Press text: New Full-frame 135mm F1.8 G Master

Preorders for the “SEL135F18GM” lens (open on Feb 28):
Sony 135mm GM at BHphoto and Adorama.

Sony Electronics Inc. Announces New Full-frame 135mm F1.8 G Master™ Prime Lens with Stunning Resolution and Bokeh, Excellent AF Performance

SAN DIEGO — Feb. 26, 2019 — Sony Electronics Inc today introduced a highly anticipated addition to their acclaimed G Master series of full-frame E-mount interchangeable lenses – a 135mm F1.8 full-frame, large-aperture telephoto prime lens (model SEL135F18GM).

Equipped with Sony’s most advanced optical technologies, the new lens is built to meet the extremely high standards of Sony’s G Master series. The new FE 135mm F1.8 GM offers exceptionally high resolution and exquisite bokeh, two qualities that are signature attributes of Sony’s flagship G Master brand. The new lens combines rapid autofocus (AF) acquisition with a lightweight, portable design and a variety of professional functions, making it a versatile, high-performance tool for professional portrait photographers, wedding photographers, sports photographers and a wide variety of imaging enthusiasts.

“Sony’s commitment to growing our lens lineup remains stronger than ever,” said Neal Manowitz, vice president of imaging solutions at Sony Electronics. “Our 31st native full-frame FE lens and 49th overall E-mount lens, the highly anticipated 135mm prime brings the acclaimed G Master quality to another popular focal length for both professionals and enthusiasts to enjoy. We will continue to drive market-leading innovation in all aspects of our imaging business, giving our customers the opportunity to capture and create like they never have before.”

Realizing consistently high resolution across the entire frame, even at F1.8, the FE 135mm F1.8 GM boasts an innovative optical design that places XA (extreme aspherical) and Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements in the front group to effectively suppress all common telephoto lens aberrations. Additionally, the Super ED element plus one ED glass element are strategically positioned to compensate for axial chromatic aberration, minimize color fringing and maximize overall resolution, ensuring outstanding image quality. For impressive clarity, Sony’s unique Nano AR Coating is applied to reduce flare and ghosting that can occur when shooting backlit portraits.

The new telephoto prime lens utilizes its XA element, refined with Sony’s latest bokeh simulation technologies during the design and manufacturing stages, to control spherical aberration and achieve exquisite bokeh. In addition, an 11-bladed circular aperture mechanism contributes towards achieving extremely natural and beautiful background defocus. The exciting new model also features dual-autofocus groups in a floating focus arrangement for improved close-up capability, allowing a minimum focus distance of just 0.7 meters and a maximum magnification of 0.25x.

To ensure that this lens can keep up with fast-moving portrait or sports subjects, the FE 135mm F1.8 GM has been equipped with a total of four of Sony’s proprietary XD linear motors—two for each group—that achieve rapid, reliable and speedy AF tracking and performance. There is also a control algorithm that helps to maximize control response and ensure quiet, low-vibration AF. All of this exceptional performance is packaged in a compact, lightweight body weighing in at 33.6 oz.

The FE 135mm F1.8 GM includes a number of professional controls that enhance ease of operation for both stills and movie shooting. These include an aperture ring that allows direct, intuitive aperture control and a focus ring that features Linear Response MF for fine, responsive manual focus control. There is also a focus range limiter switch, two customizable focus hold buttons, and a focus-mode switch that makes it possible to quickly select auto or manual focus to match changing shooting conditions.

New Circular Polarizing Filters

In addition to the new FE 135mm F1.8 GM Lens, Sony has also announced a new lineup of Circular Polarizing Filters. The new filters, including models for lens diameters 49mm, 55mm, 62mm, 67mm, 72mm, 77mm and 82mm, preserve image quality and resolution about twice[i] as effectively as Sony’s existing circular PL filter lineup, making them a perfect partner for Sony’s flagship G Master series lens. They also feature a ZEISS® T* Coating to minimize flare and a slim filter design to prevent image vignetting and maximize overall performance.

Pricing and Availability

The FE 135mm F1.8 GM will ship in late April 2019 for approximately $1,900 US and $2,600 CA. The lens will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.

