New Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO now avilable for preorder at VenusOptics

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You can now preorder the new Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO APS-C E-mount lens at VenusOptics (worldwide shipment). You will see a ton of gorgeous image samples at VenusOptics product page.

The lens offers a 2:1 maximum magnification ratio along with a minimum focusing distance of 6.7”(17cm). Different from traditional macro lenses, this 65 mm lens can focus from infinity to 2X magnification, making it an ideal option to tackle all kinds of macro photography scenarios. The wide magnification range is essential for shooting insects and plants at different sizes.

© SuiYuan

© SuiYuan

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Here are the best lenses to maximise the potential of the Sony A7RIV

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Marc Alhadeff made this graph showing the best lenses to achieve maximum sharpness for your Sony A7rIV. Marc is known for making a ton of FE lens reviews and is one of the few that can therefore give you this complete overview!

The very best you can get are:

Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM at Bhphoto. Adorama. Amazon. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Zeiss 5omm f/1.4 lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sigma 35mm f/1.2 FE at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon, Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sony 400mm GM at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Sony 600mm FE GM in USA at Amazon, BHphoto, Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Voigtlander 65mm f/2.0 FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.
Voigtlander 110mm f/2.5 FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama. Amazon DE. Amazon UK.

So technically speaking the best lens I do own is the Sony 85mm f/1.8 FE…maybe it’s time for me to consider to get at least one lens of the top pool :)

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Sigma releases new firmware update for the MC-11 and many lenses

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Sigma has issued firmware updates for MC-11 adapter, 45mm f/2.8 FE lens and some other non native E-mount lenses.

MC-11:

● It has become compatible with the SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM | Art for SIGMA SA mount, that has the latest firmware Ver.1.01.
● It has become compatible with the SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary for SIGMA SA mount, that has the latest firmware Ver.1.04.
● It has become compatible with the SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art for SIGMA SA mount, that has the latest firmware Ver.1.03.
● It has become compatible with the SIGMA 500mm F４ DG OS HSM | Sports for SIGMA SA mount, that has the latest firmware Ver.1.02.

45mm f/2.8 FE:

● It has corrected the phenomenon whereby the image rarely blurs when using the in-body image stabilization.

 

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Sony Tidbits…

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Sony ECM-B1M Digital Shotgun Mic – First Look

Budget’ Lens Redefined? Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Lens Review (w/ Sony a7R IV) by Ryan Mense.
Note: If you are interested in electric cars check out our new website Electric-fun.com
Sony A7 IV Wish List Article (Onportraits).
Which Sony Camera For Wildlife Photography, a7r IV or a9? (Juan Pons).
Lume Cube Announces the Compact Lume Cube LED Panel with Power Bank (Explora).
Gear Guy – Billie Eilish Music Video Parody (Dave Altizer).
Can you still make money as a Photographer? (MirrorlessRumors).

Rafael:

“Hi, this music video was shot with a Sony A6500, the Sigma trio (16mm, 30mm and 56mm)  and a gimbal.  https://vimeo.com/381688925“

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

Join the new Sony Alpha Camera Facebook group.
To get news from our Forum subscribe that RSS feed.
I kindly invite you all to follow our RSS feed, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

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It’s back: $200 off on the Sony A7III

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The $200 rebate on the A7III is back online at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera. All other Sony holiday rebates are back too:

Sony Cameras:
$200 off on the Sony A7III at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera.
$300 off on the Sony A7rIII at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera.
$500 off on the Sony A9 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, BestBuy. FocusCamera.
$600 off on the Sony A7II at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and Focuscamera.
$400 off on the Sony A7sII at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and Focuscamera.
$400 off on the Sony A7rII at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and Focuscamera.

