The leaking never ends in these days! Digicaminfo (translation here) found the Japanese manual of the new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM II lens.
And there are more weird pages through Sony Germany:
SAL-85F14 (a non Zeiss version???) UPDATE: A source told me this is a site error. This lens isn’t coming.
Here are the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 II lens specs:
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54 Responses
a non zeiss 85/1.4!!!
this would be a hit! especially when so many people not satisfied with the 85/2.8, and asking for a 85/1.8!
the 1.4 would make many people happy!
I may be wrong, but I have two HVL-F58s for years now….
youre correct. i have 2 as well.
Maybe it is for the new hotshoe?
+1 and fix the F60’s over heating problem
It is probably just a update like they did with the 43am giving it some more power options, new shoe mount and moisture sealing. They do need to work on the overheating. I don’t really think its a problem if its protecting the flash but compared to canikon’s flash it is a problem.
Did I miss something here – where is something about a new flash???
I removed it. This was an old void page of a disocntinued flash that I thought would get some update. Not true (I think).
Does anyone know if the SAL-85F14 will have SSM?
i believe it will come with SSM. hopefully not APSC lens
Good question. Seeing as how Sony is probably positioning this lens as mid-level, like the SAL50F14, it would probably have the SAM motor, like the other lenses in the range.
What are the difference between 70200G1 and G2? seems weight and outlook are the same.
And I suspect the recent leaked from Sony Germany is just some system error/typo. I am surprise why their management haven’t yet stop the error (even the product is true)
It should be like the SAL70400G and SAL70400G2, where it’s more a differnce in coatings and AF motor rathers than the optical design.
The optical design is the same – 19 lenses in 16 groups. The same minimum distance – 1.2m. The same weight and dimensions. This means that this is only a minor cosmetic touch up and perhaps an upgrade to anti-reflection layers and SSM drive. Very much like the 70-400 G2 “upgrade”.
This means that the 70-200 G2 lens will continue to be soft and low contrast at F2.8 and will not match the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM optically. But I am sure it will match it or even exceed it in price (:-)).
-1
I guess Sony Lens division didn’t have time and resources to make an optical upgrade. Too busy with other NEX lens and other lens. Too bad, that lens needs to be upgraded.
That’d be very disappointing if a new 70-200mm got the same treatment as the 70-400mm did recently. It would mean the lens would stay on par with Canon’s 70-200mm version 1 (released a decade ago) and would come nowhere near their version 2 of the lens (which is pretty darn good).
I understand Sony could get away with the lukewarm update for 70-400mm as the previous version already was better than the competition, but doing the same for 70-200mm strikes me as a particularly poor idea.
Even the new Tamron 70-200USD will have better optics then this new Sony and at a much cheaper price.The new Tamron is as sharp as Canon EF 70-200 IS II USM .
Sony could have atleast rebadge the new Tamron and add a SSM2 motor,focus limiter,that way it will get supported in A99 AF-D and get in camera lens corrections.
I have a HVL-F58AM, now they’re going to make another one?
I hate when companies use the same name twice
Not quite understanding the release of duplicate products… especially the F58 flash.
Not quite sure anyone has been asking for these items.
I thought we’d been asking for SSM versions of ZA85 and ZA135, along with a flash fix and native cable solutions for MIS hot shoe… and firmware updates?
What’s with giving us what we don’t ask for, and never addressing what we do ask for?
Well, the current F60 flash over heats after 20 1/1 shots. Nikon SB-910 can do around 200 1/1 shots before over heating.
This could be their answer to fixing the problem.
Compare the old and new model numbers:
HVL-F58AM (older)
HVL-F58 (new)
Both could be flashes with a guide number of 58, but the “AM” getting removed might have stood for “Alpha Mount”? Maybe it just has the new hotshoe, it would be nice if it had some new features like doubling as an LED video light or something.
I guess it is HVL-F58M Mike HVL-43M.
The “AM” designation refers to the old Minolta auto-lock accessory shoe. Newer flashes (F60M, F43M, F20M) changed the designation to refer to the new Multi-Interface shoe.
Something not right admin!!
See the second spec table you post.
35mm equiv focal length is 105-300mm. Meaning this is an APS-C lens?
NO, but you can use it on APS-C and then it becomes equivalent to 105-300 on a FF body from the angle point of view.
