Sony released a new firmware update for the FS7 E-mount camcorder and the F5/F55.

The FS7 firmware can be downloaded at Sony Japan (Click here). It fixes a major RAW issue. And below you can find the major FS5 an F55 firmware upgrade info via Sony community:

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We are very happy to announce the release of Version 7.01 firmware for both the F5, and F55 digital motion picture cameras.

This release is v7.01. The firmware v7.00 package is not released due to last minute changes. Version 7.01 is an updated package from v7.00

Among other features and improvements, Version 7 implements the Quick Menu using the high-resolution sub-display. Three silver keys above the display and three keys below are context sensitive and give you direct access to often used, powerful features without needing to navigate the menu system. Each key will call up a special submenu page – Project, Monitoring, MLUT, Media, Viewfinder and Others – for fast, efficient navigation.

Improved viewfinder zebras – extended range

Documentarians and natural history DoPs have asked us for better viewfinder exposure tools when shooting off speed material in S-Log2 and S-Log3 without a LUT loaded in the VF. In addition to the already implemented High Brightness mode, and 1D Tone curve for the VF, we have responded with an improvement that will benefit all cinematographers in all shooting modes. We’ve extended the adjustment range of the viewfinder zebra pattern.The zebras can now indicate 18% Gray when you’re shooting in S-Log2 and S-Log3.

It’s easy to appreciate the extended ranges when you consider the output IRE levels that correspond to 18% Gray.

New Simultaneous recording mode:

This capability was requested from Documentary, Reality productions needing to shoot 4K 59.94p

For those needing to shoot HD and 4K of 50i with 50p or 59.94i with 59.94p we are implementing simultaneous recording to the same SxS Pro+ card of MPEG2 50Mbps 4:2:2 and 10 bit 4:2:2 XAVC in either 3840×2160 or 4096×2160. And as always with all simultaneous recording modes the files will have matching timecode and file naming for robust off line, on line conforming in post-production.

Rec. 2020 Color Space in Custom Mode (F55 ONLY)

To “bake in” Rec.2020 on a 4K XAVC™ recording, in Custom Mode.

A new generation of 4K Ultra HD televisions is poised to deliver unprecedented entertainment experiences to millions of viewers. The combination of Rec.2020 (ITU-R BT.2020) wide color gamut, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 3840 x 2160 resolution will offer piercing highlights, significantly more shadow detail and a range of intense colors that Rec. 709 HDTV cannot match. Sony S-Gamut3 is perfectly positioned to take advantage of Rec.2020 home viewing. Version 7.01 firmware uses Custom Mode to capture Rec.2020 color into 4096 x 2160 and 3840 x 2160 XAVC recordings.

If you are shooting in CINE EI MODE select S-Gamut3 if your intended deliverable requires Rec. 2020. For further details please read the v7 update chart below (page 2), and the release notes

PMW-F55/F5 Firmware Version V7.01 Release note     Jan. 26^th, 2016

This document explains about the firmware update of PMW-F55/F5 V7.01 from PMW-F55/F5 V6.02. The latest firmware version of related products is below.

This firmware can be updated from V6.02, V6.01, V6.00, V5.11, V5.10, V5.0, V4.12, V4.11, V4.1, V4.0, V3.0, V2.11, V2.1 and V2.0. When you want to update F55 and F5 from V1.22 and earlier, you must update to V2.0 first. Regarding the procedure and functions about V2.0, please refer to “PMW-F55/F5 Firmware Version V2.0 Release note” which was released on Oct 4^th, 2013. The F55 and F5 must not be downgraded to previous versions after updating to V2.11. We cannot guarantee trouble free operation after downgrading. http://community.sony.com/t5/F5-F55/NEW-Firmware-release-Version-2-0/m-p/195623#M6582

An “All File” saved by a previous firmware version can be loaded to V7.00 in the F55 and F5. On the other hand, “ALL File” created by V7.01 is not compatible with F55/F5 installing earlier firmware version.

