For the first time the new Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens is in Stock in USA ia BHphoto (Click here). This is an APS-C lens good for film makers!
The A7r is Still in Stock with 2-3 days delivery via FocusCamera at Amazon US (Click here). It is now the third most popular mirrorless camera at Amazon US (click here to see the full ranking).
22 Responses
Admin
Is the new 54mp sensor 54mp or 18mp x 3 layers?
Although Amazon said last weekend that they, themselves, had stock of the A7R and told me it would arrive by today when I ordered it, I got an email this morning saying that it is now estimated to arrive on the 19th. When looking on at my order in my account, it says “Will arrive before Dec. 24th. Had to change the delivery address because I am going to be at a different location starting the 16th.
What a joke!
So, I would be surprised if Focus Camera shipped anytime soon, too.
I actually ordered from Focus Camera via Amazon on Dec 1st. It shipped on Dec 3rd, which was technically in their ship window for when they state “in stock”. Their customer service was pretty good. I called them Dec 3rd to check if it would make it out and they were able to tell me they got a shipment in that day and could send it. (Not entirely sure I would consider that “in stock” but since it shipped on time, can’t complain) I would try giving them a call.
Saw it on display at Saturn on Alexanderplatz yesterday!
The 18-105 ƒ4 PZ, that is. Which surprised me as I thought they wouldn’t be available until the 13th…
This lens feels pretty good in hand, size and weight of the old Minolta 28-85. It shows plenty of lateral CA at both ends which, I hate to say, should be easy to correct in post. PZ lags noticeably.
What about geometry? I saw heavy amount of distortion at 50-105mm.
This I don’t know, sorry.
There is so much info about all other sony ,zeiss lens , but nothing ,nothing ,noyhing about 18-105 f4 . No sample , no any review , nothing . If anyone get this lens for test , send link ,please .
If you use the 18-105f/4 on the Sony NEX-VG10 you would effectively have a 32.4-189 f/4 in 135 format because of the camera’s 1.8X crop in video mode. This is pretty close to the effective 24-200 range Sony is touting with the RX10.
I am planning to test it on the A7 for video in crop mode, should be pretty sweet!
If you are shooting documentary style movies I almost feel like it’s a toss up between two approaches. One choice would be shooting with the Sigma 17-50 OS HSM 2.8, the Sigma 105 OS HSM 2.8 and the LA-EA2. In this approach you would get image stabilization, an effective f4 stop in autofocus (since you are fixed at f3.5 and lose 1/3 to 1/2 stop with the mirror adapter) and most importantly phase detection autofocus (much better than contrast). The only downside is the sound of the lenses autofocusing. The advantage of the 18-105 f/4 is that it has power zoom, it’s all in one package (no need to change lenses), and it will autofocus quietly. The big tradeoff is you have contrast detection autofocus which is pretty slow.
Hi Mick. You mentioned all the reasons why I want to test it and see what actually works/doesn’t work in the field. I like the af behavior of the 28-70mm kit lens in video mode very much, yes it is slow but so smooth it is barely noticable and the lens is totally silent.
I have weighed both options and for me I favor the fast phase detection from Sigma OS HSM lenses over the Sony lenses (even though the Sigma lenses autofocus loudly–I try to use a shotgun or wireless mic to alleviate this problem). I came to this conclusion when I was filming a wedding with the bride and father dancing with the SEL50F18. The OS was great, but the contrast autofocus on this lens was so slow that I had to switch over to manual focus (then again the low light performance of this lens was superb at 1.8). The next wedding I shot the same dance with the LA-EA2 and the Sigma 17-50 OS HSM 2.8. I rarely had to manually focus and the autofocus kept up with all of the movements. When I did manually focus I got the benefit of moving from the fixed f3.5 to the full aperture of f2.8 (whether you lose 1/3 to 1/2 a stop in manual focus on the LA-EA2 is unclear to me). Contrast autofocus requires the patience of a saint at times. I will go up to objects and wait and wait for the camera to focus. Before long, you may as well shift over to manual focus because the camera has been tricked into focusing on the brighter background. With phase detection, you point and if one of the green boxes is illuminated you have hit your focus. Another nice thing about the Sigma’s and the NEX cameras is all you have to do is flip the switch to manual focus on the lens itself (rather than the camera) to get autofocus. The OS on their lenses is superb by the way…As you can see I’m a big believer in Sigma and Sony.
Current Sony camera’s actually DO offer phase detect AF. So it’s a non-issue because NEX lenses are so much better in every other aspect (build quality, size, weight, speed, accuracy, being silent, aesthetics, resale value, OSS).
Sony *NEX* camera’s like Nex 6, 5T, A7 that is.
Yes, the A7 seems to have a hybrid contrast/phase detection autofocus in video mode (I assume the A7R does not). Correct me if I’m wrong, but the Nex 6 and 5T only have the hybrid in photo mode right? Does anyone know if the VG900 has hybrid autofocus with fullframe Sony E-mount lenses in video mode? I have an NEX-VG10 and have owned an NEX-VG20 both of which utilized contrast mode. In my ownership situation, the LA-EA2 is really the only option for fast phase detection autofocus. I think the VG30, EA50, FS100 and FS700 are the same (contrast AF unless using the LA-EA2). By the way, the Sigma OS is very good and they are also a great value, arguably more so than the Sony. I don’t see the Sony as having the edge here-you can debate the other issues you mentioned, however. Anyway, thanks for the clarification.
Just checked: It looks like the Nex-6 has hybrid autofocus in video mode.
I wanted this lens, but the FE cameras kind of extinguished my desire for it. I don’t plan on buying one, this generation, but I have trouble considering APS-C glass now. Bad mental block.
Hello,
Can someone give the link to the lenses on Ebay that will work with the new A7 please?
thanks.. Can no longer find the link on here..
http://youtu.be/hIx8YrpzCeo
Just arrived and I tested his video capabilities.
You have to be patient handling this lens!
http://youtu.be/hIx8YrpzCeo
Just tested this lens on a Nex6.
You have to have patience with this one.