Fujifilm will be at the IT Show 2012 in Suntec Singapore at Level 4, Hall 402, Booth 8130.
Fujifilm has the FINEPIX compact cameras and X-series retro camera for better quality photos.
Check out the discounted prices and free gifts for their FINEPIX compact cameras and beautifully retro X-series higher-end cameras.
View or download their IT Show 2012 promotional flyers below.
Canon will be at IT Show 2012 in Suntec Singapore at Level 4, Hall 404, Booth 8101; with its entire range of digital imaging products. 5 cameras and one professional printer are also making their debuts at the show today.
Canon has 5 new cameras and 1 new professional printer debuting in IT Show 2012
The new Canon products that are making their debuts at the IT Show 2012 are:
Below is a PDF compilation of Canon’s IT Show 2012 flyers for the following categories of products:
Nikon will be at IT Show 2012 in Suntec Singapore at Level 4, Halls 402 & 403, Booth 8218; with promotional prices, free accessories and purchase-with-purchase promotions for its DSLRs, Nikon 1 V1/J1 MIL cameras and COOLPIX compacts.
Nikon will be at Level 4, Halls 402 & 403, Booth 8218 in Suntec Singapore during IT Show 2012 from 8-11 March 2011.
Additional discounts will be revealed during the show itself for the following cameras:
Download Nikon’s IT Show 2012 flyer here, or view it below after the break.
Fujifilm launched the X-Pro1 mirrorless interchangeable lens (MIL) camera in Singapore today.
The 16-MP retro beauty will be available here in March at S$2,400 for the camera body and S$900-S$1,000 for a basic lens. (All prices include 7% GST.)
Fujifilm X-Pro1 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (Body only: S$2,400)
First interchangeable lens camera in Fujifilm's X series.
First impressions
I tried out the camera during the launch event.
First impression, apart from the exorbitant price-tag, is that the retro design is incredibly beautiful.
It is relatively big and heavy compared to other MIL cameras.
But I love the direct controls enabled by the dials and well-placed buttons all over the camera.
You can adjust the shutter speed and exposure compensation on knurled metal dials on the top of the camera, and the 
aperture in ⅓ stop increments on a ring on the lens itself.
The shutter release also had the firm but springy feel reminiscent of film SLRs.
Focus was fast and pictures came out sharp and vividly coloured, with little noise even at high ISO and low light.
It’s definitely a camera to drool over.
The X-Pro1 is the first MIL camera from Fujifilm and features a 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor, a new X lens mount, a Hybrid Multi Viewfinder, and three prime lenses.
Three prime lenses have been launched together with the X-Pro1.
The sensor is physically larger than the 1-inch sensor in the Nikon J1/V1 MIL offering, and the four thirds and micro four thirds sensors in the MIL and DSLR cameras from Olympus and Panasonic.
The APS-C sensor has a crop factor of 1.5 and is the same size as those found in the Samsung NX and Sony NEX series of MIL cameras and most DSLRs.
New sensor colour filter array
Fujifilm claims that the X-Pro1 can produce pictures with lower noise and greater detail than other MIL and DSLR cameras.
The usual optical low pass filter – which reduces moire and false colour generation at the expense of image detail resolution – has been foregone.
The X Trans CMOS sensor has a new array design for its colour filter to remove moire.
Instead, a new colour filter array in the sensor array has replaced the usual Bayer-patterned array to reduce moiré in photos containing stripes/chequered patterns or other regular/repeating patterns.
16-megapixel APS-C sensor
In the array, RGB pixels are arranged in 6×6 pixel sets with high aperiodicity (randomness).
Increasing the degree of randomness eliminates the fundamental cause of moiré and false colours.
These are problems that occur in conventional arrays when shooting stripes and other repeating patterns.
The new sensor array contains slightly more green sensor elements than the traditional Bayer array, and is inspired by the irregular physical dispersion of silver halide particles in film, which did not suffer from moiré problems.
