Impressive success by Peak Design! Their new Outdoor Bag collected 1,6 million dollars with 5,000 backers on Kickstarter (Click here).

The new Samyang modular pancake is now available for reorder at WexUK and ParkCameras. It’s the first time the lens is available for reorder outside Korea. Hopefully it will be available soon in other countries too!

Laowa presented a new series of Cine MACRO lenses. These will be available for E-mount too:

• 15mm T4.1
• 25mm T2.9
• 35mm T2.9
• 60mm T2.9
• 100mm T2.9
• 180mm T4.6

CineD writes:

As their name suggests, these lenses should deliver very sharp images with consistent optical performance in a compact, affordable, macro-capable package, whose development was based on user feedback, according to Laowa. It seems as if the company checked all the boxes, at least in marketing terms. But we’ll have to look into this seemingly perfect line and see if it holds up to these high standards.

You can reorder the new Sony Lavalier mic for $279 at BHphoto.

Press text:

Sony Electronics announces the ECM-L1, a professional-quality lavalier microphone with plug-in power. The ECM-L1 achieves high-quality and reliable sound through Sony’s expertise in professional audio technology, ensuring every word and nuance is captured with precision. The 3.5mm mini plug providing plug-in power support is designed for an extensive range of uses¹, including direct connection to Sony’s Alpha series cameras equipped with aux audio inputs or wireless microphone transmitters. Featuring a compact pin design, it can be discreet without sacrificing sound performance, making it perfect for vlogging, interviews, documentaries, and livestreams.

“There has been increasing interest in higher-quality sound options to match the continued rise in video content creation. With the introduction of the ECM-L1, we’re able to leverage technology from our trusted ECM-77 professional audio line. This new addition brings a pro-grade audio lavalier solution to the gear kits of creators,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc.

High-Quality Design and Reliable Sound Performance

The ECM-L1 is designed to meet top-tier reliability and quality demands. Its capsule is built with a fixed electrode plate made of a rigid ceramic. Its superior vibration properties deliver excellent sound quality with improved rise time and high resolution. Externally, the microphone capsule is covered with a machined brass exterior to suppress unnecessary external resonance, enabling clear, crisp sound pickup. In addition, the high-purity OFC (oxygen-free copper) cable reduces audio transmission loss without compromising high sound quality.

The durable brass housing protects the ECM-L1 microphone to hold up against wear and tear, even under rough usage at shooting sites. The 2.2 mm diameter cable is resistant to breakage and a locking ring² is used at the connection point with the recording device to prevent the connector from accidentally coming loose.

Two types of windscreens are included to reduce wind and pop noise, including a discreet metal option and a faux fur option.

Plug-In Power Support for Versatile Compatibility

The ECM-L1 lavalier microphone has plug-in power, where power is supplied from the connected device. It can be connected to a wide range of devices equipped with a 3.5 mm microphone input terminal, such as cameras, smartphones, wireless microphones, IC recorders, and computers, enabling high-quality audio recording to suit the many types of use cases.

Pricing and Availability

The ECM-L1 will be available in October 2024 for approximately $279.99 USD and $399.99 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

For detailed product information about ECM-L1, please visit:

https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/imaging-accessories/all-accessories/p/ecml1

Exclusive stories and exciting content featuring all of Sony’s imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to inform, educate, and inspire content creators.

Notes:

¹ ​ The ECM-L1 has a 3.5 mm mini plug (3-pin). Compatibility with all products is not guaranteed. A commercially available conversion adapter may be required. Please refer to each manufacturer’s specifications for compatibility

² ​ Available when connecting to a device that supports locking ring.

On September 26 Viltrox will launch the new pancake lens on Indiegogo. The price will be $99

Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 VCM pancake lens specs:

• Full Frame
• Autofocus (VCM  coil motor)
• Minimum shooting distance: 0.32m.
• all-metal built
• no manual focus ring
• has a lever with built-in cap to close the lens
• Price is $99
• Launch on September 26
• Sony E and Nikon Z

A reader (Thanks!) sent me this image from the IBC show in Amsterdam. It’s a posted displaying all six 7Artisans autofocus E-mount lenses. The new lenses on top of the existing 50 and 85mm primes are:

AF 35mm F2.8
AF 40mm F2.8
AF 24mm F1.8
AF 35mm F1.8

Sigma 28-45mm T2.0 AF Cine Zoom (left) versus the Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art (right)

PetaPixel published the first image of the Cine lens version of the current Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 FE lens. The image shows the L-mount version but there will be obviously also an E-mount version.

Compared to the regular lens the Cine lens those differences:

• Cine lens weights 1250g instead of 960g
• It has 6mm filter size instead of 82mm
• Four additional marked focal lengths
• No automatic aperture position

No pricing has been announced yet by Sigma. But what’s very important to know is that this is Sigma’s first Cine lens with autofocus!