The big CP+ show starts on February 12 with the companies press conferences to announce their new products. Sony will actually have their press conference on February 13 at 11:30 Tokyo time (Source: CP+ pdf file). Hiroki Nagahama from Sony will talk for 45minutes and the title of his speech is:
“The world of super-high sensitivity of α7s, and the technology of supporting it”
Sony will surely release the new FE lenses and likely also show an updated FE lens roadmap. My trusted sources got reliable info on new cameras like the High Megapixel E-mount FF, A7000, RX curved sensor camera. But they could not tell me yet when Sony will actually announce them. I am yet not sure Sony will announce one or more of these cameras at CP+. Sony lately has quite a strange policy to announce their camera AFTER the big shows like it happened with the A7II that has been announced 2 months after Photokina. Still, I am confident at least one new camera is coming at CP+ 🙂
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149 Responses
A7000 – 12MP BSI-APSC – Internal 4k 100mbps 4.4.2 (S-LOG – Time Code – Clean hdmi). 999$ body only. Is the requested camera by many many many users in entire world… but… sony and others ignore this
12MP? Surely NOT coming on the A7000 🙂
Well sony would make an A7SII with internal 4k for a decent price 1000$. Sony with this camera raise market in an istant.
They could copy the A7 strategy and make a line of A7000s A7000r cameras. But currently Sony is focused on the FE lens development and they don’t have such a roadmap for the APS-C line. I certainly do hope Sony will focus more on APS-C E-mount lens development too!
Ok A7 line and a FF line is ok absolutly ok but sony MUST lover price to 1000$ target in A7 Mirrorless line.
If not an A7000, how about an A7000s? 😉
Any new rumors on A7000 ?
You are right, 12MP on a APS-C would great. good ISO, but I think this will not happend also, 4K and new sensor with good low light AF, IBIS and so on, that we can expect I think.
native higher resolution with proper pixel bitting for low light low resolution (and video) would be preferable…. something that would also make the A7s redundant if they did the same thing for full frame.
I would expect Sony to do full-sensor-readout and downsample from there, just as Samsung is doing on their APSC sensor in NX1.
But I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t get 4K again, to protect Sony’s more expensive cameras.
I think they will announce a A-mount camera and give you a surprise.
There is a great gap in the A-mount line up, the A58 is not a great succes, and can not compete with the other brand entry level camera any more, so a new entry level A-mount camera would be great IMO
New DSLR entrants are now more proficient, having come from other camera types rather than from no camera. Entry level is also saturated with little margin. From recent interviews, it looks like Sony are aiming at quality and major revisions rather than their old strategy of lots of models… so I would think no entry level model for a while.
Hoping for some cool news this time from Sony. Sony, make us believe….again!
RX1II / RX2 – pretty please!
Admin, any rumor for a new RX10II or RX20 ?? thanks
nope.
A9, A9, A9….hopefully the high expectations for the ultimate flagship will be satisfied…i have doubts…so maybe sony announce other stuff at first…..a7rII, a7IIs, a7000, new fe lenses /roadmap and apsc lenses and what you will do with the a mount finally….
Or just announce an A8 in the middle with some seeked features maybe a wise move…….so you gonna get more time for the new king of all announced cameras so far the A9 which nearly any wished feature (leave one or two seeked things out) we all know everyone is waiting on the “endgame!
Otherwise no other camera will be bought for the next 5 years or so…
Yeah an A8 might be good like the Nikon did with the d750 with a better hybrid AF system of A6000 or A7000 on fullframe and among some other seeked features dual sd slot UHSII etc.
Announcing after a big show can be smart, you grab a bigger spotlight if the news is worth it. Still, would be nice to get the AX pro camera announced at last. If possible in a R and S version, with all the features suggested here over the past few months.
Glad to hear that a Senior Manager at Sony will focus his talk on high sensitivity. I’m absolutely totally in love with the A7s as a still camera. I would like to see the megapixel war finally over and that Sony focus on even further advancements toward higher sensitivity.
It is one of their key objectives moving forward. I agree, LOVE the A7S.
Where are the 2 new A-mount camera’s for 2015 rumored here ?? http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr2-possible-a-mount-roadmap-two-a-mount-cameras-and-ssm-weather-sealed-primes-in-2015-a77ii-replacement-in-2016/
In SR2 land.
