The official note from Sony Japan.
Sony Japan forgot to mention that also the A7s got an official firmware update (can be seen here on Sony US). At the time of writing als the few Sony Europe stores I have checked do not display the firmware update info for the A7s…
This is one of the most curious (and highly unlikely to happen) rumors I received the last couple of weeks:
“Sony/Zeiss manufactured by Sony will release a FF camera similar to the 35mm Ikon (here on eBay). No optical viewfinder. Will be announced before the end of the year. Manual controls. No REAR LCD!!!”
I certainly would like Zeiss to make some “retro” styled E-mount camera. But I really don’t think Zeiss will do that…
———
Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.
For readers: Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any news!
——–
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
For the very first time the new Meike A7/r/s vertical grip is in Stock and shipping via eBay Hong Kong seller (Click here), Alibabaexpress (Click here) and Amazon US (Click here). It costs just $85. The cool thing is that it also comes with a wireless remote control!
UPDATE: There is also the new Ownuser Sony A6000 grip (Click here).
Sony US just announced the new PRO support service for the US. This is the official press release:
SAN DIEGO, CA (Oct. 29, 2014) – Sony, a worldwide leader in digital imaging, has announced the formal launch of their “PRO Support” service program, offering premium service, repair, support, equipment loans and more to working professional photographers.
“I’m very pleased to launch our PRO Support program here in the US” said Neal Manowitz, director of the a interchangeable lens camera business at Sony. “We’ve seen such a strong response to Sony cameras from working pros, and are proud to offer this versatile program to cater to their demands. It’s a premium support experience that will ensure our pros are constantly ready for business and remain up-to-date with all of our leading innovations.”
Brian Smith, Sony Artisan of Imagery, added “As a professional photographer, my Sony cameras take a beating while they hold up to the rigors of the road. Yet it’s great to know that Sony PRO Support has my back – so I can finish the job even when shooting in the harshest conditions.”
The program, already in beta, will launch tomorrow, October 30th at (http://www.sony.com/PROServices ). A formal overview of its membership benefits and requirements is below:
PRO Support Program Benefits:
Membership Eligibility requirements:
For more information on Sony’s PRO Support Service program or to formally apply, please visit (http://www.sony.com/PROServices ).
###
Contact:
Matt Parnell
Sony Electronics Inc.
The Fotodiox Tough full metal E-mount replacement is shipping at Amazon (Click here to preorder). And finally we have a first serious review from David Kilpatrick (Click here). He writes
It looks a touch classier than the cheaply machined soft metal Sony original, it is a snug and perfect fit, and lens mounting has a slightly more solid feel without resistance or any scraping sensation.Everything worked perfectly as expected once fitted. Cost – $39.95 plus shipping. I consider it a good upgrade.
If you want it grab it now at Amazon!
The brand new New Voigtlander Aspherical 40mm f/2.8 40/2.8 Heliar is in Stock for the first time at CameraQuest one eBay (Click here). This is a very unique lens made for the Sony A7 series only! And you need to buy the VM-E Close Focus Adapter Required (here one Bay) to make it work!
As Voigtlander writes: “The Heliar 40mm F2.8 is manufactured only for the purpose of using this lens onto E-mount camera body via VM-E Close Focus Adapter. You can not do focusing when you mount this lens via adapters not designed with built-in focusing-function or M-mount camera body directly.”
So why is this lens interesting on the A7? Because it is very compact thanks to the collapsible desing.Because it’s well-built and has a nice handling and should give you an “analogic” (old-look) image rendering. I like it 
Mr. Kenta from Sony has been interviewed by Dpreview and he spilled out some info particularly about the next generation E-mount FF:
1) We will try to get A6000 AF performance on the next generation FF E-mount cameras
2) New generation of Full Frame E-mount cameras is coming very soon.
3) we are aiming sport and pro photographers with the next generation(s) of FF E-mount
4) We are seeing the transition from DSLR to Mirrorless happening. DSLR will remain in a very high end niche.
5) The Telephoto prime lens (300mm) is something we get asked to make from our users
6) We don’t know if A and E-mount will merge one day. For now we keep developing booth.
7) The number one key tech to acquire customers is develop autofocusing
8) Next generation FF E-mount cameras will get more customizability
So what are yout thoughts about that interview? It’s very clear Sony is betting high on the new FF E-mount generation cameras. And like I told you many times in those weeks…something big is coming early 2014! Stay tuned on SAR!
