There are many new High End A and E-mount cameras that will be announced from now on. And trusted sources confirmed that Sony will also launch a new “PRO Service” for photographers and Sony camera owners. The details of the program are not known yet but it could include a hotline phone number, a fast repair service, and so on. One of my sources told me that one of the goal is to make it easy for Canon and Nikon Pro’s to switch over to Sony.
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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!
95 Responses
Sounds like Sony has worked it all out.
Finally they’ll offer something Pro’s need. I wonder if they’ll service Minolta G-series (80 200g, 28 70g, 85mm f/1.4g) as well.
WAIT & SEE – Sony final deliverables are all that matter.
SONY has ignored user groups request for so long.
Any Sony support improvement is so needed.
We have to Wait and See for Sony Final Deliverable
We are still waiting for any Sony quality
Firmware update or even a Flash Unit
Sony’s flash unit hvl-f60 flagship
Sony’s highest quality offering is
completely sub standard for photos.
When is the last time Sony delivered on their Rumor Leaks Hype?
Why do you say the HVL-F60 is sub-par for photos? I have happily shot numerous weddings with one and its been fantastic. Yes, its true that it will overheat if you fire off 20+ photos in a row as fast as it can recycle, but who does that under normal shooting conditions?
Having come shooting film I may have a different approach to photography. I never tried to burn through an entire roll of film in 60 seconds. I learned to make each shot count, shoot smart and not just “spray and pray”.
I shoot a lot more frames over the course of a wedding in this digital era, but not as much as some others I know of. Over the course of a 10-12 hour day of shooting with 4 cameras between my wife and I, we typically shoot 2000-2500 images. At that pace I have never caused my flash to overheat. I know of photographers that shoot 5000-6000 images in 6 hours…they’re probably the ones having overheating issues.
Ren Murray
Golden Era Photography
http://www.goldeneraphoto.com
While the f60 works nicely, the overheating is crippling. If you compare it to a comparative Canon model, the f60 makes it extraordinarily difficult to properly cover an event. It does not take 20 flashes in a row to overheat – mine overheats in 20 shots spread out over 5 minutes.
Same here. +1
We want to protect our investments in Minolta Sony glass.
SONY is spending incredible legal fund and budgets
threatening legal actions against anyone who
offers communication products for
SONY highly proprietary MIS communcations port
But we need lighting options –
We need an OPEN PLATFORM for SONY lighting options
Not a Sony’s current Highly Proprietary Communications port MIS shoe
that only a few Sony products can communicate with
Sony is hurting our creativity
The lighting units for Canikon platforms give us LOTS of options, Lens & Lighting
BH rating shows
SONY highly proprietary communication ports MIS shoe has
only THREE 3 flash unit options
Canikon has over 70 TTL flash options each
Even Nikons own flashes fire on Canon Platform –
The NIKON SB910 lasts nearly 250 full manual flashes before overheating
The NISSIN Digitals MCG8000 claims to last over 1000 – Check it out
Like Metz this is a company with great lighting and flash domain expertise.
It is only available for the Canon or Nikon camera platforms
If SONY wanted to provide support to it’s photography users
TOMORROW – SONY could fix our flash issues – Tomorrow
1) SONY could open up their MIS port with a openly published spec
for all flash users to implement
2) By OEMing NISSIN Digital products
Rumor after rumor has been delivered.
E is trying to win the coveted “SAR most redundant poster of the month” award.
This is great news! I actually just sent my 85mm f/1.4 Zeiss out to http://KEH.com for repair yesterday, because in the past when I’ve sent lenses to SONY for repair the results have been, well, disheartening to say the least…
February of 2012 comes to mind, when I dropped my 24-70mm f/2.8 Zeiss while on a shoot. The lens was still under warranty, but upon inspection from SONY technicians, they were able to ascertain that I’d dropped it form the type of damage that it had sustained (no big surprise, the autofocus had completely stopped working due to a bent metal lens barrel component), but what was most shocking was their quote for repair of the lens… (I expected that they might not honour the warranty if the lens had been dropped due to human error on my part).
