New Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO now avilable for preorder at VenusOptics

You can now preorder the new Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO APS-C E-mount lens at VenusOptics (worldwide shipment). You will see a ton of gorgeous image samples at VenusOptics product page.

The lens offers a 2:1 maximum magnification ratio along with a minimum focusing distance of 6.7”(17cm). Different from traditional macro lenses, this 65 mm lens can focus from infinity to 2X magnification, making it an ideal option to tackle all kinds of macro photography scenarios. The wide magnification range is essential for shooting insects and plants at different sizes.

© SuiYuan

© SuiYuan

Sigma releases new firmware update for the MC-11 and many lenses

Sigma has issued firmware updates for MC-11 adapter, 45mm f/2.8 FE lens and some other non native E-mount lenses.

MC-11:

● It has become compatible with the SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM | Art for SIGMA SA mount, that has the latest firmware Ver.1.01.
● It has become compatible with the SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary for SIGMA SA mount, that has the latest firmware Ver.1.04.
● It has become compatible with the SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art for SIGMA SA mount, that has the latest firmware Ver.1.03.
● It has become compatible with the SIGMA 500mm F4 DG OS HSM | Sports for SIGMA SA mount, that has the latest firmware Ver.1.02.

45mm f/2.8 FE:

● It has corrected the phenomenon whereby the image rarely blurs when using the in-body image stabilization.

 

Sony Tidbits…


Sony ECM-B1M Digital Shotgun Mic – First Look

Budget’ Lens Redefined? Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Lens Review (w/ Sony a7R IV) by Ryan Mense.
Note: If you are interested in electric cars check out our new website Electric-fun.com
Sony A7 IV Wish List Article (Onportraits).
Which Sony Camera For Wildlife Photography, a7r IV or a9? (Juan Pons).
Lume Cube Announces the Compact Lume Cube LED Panel with Power Bank (Explora).
Gear Guy – Billie Eilish Music Video Parody (Dave Altizer).
Can you still make money as a Photographer? (MirrorlessRumors).

Rafael:

“Hi, this music video was shot with a Sony A6500, the Sigma trio (16mm, 30mm and 56mm)  and a gimbal.  https://vimeo.com/381688925

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

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Fuji, Nikon, Panasonic and Canon now pressing hard on Mirrorless…Sony time to speed up the innovation pace again?

Many Sony readers complained that no Sony APS-C camera was able to match the performance and usability of the Fuji X-T3. And in just one month from now we will get the new X-T4 with IBIS too. IBIS was the one thing the A6600 had and Fuji couldn’t match.

At the same time Nikon and Panasonic are talking the lead in the video arena by offering features current Sony FF camera don’t have.

And last but not least Canon is finally catching up and learning from their past mistakes. And a new EOS-R High resolution camera will be announced soon too.

The message now is clear dear Sony: Don’t become what Canon and Nikon have been in the past: Conservative leaders trying to slow down the pace of innovation. At the moment your sensor and autofocus performance still leads but in other areas your competition has matched or outperformed you. The Eye-AF performance of Fuji-Canon-Nikon cameras already is very close and soon expected to match Sonys performance on future models or via future FW updates.

So my call is this; After Seven years of constant evolution we may need:

  • Expand the range with new camera designs: X-T3 alike APS-C cameras, newly designed FF bodies that don’t look like flat bodies with a grip glued on it.
  • New radical usability changes and features: learn from your smartphone business and add easy sharing of images. Just integrate the Google APP store for example like Samsung did on some of their last NX models. I want to be able to INSTANTLY share an image directly from the camera without the need to transfer them on my phone first.
  • New generation of sensors: Three layer Foveon alike sensor, Global Shutters and so forth
  • New fascinating radical ideas: Curved sensors, large format mirrorless cameras that do outperform the Fuji GFX system and so forth…

I am sure SAR readers will have more (and maybe better) ideas to share in the comment system. The main message is simply this: WOW us again!

DxO PhotoLab 3.1 adds support for the A9II, A6600 and A6100 cameras

The newly released DxO PhotoLab 3.1 now supports the last three new Sony E-mount cameras. If you don’t know if the software suites for you TEST this 30-day free trial with all DxO PhotoLab features unlocked (Click here).

PhotoLab 3.1 improvements:

Keyword support: Added keyword management
It is now possible to add and delete keywords on one or more images simultaneously
When you select the keyword entry field, a list of recent keywords is displayed for ease of use

Support for new cameras
Canon EOS M6 mk II
Canon EOS 90D
Canon EOS M200
Fujifilm GFX 100
Nikon Z50
Olympus E-M5 mk III
Sony A9 II
Sony A6600
Sony A6100

Bug fixes
Improved PhotoLab stability
Minor bug fixes

Wild speculation hits the web again: Sony A7sIV and A7IV sensor specs

Click on the image to enlarge

Back in July I posted those six new Sony ensor specs. Those are sensors available for Sony and for third party companies. Androidlad posted this image showing the A7sIV and A7IV specs.

But I want to remark that this is just a pure guess for now! There is no way to tell if Sony will use those sensors or a customized version. What I find odd is that the A7sIV would only be able to record 4k/30p. No way the A7sIV doesn’t have at least 4k/60p folks!

So please, take this table just a wild speculation!