Sony A99 Review (Photography Blog)

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[shoplink 14165][/shoplink]

Photography Blog reviewed the [shoplink 14165]Sony A99 (price & specs)[/shoplink]. Beside confirming that the image quality is excellent, the 24.3 full-frame camera gets more positive points. In the conclusion they write:

The Sony A99 combines virtually all of the company's latest cutting-edge camera technologies with an excellent full-frame sensor and a proven body design to create a realistic rival to the likes of the Nikon D800 and Canon EOS 5D Mark III. Traditionalists may not appreciate the electronic viewfinder or more limited range of lenses, but there's lots to like if you can get over that particular preconception (including the excellent EVF itself).The A99 is perhaps the most well-appointed full-frame DSLR on the market. A magnesium-alloy body with weather-sealed controls, two control dials, fast 6fps burst mode, a clever 3-way swiveling LCD screen, useful top LCD panel, innovative dual AF system, focus peaking, flash sync socket, uncompressed HDMI output, built-in GPS and an optional vertical grip. The only missing feature that we can think of is Wi-Fi connectivity, something that only the recent Canon EOS 6D offers out of the box.

Surprised? I am not! :-) Check the final ratings (out of 5):

  • Design 4.5
  • Features 5
  • Ease-of-use 4.5
  • Image Quality 4.5
  • Value for money 4.5

Sony A99 price check: [shopcountry 14165]

[via Photography Blog]

 

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Sony NEX 6 Review At Cameralabs

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Sony NEX 6 sample movie: continuous AF from Gordon Laing on Vimeo.

Cameralabs posted their [shoplink 14167]Sony NEX 6 (price & specs)[/shoplink] review. In the verdict they write:

For the first time the NEX series has a lens which perfectly complements its diminutive proportions. The E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS power zoom is small, lightweight and provides two zoom controls, the second of which also serves as a manual focus ring. With a 24mm super wide-angle extending to 75mm equivalent portrait length, it’s an excellent stabilised ‘standard’ zoom that doesn’t prevent you dropping the NEX-6 into your coat pocket.

But probably the biggest development is the addition of Wi-Fi connectivity coupled with downloadable apps that allow you to add to and extend the camera’s features. This is a very exctiing development indeed, and one which means that the camera is no longer limited to the set of features it left the factory with. Currently there are eight apps available for the NEX-6, but I’d expect to see app availablity expand over the coming months and years as new NEX models also incorporate this feature. Those apps will hopefully extend the ability of the NEX range to communicate with a wider range of social networks and photo sharing sites as well as adding new creative photography features.

The review comes with lots of samples and videos. Check it out!

Sony NEX 6 price and availability check: [shopcountry 14167]

[via cameralabs]

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Sony Announces 4K Camcorder At CES 2013

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Image courtesy: photographybay.com

At CES 2013 Sony unveiled a 4K camcorder. Sony calls it a consumer model, but it definitely looks more like a prosumer piece of gear. The guys at photographybay had a close look on the 4K handycam, they write:

The 4K concept camera features an XAVC badge, which is Sony’s new codec introduced last year. As Sony puts it, “the primary objective in adopting the XAVC format is to develop a family of professional production tools that can economically handle High-Frame-Rate (HFR) HD and 4K imaging formats.” The maximum capability of the XAVC codec allows for 4K video at 60p and 4:4:4 12-bit at 960Mbps bit rate. Of course, it’s likely a consumer-grade 4K camera would be substantially lower than the max that XAVC can deliver.

We have yet to learn more about this new camcorder, maybe NAB 2013 (in April) will bring some news. Check the post at photographybay for pics of the camcorder and more tidbits.

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Back To The Past: Minolta Lens Test With A77 by Michael Merto

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Minolta Glass – Beercan from Michael Merto on Vimeo.

Michael Merto realized the video to showcase the performance of this old (but still amazing) Minolta glass, aptly named “The Beercan”:

The “Beercan” is probably the most well known of Minolta’s first generation AF glass. It is heavy. 70-210mm and a constant f4 is a pretty nice feature set considering ebay prices go around $150 US dollars. The autofocus is driven by the camera’s in-body motor and the glass is propelled by a screw. The zooming is in body so the barrel doesn’t extend as you zip across the range. It’s pretty long though and looks obscene mounted on the a77 without a grip. It’s sharp from around 5.6. The focus ring is narrow and not the best for full-time manual adjusting.

He used a [shoplink 8461]Sony A77 (price & specs)[/shoplink] with the Minolta.

The Beercan – Image credit: Michael Merto

Be sure to check the pics Michael shot with the Minolta 70-210mm f/4, and use slidoo.com to look for the lens on eBay.

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(SR2) All three new Zeiss lenses cover FF?

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I got a rumor form a new source that might be interesting to discuss. But please keep in mind that this rumor hasn’t been confirmed yet by any trusted sources so keep your feet on ground. As you know Zeiss will launch three new E-mount AF lenses this year. The 12mm f/2.8, 32mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.8 lens. The one new source told me that these lenses will cover the full Full Frame area in preparation of the launch of the new FF NEX by end of this year or early 2014. And the source also told me the main issue for Zeiss is to remove the heavy vignetting on the 12mm wide angle lens.

UPDATE: Back at Photokina Zeiss said these lenses were designed for APS-C. What the source says is that the lenses will be redesigned to cover FF.

Again, this is no SR4 SR5 rated rumors. But if true…this is deifnitely a good 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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The dream corner: Would you buy a NEX with B&W sensor?

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Leica is having a lot of success and probably earning a lot of money on their exclusive and expensive Leica Monochrome. So le’ts think (or dream) a bit out of the box. Imagine Sony doing a NEX camera with a Black and White sensor. A sensor that allows you the maximum possible per pixel sharpness, no AA filter, bigger pixels for greater dynamic range. And that NEX would cost around 30-50% more than current NEX camera prices.

Will you buy the new Sony A7rIV?

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Price and specs of the Leica Monochrome at Amazon and Bhphoto.

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