Leica SL Firmware 3.4 Makes SL Compatible with Panasonic Glass

Leica announced their first L-Mount alliance firmware today and it adds support for Panasonic L-Mount glass. You can read the details below and download the update here.

Firmware Update 3.4
Easy Connect• New QR code for one-step easy pairing of smartphone and camera.
• Fixed WLAN name and password, no submenus for setting name and password.
• No submenus for setting a connection mode, e.g. Create WLAN or Join WLAN.
Compatibility with upcoming lenses from L-Mount Alliance partners• Body-lens communication standard extended for compatibility with upcoming L-Mount lenses.
• Additional menu for updating the lens-firmware of upcoming lenses from L-Mount Alliance partners via SL camera body.
• Compatibility with upcoming L-Mount lenses, that are equipped with an AF/MF switch on the lens barrel. In this case the lens switch is the master for AF/MF mode.
• Compatibility with upcoming L-Mount lenses, that are equipped with an OIS mode switch on the lens barrel. In this case the lens switch is the master for OIS mode.
Bugfix• In some cases the VARIO-ELMARIT-SL 24-90 f/2.8-4 ASPH. did show front focus issues. Lens Firmware 1.1 does solve this issue.

 

Follow 43addict on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and YouTube

Leica SL: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Panasonic S1: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Panasonic S1R: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Panasonic 50mm f/1.4 S: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Panasonic 24-105mm f/4.0 S: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Panasonic 70-200mm f/4.0 S: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Posted in L-Mount, Leica| Tagged | 1 Comment

Apotelyt Panasonic S1/S1R vs Canon RP Comparison: Impressively Small


Apotelyt added the Canon RP to their comparison tool and it is very compact. Canon is offering an amazing value with the Canon RP and it might just convince some to stick with Canon. Panasonic doesn’t really have a full frame camera read to compete with the Canon RP, but the Panasonic S1 is the closest. You can see the comparison at Apotelyt and the advantages from Apotelyt are below.

Advantages of the Canon EOS RP:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (26.2 vs 24MP) with a 5% higher linear resolution.
  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better video autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident movie autofocus.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • More compact: Is smaller (133x85mm vs 149x110mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 532g or 52 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (36 percent cheaper at launch).

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor’s full resolution potential.
  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (4K/60p versus 4K/30p).
  • More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (5760k vs 2360k dots).
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2″ vs 3.0″) for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 1040k dots).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (9 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.

Follow 43addict on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and YouTube

Panasonic S1: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Panasonic S1R: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Panasonic 50mm f/1.4 S: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Panasonic 24-105mm f/4.0 S: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Panasonic 70-200mm f/4.0 S: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Posted in Panasonic| Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

LUMIX Pro Service Now Available


Panasonic launched their Pro Service and you can sign up here. To be eligible you must meet the following requirements:

Eligibility
Lumix PRO Services is designed for professionals.
The following are the ownership prerequisites for membership:

2 current Lumix Professional Camera Bodies
(G85, G9, GH4, GH5, GH5s)

+4 Lumix lenses
12-35mm f/2.8
12-35mm f/2.8 II
14-42mm f/3.5-56 Power Zoom
35-100mm f/2.8
35-100mm f/2.8 II
45-175mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom
Leica 100-400mm f/4-6.3 – Vario-Elmar
Leica 12-60mm f/2.8-4 Vario-Elmarit
Leica 12mm f/1.4 Summilux
Leica 15mm f/1.7 Summilux
Leica 200mm f/2.8 Elmarit
Leica 25mm f/1.4 Summilux
Leica 42.5mm f/1.2 Nocticron
Leica 45mm F/2.8 Macro-Elmar
Leica 50-200mm f/2.8-4 Vario-Elmarit
Leica 8-18mm f/2.8-4 Vario-Elmarit

PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP
Exclusive Member Hotline
8:00am-8:00pm EST, Monday-Friday

Service Turnaround
2 Business Days1

Service Shipping
Free Next Day shipping, both ways2

Repair Discount
20% off out-of-warranty repairs

Free Sensor or EVF Clean, Lens Calibration, Firmware Update
2 bodies and 2 lenses per year, in up to 2 shipments

Repair Loaner
For Repairs requiring more than 2 business days3

New Product Evaluation Loaner
Program launching 2019

Premium Welcome Kit
Includes Membership card & gift

Partner Discounts
Program launching 2019

Annual Membership Fee
$199

1If repair requires more time, loaner will be provided (model based on availability). 2 Unless otherwise specified, within the contiguous United States 3 Based on availability

Posted in Panasonic, Panasonic lenses| Tagged | 3 Comments

Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Cameras 6.1 Update


Blackmagic Design Announces Blackmagic Cameras 6.1 Update

Major update adds new features for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K including better audio recording and improved battery performance.

