Sony 800mm f/5.6 and Sony 400mm f/4 Patents Found With Sony 400mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4 Filling

By Louis Ferreira | Published: April 17, 2025


Sony 400mm f/2.8 FE: B&H Photo / Amazon/ Adorama

Patents have been filed for a Sony 800mm f/5.6 and a Sony 400mm f/4 that were filed alongside the Sony 400mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4. You can check them out below.

overview

  • [Publication number] P2025063175
  • [Release date] 2025-04-15
  • [Title of invention] Optical system and imaging device
  • [Application date] 2025-01-14
  • [Show division] Division of P 2021524834 
    [Original application date] 2020-06-01
  • [Applicant]
    [Identification number] 000002185
    [Name or company name] Sony Group Corporation
  • It is desirable to provide an optical system that is lightweight, easy to handle, and has high optical performance across the entire screen, and an imaging device equipped with such an optical system.
  • [Background Art]
    [0002]
    In recent years, the number of pixels in the image sensors used in interchangeable lens digital camera systems has been increasing, and optical systems are being required to provide correspondingly high image quality. In addition, small and lightweight camera bodies are the norm for the interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras that have become popular in recent years, and optical systems are being required to be smaller and lighter, and such optical systems have been developed (see Patent Document 1).
  • [0004]
    On the other hand, telephoto lenses compatible with large image sensors such as full-size sensors generally end up being large in size, so the optical system is required to have a weight balance with the center of gravity close to that of the camera body, which is suitable for small, lightweight camera bodies in terms of maneuverability.
  • It is desirable to provide an optical system that
    is lightweight, easy to handle, and has high optical performance over the entire screen, and an imaging device equipped with such an optical system.


Example 1

  • Focal length: 497.08
  • F-number: 4.12
  • Half angle of view: 2.47
  • Image height: 21.633
  • Overall length: 416.13
  • Back focal length: 35.63


Example 2

  • Focal length: 388.00
  • F-number: 2.91
  • Half angle of view: 3.15
  • Image height: 21.633
  • Total length: 380.75
  • Back focal length: 28.23


Example 3

  • Focal length: 776.00
  • F-number: 5.83
  • Half angle of view: 1.57
  • Image height: 21.633
  • Total length: 498.28
  • Back Focus: 24.21


Example 4

  • Focal length: 581.97
  • F-number: 4.12
  • Half angle of view: 2.11
  • Image height: 21.633
  • Overall length: 455.32
  • Back Focus: 39.18


Example 10

  • Focal length: 388.0
  • F-number: 4.12
  • Half angle of view: 3.15
  • Image height: 21.633
  • Overall length: 352.00
  • Back focal length: 34.68

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Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB Announced

By Louis Ferreira | Published: April 16, 2025


Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB: B&H Photo / Amazon

Viltrox announced the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB, which we have been covering for quite a while.


1. HyperVCM Motor: Speed Meets Precision
Powered by Viltrox’s proprietary HyperVCM motor, the lens achieves 150% faster focus than traditional STM systems, with micron-level accuracy and lightning-fast 100ms near-far focus transitions. Ideal for capturing fleeting moments in portraits, events, or dynamic video work.


2. Flagship Optical UA Lens Design
With Ultra-Large & Precision Aspherical Elements, the lens delivers edge-to-edge clarity even at its blazing-fast F1.2 aperture. Designed for ultra-high-pixel sensors, it resolves intricate textures—skin pores, hair strands, fabric weaves—with stunning fidelity, whether shooting close-ups or infinity landscapes.


3. F1.2 Ultra-Large Aperture: Master of Bokeh
Create cinematic depth with lush, dreamy backgrounds and pristine highlight rendering. The F1.2 aperture isolates subjects effortlessly, transforming chaotic scenes into gallery-worthy compositions—perfect for portraits, astrophotography, or low-light storytelling.


4. Macro to Infinity: Seamless Sharpness
A 0.34m minimum focus distance and 0.17x magnification unlock macro capabilities, while the dual floating internal focus system ensures real-time aberration correction. Edge-to-edge sharpness remains consistent from intimate close-ups to sweeping vistas.


5. Advanced Optical Construction
14 elements in 9 groups—including 2 UA lenses, 5 low-dispersion elements, and 3 high-refractive-index elements—combat chromatic aberration and flare. Even in harsh lighting, the lens maintains premium color accuracy, dynamic contrast, and near-zero purple/green fringing.

6. Pro-Grade Customization

  • 2 customizable Fn buttons for instant access to frequently used settings.
  • Multi-function control ring with click/clickless switch for silent video adjustments.
  • AF/MF switch for tactile control.