They quoted me, wait for it, (I hope you’re sitting down)… $2200.00 to repair the lens!!!
Most of you probably already know how ridiculous this is, but in case any of you readers aren’t familiar with the 24-70mm f/2.8 Zeiss for SONY A-Mount, it’s an $1800.00 lens NEW!!! So it’s pretty wild to think that SONY would have the balls to tell me over the phone that replacing the one part that was damaged in the lens barrel, plus the time for labour, would come to more than the cost of a new identical lens. Just unbelievable.
Anyhow. I did a bit of research and found that people have had good experience with KEH for camera and lens repair, so I mailed the lens off to Smyrna, Georgia for the technicians at KEH to take a look at it and provide me with a quote. Anyhow. Long story short. KEH repaired my 24-70mm f/2.8 Zeiss for $250.00 and only took about two weeks to do it.
SONY. I hope you’re listening. I am a professional photographer who has been a full time photographer since 2002, I’ve shot with Minolta since 2003, SONY since 2006, and I absolutely LOVE the Zeiss glass that I can now mount on my Minolta Maxxum 7 as well as SONY a900 cameras. But guys. Seriously. You have needed a better service program for pros for a long time.
Fingers crossed.
Ben
Pro tip: when you want to get a fair quote for a repair job it’s a good idea not to try to claim it under warranty when you clearly dropped it.
But yeah that price is absurd
Pro tip: stick to Canon and Nikon.
Right. Cause Nikon and Canon have so many stabalized f/1.4 prime lenses.
I agree the price asked is ridiculous. However, I had a good experience with their service. I recently sent my 10 months old a99 for repair. I was getting some random errors. Because one part that needed to be replaced was in backorder, they sent me a brand new camera for replacement. I got to keep the charger, battery and flash adapter from the previous one. thank you Sony. one happy costumer.
Any clue what the requirements/cost will be? I think Nikon’s NPS was two “pro” level bodies and three “pro” level lenses (~$10k investment).
$10K in cameras and lenses is nor much at all if you are making a decent living from that equipment.
(However if photography is just a hobby, it is a lot – unless you have a well paying job – or don’t have any other expensive hobbies.)
I wasn’t necessarily complaining about the amount just asking. $10k isn’t a lot but give price competitive electronics are it is becoming more and more every year. I make most of my money these days in audio. $10k used to buy you very little in pro level gear a few years ago but now it will be a nice studio (at least gear wise, treating and proofing a studio is another matter).
Apparently sony is merging imaging and professional divisions so we can expect the same level of lens service and repair support like canon
This is absolutely needed. Sony farms their camera warranty repairs out to Precision Camera, and my experience with them has been less than satisfactory. They’ve taken as long as 2 months for a repair, with 1 month being about average. Precision Camera also is trying to install a “pro” service, but my dealings with them have reflected no improvement over “regular” service. If Sony could guarantee 5-day turnaround, or at least provide a loaner during the repair, it would go a long way towards improving their image among users who depend on their equipment for income.
Excellent news!
I beg to differ with you, Sony only uses precision camera once in a while. Their repair facility in Texas is just a mail drop, they ship everything across the border to a low paid Mexican sweat shop.
If you look at the “Pro” membership programs from a pragmatic perspective, both Canon and Nikon provide the varying levels of service for reasons other than one might normally assume. That is to say, they do it for the money, not the shooter.
Sony knows the game and wants to play. Very few, if any gold, silver or tier 1 members ever receive a return on their investments in bodies, lenses and service fees. In fact, it’s more a matter of stretching the sales numbers and tallying the membership payments than a service.
If you happen to be in the .05 percent of professionals who regularly break gear, the only party gaining from theses “memberships” are the manufacturers.
Conversely, if you don’t mind paying a little (or a lot) more for the perks of “Pro” membership, enjoy some of the small benefits. It’s a free world and Sony wants you to play!
