Sony RX1R Removes Anti-Alias Filter

Sony Cybershot RX1R Full Frame Sensor

Sony RX1R Hands On with Olivia

The Sony Cybershot RX1R, R = resolution, takes away the Sony RX1's optical low pass (anti-alias) filter to improve resolution. Other cameras that offer AA less cameras are Leica, Nikon, and Ricoh. The RX1R and RX1 will co-exist and share the same accessories.

Here is the Sony RX1R press release.

A new sister version of Sony’s acclaimed Cyber-shot™ RX1 full-frame compact camera satisfies the most critical photographer’s hunger for sharper, more detailed pictures.

Building on the awesome imaging power of the RX1, the RX1R takes pixel-perfect picture quality to new heights. The model’s ‘R’ suffix denotes a further improvement in the pocket-sized camera’s already spectacular resolution.

In common with many DSLR cameras, the original Cyber-shot™ RX1 features an optical low-pass filter (OLPF) in front of the sensor to suppress unwanted moiré and colour artefacts. The enthusiast-oriented RX1R removes this low-pass filter, guaranteeing flawless capture of fine details without any blurring or dispersion. To compensate for the OLPF’s removal, the camera’s processing functions have been optimised to maintain image sharpness without compromising lens/sensor performance*.

Bringing new levels of realism to landscapes and other finely-detailed subjects, the modified edition RX1R lets photo enthusiasts express their creativity with unprecedented clarity. While weight and dimensions remain the same as the ground-breaking RX1, the special edition RX1R adds other refinements to suit discerning photographers.

In addition, compatibility with TRILUMINOS Colour technology ensures even richer, more natural colours when viewing stills and video on the new generation of BRAVIA televisions featuring TRILUMINOS Display. Videographers can also add an optional stereo microphone, allowing Full HD movie soundtracks to be captured with even greater clarity.

Introduced in September 2012, the Cyber-shot™ DSC-RX1 is world’s first compact fixed-lens camera with a 35mm full-frame 24.3 effective megapixel sensor. It’s already won several prestigious European accolades, including ‘Best Premium Camera’ in the 2013 Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) Awards. Read the Cyber-shot™ DSC-RX1 press release (12 September 2012) here.

* Moire and/or colour artifacts may be visible in some photographic situations. Colour reproduction performance is the same as the RX1.

Sony RX1R and its fixed Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar

The Sony Cybershot RX1R is available for pre-order for $2798 and will be available on July 26.

Sony DSC-RX100 II with Viewfinder Announced

Sony RX100 II with Accessory Tilting Viewfinder

The Sony DSC-RX100 II is an upgrade to the very popular RX100. The RX100 II gets more NEX like with an add on viewfinder and tilting rear lcd. Sony addressed the main complaints about the RX100 and added more features:

• Enhances the hugely popular RX100 with improved picture quality and convenient new features
• New 20.2 effective megapixel back-illuminated Exmor R 1.0-type CMOS sensor boosts sensitivity for better low-light images
• Wi-Fi and easy One-touch smartphone connection with NFC
• Add accessories with Multi Interface Shoe and Multi Terminal
• 3.0-type White Magic™ LCD tilts up or down
• Full HD 24p/25p movie for rich, cinematic video footage
• TRILUMINOS™ Colour for richer, more natural colours

The Sony DSC-RX100 II will be available next month with an MSRP of $750.

