Sony News (Page 16)
Is the Really Right Stuff MC-LS Universal L-Plate the last L-plate you will buy? Find out in the just-posted review.
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The new Really Right Stuff MC-LS Universal L-Plate is in stock at B&H.
Sigma Corporation shared more information about the coming soon 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens.
Apple just announced next-gen MacBook Pros and iMacs with M3-Series Chips.
Learn more and preorder at B&H
Image quality test results, along with specs and measurements, are now available on the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens page.
You are going to like these results.
Compared to the G1 lens (visualize the slight camera resolution difference)
Compared to the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens
Support this site by ordering the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Amazon (all available countries) | Adorama | WEX | Camera Canada
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The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD and 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lenses for Sony E mount have firmware updates available via Tamron Lens Utility.
This firmware incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
- Improved AF performance when shooting moving objects.
- Compatible with AF assist function during video recording
Get the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens from B&H.
Buy the Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens at B&H.
Sigma has released a firmware update for the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens.
This firmware update incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
- Improved operational stability
Get the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens from B&H.
Just posted:
Sony Alpha 7C R Review
Sony Alpha 7C II Review
Support this site by ordering the Sony Alpha 7C R from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada
Order the Sony Alpha 7C II from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada
Rent the Sony Alpha 7C R and Sony Alpha 7C II from Lensrentals.
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"Capture One Pro (16.3) is a feature release containing new features and functionality, UX and performance improvements, along with multiple bug fixes and additional camera & lens support."
New features and functionality
- AI Masking
- ReTether
- Snap-to-eye in Focus Tool
- Capture One Live: Share multiple collections (Sessions only)
- Capture One Live: In-app comments
- Publish to Glass (Mac)
User experience and performance improvements
- Improved browse, zoom, and pan performance
- Improved Previews
- Smoother brushing (Mac)
- More reset options (including Speed Edit)
- New shortcuts
- Duplicate Layer
- Brush-erase toggle
- Luma Range dialog behavior change (Windows)
- Capture One Live: System notifications (Mac)
- Feedback notifications
- My Capture One panel
Get the full details of this update in the release notes.
Get Capture One at B&H.
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Sony Alpha 7C R firmware update version 1.01 is available for download.
Firmware Version 1.01 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
- Fixes an issue where the High ISO NR feature can not be set
- Fixes an issue where some movie metadata (Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO, etc.) may not be recorded
- Improves the operational stability of the camera
Get the Sony Alpha 7C R at B&H.
Sony Alpha 7C II firmware update version 1.01 is available for download.
Firmware Version 1.01 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
- Fixes an issue where some movie metadata (Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO, etc.) may not be recorded
- Improves the operational stability of the camera
Get the Sony Alpha 7C II at B&H.
Do you have go-to locations to use when you must bring home high-quality images?
Three new cameras (Sony Alpha 7C R, Alpha 7C II, and Alpha 6700), two new lenses (Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens and Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens), and some new accessories needed a workout. When many good images are needed, that go-to location is called upon, and it the success rate at Ricketts Glen State Park in the fall is high.
The optimal (cloudy) weather forecast selected the day choice, and the above gear (plus some additional gear and food) went into a MindShift Gear BackLight 26L for a big day in the field.
I have many favorite photo locations in this park and often revisit them as it seems new angles that create different, often better, results can often be found. In this case, Triangle Falls was the revisited subject, and I wanted a slightly lower-angle image than the last one from here.
As I said when posting that image, sometimes the picture does not tell the full story. While this image appears to be a simple capture, you don't see that the rock I'm standing on is slippery and the RRS TVC-24L Mk2 Tripod is in the fast-flowing water. Learned was that the tripod flowing downstream during exposures creates interesting motion blurs.
Fast-flowing water meeting a stationary object causes splashing, and in addition to forcing recomposition, the fast-flowing water also splashed onto the camera and lens from the tripod legs positioned forward of the camera. The mentioned lower angle perspective positioned the lens close to the water, and the splashing water was hitting the circular polarizer filter (responsible for this image's deep saturated colors). Thus, wiping the filter with a microfiber cloth between every shot was part of the process, with hope that the next exposure would finish before the water drops reappeared or the tripod washed downstream again. The cameras' weather sealing was appreciated in this scenario.
