Samsung wants to dethrone Sony in the image sensor business

The NX1 still sells for $2,460 on Amazon

Samsung is going to challenge Sony’s leadership in the Image Sensor Business. Etnews.com reports that Samsung wants to become number 1:

Reason why Samsung Electronics is greatly increasing production capacity of image sensor is due to its confidence. Through its internal evaluation, it believes that its technologies are already near that of SONY. SONY and Samsung Electronics are the only ones in the world that developed and commercialized 3-stack image sensors (sensor+ analogue logic+ DRAM) that can process 960 frames per second.

Samsung has yet no goal to make APS-C or FF Image Sensor for the photo industry. Their focus is on smartphone cameras and automotive industry. Still, their NX1 camera was ahead of times in many areas, pity they did quit. Oh and by the way, back when they had their NX system Samsung was bragging that they would become number 1 in the camera mirrorless camera industry. It didn’t work out well.

via Dpreview

Sony interview at Dpreview

Dpreview interviewed Mr. Tanaka from Sony. A few highlights:

400mm f/2.8 FE lens: “The weight of our 400mm F2.8 is very light, and you can use it handheld, which makes it easy to create different kinds of photographs. We already announced the development of this lens, and the launch is scheduled for this summer.”

About weather sealing: “in really bad conditions, in really heavy rain, will photographers keep on taking pictures [for long periods of time?] I don’t think so. In those conditions, most photographers will use some kind of rain cover.”

About new APS-C E-mount lenses: “please be patient – we will never ignore APS-C.”

About the lack of proper firmware update support like Fuji: “We’re still in the early stages of challenging the market with our products, and the new model cycle is relatively rapid, compared to our competitors. But the next step is to increase our market share. And if we want to reach new customers, we need [to make] new types of cameras.“

Sony Tidbits…


Why to stay with Sony instead of switching to Canon

Lensbaby Burnside 35: sample gallery and impressions (Dpreview).
Things We Love: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 Series Cameras (Allan Weitz).
Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 and 110mm f/2.5 – CP+ 2018 (Newsshooter).
The Best from Japan: Sony’s 400mm f/2.8; Olympus’ crazy concept cameras; Sigma’s “VR” lens hood service and more (Imaging Resource).
WPPI 2018: DJI Ronin-S (Explora).

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

Andreas: “So is there really such a great color difference between a Sony a7r III and a Canon 5D Mark III? Spoiler: there isn‘t.  I compared those two with manual white balance and the same (!) lens. Myth busted. 
MYTHOS Farbunterschied: SONY a7r III vs CANON 5D III https://youtu.be/ZTettajPFN8
Additionally I made an review of the Sony a7rIII after using it for two month:
SONY A7R III: Erfahrungsbericht nach 2 Monaten https://youtu.be/gw8nrzXC-7c
Both in German but maybe still relevant for your audience. ”

Two software news: Capture One campaign and ON1 Raw update

Capture One launched the new “Dedication” campaign. More info here: https://www.capturededication.com/. Reminder: Use the coupon code “AMBSAR” to get a 10% discount on Capture One 11 (Click here) and Capture One 11 for Sony (Click here).

ON1 Photo RAW 2018.1 has been released. List of improvements:

• New Improvements include improved debayering, improved HDR alignment and deghosting, faster thumbnail generation in browse, faster searching, improved noise reduction & sharpening, and better preview quality.
• New features include Import module, Tethered Shooting, Soft Proofing, Metadata Templates, Video Browsing & Organizing, Custom Sorting, Additional Cameras and Lens Support, and more.
• A viable Lightroom® & Photohsop® alternative available now

Firmware update 0.58 for Metabones Mk. IV, Mk. V and Speedbooster Ultra

Metabones released the new firmware update V0.58 for their Metabones Smart Adapter IV and EF-E Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x.

Benefits and improvements:
o Continuous video AF performance improvement (works in Advanced mode only)
o Addition of a custom function to Metabones App which lets the user to configure video AF speed/smoothness/noise level.
o EXIF improvement Improved operation with Kenko Pro300 1.4x and 2x (blue dot) teleconverters.
o Fixed a rare phenomenon where an old model camera with Mark V, Speed Booster ULTRA II, CINE Smart Adapter or CINE Speed Booster ULTRA with the IBIS switch at the OFF position may leave the LED indicator on in blue.
o In Green mode, you may now attach an EF Extender first and turn on the camera before attaching a compatible EF telephoto lens. In advanced mode, you must not leave the EF Extender without lens while the EF Extender is attached.
o If you have an early production CINE Smart Adapter or CINE Speed Booster, the manual lens EXIF definition custom function (preset using Metabones App) will no longer activate automatically. Press the WO/CF button on the adapter to activate.

Windows: http://www.metabones.com/article/of/EF-E_Firmware_Win
Mac: http://www.metabones.com/article/of/EF-E_Firmware_Mac