Pelican dropped a ton of new products you can get now at BHphoto and Adorama. A helpful introduction text can be read at Explora.

The Sony Burano E-mount film camera workhorse got a new major firmware update. You can read about it on Explora.

Press text:

Sony is pleased to announce new features and operational improvements have been added to the upcoming BURANO Version 2.0 firmware update. Planned to be released in March 2025, BURANO Version 2.0 offers many new features and improvements requested by the user community, including new recording formats, new 1.8x de-squeeze, and monitoring improvements.

BURANO Version 2.0: New Recording Formats

As previously announced, Version 2.0 will include new recording formats, including a new 3.8K Full Frame crop that leverages nearly the entire sensor and can shoot up to 120 fps and a 1.9K mode that can shoot up to 240 fps. These new recording modes allow the filmmaker to prioritize faster sensor performance depending on the needs of their application. Other new recording formats include the addition of 24.00 fps to X-OCN 16:9 imager modes and the following:

Full Frame 3.8K 16:9 Mode Up to 120 fps XAVC and X-OCN

Super 35 4.3K 4:3 Mode (for Anamorphic) Up to 60 fps X-OCN only

Super 35 1.9K 16:9 Mode Up to 240 fpsi XAVC only

BURANO Version 2.0 will also add a 1.8x de-squeeze setting as well as additional high frame rate (S & Q) modes, including up to 66, 72, 75, 88, 90, 96, and 110 fps. It will also add proxy recording for 24.00 fps recording formats.

BURANO Version 2.0: Monitoring, SDI, and Metadata Improvements

In addition to the new recording formats, Version 2.0 offers various monitoring and metadata improvements, including standardized SDI video output for monitoring across X-OCN and XAVCii. It adds breathing compensation and image stabilization metadata in X-OCN, time code and clip name metadata to SDI output.

Based on feedback from BURANO users, Version 2.0 will offer an improved on-screen display that places camera status information outside of the image and also includes View Finder Gamma Display Assist while using S-Log3 for monitoring.

Version 2.0 will add 24V output to the PL Mount Voltage menu. In addition, it adds compatibility with Focus/Iris/Zoom control for PL Mount lenses while using the BURANO’s optional GP-VR100 handgrip.

BURANO Version 2.0: Improved Image Output and Added Exposure Tools

BURANO Version 2.0 will also include several image output improvements, including enhanced image output when using the preset S-Log3 look or 3D User LUTs. Additionally, Version 2.0 will enhance Auto Focus performance when recording with the following frame rates: 23.98, 24, 25, and 29.97.

Version 2.0 also includes additional exposure tools (High/Low Key) derived from the flagship VENICE camera system. It will also expand white balance memory presets from 3 to 8 and support Active/High Image Stabilization in Full-Frame crop 6K and Super 35 1.9K 16:9 imager modes.

In addition, BURANO Version 2.0 will improve ease of use functionality with the ability to format media from the status screen as well as set CAM ID and Reel Number, which is standard for documentary and reality TV applications.

Version 2.0 will also change the factory default frequency setting from 59.94 to 23.98p and will add a setting to “reset to factory defaults” setting.

Finally, BURANO Version 2.0 will add live event and multicam functionality, including variable ND control from RCPs, improved camera control from Camera Remote SDK, and tally control for devices connected via LAN.

Availability

The new BURANO Version 2.0 is planned to be released in March 2025. Filmmakers can easily download the update directly to their camera using a Mac or PC. For more information, visit sonycine.com or follow us on Instagram @sonycine for more information.

I have two messages for readers and sources:

1. Today I got a rumor about a unique Sony camera. I don’t know if it’s real or BS. I ask my sources to send me some hints about this using this contact box or at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.
2. I finally know with 100% accuracy what Sony will announced in February. It’s NOT this lens (which still could be coming later). I will publish the rumors tomorrow (Jan 24) on SAR and on my Youtube channel (Click here and subscribe)

Important: I have pneumonia and I working between one treatment and another…pretty exhausting :(

Last year, Venus Optics launched its first autofocus lens, the Laowa 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D FF (B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama). This lens received excellent reviews and sold better than expected. I’m even more pleased to hear that Venus Optics has officially announced that they will be releasing FOUR more E-mount autofocus lenses this year!

This news was reported by CameraBeta during an official meeting with Vensu Optics. Here is a picture of the booth:

If you happen to know more about those four lenses please use this contact box or send me an email at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

Tamron issued a new firmware udpate for the 50-400mm lens. Those are the improvements:

• Improved AF performance during zooming
• With α9 III, when its focus mode is set to AF-S, DMF, or MF, it will support continuous shooting at up to approximately 120 frames per second

Tamron 50-400mm (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)

The very large Japanese camera store Yodobashi has listed the 20 best-selling lenses for the whole of 2024:

1. Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
2. Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD (E-mount)
3. Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
4. Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (E-mount)
5. Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
6. Canon RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM
7. Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
8. Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary (E-mount)
9. Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
10. Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
11. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
12. Canon RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
13. Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
14. Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR
15. Canon RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM
16. Canon RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM
17. Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
18. Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S
19. Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
20. Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD (E-mount)

10 lenses in this list are E-mount!

Reminder:  Yodobashi 20 best-selling camera kits for the whole of 2024:

1. Sony α7C II Body
2. Sony α7C II Zoom Lens Kit
3. Canon EOS R50 Double Zoom Kit
4. Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body
5. Nikon Z8 Body
6. Sony A7 IV
7. Canon EOS R10 RF-S18-150 IS STM Lens Kit
8. Canon EOS R5 Body
9. Nikon Zfc 16-50 VR Lens Kit
10. Sony α7R V Body
11. Nikon Z50 Double Zoom Kit
12. Sony FX3 Body
13. Sony α7 IV Zoom Lens Kit
14. Nikon Zf 40mm f/2 (SE) Lens Kit
15. Sony α6700 High Magnification Zoom Lens Kit
16. Nikon Z30 Double Zoom Kit
17. Canon EOS R6 Mark II/RF24-105 L IS USM Lens Kit
18. Fujifilm X-T5 Body
19. Canon EOS R50/RF-S18-45 IS STM Lens Kit
20. Olympus PEN E-P7 EZ Double Zoom Kit