New Sony ECM-B10 Available For Preorder


Sony ECM-B10: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Sony Electronics Announces New Compact ECM-B10 Shotgun Microphone
New Three-in-one Super-directional Microphone’s Digital Signal Processing Delivers High-quality Sound Collection in a Compact Form Factor

SAN DIEGOJune 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics Inc. today introduced a new shotgun microphone, the ECM-B10. This new microphone features Sony’s industry-leading sharp directivity and digital signal processing, known to the ECM-B1M, in a remarkably compact form factor.

A Three-in-one Microphone
The ECM-B10 applies digital signal processing to the sound collected by four high-performance microphone capsules using beamforming technology. This allows the user to customize how the audio is recorded by enhancing the microphone’s sensitivity from different directions. The microphone offers three types of directivity in a single product, allowing the user to easily switch between super-directional, unidirectional and omnidirectional.

When using super-directivity, the microphone collects sound from a narrow field in front while suppressing sound from other directions. The super-directivity setting is a great option for interviews, selfies, and other situations where the range of sound collection is limited to a narrow extent at the front.

The ECM-B10 also offers unidirectional sensitivity that suppresses sound from behind while collecting sound from a wide field in front. This option is perfect for recording conversations between several people.

For additional flexibility, the user can also select omnidirectional sensitivity, which picks up sound equally from all directions and is ideal for recording environmental sounds.

Crystal Clear Recording
The ECM-B10 offers crystal clear sound collection with effective noise suppression. Using digital signal processing within the microphone itself, the ECM-B10 effectively reduces noise for clearer sound collection and creates a more efficient post-production workflow since less audio edits are required. The ECM-B10 pairs with cameras that are equipped with a MI (Multi Interface) Shoe, either analog or for best results; with cameras with a digital audio interfacei to transmit audio directly as a digital signal to deliver high-quality sound recording without degradation. In addition, the microphone’s shock and vibration suppressing design effectively suppresses low-frequency vibration noise, while its cable-less design eliminates noise transmitted via cables. The supplied windscreen minimizes environmental noises, making it easy to capture crisp audio even when shooting outside.

For additional versatility, the ECM-B10 also includes the following audio settings:

  • ATT (attenuator) switch (0/10/20 dB).
  • FILTER switch (noise cut / low cut / off)
  • AUDIO LEVEL dial with AUTO/MAN (manual) switch
  • DIGITAL/ANALOG switch

Features to Love
The microphone’s compact body provides flexibility and mobility, even when using gimbals and grips.

Users can also experience greater shooting flexibility by connecting the ECM-B10 to a camera via the MI Shoe to operate without cables, which prevents any interference with the side flip out screen, or external batteries. Power is supplied directly from the camera to the microphone, so you can continue shooting without worrying about the microphone battery running out.

For detailed setting operation, a comprehensive range of audio settings are available on the back of the microphone.  This lets the user check the setting status at a glance to prevent accidental settings and give peace of mind. For added durability, the ECM-B10’s design is resistant to dust and moistureii, which allows for worry-free outdoor shooting when combined with a similarly dust and moisture resistant body and lensiii.

Pricing and Availability
The new ECM-B10 will be available in August for approximately $250.00 USD and $320.00 CAD. It will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.

Posted in Accessories| Tagged | 2 Comments

Sony A1 Firmware 1.30 Released: Adds 4:2:2 10bit XAVC HS 8K and More


Sony A1: B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

Sony released a pretty big firmware update for the Sony A1 that adds 4:2:2 10bit XAVC HS 8K you can download the update here.

Benefits and Improvements

  • Allows you to select M and S sizes in addition to L when using the RAW recording lossless compression method
  • Adds the 4:2:2 10bit selection when shooting XAVC HS 8K
  • Allows proxy recording during a remote computer connection
  • Improves the accuracy of the Eye AF feature
  • Fixes an issue where the remote shooting may not work with Imaging Edge Desktop (Remote)
  • Improves the stability of the custom white balance
  • Improves the operational stability of the camera

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Posted in Firmware updates, Sony A1| 2 Comments

Sony Resumes Accepting Sony a7C and ZV-E10 Order


Sony a7C: B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Sony ZV-E10: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Notice regarding resumption of acceptance of orders for some digital imaging products

Dear customers

Thank you for your continued patronage of Sony products.

Regarding some of the digital imaging products that have been suspended from accepting orders as of May 27, 2022, the supply status has changed, so we would like to inform you as follows.

