Sony Alpha NEX Cameras and E Mount Lenses

32mm f/1.8 Zeiss Planar Autofocus Lens on the Sony NEX-7 (rendered) Here is more good news from Photokina 2012. Zeiss will expand their line of E-mount autofocus lenses from 1 to 4 by summer of 2013. Here is what we know so far about the new Zeiss lenses: Optimized for APS-C sensors and made in E-mount. Focal lenghts to be offered: 12mm f/2.8 Distagon (18mm efov) ø67mm filter 32mm f/1.8 Planar (48mm efov) ø52mm filter 50mm f/2.8 macro (75mm efov) Zoom lenses are being considered. Autofocus with manual override. High quality and lightness are driving factors. Each lens will be comparable in price to the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 ZA E lens , around £1000. Made in Japan. We were off by a few mms on the focal lengths when we posted about this a ten days ago. The prototype lenses will be on display at the Zeiss booth at Photokina. Here is the interview with Carl Zeiss' Dr. Pollman with respect to the new Zeiss lenses for Sony NEX cameras. Video from Zeiss booth at Photokina

Voigtlander 21mm f/1.8 Ultron Here is a new Leica M mount lens from Voigtlander. It is a fast f/1.8, 21mm wide angle lens. This translates to 30mm (effective FOV) for the Sony NEX sensor. The big question is, will it play well with the APS-C sensor? We are hoping that it does and give us a fast, wide angle lens similar to the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 ZA E . The manual focus and aperture, Leica M mount, Voigtlander 21mm f/1.8 Ultron will cost £1149. It is almost twice the weight of the Zeiss 24mm. 21mm f/1.8 Ultron Specs from Voigtlander Germany: Due to its large diameter elements, you can shoot with available light even in severe light condition, and also shallow depth of field and super wide angle, this mix of features offers you a chance to emphasize main things with great bokeh. Any kind of aberration is corrected properly by the construction of 13 elements 11 groups with Aspherical element. 13 elements in 11 groups with Aspherical lens Full Metal Barrel with high stiffness and durabi

Three New E-Mount Lenses Announced Here are three new Sony E-mount lenses for your NEX-3 to NEX-7 Cameras. All provide automated function on your Alpha NEX Cameras. This fulfills the Sony NEX lens roadmap for 2012 . Three new Sony lenses are scheduled for next year, a medium magnification zoom, a medium telephoto prime lens, and a pancake prime lens. *As Bilou pointed out below, a fourth lens is coming later this year, a high performance "G" standard zoom. NEX-6 with 10-18mm f/4 OSS Lens This would be a great travel lens where tight streets require a wide angle lens. The 10-18mm focal length converts to 15mm-27mm EFOV on the APS-C sensor. The wide angle zoom SEL1818 can be pre ordered for $849 with a delivery by mid November. The SEL-1018 super wide-angle zoom lens is perfect for taking photos of sweeping landscapes and producing striking images with emphasized perspective. If you're seeking a wider minimum focal length than offered by standard wide-angle zoom lens

Sony NEX-6 Hands On Video NEX-6 with new 35mm f/1.8 OSS Lens Here is a quick preview of the Sony NEX-6. The camera combines features of the flagship NEX-7 and the new NEX-5R. Built-in EVF 2.4 MP OLED - industry best. 16.1 megapixel APS-C sensor. New Mode Dial to select shooting modes. WiFi enabled with connectivity to PlayMemories Apps ISO Hot Shoe Built-in pop up flash $1000 for NEX-6 kit with new 16-50mm Power Zoom lens $850 for NEX-6 Body Only Delivery will be mid-November. NEX-6 with the NEX-7's Electronic Viewfinder Sony NEX-6 with Standard ISO Hot Show and new Shooting Mode Dial Sony NEX-6 Specifications Features NEX-6 Type Digital compact system camera with interchangeable lenses Lens Compatibility E-mount lens system. Can also use A-mount lenses with optional adaptor (continuous AF supported with LA-EA2) Image Sensor APS-C type (23.5 x15.6 mm) Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 16.1 effective megapixels Processor BIONZ™ image processor ISO Sensitivity Range ISO 100 – 2560