Really hoping for some news on the medium format rangefinder front. Anything?
Yippie A9 is probably coming….the D810 killer comes….congrats Sony, making a bow!
Anyone wanna still have D810s, D750s, 5MarkIIIs??? Really???
I would take one 810 at least but you have to wait until the 13 february ….;)
After knowing the announced stuff everbody will know if still investing in Nikon or going the mirrorless FE route is the better and a wise move……
How many Bobs are there? Why are you using this name? I would like to know that
Yes, of course. We would not have bought them if they were down in toys league.
I thought the A7R already killed D810.
None if these :
I don’t want more than 36MB (I’m already overwhelmed by the A7r need of storage)
I don’t want any APSC camera (either MFT or FF)
I don’t care for traditional DSLRs
I don’t care for fixed lens cameras.
I’d like more lenses .. and perhaps a new A7r mk2 with an electronic first curtain and perhaps IBIS.
It should also have a better EVF (like in the Olympus E-M1) and possibly a better AF. no compression of the raws.. some functions that are deep in the menu should be made more easily accessible (available fir the Fn quick menu) and that’s about it… Oh and keep it small and offer smaller lenses, even if at the cost of slower max aperture (F2.8 is enough)
totally agree but you forgot on thing the faster selecting/changing of AF points my friend…..;)
Tend to agree.
My wish is as follows:
New Backside illuminated FF sensor with 30Mp and no AA filter.
Full 14 bit raw, even in compressed form.
5-axis IBIS.
Fast and accurate AF with 65 cross phase detect sites.
Very fast and easy to use way to select focus point or area. Eye-focus anyone?
Highly responsive, color accurate Touch sensitive LCD with about 300 dpi and USEFUL functionality as shown by Panasonic and Samsung.
Built-in WiFi, obviously. WITH fast file transfer PLUS full remote control via cellphone app or PC app.
Flash sync 1/500 if possible. And no black out delay leading to lazy eye problem. Yes, this nonsense still exists!
Fully electronic shutter, i.e. global shutter for totally silent operation. Even if limited to 1/1000th of a sec, in which case electronic first curtain shutter can take over.
Alternating current dark period elimination – i.e. when the electricity voltage drops to zero as seen with the Canon 7DII.
Intervalometer. With intelligent exposure compensation. Or else fully programmable remote control.
Intelligent auto-ISO operation with selection of the multiple of the minimum shutter speed as seen in the Nikon system – or BETTER! Fully usable in manual mode.
Nothing prevents Sony from putting these specs into both a new A9 E-mount AS WELL AS a new A99-II.
Its probably the A58 II camera 🙂 he he
Just kidding, but I hope they announce at least one A mount camera to give some peace of mind to A mount users that the system is not dead.
Then, mor details for their next lenses from the roadmap, especially an 85/1.8 E mount
If any E mount bodies are announced I strongly hope any main improvements are in AF speed
Sony are probably fed up of trying to reassure “A mount users”. How many more statements do you want them to make?
They have released lens updates, the A77II and six months later new firmware.
Yep, I agree and I personally have only E mount equipment, but February will be 2 years from A58 announcement and I wouldn’t be surprised if they renew it.
If Sony will maintain 3 bodies in A mount its logical to have 58/77/99 although, even dropping the entry/mid level A58 is not a bad idea since they would want to have new customers entering the E mount system, not A mount and shouldn’t need A58 for long.
I don’t think the A58 is going to be replaced.
The A77II is it for APS-C, Sony will believe that if you are in the market for a A58 priced/spec camera then you will only want kit lenses and A5xxxx E-mount performance/spec.
An A7000s with a 12 megapixel sensor, IBIS, and internal 4K would be 1000x dreamy!
A99II.
It will push used A99 prices down. 🙂
Any chance we will see a A7s II at NAB in April?
Please announce A99 replacement!
please… please… please…
sure
Why are they advertising the Camera and Photo Imaging show with such a retro photograph? Wide angle skyline sunset over water. All the rage in the 1980s.
I thought the same thing 🙂 No imagination @ the marketing team…
Much like positive discrimination, question is, do you have a single other image like that on your supposed avatar identification to go with all your up-rated posts, or is that not you anyway?
come on!
