New 50mm Zeiss, 70-200mm GM and teleconverters will be available for Pre-Order on Wed, Jul 13 11AM

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70-200mmGM

BHphoto listed the pricing info for the new GM lens and the teleconverters. They will be available for preorder on July 13 at 11am New York time:
USA:
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Sony FA-WRR1 Wireless Radio Receiver at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Sony VMC-MM1 Multi Terminal Cable at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Europe:
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens at Calumet.de. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens at Calumet.de. Amazon GermanyCyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at PhotoPorst. Jessops.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter at PhotoPorst. Jessops.

And now the usual big SAR readers poll:

Will you buy the new Zeiss 50mm FE f/1.4 Planar lens?

View Results

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Hot! Sony announces the FE 50mm F1.4 ZA prime lens!

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SEL50F14Z_A

Preorders (start Juy 13):
USA:
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera.
Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Sony FA-WRR1 Wireless Radio Receiver at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Sony VMC-MM1 Multi Terminal Cable at BHphoto, Focuscamera.
Europe:
Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens at Calumet.de. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens at Calumet.de. Amazon GermanyCyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter at PhotoPorst. Jessops.
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter at PhotoPorst. Jessops.

Hands-on:
50mm FE hands-on: Popphoto. Resourcemag. Fstoppers. ePhotozine. Photographyblog. ThePhoBlographer. Image samples by Dpreview. Press text at Imaging Resource.

70-200mm GM lens pricing and reviews:
The lens will ship in July for $2,600. Hands-on and image samples at Fstoppers. Photographyblog. Resourcemag. ThePhoBlographer. The teleconverters will be priced at $550 each (Info via Imaging resource).

Wireless tools:
The FA-WRC1M wireless radio commander ($350) and FA-WRR1 wireless radio receiver ($200) will start shipping in August. Hands-on and test images from Tony Gale on Alphauniverse.

50mm FE ZA highlights:

  • One AA Element & One Aspherical Element
  • One Extra-Low Dispersion Element
  • Zeiss T* Anti-Reflective Coating
  • Ring Drive Super Sonic Wave Motor System
  • Physical Aperture Ring; De-Click Switch
  • AF/MF Switch; Internal Focus
  • Dust and Moisture-Resistant Construction
  • Eleven-Blade Circular Diaphragm

lensfeatures

lensspecs

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Press Release

Sony Releases Full-Frame FE 50mm F1.4 ZA Prime Lens

by Communications 07/11/2016, in Digital Cameras

A quintessential wide-aperture 50mm “normal” lens, the new ZEISS® Planar F1.4 offers high resolution, high-contrast and overall exceptional performance

 

SAN DIEGO, July 11, 2016 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and theSEL50F14Z_A world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced a new full-frame lens for their E-mount camera system, the Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA (model SEL50F14Z).

 

 

This 50mm prime lens features a large F1.4 maximum aperture that offers impressive contrast and outstanding resolution that are hallmarks of the ZEISS® brand.  It produces these consistently strong qualities throughout the entirety of the frame – from center to corner – and at all aperture settings, even while shooting wide open at F1.4. The cutting edge optical structure includes high-precision AA (Advanced Aspherical) and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements that reduce spherical and chromatic aberration, as well as a ZEISS® T* Coating that minimizes flare and ghosting creating the classic ZEISS® clarity. Additionally, its Planar design ensures minimal distortion.

The large F1.4 maximum aperture of the FE 50mm F1.4ZA lens provides a level of brightness and speed that are advantageous for dimly lit indoor shots, night scenes, and portraits, while its 11-bladed circular aperture allows for stunning “bokeh”, or background defocus, in images.  The lens also features an aperture ring with an adjustable ON/OFF switch, an AF/MF focus mode switch, and a dust and moisture resistant design¹, further increasing its functionality.

The new lens is also equipped with a ring drive SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) system, which allows it to efficiently lock focus with speed, precision and in near silence, making it particularly useful for shooting movies.

Pricing and Availability – FE 50mm F1.4 ZA Lens

The new FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens will ship this July for a retail price of $1,500 US and $1,950 CA.  The new FE interchangeable lens will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.

Pricing and Availability – New FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master lens. Teleconverters and Wireless Lighting Control System

SEL7020GM_A

 

Today, Sony has also released pricing and ship timing for the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master lens, 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters plus their new wireless lighting control system.  All products were introduced earlier this year.

One of the most eagerly anticipated lenses of the year, the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS G Master lens takes its place as the flagship telephoto zoom in the Sony lens lineup. Featuring built in Optical Stead Shot (OSS) and a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture across the zoom range, the lens will be an ideal fit for nature, sports, travel, fashion, beauty and wedding photographers.  This lens will ship this July for a retail price of $2,600 US and $3,300 CA.

