New Kickstarter projects: Motorized Slider, LiFePO4 Power Station, Wireless SSD Storage…

If you want to risk and invest in some new Kickstarter projects here is a list of new accessories that might be interesting for you:

Sony Tidbits…


Sigma 150-600mm F5-6,3 DG DN OS Sports Lens for Mirrorless

What Photo Accessory Can You Not Live Without? (Explora).
Toner vs Ink: Which is Better? (42West).
Kompaktkameras im Test (Der Spiegel)
Rokinon / Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 FE sample gallery (Dpreview).
Photography Workflow Tips From a Pro Ft. Colby Brown | Sony Alpha Universe

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

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Nik Collection 4.2 released and 30% discount ending tonight

Til midnight you save 30% off on Nik Collection 4. Download a free trial version here.

And they also released the new 4.2 version:

“Native M1” Adobe Photoshop compatibility

Nik Collection 4.2 can be used with Adobe Photoshop CC in native mode on Apple computers with a M1 processor (version 22.3 and up).

“Users of Photoshop 22.3 (and later) working on a Mac M1 can run it in ‘native’ mode or with the Rosetta emulator. Up until now, they had to use Rosetta to be able to run Nik Collection.” recalls Jean-Marc Alexia, Vice President Product Strategy. “With the 4.2 version of Nik Collection, users can now opt to run the software in ‘M1 native’ mode and enjoy an optimized user experience”

Nik Collection 4.2 also makes Nik Silver Efex and Nik Viveza compatible with the latest version of Capture One.

Improved responsiveness for Nik Silver Efex

The Nik Collection’s flagship software plugin, Nik Silver Efex, features a range of exclusive presets and effects designed to simulate classic analogue films, including Kodak Tri-X 400, Ilford Delta 100, Fuji Neopan, and more. Its range of customized presets lets users vary the grain structure and contrast characteristics of their photos to accurately reproduce some of the most iconic black-and-white films in the world.

With Nik Collection 4.2, Nik Silver Efex has once again improved its U Point technology. Control Points, which make it possible to locally adjust contrast, edit brightness, and structure specific areas in the image with infinite precision, have become even more responsive. The photographer’s workflow has become even faster.

Tamron issued the full 35-150mm f/2.0-2.8 press release!

Tamron has issued the full press release for the 35-150mm lens (Click here or read it below) and the 28-75mm II (Click here). Preorders should open soon here:
35-150mm at BHphoto. Fotokoch DE. Foto Erhardt DE. Wex UK. Park UK.
28-75mm II at BHphoto. Fotokoch DE. Foto Erhardt DE. Wex UK. Park UK.

TAMRON announces the launch of the world’s first1 mirrorless zoom lens with a maximum wide-open aperture of F2
Fast-aperture 35-150mm F2-2.8 “Travel Zoom” covers wide-angle through telephoto range and features new function customization

35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058)

September 30, 2021, Saitama, Japan – Tamron Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Shiro Ajisaka), a leading manufacturer of optics for diverse applications, announces the launch of the 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058), a fast-aperture telephoto zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras on October 28, 2021. Due to the current global health crisis, the release date or product supply schedule could change.

lens: Model A058
PRODUCT NAME 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (Model A058）
For Sony E-mount
DATE OF LAUNCH October 28, 2021
*Due to the spread of COVID-19, the release date or the product supply schedule could be delayed.

1 Among the zoom lenses for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras (As of August, 2021: TAMRON)

The 35-150mm F2-2.8 is a zoom lens that covers the range from wide-angle (35mm) through telephoto (150mm) and is ideal for travel photography. It is the first1 zoom lens for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras to have a maximum wide-open aperture of F2. With this focal range, you can enjoy shooting magnificent views and large buildings at 35mm and dynamic close-up shots at 150mm.
Travel photographers can easily take beautiful sunrise and sunset shots, shoot distinctive exterior buildings and interiors like restaurants, and take twilight and nightscape photos. With high-level performance under a wide variety of shooting conditions, this new fast lens is ideal for trips aimed at creating photographic works. In addition, by incorporating the VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) linear motor focus mechanism, the lens features a very high-speed and high-precision autofocus for a fast-aperture lens. It also incorporates a new design in the pursuit of enhanced operability and ergonomic convenience.
This lens supports the full array of frequently used angles-of-view including wide-angle, standard, medium telephoto and telephoto, making it easy to compose the perfect shot without changing your position from the subject.