RX2 will have 24-70 2.8 and i’ll not buy it cuz i want 24-105 f4 🙂
RX1 is a fixed single focal length camera like the Fuji X100s/t. So can’t see RX2 with a zoom lens I’m sure RX2 will have the same lens
this is just your opinion… i can easily see RX2 with 24-70/2.8 🙂
To upgrade from my A7, I will probably consider something based on the A7S (High sensitivity + electronic shutter) but including both phase/contrast detect AF, slightly higher sensor resolution (16mpx), and 5 Axis stab. The “pixel race” won’t be an argument for me.
Yet 12MP isn’t enough?
Nope. 18 would be great.
Well, i’ve been a lot before with a 12MP Nikon DSLR (D300) and cropping is much easier with large images from a bigger sensor. It allows you more framing options without any loss when printing. If Sony is able to provide a 16 or even 24MP sensor with the same electronic rolling shutter, i will find it perfect!
“Which is the one camera Sony has to absolutely announce at CP+?
A9 High Megapixel FE camera
A7000 APS-C E-mount
A99II A-mount camera
RX2 with curved sensor and Zeiss 35mm f/1.8 lens.”
A9, but not “high megapixel” (they have A7r for that, and can make A7rII for $2 in R&D), but sports camera to compete with 1D X and D4s, with great C-AF, fast framerate (even in RAW), large battery and real weather-sealing (not the fraudulent type of A7 and RX10 kind).
That is exactly right! Of the areas that the A7 series attracts most criticism, it is AF speed and accuracy that dominates.
Certainly, there are other issues that pop up (internal reflection in the A7, shutter shake in the A7r), but none are, in my opinion, deal-breakers for most like the AF speed.
If Sony could make the AF as fast and accurate as the top Canon and Nikon models, together with providing a good range of longer lenses, the take up of these cameras would be a veritable stampede!
Agreed. I was disappointed that the A7 included the same warmed over 24mp sensor—which isn’t bad—but is almost as long in the tooth as something from Canon. That they kept it for the A7mk2 is what keeps me from upgrading. They need an FE mount camera with AF that’s at least as good if not better than the A6000.
I would add that is should be at least 24mp and do a complete, or near complete, full sensor scan. That makes a big difference in AF speed/accuracy and also IQ of the viewfinder. Even in the EVF I can tell the difference between the A7 and A7S.
I don’t care about the age of 24mpix sensor, seems adequate to me, but they should work on their AF implementation.
Sony hybrid-AF implementation is tied to the age (i.e. technological generation) of the sensor. The A7 sensor has OSPDAF from the NEX-6 era I imagine the A7mk2 is the best performance that can be pulled from that. The CDAF is limited by the slow/line-skipping scanning of the A7 sensor. These are both issues that can only be fixed by creating a new sensor with current generation tech.
Do you think the sensors in a6000 and NEX-7 are somehow different? Seem exactly the same to me – just with PDAF-lenses instead of regular microlenses, probably with appropriate holes in the CFA. The chip itself probably is the same or having only minor modifications. No indications to the contrary, as all optical characteristics of the sensor are the same according to DxO.
Absolutely. Don’t take DXO as gospel. Their methodology (what little they publish about it) is interesting but hardly complete.
On top of that adding PDAF to a sensor is nontrivial. It requires a different chip design not just holes cut out or micro lenses changed.
Also desgning a large sensor that can be scanned fast enough to speed up AF and improve video quality indicated a very big change.
On top of that, despite what DXO may say, I see a difference between the two but that is due to more than just the sensor.
Where do you get the information that it requires different chip design? Why? Nothing in how OSPDAF work cannot be solved by regular chip design, just different CFA and microlens overlays.
Do some more research. OSPDAF involves much more than a different CFA. Check out some of the patents and updates on the sensor world blog or here on SAR.
I agree that Sony needs to comete with fast action shooters like the 1Dx and 4Ds and others. The A6000 is a big improvement but still no match
Why Sony still talk on A7S ““The world of super-high sensitivity of α7s, and the technology of supporting it”” , not thing new coming?
A7S came out only like 6 month ago.
A99II for sure, as the top of the line! Currently there is no flagship camera at Sony.
