José Ramos sent me that video and message:

I used to think that unboxing videos were useless, but then I realized I often watch them to get a better notion of the actual physical item, and that’s why I decided to do this video.
By the way, even though I mentioned an “adapter” for E-mount, there is no physical adapter, the lens is one piece-only.
Sorry for the audio quality, but I used the GoPro built-in mic with the waterproof case and sorry for the video quality too, the GoPro doesn’t behave too well with less than bright light.
Cheers!
José Ramos
http://www.joseramos.com
http://www.facebook.com/joseramosphotography
http://www.instagram.com/joseramosphotography

The Laowa 12mm FE lens is available at BHphoto.

Two new RED cameras dethroned the Sony A7rII at the overall DxOmark sensor ranking:

The Helium 8K is an impressive achievement by RED. For those with the budget, its top-of-the-line image quality, high frame rate, and 16-bit RAW capture capability absolutely make it worth considering as a competitor to high-end DSLRs and medium-format cameras for still image capture.

Now let’s see if the next generation FE cameras can close that 10 points gap…

via MirrorlessRumors

The 24-70mm GM tested by Jannik Peters

Just two days ago Photozone posted a not so favorable 24-70mm GM lens review. Jannik Peters now posted his 24-70mM GM review and sent me a note saying that he could NOT agree with the negative Photozone statements about the quality of the bokeh and the longitudinal CA issue. His conclusion is:

This zoom lens can keep up optically with many of the best prime lenses in every regard except of speed and flare resistance. Furthermore, it is built to highest standards, offers pleasing handling, focusing and flexibility. The lens is very expensive but the price of the lens is adequate in relation to it’s performance and to the prices of it’s competitors.

Just to say how reviewers can have different opinions on the very same lens…

24-70mm GM store links: [shopcountry 47915].

Lok pays a visit to the Sony Imaging Pro Support booth and watches a technician take apart a Sony A7R II.

via Photogearnews

Photozone reviewed the 24-70mm GM lens and the conclusion is:

Sony’s marketing made some pretty aggressive announcements at the time of the announcement of their new GM lineup. The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is the first GM lens that we tested here and while we are impressed by the quality, it didn’t really blow off our socks either. Now please note again that lens was tested on a 42 megapixel sensor. This is challenging. e.g. Our full format Canon tests are now based on 50 megapixels and some of you may have noticed that many lenses struggle here as well. So keeping this in mind, the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is actually a very good lens indeed.
If there is a single aspect that disappointed us it’s the bokeh. Or to be precise – the difference between Sony’s claim and reality. Generally the bokeh is good for a standard zoom lens … that is except for the rendition of highlight discs. Sony made quite a fuzz around clean highlight discs but truth remains that they can be rather rough and they aren’t any better than what we’ve seen from Canon or Nikon really.
The build quality of the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is extremely high. The materials are top notch and the weather/dust sealing is the cream on the cappuccino here. However, at that price point we expected no less and the competition is, again, no worse either. Anyway, if you want the best standard zoom lens in Sony E mount, this is certainly it.

24-70mm GM store links: [shopcountry 47915].

Lensrentals tested the 70-200mm GM lens and the bad news is that it seemd to not have the expected top-notch quality:

The Sony just isn’t that great, and that’s really disappointing considering the price tag and how long customers have had to wait for that lens to be available. But if you need f/2.8 and working autofocus, it’s really the best option out there for Sony mirrorless cameras.

Not that Tony Northrup is testing the lens too and said the lens performance is “stellar”. So let’s wait and see a couple of more reviews. Anyway, if f/2.8 isn’t absolutely necessary save the money and get the excellent 70-200mm f/4.0 FE lens which just got tested by Hugh Brownstone:

Store inks for both lenses:
70-200mm f/2.8 GM at [shopcountry 54535]
70-200mm f/4.0 at [shopcountry 54534]