Sony weekend US deals roundup….

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It’s weekens and if you are ready for shopping these are the current Sony deals in US:

Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here) are offering a 6% Back In Reward on the A99!

500 savings on Sony Camera+Lens combos at BHphoto (Click here).

Up to $200 savings on NEX cameras at Amazon (Click here).

RX1:
Store Demo RX1 for $2,499 at [shoplink 17470 ebay]CameraLand (Click here)[/shoplink].
New RX1 for $2,635 at [shoplink 17472 ebay]ElectroElectro (Click here)[/shoplink].
Open Box RX1 for $2,728 at [shoplink 17473 ebay]Samys (Click here)[/shoplink].

RX100:
Store Demo RX1 for $579 at [shoplink 17475 ebay]Samys (Click here)[/shoplink].
Open Box RX100 for $599 at [shoplink 17474 ebay]Samys (Click here)[/shoplink].

NEX-7:
Store Demo NEX-7 with kit lens for $1,049 at [shoplink 17476 ebay]Samys (Click here)[/shoplink].
Open Box NEX-7 with kit lens for $1,099 at [shoplink 17477 ebay]Samys (Click here)[/shoplink].

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Sony TidBits…

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A99 with Samyang 14mm F2.8 on Steadicam Pilot from The Lightshapers Studios on Vimeo.

Sony and Zeiss, Up In a Tree (TheOnlinePhotographer).
Snow In The City: a real world shooting experience with the Sony RX1 (Mike Kobal).
Win a free place on a Photography Workshop in Iceland (Enrique Pacheco)
The evolution of Dream Camera (AlphaCorner).
The Evil of DxOMark (Foto-Biz).
MeFoto GlobeTrotter and RoadTrip Travel Tripods with The Aviator Travel Jib and OliviaTech Motorroid Slider (Oliviatech.com)
Adorable 35s – Big 35mm Speed Lens Comparison (Leica, SLR Magic, Mitakon, Canon + Speed Booster, Samyang) at 3D-kraft.
NEX-3n reports ay Yodobashi (japanese).
Sony HDR-AS15 video channel on youtube.

 

 

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Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is the best 35mm lens tested at DxOmark.

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DxOmark (Click here) tested the brand new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens. And according to their testings this is the best 35mm lens on market. It even beats (easily!) the Zeiss Distagon. DxO writes: “It’s lens that’s designed not only for the very best of today’s sensors but it appears well suited to handle the demands of the next generation of high-resolution imaging chips. The lens sets a new benchmark for optical performance for a retro-focus lens in this focal length and it’s a feat that’s even more remarkable given the price is well-below that of any of the big name brands.”

The lens is set to ship for the Sony A-mount on April 30th accoridng to BHphoto (Click here).

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$12,000 for Leica M + Summilux can’t match the $2800 RX1 image quality!

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Yep, I am fully aware we are comparing apple with oranges. The Leica M and Sony RX1 are similar but at the same time very different cameras. But it’s interesting to see how they compare when it comes to analyze the pure image quality. You would expect a $12,000 Leica M + Summilux 35mm ($4,999 here at Amazon) combo to match and probably beat the performance of the $2800 Sony RX1. Just watch the video made by TheCameraStore TV (specifically the part from minute 10 towards). The Sony RX1 can shot way sharper pictures! That’s one of the advantages having a fixed lens that has been specifically developed for the Sony 24MP sensor. Suddenly the camera sounds like a bargain compared with the Leica :)

Also Steve Huff compared the Leica M with the Sony RX1 and writes: “The RX1 is a resolution monster as well and seems to beat the Leica M here for sharpness/detail”

I guess that if the Sony RX1 sells well than Sony may come out with a new RX2 soon (maybe in 2014).

RX1 links roundup:
RX1 at [shopcountry 15824].
RX1 Gariz accessories:
1) They made a new half leather case in Black and Brown ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
2) The new lens cap ([shoplink 16439 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
3) The new entry is the anti loose button(!) ([shoplink 16438 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). Don’t know if that will be really useful for you RX1 owners. Someone has it and call it how it works? Thanks!
4) And this is the really first time I see that. A special Leather skin hood! ([shoplink 16441 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).

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Sony 500mm lens gets tested by DxOmark.

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The Sony 500mm f/4.0 lens just got tested by the DxOmark team (Click here to read). They write: “Overall, the Sony looks promising but it’s a pricey option.” Note that this is the first time DxO tests a super-telephoto lens and that’s why it’s hard to draw a conclusion with no competition scores.

Only thing we know for sure is that you have to sell your car to buy a lens like that. Check the price at [shopcountry 11116].

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New Canon strategy: Smallest DSLR antidote against mirrorless (and NEX).

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T4i vs the new SL1 and vs the mirrorless EOS-M size comparison image via Dpreview.

In the DSLR world Canon is certainly way stronger than Sony. But it is also truth that Canon wasn’t able to strike a home-run with their EOS-M mirrorless system. The Sony NEX system is way more mature and has more appeal than the current Canon offering. And it seems to me that today Canon is trying a new way to fight back against the mirrorless (and NEX) success. They launched the world smallest APS-C DSLR with the new Canon EOS 100D/Rebel SL1. Price specs and preorders are up at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.

It has to be seen if that will really help. My instinctive answer is NO. But you may have a different opinion…

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(SR3) The Hasselbald SLT clone is not going to be made?

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The Hasselblad Lunar is coming in April and it will cost you over $5.000 to get one. And as you may remember from photokina Hasselblad also showed this sketch of a Hasselblad SLT FF camera. According to a new source Hasselblad will not launch an SLT camera but focus fully on the NEX system instead. And unlike the Lunar Hasselblad also has the plan to work on some really unique products (cameras and lenses) that are not simply S
ony cameras with a lot of luxury around. The Lunar is just the start….

Just my two cents. If I would be in charge at Hasselblad I would push to make a digital and modular [shoplink 17505 ebay]500c styled camera (here on eBay)[/shoplink] with Sony medium format sensor. Capable of taking both A and E mount FF lenses and of course Hasselblad medium format lenses. Yeah I know, I should stop making such impossible dreams :)
[shoplink 17505 ebay]

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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

 

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