Zeiss Will Launch New Otus 85mm f/1.4 Lens

Otus 85mm f/1.4

The Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4

Source: mirrorlessrumors

Hot news! After having launched what possibly is the best prime lens on this planet of ours, the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4, Zeiss will launch a new Otus 85mm f/1.4 lens in 2014. The 55mm f/1.4 was just the first lens in a new family of lenses. Price should be around $4000. When asked, Zeiss answered:

Otus 85mm f/1.4

According to DxOMark, the Otus 55mm f/1.4 is a “peerless prime”.

Otus 85mm f/1.4

Canon EOS M2 Set To Be Released Just In Few Asian Countries

EOS M2

The announcement of the Canon EOS M2 generated some confusion. Only Canon Japan and Canon China made the announcement. No word came from Canon USA or one of the Canon’s EU branches. As for now a lot suggests that Canon may introduce the EOS M2 for Asia only, or at least wait for CES 2014 to make it available for the rest of the world.

But it appears that Canon doesn’t have plans to release the EOS M2 in all of Asia either. According to exposure-magazine Canon will not introduce the EOS M2 in Indonesia and in the rest of South and South-East Asia. Quoting Sintra Wong, Canon Division Manager, PT Datascrip Indonesia, “there is no plan until today for EOS M2 to be distributed in South and Southeast Asia region, inclunding Indonesia“. Mr. Sintra Wong says: “Not every Canon products are distributed globally. It is based on product strategy and market demand”. If it depends by the demand there is a possibility to see the EOS M2 in EU and USA too.

The EOS M2 is available for pre-order at Amazon JP, but will not ship out of Japan. The EOS M, on the other hand, can be had for a bargain: $279 at newegg with the 18-55mm IS STM lens.

Rumor: Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II Prototypes Out In The Wild?

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L I

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L

Source: CR

A long rumored lens appears to be undergoing field tests by selected photographers, the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II. The announcement could occur in the first half of 2014. The rumor states the successor of the Canon EF 35mm f 1.4L USM (price & specs) is a bit wider and has slightly less weight. Also, at least one of the elements should have a new kind of coating. Filter thread is said to be 77mm. There have been patents in the past that are pointing to this new lens. It appears this lens will definitely be announced in 2014.

The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L is currently on sale for $1179 at B&H. The final price after having added the item to the cart and a $150 mail-in rebate.

Canon EOS M2 Might Well Come to the US and EU (Update)

EOS M2
Canon EOS M2 with EF-M 22mm f/2

The announcement of the Canon EOS M2 created a bit of confusion: only Canon Japan and Canon China made the announcement and now it is unclear if the EOS M2 will be sold in Europe and the US. There are some signs that it may not, but nothing is sure so far.

It appears that all answers given to the question “will the EOS M2 be announced in the US?” start with “At this time, we have no plans to announce in the U.S” – the highlight is on “at this time”. I asked some of my sources and was told that so far nothing suggests Canon will not announce and therefore sell the EOS M2 in the US and in Europe. One source pointed to CES in Las Vegas (January 2014) for the announcement. So, for the time being I would not say that the EOS M2 is for Asia only. What I can say is that it appears that the announcement of the EOS M2 came as a surprise also for some Canon reps: it looks as if even some Canon people in the EU and US were surprised by the announcement.

Similar information are showing up also on other sites. The Phoblographer asked Canon directly and they got the same answer: “At this time, we have no plans to announce in the U.S”. C|net asked Canon spokeswoman Ellen Heydt and once again the same answer: “At this time, we have no plans to announce in the U.S” – sounds all a bit synchronized, doesn’t it? Finally, Engadget backs the possibility that the EOS M2 will be announced at CES 2014. So, as you can see nothing is definitive here. The EOS M2 may well be announced and sold in the EU and in the US.

Update (source: eos-m.net): Amateur Photographer states:

A future launch in the UK has not been ruled out. A Canon UK spokesman told Amateur Photographer: ‘Currently, it is not planned to range the EOS M2 in Europe.’ However, he added: ‘Distribution and demand will be constantly reviewed and the situation may change in the future.’

The same statement is reported also by techradar.

We have to wait to see what happens. However, don’t forget that Canon never announced (and is not selling) the EF-M 11-22mm IS STM lens in the US (but can be ordered at DigitalRev). The 11-22mm is a lens every EOS M owner would want to own, so not selling it in the US means something. For the time being the 11-22mm isn’t even available on Amazon Canada.

The EOS M is available at a killer price: $299 at B&H (sorry: no longer). The EOS M2 is available for pre-order at Amazon JP, but will not ship out of Japan.

Stay tuned, more to come.

Canon EOS M2 To Be Sold Only In Asia?

EOS M2

The announcement of the Canon EOS M2 last night created a bit of confusion. Nothing leaked until the day before, and: only Canon Japan and Canon China made the announcement. No word came from Canon USA or one of the Canon’s EU branches. As for now a lot suggests that Canon may introduce the EOS M2 for Asia only, or at least wait for CES 2014 to make it available for the rest of the world.

That Canon could make the EOS M2 available only for Asia is more plausible than you may think at first glance, it’s an option to take in account. Mirrorless cameras sell pretty good in Asia (the EOS M did too), much better than in Europe or the US, so it could be possible that Canon decides to sell the EOS M2 only in Asia. Remember that the EF-M 11-22mm IS STM lens is still not available for the US (but can be ordered at DigitalRev). The 11-22mm is the most interesting lens among those (3 lenses) that are available, in my opinion.

Breaking News: Canon EOS M2 Specifications Leaked

Canon EOS M2

We just reported that the Canon EOS M2 is set to be announced soon. Now, a few specs have been leaked. The EOS M2 could be announced in a few days.

According to digicame-info (translated) the Canon EOS M2 will have the following specs:

– APS-C 18MP sensor
– Hybrid CMOS AF II
– AF speed is about 2.3 times the current type at one-shot AF · multi-point AF
– Video Servo AF
– Image processing engine DIGIC5
– Continuous shooting 4.6 frames / second
– ISO sensitivity up to ISO12800 (ISO25600 extended)
– The 8% reduction of body size (volume) compared with EOS M
– It is equipped with Wi-Fi
– Allows remote operation of the smartphone
– Can be transferred photos smartphone, printer, etc. iMAGE GATAWAY

Nothing to get particularly excited about, except for the size reduction and the built-in WiFi. But more than anything else: no Dual Pixel AF?? This looks to be a modest incremental evolution of the EOS M, not featuring Canon’s latest sensor and sensor technology. This appears to be the sensor of the Rebel SL1/EOS 100D.

Canon EOS M with 18-55mm IS STM lens on B&H for $299 (click here).