Sigma’s f/1.8 zoom lens announced

Sigma just announced one of the fastest zoom lenses for DSLRs that we have ever seen – the 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens for APS-C sensor DSLRs.

It’s the world’s first constant f/1.8 zoom lens. A typical speed for high quality zoom lenses is f/2.8, so 1.8 is a big step up from that (don’t forget, after all aperture is an exponental value, meaning that every stop more gives you twice the amount of light. The only fast zoom lens that comes pretty close is the Olympus 14-35mm f/2.0, but that’s a Four Thirds model.

It makes a HUGE difference to have faster lenses, even if it’s only a one or two stops more. And so far, one of the biggest problems of zoom lenses was the fact that they were nowhere near as fast as fast primes (that typically come in at f/1.4). Sigma’s new f/1.8 zoom is only half a stop away from that – pretty impressive.

No word on pricing yet, but don’t expect this one to be cheap … despite the fact that it’s a Sigma lens.
We will update this post with a preorder link to B&H once it is available.

Until then, please find Sigma’s official press release below.

 

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Leica’s first full frame HDSLR – M240 video capable?

Leica M type 240- video review.
(Non of the written here is relevant to the photo section of this camera)

Deep into the 4th year of the HDSLR revolution Leica released the M 240, their full frame camera costing $6950.

Spending a day with the camera left me wondering, was Leica ever talking to any professional cameraman before implementing HD recording for this unit or just decided to “join a trend” without really meaning this camera to be a capable working video tool?.

In my opinion the video quality coming out of the camera is very disappointing and its operation in video mode is not easy/logical. I hope features/video quality can be enhance with a firmware update.

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Andrew praises Sony RX100 in his EOSHD review

Remember our Sony HX9v review where we called the HX9v “almost the ultimate run & gun camera”? Well the RX100 seems to be Sony’s ultimate answer for the action-camera-philes…

That pretty much sums up Andrew’s opinion:
The RX100 is a camera that fits in your jeans pocket. Would I consider intercutting RX100 footage with 1080p from a pro Super 35mm cinema camera? Yes I would.
(…) If you haven’t yet entered the DSLR video world, the RX100 is capable of similar results in video mode and even a similar standard of stills. This is amazing and I cannot believe we’re talking about a pocket camera.

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Help us find the new cinema5D subtitle

cinema5D has been the “forum for DSLR filmmakers” for 3 and a half years.
There’s no question cinema5D will always be cinema5D, but with so many new “large sensor” cameras that are or aren’t DSLR’s I think the time has come to alter that subtitle to represent the large scope of affordable cinema cameras cinema5D serves as a platform.

I need your help to find the best possible subtitle for cinema5D!!!
The main purpose of the subtitle is to make new visitors understand where they have landed. Something to keep in mind when you go crazy with your creative ideas in the comments. Thanks for your help!

Old:
cinema5D – the forum for DSLR filmmakers
Some suggestions from me:
cinema5D – large sensor filmmaking
cinema5D – the forum for indie filmmakers
cinema5D – filmmaking in the digital age
cinema5D – digital camera revolution platform
cinema5D – my sensor is larger than yours
cinema5D – the ultimate platform for filmmakers
cinema5D – the forum for digital filmmakers
cinema5D – the forum for digital filmmaking
cinema5D – the forum for future filmmakers
cinema5D – online dating for DSLR lenses

I must admit, I think DSLR was a cool word, while “large sensor” and “indie” really isn’t.
What subtitle for cinema5D do you guys have in mind?