Images via ePhotozine!
Surprise! Today Sony announced the release of the two new “updated” A-mount lenses! They now have 4x faster Tracking AF, improved image quality and ghost reduction. Below you can read the press text (via ePhotozine). Preorder links:
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).
—
Sony has enhanced its line-up of α A-mount interchangeable lenses with two enhanced versions of its full-frame ZEISS Vario-Sonnar large-aperture standard zoom and wide-angle zoom lenses.
Photo professionals and discerning enthusiasts will welcome the addition of the Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL2470Z2) standard zoom and Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2) wide angle zoom, both delivering significant improvements in image quality, ghost reduction and AF performance, together with a new dust and moisture- resistant design.
The SAL2470Z2 and SAL1635Z2 are ideal partners for Sony’s A-mount family of interchangeable lens cameras, including the highly acclaimed α99 and α77 II. With the addition of an optional mount adaptor they’re also compatible with E-mount cameras such as the α7 series.
Uncompromising image quality is a hallmark of every ZEISS Vario-Sonnar lens. It’s taken to new levels with the SAL2470Z2 and SAL1635Z2 that feature a ZEISS T* coating on optical surfaces that achieves even greater reduction in ghosting, especially with tricky against-the-light shots.
Autofocus performance of the SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) system in both lenses has also been uprated significantly. Faster, more powerful processing in the lens LSI increases AF accuracy, delivering approximately 4x the subject tracking speed of each lens’s predecessor – a perfect partner to the 4D Focus system in the α77 II – making it ideal for shots of fast-moving action subjects like wildlife, sports and active children.
Both models also feature a new dust and moisture-resistant design that makes the SAL2470Z2 and SAL1635Z2 even more appealing options for challenging outdoor assignments.
Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II
Covering a popular 24-70mm range of focal lengths, this high-performance full-frame zoom delivers imaging quality you’d expect from a prime lens.
From everyday snapshots to handheld portraits, landscapes and wildlife, you’ll enjoy legendary ZEISS® sharpness and contrast at all focal lengths. With a bright constant F2.8 maximum aperture right across the zoom range, the SAL2470Z2 is a dependable partner for low-light portraits, dim interiors and night-time scenes.
Aspherical and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements are combined in a precision optical design that’s highly effective at suppressing aberration. You’ll appreciate the difference with high contrast and faithful reproduction of delicate gradations.
Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II
This large aperture, wide angle zoom is equally capable of capturing spectacular scenery or bustling street scenes. With a bright F2.8 maximum aperture at all zoom settings, it’s also ideal for handheld shooting at twilight or in dimly-lit interiors.
The precision optical design features aspherical lens elements that minimise distortion. In addition, ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and Super ED glass elements provide superior contrast, resolution, and colour fidelity.
The new SAL2470Z2 and SAL1635Z2 α A-mount ZEISS lenses from Sony are available to pre-order now.
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).
241 Responses
Definitely promising news for a-mount!
Until the end of year i really hope see the A99II
They will sell a lot more A9 for sure
What I suspect is going to happen is this: Sony is going to knock it out of the park with an upcoming FF A-mount camera, something that really makes the still-remaining A-mount crowd drool and willing to stick around a while longer. However, they won’t market it hardly at all, ensuring anyone coming new into the Sony fold just sees E-mount, e-mount, e-mount. This will be the final death march for a-mount, but a quality one. 🙂
Wouldn’t they rather put their energies into an A9 and instead offer an adaptor which allows A-mount owners to user their lenses with that body (albeit less comfortably than the FE lenses which they hope those users will then migrate to?)
Wouldn’t they rather? I’m sure they would. I think this move is just to stem the bleed of fleeing A-mount owners, tossing ’em a little false hope in hopes that in the meantime they’ll slowly come to see the “E-mount light”…
Not sure Sony is in to false hope. I bought a beautiful auto GPS from Sony a few years back. They marketed the heck out of the thing with the usual bevy of expensive accessories and map updates. Long story short, they could not eat into the miles long lead that Garmin and Tom Tom had established, and they dropped the thing like a hot rock one day. Just cut us off at the knees . . . no apologies and no looking back. Never completely trusted Sony since, yet (because I am a former Minolta a mount guy) here I am hoping for news of the next Sony a mount. I think if Sony was going to walk away from a mount, they would just do it. If I was going to migrate to e mount, Sony would have to make a seamless adapter for my a mount lenses . . . something which really doesn’t exist now. Otherwise I will become a Nikon guy (or maybe Canon).
