On Facebook Rokinon announces that it will ship the new 50mm f/1.4 FE autofocus lens in August. And it will cost “around $699” (so they say).
In the comment system Rokinon also said the 14mm f/2.8 FE autofocus lens is estimated to ship in October.
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Thanks Frank!
The size comparison between the new 50mm FE and the 55mm FE
Dpreview compared the new Sony FE 50mm F1.4 ZA vs the 55mm F1.8 ZA. When it comes to sharpness they write:
“The new 50/1.4 does not retain this sharpness across the field as well as the 55/1.8, which offers better field uniformity at all apertures. By F2, though, the new 50/1.4 ZA matches the 55/1.8 in central sharpness, and surpasses it at all smaller apertures. Considering the high bar set by the 55/1.8 ZA, this is very impressive.”
This goes against Lensrentals tests finding where the new 50mm FE center sharpness was higher than the 55mm FE. That’s why Dpreview writes:
“We can’t rule out the possibility that our copy of the 50/1.4 slightly under-performed relative to the average, perhaps due to decentering”
So basically we can’t be sure about Dpreview scores yet :) The final conclusion is:
It’s clear that Sony is trying to cement itself as a real option for pros, and the new FE 50mm ZA helps further that goal. We have no reservations recommending this lens. That said, if you can spend the extra time processing out the axial CA in post, don’t mind onion-ring bokeh in out-of-focus highlights, aren’t bothered by coma, and don’t need the extra isolation or light-gathering capability of F1.4, the 55/1.8 is a compelling alternative that is lighter and cheaper, while offering smooth background bokeh and impressive, if not necessarily much greater, sharpness wide open. It also focuses significantly faster than the 50/1.4.* But for subject isolation that puts medium format to shame, while retaining respectable sharpness and contrast even far off-center wide open (and particularly by F2), the FE 50mm 1.4 ZA is the lens to own.
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 FE Planar preorders at BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera. Calumet.de. Cyberport.de. PhotoPorst. Jessops. WexUK.
Cosina Japan announced that it will start the Ultra Wide Heliar 12mm f/5.6 FE lens in August for ¥135.000.
Billingham Hadley Small Review with Sony gear
Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II Review (Photographyblog).
Sony A6300 Video tutorial at CreativeLive.
David Gilkey’s Former Photo Editor Reflects On His Life and Work (Adorama Learning Center).
RAW Photographs brighter in camera then when uploaded (SonyAlphaForum)
Think Outside the Camera Bag, with Tenba BYOB Transport Gear (Explora).
Sony Alpha 68 im Praxistest + Vergleiche mit a77II, a65 & a6000 (Reisezoom).
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You save up to $400 on Sigma A and E-mount lenses sold by BHphoto (Click here). Use the code “PSWBH16” to get the discounted price!
$50 B&H Gift Card on the RX100 and RX100m2 sold at BHphoto (Click here).
$20 off on 12 Months Adobe Creative Cloud subscription by using the checkout code “PSWBH16” at BHphoto (Click here).
Now in Stock: Batis 18mm at FocusCamera (Click here). 4-70mm GM lens at Amazon, FocusCamera and Kenmorecamera.
I got two new info about the possible next RX100mV launch. Particularly the second source shared some great info:
Source 1:
“the RX100 mark V will announced once the Kumamoto fab is fully operational and putting out the necessary newly designed sensors”
Source 2:
“The new compact and high speed Sony camera (RX100 V) will switch from SD Card to UFS Card storage. The card size is similar to microSD saveing space in the camera body and the speed increased to up to 600MB/s enabling longer slowmo Videos and higher FPS shooting. Sony will if this is succesful also use this format in future higher class cameras”
Androidauthority just recently wrote an article highlighting the advantages of the new UFS cards. Of course there is the smaller size compared to SD cards. But the UFS cards are also much faster and do consume less energy:
That would be really a smart move from Sony!
The really superb Zeiss Batis 18mm FE lens got reviewed by Mark Galer (video above) and Mirrorlessons (video below). Can’t wait to see what’s coming next in the Batis range…a tele lens? ;)
Batis 18mm lens at [shopcountry 47045].
