Focoro beta

Leica is famous for quality, precision, and rangefinders. It also makes SLRs. Now it makes the medium-format (30x45mm) digital-only S2 which integrates a 37.5MP Kodak CCD. The autofocus-capable 1.41kg system is weather-sealed, supports ISO equivalents from 100-1600, and captures directly to Adobe's digital negative (DNG) format keeping 16-bits per channel. The body itself will cost a seemingly cheap $23,000 but you're going to need to by new S-mount lenses. If you're worried that you haven't spent enough, Leica sells various service contracts or you can spend an extra $5k on the body and get an extra durable and flashy sapphire glass to cover the LCD.

Many saw the EOS 5D as a revolution similar to Canon's original D30 or Nikon's D1. These were cameras that opened a new stratum of digital photography to the masses. Previously, the only full-frame cameras were expensive environmentally sealed professional flagships, but with the EOS 5D, consumers…

The Four Thirds system has some small cameras, like the Olympus E-510, but there physical limits constrain how small you can make an SLR. There needs to be room for the reflex mirror, and lenses are designed to be a set distance away from the imaging substrate (i.e. film or sensor). The new Micro …

The Hy6 is a new medium-format system, cross-branded by a few companies: Sinar, Leaf (as AFI), and Franke and Heidecke (as the venerable Rollei). The body—including the lens-mount—is based on the Rollei 6008, and is compatible with the same manual and autofocus lenses. Unlike the H-series of Hasselblads and the Mamiya 645 camera, the Hy6 is a 6x6 camera (actually a 56mm squared recording area) but the current backs are unfortunately all 6x4.5 making the distinction for the moment academic. With the 21MP e54 back, the Hy6 will cost about $25,900 and the reflex viewfinder will be another $1,750.