Two Sony news:

1) Fdtimes reports about the new Sony 16-bit X-OCN format (eXtended tonal range Original Camera Negative). Like RAW, it retains everything the sensor sees. Unlike RAW, it promises lower bit rates and greater ease of use (see image above). Could be useful for future high End E-mount cameras too!

2) Thewrap reports: Sony Corp Unveils Plan to Raise $3.6 Billion via International Stock and Bond Offering. Sony plans to use the money from the issuance of new shares to increase its production capacity of stacked CMOS sensors in its Devices segment, which it hopes will lead to additional profits.

found via Slashcam and ImageSensorWorld

Something different: Help out Rob to clean his dirty A7rII sensor. More about it on SonyAlphaForum. yY personal advise is to use the Eyelead sensor gel cleaning kit you can buy on [shoplink 22691 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and Amazon.de, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it. Watch the video below to see how it works.

Sony 24-70mm F2.8 G Master Review | John Sison

Sony FE 70-200 f2.8 GM OSS – test shots (SonyAlphaForum).
85/1.4 GM vs 85/1.4 ZA (Beautifullenses)
An Argument for the Sony FS5 (Lensrentals).
Throwback Thursday: a fresh look at the Sony Mavica FD-91 (Dpreview).
The Vanguard VEO265CB Carbon Fiber Tripod at the Navy Yard (Explora).
To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page.

Sean: “Here is a new video review of the Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 for Sony E-mount: https://youtu.be/HnX8eso8jBs“

Creating STUNNING silhouettes with backlight using the Rotolight Anova by Jason Lanier

Sony Zeiss Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (SonyAlphaForum).
Sony RX1r II Review – The best IQ in the smallest package: what’s not to like? (Mirrorlessons).
Sony A6000 with Batis 85 and street photography examples at Tomiga.
Yosemite wedding photography with the Sony a7II, a6000 & Sony lenses (movetomirrorless)
how to clean your mirrorless camera sensor (DonSmithBlog).
To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page.

Mike: “Might be interesting the following wedding shots as sony user made them.
http://www.boredpanda.com/helicopter-bride-wedding-photography-cm-leung/
And here is the Hungarian link where you can find the  insagram link with the sony logo.
http://velvet.hu/randi/2016/07/28/eletveszelybe_kerult_a_menyasszony_az_eskuvoi_fotozason/”

James: “Here’s my wish list of video features for the a7s3, enjoy! https://youtu.be/eJvsrWqW5Zg“

The Korean company Samyang just announced a new Full Frame lens. It’s the 20mm f/1.8 which will be available in native Sony A and native Sony E-mount versions (price 549€). There is also a Cine version with t/1.9 aperture (price 599€).

Full details:
Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC at Samyang site
Samyang 20mm T1.9 ED AS UMC at Samyang site

Above you see the non Cine lens and below an image of the Cine lens version:

via Mirrorlessrumors.

Laowa 105mm f/2 (T3.2) STF Hands-On

Burrowing Owls (SonyAlphaForum).
Guide to Anamorphic Lenses and Adapters (Explora).
Landscapes of the American West: A Photographic Guide (Adorama Learning Center).
Here Are Our Top Ten Favorite Products of the Last Ten Years (Lensrentals).
To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page.

Alexandre: “I shot beautiful thai models with my new Sony G 2470F2.8 and the Sony A7R2 . This lens is amazing! http://traveljournalist.com/pretty-thai-girls-fast-auto-show-2016-bangkok-thailand/“

Jakub: “I want to share my thoughts on A7s + legacy mirror lens – tokina 500mm RMC F8.
https://steemit.com/photography/@xenon2/catadioptric-lenses-old-is-new-again
I hope you find this interesting !“

Sergei Gavrilov‎
‪#‎gavrilovsergphoto‬ Sony A7S2

1) Submit your picture with a message and picture here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors or on the SonyAlphaForum image section.
2) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors/photos_stream?tab=photos and on SonyAlphaForum.
3) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.

Note: When sending a pic feel free to also add a link to your site to promote yourself!

[shoplink 47915][/shoplink]

A SAR reader who prefers to remain anonymous sent me this:

“I sent my [shoplink 47915]FE 2470GM[/shoplink] in for repair through Sony Pro Support due to the lens mont gasket not sealing completely on the A7/A7r/A7rII mounting flange. After seeing the video you posted of the FE 2478GM ‘teardown” I was able to confirm that Sony has made a significant change to the lens mounting gasket.  The gasket shown in the video (At 1:18 to 1:20) has a significantly larger and thicker gasket that wraps completely around the metal mounting plate.  I contacted Precision Camera (who Sony is using to repair my camera) to advise them that I want to make sure I get the ‘new’ gasket installed on the my 2470GM….  Precision camera just confirmed back that they have VERIFIED THAT THERE IS A NEW P/N FOR THE 2470GM GASKET REAR.

My 2470GM was Pre-ordered about 1 month before the actual release date.  I had posted here that I could see a ‘sliver’ of light between the camera and lens mount when viewed perpendicularly ( light was visible for about 120 degree around the circumference ).  I didn’t have a concern until I was shooting in light rain 10 days ago. When I got home I noticed moisture in the camera body lens mounting grooves….

PS: the video also shows a black ‘rubberized’ coating on the end ribbon connector cable where it plugs into the PC board.  My camera did not have the coating, which appears to be a reinforcement / strain relief for the PC Board connector.  Precision camera is trying to confirm if this is another ‘upgrade’ from the original or not.  Will advise when they update me..”

If you have questions feel free to post them in the comment section!

24-70mm GM store links: [shopcountry 47915].