the shots from a less-than-ideal position, as is so often the case when shooting sports or on-stage action, this zoom lens, with its maximum focal length of 300mm, lets you open up the aperture all the way to F2.8. In other words, when conditions are difficult, this high-performance lens gives you more scope to express yourself in the shots you take.

Photokina Show

This week is the BIG Photokina trade show in Germany and we have been receiving a slew of press releases. Read us every day for the latest news!!

New Panasonic LUMIX GH3 Digital Camera

We saw this press release today announcing the new Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH3 mirrorless digital camera.

Panasonic is proud to introduce the new Digital Single Lens Mirrorless DMC-GH3.  The LUMIX GH3 is not just a compact, lightweight camera. It is an attractive, top-of-the-line mirrorless single lens system camera that is tough enough to withstand the extreme conditions of heavy field use.

The new Live MOS Sensor achieves high-resolution images with minimum noise. And the new Venus Engine attains high-speed, high-quality signal processing. These features combine to maximize shooting fun and operating ease. Another prominent feature of the LUMIX GH3 is a tough body that is rugged enough to stand up to professional use. It features a magnesium alloy full diecast body and advanced splash / dustproof construction that was achieved by sealing the sections of the camera body to enable shooting under extreme conditions. Although the LUMIX GH3 integrates features a class above other G Series models, it is still compact when compared with an SLR camera featuring equivalent performance and functions. The body has enabled a new control layout with three dials on the front and back as well as single-function buttons. The LUMIX GH3 allows users to capture images in extreme environments and provides superb mobility. It also records still images consecutively at a rate of about 6 fps. The LUMIX GH3 is proud to assume the role of Panasonic's flagship digital single-lens mirrorless camera.

The video recording capability, which is highly acclaimed in the GH2, now comes with more variety of options in its format and bit rate to meet wide-ranging needs. It is packed with advanced technologies developed by Panasonic for professional video creation.    

The LUMIX GH3 uses OLED displays both in its viewfinder and in the rear free-angle monitor. Panasonic has also developed optional accessories to expand the shooting possibility of DMC-GH3. A detachable battery grip DMW-BGGH3 for vertical viewing angle, integrates control featuring splash/dustproof design. The external TTL flash DMW-FL360L comes with wireless function and even integrates LED for video recording. A Stereo Shotgun microphone DMW-MS2 is also available. 

They represent a first of their kind for Panasonic LUMIX cameras.
Panasonic also offers a full lineup of lenses that reinforce the LUMIX GH3. The LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-HS12035) is currently on the market. In addition to this, Panasonic is releasing a new fast F2.8 telephoto zoom lens LUMIX G X VARIO 35-100mm / F2.8 / POWER O.I.S. (H-HS35100) to introduce with the LUMIX GH3. These two lenses achieve high resistance performance against splash and dust when combined with the LUMIX GH3.

New Otterbox Cases for the iPhone 5

If you’re one of the people who have pre-ordered a new iPhone from the Fruit company then you’d better think about protecting your investment. We have always adored Otterbox cases for all kinds of technology but especially for smartphones.

You can pre-order their Defender series and Commuter series cases now and they’ll ship on September 21st. The Reflex and Prefix series cases will be out later. You can check them all out at www.otterbox.com.

iLuv Earphones

By Chuck Hajdu

While we’re on the subject of Smartphone accessories, how about looking at some earphones. One of the companies that makes an extensive line of earphones and accessories for all kinds of devices is iLuv. They recently sent us a few of their models to test and here are the results of our evaluations.

The first product we looked at was their iHP613 Sweet Cotton HiFi Stereo Headphones. Our eval set was the blue version but they also come in a half dozen other colors.

The iHP613 is designed to work with several iFruit company products, especially the iPhones. In addition to working as headphones, there is a built-in mic that allows you to use the headphones while making phone calls.

We found the headphones to be very comfortable and there was a wide enough range of adjustment for them to work well with large heads (like mine) and small heads alike. Sound quality was very good and we were very pleased with the music range and quality of reproduction.

MSRP is $59.99

Two New Pentax dSLR Lenses

Pentax will be showing two new K-mount lenses for their dSLR cameras at Photokina, a wide angle to long telephoto zoom lens and a single focal length long telephoto lens.

The DA 18-270mm lens appears to be a re-packaged Tamron that has shown itself to be a quality performer in other lens mounts. Why is it going to be priced $150 higher than Canon or Nikon mounts though?

The DA 560mm F5.6 is the first really long telephoto Pentax has come out with in a long time. From what we’ve heard it’s going to be VERY expensive (around $7,000.00) so we’re not sure just how many of these lenses Pentax will be able to sell.


 

New Pentax dSLRs

Pentax will be showing two new digital SLR cameras at Photokina next week, the K-5 II and the K-5 IIs. Both are follow ups based on the wonderful Pentax K-5, the best dSLR we ever reviewed. From what we’ve heard both of these cameras are still the basic K-5 with some updates. Many of the features of the K-30 and K-01 are NOT included so we’re not sure just what Pentax Ricoh is doing with these two models.  

Here’s a tiny bit of information on both from the initial press release:

The advanced K-5 II has a host of new features that passionate photographers will love- including the 11 point SAFOX X autofocus system that has superior low light performance, the renowned 16.3 MP CMOS sensor offering low noise from ISO of 80-51200, and an air-gap-free LCD with 921,000 dots that makes reviewing images a pleasure.    

The premium K-5 IIs differs from the K-5 II in that it does not have an anti-aliasing filter making it  perfect for photographers who value the sharpest possible image resolution over all other factors.

