Connect with us

Camera

Field review: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN

Published

on

Field review: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN

Introduction

The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens is a very compact, lightweight standard zoom lens for full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras. It boasts a constant F2.8 maximum aperture across its zoom range and is available for both the Sony E-mount, as well as for Leica, Sigma and Panasonic cameras from the L-mount Alliance.

It’s aimed at photographers and videographers who want a bright walkaround zoom and the bokeh possibilities that a wide aperture brings but who don’t want the size, weight and cost typical of many F2.8 zooms. Travel and landscape photographers in particular will find its modest size and weight appealing, and it also offers potential as a portrait lens or for video capture.

Available now, the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary carries a list price of $899.

All images edited in Adobe Camera Raw 13 with adjustments limited to white balance, exposure, highlights, shadows, white and black levels. Sharpening and noise reduction at ACR defaults.


Key specifications:

  • Mount: E-mount (Sony) or L-mount (Panasonic, Leica, Sigma)
  • Focal length: 28-70mm (42-105mm on APS-C bodies or with APS-C crop)
  • Aperture range: F2.8 – F22
  • Stabilization: None
  • Filter thread: 67mm
  • Close focus: 0.19m (7.5″) wide / 0.38m (15.0″) tele
  • Maximum magnification: 0.30x (wide) / 0.22x (tele)
  • Diaphragm blades: 9
  • Hood: Included
  • Weight: 470g (1.04 lb)
  • Optical construction: 16 elements in 12 groups (2 FLD, 2 SLD, 3 aspherical)
ISO 100 | 1/320 sec | F8 | 36mm | Panasonic S1R
Photo by Barney Britton

There are several alternatives to the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8, although only one of these is available for both the E-mount and L-mount: The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art. It’s priced $200 higher, is 21.4mm (0.8in) longer and fully 75% heavier.

For the added cost and heft, the Sigma 24-70mm Art offers even better image quality and includes an 11-bladed aperture. It also provides a little extra wide-angle coverage and full weather sealing. If you can stretch your budget a little further, we find it’s a worthwhile choice.

ISO 100 | 1/500 sec | F5.6 | 42mm | Panasonic S1R
Photo by Barney Britton

Sony E-mount shooters also have access to the more affordable Tamron 28–75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD. It’s just 16.3mm (0.6in) longer, weighs 80g (2.8oz) more, and gives you a fractionally more powerful 75mm telephoto than the Sigma 28-70mm. It also offers full weather-sealing versus the mount-only sealing of the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8.

Yet despite coming in lighter and smaller than the Sigma, it’s $100 less expensive. But if portability is your primary concern and you don’t need all-weather shooting capability, then the Sigma’s length and weight savings are certainly enough to be noticeable.

The deep-pocketed and less size/weight-conscious may also want to consider the Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 GM ($2099.99) for E-mount or the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 24-70mm F2.8 ($2199.99) for L-mount. Both are not only significantly pricier but also just a little larger and heavier again even than the Sigma 24-70mm Art.

Compared to…

Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art Tamron 28–75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD
Price (MSRP) $899 $1099 $799
Mount(s) Leica L and Sony E Leica L and Sony E Sony E
Optical construction 16 elements, 12 groups 19 elements, 15 groups 15 elements, 12 groups
Aperture diaphragm 9 blades 11 blades 9 blades
Weather sealed Yes, mount-gasket only Yes Yes
Minimum focus distance / max magnification 0.19 m (7.5) / 0.30x 0.18 m (7.1) / 0.34x 0.19 m (7.5) / 0.34x
Filter size 67mm 82mm 67mm
Diameter x Length
(no hood)
L-mount: 72.2mm x 101.5mm (2.8″ x 4.0″)
E-mount: 72.2mm x 103.5mm (2.8″ x 4.1″)
L-mount: 87.8mm x 122.9mm (3.5″ x 4.8″)
E-mount: 87.8mm x 124.9mm (3.5″ x 4.9″)
73mm x 117.8mm (2.9″ x 4.6″)
Weight 470g (16.6oz) L-mount: 835g (29.5oz)
E-mount: 830g (29.0oz)
550g (19.4oz)

Handling

As you might expect, the featherweight Sigma 28-70mm F2.8’s body is predominantly constructed from polycarbonate, although it does still have a metal mount and build quality is good. And while it isn’t fully weather-sealed like its nearest rivals, the mount still includes a seal that should help protect your camera body from the elements, if not the lens itself.

And since it is so lightweight, balance is very good. Regardless of the mount variant you choose, it shouldn’t feel front-heavy on any body you might want to pair it with.