Sony DSC-RX100 II Specifications

Key specifications

Model	RX100 II
Image Sensor	1.0-type (13.2 x 8.8mm) Exmor R™ CMOS sensor with back illumination technology (Effective resolution) Approx. 20.2 megapixels (Gross resolution) Approx. 20.9 megapixels
Lens	Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, with 7 elements in 6 groups (4 aspheric elements including AA lens); F1.8 (Wide) - 4.9 (Tele); focal length = 10.4-37.1mm; 35mm effective focal length (Still Image 3:2) = 28-100mm
Zoom range	Optical: 3.6x; Clear Image Zoom 7.2x
Screen	7.5cm (3.0-type) (4:3) / 1,229,000 dots / Xtra Fine TFT LCD; adjusts up 84° / down 45° (approx.)
Image stabilisation	(Still image) Optical SteadyShot (Movie) Optical SteadyShot Active Mode with electronic compensation (anti-rolling)
Focus modes	Single-shot AF (AF-S) / Continuous AF (AF-C) / Direct Manual Focus (DMF) / Manual Focus
Focus area	Multi point AF (25 points) / Centre weighted AF / Flexible spot / Flexible spot (tracking focus) / Flexible spot (face tracking)
Sensitivity (still image)	Auto (ISO160-12800, selectable with upper/lower limit), 160/200/400/800/1600/3200/6400/12800 (Expandable to ISO 100/125) Multi Frame NR: Auto(ISO160-25600),200/400/800/1600/3200/6400/12800/25600 NB: ISO25600 is achieved by using overlay burst shooting
Continuous shooting	Speed Priority Continuous Mode: Approx.10 fps Continuous mode: 2.5 fps (AF-S)
Shooting modes	Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto (Program shift available), Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Scene Selection, Movie, Sweep shooting
Picture Effect modes	Toy Camera, Pop Colour, Posterisation, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Colour, High Contrast Monochrome, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolour, Illustration
Other Shooting functions	Face Detection, Face Registration, Smile Shutter, Dual Rec, Grid Line, Digital Level Gauge (pitch and roll), MR (memory recall), Exposure Bracketing, White Balance Bracketing, Peaking, MF Assist, Auto Framing, Photo Creativity, Shooting Tips
Movie record	AVCHD: 28M PS (1920x1080, 50p/60p) / 24M FX (1920x1080, 50i/60i, 24p/25p) / 17M FH (1920x1080, 50i/60i, 24p/25p) MP4: 12M (1440x1080, 25p/30p) / 3M VGA (640x480 25p/30p) *NTSC formats selectable as Setup menu option
Battery life	(Still Image) Approx. 350 / Approx. 175 min. (CIPA standard) (Movie) Approx. 80 min.( AVCHD, MP4, shooting in factory preset mode)
Dimensions (WxHxD)	Approx. 101.6 x 58.1 x 38.3mm (CIPA compliant)
Accessory terminals	Multi Terminal, Multi Interface Shoe
Weight	Approx. 254g (body only) Approx. 281g (with battery and Memory Stick Duo)
Supplied accessories	Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BX1, Micro USB cable, Wrist Strap, Shoulder Strap Adaptor, Instruction Manual

Sony DSC-RX100 II Tilting Rear LCD Screen

Here's the Sony Press Release for the new DSC-RX100 II.

The new Cyber-shot™ RX100 II from Sony puts even more shooting power in your pocket. Sleekly styled in strong, light aluminium, it’s a perfect travel partner for quality-conscious photographers who want DSLR-style images from a pocket camera with generous control options.

Building on the superb picture quality of the multi-award winning RX100, the new camera now delivers even better results if you’re shooting indoors or at dusk without a flash. The newly developed back-illuminated Exmor R™ 1.0-type CMOS sensor increases sensitivity while reducing picture noise in tricky low-light scenes. Combined with the exceptional f1.8 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens, you’ll see the difference with exceptionally crisp, natural stills and Full HD video in any shooting situation – from parties to night-time landscapes.

Wi-Fi makes it easy to connect the camera wirelessly with your smartphone and transfer photos or videos for easy sharing. It’s also the first ever camera from Sony with NFC (Near Field Communication), giving the extra convenience of One-touch connection with Android smartphones and tablets. There’s no set-up needed – simply touch your mobile device against the RX100 II and a wireless connection is made instantly. One-touch Remote even lets you trigger shutter release from your smartphone — great for group shots when you don’t want to be left out of the action.

