N&R: Impressive new Sony A9, interesting Pana-Leica ultra-wide and the rather poor Nikon D7500

Nikon

Nikon have announced the D7500, which DPReview has compared to the D500 and the D7200. Honestly, this is a fail camera for me for just one reason - they've removed the dual slots. So, if you want dual slot redundancy, you're forced to either stick with the D7200, or upgrade to the bigger D500.

I think it's a shame when a product goes backwards like this. The D500 has enough features in its own right that a D7500 wouldn't have canibilised its sales. This just doesn't make sense, and I think there should be more outcry than there is from respectable sites like DPReview.

Panasonic

Panasonic have announced a co-Leica branded 8-18mm f.28-4 wide angle micro 43 lens. It is a similar size to the older 7-12mm f4 lens, but can take 67mm filters. Retailing for 1,098USD, it should be an attractive alternative to the older lens if it can control flare better.

Also in Panasonic news, a GH5 firmware with 10-bit internal recording has been released, and they've admitted their video AF sucks. Plus, they have a new compact superzoom.

Sony

An AF joystick selector and dual slots - hallelujah!

So, the long rumoured A9 has been announced - and it's a serious Nikon D5/Canon 1DX competitor.

From the press release:

• World’s First full-frame stacked CMOS sensor, 24.2 MP resolution
• Blackout-Free Continuous Shooting at up to 20fps for up to 241 RAW/ 362 JPEG images
• Silent, Vibration-free shooting at speeds up to 1/32,000 sec
• 693 point focal plane phase detection AF points with 60 AF/AE tracking calculations per second
• Extensive professional features including Ethernet port for file transfer, Dual SD card slots and extended battery life
• 5-Axis in-body image stabilization with a 5.0 step shutter speed advantage

The thing to bear in mind is that 20fps is achieved via an electronic shutter, using the mechanical shutter brings it down to 5fps. However, Sony claims the new stacked CMOS sensor will remove any rolling shutter effects.

For me personally, the stand out features are:

• AF joystick
• Touch screen
• Dual Card slots
• My Menu (finally)
• AF type selection via control wheel (AF-C vs AF-S etc)
• Still same basic size and weight as the A7R Mark 2

Those first 4 features were severe limitations on the A7R2 (for me) compared to the competition (Canon 5D Mark 3 and Nikon D810).

On the negative side of the A9 we have:

• No log video (what the hell Sony?)
• No control lever on the AF-On button - I always use this to change from back-button focus to Eye-AF.
• Still just USB2 - though an ethernet port has been added.

Also not mentioned is if this camera can make use of hot shoe flash AF assist lights.

You can see a hands-on reviews from DPReview and FStoppers.

Will I get this personally? I'll wait for more in-depth reviews. If I were still shooting events as much as I used to, I would love this. If I wanted to get into weddings, this would also be my camera of choice. As it stands now, I might wait and see if an A9R or A7R Mark III is announced, and what it beings to the table.

As it stands, this is a very compelling offering from Sony. Even if I don't get it, I'm happy to know, every time I splash out for a new Sony FE-lens, that this camera exists.

Oh, they also announced a 100-400 f5-5.6 lens.

N&R: Canon, Leica, Panasonic Sigma, Sony, Tamron, Cactus and Sekonic

Sony RX1R III may be coming, but will it be worth an upgrade?

N&R: Sony, Sigma, Zeiss, Atomos, Fujifilm & Google

Sony

An exciting new FE mount camera is rumoured to be coming from Sony on April 23. SonyAlphaRumors lists the most reliable information as being:

• There will be a new High End E-mount FF camera.
• This camera is all about speed: fastest AF of all Sony E-mount cameras, around 20fps, unlimited RAW recording.
• Dual SD card.
• Bit larger than current A7II camera series.
• It has a joystick control on the back.
• New FE lenses coming (16-35mm f/2.8 GM and 100-400mm FE G).

It remains to be seen if this is the extension of an existing line, or a brand new line. I just hope and pray that it can use AF-assist lights from flashes and triggers (and that RAW from continuous shooting modes are 14-bit instead of 12-bit).

Sigma

Pricing for the Sigma 135mm 1.8 has been announced at $1,400 USD, with expected delivery in May.

Zeiss

If you want a slower, and probably more expensive, 135mm lens... it has been confirmed that the next lens in the Zeiss Batis range (for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras) will be a135mm f2.8.