With no built-in image stabilization, there are only three controls in total: A pair of very nice, well-dampened zoom and manual focus rings and a focus mode selector switch on the left side of the barrel.

Up front, you’ll find 67mm filter threads. That’s the same size as used by its Tamron rival, while the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 opts instead for a larger 82mm filter thread.


Autofocus and focus breathing

Autofocus comes courtesy of a stepper motor that drives just a single lightweight focusing element, and the result is swift and silent AF. It takes just one second or less to fully rack the autofocus from the 19cm (7.5in) minimum focus distance to infinity. The linear motors in the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM or Canon’s RF 24-70mm F2.8L may be a tad faster, but for most use cases, the Sigma’s autofocus is more than fast enough.

Despite its fairly close focusing distance, this isn’t a true macro lens. The maximum magnification of 0.30x (1:3.3) occurs at wide-angle, and if you zoom to the 70mm position, you’ll need to move back to 38cm (15in) from your subject, resulting in a weaker but still respectable 0.22x (1:4.6) magnification at telephoto.

ISO 100 | 1/1000 sec | F2.8 | 61mm | Panasonic S1R
Photo by Barney Britton

In terms of video autofocus, the Sigma 28-70mm DG DN has the potential to be a really great option. Not only does it offer silent autofocus drive and very nicely-damped manual focus, but it also has well controlled focus breathing. There’s only a bit at the 28mm wide-angle end and very little at all by the time you zoom in to 70mm.


Image quality

Life is all about compromises. With a bright, continuous aperture and minimal size and weight being the key elements of its design, it’s not surprising at all that the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN’s image quality can’t quite compete with larger, more expensive alternatives like Sigma’s own 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art.

That said, the 28-70mm F2.8 Contemporary still offers solid image quality. This is especially true if you’re willing to stop down a bit, don’t shoot with an extremely high-res body or don’t need perfection in the corners. Let’s take a closer look.

ISO 100 | 1/80 sec | F4.5 | 49mm | Panasonic S1R
Photo by Barney Britton

Sharpness

Shooting wide-open at F2.8 (which you’ll quite likely want to spend much of your time doing if you’ve bought this lens for its bright maximum aperture), sharpness is very acceptable in the center of the frame at 28mm and remains pretty good even once you zoom in to the 70mm telephoto.

Stopping down to F5.6, we see a slight improvement in sharpness at wide-angle and a bigger improvement at telephoto, since the lens is softer wide open at 70mm than it is at 28mm. You’ll appreciate this improvement in sharpness more if you’re shooting with a high-resolution camera. We tested with both the 42-megapixel Sony A7R III and 47-megapixel Panasonic S1R; with a 24-megapixel body, that difference would be much less noticeable.

ISO 100 | 1/500 sec | F2.8 | 58mm | Sony A7R III
Photo by Chris Niccolls

Sharpness drops off a little at the corners on the wide end at F2.8, but stopping down to F5.6 gives a relatively flat field of focus and improved corner sharpness. That said, focusing in the corner yields higher corner sharpness than focusing in the center and stopping down, indicating a curved field of focus. Focusing in the corner and stopping down yields even better corner sharpness, as expected. The not-so-flat field of focus, at least in part, contributes to the peripheral softness when focusing centrally.

This might be an issue if you like to shoot landscapes (or brick walls) wide open but, practically speaking, stopping down the lens will yield decent edge sharpness. Meanwhile, if you need optimal sharpness off-axis, simply use an off-center AF point (rather than using the ‘focus and recompose’ method).

Results at 70mm follow a similar pattern, but with softer results overall, particularly at close focus distances. Wide open, portraits can often look a little dreamy.

ISO 100 | 1/1250 sec | F5 | 61mm | Panasonic S1R
Photo by Barney Britton

For most practical purposes, however, the Sigma 28-70mm is easily sharp enough. For portrait shooting, just make sure you use an AF point over your subject for focus to overcome any issues with field curvature, as you should with any lens and modern autofocus system. And for wide-angle landscape shooting, stopping down to F5.6 will help, and by the time you reach F8 or F11, you’ll be really pleased with the results.

Vignetting and distortion

When it comes to distortion, we need to discuss the Leica L-mount and Sony E-mount versions of the lens separately. That’s because if you’re an L-mount shooter, distortion is corrected automatically in both JPEG and Raw files, but if you’re shooting Raw on the E mount variant on a Sony body and using Adobe software, there’s (currently) no correction applied for distortion.

Distortion isn’t an issue for the L-mount version thanks to automatic correction, but Sony E-mount variants show some barrel distortion at wide-angle and prominent pincushion at telephoto.

