Viltrox is really going on a lens offensive and will soon launch this new lens:

• 27mm F1.2 PRO E/X/Z (APS-C) 0.28m close focus. Z version coming in mid-August and E/X mount versions a bit later

This is the new Laowa 10x to 50x super macro lens that has just been announced in China. There is no English press nor pricing info outside China. All we know is that the whole set (lens + full set of 4 tube lenses) is priced 8999 Yuan (roughly $1250). It will be available in different mounts: EF, F, E, R, Z, L, G, PL.

Checked some of the image samples and it actually looks like a funny lens!

These APS-C f/1.2 Cine lenses are available for preorder for each $309 only at Indiegogo (Click here to read all specs). Reviewers are enthusiastic about these (like CineD).

Press release:

We are happy to announce that ASTRODESIGN, Inc., is the sixth company and SAMYANG Optics Co. is the seventh company to join the L-Mount Alliance since the public announcement of the L-mount standard at Photokina in 2018.

The alliance consists of founding members Leica Camera AG, SIGMA, and Panasonic, as well as Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH and DJI joining in 2021. The goal of the alliance is to utilize the L-mount standard developed by Leica Camera AG for cameras and lenses in future product development. This collaboration enables ASTRODESIGN and SAMYANG Optics to develop products with the L-Mount which will present great benefits for wide range of photo and video applications.

From Stephan Schulz, Head of Product Management Professional Camera Systems:

“The L-Mount is an up-to date lens interface, that unifies photo and video applications in the best possible way and allows for innovative optical designs due to the shallow flange depth. With ASTRODESIGN, the L-Mount Alliance gains a member that is undoubtedly an innovator in advanced professional video. This underlines the versatility of the L-Mount Standard and the high level ambition of the L-Mount Alliance. With SAMYANG we welcome an agile lens maker, that has undoubtedly developed within a short period of time an impressive lens portfolio for photography and cinematography”.

Originally introduced by Leica Camera AG in 2014, the L-Mount is now available on 12 cameras and over 60 lenses across the existing alliance partners. All lenses made for the different systems within the L-Mount alliance can be used on all cameras without adapters and without any functional limitations – this illustrates one of the numerous benefits of the common bayonet.

via RedDotForum

Preorders:
Sony A6700 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, Wex, Jessops.
Sony 70-200mm GII at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, Wex, Jessops.
Sony ECM-M1 On-Camera Microphone at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, Wex, Jessops.

Reviews:
Hands-on at Explora. A6700 review at SonyAlphaBlog. 70-200mm GII review by Dustin Abbott. A6700 Hands-on by Dpreview. 70-200mm GII review by Albert Dros. 70-200mm GII review at SonyAlphaBlog.

Video reviews:

CIPA published the May 2023 shipment data and it’s only slightly above 2022. If you consider that in 2022 shipments were particularly low because of the worldwide chip shortage this isn’t a particularly great news. My feeling is that the second half of 2023 might be on par or even worse than 2022.