One of my sources believes that Sigma might announce a new Sigma 200mm f/1.8 Full Frame lens for Sony E and Leica L cameras! This would be the first time we get a modern version of the almost 40 year old Canon 200mm f/1.8 EF lens that became famous under the name ‘Eye of Sauron’.
The lens appears to be part of the ‘Sports’ series, and I have no further details yet on specs, release date or pricing. What I do know is that Sigma patented the optical design of the same lens five years ago (read the article here). This lens would be 24cm long, just like the current Sigma 500mm f/5.6. But the patent is quite old and it could be that the new 200mm lens is shorter and more compact, thanks to recent technical improvements Sigma has made to lenses like the 50mm f/1.4 and the soon-to-be-released 300-600mm f/4.0.
I still need more sources to confirm or deny this rumor before I can bring it to 99% certainty. So if you know more about this lens, feel free to use this anonymous contact form or contact me via eMail, Signal, Telegram.

Why do I think this lens would be an EPIC addition?

I will give you three reasons:

1. Stunning Bokeh Let’s compare a portrait taken with a 200mm f/1.8 and a 200mm f/2.8 lens (such as the Sigma 70-200). At the widest aperture, the 200mm f/1.8 would achieve a depth of field of 6cm at a subject distance of 5m. With the Sigma zoom, you would achieve a depth of field of 10 cm. The shallower the depth of field, the more pronounced the bokeh.
2. Great for landscapes On my alpine tours, I do use often the 200mm focal length of my Tamron 28-200mm. But the Tamron has f/5.6, while the Sigma is more than three f-stops faster! This results in visibly cleaner images.
3. Made for sports and wildlife photographers Sports photographers would enjoy an advantage of more than 1 f-stop, especially when shooting indoors. Wildlife photographers (although limited by the shorter telephoto focal length) would get cleaner images and more flexibility in low light conditions.

My speculation is that this lens might be price around $2,500 which would be $3500 less than the only similar lens you can buy at BHphoto today.

Wrap up:
Like I said, I still need full confirmation on this rumor. But I really hope that this rumor about the Sigma 200mm f/1.8 lens will come true. It would give us a new, unique lens that we don’t yet have in our line-up. Let me know what you think about this lens by taking part in this poll:

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Recently I reported to you that Sony has decided to postpone the launch of the Sony A7V, even though my sources told me that this camera is ready and in production. Sony executives also said that they are behind on production of the Sony A1II because demand is much higher than expected. Now a Russian photography channel shared some more info that yet has to be verified:

At CP+ behind the close doors Sony stated that they could show A7V by the end of 2025 and release it in 2026 in ideal conditions. The ideal conditions means a supply chains that are undergoing serious corrections because most photo mfrs (i assume he means not native Chinese but Japanese) are leaving China due to very high tariffs that are being placed on parts made in China. Every mfr is moving factories to places like Vietnam or Thailand or South Korea, there are serious delays with implementing something new. Behind the closed doors Sony said A7V will get a new sensor and will be a pretty interesting camera. Nothing else was said.

If what they are writing is true than the Sony A7V will be announced at latest in November with availability in January/February. I still hope the Sony A7V is coming before fall.

I have two new info for you!

1. The Schneider Kreuznach 14-24mm f/2.8 FE lens will be priced at around $1100. That’s about $300 lens than this FE lens.
2. Schneider Kreuznach also displayed a lockup for another standard zoom lens. They said the wide end is 24mm. I guess this is a 24-70mm f/2.8 FE!

Sigma CEO Yamaki had a talk at the CP+ show. And there he teased the launch of a new updated version of the current 35mm f/1.2 FE lens. The new version will be:

• Released soon
• Be way more compact (similar design to the Sigma 50mm f/1.2)
• Be lighter
• Be optically superior despite the smaller size
• Made for Sony E and Leica L mount cameras

Sigma CEO Yamaki also said there will be many ART lenses released this year!

Back in December and in January Sony did register two new camera codes. Usually this means we should get an official announcement within 3-4 months. But now I have a bad news (and two small good news):

The very same sources that gave me correct info about the just announced two new 16mm and 400-800mm G lenses told me that the Sony A7V launch has been likely postponed by a few months. I made a quick summary of what they told me:

Source 1 (long time trusted source):

The Sony A7V is ready but Sony is waiting for Canon R6III to make the first pricing move in this segment, and are willing to postpone the A7V launch if they have to.

Source 2 (new source, but I believe he can be trusted):

The Sony A7v will be delayed, unfortunately a lot.
It could be so bad that it won’t come until the end of the year, late autumn at the earliest. This is information I have received from the depths of Sony.

Source 3 (trusted source):

Sony is still having problems producing enough Sony A1II cameras. This is also a reason why they are waiting with the launch of the new A7V. The production of the A1II should reach the targets by the end of March/April.

Reminder:

Sony OFFICIALLY registered two new cameras in December and January,  and I think one of those might be the A7V. This is another indication that the A7V would indeed be ready for launch, but Sony prefers to wait.

TWO good news:

1. Another new camera coming: One of the sources also told me that now that the A7V has been delayed, Sony is planning to introduce another E-mount full frame ‘niche’ camera in the spring. I should have some information about this camera soon.
2. A stunning GM lens coming soon: One trusted source told me about a “stunning” GM lens that should be announced in Spring. More about that soon on SAR!

Recap:

It’s disappointing to hear that the A7V is coming later than expected. I hope that at least the long wait will be worth it and that the specs will be great and it won’t be another ‘lukewarm’ update like we had with the Sony A1II. But I hope to be able to bring you some joy with rumors about this next “other” camera and the GM lens ;)

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If you have rumors to share send me a message using this contact box, SIGNAL, or at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Thanks!