That’s nice from Sony: To help creators Sony will offer free maintenance service for your camera

Well that’s a kind move from Sony:

Support Measures for Industry Creators including Cinematographers and Photographers
Financial Contributions from the Sony Global Relief Fund for COVID-19

Tokyo, Japan – Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that it will devote funds to organizations related to creative communities and inspect Sony cameras free of charge, as support measures for industry creators including cinematographers, camera operators, camera assistants, and digital imaging technicians as well as photographers impacted by COVID-19

There are two specific initiatives:

  • Financial contribution to cinematographers and camera operators engaged in sports, filmmaking and scripted television and commercial production
  • Complimentary maintenance service of camera system for Sony Imaging PRO Support members

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has impacted content creators in nearly every facet of the industry, as sporting and music events, movies and television filming, as well as weddings and events have been put on hold. These have had a significant disruption on the commercial activities of professionals who support these industries with photo and video production. Sony will support these creators to continue their activities.
Funding for this program will be provided by the “Sony Global Relief Fund for COVID-19,” which was established by Sony in this April to help those who are affected by the pandemic.

“Sony has always worked closely with the creative community, by helping them pursue high-quality content creation”, said Hiroshi Kawano, Vice President, Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc. “This community’s success is vital to our own, which is why we have decided to implement these support measures in their time of need. We envision a future where content creators, especially younger generations, will be able to continue pursuing creative endeavors with superior production values, despite today’s challenging situation. We are proud to contribute funds and support to the content creation industry.”

1. Financial contribution to cinematographers and camera operators engaged in sports, filmmaking and scripted television and commercial production

Sony will start donating to the following organizations in order to support cinematographers, camera operators, camera assistants, and digital imaging technicians. This support fund will be used to support the activity of creators who belong to the organizations.

Sports Video Group (Content creators involved in the production of sports events in the United States)
Sports Video Group Europe (Content creators involved in the production of sports events in Europe)
International Cinematographer Gild “Local 600” (Cinematographers and videographers in the United States)
The American Society of Cinematography (Cinematographers in the United States)
IMAGO (International federation of Cinematographers, World Wide apart from US, Canada and Japan )
Japan Society of Cinematographers (Cinematographers in Japan)

2. Complimentary maintenance service of camera system for Sony Imaging PRO Support members
Sony Imaging PRO Support is a membership service offering premium care for professional photographers who use Sony’s camera systems in a professional capacity. Sony will provide complimentary inspection, cleaning and firmware version check services for existing members*1 globally*2, where this membership is available, in order to assure users that their digital imaging devices are ready when needed. The application for this complimentary service is planned to roll out in July *3and be available until December 31st.

*1 In addition, the applicants to Sony Imaging PRO Support by this June also be included.
*2 Service sites are located in North America, part of Europe, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, India and Australia. For more details of the service and conditions, please visit the website of Sony Imaging PRO Support in each region.
*3 The timing to start this complimentary service may vary in each region.
In addition to these, we also plan to make a financial contribution to the National Institute of Informatics in Japan in order to promote remote education at universities.

Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, Sony remains committed to furthering its support of creators and their activities.

Tamron issues a new firmware update for the 17-28mm F/2.8 lens

Tamron released the new firmware update. This is the press text:

We are pleased to inform you that the firmware update for the 17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD (Model A046) for Sony E-mount, full-frame mirrorless cameras, is now available. The firmware update is available through Sony E-mount camera bodies.
Please review the information below.

  1. Affected model

    17-28mm F/2.8 Di III RXD (Model A046)

  2. Firmware version

    Ver.3

  3. Improvements

    This update improves the following issue:

    When you use flashes, there is a delay from the time the shutter button is pressed to the time the shutter and the flash release.
    Applicable camera models: α7, α7 II, α7R, α7R II, α7S, α7S II, α5000, α5100, α6000, α6300, α6500, NEX-3N, NEX-5R, NEX-5T, NEX-7, NEX-F3, NEX-6

    Tap for more details.

  4. How to Update

    The lens firmware can be updated using cameras that support this lens firmware update.
    Tap for more details.

  5. How to Check your Lens Firmware Version

    From your camera’s menu screen, please select “Setup” then “Display version.”
    Tap for more details

  6. Inquiries regarding this matter

    Please contact your local Tamron distributor.
    http://www.tamron.com/en/#distributors

Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 FE:
In the USA at BHphoto, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig and Adorama.
In Europe it’s available at Amazon DE, Calumet DE, WexUK, Park UK, Amazon IT, Amazon FR, Amazon ES, CameraTools NL.

Sony Tidbits…


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10 Minute Reviews: Traveling light with the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III (Imaging Resource)
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Tamron 70-180mm FE test at Mapcamera.
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Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

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The new Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 SE Lens for Sony is now in Stock at Amazon!

The brand new Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 SE lens is now in Stock at Amazon US.

The series is named after “SE” (Still Edition), which specializes in still photography. It features a smaller size and lighter weight by removing the declick mechanism for movies, and a price that is lower than the normal model due to a review of the internal structure. There are changes in the appearance of the lens barrel, such as the use of parallel knurls. The Japanese site Fujiablog has posted a review with a couple of image samples.