The Sony A7rIV and the Sony 200-600mm FE lens were awarded as the best product of the year at this years Grand Prix 2020.

via DC.watch

If you like to own rare stuff well here is something for you: Sony image stabilization demo unit on eBay (Click here). The seller writes:

This is a display to show how the Sony Steady Shot image stabilization worked, it is NOT a functioning camera. It is very rare, this is the first one I have ever seen come up for sale. The camera sits on the platform which is mounted to a bouncy spring. If you bounce the platform you will see the imaging sensor mounted in the backing of the display move. You can also pick the camera up and hold it to see the imaging sensor move to demo the Steady Shot. Very interesting unit if you collect photo related items.

Press text:

Aurora Aperture Introduces a Next-Generation Rear Mount Filter System

Irvine, California, May 15th, 2020 – Aurora Aperture Inc. today has introduced a next generation rear mount filter system.
The new next generation rear mount filter system supports the Canon 11-24mm F4L USM and other select Canon wide-angle lenses, Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G, Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art EF mount and Sigma 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art EF mount, Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art E and L mount, and Sony 12-24mm F4 G.
“In 2017 we introduced a rear mount filter system for the Canon EF 11-24mm F4L USM: The Aurora Aperture CR format, an industry-first rear mount glass filter,” said Jeff Chen, founder and CEO of Aurora Aperture Inc. “The next generation rear mount filter system is a major upgrade from the CR format filter system. It expands supported lenses to several other popular ultra wide-angle lenses, at the same time adds more filter choices. More importantly, the new system features a robust magnetic quick-release mechanism. ”

Next Generation Rear Mount Filter System
The next generation rear mount filter system improves usability by using an innovative magnetic mounting system. A filter is installed to a supported lens simply by attaching the filter onto the magnetized adapter on the rear of the lens. The magnetic quick release feature greatly simplifies the filter installation, especially for photographers working in harsh outdoor environments.
Designed in California, the Aurora Aperture next generation rear mount filter system provides a simple and elegant solution for ultra wide-angle lenses that lack a front filter thread. Users would normally have to use either low-quality gel filters in the rear of the lens or otherwise use a massive front mount filter with sizes up to 186mm mounted onto a bulky adapter.
The Aurora Aperture next generation rear mount filters are very compact and lightweight, making them much easier to carry. The filters are made from high-quality Schott D 263® T eco thin glass* with multi-layer nano-coatings for their light reduction capability, resulting in accurate color rendition and minimizing field curvature. These filters can meet the high-resolution demands of 4k/8k video, and the high pixel density of modern-day sensors.
A PFPE based nano-coating is applied to both optical surfaces, ensuring the protection of filters against water, oil, dust, and dirt. This coating allows filters to be cleaned as substances do not adhere to the filter easily and are removed with little effort. The PFPE based nano coating has a 110-degree static contact angle, one of the best in the industry.
The filter glass is protected by a high strength stainless steel frame. The filter frame makes the filter easier to handle and adds protection to the filter glass. Aerospace-grade 7051 aluminum alloy is used for the filter adapter. This material is practically twice as strong as the 6000 series aluminum alloy used in conventional lens filters.
Available Filters

1. PowerNDTM, neutral density (ND) filters of light reduction strength in: • ND4 (2 stops)
• ND16 (4 stops)
• ND64 (6 stops)
• ND256 (8 stops)
• ND4000 (12 stops)

2. PowerGNDTM, soft graduated neutral density (GND) filters of light reduction strength in: • ND3 (1.5 stops)
• ND6 (2.5 stops) • ND12 (3.5 stops)

3. PowerDuskTM, a light pollution reduction filter for astrophotography and for cityscape photography in blue hours by reducing artificial light pollution.

Supported Lenses
1. Canon EF Rear Mount
• EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
• EF 11-24mm F4L USM
• EF 14mm f/2.8L USM & EF 14mm f/2.8L USM II
• EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
• EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM (EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM not supported) • EF 17-35mm f/2.8L USM
• EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
2. Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED 3. Sigma EF Rear Mount
• Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art
• Sigma 14mm F1.8 DG HSM Art 3. Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art
• Sony E mount
• L mount
5. Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G

Availability and Pricing
The Aurora Aperture next generation rear mount filters will be available through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign starting in May 2020. The general public and dealer availability is expected in September 2020. The price of filters will start from $43 and goes up to $113 per filter, depending on the type of filter. The price of lens adapters will be $35 to $41, depending on the supported lenses.
* except the PowerDuskTM (LPR) filter which is made with Neodymium based glass.

Tobias Rösli‎
Full moon behind “our” tree in Wolhusen, Switzerland.
700mm , a99ii, F/9, 1/250sec, iso 4000
(No photoshop, one shot)
instagram.com/tobias.roesli/
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Cosina Japan announced the shipment date for the three new SE lenses:

• May 27 for the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 SE (NEW lens!)
• June for the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 SE (SE version of current 40mm f/1.2 FE lens)
• July for the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 SE (SE version of current 50mm f/1.2 FE lens)

There is currently no preorder option in Europe and USA.

Explaining Sony Lenses: by Patrick Murphy-Racey

Note: If you are interested in electric cars check out our new website Electric-fun.com
Top 5 Reasons You Need ND Filters When Shooting Video (Explora).
Sony Macro Lens Range review by Jessops.
Testing the Sony FX9 for Live Streaming (Gerald Undone).
MonsterAdapter EA4r, the reengineered Sony LAEA4 by Xu Feng
Doing lots of nothing in Isolation // Shot on A7III + 24mm F1 4 GM (Chris Brockhurst)

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

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Sony reconsidered published those two graphs that highlight the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. He writes:

I could see a scenario where Alpha sales collapse by more than 50% to 1.2 million for FY20.

The only saving grace for Sony will be if the world is back to some semblance of normalcy by fall and that consumer appetite and spending roars back during Q3 FY20, the ever-important holiday season. Even then, will global or local travel have recovered to a meaningful degree? What if there is the feared second wave of COVID-19? For that very same reason, Sony and other companies are holding back future projections for Q1 though I could see that expending till 2021.

I should also point out, it’s the optimist in me that’s predicting 1.2 million sales. I can envision a scenario in which Sony ships 800K cameras total in FY20. If that were to happen, it would trigger a significant roadmap shift within Sony (and other camera makers) as they face a market that went from have a light appetite for cameras to nearly none. Suddenly, Sony wouldn’t need five different cameras not because there aren’t meaningful differences between the lines, but because the costs to maintain them wouldn’t justify the market.