Official Sony A7III Help Guide explains you the new firmware update features

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The official Sony A7III Help Guide now explains you how to set the new features: EyeAF (Click here) and Interval Shooting Functions (Click here).

a7R III
ILCE-7RM3 Update file (for Windows)              File name : Update_ILCE7RM3V300.exe
ILCE-7RM3 Update file (for Mac)              File name : Update_ILCE7RM3V300.dmg
a7 III
ILCE-7M3 Update file (for Windows)              File name : Update_ILCE7M3V300.exe
ILCE-7M3 Update file (for Mac)              File name : Update_ILCE7M3V300.dmg

 

Firmware live update report by David Oastler

An Animal EyeAF test:

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Paul Nicklen (5,4 milion followers on IG) explains why he switched from Canon to Sony

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World famous photorapher Paul Nicklen sent out this newsletter to explain his switch to Sony:

I’ve switched to Sony mirrorless cameras. Here’s why.

I know these words might frustrate some of you, because for photographers, investing in gear is a huge financial commitment and we all want to get it right the first time. Once we go down a path of bodies and lenses, it’s difficult to switch.

I’ve made the decision to switch from my DSLR system to a Sony mirrorless system because I’ve realized mirrorless is the future of our industry—and Sony is leading the charge.

In the same vein as the evolution of life, there is also the evolution of camera equipment; it’s always changing. Early on in my career, most people at National Geographic shot Nikon, the prosumer camera of choice, especially in the film days. I excitedly moved to Canon in the early 2000s as they seemed to be the frontrunner in the digital space, but I never wanted to lock into a relationship with a major camera company because I didn’t want to be held to any one system. I’m a journalist and an artist, and I want to shoot with the best of the best and the latest and the greatest. After all, it’s really about getting the shot—a shot that will live on forever. And in my case, to tell an important story that has enough impact to create change for our planet.

I get dozens of emails from people every day asking me which camera I recommend, a question I haven’t readily been answering. The truth is, I’ve been conflicted.

Even though I have been shooting Canon until recently, for the past two years, I have I found myself telling everyone to buy a Sony system. See? Conflicted. It’s like telling someone to become a vegetarian while living on a carnivorous diet.

Cristina Mittermeier, my partner and co-founder of Sealegacy, has been shooting Sony for the past 12 years. I’ve watched her closely in the past two years and have become deeply impressed with the rapid evolution of this powerful photography system.
Cristina on expedition in the Abrolhos Archipelago, making the most of her Sony gear.
For a long time, the race was for DSLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras. DSLRs use a mirror, meaning every time you hit the shutter, the mirror goes up, the camera opens the shutter, exposes the image, and then the mirror closes. And for years, that race was mostly Canon and Nikon—until the introduction of mirrorless systems.

What does mirrorless mean? No mirror flips up and then bangs shut. You know that mirror sound: the one that almost rattles your teeth and scares huge flocks of birds from the trees and sends a bear running for the forest as you hammer away at ten frames a second. I’ve received countless angry glances from Cristina and other mirrorless shooters when my DSLR goes clack-clack-clack while they are quietly getting the shot at double the frame rate or nearly double the file size.

What happens when you physically remove the mirror from a camera? With no moving parts, the camera gets faster, and it becomes silent: the two most important camera traits for a wildlife photographer.

While other companies were devoting R&D to DSLR systems, Sony quietly went about investing most of its R&D in mirrorless systems. To me, it feels like the other big manufacturers are now trying to play catch-up—and it could take quite some time.

Combining a 42mb file while shooting at 10 frames a second on incredible quality G Master lenses while also being 100% silent makes the decision seem pretty simple. Life is about compromises, and camera equipment is no different.

Finally, for the first time since I became a professional photographer, I can wholeheartedly tell the world that this is what I shoot, guilt-free.

I’m proud to be a Sony Artisan of Imagery; I’m proud to tell everyone who asks me about what system they should get. I’ve stopped being conflicted.

That said, what are my favorite camera and lens combinations? I like the A7R3 for the file size and the speed of shooting. At 20 frames per second (fps), the A9 has its place as well. For me, 10 fps is fantastic; I will take file size over speed, mostly because I love seeing my images as massive fine art prints. But having 20 fps at my fingertips is a tremendous asset as well.

For lenses, I love the 12–24mm G wide-angle zoom for its range at the ultra-wide spectrum: it’s a spectacular lens for underwater photography. The 16–35 focal length used to be my favourite but I find that I leave it in my bag more often than not because I prefer the 12–24mm. The 24–70 f/2.8 G Master lens is great for portraits, but I can’t wait to try the new 135mm G Mast4er after hearing all the recent buzz. But my favourite lens of all is the 100–400mm G Master; it is a workhorse like no other. Finally, the new 400mm f/2.8 is incredible for low-light shooting; with teleconverters, I can shoot it at 800mm. With a 42mm MB file, I can afford to crop in even more, which really makes that lens combo about 1200mm—all while keeping the 30MB equivalent.

I couldn’t be more excited or grateful for the journey ahead. Thank you for sharing in the adventure.

Found via Sonymirrorlesspro.com

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Sony officially released the new A7rIII and A7III firmware updates!

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Downloads:
Sony A7rIII firmware at Sony.
Sony A7III firmware at Sony.

Share your tests and findings in our comment system!

