Sony announced the new 135mm f/1.8 GM

As expected Sony announced the new 135mm f/1.8 GM lens (preorder at BHphoto and Adorama).

What’s really surprising so far is to see that Sony did not react in any way to the new Canon, Panasonic and Nikon Full Frame mirrorless camera announcement. Six months passed and we got no new A7sIII or A7rIII or A9r or A5 or whatever….something that could grab some headlines.

I am wondering if Sony either isn’t worried or if they changed their roadmap and are developing something more “advanced” to outperform the competition. Even in the APS-C segment the Fuji X-T3 is way more popular than their A6500 or A6400.

So what’s up with Sony?

Sigma announces the L-mount version of their eleven ART lens primes and a new MC-21 adapter

As expected today Sigma announced the release of the L-mount version of their 11 primes:

Release of SIGMA Interchangeable Lenses for L-Mount

SIGMA Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the Art line prime lens lineup for full-frame cameras in L-Mount. These L-Mount series lenses have achieved high-speed AF and are fully compatible with AF-C mode, in-camera image stabilization, and in-camera aberration correction. The lineup will consist of 11 prime lenses for full-frame cameras from SIGMA’s Art line covering from 14mm to 135mm currently available in other mounts, allowing the Art line, which pursues the highest performance, to be enjoyed on L-Mount cameras.

[Features] 1.?Optimized AF for L-Mount??
With the AF drive control program and high-speed communication tuned for each lens, shooting at speed with high-precision AF control is achieved. The lenses also support the AF-C mode.

2.?Compatible with in-camera image stabilization??
Compatible with in-camera image stabilization, the camera automatically detects the focal length of each lens and optimizes image stabilization performance.

3.?Data pre-loaded for compatibility with in-camera aberration correction??
Fully compatible with in-camera aberration correction (corrections for peripheral illumination, chromatic aberrations, and distortion). By matching corrections to the optical characteristics of the lens, this function takes image quality to an even higher level.

4.?Native mount for a more rigid and stable feel
Making the lens mount native provides a much more rigid and stable feel to the lens than using an adapter. Featuring a surface treatment to enhance strength, the brass bayonet mount offers a high-precision fit and exceptional durability. The mount connection area incorporates rubber sealing for dust- and splash-proof construction.

5.?Available SIGMA Mount Conversion Service??
This service converts specifications of the mount of SIGMA lenses to that of a different camera body. Users can “tailor” their favorite lenses to the camera body if they plan to get a new one in the future. This allows continued use of their favorite lenses over the long term regardless of the camera system.

?1 Compatibility with each function depends on the functions available on each camera.
?2 The SIGMA Mount Conversion Service (chargeable) is different from a normal repair service. It is not available at stores. In order to apply for the service, please contact your nearest authorized SIGMA subsidiary or distributor.

[Product Lineup]

SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case supplied

SIGMA 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case supplied

SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied

SIGMA 28mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied

SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied

SIGMA 40mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied

SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied

SIGMA 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied

SIGMA 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied

SIGMA 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case, Hood, Tripod Socket, and Protective Cover PT-21 supplied

SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art
Launch: TBD
Case and Hood supplied

SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-21

The SIGMA Corporation is pleased to announce the new mount converter enhancing the extensibility of the L-Mount system.

Launch: TBD
Available AF mounts: SIGMA SA-L, CANON EF-L
Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Information

The SIGMA MOUNT CONVERTER MC-21 allows SIGMA SA mount and SIGMA’s CANON EF mount interchangeable lens owners to use their lens investment on L-Mount camera bodies. The converter allows more freedom of choice for L-Mount cameras from SIGMA, Leica Camera and Panasonic, enhancing the extensibility of the L-Mount system.

1. Effective use of lens investment
Attaching the MC-21 to your collection of SIGMA SA mount and SIGMA’s CANON EF mount compatible lenses? allows them to be used as L-Mount system lenses, promoting the effective use of valuable lenses already owned.
?See the list of compatible lenses below.

2. 29 interchangeable lenses available to be used for L-Mount cameras
The MC-21 increases the number of interchangeable lenses manufactured by SIGMA that can be used with the L-Mount system by 29 lenses. Compatible with the autocrop function, mounting APS-C size image circle DC lenses to a camera body equipped with a 35mm full size sensor still allows immediate use for shooting.

