rangefinder
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Microsoft patents method for secure pairing of devices wirelessly and a 3D rangefinder camera
IBM may be the king of patents, and Apple's patent applications grace these pages rather frequently, but Microsoft's not one to rest on its IP laurels, either. A couple of newly published patents out of Redmond have made their way to the web: one for securely pairing wireless devices and one for 3D rangefinder camera technology. The pairing tech works via a direct connection between devices using Bluetooth or WiFi and an automated, two-step authentication process. First, a request is sent by an initiating handset and is authenticated by its target using an address book of recognized devices. Next, the two devices exchange encrypted security keys to cement their digital friendship, leaving you free to exchange your favorite episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000 or latest LOLcat pictures with the greatest of ease.Microsoft's other patent of interest is for "a 3D camera for determining distances to regions in a scene." That's not a new concept by any means, but this new bit of IP integrates all the functions of such an imager on a single chip. Essentially, it claims an image sensor, a light source to illuminate the scene being shot and a controller to gate the pixels on the sensor on and off and correct for inaccuracies caused by other light sources. It works by projecting the light source and determining the distance to various points based upon the time it takes for the light to bounce off the target and reach the camera sensor. Want to know more? You can haz all the patent particulars at the source links below.
Insert Coin: PhaserTape turns your smartphone into a rangefinder (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. You've scoped that little laser dot on the cabinet at the far end of the room, right? Well, don't worry, you're not about to see an innocent stationery cupboard get perforated by a sniper. Nope, this episode of Insert Coin is actually about measuring distances using PhaserTape -- a peace-loving iOS- and Android-compatible peripheral that needs your help over at Makible. We think it could be a sweet little investment, and you only have to click past the break to discover why.
Leica M9-P looks like it costs a fortune, doesn't disappoint
Leica's new M9-P digital rangefinder taps the till at $7,995 -- the same price the original M9 commanded when it was released in 2009 -- but you don't stay in the business of making pricey cameras for nearly a century without doing something right. The new version adds a virtually unbreakable sapphire crystal covering on the LCD, produced using diamond cutting tools, and an anti-reflective coating. The body includes a vulcanite leatherette body finish, for a more secure grip, but curiously lacks the familiar red Leica logo and M9 lettering on the front, in line with the camera's elegant "minimalist styling." Beyond that, the P includes the same full-frame 18 megapixel sensor featured on the M9, an "almost silent" shutter, and is compatible with Leica's full range of astronomically expensive M lenses. The M9-P will be available in black or chrome for $7,995 beginning next month, or $15,990 for two -- since we know you're planning to buy both.
Leica i9 concept pairs $1,000 camera with $200 iPhone
When you think of manufacturers that create products to go hand-in-hand with the Apple iPhone, Leica probably wouldn't come to mind. The seemingly brilliant minds at Black Design Associates hope to change that, however. The Leica i9 concept pairs an iPhone 4 with a fixed-lens rangefinder camera, and the result is nothing short of extraordinary. Slipping your iPhone 4 -- black or white -- into the back of the i9 brings the camera to life, activating the compact optical zoom, dedicated aperture and shutter dials, flash and light meter. Images are instantly viewable on the iPhone, where it's safe to assume they're stored as well. The camera back doubles as a case, but you're probably going to want to use it with a headset, unless you like talking to a camera. There's no sign that the i9 will even reach the prototype phase, but nobody is going to stop the high-end camera's designer from dreaming -- especially when said dreams make us weak at the knees.
