Sony Japan officially launched the Sony PRO support. The admission fee is 5,000 YEN ($50) and the annual fee 100 Yen ($1). This is what you will receive in exchange:
- 50% discounts on repairs
- discount on Image sensor cleaning
- you will receive rented equipment while your gets repaired
- discount on product purchase
- extra information (?)
- dedicated support
Let me know if you can find the PRO support advertised in other countries! Thanks!
UPDATE: The same service is offered via Sony Hong Kong.
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That is cheap cheap cheap. Good for Japanese Sony shooters. 🙂
HEY Admin!
Read your posts before you post them. Or hire me as an editor… 🙂
Membership costs 10,000 yen annually.
YES!!! This will be a very welcome edition!!
Told you so! And no one believed me…
ABOUT FKING TIME!
ONE WIN FOR SONY!
> the annual fee 100 Yen ($1).
Nice joke.
It’s 10,000 Yen ($100) per year!
That sounds about fair…
Well done Sony!!!
Canon CPS come to SONY – brilliant, hope its half as good!
Sony HongKong already ran the SPS/Sony Pro Support here for 1 year, I think it’s better then NPS or even the CPS in HongKong, service is super fast when the parts is avaliable, proud for Sony!
where can I sign up for it, I’ve never seen it before
Nice!
Gearing up to launch pro cameras soon? A99x/pro/mk2 or something in that context? 🙂
Sony are obviously about to step up their Pro offerings and presence. Amazing, Vive la A-mount!
It’s not $1 per year. It’s $100.
I like it! Is the glass of ideas half full or half empty? Half full is always fun! Optimistic!
Finally. When I met a Sony marketing VP last year at a vendors event, I kept drilling the idea that they need to do this to get more pros on board. He assured me they were working on it but it’s hard to believe until you see it. Hopefully it’ll expand to canada soon. My a99 is getting up there in use I’d be nice to have support.
Great job Sony! I hope it goes beyond Japan soon!
Hey… am I the only one who is interested in the SPS strap…? I kinda look forward to that…
Sony’s repair service in China is outsourced to a state-owned firm. Getting something repaired is complex and slow, and your equipment is not handled with care. I doubt if it would come to China anytime soon.
That’s a pity, in the UK I was very pleased with the repair of my G lens. They did an excellent job and communication was great.
$5000.00 to sign up for this? What am I missing here?
I can remember when NPS and CPS only required some tear sheets and a business card. My how times have changed.
There’s a mistake. On the website it says 5000 yen.
thus could be the deal breaker for many, shame i decided to stick Canon even though sony was amazing on the trial I had but lack of cup port for pro’s put me and probably many off
I believe that Sony should make fee (with admission fee) to be paid separately to each product. It should bring better standard in Service Care and make this option more popular within people. Or at least multiply fees about two scopes. It is definitely too cheep 🙂
the admission fee is 5000 yen (50$), not 5000$. you don’t have to know japan to see that, google translate is more than enough.
It was originally “5000yen(50$)for admission, 100yen(1$) annually” on this site, the admin fixed that mistake but made another.
Nice.
This should have been done in 2009, when A900 was released. This mistake must have cost Sony big $$$. Professionals wanted to shoot it, as it had the quality edge (+ AF Zeiss glass to boot), but it was risky. It’s just not enough that A900 was built like a tank – I have never read about one failing for no reason. I’ve used mine in the desert, in rainforests, in -30C cold – not even a hickup, it works as good as on day 1.
“This should have been done in 2009, when A900 was released.”
Exactly. Sony have never taken stills imaging seriously and it has cost them dearly now they need it to prop up their failing business.
They could have taken on CaNikon four years ago with pro levels of service and a properly marketed range of bodies and lenses. Instead they concentrated on televisions and laptops…
no need to repair an unbreakable camera
I would definitely love to have this service here in Italy…
Another move in the right direction.
The accolades are premature. Not until we know that it’s working and people are getting a value out of the service can we know whether this is good or just a money grab.
I am pretty sure that with a few discounts on 1000-2000 dollar lenses and some repairs, one would be able to cover the fees for several years.
