Sony not going to unveil the Zeiss SSM release date at CP+ show (and fake price info in China).

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Digifoto confirmed that Sony will not share any info at the CP+ show about the possible release period of the new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM A-mount lens. And neither they will unveil the final price. And I also have to debunk a myth that is circulating today. The Chinese site PConline writes the lens will cost 2,200 Yuan which would be 350 in US dollars. That is definitely a wrong info. Zeiss never ever releases a f/1.4 that cheap and they will not do that now. I expect the price to be close to $1,000!

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US deals: Rokinon Gold Box, RX100 for less than $600.

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Short break from rumors and regular news to tell our US readers that there is a Gold Box deal on the Rokinon 8mm NEX lens at Amazon (Click here).

More US deals: There is one discounted NEX-6 kit at [shoplink 16624 ebay]Cameraland (Click here)[/shoplink]. Thans four new RX100 cameras for less than $600 on eBay US (via Slidoo). And of course the already mentioned double Sigma lens deal at BHphoto (Click here).

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New Sigma E-mount lenses to come soon?

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The discounted Sigma lenses at BHphoto.

Plenty of you likely noticed the recent worldwide Sigma deals on the E-mount lenses. Like the super double kit at BHphoto (Click here), and the 99 Euro only price at Technikdirekt or on eBay (via Slidoo). Ale from MirrorlessRumors may have found the reason why this is happening. According to his sources Sigma will soon announce a new “ART” high quality version of these lenses. The new Sigma ART lenses have the same high quality standard of the recently announced 35mm f/1.4 lens for Sony (here at Amazon) Two very positive reviews of the lens are available at SLRgear (Click here) and Photographyblog (Click here). The lenses will be more expensive than the current 19 and 30mm E-mount lenses.

What I don’t know yet is if the new lenses will replace the current lenses or just be a higher priced alternative. I like the current Sigma lenses, they are good value for that price and I hope they will remain there in future.

 

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Sony RX1 lens performance test at DSLRmagazine.

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The JPG and RAW resolution graph (Courtesy of DSLRmagazine)

The Spanish reviewers from DSLRmagazine (translation here) focused their efforts on analyzing the Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 performance. And as you can see from the graph on top the delivered image quality is excellent. DSLRmagazine writes: “We can see that the combination of lens and sensor paired brings dramatic results, the highest level achieved to date in our tests of digital cameras.

And the resolution is already superb at full f/2.0 aperture. Something you really don’t see often on fast 35mm lenses. The best quality can be reached at f/8.0 aperture although the gain is minimal. Of course shooting in JPG instead of RAW makes you loose a bit of resolution. Vignetting is low at f/2.0 and there is a bit of distortion. But these are really non issues because you can easily correct it in Post Processing.
Terrific what that RX1 sensor+lens combo achieved! But is that performance really going to boost the RX1 sales? Would love to know how good (or bad) the camera is selling in stores!
P.S.: Some sample photos at ePhotozine. Some nice RX1 images at RX1 files.

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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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(SR5) This will make you happy: A57, A65, A77 and A99 firmware update coming soon!

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It’s always a pleasure when I have good news to share on SAR! That time top sources told me that Sony will announce a new A57, A65, A77 and A99 firmware update next week! The update will be available for download in early February!

I have no details yet about the specific improvements but I may receive them very soon: Stay tuned on SAR and spread the good news!

UPDATE: One new A99 is for sale for $2499 at [shoplink 16605 ebay]Cameraland (Click here)[/shoplink]. That’s the lowest price ever seen. To get notified when there will be more A99 cameras at that price or lower login and save this search on Slidoo.

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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Speed Booster in Stock on eBay. Sigma double lens deal back in Stock too.

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[shoplink 16589 ebay]

[/shoplink]

For the first time the EF to E-mount Speed Booster adapter is in Stock on [shoplink 16589 ebay]eBay (via Hong Kong)[/shoplink]. Soon the adapter will be available in US and EU stores too. Save this search on Slidoo to get notified when it will. You can also preorder the adapter at Metabones directly.

And the super Sigma double NEX lens deal is back in Stock at BHphoto (Click here).

More deals: Keep in mind that soon the $100 saving on the NEX-7 will be over (grab it here at Amazon). And two new RX100 for $595 are in Stock via top rated seller [shoplink 16592 ebay]Aztecx California (Click here)[/shoplink].

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