The new circular polarizer filters will ship in May 2019, with approximate pricing outlined below:

  • 49mm (model VF49CPAM2) – $100 US / $130 CA
  • 55mm (model VF55CPAM2) – $110 US / $150 CA
  • 62mm (model VF62CPAM2) – $140 US / $190 CA
  • 67mm (model VF67CPAM2) – $155 US / $200 CA
  • 72mm (model VF72CPAM2) – $165 US / $220 CA
  • 77mm (model VF77CPAM2) – $180 US / $240 CA
  • 82mm (model VF82CPAM2) – $230 US / $300 CA

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new lens and Sony ‘s Alpha products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony’s Alpha brand.

The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery and the Sony Camera Channel on YouTube. Detailed information pages within Sony.com for the new lens can be found at:

[i] Depends on model and focal length of lens attached

Sony Introduces New Remote Commander with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

New RMT-P1BT Provides Reliable and Precise Wireless Shooting

Sony today introduced a new Wireless Remote Commander (model RMT-P1BT) via Bluetooth wireless technology that provides a reliable, responsive solution for imaging enthusiasts that want to precisely control their camera[i] during landscape shooting, architectural photography, astrophotography, still motion photography, group portraits and more.

The new RMT-P1BT wireless remote commander operates via a Bluetooth connection, eliminating the need for wires, cables or receivers to connect the remote directly to the camera. The remote features an extremely fast response, within approximately 0.05 seconds[ii] release time-lag, that ensures the shutter can be released with precise accuracy. There is also an LED light that indicates operating status to camera by flashing or lighting continuously. Additionally, the remote is designed to resist dust and moisture[iii] plus hot and cold temperatures[iv], offering reliable operation in a wide variety of environments and weather conditions. SonyAlphaRumors

To maximise control over camera functionality, the new RMT-P1BT wireless remote commander features focus buttons for manual control over subtle focus changes, a remote C1 custom button that can be adjusted[v] based on user preference. It also includes Start/Stop movie recording and control over power-zoom or digital-zoom functionality, making it the ideal accessory for remote movie shooting. For photographers that prefer to shoot on ‘Bulb’ exposure mode, the remote commander can be set to open and close the shutter with respective clicks of the main button, eliminating the need to press and hold the button throughout exposure time.

Pricing and Availability

The RMT-P1BT Wireless Remote Commander will ship in Europe in Aprilpriced at approximately £65 / €75.

A variety of exclusive stories, videos and exciting new content shot with the newest cameras and other Sony α products can be found at https://www.sony.co.uk/alphauniverse. Sony’s European photography hub is available in 22 languages and details product news, competitions and an up-to-date list of Sony events in each country. SAR

For more information, please contact sonydi@hopeandglorypr.com

[i] System software (firmware) update is required. Refer to the Sony support page for details and camera compatibility information https://www.sony.net/dics/p1bt/

[ii] Based on internal test. Time-lag varies depending on the situation

[iii] Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture proof

[iv] Operating temperature is 14 ℉ to 122 ℉. Also refer to the operating temperature of camera

[v] Function must be set via the camera menu beforehand

New Speedmaster 50mm F0.95 III FE lens and 7Artisan 60mm f/2.8 E-mount macro announced

Shoten announced the new Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III FE lens. Here is the (Google translated) press text:

Scheduled to be released in April 2019
Manufacturer’s preferred price ¥ 98,000 (excluding tax)

SPEEDMASTER 50 mm F 0.95 III is an ultra large diameter standard lens designed as a mirrorless camera for full size image sensor.
While achieving the phenomenal brightness of aperture opening F value of 0.95, it is also equipped with portability, design has been designed considering balance with the mirrorless machine.
Utilizing the features of the ultra-large aperture lens, it is possible to take handheld photographs in places where there is little light intensity, or to take advantage of beautifully large blur taste.

Improvements from SPEEDMASTER 50 mm F 0.95 M 67 (version 2)
  • Improve image quality by reviewing optical performance.
  • It corresponds to the latest Nikon Z mount · Canon RF mount.