NOTE: The new Firmware V7.01 for PMW-F55/F5 is only compatible with AXS-R5 running with Firmware V4.1.

If your AXS-R5 has earlier firmware installed, please update to the current Firmware V4.1 at the same time. http://community.sony.com/t5/F5-F55/NEW-F5-F55-Firmware-Version-v4-11-and-AXS-R5-v4-1/m-p/410782#M19…

[shoplink 44043 ebay][/shoplink] Image above shows the [shoplink 44043 ebay]Fuji 6X9 film camera[/shoplink].

Sony is conquering all the medium format sensor market with their CMOS sensors. First the 50MP senor got used by all Medium Format makers. And now they launched the world’s highest resolution 101MP CMOS sensor for Phase One.

And now here comes the news:

It’s known that Fuji designs the X-trans sensor but Sony is actually making those. Well yesterday Fuji officially stated that they are testing the a new medium format sensor (easy to guess it’s made by Sony). Fuji is investigating the possibility to launch a medium format system camera. And also Sony is rumored to testing such models (probably RX fixed lens format).

Now here comes my dream part:

We know Sony is reading us. So I figured that for once we will take the chance to let SAR readers express their opinion on unlikely but still exciting dream idea: What would you think if Fuji and Sony would launch a new medium format mirrorless system together? It would create diversity within the system, make it growth fast and probably also keep costs reasonable. Let us know:

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SAR reader Mistral75 (Thanks!) shared some additional info and image samples about the Laowa STF 105mm f/2.0 lens on Flickr (see here). The company estimates the lens will cost $550-600 and shipment target is before summer.

Reminder:
After the [shoplink 43950 ebay]Laowa 60mm f/2.8 Macro 2:1 (here on eBay)[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 43951 ebay]Laowa 15mm f/4 Shift Macro 1:1 lenses (here on eBay)[/shoplink], the Chinese company Anhui Changgeng Optical Technology Company Limited, better known as Venus Optics (see http://www.venuslens.net/about), will launch the Laowa STF 105mm f/2 (T/3.2).

It is a portrait lens with an apodization filter that gives a more progressive and velvety bokeh than an ordinary lens (STF stands for Smooth Trans Focus). This is the same principle as for the [shoplink 43952 ebay]Minolta AF / Sony 135mm f/2.8 [T/4.5] STF[/shoplink] and close to that of the Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R APD.

Click on images to enlarge:

The Laowa has the advantage over the Sony of being one EV brighter. Hereafter its main features:

– 11 elements, including the apodization filter, 1 element made of glass with high refractive index and 3 elements made of low dispersion glass, in 8 groups
– Manual focus (the apodization filter is hostile for phase-detection autofocus)
– Minimum focusing distance: 90cm
– Maximum magnification: 0.16x
– Filter diameter: 67mm
– Dimensions: 76 mm (maximum diameter) x 98.8 mm (length) (depending on lens mount)
– Weight: 746 g (depending on lens mount)
– Available mounts: Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A and Sony E
– Available in black and silver
– Launch date: January 18, 2016
– Price in China: the equivalent of €500-550 (probably more in Western countries)

Image samples:

You can find more details and many pictures taken with the lens on two threads from the Chinese forum Xitek:

http://forum.xitek.com/thread-1533456-1-1-1.html

http://forum.xitek.com/thread-1444928-1-1-1.html

In addition to the pictures in the threads referenced above, sample images are available for download from:

– https://yunpan.cn/OcuWqL82CSKLPX password: 9351. 9 pictures taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (full-resolution jpeg files)

– https://yunpan.cn/OcuWqBwTM7s9Bw password: CFAE. 1 picture taken with a Nikon D800 (full-resolution jpeg file) and 9 Canon RAW files (CR2)

You will also find a number of images (pictures of the lens, optical formula, MTF curves and a dozen of sample images as full-resolution jpeg files) in the dedicated Flickr album I have set up: https://flic.kr/s/aHsksPyYgn.

Kind regards
Mistral75