I can now confirm with 99,999% certainty the new Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II will be announced in April. No info on pricing yet.
One of the three sources that told me about this lens sent me the following info:
This will come out in April, and the size, weight, and volume have decreased. The image quality is similar.
3 Months with Sony A7IV – Extended Review
Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT.
Carl Zeiss Tessar T * 45mm F2.8 tested on the SOny A7r at Sasha.
People Have No Idea What a DSLR Actually Is (PetaPixel).
Sony Venice 2: Skintones, 8.2K 16 Bit X-OCN, 90 fps Slowmotion, S-Log3-LUT … (Slashcam).
Tamron Test and Try Day – 150-500mm Sony Fit at Prohides.
Bokeh vs. Sunstars (Explora).
How to Create a Glow Effect on Photos (42West).
Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.
Join the new Sony Alpha Camera Facebook group.
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I kindly invite you all to follow our RSS feed, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors
We have our own Facebook camera groups you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony A1 group.
Sony A9 series group.
Sony A7r series group.
Sony A7s series group.
Sony A7 series group.
SD-N series
Wise announced the world’s first V90 Class 512GB card and you can preorder these cards at BHphoto (Click here).
Taipei, Taiwan – March 22, 2022 – Wise Advanced introduced a new series of V90 standard SDXC UHS-II memory media in 128GB, 256GB and the world’s first 512GB.
By taking advantage of newer chips, software and 3D NAND flash memory, the maximum capacity is increased to 4 times larger than the original model while simultaneously being able to support minimum sustained writes of 90 MB/s.
Rather than spending the majority of the company’s energy and resources on developing the latest form factor – the SD Express – it chose to focus on current demands.
“The SD Express could be a rising star in the future when more cameras apply this technology. But in the current landscape, we believe the current SD card format will continue to dominate the market, especially since Apple has put back the built-in SD UHS-II slot in the latest MacBook Pro,” said Frank Wang, product manager of Wise Advanced.
The Wise SD-N series memory media is expected to be available in mid-April 2022.
I didn’t know such a day even existed :) But the good news is that today you save big on a ton of storage products (including SD cards) sold on this special page at BHphoto (Click here).
Before we get into this speculative bit about the Sony medium format system I kindly invite you to subscribe my new Youtube channel (click here). And now let’s get onto it:
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It’s about time to talk about facts, myths and rumors about the possible future Sony medium format system. In my video above I explain everything we know so far and below you can find some facts and rumors. It’s important to disclose ASAP that there is no hard fact yet that convinced me the medium format system is coming any time soon. But there is some increasing background noise, and some patents that gives us some breadcrumps on how such a system might look like:
Sony statements on Medium Format:
Back in 2017 Sony manager said that at least for now they rule out the possibility to launch a medium format camera. The reason is that it takes a lot of time and resources to develop a new system with cameras, lenses and accessories. At the same time Sony they have all the necessary resources (knowledge and components) to make such a medium format camera if they would like to do it.
One image: Fuji GFX100s, Mamiya 7II and Sony A7rIV
But since 2017 may new patents have been published by Sony and here is a quick roundup:
Here is one of the many Sony f/2.8 medium format lens patents. In detail we got this:
The extraordinary feature of those lens patents is that they are all designed for curved sensors. Sony patented some curved sensors design (example here). This includes also Full Frame curved sensors (example here). Some other company like for example CEA-LETI already displayed some working prototype (more about this here). While Sony already showed an image sample shot on a curved sensor back in 2014 (see here).
VLSI Symposia tipsheet (via ISW) explained better how this sensor works:
“Curved CMOS Image System: When light transmitted by a lens strikes a perpendicular target such as a CMOS image sensor, it forms a circle of light called an image circle. It’s difficult for a flat (planar) CMOS image sensor to deliver high image sensitivity at high resolution (highly scaled pixel pitch) because of the fundamental physical limit known as quantum efficiency. To break through that physical limit and to achieve higher sensitivity anywhere within the image circle at higher resolution, Sony built and will describe an imaging system that comprises a hemispherically curved, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor (BIS) and integrated lens. It doubles the sensitivity at the edge of the image circle while increasing sensitivity at its center by a factor of 1.4, with a 5x reduction of dark current (Jd) compared to a planar BIS. Moreover, a common problem known as lens field curvature aberration (Afc) is mitigated by the curved sensor itself, and so the curved BIS enables higher system sensitivity with a brighter lens with a smaller F number (Fn) than is possible with a planar BIS. In addition, by controlling the tensile stress of the BIS chip to produce a curved shape in the first place, the energy band-gap (Eg) is widened and a lower Jd is achieved. (Paper T2.1, “A Novel Curved CMOS Image Sensor Integrated with Imaging System,” K. Itonaga et al., Sony)“
Recent medium format Rumors:
The only rumor I got from solid sources says that Sony is working on a new kind of camera. But we shouldn’t get too excited about that wording. It could mean a new kind FF camera too. All other rumors are from anonymous sources and therefore at high risk of being B.S. The last two I got tell us this:
Posted on SAR on December 13:
Simultaneous announcement about curved sensor medium format camera development (2 cameras, 150mp and 200mp, 9-12 prime lenses, very expensive, to follow quickly)
Posted on SAR on December 13:
the medium format system Sony will release in 2 years has not curved sensor, its a new developed 200mp 54×36 sensor in a new mount, Sony will release an adapter to use E lenses (just they can say it had a lot of compatibility lenses cause the system will be released with only 3 primes) and will be a system without mechanical shutter with flash sync faster than anything in the market by far, its a system targeted for ultimate studio work
The business case for a Sony medium format system:
The Sony A1 and the Fuji GFX proved that people is willing to pay a lot of money for exciting cameras. In all those years of constant camera market decline only the high end stuff keeps selling. Sony might have been motivated to be bold and launch a MF system.
