The new 70-400mm will be white like the just announced 500mm lens you see here on top
My (awesome!) sources contacted me to share some more details about the new lens. First I can safely put an SR5 value on that rumor. And this is actually a very new version of the older [shoplink 11687]Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM lens[/shoplink] lens. It has following new features:
1) The new II version is weather sealed!
2) It has new coatings.
3) It comes in white like the current super expensive 500mm f/4.0 lens (over $12.000 on BH).
But the changes are deeper than you think. The 70-400mm II G lens will actually be the first lens of a complete new Alpha lens line up! And that includes ONE single surprise I cannot unveil yet because I am still trying to get some more info. But it is a surprise many of you will like. So please stay tuned on SAR. And if you can help me to find out more about the upcoming announcement sent me an email at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com or use the anonymous contact form on the right sidebar.
Thanks!
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!
172 Responses
just creamed my pants thanks
We really wanted to know that…
I did… I’m grateful that I wasn’t the only one.
Psychiatric help is in order here … and some laws may have been broken, depending on what country he’s in. 😐
However some people would pay good money to see it.
Is it…….
1. Motorized Zoom?!
2. OSS?
Make that OSS and I’ll strap it on my NEX-7 quicker than you can say ‘otorhinolaryngologist’ (well, I need time for it to hit the market)
Powerzoom was in the XI-serie in the 90s. didn’t work well
I seriously doubt an alpha lens will have OSS. Also, this lens on the NEX7… a serious WTF
i think either one too
New Coatings? Zeiss?
So, will they discontinue the current one?
NEX compatible with use of a smaller adapter of some sorts?
Must be some kind of alpha lens usable on Nex without adaptor…
Hey admin, did I get it right ?
No! I am still not sure what to “imagine” with the rumor. But It could be big 🙂
At least give us something…
A99 with comparable video to the 5Dmk3?
That would own, even with a higher price tag.
D800 is a99 with comparable video to the 5dkIII, LOL
😛
hello Andrea. thanks for the news. what kind of big could it be? big sales big? or 3kilos big?
Another guess…. it’s a fixed lens, you’ll get the A99 as a free gift, firmly attached to it !
Well well well, what other surprises can sony offer us? All the lenses will be refurbished to Zeiss badge? a99?
IMHO Zeiss 50/1.2 or return of rokkor trademark.
Does the rokkor brand name enhance image quality? If yes, i will buy it 😀
i am always scared about human minds when i hear that they say something like ” bring back the Rokkor brand” or “i will not buy the Canon 17-55mmm 2,8 IS USM because it’s not an L lens” or “give us a 70-200mm 2,8 from Zeiss” or “i am disappointed that the 16-50mm 2,8 SSM is not a G lens”.
Seems you care more about what stands on the lens than watching the photos it produces.
Seems like you trying to analyze something that you even don’t know. So stfu.
I only care about L/Zeiss/G glass for the typically associated better build quality. I also believe Zeiss lenses produce better depth and color but as you are surmising, its all in my head.
HEll YEAH!
Let me guess, a franken-mount so it can attach to NEX natively?
Sure to be a mid-range lens (24 105/28 105/24 135) F4 constant perhaps? and of course a G. .. because there is no zoom through the G line!
Super sad news for a guy who owns an old 70-400G
Not really, it will still perform as well as when bought. If somebody is giving the “old” model away I wouldn’t say no. 😉
Oh… I think it will buy the new one
and now i only got the old 70-400
but the most important point is
i am out of money now HAHA
Hope the optics are similar good and that i have no excuse to change a new one
Give your “old” one to charity….me. 😀
not really. If you are dissatisfied with the IQ and think you desperately need the weather sealing, feel free to sell me your old copy for a bargain price.
i am totally satisfied with my 70400g ‘ s IQ!
Weather seal is important with my a77 😛
bargain price..
I bought it by 9300$HKD about 1190$ USD
Isn’t it a bargain ?:D
sure is!
Whole new one 😛
Yes Seems Sony wants to change the entire lens (especially special lens) to be optimized for video, faster AF and fps.
