New Lydith 30/f3.5 lens form Meyer Optik Görlitz

The German company Meyer Optik Görlitz announced the revival of their Lydith 30/f3.5 lens. You can buy one on Kickstarter:

The new Lydith fulfils all of this criteria. However, in our prototype test shootings, photographers came back and said: Wow, this little art lens outperformed my expectations so much that we had trouble finding words to express how special it performed.

Sharpness? Contrast? Yes, the Lydith is maybe the sharpest and most contrasty lens in our historic art lens portfolio and of course, as a Meyer-Optik lens, it can produce extraordinary bokeh. But in combination with its ability to capture light – it grows to its full potential.

And we have another treat for you: The Lydith has an extremely low minimum focusing distance of 0.16m. So you can get very close to your object, while still displaying a good portion of the surroundings. If you have a lens at a focal length, you might have things in mind you want to shoot with it. But due to the Lydith’s performance, you will try out setups you wouldn’t have shot with any other lens at this range. Come on, join us on the journey where the Lydith takes us.

Sony issues a majornew Firmware update for the A9 , A7rII, A7sII, A7II, A6500 and A6300

Today Sony announced a new firmware update which promises to fix (or improve) the A9 overheating issue and the also the famous “Star Eater” issue:

A9 firmware download at Sony Support.
A7rII firmware download at Sony Support.
A7sII firmware download at Sony Support.
A7II firmware download at Sony Support.
A6500 firmware download at Sony Support.
A6300 firmware download at Sony Support.

List of the improvements:

Sony A9

  • Change specifications for overheating warning

Sony A7rII and A7sII

  • Adds “Auto Pwr OFF Temp.” function(*)
    (*)If the same part of your skin touches the camera for a long period of time while using the camera, even if the camera does not feel hot to you, it may cause symptoms of a low-temperature burn such as redness or blistering.
    Pay special attention in the following situations and use a tripod, etc.

    • When using the camera in a hightemperature environment
    • When someone with poor circulation or impaired skin sensation uses the camera
    • When using the camera with the [Auto Pwr OFF Temp.] set to [High]
  • Improves operability of the camera:
    1. Improves operability when AF area is set to flexible spot
      Refer to here for details.
    2. Adds “Live View Display” into custom button assignation
    3. Adds “Set File Name” function
  • Supports visible light LED in external flash for AF (HVL-F45RM)
  • Improves release time lag when wireless flash is used
  • Optimizes exposure algorithm during focusing when [Live View Display] is [Setting Effect OFF]
  • Improves image quality when Long Exposure NR setting is OFF
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

Sony A7II

  • Improves operability of the camera:
    1. Improves operability when AF area is set to flexible spot
      Refer to here for details.
    2. Adds “Live View Display” into custom button assignation
    3. Adds “Set File Name” function
  • Supports visible light LED in external flash for AF (HVL-F45RM)
  • Improves release time lag when wireless flash is used
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

Sony A6500

  • Supports new lens “SEL100400GM”
  • Optimaizes image stabilization performance in movie mode

Sony A6300

  • Adds “Auto Pwr OFF Temp.” function(*)
    (*)If the same part of your skin touches the camera for a long period of time while using the camera, even if the camera does not feel hot to you, it may cause symptoms of a low-temperature burn such as redness or blistering.
    Pay special attention in the following situations and use a tripod, etc.

    • When using the camera in a hightemperature environment
    • When someone with poor circulation or impaired skin sensation uses the camera
    • When using the camera with the [Auto Pwr OFF Temp.] set to [High]
  • Supports new lens “SEL100400GM”
  • Modifies aspect of guide frame display in LCD (2.35:1 mode)
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

new Fringer Contax 645 – GFX smart adapter has full aperture and autofocus support

Fringer announced a new Contax 645 to GFX adapter with full electronic aperture and autofocus support:

Will be available soon. Support Contax 645 lenses on GFX50s with electronic aperture control and auto focus (AF is for 35, 45, 80, 140 only).
A GF63/2.8 is needed for activating the adapter. Or the adapter will not work. Please make sure you own it or can borrow one.
There are limitations! Please download and read the user’s manual before placing an order.

Prestigious Japanese magazine Sentaku confirms Nikon-Fuji partnership rumors

The June magazine issue of Sentaku fuels the rumors about a possible Nikon-Fuji partnership. The prestigious magazine writes that the government is putting Nikon and Fuji on a table to see if such a partnership could work. So for now this is not a done deal. But if Sentaku writes it there must be something real going on with Nikon. It’s highly likely Fuji or someone else will buy a stake into Nikon.

Report from “Sentaku.co.jp” suggests Japanese goverment is pressing Fuji to buy a stake into Nikon

This is a bomb news: Fujirumors got word that the Japanese government is pressing Fuji to buy a stake into Nikon (Source Sentaku June magazine issue). The reason is simple: Try to help Nikon to overcome their huge crisis and avoid any possible acquisition from non-japanese makers.

If you think this story is absurd you should remember that the same thing already happened with Sony buying a stake into Olympus. Olympus had a huge financial loss because the big financial scandal and Sony came in to help them out.

The “partnership” would allow Nikon to reduce costs. And on paper Nikon and Fuji are not direct competitors. Nikon is strong in the DSLR segment and PRO market. While Fuji sells mirrorless system cameras only and has no FF camera line up.

But for now that’s all just a “rumor”. We will keep you informed if we find out more!

Source: Sentaku Japan (June magazine issue).

 

Samyang just announced the new ?35mm f/2.8 FE AF lens

ISamyang announces a new 35mm f/2.8 FE autofocus lens. It aims to compete against the exactly same specced and exact same size Zeiss 35mm f/2.8 FE lens. Of course this lens is much cheaper as it will go on sale for $299 only (The Zeiss costs $800).

Press text:

Tiny but Mighty

A tiny lens with a mighty performance, Samyang AF 35mm F2.8 FE is ideal for daily photography as well as travel photography. This new compact and lightweight lens, together with the existing AF 14mm F2.8 FE and AF 50mm F1.4 FE lenses, now expands Samyang’s autofocus lens line-up to three.

The AF 35mm F2.8 FE weighs just 85g and measures 3.3cm in length, without the hood and rear cap. Thanks to Samyang’s exceptional optical technology, its compact size is packed with features for outstanding image quality. Featuring seven elements in six groups, two aspherical lenses and one high refractive lens plus Ultra Multi Coating to minimise aberration and unnecessary light dispersion, the lens delivers high resolution from the centre to the corners of the image.
Perfect Partner for Everyday Photographers

This new lens is specifically designed to work in harmony with full frame mirrorless cameras in Sony E mount. For full frame sensors, the focal length resembles the human eye the most. For APS-C types for Sony alpha 6000 and 5000 series users the lens is equivalent to approximately 52mm, which is also one of the most popular focal lengths among photographers.

Portability with mighty performance and a 35mm focal length makes this lens the best choice for daily photographers who want to capture every memory as a high quality image. The autofocus is fast and accurate and is ideal for the capture of outdoor events such as hiking, sports events and landscape photography. It also has a minimum focusing distance of 0.35m and is ideal for street, portrait and close focus photography.

Image samples at Samyanglensglobal.com/product/detail.do?SQ=59