Shooting on a Sony A7R III body, our samples show some barrel distortion noticeable at wide-angle, which changes to become quite prominent pincushion by telephoto. By contrast, our samples shot on a Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R show practically no distortion, thanks to automatic correction. Raw shooters of any mount who use Capture One have more options here, as it can use the embedded distortion correction metadata to correct the image.

Distortion isn’t an issue for the L-mount version thanks to automatic correction, but the Sony E-mount variant shows some barrel distortion at wide-angle and quite prominent pincushion at telephoto.
ISO 100 | 1/2000 sec | F4 | Sony A7R III
Photos by Chris Niccolls

Vignetting is not a concern for the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8. It’s only really noticeable at telephoto, and even there is minor and easily corrected.

Bokeh

There’s both good news and bad news on the bokeh front. The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN’s bokeh has a really pleasing, smooth look to it, with only minimal onion ring effect and smoothly-rounded, step-free edges even when stopped down to F4.

For the most part, bokeh is very pleasing, with only very slight onion ring and a nice, polygon-free shape even when stopped down to F4.
ISO 100 | 1/200 sec | F4 | 70mm | Sony A7R III
Photo by Chris Niccolls

On the other hand, it’s quite prone to cat’s eye effect when shooting wide-open, giving the bokeh more of a football (or for non-Americans, rugby ball) shape the closer it gets to the corners. And that problem is not limited just to those corners but extends quite a long way towards the center of the frame.

While out-of-focus highlights start taking on a football-like shape fairly quickly away as you leave the central region of the frame, the good news is the effect is fairly modest until you reach the very edges and corners. Here, the effect is not so much cats eye as it is truncation of the optical cone due to mechanical obstruction (see the odd shapes in the image below).

Cat’s eye effect is quite noticeable when shooting wide-open and can appear quite a long way towards the center of the image frame.
ISO 3200 | 1/80 sec | F2.8 | 70mm | Sony A7R III
Photo by Chris Niccolls

Stopping down helps significantly, though it doesn’t entirely solve the problem at the extremes of the image. To be fair, this is an issue with most 24-70mm F2.8 lenses.

Overall, though, we really enjoyed the Sigma’s thin depth of field and ability to yield soft backgrounds that help draw your viewers’ focus to the primary subject, especially for portrait shots. And the falloff from out-of-focus to in-focus and back again is also rather nice.

Flare, ghosting and sunstars

The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 turns in a decent performance when it comes to ghosting. Even when shooting into the sun or with it in the corner of the frame, there was only a little ghosting noticeable in the far opposite corner. However, flare can be an issue, and you may see a noticeable loss of contrast when shooting with a bright light source in the frame.

ISO 100 | 1/1600 sec | F2.8 | 70mm | Sony A7R III
Photo by Chris Niccolls

Sunstars are relatively pleasing, with 18 rays thanks to the nine aperture blades. They’re not as tight as they could be – each ray splits and diverges into two rays – and as expected stars on the wide end look better than those on the telephoto end where they can appear a bit ‘messy’.

ISO 100 | 1/40 sec | F16 | 28mm | Sony A7R III
Photo by Chris Niccolls

Lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberration (fringing)

We didn’t see any major issues with lateral chromatic aberration for this lens. There’s a truly minute amount of it, perhaps 2-3 pixels wide on a 42MP image (that’s a half a millimeter on a 40″ x 60″ print) that clears up easily if you enable CA corrections in-camera or in your Raw converter.

There’s just a little bit of longitudinal chromatic aberration, visible as color fringing, around high contrast edges of slightly out-of-focus regions, but as you can see in the sample below, it’s not really anything to concern yourself over. It disappears immediately upon stopping down.

A little bit of longitudinal chromatic aberration can be seen as magenta and cyan color fringing around high contrast edges in the image above. It’s subtle enough to be a non-issue for the most part, and goes away as you stop down the lens.

ISO 100 | 1/400 sec | F@2.8 | 70mm | Panasonic S1R
Photo by Barney Britton


Conclusion

What we like What we don’t
  • Extremely compact and lightweight
  • Bright, constant F2.8 max aperture
  • Swift, silent autofocus
  • Minimal focus breathing
  • Nicely damped focus and zoom rings
  • Pleasing bokeh in most respects
  • Good center sharpness
  • Resists ghosting and chromatic aberrations well
  • Balances well even with smaller bodies
  • Affordably priced
  • Not fully weather-sealed
  • Corners look soft, especially at telephoto
  • Close-up telephoto portraits can appear dreamy due to softness
  • Somewhat flare-prone in some situations
  • Prone to ‘cat’s eye’ effect when shooting wide-open

At the end of the day, it’s important to bear in mind the target customer when evaluating the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary. Can more money get you an upgrade in the image quality department? Absolutely, as always. But it’ll also come at the additional cost of a significantly larger, heavier lens. If you’ve got to pack it for air travel or carry it with you while out hiking or roaming around town on foot, that added size and weight will be a disadvantage.

