Photographyblog reviews the RX1 and earns a “Highly Recommended” award.

RX1 with Gariz case ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).

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Photographyblog (Click here) posted the full Sony RX1 review: “Sony have truly blurred the lines between compact and DSLR in terms of the RX1’s features, performance and image quality. The RX1 is the first truly pocketable camera to offer a full-frame DSLR experience, something that money can actually now buy…”

What I like a lot about the RX1 is the leaf shutter. I know it’s a minor feature for most of you. But I like the silent shutter and it’s something required for the kind of work I do. I will miss that feature on the NEX FF which will not have this :(

RX1 at [shopcountry 15824].

RX1 Gariz accessories:
1) They made a new half leather case in Black and Brown ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
2) The new lens cap ([shoplink 16439 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
3) The new entry is the anti loose button(!) ([shoplink 16438 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). Don’t know if that will be really useful for you RX1 owners. Someone has it and call it how it works? Thanks!
4) And this is the really first time I see that. A special Leather skin hood! ([shoplink 16441 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).

OVF nostalgy: First part of the A850 review at Photographic Central.

Sometimes they do come back…and than we realize that we actually missed them a lot! Carl Garrard posted the first part of the Sony A850 review at Photographic Central (Click here). This was the last Sony FF with Optical Viewfinder…and guys what a superb viewfinder it had. Carl writes: “Cameras like the A850 that give the user choice and excellent logical design allow for long term gratification– a term our society should embrace much more often than it does now. But I digress, happily.” Sadly you can’t find that camera in new condition anymore. If you want it that as usual check the used [shoplink 3028 ebay]A850 acutions (Click here)[/shoplink].

One more thing: you will hate me for this I know but there is a rumor I am working now. Until a week ago I was 99% sure OVF would never come back at Sony. Now I am receiving some “signs” and I am no more that sure…Stay tuned on SAR. I really hope I can post a reliable info about that soon!

UPDTE: I am not saying classic DSLR will come back. Sony seems to work on some kind of new OVF technique.

NEX-6/5r tests (and US deals winners and losers).

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There will be a new NEX-3n soon but now let’s talk about the NEX-5r and NEX-6. There is a NEX-5r review at ePhotozine. NEX-6 test at Riflessifotografici (translation here). NEX-6 First Look at Digitalcamerareview. NEX-6 High ISO test at Samdcruzphotography. Both cameras are well known for their good image quality but also have a great price-value ratio thanks to the new Sony US price drops. And the Amazon ranking (Click here) shows that the NEX-6 is the most sold Sony mirroless camera yet. If you look at the overall camera sales including the compact cameras and DSLR than the WX150 Cyberhsot is doing particularly well (click here watch the overall ranking).

The winners of the new deals actions are the NEX and Cybershots. The losers are the SLT cameras which do not sell as good (at least according to Amazon). And here are the four deals running right now in US:

Deal 1) Save up to $300 on Qualifying Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras (Click here to see the Amazon page). The same deal is now running on BHphoto and Adorama too.
Deal 2) Save up to $200 on Select Sony NEX Compact System Cameras (Click here to see the Amazon page). The same deal is now running on BHphoto and Adorama too.
Deal 3) Save up to $100 on Select Sony Lenses (Click here to see the Amazon page).
Deal 4) Sony Cyber-shot Digital Cameras Starting at $79 (Click here to see the Amazon page).

Sigma 30mm and 19mm lens tested at Photozone.


Image courtesy: Photozone

Photozone (Click here) posted the full Sigma 30mm lens review. And the reviewer quite likes the lens: “While we didn’t formally test the bokeh this time it seems to be pretty good when looking at our sample images. Sigma’s new linear AF motor is both speedy as well as silent. Combine all this with the extremely low price tag and it’s obvious that you are getting lots of bangs for your bucks here!”

And they also tested the 19mm Sigma (Click here to read the review): “The Sigma AF 19mm f/2.8 EX DN has certainly an edge over its obvious competitor – the Sony E 16mm f/2.8 – so if you are feeling an itch for compact primes it may be a reason to go for it. Price/performance-wise it is just an average offering though.”

The lens is now incredibly cheap (99 Dollars or Euro) as a double kit at BHphoto (Click here) as single lens ->the 19mm is available here at Uniquephoto and the 30mm lens is also at Uniquephoto. In Europe at Technikdirekt or on eBay (via Slidoo).

RX1 roundup with great review by Utpott. And new $2599 deal in US.

Björn Utpott shows us how reviewers should take pics of cameras! The nice image on top introduces his last RX1 user report you can read here: http://bmupix.com/reviews/2013/1/29/rx1-user-report-with-raw-samples.
He writes: “Like every camera, it has some flaws, but none of them come close to overshadowing the incredible feat of miniaturization that the RX1 represents. If you’re happy to shoot at 35mm, then there’s no longer any need to sacrifice image quality in order to have a compact kit.”

And now the $2599 deals on the RX1 are back at [shoplink 16823 ebay]BigValue (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 16822 ebay]Cameraland (Click here)[/shoplink]. That’s 1.920 Euro and a price difference of almost 1.200 Euro compared to the best price at Amazon Germany. EU readers will be red in face right now :)

More RX1 bits: Image samples at Photographyblog. A perplexing Sony RX1 mystery solved and a sneak peek at ongoing camera tests (Imaging Resource). Electronic Viewfinder first time in Stock at Uniquephoto. RX1 thumb in Stock at Amazon US.

Metabones first impressions on DPreview. Canon FD, Minolta MD and Amount to be supported later.

The holy grail of the adapters got tested at Dpreview. And they basically come to the same conclusion of other reviewers: “Image quality is very impressive, with results that compare exceptionally well against a full frame sensor. You do pay a small price in terms of corner softness and CA.”

If you have more questions about the adapter check out this FAQ on Metabones website. And the interesting news you can read on it is that “We will be looking into [shoplink 16763 ebay]Canon FD (lens here on eBay)[/shoplink], [shoplink 16762 ebay]Minolta MD (here on eBay)[/shoplink] and Sony Alpha in the future.”

UPDATE: SAR reader Vivek sent me a link to his super nice set of image samples with the Speed Booster: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivek-iyer/sets/72157632630886829/

The EF to E-mount adapter is now shipping via the Metabones website. To get notified when more adapters are in Stock on eBay save this search on Slidoo.