Sony Tidbits…

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Sony ECM-B1M Digital Shotgun Mic – First Look

Budget’ Lens Redefined? Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Lens Review (w/ Sony a7R IV) by Ryan Mense.
Note: If you are interested in electric cars check out our new website Electric-fun.com
Sony A7 IV Wish List Article (Onportraits).
Which Sony Camera For Wildlife Photography, a7r IV or a9? (Juan Pons).
Lume Cube Announces the Compact Lume Cube LED Panel with Power Bank (Explora).
Gear Guy – Billie Eilish Music Video Parody (Dave Altizer).
Can you still make money as a Photographer? (MirrorlessRumors).

Rafael:

“Hi, this music video was shot with a Sony A6500, the Sigma trio (16mm, 30mm and 56mm)  and a gimbal.  https://vimeo.com/381688925“

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

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It’s back: $200 off on the Sony A7III

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The $200 rebate on the A7III is back online at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera. All other Sony holiday rebates are back too:

Sony Cameras:
$200 off on the Sony A7III at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera.
$300 off on the Sony A7rIII at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera.
$500 off on the Sony A9 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, BestBuy. FocusCamera.
$600 off on the Sony A7II at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and Focuscamera.
$400 off on the Sony A7sII at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and Focuscamera.
$400 off on the Sony A7rII at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and Focuscamera.

Sony FE lenses:
$100 off on the 12-24mm f/4.0 lens at Bhphoto, Adorama, BestBuy, Focus and Amazon.
$100 off on the 16-35mm f/4.0 Zeiss lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$100 off on the 24-70mm f/4.0 Zeiss lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$200 off on the Sony 24-105mm FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera.
$100 off on the 24-240mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 28-135mm PZ lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto
$100 off on the Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$50 off on the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the Zeiss 5omm f/1.4 lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$50 off on the Sony 50mm FE f/1.8 lens at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon, Focuscamera.
$50 off on the Sony 50mm macro at BHphoto, Adorama and Amazon.
$100 off on the Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the 70-200mm G lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$50 off on the Sony 85mm f/1.8 FE at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama and Focuscamera.
$100 off on the 90mm macro lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
$100 off on the 70-300mm lens at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

 

Voigtlander US up to $150 savings on FE lenses:
$150 off on the Voigtlander 40mm f/1.2 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$100 off on the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 FE at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
$100 off on the Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 FE at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
$100 off on the Voigtlander 110mm f/2.5 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$100 off on the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$100 off on the Voigtlander Color Skopar 21mm f/3.5 E-mount lens at Amazon and BHphoto.
$100 off on the  Voigtlander 10mm f/5.6 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$50 off on the Voigtlander 65mm f/2.0 FE at BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.
$50 off on the Voigtlander 15mm Skopar at BHphoto.

You save $10 on the new Luminar 4.1 using our coupon code “SAR” at checkout.

 

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Fuji, Nikon, Panasonic and Canon now pressing hard on Mirrorless…Sony time to speed up the innovation pace again?

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Many Sony readers complained that no Sony APS-C camera was able to match the performance and usability of the Fuji X-T3. And in just one month from now we will get the new X-T4 with IBIS too. IBIS was the one thing the A6600 had and Fuji couldn’t match.

At the same time Nikon and Panasonic are talking the lead in the video arena by offering features current Sony FF camera don’t have.

And last but not least Canon is finally catching up and learning from their past mistakes. And a new EOS-R High resolution camera will be announced soon too.

The message now is clear dear Sony: Don’t become what Canon and Nikon have been in the past: Conservative leaders trying to slow down the pace of innovation. At the moment your sensor and autofocus performance still leads but in other areas your competition has matched or outperformed you. The Eye-AF performance of Fuji-Canon-Nikon cameras already is very close and soon expected to match Sonys performance on future models or via future FW updates.

