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Last year Olympus and Sony announced their official partnership with Sony acquiring part of the company. The first effects of the collaboration in the digital camera business will be seen in early 2014 when the new 400mm f/4.0 Olympus lens will be announced. It will come along new FF and APS-C A-mount cameras. According to a trusted source that lens has been designed in collaboration with Olympus engineer’s. That’s really a good news because Olympus designs some of the best lens son the market. Their Zuiko series has top notch quality and they also made some super fast zooms like the [shoplink 17943 ebay]14-35mm f/2.0 lens (here on eBay)[/shoplink].
From what I heard the collaboration is very tight and Olympus will use new generation Sony sensors for their MFT cameras. I can exclude for now that Olympus may join the E or A-mount system with official Olympus cameras or lenses. Although I would like to have official Zuiko lenses for the upcoming new NEX-9 FF system camera. But that’s just a dream for now…
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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
89 Responses
more impressed if Sony gained the Olympus 5 axis stabilization features for the NEX
+++++
To be honest Olympus’ potential is wasted on the A mount, Oly made great compact fast primes like the zuikos 50mm 1.2 which was tiny for such a large aperture which would be amazing for the NEX
Can anyone translate the japanese text on the slide? Agree on the 5-axis stabilization for NEX!
if anything – 5-axis stabilization on A-mount. Sony doesn’t have any plans for stabilization in NEXes – they got stabilized lenses.
+1
NEX will NEVER have IBIS, it was NEVER in Sony’s plan.
Sony’s plan for NEX is Lens OSS where they can sell it for more money.
But it will be exciting to see Oly’s 5-axis IBIS on the upcoming FF A-mount in 2014.
And if they could merge Oly’s lens to work on A-mount might be fantastic too.
No,that’s not their intention. If they want to make money by selling lenses,they don’t have much lenses in the market to be taken advantaged of(haha). The most logical reason is they want to make NEX body as small as possible. Many may argue that NEX lenses are not small, but small lenses begin to appear(16mm,20mm,16-50mm).
Plans change, and that’s one area where I’d really like to see it happen. Sony always says it’s because they want to keep things small, but Olympus cameras are only marginally thicker than the NEX line. Stabilization is a huge value add and the fact that no mirrorless APS-C has it is a big hole in the market.
Sony reps unequivocally stated multiple times that there would never be a full-frame NEX and they flipped on that one. We can dream…
I’m a huge fan of IBIS, and that the sole feature I would like to see in nex cameras! But µ4/3 cameras are only marginally thicker beacause there sensor is smaller too…add IBIS to APS-C sensors and the story changes more than it does for µ4/3 🙂
And still I would love to see IBIS in Nex cameras!
+1.
I’m only expressing my opinion. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see IBIS in NEX camera. I hope that you’re right, that Sony will(has?)change their plan.
The reason all future NEX cameras will lack IBIS stabilization is because the flange distance is too small to allow for that. The choice to exclude IBIS was made when the mount was approved. Unless there’s a revolution in IBIS tech at some point, the NEX series will lack IBIS, because the technology isn’t there (yet). If Sony could bring IBIS to the NEX, they certainly would, they’d love to see the NEX dominate with IBIS.
E-mount is just large enough for FF. I think that means it’s large enough for IBIS on APS-C, but they can’t do FF IBIS.
I’m surprised they’re not working as hard as they can to get IBIS and Sony brand adaptors for NEX, because the flange distance makes NEX a camera that can accept (just about) all lenses. What’s missing is IBIS, PDAF, and some of the adaptors in pro versions. NEX would be a giant slayer if it could use every brand of lens to full advantage instead of using every brand of lens with significant trade-offs.
but I can’t understand why you bring the flange distance to explain the lack of IBIS in Alpha NEX cameras. They can use space behind the sensor to allow for a IBIS mechanism, not in front of sensor. Just a little bit bigger camera bodies and we have IBIS with all lenses.