Atomos announced that new Sony A7/r/s compatible power station you can preorder at BHphoto (Click here). It will ship in November for $295. Those are the great features of the power station grip:
Here is the full description:
The Atomos Power Station is a dual battery system for powering your camera and additional devices in the field. It mounts underneath your camera using a 1/4″-20 screw with thumbwheel and features slots for two Sony L-series type batteries. Two DC outputs and an included splitter cable allows powering of up to three devices, such as an LED light, a monitor, and a recorder. Optional DC adapters are available to provide power to popular cameras. And because batteries are hot-swappable, you can replace batteries on-the-fly without losing power to your devices.
In addition to the two DC power outputs, the Power Station also features a flexible dual USB power source which can power can power two USB devices, or one high-powered 2A device, such as an iPad. Two 2600 mAh batteries come included, which can charge an iPhone 5 from 0 to 100% three times. To monitor the power remaining on your attached batteries, there are independent left and right LED displays on the front of the Power Station, providing a quick 5-step guide from 100% to 10% battery life.
Get it at BHphoto (Click here) or MotionMedia (Click here).
Rumors from Russia discloses some possible scenario for the future A-mount development. A source who claimed to be in contact with Sony said:
1) A-mount will be developed in parallel with the E-mount.
2) Development is only in the direction of expensive high-quality optics.
3) The A-mount development will be limited to the A7x and A9x line (possibly A9x FF cameras will be more).
4) Sony plans to release 2 A-mount lenses, one of them tilt-shift.
Of course I cannot trust those kind of rumors from unkown sources. But it’s not the first time I keep receiving that exact kind of info and there is a fair chance the rumor may be true!
———
Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.
For readers: Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any news!
——–
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
The Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 for Sony A-mount will ship from October 30 in Japan. Worldwide shipment will follow soon after. Preorders are up at BHphoto (Click here).
Source: Tamron Japan.
Chasing Lights Trailer from Ronn Murray on Vimeo. (shot on A7s)
How to create captivating pictures, grow as a story-teller and engage your viewer (InMyBag)
Sony A7 fun at JoshMcLeodPhotography.
Awesome Surf Photography by Sony Associate Artisan of Imagery Chris Burkard (Brian Smith).
Timbling waters and the Sony A7s at JoshMcLeodPhotography.
Sony RX100 head-to-head: all three versions compared (TechRadar).
Florian: “I’ve just released the first part of my series “Urban Conformation”. I’ve created a parallel universe where time and space have been deformed. http://ift.tt/1nIdijH “
Austin Troth
A7r + Samyang 24mm f1.4
Self Portrait
1) Submit your picture with a message and picture here: http://ift.tt/1kvK0PS.
2) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: http://ift.tt/1rAplQj.
3) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.
Dadi Hardarson
Got me the Sony a77 II and the 70-400mm Sony lens for a flight over the Eruption at Bardarbunga, North of Glacier Vatnajokull, Iceland. 6th of September 2014. This combo proved it self on the first day of use.
Carlos Esguerra
Liege Guillemins Railway Station – Liege, Belgium
Carlos Esguerra
Taken with Sony A6000 with E 10-18mm f/4 lens
Steven Hight
Out of Gas. Sony A7S and Nikkor 85 f1.4 lens. Panoramic image of 16 photos. http://ift.tt/1snFLGN — in Calistoga, California.
Greg Miller
This was taken the day after I got my A7s. I wasn’t comfortable with the camera yet and had mistakenly had the camera set to auto ISO. This was shot at night lit with a single flash with a beauty dish on it. Because it was dark the ISO defaulted to 12800 which I noticed as we were drive home. I thought the shoot was ruined but with a bit of photoshopping and texture layers I got something I’m pretty happy with….even though its shot at 12800 ISO. Really liking this camera
(the model is in a bungee harness. Aircraft cable is running from the harness to the ceiling. these are photoshopped out)
Casey Colomb
Serbia.
Arthur Ian Viado
This was taken last night 10/18/2014 at the RISE: Lantern Festival just outside of Las Vegas, NV. This event was amazing! It so beautiful to have 20,000 lanterns filling the sky.
