Luminar AI launched their new updated version and for a limited time you safe big on the software and bundles at checkout (Click here). You also get an additional 10 Dollar/Euro discount when using our code “SAR”

You can see (and also virtually test) the new updated features on that special LuminarAI page.

On a glance all new features:

Improved SkyAI with reflections and more

Skylum created the world’s first automatic sky replacement technology. Now, building on this legacy, we’ve listened to feedback from creators in the Luminar community and delivered a faster, more robust experience in the next generation of our SkyAI tool. Under the hood, our enhanced AI engine ingeniously creates new possibilities.

Sky reflections in water: This much-anticipated update means there’s no more worrying about sky replacement in photos featuring water! Ocean, river, lake, pool, it does not matter, LuminarAI will automatically reflect the new sky in the body of water in the most realistic way. The new sky automatically conforms to the angle and depth of the scene to produce incredible results down to the smallest details.

Scene relighting: SkyAI now provides realistic scene relighting by eliminating strong color casts from the sky on foreground objects. Improvements to these tools provide discrete control over the amount and saturation of relighting enhancements. The new Relight Human control can dramatically improve environmental portraits by matching people to the new sky for a more realistic effect.

Seamless sky orientation: One of the toughest challenges in traditional editors is cleanly aligning a new sky to the original horizon. New controls for Rotation and Horizontal Offset join existing controls that allow new skies to be flipped, rotated and positioned for a perfect fit.

Easier sky selection: Quickly browse and select new skies with a new visual interface from the SkyAI panel. We’ve added six new free skies with this release and made it easier to add your own skies or add new sky packs.

Transformable Texture Overlays

With Update 2, Local Masking adds amazing new creative abilities. The Texture tool now offers advanced controls to transform texture and image overlays.

PNG Overlays: PNG files with transparency can now be uploaded as textures in LuminarAI. These files can then be used to add special effects to photos, including watermarks, text, emoticons, and other decorative elements.

Easy placement: New overlay elements can be easily moved, flipped, rotated, resized and placed anywhere you want. There’s even blending modes and masks to precisely control how the object interacts with the original image.

Overlays in Templates: Once applied, an overlay can be synced across multiple images or saved in a custom template for future re-use.

Improved Templates experience

Templates are an essential part of the innovative LuminarAI workflow. As a result, Skylum is constantly working to improve the Templates experience. In Update 2, finding the perfect Template for your photo is even and faster.

Easy Access: To make them easier to find and use, all Templates, including Favorites, My Templates Purchased, and Legacy Templates, are now available within the main Templates tab, just beneath For This Photo.

Easier Browsing: Template Group previews are now uniform in size to make them more visually accessible and comfortable to work with.

Marketplace Integration: Templates purchased in the Luminar Marketplace are now automatically added to For This Photo and may be presented by LuminarAI when suggesting enhancements for your photos.

Improved camera support

Update 2 brings support for new cameras and file formats to LuminarAI.

New Cameras: Canon EOS R5, Canon EOS R6, EOS 850D, EOS-1D X Mark III (lossy compressed files), Fujifilm X-S10, Leica M10-R, S3, SL2-S, Nikon Z 5, Z 6 II, Z 7 II, Olympus E-M10 Mark IV, Panasonic DC-G100 / G110, DC-S5, Sony ILCE-7C (A7C), ILCE-7SM3 (A7S III) and Zeiss ZX1.

New File Formats: Lossy compressed CR3 files and Lossy compressed RAF files.

Preorders:
Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama. FocusCamera. Fotokoch Germany. Calumet Germany, Foto Erhardt. ParkCameras UK. Jessops.

Reviews:
Review at Explora. Image samples by Marc Galer. Official product page at Sony. Sample images by Dpreview.

Video reviews:

Official product videos:

Preorders:
Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama. FocusCamera. Fotokoch Germany. Calumet Germany, Foto Erhardt. ParkCameras UK. Jessops.

Press text:

Sony Electronics Strengthens its Alpha System with the Introduction of its 60th E-Mount Lens, FE 50mm F1.2 G Master

SAN DIEGO, CA – March 16, 2021 – Today, Sony Electronics Inc. unveils the newest addition to its G Master full-frame lens series – the FE 50mm F1.2 GM (model SEL50F12GM) – delivering excellent resolution and dramatic bokeh known to Sony’s G Master line, industry-leading AF (autofocus) capabilities and professional control and reliability in a compact and lightweight design. The lens’s maximum F1.2 aperture combines an impressive shallow depth of field for maximum creative expression with incredible light gathering capabilities, allowing for faster shutter speeds and lower ISO in low light settings, making it ideal for portraits, wedding photography, video and more.

