OL: Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Review

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 30, 2023


The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS has been around for a while and Optical Limits just published their full review of the lens here. Below is an excerpt from the review:

The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS delivered decent, albeit not exceptional results during our testing. At 100mm, it is certainly very sharp. There’s a slight, continuous downturn in quality the more you zoom out. The image center is still very good to excellent at 400mm, whereas the outer image field softens somewhat more. Lateral CAs are relatively low, but they are auto-corrected anyway. The same applies to image distortions. RAW images reveal some vignetting at wide-open aperture, but, once again, that’s mostly hidden from you as an end user. A positive aspect is the quality of the bokeh. Some may frown upon the slow max aperture, but the technical out-of-focus rendering is much better than usual for a long tele zoom lens.

In terms of build quality, the lens remains true to its GM designation – meaning that it is aligned to professional use. The metal construction feels tough and the dust- and moisture-sealing makes it suitable for more difficult outdoor conditions. The extending zoom mechanism may not be ideal, but it allows for a compact size during transport. The AF speed is very high. The image stabilizer is pretty efficient as well. A specialty of the lens is its close-focus capability. The Sony lens features a floating focusing system that optimizes the optics according to the focus distance. While this doesn’t put it into the same league as a dedicated macro lens, you can expect better results than from most other lenses in its class here.

Follow SonyAddict on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

Plus our owners’ groups
Sony a1 Owners Group
Sony a9 Owners Group
Sony a7 Owners Group

Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 GM OSS:B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Posted in Sony lenses| Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

B&H Photo 4th of July Savings

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 29, 2023


B&H Photo is having a big 4th of July sale and you can see all the deals here or check out some of the ones I found below:

Follow SonyAddict on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

Plus our owners’ groups
Sony a1 Owners Group
Sony a9 Owners Group
Sony a7 Owners Group

Posted in Deals| Leave a comment

Sigma 50-140mm F/2.8 DC DN and Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN Patents Found

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 28, 2023


overview

  • [Publication number] P2023090116
  • [Release date] 2023-06-29
  • [Title of Invention] Imaging Optical System
  • [Application date] 2021-12-17
  • [Applicant]
    [Identification number] 000131326
    [Name] Sigma Corporation
  • Kind Code: A1 A compact image forming optical system having a small open F value over the entire zoom range is provided.
  • 2. Description of the Related Art
    In recent years, a so-called mirrorless camera, which eliminates a quick-return mirror that is arranged between an imaging optical system and an imaging device and guides light rays to a finder optical system, has become popular. Since the body of the mirrorless camera has been downsized by eliminating the mirror, downsizing of the imaging optical system is required accordingly. Also, there is a demand for a large aperture zoom lens with a small open F-number over the entire zoom range.
  • [0004]
    Patent Document 1 discloses a positive lead type zoom lens having a bright open F number of about 2.8 and having a lens group closest to the object side fixed with respect to an image plane during zooming. Since the optical total length does not change, convenience and robustness are high, but there is a problem that the size of the imaging optical system is large. Patent Document 2 discloses a positive lead type zoom lens having a bright open F number of about 2.8 and a shortened total optical length at the wide-angle end. However, since many lens groups with large diameters that move during zooming are arranged on the image side of the aperture stop, the mechanism required for zooming is large, and the size of the lens barrel in the radial direction is large. .
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact image forming optical system with a small open F value over the entire zoom range .


Example 1

  • Focal length: 50.50-136.50
  • F-value: 2.92
  • Half angle of view: 30.62-11.40
  • Image height: 14.20
  • Total length: 125.00-145.00


Example 2

  • Focal length: 72.00-194.10
  • F-value: 2.92
  • Half angle of view: 32.92-12.12
  • Image height: 21.63
  • Total length: 168.00-203.60

via asobinet, ipforce

Posted in 3rd Party Lens, Patents| Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sony Electronics Announces Free ZV-E1 Upgrade to Elevate Content Creation – 4K 120p Upgrade Now Available for Users

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 28, 2023


Sony ZV-E1: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Sony Electronics Announces Free ZV-E1 Upgrade to Elevate Content Creation

4K 120p Upgrade Now Available for Users

SAN DIEGO, June 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics announces an upgrade for the ZV-E1, the world’s most compact and lightweight full-frame interchangeable lens camerai, offering video creators maximum creative freedom and versatility. Announced in March of this year, the ZV-E1 is designed to offer the ultimate video creation experience.

