Sony releases Carl Zeiss 24mm F2, 35mm F1.8 and 85mm F2.8 SAM

85mm F2.8 SAM

Ah, more choices for A-Mount alpharians.  A “luxury” Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 with SSM, a portrait 85mm F2.8 lens and a fast 35mm F1.8 for APS-C sized cameras.

DT 35mm F1.8 SAM

I will predict that the prices for the 85mm F2.8 will be circa USD399 whilst the 35mm F1.8 will be slightly higher than the 50mm F1.8 at around USD249.  This are just my estimates based on them needing to be competitive with the other brands.

Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM

Press release summary,

The Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20Z) features the acclaimed Carl Zeiss Distagon design and rounds out the existing Planar (SAL85F14Z) and Sonnar (SAL135F18Z) models also developed in conjunction with Carl Zeiss. It is intended to appeal to experienced photographers looking for a large-aperture wide-angle lens of real distinction.

The DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (SAL35F18) adds the important 35mm focal length to the ‘Easy Choice’ series. ‘Easy Choice’ is intended to provide great value, compact and lightweight lenses that are attractive to entry-level and advanced photographers alike. Each lens in the series is selected for a specific purpose, for example portraiture or macro.

The 85mm F2.8 SAM (SAL85F28) is another ‘Easy Choice’ lens, this time offering the 85mm focal length considered the standard for portraiture because of the natural perspective it provides. True to type it is extremely compact and light, weighing just 175g.

The press release is here.

... read more

Some Pictures from Putrajaya Flora (Floria) Festival 2010

Didn’t really spent much time there, just wanted to test out the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 when I was out for lunch.  Since the flora festival is just nearby, decided to go over to have lunch at one of the stalls there.  Somehow, the main area seem to be dominated with coloured drinks, fried kuey teow and nasi campur.  Seriously, can’t they think of something else to sell?  Anyway, ended up at the place they reserve for the franchised eateries, e.g. KFC, Pizza Hut, Kopie Satu and Melawati Kebab!  I am not sure why but they put these fellas away from the beaten track and you really have to search for them.

Since I was short of time, I just basically did another in and dash out situation and can’t really comment on the flowers there.  Here are some shots taken … will start with the …

Of course, the attempt to take MACRO without a flash indoors won’t really work no matter what camera & lens combination you have!

My wife’s favourite flower … taken indoors and direct flash from the camera body, too harsh!

And of course a shot of lots of them together.

Anyway, didn’t spend much time there and really can’t comment on it.  However, a special mention for the FAMA franchise program for the KopieSatu franchise … the coffee rocks!  Unfortunately, I don’t qualify to be a franchisee …

... read more

Panasonic LX5 Specifications

It is highly likely that the Panasonic LX3 replacement will be named the LX5 (as evident from their own website.  If you do a search on google using “site:panasonic.com lx5”, you will actually get some links which I think by the time you access it, it will give you document not found.  Of course, you can still click on the “cache” copy and you will be shown the following page.

As a summary, the LX5 features are:-

• F2.0 Leica DC Summicron Lens (rumours indicates a 3.8x, F2.0 to F3.3)
• 1/1.63" High Sensitivity 10 megapixel CCD with evolved sensor technology (rumours indicates ISO of 80 – 12800)
• My color mode, Manual exposure even in movie mode.
• HD Movie Recording - AVCHD Lite
• Optional Optical Viewfinder available as part of the accessories list

I will assume that the launch date for the Panasonic LX5 is near, very near …

... read more

Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Released

Ok, I just bought a Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC and here I am posting about the Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS.  Sounds the same?  Well, no!  Sometime in May 2010, Sigma launched the upgraded model to include Optical Stabilizer (OS) or in Nikon speak, VR, or Canon speak, IS, or Tamron speak, VC and whatever else the others call it.

It has a different lens construction compared to the 18-50mm F2.8 to possibly cater for the slightly wider angle (17mm instead of 18mm), a larger filter size diameter of 77mm, about 25% heavier at 565g, not a “MACRO” lens with minimum focusing distance of 28cm instead of 20cm and of course with Optical Stabilizer which allows for up to 4 stops slower.  It is currently available for Sony, Nikon, Canon, Pentax and of course Sigma mount!  Recommended retail price is approximately USD900-1,000.

More information from Sigma’s website.

... read more

Un-boxing the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 lens delivered from DD Electronics

In my earlier posting, I wrote about my experience purchasing from a lens online from DD Electronics. The box delivered was rather large compared to the actual Sigma lens box.  I made a short video on the un-boxing of the lens I purchase from them to give an idea of how it was packed.  Hopefully, this helps those who are not sure what to expect in the delivery of a fragile item such as a DSLR lens.  Also, for those who intend to sell their used DSLR lenses, hopefully, this helps in showing how it should be packed.

This short video also shows what are the items that comes with the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO lens.  Basically, it comes with the lens, the lens hood, warranty card, user manual and a nice Sigma lens case.

As this is my second time trying to make a video, please excuse the poor quality audio.  Maybe I need the Sony NEX-VG10?

Opinion on the lens coming up soon …

... read more