Metabones released the new firmware update V0.56 for their Metabones Smart Adapter IV and EF-E Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x. You can download the firmware for WIN and MAC.

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Metabones App 2.7 (E-Mount Version 56) is released today, adding support for the Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S lens to Metabones EF mount Speed Boosters and Smart Adapters.
Servo zoom can now be controlled using the wide-tele zoom rocker on supported cameras (for example JVC GY-LS300), with a touch screen interface (most Panasonic cameras), or from PlayMemories Mobile App for Sony cameras.
For supported Sony cameras, the Record button on the grip of the Cinema EOS CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S lens can be assigned to one of more than 50 functions on the A7 series and other supported cameras. By assigning it to the MOVIE function, the user may start/stop recording and zoom with the lens’ hand grip which is handy for a small-form-factor camera like A7R Mark II.
Whereas a typical EF mount lens changes the iris at 1/8 stop granularity, a Cinema EOS lens permits much finer control. Metabones takes advantage of this improved precision resulting in footages in which auto iris movements are virtually imperceptible.
Autofocus is supported, but to set expectations properly, AF performance of a supported Cinema EOS lens on a non-Canon camera is significantly below that of a genuine Cinema EOS camera equipped with dual pixel AF technology.
Never has any cinema lens received such comprehensive electronic integration across disparate lens mounts and brands like Blackmagic, JVC, Panasonic, Sony and of course, Canon Cinema EOS natively.
Important notice: not every Cinema EOS lens supports every feature. At the time of writing only Canon CN-E 18-80 T4.4 L IS KAS S supports auto iris, autofocus and servo zoom.

Sigma Cine Lenses Interview – Photography Show 2017

Vivitar 70-210mm 1:4.5 MC Macro focusing zoom 52mm (SonyAlphaForum).
Sony Expands HDR Production Capabilities for its Professional Products (Sony Blog).
First contact: Sony RX10 III (Joerg Haag).
7 Mistakes Photographers Make (Tony and Chelsea Northrup).
What are the Benefits of Shooting 4K Video Instead of Stills? (Adorama Learning Center).
Improvisational Filmmaking with Vimeo Staff Pick Videographer Brandon Li (Explora).

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NDP Group reports that in Jan/Feb 2017 Sony did surpass Nikon and is now on 2nd place in the USA Full Frame system camera market. It’s Canon that is still the king of the market (Their DSLR still do rule the Amazon sales ranking). While 2 months for data are for sure not enough to mark a serious trend I bet the day will arrive Sony will take Canon’s throne too.

Here is the Press text:

SAN DIEGO, April 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics – a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has announced today that their continued growth has vaulted them into the #2 overall position in the U.S. full-frame interchangeable lens camera market. ¹

Sony’s interchangeable lens cameras and lenses have seen record sales in 2017, in particular within the U.S. full-frame camera market, where they have experienced double-digit growth (+23%) ² compared to the same period last year.  The popularity of key models including α7RII and α7SII has been paramount to this success.

Additionally, Sony’s rapid growth has helped to drive growth of the overall full-frame interchangeable lens camera market compared to the same period last year.  Without Sony’s contributions, the full-frame market would be facing a slight decline. ³

“Our commitment to the industry is stronger than ever,” said Neal Manowitz, VP of Digital Imaging at Sony North America. “We are always listening to our customers, combining their feedback with our intense passion for innovation to deliver products, services and support like no other.”

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting content shot Sony α products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com , Sony’s community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of the Sony α brand.

Notes to Editors

¹The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan- Feb 2017
²The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan/Feb 2016- Jan/Feb 2017
³The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan/Feb 2016- Jan/Feb 2017

This is the first image of the new $4,399 Primagon 24 f/2.8 FF E-mount lens. Dr. Stefan Immes from Meyer Optik says about this lens:

“For this lens, we are concentrating on creating an extremely high resolution. As a result, we have designed the lens with a slightly smaller initial aperture than is typical for this lens class. With this design, we are able to achieve almost the same sharpness over the entire aperture range. This is something special and opens up many possibilities for design.
The pictures promise to be almost three-dimensional in the way the subject will pop out from the blurred background. We are very excited, as our test photographers interpret the possibilities of our lens in the test shots. This is often the most exciting part in lens development and part of our incentive to create new products.”

The lens will go on Kickstarter sometimes later this year. And unlike the other Meyer Optik E-mount lenses the Primagon is completely redesigned from scratch and not an adaptation of older exisiting lenses.

Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens, Sony A7sii, Zhiyun Crane [sample footage]

Sony G-Master 100mm Sample shots (SonyAlphaForum).
Instagram 101+ Photographing for Engagement (Explora).
Zeiss Loxia 85mm review at ThePhoBlographer.
a6300 vs a6500 complete comparison (Mirrorlesscomparison).
Oscars 2017: The Cinematography Behind the Top Nominated Films (Adorama Learning Center).
Free Lightroom plugin shows which focus point was active when the picture was taken (MirrorlessRumors).

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Adobe added the Lens profile support for the two new Sony FE lenses.

New Sony FE lens store links:
85mm f/1.8 FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK. Amazon IT. Amazon FR. Amazon ES. PhotoPorstNeuwied.
100mm f/2.8 STF FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK. Amazon IT. Amazon FR. Amazon ES. PhotoPorstNeuwied.

Samyang 135mm F2 ED UMC Lens Review | John Sison

A Slice of CP+ 2017 by Matthew Durr
Sony 50mm f1.8 Real World Review (Barisparildar).
Q&A On The Field Sony A7ii With 70-200 And Batis 85 (ThatCameraGuy).
10 Best Instant Cameras (Adorama Learning Center).
Eagle-eyed lenses (Science Magazine).
Sony A6500 Review + Sony Lenses I use for Video (Austin Black).
12 Recommended Travel Tripods (Explora).

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Tanveer: “A timelapse created with A7 andTamron 15-30 f2.8 of the night sky. We are made of STARS https://youtu.be/l54vPtF_7yI?t=12s“