Sigma promises to launch multiple lenses for mirrorless on September 30

Sigma is teasing the launch of multiple DN lenses on September 30 (including the already leaked 105mm f/2.8 macro lens for Sony E and Leica E-mount):

We are pleased to announce the holding of an online event “SIGMA STAGE Online”, which is a presentation of new DN series (dedicated to mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras) interchangeable lenses. It will be held on 30th, September, 2020, from JST 21:00 / CEST 14:00 / EDT 08:00.

British company makes a new MFT camera that uses your smartphone as a screen and controller

This is genious! Or maybe stupid…don’t know. Sony tried this in the past with the QX series and it didn’t work out well.

A British company made the “Alice camera” that has MFT mount and a new 11 Megapixel Quad Bayer Sony sensor. It uses your smarpthone as a screen and controller through the Alice own APP. This is the spec list:

Press text:

Alice Camera™ is an AI-accelerated computational camera being built in Britain from the ground up for content creators. An interchangeable lens camera with a dedicated AI-chip that elevates machine learning and pushes the boundaries of what a camera can do. Alice is in concept prototype stage and will be available on Indiegogo in Autumn 2020.

Alice is a compact and low-profile camera which can be mounted onto the back of almost any standard smartphone. An ergonomic handle enables better hand placement and stability whilst capturing your scenes.
Alice uses the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, the most flexible and compact interchangeable lens system around, with over 50 professional-quality lenses available. Attach an adapter to use lenses with different mounts too!

Alice’s Micro Four Thirds sensor excels in low light conditions and allows you to capture high-quality 4K video with no crop. Large pixel sizes and an innovative Quad Bayer structure enable exceptionally low noise and high dynamic range.

Artificial Intelligence is transforming photography in the 2020s like digital technology did back in the 1990s. Alice has been designed from the ground up to harness AI and computational photography for modern content creators, offering you new capabilities and techniques for autofocusing, autoexposure, colour science and more.

The Alice Camera native app will provide you with a familiar smartphone user interface and experience. It will be easy to use and navigate with touchscreen interface and customisation. The camera system and firmware will improve with future software updates through our app.

We want to give creatives as much control as possible. We will be providing open-source software access to Alice allowing you to deeply customise your creative process, encouraging collaboration and software development. Regular software updates means Alice will stay up-to-date with the latest computational photography technology and features.

Fast wireless data transfer between camera and phone gives you a seamless real-time viewfinder on your smartphone. Instantly share your content to social media and live stream directly to your favourite platform. A selfie screen will appear when you turn your phone around so that you can view yourself at all times. Alice will even work when your phone is not attached. You can set up across the room and have your phone in your hand and content will still stream. Double whammy!

Here is a video showing how it works:

Some real world images:

You like this???

–
Thanks Mike!

Leaked images show the new Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro lens for Sony E and Leica L-mount

Sigma will soon announce the new 105mm f/2.8 lens. Nokishita leaked the images of the L-mount version that will be announced on September 30. There will be an E-mount version too.

Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO Art Lens specs:

  • lens configuration of 17 elements in 12 groups
  • minimum shooting distance of 29.5cm
  • maximum shooting magnification of 1: 1, 9 aperture blades
  • filter diameter of 62mm, and a size of φ74.
  • It will be x 133.6mm (E mount 135.6mm) and weigh 710g (E mount 715g).
  • The US price is around $ 799. 

 

 

 

 

ThePhoBlographer: Why Aren’t Camera Manufacturers Truly Innovating?

ThePhoblographer writes:

Speculation about a new 90MP Canon EOS R5s hit the internet this week, and while this interesting, one has to wonder just how much longer the megapixel wars between camera manufacturers will go on. More megapixels are great, but it seems as though this is all camera makers are focusing on these days. When it comes to new innovations, all seems to be quiet. When will we see Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic, and the rest introduce new features that really get the heart racing again? Have we reached peak camera in 2020? Join us as we discuss the unconfirmed but certainly plausible Canon EOS R5s and what new technologies we would like to see in cameras that can drive them forward. Honestly, megapixels alone aren’t doing it.