Sony A7RII Review at DPreview. Gets one of the highest scores ever!

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Dpreview (Click here) published the full Sony A7rII review. The camera got an impressive overall score of 90%:

The a7R II pushes the boundaries of not just mirrorless, but also cameras in general. It has many new features that photographers of the future will wonder how they ever lived without. And while skimping on simple common-sense core features like direct AF point selection or touch-based AF is bordering on inexcusable at this point, much like some aspects of the ergonomics, the a7R II garners our top award – and one of our highest ever scores – for its sheer photography-accelerating technical prowess.

Surprised? Me not :)

Small note: $400 off on two A7rIi Open Box at Samys: [shoplink 42553 ebay]ebay 1[/shoplink] and [shoplink 42552 ebay]ebay 2[/shoplink].

A7rII store list:
In USA: at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, SonyStore US, FocusCamera, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Wex UK and ParkCameras.
In Asia at Digitalrev, CameraPro.

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Sony Europe already released the new A7II firmware update!

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One day earlier than expected the new A7II firmware update is already available for download through Sony Eu sites. Here are the links:
UK: Windows / Mac
Germany: Windows / Mac
France: Windows / Mac
Italy: Windows / Mac

Benefits and improvements:

  • Adds the selectable feature for uncompressed 14-Bit RAW image capture(*)
  • Adds support for AF Phase-detection for LA-EA3/LA-EA1
  • Adds custom buttons for MOVIE recording

 

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Sony α7r Mark III Wish List / Feature Suggestions 17 Things we want to see next (Max Fury)

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We now know everything about the new A7rII. So let’s talk about the future new A7Rm3! Max Fury from SonyAlphaForum shared his list of the “17 Things we want to see next” on the A7rIII:

“Since the introduction of the excellent Sony α7r II this year I cant help but think of the features that the next iteration of the camera will bring, and set a new bar for Full Frame Interchangeable Lens Camera once again. Althougt the α7r II seems to have many and killer features, there’s still a lot of room for improvements.
 
With that said here are the 17 things I like to see for the successor of the a7r II, that will keep all of the features of the 7r II, but also add these 17 things that will make it the best Full Frame Camera… Ever made!
 
#1. New Name
 Ok, I work at one of the biggest camera stores in my country and even my boss when talking about the Sony cameras many times confuses the names. 7a II, ar7, as7 and so on. He never gets confused with the Nikon cameras. Why? because they have simple names that’s why. The alpha 7r II or how Sony likes to call it the ILCE7RM2/B. Huh?! What’s that? Sony is absolutely terrible at naming their products. So I want a new name simple enough that even my grandmother can remember it. Get on it!
 
#2. Dual SDXC Card Slots
 Even though the α7r II is aimed at pro’s. Having just one card slot is not professional at all. In fact, it’s amateur. I, and I think all of the pros, would like to see this changed.
 
#3. Revamped Menus and User Interface
 Ok, this is the most complained about feature of the Sony Cameras. the User Interface. Everybody is complaining about it and nobody likes it. I own and have own many Sony products myself over the years and the one consistent thing that has been bad about Sony products is the UI. Sony… if you cant do it yourself, which you obviously can’t, please, acquire a company that can. And have that Time-Laps app by default in the camera for Christ sake!
 
#4. Faster Start-Up time
 Faster start-up time helps to capture that fleeing moment in life. And makes you confident to keep the Camera turned off to save battery and know that it will come back to life immediately when you need it.
 
#5. Touch Screen OLED Screen
 Nothing is more intuitive than touching to focus or to change a setting or to zoom. The iPhone has been demonstrating this since 2007. And no screen has better contrast to review our stills and clips than an OLED screen.
 
#6. Large Battery Capacity
 What is inside that grip area of the body? Just cram a huge-ass battery inside there. Because 270 shots in a modern pro Full Frame camera is just laughable. Especially when you think that it shoots 4K video also. Which btw brings me to the next feature request.
 
#7. 10 bit RAW Video (internally of course..) and Unlimited Recording
 For that ultra flexibility while editing in post our amazingly artistic videos with no time restrictions.
 
