Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 Now Available at B&H Photo and Adorama

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 20, 2020


Amazon was the first to list the Voigtlander SE 35mm f/1.2, but you can now preorder at B&H Photo or Adorama if you prefer.

Follow SonyAddict on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

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

Sony Announces HDC-P31, a Multi-Purpose Point of View System Camera with Enhanced Remote Features and Advanced HDR Workflows

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 20, 2020


Sony Announces HDC-P31, a Multi-Purpose Point of View System Camera with Enhanced Remote Features and Advanced HDR Workflows
Sony Electronics’ latest camera, the HDC-P31, is a point of view (POV) system camera with remote functionality and 1080/60p HDR capability that complements the company’s versatile lineup of box and portable system camera options. As the demand to streamline media production workflows increases, the model’s remote menu setting and status monitoring minimize the time and personnel needed on-site during a production, since POV cameras are often mounted in inaccessible or hard to reach locations or used on a crane, rail or robotics system. The flexible and lightweight HDC-P31 is ideal for studio, faith and rental applications, and sports production. Read More »

Posted in Press releases| Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Review Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL: Worlds Wides Ultra-Wide-Angle Rectilinear Lens For Full-Frame Cameras

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 19, 2020

Richard Wong released his Laowa 9mm f/5.6mm review and man is it wide. Below is a summary of his review:

  • Super close focus distance
  • At f/5.6 to f/8 focused on 1m everything is in focus so you can vlog with it easily.
  • No OIS, but if your camera has IBIS it should be able to stabilize wide well enough
  • Worlds wides ultra-wide-angle rectilinear lens for full-frame cameras
  • Laowa will have an 11mm f/4.5 and 40mm f/4 lens that will be the same lens mounts
  • This lens might be too wide because it’s beyond anything you have experienced
  • Normally he knows the view angle, but not with this lens
  • Just tilting up or down slightly can dramatically change the composition or even stepping forward or back
  • The lens is so wide that it makes his Nikon ultra-wide-angle look standard
  • Can focus down to 0.1m
  • No indicator for how to line the lens up with the body
  • Image sharpness pretty good at f/5.6 gets better by f/8
  • By f/16 the center gets a little softer
  • The corners are soft at f/5.6, but it improves a little at f/8, but they are sharpest at f/16
  • Distortion isn’t bad past 1m
  • f/5.6 no Sunstar in the photo, but it is there by f/8 through f/22
  • If you go beyond f/8 you get kind of a double sunstar
  • Color fringing is well-controlled shooting right into the sun
  • You can get some ghosting shooting into the sun
  • Vynyetting is quite noticeable even stopped down
  • They could make the lens quite a bit bigger if they want to reduce vynyetting
  • Ghosting is quite easy and the corners aren’t the sharpest, but it doesn’t stop him from having a lot of fun taking photos with this lens
  • It’s such a fun lens that you will overlook the flaws because before this lens you couldn’t shoot this wide without using a fisheye and defishing is which would reduce the quality more than this 9mm lens
  • Image quality isn’t perfect, but it makes shooting wide easy
  • Laowa always wants to create something different and very unique

Laowa 9mm f/5.6 FF RL: Venus Optics / B&H Photo / Amazon

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

Sony Electronics Announces Expanded Capability of Camera Remote Software Development Kit (SDK) for Third Party Developers

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 18, 2020


SAN DIEGO, July 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics Inc. has announced an updated version 1.01 for their Camera Remote Software Development Kit, expanding the functionality and versatility of the SDK for developers and integrators.

Sony, the industry leader in both full-frame and mirrorless cameras, has released the SDK based on extensive interest in their camera lineup from commercial customers since this February, and has been further expanding the solution since its launch.

The new SDK Version 1.01 allows for improved functionality with professional drone applications thanks to the addition of Linuxi compatibility. Additionally, the new software will increase remote control capabilities over camera settings.  New functions, which are appealing to the workflow for a wide variety of professional and commercial industries including security, entertainment and many others, include:

  • Ability to set Focus Magnifier Setting
  • Utilize expanded Focus Area setting when using AF Area Positionii
  • Zoom will be adjustable through Zoom Type Status, Zoom Scale, and Zoom Bar Information functions
  • Operate detailed White Balance (WB) settings including: Custom WB, AutoWB (AWB) Lock, Biaxial Fine Tuning and Picture Effect.
  • Control Media Format, Flash, and interval shooting
  • Adjustable frame rate or file format for video shooting

“The voice of our customers is critical to every aspect of our imaging business,” said Neal Manowitz, Deputy President of Sony Imaging Products and Solutions Americas for Sony Electronics.  “We will continue to evolve our SDK to meet the growing demands of our commercial clients, ultimately allowing them to capture, measure and create in ways they never could before.”

