July 25, 2017 Today, I’m excited to announce our new Grip-Case Pro for the Sony A9 and Sony A7II Series of bodies. These Grip-Cases give your camera that extra height that is so needed for photographers with larger hands or those that wish these Sony bodies had more height for better holding larger Pro lenses. In addition, these new Grip-Cases give tons of protection, much improved grip and a unique look to your Sony camera body.
I personally use the A9 as my main system camera, and in my opinion, Sony should have made the body larger (more like the Leica SL) to help handle the Pro lenses on it. I am NOT a fan of the battery grips as they add too much bulk and weight to the camera, and totally change the size of camera bag that you can use. For this reason, I designed this new Grip-Case blending the design from our best selling Wood Grip and our best selling Fuji X100 series Grip-Case.
Sony announced that the A7sII is the world’s first commercial camera mounted outside theInternationcal Space Station. Here is the press text:
Sony’s Full-Frame Mirrorless α7S II Shoots Astonishing 4K Videos from Outer Space First Commercial Camera Mounted Outside International Space Station
Tokyo, Japan – Sony today released a variety of immersive 4K (QFHD 3840×2160) footage from outer space recorded by the acclaimed α7S II full-frame mirrorless camera. This is the world’s first*1 commercial camera to be mounted outside of the International Space Station (ISS) used to capture video in 4K. The videos showcase the Japanese islands from outer space with footage taken during day and night, showing off its majestic snow-covered peaks and metropolitan lights right down to the differences in color tone. These were able to be captured by virtue of the α7S II’s high sensitivity performance as well as high resolution 4K recording capability.
The α7S II has been selected*2 as the camera for the new exterior platform on the ISS’s Japanese Experiment Module known as “KIBO”. As a result of various tests conducted by JAXA, it was confirmed that the α7S II possesses the durability and reliability to withstand the unique and unforgiving environment of outer space, including high vacuum, cosmic radiation, and abrupt temperature fluctuations.
The α7S II was carried to the ISS by the “KOUNOTORI” cargo transporter that launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on December 9, 2016, and was subsequently installed on February 8, 2017*3. From 400 km above the surface of the earth, the α7S II completes an orbit around the planet approximately once every 90 minutes, recording a variety of 4K videos and still images from outer space.
*1 As of July 27, 2017
*2 Selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
*3 With the FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS power zoom lens
The α7S II boasts high sensitivity up to ISO 409600*4, wide dynamic range; 5-axis image stabilization; internal recording of 4K movies with full pixel readout and no pixel binning; and a 35 mm full-frame Exmor® CMOS image sensor packed into a compact body. It was honored as the top camera in its category at the prestigious EISA Awards (EUROPEAN PHOTO & VIDEO CAMERA 2016-2017), and its outstanding sensitivity in particular has met acclaim around the globe since its release. Its high sensitivity performance allows the camera to produce clear, high quality images with minimal noise, even in the extreme low light conditions of outer space. There is a lot of excitement around the camera’s ability to capture previously unobtainable footage such as the earth at night from space, and will take vivid 4K videos of sights such as cargo transporters like the “KOUNOTORI” approaching the ISS.
The immersive 4K videos captured by the α7S II have been released on the “α Universe” official site. The history of the α7S II’s implementation on the ISS can also be viewed on the site. Japanese: “α Universe” official site English: “α Universe” official site
*4 When set to expanded sensitivity mode.
Sony 12-24/4 on a7RII vs Fuji 23/4 on GFX (Jim Kasson).
What’s In Chris Burkard’s Travel Bag? (Adventurejournal).
Duclos Lenses Sony FZ mount kit for Fujinon’s new MK zooms (Newsshooter)
The Art of Portraiture Part 2: Light (Adorama Learning Center)
Infographic: Helping You Choose the Right Delkin Memory Card (Explora).
Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D – Initial Impressions by Luke Tscharke.
Bernie: “Just dropped my 2017 film reel. 90% of the shots, the a6500 with Zhiyun Crane was used. With a few drone and A7s shots sprinkled in. Let me know what you think https://youtu.be/JmDpHzXIBHU“
Tomorrow the 100-40mm FE GM lens is set to start shipping out in USA via BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. But Sony Japan just reported that the demand is much higher than expected so maybe not everyone will get the lens this week.
Patrick Murphy-Racey posted his 100-400mm GM video review:
The Chinese site Weibo reports the new 15mm f/2.0 Dream Lens preorders will start on July 28 and the lens will start shipping out on August 10 in China. The official price is 4980 yuan (~€633). Gobal Launch will follow after.
Those are the specs posted on Weibo:
Lens weight w/o shade ~500g is much better than 12mm f2.8. And image samples can also be seen on Weibo.
The current Laowa E-mount lenses in the line up are:
Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D Lens for Sony E at [shopcountry 55644].
Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens for Sony E at [shopcountry 55646].
Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f/2 Smooth Trans Focus Lens for Sony E at [shopcountry 55645].
Does the α9 with 100-400mm GM Stay on Track at the Track? (Alphauniverse).
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G versus other lenses (FredMiranda).
Best Mirrorless Cameras for Travel Photography (Adorama Learning Center)
Lock Down Your Home Wi-Fi Network (Explora).
Zeiss Batis 18mm f2.8 Review (Atamadnan).
Best Compact Camera for Travel (Phototraces).
Jay Perry: “A camera AND a MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? Is there anything the @Sony a7R II can’t do? youtu.be/bi4IPmkoWSY?a”
