[shoplink 3032][/shoplink]
Some of our readers noticed that Sony US (Click here) completely removed the A850 and A900 from their stores. A month ago we reported how Sony Japan announced the production stop of the current FF DSLR cameras. Now they are completely gone from the Sony website. A bit pity that we still have to wait until September to see the new Sony FF model. As you know this is an SLT camera with 24 Megapixel and 50-102.400 ISO. The camera is already being tested by photographers and I should get some more info soon.

A personal note: What I will miss form the [shoplink 3032]A900[/shoplink] is the superb 100% viewfinder. It was really the best!

Here are the search links to the last two FF cameras with optical viewfinder (you may will not find them anymore):
Sony A900 [shopcountry 3032].
Sony A850 [shopcountry 3028].

Cotton Coulson used the Sony A77 and NEX VG-20 to shot the video you see here on top: “Both of these cameras are wonderful to work with, each in their own way. For straight video shooting I prefer the ergonomics of the NEX VG-20, but if your primary mission is to shoot stills and at the same time shoot some video clips, the A77 is the way to go. In a perfect world you might own both. I have shot video with the SONY professional model EX-3, and these two cameras (along with the NEX-7) offer tremendous advantage, light, portable, and high quality for in the field documentary work, which is what we do.”

Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC NEX Lens Review at ePhotozine (Click here): “Those looking for a convenient lens that covers a wide range of focal lengths for their Sony NEX camera should be pleased with the performance from this Tamron optic. Sharpness levels are good for a lens of this type and with a price set almost £100 less expensive than the Sony equivalent it represents pretty good value too.”

Sony NEX-7 video samples with the new Tamron and Rokinon lenses at SonyAlphaLab (Click here).

Sample test crops from the Tamron NEX 18-200mm and Sony NEX 55-210mm (Photojottings).

Sony NEX-5n review at Trustedreviews (Click here).

What’s In the Bag? Sony Artisan Brian Smith at ThePhoBlographer (Click here).

Sony booth CP+ report at Ctec3 (Click here).

Click on the image to see the full size version!

After Samyang, Sigma and Tamron also Yasuhara announced a new lens for the NEX system. It is the Madoka 180, a fisheye lens with 180 degrees. Yasuhara is a small japanese company that has a long history of making Leica clones ([shoplink 11556 ebay]click here to see the Yasuhara Type 1 M-mount camera[/shoplink]). What follows is the official press release text (via Yasuhara.eu)

“Yasuhara announced a new fisheye lens for Mirrorless cameras Sony, Olympus and Panasonic with Sony NEX (E-mount) and micro 4/3 mount. It will be called “Madoka 180” (180 degrees). Links below direct to two image samples you can find on Yasuhara.eu page in full size version.
Madoka 180 image sample No. 1
Madoka 180 image sample No. 2

Here are the basic specs of the Sony E-mount version:

• The lens will have f/4 aperture
• Compact  size
• Length: about 40mm
• Diameter: about 60mm
• Weight: about 200g

The first Yasuhara Madoka will be released for Sony E mount this spring. Madoka will be available for sale on Yasuhara.eu page at the end of March – begining of April 2012. The company is planning to release also a special software for the images taken with Madoka lenses.“