Fremont, California, USA – February 4, 2019 – Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic Cameras 6.1 which is a new update for the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. This update adds quieter audio recording, a new pixel remapping feature, new 2:1 monitoring frame guides, improved battery performance and much more.

Blackmagic Camera 6.1 update is available now as a free download from the Blackmagic Design website.

The new Blackmagic Cameras 6.1 significantly improves audio recording when using the built in microphones on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. The new processing now analyzes incoming audio from the dual microphones on each side of the camera to dramatically lower the noise floor, resulting in quieter recordings than possible before. In addition, latency has been reduced for audio monitoring, audio and video synchronization has been fine tuned, and the 3.5mm audio input selection interface is now more intuitive, making it faster to use.

Blackmagic Cameras 6.1 also improves auto focus performance. Auto focus now responds quicker and more accurately so that lens hunting is greatly reduced when the camera is locking on to the focal point. There’s also a new media formatting interface that helps prevent customers from accidentally formatting media cards. Once the camera is updated, customers will need to tap and hold the media format confirmation button for 3 seconds before a card will be erased and reformatted.

This update also includes a new in-camera calibration feature which allows customers to recalibrate pixels in the camera. Over time some pixels can change in brightness and create small variations across the sensor. The new pixel calibration feature allows the camera to realign the light output of each pixel resulting in a smooth clean image under changing environmental conditions. Blackmagic Camera 6.1 update also features 2:1 monitoring frame guides, which is another creative composition tool for filmmakers to frame shots. In addition, new power savings and efficiency enhancements improve battery runtime by 10-15% and give customers a more accurate indication of remaining battery power.

“The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is an incredible success and it’s been very exciting watching the adoption of digital film workflows by a much wider range of people,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “This update is exciting because it adds even more great new features to the camera and it’s an exciting way for us to say thank you to all the people who have purchased a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and who have taken the time to discuss ideas for the future with us. We can’t wait to see what customers will produce next!”

Blackmagic Cameras 6.1 Update Key Features

Adds support for pixel calibration in camera. Improves auto focus performance. Improves signal to noise ratio performance of the camera’s internal microphone. Improves power efficiency for improved battery life. Adds 2:1 monitoring frame guide. Improves media formatting user interface. Improves audio monitoring latency performance. Improves 3.5mm audio input selection interface. Improves AV sync performance.

Blackmagic Cameras 6.1 is available as a free download for all existing Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K customers from www.blackmagicdesign.com/support.

BDP Cinema Camera 4K: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Posted in Blackmagic Design| Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Panasonic Announces Incurring Other Income in Operating Profit


Panasonic Announces Incurring Other Income in Operating Profit
Osaka, Japan, February 4, 2019 — Panasonic Corporation ([TSE:6752] “Panasonic”) today announced that Panasonic will incur other income in operating profit in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019 (fiscal 2019).

1. OtherIncomeinOperatingProfit
The Company and certain domestic subsidiaries plan to change the retirement pension system from July 1, 2019. Specifically, regarding part of the past contributions of the defined benefit pension plan, the Company will make a transition to the defined contribution pension plan.

Accordingly, the retirement benefit liabilities will be revised in the Company’s consolidated accounts for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, and the Company plans to incur approximately 82.9 billion yen as other income in operating profit.

This change will be effective upon the authorization of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

This other income to be recorded in operating profit pertains to an accounting adjustment, arising from the conversion of the obligation under the defined benefit pension plan to an asset under the defined contribution pension plan, and the Company assumes there is no impact on the level of payment to employees.

2. Outlook
This other income is included in the revised financial forecasts for fiscal 2019 which the Company announced today

Posted in Panasonic, Press releases| 5 Comments