Fortunately, patience and repetition prevailed, and there were sufficient good images to select from.
The a7C R and FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II got the call for this image. This full-featured compact camera delivers incredibly detailed images, and this lens has the optical quality to support that extreme resolution. This combination is an outstanding choice for landscape and travel photography.
ISO 100
9504 x 6336px
Sony Alpha 7R V firmware update version 2.01 is available for download.
Firmware Version 2.01 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
- Fixes an issue where JPEG files could not be enlarged and played
- Fixes an issue where the power may not turn on or turn off even if the Power switch is used
- Fixes an issue where the Switch V/H AF Area feature may not work correctly
- Fixes a Creators' App issue where the Auto Time Correction and Auto Area Adjustment features may turn off
- Improves the operational stability of the camera
Get the Sony Alpha 7R V at B&H.
Sony Alpha 6700 firmware update version 1.02 is available for download.
Firmware Version 1.02 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:
- Fixes an issue where some movie metadata (Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO, etc.) may not be recorded
- Fixes an issue where JPEG files could not be enlarged and played
- Fixes an issue where the Switch V/H AF Area feature may not work correctly
- Fixes a Creators’ App issue where the Auto Time Correction and Auto Area Adjustment features may turn off
- Improves the operational stability of the camera
Get the Sony Alpha 6700 at B&H.
The Sony Alpha 7C R and Sony Alpha 7C II cameras are here, and it is time to set up these cameras for use. For setup purposes, these cameras are identical, and the steps taken to prepare out-of-the-box a7C R and 7C II cameras for use are as follows.
- Charge the battery
- Record the serial number, and add the camera to insurance policy
- Download and install Capture One (for Sony) or Sony Imaging Edge (unless your current favorite RAW image processing software supports this camera)
- Insert a memory card(s) (we'll format it later)
- Insert the charged battery, and power on the camera
- Set the time zone, date, time, and timeformat
- Select M mode, press "Menu", and configure the camera as follows:
- Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Image Quality Settings: File Format: RAW, RAW File Type: Lossless Compressed L (ultimate image quality with reduced file size)
- Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Long Exposure NR: Off (manually enable this option for very long exposures)
- Shooting Menu 1 High ISO NR: Low (most software overrides this setting)
- Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Lens Compensation: Shading, Chromatic Aberration, and Distortion Comp: All Off (software often overrides this setting, use the RAW processing software to enable any lens compensation with CA correction frequently selected)
- Shooting Menu 2 Media: Format (ensure there are no important files on the card(s) prior to formatting)
- Shooting Menu 3 File: Copyright Info: Write Copyright Info: On, Set Photographer: [your name], Set Copyright: [as desired], Write Serial Number: On (put your name and your business name on your images, also helpful if your camera gets lost) (note that you may find entering this information on the touchscreen a painful process)
- Shooting Menu 5 Drive Mode: Selftimer during Bracket: 2 Sec (avoid camera shake)
- Shooting Menu 5 Drive Mode: Bracket Settings: Bracket order: ->0>+ (eases image selection for HDR processing)
- Shooting Menu 6 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Lens: Disable
- Shooting Menu 6 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Card: Disable (why is this not the default?)
