Get a load of this eBay listing for a 5200mm, f/14 lens. Be sure to look at the bottom picture showing an SLR mounted to it.
Month: September 2008
Nikon D3 shutter release in super slow motion
Check out this video of a Nikon D3 shutter release in super slow motion at Jeffrey Fried’s blog!
Via GRINZ
New $11,000 Leica f/0.95 50mm Noctilux ASPH lens
According to Wired, a French magazine leaked details of a new Leica aspherical f/0.95 50mm Noctilux, coming in at a predictably heavy 8,000 euros.
While that’s cool and all, I’m not sure I see the point… as the article points out, the depth of field is "ridiculously small — focus on a pupil and the edge of the eye will blur". I don’t equate sharpness with goodness, but if you want to make blur, there are a lot cheaper ways to do it. Quality of blur does matter—greatly, in my opinion—but this seems like it’s going to be marketed as a tool for taking very low-light photos in. Or maybe they don’t care about the actual utility and are counting on the people who will undoubtedly buy it just because the numbers will be limited and it says Leica on it.
Also rumored to be announced at Photokina [photo equipment trade show] by Leica are:
M Summilux 21mm f/1.4, 5,000 Euros
M Summilux 24mm f/1.4, 5,000 Euros
M Elmar 24mm f/3.8, 1,800 Euros
New Zeiss lenses for Canon
Zeiss are [finally] releasing Canon EF mount versions of their Z series manual focus 35mm/digital SLR lenses! First out will be the Planar T* f/1.4 50mm (SRP of 579 euros) and the Planar T* f/1.4 85mm (SRP of 999 euros (both prices include 19% German VAT)).
From the current "issue" of Carl Zeiss Camera Lens News:
Carl Zeiss is expanding its successful line of SLR lenses: ZE lenses with EF bayonet for all analog and digital EOS camera models. As with all EF lenses, the new ZE lenses from Carl Zeiss transfer all information exclusively via electronic contacts. This means that all exposure modes such as programmed auto exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority and manual setting are supported. The camera’s automatic focus confirmation also remains available to an unlimited extent with these manual focus lenses. With digital SLRs, the lens data and all exposure data can also be accessed via the camera’s EXIF file. Even E-TTL flash metering is supported. The first lenses to be available will be the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE and the Planar T* 1,4/85 ZE in the last quarter of this year. Further focal lengths will be added to the line within the next few months.
New Kodak Ektar 100 film replaces 100UC
Kodak announced Ektar 100, a new fine-grained, high-contrast, high-saturation, "world’s sharpest" color negative film. It’s 35mm-only, and will replace the almost cartoonishly-saturated Portra Professional Ultra Color 100UC.
Availability: October 2008 in the US, beginning of November in Europe, ?? rest of the word.
More info on Kodak’s Ektar 100 Q&A and in the film data sheet (PDF).
Here are the relevant portions of Kodak’s press release:
New KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTAR 100 Film Provides Photographers with the World’s Finest-Grain Colour Negative Film
LONDON, September 9, 2008 – Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) continues to champion professional photographers and set new standards in professional film with the new KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTAR 100 (EKTAR 100) film. This new film, with ISO 100 speed, high saturation and ultra-vivid colour, offers the finest, smoothest grain of any colour negative film available today.
"Photography has always been about capturing a moment or story and sharing it, with just a few or with the world," said Mary Jane Hellyar, president, Film, Photofinishing & Entertainment Group and executive vice president, Eastman Kodak Company. "It is often the smallest details that mark the difference between a good photograph and one that stands out and becomes memorable. With our new EKTAR 100 film, we’ve created a film that helps the photographer capture unprecedented detail in remarkably vivid colour. This film continues a Kodak tradition of providing photographers with the highest quality films that expand the range over which they can create outstanding images."
EKTAR 100 Film is the ideal choice for commercial photographers and advanced amateurs for applications such as nature, travel, fashion and product photography where the emphasis is often on colour. The new film incorporates KODAK VISION Motion Picture Film Technology to achieve its unparalleled fine grain. It’s perfect for photographers who prefer the ease of working with 35mm, and who look for extraordinary enlargement capability when scanning and printing.
[…trade show stuff blah blah blah…]
The new KODAK EKTAR Films will be available throughout Europe from the beginning of November, 2008.
Kodak to discontinue 400UC film by year’s end
According to this Q&A page about their new Ektar 100 film, Kodak will discontinue their Portra Professional Ultra Color 400UC film by the end of 2008.
I don’t shoot much 35mm these days, but I thought it really sucked when they discontinued it in 120 last year, it was great in 6×6 toy cameras.
NY Times: Vintage Lenses on Digital Cameras
Check out this article on using cheap, old manual focus lenses on current digital SLR bodies at the New York Times.
WTF: 4×5 sheet film motor drive
The out this listing for a 4×5 sheet film motor drive on eBay. Really.