Carl Zeiss -- Engadget

carl zeiss posts

Nokia's first TD-SCDMA-based 6788 ready for China Mobile's 500 million subscribers

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 27th 2009 at 6:26AM

Nokia might be hemorrhaging smartphone marketshare to North America's meddling upstarts but it still dominates in total handsets sold worldwide. Today's news can only help that cause as Nokia taps into China's homegrown TD-SCDMA 3G marketplace for the first time. The Nokia 6788 does the honor via collaboration with China Mobile, China's (and the world's) largest mobile phone operator. The handset itself brings a 2.8-inch QVGA display, 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens and dual-LED flash, 4GB of memory plus microSD expansion, GPS, 3.5mm headset jack, and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, all riding atop S60 3rd Edition -- not 5th as we're accustomed to seeing by now. Unfortunately, it won't start contributing to Nokia's sagging bottom-line until the end of December.

Voigtländer adapter expands lens pool for Micro Four Thirds cameras

by Darren Murph posted Apr 27th 2009 at 5:33PM

Granted, this was totally expected, but we can't possibly be more excited to see such a peripheral emerge before the Micro Four Thirds segment even has a chance to blossom. Cosina, parent company of Voigtländer, has just introduced a new adapter which aims to make Micro Four Thirds cameras (you know, like Panasonic's Lumix DMC-G1) compatible with a slew of existing Voigtländer, Leica and Carl Zeiss lenses. Unfortunately, we're told that the device is mechanical only, which could cause issues with some of the more advanced features that require tight knit camera-lens communication. Head on past the break for a full list of suitable lenses, and feel free to ping your favorite Japanese importer with a mailing address and at least ¥19,800 ($205).

[Via Wired]

Continue reading Voigtländer adapter expands lens pool for Micro Four Thirds cameras

Nokia busts out its own 8 megapixel slider: the N86

by Darren Murph posted Feb 16th 2009 at 11:06AM

Whoa, Nelly! While Samsung is strutting its 8 megapixel Memoir and Sony Ericsson is letting us all in on the forthcoming 12 megapixel Idou, Nokia is getting even with its 8 megapixel N86. Amazingly, we saw that the suits in Espoo had this thing on the brain way back in 2007, but not until today have we seen a real live product. The N-series slider boasts a Carl Zeiss lens, AutoFocus, dual-LED flash and Symbian S60, not to mention a 2.6-inch OLED display, 8GB of internal memory, a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, microUSB connector and Share on Ovi integration. We're left in the dark when it comes to pricing and availability, but we're hoping to hear more really, really soon. More shots are waiting in the read link.

Update: The full specs sheets have just leaked, yum!

Carl Zeiss pushes 3D with updated Cinemizer "video eyeware"

by Tim Stevens posted Jan 7th 2009 at 4:10PM

Carl Zeiss pushes 3D in updated Cinemizer

Last year Carl Zeiss tantalized us with promises of an eye-level, "cinema quality" display for iPods (and only iPods). The result was a somewhat funky looking set of "video eyeware" that, to put it mildly, didn't quite catch on in the Apple community like the company's tiny lenses have elsewhere. Undaunted, Herr Zeiss is releasing a new version -- cunningly titled the Cinemizer plus -- that offers mostly minor tweaks, like improved cable management and better compatibility with external (higher quality) earbuds. The company is also pushing studios to produce more content that will show off these things' 3D capabilities, but we're guessing there still won't be much of the stuff available when these drop in March for $499.

[Via Pocket lint]

Carl Zeiss combines spotting scope, digital camera with the PhotoScope 85 T* FL

by Samuel Axon posted Oct 20th 2008 at 12:44PM

Esteemed lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss is breaking new ground by releasing the PhotoScope 85 T* FL, a spotting scope that also serves as a seven megapixel digital camera -- just in case "super-zoom" wasn't enough for you. With 15 - 45x magnification, a focal length of 600 - 1800 mm, a flip-out OLED display, and an IR remote for vibration-free release, it's great for birdwatchers but perhaps even better for the paparazzi. Look for it in Spring or Summer 2009 if you're planning to profit off the next Amy Winehouse meltdown.