Leica quietly showcases D-Lux 5, redesigned X1 and rebranded DMC-FZ100
We're tucked away in Leica's high-brow design preview event here in Köln, and while it appears that the vast majority of those in attendance showed just to boast about their suit, we're strictly here for the gear. That being said, let us be the first to formally introduce you to the now-official D-Lux 5 rangefinder. Or, sort of official D-Lux 5. Unlike the M9 'Titanium' -- which the company spent a solid two hours boasting about -- the D-Lux 5 (a rebranded / tweaked LX5?) has been given nothing but a passing glance of affirmation, though we're anticipating a more formal release with specifications and the like tomorrow. Leica aficionados have likely been hearing whispers of this beaut for the past dozen months, but at long last, the unicorn has apparently transformed into a Gypsy Vanner. Though, still a mysterious one. In case that's not exactly your cup of million-dollar tea, it appears that Panasonic's DMC-FZ100 -- deemed the world's best megazoom by critics back in August -- has been reborn as a Leica, though the shell doesn't appear to have changed at all. Of course, we've seen Leica pull this rebranding trick before, but we're sure the so-called V-Lux 2M is far superior in some way that we've yet to be informed about. Rounding out the round of mystique is the gently refashioned X1, which was seen sporting a far more luxurious casing compared to the original. Feel free to drown yourself in the images below, and keep it locked right here for more as we hear it. %Gallery-102818% %Gallery-102820% %Gallery-102821%
Leica introduces M9 'Titanium,' limited to just 500 luscious pieces
Can't afford anything that's been introduced at Photokina so far? Unfortunately for you, there's hardly a chance that Leica's newest limited edition product will be the one that slips under the budget. At the outfit's exclusive press preview this evening in Cologne, a gallery of executives from Leica and Volkswagen (who chipped in on the design) formally unveiled the M9 'Titanium.' For all intents and purposes, this is just a souped-up M9, but there's plenty to love for those who fancy high-fashion. You know, like a trim that uses leather "typically reserved for the interiors of Audi's premium automobiles." According to Leica, "anything that looks like titanium, is titanium." It's also coated with a fingerprint-resistant overlay, and the bundle is slated to include the camera itself, a 35mm Summilux F/1.4 prime lens, lens hood, a new carrying concept (just a single hook for a carry strap), a newfangled electronic illumination system and a fanciful cardboard box made somewhere in the Black Forest. Just 500 of these kits are being produced and sold for an undisclosed amount starting in November, and chances are all but one or two have already been claimed. Good luck getting in line, and you might as well forget scoring the four millionth Leica camera to be produced since 1923 -- a specially-stamped M9 'Titanium' -- as that one's being given away to someone far more important than us tonight. %Gallery-102807% %Gallery-102808%
Fujifilm intros FinePix X100: 12.3MP APS-C-based camera with Hybrid Viewfinder, loads of gorgeous
Hello, beautiful! The clock just struck midnight here in the wilds of Cologne, Germany, and it's safe to say that Photokina 2010 is underway. Fujifilm's press event isn't scheduled until Tuesday, but it looks as if it'll be teasing us all by releasing information on its drop-dead gorgeous new FinePix X100 tonight. This rangefinder-esque cam packs a 12.3 megapixel APS-C sensor, and it's obviously designed to go mano-a-mano with Micro Four Thirds and the slew of other mirrorless / interchangeable lens compacts that are hitting the market. Aside from supporting 720p movies, boasting an EXR processor and shipping with a 23mm F2 Fujinon lens, this new handheld includes a Hybrid Viewfinder that enables users to toggle between optical and electronic viewfinders and display intricate shooting information right into the OVF. There's also a 2.8-inch rear LCD, a hot shoe on top and a magnesium alloy top / base plate that might be the sexiest we've ever seen on a camera in this sector. Low-light shooters will appreciate the ISO range of 200 to 6400, and there's also 5fps continuous shooting, a full-on manual mode, SD / SDHC / SDXC card support and dimensions of 127- x 75- x 54mm. Something tells us a lot of to-be DSLR buyers will be shifting to this far more portable alternative when it drops in early 2011... provided it doesn't cost a small fortune, of course. Needless to say, we'll be first in line come Tuesday to (prayerfully) get some hands-on time with this beaut. Video after the break. %Gallery-102708% [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Keepin' it real fake: Likea Leica, only not
Of all the KIRFs in all the world, this might be one of the laziest. Sure, aesthetically it does a fine job of aping the Leica rangefinder it takes as its "inspiration," but the Likea camera goes downhill very quickly when you move in a little closer. The first thing you'll notice is that, instead of the finely engineered Leica body, this thing is made out of, well, cardboard. Then you find out that the pinhole element isn't provided in the box and you're faced with the impossible judgment of deciding whether the need for a pinhole element or its omission is the worse offense. Ah well, what do you expect for 20 bucks? Just go buy some film and let your imagination fill the (vast) gap between the Likea and the real stuff.
