New NEX lens firmware update. And new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 samples.

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Sigma:
Sigma (Click here) just posted a set of image samples taken with the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens. The image samples have been taken on the Sigma SD1 camera but as you know the lens comes with A-mount too. Don’t know what you think but I think this lens delivers a great performance! Consider also that it costs $600 less than the Sony 35mm f/1.4 lens (here at Amazon). And this lens is now available for preorder at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (click here).

NEX lenses:
Sony China (translation here) just posted posted the info about new firmware version 02 for the SEL1855 / SEL18200 / SEL55210 / SEL24F18Z NEX lenses. It’s a firmware upgrade for the NEX-5R or NEX-6 only! It enables the phase difference AF using the pixel function “Fast hybrid AF”.

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In Stock status of the Zeiss 24mm lens on eBay via Slidoo.

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Sony RX1 RAW ISO test. Impressive!!!

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Focus Numerique (translation here) just posted the RX1 JPE. FN noted that the Sony RX1 has significant overexposure (about 2/3 EV in too). They are surprised with the high image quality: ” Even ISO 3200 images retain an excellent outfit with a little grain present, light-colored and very gentle smoothing. ” and “Even at ISO 12800, there or Alpha 99 start to lose its pixels, the RX1 is still very powerful, even if smoothing is naturally more sensitive.It is possible to push the compact with up to 25600 ISO image quality quite amazing. ”

And Imaging Resource posted the RX1 studio test too and you can use the comparometer to compare th image quality with other cameras. I have to say I am impressed and you? I am very tempted to buy the RX1 now…very tempted! Problem is the price in Europe is much higher than in US :(
Today Sony finally started to ship the RX1! It is in Stock right now at Amazon Japan! The RX1 can be pre ordered at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.

Join Slidoo (and login to change settings) to get notified when the RX1 will be on auction on eBay.

 

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Video test with the tricked f/3.5 limitation for autofocus.

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A99 A77 A57 Autofocus “hack” to get around the F/3.5 limitation for autofocus. Use at your own risk! from Shawn C. on Vimeo.

Shawn (Click here) made this video to proof how the aperture limitation removal trick from Portreti is working. There are some limitations with the hack:
1. Your lens will be wide open all the time. You cannot stop down at all. If your lens is soft wide open, you might be better off manually focusing.
2. Leaving the spring stretched out could damage your lens over time.
3. Be careful when you do this.

Thanks Shawn and Portreti!

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Sony financial report: Facing tough times but plans expansion of imaging- sensor facilities.

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If you read the latest Financial report analysis on Bloomberg you really get the idea what a tough time Sony is facing right now. Particularly that sentence gives you an idea of the recent company history: “Sony, worth more than $120 billion in 2000, is now valued at about $11 billion. Apple Inc. (AAPL) is valued at $511 billion and Samsung Electronics Co. is at $184 billion.”

The good news is that Sony will increase the investment in the digital imaging business: “Sony will use 60 billion yen of the proceeds to invest in CMOS image sensors”

TheVerge writes: “In recent years the imaging division has been one of Sony’s top performers, and was identified by CEO Kazuo Hirai as one of the company’s pillars for future growth when hetook the reins in April. The proliferation of camera phones and corresponding drop in point and shoot sales have hurt Sony’s Cyber-shot line, but it remains a strong competitor in other arenas with its NEX line of mirrorless cameras, its more DSLR-like Alpha line, its professional cinema gear, and its expanding medical imaging business. During the Q&A following Sony’s recent Q2 earnings call, CEO Hirai reinforced the benefits of the division’s diversified nature, pointing out that the company makes money both from the cameras it manufacturers and the sensors it produces for competitors’ products, including smartphone cameras.”

At least that part of the story sounds good!

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via Photorumors.

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Engadget picks up Sony cameras for their gift guide! And $50 gift card on A77/A65/ and new NEX-6 at Samys.

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As you know the photographic world is mostly dominated by Nikon and Canon. But Engadget latest gift guide  is all about Sony cameras. The RX100 and A99 cameras are their favorites but they also NEX-6. And there is one more news related to the NEX-6 Samys is offering a free $50 gift card on the purchase of the A77 (Click here), A65 (Click here) and the mentioned NEX-6 (Click here).

Back to the A99. It is in Stock at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany. And the camera is mentioned shortly within the last BHphtoo HDSLR video introduction you can watch on vimeo.

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RX100 links roundup:
RX100 price search links: [shopcountry 13014].
Cases: [shoplink 13347 ebay]Official Sony LCJ-RXA case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13344 ebay]Gariz case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13345 ebay]more leather case[/shoplink].
Batteries: [shoplink 13346 ebay]NP-BX1 Battery[/shoplink].
Special stuff: [shoplink 13343 ebay]Multi-Coated LENS ARMOR UV[/shoplink]. Magfilter at Amazon (Click here). RX100 filter adapter on [shoplink 13486 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

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New RX1 image samples! And is the innovation of the year according to CEA.

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Consumer Electronics Association kicked off the countdown to CES 2013 with the announcement of the Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award winners in New York City (via Cnet).

Our reader Andrej (Danke!) spotted new RX1 image samples posted by the Japanese website Itmedia (translation here). You cna find ISO 100, ISO 1250 images and basic bokeh test. Another Sony RX1 hands-on has been posted by the Vietnamese website Tinhte.

Shipment is estimated for December 6th in Japan according to [shoplink 15317 ebay]Shamikon[/shoplink] and December 14th in US according to BHphoto. It will ship in early November according to Sonystores in Europe. A bit weird that Sony France makes you pay 100 Euro more than other Sonystores (like Sony Germany).

The RX1 can be pre ordered at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.

 

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How to save 100 pounds on the RX100.

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SAR reader Paul sent me this mail to explain how you can save 100 pounds on the RX100 purchase in UK:
1) Go Into Jessops (Click here) where they’re advertised for £529.00
2) Say you’ll pay the internet price of £475.00 which they’ll have to match.
3) Buy Camera
4) Claim Sony’s £50 cash back (See Sony UK).
5) Get your RX100 for £425.00, save £104.00
Thanks Paul!

UPDATE: Kevin noticed that the price at Amazon UK is already selling it for 439 pounds. Probably they already include the cash back?

ByThom likes the Sony RX100: “Compared to other pocket cameras, it’s no contest. Cameras like the Canon S100 or the Olympus XZ-1 can’t match the output of the RX-100, in my opinion.”

In Europe you can get many RX100 cameras for 500 Euro on eBay (via Slidoo / login to change country setting).

RX100 links roundup:
RX100 price search links: [shopcountry 13014].
Cases: [shoplink 13347 ebay]Official Sony LCJ-RXA case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13344 ebay]Gariz case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13345 ebay]more leather case[/shoplink].
Batteries: [shoplink 13346 ebay]NP-BX1 Battery[/shoplink].
Special stuff: [shoplink 13343 ebay]Multi-Coated LENS ARMOR UV[/shoplink]. Magfilter at Amazon (Click here). RX100 filter adapter on [shoplink 13486 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

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