After all these NEX and E-mount news here comes a new A-mount rumor 🙂
Dyxum forum member TrainerKen wrote: “A couple weeks ago the Sony’s regional rep put on an event where multiple units of RX1 and RX100’s were provided for people to try out… I was one of the participants… Anyway, that night I asked him about the rumor of the new Sony 70-200G, and he did say a new one is coming, along with a revamped CZ135 and CZ85. They will have SSM and weather sealing”
I can confirm that a 70-200mm G lens update is on schedule for this year (maybe coming along the A77 successor this summer). But I am not sure yet about the CZ135 and CZ85. I will ask my sources if they confirm or deny the update for the two Zeiss.
Links to check price and specs of the three current A-mount lenses:
70-200mm G at [shopcountry 17438]
Zeiss 135mm at [shopcountry 17439]
Zeiss 85mm at [shopcountry 17440]
—
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!
117 Responses
Yes, this is the news I have been waiting for…and saving for too.
I use my ZA 135 and 85 in studio all the time, do I need weather seal? SSM maybe handy if I shoot events / ceremonies.
No, you don’t?
It’s funny when they just add weather seal to portrait studio lenses and raise the price. I think it’s necessary for super telephoto zoom lenses, like the 70-200 and 70-400, 300, 400, 500…
They are not studio dedicated lenses… You may use them JUST in studio, other people also use them outdoors, where fast aperture, fast focus and weather sealing is necessary.
Any rumor is better than no rumor. Thanks!
Unless it’s a fake rumor! (then we don’t need/want that rumor!)
Sony is not getting anywhere!!! Should make some tilt shift lenses!
we will for sure never see Sony building a tilt/shift lens for the 100 people that need one 😀
Samyang releases one for A-mount. I doubt Sony could do anything in competitive price against them, and that’s the company known from creating sharper lenses than Sigma or Tamron, so… we might expect something really good 🙂
There are also some very nice Schneider tilt shift lenses for A-Mount. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/818356-REG/Schneider_06_1066459_PC_TS_Super_Angulon.html
Wasn’t there also a rumour about 85mm 1.4 E mount? Anything new about that?
I’m still waiting for a fast and sharp 85ish lens that doesnt completely destroy the size advantage of the NEX. I’ve looked into some… The pentax DA77 limited (quite light), the VM 85 (twice as heavy as the pentax even though its a RF lens) and the ZM 85. They’re all rather expensive though.
when will we see a fast telezoom for the E-mount, a 50-150mm f2.8 would be nice
Why not a 300 f/4? Or a 600 f/4,5 in e-mount?
Because it has to do with not utterly annihilating the size advantage.
A-mount dead? doesn’t sound like it 😀
A rumoured refresh of existing lenses is hardly cause for celebration.
dont know why you wanna be all sad, the A mount upgdate is pretty good news
OMG..stop being such a ****
its better than nothing…the 70-200 is the news Ive been waiting for!
“its better than nothing”
Sony is definitely the brand for you.
well, and you should switch brands already..
your never ending complains and whining are incredibly annoying…
His life must not be that fulfilling to constantly behaving that way. It’s used to be him and one other guy, but I guess the other got a clue and moved on.
I note that you don’t have a counter argument. You just bitch about me instead.
It’s you with the constant bitching and whining. I know what I need so I am still shooting with Sony. If my need changes, I will shoot with Canikon instead. Not like you lingering around and whine about the doom of Sony. Have fun being a sad person.
Or doom, which was his point.
When I see a bunch of NEW A-mount lenses, I’ll believe Sony’s commitment.
Can’t wait to see my A777 :s
It is about time the CZ135/85 were updated. There is NO way they should have been released without SSM IMO.
Well, there certainly are. SSM requires a different optical design, with some compromising of the optical quality.
At least it was so at the time when the ZA 135/1,8 was designed. I don’t know if it today would be possible to design an SSM version without lowering the optical quality somewhat, but I doubt it.
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Aren’t confusing SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) = in-lens ultrasonic motor) with stabilization?
Carl Zeiss 16-35mm f/2.8, 24mm f/2, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.4 are SSM lenses.
