Sony Launches New G Master Brand of Interchangeable Lenses

Sony Electronics has just introduced their flagship G Master™ brand of interchangeable lenses.

Sony’s new brand includes three new E-mount full frame lenses including a 24-70mm constant F2.8 standard zoom, an 85mm F1.4 prime and a 70-200mm constant F2.8 telephoto zoom.   Representing the ultimate blend of high resolution and beautiful bokeh, the new lenses feature Sony’s innovative optical element technology, design and calibration.  This allows them to produce still image and video content with a level of detail and expression that has never before been possible.

“The new G Master brand represents the finest and most impressive group of lenses that Sony has ever brought to market,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics.  “With our knowledge of what the future will bring for digital imaging, we have designed these lenses and can ensure that the G Master brand will inspire and ‘wow’ photographers and videographers for years to come.”

The NEW Nebula 4200 5-Axis Digital Gyroscope Stabilizer

Nebula 4200 5-axis digital gyroscope stabilizer

Recently Filmpower Inc. announced the Nebula 4200 stabilizer that will become available soon in three different versions. A pro, a lite and a 5 -axis Nebula 4200. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote a review about its predecessor, the Nebula 4000 3-axis stabilizer and included a few pointers on how to use the software to try and get the most out of this already great product. I've been more then pleased with the performance of the Nebula 4000 and was able to capture some incredible smooth footage with it.

The Lite version will be somewhat similar to the Nebula 4000 but this time it will have a more stable platform to stand on and you can balance your camera on it without the need of tools in just three minutes. That's a major upgrade since it can be kind of a hassle with the Nebula 4000 sometimes. And I'm not sure, but it looks like it would be possible to upgrade the lite version to a pro or a 5-axis version through a quick-release system below the yaw motor. Unfortunately I haven't been able to confirm this yet. The pro version requires two handed operation, which will make it possible to work with heavier cameras. The maximum payload will be 1.6 kg / 3.4 lbs for all versions. Now, the 5-axis version seems to be a real special one:

Sony Announces the New Alpha a7SII

The new Sony a7SII with 4K internal recording

IBC just started and Sony already has exiting news for us! They just announced their highly anticipated Sony a7SII mirrorless digital camera. It has the same 12.2MP Full-Frame Exmor CMOS Sensor as its predecessor (the Sony a7S), but as expected the new a7SII has internal 4K recording. It also features 5 axis stabilization like the Sony a7RII has, higher dynamic range and an improved XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF which supposedly offers the world's highest viewfinder magnification.

No word yet on availability, but pre-order starts Sep 17 at a price of $2,999.00.

Quick overview of all the new features:

• Internal 4K recording to XAVC S (up to 30fps)
• Internal 120fps to 1080p
• clean 8-bit HDMI output in 4:2:2
• 5-axis optical in-camera stabilization for expanded shooting possibilities
• Ultra-high sensitivity up to 409600 ISO with low noise across the whole range
• Wide range of professional movie functionality including S-Gamut3.Cine/S-Log3, new Gamma Assist Display, enhanced Zebra Function, Full HD 120fps recording and 4x/5x slow motion recording and full pixel readout without pixel binning in full-frame format
• High-speed AF with enhanced accuracy in wide-ranging scenes and advanced shooting functions

And here are the full specs of the Sony a7SII:

REVIEW - Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Zoom Lens (SEL24240)

Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Zoom Lens (SEL24240)

About three months ago Sony announced 4 new full-frame FE lenses and one of them really caught my eyes. The Sony Fe 24-240mm f3.5-6.3 OSS lens. For APS-C type cameras there are plenty of zoom lenses available to choose from, but there aren't many full frame zoom lenses on the market which are able to cover such a broad focal range. In fact, they are quite rare. The Sony FE 24-240mm is able to capture very nice wide-angle shots at 24mm and has 10x zoom capabilities to capture images up to 240mm! I've been eagerly waiting for such a versatile lens to hit the market and I'm very exited to be able to share my thoughts and comments on this new Sony lens with you.

Like I've said before in my other reviews, I'm not going to spend too much time about the technical aspects of things, nor will I share sample pictures taken with it at my secret camera laboratory underneath my house (which doesn't exists BTW). I'm going to look at it from an user point of view with real life picture samples and footage, so you know exactly what to expect from this lens. There are plenty of great sites out there that can show you diagrams, graphs and lab-results if you search for them and they can certainly be very interesting to have a look at. So grab your favourite cup o' joe and start reading!

Sony Alpha a7RII (ILCE-7RM2) Mirrorless Digital Camera Announced!

