Sony announces the HVL-F43AM Flash and accessories for Alpha cameras.

Sony just announced new Sony Alpha Camera Accessories:
HVL-F43AM external flash with GN43, Quick Shift Bounce adjustment, wireless ratio control and dust/moisture resistant design. Price $350.
VCT-55LH bracket is versatile mounting bracket that offers space for mounting additional ISO cold shoe accessories. Price $50.
LCS-AMB soft carrying case protects A-mount camera and attached standard zoom lens while traveling. Price $50.
ALC-SH111 lens hood shades cameras from direct sunlight to prevent glare and lens flare. Price $20. UPDATE: The lens hood is made for the 35mm f/1.8 and the 85mm f/2.8 specifically (Thanks DYna for reminding us that).

P.S.: Direct links to the Sony 35mm f/1.8 at [shopcountry 6422] and the Sony 85mm f/2.8 at [shopcountry 5979].

You can read more at Sony.eu.

At least we have something new we can buy :)  I will go for the flash! And you?

Choose the three FE lenses Sigma should make as first:

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Sony announces the 18-252mm mega zoom…but for PL-mount.


Image on top: The Sony F3 with PL-mount

You can see the first images of the 18-252mm Super35mm lens at Dslrnewsshooter.com (via Noisycamera). It uses the PL mount and not the Alpha mount! That because it has been developed for the new Sony F3 and Sony F65. It starts with a f/3.8 aperture. Price is to be determined and availability is said to be winter 2011.

We have to wait a little while before to see new Alpha and E-mount lenses…

Important message for ALL my anonymous sources and SAR readers! (had a problem with my contact form)

I do currently live in Italy and we are the best in the world in saying badwords for hours. That’s what happened today to me :)

I just noticed that our contact form didn’t work since March 21. I didn’t receive any single rumor from those anonymous sources that usually do contact me via contact form only. And I didn’t receive any info from readers that sent me news or reviews. REALLY SORRY! I feel so bad now. I owe you all a beer :(

If you sent me something important please send it to me again. The form now works (I tested it many times).

The issue happened after a routine work made by my designer. He changed a setting and didn’t think that it would affect the form. And I didn’t recognize the problem earlier while I was fixing other big issues on the website (like the IE9 bug).

I hope my sources can forgive me for that :) I am waiting for your news about the A35 NEX-3C and other cameras…. :)

 

UPDATE: I just received the first messages through the contact form. Thanks!

 

Price increased on some Sony products: First sign of supply problems?

During the last two weeks I had quite a few small talks with important digital camera dealers. We can expect price increases on most digital cameras from all manufactures. He said major retailers like Mediamarkt or Amazon will start to “feel” the supply problems by end of April. The supply problem with Sony-Canon-Nikon is estimated to persist for at least 4-6 months. It might be to early to draw final conclusions but there are some price increases like on the A55 in Germany (+60 Euro -> Source: Idealo) and the Sony NEX-3 in US (+ $50 -> Source: Bhphoto).

My overall impression after those “talks” is that Japanese companies are in a much worse situation than they want us to believe.

P.S.: As you know you can support SonyAlphaRumors by using my affiliate links to purchase any product you want. Click here: [shopcountry 3617] and for every product you buy we will earn a small commission that helps us to cover all costs. And you don’t pay any penny more ;) Thanks!

 

Sony announces a 8K camcorder and professional 3D camcorder


Let’s make a short break from Alpha related news. Some of you might be interested to read the specs of the new “terrible” brother of the Sony F3, the new F65. It’s the first industrial camera that reocrds…8k!!! I would be glad of some of this features could find the way in the A77 (ok just kidding!). Those are the amazing specs:

• Industry’s first 8K 20M-Pixel CMOS imager for digital motion picture production
• From this imager, the F65 will derive brilliant HD, 2K, True 4K resolution, and higher 16bit Linear RAW output
• F65 adheres to 1.9:1 aspect ratio, DCI Projection standard (4096 x 2160 or 2048 x 1080) Choice of picture composition as needed: 1.85:1, 1.78:1, 1.66:1, 1.33:1, 2.35 spherical, 1.3x anamorphic, or 2x anamorphic cropped
• Wide dynamic range, low S/N ratio, and high sensitivity
• Optional SR-R4 on board SRMemory recorder
• HD-SDI Monitoring outputs with viewing LUT’s
• The camera can shoot 1 to 120 fps
• 16 bit-RAW recording in SRMemory™ card (sold sep.)

More info at Pro.Sony (Click here). I am particularly impressed by the 16Bit linear RAW recording. If Sony would manage to add RAW video recording to high.end Alpha SLT cameras that would kill the current [shoplink 6340]Canon 5D mark II[/shoplink] sales! Ok, stop me! I am dreaming :)

Sony also unveiled a compact Professional grade 3D Camcorder at NAB (Source: Akihabaranews). The HVR-NX3D1J (in Japan) or HXRNX3D1U (in North America):

• 3D Worldcam 50i/60i compatible
• 3D Recording Mode: 50i/60i/24P (28Mbps)
• 2D Recording Mode: 1920×1080/60p, 50p, 60i, 50i, 24p, 25p
• SD Recording Mode: 720×480 60i, 720×576 50i
• Double HD lenses, 10x optical zoom in 3D
• Automatic or manual parallax correction
• Active SteadyShot™ in 3D
• Glassless 3.5-inch LCD
• Removable Audio Pod with XLR connectors
• Time Code recording
• 28Mbps AVCHD with AC3/LPCM 3D recording
• Side by Side or Frame Packing output via HDMI
• One card slot accepts SD or Memory Stick
• Built-in 96GB flash memory

Sony TidBits


Macro Tube for Sony Alpha ([shoplink 6380]Click here to see the macro tube price on eBay[/shoplink])

NEX-5 with Pentax DA 21mm Limited Lens (SonyAlphaNex).
GPS-Equipped Compact Ultra Zoom Cameras at Dcresource.
Sony Bloggie 3D and Cyber-shot WX10 Hands On at Dcresource.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W510 tested at Cnet Australia.
Sony HX9V test at DC.watch.
Something else: Sony warns NGP launch may be limited in 2011 due to quake (Source: Electronista)
Anonymous Targets Sony, Warns Of Penises Stuck In Hornets Nests (Gizmodo).

New Lensbaby Composer Pro for Alpha Mount.

Doh! I missed to post the new Lensbaby Composer Pro announcement! “The new lens refines and enhances the classic Lensbaby Composer by upgrading the swivel ball and focus mechanism to provide professional performance. It now delivers an ultra-smooth focus and tilt control and you have a fluid and accurate dampened focus ring comparable to the focus mechanisms of the highest quality professional manual focus lenses.”

The lens is already in Stock at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

There is also a version with Pre-installed Sweet 35 Optic at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).