Maybe they want to update a-mount spec but still make it backward compatible. Not changing the mount physical spec but make it better (for instance the limit of 5.5fps for aperture lever mechanism). Hopefully they can up this spec so it can actually changes aperture in 12+ fps.
most probably weather sealing for all zeiss and G lenses..
Most CZ lenses are already rugged (with the exception of 16-80) and can live with a drizzle. But there is no harm in making it ‘more’ weather proof with proper sealing.
And please also add SSM for the 85 and 135 :-D. This is one reason I hold off buying the 85.
Yes but it’s a risk every buyer have to take. If its properly weather sealed you are more likely to step out to the rain or go closer to the sea to get that shot.
I know, I will not take my CZ 24-70 in a drizzle even though many pictures in the net showing it being use in a rain. 😀
Maybe if I can buy insurance for it then I will.
It might be comming with f2.8 entire zoom range. ^^
if so,,,it would be a really big lens
yeah.. not gonna happen. And you don’t want to pay for that.
The new Alpha line-up is Nikon mount? 😀 Oh wait, you said white, Canon then… 😉
I’m putting my money on the 12-400/1.0 ZA with 0.01 sec max focus time and absolute completely horizontal MTF charts at 100% wide open.
So many people want such a lens that it will surely be built!
🙂
it weighs 500 grams too right??
Sure why not … 🙂
I still won’t buy it if it still have yet another glass in it to add to the translucent mirror, LOL. I want a zoom pin hole lens. 😀
Lens cap.. maybe.
I’d have it, for around 100, but only if it came with its own missile transporter.
Well, I’m in, but it must have a built in telescoping 4×4 wheel driven quadpod including a seat for the photographer AND assistant to operate the massive manual focus and zoom rings. Oh, include front and rear warning plates with “Exceptional transport”…
Sorry but the real good surprise would have been the announcement of lenses that are missing. This rumour sounds like they ‘ll announce the annoucement of future lenses.
A roadmap? It’s definitely what people have been asking for.
It’s roadmap and it’s nothing criminal about.
haha exactly what i thought they would do…
However a good decision made by Sony. (Hopefully they’ll give it a black hood).
Well it is OSS or dual mount E as A mount….!!
+1
Nex 7 compatible and i’ll buy one straight away!
Is it a 8-500mm f1.4? That would be my dream lens and the only one I would need!
…with a macro switch.
Yes, absolutely and the ability to focus 1 inch from the glass.
It’s not a B4 lens 😉
I am no insider but I think Sony will upgrade all of its G lens with new coating. Hopefully CZ will get SSM update as well. That is my prediction.
I’m hoping the surprise is it has the same AF motor / electronics as the 500f/4. And a beefier build
+1
hopes to see new re-badge cz85mm f1.4 & 135mm f1.8 that will come with ssm… sound more useful
+1
dun tell me sony now make IS in alpha lens?
i hope after this sony will remake all their zeiss fix lens with SSM and weather sealed like cz 24mm/f2.0 😀 and make new cz 35mm, cz 50mm, cz macro 100mm/f2 😀 with SSM and weather sealed
hope it’s internal zoom. doesn’t extend when zooming. 😀
+1
I doubt it but we will see
I think what this means is:
1. OSS
2. Faster SSM motor
That sometime down the line, the A77 firmware upgrade will allow you to turn off electronic image stabilization to get rid of the crop in movie mode.
One thing for sure. If this lens is really great, you can expect some people to sell the current 70-400 G at more affordable prices (in the used market).
Maybe, the first hybrid A-Mount/E-Mount lens?
My guess… new Alpha lens lineup to be optimised for fast focusing with contrast detect AF. This would enable decent AF speed when attached to NEX with LA-EA1 and would have advantages for any future A-mount models with CDAF functions. Ideally all lenses would be SSM to enable quiet focusing for video.
I’m probably dreaming and it might not even be technically possible.
This would make perfect sense. I don’t know how likely though.
It would be the best fit for ‘new line of Alpha lenses’.