The 135 has very heavy elements moving in complex ways when focusing. Dunno about the 85 but that’s likely the case there, too. SSM wants a focusing unit that’s easier to drive.
How complex is it that you happen to know? As heavy as the elements of the ZA 135, I’m sure they’re no where near the weight of the 300/2.8’s elements. And yet, Sony managed that. The 85, on the other hand, is not an internal focus lens, so that would require some modifications.
Reply to Rolleiflex: the 300/2.8 SSM focuses with small, light internal elements. As do all other lenses of the same class.
Mistral75, thanks for clearing that up. The overuse of acronyms leads to a lot of confusion.
Yes, too many TLAs everywhere.
I should point out the old Sony SAL-300F28G G Series 300mm f/2.8 Super Telephoto Lens already had “SSM”. The new one just adds weather seal. I would not dream of leaving my $7K 300mm f2.8 lens out in bad weather! It’s one of my favorite lenses.
Regarding SSM on the CZ135 – Canon has USM on their 135/2 so clearly it can be done. Since the CZ was always supposed to be top of the line it should included SSM and weather sealing from the beginning IMO.
As soon as anything about A-Mount is popping up, all the E-Mount fanboys & girls start crying. Hey – 80% of the News here is only about E-Mount, anyhow.
But coming back to A-Mount for a Change, that would be good News with prime lenses being refurbished. Great News.
And just as a side remark: there are T/S-lenses available for our Mount, just not from Sony. They are too expensive? Well, guess what: those T/S-lenses for other brands are expensive, too.
+1
What is T/S lenses?
T/S is a shortcut for Tilt-Shift – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perspective_control_lens
At least there’s a reason for this: NEX cameras manage to be much more popular than Alpha despite of the clear fact their optics (including overpriced mediocre so called «zeiss» 24) and cameras itself did like a crap. All NEX cameras (with the possible exception of NEX-7, which has another, just as serious drawbacks) are ergonomic disasters — and this is not because they are tiny or something, it’s because their logic of control wasn’t carefully thought out. Take NEX-5r or NEX-6, for example. In most cameras the top wheel is used to control exposure correction and they have reason to do things in this way. But, to my surprise, there was (and is) no option to set exposure correction to the top wheel. I’m sorry, this is just ridiculous for everyone using Aperture Priority mode (I believe most pros are using it).
So, I believe the best strategy for Sony would be: drop A-mount completely — no cameras, no lenses, they are just waste of time and resources without much profit now and even less profit in the future. Let’s still NEXes (I mean 3, 5, 7 series, FF lineup in the future) will be created by Alpha division — current one that does them proved they have no idea how to do this properly. That’s all.
Better: Abandon all interchangable lens cameras. New RX-series compacts are extremely popular, more popular than any Alpha or NEX ever made, while it also pulls far less expenses with developing of the whole system (expense which in case of NEX seem to be more of a loss than anything else – very very few people buy something else than a NEX with kit lens, and those who get expensive lenses – relay on 3rd party and adaptors, not native glass).
Best case scenario for Sony is to keep on developing sensors and large sensor compacts. Abandon everything else.
Congrats, you get the point.
Unfortunately, there are no sane MILC producer out there: samsung is even worse than Sony — they have no SLR/SLT line to defend, but somehow they manage to produce just as pared-down cameras as Sony does, μ43 is a toy system with their tiny sensor size, Fuji is too typical niche producer with needless «inventions» that gives nothing to the final result. Canon EOS M system is obviously even more crippled than Sony.
But Sony has a chance — just take away the still NEX production from the division currently involved in their design and pass it to the Alpha: they did close to excellent job with RX — they can do the same with NEX. But time of SLR/SLT coffins has passed — even Alpha cannot make them an attractive choice.
I definitely love my NEX 5n, but I’ve been tossing around the idea of getting a DSLR, or in Sony’s case, SLT. I like the portability of the NEX lineup but at times, especially using the 5n for longer periods of time, I feel the camera is almost too small! I would also appreciate the level of physical control afforded by DSLRs to have quick access to my most commonly used functions. Access to high quality lenses from Sony, Canon, or Nikon is nice too. I don’t think I would ever abandon the 5n or NEX line altogether, but I may get a DSLR on the side down the line too.
