Sony Tidbits…

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The Best Sony A7SIII Cinema Build In The History Of The World – FX3, FX30, A7IV, A7RV

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
How to Choose the Right Tripod Head (Explora).
Best Mirrorless Cameras Under $1,000 (42West).
5 ways you’re using AI and may not know it (Dpreview).
Sony FX3 Still Worth Buying? ONE YEAR REVIEW (Sidney Diongzon).
Capture One Pro 23 tested at Dpreview.
How to Take Creative Headshots (42West).
Which Cameras Do Our Writers Use? (Explora).

Follow our new Youtube channel.
Join our new SonyAlphaForum and Ai-Imagelab forum.
I kindly invite you all to follow our Discord channel, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

We have our own Facebook camera groups you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony Alpha group.
Sony A1 group.
Sony A9 series group.
Sony A7r series group.
Sony A7s series group.
Sony A7 series group.

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Useful gadget for photographers: Samsung announced the new 4TB T9 Portable SSD (twice as fast as predecessor)

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Samsung announced a new 4TB T9 external SSD disk you can buy at BHphoto and Amazon.

Explora writes:

Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, the T9 series nearly doubles the transfer speeds of its predecessor, the T7, with sequential read and write speeds of up to 2000 MB/s. The rugged housing helps to prevent performance drops by dissipating heat efficiently during sustained transfers with compatible devices through the USB 3.2 2×2 host connection, so you can offload content quickly from high-end cameras. In addition to being power-efficient, this portable SSD can also withstand extreme temperatures, vibrations, and up to 9.8-foot drops, making it the ideal travel companion when you’re shooting from almost any location.

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New Topaz Video Ai brings new compare UI, 16x upscaling and more!

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Topaz officially launched the new Video AI 4.0 (Click here to preorder with a $50 discount and see samples of all new features). I am an avid Topaz Photo Ai and Video AI user. With Video AI I was able to save an old documentary of mine where I only had a 720p file and upscaled it to 4k with impressive results. Also Photo Ai is incredible and I use it often. So definitely jump on it if you want to improve the quality of your photos/videos!

New features:

  • Comparison views: apply different filters to Views 1 & 2 to compare them. Freely switch between reviewing input clips and previews to find the best settings possible for your video.
  • Preview history: previews are tracked based on filter settings and shown grouped together on the video timeline.
  • Zoomable timeline: take advantage of timeline zoom controls to hone in on smaller areas of a large video.
  • In & Out Trim: replaced the “trim” edit mode with an In & Out option comparable to other video editing applications.
  • Refreshed UI and filter icons: tighter more informational display.
  • Nyx v2: improve results and 2x scaling mode.
  • Significant performance improvements for the in-app video player.
  • Crop controls moved to video input panel.

What you can do with Topaz Video Ai 4

 

Video Enhancement

  • Six Enhancement models trained for different types of quality improvement
  • Automatic modes for fast and easy processing, or manual controls for fine-tuning output
  • Intelligently detect and heal visual artifacts created by video compression
  • Stack enhancement filters and process multi-step AI tasks in fewer clicks
  • Options for deinterlacing at single frame rate or double frame rate
  • Specific processing pipelines for interlaced and telecined content
  • 2x scale mode enhances the sharpness and fidelity during the de-noise process
  • Iris MQ for enhanced face recovery
  • Custom mode for processing black-and-white video
  • Custom mode for 3:2 pulldown/inverse telecine footage

Video Stabilization

  • Includes auto-crop & full-frame mode with video outpainting
  • Additional options for rolling shutter correction and jitter compensation

Frame Interpolation

  • Up to 16x slow motion conversion using Apollo model
  • Up to 120FPS interpolation using Chronos

Motion Deblur

  • Reduce the effect of low shutter speeds in fast-moving scenes

Extensive Export Options

  • Create production-grade output using ProRes and Image Sequence export options to integrate Video AI into your existing workflows
  • Preserve the original audio tracks from your footage, or choose between several conversion options to create the optimal output for your work
  • Improved dynamic bitrate controls: The High setting for H264 and H265 exports has been adjusted to target a VMAF score of about 95, and is now the default setting for new installs of Video AI.
  • Optimize visual quality and file size using Dynamic Bitrate Controls on supported codecs
  • The lossless FFV1 codec is now available by default in the export options panel, and can be used at 4:2:0, 4:2:2, and 4:4:4 chroma subsampling levels.

Additional

  • 50% speed gain on TensorRT-compatible GPUs
  • Support for rotating videos 90, 180, and 270 degrees-corrects videos with missing metadata for rotation
  • AV1 encoder for AMD 7000 series GPUs and 700 series integrated graphics
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Sony interview: It’s clear we can expect a new 85mm GM !