[Via PhotographyBLOG]

Carl Zeiss' powerdomeVELVET planetarium projector: 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio

by Darren Murph posted Sep 29th 2008 at 7:41PM

We've seen dynamic contrast ratios on HDTVs climb as high as 2,000,000:1, but an in-house design from the famed Carl Zeiss blows that right out of the water. The powerdomeVELVET planetarium projector was obviously not designed with home cinema in mind, though the specifications are no less impressive. We've got a 2,500,000:1 contrast ratio, DLP / BrilliantColor technologies, a 1,200p native resolution and a DVI input. Not like you're actually considering one for your own domed theater, but it'll be available for a small fortune in Q1 2009.

[Via DVICE]

Carl Zeiss surprises with lenses for Canon's EOS EF mount

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 15th 2008 at 7:50AM

We don't cover too many lenses here at Engadget. However, when Carl Zeiss surprisingly announces support for Canon's EF mount, well, we're pretty sure you'd like to know. The first EOS compatible lenses in the ZE range will be the Planar T* 1.4/50mm (pictured) and 1.4/85mm manual focus lenses priced at $660 and $1,170, respectively, when they ship before the end of the year.

[Via dpreview, thanks Brett D.]

Logitech's flagship QuickCam Vision Pro is Mac only

by Thomas Ricker posted Jun 24th 2008 at 4:50AM

Logitech, a name long synonymous with PC webcams, just announced its newest, flagship camera which -- are you ready? -- is Mac-only. A move which, quite honestly, makes us feel, well... dirty. The USB 2.0 QuickCam Vision Pro works with iChat and Skype and features a 2 megapixel sensor, a quick autofocusing Carl Zeiss lens, and the ability to record VGA video at 30fps while mounted to your display or, redundantly, to your MacBook which of course have featured an integrated webcam for the last few years. Hitting shelves across Europe and the US in July for $130. See this chunk of a webcam attached to an Apple Cinema Display after the break.

Continue reading Logitech's flagship QuickCam Vision Pro is Mac only

Sony intros the Cyber-shot DSC-H50 "super zoom" camera

by Joshua Topolsky posted Feb 25th 2008 at 8:59AM

Sony is no stranger to digital cameras, as the company has professed in its press release detailing the Cyber-shot DSC-H50, a new 9.1-megapixel shooter that should have camera fans perking up their ears. The new model -- a successor to the DSC-H9 "super zoom" camera -- sports a Carl Zeiss 15x optical zoom lens, a 3-inch tilting LCD display, ISO to 3200, and a long-distance flash (capable of lighting subjects from 55 feet away). The DSC-H50 also has an "advanced sports" shooting mode which allows it to utilize ultra-high shutter speeds (like 1/4000 of a second). The camera is expected to go on sale in May, and will only slightly break the bank at $400.

Carl Zeiss to unveil "Cinemizer" iPod movie-viewing accessory at Macworld

by Donald Melanson posted Jan 9th 2008 at 4:21PM

While details are expectedly hard to come by at the moment, the folks at iLounge have gotten word that lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss AG is set to show off some sort of iPod movie-viewing accessory Macworld in San Francisco next week. Dubbed the "Cinemizer," the device is apparently designed by FROG and, according to the company, will allow "users to watch their favorite videos on the iPod display at eye level and virtually in cinema quality." Exactly what that entails, we're not sure, but it apparently is something, and with Carl Zeiss optics behind it (and name on it, presumably), it should at least be of halfway decent quality. Whatever it is, it won't be a mystery much longer, and you can be sure we'll be bringing you the details as soon as we're able to.

Sony intros 'entry-level' HVR-HD1000U HDV camcorder

by Darren Murph posted Aug 23rd 2007 at 7:22AM

Sony's no stranger to the HDV camcorder realm, so it's no real shock to see the firm introduce a brand new model for "entry-level professionals." Rockin' a shoulder-mount design and aimed at "wedding videographers, freelancers, and educational video creators," this unit supports both HDV and standard-definition DV formats, sports a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonner T 10x optical zoom lens, and features Super SteadyShot technology to keep things stabilized. Additionally, the HVR-HD1000U uses Sony's 1/2.9-inch ClearVid CMOS sensor system and enables users to capture stills up to 6.1-megapixels (or 4.6-megapixels whilst recording in HD). 'Course, all this HD goodness won't come sans a premium, and although this bad boy is tagged entry-level, you'll still be forking out $1,900 for it come December.