Long story short, at least this NEX fanboy appreciates a mount news as much as e mount 😉
Until a NEX camera can offer a selection of premium glass, more comfortable hold, and gps for photo tagging, this fanboy will never be 100% satisfied. For those things, Sony’s SLTs are very appealing to me.
I would hold off on buying Sony A-mount gear until 2014. Sony are up to something…
If he wants a FF right now, the A99 should serve him just fine. Then when the next gen comes, his A99 can be used as a back-up.
Or he could buy the CHEAPER D600 and have a cast-iron guarantee of lens support for the next millennia. Tough choice…not…
I wonder how much extra the weather sealing will be. I don’t personally think it matters that much for what I do. I have lenses older than me that still work fine without fungus etc and they don’t have weather sealing. I wonder if they can improve the optics.
“I wonder how much extra the weather sealing will be”
It’ll be 5 weather sealing points extra.
price decline SAL85F14Z
http://www.amazon.de/dp/B000GT11HQ/ref=asc_df_B000GT11HQ12435396?smid=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF&tag=geizhalspre03-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22494&creativeASIN=B000GT11HQ
http://www.saturn.de/mcs/product/SONY-Carl-Zeiss%C2%AE-SAL-1-4-85mm,48352,358002,528775.html?langId=-3&et_lid=21&etcc_par=Price+Search+Engine&etcc_med=Price+Search+Engine&etcc_cmp=Productlisting&et_cid=16&etcc_ori=Geizhals
any rumors about NEX G lens, 18-135 2.8 perhaps?
Why not 10-300 f/1.2?
Then you ask yourselves why Sony ignores feedback from customers…
+1 well said
that’s would be expensive.. hope new 135/1.8 and 85/1.4 have better optic and CA resistance
More CA resistance? What are you talking about? 135 f/1.8 doesn’t have almost any CA, even wide open. 85 is slightly worse, but still: brilliant and you really need to pixel-peep in order to see something.
Same with “better optics” – these are already one of the best lenses on a market in terms of sharpness. I hardly can see them pushing edge further, as it’s already razor-sharp glass.
I guess your expectation is different from mine. I have tried at least 6 copies of the ZA. While certainly it’s a good lens, I could certainly use a bit more CA correction. At WO, I can detect a bit of SA (glow). Bokeh CA is quite good, but could be better. The lens, however, has problem with TCA for sure, especially in the edges and corners. For portrait work, it would be a fine lens. But for multi-row stitch, the new 135 APO is better.
normally if sony sell 135mm/1.8 SSM and 85mm/1.4 SSM in high price (i doubt sonny will sell this new lens in the same price of old 135mm and 85mm) you want a better quality right? 🙂
The ZA85 does have a bit more CA than it probably should. It’s no Leica 90AA.
It is good to see more weathersealing lenses from Sony. I only hope they will manufacture a new version Vario-Sonnar 24-70 with weathersealing, as well.
+1
18-135 f2.8?
If you are able to carry a lens like that in your bag, then why not asking more, like a 10-200mm f1.2?
Yes, 10-200 F1.2 only if it’s less €$£ than the kit lens and smaller/lighter than the pancake :-).
But seriously, i would love to see something with variable aperture like 16mmF/2,8 to 70mmF/4. I would assume that it will of course be bigger than the kit, but still in the area that you can use it on a NEX without “falling over”.
As for the A-Mount. I would also like to see an F4 version of the 70-200. Would be more in my budget.
People need to be reasonable here, especially when talking about e mount glass. The 18-135 f2.8, yes, that’ll never happen as it would be such a large lens it would defeat the NEX concept completely. I think it’s more appropriate for the NEX line to focus on higher quality optics with variable zoom instead of trying to produce constant f2.8 zoom lenses, to maintain as small a package as possible. And to satisfy the need for fast lenses, offer enough fast primes to cover the most common lengths. Thankfully we have the 24, 35, 50, and now rumored 85. Something at the telephoto end down the road would be icing on the cake.
Personally, I’m really just interested in a premium zoom that has superb sharpness. I would accept a size similar to the modified 18-200 as it’s still very much manageable on a NEX camera but no larger.
Just grab a used Minolta 70-210mm f/4 beercan. $150. And there’s tones of them out there on eBay or on Keh (with a warranty!)