ISO 100 | 1/100 sec | F4 | 45mm | Panasonic S1R
Photo by Barney Britton

Sure, it has some caveats in the image quality department. Most notably, corner sharpness isn’t stellar at telephoto while wide-open; close-up telephoto shots wide open can have a soft dreamy look, and it’s also quite prone to cat’s eye bokeh effect. But honestly, depending on your subjects, those may not be major concerns for you. And image quality is otherwise solid, with very good sharpness across much of the focal range, pleasing bokeh, and good resistance to aberrations and ghosting.

ISO 100 | 1/13 sec | F4.5 | 49mm | Sony A7R III
Photo by Chris Niccolls

The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 is also well-suited to video capture, with swift and silent autofocus and nicely-damped controls, as well as minimal focus breathing. Its only other significant shortcoming is the lack of full weather-sealing, something offered by all of its nearest rivals. If you expect to shoot rain or shine, that may be a deal-breaker, but if not, then it represents an opportunity to save some money while getting better portability.

If you prioritize outright image quality and durability over size, weight and cost, we’d recommend the fully weather-sealed Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art. And for E-mount shooters who are more size, weight and cost-conscious but who need to shoot regardless of the elements, the Tamron 28–75mm F/2.8 Di III RXD also offers a compelling alternative if you can live with its more distracting bokeh.

On the telephoto end the maximum magnification ratio is 0.22x. Close-up subjects shot at 70mm can appear soft and dreamy.

ISO 250 | 1/200 sec | F2.8 | 70mm | Panasonic S1R
Photo by Barney Britton

But if what you need most of all is portability and you understand the compromises necessary to achieve it, the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN is hands-down the smallest and lightest of the bunch and still offers solid image quality.

It doesn’t hurt that it’s also among the most affordable F2.8 full-frame standard zoom options for the E- or L-mounts. For the size, weight and cost-conscious, it’s definitely worthy of consideration.


DPReview TV review

See what our team at DPReview TV has to say about the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C.


Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Camera

Tamron announces 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z mount

Published

on

By

Tamron announces 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Nikon Z mount


Image: Tamron

Tamron has announced it will release its popular 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 fast standard zoom for Nikon’s Z-mount.

Nikon already sells a 28-75mm F2.8 with an optical formula and calculated MTF charts that are a match for Tamron’s original, stepper-motor driven 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD. The newer, linear-motor-driven G2 model features improved optical performance.


Buy now:


The G2 uses a more complex 17 element / 15 group design and has a fractionally shorter minimum focus distance (18cm/7.1″ vs 19cm/7.5″) to deliver very slightly increased maximum magnification. The G2 is also a fraction lighter than the Nikon-branded 28-75mm, weighing 550g (19.4oz), rather than 565g (19.9oz). On the E-mount versions, Tamron claimed the VXD linear motor design was twice as fast as the RXD version.

The focal length range makes the 28-75mm a wide to short-telephoto lens for Nikon’s full-frame Z-mount cameras but could, in principle, be used as a 42-113mm equivalent on DX APS-C bodies, if you wished.

Click here to see the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 gallery shot on Sony E-mount

The announcement adds a more affordable option for Nikon’s Z-mount users, but the hope has to be that, letting Tamron compete against its own-brand lenses, might also indicate some relaxation of Nikon’s restrictions around the mount. As the footnotes make clear, this lens is “developed, manufactured and sold under the license agreement with Nikon Corporation.”

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD will be available from April 18th at an MSRP of $999. This is $100 more than the E-mount version and a match for the current price of the Nikkor Z 28-75mm F2.8. It’s $200 below Nikon’s launch price for the Nikkor version.

TAMRON announces the launch of fast-aperture standard zoom lens for “Nikon Z mount system”

28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063) for Nikon Z mount

March 27, 2024, 11pm ET / 8PM PT, Commack, NY – Tamron announces the launch of the 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 (Model A063), a fast-aperture standard zoom lens, for Nikon Z mount full-frame mirrorless cameras1. The lens will be available April 18, 2024, at $999 USD / $1399 CAD.

