Sony Photokina press conference on Monday September 19 at 15:00 Berlin time

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On Monday September 19 at 15:00 Berlin time Sony will have a press conference. So far it seems like the big focus will be on the Sony World Photography Awards Gallery presentation. There is a fair chance that Sony will not announce any new camera.
This isn’t unexpected as Sony usually announces their important new products after those kind of major events to get the full spotlight. Two years ago they announced the new A7II after Photokina (in November).
Also note that the Kumamoto damage created a sever shortage on sensor. While other manufacturers like Olympus, Panasonic and Fuji will announce new cameras at Photokina all of them will ship in early 2017 only.

Now let’s hope I am wrong and Sony has a surprise we don’t know about yet…

A9 and A99II rumor hints: Our trusted sources (the same who for example correctly leaked to us correct info like the Sony E-mount lens image) confirmed both biggest rumors: The new High End E-mount camera is ready to be released on market within few months…and the new High End A99 successor development has finished. But the official release date is still “hush hush”. And in the case of the A-mount High End camera I do hope marketing also decides to put that camera into production. Sony pomised they would keep developing new A-mount cameras…so don’t blame yourself Sony ok?

 

Sony at Photokina: http://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/photokina-trade-show

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Jeff’s new guide on the Sony A7 Series Hack

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SAR reader Jeff made this video to show how the Sony A7 Series Hack works:

Please do at your own risk. We are not responsible for what happens to your camera. Good luck!
Discussion about the hack:
http://www.personal-view.com/talks/di…
Github page:
https://github.com/ma1co/OpenMemories…
Where you can install the hack:
https://sony-pmca.appspot.com/apps
Articles about the hack:
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/a-firs…
https://www.cinema5d.com/sony-alpha-h…

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Metz teases a new High End Flash launch

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On Facebook Metz launched that teaser for a new Flash launch. And they write:

EXPECT FIRST CLASS! #Metz #mecablitz
At photokina, we present you a new flash light which will be the starting shot of a new generation of insertion flashes! With new developed technologies and construction, we save more than 30 % of the manufactured size.#SizeMatters ;)
Till photokina, we will publish further exlusive information concerning the new flash light on facebook! ? #Metz #TheLightpioneer

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New Zeiss Loxia 85mm lens is on preorder at BHphoto for $1,399

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The new Zeiss Loxia 85mm lens is now available for preorder at BHphoto (Click here).

Sony semiannual deals are back! Check out the very long list of deals at BHphoto page (Click here) and Adorama page (Click here).

Semi

Full Frame E-mount lenses:
$25 off on the Sony 21mm f/2.8-22 Ultra Wide Converter Lens at Amazon.
$25 off on the 24-240mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$25 off on the Sony 28mm FE lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$50 off on the Sony 50mm FE f/1.8 lens at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon and Focuscamera.
$100 off on the Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$100 off on the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 70-200mm G lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 90mm macro lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$100 off on the 28-135mm PZ lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

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Loxia 2.4/85 image gallery and first review: “significantly outresolves Sony’s 42Mpix sensor”

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You can now preorder the new Zeiss Loxia 85mm FE lens at BHphoto (Click here).

Zeiss also published a full Image Gallery shot with the new Loxia 85mm lens on Flickr (Click here). The leaflet with the full technical details can be downloaded at Zeiss (Click here).

And DearSusan (Click here) published the first and yet only full Loxia 85mm review:

To sum things up, this new Loxia is mostly a stellar performer, from a technical point of view.
Though the f/2.4 max aperture might not turn heads at the pub, it is at least a fully usable f/2.4 in which aperture is used purely as a means of light gathering and depth of field control, not to control aberrations. And the Sonnar design certainly lives up to its sweet-bokeh reputation.
The Loxia 85 significantly outresolves my 42Mpix sensor and should be future-proofed for the next couple of generations of megapixel lunacy that manufacturers will inevitably inflict upon us in place of better handling

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Zeiss officially announces the new Loxia 85mm f/2.4 Sonnar FE lens

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It’s official. Here we have the new Loxia 85mm f/2.4 Sonnar lens! You can now preorder the new Zeiss Loxia 85mm FE lens at BHphoto (Click here).

Press text via Lenspire:

The Loxia 2.4/85 is the youngest member of our manual focus lens family for Sony α7 series cameras. So the already available three focal lengths of the lens family – Loxia 2.8/21, Loxia 2/35 and Loxia 2/50 – are supplemented with a lens in the tele range. Specially designed for mirrorless full-frame cameras with E mount, the compact ZEISS Loxia lenses are the ideal choice for travel and street photographers who value light and compact camera equipment. “In terms of its technology and the feel of its surface, the Loxia 2.4/85 fits perfectly with the existing focal lengths, and is particularly well suited for portrait photography,” says Christophe Casenave, product manager with ZEISS Camera Lenses. The Loxia 2.4/85 will be available in stores starting December 2016.

Optimized ZEISS Sonnar® design

The new Loxia 2.4/85 with its seven lens elements in seven groups has been designed for digital sensors and is based on an optimized ZEISS Sonnar design.

“With the ZEISS Loxia 2.4/85, we have managed to develop a well-rounded and new interpretation of the original ZEISS Sonnar optical design that meets all the requirements of digital photography and videography.”

Christophe Casenave, product manager, ZEISS Camera Lenses

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The lens has a minimum object distance of 0.80 meters. The manual focus ring has a rotation angle of 220 degrees and enables the subtlest variations of focusing. The large aperture of f/2.4 combined with the high-quality optical design ensures an appealing bokeh. The electronic interface transfers lens data (EXIF) as well as focus movements. Additionally, if desired by the user, this activates the camera’s loupe function. “Precise manual focusing with hard stop and the mechanical setting of the aperture (working aperture priority mode) provide sophisticated photographers who don’t want to leave everything to the camera abundant possibilities for composition,” Casenave adds.

Also ideally suited for filming 

Videographers also don’t come off badly with the new Loxia. Again the well-known de-click function is on board. This allows for mechanically deactivating the click stops on the aperture ring — a condition for silent and infinite adjustments of the aperture. As a result, the ZEISS Loxia 2.4/85 is also an attractive lens for video cameras that have an E mount, such as the Sony PXW-FS7 and PXW-FS5. The overall package comprises a robust metal barrel, the filter diameter of M52 (which is identical across all focal lengths) and protection against penetration of dust and spray onto the lens mount. In addition, the external diameter, which is uniform across all ZEISS Loxia lenses, simplifies film shoots.

 

ZEISS Lens Gears

In combination with our ZEISS Lens Gears, our Loxia lenses can also be used ideally with a follow focus system. The Lens Gears are made of high-quality aluminum with a hardened surface coating. Through simple mounting they can be attached to the focus ring of the lens. To do so, they are simply slid over the lens and then fixed by turning two rings that each go in the opposite direction. Therefore, precise focusing is possible and the lenses become endowed with similar features as a full-scale cine lens. The Lens Gear Rings in the sizes mini (62 – 69mm, 60 – 67mm with GumGum) fit the Loxia lenses.

 

Price and availability

Global delivery of the ZEISS Loxia 2.4/85 will begin at the beginning of December 2016. The lens shade is included with delivery. The recommended retail sales price is 1,399 euros (including 19% VAT in Germany) or 1,399 US$.

More information about the ZEISS Loxia lenses:

www.zeiss.com/loxia

lenspire.zeiss.com/en/tag/loxia,zeiss-loxia

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