#8. Unnoticeable Rolling Shutter or Global Shutter
 Action or fast moving subjects look absolutely abysmal with that god awful Rolling Shutter. Do another Innovation and make the first Pro Full Frame camera for Action movies. It will be another huge innovation Sony!
 
#9. 16 Stops Dynamic Range, Stills and Video
 The current α7r II has a decent 14 Stops of DR in photos, but let’s live up to the potential and promise of digital and finally leave film and its 15 Stops in the dust. (The D810 is almost there with 14.8 DR). Color depth is great at 26 bit. No complaints there but your’re welcome to improve it even more.
 
#10. Faster Autofocus
 Who doesn’t like fast? Do your thing and add more of those cross focusy things to make focusing as fast as lightning.
 
#11. 10 fps Continuous Shooting
 I don’t mind the current 5 fps, but if you want to get those sports and wildlife pro’s on board, and get all that cha-ching $$$, gotta have the speed to keep up with their demands.
 
#12. GPS
 Apart from when, I also need to know where exactly I took those cat photos! Come on GPS is in everything these days. The cheapest phones have them! It’s useful for reference and organization that the pro’s need.
 
#13. AC WiFi
 Again. Who doesn’t like fast? Gotta transfer all that 42MP files fast and effortlessly. For better workflow and freedom.
 
#14. No Overheating
 The fastest car in the world, (Bugatti Veyron), has like 10 fridges in it. Why can’t you cramp on of those fridges in the new body but still keep it small and lightweight? Come on Sony, if you can’t do it… somebody else will.
 
#15. RAW Histogram and Preview
 Many of you may not know this but the photos that you see on the viewfinder or the LCD screen of the camera are actually Jpegs of the RAW files! Which are of course not representative of the real RAW captured data. No more lies Sony! Give us the true previews and histograms of our RAW images! ;P
 
#16 Variable Low-Pass Filter
 Sony has done it in the RX1R II! Now just put that thing in the next alpha 7 model. No more R’s and two models of the same camera, with and without Low Pass filter.
 
#17. Get rid of the mechanical shutter
 Why do we need a mechanical shutter in an all digital camera? I don’t get it. (I also don’t care so don’t bother explaining it to me.) Getting rid of that mechanical shutter will not only make the camera more reliable but also more power efficient, and ninja silent of course, so we can creep around and attract no attention whatsoever… Mooohahahahahaha.
 
Ok, pretty big list of feature ha? But I know if one company can do it it’s Sony.”
What do you think about that list? Sony is reading us, so feel free to add your suggestions on the comment system or directly at SonyAlphaForum!
A7rII store list:
In USA: at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, SonyStore US, FocusCamera, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Wex UK and ParkCameras.
In Asia at Digitalrev, CameraPro.
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Small info: A7II firmware will be released tomorrow. Sony Black Friday deals on Nov 22.

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Bildschirmfoto 2015-11-15 um 09.10.40

Tomorrow (Nov 18) Sony will release the A7II firmware update which adds impressively improved AF performance and uncompressed RAW. And on Sunday (Nov 22) Sony will launch their first Black Friday deals.

The official press text about the upcoming A7m2 firmware update:

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 4, 2015 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has announced plans to release a free firmware update for α7 II cameras on November 18th that will add uncompressed 14-Bit RAW image capture and activates phase detection AF for faster and more precise autofocus with lenses designed for interchangeable-lens cameras including Sony’s α mount system.
The α7 II becomes the latest Sony full-frame camera, along with α7S II, α7R II and RX1R II to offer uncompressed RAW capture, which becomes a selectable feature (uncompressed/compressed RAW) within the menu system.
Additionally, it becomes the second Sony camera, along with the flagship α7R II, to offer fully-functional phase detection AF to A-mount lenses in addition to E-mount lenses. The firmware update activates the 117-point focal plane phase detection AF sensor on the α7 II for lenses beyond just the native Sony FE lenses. This includes Sony’s extensive collection of A-mount lenses, which can be utilized along with the LA-EA3 mount adapter.
“We’re continuing to innovate, with a clear focus to ensure we are meeting the needs and demands of Sony α customers,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President for Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics.  “The addition of Uncompressed 14-Bit RAW processing and the activation of phase detection AF brings a level of performance and versatility to the α7 II that is well beyond any camera in its class.”