Shot with:
Sony A7
Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 1/80sec ISO4000
Mitchell Phelps
The Birds of Westminster: Shot with my Sony a77 16-50mm lens @ ISO64 28mm f/4.5 1/90 sec
http://ift.tt/1pMQXzd
Alain Deflesselles
Tunxi Anhui Province China
Old street, The girl and the balloon
A7R, 8-15 mm Canon, Metabones III
Андрей Хрулев
irradiation. NEX6+SEL16-50
Enrique Mariñas Páramo
Mount Fuji
Sony A7 + 28-70mm kit lens
Rico Lee Wei-Jie
Dramatic Hair
Conceptual, 7 composite images.
a6000 + Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D
1/3000 f/2 ISO-600
ASD-Photography — at Lake Gardens.
Sergey Kuznetsov
Sony Nex-7 +18-55
Iceland, Austurland
Jay Lee
Iceland in black and white. Skogafoss 13 second exposure. Sony A99 with the Zeiss 24-70 lens. — at Skogafoss, Iceland.
José Ramos – Nature & Landscape Photography
“Floating Sculptures” | Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, Iceland
José Ramos © http://ift.tt/1a3sGdq
Sony a77 + Sigma 10-20mm
Exposure: 30 seconds
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 100
Filters: Formatt Hitech 3 stop soft ND Grad, Formatt Hitech 4 stop ProStop IRND
Wireless remote shutter
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 tripod + MH055M0-Q6 ballhead
Milano – Piazza Gae Aulenti from the Cinephotographer on Vimeo.
A5100 review at DSLRmagazine.
Sony RX100 III vs Canon G7X vs Panasonic LX100: Which is the best compact camera for enthusiasts? (Imaging Resource).
Are mirrorless systems becoming too big for their own good? (BestMirrorlessCameraReviews).
Sony PXW-FS7: primeras impresiones (Quesabesde).
Sony A7S : galerie d’images et test terrain (Focus Numerique).
Kagzai: “a member of the Chinese Xitek forum made an amazing fireflies video with the A7S. have a look! http://ift.tt/1wwlDqs ”
Long time SAR reader Jorge started a new online shop site and I want to help him to promote the site. So here is the official press text. All the best Jorge for your new project!
“We are pleased to announce the launching of CameraPeddler.com. An online market designed for the photographer.
CameraPeddler.com was designed to help bring photographers together in a common online market place. Unlike the big auction sites or other online selling places, CameraPeddler.com offers the ability to focus strictly on photographic equipment from individuals and trustworthy reliable dealers. Furthermore, it is 100% free to post ads. This means you could post your entire inventory without incurring any fees. You only pay for what you sell.
CameraPeddler.com was developed by a well known figure in the photographic industry, his past and current ventures include popular sites such as ZeissImages.com, LeicaImages.com and other photo related sites. He has years of experience with online buying and selling of photographic gear. The intent was to develop a site where buyers and sellers can trust each other and feel comfortable with the transactions they engage in while utilizing the features of the site.
The site is full of features and additional features are currently being worked on.
For starters, the site features an incredibly simple to use search engine which lets you get extremely granular with your search results by letting you build complex queries by simply clicking on links. You can read more about them here: http://ift.tt/1wwlBi5
You can establish Buy and Sell friends and stay up to date on their listings.
Leave feedback as buyer or seller for your transactions.
Control your reputation by removing questionable feedback immediately while the moderators review the reported feedback and decide on its validity.
As a dealer, you can bulk upload ads by uploading a special delimited file. This save you time and gets your inventory online soon. Find out more about bulk uploading here: http://ift.tt/1tmyQUS
Commit to buying an item and holding it for up to 24 hours while you arrange funding if not available immediately. This is called a Pending state of a purchase process. Find out more about Pending here: http://ift.tt/1yxqfhf
Upload images for your ads. Additionally, you can embed images via links in the body of your ad.
Use keyword searches and see the ads matching your keywords while highlighting them in the body.
In addition to the above features, a new member knowledge base will be implemented shortly. This will allow members to build up the online encyclopedia of photographic gear with valuable information for the community to research.
If you are looking to buy or sell photographic equipment, please visit CameraPeddler.com and give us a try you wont be disappointed.