The camera’s enthusiast appeal is further enhanced by a new Multi Interface Shoe and Multi Terminal. Expand your photographic possibilities by attaching optional accessories – including an electronic viewfinder, powerful external flash and stereo microphone – via the versatile Multi Interface Shoe. The Multi Terminal also allows the addition of other options such as a shutter-release remote controller.

The bright, detail-packed 3.0-type White Magic™ LCD now tilts up and down[i], giving greater freedom to compose shots in comfort. Hold the camera high up to reach over crowds, or get down low and see things from the perspective of pets and children.

Compatibility with TRILUMINOS™ Colour technology ensures even richer, more natural colour reproduction with the new generation of BRAVIA televisions featuring TRILUMINOS™ Display.

Full HD video modes are expanded with the addition of 24p/25p shooting for smooth, cinematic movies. Other refinements include a step zoom function that’s accessible via the camera’s customisation menu. Instantly choose from five popular focal lengths using the control ring – 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm or 100mm: it’s an intuitive alternative to zooming in and out when you’re in a hurry.

The PlayMemories Mobile app has been updated to enable the one-touch capabilities of the RX100 II, and also now features an enhanced user interface. It is available now for free from the Google Play store for all Android smartphones.

Introduced in June 2012, the Cyber-shot™ DSC-RX100 is world’s first compact fixed-lens camera with a 1.0-type 20.2 effective megapixel sensor. Read the Cyber-shot™ DSC-RX100 press release (6 June, 2012) here.

The new Cyber-shot™ RX100 II digital compact camera from Sony is available to pre-order from sony.co.uk/RX from today and is generally available in Europe from mid-July, 2013.

Sony DSC-RX100 II Review by Imaging Resource

Sony NEX-7 Rear Button Focus

Figure 1. Rear Button aka AF/MF Button Controls Autofocus.

Here's a way to autofocus using the rear AF/MF button instead of the shutter button. You can then separate focus from locking exposure with the shutter button half press. This will also prevent the lens from prefocusing when in AF or DMF mode.

Setting up the NEX-7 to use AF/MF Rear Button Focus.

• Set the camera to Manual Focus, Figure 2.
• Set the AF/MF Control to HOLD, Figure 3.
• Set the AF/MF Button to AF/MF Control, Figure 1.
• Set the Function Button to Focus Settings, Figure 4. This will let us control the focus point via Flexible Spot. You can also use Center focus point then Recompose. The camera must be in MF or DMF mode, Figure 2., to use Focus Settings.

Figure 2. Set the camera to MANUAL FOCUS.

Figure 3. Set the AF/MF Control to HOLD.

Figure 4. Set Function Button to Focus Settings.

Here is the Sony NEX-7 Manual for download for more info.

Carl Zeiss Touit 12mm Distagon and Miami

Delano Hotel South Beach

Here are some shots from the Zeiss Touit 12mm Distagon from Miami. It was a quick trip and the weather did not cooperate. The 12mm Touit is a nice match for the NEX-7 due to its lightweight design yet being so well built. The lens was glued to the NEX-7 for most of the trip. The 18mm FOV will take more practice since it's such a wide perspective.

Car Inside Trump Sunny Isles

La Sandwicherie South Beach

Mac's Club Deuce

Airport Code: EWR

Zeiss Touit 12mm Lens in Istanbul Not Constantinople

The plan: spend the 5 hr layover in Istanbul Ataturk Airport to visit the Asian side of Istanbul by ferry.

The plan was devised by my friend and I with no planning. Our other companions stayed behind and wished us luck since we needed it. First one needs a $20 visa to enter Turkey, this took 15 minutes. Next was the passport check line, this took 25 minutes - we have 4 hrs and 20 mins left before our plane left to our final destination. The easiest way to get into Istanbul is by the Metro. We had to take the Subway then the tram to the ferry. Luckily we had no map and were depending on strangers to get us to our destination. We arrived at the ferry one hour later with no complications except for the slow and jam packed tram - 3 hrs and 20 mins to go.