The additional image processing demands required by the new array is met by a new EXR Processor Pro which will maximise the full potential of the X-Trans CMOS sensor and deliver high speed and high precision image processing.
Prime FUJINON XF lenses
Three compact XF FUJINON fast aperture prime lenses will be available in March 2012.
The “XF18mmF2 R”, “XF 35mmF1.4 R” and “XF60mmF2.4 R Macro” lenses promise precise control over depth-of-field and excellent out-of-focus bokeh.
The new X-Mount has a short flange back distance of just 17.7mm.
The X-Pro1 and its accessories.
Hybrid Multi Viewfinder
The Hybrid Viewfinder first appeared in the X100 and allows the user to instantly switch between an Optical Viewfinder and Electronic Viewfinder.
For viewing images in the brightest mode and to keep shutter lag to a minimum, users should choose the Optical Viewfinder.
Those wanting focus confirmation, exposure information, white balance information and depth of field indicators should switch to the Electronic Viewfinder.
This retro beauty has a high drool factor.
Simulated film effects
Leveraging on Fujifilm’s photo film legacy, the X-Pro1 comes with 10 in-camera pre-canned special effects that simulate different types traditional film effects in the photos, from different film types to different film development techniques.
Check out the detailed features of the Fujifilm X-Pro1 below:
Here is the Spring 2012 collection of compact cameras from Fujifilm. 11 of these models are being released for Singapore, out of which seven have already hit the shelves.
Fujifilm has a range of FinePix cameras ranging from the light and compact JZ100 to the superzoom HS25EXR.
The FinePix cameras in the Spring collection are listed below.
| Model | SRP | To release in Singapore? |
|---|---|---|
| F770EXR | TBD | Yes |
| F750EXR | TBD | Yes |
| HS30EXR | S$799 | Yes |
| HS25EXR | S$699 | Yes |
| JZ100 | TBD | Yes |
| JZ250 | TBD | Yes |
| S2980 | S$299 | Yes |
| S4200 | S$379 | Yes |
| S4300, S4400, S4500 | – | No |
| SL260, SL280 | – | No |
| SL300 | S$519 | Yes |
| XP150 | S$469 | Yes |
| XP50 | S$329 | Yes |
Key specifications for those models being released in Singapore are tabulated below.
Getty Images announced today the rebranding of the Grants for Good as Getty Images Creative Grants. Two grants of $15,000 are up for grabs. Applications close on 1 March.
Getty Images Creative Grants – applications end on 1 March.
The rebranded Getty Images Creative Grants will increase emphasis on the innovative use of creative and conceptual imagery and film.
“Nonprofits need compelling creative content to effectively tell their stories and stand out from the documentary style traditionally associated with the nonprofit sector,” said Andrew Saunders, Senior Vice President of Creative Content for Getty Images. “Together with creative agencies and content creators these organizations can leverage innovative conceptual imagery to raise awareness around critical world issues.”Fostering the collaboration between photographers and filmmakers with agency creatives and nonprofits, the grants will fund the creation of a compelling visual campaign that promotes positive change.
In addition to the cash prize, the winning photographer-agency or filmmaker-agency team will have the opportunity to leverage the expertise of Getty Images’ art directors, photo editors and producers to execute the project.
Online applications can be made at the website of Getty Images Grants.
The grants will be awarded by independent judges, each selected by Getty Images based on their industry standing and experience.
The 2012 Creative Grants judging panel will consist of:
Applications will be evaluated against criteria which include the strength and concept of the portfolio imagery as well as the level of collaboration between the creative communications agency and the nonprofit, to create a compelling visual narrative.
Winners will be announced in June at the 2012 Cannes Lions Advertising Festival.
The 16-megapixel SZ-31MR has 24x zoom, shoots Full HD movie, gets iHS and high-res touch LCD. It’ll be available in May 2012 in either black or silver.
