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Sony MEA Launches Mentorship Program for Content Creators

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Sony MEA has announced the Sony Mentorship Program for the region’s content creators. This is a three-month program that aims to discover, nurture and elevate regional talent. Open to content creators, visualizers and aspiring storytellers in the Middle East and Africa, the Sony Mentorship Program is powered by Sony’s Vlogging Camera ZV1.

Murat Gebeceli, Head of Digital Imaging, Sony Middle East & Africa said: “We look forward to discovering and guiding a new generation of bold and fresh new creative talents through the Sony Mentorship Program, an initiative that reflects our commitment to expanding opportunities available to regional talent. Through the three-month program, we will be empowering creatives with access to world-class gear such as Sony Vlogging Camera ZV1 as well as guidance from mentors, who are all successful trailblazers in their own right.”

Applicants can apply for the Sony Mentorship Program through https://alphauniverse-mea.com/sonymentorship/. They need to submit five still images or one video, up to one minute long. Along with this applicants also have to submit a personal video of up to one minute duration which explains why they want to part of the program.

Applicants’ images and/or video can be shot using any equipment of their choice, even a computer camera or smartphone. The personal video is meant to give the judges a visual introduction to the applicant’s persona. Applicants are required to be on camera to introduce themselves, and not provide just a voice-over.

Based on their applications, eight participants will then be selected for entry into the Sony Mentorship Program. The deadline to submit the application is midnight, January 15, 2020 UAE time. Selected participants will be notified after January 24, 2021, via email or phone. The three-month long program takes places from end January until April 2021.

Eight industry players will be assigned to be one-on-one mentors to the eight successful applicants. The eight mentees will also be given a Sony Vlog Camera ZV-1 and GP-VPT2BT Grip, worth $1000, to shoot as well as the opportunity to let their final project shine on the world stage. They will have access to exclusive online workshops to improve their photography, videography and editing skills.

Mentees also have the opportunity to have their project featured on Sony’s social media channels and Alpha Universe MEA. Three of the mentees will be announced as the final winners in April 2021, once the program concludes, judged for the quality and creativity of their resulting content. The first winner will be awarded $3,000, the second winner will walk away with $2,000, and the third winner with $1,000, along with a chance to do a commissioned project with Sony. Additionally, they will be recognised as pioneer members of Sony Collective, with their completed projects featured on AlphaUniverse.com.

Three ZV1 cameras are also up for grabs for the general public across the region, when they vote for their choice of winners in the competition. The program is currently open only to legal, adult residents of the Middle East and Africa. Applicants can be users of any camera brand.

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Digital Cameras

Fujifilm Intros New Analog Instant Camera: The Instax Mini 41

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FUJIFILM Corporation today announced the release of the instax mini 41 instant camera, an addition to its instax series, which allows for on-the-spot photo printing. The new model is now available in the Middle East.

The instax mini 41 is an analog instant camera, developed as a follow-up to the instax mini 40. The design maintains the classic aesthetic of its predecessor, incorporating black and dark-toned silver with orange accents. The camera’s lower section is textured to enhance grip.

Key features of the mini 41 include a “Close-up Mode” and “Automatic Light Adjustment.” The “Close-up Mode” is designed to synchronize the viewfinder’s field of view with the actual printed area, reducing parallax error during close-up photography and selfies. A selfie mirror is integrated beside the lens to aid in framing self-portraits.

The “Automatic Light Adjustment” function automatically senses ambient light levels when the shutter is pressed. It then optimizes both shutter speed and flash output to adjust for various shooting conditions, including bright outdoor environments and low-light indoor settings, aiming to provide balanced exposure for subjects and backgrounds.

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Digital Cameras

Sony Intros Two New G Lenses in the Middle East

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Sony Middle East and Africa has unveiled two groundbreaking lenses—the FE 16mm F1.8 G (SEL16F18G) and the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS (SEL400800G)—designed to elevate photography and videography experiences for creators and professionals alike. Both lenses bring advanced capabilities, state-of-the-art technology, and unmatched optical performance to Sony’s Alpha series camera ecosystem.