Designed exclusively to fit the 70-200mm F2.8 G Master lens, the new 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters (models SEL14TC and SEL20TC) will both be sold for the same retail price of about $550 US and $700 CA, and will ship this July.

The versatile new wireless flash and control system – comprised of the FA-WRC1M wireless radio commander and the FA-WRR1 wireless radio receiver – was designed to meet the growing demands of professional Sony photographers.  With a maximum range of 30m (approx.. 98 feet) and the ability to control a maximum of 15 separate flash units in 5 different groups, it offers a flexible wireless flash shooting experience with exceptional performance.

The FA-WRC1M commander will be sold for about $350 US and $480 CA.  The FA-WRR1 receiver will be sold for about $200 US and $280 CA.  Both products will ship this August.

The new lenses, teleconverters and wireless lighting system will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.   Direct links to their product home pages on sony.com can be found below:

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new lenses, accessories and other 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.

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Sony promise to have an exciting 2016 will be only partially fulfilled

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There was a lot of excitement end of 2015 for the coming 2016. Sony manager Mr. Yutaka Iwatsuki stated at Focus Numerique (google translation here) that “2016 will be even more impressive!“. Mr Masashi Wakatsuki when asked about the possible Sony RX medium format camera said that “every option is open at Sony.“. And many times Sony managers said A-mount is well alive and that there will be new products.

But now all the excitement has come less as Sony has to struggle with the Kumamoto disaster. Only by August the full sensor production capability will be recovered (that’s 4 months after the earthquake).

It’s July now and we only got one new system camera this year (the A6300). The “usual” June announcement sessions has been completely canceled. And at Photokina I do expect Sony to announce only a limited version of their roadmap. I do hope the A9 and A99II will be introduced but maybe those cameras will ship in very late 2016 or early 2017 only. The third generation A7 series is likely to be introduced in 2017 and not this year (starting from the A7m3).

There is no issue with the Sony lens line up. The only “delay” is on the 70200mm FE GM lens. This is due the high request of the [shoplink 47915]24-70mm GM lens[/shoplink] and Sony has to produce enough of those lenses first…

In summary: The first 8 months of the year were not that exciting as promised by Sony. But of course this is not their fault. But starting from end 2016 I do hope we will finally get some awesome new camera. An A9 would be nice, and the A99II as a “must” release for the patient A-mount folks!

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(SR5) Bad news for German folks (and probably rest of EU to): Sony price increases will start on August 1!

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currency

Sony Germany officially notified German stores about an upcoming price increase on almost all camera and lenses starting from August 1. Prices will go up by in some cases by almost 20%. Also the price of the new [shoplink 48072]85mm GM lens[/shoplink] will go up 100 Euro!
It’s unclear if that increase will be extended to the rest of Europe too (I guess the answer is yes). The reason for the price increase should be the fall of the EURO currency compared to the YEN (-18,9% in one year).

So be warned, if there is some camera or lens you plan to buy do it before August 1! Store links: [shopcountry 48072].

One more news for German readers: The prime day deals are alreayd starting to being listed at Amazon Germany (Click here to see them). There is some Sony stuff!

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Sony Tidbits…

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PlayMemories Camera Apps – “Photo Retouch” | Sony

Shooting a Documentary: 10 Audio Mistakes to Avoid (Adorama Learning Center).
Hasselblad X1D Preview – Bringing Medium Format to the Masses (Photographyblog).
Solid, Smooth Support with Benro BV6 and BV4 Pro Video Tripod Kits (Explora).
Canon EF 70-200m 4.0L USM review on the Sony A7rII by Phillip Reeve.
To write a guest post on SAR follow the instructions on that page.

Hans:Got the Laowa 105mm/2.0 STF with E-Mount and tried it in an airshow in Gelnhausen, close to Frankfurt/Main, Germany, and in the Opel-Zoo, also close to Frankfurt. Album in my Flickr page here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskyAhFww I’m impressed by the quality of the lens; heavy, but good to balance on the Sony A7R Mark 2. Used it wide open. A convincing bokeh effect needs some training. IS in the A7R2 helps a lot, also the zoom in the finder to get sharp focus. Five stars for this lens.

Anonymous:Finally! Someone explains why LiveView gets hijacked whenever I use flash. This has been driving me nuts. I wanted to smash my A7ii against the wall but this video has changed my entire perspective and provided great tips on working with LiveView and flash. Nice behind the scenes portraits too! SAR readers should watch: https://youtu.be/-TUXtBAx4Jo

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