Pragmatically speaking, it is excellent for showing commitment with the professionals.
This is way to negative what you say. Of course Canikon as well as Sony have business interests – hey, these are companies, not wellfare organisations, didn’t you know?
Btw, I’m a CPS (lowest level) member and it costs me nothing. All I needed were enough quilfying products – which I had anyway. Now I get a yearly cleaning and adjusting and faster return on repairs (needed it once). However, Canon doesn’t offer me this for free because they like me. They want me to stay a Canon shooter and to invest in new lenses and bodies. And you know what? I like to be a CPS member and the Sony package has to be really strong to tear me away from Canon … (Can’t wait for the FF NEX …)
So, it would be better to not have these services? Or what is your point?
+1
The assurance is important. In some countries Nikon don’t even charge for NPS – though you do have to be a full time pro.
Admin: it says E & E, not A & E… just fyi, otherwise great news 🙂
? isn’t it rather A & A. Last time I checked it was A&A in plans.
Excellent rumor for the future of the A-mount..
Though I hope Sony isn’t making the mistake of thinking the A-mount can become “pro only.” Without a steady feed of entry-level A-mount users, over years and years (who eventually become pro users), “pro” won’t really grow.
Very few established professionals will “switch”… simply because another brand may be incrementally better, where it means ditching thousands and thousands of dollars invested in lenses and gear.
+1
thats what I was thinking – there is the commitment to A mount
That’s a very good point – it’s a clear sign of serious commitment to a-mount, but they need to offer a system that people can grow into.
I started out with an a200 and have slowly worked my way through advanced and semi-pro models, with an eye to going full frame next time. People tend to stay with a system for one reason or another, so they need to keep the a-mount accessible at the low end (the a3000 is not going to cut it, but I suspect Sony has that sussed in the longer term).
Pros making money are not attached to brands – they want the best tool for the job. So they will switch – so long as there is a clear and proven advantage. I’ve seen pros buy expensive specialist cameras to do just one job.
Entry level DSLRs are more important for attracting people interested in photography who will become enthusiasts and slowly upgrade to more expensive models. But for that to work, it has to be a pyramid with a very wide base at the bottom, as only a percentage of users at each level move up.
Other enthusiasts will switch if they see pros using a system.
A mount could work as a high end only system – but it would need to have very clear and really compelling advantages over Canon and Nikon systems – at least for some types of photography.
Excellent news! 🙂
Great News!
Very much needed if they want to attract the pros.
YES! YES! YES!
…and if Sony stop swapping technology every five minutes the pros might be tempted to buy into it.
One step at a time. Slow step, admittedly.
sony alpha already has a really fast repair service next day repair for like £50 and they cant fix it they give you loan camera until yours comes back. unlike i made a mistake of to sending it to domestic and general who broke my camera even more and for every repair took them over a month and its still broken…. already had it for four months now i refuse to send it back to them, should of used sony……..
seems like Sony is finally taking photography seriously 🙂 sounds exciting!
Finally! Something they should have done a long time ago. One of their biggest problems.
Hi Sony:
A good pro service program is an important part of the ownership experience. Do this right and take pride in it. Stand behind your product 100%. My experience with Leica service was exceptional. I do not “qualify” for Nikon Pro Services, NPS, since I need a pro reference and two pro Nikon bodies. My single D3S is not good enough to qualify. My second body is a hacked GH1 since I needed to make videos. Canon charges a fee ($200 I believe) to join their club. This makes more sense than Nikon’s setup. But the price of a pro body should have built in access to pro services. Loaner bodies sent out on 24 hour notice could be part of a prepaid program so costs are covered(optional higher tier pro service). So a well thought out pro service coupled with a single camera requirement would ease a transition to Sony ownership. True pro bodies should be covered by basic pro services always. I want a killer FF mirror-less hybrid camera.
really?! it’s time to switch to Sony!
