Announced! New Laowa 105mm F:2 STF lens

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AX9A1048

Uk Optics announced the new Laowa 105mm f/2.0 STF lens. Here is the full press text:

LAOWA 105MM F2 (T3.2) STF LENS

UK OPTICS (LAOWA UK) is pleased to present the Laowa 105mm F2 STF Lens. STF stands for Smooth Trans Focus, in reference to its special optical system, which is intended to deliver smooth transitions between crisp in-focus areas and creamy defocused background or foreground areas. This unique manual focus only lens has an integrated apodisation filter that provides superior bokeh rendering and crystal sharp images.

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Full frame compatible lens featuring 11 elements in 8 groups with a 14 blade aperture* and a minimum focus distance of just 0.9M. All metal alloy construction housing multi-coated glass elements throughout. At a focal length of 105mm and with the inherent softly diffused bokeh, this lens is perfect for portraiture.

The Laowa 105mm F2 STF lens is one of only a few lenses currently offering an apodisation effect. Available later in March with an MSRP of £649.99, in the following mounts: Nikon, Canon, Sony A, Sony E and Pentax.

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See us at The Photography Show, NEC 19th to 22nd March Stand B91. For more details visit www.laowalens.co.uk

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Sony announces a 4K Full Frame E-mount network camera

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4knetwork

Sony announced a new E-mount camera…but it’s not meant to be purchased by our readers! This is the world’s most sensitive 4K network camera named “”SNC-VB770”. Sony Japan’s press release states the camera has the industries highest level minimum illumination at 0.004 lux (in the 4K network camera business). The camera will ship in August for 850,000 yen.

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Here are the specs translated from Japanese:

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Dpreview test: Sigma MC-11 adapter is world’s 1st to offer full range of AF modes on Sony E-mount

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Dpreview posted their Sigma MC-11 adapter hands-on video:

Sigma is the first brand of DSLR lenses to support Eye AF and Lock-On AF modes on Sony cameras, as well as smooth phase-detection in video. What’s more, they work really well.

Sigma’s new MC-11 adapter cost $249 and will ship in April according to BHphoto (preorder here).

P.S.: New Sigma 30mm E-mount preorder links at BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK,  Amazon.de, Calumet Germany.

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Loxia 21mm lens in Stock and shipping in USA. New reviews from Admiringtlight and Photochirp.

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[shoplink 45449 ebay]Bildschirmfoto 2016-03-02 um 16.06.02[/shoplink]

The new Loxia 21mm FE lens is in Stock for the first time at [shoplink 45449 ebay]Popflash eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. And I have been told the BHphoto preorders are now shipping out too.

Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8 review by Admiringlight:

The Loxia 21mm f/2.8 Distagon is a lens truly worthy of the Zeiss name. They managed to create a compact lens that performs brilliantly through almost all aspects of imaging. Images show outstanding sharpness and stunning color and contrast, producing that signature Zeiss ‘pop’ in spades. Even the bokeh is fairly nice. While the lens handles well and has outstanding manual focus damping, I did feel that the close proximity of the aperture and focus rings caused some issues in the field, but overall, there’s really nothing to complain about. Zeiss has crafted a simply outstanding ultra-wide here.

Photochirp also tested the lens:

The Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8 lens is more comfortable to hold than the Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2.0, and in pictures, you wouldn’t think so. The lens isn’t much longer, but it is long enough to be comfortable.  I have taken a photograph of a wall covered in wallpaper, and this shows the lens is sharp throughout the frame. The colours, from what I can tell, are superior to the Sony lenses I own.

Loxia 21mm store links: [shopcountry 45047].

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Sony: “2016 will be more impressive than 2015”. And they will not give up A-mount: “It is a promise to our customers”

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Focus Numerique (google translation here) interviewed Sony manager Mr. Yutaka Iwatsuki. Here are some insights he released to the French magazine:

  1. How he sees the future of photography:
    Still and Video world will continue to get closer. And Sony will continue to improve dynamic range and High ISO performance.
  2. Touchscreen:
    It’s yet not Sony’s priority to add touch screen. Sony wants to improve other “areas” first.
  3. Why the A6300 has no on sensor stabilization:
    Sony wanted to make the A6300 as compact as it gets. And on sensor stabilization would have made the body bigger.
  4. About 2016:
    The A7rII was the highlight of 2015. And Yutuka adds: “but 2016 will be even more impressive!“
  5. A-mount future:
    Yutuka says there are two reason to keep A-mount:
    The first is that the A-mount has certain advantages over the E mount and, for now, we can not have all the same functionalities between A and E mount.
    The second reason is that they “we have many customers that we can not give up.     It is a promise to our customers.“

We take a not that he made a very clear and strong statement in favour of A-mount. I cannot think of Sony to disappoint the A-mount folks now! :)

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Phottix teases the new Odin II for Sony

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Odin-II-for-Sony

Phottix posted that teaser image of the new Odin II flash. That flash is already available for Canon/Nikon cameras. The key specs should be the same:

  • Works with Indra, Mitros, Other Systems
  • 2.4 GHz Frequency, 328′ Range
  • 32 Channels with Digital ID, 5 Groups
  • Manual, TTL, and Ratio Flash Control
  • High Speed Sync & OverDrive Sync
  • Manual Power & Zoom Control
  • Remote Modeling Light Control with Indra
  • LCD Screen, Direct Access Buttons & Dial
  • AF Assist Light, USB Port for Updates

 

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