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Funny image: Fabrice biting his new A7cR :)

Phototrend had a chat with Fabrice Abuaf senior IP&S product manager at Sony France.The main interesting info is that he said that it’s clear there will be a new generation 85mm GM lens. But he will not say if it’s still f/1.4 or f/1.2

Here is a google translated recap via Asobinet:

How is Sony doing in the photo market?

  • Sony is the world leader in full-frame mirrorless cameras.
  • Regarding the overall market, I don’t know exactly, but I think Sony is the leader.
  • 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Sony’s entry into the full-frame mirrorless market.

Is 2023 a good year for Sony in France?

  • 2023 is a good year.
  • Like other brands, we have faced many hardships due to Covid-19 shortages, factory closures, factory shutdowns, and complicated transportation of goods from Japan, Thailand, and China.
  • The period from 2020 to 2022 was a complicated period, and users also took a wait-and-see attitude.
  • Since the beginning of 2023, momentum has returned.

Is Sony growing compared to before?

  • Varies by segment.
  • Sony’s most interesting segments, full-frame and APS-C mirrorless, are expanding.

Which Sony camera is the most popular in France and Europe?

  • After years of dominance by the α7 III, the α7 IV has taken over.
  • If a competitor releases a high-performance camera, it will sell well. However, overall, the best seller remains the α7 IV since its launch at the end of 2021.

Any feedback on the new α7C II and α7C R?

  • Regarding the new generation α7C, we have just delivered the initial lot. It’s still a little early to receive feedback.

What is the latest information on the development of Sony’s ultra-long focal length lenses?

  • FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS is already under development.
  • But first, we’re concentrating on updating our most classic lenses. There’s not a lot of information about longer focal lengths, but I think engineers are working on lenses.
  • We don’t have a history of super telephoto lenses like other SLR manufacturers. For this reason, they are unable to introduce lenses as quickly as their competitors.
  • We strive to accommodate the most necessary focal lengths. However, it may still take some time.
  • However, those who have been waiting for the FE300mm F2.8 GM OSS will find it to be an excellent lens in terms of price, weight, ergonomics, and AF speed.

About other lenses

  • We do not have a roadmap for the lenses we will announce.
  • Sony has a culture of secrecy.
  • But what is clear is that we can expect an 85mm F1.2 or at least the new generation F1.4.
  • We have announced 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm F1.4, but in the future it will be 85mm F1.4.

Is Sony still expanding in the video field?

  • We are entering all areas where we think there is a need for users. From photos to videos and Vlogs.
  • Vlogs are still very popular. The movement to use and create video content is very strong and will continue to do so.
  • We are currently at a stage where something called Vlogging is experiencing explosive growth. It has become easier to consume content, especially thanks to improved network transfer speeds.
  • We created our products to meet this demand (compact, APS-C, full size).
  • This field is still under development. We want to create a product that appeals to content creators of various levels.

What is the next step in AI development?

  • To be clear, automatic shooting is not our focus at the moment.
  • For us, AI should be limited to the ways we already implement it in cameras. In other words, the AI ​​chip inside our cameras is a huge database and processor optimized to track a wider range of subjects than ever before.
  • This tool is indeed very powerful, recognizing human poses and recognizing the orientation of animals, heads, eyes, birds, insects, airplanes, etc.
  • However, cameramen and videographers are still in control. They make the decisions about the camera, the camera doesn’t make the choices for them.

What subject recognition system should be installed in Sony’s cameras next?

  • There is no telling what the next object will be recognized.
  • All I know is that we do a lot of cloud development (at Sony Creators’ Cloud).
  • Cloud seems like an old term in the technology world. But increasingly, we will be interfacing directly with the cloud via smartphones and computers.
  • In the near future, you will definitely be able to update your camera directly from the cloud. And you’ll probably want to download or purchase a subject recognition database. I’m sure it will.

Will Sony ever release a compact machine that specializes in full-frame cameras?

  • I think the market is small.
  • If Sony were to release a compact Expert, it would have a lot in common with the α7C R.
  • We have received feedback from many shops that they have customers who are interested in the Leica Q3 and have also inquired about the Sony α7C R.

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Sony Tidbits…

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Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 FE lens review

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Profoto Control Desktop App: Review with Seth Miranda (42West).
Choosing Your First Studio Strobe (Explora).
60 MEGAPIXEL Travel Cameras: Leica Q2 & Q3 vs Sony a7C R (Northrup).
Sony A7R V Landscape Photography Field Guide – Menu walkthrough, accessories and more! (Summit Bid).
Viltrox AF 28mm f/1.8 lens review (Christopher Frost).
12 Things Every Beginner Needs to Get Started in Photograph (Explora).
Noise Reduction Techniques for Crisp Audio (42West).

Follow our new Youtube channel.
Join our new SonyAlphaForum and Ai-Imagelab forum.
I kindly invite you all to follow our Discord channel, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

We have our own Facebook camera groups you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony Alpha group.
Sony A1 group.
Sony A9 series group.
Sony A7r series group.
Sony A7s series group.
Sony A7 series group.

Share