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SHORT EXPOSURES: October 28

Delays possible for Olympus, Sony…. Fujifilm USA sues grey market resellers… DJI zooms in… Canon reveals three new pro papers

okympus-em1-iiDelays ahead of Olympus, Sony
Olympus Australia is yet to reveal a release date for the E-M1 Mk II, but it will be unlikely to arrive before Christmas. Likewise Sony Japan confirmed the top-of-the-line a99 II, set to ship in November, will be in extremely short supply, possibly resulting in delays.

There is a ‘confirmed rumour’ (whatever that is) doing the rounds of camera websites that only a small number of E-M1 cameras will make it to the US this side of Christmas, with the scheduled November 18 release date pushed back due to the Sony Kumamoto sensor factory not running at 100 percent capacity. Sony supplies Olympus M4/3 sensors.

A larger stock is said to be available from January, suggesting pre-orders will open, but not be fulfilled, before Christmas.

Olympus Australia would not respond directly to questions on local release, except to state: ‘The official product announcement of the product including pricing and availability has yet to occur. When the announcement is made we will be in contact.’

US pricing is reported by the ‘confirmed rumourers’ as US$1500.

As for Sony itself, it has attributed the short supply and delay of the a99 to Japanese domestic demand significantly exceeding its sales plans. Sony Australia has also chosen not to respond to PhotoCounter’s question on pre-Christmas availability. (That would be a No, then!)

fujiFujifilm USA sues grey marketers
Fujifilm USA has filed a lawsuit against over 50 resellers which it claims sold illegally imported grey market cameras as legitimate US stock.

In the lawsuit Fujifilm says it has had its reputation damaged due to consumers misled into buying cameras and products which aren’t covered by US warranty.

Additionally the discounted grey market products compete with sales of genuine US Fujifilm product.

‘(The) defendant’s importation…and/or sale within the US of grey market cameras intended for markets outside the US is likely to result in consumer confusion and stymie of Fujifilm’s quality control efforts, causing irreparable harm to Fujifilm that will continue unless such conduct is enjoined,’ the lawsuit argues.

The company is asking for triple damages – covering the lost profits, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages. Fujifilm said it became aware as early as June of the grey market selling.

dji-zenmuse-z30-900x600DJI zooms in
DJI has announced the Zenmuse Z30, a camera with 30x optical zoom designed for its Matrice line of commercial drones.

The 30x optical zoom, which has an additional 6x digital zoom, is designed for industrial purposes where an operator needs close vision of a subject.

Most DJI drones are equipped with a wide-angle camera, forcing operators to fly dangerously close to some objects to inspect them. DJI is offering the Zenmuse Z30 as a solution to this problem.

It has a 1 /2.8 CMOS sensor and can capture 1080p video; 5-axis stabilisation; and a f1.6 – f4.7 aperture range.

Canon reveals three new pro papers
Canon has announced three new fine art papers – Premium Fine Art Smooth, Premium Fine Art Bright White, and Premium Polished Rag.

The papers are made specifically for Canon imagePROGRAF printers using LUCIA PRO inks.

The Smooth paper is all about producing deep black levels, whereas the Bright White is ideal for brighter tones. Both papers are archival, with a 100 percent cotton base free from lignin and acid. The former has a 310 gsm weight while the latter is 305 gsm. Both come in sizes of 17, 24, 36, and 44-inch wide rolls

The Polished Rag is a semi-gloss, acid-free white paper, which Canon says is museum quality. It weighs 305 gsm

All three papers are currently being rolled out.

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