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Fujifilm outlines X-Pro1 lens roadmap, brings zoom at last this fall
If there's been one outstanding gripe with Fujifilm's X-Pro1 camera, it's been the absence of zoom lenses; short of French kissing the subject, you might not get the photos you want. While there isn't much of a solution right this second outside of buying the fixed-lens X10, the Japanese camera designer can say when we'll see an interchangeable XF-mount zoom lens: fall 2012. That's when a bright 18-55mm, f/2.8-4.0 optically stabilized lens will make its appearance, along with a 14mm f/2.8 prime. Fujifilm will revert to unveiling nothing but pancakes and primes during early 2013, but the middle of that year will finish covering the zoomable basics through a wide-angle 10-24mm f/4.0 OIS lens and a 55-200mm, f/3.5-4.8 OIS telephoto. We wouldn't expect pricing with the new glass still months away -- but at least you can start planning that Sumatra vacation knowing you won't have to chase down the wildlife to get a good keepsake shot.
Pentax makes K-30 official with weatherproofing and 1080p video
Pentax didn't wait long after a rather conspicuous leak to make the details official: welcome the K-30, the company's spiritual successor to the long-serving K-r. The camera makes its biggest numerical jump in sensor size, from 12.4 megapixels to 16, but you're primarily shelling out for a much tougher body that's both resistant to rain as well as to dust and temperature extremes; one of the cheapest cameras to do so, if you go by Pentax's word. We're slightly down on the light sensitivity being unchanged from three years ago at ISO 100 to 25,600, though you can now shoot video at a much higher 1080p at 30 frames per second -- and that French catalog was wrong about a drop in burst speeds, which still top out at a healthy 6 fps. Should you be committed to the K-mount ways, stores will have the K-30 in July at $850 body-only and $900 for an 18-55mm kit. While you're in the shop, there will also be a new 50mm f/1.8 prime lens to pick up for $250. %Gallery-155874%
FujiFilm's $1,700 X100 Black Edition now shipping, limited to 10K units worldwide
We somehow missed this retro-styled gem at back at CES, but no matter -- Fujifilm's X100 Black Premium Edition is now shipping and available for purchase. This is exactly the same 12.3-megapixel camera that's been pleasing photographers for nearly a year, albeit in a darker, single-tone finish that's limited to a run of 10,000 units worldwide. Priced at $1,700, the black X100 is 500 more bones than the standard-issue variant and features the same 23mm fixed lens, but it comes with a lens hood, leather case, clear lens filter and an adapter ring; all of which are all painted to match. We'd say this blacked-out shooter gives the NEX-7 a run for its money in the dapper looks department, but you can decide for yourself at the source link below. Full press release past the break.
IRL: Chumby 8, LaCie Rugged Triple USB 3.0 and a duo of Nikkor lenses
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. You know what we're sick of talking about? (Okay, sick is a strong word, but you catch our drift.) Phones. Also, the iPad. Fortunately, this week's IRL touches on neither of the above. Instead, our audio guy Joe takes a different tack and explains his choice of Nikkor lenses, while Andy and Billy get hands-on with a rugged hard drive and Chumby 8, respectively. Head on past the break to see how we rate this stuff after spending more than a little time with all of it.
Pentax offers 'special edition' K-5 DSLR kit: silver body, 40mm slimline lens, $1,600
It's good to see a special edition that may actually deserve its name, for once. When the silver version of the popular K-5 came out last year, it was priced at $1,700 body-only. This new kit, which will be limited to 1,500 units worldwide and available from April, will cost just $1,600 including the bundled lens. And it's decent glass: an ultra-thin, Marc Newson designed beauty with a 40mm fixed focal length and f/2.8 aperture -- just like on the mirrorless K-01. The only thing missing? There's no sign of a "Limited Edition" stamp anywhere on it, but luckily we're too modest to notice.
Sonnetar 25mm f/1.1 lens coming with Micro Four Thirds mount
Just what the optician ordered: a prototype Micro Four Thirds 25mm lens that will put just 1.1 f-stops between you and a beautiful photograph. It's the work of specialist fast-glass maker Sadoyasu Miyazaki, who manufactures under the Sonnetar brand and is well know for his hand-assembled primes. There's no word on price or release date yet but the same lens with a Pentax Q mount can be had on eBay right now for $650 including shipping, so this MFT lens should be in the same range. Don some shades and then click the KTF Turbo link below for sample images (and look for "MS Optical R&D" in the top-right.)
Fujifilm resumes production on X100 cameras, new-age vintage is rolling again
Fujifilm has a hit on its hands with the retrotastic X100 camera, selling for a whopping $1,200 but still flying off shelves. That popularity resulted in some shortages, and a stoppage of production due to the disaster in Japan made that situation worse. Now the company is announcing a resumption of production, so the 12.3 megapixel compact with a 23mm fixed lens should be hitting store shelves again in the next week or so. Place your orders now, if you haven't already, and get that sepia filter warmed up so that your pictures can look as vintage as what you're shooting them with.