Pretty much all mirrorless cameras—Fujifilm X, Samsung NX, to name a couple—with APS-C size sensors can take a damn fine picture these days. The a6000 does its best to stand out with a pinch of style and updated tech, but it’s still largely the same as the camera it’s replacing, 2012’s NEX-6
See those gorgeous twins up there? The ones with retro-styled magnesium bodies and massively megapixeled sensors? Known as the Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R, they’re the latest objects of desire from Sony’s imaging wizards, and I got to spend a few days shooting with both of them.
Sony’s betting big on its mirrorless camera business. The company helped to grow the market for these compact Interchangeable Lens Cameras (ILCs), releasing regular (and significant) NEX updates since their introduction a few years back. To date, those compact models have been limited to APS-C sensors — image quality was quite good, but the camera maker recently began pushing the limits, sprinkling much bigger, full-frame sensors elsewhere into its lineup. Now, it’s finally time to meet Sony’s new full-frame ILCs. But are they worthy of our affection, particularly when you consider that the 24.3-megapixel A7 will cost $1,700 and the 36.4-megapixel 7R will go for $2,300 (both prices for the bodies only) when they hit stores next month? Read on to find out.
We assure you, the camera pictured above is not the NEX-5R. Announced today alongside three new E-mount lenses and the A3000, it’s actually Sony’s new NEX-5T. This shooter’s unique feature is the addition of NFC for tap-to-device transfers of videos and photos — a nice complement to the WiFi connectivity. Aside from that, it’s pretty similar to its predecessor. Internally, you’ll find the same 16.1-megapixel APS-C sensor with a maximum ISO sensitivity of 25,600 and hybrid phase-/contrast-detect autofocus for still images. The outside houses the familiar 921k-dot 3-inch touchscreen (with 180 degrees of rotation), a rear-set navigation dial and a function button (both programmable) adjacent to the shutter button. Photographers and videographers alike should be pleased with 1080/60p video capture and continuously focused 10-frames-per-second burst shooting. This NEX can also handle Sony’s various Play Memories Camera Apps for extended versatility.
The NEX-5T is set to launch this September in white, black and silver for $700 with a 16-50mm pancake powered-zoom lens, and $550 for just the body. For now, grab a better glimpse by checking out the embedded galleries. Full press release after the break. %Gallery-slideshow73547% %Gallery-slideshow73512%
Source: Sony
Rumors of Sony’s ILC-3000 or A-3000 E-mount camera have been floating in the wind for a while, but so far nothing of substance has touched down. Now, a contributor at Dyxum.com has spotted Sony advocate Gustav Kiburg with a model that seems to fit the bill. Though it looks more like an Alpha DSLR than a NEX, the E-mount camera is purported to have no mirror and a 20-megapixel APS-C sensor that maxes out at 16,000 ISO (not to mention, captures 1080p video). Amazingly, it also apparently sports a reasonable, £300 ($450 or so) price tag. We’ll soon find out whether any of that is true if yet another rumor proves accurate — it’s supposedly set to arrive early tomorrow morning in Europe.
Via: Pocket-Lint
Source: Dyxum.com
Fotodiox has a new take on E-mount lens adapters that’ll give you 140-megapixel images by performing an interesting trick: moving the camera. The rather spendy device uses an interchangeable lens mount that accepts either Pentax 645, Mamiya 645 or Hasselblad V medium format lenses, coupled with a moveable platform to mount your Sony NEX. When ready to fire, you check the built-in exposure screen to frame the shot and the system moves the NEX around to grab images at predetermined, “precisely-positioned” locations in the lens’ field of view. After stitching it all together in Photoshop or similar software, the result is either a panorama or medium format photo (depending on camera orientation) — 140-megapixels’ worth in the case of a Sony NEX-7. Besides the $500 adapter, the aforementioned medium format lens and a tripod, you’ll likely require a healthy dollop of patience to use it, too — and forget about video, of course. Check the PR after the break for more.
