Sony Tidbits…


Sony a6300 in Williamsburg Brooklyn

Samyang / Rokinon 50mm f/1.2 CS review (Mirrorlessons).
Shoots made with the A6300 and the 35mm 1.4 Distagon (SonyAlphaForum)
Studying Photography in New York City (Explora).
Shootout: Sony Planar T* 50mm f/1.4 ZA vs Rokinon FE 50mm /1.4 (Diglloyd)
Atomos Firmware Update: HDR Functionality for Shogun and Ninja
Sony camera+lens compatibility tool at Support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp.
A7rII review at Qamera.
ZEISS Batis & Loxia Wide Angle Full Frame E-Mount Lens Gimbal Comparison (Cinema5D)
To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page.

Sony Tidbits…


Backcountry Snowboarding in 4K | Jeremy Jones | Sony

Podcast: Why Is 4K Video in a Point-and-Shoot Camera? (Explora).
Back to School Buying Guide 2016 (Adorama Learning Center)
Indie rock music video shot with the A7SII and an anamorphic lens (SonyAlphaForum).
Film photography makes a stunning comeback (EuropeanCeo)
switched from a Canon-Nikon system to the Sony Alpha 7 series (Emin Kuliyev).
Samyang AF 1.4/50 samples and review at swedish Cyberphoto
Zeiss Planar 50mm FE review (Focus Numerique)
To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page.

Xabier: “Let me send you a little video I´ve made with the incredible Sony A7SII. I´ve tested the SLOG 2 & 3 capabilities, as well as it´s 100 fps technology. https://vimeo.com/178734761
The downsides I´ve seen with the A7SII are its poor CDAF and the poor results of the SLOG3 when shooting the skyes, due to it´s 8 bit codec.
Apart from that, it´s an awesome camera: The Lowlight sensitivity is amazing, as well as the superb Dinamic Range and the On-sensor stabilizing system.“

This week SAR readers photos selection


René Gamper‎
I took this shoot with the A6300 and the Samyang 12mm F2.0
You can find this and more Pictures from me on 500px
https://500px.com/rene1_gamper

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!

Read more

Tamron announces the launch of the SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 USD A-mount lens!

Tamron90mm

Tamron announced the new 90mm f/2.8 SP Sony A-mount lens. You can preorder it for $649 at BHphoto (Click here). This is the full press text:

Product Highlights

    • Built upon the outstanding optical performance of the legendary Tamron 90mm Macro
  • Inheriting the optical design of the previous 90mm Macro lens (Model F004), the new Model F017 delivers the same excellent resolving power and remarkably soft background blur effects (bokeh). The advanced construction includes one LD (Low Dispersion) glass element that maximally limits the dispersion properties of light and two XLD (eXtra Low Dispersion) glass elements that correct dispersion properties to an even greater extent. The special elements optimally compensate for on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations from macro shooting range to infinity. Furthermore, the design ensures the best imaging performance at any range by adopting the Floating System which shifts the location of a group of elements to the best possible position as the focusing group travels relative to shooting distances. From 1:1, life-size close-ups to the most distant horizon, this new 90mm Macro lens achieves outstanding image quality.
    • Optimized for spectacular background blur effects (bokeh)
  • Earlier models of Tamron’s 90mm macro lens received high acclaim for their spectacular blur effects, and the new 90mm macro builds upon this legacy. To continue this commitment, thorough optical simulations were conducted. Careful examinations were performed to minimize any blurring with a doubled image appearing for a single line because that phenomenon has a considerably negative impact on background image quality. As a result, the lens achieves both sharp, vivid images and spectacular background blur effects. This combination is highly prized by portrait photographers.
    • Moisture-Proof and Dust-Resistant Construction
  • Areas of possible ingress surrounding switches and the boundary between the focus ring and the lens barrel are protected by special seals. These provide stronger protection against the intrusion of dirt, dust and moisture compared to the Moisture-Resistant Construction used previously. This additional protection assures even more wide-ranging opportunities for using this lens.
    • A durable Fluorine Coating on the front element repels water and fingerprints
  • The water and oil repellant coating applied to the front element surface allows instant removal of dirt or smudges with ease. The coating also provides a reasonable level of durability, and will sustain its effectiveness for years. The Fluorine Coating technology that Tamron developed for use in industrial optics applications was first used on the SP 15-30mm which was introduced in 2014.
    • USD actuator maximized for macro photography is fast, accurate and quiet
  • The control software program for the USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) actuator has been revised to provide substantially improved focusing speed and accuracy when using AF. The USD quickly addresses any out-of-focus condition caused by back-and-forth camera movement (which commonly occurs during macro photography) ensuring better results when shooting at close range.
    • Advanced coating technology reduces flare and ghosting
  • Two advanced coating technologies, both providing outstanding anti-reflection performance, are applied to critical element surfaces for maximum light transmission. eBAND (Extended Bandwidth & Angular-Dependency) Coating boasts outstanding anti-reflection performance across nearly the entire range of visible rays, and BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) Coating utilizes traditional multi-layered, anti-reflection technology. This combination virtually eliminates extraneous reflections and substantially reduces ghosting and flare which enables the lens to achieve flawless, crystal clear images.
    • Use of circular aperture to achieve beautiful, rounded blur effects (bokeh)
  • When shooting a scene that includes a point-source of light in the subject background, marvelously tuned blur (bokeh) can be obtained without generating undesirable polygonal shapes of aperture patterns thanks to the circular aperture. The 9-blade diaphragm retains a nearly perfect circular opening even when stopped down by two stops.
    • Focusing options perfectly suited to a macro lens
  • The new 90mm macro has a focus limiter that makes it possible to shorten the time for accurately focusing on a subject when the working range is known. The lens also features an Internal Focusing system, so the overall length of the lens never changes, not even when focusing. As a result, the user is assured of a comfortable working distance of at least 139mm (5.5 in) from the front of the lens. In addition, the lens is equipped with a Full-time Manual Focus override mechanism which makes it possible to flexibly choose focal points. Even with the AF driving system in action, it is possible to instantaneously override it to make manual fine focusing adjustments without switching the AF-MF mode back and forth.
    • Compatibility with TAMRON TAP-in Console™
  • Always as new as tomorrow: You can update firmware, customize autofocus positions and adjust the mechanical setup and preferences of the 90mm lens by simply attaching it to the TAMRON TAP-in Console and connecting it via USB to a personal computer. (The TAP-in Console is an optional accessory.)