 

Technical Specifications

  • Mount: Sony E-mount (FE)
  • Aperture: f/1.2 – f/16 | Blades: 11 rounded
  • Filter Thread: 77mm | Weight: 920g
  • Angle of View: 64.2° | Focus System: Dual floating internal focus
  • Build: Dust- and moisture-resistant

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Sony A1, A1II, and a9III Firmware Updates Released

By Louis Ferreira | Published: April 16, 2025


ILCE-1 Firmware 3.01 Benefits and Improvements Download Here

  • Fixes an issue where setting Recording Media to Sort Recording may cause a restart during still image capture
  • Fixes an issue where the button registered with Recall Custom Hold may not be accepted

ILCE-1M2 Firmware 2.01 Benefits and Improvements Download Here

  • Fixes an issue where setting Recording Media to Sort Recording may cause a restart during still image capture
  • Fixes an issue where the effectiveness of the Soft Skin Effect when recording movies in S-Log3 was not properly adjusted

ILCE-9M3 Firmware 3.01 Benefits and Improvements Download Here

  • Fixes an issue where setting Recording Media to Sort Recording may cause a restart during still image capture
  • Fixes an issue where the effectiveness of the Soft Skin Effect when recording movies in S-Log3 was not properly adjusted

Sony Alpha 1 II:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony A1:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Sony a9III:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm F1.2 Aspherical IV, NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical II, and NOKTON 50mm F1.2 Aspherical II Updates Coming!

By Louis Ferreira | Published: April 15, 2025


The Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm F1.2 Aspherical IV, NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical II, and NOKTON 50mm F1.2 are generally M-mount lenses, but I love this line of lenses natively and adapted. I have always found the Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm F1.2 Aspherical to be magic, and I have owned every edition of it for M mount. You can find the press release below:

Thank you for your continued patronage of Cosina products.

Today, Cosina is releasing new Voigtlander brand VM mount products, the NOKTON 35mm F1.2 Aspherical IV, NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical II, and NOKTON 50mm F1.2 Aspherical II, as well as lens hoods LH14 and LH15.

Scheduled for release in May 2025: NOKTON 35mm F1.2 Aspherical IV / NOKTON 50mm F1.2 Aspherical II / LH-14 / LH-15

Scheduled for release in June 2025: NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical II

We will inform you again once the official release date has been decided.

Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm F1.2 Aspherical:
Amazon / B&H Photo
Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm F1.2 Aspherical:
Amazon / B&H Photo
Voigtlander NOKTON 50mm F1.2 Aspherical:
Amazon / B&H Photo

TTArtisan Lens Adapter for Leica M Mount Lens to Sony E:
Amazon / B&H Photo

via Fujiaddict

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Sigma I Series Supply Shortages

By Louis Ferreira | Published: April 14, 2025


Apology regarding the supply situation of the “Sigma I Series (Renewal 3 Models)”

Thank you for your patronage of Sigma products.

We have received more orders than we expected for the “Sigma I Series (Renewal 3 Models),” which is scheduled to be released on Thursday, April 24, 2025, and production is unable to keep up with demand. As a result, it may take some time for some customers to receive their products.

We apologize to our customers and other parties involved who have been waiting for the product for any inconvenience caused, but we are currently working hard to produce the product, so we ask that you please wait for a little longer.

We appreciate your continued patronage of our company and our products.

Notes
■ Sigma 35mm F2 DG | Contemporary
■ Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG | Contemporary
■ Sigma 50mm F2 DG | Contemporary

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Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB Coming April 16th

By Louis Ferreira | Published: April 13, 2025


Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB: B&H Photo / Amazon

All of the details about the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB leaked here when an overseas retailer posted the lens early. Now there is a flyer that the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB will be coming April 16th, 2025.

Features

  • The lens is made up of 15 elements in 10 groups, including five ED lenses, three high refractive index lenses, and two aspherical lenses, ensuring clarity from the center to the edges of the entire focal range and enabling the depiction of fine textures even at maximum aperture, allowing users to retain image quality down to the fine details even in cropped images, expanding the scope of their photography .
  • Equipped with Viltrox’s proprietary Hyper VCM motor, it provides 150% faster focus speed and more precise aperture accuracy compared to conventional STM motors, allowing you to capture the perfect photographic opportunity.
  • The large aperture F1.2 and 11-blade diaphragm produce a softer, more beautiful circular bokeh, providing excellent quality even in low-light situations.
  • With a minimum focusing distance of 0.34m and a maximum magnification of 0.17x, it provides clear, excellent images from infinity to close-ups.
  • The side of the lens is equipped with three switching levers, two custom Fn buttons, two rings, and a display, allowing users to make fine adjustments to suit their shooting style.
  • The lens body, including the front lens element, is dust-proof and weather-resistant, allowing it to be used in a wide range of shooting environments.
  • By connecting to the app via Bluetooth, you can also configure the Fn button and the image and text to be displayed on the lens display when the camera starts up.

Specification

  • Compatible mount: Sony E-mount
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • Focus mode: AF (autofocus)
  • Lens construction: 15 elements in 10 groups (5 ED lenses, 3 high refractive index lenses, 2 aspherical lenses)
  • Aperture blades: 11
  • Supported image size: Full size
  • Aperture range: F1.2-F16
  • Minimum shooting distance: 0.34m
  • Filter diameter: Φ77mm
  • Size: Φ89.2mm x 121.8mm (excluding mount)
  • Accessories: Lens cap, rear cap, hood, storage bag
  • Weight: Approx. 920g
  • Manufacturer’s warranty: 1 year (covers natural failures)
  • *Note: Focusing speed and accuracy depend on the AF performance of the camera body.
    In addition, we do not guarantee that all shooting functions and compatible equipment can be used.

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