Micro 4/3 an alternative to digital M? (Merged)

[vieri]

The newly announced Micro Four Thirds standard, and its lack of a mirror box, sounds just like the ticket to build a 4/3 sensor RF camera, besides one that uses an EVF or Live View to focus. The new system will have 4/3 to Micro 4/3 adapters, and sounds just like it could be a very good way of building digi RF to me. Too bad that it will have a small 4/3 sensor (with all that comes with it, limited DR, noise, etc) and that it will probably never be able to use M lenses.

What do you guys think of this news?

[sdai]

There would no place for a proper rangefinder in this damn camera, it'll only focus by contrast, there's nothing fancy about this, the Sigma DP1, Sony R1 and probably another bunch of point and shooters introduced at the Kina will all have bigger sensors than this one.

Why would someone bother to change lenses for a pocket camera? so they screwed 4/3 by themselves, I'm waiting to see how they'll screw this one 2 years later.

[mym6is12]

Originally Posted by vieri

Too bad that it will have a small 4/3 sensor (with all that comes with it, limited DR, noise, etc) and that it will probably never be able to use M lenses.

What do you guys think of this news?

There is more than enough flange distance ( 7.95mm spare ) to make a M mount adapter.
If should be easy from the likes of Voigtlander to make a line of MF lenses that fit directly.

There would seem to be a lot of mileage in this concept. Digital CL ?

[sdai]

Originally Posted by mym6is12

There is more than enough flange distance ( 7.95mm spare ) to make a M mount adapter.
If should be easy from the likes of Voigtlander to make a line of MF lenses that fit directly.

There would seem to be a lot of mileage in this concept. Digital CL ?

You can adapt any lens you like to the camera but it will only focus on contrast, which is a complete lackluster "feature" taking away all the fun.

[Riley]

Olympus today launched a new concept for 4/3rds, MicroFT
Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | Benefits of Micro Four Thirds

the concept sees a shorter register than current 4/3rds system, but allows the use of 4/3rds lenses via an adapter. The bodies are mirrorless presumably EVIL

Olympus / Panasonic announce Micro Four Thirds: Digital Photography Review

Micro Four Thirds facts and features

* Same Four Thirds sensor size (18 x 13.5 mm)
* Flange back distance half that of Four Thirds (20 versus 40 mm)
* Lens mount diameter 6 mm smaller (44 versus 50 mm)
* Contrast Detect AF is implied (passive would require an external sensor)
* Lens to body electrical contact points up to 11 from 9
* Lenses of same focal length and maximum aperture considerably smaller than Four Thirds
* Enables slim and compact lens-interchangeable digital cameras
* Lack of mirror well necessitate a high quality EVF (or an EVF/Viewfinder-less design)
* Current Four Thirds lenses can be used with an adapter
* Enables seamless switching between still and movie shooting

[krabat]

Thank you for this information. However, I am asking myself, if they are reducing flange distance from 40 mm down to 20 mm AND lens mount diameter from 50 mm down to 44 mm, then the angle in which the light approaches the sensor in the periphery will become smaller. Therefore, a stronger vignetting should occur?

Regards, Peter.

[stnami]

....sounds reasonable ......................There is a rangefinder in there somewhere and I am sure they will do a better than Sigma ............ Sits well in my way of thinking and probably needs. I doubt if it fits in Leica's mentality, anyway they can rebadge it and call it a Leica.............. god knows it's happened before

[Riley]

Originally Posted by krabat

Thank you for this information. However, I am asking myself, if they are reducing flange distance from 40 mm down to 20 mm AND lens mount diameter from 50 mm down to 44 mm, then the angle in which the light approaches the sensor in the periphery will become smaller. Therefore, a stronger vignetting should occur?

Regards, Peter.

the risk is more 'off axis' light
at fast apertures yes, but it can be fooled with (corrected) via firmware too

[adi sudarsono]

I wonder if they can put in an optical viewfinder or if we are going to have to rely on the live - view from the LCD?

[Riley]

Originally Posted by stnami

....sounds reasonable ......................There is a rangefinder in there somewhere and I am sure they will do a better than Sigma ............ Sits well in my way of thinking and probably needs. I doubt if it fits in Leica's mentality, anyway they can rebadge it and call it a Leica.............. god knows it's happened before

now is the time to remember Kaufmanns
"a kind of small digital M"
Drei-Stufen-Plan für Leica - DIE WELT - WELT ONLINE

[Riley]

Originally Posted by adi sudarsono

I wonder if they can put in an optical viewfinder or if we are going to have to rely on the live - view from the LCD?

it wont be OVF
there might be an EVF extension, actually thats the whole point

[stnami]

I would be happy to see a old LTM lens on one of these boxes,,,

[rosuna]

The Four Thirds is dead. This is an all new system.

The original specifications of the 4/3 System have changed!:

Luminous landscape

[Riley]

Originally Posted by rosuna

The Four Thirds is dead. This is an all new system.

The original specifications of the 4/3 System have changed!:

Luminous landscape

try not to be a total idiot so early
heres the 11 pin adapter for 9 pin 4/3rds lenses

[razerx]

With the other brands going full frame the 4/3 system must find its niche else deserves to die. I am sure there will be a Digilux in there eventually and I will buy one. Maybe it'll be possible to take M mount lenses. Who knows.

[stnami]

It's more of a evolution than a death and as per usual Oly will piss a lot of people off, the usual neg stuff............... lets hope the deliver that compact camera they have been rabbiting on about this time

[Iron Flatline]

All the pieces are there for a true next-gen digital RF. This could be interesting.

[rosuna]

Originally Posted by Riley

try not to be a total idiot so early
heres the 11 pin adapter for 9 pin 4/3rds lenses

You can also adapt OM lenses to a Four Thirds mount, but the OM system is dead. You can also use R lenses on EOS bodies, etc. Many systems have partial compatibility. That is not the point. On the other hand, you cannot use "Micro Four Thirds" lenses on "Four Thirds" cameras. This is a new system with partial compatibility with the Four Thirds system. Things are not so easy, isn't?

[rosuna]

The Sigma DP1 has a manual focus wheel. Future Micro 4/3 cameras can have this feature too, and an optical viewfinder for framing on the flash mount (for fixed focal lenght lenses).

[Riley]

Originally Posted by rosuna

You can also adapt OM lenses to a Four Thirds mount, but the OM system is dead. That is not the point.

the point is you dont have a point
your claim is 4/3rds is dead

prove it