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The competition announced two new cameras today: The Pentax K-3 (specs/price here at Amazon) and the Nikon D610 (specs/price here at Amazon). But the one camera we have to look at is the Pentax. It uses the same [shoplink 8461]Sony A77 sensor[/shoplink] but the real highlight is the smart AA filter effect created trough the on sensor stabilization.

In short: The camera has no physical Anti Aliasing filter. But if you want to avoid any moire you can mimic the AA filter by activating the “sensor-shift image stabilizer to deliberately move the sensor during the exposure, slightly blurring the image to mimic the effects of an optical low-pass filter.” (Source: Dpreview).

I think this is a “trick” that Sony could easily implement in future cameras. An incredibly smart idea to let us Sony users have both, a camera with and a camera without AA filter at the same time!

[shoplink 21603 ebay]

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With the A7 and A7r Full Frame mirrorless will become affordable (compared to the expensive Leica M cameras). But the A7 and A7r only come with two FE primes (Zeiss 35mm 2.8 and 55mm 1.8 lenses). This means we have to look elsewhere to get some prime lenses. I thought it would be good to make a quick roundup of lenses we could use via adapter on our A7/A7r cameras. I will start with 21mm lens primes. Here is a short list of lenses you could use on the Sony (fastest lens on top):

[shoplink 21603 ebay]Leica Summilux-M 21mm f/1.4 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 21602 ebay]Voigtländer Ultron 21mm f/1,8 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 21598 ebay]Olympus OM 21mm f/2.0 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 21604 ebay]Miolta MD/MC 21mm f/2.8 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 21600 ebay]Zeiss ZM 21mm f/2.8 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 21599 ebay]Olympus OM 21mm f/3.5 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 21624 ebay]Leica Tri-Elmar 21mm f/4.0 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 21607 ebay]Voigtländer Color-Skopar 21mm f/4.0 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 21605 ebay]Konica Hexanon AR 21mm f/4.0 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 21601 ebay]Zeiss ZM 21mm f/4.5 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].

It has yet to be seen how good (or bad) these lenses do perform on the Sony A7 series. The only test I found on the VG900 is with the expensive Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm ASPH @ VG-900.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakw23/8686006909/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakw23/8686006001/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dakw23/8180002855/in/photostream/

If some of our SAR readers tested one of the mentioned lenses on the VG900 please comment this post! Thanks!

P.S.: Next series is for the 24mm lenses (send me your VG900 tests at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com).

Zeiss just launched a new kind of lens series for High resolution Full Frame cameras. The “Otus” 55mm f/1.4 costs $3999 and is avaiable on BHphoto and Adorama. Sadly there is no A-mount version but this is just because there is no High resolution (30+MP) A-mount camera yet. A Sony 36MP camera could be announced in very early 2014 and therefore there is a big change to see Zeiss launching an A-mount version too. Image samples taken with the new lens can be seen on Flickr.

Note: The 55mm focal length is quite unusual. So it’s even more surprising that next week Zeiss will announce a FulL Frame 55mm f/1.8 FE (FF E-mount) lens along the A7 and A7r.

I know you are all impatient to see the new NEX-FF camera. Don’t worry, these are really the last days of calm before the storm. In these days I am also very busy at work (I mean my real job). I would be very happy if you can help me out on leaks! If you find sites leaking info on the new cameras send me a message at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com I try to check my mails on my iPhone 1-2 times per hour.

Here is what I usually do to find leaks:
– Check Sony sites for A7, A/r and RX10 and other pages like that
– Check good Asian rumor sites and forums
– Even simple google search sometimes finds info on new cameras

It’s a very busy time for me, and I appreciate all the help you can give! Thanks!

Andrea

P.S: I submitted your questions to my sources. Hopefully I can post some answer today! And I am still looking for thrid party lens reviews on the VG900 E-mount FF. Would be nice to know which lens works fine on a Full Frame A7 and A7r!

Paul from Phigmenttech sent me this eMail to present the new Leica to NEX smart adapter you cna buy right now on phigmenttech’s site (Click here).

“This adapter will modernize your Leica lenses with the following feathres:

Coded Lens Identification (fills in EXIF):
-Allow for Leica coded lenses to automatically send identification to the NEX camera. This means correct focal length and aperture range data in your EXIF.
-You are not limited to coded Leica lenses. You can use other M-mount lenses which will use a ‘default’ user selected setting for EXIF data.

Focus Coupling:
-This adapter will pick up the RF movement and send it to the NEX camera to auto invoke the focus assist; you can now free up one more button  for customization (if you were already using it for MF assist).

Peripheral illumination correction:
-I have provided a method for defining the level of vignetting correction. This is disabled by default, but it can be enabled.

Easy configuration:
-The adapter can easily be configured by the end user via a simple computer interface.
-Adjust default ID setting for non-coded lense
-Enable/disable focus assist engage
-Define lens properties (focal length and aperture range)
-Enable/disable ‘profiles’

Firmware Updatable:
-Firmware updates can easily be applied by the user without the need to mail it back

User manual and other details can be found at the product page: https://www.phigmenttech.ca/lmnex/index.php?page=product

Oh.. one thing to note. This is only available in Canada/USA at the moment until I raise enough funds to get CE testing done to allow sales in Europe.”

Thanks Paul!

Sony just released an update for the Smart Remote Control APP (it’s an in NEX camera APP update!). There are many improvements:

•Added the following setting capabilities and made the app more useful for macro and portrait shooting.
•Added touch AF capability from smartphones and tablets for more intuitive operation.
•Able to change values for EV compensation as well as for the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance. Perfect for people who are particular about their shots.
•Supports MF Assist,*1 a useful function when focusing manually. The larger monitor on a tablet or smartphone makes it easier to fine-tune the focus than on the camera’s monitor, which is a great help for macro and portrait shots.
• You can check the focus of your shot immediately on your smartphone or tablet by magnifying the recorded image.

Sounds great if you own one of the supported NEX cameras!

I always told you that A-mount would continue and that there is likely a lot of exciting stuff coming in early 2014. But it’s great to get a direct feedback from Sony on that matter. SAR reader Brad got the following mail from Sony:

Thank you for contacting Sony Support. I understand that your concern is regarding the A-mount being replaced by the E-mount system. The A-mount units have always been the flagship ever since the release of the very first Sony Alpha camera. Much like the Single Lens Translucent (SLT) technology, the E-mount system is an innovation, introduced to further expand our interchangeable lens line, and in no way a replacement for the A-mount system. Rest assured that we will further develop the A-mount system together with the E-mount, introducing new technology and upgrading features. We will continue to expand our lens and accessory selection, as well as better the functions of the cameras to adapt to our customers growing needs and wants. We currently do not have advanced information on the release of cameras, lenses and accessories, as well as software and firmware updates. Sony Electronics only releases full product and support information at the same time it is officially released to the marketplace by our Marketing Department. However, some limited advanced information is often published in various magazine articles. You may also check the Sony Support and Sony Store website below for news and updates in the future.

That’s really THE answer we needed from Sony. Thanks!