The new Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 APS-C E-mount lens is now available for preorder at BHphoto, Amazon, Viltrox.

Preorders:
Sigma 200mm f/2.0 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.
Sigma 12mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoKoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

PCmag tested the lens and concluded:

The Sigma 200mm F2 DG OS Sports is a stunner, both in terms of the images it captures and the speed and accuracy with which it focuses. And while it’s more expensive than pro zooms at $3,299, it leaves nothing to be desired. Photographers who cover indoor sports in venues with so-so illumination will appreciate its aperture, and the lens is just as good a tool for portraiture and other scenes that isolate a subject from its surroundings. It’s a shame that the lens doesn’t support rear teleconverters, but we have no real gripes otherwise, so the 200mm F2 DG OS Sports earns our Editors’ Choice award.

More Youtube reviews:

Asobinet reports that the Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2.0 has been officially marked as discontinued in Japan. The end of an era for one of the first native E-mount primes that carried the Zeiss badge. Farewell to a lens that helped shape the reputation of the FE system in its formative years.

Check availability: Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2.0 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton.

Matt Granger has just published the first review of the new Laowa 200mm f/2.0 lens. His test was done on the Z-mount version, but as you know, an E-mount version is also on the way. While official pricing hasn’t been announced yet, it’s expected to come in well below the cost of Sigma’s new 200mm FE. The big question is: how does it stack up?

• Image quality still appears superior on the Sigma.
• The Laowa’s build quality doesn’t quite match the Sigma’s standard (could be imrpoved on final production version)
• Autofocus performance lags behind the Sigma, though it may improve with the final firmware.

The Laowa performs well, though it doesn’t quite reach the level of the Sigma—and that’s no surprise. My guess is the Laowa will come in under $2,000, compared to the Sigma’s $3,300 price tag. If it can deliver even 90% of what the Sigma offers, it’ll already be a big win!

Laowa 200mm f/2.0 FE lens specs:

• Full Frame Autofocus lens
• 11 elements in 9 groups
• 9 aperture blades
• close focus 1,5m
• Fn button, AF/MF switch, focus limiter
• 43mm drop in filter
• 1.77kg / 3.9lbs
• two color options: Grey and Blue
• Coming for E/Z/EF mount.
• Coming in October
• Price unknown but much cheaper than the Sigma 200mm

To help keep track of your camera, you can now grab discounted Apple AirTags on Amazon and BHphoto, along with the discounted SmallRig AirTag mount plate—also available on Amazon and BHphoto.

Sony RX1rIII in Stock at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

DigitalcameraWorld tested the camera and concluded:

The Sony RX1R III is the most compelling compact camera on the market. Yes, there are drawbacks – the fixed screen being the biggest one for me – but its strengths are such that I would be perfectly happy using this as my everyday snapper or travel camera. Obviously its price puts it in the same category as the Leica Q3 but, while the 61MP resolution is about the same, Sony’s autofocus is on another level entirely – and it’s also a whole lot smaller and lighter.

Roundup of new rants and odes to this new Sony camera :)