Soon the A7rII will ship worldwide and here is a new roundup of camera related news:

SAR reader hands-on:

We got our first hands on with the Sony A7r Mk2 today and there were a couple of big features or rather fixes which haven been published anywhere significant.
First, you can now map the video record button to any custom button you want! In the Custom Key Settings, you’ll now see a new option called MOVIE. This has been a massive pain point so far and setting C1 for video record just solves everything!!
Next, you can now set the minimum shutter speed in Auto ISO. Something that has been default in Canon and Nikon since 2012/2011, but missing in the Sony line up till now. This is huge too and it can even be mapped to a custom key for a super fast experience.

Diglloyd Sony A7R II with Otus and other Lenses:

A one kilogram lens attached to a lens adapter adding 29mm of extension from the lens mount places a large torque on the mount. Even 5 or 10 microns out of kilter means asymmetric blur, not to mention possible static sag even if the lens mount were of superman genre. Hence the need for a tripod collar (which is not and cannot be particularly solid on such adapters), hence the need for a vibration free shutter. The Sony A7R II delivers that vibration-free EFC shutter at last.

Sony A7RII Launch Event at Samy’s Camera Los Angeles:

The A7RII is here! Come join Samy’s Camera and Sony on August 22nd for a 90-minute event brought to you by Sony. Meet Sony Senior Tech Rep, Rob Shelley, and attend his in-depth class on the A7RII, followed by a live model shoot with Sony Artisan, Paul Gero. Rob and Paul will then hold a Q &A session to recap all of Sony’s innovative technology.
Score your chance to win a Sony A7 full frame lens ($1000 value) when you attend this event. Full info at http://samysphotoschool.com.

A7rII preorder list:
In USA: at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, SonyStore US, FocusCamera, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
In Asia at Digitalrev, CameraPro.

DxOmark (Click here) published the full 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II A-mount lens test. The performance is virtually on par with the predecessor:

New coatings rarely bring improvements under ideal conditions, such as those found in the labs, but it’s good see Sony update premium lenses like the Zeiss 16-35mm f2.8 ZA SSM II. Even if it’s just a minor upgrade, it’s more than either Nikon or Canon have done with their models, at least as far as we know. While there isn’t any real improvement in our lab tests, the Zeiss 16-35mm f2.8 ZA SSM II remains a competitive model in terms of optical quality, although at well over $2,200, it’s even less accessible now than its predecessor.

One more news: That 16-35mmII lens got an issue warning from Sony Japan. A few lenses from the first batch have some problems with the filter mount. Sony will repair those lenses for free.

The new Zeiss A-mount lenses are in Stock in USA:
Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II in USA at Amazon, BHphoto and at Adorama.
Zeiss 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at Amazon, BHphoto and at Adorama.

A slow motion test to have a laugh :) https://www.facebook.com/danulis/

EosHD published a detailed look at slow motion on the Sony RX100 IV / RX10 II:

My favourite way to capture slow-mo on the Sony RX100 Mk IV and RX10 Mk II is the regular 1080/120fps mode. It is the first recording mode circa-100fps I have used that doesn’t resort to heavy pixel binning on the sensor like with Sony A7S, Samsung NX1 and Panasonic GH4. The image is flawless, detailed and sharp. You can work in stills mode for faster one-shot AF to establish focus on a quickly moving subject for instance.

Henry: “I recently purchases the sony rx100 iv and shot a video of my daughter and I thought you may be interested in posting the content on your blog to show people what the camera is capable of. Here’s the link if you’re interested: https://vimeo.com/134107105”

Kristoffer: “Went to a mini festival this weekend to try out the new Sony RX10 II. https://vimeo.com/133881621”

Ovidiu: “Here is a cool slow motion test with the new RX100 MK IV :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKWXJ3otEnQ“

A7rII and RX camera preorder list:
In USA:
A7rII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, SonyStore US, FocusCamera, Uniquephoto.
RX10m2 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera, Uniquephoto.
RX100m4 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at:
A7rII at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX100m4 at DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX10m2 at DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
In Asia at:
A7rII at Digitalrev, CameraPro.
RX10m2 at Digitalrev, CameraPro.
RX100m4 at Digitalrev, CameraPro.

I just got this from two SAR readers:

Reader_1: Just received notification that the Batis 85mm lens that I ordered from B&H shipped today on UPS. My card was charged. I ordered the lens in the first hour after I read of its preorder status on this sight. Thank you!

Reader_2: Just letting you know the Batis 25mm lens is shipping from B&H – mine shipped yesterday and is arriving on Thursday. It’s seems to be more of a limited supply.

At last! And also first German stores have the [shoplink 38631 ebay]Batis in Stock (on eBay here)[/shoplink]. And if you want the Loxia lenses than know their are in Stock at KenmoreCamera: [shoplink 38621 ebay]35mm Loxia (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 38622 ebay]50mm Loxia (Click here)[/shoplink].