“We’re excited to introduce our 60^th E-mount lens – the FE 50mm F1.2 GM – which delivers a new level of expression and usability for still images and video as an F1.2 lens,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging Products and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics. “We’re always listening to our customer to deliver the best imaging technology. The FE 50mm F1.2 GM, our first F1.2 lens for the α brand, was designed without compromise to meet the changing needs of today’s content creators.”

Excellent Resolution and Beautiful Bokeh

The FE 50mm F1.2 GM features the latest optics, including three XA (extreme aspherical) lens elements, that contribute to high resolution across the entire image and is maintained even when fully opened at F1.2. The new lens also ensures clear images in backlit scenes thanks to Sony’s Nano AR Coating II that effectively minimizes internal reflections so that flare and ghosting do not occur.

The FE 50mm F1.2 GM creates dramatic G Master bokeh at the maximum F1.2 aperture to provide dimensionality to every image. Using the newly developed 11-blade circular aperture unit and fine-tuned optical design with minimal spherical aberration, the lens can achieve smooth, deep bokeh in both the foreground and background.

High Performance AF and Tracking at F1.2

The lens can keep subjects in sharp focus even at an extremely shallow depth-of-field with fast, precise, quiet AF and tracking thanks to the four XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors which provide high thrust efficiency. When precise focusing is required, especially when shooting 4K video with human eye tracking, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM allows the user to focus on composition thanks to its excellent response with minimum delay and low vibration. In addition, the lens’s floating focus mechanism, controlled by its dedicated lens drive algorithm, achieves high resolution over the entire focus range, with a minimum focus distance of 1.32 feet.

Professional Control and Reliability in a Compact Form Factor

The FE 50mm F1.2 GM was designed with professional content creators in mind. With convenient controls and functions such as a Linear Response MF (Manual Focus), aperture ring with a click on/off switch, focus mode switch and two customizable focus hold buttons, the FE 50mm F1.2 GM combines easy operation with professional control. The FE 50mm F1.2 GM also features a dust and moisture resistant^[i]  design and a fluorine front element coating that protects the lens from fingerprints, dust, water, oil and other contaminants. Developed using Sony’s latest simulation technologies and the latest optical design, the lens comes in a surprisingly compact and lightweight form factor (φ3½ in x 4⅜ in, 27.5 oz.), providing high mobility and easy handling for a 50mm F1.2 lens.

Pricing and Availability

The new FE 50mm F1.2 GM will be available in May and will be sold for approximately $2,000.00 USD and $2,600.00 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new lens and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony α – Alpha brand.

New content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery. For detailed product information, please visit:

• (US) – FE 50mm F1.2 GM
• (CA) – FE 50mm F1.2 GM

A product video on the new FE 50mm F1.2 GM can be viewed HERE.

After the product images, now also the price for the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM has been leaked by nokishita.

The lens will cost $2,198.

For additional rumored specs check out our earlier post here.

via nokishita

Sony 35mm GM preorders: BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. In Europe at Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES, Amazon NL, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet DE, WexUK, Park UK.

Now we know the reason why the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM lens shipment start has been delayed. Sony Hong Kong notified that the early batch of lenses may have an issue with the ornament plate. Those lenses will now be repaired for free. Here is the press text:

—

Notice to Owners of the E-mount lens FE 35mm F1.4 GM for Interchangeable Lens Digital Cameras α

Sony has recently become aware that the ornament plate in some of the E-mount lens FE 35mm F1.4 GM “SEL35F14GM” for α^TM Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera, may come off.  However, this does not affect the optic performance of the lens.

Sony will offer free inspection and free of charge repairs for the affected lenses.

[Applicable Model and Serial Number]

E-mount lens FE 35mm F1.4 GM “SEL35F14GM” for α^TM Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera

To determine whether your E-mount lens FE 35mm F1.4 GM “SEL35F14GM” for α^TM Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera may be affected, click here to validate the serial number.

[How to check the serial number]

The serial number can be found on the model plate located at the bottom of the lens.

[Period for Free Repair Service]

Until March 31, 2024

If you have an affected product, please contact Sony Technical Support hotline at:

Hong Kong: (852) 2833-5129
Macau: 080-0039

We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your kind understanding and cooperation.

by Adam Teeoo
“Kamikaze”
Crested Goshawk (Juvenile)
Sony α9 + FE 600mm F4 GM (Handheld)
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