Sony News (Page 8)

A sweet Swarovski 8x30 CL B Companion Wild Nature Binocular, more filters, and other items are newly available.

As usual, this gear is being sold to fund new gear to review. Check the list to see if anything fits into your kit. Most items are like new.

Bryan's Used Gear for Sale
 

Hundreds of hours, thousands of manual changes, and hundreds of thousands of programmatic updates bring the site to the latest design iteration.

Updates include:

• A "Table of Contents" positioned near the top of most reviews facilitates jumping directly to a review section, "Image Quality" for example.
• A "Verdict", "Pros", and "Cons" are now the first review content in the most recently updated reviews (Canon RF and Sony FE lenses). Expect these features to be standard in future reviews, and I'll update older reviews if time permits.
• Comparison images in reviews are now optionally loaded, omitting a sometimes-significant download when not needed.
• Modest graphic design updates are in place.
• A myriad of under the covers changes, including significant speed optimizations.

Go to the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens review for a look at what has changed.

The sure-to-be epic solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 is now less than two months away. Are you ready?

A solar filter is required (except during totality), and B&H still has solar filters in stock.

The Alpine Astro Baader AstroSolar BDSF 3.8 Digital Solar Filter (review) is my first choice for this event. You can order this filter at B&H.

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on:

• Lexar 320GB Professional CFexpress Type A Card GOLD Series with Card Reader – only $349.00 after $290.00 instant savings
• Gitzo Legende Camera Backpack (14L, Dark Brown/Light Brown) – only $139.00 after $110.00 instant savings
• Vallerret Photography Gloves – only $19.00 - $59.95 after up to $60.00 instant savings
• & more!

See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Worth browsing: Deals of the Week at B&H.

The B&H Used Department has been busy. Here is some just-arriving gear:

Used R7 and R8 cameras are newly available in the Canon EOS mirrorless camera inventory.

Used 15-30mm, 14-35mm, 100-500mm, and 85mm F2 lenses were just added to the Canon RF lens inventory.

Used a7C R and a7C II cameras are available in the Sony Alpha camera inventory.

Used 24-70mm II, 70-200mm F2.8 II, 100-400mm, and 50mm F1.2 lenses were just added to the Sony FE lens inventory.

Numerous tripods and ball heads arrived in the Really Right Stuff inventory in the last couple of days.

Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens firmware update version 06 is available for download.

Firmware Version 06 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Adds support for continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking up to a maximum of 120 images/second when used with the ILCE-9M3 camera body
2. Fixes an issue where, after updating to Ver. 04, the AF (autofocus) and MF (manual focus) do not work after setting the camera shooting mode to S&Q mode or 4K video mode

Get the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens at B&H.

Tamron's FY2023 Financial Results: "Achieved a new record of operating income".

"Our main photographic products business achieved high growth with a substantial improvement in profitability."

Tamron plans to introduce 6 new lens models in 2024, up from 5 in 2022 and 2023.

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on:

• Lowepro Photosport Pro III 70L Backpack (M/L) – only $239.99 after $300.00 instant savings
• Sachtler System Ace XL MS AL with Fluid Head, Ace 75/2 D Tripod, Mid-Level Spreader & Bag – only $897.00 after $300.00 instant savings
• GVM SD80D Bi-Color LED Monolight – only $94.00 after $65.00 instant savings
• Feelworld LUT7S 7" 3D LUT 4K HDMI and SDI Monitor – only $259.99 after $110.00 instant savings
• Gator Framework Desktop Studio Monitor Clamp-On Stands – only $59.99 after $40.00 instant savings
• Samsung Memory Cards – only $5.99 - $52.99 after up to $23.00 instant savings with coupon automatically applied in cart

See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Worth browsing: Deals of the Week at B&H.

The Sony a9 III is in stock at B&H, Adorama, Amazon, and WEX.

Rent the Sony Alpha 9 III from Lensrentals.

Updated: Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Review.

I promised to add sample images to this review. You will find them in the focal length range discussion.

Also, four 800mm f/9 100% crops showing distant bird feather detail are now available in the image quality discussion. Remember that browsers may auto enlarge images on high resolution displays, reducing the sharpness appearance.

Please share!

Order the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

Rent the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens from Lensrentals.

"Capture One Pro (16.3.5) is a service release that includes support for a new camera [Sony a9 III] and bug fixes."

Get the full details of this update in the release notes.

Get Capture One at B&H.

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on:

• Saramonic Blink 500 Pro B1 Digital Camera-Mount Wireless Omni Lavalier Microphone System (2.4 GHz, Black) – only $89.00 after $140.00 instant savings
• Angler 865BLED Sparta Bicolor LED Light – only $59.00 after $140.00 instant savings
• SmallRig AAK2213D Multi-Tool with Screw Storage – only $14.99 after $10.00 instant savings
• & more!