All they need to do now is get their act together regarding firmware updates and supporting their existing A65/77 users with regards to not only repairs etc but by listening and acting when they are told that various things are wrong, like poor Jpeg engines, (Please, no telling me to use RAW – I cannot afford the space to store all my raw files or even converted files which are three to four times as big especially on backup dvd’s. Many people use Jpeg, it’s there and it should work properly!), and other problems people have been asking for like the ability to use fine Jpeg when shooting RAW/Jpeg, etc. etc. etc.
You are absolutely right, but let’s start with the firmwares first 🙂
Vlad, I wish they had done this some time ago myself, but they weren’t entirely ready yet–they didn’t have a fully professional AF system, with great focus tracking. In fact, five years ago when they introduced the A900, they said they were not going after the pro market, that such an effort would require a pro-level system of service, which would require lots of money and time to develop.
This past spring, however, in their annual report, Sony announced that they were going after the professional sports photography market. Then we began hearing rumors of numerous new FF cameras, all mirrorless. I have been expecting the pro-service shoe to fall at any time. Now it has.
And, btw, this means that they believe they have nailed it on AF, including focus tracking. Hooray! Let’s hope they are right.
“five years ago when they introduced the A900, they said they were not going after the pro market”
> And if they were, things could have been different today 🙂 That has always been their problem – what to do with their system and how to do it, let’s hope the current bosses have more clue. Lacking a few lenses and some AF problems seem secondary in that light, imho. You will probably get the AF you need, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes even more time. I hope I am wrong, though.
“let’s hope the current bosses have more clue” – so far their record isn’t very encouraging.
How much of a record do they have at this point? A year since taking over? A year and a half at the most? Their direction will be seen in the next few months–beginning in October.
Let’s wait and see. So far Sony believed in many things that weren’t true. Like for example in that their 24 MPx sensor can deliver and will be something people gonna pursue for. Instead we got hundreds of Sony shooters dreaming of A77+ with 16 MPx sensor. Than Sony believed they can implement tracking AF with SLTs – so far all of their attempts failed, even A99, which made a notable leap in AF-C performance, fail when comparing to even mid-range Canon or Nikon camera, not to mention any professional body.
They also believed that they can deliver video quality in DSLR-package that will astonish the world, they thought that they’ll be the first company to “do it right” – that’s one of the major reasons SLT was introduced – and that also failed miserably, mostly because of image quality and jello effects, even despite of dozens of optimistic rumors before camera was released (anyone remembers EXMOR HD and how it was suppose to be the best video sensor in DSLRs on a market?).
Sony is very good in leading itself to believe various fairytales. An my best guess right now is that this “DSLR-alike OSPDAF performance” is one of them.
Maybe you’re right that they won’t have it yet–though I haven
t seen the Sony predictions that they would get focus tracking right in the A77 & A99, just better. And maybe Vlad is right that it will take a while longer–I certainly don’t expect it until we see the 2014 A-mount FF cameras, and maybe not until next Fall. But Sony will get there sooner than the others.
“five years ago when they introduced the A900, they said they were not going after the pro market”
My first A900 had retired after 150K actuations, now I’m using another A900. Nothing to complain except it’s S/N ratio at ISO1600 and above is not acceptable.
If Sony could deploy the latest sensor technology, e.g. 3-layer sensor with 10-12M per color (30-36M resolution) with clean image from ISO 50-6400, add/retro-fit weather-sealing for all a-mount lenses. That’s all I need for my fashion/portrait work !
Sony Flash system need to be revolutionized – a system with similar capability like Canon 600ex-rt but all flash control funtions to be built into the body or the battery grip – making the flash units (60/43/20 etc) more affordable. Compatibility with Studio/portable flash need to be improved, e.g. built-in radio trigger into the battery grip like PhaseOne. HSS trigger timing can be fine tuned to work with Profotos/Brons or even Conomaks. This is what Professional photographers looking for!
