Finally the Sony E-mount system gets more “proletar” (can we say that?). They launched their very first ultra affordable lens, the new 50mm f/1.8. And there is also a nice and not too expensive new 70-300mm lens too. Here are the store links (preorder start tomorrow on March 31):
FE 50mm f/1.8 at BHphoto. Adorama.
FE 70-300mm at BHphoto. Adorama.
RX10m3 at BHphoto. Adorama.

And here is the Press text:

Sony Bolsters Full-Frame FE Lens Lineup with New 70-300mm High-Resolution Zoom and 50mm F1.8 Prime Lenses

New FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS Telephoto Zoom and 50mm F1.8 Prime Lens Extend Sony ? Shooting Possibilities

SAN FRANCISCO, Mar. 29, 2016 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced two new full-frame lenses for their E-mount camera system, the FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS telephoto zoom and 50mm F1.8 prime lens.

The new FE 70-300mm F4.5-F5.6 G OSS zoom lens represents the first Sony ? E-mount lens to reach a 300mm focal length, featuring high resolution and excellent overall optical performance throughout the entirety of its range.  The new 50mm F1.8 prime lens is extremely compact, lightweight and affordably priced, making it an ideal choice for those looking to explore the benefits of a large aperture prime lens at a reasonable cost.

“We’re continuing to build out our FE lens lineup, offering more variety than ever for today’s imaging enthusiasts,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics.  “Representing two of the most requested focal lengths by our customers, the new 70-300mm zoom and 50 F1.8mm prime become ideal choices for those looking to expand and enhance their Sony ? kits.

New FE 70-300mm F4.5 – 5.6 G OSS Telephoto Zoom Lens

Sony’s longest reaching E-mount lens to date, the new FE 70-300mm F4.5 – 5.6 G OSS telephoto zoom lens (model SEL70300G) features a state-of-the-art optical design including four aspherical glass elements, two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and Sony’s Nano AR coating, which all work together to effectively suppress spherical aberration, distortion, and chromatic aberration.  This ensures beautiful high-resolution results for both still and video shooting.

The new telephoto zoom lens also features class-leading close-up performance, with a minimum focusing distance of less than 3 feet (0.9m) and a maximum magnification of 0.31x, making it an ideal choice for tele-macro photography.  This outstanding close-up performance also factors into the lens’ excellent corner-to-corner sharpness.

The versatile zoom lens includes built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization that helps to reduce camera shake, making it easier to capture clear images when shooting handheld.  Additionally, the new SEL70300G model has a linear actuator that allows it to achieve fast, smooth and quiet autofocus and is also dust and moisture resistant1 to ensure reliable operation in harsh outdoor conditions.

New FE 50mm F1.8 Prime Lens

Weighing in at less than 7 oz (192 g), the new lightweight FE 50mm F1.8 “normal” prime lens (model SEL50F18F) delivers an outstanding blend of performance, compactness and value, making it a perfect choice for hobbyist photographers and videographers looking to experience the benefits of a wide aperture prime lens at an attainable cost.

The lens features a new optical design with an aspherical element that effectively compensates for all forms of aberration, resulting in beautiful, crisp imagery.   Additionally, it has a circular aperture with a maximum of F1.8, producing beautiful ‘bokeh’ in images that allows the subject to stand out against a smoothly defocused background.  For extended durability, the new prime lens is built with a solid metal mount.

Pricing and Availability

The new FE 70-300mm F4.5 – 5.6 G OSS telephoto zoom lens will be available in May for about $1,200 US and $1,700 CA, respectively.

The new FE 50mm F1.8 prime lens will also be available in May for about $250 US and $350 CA, respectively.

Both of the new FE interchangeable lenses will be sold at a variety of Sony authorized dealers throughout North America.

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new lenses and other Sony ? products can be found atwww.alphauniverse.com , Sony’s new community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of the Sony ? brand.