Wrap Up:
If patents are any indication for the direction Sony wants to go with their medium format system than we can assume this:
So you see, Sony seems to aim for a proper 645 sensor with curved sensor tech to beat the Fuji GFX system in terms of image quality while still maintaining a relatively compact lens system. The trade off is that such curved sensors are eventually going to be very costly to produce.
It’s all speculation for now, and patents are no proof for real stuff happening. But I hope that within the next few months we will finally learn more if Sony is serious about this. Maybe after reading this known sources can give me some more info about what’s going on with Sony’s medium format plan ;)
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You can now preorder this new lens at Vensulens store (worldwide shipment). This is the press text:
Anhui China, 28 March 2022 – Venus Optics, the manufacturer that specialized in making unique camera lenses, is presenting a new Laowa 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift, expanding its shift lens line-up. On top of the fascinating ultra-wide angle of view, the lens delivers incredible sharpness with close-to-zero optical distortion (Zero-D). A ±11mm shift amount on full-frame (±8mm on Medium Format) allows architecture photographers to have maximum control on the perspective. The lens also comes with a rotatable lens hood for avoiding flare and protecting the front lens element. Pair with the special design lens support*, it can now create perfect high-res stitching with ease. This carefully crafted lens can absolutely satisfy professional users for both architectures, interior and landscape works.
Key Features:
*Not included, sold separately.
20mm Ultra-Wide-Angle Lens
With a 94.4° angle of view and up to 117° for panorama photography, giving you an option to capture the whole scene with one shot. It is ideal for architectural and interior photography to balance the subject and the surrounding with a pleasing ratio.
±11mm Shift Amount
With its large image circle, the maximum possible shift amount of the lens is ±11mm for full-frame camera and ±8mm for medium format camera. Sufficient shift capability allows photographers to correct converging vertical lines created by distance. By changing the perspective of the lens, straight architecture can be easily maintained.
The ±11mm shift amount also allows photographers to expand the rooms for compositions by stitching multiple images. Creating an extraordinary image perspective.
Outstanding Optical Performance
This lens has 16 elements in 11 groups with 2 aspherical elements and 3 ED elements, bringing impressive control on chromatic aberration and ensuring the image sharpness is consistent from the center to the edge.
“Zero” Distortion
As one of the “Zero-D” members, the distortion is nearly zero. Any straight lines can be maintained from corner to corner. It is a must-have advantage for architectural, commercial and interior photographers which not just saving effort in post-editing, it also prevents any issues when stitching.
14-blade Aperture
The 14-blade aperture produces a pleasant 14-point Sunstar for commercial architecture photography. It also able creates smooth circular bokeh when shooting close focus subject.
Close Focusing Distance
Apart from far-away architecture, Laowa 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift also supports capturing very close objects with a 22cm minimum focusing distance. A wide-angle macro style images can be created.
Rotatable Lens hood
The 360° rotatable lens hood shades the front of the lens, keeping the images away from unwanted flares. It is extremely convenient when there is a strong light source from the side. Photographers can also adjust the angle of the lens hood to avoid blocking the image during extreme shifts.
82mm Filter Thread
Laowa 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift is designed with 82mm filter thread which a screw-in filter can be used. Photographers can now use a lighter and more compact setup when compared to a heavier and more expensive filter holder.
Special Design Lens Support
Lens support is specially designed to work with the new 20mm f/4 Zero-D Shift. The rotatable ring is extremely helpful for stitching by retaining the principal axis when changing orientations and shifting. It is especially important for achieve perfect stitching and panorama photography.
Phillip Reeve posted a re view of this lens and concluded:
The optical performance is very solid. The field is a bit wavy with local drops in sharpness at wider apertures, but stopped down least as good as the other ultra wide angle shift lenses I have reviewed. Longitudinal CA and distortion are very well corrected, vignetting and flare resistance are comparable to similar lenses. There are still no electronic contacts though, so no Exif information are being transmitted to the camera.
What the Laowa shift lenses really have going for them are the shift mechanics, which are in my opinion the best in the market and the only ones I would want to operate when wearing gloves.
If you are looking for a shift lens in this focal length range – especially if you find the Laowa 15mm 4.5 or Canon TS-E 17mm 4.0L a tad too wide – this Laowa 20mm 4.0 Shift might be for you.
