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Sony Artisan Brian Smith commented after the Canon 5Ds launch:

Canon fired the first shot in the Great Mega-Pixel War of 2015, announcing a pair of 50.6 mp Canon 5DS cameras – This is just the first shot! Expect to hear more announcements soon… Who knows, someone might just make a 50mp camera for less than 3700 bucks!

He is likely “hearing” the same rumors I got….sounds exactly like the A7rII to me ;)

Sony has now plenty of time to “fight back” with the A7rII as the Canon 5ds preorders will start on April 30 only at Amazon. And shipment is June/July.

Sigma announced another great ART prime lens. The 24mm f/1.4 (here on BH)! But the bad news is that for now it’s not coming for Sony A-mount (and not for Pentax K-mount neither). I guess they will announce the Sony version sometimes in 6-9 months as usual…I do hope

—!

Press release:
Sigma Corporation of America Introduces New 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens at CP+ Imaging Show
Latest Global Vision Art lens offers highest-quality optical performance in its class

YOKOHAMA, Japan — February 10, 2015 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the new Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens, the ninth Global Vision lens to join the company’s iconic Art line-up. The announcement comes at the start of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2015, which begins on Feb. 12 in Yokohama, Japan.

The much anticipated 24mm F1.4 Art wide angle lens is designed for full-frame DSLRs, and when used on digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, it effectively becomes a 38mm. The lens is ideal for capturing a variety of photography subjects, including cityscapes, mountain ranges, astrophotography and weddings and is great for videography work as well. The 24mm also excels at indoor photography in low illumination thanks to the combination of exceptional focal plane sharpness, and gorgeous bokeh rendered by nine rounded aperture blades. The lens achieves a maximum magnification of 1:5.3 with a minimum focusing distance of 9.8 inches. The 24mm incorporates both “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass and Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass in a design of 15 elements in 11 groups to minimize chromatic aberration of magnification especially in the edge of the image field. Moreover, the optimized power layout includes aspherical elements that are positioned in the rear of the lens for improved wide open performance. This helps to ensure minimal distortion through the correction of axial chromatic aberration and sagittal coma flare. The new lens element design also delivers excellent peripheral brightness.

“The Sigma Art lenses are recognized by photographers for world-class performance, and the new 24mm F1.4 DG HSM will be a significant contribution to our selection of fast aperture prime lenses which is quickly becoming a strong force in the industry” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “Sigma is redefining the expectations of fast-aperture full-frame prime lens performance, especially wide-open, and the results the 24mm F1.4 will deliver will be up to the exacting standards set by the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM and 50mm F1.4 DG HSM .”

Other updates to this lens include a new full-time manual focusing mechanism that switches to manual focusing, simply by rotating the focus ring, even when AF is being used, first introduced on the 50mm Art. This allows the photographer to make focus adjustments quickly and easily. As with all new lenses under the Global Vision categories, every 24mm will be tested using Sigma’s own MTF measuring system, “A1,” in the company’s factory in Japan.

Other lenses in the Art line include 35mm F1.4 DG HSM, 30mm F1.4 DC HSM, 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM, 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM, 50mm F1.4 DG HSM, 19mm F2.8 DN, 30mm F2.8 DN and 60mm F2.8 DN.

The 24mm F1.4 is compatible with Sigma’s USB dock, allowing photographers to update the lens’ firmware and change focus parameters as well as manual focus over-ride using Sigma’s Optimization Pro software. It is also compatible with Sigma’s Mount Conversion Service. The lens will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts, and timing, pricing and availability will be announced at a later date.

For information about Sigma, go to www.sigmaphoto.com or follow the company on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Just a quick note: Pentax and Nikon will announce their stuff within 24 hours (Their new DSLR cameras will use Sony sensors). Maybe at the time you read this they will always have had the announcement while I am asleep in my bed :)

Sony itself will have an announcement after those companies (still not sure about exact day and hour). Four new FE lenses and two converters coming. That’s it the only 100% sure thing for now.

You save $200 on the grey imported but with full 3 year US warranty coming 55mm FE lens sold at GetDigital on eBay US (Click here). And also still running is the deal on the refurbished NEX-5t with two lenses and bag for $399 at Secondipity on eBay US (Click here). And Open Box Sony A7 for $1,150 at Samys eBay (Click here).