See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Worth browsing: Deals of the Week at B&H.

One of the decision factors between the RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z and the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM is the strength of the background blur they can create. So, I wanted to illustrate that difference.

Head over to the just updated RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z review to see the background blur difference between 105mm f/2.8 and f/4 created using the f/2.8 lens. View both the full-size reduced and 100% crop image comparisons.

The answer is yes.

Have you considered getting a tracking mount or taking your current mount to the next level? This sale should have your attention.

Save big on Sky-Watcher Mounts at B&H.

I use the predecessor to the popular Star Adventurer 2i for a variety of purposes, including Milky Way photography (set to 1/2 speed tracking for longer single exposure images without star trails) and to capture comet NEOWISE.

I've been drooling over the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial GoTo Mount with Tripod Kit, included in this sale.

Grab a tracking mount for photographing the upcoming solar eclipse.

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on:

• Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M2 | 16GB | 512GB SSD | Silver) – only $1,579.00 after $420.00 instant savings
• Manfrotto MVG300XM Modular Gimbal – only $169.88 after $530.00 instant savings. Add-on an Manfrotto FAST GimBoom Carbon Fiber Mounting Stud for just $137.88 (reg $197.88).
• SpyderX Pro Colorimeter – only $89.99 after $60.00 instant savings
• & more!

See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Worth browsing: Deals of the Week at B&H.

Used 14-35mm, 24-105mm F4-7.1, 16mm F2.8, 35mm F1.8 Macro, 50mm F1.2, 85mm F1.1, 85mm F1.2 DS, and 100mm Macro lenses were just added to the Canon RF lens inventory.

A used a6700 kit is available in the Sony Alpha camera inventory.

Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan (1TB Cloud Storage, 12 Month Subscription, Download) is on sale for $179.99, a $59.89 savings at B&H. Plus, get a $40.00 B&H gift card.

Think Tank Photo just introduced the updated Mirrorless Mover Shoulder Bag series. Featured in this update are:

• Four new and exclusive colors
• Increased front pocket volume with added organization features
• Additional adjustable dividers for a more customizable fit

The new Mirrorless Mover Shoulder Bag series is available now at thinktankphoto.com

Shop through the site's affiliate link and receive a free Think Tank product and free U.S. shipping with every purchase over $50.

Introducing: Nextorage CFexpress Type B and SDXC Memory Cards.

Add Nextorage to your preferred memory card trusted brand short list.

Support this site by ordering the Nextorage CFexpress Type B and SDXC Memory Cards (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | Amazon (all available countries)

Please share!

Go big! From Canon USA:

Achieve Exquisite Prints for Photo and Fine Art with Three New imagePROGRAF PRO Series Models

New inkjet printers with LUCIA PRO II ink designed to deliver an expanded dark area gamut, excellent light resistance and improved scratch resistance over previous models

MELVILLE, N.Y., January 25, 2024 – A trio of 11-color plus chroma optimizer inkjet models for the large-format imagePROGRAF Series, the new imagePROGRAF 60-inch PRO-6600, 44-inch PRO-4600 and 24-inch PRO-2600 models, were announced today by Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions.

Designed for photography and fine art, the new imagePROGRAF PRO line features the newly developed LUCIA PRO II¹ pigment ink designed to help improve the image quality from previous models while also enhancing resistance to light. Improved black density on art paper was achieved by changing the formulation and material of matte black ink, the color gamut of the dark region was expanded by the adoption of a newly designed image table. The new ink set can also work to help produce and preserve prints as a crystalline wax has been added to the ink, giving the printed surface better resistance to abrasion-caused scratches on glossy and semi-glossy media. The reformulated Chroma Optimizer is designed to give the surface a clear coat of transparent ink that helps suppress bronze phenomena and helps reduce uneven glossiness.

“The additions of the three printers to the imagePROGRAF Series can be very helpful in regard to delivering exquisite print and impeccable details while providing excellent light resistance,” said Larry Chen, a professional car and automotive photographer and a Canon Explorer of Light since 2020. “As a photographer and imaging professional, producing the highest quality images is the upmost importance to me and my business. The PRO models can favorably recreate expressive prints while also reproducing a wide color gamut range that helps produce excellent image quality in the imagePROGRAF series.”

The new series includes a newly developed ink sensing system that periodically monitors ink ejection condition and optimizes ink landing position by detecting deterioration of ejecting condition and automatically performing alignment adjustment. The intelligent media handling function automatically detects the paper type, width and estimated remaining amount of paper, plus it completes the paper feeding process in a shorter time than previous models. The automation of this process will help ensure stable operations even in the absence of skilled or experienced personnel. The addition of LED interior lights allows users to preview prints and semi-translucent ink tank covers allows users to monitor ink tank status.