Technically it should be possible to have a hybrid motor drive circuitry. Or maybe two different motors and two different drivers.
oh damn… just got the current 70400G like a 3 weeks ago……
Don’t be sad. I expect the new version will cost twice as much as the current one, so be happy 🙂
i agree ,, that must be expensive
LOVE my 70-400G and while the sealing would be nice, I don’t think I’ll be upgrading right away. With the apparent reinvestment in big glass, does anyone know of plans for Sony to create a pro services division for still photography? They have quite the setup for videographers, but nothing (that I know of) for their Alpha lineup. I know their pro market is small, but there are a few of us out here…
“But it is a surprise many of you will like”
The only thing is A99. Not in prototype stage. Ready for summer shooting.
+1Billion!!!
+1
Agreed..!
My suspicion is that this new lens will be compatible with the NEX as well as A-Mount in some way. That means properly supporting CAF, perhaps using a fairly “dumb” converter (it would be nice if it was integrated, but difficult to see how that could be made work mechanically as it would have to telescope out in some manner.
Let’s see what could Sony do to really screw-up the old time Minolta shooters and the new NEX fanboys at the same time…
Maybe It will only work on a new mount design that includes all if the focuing and images stabilization inside the lens it’s self on a yet to be announced camera and Sony quickly discontinues all of the aXX and NEX cameras.
I’m just joking or dreaming, I’m not sure 😉
Covering larger than FF size??
‘the first lens of a complete new Alpha lens line up!’
The first lens that optimised for Contrast Detection Autofocus? So as to do away with the pentaprism in OVF DSLR & the translucent mirror in SLT Cameras?
Steve and Lotus Eater have also commented similarly.
Would make sense.
F2.8-4 ??? ok, I’m dreaming.. 😛
especially because it says F4-5.6
New alpha line up? Sony got me excited.
1) I think IBIS could be substantially improved by additional level sensors in lens.
2) Another innovation could be improved or even wireless data transfer e.g. with USB3 standard. Then only 4 contacts will be necessary for body-lens communication.
3) Faster bursts could be possible with Diaphragm Shutter. Then diaphragm will just completely close before next frame. Of course then without AF.
We all would like cheaper price!
f2.8 constant + OSS + hybrid mount (A&E)
absolutely not going to happen.
I’m hoping its OSS for when its on my NEX 🙂
Seems that all this buzz caused DPReview to crash 🙂
” but it’s a surprise many of you will like”
A camera with
Wait for it
An O. V. F.
Wouldn’t what be great
“One single surprise” = a quality pancake???
Just like mama used to make!
Circular shutters were in rangefinders. Big problem is they cannot run near as fast as focal plane shutters.
Note the 70-400G has SSM now. That works quite well and is silent.
If the antishake is changed they will add circular stabilization. As is in the HX200v. Apparently for video.
You will be able to hide among all the Canon white shooters.
So it will be way too tall a mount, like the 500mm?
And make it more rugged, is to make it heavier.
More likely just a styling change to make it look like the 500 type design. And probably add the nano crystal coatings.
Sony must not be able to think of all the missing tele focal length lenses needed if they are just playing with current designs.
“playing” with current designs is cheaper.
maybe its quicker to get this Win.
I’m guessing they are losing business on this lens cause its Silver (as sad as that is)… and probably felt they could get it to sell alot better by reworking it in this ways.
Personally for me, its of little use unless I can get OSS. I’m hoping to use my NEX7 more and more, so for now, any non-stablised lens is at risk of going untouched.
quite honestly the image in my head of anybody using this lens with the nex7 is quite hilarious… it will be extremely imbalanced, I hope your left hand is strong because it will be holding the ENTIRE CAMERA
I doubt the color was causing them to lose business. People praise this lens and I was one of them. Who cares about color when it performs as great as it does! It has been proven to be almost as sharp as the Minolta 400mm f4.5!!! I will have to admit that I kind of grew to like the silver color of the soon to be old 70-400mm.
