Sony Japan announced that it is considering to split-off the Imaging Business. This is part of their strategy to create a more “flexible company”. Other departments like the TV Business and semiconductor business already got thought the spin-off procedure.

Sony Corporation as a headquarter will focus on those functions (google translated text from japanese):

1. Headquarters: Responsibility for the Sony Group’s overall strategy and governance, and oversight of their execution
2. R&D: Leadership of Sony’s differentiation and creativity through technological innovation
3. New Business: Incubation of new businesses in areas beyond Sony’s current business domains
4. Brand Design: To enhance Sony’s brand value and implement horizontal Group-wide initiatives
5. Professional Services: To support the operations of the Sony Group following the completion of the splitting out process

What does this mean for the Imaging Business? Well they will become sort of financially and strategically more independent. This should lead to a faster decision structure. The Imaging Business is already profitable. Unlike the TV Business which went thought a big crisis the Imaging Business doesn’t have to worry to stand on their own feet.

Sigma Japan announced that it will start shipping the new MC-11 electronic adapter on April 22. Preorders at BHphoto, Amazon DE and Wex UK.

And there is also a first Sigma 30mm f/1.4 E-mount review via Photographyblog.

The Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C is tack-sharp in the centre from f/2 onwards, although you need to stop down to f/4 to get acceptable results at the edges of the frame. Disappointingly the lens does suffer from obvious chromatic aberrations when shooting wide-open at f/1.4, along with some vignetting, although stopping down to f/2 almost completely removes the purple and green fringing that is so prevalent at f/1.4.The modest asking price of the Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C is very reasonable indeed for such a fast, well-built lens. We do have some concerns about the image quality, particularly when shooting at that headline-grabbing f/1.4 maximum aperture, but overall the Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C is well worth considering.

30mm f/1.4 preorders at Amazon US, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK,  Amazon.de, Calumet Germany.

Tamron 24-70 2.8 + Sony A7 II REVIEW

Amaozn Germany has the Batis 85mm and Batis 25mm in Stock.
Focus stacking/bracketing: Come on Sony give us a better and free App (SonyAlphaForum)
9 Tips for Selecting a Cinema Lens Package (Explora).
My first days with Batis (Lenspire).
Sony A7r II – How-To Customize Buttons – back Focus, Standard center button, and Zoom… (SonyAlphaLab).
Can a Sony A7R II and a Metabones adapter really handle sports shooting? (Imaging Resource).
Sony a6300: Hard Questions (SonyAlphaForum).

Greg: “I’ve written my first thoughts and test 4K videos using the sigma 18-35/1.8 art lens which i think will be an epic combination http://thurtlepower.com/dorsetweddingphotographerblog/sony-a6300-first-impressions-thoughts-using-sigma-18-351-8-adapters/“

ePhotozine posted the very first Sony A68 hands-on pictures. The camera is alreayd shipping in Europe (Amazon) and will ship in May in North America too (Bhphoto). Now let’s hope the next A-mount camera will be the A99II.

Cribs from Sharpy on Vimeo.

Wide prime lens for A7II (SonyAlphaForum).
Enhancing value across generations (Sony Design team).
Tips and Tricks: Astrophotography with ZEISS Batis 2/25 (Lenspire).
Matter Of Perspective: Always Have A Sony Nearby (Alphauniverse).
Sony LA-EA3 vs LA-EA4 Lens Adapters (SonyAlphaLab).
Meikon Waterproof Housing Case 40M 130ft For Sony A7 II A7R II 28-70mm (Eachshot).
Sony A7SII Video Setting + smartphone application (SonyAlphaForum)
Zonlai 25mm 1.8 test shots on Flickr.

At the NEC show in Birmingham Sony displayed the new wireless flash system. You can see the images at Photographyblog. Sony did yet not disclose the pricing of the new flash. But they said they will ship it this Summer.

And here are some more NEC pictures:
Laowa STF 105mm f/2 (T3.2) Lens Hands-On Preview by ePhotozine).
Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter Hands-on Photos by John G Moore and Photographyblog.
Sony Wireless Flash System Hands-on Photos Photographyblog.

Customizing Sony Cameras & Other Tips!

Carl Zeiss 50mm Plannar vs Zeiss 55mm Sonnar (SonyAlphaForum).
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Lens Review – Sony Version (SonyAlphaLab).
Zeiss Sonnar 2.8/90 T* Review (Phillip Reeve).
Are the Extra Dollars Worth the Upgrade to the Full Frame Sensor? (iLoveHatePhoto).
Big difference between A7 and A6000 in IQ ? (SonyAlphaForum).
LEICA ELMARIT-R 19 mm f/2.8 on Sony A7r (Vintage-lenses.blogspot).

Richard: “I wrote a blog on using the A7RM2 memory functions for landscape photography:
http://www.richardfoxphotography.com/sony-a7rii-ilce-a7rm2-memory-presets-1-2-m1-m2-m3-m4-landscape-photography/”

Ali: “Here’re my first impressions and some full size sample photos of Zonlai 25mm F1.8.
http://photopensieve.blogspot.com/2016/01/zonlai-25mm-18-first-impressions-and.html“