While the majority of brands are holding off on announcing new releases until the Monday and Tuesday of Photokina, (15 and 16 September), one or two have announced products already.
Although Hasselblad will officially launch the H5X system (above) at Photokina, this week the company announced that its latest medium format camera body has been developed primarily for photographers using the H1, H2, H2F and H4X, those who “seek H5 capability”, and H5D users who might use the new system as a backup body. Based on the H5D range, the H5X, which has a HVD 90x viewfinder optimised for 36×48 mm format, is compatible with most of the digital backs from older H System products, says the company, and also most third party digital backs. The H5X can be used with Hasselblad’s H System lenses. It is priced €4,595 without viewfinder and €5,795 with viewfinder. UK price and availability not yet known.
As reported on bjp-online this week, Nikon decided to jump in ahead of Photokina and make its latest announcements. The company has launched the anticipated FX-format D750, and ultra-wide AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED lens, plus a new Speedlite – the SB-500 – and a new Coolpix camera – the S6900.
This week also saw a new announcement from Mamiya Leaf who released the Credo 50 – a 50-megapixel CMOS-based medium format camera system.
Sigma has also announced several new products. Firstly, new lenses: the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM, and the 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM; the former, a high-end, hyper-telephoto zoom lens, is available in two versions – ‘Sports’ (shown above, priced £1600) and ‘Contemporary’, (price to be confirmed). Sigma has also released two new teleconverters – the TC-1401 and TC-2001 – priced £260 and £330 respectively, which are compatible with the new hyper-telephoto zoom lenses.
The new Sigma 18-300mm macro lens (above) has a 16.6x high ratio zoom, incorporating 4 FLD glass elements, and is priced £500. The company has also announced the DP1 Quattro compact camera, which has a 19mm f/2.8 lens (equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm SLR). Price not yet announced. Finally, Sigma has released four new filters – the standard Protector, the WR (water repellent) Protector, UV, and Circular PL. For more information visit the Sigma website.
Tamron also released a new lens this week – the SP 15-30mm f/2.8 DI VC USD, which can be used with full-frame DSLRs, as CNET reports. The new ultra-wide zoom lens will be on show at Photokina. Pricing and availability not yet known.
Not wanting to be outdone, Sony has introduced “the world’s first 35mm full-frame powered zoom lens,” says the company. Aimed at videographers and filmmakers, the FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS (above) has new smooth motion optics and is compatible with the Alpha E-mount camera system. Pricing not yet disclosed.
BJP will be at Photokina this week so stay tuned for updates.
Stay up to date with stories such as this, delivered to your inbox every Friday.