Cactus announce the new V6IIs Wireless Flash Transceiver

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Cactus launches the V6 IIs Sony dedicated cross-brand HSS Wireless Flash Transceiver. More info can be read at Cactus-image.com.
And this is the press release
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Go high-speed sync! Cactus launches the V6 II, a newest version of its popular Wireless Flash Transceiver to add cross-brand HSS and the V6 IIs, a dedicated Sony version.

After two years in the making, Cactus V6 II & IIs – the second generation of the World’s First cross-brand wireless flash transceiver, NOW supports high-speed synchronisation (HSS)!

Besides the revolutionary remote power control of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax flashes all at the same time, the new models now support HSS / FP mode in the same cross-brand environment.1 This unique function gives photographers flexibility undreamed of. Matching flashes with same camera system for off-camera flash photography is over.

Two High-Speed Sync Modes
1. Normal HSS: Supports shutter speed up to 1/8000s.
2. Power Sync: Boosts flash contribution above camera’s x-sync speed, perfect for extreme conditions where Normal HSS is not powerful enough. 2

Cactus also extends HSS capabilities to Fujifilm cameras despite them not yet
supporting high-speed sync at the time of writing.

AF-assist
Both the V6 II and IIs now has an automatic LED AF-assist light that makes autofocusing in dark environments possible – even in pitched-black!3 Besides the camera-mounted V6 II/IIs, off-camera units will also activate the AF-assist light, which helps focusing even when camera is far from the subject.

V6 IIs for Sony
The dedicated Sony version – V6 IIs, embodies all the desirable functions of its sibling V6 II but with a Sony compatible hot shoe on the transceiver body, ensuring a seamless and secured connection with Sony cameras and flashes. Mounting the V6 IIs on a Sony Alpha camera allows the photographer to shoot above camera’s maximum x-sync speed and control power and zoom of Sony, including those with a Minolta/Sony hot shoe via an adapter, and other V6 II compatible flashes. 4 It is the perfect wireless flash trigger for existing and new users of Sony Alpha cameras, especially those who may still have non-Sony system flashes in their camera bags.

Highly Intelligent
V6 II and IIs can now auto-detect the on-camera portable flashes at device start-up by selecting the system the flash belongs to and assigning an Auto flash profile. Similarly, the V6 II will auto-detect the camera and selects the system accordingly. 5 This simple plug-and-play makes the setting up extremely quick and easy that both amateurs and professionals appreciate.

Expands Flash Compatibility
Remote zoom control now applies to all compatible TTL flashes, gives the photographer much quicker controls. Better still, previously unsupported digital TTL flash models on the V6 are now being supported.

Features at a Glance
1. Cross-brand wireless manual power and zoom control with HSS support of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony flashes;

2. Two cross-brand high-speed sync modes:
•?Normal HSS supports shutter speeds up to 1/8000s;
•?Power Sync boosts flash contribution above camera’s x-sync speed;

3. Multi-master supports up to 20 photographers firing the same set of flashes at their own power settings;

4. AF-assist light assists focusing in low light environment;

5. Flash profile customization ensures accurate power output;

6. Work seamlessly with the RF60 series to support HSS and Power Sync;

7. Other useful features inherited from the V6 including:

  • Lo Power
  • Absolute Power
  • TTL Pass-through
  • Group Sequence
  • Sport Shutter
  • Remote Shutter
  • Relay Mode
  • Delay Mode
  • Firmware Update support

Price and Availability
Cactus V6 II and IIs are currently scheduled to be available in 2016 July and August respectively and both are priced at US$95.00 (ex VAT).

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Watch the first Samyang 50mm f/1.4 FE autofocus lens unboxing video

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The new Samyang FE autofocus lenses will start shipping in July. And this is the very first unboxing video (with first test). The reviewer says the image quality is quite good but the lens still has some problems with the autofocus (Phase Difference Area is to small and motor noise).

You still cannot preorder the new AF lenses yet.

