Global Shutter IMX273,IMX287,IMX296,IMX297 vs. Rolling Shutter

Sony posted a new video that shows the massive advantages of the new Sony Global Shutter sensors over the regular Rolling Shutter sensors. Lets hope it will not take long until we see that tech on future Sony FF and APS-C cameras too.

Focus Numerique (google translation here) tested the new Tokina Firin 20mm f/2.0 FE lens. In their eyes this lens is a surprising good performer with only one downside (the position of the aperture ring). Otherwise the optical quality is very high and the lens has no problem to deliver sharp images on a 42 Megapixel sensor. Vignetting and distortion are very low too.

Tokina Firin preorders at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon UK and at Amazon FR.

DPreview just posted their final full Sony A99II review:

It is the SLT that should be used by any photographers that have had prior doubts about the system, as its all-round balance of features and capabilities leave the ultimate decision for many photographers up to two things: EVF vs. OVF, and the lens system. For those that love SLT, the a99 II is definitely worth a look, but for those that need a solid all-rounder, or a lens selection beyond A-mount, the complications of SLT may not be worth the advantages.

Sony A99II at [shopcountry 54828].

Long time SAR reader Jason Vong had the short chance to play a bit with the new Sony lenses.

85mm f/1.8 FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
100mm f/2.8 STF FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash at BHphoto, Adorama.

Hugh Brownstone shared his thoughts on the two new lenses:

The Sony 85mm f/1.8 FE has the potential to quickly become one of the favorite lenses of the FE range. On the downside it is more expensive than the Nikon 85mm or Canon 85mm equivalent lenses. But I guess that like it happened with the 50mm FE the lens will get some price drop later. Moreover this is a new lens designed for high-resolution sensors (and the MTF graph is promising). So here are a couple of interesting bits about that lens:

Lens design and MTF graph:

Image samples:

More info about that lens at Sony.net

Preorders start 10am NYC time Thu Feb 9:
100mm f/2.8 STF FE at BHphoto, Adorama.
85mm f/1.8 FE at BHphoto, Adorama.
HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash at BHphoto, Adorama.

Note: At 10am New York time the new FE lenses and the radio flash will be available for preorder here:
100mm f/2.8 STF FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
85mm f/1.8 FE at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash at BHphoto, Adorama.
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Sony announced two new FE lenses: 100mm f/2.8 STF FE at BHphoto and the 85mm f/1.8 FE at BHphoto. Now let’s take a close look on the exciting 100mm STF lens. Sony claims this is the Fe lens with the bext bokeh!

Short description:

Delivering both smooth bokeh and fine sharpness, the FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS Lens from Sony is a short-telephoto prime featuring a unique, yet sophisticated optical design. Separating itself from other portrait-length lenses, this 100mm f/2.8 features Smooth Trans Focus technology, which uses an apodization filter to realize notably smooth bokeh with rounded out-of-focus highlights in both the foreground and background. Contributing to a high degree of sharpness and clarity, the lens also incorporates one aspherical element and one extra-low dispersion element to suppress both spherical and chromatic aberrations. Additionally, a Nano AR coating has also been applied to reduce lens flare and ghosting for greater contrast and color fidelity when working in strong lighting conditions.

Lens construction and MTF graph:

Image samples (Click on it to enlarge):

More info about the new 100mm FE lens at Sony.net and BHphoto.

Preorders start 10am NYC time Thu Feb 9:
100mm f/2.8 STF FE at BHphoto, Adorama.
85mm f/1.8 FE at BHphoto, Adorama.
HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash at BHphoto, Adorama.