Photokina 2014 a DUD ?

[doolittle]

Comparing 2014 to 2012: The excitement of mirror less seems to have died down(- not because it is any less popular, more that it is maturing). The Olympus stand was a quieter place. Fuji still had a buzz, especially with the X100T. Line ups are still featuring the products that were new in 2012, not necessarily a bad thing, just less interesting to re-visit.

There was definitely less of a wow-factor to the announcements.
From Joe Public's perspective the Leica M60 definitely took the 'what were they thinking?' prize.

Still a lot of excitement and enthusiasm and no signs of the show being moribund. I think 2012 was just a particularly spectacular show, which 2014 couldn't match.

The hot trends this time were action cameras and Photo book publishing becoming more mainstream.

 

[farlymac]

Stephan, do you think your enthusiasm was tamped with all the pre-show leaks on the rumor forums? Not much new if three fourths of it is splashed all over the Web.

PF

 

[kuuan]

I love my GXR. Nobody else I know has one (or even knows what it is). Sliding out the lensor unit really raises some eyebrows.

An updated Leica M unit with high ISO capabilities would be so incredible.

I'd like that, but my priority would be a faster body and a higher resolution EVF first. If an updated M mount, than please 35mm FF.
If the module system was to continue than I'd also suggest a 1" sensor module, best with a zoom staring at 24mm equiv. possibly until 105mm, or just take existing lens from Sony RX100II or Canon G7 X and their sensor.

Have pretty much given up that any of this ever will happen, but I so much had hoped for an announcement of a mirrorless that comes closer to my ideal than current offering, I have a precise image of it and would love Ricoh / Pentax to make it:
In short, size / handling similar to GXR, FF sensor, articulating EVF, tilting LCD, and with a mount with similar short register distance as Sony E or Fuji X, that is short enough to be able to use LTM and LM lenses with a helicoid adapter. To fulfill the last requirement Ricoh / Pentax would have to introduce yet another mount, therefore most probably we won't see such a camera in the foreseeable future. On the other hand I believe that, in the long run, every serious producer will need a mount with short register that allows for FF sensors anyways, and the matching lenses..

Have high hopes that one day it will exist, and that it won't take all that more time. I read a rumour of a E mount FF camera in a body similar to NEX5 series, that, for me and for now, would come close enough

 

[danielsterno]

X-ProII

X-ProII

I'll admit to being disappointed by Fuji not showing a X-Pro2.

I did see a subtle comment during an interview that they confirmed that the X-ProII would not be a full frame, which was not a surprise to me being that would require a new line of lens. They also mentioned that the X-Pro II would bring some surprises which is just marketing sizzle……

http://www.fujirumors.com/fuji-guy-...ll-be-worth-the-wait-admiringlight-interview/

 

[Out to Lunch]

Subtle interviews aside, I am happy with the announced improved Voigtlander 15mm and with the Fuji x-100t. Leica is on a mysterious journey....is the Sultan of Oilistan going to buy a separate light meter if it is not available in ostrich leather?

 

[hipsterdufus]

At this point, all I want is a Sony A7S with traditional controls and an EVF with 0 lag, even in low light or a completely stopped down MF lens. Once they come up with that camera, everything I need/want is taken care of in a digital camera.

 

[f16sunshine]

Well Photokina 2014 is over,

and I for one am a bit disappointed.

The big product announcements that I was SURE would be made,
were not. Oh well. Yes, I saw the new Voigtlander and Leica and Zeiss products!

I just expected a LOT MORE new stuff, and indeed, one new market changing product in particular! still waiting ....

Or did I miss exciting news?

Your thoughts ?

Stephen

It was anti-climactic to say the least.
The new lenses are exciting but not ground breaking.
The Ultron35 is on my wish list for sure!
The Zeiss Distagon is a big beast. Maybe the Nokton f1.2 is still a better choice.

If Sony could have brought another A7 body in a form factor RF fans could get behind that would have been great.
Especially if it included some sort of focus confirming mechanism more advanced than the peaking method used now.

Fuji told us not to expect the Xpro2 until 2015... no surprises from the Fuji camp either.
The FL Medium format ghost must be just that.


Where is Canon and Nikon on their groundbreaking mirror-less systems?

Yeah...as far as innovation goes... it was a Dud!

 

[PetarDima]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2iL-CNd8HM

 

[Out to Lunch]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2iL-CNd8HM

 

[kxl]

For us Nikon users - that 20mm Nikkor looks to be of interest at under $800.

Yup, same here. Maybe in the grand scheme of things, one could call Photokina 2014 a dud, but I'd have to go back several years to find a Photokina that announced two new things that I will likely purchase: the Nikon 20mm/1.8 AFS and the Sony FE 28mm/2.0/ So, for me, it wasn't a dud.