As for “PRO” services like NPS or CPS, Sony need to offer something more. E.g. Student member for those taking professional photography courses in recognized institues. Associate members for enthusiasts that own more than 2 Sony professional body and 3 Sony A-mount lenses. Fellow members for full-time professional/commerical photographers & organizations like newspaper, design institutes, aerospace, forensic… industries etc.
^ yes, agree. Any word on updated firmware for A77?
I’m pro photographer and qwas always satisfied with Sony service. Even though I never needed it for older pro stuff, only for NEX 🙂
In case a repair needs to be sent to Japan, or if you are abroad and not on the country where the warranty is valid, a pro service helps you get a faster turn around or repair in another country.
Canon’s CPS and Nikon’s NPS are based on those two principles.
That being said, when my NEX 7 and Zeiss 24 needed service, it was pretty fast. I even got to speak to a technician once describing the issue I had in detail. A follow up call a month or so down the line also made me feel reassured they did care. Total turn around time for the repair was 9 working days.
Canon, on the other hand, we’re very slow and not really helpful. 22 working days to do something to the camera sensor (repair receipt did not specify what was done to the camera) when I had a galaxy of pixels right out of the box.
Lets hope they do things like improve firmware, i would love to see hdr options such as +2 -2ev available not just 03,07
+2
That’s f-ing great! Do we know if it will be conditional like canon’s (two pro bodies and three L lenses)? Or will be per subscription only basis?
Either way, I am more happy to comply with Sony’s gear requirement than I was with canon’s.
Great news.
I hope they fix the infuriating lack of flash remote control support that currently exists. Unless of course they build their own controller like Canon did and sell it at either cost plus or a slight loss to help overcome their trailing position w.r.t pros.
I hope the 70-200mm G2 is upgraded to a better pro level.
Especially the F60 Flash. That is no where near pro level.
Looking forward to the 1Dx/D4 pro body equivalent with XQD cards. XD
70-200G2 will be direct copy of an old 70-200, only with better AF and new coatings. Don’t get your hopes up. It’s still underwhelming wide open.
Well, if the “goal is to make it easy for Canon and Nikon Pro’s to switch over to Sony.” The alpha team must know that Canon and Nikon 70-200mm upgrades has improve the wide open performance.
How do you know that, LensIsAll?
maybe because of this.
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-sal-85f14-sal70200g2-and-hvl-f58-also-leaked/#comments
That manual was a fake.
How is it fake?
There is a Russian forum that posted it before any site did but it’s a bigger version. However it’s missing some information that’s on other current manuals like the 70400g2 one. I don’t doubt that it probably is right and it’s only a minor change.
Sony must already have a pro service network for their high end video cameras – so they can probably piggyback this on top of that. They really should have done this when they introduced the A900 – it would have given an important sign of commitment to pro photographers and made them more confident to invest in Sony cameras.
At last years Sony Alpha Festival in Berlin, Sony reps already talked about an extended service for professionals, going beyond the extended service plans that you can already by today (http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=552#/S_ESP_DIGI_CAM_Section). Similar to Nikon I guess.
I would be not a bit surprised if they launch this together with the new full frame A-Mount camera(s) early next year. To me, this sounded already like a strong commitment to break into the pro market with strength!
Well, unless of course, A-mount is dead, dead, dead 😉
Pro service might also mean annual service and sensor cleaning, like I think Nikon does it, so it is not only for clumsy pros that drop their cameras all the time 🙂 Plus networking, equipment renting, etc.
Great idea! Sony could add Alpha pro people to existing staff that works for Sony Pro and Broadcast video in New Jersey. (Teaneck and Park Ridge)
Between these two facilities and the people that work there, they have a tremendous amount of imaging experience!
Yes if they added it to existing services for pro and broadcast video – people would be confident that it was really a quality professional service system – and not just marketing.
Representatives already said this would happen this year, when the A99 was introduced to the press.