And the problems began. We were told that the ferry was free - it was not. We had to scramble to get tokens - where did the Turkish Liras go? We were rushing to catch the next ferry, and did not confirm its destination. We boarded and waited for 5 mins for the ferry to launch. We saw the Asian side to the left of us, and it stayed to the left of us. The ferry took 15 mins to arrive at its destination which was still the European side of Istanbul - oops. We had no choice but to retrace our steps back to the airport. We finally acquired a map and saw where we went wrong. We took the wrong ferry. The ferry fiasco took 40 mins - 2 hrs and 40 mins left.

We missed the first tram back - 10 mins wait. We got on the next one and slowly countdown the stops in order not to miss the transfer to the subway. It always felt faster returning but this time it did not. Everything was new and we didn't notice how close the tram was to the people and the sidewalks - did we get on the right tram? We did as confirmed by the tram map. We transfer to the subway and get back into the airport - one hour gone, 1 hr 30 min left.

We had to go through two security checks - one has not seen a film camera before. We also had to go through the passport / visa check again and ran through the airport. We checked the flight status boards and saw that our flight was blinking red - FINAL CALL. We arrived at our gate with 10 mins before take off and the airline ticket attendants questioned us. A special screener was assigned to my friend since he had no checked in luggage. We eventually boarded the plane with cheers and jeers from our companions. It was a good yet unsuccessful adventure on a nice day in Istanbul not Constantinople.

Here are a few photos I managed to snap with the new Carl Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 Distagon lens on the NEX-7. I was hoping I had more time to shoot but this was low on our priority list. The camera was on Aperture Priority and Autofocus.

How Zeiss Touit Lenses Are Made

Manufacturing of Zeiss Touit Lenses for NEX Cameras

One Hundred Pieces Hand Assembled

Carl Zeiss shows the time and care invested into each Zeiss Touit lens for your NEX Camera.

Zeiss Touit Lenses Explained by Dr. Pollmann

Compact Lens for a Compact NEX System

Dr. Michael Pollmann Carl Zeiss Program Manager discusses the Touit Lens Line.

Here is Dr. Pollmann of Carl Zeiss discussing the Touit lens concept. The Touit autofocus lenses are designed for NEX cameras as was the Zeiss 24mm Sonnar. With the introduction of the Touit line, NEX owners have access to Zeiss' legendary lens designs, Distagon, Planar, and Sonnar. The first Touit lenses will be available around June.

Inner Workings of a Zeiss Touit Lens

Pre-order the Zeiss Touit lenses from Unique Photo.

Zeiss Touit Lenses for NEX Cameras

Carl Zeiss Touit 32mm Planar

Touit, pronounced "do it," is the new name of Carl Zeiss autofocus lenses for NEX cameras. There will initially be three Touit lenses, 12mm, 32mm, and 50mm. They are expected to be available by the summer.

From the Carl Zeiss camera lens blog:

Touit is pronounced like the English “do it.” Touit stands for good visibility, agility, mobility and diversity, qualities which also aptly describe the new ZEISS lenses for mirrorless camera systems. The name Touit comes from the band-tailed parrots. This bird is very small and agile, and its plumage is deep green. The Touit parrots live in Latin America and the Caribbean in a wide range of different habitats, from damp-tropical island regions to lowland rainforests to thorn-bush savannas and even high in the Andes Mountains at altitudes of up to over 20,000 feet.

Please check our previous post for details on the three Touit lenses from Carl Zeiss.

Carl Zeiss Touit 32mm Planar mounted on Sony NEX-7

Carl Zeiss Touit 12mm Distagon

More info about the genus touit from wikipedia.

Thanks Carl Zeiss!

NEX-7 with Speed Booster vs Nikon D600

Sony NEX-7 with Speed Booster vs Nikon D600

TheCameraStoreTV posted their hands on video with the Metabone Speed Booster for NEX cameras. They used the Canon EOS to NEX Speed Booster lens adapter on the NEX-7.