I believe the 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM II should have an improved optical design, since Sony knows very well this is an important lens for A-mount.
Seems Sony shift the focus to E-mount, for 70400 and 70200, they just update the nano coating and SSM motor/firmware
Look at the f-stop of the newly release NEX lenses, it does tally with the Sony executives’ claim of keeping Nex to intermediate and lower level photography and A-mount will be more for the pros. It seems that 2013 is the year for NEX and 2014 is A-mount.
Damn… I´m waiting for a good wide angle lens… Something like a 10-20mm… And last days “leak shower” gave me hope… I (have a Tamron 10-24 – but thats pure crap)
Does the new flashes come with an adapter so that I could use them with Minolta radio controllers?
Only the HVL-F60M comes with an shoe adapter. The F43M and F20M require the $25 accessory to work with any Minolta auto-lock equipment.
Wow, non Zeiss 85mm f/1.4. I agree that I would satisfy with 85mm f/1.8 for $449. If it is SSM I think it will be a hit if it cost around $799.
Agree still waiting for 12-14mm f/2.8 FF lens. Will be great to put on my A77 while I wait FF to be affordable.
Just take a look at the sal35f1.4 thats not cheap. I think there for that the 85 wil be at least 1100 bucks. It should be priced @ about the same price as the Sigma 85 but i am not getting my hopes up.
I think SAR is being flooded by false rumors.
Maybe to discredit and take focus away from some of the stronger stuff.
Just to much lens rumors just when info started to come on sensor movement.
120F28 & 85F14 makes no sense at all. If a mount is going pro, why release 2 easy choice lenses ??
note that the Zeiss lenses I leaked on Sony Germany also had a manual!
True, but have you ever seen anyone scream for a 120/2.8 lens???
If it was macro, sure …
And SEL70400G2? Sure, e-mount is short on telelenses, but why this one?
I can see many other options that would find more buyers.
And those would need to have OSS.
Don’t misunderstand me, it would be very nice if there came true,
But if you would ask for an a-mount, and an e-mount lens,
are these two the obvious choices?
I hope the 85mm is a zeiss lens and having SSM. I like the current 85mm zeiss, but unluckily it doesn’t have SSM. Anyway will wait for the quality of the lens first before making decision or please bring new 135 zeiss with sam
*ssm
Hope it’s BLAZING FAST ! and optimized for 200mm @f2.8. That’s it. 🙂
Oh, forgot … Weather Sealed , SSM LOL
For me, ZEISS 85mm f1.4 SSM Weather Sealed and FAST AF … Optimized for High Resolution Sensors.
These two lens + a new ZEISS 24-70mm f2.8 SSM Weather Sealed … makes a great PRO Kit.
only thing missing on the A-Mount would then be the 14-24mm and 135 f1.8 ZEISS SSM
Agree with the others. YES, it must match the FULL FRAME Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII (which I Love) and the new Canon 70-200mm f2.8 v2 which I hear is Great! 🙂
I’d agree with everyone that improving the lens optically would be ideal.
But, if there aren’t the resources to overhaul the whole design, surely it still makes sense to upgrade the SSM and the coatings which give speed and optical benefits themselves. (instead of waiting however many years!)
I’d assume these are easy to do, having done them for the 70-400mm, so why carry on making lenses to the old standard.
I know it doesn’t make it that tempting an ‘upgrade’ for anyone owning the existing lens, but for anyone buying one new, why shouldn’t they benefit from the new motor and coatings.
The problem with such an approach means it likely would be many years before we get an optically improved lens, if ever. As someone noted previously, the 70-400 was at the head of the class of that lens range before Nikon came out with its new 80-400 SW VR II lens, and the Sony is still pretty competitive with that lens. Thus, the minor upgrade of the SSM system and coatings is easier to swallow (particularly if it really improved on the AF performance, which I hear is not quite the case). On the other hand the 70-200/2.8 is optically the same as when Minolta first came out with that lens in the early 2000’s, and now is not up to the level of the competition (from Canon/Nikon). Particularly if Sony plan on coming out with even higher resolution FF cameras than the current 24 MP ones, an upgrade of the optics of the 70-200/2.8 is due. Making a v.II lens that includes only the SSM focusing and lens coatings is, in my view, short-sighted and contrary to the idea that the A-mount is for higher end products. It suggests that Sony is satisfied with OK products, rather than products that are state-of-the-art, or closer to it. Particularly with the higher prices Sony attaches to these products, having them suffer in comparison to the Canon and Nikon counterparts is not a way to grow the brand.
a900andanex5,
With how LONG the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRII has been out. There is NO Nikon shooter what will EVER say a bad word about this lens. Period.