Content is also available for viewing at the sony.com product pages for the FE 70-300mm F4.5 – 5.6 G OSS telephoto zoom lens and the FE 50mm F1.8 prime lens.

No guys, 2016 didn’t start good for the camera industry. In January Japanese manufacturers shipped 20%(!) less cameras compared to 12 months ago. Once again the fixed lens compact camera market is the main negative driver (-28%). System Cameras sold almost as good as in 2015 (-4%). Yep, it looks like 2016 will be even worse than the already very bad 2015.

Full data can be read at CIPA: cipa.jp/stats/dc_e.html

Imaging Resource interviewed Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki. Here are some key insights:

1) Why Sigma opted for a mirrorless system camera:
“There are many advantages [for a mirrorless camera over a DSLR]. The [lower] focus accuracy and mirror shock [of a DSLR], does not exist in the mirrorless system. So we decided to go to mirrorless.”

2) Why Sigma opted for a new APS-H sensor:
“We thought that if we go to full-frame, the file size would be huge and the processing speed would be very slow. So we thought that APS-H is a good size for the customers.”

3) About future f/1.8 zooms:
“We’d like to expand this series, but it’s quite challenging, so we are not sure if we can develop another lens.”

4) Asked if Sigma will keep developing lenses that fit fot both APS-C and MFT mirrorless systems:
“If we can increase the sales volume, we can reduce the cost, and we can provide the products which the customers want.”

5) Why the new SD Quattro camera don’t record video:
“Because we have the three-layer stack, so the data size is about two times or three times [as much as a traditional sensor].”

It doens’t happen often you get something good for free. Well today is the day this happens for real! Google who recently bought Nik Software announced that it’s now available for free! Grab it here:

MAC: dl.google.com/edgedl/photos/nikcollection-full-1.2.11.dmg
WIN: dl.google.com/edgedl/photos/nikcollection-full-1.2.11.exe

via SonyAlphaForum

–

Not for free but heavily discounted:
$700 off and 1 year US seller warranty on the [shoplink 301875 ebay]Sony A7rII by ElectronicsValley on eBay[/shoplink].
$600 off and 1 year US seller warranty on the [shoplink 301876 ebay]Sony A7sII by ElectronicsValley on eBay[/shoplink].

X-PRO 2 owners got their first firmware upgrade (Download here). The firmware update Ver. 1.01 from Ver.1.00 incorporates the following issues:

• 1. The Phenomenon is fixed that in rare cases, established customized menu settings are reset to factory default setting when the camera is turned off.
• 2. Improvement of image quality when shooting in the long exposure mode.

Imaging Resource interviewed Mr. Toshihisa and Makoto from Fuji. Here are a couple of interesting info:

1. Fuji has around 14% of the market share in the global mirrorless system camera market. In Thailand they have 40% of the market share
2. Fuji doesn’t ask customers to buy a new camera every two-year “it’s ridiculous“. They prefer them “to spend more money for lenses or accessories, and so on. That’s more beneficial to the customers.“
3. About 4k: “If we develop 4K movie-capable cameras, we will need to change the form factor.“
4. Fuji says its way to early to introduce cameras with organic sensor.
5. The lens request they got from the customers is a fast telephoto prime lens and a more compact 35mm f/2.0 lens (smaller than the existent).

ePhotozine and Photographyblog are present at the NEC show in Birmingham (UK). And they shared some hands-on pictures with newly announced lenses and cameras:

Sigma SD Quattro H Vs Sigma SD1 Merrill (Source: ePhotozine)
ePhotozine posted some hands on pics of the new Sigma SD Quattro mirrorless system cameras
Laowa STF 105mm f/2 (T3.2) Lens Hands-On Preview (ePhotozine).
Panasonic 12-60mm Hands-on Photos (Photographyblog).
Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter Hands-on Photos (Photographyblog)
Sony Wireless Flash System Hands-on Photos (Photographyblog)