Sony TidBits (and app list for the new NEX cameras)

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You can see a list of APPS for the new NEX cameras at Playmemoriescameraapps.com. All are free with the only exception of the Multiframe Noise Reduction App.

Mini-Test: Zeiss E 24/1.8 50/1.8 vs. Sony E OSS vs 50/1.7 Zeiss Planar T at KlubKm.

Sony NEX-F3 test at Wired.

RX100 ISO test at Alpha Numerique.

SLRmagic Photokina report at ThePhoBlogrpaher.

An anonymous reader testedt the A99 and wrote this: “I have done some photography with a pre production A99 the results are stunning the images are sharp and clean ISO 3200 is perfectly usable as is 6400. The colour is great the noise is not an issue. The RAW files look stunning from LR4, the in camera JPEGs are more filmic in their look grainy not as smooth as the RAW conversions from LR4 but very beautiful. Few people have had a chance to use this camera and as one who has it is very very good. I have not used it enough to offer in depth feedback but simple things like the implementation of a new quick navi screen is very welcome. the new hotshoe wireless flash (works great)That itt is great to hold eay to shoot with and takes great images, way way better than the A900 and 850. Cameras are to take pictures with and should not to get in the way of the ! user this camera is a photographers camera. It is such a pity that comments about this camera bere relationship to its ability which like most digital cameras is beyond what most of us are capable of imagining. Park your pixel peeping and let this camera drive possibilty, cameas are as rarely dissapointing as our predjudice, it is a cool machine and I look foward to owning one and letting its possibility help make me a better photographer

Link to a SAR reader that wantedt to shows some of his Alpha pictures: www.flickr.com/photos/rossocuore.

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(UPDATED) New A99, NEX-6 and RX1 tests.

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RX1 video sample

Sony held a meeting with blogger in San Francisco and every couple of hours we see new posts with image samples and test. Particularly ThePhoBlographer was active in publishing new stuff (great work guys!). And the administrator even writes: “I am extremely close to purchasing the A99. This is pretty much everything I wanted in a Full Frame DSLR.” So here are the links to his test:
Quick Unscientific High ISO Comparison: Canon 5D Mk II, Sony A99, and Sony RX-1 (ThePhoBlographer)
Using the Sony A99 and HVL-F60M Flash for Studio Photography (ThePhoBlographer).
High ISO Cityscape Image Sample from the Sony A99 and a Long Exposure (ThePhoBlographer).
Quick Informal High ISO Comparison: Fujifilm X Pro 1 and Sony NEX 6 (ThePhoBlographer):

But than we have more tests from other websites too:
Newly added: Full size samples at Imaging Resource.
Newly added: More image samples by Steve Huff.
Newly added: Another portrait pic from SLRlounge.
More A99 fashion shots by Armani Quintas on Facebook.
Engagdet published a first RX1 preview including a first video sample you can watch on top of this post. There are also untouched smaple images available for download (Click here). Engadget writes: “Overall, the RX1 is a really, really nice compact camera. Shoving a full-frame sensor in a 4.5 x 3 inch chassis is quite a technical achievement, and the photos it produces are the highest quality we’ve ever seen in a shooter that size.
NEX-6 image samples by Webgeek.
High ISO RX1 samples by Steve Huff.
Joe Gunawan from fotosiamo sent me the links to A99 out of camera images (Click here) and with very minor retouching (Click here).
A99 hands-on by Thistonybridge.


Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH.

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First Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 review by Chris. RAW files for download and testing included.

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[shoplink 14656 ebay][/shoplink]
Our reader Chris made the very first review of the Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 E-mount lens ([shoplink 14656 ebay]Click here to grab one of the three lenses for sale on eBay right now[/shoplink]).

Here is Chris first impression review:

I received my black Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 today and took a bunch of unboxing and night test shots. More test shots coming tomorrow.

Some general design comments:
The lens is built like a tank, all metal body and weighs a whopping 707g (my 50mm Voigtlander + the adapter weighs 535g.) The hood seems to be a generic vented hood, aluminum but has some minor finish issues. I’ll likely buy a higher-quality brand-name hood. Same goes for the cap, generic and functional but a mismatch to the quality of the body. The glass is high quality and the lens fits my NEX-7 body perfectly.
Both focus and aperture are dampened but do not have clicks (good for video!) Aperture seems stiffer. Aperture goes from 0.95-16 in about 90 degrees of ring rotation. Focus goes from infinity to 1’/.3m in about 100 degrees of focus ring rotation. Yay for close focus and stop at infinity.
Vignetting is ok, definitely noticeable wide open but not unusual for such a wide lens (comparable, in my estimation, to the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 m43 lens).
Definitely need more time to take test shots.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4964431908002.2200471.1215264081&type=1&l=cff004b3a0

and RAW full-size pics at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v123p87s79qpqhb/XaNPKd2xow

Thanks Chris!