Proprietary software tool TAMRON Lens Utility™ for lens function customization

This lens is compatible with the new TAMRON Lens Utility software originally and uniquely developed by TAMRON. TAMRON Lens Utility can be operated using computer by connecting the lens from its Connector Port via the optional TAMRON Connection Cable2. Users can customize the functions and update the firmware through the lens. The personal customization gives flexible shooting options to match the shooting situation such as still photography or videography.
2 TAMRON Connection Cable (USB Type-A to Type-C) sold separately.

(Functions of TAMRON Lens Utility)
●Focus Set Button settings
– A-B Focus: Set 2 focus positions (A and B) and make the focus shift between A and B
– Focus Preset: Set your desired focus position and move the focus to the recorded point by a single press of the Focus Set Button
– Switch Focus Ring Function (Focus/Aperture): Switch Focus Ring Function from focus adjustment to aperture adjustment
– Assign function from the camera: Assign custom functions from the camera body
*The function of Focus Set Button can be cleared

●Focus Ring settings
– MF Ring Rotation: Change the rotation direction of the focus ring
– MF Method: Choose the method of focus operation when using the focus ring

●Firmware update

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

  1. 1. The world’s first F2-2.8 fast-aperture zoom lens

    The new 35-150mm F2-2.8 features a fast maximum aperture of F2 at the 35 mm focal length, compared to the typical F2.8 fast-aperture zoom lenses. This lens enables you to achieve enhanced, beautiful bokeh style even on the wide-angle end of the lens’s focal range. The faster F2 aperture allows use of higher shutter speeds and lower ISO settings, so users enjoy less potential camera shake and reduce high-ISO image noise.

  2. 2. Versatile zoom range provides seamless shooting from wide-angle 35mm to telephoto 150mm

    The 35mm to 150mm zoom range of the new Model A058 is ideal for travel photography because you can do so much with just one lens. You can capture snapshots at the wide angle of 35mm or standard angle of 50mm, close-up portraits at 85mm and telephoto shots at 150mm. The responsive zoom ring enables you to continue shooting as you shift from wide to telephoto seamlessly and smoothly without changing lenses—which is convenient for video as well as still photography.

  3. 3. Outstanding optical performance throughout the zoom range

    Thanks to the latest optical design featuring four LD (Low Dispersion) and three GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements optimally arranged, the 35-150mm F2-2.8 provides superior optical performance throughout the entire zoom range. Even when used with today’s extra-high-resolution digital cameras, it consistently achieves high image quality to the edges of the frame and reduces onion ring bokeh (concentric circles) while presenting a beautiful, soft bokeh style that is achieved only by fast apertures. The versatile zoom range enables photographers to express themselves freely while capturing images focal lengths they are familiar with, including 35mm, 50mm (considered “normal” or standard), 85mm (mid-telephoto length commonly used for portraits), 100mm or 135mm, as well as the maximum 150mm tele focal length—and any focal length in between. It’s like six lenses in one!

  4. 4. Fast, quiet VXD linear motor mechanism for high-speed and high-precision autofocus

    The lens’s AF drive uses the linear motor focus mechanism VXD. The high-speed, high-precision AF provides the lens with superior responsiveness to the photographer’s actions, delivering stable and reliable focusing even with fast-aperture lenses, from the MOD (Minimum Object Distance) to infinity. The 35-150mm F2-2.8 offers excellent focus tracking of moving objects so you are ready for those important moments. Additionally, the focus motor is quiet, so it is ideal for shooting both still images and video in situations that demand low noise.

  5. 5. Superior close-focusing capability with an MOD of 0.33m (13 in) at the wide end for creative close-ups

  6. 6. Compact body with 35-150mm zoom range and fast F2 maximum aperture

  7. 7. New design provides enhanced grip and greater intuitive operation

  8. 8. Moisture-Resistant Construction, Fluorine Coating, and hood with locking mechanism for greater convenience

  9. 9. Compatible with many camera-specific features and functions, including Fast Hybrid AF and Eye AF