Sony FE lenses:
$100 off on the 12-24mm f/4.0 lens at Bhphoto, Adorama, BestBuy, Focus and Amazon.
$100 off on the 16-35mm f/4.0 Zeiss lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$100 off on the 24-70mm f/4.0 Zeiss lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$200 off on the Sony 24-105mm FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera.
$100 off on the 24-240mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 28-135mm PZ lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto
$100 off on the Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$50 off on the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the Zeiss 5omm f/1.4 lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$50 off on the Sony 50mm FE f/1.8 lens at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera.
$50 off on the Sony 50mm macro at BHphoto, Adorama and Amazon.
$100 off on the Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 70-200mm G lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$50 off on the Sony 85mm f/1.8 FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and Focuscamera.
$100 off on the 90mm macro lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$100 off on the 70-300mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

 

Voigtlander US up to $150 savings on FE lenses:
$150 off on the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$100 off on the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 FE at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 FE at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
$100 off on the Voigtlander 110mm f/2.5 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$100 off on the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$100 off on the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm f/3.5 E-mount lens at Amazon and BHphoto.
$100 off on the  Voigtlander 10mm f/5.6 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$50 off on the Voigtlander 65mm f/2.0 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$50 off on the Voigtlander 15mm Skopar at BHphoto.

You save $10 on the new Luminar 4.1 using our coupon code “SAR” at checkout.

 

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Fuji, Nikon, Panasonic and Canon now pressing hard on Mirrorless…Sony time to speed up the innovation pace again?

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Many Sony readers complained that no Sony APS-C camera was able to match the performance and usability of the Fuji X-T3. And in just one month from now we will get the new X-T4 with IBIS too. IBIS was the one thing the A6600 had and Fuji couldn’t match.

At the same time Nikon and Panasonic are talking the lead in the video arena by offering features current Sony FF camera don’t have.

And last but not least Canon is finally catching up and learning from their past mistakes. And a new EOS-R High resolution camera will be announced soon too.

The message now is clear dear Sony: Don’t become what Canon and Nikon have been in the past: Conservative leaders trying to slow down the pace of innovation. At the moment your sensor and autofocus performance still leads but in other areas your competition has matched or outperformed you. The Eye-AF performance of Fuji-Canon-Nikon cameras already is very close and soon expected to match Sonys performance on future models or via future FW updates.

So my call is this; After Seven years of constant evolution we may need:

  • Expand the range with new camera designs: X-T3 alike APS-C cameras, newly designed FF bodies that don’t look like flat bodies with a grip glued on it.
  • New radical usability changes and features: learn from your smartphone business and add easy sharing of images. Just integrate the Google APP store for example like Samsung did on some of their last NX models. I want to be able to INSTANTLY share an image directly from the camera without the need to transfer them on my phone first.
  • New generation of sensors: Three layer Foveon alike sensor, Global Shutters and so forth
  • New fascinating radical ideas: Curved sensors, large format mirrorless cameras that do outperform the Fuji GFX system and so forth…

I am sure SAR readers will have more (and maybe better) ideas to share in the comment system. The main message is simply this: WOW us again!

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Phillip Reeve reviews the new Voigtlander 50mm f/2.0 FE: ” It currently sets the standard both for optical performance as well as for handling”

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This very sharp little lens is in Stock for the first time via BHphoto.

Phillip Reeve tested the new lens and is very impressed by its performance:

The Voigtlander 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar is among the optically most perfect lenses on the market right now. Not only does it show excellent sharpness and contrast across the frame from f/2, it also lives up to the APO-label and corrects CA to a degree where it is a no issue even in demanding images. Bokeh is well above average for a 50mm lens. Distortion is another non issue and flare resistance among the best in class. Other lenses have a little smoother bokeh but most of the time the 2/50 APO’s bokeh is unobtrusive. The only thing that is average about the APO-Lanthar is its vignetting which is a small price to pay for this level of performance and compact size.

But the Voigtlander 2/50 APO doesn’t only deliver an impressive optical performance, it also is one of the most pleasant to handle lenses I have ever used thanks to a relatively small size, well thought out design and excellent mechanics. I only wished Cosina had also added weather sealing since Sony camera’s have improved a lot in this regard and any other lens in its price class offers it.

The designers of the Voigtlander 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar are right to be proud of it. It currently sets the standard both for optical performance as well as for handling. For such a high performing lens the price is very reasonable but of course still high for a 2/50 lens.

Sounds impressive….now I want to test one too!

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