Strong earthquake hits Japan. Sony CMOS factory evacuated.

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Japan just got hit by the strongest quake felt in Japan since 2011 Tohoku disaster. The earthquake also hit the Sony CMOS fab in Kumamoto. Bloomberg reports:

Sony has evacuated employees from its Kumamoto image-sensor factory as a precaution, spokeswoman Mami Imada said by phone. There are no reports of fire or injuries at the facility and the company will assess the extent of damage on facilities, she said.

Good to here there wer no injuries. Wish all affected Japanese friends a quick recovery from that shock.

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Zeiss announces the Batis 18mm f/2.8 FE lens. Ships on May 5 for $1,499 at BHphoto.

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Preorders:
in USA at BHphoto. Adorama. FocusCamera.
in Europe at Amazon.de. Photo Porst. ParkcamerasUK.
Zeiss Lens Shade for Batis 18mm F2.8 Lens at Adorama.

Key Info:
Ships on May 1 in Europe and May 5 in USA. Costs 1499 Euro/Dollar

Hands-on previews:
Explora. ThePhoBlographer. Hands-on at Adorama.

Diglloyd posted a full review of the lens (for subscribers only). And his conclusion is:

The Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 Distagon is the finest 18mm lens ever to be produced for full frame cameras.

Brian Matiash posted an introduction with image samples:

All in all, I was exceptionally impressed with the performance of this lens and the image quality it produced.

Image samples:
Image samples on Flickr. Adorama. Explora.

Press text:
Press text on SonyAlphaRumors. Specs sheet (pdf file). Presentation page at Zeiss. Presentation page at Lenspire. Updated Batis leaflet.

Polls:

Do you like the new Batis 18mm f/2.8 lens?

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Lens charts:

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Sony is inviting many photographers on the Sunday NAB event: New Sony FF camera coming?

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A source told me that Sony invited many photographers at their Las Vegas NAB event on Sunday. This is highly unusual for Sony and you know…where there is smoke there is fire. I have absolutely no solid rumor yet, but I am starting to believe Sony announce a new Full Frame E-mount camera this Sunday.

So please mark that on your calendar: I will embed the live video stream of the event which is set to start on Sunday April 17 at:
2pm Las Vegas time Las Vegas
22:00 in London
23:00 in Berlin

How to not miss any rumor we post:
RSS feed: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/feed/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonyalpharumors
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SonyAlphaRumors

And join the Sony A9 facebook group ;)

What is your guess? What’s coming?

I bet on Sunday Sony will announce...

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Press text: The ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 expands the Batis range of lenses with a super wide-angle lens.

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The ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 expands the Batis range of lenses with a super wide-angle lens.

Preorders:
in USA at BHphoto.
in Europe at Amazon.de. Photo Porst. ParkcamerasUK.

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For the Sony α system with E-mount the new lens, which features a diagonal field angle of 99 degrees, is currently the shortest full-frame fixed focal length with autofocus. Capture unique moments with the ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 – manually or with autofocus.

The new ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 with innovative OLED display to show focus distance and depth of field is impressive thanks to its high image quality across the entire image field.

Photographer Christian Dandyk has tested the new ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 and is truly impressed.

 “I automatically associate the ZEISS Batis lenses with creative freedom. Because I can concentrate on the composition and don’t have to keep worrying about the technology.”

“The ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 follows on from the highly successful first two focal lengths the ZEISS Batis 2/25 and the ZEISS Batis 1.8/85. In spite of the extremely wide angle, we have succeeded in adapting the image quality of the ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 perfectly to the two different lens types,” says Dr. Michael Pollmann, Product Manager of ZEISS Camera Lenses.

“With the expansion of the ZEISS Batis family of lenses, we are offering creative and discerning photographers yet another professional tool,” says Pollmann. With the ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 customers can now enjoy the super wide-angle full-frame lens they’ve been waiting for.”

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The ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 on the Sony α7 II

ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 sample application – Sony α7R II, f/11, 0.62 sec, ISO 100, © Drew Gardner. | <a title="High-resolution photo on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlzeisslenses/26057717012/sizes/o/" target="_blank">High-resolution photo on Flickr</a>

ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 sample application – Sony α7R II, f/11, 0.62 sec, ISO 100, © Drew Gardner. | High-resolution photo on Flickr

A broad spectrum of applications

The new ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 is impressive on account of its high image quality across the entire image field. “By virtue of the large diagonal image angle of 99 degrees, this lens is ideal for capturing unique images in landscape, architectural and astro photography and for impressive interior shots of small spaces,” continues Pollmann.