Sounds about right. Though it’s not like Sony makes much of an effort to market e-mount either, and even then it’s about raising the profile with new customers.
It’s something
Alpha-mount resurrected?
Maybe it’s a nit picky thing but the fact that the wording for the 24-70 “Vario-Sonnar 24-70, etc.” is on the outside of the lens and not the normal place on front would drive me nuts. They did put it on the front of the 16-35.
Well they kind of ran out of space. Perhaps they should have made the filter size bigger to make some room.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, A-mount lives. For now. 😉
Waaah…Expect the unexpected! XD
Are these new lenses updated to be compatable with E mount wit a simple, non optical adapter, or do they still require an laea4 adapter?
the surprise is that take so long to release that lenses announced half year, even with spread worldwide shortage of the previous versions
would have rather seen an update the to screw drive AF lenses like the 85 and 135
They should have added a zoom lock to the SAL2470Z, it is prone to zoom creeping.
The rubber zoom/focus rings of this lens look like shiiit in every sony showroom.
These are just updated old lenses
This does not demonstrate any commitment to put new technology lates technology into A mount .
That would require someting to go into A mount FIRST not after other systems have been using it for 3 or 4 years.
A mount is still ” dead to me “.
“Surprise!” – is meant sarcastic?
These two updates where communicated if I remeber correctly at Photokina or thereafter.
I mean – don’t get me wrong. The two where needed to be updated in some aspects.
However an upgrade of the Planar 85 and Sonnar 135 (just AF and sealing) would have been more in need of an update. But I am still confident they will update those two as well.
The length of time it took for these updates made me not worry about them updating the prime lenses too soon. It is a good sign that Sony is updating something for the ff a-mount lineup. It leads me to believe there is a camera in the future that can take advantage of these lenses. There are better lenses for both the a77ii and the a7 series. FOV and size considerations respectively.
Whaaat’s this? A-mount news? What happen to E-mount? Now that I thougt we finally got E-mount going… Does this mean E-mount is dead… Me worrry now … 😛
spread the panic the E mount is dead lol
A77II was made with 12fps and fast AF speed for sport/wildlife photography and we have only 3 lenses to choose from
500mm F4 (ridiculously expensive)
300mm F2.8 (will need to use teleconverters that will reduce IQ)
70-400mm (the only reasonable lens but we still need those 600mm and 800mm lenses)
until now I can’t use the A77II for the reason it was made for !
I bought the Nikon d5500 to use wth the Sigma 150-600…unfourtunately I cant use that camera eother because I am still waiting for my lens…and waiting….and waiting…
Hey Sigma ..Im still waiting here!
Sigma where are you , this guy is still waiting
You can get the Tamron 150-600,
I have it and it work perfectly with my A77ii.
The image quality is good as well, it is super sharp from 150-400mm.
At 600mm, the sharpness does drop slightly, but it is still far better than 400mm+1.4x TC.
I considered this Tamron lens , it looks great but I want to get the most of the AF capabilities of the A77II with a Sony SSM lens.
Would love to see a 400mm 2.8 SSM or at least a 400mm F4 SSM.
BS you’re telling me that you can’t use any, or more likely can’t afford the lens you listed above.
Don’t tell me you want a fast tele, itis very rare that I shoot wide open. For BIF/ wildlife. the sweet spot on my 70-400 is 7.1 on my mino HS 300 f4 it’s about 5.6 if I need more reach I digiscope (swaroski ATX 85) works great with my A77II
What do you think a 600 or 800mm it going to cost if you think the 500 is “ridiculously expensive”
I didn’t say that I can’t use any lens , I have Minolta 600mm f4 and 300mm 2.8 , the problem with those lenses is the slow AF speed that’s why I dream of having a SSM lens, I just bought the Sony 70-400mm but I still didn’t use it in the field.
What I mean is it would be great to have more choices like :
400mm 2.8
400mm f4
300mm f4
500 / 600 / 800
I would sell all those lenses for a 400mm 2.8 SSM and a 800mm 5.6 SSM “even it was ridiculously expensive” because it will live with me for a long time with that SSM.
You forgot the 70-200 F2.8 G SSM II.
Umm .. 200mm is a too short focal length for my use , and I try to avoid teleconverters as much as I can.