[shoplink 14656 ebay]Click here to see the acutions and price of the new Mitakon 35mm lens on eBay[/shoplink].

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(SR3) NEX-FS700: 4K upgrade coming this Thursday?

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After all that Photokina buzz we can finally start with a new bunch of rumors. The first news is related to the Sony NEX-FS700 camera. An anonymous source just told me that there will be a new 4K upgrade coming on Thursday! Leòt’s hope this is true!

To all sources: I am collecting rumors about the next Sony FF and APSC cameras including the possible Full Frame E-mount and new lenses. As you know you can drop anonymous and untraceable messages by using the contact form you see on the right sidebar. Or contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

 

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Plenty of new RX1 image samples on IR, Dpreview and Stve Huff (+ a hoax auction).

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You can now spend plenty of time analyzing many new Sony RX1 image samples that have been posted at Imaging Resource (Click here), Dpreview (Click here) and Steve Huff (Click here). There is still no original RAW file we can play with.Anyway, what do you think of it?

One more thing. Some readers sent me a link to this [shoplink 14644 ebay]Sony RX1 auction (Click here)[/shoplink]. It has to be a hoax! The camera hasn’t been released yet and the price is way too low!

The RX1 for example can be preordered at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, and in Europe at Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, Wex UK, Wex Germany.

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Sony A99 review by BBC cameraman Johnnie Behiri (Good Dynamic Range and not so good moiré)

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Mr. Stekovics (Shot with Sony A99) from Johnnie Behiri on Vimeo.

BBC cameraman and editor Johnnie Behiri posted a first [shoplink 14165]Sony A99[/shoplink] review including three new vimeo videos. The other two videos are here:
Sony A99-Aliasing test on vimeo
Sony A99-Dynamic Range test on vimeo

So what does he think of the Sony A99? Here is his conclusion (Source vimeo):

Spending a day with the Sony A99 left me with mixed emotions.  Sony listened very carefully to some of our need as documentary run&gun shooters but failed short delivering the “ultimate” picture….Why having aliasing and moiré in an advanced generation of HDSLR is beyond my understanding. (vimeo.com/50980422)

Camera strengths:
-Clean HDMI output (on Ninja 2, camera must be set to “HDMI resolution-Auto” and not 1080p).
-Peaking
-Green dot at the center of the picture as an additional focus aid tool
-Dynamic range looks good ( non scientific sample :) vimeo.com/50982162)
-Front camera wheel which can be assigned to control aperture or audio levels (not when the XLR kit is connected, then use the level wheels on the kit).
-Monitor and control audio levels while recording
-Good EVF and LCD allowing shooting in minimize configuration
-Dual SD card slots

Camera weakness:
-The A99 produced a decent image although moiré and aliasing is clearly there!
-No histogram in video mode
-No “zoom function” for accurate focusing
-Audio meters have no db levels and there is no change in meters color when sound is clipped.
-No 1080/50p recording is possible to Ninja 2.

While it’s pity to have some quirks on the A99 the good news is that in theory most of the mentioned weakness could be fixed via firmware update. So let’s hope Sony is listening. By the way Sony, where is our NEX-7 firmware update??? :(


Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH.

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Sensor battle: Canon losing terrain against Sony

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DxOmark just published the Canon 650D sensor results. And once again we can see how Canon is struggling to get on par with Sony sensors. The Sony A65 dynamic range the beats the Canon by one stop! Still the Sony cameras would be even much better without the Translucent mirror: “we know from having tested various types of Translucent Mirror Technology that such systems usually reduce low-light scores by about 1/3 to 1/2EV. The SLT-A65 does in fact divert a portion of incoming light to support its electronic viewfinder, and… this is pretty much the only reason that the 650D can compete with Sony’s DSLR video in terms of low-light sensitivity.”

Anyway, the difference between the A77 and NEX-7 are negligible (here is the comparison). I really want to see how good the new [shoplink 14165]Sony A99[/shoplink] and RX1 sensor will be. And of course, if there is a major difference between the two.

Coming back to Canon, at least on the sensor front they are now clearly behind the competition. And keep in mind that Nikon, Olympus and very likely also Panasonic are now using Sony sensors too!


Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DEUKFRITESNLSEFICH.

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