Tokina atx-m 11-18mm f/2.8 for Sony E mount (APS-C) will be announced on September 14

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I got new updated information that the new Tokina atx-m 11-18mm f/2.8 for Sony E mount (APS-C) will be announced on September 14.
At the same time, I have got another info that the lens will be available as white finished body as well. I have been told that the Kenko Tokina company has incorporated a new factory into their corporate family, who has developed a unique painting technology for high precision products. This technology will be used for Tokina lenses as well.
Also this year Kenko Tokina celebrates its 65th anniversary and in commemoration of this anniversary besides white version of Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F2.8 Tokina is going to release its well known models atx-i 11-16mm F2.8 CF, atx-i 11-20mm F2.8 CF and atx-i 100mm F2.8 FF MACRO in white exterior design as well.

Tokina 11-18mm f/2.8 lens specs:

  • APS-C autofocus lens
  • 67mm filter size
  • USB port for firmware updates
  • black or white options
  • announcement on September 14

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Private question: What’s the best hiking camera bag?

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I have to buy two new camera bags. One for serious hiking and one for city-light travel. I did some “research” and those are my favorites yet. But I am asking the experts out there if those bags would be really ok or if there is one bag I missed out and that I absolutely have to try:

1) Hiking camera bag (one camera, two compact zoom and one bigger zoom lens, one day hiking tours, freezing temperature, wet):

2) City-compact travel camera bag (one camera, one fixed lens and one zoom, with laptop):

For now the Shimoda and the Peak Design are on top of my list…

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Sony E 11mm f/1.8 Review by Opticallimits: “nothing short of a bargain in this class”

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11mm f/1.8 at BHphoto. Adorama. Amazon. FocusCamera. FotoKoch DE. FotoErhardt DE. Calumet DE. WexUK.

Opticallimits tested the Sony 11mm lens and concluded:

If you believe the hype around the Sony E 11mm f/1.8 over on YouTube, it has to be the best lens ever since sliced bread. Well, YouTube videos tend to be a little -say- overenthusiastic at times. The Sony lens is undoubtedly very good, but there are reasons why Sony didn’t classify this lens with a “G” in the name. In terms of sharpness, the E 11mm f/1.8 leaves little to be desired. It produces a very consistent performance from f/1.8 all the way up to f/8. The center quality is generally excellent, combined with a good to very good outer image field. You can’t expect much more from a lens of this focal length class, but it’s not standing out either except for its speed. The lens relies heavily on image auto-correction, especially to handle the massive native barrel distortions. These are tamed down nicely, but it is a lossy correction that also costs a bit of sharpness potential. The original vignetting is also heavy. Once again, auto-correction comes to the rescue, although some vignetting remains at large aperture settings. Flare is well controlled for such a lens. We haven’t formally tested the bokeh but based on the sample images that we have taken, it is surprisingly smooth for an ultra-wide lens.

It may not be a designated professional lens, but the mechanical quality is actually pretty solid despite the extremely low weight. Sony incorporated decent-quality plastics into the barrel based on a metal mount. Nothing wobbles, and the focus ring operates smoothly. Sealing against dust and moisture as well as an inner focusing system provides reasonable protection against the elements. The dual linear AF motor is fast and silent. If you are into vlogging, the lens is certainly capable of keeping you in focus while moving around. The minimal focus breathing is also a plus when it comes to videos.

One of the most surprising aspects of the lens is certainly its price tag. At “just” $550/550EUR, it’s nothing short of a bargain in this class. Third-party options aren’t really any cheaper, and the Sony E 11mm f/1.8 is the obvious choice if you are in the market for an APS-C ultra-wide prime lens.

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Leaked: New LAOWA FFII 58mm F2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X images and specs

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CameraBeta leaked the specs and video presentation of the new LAOWA FFII 58mm F2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X.

  • Sony E / Canon RF / Nikon Z / Leica L
  • Maximum magnification: 2x
  • 13 elements in 11 groups (3 ED lenses 3high refractive index lenses)
  • Aperture blades: 13
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 18.3cm
  • Shortest working distance: 5.8cm
  • Filter diameter: φ67mm
  • Size: 74mm x 117mm
  • Weight: 548g
  • Announced on September 6

Here is the video:

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Tamron 50-400mm review by SonyAlphaBlog

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Preorders: Tamron 50-40mm FE at BHphoto, Adorama. in EU at Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

SonyAlphaBlog reviewed the new lens and concluded:

Compared to the Tamron:

  • Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS : 900 Euros, lighter , less range less good optically
  • Sony FE 100-400mm GM OSS F4.5-F5.6 (2900 euros) : Similar Sharpness performances but better AF for erratic movements and compatible with TC1.4 TC2.0 and 30fps of the A1, more buttons for direct controls , but more heavy and pricy. Less versatile as 100mm is often too long for some portraits or street photography
  • Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary (1000 euros). Sharpness is less good , AF is less good

When to choose the Sony : If you are only shooting fast sports with very complex movements and also need 30fps or needs very precise smooth zooming, or need the TC 1.4 or TC2

In all other cases the Tamron optical and AF performances being very close to the Sony and offering unique versatility for Portrait, street, travel with its zoom range of 50-100mm

The Sigma should be chosen only for lower Mpix camera (24/33Mpix) and if you are on a limited budget

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