(SR5) New Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 for Sony Alpha mount!

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It’s fine to start the new week with good news! Tokina will launch the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 for Sony Alpha mount! Expected release in Japan on February 24. This lens is designed for APS-C sensors. Filter size is 77mm. Body size is 84.1 × 96mm (maximum diameter × length). Weight is 560g.

The price should be something around $630.00. Amazon has the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 for Nikon in Stock for $627.00

A review of the lens on a Canon camera is available here at photozone (it performs very very good!).

Source: DCwatch (in japanese)

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Amazon US: More price drops on Alpha stuff…

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In two days only we saw a price drop on five! Sony APS-C lenses. I don’t know if that is a sign for something new coming from Sony. Could be also a normal aggressive Sony price strategy!

Click on the link or picture to visit the product page:

Sony 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens. New price $499.00 (Previous $599.00)

Sony DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens. New price $429.00 (Previous $529.00)

Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Lens. New price $199.00 (Previous $249.00)

Sony A500(Body only). New price $699 (Previous $749.00)

Sony 50mm f/1.8. New price $124 (Previous $149.00)

Sony 30mm f/2.8 Lens. New price $175 (Previous $199.00)

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We found a new Alpha product…the Alpha Watch :)

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The Sony Alpha limited edition watch

We are currently scanning the world wide web for new Alpha rumors and the only thing we found is that:
. (The auction is now closed so you can’t have it)

I hope we will find something more interesting for you soon! If you have rumors or news or if you only want to talk with us write us at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com

P.S:
Thanks Tim :)

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(SR5) UPDATE -> New Sony patent shows a new lens

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IMPORTANT: When you find a patent like this it doesn’t necessary become real. Sony could decide to not bring the lens on market. Anyway if they patented it… :)

One of our SonyAlphaRumors found a new Sony Lens patent.

Application Number:
12/457357

Publication Date:
01/28/2010

Filing Date:
06/09/2009
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UPDATE:
David Kilpatrick gave us some more details about the patent:

“The patent does not relate to simply making a 16-80mm f/2.8-3.5 – it relates to how the problem of keeping lens size down is tackled. The patent covers the concept of moving the position of aperture at ONE exact point in the zooming, so the lens has two apertures. From 16 to 24mm, it is a constant f/2.8 – from 25mm to 80mm, it is a constant f/3.5. Instead of the gradual change (reported by the lens IC as a series of 1/3rd or 1/2 stop steps, according to how your camera is set) this lens is like having two constant aperture zooms.

One of the problems currently being faced by Canon is their inability to use electronic aperture zooms, with variable apertures, for smooth changes in exposure during video filming. Unlike the mechanical aperture of the Alpha mount, which is analog in operation though the camera limits it to fixed settings, the Canon EF aperture is electronically set in 1/3rd steps and can not be varied smoothly. Constant aperture zooms are vital for video, and ISO variation is the preferred way to cope with light changes during video.

Sony’s patent may be partly connected with perfect smooth control (continuous) of aperture, which will be necessary to make the Alpha system match their exacting video standards. It could be accompanied by a zoom range limiter, to ensure that the user does not zoom through the sudden position-shift of the iris assembly within the lens described in the patent.

The benefits of using a variable position aperture (or in this case, a two-position aperture) are seen in a substantial reduction of the diameter and size required for the front zoom group – a negative group, like a retrofocus w/a – without aberration and vignetting issues.”

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(SR3) What’s coming at PMA? Everybody talks about the new Sony EVIL system :)

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Good morning dear readers. As you know on late February there will be the big PMA show Arnheim-California. The show starts on February 21.

Every Brand will show their latest products and I am sure Sony is ready to announce their new creations. Around the web many are trying to speculate what’s coming and I made you a very short summary:

Letsgodigital
To be honest Letsgodigital speculations have been prooven to be very unexact. They were wrong many times so I would not count on it when they say the A700 successor could be a 3D camera :) They also believe Sony mirrorless camera (they call it system camera) is coming. But everyody knows that already!

The prediction from David Kilpatrick of PhotoClubAlpha could be more accurate!
Here is what he says: “”In Spring or maybe even sooner, I think we will see the introduction of a new Sony EVIL system similar to the Samsung N-system. There will be a ‘pancake’ wide angle and a collapsible kit zoom like Olympus, because pocketability matters. There will also be an adaptor which allows the use of SAM/SSM lenses on the EVIL body with limited automation. I think the aperture may need to be set manually on the adaptor. Older in-body motor lenses will be usable in MF and fixed aperture setting mode.

The new lens design will use an SSM type motor not SAM, and will have a new aperture mechanism capable of true continuous variation under electronic control. This will allow AE during video to work correctly. The existing Alpha lens design allows continuous variation, but it requires mechanical control. Canon is currently unable to offer its system for serious video use as the design only allows aperture adjustment in sudden 1/3rd stop steps, which makes any required exposure change in video a ‘jump’ or series of jumps. Sony will work to overcome this issue before releasing a 1080p capable EVIL.

I’m basing this prediction mainly on information from Canon, not Sony!

Where Sony could gain a huge market share would be in cross-system adaptors. Olympus/Panny get this to a degree now. Sony could design a body which was able to use Nikon AF-S, Canon USM and other similar lenses via dedicated adaptors with some degree of AF and AE. I don’t think they will do that, but once they have a body and the SAM/SSM Alpha adaptor, third party makers will do so.

If it doesn’t arrive in Spring, there is photokina ahead in September.”

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SonyAlphaRumors is currently working to get some news about Sonys PMA announcement. We will let you know soon…count on it!

Have a nice day!

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