 

[Spanik]

Am I the only one that found the Samsung NX1 the biggest surprise? It looks as if they are preparing for more. And they are commiting to stay with what they already build.

 

[shadowfox]

My picks for the best of the show : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2468770,00.asp

I actually thought that there was more to cover this go-round than the last. I had two days on the show floor and struggled to see anything aside from the main booths. Pop had a few people there covering the show, and I'm glad that team was able to locate some of the more interesting accessories—even if one is a strap. 🙂

The LX100 was my pre-show pick for the star of the show, but that Android smartphone with a 1-inch sensor that Panasonic also announced could really be something for mobile photography. A prime-lens RX100 II in your pocket, essentially. Very quick to focus, which is an issue with the high-megapixel Nokia/Microsoft Lumia line (from my experience with a few of those models).

Thanks for the link, Jim !!

 

[Pioneer]

For me, the new M-A and the future development of a full frame Pentax camera were pretty good news.

The only thing that would have made it even more exciting, yet exceptionally murderous to my pocket book would have been the announcement of a digital ZI.

 

[Eric T]

What other features do you need other than the ability to control focus, aperture, shutter and ISO?

Duane,
You are quite right - that's all you need. But add to the price when features are taken away? Does the M60 need to cost that much more?
But, it doesn't matter. Leica will sell them.
Meanwhile, I am happy with Fuji and Sigma.

 

[kuuan]

Am I the only one that found the Samsung NX1 the biggest surprise? It looks as if they are preparing for more. And they are commiting to stay with what they already build.

sure noticed it, I suppose it offes great handling! A similar body but smaller and with it's EVF articulating would come very close to my ideal mirrorless, my role model still being the now 10 year old Konica Minolta A2

 

[uhoh7]

The digital age is about to reach maturity, and the endless marketing competition may have come to a global pause, because things are levelling themselves re. either the retro-look trend, or the megapixels race, or the sensors size, etc...

Looks like the only "new" stuff now resides in brand 'x' releasing some copycats of products made by brand 'y' a while ago, and which proved to sell reasonably well (e.g., the Canon G7X).

What did you expect ?

As for Nikon, the Df was such a disappointment last year than I almost missed the D750 out...

The Leica M60 might be very interesting if only it was an announcement of something similar, but produced in series, and "normally" priced...

I'd argue the only age that's reached maturity is the "film age".

More to the point, for many, the real digital age will begin with a full frame GXR – M, or something like that. A small tough affordable full frame m platform.

Sony, with its thick SA – inducing sensor covers has a left the door wide open for a huge hit of a camera.

The next generation organic sensors, with their much increased acceptance of angled light, will make it even easier for our great M glass to sing on a digital sensor.

 

[shadowfox]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned (or excited about) the X100T.
Am I reading it correctly, a manual rangefinder-like focusing system?

 

[Duane Pandorf]

Duane,
You are quite right - that's all you need. But add to the price when features are taken away? Does the M60 need to cost that much more?
But, it doesn't matter. Leica will sell them.
Meanwhile, I am happy with Fuji and Sigma.

Since this is a special edition limited to 600 and made with out of the ordinary materials (stainless steel) the price is what it is.

I would expect a "mass" produced version would be priced around the current model being sold.

 

[Eric T]

But there is also the Leica M-A without a meter. And it is still $4,750.
A nice looking camera but decades behind current technology.
You can have a minimalist approach and still have modern benefits - the Fuji X100s is a great example.

 

[jpfisher]

Am I reading it correctly, a manual rangefinder-like focusing system?

Fuji implemented what it calls Digital Split Image manual focus in some previous models. It uses the on-sensor phase detect system to kinda-sorta simulate a rangefinder patch. Basically you have a rectangle in the center of the frame, displayed in monochrome, with four rows. The rows are offset when slightly out of focus, and bringing them into focus lines them up. It's not the quite the same as a rangefinder double image, but it's not too far off.

The X100T added that focus aid (and a magnified view with peaking as well, if you prefer that aid) to the optical finder. You get the standard optical view, plus an EVF feed in the corner that shows a magnified view of the frame—by default the center, but you can move that point around. A half-press of the shutter switches it to a view of the entire frame so you can confirm that you've got the shot just right, all the time you get the optical view, with some room around the framelines to see outside the frame.

Pretty neat. I had a very brief hands on, hope I explained it well enough—I was on the phone with my Fuji rep when the press release came through trying to wrap my head around it. Having the camera in your hand to try it out really solidifies how it works.