Let’s catch up with some Sony A7rII related blogger posts:

Interesting insights into the new Sony A7R II and RX sensor technology by EosHD:

All this hybrid stills / video technology is in stark contrast to Canon with the 5D S which practically gives up on video, with Canon’s representatives recommending filmmakers use their other cameras instead of it. I am sure this A7R II sensor will end up in a video camera from Sony. (Though hopefully not a VG series one, but something more like a full frame FS7). With the film and video industry finally beginning to wake up to the benefits of full frame and 65mm over Super 35mm, the timing could be quite apt.
Finally it’s worth giving some praise to the behind the scenes organisational rejig that Sony have accomplished here. I don’t know all the details of what went on but it is obviously paying dividends. Sony’s imaging division has never been more productive, it seems.

Sony Artisan Brian Smith posted a new A7rIi field test and writes

In brief tests with Canon EF glass using Metabones, FotodioX and Viltrox Smart Adapters, AF is considerably faster than previous a7-series cameras. Not only is Continuous AF-C tracking possible with the lenses I tested – it’s fast! I’m waiting for a production a7RII with release firmware before I run more extensive tests to update my Canon EF Smart Adapter Compatibility Guide.
Unlike previous a7-series cameras that each have particular strengths or features, the flagship a7RII does everything well. Unless you need to shoot in near darkness where Sony A7S still has an edge at extreme ISOs, the a7RII would be my choice for everything I shoot.

Sony interview: Stills and video are “converging” (TheVideoMode).
Dominance and Submission: Sony delivers the ultimate mirrorless political statement (Eyesuncloudedphoto)
Sony A7R II Preview (Photographyblog).

A7rII and RX camera preorder list:
In USA:
A7rII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX10m2 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX100m4 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at:
A7rII at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX100m4 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX10m2 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.

Sony A7 Firmware 1.10 vs. 2.00 startup time comparison

As you know the A7/s/r and A6000 cameras got a firmware update. Here are two new testvideos. The one above shows the very small start-up time improvement on the A7. While the video below shows what could be a slightly autofocusing improvement in low light (too difficult to say if it’s a real improvement or just a wrong feeling).

Sony A6000 UK Firmware 2.00 Low Light Focusing Test using Sony 50mm F1.8 Lens

[shoplink 37546 ebay][/shoplink]

This happens when a A7 gets run over by a car. It suddenly looses one space dimension :)
The owner still managed to sell that [shoplink 37546 ebay]2D A7 for $20 on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. Chapeau!

Thanks Alex for sharing this :)

Brian Baughman‎
Seattle, shot with A7II, a Loxia 35mm, through a .9 ND Grad filter.

1) Submit your picture with a message and picture here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors or on the SonyAlphaForum image section.
2) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors/photos_stream?tab=photos and on SonyAlphaForum.
3) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.

Note: When sending a pic feel free to also add a link to your site to promote yourself!

SONY A7II + SAMYANG 14mm 1080P Davinci Resolve Grading (SonyAlphaForum).

Reminder: Europeans can now also preorder the new A7rII and RX cameras:
A7rII at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX100m4 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX10m2 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.

Shootout Again! 645D Vs A7R (RiceHigh).
Zeiss 2.8/28 vs Sony FE 2/28 vs Minolta MC 2/28 (Philip Reeve).
Around the world with Sony RX1R (TappedNZ).
So how much light is 1/3rd of a stop? I try and see what difference it really makes (SonyAlphaForum).
The four E-mount lens babies listed on Store.lensbaby.com.
Sony Highlights Full Line of 4K and High Dynamic Range Technologies at Cine Gear 2015 (Sony Blog).

Firoz Ahmad‎: “I shot this short film with the Sony A7S + PP6 a couple months ago. https://vimeo.com/127373367”

William: “I work as a professional freelance photojournalist.Sometimes I do street photography just for my own personal projects. Here is a link to a video I created shot with the Sony A7s at the Santa Monica Pier, Los Angeles, Ca. https://vimeo.com/116312000“

First a heads-up: The Sony A7rII and the new RX cameras are now available for preorder in USA and in Europe. So check out the updated preorder list here:
In USA:
A7rII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX10m2 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX100m4 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at:
A7rII at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX100m4 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX10m2 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
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Mirrorlessons interviewed the Sony Europe Product Managers Y. Hori and R. Noguchi. And here are some of the key info they shared:

1) Image stabilization: The A7r II image stabilisation unit itself is more advanced and complicated than the one used on the A7II. This because it has almost double the number of pixels of the A7II. That said the A7rII has same 4.5 step compensation as the A7II.

2) A-mount future: Sony answered that yes they are still developing the DSLT line and: “SLT cameras still offers some advantages like longer batter life, better grip, and whole functionally is still like DSLRs. We believe customers are still there and that they will love these DSLT cameras.”

3) Uncompressed RAW: Mr Hori simply says: “I’ve heard of this request. If there is a high demand, we can consider developing it in the future.”

4) A7sII: When asked if we can expect to see a new A7sII Mr. Hori answer is: “I hope so. *laughs* Of course I cannot comment but you can imagine, before today, the people wanted in-body stabilisation for the A7r. That was the most frequent feedback from the consumers. So we made this A7r II with even higher resolution. But I cannot comment on future products.”

To sum up: I really do hope Sony will at last announce a new A99II sometimes in September to give the A-mount line a proper “revival”. And on the E-mount front I guess no SAR reader has any single doubt there will be a new A7sII within 6-9 months from now :)

Cine Gear interviewed the Zeiss US manager and here are some info spilled out:

– Batis is a “progression” of the [shoplink 37732 ebay]Touit lens series[/shoplink].
– A7 platform is “exploding” on the market. It’s a hot camera mount system and our job is to do lenses for it.
– Also women are interested in the A7 series
– Batis focusing is quick and silent
– Documentary shooters prefer autofocus lenses like the [shoplink 37734 ebay]Batis[/shoplink]
– Strategy with Batis lenses is not to compete with other lenses from Sony
– Difference between Sony-Zeiss lenses ([shoplink 37736 ebay]like 55mm FE[/shoplink]) and Zeiss lenses (like [shoplink 37735 ebay]Loxia[/shoplink] and [shoplink 37734 ebay]Batis[/shoplink]):  Sony follows Zeiss and design protocol but manufacturers and distributes the lens independently from Zeiss

Both Batis lenses are now available for preorder in USA and Europe (UK/Germany)
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens in US at Adorama, Bhphoto. In Eu at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto. In EU at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
In Europe and Asia the Loxias can be found in Stock via [shoplink 36456 ebay]eBay sellers (Click here)[/shoplink] and Digitalrev (Click here).