Reviews: 50mm FE, 85mm GM and 70-300mm FE

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Mike Ling posted the 85mm GM video test above and writes:

This is a real life lens comparison of the Sony 85 GM, Zeiss Otus 55, Zeiss 135 APO, Nikon 85 F1.8G. The Sony is very sharp wide open at F1.4, the color seems much warmer compare to the other 3 lenses in the test. All raw and jpeg images can be downloaded to pixel peep in Lightroom, link iis under the video descriptions.
85mm GM store links: [shopcountry 47395].

The 50mm FE lens got reviewed at Dsphotoblog:

This lens has excellent value for money when it comes to image quality and the warm look you get. For 248 $ or 300 euros it even beats Tamron and Sigma lenses. The image quality and the look are that good that I will keep this lens and hope that Sony will release a firmware update for it to improve the autofocus. If i would give it a rating it would be a 8+ out of 10 for image quality and the look. The FE 50 1.8 is small and lightweight and it makes total sense on an A7 series camera especially for street shooting and travelling and of course for portraits.
50mm FE store links: [shopcountry 47526].

And Ricky Ban is testing the new 70-300mm FE lens:

I’ve posted a comparison of the Sony FE 24-70 GM vs Sony FE 70-300 @ 70mm F/4.5. Not sure if your readers are interested. Just did it for some fun. And to compare the sharpness of them both.
70-300 FE store links: [shopcountry 47527].

And Digitalrev compared the Bokeh performance between the Otus 85mm and Sony 85mm GM lens

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Sony Tidbits…

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Sony ASe7ens – The journey to Japan

Sony Alpha 7 Aktion: Bis zu 80 EUR Rabatt auf ausgewählte Objektive at Amazon.de
Sony 50mm F/1.8 – Slow Autofocus (Sonyalphaforum).
Sony 50mm 1.8 FE vs Zeiss Loxia 2/50 Image Comparison (Youtube).
A6300 with MC-11 and Sigma 50-100 F1.8 (Youtube).
The Sony 50mm FE f/1.8 Lens: A Strategic Error for Sony (Mike on the street)
How a Hunk of Metal Could Be a Game-Changer for Sony Users: Sigma MC-11 (Pmrphoto).
Sony’s FS5 is the Best Get-It-Right, NO FUTZING AROUND Interchangeable Lens Video Camera for the Money Out There Today. Here’s Why. (Hugh Brownstone).
Humidity caused corrosion on A7S I & II (SonyAlphaForum).

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Yes this is cool! First Canon FD autofocus test from Dirk Westermann!

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[shoplink 47935 ebay]

[/shoplink]
[shoplink 47935 ebay]Canon FD 500L[/shoplink] + [shoplink 47939 ebay]FD to M adapter[/shoplink] + Techart M to E adapter on the A6300.
Image by Dirk Westermann on Facebook.

The first batch of the new Techart PRO Leica M autofocus adapter is now shipping. SAR reader Dirk Westermann got the adapter and he is the using it to “add autofocus” on [shoplink 47938 ebay]Canon FD lenses[/shoplink]!
Above you can see his picture of his huge [shoplink 47935 ebay]Canon FD 500L (here one Bay)[/shoplink]. He used two adapters to add autofocus on the A6300: The [shoplink 47939 ebay]FD to M adapter[/shoplink] and then the Techart Leica M adapter.  It’s really amazong that your old (and still high quality) Canon FD lens can now autofocus on Sony E-mount cameras!

This is what Dirk writes:

—–

1. First of all I still find it amazing that I now have auto focus on my manual FD lenses. I have been using FD lenses with manual focus for some years, and the keeper rate for birds with focus peaking was like 20%, because the feather details and the harsh crops that are often necessary are very unforgiving if the focus is not exactly right. Now, with this fantastic new adapter, the keeper rate is about 80%!! as far as I can estimate this after the 5 days that I have had it.
When using my great portrait lens [shoplink 47941 ebay]Canon FD L 85mm f1.2[/shoplink], AF accuracy is crucial due to the little DOF. Also there, the adapter does a great job and even with f1.2 it is easy to get the eye EXACTLY in focus!

Here is a sample image that I took with the Sony A6300, TECHART PRO adapter and my [shoplink 47942 ebay]Canon FD 300F4L lens[/shoplink].
The AF really nails it most of the time, fantastic work, Techart people!
Image by Dirk Westermann on Facebook.

2. I prefer CAF at that time, especially with the longer lenses. This enables me to change the manual focus when I have half pressed the shutter, and the adapter then constantly adapts the AF. With my big lenses (CANON FD 500mm and FD 300mm) the range where the adapter can auto focus is quite small and the accuracy of the manual pre focus is more important, so with this method I can manually narrow the focus to the area where the AF then works.

3. I would prefer an adapter position somewhere in the middle when I turn on the camera. Now the adapter is at the far end and can only adapt to one direction. I prefer to do a quick and rough pre focus, and then half press the shutter and the adapter does the AF fine tuning from that position, into one or the other direction, thus a middle position would be more helpful. But it also works as it is now.

4. It is tricky to find the right [shoplink 47939 ebay]Leica M to FD adapter[/shoplink], because the available models are too large in their diameter. I modified a cheap M to FD adapter DIY and now it fits perfectly.

Hope this helps!

—-

Thanks Dirk!

 

 

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What’s going on with those “missing” lenses: 24-70mm GM, 70-200mm GM and Batis 18mm

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Batis18mm

Many readers may have noticed that three of the new lenses are not in Stock or not even available for preorder. So here is the situation:

  1. Sony 24-70mm GM lens:
    As reported by Sony a month ago the lens got an unexpected high demand on preorders. But Sony did not specify when the lens will be shipped in larger quantity.
    Currently only some [shoplink 47915 ebay]UK-Asian eBay sellers (Click here)[/shoplink] and Digitalrev (1-2 weeks shipment) do have the lens in Stock. The German store Calumetphoto says it will take 1-3months(!) to get the lens. In USA Amazon, B&H, Adorama share no info at all about the possible shipment date.
  2. Sony 70-200mm GM lens:
    Sony said the lens would “be available in May”. But it’s easy to guess now that this won’t happen. Sony did not share any official info about the price and new shipment date of the lens yet. But it’s easy to guess that Sony wants to first deliver the 24-70mm GM lens preorders before to start taking orders on the tele zoom.
  3. Batis 18mm:
    As usual with new Zeiss lenses it’s hard to find their new E-mount lenses in Stock. Some EU and Asian stored do have a few of copies in Stock on [shoplink 47045 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] . It’s unclear when US stores like Amazon and BHphoto will ship them.

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New Elinchrom HS System for Sony

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Elinchrom

Elinchrom launched the new Skyport Plus HS for Sony and two ELB400 HS

John Wilhelm tested the Skyport Plus HS and two ELB400 HS with the Sony A7rII. He used the Elinchrom to “freeze something fast in action”. If you check out his website you will see the interesting effect created with the new tool. His verdict is:

“It works, it rocks, it’s easy to handle, it is flawless in my opinion. If you’re looking for a great flash system just go for the Elinchrom HS stuff. Swiss quality ;)”

Bildschirmfoto 2016-05-14 um 14.48.42

The EL-Skyport Transmitter Plus HS is currently available for Canon and Nikon (with Sony to follow). Street Price: $249.95 USD / €249 EUR / £199 GBP. The full product presentation can be found at Elinchrom.ch/announcements/Skyport-Plus-HS.html. Here is a video introduction of the new Skyport Plus HS:

Note: The video mentions it’s compatible with Canon and Nikon. But it’s also compatible with Sony :)

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