Big, slow and noisy AF. Had it, sold it.
It seems that sony can competition with canon ,nikon in dslr world . This is good sight for all new who still does not know which system go . Sony at now should show the rest, they can do full frame body so sensitive like 5dm3 .
Regarding CZ135 and CZ85: Weather sealing maybe.
However, I don’t think SSM is very likely. That would need a major optical re-design, and it will most probably lower the optical quality somewhat. Something Zeiss really not would like to do.
After all, ZA 135/1,8 is regarded as the best commercial produced lens ever. After having used it somewhat, I am not going to oppose that claim.
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“However, I don’t think SSM is very likely. That would need a major optical re-design, and it will most probably lower the optical quality somewhat. Something Zeiss really not would like to do.”
Are you confusing SSM with stabilisation?
When the Zeiss 24mm f/2 was announced, a Zeiss spokesman said in an interview that previously Zeiss had been against using SSM in their top prime lenses for the reason mentioned. Yes, the focus motors. But he said the 24mm design had convinced them.
Aren’t confusing SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) = in-lens ultrasonic motor) with stabilization?
Carl Zeiss 16-35mm f/2.8, 24mm f/2, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.4 are SSM lenses.
ok ok.. emount 18-135 too expensive.. too big.. maybe new sigma 30mm f1.4 with IS and same size as their current f2.8.. that would be my wetdream:D
Will the new 70-200 really be much better than the present? I’m getting some darn good results from my unit – judge for yourself if they’re fatally flawed, but having a look at some “real world” photos linked below (caution, don’t look if you don’t like pretty girls).
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/28958610
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/25862700
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27428244
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/30402130
http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/26263413
I’m just curious if new 70200G II uses new lens design/strucutre. As 300G II is still using same optical design (but the IQ is still great, so it’s nothing to 300G II).
I just wish 70200G II has new optical design with better IQ especially on 200mm & wide open.
Both the 70-200 and 300/2.8 are class leaders. No reason to update the optics.
Beg your pardon? Perhaps you’d like to investigate into these very same lenses from Canon. Especially the old Minolta 70-200 design does not compare favourably to Canon 70-200L (version II) and could use an update to it’s optical design. But we’ve seen how important improving the optical design is to Sony with the 70-400, concentrating instead on speeding up the autofocus drive and slapping a new coat of paint on it while charging a premium for the privilege. Not that faster autofocus is not appreciated, but surely Sony could have done something about the bokeh while they were at it.
Anyways, the two lenses mentioned are far from abyssmal, don’t get me wrong; they just don’t measure up to the competition.
Quite shortsighted comment. Maybe Sony prioritized focusspeed and accuracy over the optical design (they did add nano AR coatings to all elements) because the optical performance was already at the top for such a lens, sharp wide open even at the long end etc.
The 70-200 can’t say the same at for example f/2.8 where it loses some points.
OMG, someone made a lens that is slightly better in some respect! BETTER REDESIGN EVERYTHING
I have no idea if a newer Canon lens is better in some respect, but OK (giving you the benefit of doubt), so we have the second best 70-200. So what?
Put C/N new 70-200/2.8 aside, just look at sony 70-400G’s amazing sharp picture, 70200G II worth a better IQ.
Let’s wait & see.
The 300G II has a tweaked optical design, it’s not identical to it predecessor. The difference is mainly in less spherical aberration and higher contrast wide open, stopped down there is very little in it.
It’s the 70-400 that has no change to its optical design.
Source for this?
Sony state as much.
Also, I have a 300G I, and it doesn’t have the wide open contrast samples from the 300G II have.
“Sony says” is not a source.
Next A-mount camera can’t be smaller than a99 for sure.
sadly though, I think there will be no more next FF A mount body due to the big fail with the A99v in terms of sells.
the A900 was fail too but the A99v is a even bigger dail.
I know I like it and it is overall the best FF camera available today, but it does not sell well.
can we edit out posts?
there were some typos but cannot edit them , it is so bad.
