Tokina officially announced the new 20mm f/2.0 FE autotofucus lens. This is the press text:

NEW TOKINA FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF

For Immediate Release
February 22, 2018

Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd. is proud to announce the new Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF, the second prime lens in Tokina’s premium lens series “FíRIN” for mirrorless cameras.

Overview
FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF is the long-awaited autofocus version of the existing FíRIN 20mm F2 FE super wide angle lens for full-frame Sony E-mount. Adopting the same optical design as in MF model, now we offer two options for end-users to choose according to the purpose and style of shooting.

Lens specifications:

Optical performance
Being optimized for full size camera sensors in terms of size and resolving ability, the optical design adopts 2 aspherical elements and 3 lenses molded from Super-low Dispersion glass to significantly reduce any type of aberration including spherical aberration, distortion and chromatic aberration while assuring high resolution and stunning performance even at wideopen aperture.

Functionality
Keeping along with the basic development concept of the previous model FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF is made compatible to autofocus and other functions of the camera providing perfect functionality and usability for the photographer.

Ring-shaped ultrasonic autofocus motor
For AF drive system FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF adopts quick responsive and silent ring-shaped ultrasonic motor. Coupled with GMR sensor AF performs fast and accurate focusing.

Full compatibility to AF system
FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF is fully compatible with Fast Hybrid AF system and all AF function settings, providing the same AF performance as with common E-mount AF lenses. Fine manual focus adjustment is also possible.

MF Assist function
Accurate focusing is supported by compatibility to MF Assist function, when fine focusing adjustment is operated by manual rotation of the focusing ring with the simultaneous interlocking with image enlarging function and bar distance display on the monitor.

Optical correction
Due to the data transmittance ability via electric contacts the camera obtains necessary data from the lens chip to correct shading, distortion and lateral chromatic aberrations. Optical corrections can be done by the camera as well.

Image Stabilization
By transmitting focal length data FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF is able to get maximum use of In-Body Image Stabilization function of the camera.
* When in-built camera flash is used vignetting may occur. Please use external flash.

About sales release:
Sales release in Japan: end of April, 2018 (tentative)
Sales release worldwide: end of May, 2018 (tentative)

A prototype of Tokina FíRIN 20mm F2 FE AF will be displayed at CP+2018
Kenko Tokina booth location: Exhibition Hall(1F), booth # G-57

Sony announced the new flash which is now listed for $599 at Adorama and BHphoto. There are also three new accessories:
Sony FA-EB1 External Battery Pack at Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony FA-RG1 Multi Interface-Shoe Rain Guard at Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony VMC-MM2 Release Cable for RX0 at Adorama and BHphoto.
Preorder start on Monday.

Here are all videos about the new flash:

Tamron officially announced the development of the new 28-75mm FE lens. This means our source was spot on and we have to send him a big Thank You for that :)

This is the official press text via Dpreview:

It’s days now I am telling you a new “entry-mid” level Alpha camera will be announced on Feb 26 (Monday in USA). But yesterday I made a typo and wrote Feb 22 in one of my posts. Sorry for that.

The new camera will be announced on Monday afternoon in Las Vegas (Feb 26). It will be early morning of Feb 27 in Europe and Asia.

And I really think this is going to be the new A7III….

–

P.S.: If the rumored A7III specs list turn out to be correct well…same source told me the A7sIII specs …so let’s hope he is right :)

Samyang announced a new XP 50mm f/1.2 FE lens. This has a resolution of more than 50 megapixels for photography and 8K for video. At first this lens will be available for Canon EF mount only but more mount versions should be launched later.

The EF version can be used on any E-mount camera with adapter.

More info at: samyanglensglobal.com

Sony Mirrorless Size and Weight

Sports Pro’s Gear For the Winter Games In South Korea (Alphauniverse).
Sony Enters Polarization-Sensitive Image Sensor Market (Image Sensor World).
Do You Know Your Focal Lengths? (Explora).
Multivariate Analysis on Image Sensor Classification and Variability (a case study on Canon, Nikon, Sony) at Multianalytics.
Pixel Shift on Sony A7R III – Is it worth the extra work and time? (Alin Popescu).

Rafa: “This video with more than 23k views in 3 days was shot with an A6500, a sony 35mm 1.8, sony 50mm 1.8 and the kit lens 16-50mm https://www.facebook.com/appairj/videos/2014919842123128/
You can see more of my work at www.rafael-lopes.com (most of it is shot with Sony mirrorless)”

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

Lensbaby announced the new Burnside 35mm f/2.8 which you can preorder now for Sony E or A-mount at BHphoto, Adorama and FocusCamera. It has a Dual diaphragm design to control the amount of vignetting as well as the quality of the bokeh.

Reminder:
The new Loxia lens preorders are now available at BHphoto and Adorama.
And the brand new Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 FE lens is in Stock for the very first time via BHphoto.

Big new Sony US deals:

1) up to $900 off on Sony camera sand lenses. See full special page at BHphoto, Adorama, Buydig.
2) Up to $500 trade-in bonus to buy a Sony cameras. See special page at BHphoto, Adorama, Buydig, FocusCamera.

More deals:
Meike Battery Grip for the Sony A9 and A7rIII in Stock at Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon DE, Amazon UK.
10% discount on Capture One 11 (Click here) and Capture One 11 for Sony (Click here). Use the coupon code “AMBSAR“.