                                 

iPhone 5

The FanBoyz and Girlz are all thrilled today because the iFruit company is introducing the new iPhone 5. People all over the world will be spending millions of dollars in order to get the latest, thinner, faster and prettier technology and boost Apple's bottom line. 

Obituary For Ritz Camera Stores

Back in the good old days of film photography Ritz camera stores were everywhere. I doubt if there was a mall in the country that didn’t have a Ritz camera store in it. I know I always loved to window shop at Ritz because they always had all of the latest gadgets. Of course, I seldom bought cameras there, I’d always buy from the mega-stores in New York that beat their prices by a bunch.

But now they’re bankrupt and will be liquidating all of their assets. Here’s the news from Reuters:

Ritz Camera & Image LLC plans to go out of business after 94 years as it failed in a bankruptcy auction to find a buyer to keep the largest U.S. specialty camera retail chain open.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross in Wilmington, Delaware on Monday approved a plan to turn over most of Ritz's assets to liquidation specialists Gordon Brothers Retail Partners LLC and Hilco Merchant Resources LLC, the high bidders at a Sept. 6 auction, court records show.
"The debtors received no bid to purchase substantially all of the debtors' business and assets as a going concern," and believes a sale to the liquidators "will result in the realization of the maximum amount possible," Chief Restructuring Officer Marc Weinsweig said in a court filing.
C&A Marketing Inc, an online retailer, plans to acquire some of Ritz's intellectual property assets, court records show.

Ritz filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors on June 22, less than three years after emerging from an earlier bankruptcy under the ownership of a group led by President David Ritz, part of its founding family.

The Beltsville, Maryland-based company, which will close its remaining 137 stores, has said it has struggled in recent years with inadequate capital and liquidity, amid a shift by consumers toward digital photography and photo-sharing and lessened reliance on in-store photo processing.

New Pentax Q System Products

Pentax has announced that they will be introducing three new products in their Q-mount interchangeable lens camera system at Photokina in Germany next week. Here’s a brief description of the three new products:

1- The Q10 digital camera has an improved 12.4 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor with SR, improved auto-focus, and full 1080p30 video with h.264 compression into one tiny, stylish package.

2- The PENTAX 06 Telephoto Zoom is a lightweight 15-45mm lens (equivalent to 83-249mm in the 35mm format) for the Q system.

3- And there's a new Q Adapter for K-mount lenses so you can use your favorite K-mount lenses with the Q-system super compact bodies. (The superb Pentax 100mm f/2.8 Macro WR lens would be a 550mm super telephoto!!!)                                        

September 11

Today is September 11 and all of us at the MCC remember where we were and what we were doing on that fateful day 11 years ago. Nothing we can say or do will ever undo the evil that was done that day, all we can do is pray that nothing like this ever occurs again.

A Slew of New Pentax Products

Today Pentax officially announced a whole slew of new products, including the ones we've been predicting. There are two new dSLRs, the Q10 and lots of new lenses.

We'll be examining the announcements and posting about the new products in the next few days.

New Lens for Pentax SLRs

We found this post o the Pentax Forum.

Samyang has announced a 24 mm tilt and shift lens, the Samyang T-S 24mm F3.5 ED AS UMC, that will be available in Pentax K-mount among the usual others. It is a wide-angle, full-frame lens fitted with perspective control and tilt-shift functions. Its unique optical and mechanical construction makes it an ideal tool for architecture and landscape photography.  This is the first lens of its kind for Pentax- the last update along these lines occurred in the 1970's, with the debut of the SMC Pentax-K 28mm F3.5 Shift lens.

The Tilt-Shift function in the Samyang T-S 24mm f/3.5 ED AS UMC allows for smooth and fine adjustment of the focal plane by an angle of +/-8.5 degrees and enables parallel shift of the optical axis by +/-12 mm. Both the lens mount and the Tilt-Shift section may be rotated on the optical axis. The Tilt-Shift section may be rotated left by 90 degrees (with 30 degree adjustment) and the mount of the lens may be rotated in both directions by 90 degrees (with 30 degree adjustment).

This lens will be showcased at Photokina and will go on sale shortly thereafter.

If you don’t know what this type of lens is used for then I’d better explain. A tilt and shift lens allows a digital SLR to be able to be able to alter focus plane and keep vertical lines vertical. It gives the photographer some of the capabilities of a view camera without having the bulk and weight. It really is a wonderful tool for a studio photographer.

Pentax Q Camera Rumors

The rumor mill is full of news about the new cameras that Pentax will be introducing very soon. One of the most credible rumors concern a new Pentax Q10 because of the number of pictures we've seen. According to what we've seen it has a 12-megapixel sensor and a redesigned body. The Q10 will reportedly be available starting in mid-October for around $450 and will be available in black, silver, and red variants


Hopefully Pentax will improve the sensor dramatically. The Q we reviewed a while back has a point-and-shoot quality sensor that takes mediocre pictures. If they want the new Q10 to be taken seriously then they'll need to work on the sensor a lot!.


Accompanying it will be an announcement of a 06 15-45mm telephoto zoom lens, which seems like it will go well together with the current 02 5-15mm.

New Kobo eReaders

Kobo is bringing out a whole new line of eBook readers. Here’s an except from the press release:

Starting at $79.99 the New Kobo Family will be available at World's Largest Network of Booksellers and Leading Retailers including Best Buy and Walmart

Kobo, a global leader in eReading, today unveiled its new Kobo Family of eReading devices: the Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini, Kobo Touch and the Kobo Arc – a 7" Android tablet. Designed by booklovers for booklovers, the new Kobo Family starts at $79.99 and provides readers with more choice and more ways to personalize their eReading experience than ever before – including new stylish colors, accessories, lighting and multimedia options.

For more information, visit www.kobo.com.