CP+ 2011: Japaneses websites capture the flavor of the show and ferret-out some interesting mockups. Local websites covering the CP+ camera show in Yokohama have been showing some of the prototypes and concept models on display. Dpreview.com isn't attending the show, so we've collected together a few of the more interesting items that haven't been formally shown to the wider world.

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Following the announcement by Sony that it will open up its mirrorless E-mount system, the company has been displaying a mockup of a Sigma 30mm F2.8 for the format. Unlike some of the other mirrorless-mount lenses on display at the show, this isn't simply an existing APS-C lens with a long enough tube on the back to compensate for the shorter gap between the sensor and the mount (the 'flange-back distance'). Instead it appears to suggest the lens maker will be developing native lenses for mirrorless systems.

The Sigma 30mm F2.8 for E-mount prototype is being shown both on the Sigma stand...

From DigitalCamera.jp
...and over at the Sony booth, where its size can be judged on an NEX-3 body. From the images we've seen, the lens appears little deeper than the E-A mount adapter, showing it is makeing good use of the E-mount's short flange-back distance.

From DigitalCamera.jp

The Sony stand also plays host to a more revealing mockup of the forthcoming mid-level DSLR (something around the level of the A700, if you will). This farily finished looking mockup features a transparent plastic shell, showing all the key components in place or, at least, that they can be fitted in. Most interestingly, the mockup has same catch holding the mirror down as seen in the SLT models.

Both DCWatch and DigitalCamera.jp have plenty of images of the Sony mid-level camera demo unit. There's not a lot to be gleaned from it beyond final confirmation that it will have the fixed mirror as seen in the SLT A55 and A33.

From DCWatch

There's also a teaser on Sony's Japanese website, that includes the following image, showing the semi-transparent mirror fairly clearly:

Cosina is showing prototypes of new lenses under the Carl Zeiss and Voiglander brands (a Distagon T* 35mm F1.4 from Zeiss and the Helliar 75mm F1.8 SL II and Nokton 35mm F1.2 from Voigtlander). There are also a mockups of a Carl Zeiss primes for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E mounts though, unlike the Sigma, this does feature a tube to account for the shorter flange-back distance.

DigitalCamera.jp is showing Zeiss lenses for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E mount. Both appear to essentially be existing Zeiss designs with a tube extending backwards to make up for the shorter flange-back distance.

From DigitalCamera.jp
In both cases, these are high-end lenses designed for movie shooting so the adoption of the two standards by Zeiss appears to be more about providing options for Sony's NEX VG10 and Panasonic's AG-AF100 large sensor camcorders, rather than expanding the offerings for stills shooters.

From DigitalCamera.jp

Meanwhile, over at Kenko/Tokina, there's not only a Tokina 17-35mm F4 mockup but also a very early demo of how the proposed Kenko c-mount (cine lens) camera might look.

DC Watch is showing a mockup of a Tokina 17-35mm F4 for full frame DSLRs.

From DCWatch

And, on the same stand, an early mockup of Kenko's c-mount CMOS camera.

From DCWatch

And finally, for all those people whose appetites have been wheted by our test shots and samples from the Pentax 645D, there's a gimpse at a lens roadmap for the system and a forthcoming telephoto lens of unspecified focal length and aperture.

Pentax 645D mockup

From DCWatch

A lens roadmap of future 645D lens releases.

From DCWatch