Lenses Sony

Sony FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II Full-Frame E-Mount Lens Features 0.5X Macro

Sony updates its popular 70-200MM F4 G OSS II with a new smaller, lighter and faster FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II. The 70-200mm focal length is one of the most popular among photographers, especially for portrait photography. (Most of the strikingly beautiful street portrait photography you see on social media have been taken with a 70-200mm lens.)

A world first is the inclusion of half-macro (0.5x) capability throughout the zoom range. The addition of a 2x teleconverter extends the focal length range to 140-400mm and life-size macro (1:1) capability. So, now not only do you get a portrait and telephoto lens, but also macro capability, all in one lens (plus teleconverter). It would have been perfect if the teleconverter were built-in.

Though this is a full-frame mirrorless lens, it can also be used on a Sony APS-C mirrorless camera (since they both use the same E-mount) giving an equivalent focal length range of 105-300mm (210-600mm with the 2x teleconverter).

The Sony FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II will be available July 13, 2023, for MSRP $1,699.99 USD, $2,299.99 CAD and £1,750 GBP.

PRESS RELEASE

Sony Electronics Expands the Range of Shooting Expressions with the High Imaging Power and AF Performance of the FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II Lens™

“FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II” telephoto zoom lens with compact and lightweight design;
World’s firsti half-macro shooting with a maximum magnification of 0.5x throughout the zoom range

SAN DIEGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Sony Electronics introduces the telephoto zoom lens “FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II” (product name SEL70200G2) that covers focal lengths from 70 mm to 200 mm with a F4 maximum aperture, compatible with 35 mm full-frame α™ (Alpha™) E-mount series and any camera with an E-mount.

The FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II is a compact, lightweight telephoto zoom lens that can be used in a wide range of situations. Not only does the FE 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II contain high imaging power, high-speed and high-performance AF that are unique to G lenses, this is the world’s firsti zoom lens to offer half macro capability throughout the zoom range, with a maximum magnification of 0.5xii throughout. In addition, with a teleconverter (sold separatelyiii), super-telephoto shooting up to 400 mm and life-size 1:1 macro shooting throughout the entire zoom range is possibleiv.

“We are excited to introduce the versatile 70-200MM F4 Macro G OSS II to our already incredible lineup of lenses. For both photographers and videographers, the new lens provides the ultimate lens in a compact, lightweight form that is a qualified telephoto coupled with macro capability throughout the focal range and a maximum aperture of F4 for any shot demanding shallow depth of field and creamy bokeh,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc.
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Firmware Updates Panasonic

Panasonic GH6 Firmware V2.3 Adds 4K 120P/100P HDMI Output and BRAW Recording

PRESS RELEASE

Panasonic Releases Firmware Version 2.3 for GH6 To Support 4K 120p/100p HDMI output and BRAW recording

NEWARK, N.J., July 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Panasonic announced the upcoming release of the Ver.2.3 firmware update program for the LUMIX GH6 to offer more flexible workflow. The firmware program will be available on the LUMIX Global Customer Support website, https://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/, on July 10, 2023, at 9:00 p.m. EDT.

GH6 Firmware Version 2.3

  • RAW Video Recording to Blackmagic Design external recorder
    12-bit RAW video in [5.7K],[C4K],[Anamorphic (4:3) 5.8K],[Anamorphic (4:3) 4.4K] can be output to Blackmagic Design monitor/recorder ‘Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR’ over HDMI to be saved as Blackmagic RAW.
    *Please refer to the Blackmagic Design website for the information on the corresponding firmware version of the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR.
    *DaVinci Resolve or DaVinci Resolve Studio is required to play back and edit Blackmagic RAW data.
    *When the [Rec Quality] is set to 5.7K/60p (50p) or C4K/120p (100p) and recording to a Blackmagic Design recorder, it is recommended to set the codec quality on the recorder to the following:
    – When recording to an SSD: constant bitrate 5:1 or less
    – When recording to an SD card: constant bitrate 8:1 or less
  • Support for 4K 120p/100p HDMI output
    Either C4K 120p/100p or 4K 120p/100p video can be output to an external device over HDMI.

Through the firmware updates, Panasonic delivers future-ready solutions for more flexible filmmaking workflow using mirrorless cameras.


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Contests

The 2023 Audubon Photography Awards

BIRDS. Here are the winners that the 2023 APA Judges selected from the 9,000 entries they received for this year’s 2023 Audubon Photography Contest. The best images show birds going about their business as they spend their waking hours seeking to survive, thrive, and care for their families.

>> View the 2023 Audubon Photography Awards winners

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Tutorials

How to Shoot Fireworks

Editor’s note: This is a reprint article, extracted from our Fireworks Tutorial.

Shooting great fireworks photos is possible whether your camera is a point-and-shoot (as mine was) or an Interchangeable Lens Camera (mirrorless or DSLR). The important thing is that you need to be able to select a long shutter speed, an aperture and ISO. Here is what I did with a simple point-and-shoot camera to take great fireworks photos.
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