Loxia 21mm review by Ming Thein: “it is a little jewel of a lens, and built to last a lifetime”

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Loxia_21mm2.8

Ming Thein reviewed the new Loxia 21mm f/2.8 FE lens. And the conclusions are quite favorable:

“it is already remarkably sharp in the center at maximum aperture, and taking into account some field curvature, the edges, too. By f5.6 it is very difficult to find fault with anywhere in the frame – longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberration are very well controlled and there is little evidence of smearing in the corners. I wouldn’t call it apochromatic, but it’s really not far off. Colors are deep and saturated, and in the typical Zeiss manner, microcontrast simply pops.

The Zeiss has the level of clarity we have come to expect from their best lenses, and is a perfect partner for the whole philosophy of ‘smaller, lighter, no optical compromises’ – it is a little jewel of a lens, and built to last a lifetime. It takes filters, and is my choice when working stopped down on a tripod or if weight is a priority.”

Loxia 21mm FE lens at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). In Europe at WexUK (Click here).

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RX1rII autofocus hands-on video test. Shipment starts tomorrow.

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Federico (Thanks!) sent me the link to that video and wrote:

You should check the following link to a video of Sony’s launch event in Korea, where they allowed video recording of the PPT presentation, where local mkt figures clearly show some interesting data on growth and mkt share, they also show an MTF chart comparison between the fixed 35mm F2 lens on the new RX1Rmk2 vs. an equivalent Leica lens of the same specs, and more interestingly, between the 5:00 and 7:00 minute marks, a hands on demo of the improved AF, where the presenter not only demos how the hunting AF has been improved (he even performs a demo of the issue with the older RX1R), but also how the AF-C uses the 399 phase-detection points for face following.
They don’t demo the AF performance under dark conditions, which is really where I’d like to see it, but it’s pretty good nonetheless.
I recognize the girl from the face-following AF-C demo, she’s in the Mktg Dept. for Cyber-shot in Sony’s Global HQ in Tokyo.
It’d be great if one of your followers would translate the many interesting data on this video that’s in Korean…!!!

P.S.: Dpreview posted a set of RX1rII image samples.

The new RX1RII will ship tomorrow at Amazon US (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).

RX1rII

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In case you missed it it’s relisted: Commlite Nikon F to Sony E AF Autofocus Electronic Lens Adapter.

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[shoplink 42717 ebay]Bildschirmfoto 2015-11-24 um 09.29.49[/shoplink]

It quickly sold out yesterday. SO if you missed it the worlds first Nikon F autofocus adapter for Sony E-mount has now been relisted on [shoplink 42717 ebay]that eBay page (Click here)[/shoplink]. It ships worldwide and for free(!) and comes with full eBay-Paypal guarantee.

Features & Specifications
– Compatible Cameras: NEX-5N/5R/5T/A6000/A7/A7R/A7S/A7II/A7RII
– Contrast AF support: NEX-5N/5R/5T/A6000/A7/A7R/A7S/A7II/A7RII
Phase Detection AF support: A7II/A7RII
– EXIF reading
– Aperture control
– Auto-Focus
– Vibration Resistance (VR)
– Support Teleconverter (f/8 or above)
– Made of Alumimum alloy with increased durability
– 1/4″ screw hole for tripods
– Weight: 250g

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Finally! Zeiss Batis 85mm and 25mm in Stock at Amazon US!

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batis_amazon

For the very first time both Batis lenses are in Stock for the regular price at Amazon US (via 100% trusted third party seller). Get them here:
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 (Click here). UPDATE: Sold out!
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 (Click here). UPDATE: Sold out!

I posted this at 8.17 New York Time. Let’s see how much it will take until those are sold out ;)
UPDATE: 85mm Batis sold out at 8.33. 25mm Batis sold out at 8.56.

Reminder: New low price record on the A6000:
Body only for $398 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Camera and kit lens for $548 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
The A6000 two lens kit with Sony bag sells now for $699 only at BestBuy.

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Free Lens Testing tutorial at DearSusans

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Bildschirmfoto 2015-11-23 um 20.10.02

Our friends on DearSusan have just published a free lens testing tutorial. It covers all the main lens aberrations and faults such as 3 types of chromatic aberration, vignetting, astigmatism, field curvature, coma, focus shift, focus breathing, distortion, spherical aberration … and tells you how to test your lenses yourself very simply. So you can buy lenses and be certain you are getting a really good deal, not buying a lemon. All the test photographs provided are made with Sony A7 cameras. Perfect before the new lens release. The link is at the bottom of this page http://www.dearsusan.net/2015/10/23/41x-mastering-the-art-of-lens-testing-free-guide/

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Sony and Sigma US big Black Friday lens deals: Up to $300 off!

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Bildschirmfoto 2015-11-23 um 10.21.49

It’s Black Firday time in USA and we got plenty of deals to report:

Full Frame E-mount lenses:
$100 off on the 24-240mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

APS-C E-mount lenses:
$50 off on the 50mm f/1.8 lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$50 off on the 35mm f/1.8 lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 10-18mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$25 off on the lens 30mm macro at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$150 off on the 18-200mm PZ lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 18-200mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$50 off on the 16-50mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$200 off on the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

A-mount lenses:
 $50 off on the 11-18mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$50 off on the 16-50mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 16-105mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the Zeiss 24mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$25 off on the 30mm macro lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$25 off on the 35mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$25 off on the 50mm DT lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 70-300mm II lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$25 off on the 85mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$50 off on the 100mm macro lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the Zeiss 135mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

Upt to $300 off on Sigma A-mount lenses:
 $250 off on the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$250 off on the 70-200mm F2.8 DG OS HSM at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$300 off on the 105mm F2.8 DG OS Macro HSM at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$250 Instant rebate on the 17-50mm F2.8 DC /OS at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
50mm f/1.4 ART for $849 at Amazon and Bhphoto.

Rokinon:
$150 off on the 135mm Cine E-mount lens at BHphoto.

New low price record on the A6000:
Body only for $398 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Camera and kit lens for $548 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
The A6000 two lens kit with Sony bag sells now for $699 only at BestBuy.

 New low price on the Sony A7:
Getting a Full Frame camera was never so cheap: The Sony A7 now sell for $999 only at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto. And BH also gives you a 4% reward and free stuff for $248 value. The camera plus lens sells for $1,298 again at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

 

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Nikon to E-mount autofocus adapter is now on sale on eBay!

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[shoplink 42699 ebay]commlite_Nikon[/shoplink]

The worldwide first Nikon F to E-mount autofocus adapter is now on sale on [shoplink 42699 ebay]eBay (Click here for price and shipping info)[/shoplink].

The Chinese forum Xitek interviewed the Nikon F to E-mount autotofocus adapter developer. The developer promised to keep improving the autofocus performance.  Two months ago that was the performance of the adapter:

And here are more images of the adapter:

20435_1445830406

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1981318_1445836774 1627339_1446010870

More about Commlite:
Commlite already makes plenty of adapters which you can find for sale on [shoplink 38429 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. This includes the electronic AF adapter for [shoplink 38430 ebay]Canon EF lenses on Sony E-mount (Click here)[/shoplink].

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Originally found via Mirrorlessrumors.

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