In the video they compare the NEX-7 and the Nikon D600, a full frame camera, to see if there are perceptible differences. They used a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM lens on both cameras. The exposures were set to be equal at ISO 200 and aperture set at f/8. The NEX-7 with the Speed Booster registered and aperture of f/5.6 due to the full stop of light from the adapter. The D600 registered f/8. The image above is a side by side comparison at 400% enlargement. Would you be able to tell the difference?

Check out the full hands on video with the Speed Booster below.

Metabones Speed Booster Review by TheCamaeraStore

Thanks Jordan and TheCamerStore!

The Metabones Speed Booster can be found here.

Leica 35mm Summicron Autofocus on the NEX-6

Leitz Wetzlar 35mm f/2 Summicron on a Sony NEX-6

Leica M 35mm Summicron Lens Autofocus via Contax G Adapter

MxCamera posted their video of a Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron lens from 1960 on the Sony NEX-6 from 2012. The 52 year gap is bridged by a Contax G 28mm lens housing which has been modified to allow autofocus on NEX cameras. If only Dr. Mandler can see what his Summicron can do now.

Thanks MXcamera HK!

Sigma 60mm DN Lens for Sony NEX Cameras Announced

Mockup of Sigma 60mm on NEX-7

Sigma is adding a third lens to their Digital Neo series for E-mount cameras. It is the 60mm f/2.8 macro in native E-mount. The lens is similar to the one found in Sigma's new DP3 Merrill.

Here is Sigma's description of the 60mm DN.

Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN- Featuring the natural perspective of mid-range telephoto lenses, together with a shallow depth of field, this lens allows the photographer to capture a single part of a subject with great bokeh effects. It has an angle of view equivalent to 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The minimum focusing distance is 19.7 inches; the maximum magnification is 1:7.2. This lens also contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize axial and transverse chromatic aberration.

Mockup of Sigma 60mm on NEX-5R

Sigma Corporation announces four new lenses at CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Jan. 29, 2013—Sigma Corporation of America a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the release of four new lenses for the ART product line, including three lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and one lens for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors. This announcement comes at the start of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013 this week in Yokohama, Japan.

The new and updated Sigma lenses include the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM, which will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts, and the 30mm F2.8 DN, 19mm F2.8 DN and 60mm F2.8 DN lenses, which are available for Sony E-Mount camera systems. Pricing and availability on all of these lenses has yet to be announced.

The 60mm F2.8 DN lens is entirely new to the Sigma lineup, while the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM and the 30mm F2.8 DN and 19mm F2.8 DN lenses are existing focal lengths that have been redesigned with enhanced optical performance and included as part of Sigma’s new Global Vision category restructuring. All three DN lenses incorporate telecentric optical designs and a linear, auto focusing motor that ensures accurate and quiet focusing for video recording. They also boast metal exteriors and a simply shaped focus ring, with varying textures to distinguish each part of the lens. In addition, DN users can choose between a black or silver finish to match their favorite equipment.

“We’re really proud of the super sharp lenses we’ve produced in the past year and these new Art lenses will continue to impress our fans and critics alike. They’re ideal for the landscape, portrait, still-life, close-up and casual photographer who values creative, dramatic outcomes above compactness and multifunction,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “The lenses are entirely made in Japan and they boast the new product line’s sleek design and enhanced quality control. We’re quite proud of these changes – and additions – to our lens lineup; they’re further evidence of Sigma’s forethought in this fast-moving industry.”

Mockup of Sigma Art DN Lenses on NEX-7

The Sigma 19mm and 30mm DN E-mount lenses have been upgraded and added to the Sigma Art line. The previous Sigma 19mm and 30mm are discontinued and were available at a discount. The improvements are a new metal body, quieter autofocus mechanism for videos, and enhanced optical performance.

Here is Sigma's description of the new 19mm DN and 30mm DN for Sony NEX cameras.

Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, wide-angle lens has an angle of view equivalent to 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). As a wide-angle lens with excellent mobility, it is ideal for studio photography, architecture and starry skies. Its minimum focusing distance is 7.9 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:7.4.

