Metz announces the new Mecablitz M360 flash for Sony

The German company Metz has announced the new Mecablitz M360. Press text:

Compact entry level flash

Not only compact mirrorless cameras are in vogue, camera accessories are also getting smaller and more practical. Metz presents an entry level flash that can easily be mounted on any camera and, with its self-explanatory operation, is a reliable companion for many photographers, who especially appreciate speed, for example when photographing events and outdoors. Metz is expanding the M-series of the successful mecablitz M400 as a first step with the mecablitz M360 high performance and low priced version.

With its 190 gram weight and compact size, the mecablitz M360 is not only lightweight, but is also easy to use, making it perfect for beginners. It hardly needs any space in the camera bag, it is instantly plugged into the camera – and you can use the flash straight away. Only two buttons are necessary to control it: The power button turns the flash on and off; the second button displays the various operating states of the M360 (flash ready, exposure OK, standby* etc.) and triggers a test flash. The camera determines the correct illumination of the subject via TTL, whereby the maximum guide number 36 at ISO 100 provides enough power for almost all lighting situations. Thanks to its compact format, the mecablitz M360 is ideal for mirrorless compact cameras, but also DSLR users will appreciate the self-explanatory operating concept.

A flexible companion

The mecablitz M360 offers many additional features that a photographer needs for various lighting situations: The power zoom (24 – 105 mm), the fully swivelling reflector with extendable reflector card and the integrated wide angle diffuser (14 mm) enable flashes on the ceiling, eye-reflexes in flash portraits and the illumination of groups of people. The plug-on diffuser supplied can be used as a soft focus by the photographer.

Useful features

The mecablitz M360 can synchronise to the first or second shutter curtain if the camera supports this feature. With this flash, Metz also offers the option of installing firmware updates via a micro USB socket, thus keeping the device up to date. The mecablitz M360 will be available as a version for the camera manufacturers Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus / Panasonic / Leica and Sony.

* Function depending on camera

Technical data

Features

  • Maximum height guide number 36 at ISO 100 (105 mm)
  • Vertical (-7 / + 90 °) and horizontal (270°) swivel reflector
  • Simple operating concept
  • Motorised zoom for 24 -105 mm illumination
  • Integrated wide angle diffuser for 14 mm illumination
  • Extendable reflector card
  • Flash readiness and exposure control indicator on the device and on the camera (depending on the camera)
  • Automatic device shutdown
  • Wake-up function through the camera
  • Metal base with quick lock (except Sony Multi Interface version)

Flash functions

  • TTL flash operation
  • Synchronisation on the 1st and 2nd shutter curtain (depending on the camera)

Dimensions and weight

  • 64 x 100 x 80 mm (width x height x depth)
  • 190 g

Power supply

  • 2 × AA alkaline manganese batteries
  • 2 × AA NiMH batteries

Scope of delivery

  • mecabounce diffusor
  • Protective bag

This week SAR readers photos selection


Alex Phan‎
Hooded Merganser.
A9 + 600IS III + 1.4xTC
#sonyalphagallery

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New firmware updates from Samyang, Metabones and Viltrox

We got new firmware upgrades from both Metabones (Click here), Viltrox (Click here) and Samyang (Click here).

Here is the press text for the Metabones:

Firmware upgrade for EF-E Smart AdapterTM MARK IV/V and EF-E Speed BoosterTM ULTRA

RELEVANT PRODUCTS

This information is for the following models:

  • EF-E Smart AdapterTM MARK IV/V/CINE (model number MB_EF-E-BM4 / MB_EF-E-BT4 / MB_EF-E-BT5 / MB_EF-E-BT6)
  • EF-E Speed BoosterTM ULTRA (model number MB_SPEF-E-BM2 / MB_SPEF-E-BT2 / MB_SPEF-E-BT3 / MB_SPEF-E-BT4)

ABOUT THIS DOWNLOAD

  • Name: Firmware update V0.59 for EF-E Smart AdapterTM MARK IV/V and EF-E Speed BoosterTM ULTRA
  • Release date: 04 Dec 2018
  • Benefits and improvements:

o    Autofocus reliability improvement on A7III.

o    Added EXIF lens names for Carl Zeiss Otus 28/1.4.

Thanks Mike!

Sony Tidbits…


I shot a championship football game all at 120 fps with a9 and the 400GM

Long Term Review: Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD (Phillip Reeve).
Macro Lens Buying Guide (Explora).
Sigma 56mm F1.4 Unboxing with Quick Test AF Test (That1CameraGuy).
Samyang 14mm f 2.8 Review on a SONY A7R3 by Darren Miles
14 Sony Alpha Weaknesses | A9, A7iii, A7Rii, A7RIII, A6500 (Michael The Maven)

Fotomo:Hey, I just finished my first impression review of the Sigma 56mm 1.4 lens for mft. It’s in german but has english subtitles. Enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mbiPcwBZBk

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

Poll: Sony A7sIII, A7000, A9II, A9r or A5700. Which one is the camera you want to get in 2019?

Compared to previous years Sony did only announce ONE single E-mount camera in 2018. And the Sony A7III was announced ten months ago. This is a record long time without a new E-mount camera from Sony. I suspect the Nikon-Canon-Panasonic FF announcement made Sony decide to put their announcements on hold in order to fight back properly in 2019.

So now it’s your time to tell us:

What is the E-mount camera you want to get from Sony in 2019

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I did vote for the A9r as I always need that extra high-resolution and would like to get a slightly bigger body with top weathersealing. I need these in order to be able to shoot under snowy conditions with gloves on :)

Sony Tidbits…


Samyang AF 35mm F1.4: Hands-On First Look | 4K

Rolling-Review: Sony FE 24mm 1.4 GM (Phillip Reeve).
8 Awesome Lighting Kits to Fit Any Budget (Explora).
Fujifilm X-T3 vs A7 III – 4K Video Comparison (Mathieu Gasquet).
Sony DepthSense ToF Technology (Image Sensor World)
How “The Possession Of Hannah Grace” Was Made With The Sony α7S II (Alphauniverse).

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

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Meyer Optik Görlitz acquired by another German company. But you still will not get your $$$ back.

Mirrorlessrumors reports about the acquisition of the Meyer Optik Görlitz brand by German company OPC Optic. OPC said that they will make new lenses under the Meyer Optik Görlitz brand name. But they also said this:

Unfortunately, it is not possible to take over the net SE contaminated sites

The takeover by OPC Optics includes all brand rights to Meyer Optik Görlitz and the associated products. Open claims from customers and suppliers towards net SE remain with net SE. Thus, vendors would have to contact the administrator of the net SE regarding these matters. OPC Optics, as a supplier of high-precision aspheres, is itself one of the suppliers of the net SE who still have outstanding demands on them.

As part of the reorientation of the brand, OPC Optics is examining whether discounts on the acquisition of an available lens can be realized for customers of net SE who have paid for and have not received a lens. Upon request, customers would then receive an individual offer. When or if such a model can be offered, is currently not fixed.

Shit :(