Hasselblad unveils new camera, lens; teases new back, body

X1D II 50C

Following up on its X1D-50c mirrorless medium-format digital camera, Hasselblad has announced the evolutionary X1D II 50C, and has unveiled the XCD 35-75 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens as well as Phocus Mobile 2. In addition, the company has revealed it’s working on the CFV II 50C digital back and 907X camera body, both future products.

The X1D II 50C is said to offer enhanced electronics in a package smaller than most full frame DSLRs, with 50-megapixel CMOS sensor (43.8 x 32.9 mm) for capturing images with “superb” tonality, “outstanding” colour depth and a dynamic range of 14 stops. With Natural Colour Solution (HNCS) technology integrated into the camera’s system, the company claims exceptional, true-to-life tones are delivered that match what the human eye sees.

The camera sports a graphite grey exterior and a smooth handling experience with ergo­nomic grip.

Output is 16-bit RAW images and full resolution JPEGs.

The upgraded.electronic platform includes a higher resolution 3.6-inch touch display, a higher resolution enhanced OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a high magnification of 0.87x.

The X1D II 50C’s live view features a faster refresh rate, reduced shutter lag and black out time between frames, an improved continuous capture rate. Further refinements have been made to improve the camera’s handling experience, including the ability to access the menu system when looking in the EVF.

XCD35-75 on X1D II 50C

Hasselblad’s post production solutions now include the new Phocus Mobile 2. Connected via USB-C and Wi-Fi, photographers can transfer RAW and full JPEG files directly from the X1D II 50C and edit RAW images on their iPad Pro or iPad Air while out on the field. Phocus.Mobile 2 also supports full image export, tethered shooting and direct.camera control.

The company says the ninth addition to the X System lens range, the XCD 35-75 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens delivers the same image quality from edge-to-edge as the XCD prime lenses. Its.internal focusing keeps the lens’ dimensions constant, delivers quick autofocus and additionally keeps the overall weight down. the lens features an integral central lens shutter, offering exposure times from 68 minutes to 1/2000s with full flash synch throughout.

CFVII 907X

Looking down the road a bit, Hasselblad is developing a modernized CFV II 50C digital back and new 907X camera body.

The CFV II 50C digital back, which will have a 50-megapixel CMOS sensor, will enable use with most V System cameras made from 1957 onwards in addition to third party technical or view cameras. The back will feature a tilt screen with full touch support and Hasselblad’s user interface for settings, image review, and menu navigation. Users of previous CFV digital backs will appreciate a new fully-integrated battery, the same used on the X System, which will reduce overall size and with the option to recharge in-camera via the USB-C port.

Hasselblad’s smallest medium-format camera body, the 907X, offers the classic waist-level shooting style of the V System enabled by the CFV II 50C’s tilt screen. With the 907X, the photographer will gain access to all of the X System Lenses in addition to a range of Hasselblad optics via adapters, including the H System, V System, and XPan lenses. In addition, the 907X will enable compatibility with a wide range of third-party adapters and lenses. Planned accessories include the 907X Control Grip and 907X External Optical Viewfinder.

The Hasselblad X1D II 50C has an expected retail availability in July, the 35-75 mm zoom in October, and the Phocus.Mobile 2 can be downloaded free of charge by Hasselblad users starting in July.

The CFV II 50C and 907X availability will be announced later in the year.

Fujifilm unveils unique hybrid camera

The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay hybrid camera incorporates both instant print and digital technologies, including sound recording. The instant camera features a rear LCD screen, integrated filters and frames, smartphone printing, and remote shooting capabilities.

The camera is the smallest, most lightweight Instax camera yet still manages to house a rear 2.7-inch colour LCD screen where users can view and select favourite images before printing, as well as personalize their settings via the easy-to-use menus. Users can also select between six fun filters and up to 30 frame options.

But about the sound … You can capture up to 10 seconds of audio to accompany any selected image. When selected, the sound data is converted to a QR code and printed directly onto the corner of the instant film image. Scan the QR code with a smartphone and hear the recording.

The “Direct Print” function converts the camera into a smartphone printer. Connect it via Bluetooth to a smartphone via the app and print any image saved in a smartphone.

As well, using the app, users can release the camera’s shutter remotely through their smartphone.

