First image of the new Samyang 16mm f/2.0 (A and E-mount)

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The official Asian Samyang retailer unveiled via Facebook the first picture and specs of the new Samyang 16mm f/2.0 lens. It will come in both A and E-mount versions  mount too. They write: “The 16mm focus length with rectilinear imaging system ensure extra wide angle of view amounting to 83.1 degrees (for Nikon version and 79.5 for Canon). The big aperture opening of F2.0 ensure photographers able to use it for low light environment like night street shooting. The weight of the lens is just about 571g, as a result this lens will be a attractive carry on for architecture and landscape shooting.” P.S.: Save this search on Slidoo to get notified when the Samyang lens will be available one Bay.

I like Rokinon/Samyang lenses a lot and I recommend you the following two lenses for Alpha mount:
1) The 35mm f/1.4: In US you can find it as Rokinon at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and on [shoplink 7453 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. In Europe the name is Samyang and you can find it on [shoplink 7380 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and with the name Wallimex again on [shoplink 7831 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
2) The 85mm f/1.4: You can get for $274 on Amazon (Click here), branded with the name Rokinon on [shoplink 7456 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and branded with the name Samyang on [shoplink 7454 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

And here are the links to the newly announced Samyang/Rokinon lenses:
8mm f/3.5 fisheye at Amazon, BHphoto,
14mm f/2.8 at Amazon, BHphoto,
24mm f/1.4 at Amazon, BHphoto,
35mm f/1.4 at Amazon, BHphoto,
85mm f/1.4 at Amazon, BHphoto,

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(SR4) Sony forecast a up to 50% increase in A-mount lens sales due the new generation A-mount camera impact.

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A trusted source told me that Sony is very confident that the new A-mount cameras to be launched in 2014 will drive up A-mount lens sales by almost 50% for the entire 2014 year (compared to 2013). I still have no specs about the new A-mount cameras but Sony is pretty confident that this could sign a new start for the system. Key aspect of the new cameras will be that they are mirrorless (no SLT tech) and sensor tech and autofocus performance will be dramatically improved.

Let’s hope Sony isn’t too optimistic with that kind of “predictions”. They have been wrong quite many times in the past. And now they cannot afford to make any mistake anymore. To challenge Canon and Nikon in the profitable High End digital camera business they have to deliver some noticeable game challenging camera. There is no other way around that.

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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Sony Alpha 58 review by DigitalCameraWorld.

Dumping Nikon for Sony at Stuckincustoms.
SEL 35mm f/1.8 review at Danhawk.
Sony 50mm f/1.4 review by Ken Rockwell.
Sony a99+grip+flash kit and a65 are sold this week at nice prices (EUR 2900 and  499 respectively) in Finland at  rajalacamera.fi
Sony A58 review at Photographyblog.
The Sony RX100 at Dublin Zoo (DigitalPhotographySchool).
Sony HVL-F20AM Flash tested by Ken Rockwell.
The Olympus OM-D vs Sony NEX 7 – Is Mirrorless More, or Less?  Blogarithms
Sony SEL-20F28 review at KurtMunger.

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The Sony Amazon deals overview…

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Today Amazon updated the deals page and you can see a nice overview of all current Sony deals. Click on them to open the deals page. Some of them will expire soon on June 1!
Save $930 on the Sony Alpha SLT-A99V Digital SLR Camera, VGC99AM Vertical Grip and HVLF60M Flash
Save up to $100 on Select Sony Handycam Camcorders
Save up to $250 on Select Sony NEX Compact System Cameras
Buy a Qualifying Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera and Save $100 on Select Sony Lenses
Save $30 on the Sony HDR-AS15 Action Video Camera
Save up to $130 on Select Sony Cyber-shot Digital Cameras
Save up to $200 on Qualifying Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
Buy a Qualifying Sony Alpha NEX Compact System Camera and Save $100 on the Sony E 55-210mm Lens
Buy a Qualifying Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera and Save $200 on the Sony 18-135mm Zoom Lens
Double VG900 deals: Special kit price with the 28-75mm lens and special kit price with the Sony XLR Audio Adapter.

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The Minolta Maxxum 7000 by Ken Rockwell

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[shoplink 18439 ebay]

[/shoplink] The not so Sony fan Ken Rockwwell (Click here) posted an interesting review about the first A-mount camera, the superb [shoplink 18439 ebay]Minolta Maxxum 7000[/shoplink]! great to see that I can post some Minolta news form time to time :)

Why has the Maxxum been so important for the camera industry? Well, easy, it was the world’s first autofocus SLR. And as I wrote before it came with the brand new A-mount to allow this new feature. But it also had other great tech like a nice bright viewfinder (something many of us miss on today’s A-mount cameras) a life-sensing touch switch and a body quality that will last a lifetime.

I know most of you don’t shoot film in these days but I still do. Nice camera to hold and use from time to time. I bet that in 30 years from now I will shoot with my Maxxum while current digital A-mount camera electronics will be long dead!

-> The Maxxum 700 can be found used for around $300 on [shoplink 18439 ebay]eBay (Click here to see some auctions)[/shoplink].

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New Sony NEX (5-6-VG900) and Alpha (A57) deals

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[shoplink 18597 ebay]

[/shoplink] NEX:
Amazon (Click here) launched a new deal page for the NEX-5 and NEX-6 where you save $200 by buying them along the pancake zoom.
And back in Stock is the VG900 with 28-75mm lens and $500 off at Amazon (Click here).
NEX-F3 with 18-55mm lens dropped down to $379 at BHphoto (Click here).

Alpha:
Brand new Sony A57 for $469.00 on [shoplink 18597 ebay]eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink].
Don’t forget that the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is finally in Stock at BHphoto (Click here).

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Full Zeiss 12mm Distagon review on the NEX at ePhotozine.

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We had a couple of test and image samples form the new Ziess lenses but almost all of them where done on Fuji X cameras. But finally ePhotozine (Click here) posted a full review made on the NEX-F3. They write: “Zeiss managed to produce a lens with optical characteristics worthy of the Zeiss reputation, that’s well designed and solidly built. Although this lens does carry a premium price, the additional cost isn’t so much that it will put this lens beyond the reach of everyone, especially those serious about using quality glass with their camera.

Zeiss preorder links:
12mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Adorama and Uniquephoto. In Europe at [shoplink 18497 ebay]CameraCenter UK[/shoplink] and FotoMundus.
32mm f/1.8 at BHphoto, Adorama and Uniquephoto. In Europe at [shoplink 18498 ebay]CameraCenter UK[/shoplink] and FotoMundus.

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