Sony US deal reminder:
New Fotodiox Light Tight mount at Amazon in Silver ($49) and limited edition Gold ($59).
Sigma 60mm APS-C E-mount lens got a $30 rebate at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
There is also a new price drop on the massive 256GB(!) PNY SD card at Amazon (Click here).
A7s for $2,045 on eBay (Click here)
A7r for $1,795 on eBay (Click here).
$1,000 rebate on the VG900 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and SonyStore.
The Loxia 50mm is nwo in Stock in USA via BHphoto (Click here), Popflash eBay (Click here) and Focuscamera eBay (Click here).
The Loxia 35mm is now in Stock in Europ via Photo Porst Germany eBay (Click here)

We will have to wait a bit more than expected to get their new FE 28-135mm lens. It will ship from February 17 only according to BHphoto (Click here). And it should ship in Europe within days too.
This is really a great lens for filmmakers although a bit “unbalanced” when used on the A7s like you see on the picture on top. We really need a serious PRO FE camera with a much larger grip for that lens!

UPDATE: Note that a small Stock of these lenses shipped in early January btu was quickly sold out. Now after one mont a new Stock is finally being shipped again!

US preorder at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonyStoreUS.
EU preorders at Sony DE, UK, ES, IT, FR, CH, AT, NL, BE, FI, SE, NO, PT.
Sony FS7 4K camcorder at Adorama.

An anonymous source sent me that rumor and it sounds more like a wishful thinking. For now we only are sure Sony will announce new FE lenses at CP+ and that’s it. I wish there would be more and I wish that the anonymous source would be right :)

So just to let you dream a bit …here is what I got and what you don’t have to take seriously for now:

“Sony has a new global electronic shutter sensor that will be put into our new flagship e-mount camera. The top shutter speed is 1/32000 with flash sync capabilities at that speed.
Sensor resolution will be well above 50MP
It will have In body stabilization like the A7II
A new type of AF will be implemented, it is like DFD from Panasonic but faster.
196 points of autofocus covering 94%
-2 ev af acquisition
faster autofocus than current a6000 CIPA rated
no 4k on this camera
NEW Bionz X2 processor, 70% faster per core (quad core)
no pricing on camera just yet, expected to be $2700-$3000 for body
TWO new lenses will be unveiled: 85mm Zeiss 1.8 with the performance of the 55mm Zeiss. 135-400mm Sony G 5.6 lens. pricing will be $1300 and $2000
Also: a new A mount camera will be announced, the same processor and DFD like AF module will be in the new camera, as well as SLT flip up mirror mechanism.
NEW flagship Flash F63M name designation
NEW A mount adapter for E mount for APS sensor with a77II AF module
NEW hotshoe XLR and 3.5mm MI shoe audio input device
NEW wireless trigger remote for wifi enabled cameras“

I really would love to believe in such a rumor…but sadly it’s 95% likely it’s not going to happen. We will have to wait a couple of weeks more to see Sony’s new cameras (likely March before the NAB show).

P.S.: I once did the mistake to not post the A7s rumor I got from an anonymous source. Didn’t believe a 12MP FF sensor with a half million ISO would come. And it happened. So let’s hope they will come again such an incredible rumor I rate with SR1 or SR2 will become true :)

AdoramaNYC presents: Miguel Quiles (talks about switching to Sony system).

Minolta MD and MC Rokkor Lenses (SonyAlphaForum).
Review of Voigtlander VM-E close focus adapter at Fratkinphoto.
Sony a7II IBIS with 28mm lens (Kasson).
Sony A6000 for astrophotography at Myphotojourney.
Sony a7 and Konica Hexanon AR glass (SonyAlphaForum).
The mirrorless revolution is underway (Outdoorphotographer).
Sony Alpha a6000 with 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens (Part II of II)–A Fujifilm X-E2 Killer? (RonMartBlog).

Simon: “Today were Featuring an Epic Photographer who has awarded the “Sony Alpha a7R Mirrorless Camera” our Killer Kit Award on InMyBag.net. It’s a great feature and I wondered if you’d like to share it as inspiration and endorsement of your great product and to help promote this brilliant photographer? http://inmybag.net/john-wilhelm-creative-genius/”

Gerald: “I borrowed the amazing Mitakon 50 F0.95 Dark Knight from a friend and created this video with the A7. All was shot wide open. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdaPTW5MsCc&feature=youtu.be“

An: “I own a Sony nex-5N and Alpha7. I take them on my trips to Asia. I have some photo’s you could share with your fans if you would like to do so. You can find them on: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alinaderzafar/sets/ Although I am an amateur photographer, I enjoy it very much to go out shoot with my camera’s.“