New Sigma 18-35mm lens test: “Shockingly sharp”!

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Note: Sigma for Sony preorder at  BHphoto (Click here)!

SLRgear (Click here) tested the new Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens. And the conclusion sounds really amazing:

The Sigma 18-35mm ƒ/1.8 DC HSM “A” lens packs a big punch in features and image quality without a big punch to the wallet. Shockingly sharp images at all apertures, even at ƒ/1.8, with excellent flatness of field and good control over chromatic aberration, distortion and vignetting make this lens a no-brainer for users of APS-C cameras looking to upgrade from their kit lens. Furthermore, the lens has excellent built quality with smooth zoom and focus actuation and a nice, hefty heft to it that brings to mind the feel of high-end professional-level zoom lenses. With a super-fast constant ƒ/1.8 aperture that produces surprisingly great images, packaged with excellent build quality, and at the same time having a price that dramatically undercuts the competition, the new 18-35mm ƒ/1.8 DC HSM “A” is sure to become a top seller for Sigma.

Again, this is an amazing lens for an incredible low price. Likely the best APS-C A-mount lens released the last 1-2years don’t you think?

Preorder at  BHphoto (Click here)!

P.S.: More image samples at Digitalcamerareview. More new deals info at DealsRunner (Deal of the day is the Sony action camera discount).

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What’s new on the RX100MKII

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The difference between the RX1 and the new RX1R is just that the R version has no Anti Aliasing filter. But the differences between the RX100 and the RX100M2 are a bit more…”consistent”. The sensor is Exmor R (20mp) but the lens is exactly the same from the current RX100. And these are the other new RX100MKII features:
1. it has wifi module 802.11b/g/n
2. it has NFC module
3. Multi interface shoe
4. mini-HDMI move from bottom next to Micro-USB
5. battery life get a little boost from 330 to 350
6. ISO start from 100
7. support EVF
8. zoom ring can be set to smooth or click
9. can choose to disable movie button
10. WB bracket
11. battery recharge time is significantly longer (0.5a vs 1.5a)
12. weight increase from 240g to 281g(w/card and battery)
13. Tilt screen

Thanks “privater” for the translation :)

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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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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!

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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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Zeiss Touit gets ripped (last day of 4% reward)

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Image courtesy: Lensrentals

Before to talk about the Toui (what a name) let’s not forget that today is the last day you can grab the 4% reward on Cameras and Lenses at Amazon US (Click here) and at BHphoto (Click here). And don’t waste time…preorder the amazing Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 A-mount lens BHphoto (Click here to see price and specs)-

And now the Touit: Robert Cicala (Click here) ripped the Zeiss Touit lenses to see what’s inside. He writes:

“This thing is built well. Those of you who have misgivings about polymer (rather than metal) construction in a lens of this size, put those to rest. It’s built like a Zeiss; I expected no less. I was a bit skeptical about the choice of a DC motor to provide more power, but I have to say, they definitely chose a large, powerful motor, so that was probably just me being cynical. The overall construction and design were very solid, reminding me of a Zeiss or Leica rangefinder lens; much higher construction quality than many of the E mount lenses I’ve opened up.”

The 32mm f/1.8 is in Stock at Amazon (Click here), Samys (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and [shoplink 18998 ebay]Popflash (Click here)[/shoplink].
The 12mm f/2.8 is in Stock at BHphoto (Click here) and [shoplink 18996 ebay]Popflash (Click here)[/shoplink].

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All today new deals at Dealsrunner.com!

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(SR5) Sony RX1R has no Anti Aliasing filter. That’s the only difference with the RX1.

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I got feedback from trusted sources (and also via colleagues from photo rumors) that the only difference between the actual RX1 and the RX1R is that the RX1R has no Anti Aliasing filter. I have no info about the price of the RX1R but I really do hope they do not charge extra $$$ for that. The new RX1R will be introduced as “High Resolution” version. Like the Nikon D800E is the “high Resolution” version fo the D800.  That’s why the manual is the same of the current RX1!

Reminder: The Rx100MKII and RX1R will be announced on June 27. There may be a “Mobile Cybershot” smartphone camera too.

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Astonishing Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 available for preorder for Sony A-mount!

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Good news folks! Sigma announced the price for the amazing and fastest ever 18-35mm f/1.8 DSRL lens! And you can already preorder the Sony A-mount version(!) at BHphoto (Click here to see price and specs). This is an impressive lens sharp right from the widest aperture! Grab it!

And keep in mind that the 4% reward at Amazon US (Click here to read the rules) and at BHphoto (Click here) will last until tomorrow!

UDPATE: You save $250 on the Refubrished A58 double lens kit at BHphoto (Click here).

 

More deal bits:
Both Zeiss Touit are in Stock and Shipping at BHphoto (Click here).
SLTA77 Body $300 Instant Savings + Free vertical grip $300= $600 in Instant Savings at Amazon (Click here), Samys (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
SLTA77 with 18mm-135mm $300 Instant Savings + Free vertical grip $300= $600 in Instant Savings at Amazon (Click here), Samys (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
SLTA77 with 16mm-50mm $300 Instant Savings + Free vertical grip $300= $600 in Instant Savings at Amazon (Click here), Samys (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

 

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(SR5) First manual manual images from the RX100MKII! RX1-R coming too!!!

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Here are the very first manual images form the new RX100MKII!It has the same sensor as the current RX100. What’s new is the titling screen, Hot Shoe and built-in WiFi features. It will be announced on June 27 along the also brand new “High Resolution” RX1-R!!!

 

Stay tuned because I got tons of new material. I would need help from Japanese readers to translate the manual. Please send me an email at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com and I will share the text to translate. Thanks!

 

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P.S.: All daily Sony deals here: http://www.dealsrunner.com/category/photography/sony. Join and share the deals you find on the world wide web! :)

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