Yes seriously…somebody just did “cut” the Sony A7r to transform it into a sort of Leica camera :)

What you see on top is the Sony A7r modified in a way to look like a sort of Leica M camera :)

You can see a tons of pictures of the process on Weibo.com. Here are just a few of them where you can see the single modifications:

First they removed the plastic cover and than the top EVF:

 

The Sony TOP plate got removed with a Leica TOP plate from an older camera:

 

Than they removed the Alpha Logo and replaced it with the Leica Logo:

And here is the final product:

Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE review by ePhotozine and Marc Alhadeff: “high level of performance and a pleasing character”

ePhotozine reviewed the new Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE lens and concludes:

With a high level of performance and a pleasing character, the Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE lens has plenty of potential to become a favourite. There are some parameters that may need some additional correction in software, not really an issue as the solutions are there. It is light and compact and generally just delivers the goods in a simple, discrete package. When used for street photography, it can be an advantage to use an unobtrusive lens.

There is some flare and there is no weather sealing, so these are a couple of disadvantages, but to be absolutely fair, the price tag is a very attractive one and generally, the Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE lens is a delight to use. Highly recommended.

Marc Alhadeff posted an even way more detailed review:

Everything is not perfect but the lens scores very well on all the main points : very good to excellent sharpness, very good color rendition, beautiful blurry background , good bokeh balls wide open, efficient AF, small/light/cheap on a full frame mirrorless

Allan Weitz also tested the lens and writes:

If you’re looking for an extremely small and extremely lightweight wide-aperture normal lens that is a piece of cake to tote around all day and won’t break your wallet, by all means take a closer look at this lens.

You can get the lens now at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.


Samyang AF 45mm F1.8: First Look | 4K

New Sony A7rIV tests

Sony A7rIV and new accessories:
Sony A7rIV in USA/CA at BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera, Amazon, BuyDig, Henrys.
Sony A7rIV in EU at Calumet DE, ParkUK, WexUK, Calumet NL.
Sony A7rIV in Asia at Sony Japan. Sony Australia.
Sony VG-C4EM grip in USA at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig, ParkUK, WexUK.
ECM-B1M Digital Audio Shotgun Microphone at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig, Park UK.
XLR-K3M Mic at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig, Park UK.

Comprehensive first impressions video on the a7R IV from a wildlife & nature photographer (Juan Pons).

AFTER the Sony a7R IV: Sony ECM-B1M vs. RODE Wireless GO:

Sony A7rIII High Resolution images versus the Fuji GFX100 images

Dpreview added the Fuji GFX100 image files on their Studio Test Scene.

Here see a small crop comparison between the GFX100 files produced with the new Sony 102MP sensor and the Sony A7rIII. The difference is obviously big:

And here you can see a comparison with the A7rIII files in Pixel Shift mode:

Will be interesting to see how good the new A7rIV pixel shift mode will perform when compared with the GFX100.

Voigtländer 50mm F1.2 Nokton review by Marc Alhadeff: “it’s a special lens”

SonyAlphaBlog tested the new Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 FE lens:

The Voigtländer 50mm F1.2 Nokton (1100 euros) is a special lens:  it offers a very nice rendering for portraits with good separation subject background when taken from 3-4 meters and nice glow for very close shots while keeping good contrast and enough sharpness (not like some F0.95 lenses that are completely lacking contrast and sharpness)

Closed down to F2 it becomes a classical 50mm for which you can find alternatives that are sharper , with AF

So this lens if really for people loving the rending at F1.2 and more focus on the atmosphere this lens can give than on pure sharpness numbers

Pros

  • Very good background blur 
  • Soft transitions
  • Glow effect at f1.2 if you like it
  • Good bokeh wide open
  • Very good sharpness in the centre as of F2.8
  • Very good flare resistance
  • Low CA
  • Low distorsion
  • Small and light
  • EXIF transmission
  • Build quality is top notch

Average

  • Vignetting up to F4
  • Sharpness at F1.2 with glow (dreamy atmosphere)
  • Bokeh in polygons when closed down to F2 and beyond

Cons

  • Price

Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 FE at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

Shawn C. Steiner tested the new Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM lens: “Beautiful Bokeh and Tack sharp”

Shawn C. Steiner published the full 135mm GM lens review:

Sharp glass with beautiful, smooth shifts into the out-of-focus areas are ideal. Classic bokeh lenses used to have to sacrifice some sharpness to get that creamy look. Examples would be the Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH. and the more recent Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM.
All of these characteristics, combined, result in what I think is the absolute best portrait prime in Sony’s lineup. It’s also, unfortunately, priced accordingly. If you are a professional photographer who shoots portraits or weddings, I think this is one of those lenses that could easily become a staple in your bag.

Preorders: Sony 135mm GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama and FocusCamera. EU at ParkCameras, WexUK and Calumet DE.

There is one lens in Stoock right now at Amazon.com and ABT.com:

Samyang 85mm f/1.4 FE test by Lenstip: “grateful to independent producers for their good quality lenses”

Samyang 85mm FE lens at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.

Lenstip tested the new Samyang 85mm f/1.4 FE lens and liked it a lot:

I think we don’t even have to write a very lengthy summary in this case. If a lens of an independent producer three times cheaper than its well-done brand name rival fares in most categories better than the said brand name lens, you really don’t have to be verbose. 

We should be grateful to independent producers for their good quality lenses which are sold at normal prices. While developing new systems, brand name manufacturers are climbing new heights of absurdity with pricing new lenses launched on the market…

And now a funny side story:

Somebody in China modified the new Samyang lens in a way that it looks close to the Sony 85mm GM lens :)

Links to all Samyang/Rokinon FF E-mount AF lenses:
14mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
24mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
35mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
35mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
45mm f/1.8 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
50mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.
85mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon. Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.