Sigma 30mm F2.8 DN – This high-performance, standard lens has an angle of view equivalent to 45mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens, which is perfect for casual and formal portraiture, documentary photography, travelogues and everyday shooting, includes a double-sided aspherical lens that enhances its optical performance. Its minimum focusing distance of 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:8.1.

Sigma, we would love to see that Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM in native E-mount as well.

Thanks Sigma!

Metabones Speed Booster Review by LensRentals

Canon 50L Sample on NEX-7 with Metabones Speed Booster
(effective 35mm f/0.9)

LensRentals posted their review of the Metabones Speed Booster. The Speed Booster lens adapter tested was a Canon EOS to Sony E-mount variant mounted on a Sony NEX-7. The lenses used were all Canon EF autofocus lenses, 14mm f/2.8 L II, 50mm f/1.2 L, and the 135mm f/2.0 L. The Speed Booster promises a one stop light improvement and a 0.7x focal length conversion. The lenses are effectively converted to 10mm f/2, 35mm f/0.9, and 95mm f/1.4 as seen by the Sony APS-C sensor.

So what was their conclusion after their test?

I think it was pretty obvious that I came armed for battle, ready to slam this product as some marketing overhype. I was wrong less correct than I might have been. The Speed Booster does what they claimed it would do, much to my shock and surprise. It creates a wider-angle, greater aperture lens while retaining resolution and acutance.

Read the whole Metabones Speed Boooster review with samples at the LensRentals blog.

Metabones Speed Booster on Sony NEX-7

Thanks to Roger and LensRentals for the images shown above.

New 20mm Pancake Lens for NEX Cameras

New 20mm f/2.8 E-mount Lens for Sony NEX Cameras.

Here is the new E-mount lens from Sony. The 20mm f/2.8 pancake lens, part number SEL20F28, from Sony is a native E-mount lens which means full compatibility, autofocus and auto-aperture, with all the NEX cameras. The 20mm pancake is 20mm in depth, the 16mm pancake is 22.5mm in depth. This means a slightly more compact package on NEX bodies, see the NEX-5R with 16mm below. The lens will provide an equivalent fov of 30mm when used on the APS-C sensor.

The SEL20F28 20mm pancake lens will sell for $350 and will be available in April of this year. It makes the $250 16mm pancake seem like a bargain.

NEX-5R with 16mm Pancake.

20mm Pancake (SEL20F28) Technical Specifications

	Sony SEL20F28 20mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens
Lens Mount	Sony E-mount
Lens Configuration	6 groups, 6 elements
Focal length (35mm equivalent)	30mm
Aperture blades	7
Aperture Range	f/2.8 to f/16
Maximum magnification	0.12x
Min. focusing distance	7.9 in (0.2 m)
Filter Diameter	∅49mm
Dimensions Diameter x Length (max.)	2.5 x 0.8 in (62.6 x 20.4mm)
Weight	2.4 oz (69 g)
Other Features	Internal Motor, AF in Movie Mode, Direct Manual Focus
Exterior Finish	Aluminum Alloy

Fuji X100s Digital Split Image Focusing

Fuji X100s Digital Split Image Focusing Demo

Here's a nice feature of the upcoming Fuji X100s that we'd like to see in a future NEX camera. They are using the PDAF sensor to create a digital split image to mimic classic manual focus slrs and rangefinders. You can also see that they've finally included focus peaking to one of their cameras. All NEX cameras include focus peaking since June 2011.

Sigma 19mm and 30mm Two For One Deal

Get Both the Sigma 19mm and 30mm EX DN Lenses for $199

Here's a great deal from B&H Photo for the Sigma autofocus lenses for the Sony NEX system. Get the Sigma 19mm and 30mm EX Digital Neo lenses for $199. Each are normally priced at $199. The kit shows as backordered but B&H states that they can be ordered and they will ship and charge when the Sigma lenses come into stock. Happy ordering.