FE 16mm F1.8 G (SEL16F18G)
The FE 16mm F1.8 G is a premium G Lens that combines high-resolution ultra-wide angles with a lightweight, portable design. This makes it ideal for shooting dynamic landscapes, architecture, starry skies, and even close-ups. With its advanced optical construction, the lens ensures sharp image resolution across the frame and eliminates chromatic aberration, thanks to features like:

  1. Two AA (Advanced Aspherical) elements for sharpness at all apertures.
  2. Super ED and ED glass elements to minimize distortions.
  3. Optimized coatings to suppress flare and ghosting.

With a large F1.8 maximum aperture and an 11-blade circular diaphragm, the lens produces exceptional bokeh. It also boasts a close focusing distance of 0.15m (AF) and 0.13m (MF), allowing creators to explore unique angles and creative depths. Designed for portability, the lens weighs only 304g (10.8 oz) and measures 73.8 x 75 mm, making it perfect for landscapes, architecture, and astrophotography.

For professionals shooting fast-moving subjects, its two XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors provide rapid, precise autofocus with minimal noise, ensuring seamless performance for both stills and video. Additionally, features like reduced focus breathing and in-body Active Mode stabilization make it a reliable choice for video creators. The lens offers intuitive controls, including a focus hold button, aperture ring, and dust-resistant build, ensuring excellent reliability for diverse shooting conditions.

FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS (SEL400800G)
Sony has introduced its first 800mm super-telephoto zoom lens, the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS. Engineered for professionals shooting wildlife, sports, and landscapes, this Alpha lens covers a versatile 400mm to 800mm zoom range. The maximum focal length can be extended to 1600mm with Sony’s 2x teleconverter, offering unparalleled reach without compromising image quality. Designed with an inner-zoom mechanism, the lens maintains a consistent length for stable balance and effortless handling, even during handheld shooting. With its lightweight build and ergonomic design, it’s a go-to choice for professionals on the move.

Key features include:

  1. Six ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements to control chromatic aberration and deliver sharp, vibrant images.
  2. 11-blade circular aperture for smooth, natural bokeh.
  3. Precision linear motors for fast and accurate autofocus, perfect for tracking dynamic subjects such as birds or athletes.

he lens also incorporates Optical SteadyShot image stabilization to prevent shake-induced blur and is optimized for use with Alpha bodies offering in-body stabilization.

Both lenses feature thoughtful design elements to improve usability and reliability in diverse shooting environments. From focus hold buttons and customizable switches to fluorine-coated front elements that resist dirt and dust, the lenses are built for rigorous professional use. Additionally, the FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS offers a redesigned lens hood with a lock button for added security.

The FE 16mm F1.8 G lens will be available in selected Middle Eastern countries starting April 2025. The FE 400-800mm F6.3-8 G OSS lens will hit the market in March 2025.

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Digital Cameras

Fujifilm Launches instax mini Evo FUJIFILM 90th Anniversary Special Kit

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FUJIFILM has announced the launch of the “instax mini Evo™ FUJIFILM 90th Anniversary Special Kit”, the limited edition of instax mini Evo, a flagship model of the instax series of instant cameras, in the MENA region. The Special Kit is limited to 30,000 units worldwide to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Fujifilm Group. The camera body is available in the colour ‘TITANIUM GOLD’, while the Special Kit includes a lens cap and strap, offering a premium look.

The mini Evo is a hybrid instant camera incorporating digital technology, and supporting the card-size mini format film released in 2021. It comes with ten lens effects including Soft Focus and Light Leak as well as ten film effects including Monochrome and Retro. These two types of effects can be combined freely to create 100 different shooting effects so that users can express their emotions through instax prints. The camera body sports a premium and classical look and is characterized by analogue-like operability using the lens dial, film dial and print lever, designed with attention to detail such as operation noise. In June 2023, Fujifilm added Brown as a new colour to Black.

The Fujifilm Group, established in 1934 with the mission of producing photographic film for the Japanese domestic market, celebrated 90th anniversary on January 20, 2024. To commemorate this milestone, Fujifilm has introduced the “Special Edition” to instax series, expanding the world of the “instax” instant photo system that allows people to enjoy on-the-spot photo printing. instax mini Evo is available across all MENA markets for $229 (excluding VAT).

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