7Artisans 50mm f/1.1 M-Mount on Sony FE Cameras

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 29, 2017

The 7Artisans lenses from China that launched recently have been pretty well received for their price and they seem to be an acceptable option for photographers looking to round out their bag. These lenses are far from perfect, but it’s easy to look past their flaws for the price. The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.1 has a lot of character and I am sure it will make some photographers very happy that are looking for something fast and a little different.

50mm f/1.1: Full Frame M-Mount
7.5mm f/2.8: APS-C fish-eye lens
25mm f/1.8: APS-C wide-angle lens
35 mm f/2: Full Frame

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Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS Firmware Update

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 28, 2017

You can download firmware 04 for the Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS here

This utility updates the SELP18105G lens system software to version 04 to provide improvements to the focus tracking accuracy and stability.

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Sony α7S II: First Commercial Camera Mounted Outside International Space Station Shoots Astonishing 4K Videos From Outer Space

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 27, 2017

Tokyo, Japan – Sony today released a variety of immersive 4K (QFHD 3840×2160) footage from outer space recorded by the acclaimed α7S II full-frame mirrorless camera. This is the world’s first*1 commercial camera to be mounted outside of the International Space Station (ISS) used to capture video in 4K. The videos showcase the Japanese islands from outer space with footage taken during day and night, showing off its majestic snow-covered peaks and metropolitan lights right down to the differences in color tone. These were able to be captured by virtue of the α7S II’s high sensitivity performance as well as high resolution 4K recording capability.

The α7S II has been selected*2 as the camera for the new exterior platform on the ISS’s Japanese Experiment Module known as “KIBO”. As a result of various tests conducted by JAXA, it was confirmed that the α7S II possesses the durability and reliability to withstand the unique and unforgiving environment of outer space, including high vacuum, cosmic radiation, and abrupt temperature fluctuations.

The α7S II was carried to the ISS by the “KOUNOTORI” cargo transporter that launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on December 9, 2016, and was subsequently installed on February 8, 2017*3. From 400 km above the surface of the earth, the α7S II completes an orbit around the planet approximately once every 90 minutes, recording a variety of 4K videos and still images from outer space.

  • *1 As of July 27, 2017
  • *2 Selected by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
  • *3 With the FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS power zoom lens

Via Sony

Sony a7sII: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 26, 2017

Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Zero-D
Laowa 15mm f/2 FE is currently the World’s Fastest 15mm rectilinear lens for Full Frame cameras. It features a close-to-zero optical distortion, allowing photographers to take landscape or architecture shots with straight lines retained.

Dedicated to fulfill the need of photographers, Venus Optics have managed to add a 72mm filter thread onto the 15mm f/2 lens. Photographers can easily install standard screw-in filters without paying for an expensive yet bulky filter holder system.

Designed specially for the Sony Full Frame Mirrorless cameras, Venus Optics has successfully controlled the size and weight of the lens to the minimal. Weighing less than 1.1 pounds (500g) and 82mm in length, the portability and compactness of the Sony E-mount Mirrorless cameras can be maintained when used with the Laowa 15mm f/2 FE Lens.

Featuring the fastest f/2 aperture ever built with a 15mm lens, the new Full Frame E-mount lens is engineered for professionals to shoot impressive landscape, architecture and primary astro photos with great details. This is an every-day and must-buy lens that every Sony Full Frame Mirrorless camera user should have one in his bag.

You can already put your order in via Venus Optic or you can wait until B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama have them in stock.

 

Name15mm f/2 FE Zero-D
Focal Length15mm
Max. Aperturef/2
Angle of View110°
Format CompatibilityFull Frame
Lens Structure12 elements in 9 groups
Aperture Blades9
Min. Focusing Distance15cm
Max. Magnification1:4
Filter Thread72mm
Dimensions66 x 82 mm
Weight500g
MountsSony E

 

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New JBCameraDesign Grip-Case PRO For SONY A9 And A7II Series Bodies

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 25, 2017

JB Camera Design announced two new camera cases today designed to make the Sony a9 and a7II fit your hand a little better without adding weight. JB Camera Design is known for their fine wood grips and their products can be found on Amazon Sony A9 Grip-Case Pro by J.B. Camera Designs and Sony A7II, A7RII, A7SII Grip-Case Pro by J.B. Camera Designs.

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Today, I’m excited to announce our new Grip-Case Pro for the Sony A9 and Sony A7II Series of bodies. These Grip-Cases give your camera that extra height that is so needed for photographers with larger hands or those that wish these Sony bodies had more height for better holding larger Pro lenses. In addition, these new Grip-Cases give tons of protection, much improved grip and a unique look to your Sony camera body.

I personally use the A9 as my main system camera, and in my opinion, Sony should have made the body larger (more like the Leica SL) to help handle the Pro lenses on it. I am NOT a fan of the battery grips as they add too much bulk and weight to the camera, and totally change the size of camera bag that you can use. For this reason, I designed this new Grip-Case blending the design from our best selling Wood Grip and our best selling Fuji X100 series Grip-Case.

Via JBCameradesigns

Posted in Press releases, Sony a7 II, Sony a7R II, Sony a7S II, Sony a9| 1 Comment

Sony a9 vs Canon 1DX Mark II vs Nikon D750 vs a6500 and Q&A

By Louis Ferreira | Published: July 25, 2017

The Sony a9 offers a lot of unique features that Canon and Nikon can’t compete with, but will they be enough to start chipping away at Canon’s number one spot? There is a lot to like about the Sony a9 for photographers that shoot action, but the further you fall outside of action photography the more overkill the a9 becomes. I have pretty much decided what the a9 is too me, but many photographers seem to want the a9 to do everything, which is where most of the criticism comes from at this time. Sony intentionally limited the video capabilities of the Sony a9 and it is a shame.

Join our Sony a9 Owners Group, also follow the Sony a9 Page to get more tailored news on Facebook and follow SonyAddict on Facebook and Twitter.

Sigma MC-11: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a9 Action Shooting Kit: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a9: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony FE 100-400mm: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

 

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