Zeiss 16-70mm shipping in USA (Amazon, BH) and Europe (SonyStore). New tests.

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A bit earlier than expected SAR readers are now receiving their preorders from Amazon US (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and European Sony Stores (estimated shipping date was Sept 22). Check these direct preorder links if you want to grab the lens:
USA/Canada: Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto, Adorama and Sony Canada.
Europe: Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.

There are now dozens of image samples on Flickr (Click here), a videoreview by a SAR reader on youtube. Image samples on Systemkameraforum. And a first review has been posted by the Korean site Naver.com (google translation here). In short this is their pro and cons list:

pros:
-Very good optical performance
-OSS
-Splendid color rendering

Cons:
-boring (a bit of sarcasm maybe)
-Vignetting at 70mm but disappears at f8.0
– at 16mm the quality in the edges is a bit weak.

 

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(SR5) New Zeiss 24-70mm FE (Full Frame E-mount) lens coming too with the NEX-FF in October!

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The current A-mount (!) version of the Zeiss 24-70mm lens

The image on top shows you the 24-70mm A-mount lens. And many on SAR would like to see a lens like that being made for the new NEX-FF system. And guess what…it’s coming for real! Zeiss will launch a new 24-70mm FE (“F”ull Frame “E”-mount) lens along the first NEX-FF photocamera that is coming in mid October. The very trusted source didn’t share the aperture info. I am not sure yet if it’s f/2.8 or f/4.0 like the new 16-70mm Zeiss.

These are the SR5 ranked NEX-FF lens info: Zeiss 35mm f/2.8, Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 and Zeiss 24-70mm. A nice start!

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Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.

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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

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Let’s tell Samyang what lenses you want for your NEX-FF :)

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Samyang VDSLR Range – A quick guide

Let’s help out Samyang by letting them know if you would buy a special NEX-FF version of their current Full Frame E-mount Cine Lenses. The NEX-FF version should be half the size of the current Cine Lenses but mantain the main lens specs and price. These are the current Cine Lens specs:
14mm T3.1 Cine Lens for Sony E sold as [shoplink 21135 ebay]Samyang (eBay)[/shoplink], [shoplink 21136 ebay]Rokinon (eBay)[/shoplink], [shoplink 21137 ebay]Bower (eBay)[/shoplink].
24mm T1.5 Cine Lens for Sony E sold as [shoplink 21138 ebay]Samyang (eBay)[/shoplink], [shoplink 21141 ebay]Rokinon (eBay)[/shoplink], [shoplink 21142 ebay]Bower (eBay)[/shoplink].
35mm T1.5 Cine Lens for Sony E sold as [shoplink 21143 ebay]Samyang (eBay)[/shoplink], [shoplink 21144 ebay]Rokinon (eBay)[/shoplink], [shoplink 21145 ebay]Bower (eBay)[/shoplink].
85mm T1.5 Cine Lens for Sony E sold as [shoplink 21147 ebay]Samyang (eBay)[/shoplink], [shoplink 21146 ebay]Rokinon (eBay)[/shoplink], [shoplink 21148 ebay]Bower (eBay)[/shoplink].

Ok, and now imagine Samyang launching them as special compact NEX-FF lenses (half the size of the cine lenses and manual focusing only):

Will you buy the new Tamron 70-180mmf /2.8 FE if it's priced at 1200 EUR/Dollar?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

 

I will forward the poll results directly to Samyang!!!

 

 

 

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First QX review (and first QX in Stock on eBay US!)

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Image courtesy: Cameras.reviewed.com

According to Amazon US (Click here) the QX cameras will ship in exactly seven days. But there is already a very first QX LensCamera now in Stock on [shoplink 21249 ebay]eBay US (only one left)[/shoplink]. The question is…does the LensCamera idea really work? Cameras.reviewed.com posted the first full QX10 review. And there is a surprising conclusion. They write the QX10 is “a dumb camera for your smart phone

The QX10’s image quality is better than your smartphone’s, yes, but not by much. The biggest gain is in terms of optical zoom, but the camera’s awkward handling makes actually utilizing that 10x telephoto a challenge. And while the QX10’s pairing behavior and user interface are better (or at least less convoluted) than any other WiFi implementation we’ve seen, shooting with the app still felt arbitrarily limiting—almost like a chore.

A bit disappointing! But I think most of the issues (interface and limited APP) can be improved via firmware.

P.S: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 Sample Images (Photographyblog). Unboxing pics at SonyBlog.

Here are all direct links to preorders in USA/Canada:
QX100: Amazon (Click here), SonyUS (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), SonyCA (Click here).
Soft Carrying Case for DSC-QX100 at Amazon (Click here).
Black QX10: Amazon (Click here)SonyUS (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), SonyCA (Click here).
White QX10: Amazon (Click here)SonyUS (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Soft Carrying Case for DSC-QX10 Amazon (Click here).
Xperia Z case with QX mount on Amazon (Click here).

Here are all direct links to preorders in Europe:
Black QX100 at SonyDE, Amazon.de (via DealsRunner), Amazon France (via DL), SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBESonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.
Black QX10 at SonyDE, Amazon.de (via DealsRunner), Amazon France (via DL), SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBESonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.
White QX10 at SonyDE, Amazon.de (via DealsRunner), Amazon France (via DL), SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBESonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.
Xperia Z1 at SonyDE, SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBESonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.

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A77 versus 70D. Or SLT tech versus on sensor phase detection.

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On sensor phase detection is the future tech. The NEX-FF and mirrorless ILCE camera will rely on that. As you know the Canon 70D has likely the most advanced solution called “Dual Pixel CMOS sensor”. In that case On-sensor phase detect AF is available on every pixel and adopted for initial subject acquisition.

DxOmark (Click here) posted an interesting Canon 70D vs Sony A77 comparison to see if the Canon tech is as good as it sounds on paper. The full test video page can be seen here. These are some of their findings:

Autofocus accuracy on fast appearance
– In Bright light conditions the Sony AF system is faster
– In Low Light conditions the Sony SLT-A77 performed nearly as well as the Canon, despite only 30% of the light entering the mirror-box being used for AF in the Sony.

Autofocus accuracy for tracking
– In Bright light conditions the Canon EOS 70D is slightly slower as we’ve seen before, while the Sony SLT A77 reacts quickly but displays lens breathing (a change of angle of view during shifting of focus).
– In Low Light conditions the Canon EOS 70D is clearly the better at focusing of the two on test.

DxO conclusion is:

For video enthusiasts, this camera is one of the best choices available on the market currently and at least is a viable option to the entirely likeable and very capable Sony SLT models.

Overall the A77 proves to be a better performer in normal shooting conditions and shows it’s limits only when it gets…dark. Note that the Canon 70D is a brand new camera that also costs $300 more than the two year old A77. It will be interesting to see how the soon to be announced NEX-FF and ILCE7/9 cameras will perform with their new on sensor phase detection tech.

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(SR2) First NEX-FF specs?

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The following rumor has been sent to me be a new source I am in contact with for a couple of months. He is a new source and we still have to see if he is telling us the truth or not. That’s why you have to take everything here with a huge grain of salt. I am sure the first NEX-FF photocamera is coming in October and I posted two SR5 rumors (read one and read two).

What you read now is ranked SR2 (20-40% chance it may be correct). The new source said he got it via “friends”, he is not directly involved with Sony. So even if he could be honest…he may didn’t get the right info. Anyway, it’s a rumor site and sometimes even new source proved to be correct. Let’s see in one month if that new source will become one of my trusted :)

This is what he writes about the NEX-FF:
– ibis /5 axis/ up to 4,5 stops gain
– similiar design with nex-7 but some 15% more massive /in terms of dimensions and some 20% more weight than 7
– 1400 focus points, much improved metering
– 3,5,8,12 fps modes, also something they called ‘mega fast mode’ 14 pcs
– 1 new flash unit
– 1/4000sec
– ‘improved video’ /whatever that means/
– new chip. Now, about chip, it will be decided which version will be implemented – 24, 32 or 36 mpix, the best results /speed and accuracy/ was achieved with 32 mpix chip, the most vivid colours and iso were with 24mpix and 36mpix is not so 10+ on tests. Also, this chip is little slower when put on ibis system.
– buffer – at least 1gb
– wifi – yes
– 3” screen, articulated in 3 axis
– 2 colours /black and some gray version/
– some new global software support
– new small adapter for a lenses
– New Oled EVF

 

I repeat, don’t take this too serious now. But if (I repeat “if”) he is sharing the correct specs that is definitely going to be a nice camera! I hope trusted sources can soon tell me if these specs are correct, close to correct or wrong. Thanks!!!

Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.

For readers: Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any news!

Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

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Sony TidBits…

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An Introduction to the New Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100M2 and DSC-RX1R

Sony Cybershot RX100 M II – Full Review at Photographic Central.
Sony NEX-3n review at Imaging Resource.
Sony exercises their right to build a crappy camera (VisualscienceLab).
A3000 review at Pantip (google translation here).
Sony: Camera-centric smartphone trend is about users’ desire for fame (Trustedreviews).

Yannick:I would like to share with you 2 videos I’ve shot with the Sony A99.
https://vimeo.com/72933536
https://vimeo.com/73059060
You’ll find a lot of video and pictures taken with the Sony A99 on my website or in my 500px gallery : http://500px.com/YannickBarthe
Have a look and don’t hesitate to share with other A99 users.”

Rawfa:I´ve recently took the NEX-7 through Brazil´s northwest beaches (some of the most paradise like in the world) and the Amazon jungle and I´ve some great feedback from people. Anyway, feel free to post here if you want:
NEX-7 in Paradise http://www.talknex.com/showthread.php?t=1729
NEX-7 in the Amazon http://www.talknex.com/f18/manaus-amazon-2461/”

Anirban: “I’ve been following your blog for about a year now and find it quite informative. I recently took my Sony A99 for a journey up the Rockies. I’ve recorded my journey at http://www.eternallycreative.com/adventures/rockies
The entire journey was shot with a Sony A99 with a Zeiss 24mm f/2.0. The camera and lens combination has been my go-to choice for landscape photography. I would like to share this as I think it’ll help anyone in the fence about buying an A99.
Anonymous: Hi Andrea, hope you have managed to get some relaxing time with your family over these past days. Not sure if you are interested to know about this and share it with your readers. There is a brand new Sony Center openned in the beautiful Hungarian town of Gyor. The owner filmed the new store being built here http://vimeo.com/73910125 the same store manager also filmed Paul Genge (ex Sony UK) wedding in Hungary a couple of weeks ago. http://vimeo.com/72616351 thought you might like to see the films all shot on Sony a99 and a65

 

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