New Sigma E mount lens preorders at BHphoto (Press text error: 30mm not for A-mount yet)

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Important note: Sorry guys, the 30mm f/1.4 lens announced by Sigma today is NOT coming for A-mount. The first official press release posted on Dpreview contained an error (P.S.: check the comment section with people complaining). Damn, that was likely the most interesting lens announced by Sigma today :(

To learn more about the new Sigma lenses for Sony check out the links I posted below. They do contain the full lens presentation and the original MTF charts. Here are the links to the Sigma page and the BHphoto product pages that should soon allow you to hit the preorder button:

E-mount lenses:
Official Sigma 19mm lens page (Click here)
Black Sigma 19mm f/2.8 lens at Bhphoto (Click here).
Silver Sigma 19mm f/2.8 lens at Bhphoto (Click here).
Official Sigma 30mm lens page (Click here)
Black Sigma 30mm f/2.8 lens at Bhphoto (Click here).
Silver Sigma 30mm f/2.8 lens at Bhphoto (Click here).
Official Sigma 60mm lens page (Click here)
Black Sigma 60mm f/2.8 lens at Bhphoto (Click here).
Silver Sigma 60mm f/2.8 lens at Bhphoto (Click here).

UPDATE:  The double Sigma lens deal for $199 is back in Stock at BHphoto (Click here).

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Sony Japan announces the SLT and NEX firmware update!

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Sony Japan (translation here) just announced that they will release a new firmware update for SLT and NEX cameras on February 05th. This is the google translated text:

Α99:
SAL100M28(book6),SAL50M28, SAL85F28 adds automatic lens correction support, SAL85F14Z, SAL135F18Z, SAL70300G, SAL70200G, SAL35F14G, SAL1635Z, SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL300F28G[2] adding compatible lens [1] Dual AFSAL24F20Z(book 11), SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
Α77, α65, α57, α37 
Add Lens for automatic correction [1]SAL100M28(book6),SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
NEX-7
Faster storage corresponding lens when the power is turned OFF when using automatic correction [1] SELP1650 when using [2] SELP1650
NEX-5N
Distortion correction is possible in Ver.4.2 or later software “(image data converter) Image Data Converter” developmentversion up※ RAW dataof [2] RAW data format support automatic correction when using [1] SELP1650 [3 Improved stability of the operation [5] AF lens container faster when the power is turned OFF (1.0EV, 2.0EV, 3.0EV) at the time of use [4] SELP1650 adding the number of stages of the continuous mode setting bracket] NEX-F3
Automatic correction when using the corresponding [1] SELP1650
NEX-6, NEX-5R
SEL1018(book5),SEL35F18, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LEaddition of compatible lenses [1] Fast hybrid AF

Have you found the original english press text?

 

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You will love this: Three new E-mount lenses from Sigma!

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Guys! You are going to love this news! As I anticpiated last week the current 30mm and 19mm f/2.8 primes have been updated. And there is a new 60mm f/2.8 E-mount too. Click on the pictures on top to see a larger view of the new lenses. And here is the official Sigma press release:

Important note: Sorry guys, the 30mm f/1.4 lens announced by Sigma today is NOT coming for A-mount. The first official press release contained an error. Again, this was an OFFICIAL press text containing the error and not SAR.

YOKOHAMA, Japan Jan. 29, 2013Sigma Corporation of America a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the release of four new lenses for the ART product line, including three lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and one lens for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors. This announcement comes at the start of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013 this week in Yokohama, Japan.

The new and updated Sigma lenses include the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM, which will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts, and the 30mm F2.8 DN, 19mm F2.8 DN and 60mm F2.8 DN lenses, which are available for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-Mount camera systems. Pricing and availability on all of these lenses has yet to be announced.

The 60mm F2.8 DN lens is entirely new to the Sigma lineup, while the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM and the 30mm F2.8 DN and 19mm F2.8 DN lenses are existing focal lengths that have been redesigned with enhanced optical performance and included as part of Sigma’s new Global Visioncategory restructuring. All three DN lenses incorporate telecentric optical designs and a linear, auto focusing motor that ensures accurate and quiet focusing for video recording. They also boast metal exteriors and a simply shaped focus ring, with varying textures to distinguish each part of the lens. In addition, DN users can choose between a black or silver finish to match their favorite equipment.