BTW, lenstip published an interesting independent analysis of the pellicle mirror used in A99:
http://www.lenstip.com/2114-news-Test_of_the_Sony_A99_semi-transparent_mirror.html
“Bright optical viewfinder”
Erm, no. The vast majority of optical viewfinders are darker than an EVF!
pretty sure a7000 will come as a6000 was also released in CP (CMIIW). I am also confident for A9/A7RII
It sure sounds like Sony marketing has decided to stop leaking information on new bodies. Perhaps, the new FF release has been more speculation than rumor.
The will announce all the lenses they have already announced and not shipped yet. The last couple of shows seem to be limited to one highlighted camera. Since it is a A7s showcase they may announce a A9 version of that camera with stabilization, and built in 4K, the A9S.
My assumption is that the A7R and A7S will be bumped to A9 in their mark II incarnations. That means A9R and A9S. A logical line-up would be:
– A9R for resolution, A9S for sensitivity
– A7 ii for general use
– A5 worlds first sub-$1’000 full frame
I suspect it will be a bit more than MkII status, though.
I think the bodies will be larger, with the emphasis on ergonomics and handling more akin to a DSLR.
I suspect so. Larger bodies as currently they have no fast zooms like F2.8. As lenses would be to heavy and large. So they will have to increase size for A9 class But then the concept of small light FF is out the window and in reality it was from day one. Just so many have that dream a small light FF Mirrorless but physics are not on their side. The reality is that there has to be real improvements in smaller sensors which means smaller glass FF is not the ultimate as some with medium format 50 MP sensors laugh at FF users as. FF users laugh at M43 users. :).
I think you are right here. Especiallity the A9R for resolution, A9S for sensitivity
Only interest in Full Frame 36mp + 5 axis IBIS + fast AF
A-mount will be great.
But I guess E-mount will come first.
Why do i hear so much about Sony compressed RAW format? Is the RAW format used by Sony somewhat different/inferior than what Canon and Nikon use?
I am considering selling my Nikon gear and buying into the Sony system…but I would need to know that the RAW format used by Sony is not evidently inferior to my Nikon…or even to Canon RAW.
Does anyone have a link to learn about the differences in RAW formats between brands? I have searched but found nothing.
These may help:
http://diglloyd.com/blog/2014/20140212_2-SonyA7-RawDigger-posterization.html
http://www.rawdigger.com/howtouse/sony-craw-arw2-posterization-detection
I have a NEX-7 and an A7r and Sony’s ARW files have (almost) never caused problems for me.
Thank you for that. I will have a read of these now.
OMG…how can Sony us this “RAW” format?! I am really surprised and disappointed in this. RAW format should be as close to the recorded data that is possible. I see no reason for Sony to compress it, while Canon and Nikon leave their RAW files uncompressed.
I will not be buying into the Sony system after seeing this. I will await for the Nikon or Canon mirrorless offerings…
…if you survive the launch of a Canikon DSLM… They are “evaluating if FF mirrorless makes sense” – so.. Good luck with that.
Canon already said they are hard at work with mirrorless…
Nikon did say they are keeping an eye on the market…
If Sony sort their problems out before Canikon release their mirrorless offerings…then i will jump ship…but until that point…i would be fool to jump onto a ship that looks like it is struggling to steady itself getting out of the dockyard…
Another concern troll, get a life.
At least Raw_help’s post had a point…
It’s a shame the admin don’t force people to log-in before posting comments….so they could ban imbeciles like you
In real life there is virtually no visual difference between my NEF and my ARW files, IMHO. While this ain’t nice, it has been blown out of proportion .
True 5 axis stabilization like the Olympus cam and no new lenses!
Finally…a900II.
None of the above would be my vote.
An A7000 would be nice but not essential, and an A9, IMHO, should concentrate on dynamic range, colour rendition, truly lossless RAW files, shutter shake, speed, IBIS, ruggedness, autofocus, etc.
More that 24 to 36 megapixels are not necessary.
People like you said more than 8 megapixels was not necessary when 10 megapixels was possible. So how many megapixels is YOUR camera? 😉
Every time there is an increase, there is somebody saying it isn’t needed.
Nex-7 and D600 = 24 and A7r = 36
I’m not saying more megapixels are bad, but that there are other aspects which are currently more important, if the A9 wants to make serious inroads into the professional market.
Sony needs to focus on more lenses for E an FE mount now. And use backlit technology on their 36MP sensor. SD cards also have to improve before one try’s to shoot 10 frames per second at 50MP.