Record

Update date and timeproduct nameAbout supply status
June 14, 2022Digital SLR camera: α7C seriesAfter June 24, 2022, we will resume accepting orders from our distributors and customers’ orders at the Sony store.
June 14, 2022Digital SLR camera: VLOGCAM ZV-E10 seriesAfter June 24, 2022, we will resume accepting orders from our distributors and customers’ orders at the Sony store.
May 26, 2022Digital SLR camera: α6400 seriesAfter May 27, 2022, we will resume accepting orders from our distributors and customers’ orders at the Sony store.
February 17, 2022ILME-FX6VK / PXW-Z150 / PXW-Z90 and multi-battery adapter kit NPA-MQZ1KAfter February 17, 2022, we will suspend the acceptance of orders from our distributors and customers’ orders at the Sony store.
December 23, 2021
Stop accepting orders
Digital SLR camera: α6600 series / α7C seriesAfter December 23, 2021, we will suspend the acceptance of orders from our distributors and customers’ orders at the Sony store.
Production completed on December 23, 2021Digital SLR camera: α7 II series / α6100 seriesAt the time of the announcement on November 19, 2021, the α7 II series / α6100 body (black) was designated as a “product subject to suspension of order acceptance”, but since there is no prospect of future parts supply, 2021 Production will be completed on December 23rd.
December 3, 2021
Stop accepting orders
Digital SLR camera: VLOGCAM ZV-E10 seriesAfter December 3, 2021, we will suspend the acceptance of orders from our distributors and customers’ orders at the Sony store.
November 19, 2021
Stop accepting orders
Digital single-lens camera: α7 II series / α6400 series / α6100 body (black)
Shotgun microphone: ECM-B1M
Professional camcorder: PXW-Z190
After November 19, 2021, we will suspend the acceptance of orders from our distributors and customers’ orders at the Sony store.

[Products for which orders have been suspended as of June 24, 2022]

・ Professional camcorder: PXW-Z190 / ILME-FX6VK / PXW-Z150 / PXW-Z90 and multi-battery adapter kit NPA-MQZ1K
・ Digital single-lens camera: α6600 series
・ Shotgun microphone: ECM-B1M

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Posted in Sony a7C, Sony ZV-E10| 2 Comments

Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO Announced


Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO:
VenusOptics

Anhui China, 13 June 2022 – Three years since Venus Optics launched its award-winning 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO, the brand announced the new 90m f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro APO lens specially designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras. It is the eighth addition to Laowa’s 2:1 magnification macro lens lineup. The new 90mm lens not only inherited the 2:1 magnification to infinity ability and APO design but also appears much smaller in size. It provides mirrorless systems with superb optical performance and delivers outstanding sharpness. Satisfying photographers’ need for exploring unbelievable details our eyes cannot normally see and offer surprising versatility for capturing wildlife, products and portraits.

Highlights:

  • Incredible 2x magnification
  • Apochromat APO design
  • Specifically designed for mirrorless camera
  • Much smaller than equivalents
  • Outstanding image sharpness
  • Smooth bokeh
  • Internal focusing

Incredible 2x magnification
This ultra-macro lens can reproduce 2:1 magnification of life-size images, showing extensive details of the object in high resolution. With a 20.5cm minimum focusing distance, it is ideal for capturing tiny subjects and doing super close-up shots.

The lens magnification ranges from 0.1X to 2X, allowing photographers to capture objects of different sizes conveniently without changing the lens. The extended magnification range and focus to infinity provide more flexibility in framing the image. You can excel in a wide range of settings with this lens from macro to portrait photography. Read More »

Posted in 3rd Party Lens| Tagged , | 2 Comments

Megadap ETZ21 In-depth Review Posted


The Megadap ETZ21 is an update to the Megadap ETZ11, which was an impressive feat allowing Sony glass to be mounted on a Nikon camera with full AF support. Asobinet posted a lengthy review with lots of video evidence that you can read here or you can check out the translated excerpts from the summary below:

..the price has increased by several thousand yen compared to ETZ11, in some cases the stability of AF using the peripheral part has improved and pinpoint AF is available, so it is worth more than the difference… expect it to improve in future firmware updates.

I didn’t feel any problems with the usability when shooting live-action shots, especially when shooting still subjects. As a matter of course, lens correction is invalid, so it is not compatible with lenses with strong distortion and limb darkening.

… If you need reliable tracking AF, you should have a genuine Z lens or an F mount lens via an FTZ adapter.

…Compared to TECHART’s TZE series and the old model TZE11, it is an adapter that is easier to recommend.

If you are an ETZ11 user and are satisfied with the usability of ETZ11, you do not need to switch immediately. However, there are many opportunities to focus on the peripheral area, and if you want to utilize pinpoint AF, it seems worth considering… the adapter is better made… I recommend it if you have enough space in your wallet.

Megadap Adapters can be found at B&H Photo and Amazon

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Posted in 3rd Party Lens| Tagged , | 1 Comment

DPRTV: Top Five Most Annoying Camera Quirks

DPRTV posted an entertaining video about things that drive them mad about cameras and it is supposed to be camera independent, but they start off by hating on Sony not having in-camera RAW processing and then move on from there. RAW processing is the least of my worries on Sony, but what do you think? Below are the top 5:

  1. Sony doesn’t have in-camera RAW processing
  2. OM System OM-1 10-bit profiles
  3. Selecting various subject detection and face detection menus is confusing and a pain in the butt
  4. GH6 punch-in magnifier isn’t very good but it is better than Sony’s
  5. HDR photography implementation isn’t easy to display on a monitor

Then they went beyond 5

  • All Cameras should have lockable mode dials
  • Give an option to lock shutter speed if your camera shoots video
  • Auto ISO and minimum shutter speeds should be easy to change quickly
  • When recording video on Canon let me see the histogram and level
  • Customize the color of AF boxes and menus

These are generally very specific gripes, but it’s interesting that Sony’s menu’s no longer make the list. They have improved, but I still feel like they could get better and older cameras could use menu updates.

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Posted in Editorial| 4 Comments