IMPORTANT:
“Sigma’s lenses for Sony mount may have a potential aperture operation problem when used with the Sony α33 and α55 Interchangeable Lens digital cameras. To overcome this issue, we will be offering, free of charge, a modification service to our customers who have purchased a Sony α33 and α55 and own Sigma lenses for Sony mount. This phenomenon will only occur with Sony α33 and α55 cameras. Future production of Sigma lenses will be fully compatible with these cameras.” Source: Sigma Japan
The swedish website Minhembio tested the new upcoming NEX firmware! and that’s what they wrote:
“Some rumor spreading first: For Photokina Sony will deliver a new software update for the NEX-cameras which will allow more creative filming with bigger and better control over your “creative filmmaking”. We tested one of these cameras with this new firmware and can confirm that it will be easier than ever to be creative with your camera.”
A friend just sent us the following A55 + new lens user report:
“I had yesterday the A55, the CZ 24mm f2.0, the 35mm f1.8 DT and the 85mm f2.8 in my hands.
WOW. …I never was a good ol´ pal of EVF, but this EVF is
1. Gooood
2. You can display almost everything (I didn´t have the chance to test every little thing…but)…
You don´t only have the possibility of displaying this awesome cool virtual horizon (electronic level/attitude display), you also see in real time which AF sensors are working.
The most silly thing…I was taking pictures and wanted to change the ISO…
Suprise, it was at ISO 3200 and I didn´t notice (at least on the A55´s display)…
I think, it looks like the ISO 1250-1600 of the A700 v4.
(More or less).
I didn´t got the time to test other (higher) ISOs.
I will send you some other pictures by request.
Even more was I astonished by the AF response.
I was trying to photograph a pretty woman and had accidentaly the burst mode on…
I took one shot and in a freaction of second a guy walked in my frame (of course, the 2 shot wasn´t showing the nice lady). The guy WAS SHARP.
This was all in a VERY dark ambience and it occurred in a feaction of second. The guy was as sharp as the lady before (just, he was walking, maybe he is a little blurred).
I was amazed! AMAZED! =)
It is possible that I can send some more infos shortly (next week maybe).
I will get more time to test it an the A580? (Maybe)
Sadly, I just noticed after I was in “hotel” that I made all the pictures in 16:9 mode. :(
The A580 was there, but as it isn´t officially released (or what do I know ^^) / available after the Photokina, the guy said it was difficult to get a battery in the cam (all lenses & cams where wired and you couldn´t move them really away, the A580 had a really short wire ;-D )
But I will hopefully get that cam shortly ;-)
Well… I hope this is enough for the moment.
I will try to send more infos if I have another chance, but as I have to travel, I don´t know if I will have the time till I get home…
Next page, ;-)
CZ 24mm f2.0
I had this one only for a few moments (a couple of minutes), but I didn´t test it all too much ;-)
It´s a heavy glass monster, very nice built and the IQ is rather good (It was a very dark room & I knew by the time, that I will get the chance to test it again shortly)
35mm f1.8 DT
I had this one also only for a few moments.
Build quality of the 50mm f1.8 DT
85mm f2.8
A buy, you won´t regret.
(SHARP if you don´t need f1.4)
Only the grip for manual focusing wasn´t tooooooo great, you have to watch out where your fingers are ;-).“
Today Zeiss announced that they will make compact prime CP.2 lenses with Alpha-Mount. Those lense are very expensive $3.900 each single lens at BHphoto (Click here) or [shoplink 3890]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] :(
“OBERKOCHEN/Germany, 08.09.2010.
In 4th quarter of 2010, ZEISS Compact Prime CP.2 lenses will be available with F-mount. The Compact Prime CP.2 series, presented last April, were the first lenses developed especially for shooting with HDSLR cameras. Since then, the lenses have been highly sought after by cinematographers and film photographers alike. In addition to the PL-, EF- and F-mount, Carl Zeiss will soon also be offering the Compact Prime CP.2 lenses with Micro 4/3 and A-mount.
