m4/3 » Echenique dot com

SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH enters market for system camera lenses

Jun 142012

(PresseBox) Bad Kreuznach, 14.06.2012, Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH based in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, and its subsidiaries have recorded an increase in operating results by around 14 %. Total sales of 85.5 million euros in 2011 were roughly at prior-year level. Continual growth at the company’s Bad Kreuznach headquarters contributed 51.7 million euros to Group sales, up 6 percent versus the prior-year period. “We have been making major investments at the Bad Kreuznach location and are pleased to see that the headquarters has recorded further growth,” said Schneider Group’s managing director Dr. Josef Staub.

Panasonic announcements on May 21

Industry news, Lenses, Photography 1 Response »

May 162012

Panasonic is expected to announce a new camera and two new X-Series lenses on May 21. While the camera is interesting to me from a new product perspective, I am very interested in the new lenses.

Image courtesy of Photorumors.com

Noktor Opens Website – HyperPrime 50mm up for Pre-order

Industry news, Lenses, Photography No Responses »

Feb 282010

New Kid On The Block lens maker, Noktor has officially opened it’s website an is taking pre-orders for it’s HyperPrime 50mm f/0.95. Currently available in m4/3 mount, this lens is the fastest prime lens available for that format. Due to m4/3′s 2x crop factor, the Noktor 50mm has an EFL of 100mm making it an ideal portrait lens.

Speed-wise, this lens is as fast as Leica’s famed Noctilux 50mm f/0.95, but it remains to be seen whether its optics come anywhere near the caliber of Leica’s glass. Still, it’s a damn fast lens for less than 1/10 the price of the Noctilux. (The announced retail price of the Noktor is $750 USD. The retail price of the Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 is $10,495 USD). The next closest lens would be the $1100 CV Nokton 50mm f1.1 which would still require the addition of a $200 M-m4/3 adapter.

I have contacted Noktor and am trying to arrange for a review sample. Cross your fingers.