3. Fast and accurate auto focus
High precision AF photography in AF-S mode is achieved.
* Not compatible with AF-C mode.

4. Simple interface
Whether the mounted lens is compatible or not is instantly visible from the color and the on/off of the MC-21’s built-in LED. The LED also notifies the user when a lens firmware update is available.

5. Lens data is pre-loaded
Running the data pre-loaded in the MC-21 for each lens by the special control program, autofocus and aperture control have been optimized. Regarding lenses to be released in the future, data for operating these lenses via the MC-21 will be stored in the lens. It means no firmware updates of the MC-21 will be required to use those new lenses. In addition, the MC-21 also supports correction functions of camera such as peripheral illumination, chromatic aberration of magnification, and distortion.

? Comes with a tripod socket
Equipped with a socket for attaching the tripod?. Lenses not equipped with a tripod socket can be used by mounting the tripod to the MC-21.
? The tool supplied makes attaching/detaching possible.

? The inside surface of the barrel is covered with flocking to eliminate internal reflections.
To prevent a reduction in lens performance due to internal reflections, the inside surface of the barrel is covered with flocking.

? Inclusion in Exif data
Information such as lens type, focal length, F number, and other tags are embedded as Exif data in each image file.

Today is another day where new smartphones brings us closer ot the death of the camera industry?

Today all big smart phone companies announced their new gear. And achieving new unseen photo quality was high on their priority list. Let’s go quickly through some of the innovations:

Nokia 9 PureView (test on Engadget).
five are 12-megapixel create between 60 and 240 megapixels of data per photo

Xperia 1 (test on Enagdget).
– 4k hdr oled monitor
– able to shoot with 16mm, 26mm and 52 lens
– record 21:9 4k video with 30p, 24p
– BOSS image stabilization (OIS + EIS)
– dolby atmos sound
– built in LUTS to simulate cinema looks
– eye AF

Oppo with 10x zoom camera (news on Engadget)
Worlds first smarpthone with optical 10x zoom

In summary:
All companies launched new smartphones with 3 or more cameras. You can now take 100+ Megapixel images, you can also have a decent zoom on the Oppo. I bet in 3-4 years 99% of the world’s photos will be taken with a smartphone and not camera. The thing here is the combination of multiple cameras and computational power can give you features that were exclusive territory of classic digital cameras like: High Resolution, Zoom, Dynamic Range.

New Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III lens and 7Artisan 60mm f/2.8 macro announced

Shoten announced the new Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III lens. Google translated text:

Scheduled to be released in April 2019
Manufacturer’s preferred price ¥ 98,000 (excluding tax)

SPEEDMASTER 50 mm F 0.95 III is an ultra large diameter standard lens designed as a mirrorless camera for full size image sensor.
While achieving the phenomenal brightness of aperture opening F value of 0.95, it is also equipped with portability, design has been designed considering balance with the mirrorless machine.
Utilizing the features of the ultra-large aperture lens, it is possible to take handheld photographs in places where there is little light intensity, or to take advantage of beautifully large blur taste.

Improvements from SPEEDMASTER 50 mm F 0.95 M 67 (version 2)
  • Improve image quality by reviewing optical performance.
  • It corresponds to the latest Nikon Z mount · Canon RF mount.

Shoten also announced the new 7 Artisans 60mm f/2.8 Macro APS-C lens

Seven designers 7 Artisans 60 mm F 2.8 Macro (Sony E / Canon EF – M / Fuji Film X / Micro Four Thirds)

Scheduled to be released in May 2019
Manufacturer’s preferred price ¥ 25,000 (excluding tax)

7Artisans 60mm F2.8 Macro is a “60mm macro lens” designed for “APS – C size” mirrorless camera that can shoot from closeup to infinity.
It can be captured without disturbing from remote places such as insects and small animals, so it is suitable for shooting subjects that are difficult to close close-up.
The focus part is sharp, blurred is beautiful, and the whole is depicted richly in gradation.
Ultra close-up shooting up to 5 times magnification is possible by installing an optional extension tube.

And here is the new Sony E-mount to Nikon Z autofocus adapter press text:

Scheduled to be released in June 2019 
Manufacturer’s preferred price ¥ 25,000 (excluding tax)

TECHART TZE – 01 is an electronic control (autofocusable) adapter developed for attaching Sony ? “E mount” lens to the mirrorless camera of the Nikon Z series. 
By using this product in combination with the company’s products LM-EA7 and TCS-04, AF shooting with Nikon Z can also be realized for Leica M lens and Canon EF lens. 
Firmware can be updated with the supplied USB DOCK!