Newly published Sony patent describes an external optical viewfinder for Sony cameras

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Hi Lows Note spotted a newly published Sony patent (Application date March 14, 2019). It describes the functionality of a new optical viewfinder.

Sony once had the FDA-V1K viewfinder for the RX1 which you can only find as used version on Amazon. And also a FDA-SV1 made for Sony A5xxx-A6xxx styled cameras:

 

The patented version has a more round design and it’s unclear if this new version will be made for a future new RX FF model or for a A6xxx styled camera.

I do not speak Japanese so it’s unclear what improvements we can expect. If you read Japanese check out the original patent here: j-platpat.inpit.go.jp

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This week SAR readers photos selection

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Stefan Petershofer
Sony Alpha Camera
Sony A7III + FE 2470GM

1) You can submit one single picture per week only.
2) To submit your picture for the weekly readers roundup post you can choose one of the following three options:
– Instagram: Follow @sonyalphagallery and tag us on your picture to give us the permission to repost your image on the instagram gallery and on SAR (we will credit you)
– Facebook: Submit your picture on our group: facebook.com/groups/sonyalphacamera. Please add the hashtag “#sonyalphagallery ” to grant the permission for reposting on SAR. Without the hashtag we will not add your picture!
– Forum: Submit your picture on the SonyAlphaForum image section and add the hashtag “#sonyalphagallery ”
3) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: instagram.com/sonyalphagallery, facebook.com/groups/sonyalphacamera and on SonyAlphaForum.
4) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.

Note: When sending a pic feel free to also add a link to your site to promote yourself! And please do share one single picture per week only. Do not spam :)

 

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You can now have the new Mitakon Zhongyi Creator 85mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro E-mount Lens at Adorama

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It’s available for preorder at Adorama (Click here).

The Mitakon was back in November:

Zhongyi Mitakon 85mm f/2.8 1-5X Super Macro Lens has a wide magnification range (from 1X to 5X) allowing photographers to capture subjects at different sizes. Users no longer need to DIY or use any extension tubes to reach high magnification shooting. The lens is also designed to have one of the longest working distance for ANY super macro lens. The closest working distance at 5x magnification is 3.93” (10cm) and 10.7” (27.2cm) at 1x magnification. This working distance is so much longer than traditional macro lenses in the market. Photographers can now start shooting macro objects without getting too close and scare them away. The extended working distance also implies lighting can get to the subjects easier. It is also more friendly to use on video shooting. This new super macro lens also has a near telecentric performance which is a big advantage when it comes to macro image stacking photography or industrial usage.

The new 1x-5x Super Macro lens incorporates a 12 elements in 8 groups structure which delivers impressive resolution from corners to corners. The chromatic aberration is also controlled to the minimum (APO design). Weighing merely 1.65 lbs (750g) and 6.7cm long, it is a perfect companion for both wildlife or indoor lab shooting. It is relatively compact in its class which allows photographers to capture extremely fine subjects or patterns with different sizes. Greater magnification can also be achieved by stacking extension tubes or bellows. The high magnification is extremely useful for scientific purposes. The lens can only be used in macro distances and cannot focus to infinity. A 58mm filter thread is also available.

The enclosure of the lens is made of metal to strengthen its durability. Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, Sony Alpha, Pentax K, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, Fuji X mounts are available.

Sample Images

5 years warranty only covers the lens but NOT the accessories (i.e. tripod collar & LED light)

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Sony newly published videos show the Xperia 1 II 5G camera UI

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As you know Sony is working hard to transfer the Alpha features on their smartphones. And I do hope the benefit will also go into the other direction: Proper smartphone touchscreen features that will find their way into future Sony A7 cameras.

Below you can find the newly published videos showing the User Interface of their new flagship Sony XPERIA 1II model:

I like how this works and can’t wait to finally get an A7x camera with this very large high resolution screen, new UI and fully functional touchscreen operations!

–

via Phonearena (Thanks to the anonymous messenger)

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World’s first review of the new Meyer Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100mm F2.8 II E-mount lens

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Marc Alhadeff from SonyAlphaBlog tested the new Meyer Optik Görlitz Trioplan 100mm F2.8 II E-mount lens. This is the first lens produced by the new company OPC Optics. They acquired the bancrupt Meyer Optik in 2018. You can now preorder them at BHphoto:

Conclusion of Marc Alhadeffs review:

The Meyer Optik Trioplan 100mm F2.8 is an unusual lens that has its own signature
It will give you a unique look for portraits and flowers pictures if you can compose a scene with a subject at 1m and a noisy background at 3-10m (with some lights if you want big well defined bubble)
You can also use extension tube to do some more macro and increase the size of the soap bubble bokeh
Video results are also very nice and give a unique look

To summarise

  • Excellent build quality
  • Good sharpness wide open with low contrast requiring post processing
  • Good as of F4 with decent contrast
  • Unique soap bubble bokeh at F2.8 and very good diffuse bokeh at F4
  • Need to compose with subject at 1m and background around 3-10m to maximise effect
  • Reduced zone that will be in focus : so good for individual portrait but not for couple
  • Lot of Ghosting flare with incident light
  • Price relatively high : 1000 euros

Compared to a vintage lens it will not do better in term of sharpness , contrast, bubble bokeh and some 1st grade vintage Trioplan like the one I own are doing better

One of the main advantage of the new version is that the focusing does not change when you change the aperture, on the old one when I was closing down the aperture I had to refocus otherwise it was a little bit out of focus most of the time
But buying an old Trioplan does not give you warranty on the mechanics and expose you to more variability in term of the quality of the results (Try to find a one with the 1 in the triangle = 1st grade)At 1000 euros vs 400-700 euros for an old one , you pay for brand new mechanics, high quality manufacturing , no need of adaptor and more controlled/constant quality

Choice is yours

  • be adventurous buying an old one or
  • stay safe buying the new one ,

In both cases you will be able to experiment the Soap bubble bokeh but will require some post processing for contrast

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