Filed under: Digital Cameras

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Just weeks after Olympus and Panasonic launched the potentially revolutionary Micro Four Thirds system, in flies word that Samsung is looking to steal their thunder with a sure-to-be-incompatible alternative. Speaking at IFA in Berlin, Samsung Techwin executive vice president Byung Woo Lee confessed that the company was gearing up to introduce a new “interchangeable lens ‘Hybrid’ digital camera system.” The first model in the still unnamed system would reportedly carry Sammy’s own 14-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor and a new lens mount, and while exact size specifications weren’t disclosed, you can rest assured that the end product will aim to deliver DSLR-like results in a much more compact frame. As with the aforementioned Micro Four Thirds, this method will also utilize electronic viewfinders and a live rear LCD for framing, though we won’t see anything on store shelves until early 2010. Talk about testing our patience.

[Via 1001 Noisy Cameras]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras, Misc. Gadgets

It’s hard to say when we, the consumers, will actually see any real benefit from the latest noteworthy discovery from Northeastern University, but we can only imagine that Srinivas Sridhar and team aren’t wasting any time moving things forward. Said crew has recently created a “new microlens that focuses infrared light at telecommunication frequencies,” and if you’re looking for specifics, it can focus an infrared beam to a spot just 12-micrometers away from the surface. The science behind the discovery is probably only digestible by those that understand rocket science, but the long of short of it is this: the “research shows that it is possible to create smaller, ultra-compact infrared optical components that can be integrated into existing semiconductor technologies while not sacrificing image quality.” Now that’s something even the layman can appreciate.

[Via Physorg]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras, Peripherals

We’ve seen these zoom lens add-ons before. Now Brando’s slapped together this 6x “Telescope” for the iPhone 3G — a phone not exactly revered for its image quality. Just snap the unit to the back of the iPhone 3G and get to work. How good is it? About as bad as the $19 worth of optics within. Seriously, 19 bucks and available now.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

It’s a little jargon heavy, but Dyxum forum moderator Shao Z. has documented the process of modding up some 60’s era f/1.2 Minolta lenses and setting them to work with his Sony A700 DSLR. Obviously the Sony Alpha series comes from a Minolta heritage, but it took adding a ROM chip and machining some mounts to get the lenses to work with the A700. The plus side is that the process keeps infinity focus and focus confirmation intact (the lens itself is manual focus), as well as Sony’s in-camera Super Steady Shot. The lenses work with all Sony DSLRs, as well as the Minolta 5D and 7D film cameras, and he’s selling one on eBay if the whole modding experience isn’t your thing.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

Could it be that liquid lenses for cellphone cameras are finally about to go from promising-but-undelivered tech to the real thing? We’re not holding out hope — they didn’t rock the world when they popped up in a couple nondescript Samsung phones before — but Varioptic and Seiko have just announced a deal to crank out 500,000 of the goopy buggers a month starting in Q3, but it’s not clear exactly what cellphones these are going to turn up in, apart from being targeted at 5 megapixel camera modules that require continuous auto-focus in video mode.

[Via Phone Scoop]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

We spent some quality time around Sigma’s monstrous APO 200-500 F2.8 lens this afternoon, and what can we say? It’s gigantic. If you’ve ever wanted to the look of a portable rocket launcher without all the hassle at the airport, this is definitely the way to go. A feast for your eyes awaits in the gallery below.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

We knew they were coming, and here they are — say hello to Sony’s Alpha A300 and A350. The 10.2 megapixel A300 and 14.2 megapixel A350 are just as we’d heard, with flip-out 2.7-inch swivel screens and live preview that retains the ability to autofocus. The CompactFlash DSLRs also go up to ISO3200, and feature burst modes of 3fps (A300) and 2.5fps (A350). Both cams will hit in April, the A300 with a 18-70mm kit lens for $800, and the A350 in a $900 kit or an $800 body-only package. There are also a couple new lenses, but no word of the mysterious A900 yet.

Read - Alpha A300 and A350
Read - New Alpha lenses

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