The 28-75mm F2.8 G2 is compact and easy to use yet has excellent optical performance and is compatible with the latest digital cameras with increasingly high pixel resolution. The AF drive uses a linear motor focus mechanism VXD (Voice-coil eXtreme-torque Drive) that is fast, highly accurate and quiet. The lens also excels at close-up shooting, achieving an MOD (Minimum Object Distance) of 7.1” (0.18m) at the wide end and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7. Additionally, the lens design takes operability into consideration by including a coating with excellent scratch resistance on the barrel of the lens and a rubber focusing ring for a comfortable, secure grip among other features.

TAMRON pioneered the category of compact fast-aperture standard zoom lenses for mirrorless models. Now the 28-75mm F2.8 G2 will be available for Nikon Z mount as the ideal everyday lens for Nikon full-frame mirrorless camera users.

Product highlights

1. Best image quality in the standard zoom lens class

The new zoom leverages the latest design expertise and comprises an optical construction with 17 elements in 15 groups. Two optimally arranged LD (Low Dispersion) and GM (Glass Molded Aspherical) lens elements control optical aberrations to the highest degree. The lens provides high-resolution performance from edge-to-edge and corner-to-corner over the entire zoom range, even at wide open aperture. In addition, the soft, beautiful, round bokeh that can be achieved with a fast-aperture lens adds a distinctive dimension, especially to portraits. The overall compact size and high performance can be used advantageously with top-class, ultra-high-resolution mirrorless cameras.

2. Fast, quiet VXD linear motor for high-speed and high precision autofocus

The AF drive system employs TAMRON’s VXD linear motor focus mechanism. The high-speed, high-precision AF is exceedingly responsive and provides dependable and accurate focusing performance from MOD to infinity, despite the fast F2.8 aperture. The lens delivers excellent focus tracking of moving objects, so you are always ready for fast action. Additionally, the focus motor is quiet, so it’s ideal for shooting both still images and video in situations that demand low noise.

3. Lightweight and compact

The 28-75mm F2.8 G2 is a fast-aperture standard zoom lens with a remarkably compact and lightweight design, just 4.7” (119.8mm) long. The maximum diameter is 75.8mm and it weighs only 19.4 oz. (550g). Filter size is 67mm. With a size that’s easy to carry and a light weight that’s well-suited for handheld shooting for extended periods, the 28-75mm F2.8 G2 will surely become your favorite zoom for travel, street shooting, everyday carry, and spontaneous photo opportunities.

4. MOD of 7.1” (0.18m) at the wide end and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7 for creative close-ups

The 28-75mm F2.8 G2 features an MOD of 7.1” (0.18m) at the wide end. The working distance shrinks to around 1.7” (4.4cm) when used at MOD. Because the maximum magnification ratio is 1:2.7, you can get close to your subject for wide macro photography, enabling powerful visual impact with the subject positioned large in the frame while keeping a wide view of the background.

5. TAMRON Lens Utility™ expands the possibilities of still photography and video shooting

The 28-75mm F2.8 G2 is compatible with the dedicated TAMRON Lens Utility software developed in-house by TAMRON that empowers users to easily update the lens to the latest firmware without going through the camera2 and includes functions to support focusing operations and other actions when shooting still images or video. By utilizing a wide range of functions3, users can expand the breadth of expression in still images and video. For example, A-B Focus allows users to limit focusing to two pre-selected focus points, shifting focus from one subject to the other with just a click of the Focus Set Button. Users can also choose between Linear and Non-Linear, which affects how the focus shifts during manual focusing.

6. Enhanced overall lens design for user-friendly operation

Every individual part of the lens has been carefully scrutinized, right down to the fine details, resulting in an enhanced design that optimizes both operability and ergonomics. The surface of the lens exterior is glossy black. Improved abrasion resistance makes the lens barrel harder to scratch and resists fingerprints. Additionally, the grip performance has been improved. The smoothly curved, elegant surface of the brand ring creates a dignified appearance with a design that signifies functional beauty and high quality.

7. Moisture-Resistant Construction and Fluorine Coating provide extra protection

1. The lens for Sony E-mount previously launched on October 28, 2021.

2. To connect your PC and lens, use the TAMRON Connection Cable (USB Type-A to Type-C/ Model CC-150, or USB Type-C to Type-C/ Model CC-350) sold separately. To connect your smartphone and lens, use the TAMRON Connection Cable (USB Type-C to Type-C/ Model CC-350) sold separately. Lens firmware updates are not supported with the Mobile version. Performing firmware updates requires the TAMRON Lens Utility for PC and a computer.

3. The ring function (Focus/Aperture) is not supported for Nikon Z mount.

Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 specifications

(Length and weight refer to E-mount version)



Source link

Continue Reading

Camera

Sony announces major firmware upgrades for a1, a9 III, a7S III and a7 IV

Published

on

By

Sony announces major firmware upgrades for a1, a9 III, a7S III and a7 IV


Photo: Dan Bracaglia

Sony has announced major firmware updates for four of its current full-frame range, bringing many features and behaviors up to its latest standards and adding C2PA authenticity verification capabilities.

Sony a1 f/w v2.00

Firmware v2.00 for the Sony a1 is perhaps the most extensive, adding features that have appeared in other models in the three-and-a-bit years since it was launched, such as the lens breathing compensation function. It also adds a handful of new features and modifications of behavior, including an option to ensure the EVF remains on, regardless of the LCD position, and relay playback of images across multiple media. Among the extensive list of additions an updates are features such as Timecode Sync, previously only available in Sony’s Cinema Line cameras.

A series of FTP options, including SFTP support are also added.

The firmware doesn’t activate the C2PA function – which not only authenticates the camera and date/time but also that the photo is of a 3D subject, not a photo of a photo – but instead adds the capability to the camera. Once installed, users need to activate a separate license via the Creators’ App to use the function.

Sony a7S III f/w v3.00

Firmware v3.00 brings many of the updates seen in the a1, including Timecode Sync, breathing compensation and relay playback. It also adds the ability to close the mechanical shutter when the camera is turned off, to mitigate dust ingress, and the ability to transfer Raw files to smartphones.

In addition to the C2PA capability, firmware v3.00 includes the ability to add DCI 4K 24p shooting. Again a license needs to be downloaded to a camera running the new firmware to actually activate the function.

Sony a7 IV f/w v3.00

As one of the most recently updated cameras on this list, the a7 IV gains fewer features than the other cameras here. But in addition to C2PA capability, it adds network streaming, direct cloud upload support and an expansion of the features accessible via software development kit (SDK).

Sony a9 III f/w v2.00 [Expected April 9th]

As the newest of the cameras here, the a9 III receives fewer additions and updates than the a1 and a7S III, as in many instances they are gaining the features that the latest a9 introduced. However, in addition to details such as outputting lens names in video file metadata, the a9 III gains the promised ability to use the camera’s full shutter speed range when continuous shooting. But beyond this, the a9 III gains a small array of feature expansions and refinements being added across the four cameras, including the ability to extract stills from video capture, to take advantage of its lack of rolling shutter.

{PressRelease}

Sony Electronics Delivers Firmware Updates including C2PA Compliancy as a Next Step to Ensure Authenticity of Images

SAN DIEGO, March 27, 2024 – Today, Sony Electronics delivers the highly anticipated firmware updates for the Alpha 1 (Ver. 2.00), Alpha 7S III (Ver. 3.00), Alpha 7 IV (Ver. 3.00), and after April 2024, the Alpha 9 III (Ver.2.00). The update contains some of Sony’s most impactful technology, including Camera Authenticity Solution, the proprietary in-camera digital signature and C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) format support1. Together, these tools will make it possible for news agencies to ensure the authenticity of images, contributing to industry efforts to protect creators, and society from fake imagery.

Additionally, the firmware updates include many requested features to improve everyday use. The update evolves shooting functions and post-shooting workflow and brings advanced movie features like breathing compensation. It also includes new remote-control capabilities, new features for professional applications, and expanded access to cloud services applications.

“There is nothing more core to our mission than listening to the voices of the photographers, videographers, and filmmakers who shoot with Sony Alpha cameras. We know this community has been asking for these updates, and we’re happy to deliver. Each of these updates are designed to promote ease of use for our creators and allow them to maximize the strengths of their cameras,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “We’re especially pleased to deliver C2PA compliancy with this update. This compliancy paired with our unique digital signature technology, allows us to offer the most secure and comprehensive solution to protect professional photographers, news agencies, and society from manipulated imagery.”

Camera Authenticity Solution

Last year, Sony announced its commitment to developing technology in its cameras to aid in the fight against manipulated imagery and AI-generated fakes. The severity of this issue is only increasing and it’s a complex problem that requires the focus and attention of our entire industry.

One critical part of the solution is making more Sony cameras C2PA compliant. C2PA is a Joint Development Foundation project, where Sony is a steering committee member. C2PA aims to develop an end-to-end open technical standard to provide publishers, creators and consumers with opt-in, flexible ways to understand the authenticity, and provenance of different types of media. The C2PA is a standards-setting body that will develop technical specifications on content provenance and authentication by certifying the source and history of media content. With this firmware update, the authenticity information embedded on images from Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 7 IV can be maintained from capture through publication. This provides professional photographers with the ability to preserve their digital signature from the camera, while tracking the editing history throughout revisions.

