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Today we have a triple Rokinon/Smayang news:

The delay: On Facebook Samyang announced that the Samyang T-S 24mm 1:3.5 ED AS UMC release has been postponed to March 2013.
The review: SLRgear tested the 85mm f/1.4 Rokinon/Smayang lens and writes: “Samyang’s approach to make an economical manual focus lens was a wise one: if you don’t need autofocus, but want the razor-thin depth-of-field of a fast lens for not a lot of money, the lens was already on your radar.”
The deal: The Rokinon 8mm fisheye got a $70 discount at BHphoto (Click here).

Two reminders:
1) The first one is that like The Count of Montecristo (book I am reading now) also Rokinon has dozen names. In USA: Rokinon, Samyang, Opteka, Bower and in Europe: Samyang, Rokinon, Walimex, Falcon, Vivitar.
2) Keep watching these Black Friday deals on Amazon (Click here) on Adorama (36 pages of deals!) and on BHphoto (Click here). They are updating every hour and I am not going to update you with every deal on every camera and accessory :)

Happy shopping!

P.S.: The Count of Montecristo is the perfect book if you like me dream a revenge but you want do it for real :)

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One after another the new Sony stuff starts to be shipped. Now the 10-18mm E-mount lens is in Stock in Asia (like Amazon Japan) and in [shoplink 15473 ebay]UK (via eBay reseller)[/shoplink]. SOme image samples can be seen at ePhotozine.
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Sony E-mount 10-18mm preorders at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.

So Long, My Hong Kong from Gregory Kane on Vimeo. Found via Fotovideo.nu.

Russian multitest inlcuding the RX100 at Podakuni.
Sony A57 test at Techhive.
Getting started with APP on your NEX (SonyAlphaLab).
NEX-6 pics at Shawnliustudio.
New Sony import plugin for XAVC media into Final Cut Pro X spotted at tradeshow (Fcp).
A99 pic samples by SAR reader Mike on Flickr and by Amitzi.
Techart EF-to-Nex AF adapter (Picasa).
Going for a walk in Paris with the Sony RX100 (Mike Kobal).

Anonymous: “Not a rumour.  Just to say that I have just received my Techart E mount to EF mount adapter, and that it works (autofocus, aperture and IS where applicable) with all my Canon and Sigma lenses, but none of my (few) Tamron and Tokina lenses.
Working – Canon 15-85, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 17-40, 200/2.8, 24-105 and 70-300L; Sigma 8-16, 15/2.8, 50/1.4*, 300/2.8.
Not Working Tamron 28-75/2.8, 15-50/2.8; Tokina 12-24.
*Note that teh Sigma 50mm f1.4 works even though the Techart advert says it does not!
I’ve only used it on a NEX C3, and the focus is fairly slow.  I’ve not timed it, but it does not appear to be any slower than the same lenses on a Canon 650D (which is presumably the same as the Canon M).  I’ve ordered a NEX 6 but have not got it yet.  Hopefully the autofocus will be a lot quicker. Will update you with more results when it arrives.”

Teddy: “I am not sure if A77 cinema footage would be of interest for SAR reader. Here are all my work using A77 and Nex5n.
http://vimeo.com/teddyweddingstudio/nat-joe-wedding-reception
http://vimeo.com/teddyweddingstudio/yui-tor-wedding-reception
http://vimeo.com/teddyweddingstudio/tag-heuer-the-legend-of-time-exhibition
http://vimeo.com/teddyweddingstudio/teerana-phansa-wedding-ceremony
http://vimeo.com/teddyweddingstudio/kung-tom-wedding-reception
I just move from GH1 to A77 and considering A77. Hope my cinema would be helpful for SAR readers who are interested in Sony DSLR.”

Louis: “Sony NEX-5n diving video at Drystore.com.au“

Steve Huff just got his brand new Sony RX1 and the video on top shows all his excitement :)

The camera shipment in Asia just started. And if you want to save some money avoid to buy the expensive original Sony RX1 hood ($179 at Adorama). A $6 cheap chinese metal hood will do it ([shoplink 15410 ebay]there is one here on eBay[/shoplink]).

The RX1 can be pre ordered at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.

Sigma:
Sigma (Click here) just posted a set of image samples taken with the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens. The image samples have been taken on the Sigma SD1 camera but as you know the lens comes with A-mount too. Don’t know what you think but I think this lens delivers a great performance! Consider also that it costs $600 less than the Sony 35mm f/1.4 lens (here at Amazon). And this lens is now available for preorder at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (click here).

NEX lenses:
Sony China (translation here) just posted posted the info about new firmware version 02 for the SEL1855 / SEL18200 / SEL55210 / SEL24F18Z NEX lenses. It’s a firmware upgrade for the NEX-5R or NEX-6 only! It enables the phase difference AF using the pixel function “Fast hybrid AF”.

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In Stock status of the Zeiss 24mm lens on eBay via Slidoo.

A99 A77 A57 Autofocus “hack” to get around the F/3.5 limitation for autofocus. Use at your own risk! from Shawn C. on Vimeo.

Shawn (Click here) made this video to proof how the aperture limitation removal trick from Portreti is working. There are some limitations with the hack:
1. Your lens will be wide open all the time. You cannot stop down at all. If your lens is soft wide open, you might be better off manually focusing.
2. Leaving the spring stretched out could damage your lens over time.
3. Be careful when you do this.

Thanks Shawn and Portreti!

If you read the latest Financial report analysis on Bloomberg you really get the idea what a tough time Sony is facing right now. Particularly that sentence gives you an idea of the recent company history: “Sony, worth more than $120 billion in 2000, is now valued at about $11 billion. Apple Inc. (AAPL) is valued at $511 billion and Samsung Electronics Co. is at $184 billion.”

The good news is that Sony will increase the investment in the digital imaging business: “Sony will use 60 billion yen of the proceeds to invest in CMOS image sensors”

TheVerge writes: “In recent years the imaging division has been one of Sony’s top performers, and was identified by CEO Kazuo Hirai as one of the company’s pillars for future growth when hetook the reins in April. The proliferation of camera phones and corresponding drop in point and shoot sales have hurt Sony’s Cyber-shot line, but it remains a strong competitor in other arenas with its NEX line of mirrorless cameras, its more DSLR-like Alpha line, its professional cinema gear, and its expanding medical imaging business. During the Q&A following Sony’s recent Q2 earnings call, CEO Hirai reinforced the benefits of the division’s diversified nature, pointing out that the company makes money both from the cameras it manufacturers and the sensors it produces for competitors’ products, including smartphone cameras.”

At least that part of the story sounds good!

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via Photorumors.