You said “More that 24 to 36 megapixels are not necessary.”
That is what I replied to.
More MP is fine as long as they can keep or improve low light performance. Which they have done with the backlit technology like in RX100 m3. And Samsung in their NX1. But besides that tech there has not been anything else drastic that has fixed the issue that more MPs the smaller the light sensors become and low light performance suffers. So therefore the low light kings are cameras like the Sony A7s and Nikon D4s etc. at 12MP and 16MP. Organic sensors are in design but many hurdles in the way so few years out. So for now we need multiple cameras like the Nikon D810 or Sony A7r for mega resolution work but the others mentioned for low light work A 45MP backlit sensor FF might be a reality in a year or two
Sony should make a $500 walkman that doubles a 4k raw recorder…
:))
Put the 4D AF in the RX2 and that will replace the A7+FE35/55 combo as my everyday walk around camera. Curved sensor or not, if Sony recycles the same AF its going to be a tough sell since the RX1 is already so good IQ-wise and selling for about $1500 used. The AF combined with focus-by-wire is the weakest part of the RX1 and why I sold mine.
Put 4k internal video and the 4D AF in the A7sII and I’ll upgrade from the A7s – that and the RX2 will be the last cameras I buy for awhile.
Can we please call it the a7r Ii because a9 implies DSLR fast AF focus and I think it is clear that won’t happen based on the a7ii.
A7 II has the same sensor just improved software, A9 (or whatever) by the sounds of things would have a completely new sensor (which means new AF).
Maybe. A firmware upgrade for the a7 would be nice but Sony appears the be complete assholes in this respect.
One reason why Pro’s such as myself will pickup a Sony and a few lenses but Canon on the pro sports field. Support both in firmware and repairs matter.
Why does a9 imply fast AF and who said it won’t happen in the A9?
I’m saying based on the improved but still slow AF in the a7ii it is unlikely.
I’m saying based on you comment it’s unlikely you know what you’re talking about.
That’s sad because it is a fact the AF, especially in low light, it slooooower than a DSLR. This isn’t a knock. Its just reality.
cause A9 is claimed to be a “pro” camera….and a “pro” camera should have atleast decently fast AF
Fast AF won’t happen on the A9 based on the A7II? WTF are you talking about.
a7ii focus is abysmal
To talk so much about the A7S this far after the launch… Could this mean new firmware?
I’ll urinate on the floor if they release a firmware update with internal 4k. They say it cant be done, but what if (big if) a super fast card is used?
I’ll shiit and pisss my pants if they release an A99II with 4K, class leading AF and under 2k.
Is the sony 35mm 2.8 crap? I was thinking of making it my first FE lens. I’m not too uppity on the 2.8, but I can handle that. Does it suck ballss or is it decent?
I find it excellent! this is my ‘default’ lens, small, light, mounted on the A7, the combo is well balanced. IQ is very decent from my point of view.
Yeah. I see I could get it for about 550.00 on ebay if I try hard enough. Not to shabby. I am digging the size. I hear the vignetting is a bit rough but that doesn’t really bother me. I’m more concerned about contrast and decent sharpness. Hmm, this sounds like a win.
Contrast and sharpness is what this lens was made for! But of course the 55/1.8 eats it alive.
I find if so ironic and I see this often. People asking about the quality of Zeiss FE lenses. As well as E.
Given the price they charge one should not even be using words like previous person used. Crap. Or is it any good. But I see this often asked. My take is that yes Zeiss can make great glass but I have feeling that not all their lenses justify price. I’m also convinced that Sony makes the lenses with an agreement from Zeiss similar to what Panasonic does with Leica. So like now I see price coming down a bit like on the $1000 55mm f1.8. Which makes sense as it is overpriced Canon makes the 50mm F1.8 for $100. Ok ther is a quality difference. But still not $900 worth
Sony how about putting more energy into more e and FE lenses. Enough a7 bodies at the moment 🙂
Since an a9 out soon and A7000. We need more lenses.
Right, I find all the “zeiss” branded lenses for the FF e-mount overpriced, wether it has been made by Sony or by Cosina, since from what I know, none of the available lenses for the A7 line have been manufactured by Zeiss on its own. However, the “Sony/Zeiss” 35mm 2.8 doesn’t have the “heavy” metal build of my Zeiss 18mm F4 ZM, but it really makes the job with its excellent IQ. I don’t have the 50 1.8 but it is unanimously given a quite perfect lens in use.
The 55 1.8 is far, far superior to the canon 1.8. Aside from the f-stop, it’s superior to the 1.2 L too
Expert testers, I found something for you. There are several new jobs as toilet scrubbers for MacDonalds. You might qualify if you try hard.
And you will continue to scrub toilets until you learn how to spell McDonalds.
hahaa .. 1-0 score
MacDonald, Macdonald, and McDonald are Anglicised forms of the Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic name MacDhòmhnaill, which in modern Gaelic is approximated as McConnell. It is a patronym where Mac means “son” and Dhòmhnaill means “of Dòmhnall”. The personal name Dòmhnall is composed of the elements domno “world” and val “might”, “rule”.[2]According to Alex Woolf, the Gaelic personal name is probably a borrowing from the British Dyfnwal
Yeah….and they still spell the company name “McDonald’s” 😉
They specialise in food, and their food tastes like crap. So that leaves little hope for a company name. It should come as no surprise their company name stemmed from an illiterate tool ;). My point, “MacDonalds” meaning “rule the world” is a better translation than “McDonald’s” and it’s them that should learn how to spell
Thanks for the lesson, Bob 😉
Old MacDonald was a nice guy. I met him once.
New VG style Handycam with that A7s FF sensor?
We know one thing for sure…Sony rarely builds a single sensor for one model only. Each Sony sensor is used in two or more models. Today, that monster A7s sensor only has one home.
I think thats about to change…..
500 EURO 4k A7000 with 10BIT-HDMI-PORT!
DO YOU COPPY?
fine..
Or 600 euro with kit zeiss vario distagon 14-800mm f/0.95!
Just give us the A99 sized FE A9. Big honking huge battery, machine gun AF, 46MP and all at a price I can’t afford. I want a grip that is so chunky it grabs my hand and not the other way around.
I can not wait next months with decision if to buy D750 or A9 Pro, so will buy on February D750 if there is no A9 announcement at CP+
There is no wrong decision these days. My aversion to the D750…besides the “Nikon Sunset”…is the cost. I find it rediculous for what it is. 1/4000th should not appear on any full frame camera- entry or pro. It’s kind of noisy too, but that grip is sublime.
Wait for A9 price and will see what does if offer for it. I see no competition now for D750 in arround $1500-3000, so I wait for A9 info. BTW, which FF 24MP is less noisy than D750?
I don’t understand your point, as, even if Sony announces the A9, it won’t probably be available before April or May, at best
Wow, 21% of SAR readers polled are interested in A-mount, and yet Sony still pulls the plug. Why!? 21% is a HUGE part of the market! Corporate idiots.
Sony did NOT pull the plug. Quit spreading false information.
Sony pulls the plug on what? They have just released firmware for the A77II.
To me this quote hints at either a A7s II announcement, or a firmware upgrade for the current A7s that allows, maybe, for the rumored 4k h265 internal recording?
It clearly says they’re going to talk about the A7s and how to support it.
not interesting anymore…sold my a77 and think in 2 weeks my new NX-1 will be here.
Sony is 3 years in another backuniverse.. i do not want to wait till they did it right.
they have the big cinecam-departement and so nothing unter the F5 / Fs-7 will be
realy fine enough.. same we see with this JVC s35 camcorder. Sony does not want, to
build soemthing reraly arround 2500-400.-$ with this specs. Sorry. afer 8 Years they have
lost a Sony-nerd from beginning.. they have lost focus and walk tooooo slow.
no by.
And you thought Samsung was the best choice? At least you’re trying things out I guess.
If it will have a 24-70 then that would be nice. I have Lumix LX100 with a 24-75mm F1.7-f2.8. However it is a m43 sensor Panasonic did a masterwork of fitting that lens but FF is a lot larger lens
A 24-70 F2.8 is a large Lens in FF Sony does not even have one for E mount. Let a lone FE mount. Only F4 lens. Like the 24-70 f4 Zeiss. But you must be right.
I am not expecting much from Sony; but will IBIS work with a 4k A7s mk IIor will it get too hot?
Good god! what did all you so called sages of all things technological do when all we had was film!!! Now that I got that out of my system, very interested in seeing how the RX1 will evolve. Better manual controls I hope, more like XT1
So I am seeking advice.
I, like many here, have been worried/concerned/paranoid about Sony’s focus on E-mount and lack of focus on A-mount. Please follow me as I briefly outline my recent fall which lead to me becoming homeless and cameraless.
In 2002, I got my first camera – a Minolta Maxxum 5. I soon found myself with a handful of cheap Sigma lenses, and many rolls of developed film.
Over the years, I followed the same upgrade path as many; KM 5D, then the Sony A700, then The A77, and recently the A99. And about three times as many lenses as I need. I had GAS bad. However, the past 6 months, things have gotten out of hand. I’ll explain.
It all started when it became apparent that the A99 successor was shelved for Sony to work on the A7 series of FF E-mount cameras. I mean, I knew that the A99 was still a fully capable camera for my work, and for most professionals, and the upgrade cycle told me it was still a relatively new camera, and the A7 series didnt really add anything that the A99 didn’t have. Nonetheless, I found myself getting increasingly frustrated and feeling abandoned by Sony. I mean…”how dare they” shove aside us loyal A-mount guys? They OWE us? Right? It was horrible to release E-mount gear and not continue supporting A-mount with new cameras and lenses. A few lens refreshes and a new A77II wasnt enough. So, I ended up buying an A7 because of the PDAF sensors. I sold my A99 and A77 and kept most of my A-mount lenses.
It was a nice camera, but then the A7R caught my eye, with it’s high resolution sensor. So I bought it too. All was good and well, but lowlight imaging wasnt all that great, and I ended up hearing about the A7S, which, you guessed it, was preordered and recently acquired. This took great images in lowlight and high ISO, but the 12 MP was not enough for my taste. So I ended up selling all three E-mount cameras, and buying another A99. After a few weeks, I realized how much I missed the small form factor of the E-mount bodies, so I ended up buying another A7 and swore I’d call that good.
Sure enough, it wasnt long before I got tired of using the LAEA Adapter and started buying some E-mount primes. I ended up with 8 in total including the 70-200 f4 G lens. The first three 55mm lenses I got were all decentered, so each went back. 4th times a charm. But even with the best copies of the E-mount lenses I could find, the image quality still wasnt good compared to the A-mount equivalents. Fed up with Sony, I finally sold my E-mount lenses and bought some Canon EF lenses and the fotodiox adapter. Once I saw how good optically the Canon lenses were, I sold most of my A-mount lenses too and my A99 once again.
Now comes the frustrating part.
I realized it was stupid to be shooting with Canon lenses using an adapter all the time…why not just switch to a native canon body?? So I sold my A7 and bought an Canon 5DMIII. Great camera, BTW, but I was so used to the EVF that the Optical Viewfinder seemed like something from the 1800’s. None of the useful overlays and image adjustments were available, so I soon realized that I had made a mistake selling my Sony gear afterall…
At this point, a couple of checks bounced which clued me in to my impending financial situation. Not good.
The rest is history. In total, in selling and re-buying my gear, I had lost just over $35,700 dollars. Only to learn that I should have stuck with A-mount anyway. Or E-mount. They’re both great. I shouldnt have let my unfounded worry drive my decision making.
Take my story for what it’s worth. I have to go now – the Starbucks manager wants me to move my box and give him his phone back. 🙁
Take care everyone!
Rod
How much more will i have to wait for a Minolta Maxxum Dynax 7D MKII? You Sony guys first bought Konica Minolta and now you are killing it off? Shame on you
So I am seeking advice.
I, like many here, have been worried/concerned/paranoid about Sony’s focus on E-mount and lack of focus on A-mount. Please follow me as I briefly outline my recent fall
which lead to me becoming homeless and cameraless.
In 2002, I got my first camera – a Minolta Dynax 5. I soon found myself with a
handful of cheap Sigma lenses, and many rolls of developed film.
Over the years, I followed the same upgrade path as many; KM 5D, then the
Sony A700, then The A77, and recently the A99. And about three times as
many lenses as I need. I had GAS bad. However, the past 6 months, things
have gotten out of hand. I’ll explain.