With this new upgrade, the ZV-E1 joins a roster of Sony cameras featuring 4K 120p video recording, including the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III, and the FX6, FX3, and FX30 from Sony’s Cinema Line. This feature enables faster high-speed frame rate video recording, resulting in smooth slow-motion footage that is five times slower than standard 24fps, highlighting Sony’s commitment to providing groundbreaking technology for all creators.

The upgrade also introduces Full HD 240p recording capability to the ZV-E1, providing even more flexibility for the video creator.

The original release of the ZV-E1 showcased impressive video performance with the ability to record high-quality 4K video at 10-bit 4:2:2 with full pixel readout, without pixel binning, and with minimized rolling shutter. This latest upgrade further enhances the camera’s video capabilities and is unlocked through Sony’s Creators’ Cloud platform.

Sony’s Creators’ Cloud, designed for content creators of all types, offers services and applications optimized for the entire creative process, from shooting to collaboration with creators worldwide. This integration includes the Creators’ App, a mobile application that facilitates seamless content transfer from camera to cloudii.

Completing the ZV-E1 upgrade via the Creators’ Cloud is a simple process. Users sign into their Creators’ Cloud account, access the Upgrade page, input their ZV-E1 model serial number, and download a free license. Installation can be performed via an SD card or with a USB plug-in. With the Creators’ Cloud platform, users can also easily manage and reinstall licenses via the License Management pageii. A Sony Creators’ Cloud account is required to access the license to upgrade.

Upgrade is available as of today, June 28, 2023, via the Creators’ Cloud application at no additional cost to Alpha ZV-E1 users.

For more information about the ZV-E1 upgrade, please visit Sony’s official website: https://creatorscloud.sony.net/cameraupgrade/4k120p/.

Posted in Sony ZV-E1, Sony ZV1| Tagged , | Leave a comment

Pergear CFExpress Professional Type A Cards

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 28, 2023

PERGEAR Professional 520GB CFexpress: Amazon
PERGEAR Professional 260GB CFexpress: Amazon
PERGEAR Professional 80GB CFexpress: Amazon

  • 🌿 Pergear Professional CFexpress Type A Memory Card, specially designed for high resolution video recording, for continuous recording at 4K 120P/8K 30P /4K60P.
  • 🌿 Max read speed of up to 880MB/s, Max write speed of up to 900MB/s. Speeds based on internal testing. Actual transfer rates and capacity may vary depending on host device, file attributes, system hardware and other factors .
  • 🌿 Compatible Devices：A7 IV、A1、A7SIII、A7RV、FX3、FX6. This 80G CFexpress Type A card has been approved for the Sony A7 IV、A1、A7SIII、A7RV、FX3、FX6.
  • 🌿 Note: PERGEAR CFE-A series products will maintain the brand’s usual 5-year warranty policy. In case of non-human damage, we will replace it with a new one even if it has run out of life.
  • 🌿 Please note that this card is not compatible with CFexpress Type B, CompactFlash, or CFast 2.0 hosts. CFexpress Type A cards are only compatible with devices that support the CFexpress format. Highest transfer speed achieved only when used with a CFexpress Type-A reader.
Posted in Accessories| Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 Firmware 03 Released

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 27, 2023

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II SEL70200GM2:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Sony released a firmware update for the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II SEL70200GM2 which you can download here.

Benefits and Improvements Firmware 03

  • Improves AF performance

Previous Benefits and Improvements

The following benefits and improvements are also included in this update.

  • Improves the Image Stabilization performance when used with the ILCE-7RM5 camera
  • Improves operational stability

Follow SonyAddict on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

Plus our owners’ groups
Sony a1 Owners Group
Sony a9 Owners Group
Sony a7 Owners Group

Posted in Firmware updates, Sony lenses| Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment