First the good news:
The Sony RX1R will finall ship at Amazon (Click here) on September 15.
And now the bad news:
Our reader Jim just received the following bad news from Sigma when asking about the 18-35mm f/1.8 A-mount lens release:
“Unfortunately, our parent company has needed to delay the release of this lens in all mounts but Canon. We are still waiting for the Nikon version, which should be next. As of right now, we are expecting the Sony and Pentax versions of this lens to be released in mid-late November. This could always change, but that is the expected release as of now.
M….S….
Sales Operations Supervisor
Sigma Corp of America”
Damn it 🙁
Reminder:
A300 is now in Stock and Shipping at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). And so the new NEX-5T again at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here).
56 Responses
Never forget: you are a 2nd (or 3rd) class citizen to lens manufacturers if you are using the A-mount.
From this month Popular Photography review of the new 120-300 Sigma:
“The previous version remains in store for $2,499 (yes $1,100 less). Pentax and Sony should grab it, because Sigma isn’t making the new lens in their mounts.”
One of the reasons the new 120-300 isn’t being offered for Pentax and Sony is because the original version was never offered in those mounts either. It was only made for Canon, Nikon, and Sigma mounts. So, no, us Sony and Pentax users can’t get our hands on the older model even if we tried.
Shows how much they know…
Thank you for the correction
+1
Fourth Class for Sigma
damn it ?
if sony users spend more on HQ lenses
and a lot less on stupid standard kits
maybe canon wouldn’t be first !
Wait, who’s first ?
and olympus wil crak your bottom http://www.43rumors.com/first-preorder-reaction-e-m1-most-sold-overall-camera-at-amazon-us/#comments
That has fabulous Sony sensor-the bread and butter of sony entertainment division, you moron!
Just to be clear, neither of these two guys is me…again.
Admin, anything that can be done about this?
Well…damn.
You know what they say; “When 18-35 f1.8 A-mount lenses get delayed, they usually get delayed until November”
We dont know why the lens is being delayed. Is it a manufacturing issue? If its paperwork/marketing, I guess we can try ordering a Canon mount lens, and then send it in for a mount change (they might have parts!).
Oh well… hit shappens!
The Sigma will be worth the wait…
Never forget, you are a 2nd or 3rd class troll.
No surprise. The surprise will be that it is actually available before the end of the year. Remember how long it took for the 35mm/1.8 to finally be released.
No Surprise.
Sony refuses to cooperate with 3rd Party Vendors and
Users of A Mount frames.
Of course Everybody put the highly properietary
SONY products last.
Sigma has also, NOT provided a single Flash for
SONY’S Highly Proprietary Sony MIS shoe – Multi-User interface
Does anyone blame them for putting the Sony platform last.
We’re surprised they are offering their quality glass on
Sony at all.
I think it is the other way around. This problem isn’t new with Sony and has been the case with Minolta too. Sigma chooses to reverse engineer the AF for their lenses instead of acquiring a license. They do the same thing with the other brands too.
Notice how their new lens is not even available for their own Sigma cameras yet? Wouldn’t you think they would release the lens in their mount first if it was because camera manufacturers were refusing to cooperate with them?
My guess as to the real reason for the delay is because Sigma wants to fill the demand of their bread and butter mounts first. They more than likely sell more lenses to Canon and Nikon owners due to the larger user base. It makes sense to start with them to guarantee a quick influx of cash. But since the demand for this lens has been so strong, it probably exceeded their expectations. So now they are having to allocate their stock that was intended for the other mounts to fill the orders of the Canon mount.
Until they finally catch up to the demand of Canon owners or ramp up production, we will continue to see delays.
And why does Sigma have to acquire a license in the first place? Does Michelin need a license to produce tires that fit on a BMW?
Sorry, but that was a terrible comparison. You are better off comparing the tire analogy to the camera mount and not the AF protocols.
For one, BMW doesn’t even make tires and are not in the market to make tires. So there is no competition. BMW relies on those manufacturers to make tires for their cars, they are in the car manufacturing business and not the tire making business. Sony makes cameras AND lenses, so they see third parties as a risk to eat into their profits.
Second, Sigma can make A-mount lenses all day and they will fit, just like Michelin can make tires for BMW. What they don’t have access to is Sony’s/Minolta’s AF protocols, those are under license and most likely under patent or copyright. Sony has that under lock and key and isn’t giving it away for free (if at all). Sony isn’t the only one doing this either.
If using car analogies, the AF protocol Sony uses is more like BMW’s engine management computer that is in the car. Those things are encrypted and not open to the public. People usually will hack the computer and decrypt the information and will run a bypass in order to tweak their engine. This is inline with how Sigma reverse engineers the AF for their lenses. It works but it eats up time and resources but may not always be perfect.
I can give you more reasons why your analogy doesn’t work, but I feel my explanation above gets the point across.
Unless patent laws don’t apply to Sony, the design of the A mount is in the public domain. The A mount was launched in 1985
It could be different for the interface software which is covered by copyright but can easily be reverse engineered by an intern so Sony almost has no choice as to offer low royalties fees. Let’s say 7% When not free as in E mount: http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2011/02/08/zeiss-cosina-sigma-and-tamron-nex-e-mount-future/
There is no way that you can make money selling a lens over $3K retail unless you have a run of 1,000. I’m guessing that each mount cost around 250,000 to R&D and tool die at least. So if you sell 5,000 units (the high end) it’s $50 a lens.
In a way, since the A mount (and anything except Nikon and Canon) is a niche market in a niche market, unless you are madly in love or force (Tamron and Cosina, which builds the Zeiss lens), you will not build an over $1k for the A mount. Too small a market.
For most people there is an acceptable ratio between the cost of the razor and the blade. When the razor is cheaper than the blade, Joe Normal buys a new razor.
This will change if sony goes ahead with its lens agnostic new camera alluded here a couple of days ago.
But a real pro camera will cost over $5,000 and will have to beat both Canon and Nikon in every respect, by beat I mean trounce. And the type of services offered by Canon to pros will have to be the norm to pros. We’ll see in Brazil next summer.
SONY Claims to have an Open Platform – What a Joke
but introduces the most proprietary and poorly designed
SONY Flash MIS Multi-Interface Shoe Hot Shoe –
without any IEEE or ISO debates or committee approvals
The PORT ALONG is Poorly Designed port and far too fragile for commercial work.
The Pins Bend off the Flash Plastic Feet Wings breaks
It’s all cheap plastic – It’s a complete toy.
The SONY Flash MIS Multi-Interface Shoe Hot Shoe –
is so proprietary and patented
But this Port is Critical to using the Cameras.
There are only 6 Total devices in the entire world for it.
3 are Flashes and 3 are the cheapest made adapters
It will force Photographers to Boycott Sony
Well, speak for yourself instead of other “photographers.” The only thing you can come up with is the flash system. If it’s such a hindrance, switch to Canikon. They have broader user base, more mature flash system, and way bigger lens selection. I don’t understand why people would spend their time and energy to complain about the same thing over and over instead of moving on. It’s not like Sony is the only one making camera.
If you’re serious about flash, then you’re using multiple strobes in wireless configuration. Moving to standard iso hotshoe is a great move and means my triggers work out of the box
And the camera will have PC sync …
“Sony refuses to cooperate with 3rd Party Vendors”
yes
THATS why Sony didn’t work with Zeiss to make the SEL24F18, SEL1670, Touit lenses and other ZA lenses
THATS why Sony didn’t work with Tamron to make the SEL18200LE
THATS why in 2011 Sony didn’t release the basic specifications to the E-mount without a fee to other companies
right? 😛
I know Sony does keep quite a lot of things internally, but they are a business after all, and its hard to make everyone happy. I think in the end they would make more money focusing on new cameras rather than working on their flawed flash system because they get more money from it
Sony doesnt see their flash system as being flawed. They cant imagine why you’d need to fire off so many shots one after another. At least that’s what the tech said to me. That the -60 flash is working ‘as designed.’ And that I need to give it a break more often – I’m stressing it out.
how often are you shooting it? i have owned some canon flashes before and it states clearly in the manual which most people don’t read that you shouldn’t fire it in rapid succession in a short period (i forgot how many exactly)
personally i have no qualms about the flash system 😀
Lets just say at an indoor wedding, the Sony HVL-F60M is worthless. Not just frustrating, but honestly worthless. I would guess a flash photo (nowhere near full power) every 20 seconds on average, for about 6 minutes. Overheat. Shut down for the rest of the ceremony. So I have to swap to my backup F60M. Same thing… Now I’m out of flashes. Lucky for me I got through most of the shoot. Shame on me, for sure. Never in my life would I have guessed the top of the line flagship flash and camera would fail like this. And Sony says it is 100% normal, and designed to do this. That I am to blame. Huh?
Never had this problem with Canon (580EX) or Nikon flashes. Never.
So. I am currently in the process of tearing both of them down myself, and trying to find a way to disable or destroy the heat sensor. I’d rather catch one of these suckers on fire or melt the housing, than miss key shots. At this point I dont care if the warranty is void.
Let me also point out even my old Sigma 500 Super flash (from 2004) is more reliable and accurate than the sony -60. I can fire off a photo every 5 seconds, in similar conditions, for over 10 mintues before it powers down. That’s how it should be. I’ve since resurrected this guy and am using the adapter to mount on the A99. If that isnt silly, I dont know what is.
yes that does sound like quite the problem, maybe you can try and increase the heatsinking capabilities of the flash too, hope it goes well and you dont shock yourself with that 🙂
I just started into the project…thats a good idea about heatsinking. I’ll see if I can do that. 🙂
The massive capacitor in this thing could probably kill a cow – dont worry, I am taking precautions against frying myself.
Hey dandoesntknow,
Did you comment on the thread that I started on the Sony community board (“it is operating within the designed spec”)?
I’m going to return one of my f60 flashes and I think I may have the other modified by the photo repair shop in Florida that is offering the service.
We Sony dedicated users – Have too much invested in the SONY MINOLTA GLASS
WE HAVE TO FIND A SONY FLASH HVL-F60M FLASH WORK AROUND
The FLASH adapters solution causes to many points of failure.
The Sony offered adapters DO NOT LOCK amazing a Flash onto the Cameras.
Sony clearly wants all flashes using any adapters to fall off and break.
Sony absolutely designed these flashes to be disposable.
Sony Flash Plastic Wings
Sony Flash Feet to Shoes of Cheap Plastic
Sony Highly proprietary patented design
Sony Closed locked port and
Sony Adapters for “On Camera” flash units that
force flash units to fall off the camera –
All speaks volumes of Sony intent.
We need Sony to Open this MIS Shoe port as Public Domain
and third party
flash vendors
Trigger Vendors
so we can use our SONY Cameras and Glass
FLASHES –
SONY HVL-F60M FLAGSHIP Only 23 to 24 Flashes before
Same Money $550 to 600 USD – before heat lockup
Nikon SB-910 gets 11x Times – approx 265 Flashes – before heat lockup
Nissan MG8000 Claims 1000 Shots before heat lock up
a very nice Heat sink to dissipate and a Cook Quartz Bulb
This Flash is amazing, but Nissen Refuses to make it for
the Sony platform Old or the
New Sony Flash highly proprietary and patented MIS Hot Shoe
Press Conferences or Fashion –
Does Anyone on SAR or Here Shoot these events
It’s Fashion Week in New York City – The Models Time is expensive – They are not going to wait for your Flash to cool down
BUT SONY MUST THINK SO
FLASH ON CAMERA TTL – OPTIONS for Each Mount – Source B&H
NIKON 72 Flashes
Canon 70 Flash Options
SONY MIS 3 – Yes that’s Only THREE
Of course Sony believes its a great flash system,
As do, all SONY’S very overpaid Pro writer bloggers snipes
(They probably never used a camera in their lives)
Photographers Need Light .
USERS NEED MANY BETTER Options and Support than
Sony’s Flagship Flash
SONY HVL-F60M – It’s so cheaply made.
SONY CAN AT LEAST LICENSE
NISSANS MG8000 AND PRIVATE LABEL IT FOR US TO USE
Photographers and Sony users need Light.
Even if its from the Flash sources.
Of course,
Sony’s Paid Pro Writing Marketing Blogger Snipe will try to tell everyone differently.
”SONY HVL-F60M FLAGSHIP Only 23 to 24 Flashes before
before heat lockup “”
Nikon SB-910 gets 11x Times – approx 265 Flashes – before heat lockup
BUY A NIKON
Nissan MG8000
A STAPLE OF PRO PHOTOGS AROUND THE WORLD
Press Conferences or Fashion –
Does Anyone on SAR or Here Shoot these events
ME
It’s Fashion Week in New York City – The Models Time is expensive – They are not going to wait for your Flash to cool down
GET A LIFE. PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE, THERE IS NOT ONE PHOTOG ACCREDITED ON FRONT ROW USING A SONY AT THESE EVENTS
Sony’s Paid Pro Writing Marketing Blogger Snipe will try to tell everyone differently.
WHERE CAN I GET THAT JOB?
Jean-Yikes Douche,
Why are you even on this site?
I agree with you. but dont whine here. its pointless…
Go sent sony an e-mail or make a petition, thats help
We Did contact Sony at every Level we could
They Said – You need to purchase more Flash backup units.
We have three and they all lock up and do not cool down
Operating within the designed specification.
Sony knows there is No other Flash to buy other than their
Sony Flagship Hvl-F60 flash
The fact that their are so many better flash options available on the open marketing is amazing.
We want and need value from Sony for every budget we spend
Our customers demand that every day.
We want to protect our Sony Minolta investments,
We have too much invested in Minolta Glass.
Yes recently, we have had to re-direct our current budgets to Canikon
Don’t other SAR Sony users want value
Let talk basic numbers and Value
THREE FLASHES ALL WITH THE SAME PRICE POINT – Same Money $550 to 600 USD
What is the Value per budget dollar. Measured again Heat Lock Up Flash failure
SONY HVL-F60M FLAGSHIP Only 23 to 24 Flashes before
Nikon SB-910 gets 11x Times – approx 265 Flashes – before heat lockup
Nissan MG8000 Claims 1000 Shots before heat lock up
That is 40X More Flashes than the SONY HVL-F60 Flash for the same dollars
but the Nissin is actually a little cheaper in the US, since the manufactures throws in a free external battery booster B&H
Nissan MC800 – a very nice Heat sink to dissipate and a Cook Quartz Bulb
This Flash is amazing,
but
Nissin Refuses to make it for
SONY MIS HOT SHOE OR
Even the old Minolta Shoe
REVERSE ENGINEERING?
Rumor has it Sony is trying to Strong Arm all vendors who consider reverse any offering for the new proprietary SONY MIS Flash Hot shoe
SEPT 12th – Is a Sad Day of mourning –
It’s the SONY Anniversary of the SONY FLASH MIS HOT SHOE
SAR Question –
If you had Student Newbies learning about photography limited resources who wanted to acquire their first cameras.
1) Won’t you guide the Kids to a REAL Open Camera Platform with Lots of Options, Lens, flashes and adapters – That they can build and grow on?
2) With all this Sony Closed Platform, Lack of Value and Highly Proprietary Lock ports and poorly functioning flashes – with good conscience would you really tell the kids SONY IS a good value, Forcing the children to drink the Sony Kool-Aid and live on Sony Island with whatever Sony feeds them? .
Since you
Anyone know if this Sigma 18-35mm will work with a manual A to E mount adapter?
My adapters have “manual” aperture rings that slide inside the mount to open and close the iris.
I was told this lens only has electronic (servo) control if aperture.
CT
damn it all I wanted to sell my 16-50 2.8 and 35mm 1.8 to get this for my a57 and use the 50mm 1.8 on my nex-6 for events. I know it will be a awesome combo but I guess I have to wait.
I agree with everything you said!
last night, I decided to re-buy a RX-1R to replace my Nikon D600 and D800E since my D600 had extremely annoying shutter and dust issue and my d800E got the main mirror fell off last night.
I am waiting the RX1R shipped to me.
I thought waiting till end of this month to see the upcoming FFNEX , though, I know it’d be expensive and not as compact as the RX1R, so Ijust decdied to re-order it.
I have the A99v , A900, RX1R, NEX7 and 5D3, all my cameras are now 2x mp, I kind of miss my D800E but it’s had too many issues and the RX1R beats the D800E + any Nikon prime in terms of IQ and sheer usability in real life.
so if you are on the fence between the D800 or something similar with a Nikon or Zeiss 35mmf1.4 and the RX1R , go for the Sony unless you are mostly shooting boring oversaturated 1960 pop-art kind of landscapes or lowlight action.
the rX1R is the best camera under3 k to date, it beats the D800E , D600, 6D 5D3 and Leicam M 240.
so many people complain it is expensive or oeverpriced but it is actually rather cheap(relatively)
why did you get a D600 ?
that was the beta-version !
the real one (D610) is coming out soon…
i always wait at least one year before getting a camera.
its the same with cars 😉
“d800E got the main mirror fell off”
Are you serious? What exactly happened?
i don’t know why my message isn’t posting!
basically I was wet cleaning my sensor on my camera and the hot dog slipped out of my hand. naturally I tried to grab it before it fell into the mirrorbox but I missed and it hit the mirror/sensor.
for those wondering I use a raw hot dog with an alcohol swab on the end of it because the soft casing of the hot dog prevents scratches on the sensor but also gives a real nice clean.
so anyway the hot dog broke and bits went inside the camera. so I cleaned it out carefully but I guess some of it jammed in the mirror parts. next tiem I mounted a lens I felt a grinding feeling. but I powered on and tried to take a picture and heard a rip sound and looked inside with the lens off and sure enough the shutter broke too! very frustrating
so I sold it on ebay. now buying the RX-1R because I dotn think cleaning the lens with the hot dog can hurt it.
Wait…What?? You’re using a hot dog to clean the sensor???!
You must be joking.
Derek, Derek, Derek… you got it all wrong dude! Try marzipan next time! 🙂
“d800E got the main mirror fell off last night.”
hahaha, omg, sorry for your misfortune but it is kinda funny, I can imagine someone trying to show off the burst rate their d800E with the lens off and then the mirror comes flying out 😛
I want your disposable income, the heck with the cameras. I say sell all them and get a 1DX.
I own a Nikon 800E, got it six months ago and use it everyday.
what did do at the time the mirror fell?
“…boring oversaturated 1960 pop-art kind of landscapes…” from the D800E?
Wow…
I’m gonna get the Sony RX1R right now so I don’t have to suffer Nikon’s boring oversaturated pop-art.
Thanks for the tip, and saving me a lot of heartache and woe.
Mirrors dont ‘fall off.’ Mirrors get damaged and break, mirrors may even have a manufacturer flaw and break. But they dont ‘fall off.’
I too would like to hear what happened here…?!
Actually, they do. This is a well known issue on some camera bodies, notably canon’s first 5d.
Look here guys: http://blog.sp-ts.com/public/item/279710
Well, Canon with their subpar sensor need the lens the most. 😉