Of course, it should be lighter and smaller as well.

Atomos

Atomos have announced the Ninja Inferno, a cut down version of the Shogun Inferno. At half the price, you are losing the ability to record RAW, and SDI connections. If you're planning to pair it with a Panasonic Gh5, or a Sony A7S, this makes a good deal of sense.

Fujifilm

Fujifilm have announced major new firmware updates for their X-T2 and X-Pro2 cameras. Bravo Fuji, this is the thing I probably admire most about Fuji, even though I feel their cameras aren't for me.

Meanwhile, DPReview have released a devastating article questioning the actual real life gains you will get from using the new Fujifilm’s GFX 50S (and, by extension, Hasselblad X1D).

This article summed up a lot of my thoughts, as I'd been a doubtful how much gain there is to be gotten from 'crop' medium format ever since seeing the comparison of the Pentax 645Z to the Sony A7R2 by Luminous Landscape.

For me, the quality bump you get from going to medium format isn't worth the extra cost, weight, slower AF, etc.

Google

Google have released an open-source JPEG encoder that claims to produce 35% smaller files without noticeable loss in quality. Just be warned, many claim to see loss in saturation levels.

N&R: Lots of accessories for Sony

Seems this week is all about lenses and accessories for Sony from other manufacturers.

N&R: Changing formats...

I haven't posted one of these summaries in a while. I was planning to until suddenly Canon released a new DSLR, seemingly starting a new line, and I just couldn't bring myself to try to work out what all the Canon lines are. The thought of no longer doing this summary crossed my mind, but instead I am going to try a briefer format. (edit: I failed.)

Sony 100mm f2.8STF - For lovers of creamy bokeh

N&R: It's all about Sony again...

Almost immediately after last week's post, the Sony A6500 and RX100V were announced.

I had a wish list of 5 things I was hoping for in order to make the A6500 a buy on my list, did they deliver?

N&R: Sony A6500 with 5-axis stabilisation rumoured to be coming soon

Well, the big rumour this week is that Sony is about to announce the A6500, which is supposedly an A6300 but with 5-axis IBIS, and the RX 100V.

Gitzo are releasing new legs in their high-end Systematic range.

N&R: Photokina with new cameras and lenses from Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, Sony, Tokina and Voigtlander.

This week is all about Photokina, so lets look at a recap of all the new cameras and lenses announced in the last few days;my word there's a lot of them.

Fuji enters the mirrorless medium format arena.

N&R: Canon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samyang, Sony, Tokina, Venus Optics, Zeiss and Think Tank.

This week we look at the Canon EOS-M5 release, rumours about Panasonic and Olympus, new lenses for Samyang, Tokina, Venus Optics and Zeiss, and a new roller bag from Think Tank.

The first serious mirrorless from Canon?

News and Rumours: Apple, Canon, Fuji, Hasselblad, Leica, Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, Sony, Tamron, Zeiss, Metz and FlashQ

In this week summary:

• The long awaited iPhone 7 Plus gets announced with dual cameras.
• Stylised images of the new Canon EOS-M5 are leaked.
• Fuji announces monochrome instax film.
• Hasselblad will soon announce another medium format mirrorless lens.
• Leica announce a new 6mm macro lens for their TL mirrorless camera.
• The three new lenses from Olympus have leaked images.
• More information on the Panasonic G80/G85 cameras.
• Sigma announce a new series of Cine lenses.
• Sony will also soon announce a new cine lens.
• Tamron announces the previously leaked 15-600mm G2 lens.
• Leaked images of three new Milvus lenses coming from Zeiss.
• Metz is teasing a new, smaller flash.
• The FlashQ Q20 small flash should is expected to be released in Q4 this year.

You read it here first: the LightPix Q20 is expected to arrive this year.

News and Rumours: Canon, Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, Tamron, Tokina and Venus Optics

In this week's summary:

• DPReview looks more in depth at the Canon 5D Mark IV's new features;
• Rumours of the next camera in the Fuji X100 line emerge;
• As well as two  new cameras and lenses, maybe we can also expect a new flash from Olympus;
• First specs of the Pansonic GH5 become available;
• Sony releases another new lens without a prior peep on the rumours sites;
• Tamron is rumoured to soon announce an update to their 150-600mm lens;
• Tokina is reported to soon announce a new manual focus lens in Sony FE mount; and
• Venus Optics releases a teaser indicating they too, will soon announce a new Sony E mount lens.

