Sony A9 firmware 5.0 officially released!
Download it here: sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-9-series/ilce-9/articles/00220555
Here is a guide introducing the new features:
This week SAR readers photos selection
Xiao-Sheng Ho
Sunrise over Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi from the ridge at Shindo Pass, in mid-autumn.
4-shot panorama with A7r3 and 24-70 f/2.8 GM at 35mm, f/10, 1/15s, ISO 100.
#sonyalphagallery
1) You can submit one single picture per week only.
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Sony confirms in interview that a new “enthusiast” APS-C camera is coming!
Imaging Resource interviewed Tanaka-san is the Senior General Manager of Business Unit 1 of Sony Imaging Products and Solutions Inc’s Digital Imaging Group.
About the camera sales trend:
The worldwide ILC market overall was down about 8% on the unit shipment basis last year according to CIPA, but Sony’s Alpha is not following that trend. Based on simple calculation, two years from now, the market will be less than 80% compared to now. But not half. But then, recently there has been a momentum of new cameras. One area is full-frame mirrorless, as you know well. And the full-frame mirrorless’ growth is of course more than 100%. Almost more than 150%.
Now focus goes on APS-C and FF telephoto lenses (for Olympics):
Of course we are trying to expand the APS-C series of cameras. That maybe implies not only one product. We have the opportunity to develop a type of enthusiast APS-C model, and the enthusiasts, especially the US ones are waiting for this type of model. We are trying to increase our APS-C customers
And we implied we are working on the sports area, that implied not only a 400mm f/2.8 lens is coming. So we are implying many things, but not directly saying “next model is this one, the next model is this one”. But we’re focusing on sports and we’re focusing on the APS-C area.
Sony AI dictonary for the new S0ny autofocus system:
The first step is [recognizing] eyes, but of course, we will expand the subject types. Right now I cannot tell you, but we already have a kind of organization, to create a dictionary.
Computational photography will come to Alpha too:
We are thinking to study computational photography [applications]. In the smartphone market, I think computational photography is one way to create a new [better] image. That kind of thing, of course we can do too, I mean the ILC (interchangeable-lens cameras can do [too]. So now we are interested in computational photography.
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If Sony so openly talks about a new A6500 successor than it’s easy to guess such a model will be unveiled soon!
Sony Tidbits…
CHEAPEST Full Frame Autofocus Sony E Mount Lens | Rokinon Samyang 35mm f/2.8 AF
Test of Laowa 10-18 + comparison with sony 12-24 (Marc Alhadeff).
New Management Structure of Sony Interactive Entertainment
Adobe Lightroom February update adds AI Enhance Details feature, HDR and HDR Panos (Dpreview).
Camera industry situation representation using vectors (Personal View).
New FIKAZ adapters (Optyczne).
Canon EOS-RP vs Sony A7III overlay at Photosku.
Capture One 12.0.2 has been released.
Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.
Join the new Sony Alpha Camera Facebook group.
To get news from our Forum subscribe that RSS feed.
I kindly invite you all to follow our RSS feed, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors
New company behind Meyer Optik confirms Nocturnus lens was a Chinese clone and a “shameful indictment”
As you know Meyer Optik has been acquired by OPC Optics. And today they honestly disclosed this:
We became aware that internally the Somnium was actually a modified Russian lens and the Nocturnus was a modified Chinese lens.
As a consequence those lines have been removed from the portfolio. They write:
“That is an absolute no go. As a German manufacturer using the ‘Made in Germany’ quality seal, this is a shameful indictment. These lenses may be perfectly good in their own right, but their production methods and marketing goes against all our principles,” states Heinze. “With us, nothing of this nature will occur”
I like the fact the new owners are honest about this!
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Press text:
Successful start to the year for Meyer Optik Görlitz
• Previous portfolio fully analyzed
• Plans for product refinements and new developments
• Collaborations with partners in Germany secured
• Launch of new website
• Sale of acquired lens stock
Bad Kreuznach – 27 February 2019 – Following the takeover by OPC Optics, Meyer Optik is taking its first steps back into the public eye by launching a completely new website. It has been a while since the press release in December 2018 announcing the takeover of the brand, but this time has been used intensively to analyze the existing products, identify improvements and carefully plan and implement the company’s next steps. MirrorlessRumors
“Once all the information about the portfolio, the technical designs etc. had been handed over to us, we realized relatively quickly that we would need to invest considerable time and effort to establish a professional infrastructure. Meyer Optik is now benefiting from the combined experience I have gained during my many years working in the optics industry and the various positions I have held in large companies in this field,” explains Timo Heinze, Managing Director of OPC Optics. “It’s fair to say that the previous organization and processes shocked us on occasions. A range of new systems was absolutely necessary to establish a professional standard of production. Seamless documentation and control is essential, be it in development, for external and internal communication or for production planning, for example.”
New range of lenses has been streamlined
After analyzing the portfolio of products most recently sold and advertised by the previous supplier, a decision was made to discontinue the Somnium and Nocturnus ranges for the time being. In line with comments in the past on various online platforms, forums etc., the current Meyer Optik staff also soon became aware that internally the Somnium was actually a modified Russian lens and the Nocturnus was a modified Chinese lens.
“That is an absolute no go. As a German manufacturer using the ‘Made in Germany’ quality seal, this is a shameful indictment. These lenses may be perfectly good in their own right, but their production methods and marketing goes against all our principles,” states Heinze. “With us, nothing of this nature will occur. At the same time, we are not ruling out launching lenses with similar characteristics in the future. But if we did decide to do so, they would, of course, be our own designs and produced by us, in order to genuinely earn the ‘Made in Germany’ label.”
