DxOmark (Click here) published the RX1R test and compared it with the RX1 model. The RX1R is indeed sharper but the truth (according to DxO) is that the it comes at a cost. There is a tiny bit less dynamic range on the newer RX1R. But as we discussed here many times before, these tests are certainly to take not too…seriously :)

New RX orders:
RX1 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.
RX100MII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony FR, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.

Time to catch up with some Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 reviews (done on Canon cameras and on one NEX):

1) ThePhoBlographer (Click here) writes:

We’ve got absolutely nothing but respect and love for the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM. If you’re an APS-C DSLR user, this should be the lens that is a high priority item on your list to get. It’s sharp, contrasty, has beautiful color that is true to life, focuses quickly, and stays compact due to its internal zooming and focusing design.

2) Review of the Canon version at TheDigitalPicture.
3) Francesco: “NEX 7 and Sigma 18 – 35mm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9iAJyHf-Xs”
4) New Lens Data have been posted on Dpreview.

The lens created quite a buzz on the web with plenty of positive feedbacks. And now a question:

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P.S.: The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 A-mount lens will ship any day now at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). It will ship in September in Europe according to Amazon UK (Click here).

Short break from rumors to report three news:

1) Our friend Kurt Munger (Click here) tested the brand new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM lens. Conclusions will be posted soon.

2) The Eisa (European Imaging and Sound association) selected the Sony A99 as best advanced camera 2013-2014.

3) Comparison Reviews Zeiss Touit 2.8/12 vs Sony SEL1018 and Touit 1.8/32 vs Sony 1.8/35 OSS vs SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 35/T0.95 comparison review at 3Dkraft.

And now back to rumor work…

[shoplink 20283 ebay][/shoplink]

There is a first review of the new [shoplink 20283 ebay]Contax G to NEX adapter[/shoplink] with electronic control at DC.Watch (google translation here). The performance really depends on the lens used. And the AF accuracy isn’t top notch. The manufacturer said that this is so because of lack of support from Sony. They hope to improve the AF performance with future updates.

You can find the [shoplink 20283 ebay]Techart Contax to NEX adapter on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

Here is the list of great G lenses with links to eBay price:
Hologon 16mm; 1:8 on [shoplink 16235 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] -> (will not work on the DEO TECHART adapter).
Biogon T* 21 mm; 1:2,8 on [shoplink 16236 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] -> (will not work on the DEO TECHART adapter).
Biogon T* 28 mm; 1:2,8 on [shoplink 16237 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Planar T* 35 mm; 1:2,0 on [shoplink 16238 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Planar T* 45 mm; 1:2,0 on [shoplink 16239 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Sonnar T* 90 mm; 1:2,8 on [shoplink 16240 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
Vario-Sonnar T* 35 – 70 mm; 1:3,5-5,6 on [shoplink 16241 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

Image source: Lesnumeriques

If the NEX-FF will be launched in September one of the big question will be: How good will third party manual lenses work on that camera? So let’s take a look how good (or bad) the current VG900 sensor performs with these lenses. And let’s hope the new NEX-FF will be even more optimized for third party lens solution like the [shoplink 19605 ebay]Leica M Lenses[/shoplink], [shoplink 19923 ebay]Voigtlander M lenses[/shoplink], [shoplink 16763 ebay]Canon FD lenses[/shoplink] and[shoplink 19360 ebay]Zeiss ZM lenses[/shoplink].

I asked all SAR readers to send me their tests to check out the results. This is the first test done by DigitalVersus. It is the first website that compares the new Leica M $8000 camera (here at Amazon) versus the first NEX Full Frame camera (The VG900). They used the same [shoplink 20202 ebay]Leica 50mm Summilux-M lens (here on eBay)[/shoplink] on both cameras. And both cameras have a Full Frame 24 Megapixel CMOS sensor. So what are the results?

Please visit the website to see all image comparisons. Here you can see one of them (Click on it to enlarge):

In short the Leica M is sharper and has richer colors. This may be possible because of the lack of the anti-alias filter. The VG900 is a video camcorder and to have an Anti Aliasing filter makes a lot of sense (otherwise you end up having video clips with lots of moire).

What do you think of the results? Would the [shoplink 20202 ebay]Leica 50mm Summilux-M lens[/shoplink] work fine on the NEX-FF?

ePhotozine posted a new RX1R review.

The Sony Cyber-shot RX1R is a very slightly improved camera compared to the original RX1 with the AA filter removed it has the potential to deliver slightly sharper images, although with the added risk of moiré appearing. The difference is quite subtle and you would be hard pressed to see the difference without comparing results side by side.

And SAR reader Jedi compared the RX1R with the Canon 5DmarkIII at ForcePhotos.fr. The RX1R images looks way sharper don’t you think?

New RX orders:
RX1 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.
RX100MII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony FR, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.

ePhotozine (Click here) tested the new Sony Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM lens. They write:

“There is no doubting that this lens performs well enough to justify the Carl Zeiss blue badge on the lens barrel, but whether it performs well enough to justify such a price will be debatable for many users.”

That this lens isn’t supersharp at f/1.4 aperture may not be an issue at all. I prefer a good creamy look and decent bokeh over top-notch sharpness. Zeiss preorders are available at Amazon, Adorama and SonyStore USA. In Europe at Wex UK, Amazon DE and Technikdirekt DE. In Asia it is in Stock at Digitalrev and on [shoplink 19177 ebay]eBay[/shoplink].

The Sony RX100MII is still selling well and the first 20 user reviews have been posted on Amazon (Click here). And it’s not a surprise to see such a good feedback!

US deals reminder:
new Sony SAL-70400G2 is in Stock via third party reseller at Amazon US (Click here).
Up to $200 savings on SLT cameras at Amazon (Click here).
The RX1R ships on August 8 according to SonyStyle US (Click here) and is in Stock at Adorama (Click here)
Earn 2,800 Sony Rewards points at SonyStyle US (Click here).
Save up to $900 on Select Sony NEX-VG900 Full Frame Interchangeable Lens Camcorder Bundles at Amazon US (Click here).
Save up to $70 on Select Sony Cyber-shot Digital Cameras at Amazon US (Click here).
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 A-mount lens will ship any day now at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).