Lol :) Sony’s official answer to Nikon’s anti mirrorless arguments!

Back at the D5 presentation in early January Niokon brought some solid (?!?!?!) “arguments” why mirrorless camera cannot match the performance of PRO DSLR cameras. You can see the short Nikon talk video here on SAF (watch from min 8).

During the A6300 presnetation Sony accepted the Nikon challenge and listen to what they said from minute 9.30:

That hurts Nikon :)

Preorders (start on Feb 10):
A6300 body at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
A6300 with kit lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
24-70mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
85mm f/1.4 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
70-200mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at BHphoto.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter BHphoto.

Motoyuji Ohtake interviewed by Dpreview and IR: GM Lenses are made for future High Res cameras.

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Motoyuji Ohtake got interviewed twice via Dpreview and Imaging Resource. Here are some key info:

  1. High resolution lenses: Mr. Ohtake made it clear that those lenses are designed for the future high reoslution cameras. The current FE (non GM) lenses are good enough for 40MP sensors. “For the G Master lenses we decided we would assess the spatial frequency at 50 lines per mm. Usually lens makers, including ourselves, evaluate lenses at 10 and 30 lpmm (or 10, 20 and 40 for Carl Zeiss-branded optics).“
  2. Bokeh: “We developed a way to evaluate bokeh and were able to make a simulation. This meant we didn’t have to build a lens to see how it performed, we could now computer model it before taking a design too far.“
  3. New own designed mold-machine was developed for the 85mm FE GM “Sony’s approach to eliminating the problem was to design and build their own mold-making machine, one that allows creation of aspheric lens molds that don’t have the previously-characteristic ridges present in the first place. Lenses produced from such molds have a surface roughness of only 0.01 microns. That’s a factor of 2 or 3 better than current technology used by the rest of the industry. Because they are so incredibly smooth right out of the micro-lathe machine, it’s a much more production-oriented process than the manual polishing approach Panasonic developed. This should translate into lower production costs, and ultimately, more Sony lenses at modest price points able to take advantage of the technology.”
  4. Sony delayed the 85mm FE GM planed autumn launch to “wait” for the new machine “It’s an interesting side note that the ultimate design of the 85mm f/1.4 G-Master lens had to wait for this new aspheric technology to be deveoped before the design could be completed. Wanting beautiful bokeh, the lens designers could see no other alternative to using conventionally-polished aspherical lens elements to build it with. The problem is that would have made the lens huge and heavy, with a very complex optical formula. What was needed was aspheric technology that could avoid the onion-ring problem from the get-go, so the lens designers had to wait until the lens-fabrication people could solve the surface-finish problem. All told, the combination of surface finish and extreme-molding capabilities took 3 to 4 years to develop.”
  5. There is also one more very criptic answer from Sony about the future of APS-C lenses: ‘The focus elements are light, so it’s easier to design. We have all these focus motor technologies in-house and we’d like to try them in APS-C lenses if that’s what the Product Planning team says is required.” That answer really avoids…to answer if they are currently developing “native” APS-C E-mount lenses.

Preorders (start on Feb 10):
A6300 body at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
A6300 with kit lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
24-70mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
85mm f/1.4 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
70-200mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at BHphoto.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter BHphoto.

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Sony A6300 and three new GM FE lenses announced!

Preorders:
A6300 body at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
A6300 with kit lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
24-70mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
85mm f/1.4 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
70-200mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at BHphoto.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter BHphoto.

A6300 Key specs:
new 24MP sensor
11fps
4D focus
4K video (no pixel binnning 14 stops dynamic range, 100MPS)
world’s fastest af 0,05 sec
425 phase detect AF points
silent shooting
Ships in March for $1000 (body only)
Full press text here on SAR.
A6300 page at Sony.net.

diag1 frontsensor top tilting rear





Sony new GM lens line:
SSM focus, scaled up from smaller lenses for F2.8 glass
Three lenses announced:
24-70mm f/2.8 for $2200
70-200mm f/2.8  ships in may (Price to be determinated)
85mm f/1.4 for $1800 ships in March
Two teleconverters 1.4x, 2x will be available for the 70-200.
New 24-70mm vs old by Tony Northup.
Images samples by David from Imaging-resource!

FE_GM85mm

FE_GM2470

FE_GM70200



Sony press notes:
Sony A6000 has been the number one selling camera ever
40% growth in lens sales on yearly basis
Here’s the 85mm F1.4 circular aperture in action (Dpreview tweet).
Here’s what the 24-70 F2.8 looks like all chopped up (Dpreview tweet).
Live tweets by Hugh Brownstone.