Forcing Canon to do a v2.
And then SONY , who wants to penetrate the PRO market … ships a LESS THAN 70-200 f2.8? a Lens that is used by sooooo many PROs?
SONY would get “Killed” in the Reviews. the Compares would go on and on. The view would be SONY cannot do it without Zeiss !
And finally … NO PRO would recommend it ! End of Story. Game over.
And was that 70-200 G soooo successful that Sony is really is biting on the bit to just copy it ? and what fraction of Nikon sales would that be? and what retail physical store even stocks it now? can any manf at this point of Rising MP’s just do a re-Warm of there old designs? No , that’s silly.
but, that’s me. 🙂
I get a little excited … because I need this lens. and NOT the OLD version.
It has to KILL at 200mm f2.8
Look at the Nikon results on SLRgear:
http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1280/cat/13
Here is a good way to look at it. go to Sharpness Blur Index f2.8 , and just move the FL slider quickly from 70 thru 200mm (look at 200mm)
Then go to f4 which ALL Nikon PRO lens are sharp at every FL … do the same slide thru the 70 thru 200mm.
NOW, go to Canon and Sony.
Sony cannot seriously ship it without Beating Nikons VRII stats. Someone at Sony needs to have tested that and knowns the results.
It needs Weather Seal and FAST SSM.
I agree with this 100%. I love the a99 for shooting weddings, but the 70-200 options for Sony at the mo are shite. If this really has no optical improvement over the mk1 I may be forced to migrate to another brand :(. Depressing news!!
I’m not disagreeing with you at all; this is one of a number of lenses where we’re still using the Minolta designs and so it hasn’t been updated in a decade and has fallen behind the competition. (I’ve got the old Minolta 80-200mm f2.8 and would also be in the market when it does get an overhaul)
I think all I am saying is why carry on making the old v1 lenses, if it’s a simple case to use new motors and new coatings.
It’s not the redesign we want/need, but v2 would still be better than v1.
Perhaps the 85mm f1.4 ZA which needs updating is being discontinued and replaced by the SAL85F14?
Hey admin, do you know or have info about the SAL70200G2 having Weathersealing features to match it with a77, a99?
Next lens disappointment.
The Sony 300/2.8 G2 is inferior, see DXOmark.
A 70-200/2.8 is one of the most important lenses of any vendor. What is Sony thinking? The 70-200/2.8 has been inferior for years, everyone has been waiting for an update, and now they think they can get away with some minor AF improvement (if at all)???
If this is the case it seems to suggest that Sony is not taking the pro market that seriously after all. Still, shouldn’t jump to conclusions I guess!
Mike,
I feel the need to comment about that 300mm f2.8 G2 and DXO.
Someone at SONY did not test this before it went out the door. and should have known full well what the DXO numbers would be. Sony cannot predict the future numbers of lens, but they “sure can beat” the Current one’s. SONY needs a 36mp PRO Alpha to boost there DXO numbers fyi. Of the exotics this lens you see a lot from N & C at sports events. To not “better” what is out there (a given) is like saying you don’t want to be in the PRO biz. This is NOT the case for SONY now! So, this DXO thing kinda irritates me. sorry 🙂 You don’t release when you already know it’s not good enough . Nikon PRO Rule # 1 … and p.s. the screw that mounts the Hood on this 300mm G2 lens is way too wimpy. just saying.
Why do so many expect it to lame already (70-200 II)?
Specs for canon 2.8 is II:
Focal Length & Maximum Aperture
70-200mm 1:2.8
Lens Construction
23 elements in 19 groups (1 Fluorite and 5 UD elements)
Diagonal Angle of View
34° – 12°
Focus Adjustment
Inner focusing system with USM. Full-time manual focus available
Closest Focusing Distance
1.2m/3.94 ft. (maximum close-up magnification: 0.21x)
Filter Size
77mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight
3.5 x 7.8 in. / 88.8 x 199mm; 52.6 oz. / 1490g