Voigtlander announced the large aperture FE 21mm f/1.4 Aspherical wide-angle lens featuring a floating focus mechanism for excellent image quality from near to infinity focus. US Pricing not yet announced, but the lens will list for ¥ 165,000 in Japan and begin shipping in June.

Main Features:

Sony E-mount Correspondence

Equipped with an electronic contact so that EXIF information of the shooting data reflects the usage of the lens. In addition, since it has a built-in distance encoder, it supports 5-axis camera shake correction on the camera body side. You can also zoom in on the finder by operating the focus ring.

Optimized Optical Design

In addition to securing a full-size image circle, it adopts an optical design optimized for the Sony E mount sensor. High resolution is maintained to the periphery of the screen, and phenomena such as color cast are suppressed.

Manual Focus that Enables Reliable Focusing

Smooth operation feeling focusing is realized by adoption of high quality grease that produces a moderate torque and a total metal helicoid unit processed and adjusted with high accuracy. It enables subtle focus adjustment.

Minimum Shooting Distance of 25 cm

The shortest shooting distance from the subject to the imaging plane is 25 cm. The intense perspective peculiar to super wide-angle lens and the image which made the depth of focus stand out are possible.

Aperture Click Switching Mechanism

Equipped with an aperture switching mechanism that can open and close the aperture ring steplessly without generating a click sound. There is no need to worry about picking up the aperture ring operation sound during movie recording.

Main Specifications:

Focal length: 21 mm
Maximum Aperture: F1.4
Minimum Aperture: F16
Lens Configuration: 13 elements / 11 groups
Angle of View: 90.8 °
Aperture Blades: 12
Minimum Focus Distance: 0.25 m
Maximum Magnification: 1: 7.5
Size (d x l): 70.5 x 79.5 mm
Filter Size: 62 mm
Weight: 560g
Lens hood: Flower-type hood (reversible)
Electronic Contacts: Yes
Focus Magnification Function: Correspondence
EXIF Information: Correspondence
Lens Correction Selection: Possible
IBIS Communication: Correspondence
MSRP (excluding tax): ¥ 165,000
Scheduled for release in June 2019

Reversible exclusive flower-shaped hood included

Sony released firmware updates for a9, a7R III, a7 III, a7R II, a7 II, a7S II, a6500 and a99 II cameras.

‘Benefits and Improvements’ list the rather vague “Improves the overall stability of the camera”. I suspect this relates to wireless flash systems since these cameras (and only these cameras) share the same wireless flash protocols. It’s likely not a coincidence that these updates were released one day after the Profoto A1X AirTTL-S flash for Sony, which just happens to be compatible with these exact cameras.

Bear in mind that there are often additional improvements included in each firmware update, so I highly recommend these updates for all users.

Download Links

Sony a9 Firmware 5.01 for MAC | WIN
Sony a7 III Firmware 3.01 for MAC | WIN
Sony a7R III Firmware 3.01 for MAC | WIN
Sony a7 II Firmware 4.01 for MAC | WIN
Sony a7R II Firmware 4.01 for MAC | WIN
Sony a7S II Firmware 3.01 for MAC | WIN
Sony a6500 Firmware 1.06 for MAC | WIN
Sony a99 II Firmware 1.01 for MAC | WIN

MAC USERS PLEASE NOTE:

The latest Sony Firmware Updates are only compatible with Mac OS 10.12 – 10.14

You must first run UpdateSettingTool and follow the prompts to run it.
[UpdateSettingTool replaces Mac OS 10.13 Driver Loader from earlier firmware versions.]

1. Make sure the camera’s USB Connection is set to Mass Storage

2. WITHOUT CONNECTING THE CAMERA, Click on UpdateSettingTool.

3. Once you see this message, connect the camera.

4. When the above message goes away, click on the Resources Folder, click on “SystemSoftwareUpdater” and follow prompts to begin the firmware update.

Before Updating Firmware Please Read:

Bulletproof Guide to Sony Camera Firmware Updates

Order Sony a9 from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony a7 III from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony a7R III from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony a7 II from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony a7R II from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony a7S II from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony a6500 from B&H Photo | Amazon
Order Sony a99 II from B&H Photo | Amazon

Together with today’s launch of Profoto A1X, Profoto also released free firmware updates for Profoto A1, A1X, B10, D2 Flashes & Profoto Connect Wireless Transmitter.

The common update for all these products is that we are adding more Air channels. Channel 9 to 20 are added to previous channels 1 to 8, which means the total number of channels will go from 8 to 20.

In scenarios where many photographers are working within the same space, galas, sport events or larger studios the extra number of channels provides a much better possibility for everyone to find a channel where lights and triggers won’t interfere.

For A1 the update also includes a completely new display interface developed for the A1X. The new interface is designed to make the A1 even easier to use and enhance the overall user experience.

How do I get the new updates?

For the Profoto A1 and A1X and Profoto D2 you need to go to profoto.com and log in to My Profoto. Once logged in you need to register your product to view and download installation packages for macOS and Windows. Open the update file and follow the instructions.