Full video of the Sony press event via Imaging Resource:

Interview with Kenta Honjo from Sony

Kenta Honjo got interviewed by BH. Check it out!

Preorders:
A6300 body at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
A6300 with kit lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
24-70mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
85mm f/1.4 GM FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumetphoto.de. WexUK.
70-200mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at BHphoto.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter BHphoto.

Sony announces the G Master lens line! Announces the 24-70mm 70-200mm f/2.8 GM and the 85mm f/1.4 GM

These are the first three new Sony G Master lenses:

24-70mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto (preorders on Feb 10)
70-200mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto (preorders on Feb 10)
85mm f/1.4 GM FE at BHphoto (preorders on Feb 10)

Bildschirmfoto 2016-02-03 um 16.17.32

Bildschirmfoto 2016-02-03 um 16.16.50

Sony new GM lens line:
SSM focus, scaled up from smaller lenses for F2.8 glass
Three lenses announced:
24-70mm f/2.8 for $2200
70-200mm f/2.8  ships in may (Price to be determinated)
85mm f/1.4 for $1800 ships in March
Two teleconverters 1.4x, 2x will be available for the 70-200.
New 24-70mm vs old by Tony Northup.

FE_GM85mm

FE_GM2470

FE_GM70200



The full 85mm f/1.4 GM FE lens specs and images!

FE_GM85mm

Preorders:
A6300 at BHphoto. 24-70mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto. 70-200mm f/2.8 GM FE at BHphoto. 85mm f/1.4 GM FE at BHphoto. Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at BHphoto. Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter BHphoto.

This is the long awaited 85mm f/1.4 Fe lens! A very first bokeh test image has been shared by Jordan:

Many images have been posted by David from Imaging-resource!

And here is the official Sony 85mm f/1.4 press text:

A prized focal length for portraiture, the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM from Sony is a fast, short-telephoto lens designed for E-mount mirrorless digital cameras. Characterized by its flattering perspective and fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, this lens is adept at isolation focus for shallow depth of field effects, as well as performing in low-light conditions. The optical design incorporates three extra-low dispersion elements to reduce chromatic aberrations and one XA (extreme aspherical) element, which significantly controls spherical aberrations for a high degree of image sharpness and clarity. Additionally, a Nano AR coating has been applied to limit ghosting and lens flare for increased contrast and color fidelity when working in strong lighting conditions. Pairing a bright f/1.4 aperture with a short-telephoto focal length, this 85mm lens is ideally suited for portraiture and other situations where focus control is paramount.

Complementing the optical assets, this lens is also notable for its inclusion of an 11-blade circular diaphragm to produce smooth, soft-edged bokeh with selective focus imagery. For controlling focus, a linear SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) is employed that is quick and quiet, and also lends more responsive control for manual focus operation. The lens also sports a dust- and moisture-sealed design to support shooting in inclement conditions and a dedicated focus hold button, AF/MF switch, and manual aperture ring lend further control while shooting.

As part of Sony’s esteemed G Master series, this lens is designed to achieve notably high resolution and sharpness through the correction of a wide variety of spherical and chromatic aberrations. Additionally, these lenses feature robust and intuitive-to-handle physical designs to benefit both photography and cine applications.
A portrait-length prime designed for full-frame E-mount mirrorless cameras, this 85mm f/1.4 is also compatible with APS-C models where it will provide a 127.5mm equivalent focal length.
Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture benefits working in difficult lighting conditions and also offers a wealth of control over focus position when using shallow depth of field techniques.
One XA element is incorporated into the optical design, which features superior surface precision for effective control over astigmatism, field curvature, coma, and other spherical aberrations.
Three extra-low dispersion elements are featured in the lens design and help to reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color neutrality.
A Nano AR Coating has been applied to reduce surface reflections, flare, and ghosting for increased contrast and color rendering in strong lighting conditions.
Rounded 11-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality when employing selective focus techniques.
A linear SSM system and internal focus mechanism provides quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance and also contributes to more natural, intuitive manual focus control.
Dust- and moisture-sealed design better permits working in inclement conditions and rubberized control rings benefit handling in colder temperatures.
Manual aperture ring can be de-clicked for smooth, silent aperture switching to benefit video applications.

Product Highlights

  • E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • One XA Element and Three ED Elements
  • Nano AR Coating
  • Linear SSM Focus System
  • Internal Focus Design
  • Focus Hold Button, AF/MF Switch
  • Manual Aperture Ring
  • Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Eleven-Blade Circular Diaphragm