Articles from November 2017:
November 21
Leica CL camera introduced. Data page on sansmirror.com
Leica 18mm f/2.8 TL mount lens introduced. Data page on sansmirror.com
November 20
Nikon's Black Friday. Commentary on dslrbodies.com
Canon's Black Friday. Commentary on dslrbodies.com
Sigma Art Lenses Black Friday. Commentary on dslrbodies.com
Sony Deal That Won't Last. Commentary on sansmirror.com
November 14
Another New Film SLR. When it rains, it pours. Last week we have a new film SLR, with a modern twist. This week we have another new film SLR hitting Kickstarter, this time with a old twist. Article on filmbodies.com
November 13
Sensor Wars Update. I wrote about the sensor battle earlier this fall. I've gotten some new information and I've done a bit more analysis of the situation from Nikon's point of view. Article on dslrbodies.com
This site's exclusive advertiser, B&H, has a few items already on sale that are great bargains [advertiser link]. The full list of current sale items can be reached at the link just given (then use Filter by Brand to select Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina). But here are some of the ones I noted that you should seriously consider:
- Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 for US$369. This is one of my DX recommended lenses at an astonishingly low price.
- Tamron 45mm f/1.8 for US$399. This is a "normal" lens with vibration control, and it's quite a good lens. I'd recommend this over the Nikkor 50mm's.
- Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 for US$399. Another of my DX recommended lenses at a good price.
- Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 for US$1199 with some goodies. This is the bargain lens you buy if you don't want to spring for the Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8.
I'm a little heads down trying to finish up a book or two, so my output may be a bit diminished as I work through that.
November 8
Panasonic announced the G9 camera, a stills-oriented high end competitor to the Olympus E-M1 Mark II, as well as a 200mm f/2.8 lens for m4/3 cameras.
Nikon's First Half Financials. Nikon's first half of their fiscal year results are in. They're not what I'd call good, though Nikon, as usual, puts a positive spin on almost everything. And someone pointed out to me that Nikon doesn't actually mention customers any more in their presentations. Instead, they take time to talk about "management DNA" and shareholder returns, but they just don't mention customers. Article on dslrbodies.com
A New Film SLR Hits the Market. Reflex, a new 35mm film-based SLR, is now out of the bag and approaching reality. Article on filmbodies.com
November 6
The Return of Capture NX2. DxO just pulled off the coup of the year by picking up the Nik Tools and U-point technology from Google. Google mostly wanted Nik for Snapseed and the things that they could apply to their smartphone images. Why they didn't think U-point was part of that, I don't know; Google does Google-dumb things sometimes. Article on dslrbodies.com
Nikon Lens Rebates Return. NikonUSA's lens discounts are back, and thus so are my detailed commentaries to help you decide if any of these are for you. Article on dslrbodies.com
New Olympus Deals. The buying season has started early this year, likely because the camera companies have stuffed the channels believing that sales will uptick upwards for 2017 (probably true, but the question is how much financial incentive will they have to use to achieve sell through in the channel?). Article on sansmirror.com
The Latest State of Mirrorless. For eight years now I've been using mirrorless cameras, and pretty much testing most variations that have come to market. Indeed, I've published reviews of 44 different mirrorless cameras, and by my count have used 72 different models. Those cameras have been to Africa, South America, Europe, Japan, New Zealand, and on a host of other photographic journeys here in the US and elsewhere during my travels. Each year for the past several I've tried to assess where the state of mirrorless cameras actually is, and it's time to do that once again, though I'm going to go about it a different way this time. Article on sansmirror.com
DxO has acquired the Nik plug-ins from Google. For the moment the plug-ins will remain free, but DxO is pledging to develop a new Nik Collection 2018, and to incorporate U-point technology into other products.
Canon announced their quarterly results. Imaging sales up 9%, Imaging operating profit up 31.1%. They specifically indicated increases in compact camera sales in the GX line (take that Nikon DL ;~). Overall, they believe demand will contract in lower-cost products, but continue strong in higher-cost camera models.