Sony Japan announces 14% price hike on cameras, lenses and other products coming on February 1st
Jan 26, 2023 by John Aldred Leave a Comment
Sony has announced a long list, covering pretty much every product type they make, that will see an average 14% price hike coming on February 1st. The company cites a range of factors, including the cost of raw materials, manufacturing and distribution – all "external environment" issues beyond their control – as the cause for the price increase.
The company lists is Bravia TVs, Blu-Ray players and recorders, sound bars, home theatre systems, and more, including "digital single-lens camera, digital single-lens camera α [E-mount] lens, digital video camera, digital still camera, professional camcorders". Fortunately, for the rest of the world, it seems that the price increases may be limited to sales within Japan for now, although this may expand into other regions at some point.
The new Sigma HQ has a library, a rooftop garden and a "lens cellar"
May 5, 2022 by John Aldred 1 Comment
Sigma opened up its new headquarters in the Kanagawa prefecture of Japan last month. It's a pretty fancy looking building and while it looks like something of a tourist attraction, it's not open to the general public. Luckily for us, YouTube channel Gizmomo Freaks had the opportunity to get a look inside the company's new building for the grand tour of the facility and was able to shoot some video.
The building features some interesting areas, from the photo book library that's built into the walls around the main staircase, the rooftop garden and even a "lens cellar"; a climate controlled room that showcases all of the cameras and lenses Sigma makes. It also has interesting open plan office areas, a very traditional office design in Japan.
Canon launches wooden dishes inspired by its lens hoods
Mar 31, 2022 by Dunja Djudjic Leave a Comment
The infamous lens mugs are something most photographers actually dislike, or so I've heard. But would you give a chance to other photo-related tableware?
Canon recently introduced a set of lacquered wooden dishes inspired by its lens hoods. It's nothing like those plastic lens mugs from dollar stores, but it was carefully crafted using traditional Japanese woodworking techniques.
CP+ 2022 canceled over coronavirus concerns. Again
Feb 8, 2022 by Dunja Djudjic Leave a Comment
The largest trade show in Japan, CP+, is being canceled yet again. The event was supposed to take place in Yokohama from 24 to 27 February 2022, but just like two shows before it – the live event was canceled due to the pandemic, but you'll be able to tune in online.
The tide may be turning for Nikon as Z fc labelled "a hit" in Japan
Sep 6, 2021 by John Aldred 8 Comments
Well, it looks like Nikon might have finally done something right. According to a Nikkei XTREND article, the Nikon Z fc released in July "has been a hit for the first time in a long time" for Nikon. It seems to be largely put down to its "appeal" towards both young people (who like that retro look) as well as middle-aged and older people (who used cameras when they did still look like that).
Obviously, the feature set offered by the camera is a contributing factor, too. But then, the Nikon Z50 offers a very similar feature set and that doesn't seem to have done nearly as well. Of course, the Z fc does offer a few very nice perks over the Z 50, too. Like Eye AF while shooting video, a flippy out LCD and continuous external power.
Photographer captures magical images of fireflies in Japanese forest
Mar 3, 2021 by Dunja Djudjic Leave a Comment
I vividly remember the time when I first saw a swarm of fireflies. Their flickering completely enchanted me, and of course, I also tried taking some photos. However, they were quite… underwhelming, to say the least. But photographer Daniel Kordan has managed to capture the beauty and magic of fireflies. He turned them into a series of images he kindly shared with DIYP, along with his gear and settings that he used to create them.
Sony's grip on full-frame mirrorless sees them hold 42.6% market share in Japan
Feb 4, 2021 by John Aldred 4 Comments
Despite the new models from Canon and Nikon over the last few months, Sony's release of the A7C, A7S III and now the A1 have seen Sony take a massive lead in market share amongst full-frame mirrorless cameras in Japan. In stark contrast to the mere 25% share they held in April 2020, below both Nikon and Canon, Sony now holds 42.6%.
This is according to BCNRanking, who collates camera sales data from across Japan. Their latest ranking shows Sony actually dipping slightly from a recent high of 45% a few months ago, with Canon and Nikon both lagging behind at 31% and 21.3% respectively. Panasonic, the only other company specifically named in the chart is way behind at 2.8%.
Nikon's struggle continues as they close two lens factories in Japan
Feb 4, 2021 by Dunja Djudjic 1 Comment
2020 wasn't the best year for Nikon, and it looks like the trend lingers in 2021. Due to decreasing demand in the consumer market, Nikon has decided to shut down and sell two lens factories in Japan.
Canon EOS R5 snags first place in Japan camera sales
Jan 16, 2021 by Udi Tirosh 1 Comment
For a little while, it seemed that both Nikon (with their D5600) and Fuji (with their Fujifilm X-T4 and X100V) were getting some satisfying ranking news. But before they got to rest on their laurels comes a report from Yodobashi Camera, and puts the Canon R5 as the top-selling camera in Japan. Yodobashi Camera is the Japanese B&H and is one of the biggest Japanese consumer electronics outlets.
The report (via getnavi.jp) shares that the Canon R6 only got to 4th place but would have performed better if the stock could meet the demand.