Depends on the discounts, to be honest. The 135mm za is £1199 on most sites (non-import) but £1429 direct from Sony. To be worth having, the discount would have to well over 15%… Arguably it’s worth it for non-warranty repairs, but again that would mean a big improvement in their service. Last time I had issues it was quicker and cheaper to use an independent… I’m not sure how the “rented” equipment would work – do they mean loan kit, are they expecting you to pay rental, are they sourcing the rental…
True, it depends. Still, the price seems rather low. It actually converts to 60 pounds per year, not that straight conversion will necessarily be used. It would quite probably be of great interest to people entering the system, as they will be making numerous purchases. Even without that it looks like a decent deal, although it still isn’t clear what would be the eligibility clauses.
To be fair anything that ticks the pro box is good news for all of us
Yes, true, it depends. But also true, the announcement is a step in the right direction. We will have to see how it shakes out, and what the eligibility criteria and limitations are. This makes me think that Sony is going to come out with some seriously high-priced gear, like the rumored 4k body, to match its seriously high-priced lenses. If I bite on the new high-end A-mount body, I will seriously consider this program. Anybody know how long a particular piece of kit would be eligible for support through this program? The greatest program in the world would be of no real use to me if it only lasted, say, 2 or 3 years on the fancy new (expensive) A-mount body. Presumably the earliest period is still covered under warranty–so which program pre-empts which?
Yes, seriously, obviously its too early to review a service none of us have used, but to say its too early for praise, absolutely not. You are showing disdain for the start of pro service? Are you a professional using Sony gear? Have you dealt with their current service? ITS TERRIBLE. Both instances took 5 weeks to get my bodies back to me. This is great news and I can’t see why it can be taken in any other way, especially if you are a pro and really NEED this service, not just a hobbyist hoping for better customer service.
Best news of the last 4 years!
that’s a good move in the right direction sony! now please talk to pocket wizzard and persuasive them to make some pocket wizzard for sony like FlexTT5 and mini TT1, so we can use benefit of hypersync speed on them in pro studio lighting like elinchrom, profoto, etc
First, I dont trust PW to get it right. second, if you have a camera with electronic first curtain, turn that on. Then set your studio lights to a slowish flash duration (this is required with the TT system anyway), then take a photo and go through the shutter speeds, up past x-sync. I have found with a sync cord, I can get clean images up to 1/4000 with my A77. With a radio remote, I only get a small bar across the top up to 1/4000s. The same holds true with my NEX5r (radio remotes).
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3601876
Looks like we have it here in Korea, but the website isn’t as nice. Plus it says you have to own a photography business and have two published pieces or something like that.
https://scs.sony.co.kr/scs/handler/Service-SIPSinfo
Time to step up the bar (:
Shouldn’t this have been done 8 years ago? I fear it’s too late.
Its here now and you are complaining? Christ.
Good news. Now, start being a bit more predictable to make us confident that the A99 will be followed by another pro-level body which, when discontinued, is followed by yet another one. A-mount or E-mount doesn’t matter too much (as long as high-quality SONY-made adapters are available and especially if they’re included with the body) but do not repeat the past and make us wait as we did when the A900 was discontinued.
a bit too early to say anything but it is a step in the right direction.
Sony need to publish a roadmap, it would add confidence to them being around.
Agreed.
There is A77 on that picture will Pro Support get new firmwares?
5k admission fee? Am I reading that correctly? This make the canon platinum CPS level ($300 annually) seem like a steal.
Its 5000 yen, about $50.
I think originally there may have been an exchange error. Now the post does read: $50 admission…but only $1 annually – now it sounds dirt cheap.
Admin is making a mistake over and over. It is 5000 yen for the admission and 10000 yen per year. Simply go to Sony’s webpage and turn off Google translate.
Maybe admin should straighten his facts before posting. If it doesn’t make sense, he should double check. He only confuses people and makes some of the readers frustrated with such ridiculous statements as 5k $.
$50 to join / $100 per year is very reasonable. Hopefully it will spread to other countries.
Instead of the $5K admission fee plus the $100 annual fee, if I keep that in a fund, I can take care of all the repairs/rentals myself. Insurance will cover the rest.
Perhaps the yardstick for Sony corporates are different. but it should not be on par with a Leica S program. Sony are not Leica and there are no S equivalents in Sony’s lineup- they just supply their sensors to others. They need to have a rethink if they are serious.
duh it’s not $5k but 5k yen or about $50 like stated on the comment before.
Why “duh”? That is what the Admin posted.
Well you should recheck the source first if something doesn’t make sense.