At last, Sony FE gets a 50mm lens!

366 Project Month Six - Back to Sony

Back to Sony

On Wednesday June 1, I put away the little Panasonic GM5 I had been using exclusively in May, and brought out the Sony RX1RII. I was expecting a little period of adjustment to deal with the different controls, but what really blew me away was the moment I put the viewfinder of the RX1RII up to my eye.

News and Rumours: Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Samyang and Sony

In this week's summary:

• Images and specifications of the camera many are waiting for, the Canon 5D Mark IV.
• Fuji is rumoured to soon be announced an X-A3 and a new 23mm f2 lens.
• Nikon announces the D3400, and is the 1 series still in development?
• Samyang announces the already announced 14mm f2.8 autofocus lens.
• Is the Sony A99 Replacement really coming?

News and Rumours: Canon, Nikon, Nissin, Panasonic, Samyang, Sony, Adobe, Eye-Fi and F-Stop

In this week's summary:

• More about the Canon W-E1 wifi accessory and the 5D Mark IV
• Nikon has a D3400 on the way
• Delays in the Nissin i60a, but should you buy?
• Panasonic is expected to announce two cameras this month
• Samyang releases another new lens in their summer promotion
• Sony is rumoured to be busy at work on an a99 replacement
• Adobe releases a new iteration of Photoshop with some bug fixes
• Eye-Fi releases some software to extend usage of older Eye-Fi cards, but is it enough?
• F-Stop abandons the their KitSentry Kickstarter campaign, but doesn't respond to recent reports of company malpractice.

Can the Samyang new lens compete with Sigma and Nikon?

News and Rumors: Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Samyang, Sony/Zeiss, F-Stop and Instagram

In this week's summary:

• Canon is rumoured to soon release a cheap wifi adapter for the 7D Mark II.
• Another patent for the rumoured Nikon 19mm tilt-shift lens.
• The Olympus E-M1 Mark II might feature a brand new sensor.
• Another week in the Samyang summer blockbusters - this time an actual new product.
• Some rumoured lenses from Sony and Zeiss for the FE mount.
• F-Stop bags - is the company in serious financial trouble?
• Instagram starts to complete with Snapchat.

News and Rumours: Canon, Nikon, Samyang, Sony, Affinity Photo, Aputure, Paul C.Buff and PetaPixel

In this weeks summary:

• Canon's 5D Mark IV is registered with an Indonesian authority;
• Nikon has a 70-200mm f/2.8 replacement in the pipelines;
• Samyang has released the first of 5 new lenses;
• Sony's new 50mm f/1.4 is compared the 55mm f/1.8;
• Affinity Photo announces new features;
• Aputure announced a new mini constant light;
• Paul C. Buff have a new monolight series available; and
• PetaPixel is copying my weekly rumour summary?

 PetaPixel are "pretty sure (this) will make it into many (many many) photographer gear bags".

News and Rumours: Sony, Adobe, FLM, Phottix and Westcott

In this week's summary:

• Sony surprises everyone with a new prime lens release;
• Adobe releases new versions of Lightroom for mobile;
• FLM is launching a new high quality travel tripod on Indiegogo;
• Phottix has a new collapsible beauty dish; and
• So does Westcott.

News and Rumours: Fuji, Eye-Fi, Huawei and Metabones

In this week's summary:

• Fuji officially announces the already leaked X-T2.
• Eye-Fi announces they're going to brick most of their product range.
• Huawei tags a Canon DSLR photo with #HuaweiP9.
• Metabones releases an updated firmware for their Canon to Sony adapter (yes again).

News and Rumours: Canon, Fuji, Olympus, Sigma, Sony, Cactus and Metabones

In this week's summary:

• The Canon 1D X sensor gets reviewed by DXOMark and seems to be a Nikon D5 killer.
• The Fuji XT2 is to be announced very soon, as well as a Hasselblad competitor.
• Some info about the Olympus E-M1 II.
• Sigma has announced the pricing and availability for the sd Quattro.
• Sony announces more delays to cameras and lenses.
• Cactus has announced the the Cactus V6 II.
• Metabones have brought out a seemingly ill advised firmware update to the Canon to Sony Smart Adapter IV.

The DxOMark overall mark for 1DX and D5 is the same, but is that the full story?

News and Rumours: Hasselblad, Fuji, Nikon, Sony and Adobe

This week is mostly all about the newly announced Hasselblad.

Hasselblad X1D