Sony is working on a Lytro alike camera (Patent).

The complex image on top shows you a new Sony Light Field sensor that has been patented by Sony (United States Application US20140071244). Basically it’s a Sony version of the famous new Lytro Illum (here on Amazon). As you know a Light field camera can take the entire light field instead of a pure 2D image. It means you can refocus in post production and even change the perspective. Try it out here:


Click to refocus. Click and drag for Perspective Shift. (Source: Pictures Lytro).

Well, the drawback of such cameras is that the resolution is very low. And that’s exactly what Sony claims to have fixed in this patent:

“a camera system that have no useless pixel arrangement and are capable of suppressing decrease in resolution which may be caused by adopting stereo function.“

The sensor tech is very complicated and we have to see how long it will take for Sony to get this into a real mass-produced camera. But now imagine for a second to have a Full Frame camera with such a sensor. Damn, that would be amazing …or not?

Metz flash units for “Sony Multi Interface” flash shoes

Metz announced the new flah unit for “Sony Multi Interface”.

Here is the official press release (Source: Metz.de):

The Sony versions of the two Metz flash units 44 AF-1 digital and 52 AF-1 digital now come equipped with new feet for cameras with “Sony Multi Interface” flash shoes. While the mecablitz 44 AF-1 digital is considered to be one of the most handy flash units available, the powerful mecablitz 52 AF-1 digital is particularly impressive thanks to its convenient touch display and nu-merous adjustment options. Since the middle of last year, Sony digital cameras now come with the “Sony Multi Interface” flash shoes, making it necessary to adapt the Metz Sony-compatible flash units accordingly. Therefore, now the Sony versions of our 44 AF-1 digital and 52 AF-1 digital flash units have been given new flash feet. This means a Sony flash shoe adapter is no longer necessary. A corresponding adapter is required if you wish to connect flash units with the conventional Sony/Minolta flash feet. These adapters may be included in the scope of delivery for some Sony camera models.

This week SAR readers photos selection.


Charlie Kaye‎
Sony A6000 with the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4.
At the Jazz Age Lawn Party on New York’s Governors Island.

To get on the SAR readers selection post you have to:
1) Submit your picture with a message and picture here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors.
2) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors/photos.
3) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.

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Zeiss promises a fix for the Touit 50mm macro flash delay problem.

Our reader Jim noticed an issue with the new Zeiss Touit 50mm macro lens:

I have recently purchased the Touit 50 macro for my Sony a6000 and was delighted with the combination until I found that the lens is unusable with the camera when the flash is deployed. There is a 3 second delay from pressing the shutter button to the flash and shutter operating.

He contacted Zeiss to ask for a solution and that’s their answer:

Yes, this flash problem with the Sony cameras could be solved with a firmware update for the Touit lens. A new firmware is under development and is scheduled to be released during this summer.
When a new firmware update is available, we will inform you by email.

Competition news: Nikon D810 features Sony 36MP sensor.

This is likely one of the most unexciting camera updates ever. Nikon announced the new D810 (specs at Amazon) which features the Sony 36MP sensor and brings only very minor improvements over the D800 (electronic first curtain and so on). The news that matter for us are:

1) There is no new Sony FF sensor in use with the camera. This is the same A7r sensor. Don’t know if that means that Nikon has no exclusivity on new Sony sensors anymore…
2) This may be a chance for Sony to close the gap with their new A-mount FF that could be announced at Photokina in September.

It will be far more intersting to se what Canon is up with their new FF sensor tech. Going to be an exciting rumor summer :)

Sony Tidbits…

Stunning Aerial Video of Spring Flooding in Alberta Shot with a Drone-Mounted NEX-5N (via PetaPixel).

Having a blast with the Sony A7s (Steve Huff).
Sony A7s test at Kasayapa (google translation).
Sony Action Cam Blog! Comeback at http://sonyactioncam2.blogspot.com/
A7s test at Cnet Japan.
Review: Sony RX100 Mark III Top-of-the-Range Compact Camera (Digitalversus).
Sony AX100 review at Camcorders.Reviewed.
video comparing the RX10 and the FZ1000 at Cameras.reviewed.
Mirrorless Cameras for Professional Work: Where they prevail & where they fail (Bestmirrorlesscamerareviews).
Sony A7 vertical grip review at SonyAlphaLab.

Nick: “Actually not a rumor, I did somewhat of a comparsion between the Mark III and the new Mark IV Metabones Canon EF to NEX Adapter. You will find it here:
http://www.iso72.de/metabones-sony-nex-smart-adapter-mark-iv-vs-mark-iii-sealed-comparsionreview/”

Chiek: “I just let us know GX680 modification project is Done. http://chiek.co.kr/6807 image https://imageshack.com/a/zViz/1”

Jason: “A crazy guy shoot amazing milky way photos with RX100M3, great unboxing article in Chinese – http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=545&t=3960833”

Carlo: “Thierry Weber from Breew. His Talk is gonna to be about Drones’ history, rules, laws & procedures. And most importantly, how to use them to take beautiful pictures and videos. He’ll share his tips and the luckiest of us will have the chance to control one for a quick flight! http://www.swisstechtalks.com/events/drones-video-mariage-parfait/?l=L1”

Jörg: “I wrote a german review about the Sony A7r with the Zeiss Distagon 18mm F3.5 – which is a really great kombo! It’s now one of my favourite lenses and a great choice for the A7r. http://www.cetus-a.de/blog/2014/5/sony-a7r-und-zeiss-18mm-f3-5-zf2-das-dreamteam”

Luke: “Just received my RX100iii from Amazon yesterday and went out and filmed some of my friends working, and then having dinner. I must say that I am very happy with the new additions . I have a first version of the camera that I use at my work and while I liked it was never overwhelmed by it. The new XAVCs codec is awesome, and I am kind of disappointed this was not included in the flagship A7R and is only now coming out with the A7S. The popup viewfinder and ND filter put this camera over the top. https://vimeo.com/99033121”