 

 

 

Features for discerning users

The super wide-angle camera lens has 11 lens elements in ten groups and draws on the ZEISS Distagon optical design. Four of the lens elements are aspheric on both sides and seven are made from special types of glass. The Floating Elements design permits constantly high image performance in the focal plane – from the minimum object distance to infinity.

 

ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 sample application – Sony α7R II, f/2.8, 1/200 sec, ISO 100, © ZEISS | <a title="High-resolution photo on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlzeisslenses/26124439866/sizes/o/" target="_blank">High-resolution photo on Flickr</a>

ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 sample application – Sony α7R II, f/2.8, 1/200 sec, ISO 100, © ZEISS | High-resolution photo on Flickr

Innovative OLED display

The new ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 also features an innovative OLED display to show focus distance and depth of field depending on the camera sensor used. “The electronic display is easy to read even in low light,” explains Pollmann.

Precise focusing

The fast, quiet autofocus drive with linear motors keeps the subject sharply in focus. In addition to the autofocus, a handy, rubberized focus ring supports precise manual focusing. This gives the photographers total creative freedom when compositing the image.

ZEISS Batis lenses are also equipped with dust and weather seals, allowing them to be used in even the harshest weather conditions. All ZEISS Batis lenses support all the operating modes and functions of the current range of E-mount cameras.

 

Batis birds gave the lens family its name Photo: Adam RileyThe origins of the name Batis

Since 2013, new ZEISS lenses in one series have been given the same family name that conveys a common identity. These family names have been derived from the Latin names for birds. The name Batis is derived from a small bird that is found in the forests and scrub of Africa. These birds are characterized by great speed, excellent reflexes and boast a plumage rich in contrasts. Metaphorically speaking, this also applies to the ZEISS Batis lenses, whose fast autofocus enables photographers to capture stunning shots rich in contrast.

 

The super wide-angle ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 for the Sony E-mount

The super wide-angle ZEISS Batis 2.8/18 for the Sony E-mount

Available from May 2016

Orders are now being accepted for the ZEISS Batis 2.8/18. The lens will be available from May 2016. The recommended retail price is 1,499 € (incl. 19% sales tax)*  and 1,499 US$ (excl. VAT)*.

*Status: April 2016

 

Additional links

Technical data sheet

Batis landing page

Batis 2.8/18 Flickr album

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Meyer-Optik Announces Kickstarter Campaign to Return Legendary Trioplan f2.9/50

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Meyer Optik launched a new Kickstarter project (Click here) to finance their new Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 lens production. The lens will be available for E-mount too! Here is the full Press text:

New Lens Celebrates 100 Years of History by Delivering Soap Bubble Bokeh in Any Situation

Atlanta, GA — Meyer-Optik Görlitz announced today a new Kickstarter to fund the Trioplan f2.9/50, the next lens to restore the brand’s historic soap bubble bokeh to the modern market. One hundred years ago Meyer-Optik Görlitz announced the Trioplan lens, which soon became a legendary lens that helped establish the golden age of photography.  The new 2016 Trioplan f2.9/50 offers creative photographers the most versatile Trioplan yet with a built in front element that provides a macro capability of 1:4 and the brand’s famous soap bubble bokeh.

“I am always looking for tools that offer me visual options,” said Guido Karp, professional celebrity photographer. “So I jumped on the opportunity to capture this incredible ‘bokeh’ in my images using a not so usual lens. I would have never thought of using any 50mm lens to shoot a portrait, but I am now so glad I tried – and now use the Trioplan 50 as one of my prime lenses.”

A modernized lens built with its historic ideal in mind, this new Kickstarter project takes the legendary Trioplan 50 design and updates it with state-of the art materials and handmade manufacturing capabilities. The new innovative front focus lens for the Trioplan f2.9/50 gives users a second way to focus, and allows nature and macro photographers to take 1:4 images, reducing the minimum focusing distance to 0,28 m from originally 0,8m..

The Trioplan 50 offers photographers a new level of artistic capability by producing great quality photos in a wide variety of scenarios; including landscape, street, nature, events, portraits, and more. The photographer can play with the lens’s numerous capabilities to produce the famous Trioplan bokeh backgrounds.