And here are some more Batis lens tests and image samples:

Zeiss Batis 25mm first impressions at ThePhoBlographer:

So far, we’re very impressed with the image quality from the Zeiss Batis 25mm f2 lens. Then again, we didn’t have any doubts. What will be the deciding factor is how it is in manual use and how the display rendering works out in the long run. For news videographers, it may be a nice option, but otherwise it’s a very new concept that is a bit alien to us.

Mirrorlessons tested the 85mm Batis and writes:

The optical quality is what you’d expect: excellent sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and a fast and silent autofocus mechanism.

Eggry:

I’d like to share you some sample and test shot of Batis 85.8 from Korea. In Korea, Zeiss Batis 85.8 is already released, it would be useful information for westerners: http://eggy.egloos.com/4090510. This is my blog posting of Batis 85.8 test against Samyang/Rokinon 85.4. DOF, Close range resolution, near infinity range resolution, Distortion tested.
I think distortion is the most interesting part because it has really huge distortion for 85. Lense profile is not supported in Lightroom yet, so you need to endure it if you shoot RAW.
I took some sample photos too. followings are some samples from others.
http://www.popco.net=31807
http://www.popco.net=31761
http://www.popco.net=31758
http://www.popco.net=31834
http://www.popco.net=31732

Photos taken with the Zeiss Batis 2/25 and the Sony A7R & A7S on Flickr.

Zeiss Batis store links:
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens in US at Adorama, Bhphoto. In Eu at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto. In EU at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.

UPDATE: For unkowns reasons DxO has removed the 90mm FE lens reviews from their site.

DxOmark (Click here) reviewed the new Sony FE 90mm macro lens. And the conclusion is:

With some innovative cameras in the range, Sony is beginning to fill out the E-mount system with some useful high-quality lenses, and the FE 90mm f2.8 macro is up there with the best in terms of optical quality. The only downside, perhaps, is that the lens is at odds with the perceived benefits for buying into mirrorless systems: sure, the bodies are smaller, but this lens is not significantly smaller nor lighter than rival options. Be that as it may, there’s little wrong with the optical quality of the Sony FE 90mm f2.8 Macro G OSS, and if the size or weight isn’t an issue, then it can be easily recommended.

The lens even outperforms by one single point the $400 more expensive Zeiss 10mm macro lens! It will be hard for the new Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens to outperform the 90mm FE lens!

90mm links:
In USA at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, [shoplink 37938 ebay]eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink].
In Europe at [shoplink 37991 ebay]Fotomundus[/shoplink], Amazon Germany, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony FR, Sony IT, Sony ES, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony AT, Sony CH, Sony SE, Sony FI, Sony NO, Sony PT.
In Asia at Digitalrev, Sony Australia.

Batis links:
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens in US at Adorama, Bhphoto. In Eu at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto. In EU at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.

Image courtesy: DSLRmagazine

The very first batch of the new Batis FE lenses shipped yesterday in Hong Kong! You can see first user image samples from Samlee at SonyAlphaForum (Click here). He writes:

I got the Zeiss Batis 85mm F1.8 Yesterday at Hong Kong. The price around 0.9 x1199 USD with Free B+W filter. Light, Very Very Fast AF, Sharp Sharp Sharp, nice Broken

Also the spanish site DSLRmagazine (google transltion) posted the Batis hands-on review:

This new Zeiss Batis series meets all expectations. The Batis optics are specially designed for those who want to exploit every ounce of your sensor without sacrificing good design and a completely intuitive.

Zeiss Batis store links:
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens in US at Adorama, Bhphoto. In Eu at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto. In EU at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.

Luminous Landscape says:

The 90mm Macro that just started shipping is nothing short of exceptional.  Yes, some folks may claim it is too big and some may even claim too expensive at $1098 USD.  But for the price you get a solid really well designed lens that is dust and moisture resistant.

Mirrorlessons says:

As Yasuyuki Nagata (Sony General Manager – Lens and Peripheral Business) stated in an interview with us at Photokina, consumers are looking for three things from their lenses – compactness, quality and a good price – and with a full-frame sensor, it isn’t easy to deliver on all three fronts. In the case of the 90mm, Sony has prioritised optical quality and performance above all, and it shows in the resulting images.

Now the question is, should I buy the 90mm Sony macro or the 85mm Batis lens? Damn it…

90mm links:
In USA at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, [shoplink 37938 ebay]eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink].
In Europe at [shoplink 37991 ebay]Fotomundus[/shoplink], Amazon Germany, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony FR, Sony IT, Sony ES, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony AT, Sony CH, Sony SE, Sony FI, Sony NO, Sony PT.
In Asia at Digitalrev, Sony Australia.

Preorder links:
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens in US at Adorama, Bhphoto. In Eu at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto. In EU at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
In Europe and Asia the Loxias can be found in Stock via [shoplink 36456 ebay]eBay sellers (Click here)[/shoplink] and Digitalrev (Click here).