In addition to these feature upgrades, the MOVIE button can now be assigned to a custom button..

The new firmware, version 2.0, will be available for download at no cost through Sony’s e-support site www.esupport.sony.com on the product page for model “ILCE-7M2”.

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SLR Magic announces the new CINE 50mm f/1.1 FE lens.

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Today SLR Magic announced a new Full Frame E-mount lens. It’s the CINE 50mm f/1.1. Full details here:

–

PRESS RELEASE

NEW: THE SLR Magic CINE 50mm F1.1

Hong Kong, China (November 17, 2015) – SLR Magic begins it’s FE-mount lineup with the SLR Magic CINE 50mm F1.1 standard angle lens. The product will be officially introduced during upcoming InterBEE 2015 fair in Tokyo.

The field of view of this new lens corresponds to a 50mm lens in 35mm format and this fast standard angle of view opens up many new creative composition opportunities, particularly in the fields of portrait, interior, architectural and landscape cinematography and photography. Additionally, a fast max aperture of F1.1 makes the SLR Magic CINE 50mm F1.1 ideal for available-light photography.

We place our highest priority in the development on our lenses to fulfill the demands of professional cinematographers and photographers. The design and build of the SLR Magic CINE 50mm F1.1 is solid and reliable.

The SLR Magic CINE 50mm F1.1 (MSRP: $349 US/ $1,999 RMB) will be available from authorised SLR Magic dealers starting beginnng of December, 2015.

The SLR Magic CINE 50mm F1.1 will be first presented at InterBEE 2015 fair. There would be a demo at the ATOMOS booth in (No. 3404, Hall 3) during the fairs which are to be held in Tokyo from 18th to 20th of November 2015. For visitors at InterBEE fair, we welcome you to drop by and try.

Technical Data SLR Magic CINE 50mm F1.1

Lens Type:
Fast standard lens

Compatible Cameras:
FE-mount and E-mount cameras

Optical Design:
6 elements in 5 groups

Distance Settings:
Distance range: 0.50m to ∞, combined scale meter/feet

Aperture:
Manually controlled diaphragm, 13 aperture blades , Lowest value 16

Filter Mount:
Internal thread for 52mm filter; filter mount does not rotate.

Surface Finish:
Black anodized

Dimensions:
Length to bayonet mount: approx. 54.8mm (approx. 2.16in)
Largest diameter: approx. 63.00mm (approx. 2.48in)

Weight:
approx. 400g (approx. 14.11oz)

Andrew Chan
Product Manager

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Sony Tidbits…(Shooting A Video With a 1910 Lens)

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Shooting A Video With a 1910 Lens

Moving From Many Formats To Mirrorless (Lenspire).
The Zeiss Batis (TheOnlinePhotographer).
Sony Announces 3.2MP and 5.1MP GS Sensors with 3.45um Pixels (Image Sensor World).
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV tested at Photoreview.
Sony wants your feedback on RX10 II and RX100 IV cameras! (AlphaUniverse).

Hans: “Today I tried the Techart EOS-Nex III (Falcon lite) connecting A7R Mark II and Canon EF 500/4 Mark II and AF settings. Was happy about how it works. Some details in the album on Flickr. The adapter seems not perfect, but it is working fine, the best I ever had. www.flickr.com/photos/autorenphotographie/albums/72157660415977290”

David: “Just wanted to share some of my recent photography from my A7 and a Canon FL 55/1.2 lens I picked up not long ago. This old Canon is probably the most affordable 1.2 lens out there but I have found my copy to be an excellent performer. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes to shoot fast, standard primes wide open as I do. You may view the images here if you like. https://www.flickr.com/photos/8539414@N07/albums/72157659324814681”

Benjamin: “I don’t know if this something you would be interested in posting or not but I recently shot a 2 min film about the over use of connectivity through devices.
It’s a film I  shot to enter into the Sony competition to win an FS5. I shot majority of the film on the a7s and it features some pretty sweet low light scenes.  https://youtu.be/JzKwZ2Nt1cQ”

Patrick: “20 minute talk on my dream camera which turns out to be the RX10II at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYqhJNXVAqY“

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