So my call is this; After Seven years of constant evolution we may need:

  • Expand the range with new camera designs: X-T3 alike APS-C cameras, newly designed FF bodies that don’t look like flat bodies with a grip glued on it.
  • New radical usability changes and features: learn from your smartphone business and add easy sharing of images. Just integrate the Google APP store for example like Samsung did on some of their last NX models. I want to be able to INSTANTLY share an image directly from the camera without the need to transfer them on my phone first.
  • New generation of sensors: Three layer Foveon alike sensor, Global Shutters and so forth
  • New fascinating radical ideas: Curved sensors, large format mirrorless cameras that do outperform the Fuji GFX system and so forth…

I am sure SAR readers will have more (and maybe better) ideas to share in the comment system. The main message is simply this: WOW us again!

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Phillip Reeve reviews the new Voigtlander 50mm f/2.0 FE: ” It currently sets the standard both for optical performance as well as for handling”

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This very sharp little lens is in Stock for the first time via BHphoto.

Phillip Reeve tested the new lens and is very impressed by its performance:

The Voigtlander 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar is among the optically most perfect lenses on the market right now. Not only does it show excellent sharpness and contrast across the frame from f/2, it also lives up to the APO-label and corrects CA to a degree where it is a no issue even in demanding images. Bokeh is well above average for a 50mm lens. Distortion is another non issue and flare resistance among the best in class. Other lenses have a little smoother bokeh but most of the time the 2/50 APO’s bokeh is unobtrusive. The only thing that is average about the APO-Lanthar is its vignetting which is a small price to pay for this level of performance and compact size.

But the Voigtlander 2/50 APO doesn’t only deliver an impressive optical performance, it also is one of the most pleasant to handle lenses I have ever used thanks to a relatively small size, well thought out design and excellent mechanics. I only wished Cosina had also added weather sealing since Sony camera’s have improved a lot in this regard and any other lens in its price class offers it.

The designers of the Voigtlander 50mm F2 APO-Lanthar are right to be proud of it. It currently sets the standard both for optical performance as well as for handling. For such a high performing lens the price is very reasonable but of course still high for a 2/50 lens.

Sounds impressive….now I want to test one too!

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This is what Sony said about the future A7sIII: It will have 4k60p and 10bit 4:2:2 and exceed expectations!

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I keep reading comments on the web saying Sony might not release the new A7sIII at all. Don’t worry folks it is coming this year! And if you still are worried keep in mind that Sony confirmed this multiple times ( Statement 1, Statement 2, Statement 3).

This is what the A7sIII will be according to Sony:

  • Definitely at least “4K/60, 10-bit 4:2:2″
  • Some features will go “beyond the expectations”
  • And “of course more battery power, increased AF accuracy – many things!”

So this is what Sony stated over and over again. The A7sII successor is coming this year and my personal guess is that we might see it at the NABshow in April.

As far as rumors go…

This is the little I got from one reliable source who saw the prototype:

  • The prototype camera recorder 4k120p (and had no 8K recording)
  • The prototype camera was much thicker and had a cooling vent
  • Same kind of A9II improvements (AF, build quality, weather sealing)

So that’s it about the A7sII successor. Now let’s hope Sony really delivers the BIG promise they made!

————–

2020 rumors summary:
– Sony will launch a new wide angle high quality lens (I suspect it will be announced during first half 2020)
– Sony might launch a new 300mm f/2.8 FE GM before the Tokyo Olympics
– Sony has officially registered a new camera code in Asia. It’s for a low end model (Unclear if it’s the RX10V)
– Sony is likely to have a new camera on market in March (I hope it’s the A7IV but got no solid confirmations yet)
– Sigma is going to launch a new 70-200mm f/2.8 FE lens

Rumor ranking explained:
I now post only  two kind of rumors:

RUMOR: Marks rumors that  are somehow more solid and likely to be true
WILD RUMOR: Marks rumor that are from anonymous and first time sources. We post them just for the sake of fun and clickbait of course  :)

Note: Please hold me accountable for the “RUMOR” and not for “WILD RUMOR”  :)

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$10 off on Luminar 4.1 with our coupon code!

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You save $10 on the new Luminar 4.1 using our coupon code “SAR” at checkout.

The latest 4.1 updated has added those new features:

NEW Atmospheric Haze for even more realism.
NEW Erase Tool Technology.
Improved performance and stability.
Improved Algorithm in Portrait Enhancer Tool.
Adjustments Amount Slider added.
Full support for Photoshop 2020.
Expanded User Manual.

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