Tamron and the history of its macro lenses

The history of Tamron’s macro lenses began with the SP AF90mm F/2.5 (Model 52B) in 1979. The general impression of a macro lens in those days was that it was mainly useful for academic purposes—such as reproducing documentary records and scientific minutiae—and not suitable for photographing ordinary subjects. Against this backdrop, Tamron’s first-generation 90mm macro lens succeeded in creating new value for the modern macro lens that has both refined image quality worthy of recording photographic scenes and remarkably beautiful background blur effects (bokeh). As a result, the lens was highly valued by professional and amateur photographers alike as a lens with wide-ranging uses. It created new categories of applications that previously had been unimaginable because of the common uses of macro lenses at the time. The lens became popular among nature photographers to shoot close-ups of flowers. Furthermore, using Tamron’s 90mm macro lens for portrait photography gained particular popularity, with the expression “portrait macro lens” coming to be widely recognized over time. With the model renewal in this latest generation achieving further performance improvements, SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 USD (Model F017) is opening a new chapter in the history of Tamron’s 90mm macro lenses.

Design Concept

Beginning with the SP 35mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (Model F012) and SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD (Model F013), Tamron has utilized a new design concept to enhance the outstanding performance provided by the SP Series. Our attention to every engineering detail has resulted in the most advanced optical and electro-mechanical designs being incorporated in SP Series, creating a new benchmark for high performance and visual elegance. The design philosophy embraces the importance of comfortable, ergonomic operation and positive tactile feedback, crucial factors in all types of photography. The newly designed all-metallic barrel features an embedded concave ring at the base of the lens—for a firm hold and comfort necessary for a steady shot. Switches are larger and reconfigured for smoother function and the typeface has been redesigned for intuitive legibility. The Tamron SP Series is the superlative example of the Lensmaker’s art.

Specifications

Model F017
Focal Length 90mm
Maximum Aperture F/2.8
Angle of View (diagonal) 27°2′ (for full-frame format)
17°37′ (for APS-C format)
Optical Construction 14 elements in 11 groups
Minimum Object Distance 0.3m (11.8 in)
Maximum Magnification Ratio 1:1
Filter Size Φ62mm
Maximum Diameter Φ79mm
Length* for Sony 116.6mm (4.6 in)
Weight for Sony 585g (20.6 oz)
Aperture Blades 9 (circular diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture F/32
Standard Accessories Lens hood, Lens caps
  • Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. are subject to change without prior notice.
  • The Sony mount version does not include VC since Sony digital SLR bodies incorporate built-in image stabilization functionality.
  • * Length is the distance from the front tip of the lens to the lens mount face.

Sony Tidbits…

(Part 1/4) New approaches to independent feature filmmaking (Panel Discussion) | α | Sony from Imaging by Sony on Vimeo.

Need opinions on which A7 body/lenses to purchase for live entertainment photography (SonyAlphaForum).
Lensbaby Fills Up the Composer Pro II Lineup (Explora).
The Basics of Color Correction (Adorama Learning Center)
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Hands-on Review (Bokeh)
Sony Cyber-shot RX10 Mark III Review (ePhotozine).

To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page.

 


Kipon Hasselblad Medium Format Focal Reducer

Poll: Should Sony make a sort of Pentax alike pancake limited FE lens line?

[shoplink 33167 ebay]pancakelimited[/shoplink]

Sony is quite an innovative company no doubt on that. But let’s help them to figure out what SAR readers would like to get from them. One of the ideas popped out from our minds is that one:
Current Sony FE lenses are quite big and it would be nice to have a new dedicated pancake lens line. They could just learn from Pentax who created the limited pancake line. These lenses have a fairly good optical performance and at the same time are extremely compact and well-built. The lenses are:
[shoplink 33164 ebay]15mm f/4 AL (here on eBay)[/shoplink]
[shoplink 33165 ebay]21mm f/3.2 AL (here on eBay)[/shoplink]
[shoplink 33166 ebay]40mm f/2.8 (here on eBay)[/shoplink]
[shoplink 33167 ebay]43mm f/1.9 Limited (here on eBay)[/shoplink]
[shoplink 33168 ebay]70mm f/2.4 Limited (here on eBay)[/shoplink]
[shoplink 33169 ebay]77mm f/1.8 Limited (not really a pancake but a great compact prime lens)[/shoplink]

Question:

Would you like Sony to launch a pancake FE lens series?

View Results

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