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 18^th 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”.

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

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“

You can now submit your pictures for the 2016 Sony World Photography Award at worldphoto.org. Wish You all Good Luck!

Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8 Hands-On Review

Batis 25mm in Shibuya on Halloween night (SonyAlphaForum).
Samyang 135mm f/2 ED UMC hands on (part 1) at Eyesuncloudedphoto.
The Zeiss Loxia 2/35 revisited (Stockografie).
Sony Zeiss FE55 55mm f1.8 REVIEW (Loloho on Youtube).
Sony a7s Review Part 2: HD Slow Motion, SLog3 and 5 Axis Stabilization (Vimeo).
A7RII-MY/CINE KIT Breakdown (SonyAlphaCameras).

Laszlo Kun: “just a short compilation with some slomo footage from the sony rx100 markIV (Facebook)”.

Baris Parildar: “Here is a short clip I made with the ‪#‎Sony‬ ‪#‎rx100m4‬ Check it out:) https://vimeo.com/144098952”

Pet: “Sony A7 used in the latest episode of “The Blacklist” S03E05 around the 33min 35sec mark :D”

Jorge: “The 2015 Zeissimages contest is now open. http://www.zeissimages.com/showreplies.php?qid=1169”

Vittorio: “Hi, I want share with you my first wedding photo shoot with the Sony A7 with the Zeiss 55mm F1.8 ;
http://www.vittoriociccone.com/giorgiadiego/”

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”

Baron: “Macro Slow Motion film wtih RX100IV and RX10II: https://youtu.be/QiZvXP8fxsU“