This post is more for hard-core sensor tech interested people than for classical Alpha shooters. But maybe it’s interesting for everyone to see how a Sony sensor performs at -20 degrees Celsius.

Back in October Sony posted a Brochure (PDF here) and a Slideshow (website here) explaining the detailed new Starvis tech. Well now the very first cameras using that sensor is on sale on [shoplink 44152 ebay]eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 44151 ebay]eBay DE (Click here)[/shoplink]. The “ZWO ASI 178” camera has a cooled Sony Starvis sensor which can go below ambient temperature by 35-40 degrees Celsius.

Myphotojourney posted a first impression (here) and a first review (here) of the camera with Sony sensor. Enjoy the reading!

P.S.: Would be interesting to see a -20 degree A7rII sensor test. High ISO noise should be less (on paper).

[shoplink 44222][/shoplink]

Mirrorlessons reviewed the new [shoplink 44222]Loxia 21mm f/2.8 lens[/shoplink] and writes:

The Loxia 2.8/21 delivers exactly what you’d expect from a Zeiss lens. It is sharp at the centre, sharp in the corners, handles flare like a pro, and doesn’t show any relevant traces of CA. There is some slight vignetting at f/2.8 but it can be easily corrected with any software. As such, it doesn’t really qualify as a negative point since it happens with almost every wide angle lens. The only thing I couldn’t test because of the bad weather was coma aberration for astro images.
Of course, we could also talk about the price. This lens is not cheap by any means but if you look at the entire Zeiss catalogue, you will find that it fits in the usual price range applied to this type of lens. The Milvus lenses or old classic ZF/ZE versions are actually more expensive. So yes, the price is high but the lens delivers exactly what it promises.

Loxia 21mm store links at [shopcountry 44222]

Our Canadian colleges from TCSTV tested the new RX1rII. They compared it with the Leica Q:

The [shoplink 44171]Leica Q[/shoplink] has a better manual focus ring and better overall handling, larger battery, higher resolution EVF.
The [shoplink 44135]RX1rII[/shoplink] is smaller and the RAW image quality is way better (better sharpness, high ISO, Dynamic range)

Overall conclusion: Chris says he likes the Leica Q better “as a camera” but the Sony is the best bang for the buck. It is the better purchase between the two.

Sony RX1rII store links to [shopcountry 44135]

Finally we can see the first images of (and taken with) the world’s first M-mount to E-mount autofocus adapter! A full report can be read at Advancegearbymx (google translation here). And here are some more detailed new test videos:

Techart AFM Leica M Lens AF adapter test – [shoplink 44078 ebay]Leica Summicron M 35mm f/2 (eBay)[/shoplink].

Techart AFM Leica M Lens AF adapter test – [shoplink 44079 ebay]Minolta Rokkor-M rokkor 28mm (eBay)[/shoplink].

Techart AFM Leica M Lens AF adapter test – [shoplink 44080 ebay]Zeiss Biogon 25mm f/2.8 ZM (eBay)[/shoplink].

Techart AFM Leica M Lens AF adapter test – [shoplink 44081 ebay]Angenieux 90mm f2.5 exakta mount (eBay)[/shoplink].

Techart AFM Leica M Lens AF adapter test – [shoplink 44082 ebay]Leica Summicron M 90mm f/2 (eBay)[/shoplink].

The lens will ship in late January for $349 on [shoplink 44083 ebay]eBay (auctions still not listed)[/shoplink].

We got two new tutorial videos from Sony Artisans that might be very helpful for the SAR comunity:

Sony Artisan Miguel Quiles realized that video for Adorama:

“In this video you’ll learn how to use a one light setup to create a stunning beauty image. Sony Artisan of Imagery Miguel Quiles will breakdown everything you need to know, including gear, lighting, settings, and much more!”

And Patrick Murphy-Racey posted a tutorial about the audio Options for Sony Alpha:

“For a long time, my rubbermaid bin of audio gear has grown. Some of it I bought used and never even tried. In this video, I took all my stuff as well as my buddy Brian’s and we tested everything we had on the Sony A7RII. All of the equipment we tested will work with most Sony still cameras as well as some video cameras as well such as the A7, A7R, A7S, A7RII, A7SII, RX10, RX10II, A99V, A77II, AX100, AX33, etc… There are a ton of audio solutions for Sony!”

I wouldn’t feel that comfortable putting a $50,000 camera on a Drone. But that is what Tim Kemple did with the new Phase One 101 megapixel (Sony sensor) camera. And that’s the result:

Mathieu Stern shot this video with a 136 Years Old Lens used on the Sony A7II:

The Lens is incredibly sharp for a 136 years old simple metallic lens, from my test it’s even sharper than most of my modern canon lenses, the results are amazing … but it also gives some strange lens flares and light leaks that are pretty dreamy ( some would say it’s horrible )
if you want to see how the photographies looks with this lens visit my blog :
http://mathieustern.com/2016/01/shoot…

found via PetaPixel.