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? :)

Silkypix added full support for the new Sony A9. You can download the update here: silkypix.eu

Sigma announced the pricing of the new 14mm (preorder here) and 135mm (preorder here) Cine lenses.

Reminder:
Macphun released a free public beta of Luminar for Windows you can download here.
$50 off on the Velvet 56mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama and Amazon.
Velvet 85mm lens in Stock at BHphoto, Adorama and Amazon.

Voigtlander Europe released the final details of the new Macro APO-Lanthar 65mm f/2 FE lens. It will start shipping on August 10 for 999 Euro. It’s available for preorder in UK for £749.00 inc. VAT at Robert White.

Photokina announced their show dates for 2018 and 2019. As you probably know Photokina is now taking place on a yearly basis in May. With the next 2018 event being the last taking place in September.

At Dpreview there is an interview with the Photokina manager that explains why we see those changes. What’s clear is that “classic” photography is going to have less of a key role the upcoming years.

Sigma issued a new firmware update (download here) for the MC-11 adapter:

This firmware update corrects the phenomenon that AF does not operate properly when some lenses that are not compatible with the MC-11 are attached. This firmware update does not guarantee accurate operation with lenses that are not compatible with the MC-11.

Sigma MC-11 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, eBay.