Press:

New Firmware Update for Sony α7 III and Sony α7R III Boosts Eye AF Capabilities and Adds Interval Shooting for Time Lapse

Sony’s acclaimed α7 III and α7R III mirrorless cameras have received an exciting firmware update – software version 3.0 – that enhances Real-time Eye AF performance and adds Real-time Animal Eye AF and interval shooting for time lapse.

Real-time Eye AF

Software Version 3.0 brings Real-time Eye-AF to the α7R III and α7 III, an AI-driven enhanced eye detection system that’s based on the results of machine learning. Through machine learning, Sony has created a system that can detect—and focus on—the human eye even if the subject is looking down, partially blocked in the frame, turning or backlit. This feature is available in AF-C mode with a simple half-press of the shutter button.

Real-time Animal Eye AF

As with human eye recognition, Software Version 3.0 brings AI-driven animal eye detection to Sony cameras for the first time. Advanced subject recognition allows the α7 III and α7R III to detect and track animal eyes, and is the first step in a robust animal-tracking AF system.

The development of Animal Eye AF performance will continue, increasing the range of animals recognized by the system as well the system’s ability to track their movement.

Interval Shooting

This new software adds a built-in interval timer, enabling photographers to easily capture and create time-lapse movies. The new feature can be set for anywhere between 1 and 60 seconds, with a total number of shots from 1 to 9999. AE tracking sensitivity is available to be adjusted to “High”, “Mid” or “Low” in order to reduce changes in exposure.

 


Press text via Alphauniverse:

Sony has just released firmware version 3.0 for the Sony α7R III and α7 III. The update gives α7R III and α7 III users new AF capabilities as well as an advanced built-in intervalometer for time lapse.

For α7R III click here. For the α7 III click here.

Drew Geraci, one of the top time lapse creators in the world, has used the intervalometer functionality that’s built into this new firmware. “I think it’s probably one of the best features that they’ve added in a long time,” he says, “I’m glad to see it’s finally in there. There’s definitely a lot of things to it that I think will help time lapse photographers.”

Above: Time lapse by Sony Artisan of Imagery Drew Geraci

Besides just the basic intervalometer ability to set the number of frames and the interval, Geraci points to a few other key features that Sony has included. “The introduction of the low, mid and high levels of automatic exposure sensitivity is great, especially if you’re in a city situation where the lights are always changing and you want to make sure that the scene is metered properly or if you’re in a darker situation out in the wilderness and you’re watching the moon rise, you can set it so the exposure will change more gradually. They’ve also added a playback function that allows you to actually get an in-camera playback of the time lapse instantly. It’s like being able to chimp your time lapse. That’s one of the best features that comes with the firmware update.”

Above: Time lapse by Sony Alpha Imaging Collective member Rachel Jones Ross.

In addition to the interval shooting, the firmware breaks new ground with AI-driven autofocus features.

Real-time Eye AF builds on the continuous Eye AF technology with an AI-driven eye-detection system that will detect and keep focus on the eye even in particularly difficult situations. (see below for more details).

Animal Eye AF which detects and tracks animal eyes (the feature currently works with dogs and cats and more animals will be supported in future updates).

For more information about firmware updates for Sony cameras and lenses, see the Alpha Universe firmware page here.

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Free extras with the Sony A7rIII using our code

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You will get an additional $120 discount when buying this Sony A7rIII superbundle at FocusCamera using our checkout code “SAR3“. Bundle Includes:

  • Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera (Body Only)
  • Rode Microphones VideoMic GO Lightweight On-Camera Microphone
  • SanDisk Ultra 128GB SD Card
  • Dolica AX620B 62″ Proline Tripod and Ball Head
  • Koah PRO Sony NP-FZ100 Two-Pack Rechargeable 2000mAh Battery and Dual Charger
  • SwissGear Zinc DSLR Camera Messenger Bag
  • Focus Accessories for 260 Bag
  • Corel Deluxe Premium Photo Software Kit with New Photo Mirage

New gear in Stock:
Sony RX0II at Amazon US ,BHphoto, FocusCamera and Adorama.
Samyang 85mm f/1.4 autofocus FE lens is in Stock for the first time via Adorama (Click here).

Capture One for Sony Superdeal:
The Capture One deal on all Sony packages (Click here) has been extended to April 30! You save 50% on the perpetual license, the subscription pan and the style bundles.

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Samyang 85mm f/1.4 FE in Stock at Adorama

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The new Samyang 85mm f/1.4 autofocus FE lens is in Stock for the first time via Adorama (Click here).

A7rIII:
Sony USA launched a new rebate on the Sony A7rIII. Save $400 at BuyDig, BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera.

New gear in Stock:
Sony RX0II at Amazon US ,BHphoto, FocusCamera and Adorama.

Capture One for Sony Superdeal:
The Capture One deal on all Sony packages (Click here) has been extended to April 30! You save 50% on the perpetual license, the subscription pan and the style bundles.

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Sigma CEO says compact (f/2.0?) primes for Full Frame mirrorless are in development…

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Sigma CEO Yamaki got interview at Dpreview. There are two news that might be interesting for our readers:

  1. Sigma plans to launch a couple of properly designed Full Frame mirrorless L-mount lenses by end 2019. While Yamaki doesn’t mention it I am certain those very same lenses will be launched as native E-mount versions too
  2. Sigma is considering to launch smaller and more compact (f/2.0?) primes for mirrorless FF cameras. Nice idea!

Can’t wait to see all those new E-mount lenses!

 

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