Good news for Tamron: Stock price has risen by more than 50% since the beginning of the year!

Yep, you can still make  a lot of money in the camera business if you can deliver innovative new products. DClife reports that

On June 18, 2024, Tamron announced that it would increase its dividend per share from 50 yen to 70 yen. Stock price has risen by more than 50% since the beginning of the year!

Nikkei writes:

This reflects the strong performance of the company’s main camera business and sales of in-vehicle parts, which have grown. *Nihon Keizai Shimbun: Tamron raises dividend to 70 yen for January-June period due to strong camera business

Tamron is rumored to announce 3-4 more new lenses in the second half of the year. Let’s see what if they will also announce some exciting lenses like their patented f/2.0 zooms!

SIGMA Resumes Sony E-mount firmware downloads

500mm f/5.6 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Press text:

Thank you for purchasing and using our products.
We are pleased to announce that the download of firmware for SIGMA’s Sony E-mount, which had been suspended, has resumed.

The changes in this firmware are as follows:

[Applicable products]

SIGMA 500mm F5.6 DG DN OS | Sports Ver.02 in Sony E-mount
SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary Ver.04 in Sony E-mount
SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary Ver.04 in Sony E-mount

[Benefit of the update]

Compatibility with continuous shooting of up to approximately 120 frames per second has been added for the autofocus modes (AF-S/DMF/MF) on Sony α9 III cameras.

[Applicable products]

SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art Ver.03 in Sony E-mount
SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art Ver.03 in Sony E-mount

Compatibility with continuous shooting of up to approximately 120 frames per second has been added for the autofocus modes (AF-S/DMF/MF) on Sony α9 III cameras.
The operational stability has been improved.

[How to update]

Please click on ‘For Windows’ or ‘For Mac’ in the firmware download page below for your lens in Sony E-mount, read “Before updating” and follow the update procedure.
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/support/firmware/lenses/?mount=sony-e
*After the update is complete, be sure to remove the battery pack from the camera and reinsert it.

Sony is working on a new larger capacity FZ battery for your Sony Alpha camera

A source sent me this interesting info:

Sony is planning to update the FZ100 battery to an improved capacity but still the same size and compatibility. It’ll still be called NPFZ but the 100 number will change.

This battery would be retro compatible with most Sony Alpha cameras and give you two instant benefits:

  • You have to carry less numbers of batteries
  • You waste less time in swapping batteries during long shooting days

So let’s hope this rumor turns out to be true!

 

 

Press text: Reuters selects Sony cameras for its worldwide video group equipment

Press text:

Reuters selects Sony cameras for its worldwide video group equipment
Reuters’s global network of on location reporters will be using the Alpha 7S III and PXW-Z280 cameras starting this year to bring world events to everyone

UAE, Dubai – Sony is delighted to announce that Reuters, one of the largest news agencies in the world, has selected Alpha and XDCAM cameras, G Master lenses and audio equipment to equip its video journalists across the world. The fleet will be using Alpha 7S III, and PXW-Z280 as their main shooting kit, paired with UWP-D wireless audio.

Since its launch, the Alpha 7S III has established itself as a go to camera for on location content creators needing a compact form factor and exceptional picture quality. In this instance, the advanced autofocus performance for hybrid use, together with its outstanding low light performance were key features in Reuters’ decision making. Sony’s E-Mount strategy will also provide journalists with the flexibility to capture images in their truest form, when perfectly paired with the vast options of Sony lenses of their choosing., including the SEL2470GM2.

The PXW-Z280 has become an industry standard, thanks to its ease of use, electronic variable ND filter and Sony’s Instant HDR workflow, eliminating the need for colour grading. Its advanced network features and multiple format support means it can easily, securely, and wirelessly fit into a cloud-based news gathering workflow.

Both cameras benefit for the connectivity features needed to easily connect to the cloud for seamless and reliable content transfer, from the capture location back to the remote broadcast unit, particularly critical for news gathering, with its emphasis on speed.

The cameras and associated equipment started shipping to 23 Reuters locations across the world from April 2024.

This investment from Reuters is a testament to the long-standing relationship between Reuters Sony, powered by Sony’s in-depth knowledge of on the terrain requirement from journalists and Reuters mission to provide timely and quality news. Sony’s Media Backbone Hive is already in use at Reuters as its main multi-platform news production system.

Lots of deals: BHphoto Megadealzone and lowest price ever on some Tamron/Viltrox/Rokinon

For the next three days you can save on a ton of gear sold in BHphoto’s Mega Deal zone (Click here). A couple of highlights:

Amazon deals:

Tamron deals:

Lowets price ever on the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 FE lens sold by Amazon and BHphoto.

Viltrox deals:

You save 15% on all other Viltrox E mount lenses sold by Amazon US/EU, BHphoto, Adorama, Viltrox. Particularly hot is this: Save $85 on the Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 FE lens sold by Amazon US/EU, BHphoto, Adorama, Viltrox worldwide store.