Metabones Speed Booster NEX Lens Adapter

NEX-7 with Metabones Speed Booster Lens Adapter with a Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens

Metabones Speed Booster Sony NEX Lens Adapter Test by James Miller

So what does the Metabones Speed Booster NEX lens adapter do?

• Increase aperture by 1 stop. e.g. f/1.4 becomes f/1.0, which means more light to the sensor.
• Increases MTF, which means better resolution all across the frame compared to a standard lens adapter.
• Provides a focal length multiplier of 0.71x, NEX's APS-C 1.5 * SB 0.71 = 1.065, a 35mm lens = 37.7mm equivalent focal length.

Metabones Speed Boost Sony NEX Lens Adapter

The EF E-mount Speed Booster Lens Adapter shown above also provides automatic electronic aperture control, image stabilization with IS lenses, EXIF information, and autofocus (albeit slow.)

Read more about the Metabones Speed Booster from the Metabones web site and white paper.

It's pretty amazing what the NEX has spawned from the third party manufacturers.

Contax G to Sony NEX Autofocus Adapter

DEO Techart Contax G to E-mount AF Adapter by MX Camera.

Contax G rangefinder fans take a seat. Your autofocus lenses have been brought back to life with an upcoming Sony NEX E-mount autofocus adapter. The video above from MX Camera shows the NEX-7 controlling the Contax G 45mm f/2 lens in autofocus mode. We hope to discover more about this adapter soon. We'll have to wait two weeks.

We have the manual focus adapter for Contax G lenses and we love the images that come from the lenses by Carl Zeiss.

Taken with a Contax G 90mm on Sony NEX-7.

Sony DSC-RX1 Specs Revised and Misc. Info

It looks like Sony is still massaging the Sony DSC-RX1 features. The RX1's top shutter speed has been raised to 1/4000 sec when the aperture is f/5.6 or smaller on the Carl Zeiss 35mm Sonnar lens. The shutter speed is 1/2000s when the lens aperture is larger than f/5.6 down to f/2.

Zeiss 35mm Sonnar's 9 Aperture Blades Create a Circular Shape

The other revision to the RX1 is the focus wheel on the front of the camera. The production RX1 will let you select from Autofocus (AF), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), and Manual Focus (MF). DMF Mode allows the user to fine tune AF by adjusting the manual focus ring on the lens after the RX1 has locked focus.

Focus Wheel Changed on Sony RX1

We found a few more images of some DSC-RX1 accessories.

What Comes with the FDA-V1K Zeiss 35mm Optical Viewfinder

RX1 Thumbgrip TGA-1 Swings Open to Access Buttons

Here is a new sample image from the Sony RX1. Click for the full 24 mp, 6000x4000 pixel image.

DSC-RX1 ISO 100 1/15s f/4.0 +0.7 EV

Other miscellaneous DSC-RX1 info:

• 1.4x Smart Teleconverter = 49mm EFOV
• 2x Smart Teleconverter = 70mm EFOV
• Video Focal Lengths
• 16:9 Video: 44mm with stabilization ON, 37mm with it OFF
• 4:3 Video: 48mm with stabilization ON, 45mm with it OFF

Below is a video showing the full frame advantage by Focus Pulling.

Full Frame Advantage Exemplified by the NEX-VG900

New Sony DSC-RX1 Sample Shots

Sony DSC-RX1 Sample Images Slideshow from Sony Electronics

Sony RX1 with Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar Lens Sample Images from Sony

We posted the first Sony DSC-RX1 sample images two weeks ago and now Sony Electronics has published more samples from the full frame, fixed lens, compact wonder. The images seem to be jpegs straight from the DSC-RX1. They show very nice out of focus rendering, minimal artifacts at high iso, and great lens performance from the autofocus Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar lens.

Sony RX1 Bokeh

Sony RX1 at f/4 ISO 100

Sony RX1 ISO 6400 Sample

Pre order your Sony DSC-RX1 for a December 19, 2012 ship date.

Thanks Sony!