“We’re really proud of the super sharp lenses we’ve produced in the past year and these new Art lenses will continue to impress our fans and critics alike. They’re ideal for the landscape, portrait, still-life, close-up and casual photographer who values creative, dramatic outcomes above compactness and multifunction,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “The lenses are entirely made in Japan and they boast the new product line’s sleek design and enhanced quality control. We’re quite proud of these changes – and additions – to our lens lineup; they’re further evidence of Sigma’s forethought in this fast-moving industry.”Here are more details on these new lenses from Sigma:

  • 60mm F2.8 DN – Featuring the natural perspective of mid-range telephoto lenses, together with a shallow depth of field, this lens allows the photographer to capture a single part of a subject with great bokeh effects. It has an angle of view equivalent to 120mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The minimum focusing distance is 19.7 inches; the maximum magnification is 1:7.2. This lens also contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize axial and transverse chromatic aberration.
  • Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, wide-angle telephoto lens has an angle of view equivalent to 38mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). As a wide-angle lens with excellent mobility, it is ideal for studio photography, architecture and starry skies. Its minimum focusing distance is 7.9 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:7.4.
  • Sigma 30mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, standard telephoto lens has an angle of view equivalent to 60mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 45mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens, which is perfect for casual and formal portraiture, documentary photography, travelogues and everyday shooting, includes a double-sided aspherical lens that enhances its optical performance. Its minimum focusing distance of 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:8.1.

For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com. For the full press releases for each of these new lenses, visit Sigma’s news section at www.sigmaphoto.com/sigma-news.

Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN specifications
Lens type Prime lens
Max Format size APS-C / DX
Focal length 60 mm
Image stabilisation No
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds, Sony E (NEX)
Aperture
Maximum aperture F2.8
Minimum aperture F22.0
Aperture ring No
Focus
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Micromotor
Full time manual Unknown
Distance scale No
DoF scale No
Physical
Sealing No
Hood supplied No
Tripod collar No

 

 

 

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Picture of the best looking RX1 accessory :)

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DSLRmagazine (tranlsation here) posted the second part of their RX1 review. But what I really like is that picture they made of the RX1 with the Russian multifocal viewfinder with parallax correction. You can find plenty of them on [shoplink 16644 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

And RonMartBlog (Click here) posted the RX100 review. The absolute news for a reviewer is that he actually also let the wife draw her own conclusions :)

—-

RX1 links roundup:
RX1 at [shopcountry 15824].
RX1 Gariz accessories:
1) They made a new half leather case in Black and Brown ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
2) The new lens cap ([shoplink 16439 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
3) The new entry is the anti loose button(!) ([shoplink 16438 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). Don’t know if that will be really useful for you RX1 owners. Someone has it and call it how it works? Thanks!
4) And this is the really first time I see that. A special Leather skin hood! ([shoplink 16441 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).

RX100 links roundup:
RX100 price search links: [shopcountry 13014].
Cases: [shoplink 13347 ebay]Official Sony LCJ-RXA case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13344 ebay]Gariz case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13345 ebay]more leather case[/shoplink].
Batteries: [shoplink 13346 ebay]NP-BX1 Battery[/shoplink].
Special stuff: [shoplink 13343 ebay]Multi-Coated LENS ARMOR UV[/shoplink]. Magfilter at Amazon (Click here). RX100 filter adapter on [shoplink 13486 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

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Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 for $369!

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It’s not a big secret that I like Samyang/Rokinon lenses. I don’t care about the misisng autofocus. They are a high quality and at the same time cheap alternative for A-mount shooters. And now one of their best lens got a nice discount. You can find it for $369 at BuyDig (Click here). Just be sure to enter the right Coupon Code which is “ROKTHIRDS” . And there is a seocnd deal on the NEX-F3 with kit lens for $339 at BuyDig again (Click here).

And last there is a Sony NEX-F3 with 18-55mm Lens, 55-200mm Lens, Card and Bag Bundle for $649 at Amazon (Click here).

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Next major Sony announcement in March-April…

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 Image on top: The new 20mm lens (preorder at BHphoto)

For the record, the new 20mm pancake and new SLT firmware is all what Sony will show for the CP+ show in Yokohama that will start this week. The real major news like NEX-3n, A38 and A38 camera will be announced in March-April only. Also the new E and A mount lenses will be announced in the same period. I am now going to prepare a more detailed roundup of the rumored new cameras and lenses.

By the way, I am actually very busy working on new rumors. In these days I had again lot of talk about the next 12-16 months Sony strategy. If some of you have some more bits to share you can contact me anonymousely by using the contact form on this site or by sending me an email at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.

Reminder: Don’t miss any rumor about the Sony NEX and SLT world. Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here)!

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New FW update: List of newly supported lenses on the A99

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As I told you last week we should expect soon a new firmware announcement for the A57/A77/A99 cameras.

Today an anonymous source just told me that the new firmware update for the A99 will bring support for the following lenses: SAL24F20Z, SAL85F14Z, SAL135F18Z, SAL70300G, SAL70200G, SAL35F14G, SAL1635Z, SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL300F28.

I may ask the source if he can tell me if there is more improvements/fixes to come with the Firmware update?

Thanks!

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