Sony's new flagship: the Sony A7RII (model: ILCE-7RM2)

Sony has just announced the A7RII Alpha mirrorless digital camera and it's amazing! A big step up from the Sony A7R, with impressive ISO (although the Sony A7s still takes the lead on that one), 5-axis image stabilization like on the Sony A7II and it can capture 4K (QFHD 3840×2160) video  internally! It also features the world's first back-illuminated full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor which is able to capture 42.4MP approx. effective megapixels. Sony never cease to amaze me.

THIS is the Netherlands / Holland - Video

I just uploaded a new video! This time it's a video about where I'm from: the Netherlands. You know, that little country which is easily overlooked on a map.  Famous for its tulips and windmills, but also the healthiest country in the world and home of the tallest people on this planet.

All footage is filmed from a helicopter with spectacular results. Camera operator is Evert Cloetens. Helicopter is flown by: Wim Robberechts & co and Heli Holland BV. The footage is from the popular Dutch TV show "Nederland van Boven.

Pictures from the Sony A7s

Sony A7s as a stills camera

It's no secret that I love my Sony A7s full frame camera. I've bought it to use it as a filmcamera, but it makes me forget about the photographic capabilities this little mirrorless gem has. Even though this camera "only" has 12.4 megapixels, it actually exceeds my former photo cameras who all start at 16 megapixels. I always looked at it as a fantastic filmcamera with a nifty function to take pictures. You know, like some of the older video cameras that have the ability to take a "picture" at the press of a button during filming. These pictures never looked good and it's save to say this feature never got really popular on video cameras.

REVIEW: Nebula 4000 Lite 3-Axis Gyroscope Stabilizer

Sony A7s on the Nebula 4000 Lite 3-axis gyroscope stabilizer

Introduction

Last week I received my Nebula 4000 Lite from Camera Motion Research. This is a 3-Axis gyroscope stabilizer from FilmPower that I've been really interested in. A few months ago I saw a video online of someone (test) flying a Sony A7s in front of mirrors and I could hardly believe it was real. A MōVI / Ronin like device, only a lot smaller, single handed operation, lightweight and affordable. About two years ago the first (noticeable) handheld gyro-stabilizer was introduced and it took the market by storm. With this device you were able to get Steadicam like shots, only it's all relying on electronics instead of "analog" balance. It makes it very easy to get nice moving shots with your camera, even when you're working in unfriendly Steadicam conditions. It enables you to get even more creative shots and it doesn't take months or even years of training to be able to use it properly. Now, only two years later, we can get all of this great technology in a small and lightweight device that you can easily carry around with you. It's incredible to see how fast things are changing in the world of filmmakers.

Ah yes, filming in the old days. Much simpeler times...

The Nebula 4000 Lite can be used with cameras weighing up to 1KG / 2LB, making it the perfect companion for your Panasonic GH4, Sony A7s and similar sized cameras. They even include a special mount which will help fly your smartphone on the Nebula. It also comes with a nice custom case with strap, charger and a battery that has been fitted inside the handle. The Nebula only weighs 800 grams which is virtually nothing.

Sony Announces 4 New Full-Frame FE Lenses!

Joyful news from Sony today! They added 4 new full-frame FE (E-mount) lenses to their line-up. A fast (f/2) 28mm lens, 90mm f/2.8 Macro Lens, Sony-Zeiss Distagon 35 1.4 FE Lens and a 24-240mm OSS Lens. Especially this last lens caught my eyes.

I was seriously missing a good all-in-one lens from Sony when it comes to the full frame E-mount selection. Having a 24mm on the wide end of a full-frame camera is very decent but having the ability to zoom in to 240mm makes it very interesting, especially with added features like optical image stabilization and no less than five aspherical elements. It's also dust and moisture protected. Sounds like a perfect companion for my beloved Sony A7S full-frame mirrorless camera. It isn't a cheap lens, but considering the other options you have right now when you need a nice amount of zoom power on your full-frame camera (like the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4.0 G OSS lens or going with a Metabones Mark IV adapter and Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM lens), the price doesn't look that bad anymore. On the contrary!

Below you will find all information about these new FE Sony lenses. And perhaps nice to know, you can pre-order all these lenses right now!

The New ARRI ALEXA Mini

The new ARRI ALEXA Mini

Interesting news from Arri today. They just announced the new ALEXA Mini, a versatile additional tool in the ARRI ALEXA camera range, combining a compact form factor with the same ALEV III sensor and unrivalled image quality as all other ALEXA models. Designed for specialized shot-making, the ALEXA Mini features a super-lightweight carbon body and titanium PL mount, frame rates of 0.75-200 fps, in-camera recording of ARRIRAW and ProRes (including 4K UHD) and state-of-the-art integrated functions.

The ALEXA Mini’s camera body has been designed with new-generation brushless gimbals, multicopters and other specialized rigs in mind. It is compact enough in the lens direction to allow the use of standard PL mount lenses even on lightweight and space-constrained rigs, such as gyro-stabilized aerial systems.