“the A900 was fail too but the A99v is a even bigger dail.”
the above line , should be ,”the A900 was a big fail in terms of sells, but the A99v is even a bigger fai”.
looks like an ongoing upadate of focus motors over the whole spectrum. I guess this is the answer to bad reviews regarding the SLT AF. The whole point of SLT technology was to beat competitors comparing continous shooting and AF. It didn’t really pay off, and this looks like a try to catch up. Sony indeed seems comitted to A-mount still (though I believe they are planning an end to it in the long run).
I like the concept of 70 to 200 f 2.8.
The old one did not focus close enough.
A closer focusing version would serve some of the funtion of a macro zoom.
Now that tamron changed thier design it no longer focuses close. That leaves no close focusing lens in its class.
Sony could fill that void by providing some macro capabilities for this lens.
While i’m commenting I would once again ask sony to scale up the new nex7 n sensor to full frame 54mp and put it on the next full frame camera.
One very good reason reason to put SSM into the Zeiss lenses is that the focus noise will decrease, which is important for video!
The new CZ is probaly superb lenses but a bit expensiv for me for prime lenses.
These lens should come together with the FF DSLR A88 (D600 Competitor).
I am sure Low Price FF with Plastic Body, Light Weight, Small Size can attract more people to Sony Family.
Another example, largely shot with my 70-200 is this event (hit the slideshow button for a full screen view). I used my a700 on this project. Talking about specifications is one thing – but what about “real world” results? We can answer a few questions here, re: sharpness and colour rendition to say the least.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41310115@N06/sets/72157622093215101/
Here’s a thoght.
Incorporate high quality macro capabilty into the 70-200 f2.8 and it would incorporate everything needed for certain shoots.
most specifically I am thinking of something like zoo photography. Wildlife. Photography would of course require the addition of a long telephoto.
Anyone that shoots tha kind of stuff has need for extreme sharpness so every hair, feather or scale can be seen.
This is why I am so interested in a 54 mp full frame camera.
Really?! Are you really interested in a 54mp camera? I did not know that.
News to me too…
“coming along the A777 successor” Typo i think he means a77
No he means 777 as in you’ll be lucky to get it.
why buy new sony lens if the sony cameras, exept for nex, are dead?
Well clearly they aren’t right now. The A58 is new and if the rumour is to believed we will see the A78 by the end of the year. That gives Sony a year before they “need” to replace the A58 and two years before they “need” to replace the A78.
2014 is going to be an interesting year for A-mount.
Where is the high performance standart G zoom lens with e-mount ??
I’m trainerKEN on Dyxum, just to reiterate… The Sony regional didn’t imply that the 3 mentioned lens will be at the same time, but that all the “pro” lenses will getting updated to pro status like weather sealing and “perhaps” SSM
I, for one, really wish my CZ135 focus more quiet
Pity they don’t consider the 70-400 a pro lens then.
The current CZ 16-80 lens is the one that *really* needs an update. No need to weather seal it, just add SSM and improve optics to be G-class or better.
You think G class is better than Zeiss?
RA meant the CZ 16-80 is worse quality than a CZ or G should be, thus, he thinks an update would be great!
But the optics of that lens are great….. The build quality is what really needs the work.
The optics are passable for a CZ. It’s a budget CZ and it really shows.
On the 16-80? Yes G glass is better than CZ.
There is no G lens comparable to the CZ 16-80.
Moreover, it depends which side of G you’re talking about. 35/1.4 is a poor lens, for example. G is far from being the holy grail of optical quality across the board.
er, yeah right whatever…
Great response.
Ok ok not 18-135… How about a new sigma 30mm 1.4 with IS and same size as their popular 30mm 2.8 emount:D its possible right?
Hey i already post it..pff
I’ll be interested in the CZ135 or 85 when they come out.
Si
Aw come on! I just bought the CZ135!!!
Hey don’t worry… screw drive is more reliable with less power drain than SSM. Congrats on getting one of the best lenses ever created in history for 35mm format. Enjoy it man!
Screw drive can also bring better reliability, even you through 135Z from 1m height. ;-P
Thanks for IF design, I can accept current AF speed of 135ZA. I’d rather save money on 70-200G II, than selling my MK1 verion for a SSM version (with ?hunderds more USD).
Suggestions to guys who already owns current version.
Thanks! I’m loving it so far!
Thanks man!! Much welcome rumor 🙂