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Gariz announced the new sexy A9 leather case. It’s in Stock on eBay (Click here). Few more pics of the brown version:

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Thanks to our more experienced readers we can share some additional info on the Sony patent describing a set of medium format camera lenses designed for a curved sensor:

1) The patent describes a broad use for this camera: “is applied to a telescope, a digital camera, etc.“. This is usual on patents because you want to cover as much areas of use as possible. An example is that on any camera patent Sony writes the camera could have a CCD or CMOS sensor even if all their new cameras keep using CMOS sensor only.
But that this is unlikely a pure astronomical camera is somehow proved by the fact that the patent also shows non-telephoto lenses which certainly are not ideal for industrial astronomy use (example is the 50mm FF equivalent lens which makes much more sense on classic photo cameras).

2) These are the five lenses patented for a 645 medium format camera with curved sensor. But first another important note: Sony Patents almost always have unusual focal length specs that will be rounded up once the lens gets produced (a 84mm lens will become 85mm or 258mm can become 250mm or 260mm). Also be aware that those are focal lengths on a 645 and not an FF camera. A 85mm lens is actually a 50mm lens (0.62 crop). So here are the patented lens specs:

• 387mm f/2.8 (lens length: 679mm) – in Full Frame terms this is a 240mm f/1.7 (using online calculator)
• 323mm f/2.8 (lens length: 576mm) – in Full Frame terms this is a 200mm f/1.7
• 258mm f/2.8 (lens length: 380mm) – in Full Frame terms this is a 160mm f/1.7
• 161mm f/2.8 – in Full Frame terms this is a 100mm f/1.7
• 84mm f/2.9 (lens length: 123mm) – in Full Frame terms this is a 52mm f/1.7 (it would be 2cm longer than the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 FE)

Mistral shared to use these drawings from the patent and added the lens specs info (Thanks):

What’s clear form the patent is:

1. that these lenses do have a very simple design (thanks to the curved sensor)
2. that they are big lenses but also very fast (f/1.7 FF equivalent)
3. made for high Resolution sensors (thanksto their very high MTF)

No consumer available camera on the market so far could compete against this beast.

Sony Video AutoFocus Tutorial for a9 a7RII a6500 a6300 a6000

Full list of todays Gold Box deals at Amazon, BHphoto, eBay, Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it, Amazon.es.
Sony A9 Field Test Part II: The best full frame mirrorless design from Sony yet (Imaging Resource)
Bowens into liquidation (Diyphotography).
Updates on the 70-200mm GM lens (SonyAphaLab).
What are the Different Types of Cameras Used for Photography? (Adorama Learning Center)
Spring Cleaning: Examine Your Gear and Dump What You Aren’t Using (Explora).
Primo matrimonio con a Sony A9 by Vittore Buzzi.

We have our own Facebook camera groups and pages you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony A9 group and Sony A9 page.
Sony A7rIII group and Sony A7rIII page
Sony A7sIII group and Sony A7sIII page
Sony A7III group and Sony A7III page
Note: In groups you can post your own stuff like images, news and questions. While on pages you will read the specific camera news from SAR.

Dru: “I am a Sony shooter who recently shot a music video with the Sony a6300, Sony a7ii, and the Zhiyun Crane.  I would love to show people what can be done with a relatively simple set up. Sony is the best!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPABwvZnCi8 <– this is the link. Enjoy. Please send feedback.“

Japanese patent “2017-102189” discloses a design of a new Sony 400mm f/2.8 medium format lens. Now that’s already an exciting news by itself. But there is more: The lens is designed for a curved medium format sensor. Some info from the patent:

1. The lens is satisfying the effective image circle of 645 sizes, the single focus lens can be used as an interchangeable lens. (SAR note: 645 size is larger than sensors used on the Fuji GFX, Hasselblad X1D, Pentax 645Z, Leica S!!!)
2. Thanks to the curved sensor design High MTF can be obtained.
3. The patent clearly says that this camera applies for many different uses (industrial, astronomical and photography). That’s usual on a patent to describe as many areas of use as possible.
4. The patent also shares the specs of some more medium format lenses:
   – 323mm f/2.8
   – 258mm f/2.8
   – 161mm f2.8
   – 84mm f/2.9
   Note: Patent almost always have unusual focal length specs that will be rounded up once the lens gets produced (a 84mm lens will become 85mm or 258 can become 250 or 260). Also be aware that those are focal lenghts on a 645 and not an FF camera. A 85mm lens is actually a 50mm lens (0.62 crop).

Now, before you get way too excited. Companies usually do patent all kind of stuff and only a small percentage of it becomes a real product.

That said this patent clearly proves Sony is at least thinking about the possibility of making a medium format mirrorless system camera with curved sensor. How much would this cost? Your kidney, your house or soul to Satan? :)

Marc Alhadeff posted the final 100-400mm GM lens review:

The FE100-400 GM OSS F4.5-F5.6 is a excellent lens that well deserve the G Master label
– It is very sharp from center to corner, at all focal lengths
– On the range 100-200mm it is neck to neck with the 70-200GM
– Its weight , handling and build construction are very good
– AF speed is very fast, and especially reliable when coupled with the A9
– It has beautiful blurry background effects between 200 and 400mm with a good bokeh
– It can without any issue ,support a TC1.4, keeping very high quality and a good handling
– The usage of the TC2.0 will be best with a sturdy tripod and good ball head
– In video, considering the very long focal length, a tripod or monopod is a must

Lens store links: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, eBay.

For a limited time only you get the A6500 with the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens for free at BuyDig (Click here). The Sigma lens usualy sells for $339. So this is quite a good deal!

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Thanks Shoe and James for the heads up!

You can preorder the new Voigtlander MACRO APO-LANTHAR 65mm f/2.0 FE lens at BHphoto and Adorama. Shipment start is August 2.

Reminder: Macphun released a free public beta of Luminar for Windows you can download here.