“The imagePROGRAF series has been recognized in the past many times for its outstanding performance and versatility, and this announcement continues to show our company’s on-going commitment to empowering our customers with the tools and capabilities needed to produce the high-quality content for projects with photography and fine arts,” said Shinichi "Sam" Yoshida, executive vice president and general manager of Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Additionally, Canon is launching two new fine art papers, Fine Art Etching 315 gsm, which enables fine photographic art prints that features deep black colors. Also launching is a Fine Art Baryta 310 gsm which includes a 100 percent barium sulfate (baryta) layer with elegant smooth finishes that are ideal for images with deep black and rich colors, dark room prints, and fine photographic reproductions.

Canon is proud to announce the series has earned an EPEAT Gold designation as a product that has met the most demanding set of criteria for sustainability leadership in electronics⁴. The new models contribute to companies commitment to sustainability by reducing the use of polystyrene packing materials, including 100 percent EPS free packaging in the case of the imagePROGRAF PRO-2600³. Final assembly and production for the printers is carried out at a production center in which 100% of the electricity used comes from renewable energy.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. will have the imagePROGRAF PRO-4600 and PRO-2600 models on hand at Imaging USA, the Professional Photographers of America convention, from Jan. 28-30 in Louisville, Kentucky. The Canon booth will also have new camera lenses such as the RF24-105 F2.8 L IS USM and the RF10-20 F4 L IS STM on display, along with the EOS R5 and EOS R6 II, demonstrating Canon’s breadth of offerings for printing and imaging.

Orders

imagePROGRAF PRO Series Printer at B&H.

# # #

¹ Newly developed pigment inks are 11 out of the 12 inks installed. Only matte black uses same ink as imagePROGRAF GP-4000/2000.

² When using Canon Photo Paper Pro Platinum. Predicted value calculated in accordance with the indoor light resistance test method and life evaluation criteria of the digital color photographic print image preservation evaluation method (JEITA CP-3901B) published by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association).

³ PRO-6600 reduced by 58.9% and PRO-4600 by 89.5%.

⁴ An environmental evaluation system established by the Green Electronics Council (GEC), an NPO in the United States, for the purpose of market development and promotion of environmentally friendly products.

This just in from ProGrade Digital:

PROGRADE DIGITAL ANNOUNCES NEW CFEXPRESS 2.0 TYPE A GOLD LINE MEMORY CARDS

The Addition of the Gold Line CFexpress 2.0 Type A 240GB and 480GB Memory Cards Provide the Optimal Capacity for RAW Cinema-Level Video Shooting Applications

San Jose, CA January 19, 2024, 8:00 am PT — ProGrade Digital, Inc., founded with a mission to provide the highest quality professional grade digital memory cards and workflow solutions, announces a new CFexpress™ Type A Gold-class memory cards in a 240GB and 480GB capacity. This new Gold line features the same industry-leading quality as the current ProGrade CFexpress 2.0 Type A Cobalt 160GB memory card. The Gold line has a VPG 200 rating and has an NVME host interface with PCIe Gen3 X1 interconnect. ProGrade Digital’s CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold cards are fully compliant with the CFexpress 2.0 specification and provide read speeds of up to 900MB/s, burst write speeds of up to 800MB/s, and sustained write speeds of 600MB/s – ideally suited for the highest-resolution cinema-grade video capture applications. When combined with a ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A / SDXC Dual-Slot USB 3.2 Gen 2 card reader (PG09) they provide a complete solution for transferring images and video files, enabling improvement to your digital imaging workflow.

“The introduction of our new CFexpress Type A, Gold line of memory cards - with capacities of 240GB and 480GB - provide sweet-spot storage levels and pricing to meet the needs of a wide range of still and video shooters,” said Josh Brewer, Product Manager of ProGrade Digital. “This new range of cards for ProGrade combines the necessary VPG 200 levels of video performance, with NAND technology optimized for great value and reliability.”

ProGrade Digital CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold Memory Cards:

• Maximum read speed up to 900MB/s
• Burst write speed up to 800MB/s
• Sustained write speed of 600MB/s
• Minimum sustained write speed 200MB/s
• CFexpress 2.0
• Capacity: 240GB and 480GB
• MSRP: $259.99, and $449.99 respectively

CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold Delivers:

• Fully compliant with CompactFlash™ Association 2.0 specification
• NVMe host interface with PCIe Gen3 X1 interconnect
• Thermal throttling protects the card from overheating
• Laser etched unique serial numbering for the tracking of key components and manufacturing data for the highest quality control
• Temperature ranges: operating 14°F to 158°F/ -10°C to 70°C; storage 10°F to 160°F/ -12°C to 72°C
• Packaging: Biodegradable fiber tray
• Refresh Pro ready*
• X-ray proof and shock-proof
• 3-year warranty

Orders

Get the ProGrade Digital CFexpress 2.0 Type A Gold Memory Cards at B&H.

Check out the just-announced Godox V1Pro Flash, featuring up to 100 continuous shots at full power, at B&H.