I have long wondered this same thing when people say in body auto focus can’t be done. There are always engineering trade offs, if Sony wants to keep the Nex as thin as possible then only then does it become a problem.
I wonder whether Olympus joining the Sony lens development (thus making Sony’s own lenses considerably better performing than today) could mean the Zeiss/Sony partnership is heading to an end with Zeiss doing for Sony/Fuji what is already doing for the K/EOS/F mount.
I don’t see how this in any form or shape affecting Sony-Zeiss relations.
Oly likely will focus on helping to design some of mid- and low-range lenses with Zeiss still building best-of-the-best glass. Sony doesn’t have enough engineers to design lenses for 3 systems (APS-C NEX, APS-C A-mount and FF A-mount) so no wonder they try to get more hands for the projects. But there’s not a chance Zeiss would retreat because of Oly, that’s just a silly thing to suggest.
Not long ago Sony said that they are going to INCREASE the launching of Zeiss lenses for NEX, and if anything, NEX would be the prime target for Oly-Sony designed lenses.
Besides, there is at least 3 years remaining of the Zeiss-Sony agreement of lens manufacturing before it is due for renewment. Which I am sure it will.
What I understand is that among other things, according to this agreement, Zeiss is not allowed to make any AF capable lenses for anything other than those made in cooperation with Sony.
.
If Zeiss is to make AF lenses for noone but Sony, how come Zeiss just launched the new Tooit-series for Fuji X-mount and do not rule out MFT-mount some time in the future?
“do not rule out MFT-mount some time in the future” – you sure that they didn’t? Last time I checked they did – for a reasons of image quality issues on MFT.
that is only for the 2 touit lenses, because they’re APS-C they’re not using the whole image circle so lower image quality and Zeiss doesn’t want that on MFT, if they did want to do it, it’ll be a native MFT mount
that is not the case. its not that they can ONLY have AF with Sony, but that zeiss can’t make AF with CaNikon due to legal issues
Oh, crap! Have you seen the prices of Olympus lens hoods (sold separately)!!!
Blood suckers!
Buy a third party lens hood
No, I will buy Sigma lenses instead of the highway robbery riced hoods. 🙂
Far better and nicely priced as well. 🙂
Does that mean sony will be going down the OM-D route ( worlds fastest AF)
Fastest AF in the world is an olympus claim. That is all. Because it is not.
A little like Apple when they were claiming that the Mac Pro (G5) were the fastest personal computers in the world.
They were only in their wildest dreams!
The Mac Pro’s were the fastest computers to empty your wallet in the world.
Although I would not mind Sony, going down the OMD route. I like that camera a lot and I have not bought one yet, just because I’m making the assumption that Sony, once will go the mirror-less route with the alpha mount, will do something very similar but in APSc and FF.
Nah… it will be more like…
Oly’s gonna rule!
Imagine Oly’s Sexy Body + Super fast AF + Sony Sensor + Oly’s Lens!
More than enough to capture customers from all other camps!
That would a good thing for Sony. Remember, they have a large piece of shares in Olympus.
Give us back the effing DSLRs Sony!
Buy a CaNikon
troll harder troll.
He isn’t trolling, merely stating a fact. If you want a dSLR then Sony isn’t for you.
Well not really! I have a A99 and I’m very happy with it, BUT: Go skiing on a bright sunny day and look trough the viewfinder and then look trough A850/A900 viewfinder. The difference cannot be expressed with words!!!
I know, with the A850/A900, you end up being snow blind.
;);)
None of which changes that fact that Sony are not a dSLR maker, if you want one, get a CaNikon, that’s the point!
So.. Are the new Sony lenses going to be Olympus lenses instead of Zeiss lenses now?
If Olympus would manage to match them. But even than I doubt Sony would go for it. Zeiss is by far more prestigious than Oly.
Who cares? I own old Minolta 400 mm f/4.5 G lens and I see no reason to buy f/4.0 lens.
who cares? where can i buy a NEW Minolta 400/4.5 G?
and if you can find one with SSM and weatherseled, and not designed 20 years ago it would be nice to
If the Minolta 400/4.5 is anything like its little sister, the 200/2.8, I would be greatly impressed if Sony improved on it other than reducing CA. The 200/2.8 is ~25 years old and I’ll take the Pepsi challenge with any other lens Sony has to offer at 200mm.
