Competition making their moves: Canon EOS-RP(?) and Panasonic S1-S1R

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In February we will get new Full Frame mirrorless cameras from the competition:
Panasonic:
The image on top shows the production ready S1 with the 24-105mm f/4.0 lens. This new Full Frame Mirrorless will be announced long the S1R and two more S lenses on Jan31-Feb1. Full specs can be read at L-rumors.com.
The one “special” thing the S1R can do is take 187 Megapixel High Resolution images in multi-shot mode.
Canon:
CanonWatch got word about a new Canon announcement on Feb 14. There are rumors about a possible new “EOS-RP” camera. I have no idea what this camera is and what the name stands for…maybe they intended “EOS-RIP“? :)
 
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Zeiss working on a software update for the new Batis 40mm f/2.0 Batis lens (read the details here)

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Zeiss 40mm f/2.0 CF lens at Adorama and BHphoto.

Hugh Brownstone shared this Zeiss press text info he received directly from the Zeiss marketing department:

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The ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF is our allrounder, it’s the perfect tool for ambitious photographers in a variety of situations. The versatility of the lens is also due to its close focus (CF): the ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF allows photographers to get incredibly close to the object they want to capture – the CF, i.e. the minimum distance between the object and camera sensor, measures just 24 centimeters.
To ensure exceptional image quality at close range, the lens automatically stops down when it’s a short distance from the object. This ensures the ZEISS lens delivers the high contrast and resolution across the entire focus range that users have come to expect. In the image, automatic closing of the aperture may become visible in highlights within a blurred background (bokeh). At times, these will not appear perfectly round when focusing at close range. SonyAlphaRumors
We are currently developing a software update that will allow us to work within a larger focus range with a wide-open aperture. The update will be available to download for free from the ZEISS website in early 2019. We will notify all registered customers via email.

What are the benefits of the software update?
Once you’ve installed the update, the ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF will only automatically stop down at preset aperture values between f/2 and f/2.5 at close range; in extreme cases (close focusing distance) to max. f/2.8. With a preset aperture value of f/2.8 and up, the aperture will remain unchanged across the entire focus range.

Will I be able to achieve circular highlights in my photos after the software update?
Automatic stopping down is required at short focus distances and with a wide-open aperture in order to meet the high ZEISS image quality standards while ensuring a compact and lightweight lens. The software update will mean highlights appear in an extended focus range round-shaped, fully up to close focusing distance is not possible.

Does the lens only automatically stop down at full aperture, or at other aperture values too?
How many f-stop intervals does this concern? Once you’ve installed the update, the ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF will only automatically stop down at preset aperture values between f/2 and f/2.5 at close range; in extreme cases (close focusing distance) to max. f/2.8. With a preset aperture value of f/2.8 and up, the aperture will remain unchanged across the entire focus range. At what object distance will the ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF automatically stop down? We are still developing the configuration of the software update. For this reason, we cannot provide any further details at the present time.

What does automatic stopping down mean for the exposure measurement and the EXIF data of my camera? Will I get incorrect results?
The camera performs exposure measurements correctly because the exposure time is calculated in line with the actual aperture. The exposure time is then saved to the photo’s EXIF data. The camera saves the aperture value as per the manual setting to the EXIF data, e.g. with a setting of f/2 on the camera, the EXIF data will also show an aperture value of f/2 regardless of the focus distance.

When taking photographs at close range, will I be able to identify how open the aperture actually is?
We are still developing the configuration of the software update. For this reason, we cannot give you any further details at the present time.

I manually set the exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO). How can I achieve correct exposure in my photos at close range with the ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF?
If you manually adjust the exposure settings, please take test shots to check whether the exposure is right for you. In some cases, when focusing at close range it may be necessary to set the exposure time up to one exposure step (+ 1EV) higher than usual.

I use the ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF for filming. Will the aperture also close automatically in movie mode?
The ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF behaves in the same way in movie and photo mode.”

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(SR5) Sony will announce a new E-mount mirrorless “in the first half of 2019”

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Today Sony registered a new camera code which is 99% likely to become the new RX0. But Nokishita added one more info. Sony will announce a new E-mount mirrorless camera “in the first half of 2019”

From the info I gathered this is highly unlikely to be the new Sony A7sIII. Top candidate so far is the new High End APS-C camera which for now we love to name “A7000”. And if you still think a professional APS-C camera is just a phantasy please don’t forget that Sony confirmed it in this Dpreview interview:

“APS-C cameras for professional use must exist.“

But of course nothing is confirmed. I don’t think A7III and A7rIII will be replaced soon. If it’s not the A7sIII and not the A7000 I don’t know what it could be else…

To recap what we heard so far:
SR5: Sony RX0II to be announced within the next 2-3 months
SR5: New APS-C E-mount mirrorless camera coming within June
SR4: New E-mount lens announcement in February (probably 135mm f/1.8 GM and another lens).

