Zeiss announces CP-2 lenses for Alpha-mount!

Today Zeiss announced that they will make compact prime CP.2 lenses with Alpha-Mount. Those lense are very expensive $3.900 each single lens at BHphoto (Click here) or [shoplink 3890]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] :(

Official press release (Source Zeiss.de):

“OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 08.09.2010.
In 4th quarter of 2010, ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 lenses will be available with F-mount. The Compact Prime CP.2 series, presented last April, were the first lenses developed especially for shooting with HDSLR cameras. Since then, the lenses have been highly sought after by cinematographers and film photographers alike. In addition to the PL-, EF- and F-mount, Carl Zeiss will soon also be offering the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses with Micro 4/3 and A-mount.

The [shoplink 3890]Compact Prime CP.2[/shoplink] lenses’ inter- changeable mount means the lenses can be used for many purposes. The lenses have a compact and robust build so that they can handle any demand on the film set.

“With the new enhancement of mounts we want to meet the needs of our customers”, says Michael Schiehlen, Head of Sales of Carl Zeiss AG Camera Lens Division. “The possibility of using our CP.2 lenses flexibly for three different camera systems is not only interesting for new customers. Stores that rent cameras and camera equipment also benefit from the lenses’ enhanced flexibility.”

Just in time for the IBC in Amsterdam, Carl Zeiss has announced two new focus lengths that will also be available with F-mount: Compact Prime CP.2 50 mm/T2.1 Makro and CP.2 100mm/T2.1 CF. They complement the seven focal lengths from 18 to 85 millimeters that are already available. ”

Current CP.2 lenses are:

Super Wide Angle Aperture CFD AOV Weight EF PL F
CP.2 18mm/T3.6* T3.6 – 22 0.3 69° 900 g
CP.2 21mm/T2.9 T2.9 – 22 0.22 60.9° 1000 g
Wide Angle ZE ZF ZF.2
CP.2 25mm/T2.9 T2.9 – 22 0.17 52.2° 900 g
CP.2 28mm/T2.1 T2.1 – 22 0.24 47.4° 1000 g
CP.2 35mm/T2.1 T2.1 – 22 0.3 38.5° 1000 g
Standard ZE ZF ZF.2
CP.2 50mm/T2.1 T2.1 – 22 0.45 27.3° 900 g
Tele ZE ZF ZF.2
CP.2 85mm/T2.1 T2.1 – 22 1 16.7° 900 g

[shoplink 3890]Check out the current prices of the compact Prime CP.2 lenses on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

via: 43rumors

Sony TidBits

Tech Review: Sony Alpha NEX-5 Digital Camera

[shoplink 3003]Sony Alpha NEX-5[/shoplink] vs Olympus E-P2 vs Nikon D90 High ISO Noise (CameraLabs)

[shoplink 3058]Sony NEX-VG10[/shoplink] Camcorder with Interchangeable lens preview at Videomaker

Sony A55 review at mobile01 (google tranlsation)

First Impressions on NEX5 from a long time 4/3 User (Dpreview forum)

Toma de Contacto con la nueva Sony A55 (Sonyalpha.es)

Sony SLT-A33 Sample Gallery (DPreview)

Sony NEX-5 test at reportagesphotos.fr (google english translation)

Sony Alpha 33 & 55, test complet #1 (AlphaNumerique / google english translation)

Sony SAL75300 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Zoom tested at Photoreview Australia

Sony TidBits

Testing the [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink] with AVCHD 1080
Lenses used:
sony original 16mm nex lens
Kipon Nex to nikon adapter with:
Nikkor 85 1.8
Nikkor 50 1.4

CZ 16-80mm
Adobe Profile made by David Kilpatrick at Photoclubalpha

Sony NEX Converted to IR Infrared (Pbase)

Interesting, now we have two reviews of Sony cameras that are going to be replaced: Sony Alpha A500 Camera Review at Photozz.com and Sony A550 Review at Photographyblog.

Sony Alpha A390 review at Techradar.

Canon 5Dmk2 vs [shoplink 3032]Sony a900[/shoplink] Dynamic range test (Dpreview)

New Nauticam waterhousing for your NEX-5!

Nauticam (Hong Kong) just announced a new water housing for the NEX-5 camera.

Press release:

The NA-NEX5 is an aluminium housing tailor made for [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink], the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera so far.

The housing design emphasizes a compact, stylish and user friendly appearance allowing logical and comfortable controls of the camera.