Shoten also announced the new 7 Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro APS-C E-mount lens

Seven designers 7 Artisans 60 mm F 2.8 Macro (Sony E / Canon EF – M / Fuji Film X / Micro Four Thirds)

Scheduled to be released in May 2019
Manufacturer’s preferred price ¥ 25,000 (excluding tax)

7Artisans 60mm F2.8 Macro is a “60mm macro lens” designed for “APS – C size” mirrorless camera that can shoot from closeup to infinity.
It can be captured without disturbing from remote places such as insects and small animals, so it is suitable for shooting subjects that are difficult to close close-up.
The focus part is sharp, blurred is beautiful, and the whole is depicted richly in gradation.
Ultra close-up shooting up to 5 times magnification is possible by installing an optional extension tube.

This week SAR readers photos selection


Ilya Artemiev‎
Spring is coming!
www.flickr.com/photos/ilya_art/
#sonyalphagallery
Sony a7rII | Lens: ЛОМО ОКС1-75-1

1) You can submit one single picture per week only.
2) To submit your picture for the weekly readers roundup post you can choose one of the following three options:
– Instagram: Follow @sonyalphagallery and tag us on your picture to give us the permission to repost your image on the instagram gallery and on SAR (we will credit you)
– Facebook: Submit your picture on our group: facebook.com/groups/sonyalphacamera. Please add the hashtag “#sonyalphagallery ” to grant the permission for reposting on SAR. Without the hashtag we will not add your picture!
– Forum: Submit your picture on the SonyAlphaForum image section and add the hashtag “#sonyalphagallery ”
3) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: instagram.com/sonyalphagallery, facebook.com/groups/sonyalphacamera and on SonyAlphaForum.
4) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.

Note: When sending a pic feel free to also add a link to your site to promote yourself! And please do share one single picture per week only. Do not spam :)

Read more

This is how a 70mm f/1.0 lens looks on the Sony A9

Above you see the unique Meopta 70mm f/1.0 Full Frame lens adapter for Sony E (auction on eBay). And here is how this lens looks on the Sony A9:

View this post on Instagram

@praguelenshunter just shared to me this weird picture :)⁣ It's the 70mm f/1.0 bokeh beast Meopta VSO TV RTG Custom made adaptation. Covers full frame with mild vignetting. Can focus to infinity. Has no aperture so when shooting @ f1 in strong light the 1/32000sec. elec. shutter in the A9 becomes quite handy. .⁣ -⁣ #mirrorlesscamera #mirrorlessgeeks #cameragear #camerageek #mirrorlessgeeks #camerasetup #camera⁣ #lens #cameralens #lensporn #bokeh⁣ #sonyimages #sonyalphasclub #sonyalpha #sonyphotography #sonyphotogallery #sonyalpharumors #sonyalphagear #SonyPhotoGallery #SonyAlphasClub #SonyMirrorless #sonyalphaphotos #sony #sonyalphauniverse #sonyalphaclub ⁣ ⁣

A post shared by Andreas Photography world (@andrea_pizzini_photographer) on

Gorgeus!

This is the new Redcat 250mm f/4.9 lens

William Optics has launched a new Redcat 250mm f/4.9 lens on Kickstarter. The lens can be used on Sony E-mount cameras too:

From the beginning, the goal was to create the best possible design for an affordable, small, lightweight, and fast Apochromatic refractor for astrophotography needs. The unique optical design includes the highest quality glass for the best possible color correction and flat-field. The result is a 51mm objective lens, in a sleek Petzval design, for a full frame flat field image. The optical quality provides for exceptional performance at a fast focal ratio of F/4.9.

The main use for this lens is astrophotography with their patented Bahtinov design:

Here is the lens on the Sony A7rIII:

More images:

Read more

News roundup: This is the Sony E to Nikon Z adapter, new Speedmaster 50mm f/0,95 III FE, A7III vs Fuji XG

The Chinese company Shoten announced that it will display three new products at the CP+ show:

1) The image on top shows you the new Sony E to Nikon Z autofocus adapter from Techart.
2) They will also show the new Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III E-mount lens
3) And there is also the new 60mm f/2.8 macro E-mount lens

And here is a size comparison between the Fuji XG prototype and the Sony A7III