Any news on 7n (or whatever the letter is) specs? Specifically will it have a mode dial ala nex 6?
Some user prefer Tri-Navi.
Tri navi and mode dial are not mutually exclusive.
Manufacturers usually reserve some unique features for certain model, like the swivel screen for Nikon D5xxx series. One model can’t have them all,unless they only make one model. But I said “usually” because they are free do whatever they wanted to,regardless of what they have done in the past.
Not sure what some users preferences have to do with the question, I just want to know what Sony is actually doing, aight?
Someone needs to drag Olympus kicking and screaming into making full frame cameras again.
Why? It would be doubtful if it is commercial attractive to do so. The FF market is already taken by Canikon. Even a powerhouse like Sony can’t break their reign.
Why… Because we’d get high quality full frame no frills performance in the size of an a200. That’s the untapped niche market no one is paying attention to… much like 1972 when OM was introduced.
Think about it, upon manufacturers reviving rangefinder style in modern digital format, the nostalgia craze has run nearly full circle. The only place left to go is compact full frame. Then there won’t be anything left to copy from the old days, and cameras can finally evolve where they should have been ten years ago without paying homage to legacy designs.
There is no reason a full frame camera cannot be the size of an a200 body. It would be arguably just as portable as any mirrorless with a lens attached. I want super compact high quality full frame.
Getting into it by themselves is of course going to be far too expensive for a company of Oly’s size. On the other hand, code-sharing a mount with Sony would significantly reduce the cost of entry.
I know quite a few people who like the stuff Olympus has been putting out recently but don’t want to touch anything with a micro four thirds sensor.
Carl,
I totally agree, Olympus should get into the full-frame game—that’s where the money is.
yep. Believe me, sooner or later this will happen!
I really don’t care. It is going to be too expensive for me to afford anyway. As nice as a 400/4 sounds, I’m thinking it is going to be $3000+. Could you imagine the price tag if it would have been a 400/2.8? We may have broken the 20K mark. If anything I hope it drops the used Minolta 400/4.5 market a couple hundred dollars.
Any slower than f4
. . . and it would be too close to the 70-400mm.
If it beats the zoom by a good margin and isn’t too expensive then it will be a viable option for me, but I think it will be hard for Sony to do both.
problem is old primes liek this dont loos $ they gain. least thats been the trend because of the uber high sony new lens price the used stuff gets bumped up
Great choice of focal length and speed for wildlife.
Since this will be used a lot by wildlife photographers close focusing is an important feature. A max magnification of 1:3 or better would make this lens so much more useful for small animals and close ups.
I have a old Minolta MD Rokkor 400X f5.6 with a solid calcium fluorite element.
Does anyone know how this comares to a modern prime?
Well, it’s black. Can’t possibly be as good as a white lens.
>Although I would like to have official Zuiko lenses for the upcoming new NEX-9 FF
Who cares if they have “ZEISS” or “Zuiko” inscription? Today’s cooperation is under the hood. Trademark has nothing to do with production.
400 mm f.4. So what. That will always be a lens i cant afford. I want one i can afford. So why not a 400 mm f.5,6 like canon is making for those without deep pockets
cause it woudl have to be better then the 70-400G2 at 400 and half the price for most to even think about it
400mm f/5.6, 300mm f/4, 200mm f/2.8… any of these would be more exciting choices now that we already have a couple of $5-digit telephoto options. These could all be <$2k lenses.
This is to the moderator:
Will it be a sony lens? because you say olympus, or is it a sony lens with help from oly engineers in making it? Also any news on pricing?
It’s a Sony lens!
thank you 🙂
Isn’t the 14-35/f2.0 just a FF 28-70/f2.8 with a built-in “lens-turbo”? …so this particular lens/knowhow is probably not that interesting for Sony.