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Lightroom and Photoshop alternative: ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 released and you get 20% off with our code!

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The new ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 has been released today. And you save 20% off using the coupon code “SONYRUMORS“.

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ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 – Masking Just Got Much Easier with AI

Portland, OR – January 29, 2019 – ON1, Inc announces that ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2, an all-new photo editing experience and a free update to ON1 Photo RAW 2019, is available today. ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 includes a powerful new masking feature that leverages AI for generating masks as well as performance enhancements and new camera support.

Other notable features in ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 include seamless integration of photo organizing, non-destructive editing, creating non-destructive layered photos, the best-in- class masking and selection tools, portrait retouching, hundreds of photo effects, brushes, local adjustments, text, HDR, panorama stitching, tethered shooting, photo resizing, and more into one powerful yet easy-to-use software application. With ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 you get the professional photo editing tools every photographer needs to get professional results. All while keeping the workflow efficient, powerful, and simple.

ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 also includes a Lightroom® Migration Assistant for those looking for a Lightroom alternative. ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 is the only solution to utilize AI-powered algorithms to transfer and display Lightroom edited photos in ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2. The transferred settings will also remain non-destructive and be re- editable inside ON1 Photo RAW, so customers do not lose years of work they have in Lightroom.

New Features and Enhancements in Version 2019.2
NEW AI Quick Mask Tool — Powered by machine learning, the new AI Quick Mask tool can create high-quality masks with just a few strokes as guidance while understanding color, tone, and textures to identify boundaries and create a detailed masks in a fraction of the time compared to other masking techniques

Performance Enhancements — The video card (GPU) is now leveraged to speed-up common processes like returning to Browse, copy/pasting layers and masks as well as some exporting and plug-in tasks

Added support for these cameras — Leica D-Lux 7 and Panasonic DMC-TZ101, also added tethered shooting support for the Nikon Z 6, Z 7 and D850

New lens correction profiles for these lenses –– Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, Chinon 75-205mm f/3.8, KMZ Industar-50-2 3.5/50, KMZ Jupiter-37AM MC 3.5/135, Nikon AI-S Nikkor 105mm f/2.5, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.2 Pro, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 Pro, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f/1.2 Pro, Pentax-FA 28-70mm f/4 AL, SLR Magic 8mm f/4, SIGMA 16mm F1.4 DC DN | C 017, SIGMA 30mm f/1.4 DC DN | C 016, Tamron SP 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD F012, Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2

Other bug fixes and performance enhancements –– There are many other under-the-

hood improvements every user will appreciate

Price and Availability
ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 is available today for new customers for $99.99. Previous owners of any ON1 product can upgrade for $79.99. ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 is also available as part of an ON1 Plus Pro membership for a for $129.99/year (Reg: $149.99/ year). ON1 Plus Pro includes a perpetual license of ON1 Photo RAW along with in- depth post-processing and photography education from the industries best trainers such as Matt Kloskowski, Hudson Henry, Tamara Lackey and many more.

A 30-day free trial of ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 is also available for download from the ON1 website. If you previously ran the trial of ON1 Photo RAW 2019, the trial period is reset in version 2019.2, so you can also try this newest update free for another 30 days.

A single purchase of ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 includes Windows and macOS versions and allows for activation on five computers. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, world-class customer support based in Portland, Oregon USA, hundreds of free video tutorials, and free ON1 Loyalty Rewards every month.

What’s Ahead for ON1
ON1 will also release additional free updates for version 2019 this year with all-new photo organizing and editing features, AI-powered algorithms to enhance workflows, other metadata enhancements, a flexible interface to accommodate multiple displays, as well as updates for cameras and lenses. The next free update for Photo RAW 2019 is scheduled for mid-spring. Beyond the spring release, ON1 will continue to expand and integrate more AI-powered features to solve photo editing problems and make complex editing tasks much easier to accomplish.

More About ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2
ON1 Photo RAW 2019.2 supports RAW files from over 800 cameras, but it isn’t just for raw files. It also supports file formats include JPEG, TIF, PSD/PSB, PNG, HEIC, DNG as well as common video formats, are supported and benefit from the speed, performance, and abundance of editing tools in the app. Photo RAW 2019.2 integrates as a plug-in to Adobe® Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC as well as Apple Photos and will continue to work as a standalone photo editor and rival the Adobe Photography Plan. Version 2019.2 integrates with the major cloud services to allow for uploading, managing, and editing photos across multiple computers. This enables users to sync photos and their edits across multiple computers or in a studio setting. There’s even a free iOS application to view and sync your photos between your desktop and mobile devices.

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