Filed under: Cameras
Via: Sony Alpha Rumors
Despite the raves that recent micro four-thirds and Sony E-Mount cameras have received of late, there’s still a dearth of lenses for the fledgeling systems compared to their more entrenched counterparts. Luckily, Sigma‘s just added to the pool of autofocus-equipped models for each system: updated 19mm F2.8 DN and 30mm F2.8 DN models along with an all-new 60mm F2.8 DN telephoto lens. Each Japan-made model has a “telecentric” optical design to minimize CMOS color issues, a metal exterior with silver or black color options, and a linear autofocus motor that Sigma claims is quiet enough to use for video. Meanwhile, the imaging outfit also announced an updated 30mm, F1.4 DC HSM model for Canon APS-C, Nikon DX and its own Sigma mount. All that’s great news, though we’re still waiting for an AF/electronic F1.4 or faster lens for E-Mount (there’s only one on MFT as well) — though this might tide us over, in the meantime. See the PR after the break for more info.
Sigma Corporation announces four new lenses at CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013
January 29, 2013
Sigma Corporation announces four new lenses at CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013
APS-C format, E-Mount and Micro Four Thirds lenses feature sleek new ‘Art’ product line design
YOKOHAMA, Japan – Jan. 29, 2013-Sigma Corporation of America a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the release of four new lenses for the ART product line, including three lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and one lens for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors. This announcement comes at the start of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013 this week in Yokohama, Japan.
The new and updated Sigma lenses include the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM, which will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts, and the 30mm F2.8 DN, 19mm F2.8 DN and 60mm F2.8 DN lenses, which are available for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-Mount camera systems. Pricing and availability on all of these lenses has yet to be announced.
The 60mm F2.8 DN lens is entirely new to the Sigma lineup, while the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM and the 30mm F2.8 DN and 19mm F2.8 DN lenses are existing focal lengths that have been redesigned with enhanced optical performance and included as part of Sigma’s new Global Vision category restructuring. All three DN lenses incorporate telecentric optical designs and a linear, auto focusing motor that ensures accurate and quiet focusing for video recording. They also boast metal exteriors and a simply shaped focus ring, with varying textures to distinguish each part of the lens. In addition, DN users can choose between a black or silver finish to match their favorite equipment.
“We’re really proud of the super sharp lenses we’ve produced in the past year and these new Art lenses will continue to impress our fans and critics alike. They’re ideal for the landscape, portrait, still-life, close-up and casual photographer who values creative, dramatic outcomes above compactness and multifunction,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “The lenses are entirely made in Japan and they boast the new product line’s sleek design and enhanced quality control. We’re quite proud of these changes – and additions – to our lens lineup; they’re further evidence of Sigma’s forethought in this fast-moving industry.”
Here are more details on these new lenses from Sigma:
· 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Sigma’s new USB Dock, which will enable firmware updates and focusing adjustments, is expected to be available in coming months.- Sigma pioneered the large-aperture, APS-C format, standard lens category with its 30mm F1.4 lens in 2005. With new optical configurations of nine elements in eight groups, as well as rounded aperture blades, this updated lens delivers pleasing sharpness and a beautiful bokeh background. Its angle of view is equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera (which is similar to that of human vision), its minimum focusing distance is 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification ratio is 1:6.8. The lens’ optimized power distribution helps to minimize field curvature, prevent a loss of image quality at the edges of photographs and produce outstanding image quality. Its double-aspheric lens minimizes spherical distortion, astigmatism and coma, and its rear focus system prevents focus-dependent variation in aberration. Together, the new optimized auto focus (AF) algorithm and rear focusing system ensure smooth and accurate focusing. The new 30mm F1.4 is also compatible with Sigma’s new USB Dock, which will enable firmware updates and focusing adjustments, is expected to be available in coming months.
· 60mm F2.8 DN- Featuring the natural perspective of mid-range telephoto lenses, together with a shallow depth of field, this lens allows the photographer to capture a single part of a subject with great bokeh effects. It has an angle of view equivalent to 120mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The minimum focusing distance is 19.7 inches; the maximum magnification is 1:7.2. This lens also contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize axial and transverse chromatic aberration.
· Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, wide-angle telephoto lens has an angle of view equivalent to 38mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). As a wide-angle lens with excellent mobility, it is ideal for studio photography, architecture and starry skies. Its minimum focusing distance is 7.9 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:7.4.
· Sigma 30mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, standard telephoto lens has an angle of view equivalent to 60mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 45mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens, which is perfect for casual and formal portraiture, documentary photography, travelogues and everyday shooting, includes a double-sided aspherical lens that enhances its optical performance. Its minimum focusing distance of 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:8.1.
For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com. For the full press releases for each of these new lenses, visit Sigma’s news section at www.sigmaphoto.com/sigma-news.
About Sigma Corporation
For more than 50 years, Sigma Corporation’s expertise and innovation has driven the company’s core philosophy of “knowledge, plus experience, plus imagination,”with anemphasis on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology. This family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than more than 45 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. For information, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com.
Filed under: Cameras
Via: Sony Alpha Rumors
NEX cameras owners should feel a bit better about their purchase after tonight, as Sony just announced two additional E-Mount lenses to pick from—a 20mm f/2.8, and 18-200 f/3.5-6.3 power zoom. More »
Sony NEX owners don’t exactly have a ton of lenses to choose from. There are many adapters out there for Leica, Nikon, Canon and other lens brands. But the latest from Metabones includes features that truly change the lens-adapter game. More »
There aren’t too many lens adapters that catch our eye, but the $600 Metabones Speedbooster has so many tricks up its sleeve that we can see it tempting a lot of serious NEX camera users — like us. Big words, but what it purports to do is nothing short of mind-boggling. First off, it adapts your Canon EF (full-frame) lenses to E-Mount, which is nice enough since there’s still a paucity of high-end glass for NEX users. But it gets better: the Speedbooster also makes your lens wider by a factor of 0.71x, shrinking an 85mm lens to 59mm, for instance — effectively making your NEX nearly full-frame. Other adapters can do some of that, but its final trick is the piece de resistance: increasing the speed of a lens by a full stop. That may sound impossible, but it apparently works by concentrating the extra light-gathering area of a full-frame lens down to the smaller E-mount sensor area, turning an f4.0 lens into an f2.8 lens, for instance. The adapter allegedly increases sharpness on top of all that, and brings “auto-aperture, image stablization, EXIF and (slow) autofocus support,” for late model EF lenses, according to Metabones.
Skepticism reigns until we can scope it for ourselves, but the adapter came out shining on Philip Bloom‘s video and photo tests so far, judging by his samples (below the break). The $600 price tag will likely dissuade casual users, but light-deprived indoor shooters (like us) or those shopping for new glass — who already have a bagful of EF-lenses — might take to it like a sugar addict to Trix. Metabones said they’ll start shipping the Speedbooster this month, and will come out with MFT and Fuji-X mount options, along with support for lenses from Nikon and Leica, among others. Check the source to see how to grab it, but the line forms behind us.
Continue reading Metabones Speedbooster promises faster EF lenses when mounted on NEX cameras
Filed under: Cameras
Via: Philip Bloom
Source: Metabones
Sony NEX-6 kit owners have been shooting with it for weeks, but the company’s 16-50mm retractable zoom lens isn’t quite yet available as a standalone purchase. That’s set to change early next year — reps have told us that the lens should hit stores by mid-February, while the optic’s own product page now lists an estimated ship date of February 3rd. The lens, which ships with the NEX-6 for a $150 premium (compared to the $850 body-only price), delivers a focal range similar to that of Sony’s larger 18-55mm optic, matching that version’s f/3.5-5.6 aperture as well. It’s compatible with E-mount cameras, including select Handycam camcorders and discontinued models like the NEX-C3. It was also slated to ship as part of an NEX-5R kit for $800, but the company has scrapped plans for that particular package. For now, you can hit up Sony’s site at the source link below to hop on the pre-order list.
Source: Sony
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