The [shoplink 3890]Compact Prime CP.2[/shoplink] lenses’ inter- changeable mount means the lenses can be used for many purposes. The lenses have a compact and robust build so that they can handle any demand on the film set.
“With the new enhancement of mounts we want to meet the needs of our customers”, says Michael Schiehlen, Head of Sales of Carl Zeiss AG Camera Lens Division. “The possibility of using our CP.2 lenses flexibly for three different camera systems is not only interesting for new customers. Stores that rent cameras and camera equipment also benefit from the lenses’ enhanced flexibility.”
Just in time for the IBC in Amsterdam, Carl Zeiss has announced two new focus lengths that will also be available with F-mount: Compact Prime CP.2 50 mm/T2.1 Makro and CP.2 100mm/T2.1 CF. They complement the seven focal lengths from 18 to 85 millimeters that are already available. ”
Current CP.2 lenses are:
Super Wide Angle
Aperture
CFD
AOV
Weight
EF
PL
F
CP.2 18mm/T3.6*
T3.6 – 22
0.3
69°
900 g
CP.2 21mm/T2.9
T2.9 – 22
0.22
60.9°
1000 g
Wide Angle
ZE
ZF
ZF.2
CP.2 25mm/T2.9
T2.9 – 22
0.17
52.2°
900 g
CP.2 28mm/T2.1
T2.1 – 22
0.24
47.4°
1000 g
CP.2 35mm/T2.1
T2.1 – 22
0.3
38.5°
1000 g
Standard
ZE
ZF
ZF.2
CP.2 50mm/T2.1
T2.1 – 22
0.45
27.3°
900 g
Tele
ZE
ZF
ZF.2
CP.2 85mm/T2.1
T2.1 – 22
1
16.7°
900 g
[shoplink 3890]Check out the current prices of the compact Prime CP.2 lenses on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]
As you remember we received an email from one of our sources about the future Sony Fullframe and Nikon partnership strategy. That email created a lot of heavy discussions. The source contacted me again and sent me following text to publish. Feel free to express your opinion, he is reading your comments!
“It is a total BS that Sony will quit FF sensor business. Sony is gearing up for major push into pro photography because they can make the best video-still convergence cameras including for newsmen. That is why their main DSLR lens push is into FF. Sony does not need Nikon. Nikon needs Sony. Even if Nikon would get their sensors elsewhere, Sony has no problem making FF sensors for themselves only. No one has as much experience as Sony in sensor design and no matter hown much Canon tries, they can’t compare to Sony. Sony is only now getting heavily into DSLR sensor business. Don’t believe the posts that Nikon can make the same quality sensors as Sony. The imaging chipset comes with image processing, including HD video. Nikon can work with another company that would design the chipset for them, with Nikon input, but it would be crazy to try to do that when Sony is getting heavily into the same kind of business and Nikon knows that they would not be able to compete on the same level, even with sensor design outsourcing.”
I know that this text sounds like it was written by a “SonyFanboy” (He says: “Canon can’t compare to Sony”). Fact is that he gave me correct “rumors” in the past. The question now is if after the very good and expensive Nikon D3X ($7,399.95 on Amazon!) and the cheap but still good Sony A850 Nikon and Sony will release a new Fulflrame camera in 2010. My answer? We will have to wait until next year :(
P.S.: We are working to get news about the new NEX and Zeiss lenses, and about the A77 and NEX7 camera. If you know something feel free to share your news using the contact form on the right sidebar. Every little info helps!!! Thanks!
The german website slashcam.de reports that a new Sony firmware update will add more manual control for photocameras with video ([shoplink 3003]NEX[/shoplink] and new Alphas). The firmware update will be announced in three weeks (at Photokina). The info comes directly from Ichiro Takagi (Deputy President of the Imaging Business Group of Sony).
and 
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Nikon and Sony will release a new Fulflrame camera in 2010. My answer? We will have to wait until next year :(