New 3.0 firmware update for the Sony A9

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Sony issued a new firmware update for the Sony A9: https://esupport.sony.com/

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Added functions for professionals engaged in sports/news media:

  • Adds the Write Serial Number option (On/Off) to the menu for selecting your preference in writing the serial number to the Exif data

Improvements in auto focus performance and functionality:

  • Improves tracking performance of moving subjects in AF-C mode
  • Improves auto focus speed in low light
  • Adds AF Track Sens as a selectable option for custom key settings
  • Adds support for all focus areas when using LA-EA3 mount adaptor
    (Focus Area options added: Zone, Expand Flexible Spot, and Lock-on AF)

Improvements in flash control performance and functionality:

  • Reduced release time lag when shooting with flash
  • Adds support for Slow Sync and Rear Sync when using flash wirelessly
  • Adds support for white balance automatic correction when using color filter of external flash (HVL-F60RM)

Other Improvements:

  • Stabilized release time lag when shooting in AF-C mode
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

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Thanks Bard!

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From Big to Small: 20mm E-mount lens size comparison

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via CameraSize

This is the size comaprison between the current three 20mm E-mount lenses (two for FF and one for APS-C).

Links to the three 20mm lenses:
Sigma 20mm at [shopcountry 71590]
Tokina 20mm at [shopcountry 71588]
Sony 20mm at [shopcountry 71589]

New Sigma FE lenses:
All lenses listed on one page at BHphoto (Click here).
Sigma 14mm f/1.8 for $1,599 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 20mm f/1.4 for $899 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 for $849 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for $899 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for $949 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 70mm macro for $569 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and  Adorama.
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 for $1,199 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 for $1,599 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 for $1,399 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.

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New Sigma 105mm FE test by Miguel Quiles (Sigma FE tests by Marc Alhadeff, Dustin Abbott, Hunter Press, Photographyblog)

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Miguel Quiles tested the EF mount version of my favorite new Sigma lens: The 105mm f/1.4 Bokeh Monster. He adapted in on the Sony but keep in mind the native version should have faster AF.

Below you can find more reviews of the new Sigma FE lenses:

New Sigma FE lenses:
Sigma 14mm f/1.8 for $1,599 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 20mm f/1.4 for $899 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 for $849 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for $899 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for $949 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 70mm macro for $569 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and  Adorama.
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 for $1,199 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 for $1,599 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 for $1,399 at BHphoto, FocusCamera, Amazon and Adorama.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV6eeG2v_qk

Marc Alhadeff review of the Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM Art:

If you are in the search of max image quality whatever the size, then this lens can give you amazing results.
If you are more looking for a very good portrait lens for day to day use, then the Sony 85mm F1.8 & Sony 85mm F1.4 GM will be more suited for you

Marc Alhadeff review review of the Sigma 50mm F/1.4 DG HSM Art:

I am much more convinced by the Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art than by the Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM Art that is a monster to carry
It is a superb optic at a reasonable price vs other 50mm F1.4 and the size and weight are still acceptable for a day to day use even if on the heavy side

Photographyblog tested the 85mm FE:

In summary, the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM is a great addition to the Sony full-frame family, offering another high-quality 85mm lens option to the range. It is a very large and heavy 85mm lens by mirrorless standards, though, and certainly isn’t going to appeal to those who believe that a mirrorless system should be small and light.

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Exclusive deal: 50% off and free eBook on the COMPLETE Capture One Styles package

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Enter the coupon code “AMBSAR-FREEBOOK” to get a 50% discount and free eBook (Photographer’s guide to Capture One 11) on the complete Capture One Styles package (Click here and enter code).

If you still don’t own Capture One than get this one instead:

55% off on the Capture One PRO for Sony + 3 Styles bundle for $128,70 (…151,5€) if you insert the code “AMBSAR” at checkout. Click here to get it: phaseone.onfastspring.com/capture-one-pro-sony-11-3-style-packs.

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Zeiss deals:
Zeiss launched new Batis-Loxia-Touit lens rebates. And overview can be found on that BHphoto page.

Sony Deals:
The Sony A7rIII got the first $200 price drop ever at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera (with $199 free extras) and BuyDig (with free extras).
$300 off on the Sony A9 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, BestBuy. FocusCamera.
$100 off on the 18-135mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera and BestBuy.
$300 off on the 24-70mm f/4.0 Zeiss lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.

New preorders:
Voigtlander 110mm FE lens can be preordered at BHphoto and Adorama.
Samyang (Rokinon) 24mm f/2.8 FE lens can be preordered now at BHphoto and Adorama.
Sony RX100VI at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig and BestBuy. In EU at Calumet Germany and Wex UK.
Sony VCT-SGR1 Shooting Grip at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, BuyDig and BestBuy.
At BH you can also preorder the new Loupedeck+ editing console.
Neewer 35mm f/1.2 APS-C E-mount manual focusing lens at Amazon US.

A7III accessories:
Meike grip at grip at Amazon US, Amazon CA, Amazon DE, Amazon UK.
Easycover is officially compatible with the A7III. You can buy it at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.

 

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(SR5) Hot news!!! Sony product announcement tomorrow at 15:00 London time!!!!

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This lens is listed at Bhphoto now.

I got confirmation from a top source that there will be a Sony product announcement tomorrow at 15:00 London time. The source did not tell what’s going to be announced and only said this:

“price and some specs are surprising.”

UPDATE: Two more sources confirmed Sony will have a product announcement.

I am not 100% sure yet but I guess Sony will announce the full specs and pricing of the new Sony 400mm f/2.8 FE lens. I hope that “price is a surprise” means the lens isn’t as expensive as the Canon 400mm and Nikon 400mm versions. And I wonder what the spec “surprise” will be about…

UPDATE_2: Not sure yet if Sony will also announce another new lens…

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Subscribe our RSS feed (Click here).
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(SR5) UPDATE: Leaked spec sheet of the new Sony 31 Megapixel APS-C global shutter sensor

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UPDATE: A chinese source just sent me these specs sheets of a rumored new Sony CMOS sensor found on Weibo. I am not sure if they are real but it certainly looks like that.

UPDATED: I edited this post and removed the note about the possibility that this might be used by the future A6700. What we learned now is that this is an APS-C sensor with an aspect ratio of 4:3. Which means this is UNLIKELY to be used by the future A6700. Still, this is Sony’s first APS-C sensor with global shutter. Would love the A6700 to have this too!

Key info:

– APS-C size with 4:3 ratio
– 31.5 megapixel
– FSI (Front Side illuminated)
– global shutter

Here are the full specs:

 

Ok all sounds good…but so far we have no reliable confirmation this spec sheet is authentic. But if this is a fake it’s one of the best ever I have seen as it uses exactly same font style and size as other original Sony PDF files.

Don’t forget you can also join our A6500-A6700 Facebook group to discuss this sensor!

 

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