In general, I guess having the best lens engineers from both companies giving input on new projects will never hurt.
I would like to see Sony deliver a full-frame mirrorless with the Olympus 5-axis stabilization built in——that should give the Canikon stranglehold a little shake!
Err..not sure about that. With every retailer in my town(maybe in the whole country!) pushing Canikon camera…but it’s a good new for us.
Great news. On the short term would love to see AF (speed) improvements from Olympus R&D on NEX. OM-D is impressive and that’s without PDAF. Sony will need impressive AF performance once they don’t offer (translucent) mirrors anymore. Another relatively quick software gain could be the JPEG engine. Olympus is pretty good in this field and it is still a weaker point at Sony. On the longer term I am very much looking forward to Olympus glass. In the pre-AF era Olympus had a great range with quite a few exceptional Zuiko lenses that could match or surpass the best lenses of that time for a better price and in a more compact design. Now Olympus has a great range for (micro) 4/3 with again some excellent performers. The sooner Sony can come up with a similar range the better!
Why? Anyone think Olympus engineers are better than Minolta engineers? Some of the best lens are made by Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and Samyang.
BTW, according to Pentaxians, the IBIS on Pentax is already 5-axis long before Olympus started marketing that term. K-5, I believe, even allows the user to control the IBIS system to compensate for star movement during long exposure astrophotography.
The big thing with the OM-D IBIS is the stabilizes Viewfinder Image.
Until the OM-D, that was allways the advantage of the OIS and very useful for tele-lenses or video.
Now with that 5-axis IBIS of the OM-D including the stabilized VF, I see absolutely no advantage of OIS over IBIS.
And… transfer of the IBIS technology from Olympus to Sony would make it much easier for Sony to merge A- and E-mount. And that is the future aim I guess, because a thick mirrorless A-Mount camera doesn’t make sense at the long term. It is a bridge just like the SLT cameras were. The final aim must be mirrorless with A-mount Adapter and IBIS to stabilize the A-mount lenses.
Pentax does not have 5-axis IBIS. Pentax, just like Sony and Olympus (except E-M5 and E-P5), use mechanical sensor-shift technology, which is not a good solution for 5-axis IBIS. 5-axis corrects for translational movement along two axes (left/right and up/down), as well as rotational movement about all three axes (pitch, roll and yaw). To accomplish this, Olympus use electromagnetic sensor-shift, where the sensor floats in an electromagnetic field.
True, today Sigma and others are pretty good as well. I would be very happy as well for them to team up with Sony to extend the current offering. Just had a peak at the 4/3 rumors. Interesting that from their side they’re obviously interested in Sony’s PDAF knowledge. Looking forward to a partnership between the 2 delivering an absolute AF wonder for the next NEX.
Admin,
Any update on the 70-200 2.8gII? Will Olympus have input on this? Thanks!
Let’s not forget the great Olympus jpeg engine. Hope they don’t mind to transfer the expertise as well.
Olympus has in the past built some really good OVF SLRs, and designed some top lenses too. It would be nice if they took over A mount with some new DSLRs. Wishful thinking, probably.
OVFs aren’t coming back, Walt. They belong in the past. Get over it and embrace the future.
OVF +1
Relaunch old Olympus lens in A-mount:
24/3.5 shift
35/2
50/1.2
50/2 Macro
90/2 Macro
180/2
20/2 Bellow
38/2.8 Bellow
80/4 Auto Macro (bellow)
Come on Sony, let’s adapt the Oly’s 5-Axis~ SSS seems lack of development in these few years~
I hope that with the new lens will arrive new teleconverters. Actually the two teleconverters sony doesen’t work with new 500 f4 and 300 2,8 gII
The tc1.4 work well on the 500f4 😉 and bothe tc works withe the 300f2.8
It is now two months there is more news of the 400mm f4:S
4 mounts…
6 mounths
8 mounts
10 months
Thanks for the new message for the 400f4 after one year. But yet it s a sr2 why?