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First impressions of Canon's concept camera
My first Canon Analog Concept Camera impressions?
The demo model only has a limited focus range and is far from finished in this initial concept form. However, this is what Canon does at shows like CP+ – gauge public response on design and the idea, in order to decide whether to put it into a production.
And honestly? Why not! It’s certainly the most unique and interesting product I've seen at the show today so far, and based on crowds it's drawing a lot of interest even without a full production model ready.
The rocker switch and waist viewfinder approach capture the retro camera revival while creating something fresh, and the size makes it far more portable than its older brethren and freed from the cost of purchasing new film. I'll be keeping my eye out for any developments on this curious concept!
The surprise of the show?
Now here's something super interesting – and possibly the surprise of the show – Canon has a new Analog Concept Camera on display.
The design is reminiscent of a retro waist-level viewfinder box camera, with a fixed lens and an analog-style shooting process; light comes through the lens, which is reflected by a mirror to the viewfinder, and when you take a picture a second mirror flips out to reflect that light onto the camera's digital sensor – mechanics which are kind of like a DSLR.
Canon is displaying a retro prototype alongside a modern, simplistic prototype for the camera, and both are surprisingly small, without feeling uncomfortable to hold.
It's Canon time!
Right, onto one of the big booths, and of course it's Canon!
Canon has never been shy for experimental, in-production ideas and concept pieces for show audiences to give feedback, and it looks like there's some interesting 3D image-making tech on display.
The company has long been a major player in VR lenses, but the problem with shooting photo or video for the format is accessibility: to shoot for VR you needed a special lens, of which the company produces several options, but proprietary hardware has so far made it a tough sell for masses. That could change...
...now, the company is currently in development of systems that allow for 3D images to be shot using traditional lenses, before being converted into 3D data using AI. A few animal specimen shots actually did allow for impressive depth from a flat image, though it’s hard to judge it based on such a small sample. This also, currently, only supports photos and not video. Hmm, one to watch I reckon...
Zeiss, off limits...
The Cosina booth is the home of ZEISS this year. And the German lens specialist had one new lens to show, and an impressive one at that: the Otus ML 1.4/35
Unfortunately the new optic was strictly behind glass (boo!) and not something we can get our hands on yet. The manual focus lens builds on the 50mm and 85mm f/1.4 stablemates released last year, as the company’s first new lenses in over a decade and which welcomed the company to the mirrorless age at long last, and will also seemingly be available in RF-mount, Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount versions.
Not for everyone (especially at their price), these lenses supposedly offer sharp images with characterful bokeh, for those willing to sacrifice the comfort of autofocus.
The 35mm version will still be pricy mind you, at 364,000yen (around $1800), but it could be ideal for portraits provided it can deliver the same quality as its bigger brothers. If only we could break the glass and have a peek for ourselves!
Color, everywhere!
If you like cameras in bold colorways, Japan should top your travel list! There's a huge range of Polaroid cameras on display...
And here's a closer look of the new Tamron lens
Tamron has Z mount version of the lens on display, and attached to a Nikon camera, for visitors to try out
Tamron takes us back, back to the...
If Nikon wins the award for the most popular in the early rush, TAMRON arguably takes the crown for the most exciting booth. Following its Godzilla-themed booth last year, the company has seemingly decided to collaborate with Universal for a fun Back to the Future booth this year, complete with a replica DeLorean and a model dressed as Dr Emmett Brown as its centerpiece!
The company’s demo lenses are positioned in a semicircle around the panorama, with the best spots reserved for the newest lens the company had to show off, a versatile 35-100mm f/2.8. The lens has come out surprisingly sharp in my demo photos of the Back to the Future set. The full-frame zoom lens will be available in Sony E-mount and Nikon Z-mount, and is worth a try just to get a front-row view of the classic car, if nothing else!
First stop... the Nikon stand
No surprise here — just a few days before CP+, Nikon revealed an updated version of one of its trusty workhorse zoom lenses, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II. Clearly Nikon is expecting it to be the biggest draw for the booth, given it has enlisted a digital ticketing system that already has a few people in line in just the few minutes since the event opened.
Beyond improving the speed of its autofocus (which is noticeable when used around the booth in good lighting), the most impressive aspect of the lens is how light it is to the hand. Somehow Nikon managed to slice the weight to under 1kg (998g, a 26% comparison to the mark I), and having the chance to hold both of them in each hand at the show makes that difference immediately noticeable.
There’s a detachable tripod mount for this new model, unlike the first model, with an Arca Swiss mount no less, which is certainly helpful as you might not need the collar all the time, especially given how much lighter the new lens is. An impressive improvement over an already-strong base!
Well, hello CP+, we meet again!
It's great to be back at CP+ for the 2026 instalment this year to see the latest in camera gear, and hopefully a few surprises along the way. Not much is expected in terms of all-new hardware, but a few intriguing lenses from SIGMA and more are expected to make an appearance and will likely be major draws for anyone attending the show over the next few days.
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