New firmware update for Metabones Smart Adapters and Speed Boosters

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Metabones released the new firmware update V0.56 for their Metabones Smart Adapter IV and EF-E Speed Booster ULTRA 0.71x. You can download the firmware for WIN and MAC.

Metabones App 2.7 (E-Mount Version 56) is released today, adding support for the Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S lens to Metabones EF mount Speed Boosters and Smart Adapters.
Servo zoom can now be controlled using the wide-tele zoom rocker on supported cameras (for example JVC GY-LS300), with a touch screen interface (most Panasonic cameras), or from PlayMemories Mobile App for Sony cameras.
For supported Sony cameras, the Record button on the grip of the Cinema EOS CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S lens can be assigned to one of more than 50 functions on the A7 series and other supported cameras. By assigning it to the MOVIE function, the user may start/stop recording and zoom with the lens’ hand grip which is handy for a small-form-factor camera like A7R Mark II.
Whereas a typical EF mount lens changes the iris at 1/8 stop granularity, a Cinema EOS lens permits much finer control. Metabones takes advantage of this improved precision resulting in footages in which auto iris movements are virtually imperceptible.
Autofocus is supported, but to set expectations properly, AF performance of a supported Cinema EOS lens on a non-Canon camera is significantly below that of a genuine Cinema EOS camera equipped with dual pixel AF technology.
Never has any cinema lens received such comprehensive electronic integration across disparate lens mounts and brands like Blackmagic, JVC, Panasonic, Sony and of course, Canon Cinema EOS natively.
Important notice: not every Cinema EOS lens supports every feature. At the time of writing only Canon CN-E 18-80 T4.4 L IS KAS S supports auto iris, autofocus and servo zoom.

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Sony Tidbits…

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Sigma Cine Lenses Interview – Photography Show 2017

Vivitar 70-210mm 1:4.5 MC Macro focusing zoom 52mm (SonyAlphaForum).
Sony Expands HDR Production Capabilities for its Professional Products (Sony Blog).
First contact: Sony RX10 III (Joerg Haag).
7 Mistakes Photographers Make (Tony and Chelsea Northrup).
What are the Benefits of Shooting 4K Video Instead of Stills? (Adorama Learning Center).
Improvisational Filmmaking with Vimeo Staff Pick Videographer Brandon Li (Explora).

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UPDATE: Sony Overtakes #2 Position in U.S. FF system camera market for the first two months of 2017

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NDP Group reports that in Jan/Feb 2017 Sony did surpass Nikon and is now on 2nd place in the USA Full Frame system camera market. It’s Canon that is still the king of the market (Their DSLR still do rule the Amazon sales ranking). While 2 months for data are for sure not enough to mark a serious trend I bet the day will arrive Sony will take Canon’s throne too.

Here is the Press text:

SAN DIEGO, April 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics – a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has announced today that their continued growth has vaulted them into the #2 overall position in the U.S. full-frame interchangeable lens camera market. 1

Sony’s interchangeable lens cameras and lenses have seen record sales in 2017, in particular within the U.S. full-frame camera market, where they have experienced double-digit growth (+23%) 2 compared to the same period last year.  The popularity of key models including α7RII and α7SII has been paramount to this success.

Additionally, Sony’s rapid growth has helped to drive growth of the overall full-frame interchangeable lens camera market compared to the same period last year.  Without Sony’s contributions, the full-frame market would be facing a slight decline. 3

“Our commitment to the industry is stronger than ever,” said Neal Manowitz, VP of Digital Imaging at Sony North America. “We are always listening to our customers, combining their feedback with our intense passion for innovation to deliver products, services and support like no other.”

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting content shot Sony α products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com , Sony’s community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of the Sony α brand.

Notes to Editors

1The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan- Feb 2017
2The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan/Feb 2016- Jan/Feb 2017
3The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Full Frame, Based on Dollars, Jan/Feb 2016- Jan/Feb 2017

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Details about the next three Sony press event dates…

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As a reminder: We have three upcoming Sony events where we might see some new Sony products:

  1. April 20: Sony will have the Awards ceremony in London on April 20, 2017
    Only once did Sony announce a new camera on that event. It was three years ago for the Sony A77II. So far only one source heard that there might be “something big”. But while the source shared good info in the past that “something big” really doesn’t tell us anything yet.
  2. April 23: Sony press conference at 3pm Las Vegas time (Nab show)
    Yes, this is an event were Sony will definitely announce new products. Camcorders for sure. But will there be a new A7sIII? Three years ago Sony did indeed announce the A7s at NAB.
  3. June: It’s a classic month for RX and E-mount announcements. The A7rII was announced in June.

Mark those dates and be sure to keep following SAR!

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First image of the new Primagon 24 f/2.8 E-mount lens

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This is the first image of the new $4,399 Primagon 24 f/2.8 FF E-mount lens. Dr. Stefan Immes from Meyer Optik says about this lens:

“For this lens, we are concentrating on creating an extremely high resolution. As a result, we have designed the lens with a slightly smaller initial aperture than is typical for this lens class. With this design, we are able to achieve almost the same sharpness over the entire aperture range. This is something special and opens up many possibilities for design.
The pictures promise to be almost three-dimensional in the way the subject will pop out from the blurred background. We are very excited, as our test photographers interpret the possibilities of our lens in the test shots. This is often the most exciting part in lens development and part of our incentive to create new products.”

The lens will go on Kickstarter sometimes later this year. And unlike the other Meyer Optik E-mount lenses the Primagon is completely redesigned from scratch and not an adaptation of older exisiting lenses.

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Sony Tidbits…

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Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens, Sony A7sii, Zhiyun Crane [sample footage]

Sony G-Master 100mm Sample shots (SonyAlphaForum).
Instagram 101+ Photographing for Engagement (Explora).
Zeiss Loxia 85mm review at ThePhoBlographer.
a6300 vs a6500 complete comparison (Mirrorlesscomparison).
Oscars 2017: The Cinematography Behind the Top Nominated Films (Adorama Learning Center).
Free Lightroom plugin shows which focus point was active when the picture was taken (MirrorlessRumors).

Join the new Sony Alpha Camera Facebook group.
To get news from our Forum subscribe that RSS feed.
To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page

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