OMG, there at Sony must be so scared everytime your beard appears on these pages. 😀
Sony’s Mark Weir at Imaging Resource
Weir: Well, obviously there are some mechanical limitations to mechanically operated systems. We’ve managed to bypass the mechatronics of a moving mirror system with SLT, but there are other mechanical systems to deal with, with SLRs. There’s the focal plane shutter, there’s the activation of the iris — there are other mechanisms which will need to be improved to get through that performance barrier of ten frames per second with continuous AF. But suffice it to say, we are looking at the kinds of technology that will be required to continuously increase the operational speed of a digital SLR. I think we have some technologies coming that will be very impressive to many people, very soon.
This quote says a lot about what is likely to be introduced in the coming lenses – including the new version of the 70-400G.
He mentions 3 mechanical limitations to high frame rates:
1. Moving mirror: This has already been dealt with in the SLT design.
2. Focal plane shutter: When sensor design allows it, this will be replaced by an electronic shutter built right into the sensor.
3. The iris: This is the thing. My guess is that the new 70-400G (and all future lenses) will come with a lightning fast (somehow electronically controlled) aperture mechanism supported by all future (or current updated) cameras. Backwards compatibility could be ensured by a “fly-by-wire” mechanical aperture lever.
Please finally let it be a new suite of Zeiss SSM weather sealed fast primes…new 35mm and 50mm. 85mm and 135mm updated with SSM and maybe even tweak the 85mm to 1.2 like the Planar Anniversary Edition!
Maybe it’s lightweight, small lense with const f1.4 15-600mm with G quality? =)
Any idea if the current one or the upgraded will have 2K $ price tag in april? See, I’m in a dilemma, if the upgraded one will have the 2K price tag, that is doable. If the current one will carry the 2K price tag, I must get me one asap. My assumption is based on no improvement on optical quality, which is one of the best in that range if not the best.
NEX-wise…. I’m in desperate need of a Fast 35mm…. gap in my lineup:
16mm F2.8
24mm F1.8 Z
???? — (right now waiting on the 30mm Sigma F2.8, but is a stop-gap solution)
50mm F1.8 OSS
85mm F1.4 Z (LA-EA2)
135mm F2.8 STF (LA-EA1)
If sony get a G or Z 35mm of at least F2 in their range I’ll be snatching that up quick.
I hope they’re not updating just for the color and the “coating” (something really difficult to test..). But to be honest, white it will be way better than silver. At least according to me..
It’s got to be one of two features below:
1) OSS and optimized for CDAF / video;
2) built-in 1.4 teleconverter. Much like the new Canon 200-400 design, there is a switch so you can have 560mm at f8 with auto focus on A99’s f8 AF sensors.
I was wondering about a built in TC… sounds like a nice option.
I hope when the new version comes out, I can buy “old” 70400g for cheap 🙂 But seriously, great news. Now we also need cz50, cz35.
+1
agreed: cz50 + cz35
It’s that T* coating.
Whatever the “surprise” is; If it’s not a F.95 or F1.2 prime I’m not interested….
“… The 70-400mm II G lens will actually be the first lens of a complete new Alpha lens line up! And that includes ONE single surprise …”
So, if I understand correctly this is “ONE single surprise” that applies to the entire “complete new Alpha lens line up”, not something specific to the 70400II…
My guess would be all-weathersealed (except maybe EasyChoice or other designated “value-priced” lenses), though I could see the CDAF-optimization as another likely point…
Equally mounting on E-or-A is physically impossible: the “flange” or “registration” distance — how far from the lensmount to the optical plane of the sensor — is a matter of physics/optics, and no clever electronics-company, nor genius elecromechanical engineer can change the laws of physics, not even a company like.no.other… 😉
– Steve S
The good news, a new A53, it’s the same A55 but you will have a PS3 controller attached to the LCD screen. It will come with a PS3 certified logo and all… The way Sony is making things. Imagine that with your new 70-400G! Great way to invest $6000.
Ha! Ha!! I like !!!
maybe the surprise is an inbuilt optical viewfinder in the lens… 🙂
Andrea stated:
But the changes are deeper than you think. The 70-400mm II G lens will actually be the first lens of a complete new Alpha lens line up! And that includes ONE single surprise I cannot unveil yet because I am still trying to get some more info. But it is a surprise many of you will like.
