While the in-person event was cancelled again this year, CP+ still went ahead as an online event. As a result, we got a smaller than usual flurry of gear announcements, but there were quite a few good ones – particularly if you’re a Micro Four Thirds or Fuji shooter. As has become usual with events that have gone online, many of the announcements came before CP+ was scheduled to start.
It’s not surprising that some releases come a little early, given that there’s no in-person event, as it allows each company to essentially have its own day to shine without being overshadowed by its competitors. And the first two in this list are a perfect example of that!
Cameras
Panasonic Lumix GH6 (Amazon / B&H)
Panasonic shooters have been waiting a while for an update to 2017’s Panasonic Lumix GH5 and now they’ve finally received an answer. Over its predecessor, it offers 5.7K video at up to 60fps, 4K DCI & UHD at up to 120fps as well as 1080p to 300fps. It contains a new 25.2-megapixel sensor with 7.5 stops of in-body image stabilisation and brings back the high-resolution mode introduced with the Panasonic G9 that lets it create 100-megapixel images.
OM System – OM-1 (Amazon / B&H)
This was the first major announcement of February, coming quite early. No doubt they knew the GH6 was on the way and didn’t want their release announcement to be overshadowed by Panasonic. And who can blame them? This is the first new major “Olympus” camera release since the company came under new ownership and while there’s no 4K120fps, it looks to be a pretty decent camera for stills shooters that also offers some nice video features.
Lenses
Sigma 16mm, 30mm and 56mm f/1.4 lenses for Fujifilm X
So, it finally happened. Sigma is now releasing lenses for the Fuji X mount camera system. It’s taken a while and it’s been long sought after but now the wait is over. Sigma kicked off its Fuji X mount launch with the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN, 30mm f/1.4 DC DN and 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lenses and Sigma says that “more lenses will be added to Sigma’s X mount lineup in the future”. No word on what those lenses might be yet, but they do have a pretty large pool of mirrorless lenses now to choose from.
Canon 800mm f/5.6 and 1200mm f/8 L IS USM RF Mount
Canon’s monster sized lens lineup for RF mount, aimed towards wildlife and sports shooters, is now pretty much complete with the addition of the Canon RF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM and Canon RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM super-telephoto lenses. These add to last year’s RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and 600mm f/4L IS USM lenses and this is the first 1200mm lens from Canon since its legendary EF 1200mm f/5.6 L was released in the 1990s.
Tokina 2x T-mount teleconverter
While not technically a lens, it is a lens addon, so it counts. Tokina announced their new Tokina SZ 2x Extender, designed primarily for use with their 400mm f/8 Reflex lens, although it should work with just about any T-mount lens you might own. It’s available either on its own for $99 or you can buy it in a kit along with the 400mm f/8 Reflex lens for $289.
Lights
Aputure Light Storm 1200D Pro (B&H)
We’ve been waiting a long time to see this one become available. While it was initially announced last September, it’s only just become available during CP+ 2022. What is being described as essentially a portable sun, the LS 1200D Pro offers a lot of LED light output with a Bowens mount to let you use it with all of your favourite reflectors. It also comes supplied with three wide (55°), medium (30°) and narrow (15°) reflectors.
Godox TL120 RGB Tube Light (B&H)
The new Godox TL120 RGB tube light extends the Godox tube light lineup, adding to the Godox TL60, announced at the end of 2020, and the Godox TL30. Now you’ve got a range of RGB tube lights in various lengths that allow you to light a multitude of scenes with ease and versatility. There are a bunch of accessories available for the TL120, including various brackets, a grid and the Godox RC-R9 remote to let you control them all from your hand. Of course, you can control them with the Godox app, too.
Quasar Science Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow
On the subject of LED tubes, Quasar Science has finally released their Rainbow 2 and Double Rainbow RGBX LED tube lights. These were initially announced way back in December 2020, but their release was delayed due to Vitec’s acquisition of Quasar Science in 2021. Available in 2ft, 4ft and 8ft lengths, hese lights are about as good as it gets for RGB tubes – at least on paper – and come with price tags to match.
As I said, there were relatively few gear announcements this month compared to the usual flurry of CP+ announcements during years when we’ve been able to have an in-person event, but the announcements that did come were pretty big. I expect some companies may be holding off on their announcements for a little while in anticipation of April’s NAB in Las Vegas, which is still scheduled to go ahead as an in-person event.
What was your favourite gear announcement during CP+ 2022? What did we miss?
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