Leica M9 hands-on; or, The Tao of Leica
For most amateur photographers, Leica's legendary M System represents a virtually unobtainable holy grail, a line of cameras so unspeakably expensive, rare, and coveted that even having the opportunity to hold one -- much less own one -- is a somewhat unrealistic goal. Why is that, exactly? It's a combination of things, really; sure, Leica's brand cachet undoubtedly factors into it, but in reality, it's much, much more than that. For our money, nothing demonstrates that better than a day or two with the M9, the company's latest flagship rangefinder with an 18 megapixel CCD sensor sourced from Kodak. And what, exactly, does it feel like to carry $11,695 worth of rangefinder body and lens around? Follow the break. %Gallery-89151%
Leica M9 taking pre-orders for its body only
Got nearly $7,000 in spare change and a lust for magnesium-bodied digital rangefinder cameras? Then we've got the solution to your itch, dear friend, as Leica has just let the M9 out to dance with credit cards in the courting ritual colloquially known as a pre-order. Claimed as the world's smallest full frame digital shooter, the latest Leica sports an 18 megapixel sensor, a new cover glass that eliminates the need for IR filters, dual image processors, and a 2.5-inch LCD. You'll have to be really sure this shooter is for you, though, because the quoted price is for the body only, and the lenses won't come cheap either. Still, this is the Leica stuff we care to see -- not some silly 24 carat-skinned Limited Edition homage to the unholy.
Olympus Pen E-P1 spoiled by Swarovski
You know how to ruin a luxurious shooter already steeped in fine retro-styling? Slather on the Swarovski crystal, that's how. This £1,999 CrystalRoc bastardization of Olympus' E-P1 Micro Four Thirds wundercam more than doubles the price of the de-iced original. So sad... then again, maybe you like it.
Leica gets official with M9 and X1 cameras, hands-on ensue
No surprises here (at all), but Leica's 09/09/09 event has just led to the formal unveiling of the full-frame, 18 megapixel M9 rangefinder and the compact X1. The former (which is shipping now) supports all Leica M lenses and ships with a "newly developed glass sensor cover designed to guarantee the suppression of the infrared portion of the light spectrum." There's also a quick-access ISO adjustment button alongside a few other hotkeys, a full metal housing, Kodak-sourced CCD, a fresh microprocessor-controlled shutter (which is supposedly "near silent") and a staggering £4,850 ($8,004) price tag. As for the X1, you'll find a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor (APS-C), a fixed-mount Leica Elmarit 1:2.8/24mm lens, numerous "auto" modes for the newbies in attendance, a maximum ISO of 3200, 2.7-inch rear LCD and a Live View function that replaces the optical viewfinder. Expect to hear more regarding price when the January 2010 ship date nears, but for now, feel free to peruse the hands-on galleries linked below.Read - Leica M9 announcement and hands-onRead - Leica X1 announcement and hands-on
Panasonic goes rangefinder with the Lumix DMC-GF1
We've been wondering when Panasonic would do something a little more interesting with a Micro Four Thirds sensor than simply pack it into an SLR-style body, and it looks like the new Lumix DMC-GF1 is the first step along that road. First leaked early last month, the spec sheet aligns pretty closely to the similarly sweet-looking Olympus E-P1, although most of the numbers max out a little lower: 12.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor with ISO 3200 sensitivity, 720p 30fps AVCHD Lite or Motion JPEG video (sorry, no mic input), three-inch LCD, and HDMI out. (In terms of size it's a wash: the GF1 is less wide, but it's a tick taller, and they're both about the same thickness, although the GF1 has a built-in flash.) Ready for the bad news? Panny's going to be selling this thing in two kits come October, one with a 20mm/f1.7 "pancake" lens and the other with a 14-45mm/f3.5-5.6 zoom, and both are priced at $900 -- not including the optional viewfinder attachment. Yeah, that's a lot of scratch, especially since the E-P1 has slightly better specs and lists for $800. We'll see what street prices look like after a couple months, but for now we're, oh, let's say, "waiting to be convinced." Full press release after the break. Update: Well, what do you know? PhotographyBLOG has a nice gallery of sample shots up to give you a solid idea of what this bad boy's capable of.