Another critical component of the solution is Sony’s in-camera digital signature technology2 that signs images in real-time. This new feature certifies the authenticity of an image at the point of capture and creates a ‘digital birth certificate’ that is retained throughout revisions. The signature contains metadata including 3D-depth information captured through the proprietary technology in the image sensor developed by Sony. This depth information can show if the image captured was of an actual 3D object, vs a photograph of an image or video, providing an extra level of protection and even more assurance of the content’s authenticity, and making Sony’s solution especially unique for photojournalists and news agencies.

Sony’s solution also helps protect the authenticity of content by including an Image Validation Site, which verifies the image even after edits have been made by C2PA-compliant editing software. This service confirms the authenticity of the photo was taken by a specific camera and that the object of the photo is 3D. This service will initially be offered to select news media agencies, expanding to other agencies at a later date.

Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution overview diagram
Example image of 3D Image verification

Shooting and Playback Updates

The firmware updates include over 10 new features, as well as improvements to existing features, designed to improve the user’s overall shooting experience. These improved capabilities showcase Sony’s commitment to continuing to evolve the functionality of Sony’s existing camera models. A few highlights of the firmware update functions include:

  • Relay Playback: Enables seamless sequential playback from one memory card slot to another on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 9 III.
  • Playback Filter Condition: Lets users categorize image playback based on select criteria including date, folder, file format, and more on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III
  • Breathing Compensation: The highly requested Breathing Compensation function3 is now available on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.
  • Upgrade DCI 4K / 24.00p Upgrade License on Alpha 7S III: via a free downloadable license through Creators’ Cloud4.
  • Sync Release function: Enables simultaneous shutter release with two or more multiple cameras connected to the main camera5 on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 III.
  • Focus frame display: Focus frame will be displayed on the Remote Camera Tool screeniii on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 III.
  • Enhanced image stabilization: The camera body and lens effectively work together to correct larger blurs6 on the Alpha 1.
  • Increased upper limit of recordable images in a folder from 4,000 to 9,999 on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, A7 IV, and Alpha 9 III.
  • Matching the time code with other devices is now possible with a dedicated adapter cable (sold separately)7 on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.
  • Up to 20 IPTC presets can be on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.
  • Custom Grid Line is available as a paid license basis for some models8.

File Transfer and Network Connectivity

Additional updates aimed to optimize the post-production workflow efficiency include improvements to International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) preset and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) transfer operability. To streamline processes for users, expanded cloud upload and application services will be available. Key updates include:

  • Cloud upload (camera direct) function allows users to upload images directly to the Sony’s Creators’ Cloud9. Key additional features include simplified camera software updates, direct camera registration to the Creators’ Cloud, and a flexible system for uploading, storing, and sharing content. Additionally, the capability to manage video and LUT files via mobile apps, along with the transfer of RAW files to smartphones, optimizes the creative process in fast-paced environments.
  • FTP Transfer Improvements: A “Protected Images Only” option for the Auto FTP Transfer and a “Protect Image in FTP Transfer” option for the FTP transfer function have been added. Available on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 9 III.
  • Support for USB streaming10 on the Alpha 1.
  • Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) has been added to secure protocol on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 9 III and WPA3-SAE is now supported for wireless LAN on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.
  • Network streaming enables direct live streaming from the Alpha 7 IV to a streaming sitevii.
  • Expansion of app support with Creators’ App and Monitor & Control app now supported with the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.

Many of these updates are applicable to multiple cameras, however for a list of each body’s specific update please check the Sony website.

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with Sony’s imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony α – Alpha brand.

1. This feature is available to some news organizations at the press release timing.
2. Both Sony’s in-camera digital signature technology and C2PA compliancy are currently available through a separate upgrade license.
3. For compatible lens information, please refer to the support page (https://www.sony.net/dics/breathing/)
4. For regional app/service availability, check here. To use this service, it is necessary to download and install the upgrade license.
5. Remote Camera Tool Version 4.1.0 is required to activate the function.
6. For compatible lens information, please refer to the support page (https://www.sony.net/dics/func1002/)
7. A dedicated adapter cable, which is sold separately, is required to connect to the timecode source equipment.
8. Availability varies depending on country and region. Available through the Upgrade and License Management Suite at https://ulms.sony.net.
9. For regional app/service availability, check here. Creators’ App Ver.2.3.1 or later is necessary. Settings must be made in the Creators’ App in advance. For more information, please visit the Creators’ App support website (https://www.sony.net/ca/help/opr/)

10. When connecting to a device with a USB Type-C port, please use a commercially available USB cable or a conversion adapter.