Canon 50mm EOS Lens on Sony NEX-7 with Autofocus Here is a second video showing a NEX camera controlling the autofocus drive of a Canon EOS / EF lens. The lens used was the Nifty Fifty, Canon 50mm f/1.8 on a Sony NEX-5 and a NEX-7. The new NEX-5R with a hybrid autofocus system (Phase Detection and Contrast Detection designed for speed and accuracy) should improve the autofocus speed shown in the video. Canon's EOS-M mirrorless compact camera uses the same hybrid autofocus system. Our assumption was wrong - the Canon stepper motor (STM) lens is not necessary for the NEX to control the Canon autofocus drive. The Canon EOS to NEX adapter with AF drive shown can control a standard EOS lens. The Canon EOS-M requires an EOS M Mount adapter to drive the same lens. If you have Canon EOS lenses and want a light, compact camera to use them on - this seems to be the best option so far. Canon 50mm EOS Lens on Sony NEX Autofocus Drive from MX Camera It's only a matter of time when

Sony RX1 with Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar Lens Sony has set the digital camera world abuzz with leaks of the Sony RX1 . The RX1 uses the full frame, 24 x 34 mm, 24 megapixel sensor from the soon to be released Sony SLT-A99 camera. The pictures show that Zeiss developed an autofocus 35mm f/2 Sonnar lens for the RX1. Is it a fixed lens camera? Zeiss will display three new prime autofocus CSC lenses later this month at Photokina. Could they be for the RX1? A 35mm, shown above? a 50mm standard? and a 90mm macro? The speculated price for the RX1 with the Zeiss 35mm Sonnar is $2799. This is line with Sony's pricing since the NEX-7 with the Zeiss 24mm Sonnar is $2300. RX1 with Built-in Pop-up Flash RX1 showing Video Button Below is a quick mock-up of the Sony NEX-7 with the Zeiss 24mm ZA ($2300), a Leica M9 with a 35mm Summicron ($9700), and the Sony RX1 with the Zeiss 35mm Sonnar ($2799). Sony NEX-7 with 24mm Sonnar, Leica M9 with 35mm Summicron, Sony RX1 with 35mm Sonnar What do

Canon 40mm STM Activates NEX Autofocus Points Here is a video from Muk Camera Service showing a Canon EOS 40mm STM lens on the NEX-5. The EOS to NEX E-mount adapter seems to allow for autofocus, which is a first. The previous EOS to Nex smart adapter by Conurus can only control the aperture on EOS lenses. The EOS lenses must be focused manually. Could the stepper motor, STM, in the Canon 40mm lens aid in allowing NEX cameras control autofocus? We do not have any details except for the video below. Canon 40mm STM autofocus on NEX-5

Carl Zeiss Photokina Booth 2012 It looks to be an exciting time at Photokina in Cologne, Germany this year. Carl Zeiss may be exhibiting three new E-mount lenses which will be available next year. The new prime lenses will be autofocus similar to first Zeiss lens for the Sony E-mount, 24mm f/1.8 ZA E . Zeiss will exhibit a wide angle lens (16mm), a standard lens (35mm), and a macro lens (60mm); the focal lengths are our guesses. Here is the excerpt from the Carl Zeiss blog that has everyone excited. Another highlight will be the presentation of a design study, with which Carl Zeiss will offer a sneak preview of a new family of autofocus lenses for mirrorless system cameras (CSC) that will most likely be available in mid-2013. Due to their performance and high speed, these new lenses will be ideal for deliberate photo composition, making them perfect for more sophisticated photographers as well. Carl Zeiss plans to initially offer fixed focal lengths in the wide angle and standard

If you have not read our NEX-7 vs OM-D EM-5 comparison read it first before watching the two videos below. Grab your popcorn and watch the APS-C vs Micro 4/3 heavyweights do battle. Sony NEX-7 vs Olumpus OM-D EM-5 We prefer all the advantages of the APS-C's sensor over the Micro 4/3 and that's why we shoot with the NEX-7.

NEX-7 on eBay, MSRP and Free Shipping Sony USA's official eBay store is listing the NEX-7 body only at $1199.99 (MSRP) and free shipping. You will be charged tax but it seems to list it as 5% for all states. It states that there are more than 10 available. The estimated delivery after March 6th. This is only for the US market. Click here to see the NEX-7 on eBay . This is a smart way of combating the price gougers on eBay.