The Olympus SZ-31MR comes in either black or silver
Olympus claims that the new SZ-31MR has the lightest, smallest (and cutest) body of any compact with a 20-plus optical zoom.
Olympus SZ-31MR
The SZ Traveller range is the first to capture 1080 Full HD movies and 16-megapixel stills simultaneously, using Olympus’ Multi Recording (MR) technology.
The AF is faster, the LCD is brighter and – thanks to the new touch interface – features like Multi Framing and Live Guide are even easier to use.
The SZ-31MR can now record movies and stills at high frame rates, and play back photo slideshows with music and transition effects.
Olympus SZ-31MR has 24x optical zoom
The SZ-31MR is an extraordinary compact, despite its 24x wide optical zoom lens from 25-600mm (35mm equivalent).
The new iHS (Intelligence, High Sensitivity and High Speed) technologies make it possible to capture good blur-free images in the most challenging conditions, for example in low light or with backlight.
iHS draws on Olympus’ 16-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor and two separate TruePic V image processors (originally developed for D-SLR cameras) to dramatically improve low-light performance, speed up camera response and enhance scene and subject recognition.
Olympus SZ-31MR has16 megapixels
Combined with high-speed sequential shooting and high-speed autofocus, iHS cuts down picture noise and enhances resolution and colour gradation with fast-moving subjects, night scenes and other tricky shots.
Multi motion Movie IS and Dual Image Stabilisation all but eliminate blur, even when you are walking and shooting at the same time.
IS is crucial with macros or close-ups of inaccessible subjects, when even the slightest wobble might otherwise ruin stand-out shots that regular lightweight compacts, with their weaker zoom lenses, simply can’t deliver.
Olympus SZ-31MR shoots Full HD
When time is tight, Multi Recording and Multi Framing give another big advantage: You never have to choose between capturing one-off scenes as a 1080 Full HD movie or still photo – nor as a close-up or broader shot.
The SZ-31MR lets you do both.
A simple tap on the bright 3-inch 920,000-dot LCD takes a photo while you are filming.
Olympus SZ-31MR
Or resets the point of focus, shutter speed and zoom factor – all without interrupting your movie recording.
The touch-sensitive screen also gives you direct access to Live Guide, which in i-Auto mode displays a sliding scale that you can move with your finger to adjust key parameters such as brightness and depth of field.
You can check the effect of your changes in real time before you capture the scene.
Main features for the SZ-31MR:
It’s confirmed! The Olympus E-M5 (from the new OM-D series) has been launched in Singapore in sync with the launch in Japan. The Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens (MIL) camera will be available in late March. Price TBC.
Retro-looking Olympus OM-D E-M5 launched today some 40 years after the original OM film SLR. Photo taken with PEN E-P3.
Most of the speculation prior to the actual launch turned out to be spot-on. The camera will be launched in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.
“The four-thirds traditional DSLR like the E-5 is not dead. Even now, the staff at Tokyo HQ are discussing what the successor to the E-5 should be like,” Toshiyuki Terada, Group Leader of Product and Marketing Planning Group.The launch will then be held in Amsterdam for the European countries next week.
The key question everybody is asking is whether the four-thirds DSLR, viz the E-5, E-30, E620 line of traditional DSLRs is dead.
Many in the industry that I’ve spoken to thinks so.
So I posed the question to Toshiyuki Terada, Group Leader of Product and Marketing Planning Group.
Toshiyuki Terada san, holding an E-M5 doused in water.
Terada-san said that the four-thirds DSLR are not dead.
According to him – even now, the Tokyo staff is discussing what the successor to the E-5 will be like.
E-5 is the flagship four-thirds traditional DSLR in Olympus’ four-thirds line.
Terada acknowledges that the higher end professional photographers will, for the moment, prefer the E-5 as the primary camera.
But the micro four-thirds mirrorless cameras are gaining very rapidly in popularity (especially with the younger generation) and capability.