{/PressRelease}



Source link

Continue Reading

Camera

Ricoh creates GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF with highlight diffusion filters

Published

on

By

Ricoh creates GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF with highlight diffusion filters


Image: Ricoh

The Ricoh GR III HDF and GR IIIx HDF are variants of the company’s existing fixed-lens APS-C premium compacts. They feature a unique “highlight diffusion filter” instead of the ND filter fitted in the standard versions of both cameras.

Ricoh says the HDF has been developed using its inkjet technology and adds a diffusion effect to the images, particularly visible in highlight areas, comparable with a ‘black mist‘ filter. This, it says gives images “resembling those captured in film photography or vintage movies.”

By replacing the switchable ND filter in the optical path, the HDF effect can be turned on or off, depending on what you’re trying to achieve in each shot. By default, the Fn button will be set to engage and disengage the HDF fitler.

Other than the filter, the cameras gain more customization around white balance (which will come to the standard GR III and GR IIIx in a forthcoming firmware update). There’s also a Zone Select AF feature that lets you select a zone within which the camera narrows down when focusing.

The shutter buttons of the HDF versions of the cameras are dark silver, rather than black, to denote the difference, in every other respect, the HDF versions of the cameras are identical to their conventional versions.

Ricoh announces GR series cameras featuring built-in highlight diffusion filter

PARSIPPANY, NJ, March 27, 2024 — Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF premium digital compact cameras. These new versions of the acclaimed RICOH GR III and RICOH GR IIIx cameras feature a newly-developed Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF) that diffuses highlights for softer light, creating more expressive images with a sense of depth and emotion. The HDF, which can be turned on and off in a single action, allows the user to add a totally different kind of visual expression to captured images.

Developed using RICOH’s advanced inkjet technology cultivated over the years, this special- effect filter diffuses highlight areas and creates a blurred effect along the image’s edges, making it possible to produce images resembling those captured in film photography or vintage movies. Since the HDF can be instantly switched on and off with a single action, it lets the user effortlessly alternate between two completely different visual expressions — clear, sharply focused images characteristic of the RICOH GR series, and softer light, more expressive images captured by the HDF — depending on the subject or creative intention.

“The RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF inherit the fundamental merits of our GR series – exceptional image quality, flawless point-and-shoot operation and outstanding portability,” said Ken Curry, president, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. “The new GR HDF models give users a new creative option that expands the visual boundaries of snapshot photography.”

| Pricing and Availability |

The RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF will be available in April at www.us.ricoh- imaging.com as well as at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,069.95 for the RICOH GR III HDF and $1,149.95 for the RICOH GR IIIx HDF.

| Main features of the new RICOH GR III HDF and RICOH GR IIIx HDF |

  • Single-action switching to the new, built-in HDF to create softer light, more expressive images:
    The new GR HDF versions incorporate the newly developed HDF (Highlight Diffusion Filter) to emphasize highlights and produce softer light and more expressive images. Developed using RICOH’s advanced inkjet technology cultivated over the years, this special-effect filter diffuses highlight areas and creates a blurred effect along the image’s edges, making it possible to capture images resembling those captured in film photography or vintage movies. Since the Highlight Diffusion Filter can be instantly switched on and off with a single action, it lets the user effortlessly alternate between two completely different visual expressions — clear, sharply focused images characteristic of the RICOH GR series, and softer light, more expressive images captured by the HDF — depending on the subject or creative intention. This creative versatility expands the visual boundaries of snapshot photography.
  • The color of the shutter-release button has been changed to dark silver to subtly differentiate the HDF models from other GR series models and to symbolize the effortless shift of visual expression. The default setting of the Fn (Function) button has also been changed to the ON/OFF switching of the HDF,* allowing the user to quickly engage the HDF with a press of a button.
  • The user can pre-program up to three white-balance settings as the base white balance.** It is also possible to couple the base white balance with the White-balance Fine Adjustment function.
  • The new models feature Zone Select AF,*** which automatically sets the focus at the most appropriate point within the image area after the user shifts the 3X3 focus area to the desired zone.

* The user can also select another function as the default setting of the Fn button.
** This function can be added to all RICOH GR III- and GR IIIx-series models using function- expansion firmware, which is scheduled to be released along with the market launch of these new models.
*** The 3X3 focus area is identical in size to that of the Auto-area AF (Center) mode.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.