Sony NEX with Zeiss Super Speed 16mm f/1.2 Arri Bayonet Mount Lens Here is an interesting lens we ran into on eBay. It is a Carl Zeiss 16mm f/1.2 lens made for the Arriflex Super 16mm cameras. Breguet Camera of Hong Kong is offering this lens and has modified it for the NEX E-mount. This Super 16 lens will not cover the NEX-5's APS-C sensor and will cause vignetting as seen in the sample pictures below. This may not be a problem if you crop the image or use it for videos. This lens will work with NEX cameras via an Arri to PL to E-mount lens adapter which is included with the auction. Here is more information on the Carl Zeiss Super 16mm MKI lens from cinematechnic.com : Super 16mm Mk. I Set The 16mm set comprised of four Distagons: 9.5, 12, 16 and 25mm, f1.2, all with a photometric aperture of T1.3. These were the first 16mm prime lenses designed to cover Super 16mm format. The 9.5mm focal length covers the full S16 aperture, but is somewhat compromised in sharpness and ill

Game Winning Shootout Goal - ISO200 1/320 f/4.0 We were lucky enough to get nice seats to the New Jersey Devils vs Anaheim Ducks. We brought the NEX-5 with a Minolta MD/SR to NEX/E-mount lens adapter the Minolta 45mm f/2 MD Rokkor-X. The combination easily fits into a jacket pocket. The 45mm f/2 on the NEX gives an equivalent FOV of 67.5mm, which allowed us to shoot the width of the ice from our seats. Here are a few shots from the night. Most of these are cropped which shows the lens' and NEX sensor capability. Minolta 45mm f/2 MD with Sony NEX Drop The Gloves - ISO200 1/60 f/5.6 Face Off Win - ISO200 1/250 f/5.6 Brodeur Kick Save - ISO200 1/250 f/4.0 Premature Celebration, Goal Recalled - ISO200 1/125 f/4.0 Overtime Shootout - ISO200 1/200 f/4.0 Sony NEX-5 with Minolta SR/MD mount adapter and Gordy leather strap

NEX-5N with Kenko Tokina 400mm Mirror Lens (600mm EFOV) Here is the NEX-5N with an E-mount Kenko 400mm Mirror Lens shown at CP Plus in Yokohama, Japan. The lens has a constant f/8 aperture and is manual focus. This compact combination will get you an effective focal view of 600mm. The lens is 4.4" long by Ø3" max. The projected price of the Kenko Tokina 400mm lens is $250. Kenko Tokina 400mm Mirror Lens Specs Thanks impress.co.jp and kenko-tokina.co.jp!

Eight New NEX Lenses Planned Here is the new NEX E-mount lens roadmap by Sony. It shows that there are eight new lenses coming within two years. There will be four new E-mount lenses in 2012 and four more planned for 2013. The chart above describes each upcoming lens but does not get into specifics. Here is the description and our best guess on focal length and aperture combination based on current Sony Alpha lenses: Sony G High Performance Standard Zoom - 16-50mm f/2.8? High Magnification Zoom - 18-250mm? Standard Zoom - 24-70mm? Wide Angle Zoom - 11-18mm? Large Aperture Standard Prime - 35mm f/1.8? Medium Magnification Zoom - 70-300mm? Medium Telephoto Prime - 85mm f/2.8? Thin Prime - 28mm f/2.8? Here is the complete Sony NEX lens roadmap which also shows the seven released Sony E-mount lenses . Current Sony E-mount lenses available for use with the NEX-3, NEX-5. NEX-C3. NEX-5N, NEX-7, NEX-VG10, NEX-VG20, and NEX-FS100. 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Zoom Lens (SEL18200) 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom L

Here is Sony's newest super telephoto lens for the Alpha mount on the NEX-7. The 500mm f/4 G SSM Lens is attached via the LA-EA2 lens adapter for the E-mount. The equivalent field of view on the combination above is 750mm. Key Features of the Sony 500mm Lens Longest-ever focal length G Lens from Sony Bright F4.0 aperture for superior light gathering Nano AR Coating on optical surfaces for flawless still images and HD video Compatible with SteadyShot INSIDE featured in all α cameras New SSM drive circuit for quick, accurate autofocus Rugged dust- and moisture-resistant design: ideal partner for SLT-A77 Enhanced handling and operability Here are the specs of the SAL500F40G lens. Key Specifications 500mm F4 G SSM Min. aperture F32 No. of aperture blades 9 (Circular aperture) Max. magnification ratio 0.135 Min. focus 4.0 m Filter diameter 42 mm (Exclusive) Dimensions (Diam. X L) 140 x 367.5 mm Weight (approx.) 3460 g Teleconverter compatibility Yes (1.4x: AF and MF Mode, 2x: MF mode)