Rand Knight, Senior Advisor for Visual Intelligence, an industry-leading software and sensor technology company that utilizes drones to provide accurate geometric measurement data for bridges, towers and many other structures, said “The ability to leverage remote direct control of the Sony a7R IV has completely changed our business. The efficiencies that can be leveraged with the Linux-based SDK not only save time and processing power, but they allow for precise and repeatable results that can be employed for highly-accurate 3D models.”

Tabb Firchau, Founder and President of Freefly Systems, a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced camera movement systems for aerial cinematography, added “With SDK Version 1.01, the ability to remotely control all of these additional camera settings makes a huge difference to our filmmaking customers. From thousands of feet away, they can perfectly dial in their shot to match the look and feel of the project, minimizing stress and demands on post production.”

Support for Sony’s SDK is also being expanded to Canada, due to launch from July 16th.  SDK Version 1.01 is available now and can be downloaded HERE.

About Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Corporation (Japan), one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, robotics and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. Visit http://www.sony.com/news for more information.

Notes:
i The new SDK Version 1.01 is compatible with 64bit (ARMv8) of Linux and will become compatible with 32bit (ARMv7) this summer. SDK is also conveniently compatible with Windows 8.1 / 10 systems.
ii Excludes Tracking Autofocus
* Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Posted in Press releases| Leave a comment

Meike MK-A6600 Pro Battery Grip For Sony a6600

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 17, 2020


Meike makes good affordable grips for Sony cameras and I have never once had an issue with mine for the Sony a7RIII. Meike’s grip for the Sony a6600 looks to have very similar features to mine with:

  • Use high-quality rubber, comfort to hold
  • Use 2.4GHz wireless channel and FSK signal mode can more effectively ensure speed, distance and stability.
  • Vertical shooting function, the best choice for portrait photography
  • Suitable for Sony A6600 Camera
  • 2pcs NP-FZ100 Lithium batteries can be put into the grip, the max distance for remote control can reach to about 100m.

You can get the Meike MK-A6600 Pro Battery Grip For Sony a6600 from Amazon

Sony a6600: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Posted in Accessories, Sony a6600| Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF Announced

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 17, 2020


Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF lens worldwide sales date announcement
Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the sales release of Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF lens.

Sales will commence on August 7, 2020.

Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF is a 400mm super tele lens that adopts catadioptric type optical design with a constant F8 aperture. The lens offers compact alternative to standard tele photo lenses as more and more photographers are looking for easy-to-carry gear. 400mm F8 Reflex MF is designed keeping in mind active travel photographers seeking for outdoor landscape, wild nature or birds by providing compact and lightweight lens to be rediscovered in the new era of also compact but high-tech mirrorless cameras.

Highlighted Features

  • Extremely compact and lightweight super tele lens
  • Macro shooting with 1:2.5 magnification
  • Specific donut-shaped and super smooth bokeh
  • Easy and precise focusing
  • Super compression effect
  • Versatile mount system for 5 camera mounts including 3 mirrorless mounts

Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF adopts 0.75mm pitch and 42mm thread mount standard, that allows this lens to be attached to any camera by using different mount adapters.

Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF can be required in Solo and Kit packages as below:

  • Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF (w/o mount adapter included)
  • Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF to fit Nikon F (with mount adapter included)
  • Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF to fit Canon EF (with mount adapter included)
  • Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF to fit Sony E (with mount adapter included)
  • Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF to fit Fujifilm X (with mount adapter included)
  • Tokina SZX SUPER TELE 400mm F8 Reflex MF to fit Micro 4/3 (with mount adapter included)

Mount adapters can be also purchased separately:

  • Tokina Mount Adapter TA-011 for Nikon F
  • Tokina Mount Adapter TA-012 for Canon EF
  • Tokina Mount Adapter TA-013 for Sony E
  • Tokina Mount Adapter TA-014 for Fujifilm X
  • Tokina Mount Adapter TA-015 for Micro 4/3

Tokina Lenses can be found at B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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