For the Profoto B10 – if you have an iPhone, you can easily install the new update from the Profoto App. If you don’t have the app, you can download it here. You can also download the installation packages for macOS and Windows as described for A1, A1X and D2.

For the Profoto Connect you can only install the new update via the Profoto App. If you don’t have the app, you can download it here.

Profoto has FINALLY released the A1X AirTTL-S Flash for Sony featuring longer battery life, faster recycle times and an improved user interface!

Profoto A1X AirTTL-S Studio Light for Sony ($1099) has a new more powerful battery that gets 450 full power flashes instead of 350, faster full power recycling time of 1 second instead of 1.2 seconds, 20 wireless channels instead of 8, and an updated interface similar to the one on the B10.

The A1X was created for the professional photographer looking for portability and performance features or the ambitious non-professional who recognizes quality lighting but wants it comfortably and easily without the hassle of an overly technical interface. The A1X is easy to use. You can literally take it out of the box and start shooting. Weighing 1.2 lb including its battery, the A1X’s sleek matte black finish not only appeals to the eye but to the tactile sense as well.

The first thing you’ll notice about the A1X is its 2.75″ round, tilting, rotating head, which is the physical feature most responsible for the A1X’s natural-looking light with its soft gradual fall-off. The auto-zoom built into the head handles focal lengths from 32 to 105mm and the included Wide Lens gives you wide-angle coverage from 14 to 24mm. You can override the auto-zoom function at any time and make your adjustments manually. A Profoto Gel Kit ($99) with graduated CTO conversion filters and a fluorescent filter is also separately available to modify the unit’s daylight color temperature.

The A1X recycles in 1 second, faster than most flash units in its class and has action-stopping flash durations from 1/800 to 1/20,000 second. The A1X supports HSS (High-Speed Sync) allowing you to shoot at shutter speeds as short a 1/8000 second instead of 1/250 to blur a distracting background using a wide aperture while controlling strong ambient light behind your subject. The 76Ws head has an LED modeling light that can give you a preview of how the light is falling on your subject. It can be turned on or off, set to automatically adjust proportionally to the power level selected, or just switched to manual where it can be modified by hand. All adjustments are indicated on the exceptionally readable white on black LCD display.

The A1X is powered by an included lithium-ion battery that has a capacity of 450 full power flashes (instead of the previous model’s 350). Power is topped up on an exhausted battery in about 80 minutes with the included 100-240 VAC charger. The battery doesn’t fade as its power is used, operating at peak performance until it’s depleted. Purchase of an additional Profoto Li-Ion Battery for A1X ($119) is recommended.

So far, we’ve been discussing the A1X used on-camera but when used off-camera it really earns its name as a “Studio Light.” The flash has a built-in transceiver that allows it to be used with other A1s, B2s or D2, B1, and B1X monolights. All the Air Remote wireless controllers can trigger the A1X at distances up to 1000′ and the Air Sync will give you simple wireless triggering, while the Air Remote will let you wirelessly adjust power, grouping, channel selection, and modeling light on/off.

It’s the Air Remote TTL that allows you to explore and control the A1X’s full capabilities. It wirelessly allows assignment of channels and groups as well as TTL and power level. In fact, the A1 has a switch that allows you to set your main light to TTL, switch to manual operation to adjust manual units in other groups to ratio their output, then switch back to TTL and return to the original TTL setting which was stored for you.

Profoto A1X also has +/-3 stops of exposure compensation that can be modified from the remote for your specific needs. The light also comes with a Bounce Card, 180-degree Dome Diffuser, Flash Stand, and a nylon bag with shoulder strap for storage and transport.

Supported Cameras

Sony a7 II, a7R II, a7S II, a7 III, a7R III, a9, a6500, a99 II

Features

• Round head with soft, smooth and natural fall off
• AirTTL and HSS for a beautiful professional image fast
• Smart magnetic click-on mount (patent pending) for A1X Light Shaping Tools
• Dedicated A1X Light Shaping Tools available
• LED modeling light integrated to the head
• Air Remote built-in
• Rechargeable and exchangeable Li-Ion battery
• 450 full power flashes per charge
• 1.0s recycling time
• TTL/MAN switch
• Built in motor-zoom with manual control
• Auto focus (AF) assist

Order from B&H Photo | Adorama

Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter (EF-Mount to Sony E) | List Price: $249 | SAVE: $100 | After Savings: $149

For a Limited Time, Save $100 on Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter designed to maintain full lens performance, including autofocus and auto-exposure with Sigma EF-mount lenses on Sony E-mount mirrorless camera bodiessure with Sigma EF-mount lenses on Sony E-mount mirrorless camera bodies.

An integrated LED can be used to display select Sigma lens compatibility with the adapted camera body, and the adapter also supports in-camera image stabilization. In order to maintain a high degree of image quality, the interior of the adapter is flocked to reduce reflections, and it also retains full EXIF data to benefit post-production and file management.

Sigma MC-11 Mount Converter is designed for adapting Sigma Art, Contemporary & Sport Lenses to Sony E-mount cameras, but it is also performs well with many, but not all Canon EF-mount lenses.

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