He said: ONE Single Surprise: OSS; you see?!
This means that they will eventually get rid of the IBIS mechanism to be able to decrease manufacturing costs, increase frame rate, make it compatible with NEX…
Mark Weir: ….there are other mechanisms which will need to be improved to get through that performance barrier of ten frames per second with continuous AF….
Probably the IBIS limits the FPS rate somehow. From their (Sony) point of view, it is important to remove as much in-camera mechanical activity, since that ultimately limits its performance and operational speed.
that doesn’t make any sense. I think it would be idiotic for Sony to abandon IBIS, it is one of the alpha system’s prime advantages to canikon, and one of the specific features I switched from Canon for. the alpha system offers the ONLY stabilized 24-70 of any system, the only stabilized lens of many types beyond this (fisheye, etc).
IBIS does not affect fps in any way whatsoever, none that I can surmise anyways.
I know it would be idiotic, but I was just speculating based on the words of Andrea, of whom the words One Single Surprise nicely coincides with Sony’s abbreviation of image stabilisation, OSS; Mark Weir suggested other mechanisms besides the mirror, shutter and iris also have to be improved to have reliable high frame rates. Other mechanisms than the mirror, shutter and iris I can mention are the AF system, AF gears and motors and the IBIS. The AF motors have to be able to focus in milliseconds considering that with speeds of 10 FPS and higher the time between shots is lower than 100 ms. In the meantime, the motor activity must be initiated, controlled and stopped while being provided with correct information from the AF system. So I quess the SSM will be upgraded.
Besides, Sony doesn’t have any stabilized lenses; The image is stabilized by the IBIS, in body. That the image passing through the 24-70 is stabilized, is not a lens feature. I also don’t know IF and HOW the IBIS may affect FPS rate, but they might have found something.
As long as some compatibility between the old and new A-mount architecture continues and no matter what the surprise turns out to be, I am a happy person today learning that Sony is finely doing something to update the A-mount lineup.
If this announcement turns out to be significant in its scope, and innovation we may learn why the lens drought has lasted so very long.
Sony has revolutionized the camera industry with the SLT and the NEX giving photographers more “bang for the buck” than ever before and at the same time making the two industry leaders, Canon and Nikon rethink and adjust. If Sony with the help of its partner Zeiss can do the same with the optical component to better the overall system, that would be exciting.
Maybe I’ve had to much coffee today, you think?
Can’t determine if the surprise is 70-400 II related or “new lens” related. If it’s new lenses maybe will see a new 200 2.8?
If we see some good new lenses, not just tweaking of current ones, then I’m all for it.
I agree the CZ primes NEED SSM. They should have never made it out the door without it IMO.
24 f2 Zeiss has it.
Constant aperture F4 ?
Is the cost going to be the same? It kinda sucks that I bought this lens last week and even worse I had to wait because it was out of stock. They were obviously making more of the old lens. Oh well stuff happens I guess. Maybe the surprise will be the early release of the new FF. What really irks me is that they discontinue the FF bodies well ahead of the release of the new FF but will sell you an old lens model weeks away from the release of updated model without mention of new model to come.
Look at the bright side of things…
At least you will be one of the few with the legendary Silver lens…
Thanks, I feel better now. I guess it is how you look at things.
its not like you are stuck with a crappy lens. That lens is fantastic, and I really am expecting the only significant update to be weather-sealing- and unless you are constantly shooting in the amazon or very dusty environments, this should be no big deal. Enjoy your lens- especially because I personally am expecting this new version to be >$2000
I say it to all: The first professional serviced lens
I bet the new lens lineup has interchangeable rear mounts for equal compatibility with Alpha, NEX, and CaNikon bodies as well.
I need Sony 400mm/f4.5 now.
70/400 4/5.6 not good enough?
well, if adds OSS & fast SSM (+new coating & weather sealing) will be great. but the price will not stick the same, i guess.
Just like when add IS to C 70-200/2.8 (4), price jump up to 30~50% higher…
But I will keep wishing the new 70-200/2.8 G OSS then…
Well, we will still have to wait and see if this news is true.
