Mitakon M42 Lens Turbo Adapter + Helios 44-2 Lens Test Video on the NEX-6.

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An article worth to read has been posted at The.me (Click here). There are some interestings info. For example:

In May, the average price of Sony’s compact digital cameras rose up 15% from the same month last year. The prices of products from other camera makers fell slightly over the same period. Sony camera prices were, on average, 6,000 yen ($60) more than those of other companies in May.
The electronics maker estimates that sales of high-end compact digital cameras equipped with large image sensors will rise 1.5 times in 2013 compared with the previous year.

Yes, Sony RX series is yet unmatched by other companies. And it’s a success that could help to raise the “image” of the full Alpha camera line!

More Sony news:
Sony extends range of PlayMemories Camera Apps™ with the addition of Portrait Lighting (Sony).
Update to Sony RX100 II Samples Gallery at Dpreview.
More new RX100MII sample photos at ePhotozine.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX10V Review at Photographyblog.
RX100 image samples by Joshsouzaphotos.
“What’s in the Bag” (NEX-6 gear in Turkey) at Blogarithms

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If you are waiting to get your superb Sigma f/1.8 zoom than we have some good news. In a couple of weeks the lens will ship to your homes. In USA it will ship on July 31 at BHphoto (Click here). Also in Europe a couple of stores set “August” as shipping month (Example: Camertools.nl).

Reminder:
You  save $200 on the NEX-7 with Zeiss lens kit at Amazon US (Click here).
Up to $200 off on Sigma A-mount lenses at Amazon (Click here).
P.S.: All other Sony deals on DealsRunner.com.

Sometimes patents discloses quite weird things. Egami spotted that double new sensor design with hexagonal and triangle pixel design. The aim of the design is to increase the color fidelity by using a RGBCMY instead of the classic RGB pixel design. I doubt this kind of sensor design will ever make it into a real camera…

Zeiss officially dropped the “Carl” from their lenses. This is both, an insignificant but also historical news for a company that used the “Carl Zeiss” mark for a century. On Zeiss Blog you can find the explanation why they did it:

“ZEISS is now taking this development into account in its decision to create consistency across its brand communications.”

All future lenses will have the “Zeiss” mark. Now let’s hope we can see these new A and E-mount Zeiss lenses soon! :)

Zeiss Touit links:
32mm f/1.8 at BHphoto, Adorama and Uniquephoto. In Europe at [shoplink 18498 ebay]CameraCenter UK[/shoplink] and FotoMundus.
12mm f/2.8 at BHphoto, Adorama and Uniquephoto. In Europe at [shoplink 18497 ebay]CameraCenter UK[/shoplink] and FotoMundus.

As you know Sony will get rid of the SLT tech on all future A-mount cameras. And that will be possible thanks to a new generation of Sony sensors with much improved Phase Detection system. But it looks like the whole world is now moving towards on Sensor Phase Detection autofocus. Today Canon announced their new 70D camera (specs and price at Amazon) having a Dual Pixel AF sensor. On paper this sounds like an incredible piece of tech. Basically every pixel on sensor can fulfill two tasks: Capture the light information for the actual image and be used at the same time to elaborate the phase detection signal. The main advantage of the tech is that you don’t have pixels that get waste for doing one job only. I am curious to see if Sony will have a similar solution or go a completely different route. One thing is sure, on sensor PDAF is what we will see on most future DSLR or Mirrorless cameras.

More about the new Canon AF tech at Dpreview.

Sony is doing quite a big marketing campaign for the new RX100MII and RX1R cameras! It’s the first time I see them partner up with Amazon to organize a livestream. It will start today and you can send your questions too! Here is the message with links included:

“Hey photographers! Join us for a livestream at 10 a.m. PT tomorrow, 7/1, to get your questions about the Cyber-shot RX100 II and RX1R answered. Tune in at http://www.amazon.com/camera and submit questions on Twitter before or during the Q&A using #SonyLive.”

I will ask Sony when they will launch the RX10 :)

Here is the updated preorder list:
RX1 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.
RX100MII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony FR, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.
Sony HVL-F43M TTL flash at BHphoto and Adorama.
Sony VFA-49R1 Filter Adapter for the for RX-100 & RX-100M2 & RX-1R at BHphoto and Adorama.
Sony AG-R1 Attachment Grip for RX-100 & RX-100M2 & RX-100M2 at BHphoto and Adorama.
Sony Premium Leather-Like Jacket Case for RX-100 & RX-100M2 at Adorama.