An anonymous source sent me the info about a new Sony Medium Format camera named ILCA-AM1. With all the respect for the anonymous source I have a hard time believing those specs are true. Nevertheless this is a rumor site and such “weird” and “unexpected” rumors have to be posted sometimes
The biggest surprise is certainly the fact it has an A-mount! That’s why I don’t trust that spec list. So if you see it on the web be aware …of the risk to take it seriously
———
Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.
For readers: Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any news!
——–
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
Tyler Bourns posted that first creative shortfilm shot entirely at High ISO (12,000 and 40,000 ISO) with the Sony A7s. He writes:
A short film shot as a test for the new Sony A7S camera. Everything was shot using the metabones ef adapter and rokinon/canon lenses. We made it a point to go with as minimal light as possible and really push the low light capabilities of the camera. Most shots averaged between 12,000 and 40,000 ISO. Feel free to ask questions in the comments.
And SAR reader Joel sent me this: “Not a rumour, but you might find this A7s video worth linking…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXNFRA1hTic. It’s interesting because it does something most other cameras couldn’t do. Also, it’s good hip hop dance. The understated filming is better than most professionally made dance video — TV-level pros don’t understand dance, and they insist on cuts and close-ups which break the flow of something that is all about the flow. Cameras like the A7s, and youtube, are starting to let us see and appreciate art that would be dumbed down for mass consumption by TV if they ever showed it.”
Sony A7s store links:
Sony A7s in USA/CA at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Sony USA, Sony Canada.
Sony A7s in Eu at Sony DE, UK, ES, FR, IT, NL, BE, AT, CH, SE, NO, FI, PL. And Wex UK.
A7s Gariz leather case in Black (Click here), Brown (Click here), Red (Click here) and Orange (Click here).
The Sony RX1 is marked as discontinued at Digitalrev (Click here). They invite you to buy the RX1R instead but a real successor is likely to appear in early 2015. And I bet high this will have a curved sensor and 35mm f/1.8 Zeiss lens as shown on the patent here:
http://ift.tt/PnERi2
Image courtesy: Mobile01
Note: UPDATED Zeiss FE 16-35mm preorder links list:
Zeiss 16-35mm FE at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Sony Store US.
Zeiss 16-35mm FE in Europe at Sony DE, UK, ES, IT, FR, CH, AT, NL, BE, FI, SE, NO, PT.
Zeiss 16-35mm FE in Australia and Asia at Sony AUS and Digitalrev.
—
The very first full Zeiss 16-35mm FE lens review has been posted by the Chinese site Mobile01 (bad google translation here). Note that google translation tool misses to load all images therefore click on the original korean link to see them all. You can download all images (RAW and JPG) here. Because the google translation tool sucks on showing the images I directly link you to the test images:
Sharpness test at 16mm (center left and corner right): image here
Sharpness test at 35mm (center left and corner right): image here
Distortion at 16mm: image here
Distortion at 35mm: image here
Vignetting test: image here
Cool “astral” test: image here
Flare test: image here
aperture dispersion suppression test: image here
These are some of the reviewer thoughts on the lens:
– Very high optical quality (good resolving power even on the edge). It only gets soft from f/16 towards.
– Slight flare issues in some conditions
– Some purple fringing wide open (easily to correct in PS)- not really fast autofocus on the A7s- no barrel distortion, results are perfect (and that’s one of the key reasons you buy a wide angle lens!).
Zeiss FE 16-35mm preorder links:
Zeiss 16-35mm FE at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Sony Store US.
Zeiss 16-35mm FE in Europe at Sony DE, UK, ES, IT, FR, CH, AT, NL, BE, FI, SE, NO, PT.
Zeiss 16-35mm FE in Australia and Asia at Sony AUS and Digitalrev.
And this is just one of the great images posted at Mobile01:
Image courtesy: Mobile01
Lucky dy for our Australian readers: You get $300 off on the A7 cameras sold at CameraPRO (Click here) and SonyStore (Click here). Deal lasts til October 26 only!
There is also a double Amazon Europe Gold Box deal:
Sony 10-18mm lens at Amazon DE (via DL).
Sony A6000 with lens at Amazon UK (via DL).
Reminder: The price of the Sony A7 dropped down to $1,299 or €1.200 at Digitalrev (Click here). I contacted them and the price includes free(!) FedEx or UPS express shipment (3-6days) and in case of Europe all import taxes are included! And the 55mm FE Zeiss got a great price too. It sells for $759 or €755 at Digitalrev (Click here).