Logitech's QuickCam Pro 9000 and Notebook webcams bring Carl Zeiss glass

by Thomas Ricker posted Jun 28th 2007 at 7:57AM

Logitech just stepped up their webcam game with the introduction of a pair of $100 QuickCam Pro 9000 and QuickCam Pro for Notebooks. These are the first two webcams to carry a Carl Zeiss Tessar lens under a new exclusive deal 'tween the two. Besides the highly touted optics, the cams feature a less than 3 second auto-refocus time, a 2 megapixel sensor, recordings at 30fps and 960 x 720 pixels, and compatibility with Skype and all the other popular PC video messaging applications. Both should ship in Europe and the US before July is done.

Read -- Carl Zeiss deal
Read -- QuickCam Pro 9000 and QuickCam Pro

Sony's DSC-H7 / DSC-H9 CyberShots get official, pack 15x optical zoom

by Darren Murph posted Feb 27th 2007 at 11:24AM

If you're here for surprises, you're not apt to leave satisfied, but if you're interested in a few extra deets on Sony's latest duo of megazoom digicams, this is the spot. Set to replace the DSC-H2 and DSC-H5 just about one year after their respective releases, Sony once again did a horrendous job keeping the DSC-H7 and DSC-H9 on the low, but we're not complaining or anything. Anyways, future H7 / H9 owners can look forward to a Carl Zeiss 15x optical zoom lens, 8.1-megapixel sensor, face detection technology, HDTV output, the ability to shoot up to 1/4000 of a second, Bionz processing engine (seen in the Alpha lineup), Super Steady Shot optical image stabilization, up to ISO 3200, and red-eye reduction. The H9 steps it up ever so slightly by adding a three-inch flip-up LCD (compared to the H7's 2.5-inch rendition) and Sony's own NightShot technology, which purportedly allows photographers to snap legible shots even in dark alleys. Notably, neither camera sports any kind of movie mode whatsoever, and those hoping to shoot in RAW will also be sorely disappointed, but if you're fine with those two oversights and the massive zoom tickles your stalking instincts, both cameras will be landing in April for $400 (DSC-H7) / $480 (DSC-H9).

Gallery: Sony's DSC-H7 / DSC-H9 CyberShots get official, pack 15x optical zoom

Carl Zeiss creates telephoto lens with 1700mm focal length

by Cyrus Farivar posted Sep 13th 2006 at 12:10PM

This new telephoto lens comes to us from the: "because we can" department. Lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss has just made one of the world's largest telephoto lenses -- it's so big in fact, that you nearly need a construction crane to lift it up. Weighing in at 256 kg (564 lb.), this monstrosity of a lens has a focal length of 1700mm (over 5.5 feet!), a speed of f/4, and has 21x magnification. You can't miss it if you attend this year's Photokina convention in Cologne, Germany starting September 29. Based on the company's press release, it sounds like it was custom-built for a client who wanted to shoot wildlife at a distance on the very high-end Hasselblad 203 FE using 6 x 6 medium format film -- in other words, she/he has some serious cash to spend. No word on if it will be ever made available to the public, but it sounds like Carl Zeiss is open to ideas if you've got a briefcase full of euros to pay for the project, not to mention the means to get it from wherever you are to wherever you actually want to use it without scaring every living thing in your path.

Nokia releases N73 and N93 "multimedia computers"

by Evan Blass posted Jul 24th 2006 at 2:18PM

Even if you're a die-hard Palm or Windows Mobile fan, it's hard to deny the appeal of Nokia's N-series lineup of S60-powered "multimedia computers," whose connectivity and imaging options are some of the best you can find on a smartphone today. As promised, the company has just officially released both the N73 (pictured, bottom) and N93 (pictured, top) handsets that we've been following for some time, and although you probably won't be able to pick them up through traditional channels, we know that they'll definitely be available at your local Nokia retail outlet. As a quick refresher, both of the phones (we know, we know, we're not supposed to call them phones) are highlighted by 3.2 megapixel, Zeiss lens-equipped cameras, with the N93 throwing in a 3x optical zoom and support for 30fps VGA video. Both models also feature high-res 2.4-inch displays, Bluetooth radios, a miniSD slot for image capture or rocking tunes, and quad-band GSM plus 3G UMTS capability. On top of all these attractive features, the N93 also gives you built-in WiFi with UPnP functionality, video out for replaying your precious memories on a big screen, and what sounds like better-than-average in-camera editing. We're still gonna stick with our current smartphones for now, but these models are so hot that we're seriously reconsidering our snobby insistence on rocking those handy QWERTY thumboards at all times.

Read- N73
Read- N93
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]