Using standard Instax Mini instant print film, the camera features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and can print approximately 100 prints on a full charge.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini LiPlay is scheduled to be available in a couple of days, in either Stone White, Elegant Black or Blush Gold, at a suggested retail price of $199.99.

Sony says two super-teles here in August

Sony 200-600 mm

Sony has two super-telephoto lenses in the pipeline for August availability. They are the FE 200-600 mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS and FE 600 mm f/4 GM OSS full-frame lenses.

Sony says the 200-600 mm zoom utilizes many of the company’s most advanced lens design technologies to ensure excellent image quality, high-performance autofocus (AF) and outstanding control. When paired with any of the latest, fastest E-mount camera bodies, the lens will reliably track and accurately capture all types of moving subjects, including birds, wildlife, athletes in motion, etc., the company notes.

The lens is compatible with Sony’s E-mount 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, and offers built-in optical stabilization with three different mode settings.

There are five extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements and an aspherical element, arranged in a new optical design that is said to minimize chromatic aberration. The lens also has an 11-blade circular aperture mechanism. The lens is coated with Sony’s Nano AR coating to suppress unwanted reflections, glare or ghosting in images.

It is equipped with Sony’s Direct Drive SSM (DDSSM) focusing system; an advanced focus system delivers exceptionally quiet operation, says the company.

Overall lens length does not change while zooming, and a fixed-length structure – internal zoom mechanism – retains high resistance to dust and moisture, Sony advises.

A focus ring features Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus control, and there are three customizable focus-hold buttons, plus a Focus Range Limiter.

The front lens element has a dust and moisture resistant design plus fluorine coating to resist dirt and fingerprints.

The Sony FE 200-600 mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is scheduled for August availability at a price of approximately $2,600.

Sony 600 mm

The FE 600 mm f/4 GM OSS super-telephoto prime lens is said to include many of the company’s most advanced optical and mechanical technologies, producing exceptional image quality with extraordinary focusing speed and precision, says Sony. The lens is also claimed to be the lightest lens in its class, weighing in at approx. 6.71 lbs., and features an extremely balanced design.

To take advantage of the autofocus systems of Sony’s latest full-frame E-mount cameras, the new 600 mm lens features two extreme dynamic (XD) linear motors that drive the lens’ focus group to provide fast, precise AF and reliable subject tracking. These motors are supported by specially developed motion algorithms to minimize lag and instability, as well as to control noise levels, resulting in exceptionally quick, accurate and quiet autofocus performance, says Sony.

As a G Master series lens, the 600 mm lens features an “incredible” level of image quality and detail, notes Sony, with “outstanding” contrast and resolution maintained all the way to the corners of the image. The unique optical design includes a large extreme aspherical (XA) element that is said to effectively suppress all common telephoto lens aberrations, in addition to three fluorite elements that help to minimize chromatic aberration and suppress any amount of colour bleeding.

The lens features an 11-blade circular aperture mechanism, and it has been coated with Sony’s Nano AR coating to suppress any unwanted reflections, glare or ghosting in images.

The new lens is compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2.0x E-mount tele-converters.

The lightweight design of the new 600 mm lens is said to be achieved through the use of three fluorite elements, with a reduced number of elements deployed at the front of the barrel. Magnesium alloy is also used throughout the lens to help minimize weight and bulk. The lens features a lens design that is not front-heavy, reducing moment of inertia that resists rotation and ensures quicker, more precise panning when shooting handheld or on a monopod.

To withstand the harsh conditions of sporting events and wildlife photography, the lens is built with a durable magnesium alloy and a strong, lightweight carbon fiber hood. The lens is dust and moisture resistant, and its front element is coated with fluorine to resist dirt and fingerprints.

The 600 mm lens features several hard controls on the lens, including customizable focus-hold buttons in four different locations on the lens barrel, which can be programmed for control of features, if desired. There is also a Full-Time DMF switch to immediately engage manual focus at any point, and a focus ring that features Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus.