One more Samyang news: Save $130 on the grey imported Samyang 50mm f/1.2 APS-C manual focusing lens sold on [shoplink 49176 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

[shoplink 49176 ebay]50mmFE[/shoplink]

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Next bad news: Sony Japan officially confirms the new 70-200mm GM lens shipment delay til September

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FE70-200mm

Sony Japan issued an official statement saying that the new 70-200mm FE GM lens will ship in September only. Also the two “SEL14TC” and “SEL20TC” teleconverters will ship in September.

It’s not clear why Sony had to postpone the lens shipment from the original June target. Maybe the Kumamoto earthquake had some sort of chain effect on the lens production too.

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The great Sony Europe deals roundup

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A6300

Germans can save 130 Euro on the Sony A6300 sold by German eBay store CameraDig (Click here). The same store also sells the Sony RX100 for 325 Euro and the 55-210mm E-mount lens for 219 Euro (in both cases lowest price I have ever seen in Germany)

The two new GM lenses are also in Stock at Amazon Germany.

And now two deals on Amazon EU stores. It’s important yoo know that all(!) EU readers can buy from both stores even if it’s a different Amazon Store country:
Save 50 Euro on the new SonY FE 50mm lens sold by Amazon Italy (Click here). Note that all European readers can buy it there!
Save 50 Euro on the SEL1855 lens sold by Amazon Spain (Click here). Note that all European readers can buy it there!

Sony cashback action in UK and Netherland:
Claim up to £60 cashback at WexUK.
Sony Lenzen Promotie Cameranu.nl.

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Easycover announced their first Sony protective case for the A6300

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A6300

Easycover announced their very first Sony product, the A6300 protective case! Preorders links:
Black A6300 Easycover ar BHphoto and [shoplink 49228 ebay]eBay Europe[/shoplink].
Camouflage A6300 Easycover ar BHphoto and [shoplink 49227 ebay]eBay Europe[/shoplink].

This is what it does:

“The easyCover camera case protects your camera while it is fully functional. It protects against bumps, scratches, sand and dust. Whether hiking, fishing or just enjoying a calm afternoon outdoors, your camera is secure. Included is a screen protector that prevents your valuable LCD display from getting scratched”

A6300_camo

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FE 70-300mm review by Photographyblog: “Image sharpness is impressively high across the focal range and at all apertures”

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Sony-FE-70-300mm

We haven’t seen many 70-300mm FE tests yet. So let’s read the review just posted by Photographyblog:

The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS makes a solid case for itself by offering a useful focal range incorporating the longest reach of any E-mount lens, and all in a relatively compact package. Of course the latter is mostly due to the lens’ variable rather than constant aperture, but this is about the only compromise you’ll have to make. Image sharpness is impressively high across the focal range and at all apertures, and while falloff is visible wide open, Sony’s in-camera lens correction automatically and effectively compensates. Sony’s FE 70-200 mm F4 G OSS remains the more pro-focussed choice, but the FE 70-300mm is very capable alternative if you need the extra reach and less bulk.
70-300 store links: [shopcountry 47527].

It’s not a coincidence the new 70-300mm FE lens is the number one new release in Amazon’s lens category (Click here).

Photographyblog also tested the new 50mm FE lens and the conclusion is less…”exciting” than the 70-300mm FE review:

This lens has been a long time coming for full-frame E-mount cameras, and it certainly makes a welcome addition to Sony’s lens line-up if you’re in the market for a fast, well-priced standard prime that offers excellent image quality.
It is however a pity that next to a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM or Nikon and AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G, the FE 50mm f/1.8’s AF system is primitive, slow and noisy. It’s something that’s even tougher to live with when you consider the Sony lens costs noticeably more than both its Canon and Nikon counterparts. Trouble is, this is simply the price you’ll have to pay, given the complete lack of other budget-conscious options in the FE lens sector.
50mm FE store links: [shopcountry 47526]

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