Olympus' Micro Four Thirds throwback beauty set to launch early July
The Micro Four Thirds format has received quite a bit of attention lately thanks in large part to the impressive reviews coaxed forth by Panasonic's diminutive Lumix DMC-GH1. But Panny's not the only player here, there's Olympus, the other half of the Micro Four Thirds team remember? Not that you'd forget the camera above taking its visual cues from classic rangefinders while promising a DSLR-sized sensor and Four Thirds lens compatibility stuffed into such a gorgeous compact body. According to AVING, the summer launch has now been narrowed to "early July" with an official announcement coming on June 15th. Oh boy.
Leica M8 Special Edition White on sale in June for a very special $9,000
Sure, that white leather and chrome looks good now, but how's it going to look after a few months of handling? Is a beige Leica M8 with muck and ass accents really worth ¥882,000 (about $9,000)? Rangefinder fans will undoubtedly say yes when this goes on sale in Japan in June.
Video: ultrasonic water level dish pings owner when kitty needs a drink
Given that most cats aren't really the talkative type, we can definitely understand scoopmycatbox's desire to rig up a water dish (vid's after the break) that does the yapping for his dearest kitty. Put as simply as possible, the ultrasonic water level cat dish combines an Arduino, Parallax range finder, some scrap wood and a good deal of wires in order to measure when the water bowl needs to be refilled. He's still working to get the contraption to send him a Tweet when the level gets below a certain point, and we can only assume that part II will see an automatic refilling tool hooked in to said alerting system. And you thought pets had it good before the advent of technology...[Via MAKE]
Epson's R-D1x digital Rangefinder locates our analog hearts
There's something undeniably sexy, romantic even, about modern digital rangefinders. Perhaps it's the bevy of tactile controls that stand in such stark contrast to the button-less touchscreen trend infecting consumer electronics. Perhaps it's nostalgia. Whatever it is, the Epson R-D1x just created a momentary pause of reverence amongst Engadget editors. Not much has changed since the R-D1 (followed by the R-D1s) was introduced four years ago: that 6 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor, RAW and JPEG support, and Leica M and L glass compatibility remain. Epson just modernized things a bit by adding a handgrip (model R-D1xG), a bigger 2.5-inch LCD, support for the SDHC card format (up to 32GB), and improved EDiART image processing. But this shooter isn't about the specs, it's about emotion. Ships April 9th for an undisclosed price estimated to be around $2,000.[Via Impress]
OnPar's touchscreen GPS rangefinder could almost be a phone
If uPlay's uPro was the "iPhone of golf GPS technology," what then would you call this? Savant GPS has just come clean with what's likely to be the most sophisticated GPS rangefinder to date. The simply-titled OnPar measures in at 4.17- x 2.8- x 0.63-inches and features full touchscreen (3.5-inch) operation. It's also claiming to be the planet's first "GPS rangefinder with a dynamic hole layout display and GPS positioning that provides instant distances to anywhere and remaining distance to the green, personalized club averages, and simple score and shot tracking." The unit is designed to hold up to 300 golf courses with no membership fees or course map fees, and it'll be available for the taking (er, purchasing, we should say) early next month for an undisclosed price.[Thanks, Scoopster]
Olympus drops jaws with retro Micro Four Thirds concept
We heard it was coming, but we didn't expect Olympus to bust out its first Micro Four Thirds system with such vintage hotness. Taking its visual cues from the classic Rangefinder cameras, this unnamed Olympus is just a concept for now with no pricing, specs, or release date announced. Still, it shows just how far Olympus and Panasonic can push the Micro Four Thirds standard while maintaining Four Thirds lens compatibility and a DSLR-sized 18 x 13.5-mm sensor. One more snap after the break, more beyond the read link.
SkyCaddie's SG5 Pro does everything but make your eagles
SkyCaddie's SG5 Pro definitely isn't the first of its kind, but this programmable GPS range finder provides instant relief when your caddy calls in sick. Specs wise, you'll find a 220 x 176 resolution color screen, automatic backlighting, 14-hours of battery life, a mini-USB port, four-way scroll pad and a water-resistant enclosure. Additionally, this unit includes SkyGolf's patented IntelliGreen technology, which enables golfers to "measure the full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach and shows distances for all targets and hazards" on any of the courses in the 16,000+ course library. We really hope you didn't expect this thing to run ya cheap, however, as you'll be forking out $429.95 for the pocketable convenience.[Via NaviGadget]