Additionally, the new lens includes built-in optical stabilization and three different ‘Mode’ settings, including a Mode 3 setting with an advanced algorithm that ensures easier framing when following moving subjects, says Sony. It also features a function ring with selectable ‘Preset’ and ‘Function’ settings, and a drop-in filter slot that accepts 40.5 mm ND and other filter types, as well as the optional VF-DCPL1 Drop-in Circular Polarizing Filter. The VF-DCPL1 filter can be rotated to achieve the desired polarization while installed in the lens.

The Sony FE 600 mm f/4 GM OSS is scheduled to be available in August for approximately $16,900.

Fujifilm brings back B&W film

How many people are shooting film? Enough, apparently, for Fujifilm to announce a new generation of black & white film, Neopan 100 Acros II. The film will not be coming to North America to start with, rather initially offered only in Japan this fall. Other countries will follow, based on demand.

The company says this 100 ISO film will deliver “unsurpassed” resolution, fine grain and sharpness, with “exceptional” detail, and will be available in 35 mm and 120 formats.

Fujifilm discontinued B&W film as the demand for it rapidly decreased over the past decade and raw materials became difficult to obtain. Thanks to consumer feedback, particularly from millennials and GenZs, notes the company, the market is changing once again.

The new film employs Fujifilm’s Super Fine technology which helps to deliver unsurpassed fine grain, sharpness and exceptional three-dimensional gradation even in bright highlights, when compared with the original Neopan 100 Acros, states the company.

Panasonic unveils 6K video S1H camera

The newest addition to the Lumix S series, the S1H, is another mirrorless camera with a full-frame image sensor, but this one is touted as the world’s first camera capable of video recording at 6K/24p. It’s due to arrive this fall.

Maximizing the use of the pixels in the full-frame image sensor, the S1H achieves 6K/24p (3:2 aspect ratio) or 5.9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio) video recording. Panasonic also says it is the world’s first full-frame digital interchangeable lens system camera to enable 10-bit 60p 4K/C4K video recording. It accommodates a variety of recording formats like 4:3 Anamorphic mode. It can also be used to create 4K videos with higher image quality or to crop images in 4K.

The camera features V-Log/V-Gamut with a wide dynamic range of 14+ stops, virtually the same as the Panasonic Cinema VariCam. The company says the colour and texture of human skin are faithfully reproduced. Designed under consistent colour management, the S1H’s recorded footage is compatible with V-Log footage recorded by VariCam or the GH5/GH5S.

The S1H is designed especially for film production, says Panasonic.

Panasonic 10-25 mm lens is new standard zoom

Panasonic has introduced a new Micro Four Thirds standard zoom digital interchangeable lens, the Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25 mm f/1.7 ASPH. with f/1.7 aperture throughout the entire 20-50 mm (equivalent) zoom range.

Consisting of 17 elements in 12 groups, the lens system features three aspherical lenses and four ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses that effectively suppress the axial chromatic aberration and chromatic aberration of magnification, says the company. Spherical aberration and distortion are also corrected by the aspherical lenses. The use of aspherical lenses coupled with the optimum design of the lens system results in a compact size and light weight, while maintaining its optical performance.

Compatibility with a maximum 240-fps high-speed sensor drive realizes high-speed and high-precision auto focusing, notes Panasonic, excelling in video recording performance. In addition to the silent operation achieved by the inner focus drive system, the stepless aperture ring and micro-step drive system in the aperture control section help the camera smoothly catch up to brightness changes when zooming or panning. The optical design achieves exceptional barycentric stability, Panasonic says, to minimize image shifts during zooming. Adoption of a focus clutch mechanism enables instant AF/MF switching and accurate manual focusing. The lens also excels in video recording performance, according to Panasonic, with a mechanism that suppresses focus breathing.

The lens sports a rugged dust/splash-resistant design to withstand use under harsh conditions even at -10C. Nine blades give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth defocus effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. Filter diameter is 77 mm. The lens has a metal mount.

Two teleconverters coming for Panasonic Lumix S

Panasonic has announced two teleconverters for the Lumix S Series telephoto zoom lenses, a 1.4x and a 2x model. Both are scheduled to be available in July. These teleconverters can be attached to the S PRO 70-200 mm f/4 O.I.S.

The company says the rugged and dust/splash-resistant design withstands use under harsh conditions, even in -10C temperatures.

Both teleconverters also will be compatible with the 70-200mm f/2.8 S lens, to be introduced later this year.