Key features of the housing:

• Reliable and rapid port release locking system
• Double safety secured housing lock
• Flash on/off control
• Camera tray allows easy removal of battery and memory card
• Super sensitivity shutter release
• Rocker switch for play and movie control
• Removable optical fibre mounting plate for flexible lighting choices
• Strobe mounting thread on housing providing steady mounting choices
• Focus light cold shoe on top of housing is available
• Rail holder is built providing option for monitoring hood and magnifier
• Wide range of lens port choices

Shipment will start two weeks later!

Source: http://www.nauticam.com/news-detail.asp?id=25

Sony increases production capacity for image sensors including back-illuminated and large sized CMOS image sensors


Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Kumamoto Technology Center

Those are good news! I particulary liked this part: “Sony will increase production capacity for mainly large sized “Exmor” used in Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras“!

PRESS RELEASE (via Sony.net):

September 1, 2010, Tokyo, Japan – Sony Corporation (hereafter, “Sony”) today announced that Sony would invest approximately 40 billion yen into Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Kumamoto Technology Center (hereafter, “Kumamoto TEC”), to increase production capacity for “Exmor” and “Exmor R” CMOS image sensors. This investment comprises of an amount previously determined to be invested in the second half of fiscal year 2010, which was included in the forecast for the capital expenditures announced at the earnings announcement for the first quarter ended June 30, 2010, in addition to an amount to be invested in fiscal year 2011.

With this investment, Sony will strengthen its production capacity for image sensors to meet the expected increase in market demand, and continue to solidify its global leadership position in image sensors.

The recent boom in smartphones is creating demand for devices with high image quality and high sensitivity capabilities. Also, the evolution of lighter and more compact Digital Still Cameras as well as improved camera functionality have resulted in an expanding customer segment who own high quality Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras.
These market conditions have led to greater demand for larger image sensors and image sensors with higher image capabilities.

In order to meet these market demands, Sony currently provides two CMOS image sensor models: “Exmor” , which adopts the “Column-Parallel A/D Conversion Technique”, providing each column within the sensor with its own A/D converter to reduce noise; and “Exmor R”, which applies a back-illuminated structure to enhance image characteristics through high sensitivity and reduced noise.

Since 2009, Sony has been mass producing “Exmor R” for Digital Still Cameras and Digital Video Camcorders on wafer lines (with diameter of 200mm) at Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Nagasaki Technology Center. Furthermore, at the end of this year Sony plans to start the mass production of “Exmor R” on wafer lines (with diameter of 300mm) at Kumamoto TEC for mobile phone and compact Digital Still Camera markets.

With the investment announced today, Kumamoto TEC’s CMOS image sensor production capacity will be further increased, and Sony will strengthen its ability to meet the expected market demand for “Exmor R” used in smartphones as well as a wide range of digital imaging products for consumer and professional use, including compact Digital Still Cameras. In addition, Sony will increase production capacity for mainly large sized “Exmor” used in Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras.

Investment Overview

Purpose of investment: Increase production capacity to meet the increasing demand of CMOS image sensors
Investment site: Kumamoto Technology Center, Sony Semiconductor
Kyushu Corporation (Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture)
Investment details: Wafer processing equipment for CMOS image sensor production, etc.
Investment time frame: From the second half of fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year 2011
Investment amount: Approximately 40 billion yen
Production Capacity (Wafer Process/300mm wafers): 25,000 wafers per month
(Before investment this time: 18,500 wafers per month)
-Of them, the capacity for image sensors will be 22,500 wafers per month
(Before investment this time: 16,000 wafers per month)
(Total production capacity of Kumamoto TEC Fab 1 and 2)

Outline of Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation
(1) Head office: 2-3-2 Momochihama, Sawara-ku Fukuoka-shi Japan
(2) Establishment: April 1, 2001
(3) Representative Director (President): Masanori Okayama
(4) Capital: 24.25 billion yen, fully owned by Sony Corporation
(5) Production Bases: Kagoshima, Oita, Nagasaki and Kumamoto
(6) Number of employees: Approximately 9,000 (including contract and temporary employees) as of March 31, 2010
(7) Business Activities: Development, design and production of semiconductors, etc.
Kumamoto Technology Center
(1) Location: 4000-1 Haramizu, Kikuyomachi Kikuchigun, Kumamoto, Japan
(2) Establishment: October 1, 2001
(3) Site area: 256,000-square-meter
(4) Floor area: 195,000-square-meter
(5) Main products:; Image sensors (CCD and CMOS), micro display devices (H-LCD and “SXRD”, etc.)

Thanks R.K. for sending me the link!