“The ultra lightweight and compact Trioplan 50 is so very versatile that I take it everywhere,” said Tamara Skudies, professional studio photographer, outdoor lover and connoisseur of historic lenses. “No matter if I shoot a super sharp portrait or a dreamy flowery landscape, the Trioplan 50 is my current choice.”

The ultra compact Trioplan 50 Kickstarter begins on April 14 and continues through May 13. Kickstarter backers will be able to fund the lens and get it at an extraordinary low price, starting at $499. Meyer-Optic expects the lens will retail for $1,299 (or higher?) once Kickstarter fulfillment is completed next winter.

“The Trioplan 50 offers photographers an unprecedented creative tool. You might describe it as the more delicate brother of the Trioplan 100 creating finer bubbles and adding more features” said Dr. Stefan Immes, CEO and creative director of the project. “Carrying a heavy lens kit is a luxury that most photographers have to shed at some point. Our new lens offers a compact versatile lens for almost every situation, including macro opportunities, all with the ability to deliver the unique soap bubble bokeh that Trioplan lenses are famous for.”

“I am always searching for the special and unique picture,” said Firat Bagdu, professional wedding photographer. “The Trioplan 50 offers a lot of character to underline a special moment. It’s much more than adding an effect, it’s about preserving a special mood or feeling when capturing a moment. Since I am a professional wedding photographer, the abilities of the lens are a real enrichment to my portfolio.“

Last year 452 backers made history and committed $359,000 to return the legendary Trioplan 100 with its soap bubble bokeh to the marketplace.  The Trioplan 50 is the newest entry to the brand line, extending it with a wider more compact lens to meet any situation.

The Trioplan 50 will be available for both mirrorless and DSLR cameras, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji and Leica brands. A full list of specifications is listed below.

The new lens will be available with mounts for
Canon EF
Nikon F
Sony-E
FujiX
Micro-Four-Thirds
M42
LeicaM (rangefinder not supported/focusing via live view)

The new Trioplan 50 is compatible with full format cameras and APSC (mirrorless) cameras. Here are some more tech specs at a glance:
Optical Construction: Classical Cooke Triplet, 3 lenses in 3 groups
Aperture: 1:2,9 to 1:22
Focal length: 50mm
Minimum Focussing Distance:  0,25 m using the front focussing mechanism (ß‘=-0,245 / 1:4)
Filter: 35,5mm
Clip-On Diameter: 39mm
Size:  Ø 62 mm, length 39 mm
Weight: 200g
Number of Aperture Blades: 12, AR-coated
Lenses: Anti Reflex Coating/ Supplier: Schott Glas
Format: 24 mm x 36 mm (Compatible with Fullformat and APSC Cameras)
Angle: 21°
Image Ratio: up to 1:4 using the front focusing element

About Meyer-Optik-Görlitz  
A brand with a proud tradition and reputation for exceptional products, Meyer-Optik-Görlitz started manufacturing innovative, high-quality lenses in Germany in 1896.  In 2014, net SE revived the traditional spirit of the lenses once known throughout the world and started developing new lenses under the Meyer-Optik-Görlitz brand in Germany. Manufacturing handmade lenses started in 2015 with first generation prototypes.  Serial production began in early 2016.
In May 2015, net SE created a new subsidiary, Meyer-Optik USA Inc. headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Meyer-Optik USA is online at http://www.meyer-optik-goerlitz.com and on Facebook and Twitter.  net SE (http://www.netag.de) is a publicly listed company (NETK) founded in 1997.

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(SR5) Batis 18mm f/2.8 images leaked

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Preorders:
in USA at BHphoto.
in Europe at Amazon.de. Photo Porst. ParkcamerasUK.

These are the very first images of the new Batis 18mm f/2.8 E-mount lens. It will be announced by Zeiss today at 11 am Berlin time. And those are the specs:

– 11 lenses in 10 groups 10. Has four aspherical lens
– Distagon-based design
– Newly adopted floating element
– Dust and water proof
– Electromagnetic diaphragm
– Has a minimum focusing distance of 0.25m
– Filter diameter of 77mm
– Weight 330g
– OLED display
– Quiet linear motor AF

batis_18mm_002

via Digicameinfo.batis_18mm_001

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