I had a Nikon 18-200mm VR zoom lens(first gen)returned to Nikon for warranty service before it expired. I checked the repair status almost daily. At the end of first week the status changed to “ordering parts”. Then about 6 weeks later its became “repair in progress”. A few days later it became “shipping to customer”.
So the whole process took almost 2 months. Good things are they replaced several new parts including outer tube and middle tube. The lens works like new.
Boy they’re gonna get a lot of F60m’s to play with.
-> So they have a good reason to take more money for their stuff.
A-Mount for pros and people hate sony that they have to pay a lot for it or change.
I wonder if the “pro service” will fix the flash and video issues. That would be really pro.
i wonder if sony will this time get there A game on….. let me put emphasis this time
before the celebration begins, it would be good to know what they service and how they service and where they service and… many more details
if this isn’t a rumor
sony clearly needs to have competitive pro service if they want to be taken seriously by pro’s and even if it gets launched there will be bugs and issues to work out. so don’t expect miracles yet folks
stay calm and chive on
Better late than never. Nice piece of news.
THATS AMAZING NEWS!!!! Would love pro support when things go wrong with my gear.
Had a faulty battery that took down my A99 then thought I will try it in my A77 (at a wedding) and it killed that as well…
Good thing I had a Nex 7 with the ea2 adaptor and my sister had her A77. Mental.
Sony pro support would be good 🙂
This is much much needed!! I truly hope they deliver on this. Many other pros I talk to say , ” Yeah Sony makes some good cameras and lenes but what about the service? no service! I’ll stick with canon/nikon”
And I have to agree, the service as of now is laughable and way underfunded , I have no confidence at all in that department.
Pros needs support, you need pros using the equipment to encourage the semi pros and enthusiasts.
Delivery Sony,, just deliver. You have no idea how much this will help your bottom line in the long run.
Still SR4?
Sony Professional Service already launched at HongKong, and I’ve used their service twice.SPS provides instance repair and gears rental service, and I think they are still growing up.
FYI:
http://www.sony.com.hk/sony_pro_services/index_e.html
Quality Customer Service is a good step forward. They other is a proper ecosystem of flashes, wireless triggers, wi-fi transmitters and tethering. From my perspective, all of the above should take priority over new camera bodies. The current crop of camera bodies are great but the ecosystem can be a limiting factor in using Sony gear for varied shooting situations.
I gave Sony a good nine months. The camera was excellent, but when Sony wouldn’t address a simple flaw that would only have taken a firmware update (allowing automatic overflow from card 1 to card 2 when card 1 is full), I saw the writing on the wall and headed back to Nikon. The lackluster third party support didn’t help either. That was my reason and it applies only to me.
Really? Out of all the egregious firmware issues, card overflow is the one that made you switch? That one seems so trivial, but if that’s your requirement than that is your requirement.
Perhaps Sony should try releasing a “pro” camera prior to releasing a pro service. These cameras Sony has been releasing with the gimicky SLT technology are junk. They are point and shoots with larger sensors and interchangeable lenses and that’s it.
I respect your opinion, but I totaly disagree.
Me and a lot people.
When it was released A900 was good – same sensor as Mikon’s D3X at a fraction of the price.
What is your definition of a point-and-shoot? Sounds that the definition could be another logo than “Canon” or “Nikon”.
“One of my sources told me that one of the goal is to make it easy for Canon and Nikon Pro’s to switch over to Sony.”
Cart before horse.
First let’s see if alleged Oct compact high-end FF
has R1X sensor+optics ratings + fast focus + fast zoom
Sony needs not only “support” for “professionals” but a set of reliable products that people can feel confident with. Professional photographers live of their pictures, if they can’t take a picture when they need to, they cannot put food on the table. E.g. the overheating of the F60 flash is a typical example why a product is not realiable and therefore not suited for a professional. I hope you get the grip SOny.
Sony is really pushing their camera and imaging division really hard. Keep it up Sony, soon Canikon is a thing of the past.
There’s hope – let’s wait and see!