Here is Brian T's Sony NEX-5N with a Carl Zeiss Contarex 115mm f/3.5 Tessar macro bellows lens. The lens was produced between 1962 and 1972 and only 1500 were made. A Contarex to NEX E-mount adapter was used. from Brian: Surprisingly, it's pretty easy to hand hold with the bellows attached, holding the bellows in the left hand, and the camera in the right. It's super easy to focus using the bellows adjustment or on the lens. The bellows also pretty much removes the need for a tripod, as you can just support it on anything available for stabilization. NEX-5N with Zeiss Contarex 115mm f/3.5 Tessar Thanks Brian!

Sony NEX-FS100 with Conurus Smart EF Lens Adapter Here is a video by Luc Buelens showing the Sony NEX-FS100 Super 35mm Camcorder and the Conurus Canon EF Smart lens adapter with aperture control. The NEX-FS100 is shown to control the Canon 50mm f/1.4, 17-40L, and 70-200/f4L. Unfortunately the Canon 300mm f/4 lens did not work properly with the NEX Canon EF Smart Adapter. Read more about the NEX EF Smart Adapter from our post here . Sony NEX-FS100 with Canon 17-40L Check out more videos by Luc Buelens . Thanks Luc!

Sony 16mm Pancake with ALC-SH113 Hood Are you looking for more flare protection for your Sony 16mm f/2.8 E Pancake lens? The 16mm pancake does not come with a lens hood but Alphaman came up with a solution. He used the ALC-SH113 hood from the Sony NEX 30mm Macro Lens on the 16mm Pancake. The provides full coverage from the side and has a rectangular cutout in the middle. The 16mm and the ALC-SH113 hood does not cause vignetting. The combination looks great. Photos by Alphaman of 30mm Macro Hood on 16mm Pancake ALC-SH112, the flower petal hood for the 18-55mm OSS E-mount lens will also work with the 16mm pancake but it does not provide the same coverage as the ALC-SH113 hood. Thanks Alphaman!

Control Canon EF Lens Aperture on NEX Cameras The adapter most Canon EOS users are looking for is now available for ordering. The Conurus Canon EF to Sony NEX/E-mount Smart Lens Adapter allows the NEX to control the EOS lens' aperture. The NEX can control the EOS lens aperture in both Program and Shutter modes. The aperture can also be changed through the camera in Aperture and Manual modes. The EF to NEX Smart Adapter works with most Canon EF and EF-S lenses. Image Stabilization (IS) on EOS lenses is also fuctional. The only feature not working is of course Autofocus. Here is the description from Conurus . This Smart AdapterTM has the following features: ■ True electronic integration of aperture diaphragm - let camera automatically choose aperture in P or S exposure modes, or dial in yourself on the camera body in A or M modes. ■Powered by camera body. No external power source required. ■Wide open button (opposite of depth-of-field preview function) makes manual focusing ea

Here are quick mockups of what the new Digital Neo lenses from Sigma will look like on the Sony NEX-5N . Both prime lenses from Sigma will work with the NEX's autofocus system. The 19mm f/2.8 DN lens translates to an FOV of 28.5mm and the 30mm f/2.8 DN translates to an FOV of 45mm due to the NEX APS-C sensor. Both lenses have a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and f/22 as a minimum. The filter size is also the same at 46mm. The Sigma Digital Neo lens system was announced at CES 2012. We are hoping for more DN lenses soon. NEX-5N with Sigma 30mm f/2.8 Digital Neo Lens The Sigma 30mm f/2.8 DN is a 7 element in 5 group lens construction. The lens weighs a mere 4.8 oz (135 grams). The minimum focus distance for the 30mm DN is 11.8 inches which means a maximum magnification of 1:8.1. from Sigma This high-performance standard lens is designed exclusively for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and has the equivalent angle of view as a 45mm (35mm equivalent focal length) on the E-mount syst