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The Latest News:
Viltrox’s AF 9mm f/2.8 Air Lens For X-Mount
credits: Viltrox
Viltrox has released a new ultra-wide option for Fujifilm shooters, the AF 9mm f/2.8 Air. It is an autofocus APS-C prime that lands at a 13.5mm full-frame equivalent and covers a 113.8° field of view. Inside, Viltrox is using a 13-element, 11-group optical layout that includes two aspherical elements, three extra-low dispersion elements, and three high-refractive elements to help keep distortion, chromatic aberration, and edge softness under control despite the angle.
The lens measures 65 × 56.7 mm and weighs only about 175 grams, so it is lightweight enough for everyday carry or for mounting on smaller Fujifilm bodies without throwing off the balance (it is part of the lightweight series after all). Despite the compact build, it keeps a reasonably fast f/2.8 aperture and a standard 58mm filter thread, something not always guaranteed on ultra-wide primes. The minimum focusing distance is 0.13 meters, which allows for some exaggerated foreground-and-background separation and magnification tops out at 0.15×.
Autofocus is driven by a quiet internal motor and supports full eye- and face-detection AF on Fujifilm bodies. The lens uses a metal mount and includes basic sealing against dust and light moisture. There is also a USB-C port built into the rear cap for firmware updates. The Viltrox AF 9mm f/2.8 Air is available for $199 / 229€.
You can see full details on Viltrox’s website here
New Sony Firmware Updates
credits: Sony
While everyone is waiting for the upcoming A7 V, Sony decided to drop something else first, major firmware updates for the widely used A7R V and A7 IV. Both cameras get a noticeable bump in autofocus customisation, new workflow tools and some long-requested interface changes that bring them closer in behaviour to Sony’s newer Alpha models. The updated AF system now includes a larger Spot, XL focus area for subjects that don’t stay put, plus three Custom AF zones that users can define themselves.
Sony also added several usability upgrades. Shooting data overlays finally rotate properly when switching between portrait and landscape orientation, and an optional enlarged menu view improves readability. A new Golden Ratio grid joins the composition aids, and playback filtering now supports multiple criteria at once, including ratings. The AF-ON, AEL, and Delete buttons can be assigned different actions during playback as well. Both cameras now support multiple IPTC Presets, which should make life a little easier for photographers who routinely switch between clients or agencies with different metadata requirements.
Video-focused refinements happened too. Recorded clips can be flagged as OK, NG, or KEEP on the go, and the cameras now provide clearer card-capacity readouts when shooting relay or simultaneous recordings. The A7 IV gains continuous on-screen audio-level monitoring, matching the A7R V. Both bodies add support for Sony’s Authenticity Camera Solution for cryptographically signed stills and video (license required). Network stability also improves, scheduled FTP transfers are now possible, transferred files can auto-protect themselves, and older Wi-Fi security protocols have been phased out.
Both updates are available on Sony’s support site here
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Photographer Spotlight
Discover amazing photographers
This time in the Spotlight: Peter Varsics
You can find him on Instagram as: @p_varsic
A few photos of his:
Missed The Sunday Issue?
In case you missed yesterday’s Sunday Issue (Snapshot Issue 92) including the amazing interview with the photographer Brett Beaudry and many more incredible articles, you can read it here.
The Rest of this Issue is for Premium Subscribers