But if it is true, then the message is that Sony is not ready to abandon Alpha.
That’s important news for me, as I want to go full frame soon, and need to choose to go FF with either Sony or look at other brands.
Sony may surprised with new lenses 70-200 f4 or may revised Minolta black version of 70-200 f2.8 at lower in price than might reasonably be expected…who’s know…keeps on guessing guys…:)
Some time ago, Sony filed a patent for a new lens type regarding liquid lens(?) instead of glass. Maybe this is it. Just using my imagination here =D
could lenses be better tuned to work with the EVF system? Maybe some new tech around that would give the EVF argument more weight and give Sony something else to market, megapixels have certainly lost their value now we have a 40mp camera phone and the 36mp D800.
Why wouldn’t the new 500 f4 G be involved with the “big surprise”?
i guess that’s because 500/F4 had locked down the desigin for a long time.
I remember SONY said so in Sep,2010 Photokia.
I think what held 500 f/4 for so long is the new nano coating and better SSM. It might be ready to release a year or two ago, but Sony release dSLT and then the old coating is pushed to the limit. And they are not fully satisfied and so have to wait until now.
My guesses..
+ Macro capability
+ Cheap (very unlikely)
This is all rather underwhelming.
So Sony is going to update a few of its lenses. What about actually releasing new ones?
Where are the affordable FF 35mm or 24mm prime lenses?
Where is the affordable fast 85mm lens?
Where is the affordable 135mm lens?
Where is the affordable FF wide angle zoom?
For NEX where are the affordable fast primes or fixed aperture zooms?
a come back of the 500 f8 ??? 😀 that would be something.
Internal zoom. Drop-in filter
I would hope the surprise lens is a G macro lens 100mm with SSM as an update to the 100mm f/2.8. Or a Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM would be pretty nice.
There are a lot of insane suggestions here, IMHO.
The most likely scenario here would be to base it on the same optical design, so no optical stabilizer.
The Mark Weir quotes points to something very different – something to do with the lens limiting the fps speed. Probably the biggest bottleneck in the current lens design is the mechanical aperture control.
My guess is that new lenses will come with an lightning fast (somehow) electronic aperture control that works with all new cameras. To ensure backwards compatibility, there could still be an aperture lever with “fly-by-wire” control of the aperture.
this is again another piece of crap! 😀
let’s wait for its final review.
Two guesses for me.
1)Optical Image Stabilization
2)Electronic Aperture Control, so they go beyond 12fps.
I agree with Steve, Sony released just the 100mm 2.8 from Minolta, the macro line needs an update. I dream of a new CZ 100mm 2.0 macro lens…
The macro is fine as it is, I’d rather they released some “normal” lenses.
Lucky sigma have our Macro line coverd .Looking foward to the new art style finish on the 150 .
Im going to guess thy found a clever way to fix the out of focus blur
maybe the big surprise from this lens is fix aperture F/4 for all focal lenght 😀 that would be nice 😀
I can’t wait to mount this on my A55 and take ISO 3200 pics of my cats, and poorly lit living room desk!! Yea, it’s going to be sweet!
You really should be a Nikon users, you’d fit right it.
I am a Nikon shooter! Was a Sony shooter until I discovered Sony has better marketing than they do image quality.
If I ever get in to shooting cats at ISO6400 in my house I will definitely come back to Sony!
its the new beercan…
We can all dream can’t we?
and it’ll be hideously expensive too. 😀
Unnnngh knowing Sony they’d get the design wrong and base it off of the f/3.5-5.6(?) version…
The Beercan is so inexpensive used it doesn’t matter too much about the screw mount : P
instead of making new 70-400, sony should make a sharpp 400mmf5.6
That would not make as many users happy as anything else. There are only so many customers that will buy such a lens.
No they shouldn’t. The prime will not sell well compared to the new 70-400mm.
My money is on an uprated autofocus motor like the one in the 500 F4.
shxt!! I just bought a 70400G!!!
Any word on this lens being announced??!