Look again:
500000 YEN ($5000) That’s five hundred thousand yen.
Ah…I see. I’ll need to brush up on my Japanese
Checking it again and then looking at my A7R purchase from Sony (in the EU), for example, it is like this. 2 year warranty and 3 year free service (repair) inclusive. Similar deals are for every new purchase.
What does make sense (for me): What happens in Japan (or HK) does not apply universally.
Be a good idea to promote this service with an a-mount roadmap. Anyone seriously considering this is an alpha user IMO as that install base is considerably bigger than e-mount still.
Sony is finally clearly indicating the A-Mount’s direction. I can see Sony Professional (A77II, A88, A99II, A1) line-up expand in the near future. I’m hoping all future A-Mount’s begin to focus on features that semi-professionals, professionals want, and Sony starts dropping/removing the consumers electronics/amateurish features (and the orange colour scheme) we’ve all learned to hate.
Hopefully they’ll fully support older FF models like A850/A900, and their professional CSCs like the A7/A7r.
This must be a shock to the Canon, and Nikon fans that troll this site.
5K$! You gotta be kidding! I have a rider on my home owners insurance policy that will pay for broken, damaged or stolen camera gear and it’s not anywhere near that expensive. That’s the price of a new high end camera and good lens!
You’re right the admin is kidding you with their typos by a factor of 100
Ah so. I just checked back and see the the Admin fixed the typo. Now this makes more sense.
well now the admin is short by 9900 yen on the annual fee le sigh
Definitely says 10,000 and 5,000 yen. Might want to calm down with your 0 key there admin.
*edit* ok now you’ve overdosed on your 0 key sedatives
Action is louder than words, A-mount is not dead but pretty much alive.
Sony has already stated that future A-Mount’s being designed are intended for the semi-pro/professional photographer use.
I second that.
If the Pro Service is available outside of Japan (even if registering in Japan) I would definitively join.
It appears to be cheaper to join than for Canon CPS (needs a minimum amount of approved gear) and Nikon’s own pro programs.
Nice!
hope you are right, but it could easily mean they are aiming E mount towards pros
The A7r’s FE is a Compact System Cameras, and not a DSLR. It’s an enthusiast orientated camera. I doubt Sony considers it professional, but it will likely be supported.
Sony will start offering support programs of membership in
order to support the work of professional photographers individuals who work
the photography of “Sony’s Imaging professional support”.
Near the professional photographers you have a Sony camera,
“Sony imaging Pro support” are the paid services for the one that had
you register through the examination prescribed by the Company.
The After registering, we will continue to offer a service that
accepts and repair inspection and cleaning of equipment in the single point of
contact, technical support, etc., fulfilling.
“Sony imaging Pro Support” Overview
For service contents
In order to support the shooting of member activity, we will
provide the following services: mainly.
Repair price special discount of registration equipment
Image sensor cleaning special discount price of the
registration equipment
Alternate equipment rental of equipment repair registration
period
Member for product purchase discount
Provide for members a variety of information
Support of a dedicated window (Ginza)
For eligibility for
membership
This support is a members-only paid support programs of
professional photographers for.
It will require admission examination of our regulations to
admission.
Will be announced on this page on April 1, 2014 For more
information review contents etc..
For enrollment fee or annual fee
Entrance Fee: 5,000 yen ($50USD)+ tax
Annual fee: 10,000 yen ($100USD) + tax
After reading this I would recommend confirming that all of your Sony Cameras, Lenses, and accessories have been registered before becoming a member.
Very cheap. Good move.
Now they need to release pro equipment. 🙂
or you need to learn to shoot…
Oh, wait, annoual fee is $100, not 100 yen. Not so cheap. Only for pros then.
Good deal, way to go Sony!
“Member for product purchase discount” How much of a discount (%) should potential members expect?
What about EU or UK support?
I’ve contacted Sony Germany and they told me an hour ago that they have no information of any plans to introduce such a service in Germany
Great move by Sony! This could be the difference that puts him over the top in the professional market. Now all I have to do is start listening to some of the professionals who actually use cameras to make a living. Almost all of their mistakes could’ve been prevented by having a network like this.
How much is discount on product purchases??
Sony, PLEASE launch this in the U.S. ASAP! Been waiting for something like this since 2008!
Not sure about the details… is the rented equipment “free” when your equipment is being fixed? And do they provide overnight shipping when you send your stuff in to be fixed? The devil is in the details and they aren’t providing enough info to know if it is a reasonable service or not.
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