- Shooting Menu 9 Shooting Display: Grid Line Display: On (Rule of Thirds selected)
- Exposure/Color Menu 6 Color/Tone: D-Range Optimizer: Off
- Exposure/Color Menu 6 Color/Tone: Creative Look: NT (Neutral) Sharpness = 1 (this setting provides a lower contrast histogram. I usually process with a Standard or Natural creative style)
- Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Focus Mode: Single-shot AF (this setting gets changed frequently)
- Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-S: AF
- Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-C: AF (I care more about properly focused images than maintaining a high frame rate)
- Focus Menu 2 Focus Area: Focus Area: Spot: S (this setting gets changed frequently)
- Focus Menu 2 Switch V/H AF Area: AF Point Only
- Focus Menu 5 Peaking Display: On (show focus indication when manually focusing)
- Playback Menu 4 Delete: "Delete" first (makes deleting images faster — the camera still provides a second change to cancel the delete request)
- Playback Menu 7 Playback Option: Display Rotation: Off (the reviewed image always fills LCD)
- Network Menu: 8 Network Menu: Airplane Mode: On
- Setup Menu: 4 Dial Customize: Custom Key/Dial Set.: Dial/Wheel: Front Dial: Av/Tv (Tv in M mode) (option #2) (I adjust the shutter speed more frequently and urgently than aperture and the front dial is easier to access quickly); Rear Dial: Av/Tv (Av in M mode)
- Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Panel/Pad: Both Valid
- Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Pad Settings: Touch Position Mode: Relative Position, Operation Area: Whole Screen
- Setup Menu: 10 Sound Option: Audio signal (Shooting): Off (how to turn off the AF beep sound)
- My Menu: Format, Shutter Type, Steady Shot, Recognition Target, Anti-flicker Set., Flash Comp., Focus Mode
- With a lens mounted and a subject in focus (or view the menu system), adjust the viewfinder diopter until the scene is sharp
I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.
To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do, including in RAW-only format. While this setup works optimally for me, you should adjust the camera setup to your needs.
If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established. Consider saving the camera settings to a card (Tools menu, tab 2, Reset/Save Settings) for an easy restore or replication. The setup file can be copied to a computer drive for long-term storage. Unfortunately, I couldn't load the a7C R settings on the a7C II.
Support this site by ordering the Sony Alpha 7C R from B&H | Adorama | WEX | Camera Canada
Order the Sony Alpha 7C II from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada
Rent the Sony Alpha 7C R and Sony Alpha 7C II from Lensrentals.
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Just posted: Sony E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Review.
This lens is tiny, ultra-light, and affordable (especially in used condition).
Support this site by ordering the Sony E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada | KEH | MPB
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Just posted: Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens Review.
Again, this is going to be a popular lens.
Sharing this review supports the site.
Also support this site by ordering the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | Camera Canada | WEX
Rent the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens from Lensrentals.
Two weeks of guiding elk photography in Rocky Mountain National Park resulted in a rather overwhelming number of images. Selecting the keepers is a huge project, and deciding which image to share first was daunting. It seems that everyone loves breath shots, so I'll start with that option.
This bull walked in so close to us that it didn't fit in the 600mm frame when its head was turned. While I liked the tight image that crops the back of the antlers, I knew that having the entire elk and its breath in the frame might be an option I later wanted.
To avail that option, additional images containing the cropped content on the left and right were captured immediately after the primary image, and the three images were manually stitched in Photoshop as a panorama.
This image utilized a camera position near the ground, just high enough to create a blur that transitions into the animal's legs, and elk legs are one of my favorite leading line sources, especially when they are equally spaced apart. The relatively close proximity of the elk combined with the distant background creates a strong background blur that makes this bull stand out.
Getting obvious breath in an image requires cold temperatures and a supporting background. While I could see the breath in many other images by the changes apparent when browsing one after the other, light-colored and detailed backgrounds often hide the breath in single images. A dark background and backlighting create an ideal scenario for making the breath element obvious.
A larger version of this image is available here.
ISO 5000
7967 x 8843px
Just posted: Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens Review
This is a great little lens.
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Support this site by ordering the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada
Rent the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens from Lensrentals.
From Sigma Corporation:
Development announcement of SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS|Sports
The SIGMA Corporation is pleased to announce the development of the SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports.
The SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS | Sports is a large-aperture zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. In addition to the expressive imaging capabilities owing to the latest optical design, the lens offers a high level of performance and features that meet the expectations of professionals in both still and video, including high-speed autofocus with HLA (High-response Linear Actuator), optical stabilizer with the latest algorithm "OS2", and the superior weather resistance of SIGMA’s Sports line.
Combined with the SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art and the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art, SIGMA's three zoom lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras with a bright F2.8 constant aperture cover a wide range of focal lengths.
Launch: December, 2023
Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
*The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change.
* This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation.
* L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG
Image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results, along with specs, measurements, and standard product images, are now available on the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens page.
This is going to be a popular lens.
Please share!
Support this site by ordering the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama
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