It all started when it became apparent that the A99 successor was shelved for Sony to work on
the A7 series of FF E-mount cameras. I mean, I knew that the A99 was
still a fully capable camera for my work, and for most professionals,
and the upgrade cycle told me it was still a relatively new camera, and
the A7 series didnt really add anything that the A99 didn’t have.
Nonetheless, I found myself getting increasingly frustrated and feeling
abandoned by Sony. I mean…”how dare they” shove aside us loyal A-mount
guys? They OWE us? Right? It was horrible to release E-mount gear and
not continue supporting A-mount with new cameras and lenses. A few lens
refreshes and a new A77II wasnt enough. So, I ended up buying an A7
because of the PDAF sensors. I sold my A99 and A77 and kept most of my
A-mount lenses.
It was a nice camera, but then the A7R caught my
eye, with it’s high resolution sensor. So I bought it too. All was good
and well, but lowlight imaging wasnt all that great, and I ended up
hearing about the A7S, which, you guessed it, was preordered and
recently acquired. This took great images in lowlight and high ISO, but
the 12 MP was not enough for my taste. So I ended up selling all three
E-mount cameras, and buying another A99. After a few weeks, I realized
how much I missed the small form factor of the E-mount bodies, so I
ended up buying another A7 and swore I’d call that good.
Sure enough, it wasnt long before I got tired of using the LAEA Adapter and
started buying some E-mount primes. I ended up with 8 in total including
the 70-200 f4 G lens. The first three 55mm lenses I got were all
decentered, so each went back. 4th times a charm. But even with the best
copies of the E-mount lenses I could find, the image quality still
wasnt good compared to the A-mount equivalents. Fed up with Sony, I
finally sold my E-mount lenses and bought some Canon EF lenses and the
fotodiox adapter. Once I saw how good optically the Canon lenses were, I
sold most of my A-mount lenses too and my A99 once again.
Now comes the frustrating part.
I realized it was stupid to be shooting with Canon lenses using an
adapter all the time…why not just switch to a native canon body?? So I
sold my A7 and bought an Canon 5DMIII. Great camera, BTW, but I was so
used to the EVF that the Optical Viewfinder seemed like something from
the 1800’s. None of the useful overlays and image adjustments were
available, so I soon realized that I had made a mistake selling my Sony
gear afterall…
At this point, a couple of checks bounced which clued me in to my impending financial situation. Not good.
The
rest is history. In total, in selling and re-buying my gear, I had lost
just over $35,700 dollars. Only to learn that I should have stuck with
A-mount anyway. Or E-mount. They’re both great. I shouldnt have let my
unfounded worry drive my decision making.
Take my story for what
it’s worth. I have to go now – the Starbucks manager wants me to move
my box and give him his phone back. 🙁
Take care everyone!
Rod
ROTFL!!!!!!!
Hat’s off to you sir! Many wont get the sarcasm, but I did!
Rod, such a bummer you went through all that.
A replacement to the A99 is actually not running behind schedule at all. Even after the A900, Sony stated that their flagship full frame cameras will switch to a release cycle of every 3 years, which means a replacement this fall would be right on schedule. The Canon 5D Mark III is even older than A99 and still has not been replaced.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love an update earlier, but I don’t see the A-mount being ignored at all. The just developed that entire new AF module, first debuted in the A77II and all G and Zeiss glass are being updated with weather seals & the new SSM motor which is much faster & more precise that the old version.
I also am sure will will see other A-mount glass at some point, but E-mount almost doesn’t have any glass so it makes sense for them to put a lot of effort there right now.
I love that with Sony, we have so many options under one roof, but for sports and professional shooting, I still trust my A99 the most because of dual card slots, true 14-bit RAW, and fast, precise AF, solid low light performance and such wide dynamic range it feels endless at times. Very underrated camera.
A7000 pls!
According to a recent rumor, A7S is the most sold Full-frame E-mount camera. And Sony will be giving a speech on A7S at CP+, maybe Sony is thinking A7S is so fabulous as it is now. Also, A7S has been around for less than one year and there’s no competitor to A7S. All of these make me think that there won’t be any big firmware upgrade or successor model for A7S for a while.
E-mount ZOOM 16-50mm 2.8 and 50-150mm 2.8 for A7000 PLEASE
If Samsung can make one so why can’t you? come on Sony!
A99II 😉
Well, we now know we won’t be getting an A9 so what could it be?