MR
Planned refinements and developments
Meyer Optik is currently placing significant emphasis on the refinement and optimization of existing products and the development of additional product ranges. As a result, some of the most recently available lenses will just be improved slightly, whilst other models will have a more radical overhaul.“We have had in-depth discussions with our partners and with photographers, and we have collated all the customer feedback about each individual lens in order to carry out the most comprehensive and meaningful analysis possible. We have gained valuable insights in all areas, starting with the lens design, through to the mechanics, the assembly and the most important link in the chain, the photographer, all of which are now being incorporated into the ongoing developments. We have also identified some opportunities for optimizing the lenses used previously. We expect the new models to offer improved image performance, better mechanical quality, a more comfortable feel and to be more user-friendly. Of course, while making these changes, the unique character of each individual lens will still be retained,” explains Heinze.The current expectation is that the first new versions of previous lenses, such as the Trioplan 100, will be ready to be introduced from summer 2019. Details of new products, which are being developed at the same time, are expected to be released in the second half of 2019.Long-term collaborations with partner companies in Germany
At the beginning of the year, successful talks were held with German companies working in the fields of optical and mechanical lens design, as well as precision engineering, and long-term collaborations were agreed. By doing this, OPC Optics can draw on years of experience in the areas of design and mechanical production, consolidating its own expertise in all aspects of high-precision glass lens manufacturing. This has paved the way for the production of high-quality Meyer Optik products, manufactured entirely in Germany.New website now available
For anyone interested, the new website is now available at www.meyer-optik-goerlitz.com. In future, customers will be able to buy Meyer lenses via the website. There is also extensive information about the history of Meyer and current manufacturing processes. Information on additional topics, such as the Meyer philosophy, will follow shortly. The website will also soon be available in English. In addition to news and useful information about photography, there will also be opportunities for customer interaction. Amongst other things, visitors will be able to comment on the product portfolio.A sale of stock from the takeover
As part of the takeover of the brand, OPC Optics also acquired the previous manufacturer’s stock of finished goods. These lenses have been checked by OPC and will be for sale at greatly reduced prices, for as long as stocks last. OPC Optics will, of course, honor guarantees and warranties for 2 years from the date of purchase. Any subsequent production of these lens designs or their components is not envisaged in the current development plan.
Meyer Optik is currently placing significant emphasis on the refinement and optimization of existing products and the development of additional product ranges. As a result, some of the most recently available lenses will just be improved slightly, whilst other models will have a more radical overhaul.“We have had in-depth discussions with our partners and with photographers, and we have collated all the customer feedback about each individual lens in order to carry out the most comprehensive and meaningful analysis possible. We have gained valuable insights in all areas, starting with the lens design, through to the mechanics, the assembly and the most important link in the chain, the photographer, all of which are now being incorporated into the ongoing developments. We have also identified some opportunities for optimizing the lenses used previously. We expect the new models to offer improved image performance, better mechanical quality, a more comfortable feel and to be more user-friendly. Of course, while making these changes, the unique character of each individual lens will still be retained,” explains Heinze.The current expectation is that the first new versions of previous lenses, such as the Trioplan 100, will be ready to be introduced from summer 2019. Details of new products, which are being developed at the same time, are expected to be released in the second half of 2019.Long-term collaborations with partner companies in Germany
At the beginning of the year, successful talks were held with German companies working in the fields of optical and mechanical lens design, as well as precision engineering, and long-term collaborations were agreed. By doing this, OPC Optics can draw on years of experience in the areas of design and mechanical production, consolidating its own expertise in all aspects of high-precision glass lens manufacturing. This has paved the way for the production of high-quality Meyer Optik products, manufactured entirely in Germany.New website now available
For anyone interested, the new website is now available at www.meyer-optik-goerlitz.com. In future, customers will be able to buy Meyer lenses via the website. There is also extensive information about the history of Meyer and current manufacturing processes. Information on additional topics, such as the Meyer philosophy, will follow shortly. The website will also soon be available in English. In addition to news and useful information about photography, there will also be opportunities for customer interaction. Amongst other things, visitors will be able to comment on the product portfolio.A sale of stock from the takeover
As part of the takeover of the brand, OPC Optics also acquired the previous manufacturer’s stock of finished goods. These lenses have been checked by OPC and will be for sale at greatly reduced prices, for as long as stocks last. OPC Optics will, of course, honor guarantees and warranties for 2 years from the date of purchase. Any subsequent production of these lens designs or their components is not envisaged in the current development plan.
Sony Tidbits…
Canon EOS RP vs EOS R vs Sony A7III (Full Frame Battle)
Yes folks it can get worse: January 2019 camera shipments down again compared to previous year (MirrolessRumors).
Dpreview CP+ 2019: Hands-on with Tamron’s trio of full-frame lenses
ZEISS Impresses with Batis Mirrorless Lenses (Shawn Steiner).
SmallHD: the New FOCUS 7 HDMI On-Camera Monitor for Small Cameras (Explora).
Techart E-mount to Nikon Z adapter (Capa).
Sony A6400 vs A6500 (TheDigitalDigest).
Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.
Join the new Sony Alpha Camera Facebook group.
To get news from our Forum subscribe that RSS feed.
I kindly invite you all to follow our RSS feed, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors
Seen at Cp+: Weird image showing a long tube attached on the Sony A6000
At the Cp+ show Shoten displayed their new 7Artisans 60mm macro E-mount lens mounted on a long tube which was again mounted on the Sony A6000. A quite unusual view :)
You can see a Japanese video showing this combination on Fengniao.