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.
Looking at the OM-D E-M5, it does look like a “bridge” between the PEN E-P3 and the E-5.
Newly unveiled Olympus OM-D E-M5
Main improvements in plugging that gap is the increased auto-focus speed and the built-in electronic viewfinder, together with a host of other sweeteners.
Probably due to physics, it is still not possible for the OM-D to be a replacement for the E-5.
Only time will tell if the traditional DSLR will follow the way of the film cameras, or will the MIL cameras themselves be eventually replaced by higher performing prosumer compacts.
The camera will come with an M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-55mm f3.5-6.3 EZ kit lens.
In addition, two new micro four thirds lenses – ED 75mm f/1.8 and ED 60mm f/2.8 macro lenses – were also unveiled to be under development.
Two new Micro Four Thirds lenses under development - ED 75mm f/1.8 and ED 60mm f/2.8 macro lenses.
The design mock-up of these lenses will be exhibited at CP+ in Yokohama, Japan from 9-12 February, 2012.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 comes in black or silver but kit lens only comes in black.
Main specifications of the OM-D E-M5
Nikon has launched, worldwide, the successor to the D700. The 36.3-megapixel D800 (approx. S$3,750) will be available in March, while the D800E (approx. 10% more at S$4,100) will be available in April.
D4 (S$9,799) and D800 (S$4,488) go on sale in Singapore on 22 Mar.
Nikon launched the D800 and D800E DSLRs worldwide today.
The 36.3 megapixel, FX-format DSLRs boast the highest effective pixel count in the world.
In Singapore, Nikon launched the D800 and D800E in the Pan Pacific Hotel, together with the slew of 12 COOLPIX cameras that it had announced one week ago.
But the star of the event was undoubtedly the D800 and D800E.
Main features
Both have a powerful new EXPEED 3 image processing engine, 36.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, and 91k-pixel RGB sensor (for Advanced Scene Recognition) inside a light, single-piece magnesium body that is water and dust resistant.
They are capable of shooting broadcast quality video with high-fidelity audio recording.
The cinematographer will love the versatility of being able to shoot 1080p Full HD in both FX and DX based formats.
ISO ranges from 100 – 6400 (extensible to ISO 50 – 25,600)
The D800E offers even greater detail resolution
Nikon D800E with a battery grip
The D800E disables the aliasing and moiré pattern reduction operation performed by the optical low-pass filter in the D800 and most DSLRs, that result in a slight blurring of details.
By doing so, light passing through a NIKKOR lens is able to strike photodiodes directly for greater resolution in details.
This model is optimal for landscape and artistic photography, which demand higher detail resolution and clear definition.
Apart from this, the D800E possesses the same characteristics as the D800.
The detailed brochure for the two cameras can be viewed here.
Entries for this photography contest is open from now until 1 March 2012. Application forms, as well as terms and conditions of participation is available online.
Entries for the 2012 Oskar Barnack Award can be submitted from now till 1 March 2012.
The Leica Oskar Barnack Award will be presented for the 33rd time this year. The winner will receive a Leica M9-P camera with lens worth approximately €10,000, in addition to a cash prize of €5,000.
“This year, I will personally love to see more works from passionate photographers in Asia,” commented Sunil Kaul, Managing Director of Leica Camera Asia Pacific.A second honour in the course of the competition will be awarded in the category ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award’, for (prospective) professional photographers aged 25 and under.
The winner of the first prize in this section will also be awarded a Leica M9-P complete with lens.
An international jury awards the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award to photographers who capture and express the relationship between people and their environment in graphic form in a portfolio of up to 12 images.
Submissions must be a self-contained series of images in which the photographer perceives and documents the interaction between people and their environment with acute vision and contemporary visual style – creative, unobtrusive and groundbreaking.
The awards will be presented in the course of the Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie photography festival to be held in Arles, France from 2 to 8 July 2012.