A77-II was never made for just tele purposes (although it is also very good there of course)
There is no camera that was made for only 1 purpose , but the AF and burst speed capabilities of the A77II (which are the main specs of the A77II) are making this camera one of the best for sport/wildlife photography
you forgot 150-600 Tamron, unfortunately VC deactivated.
wait for 150-600 Sigma Contemporary a-mount adaption and you have a 600mm with lens-OS, beeing better than IBIS at that focal length
Me thinks this is meant to go some way in damping down the bad news that there may or may not be an A mount Camera realise this year, NOT WORKING. Sony why to you continue to upset the Amount crowd, we cannot all afford to move systems. Throw us some A mount news it will not distract from your amazing FF Emount systems. Don’t pee us off please. Si
OMG! A-Mount is a zombie!
It is a zombie with amazing lenses at its disposal lol
It’s been one since 1986 ;)…
What’s the lens showing on the left hand side of the picture?
Pre-order link??
Good News! Now all those A-mount trolls can go back under their bridges. Bring on the future of FF mirrorless!
Yeah, and now how about we E-mount fans start trolling “oh my god, E-mount is dead” 😀
Rubber zoom an focus rings are a joke. E-mount metal rings are much better.
A99 2 is right around the corner
has been around the corner since last Dec.
You must be in a round-about
how big is that corner? We have been waiting since Photokina 2014 fiasco.
…
Huh? The A-mount 7 and 9 series have had a 3 years-rhythm. The A99-II is not due with this logic. It would be due in September this year, thats 5 months from now.
If Sony were serious, they should have announced a new refresh once the D810 and D750 were out with at least better AF module.
Time changes, and now Nikon offers the D750, D810 and D4S. A new replacement and new release should have happened months ago.
(edit: I didn’t want to mention the D610 or DF at all but there you go, 5 FF models)
Yes, wow, I am totally surprised, this has been announced before and now they make it like a news? And the 24-70 look exactly the same as the old one .. hmmm … So, it seems all they have updated are the SSM motor and adding weather seal. And it sounds like they blame on the inaccuracy of focus tracking on the lens … interesting. Does that mean all the old lens not capable to support the A77II focus tracking?
I’d be willing to bet they updated the price too. Big time!
You know, these are nice lenses. Not Otus-nice, but nice, very generally utilitarian.
Which is NOT the kind of lens that “pros” would look for, at all. If Sony is considering positioning the A-mount as something that is “pro”, IMO these lenses contribute nothing. Then again, they are just updates, which cost them probably very little to achieve, and create just enough attention to keep A-mount on some sort of public awareness life support.
Of course, there are plenty of good specialist A-mount lenses out there.
IMO the only thing wrong with A-mount is the pellicle mirror. I’m not saying that it is functionally a bad thing, but I do believe that it is a bad thing from the standpoint of perception.
I would consider the 16-35 a useful architectural walkaround lens.
Clearly SAR is gg. Sony sealed it all 😀
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr3-two-new-zeiss-fe-25mm-f2-0-and-85mm-f1-8-coming-mid-end-2015/
That post is SR3, no follow up firm SR5 before the announcement. This is something unusual for the past SAR have working on rumor -nailed down SR5 before any announcement.
Didn’t got your pills today? 🙂
People keep asking why not f2.8 zooms for e-mount? Look at those beasts, how many would really want to carry around nearly 1000G lens? In comparison the 24-70Z F4 is 430G, well less than half the weight
sometimes I wonder if theese peoples understand the connection between size and speed … F4 is a great compromise
But… but… f/2.8 is pro.
I thought that P mode is pro ;)…
No, just advanced. 🙂
Agree.
I’d be fine with the 2470FE if it would deliver higher IQ.
Actually I don’t mind distortion or vignetting – that’s something easily to be corrected. But mushy corners can’t be made perfect on any programm.
Hyperfocal settings improves the performance: At 24mm if you step down to f5.6 or 8 and focus around 2 meter, the corners are significantly better. Those who rely only at autofocus will never get this … At wide angles manual focus and manual aperture make a lot of sense.
Agree the rubber ring is a joke. It will come off eventually. I have the same problem with a couple of my A-Mount lenses. Also the he pricing is simply astronomical….who on earth is going to invest in these lenses with no new A-Mount camera announcements or strategy indicating what the future of the A-Mount is likely to be???!!!
A mount is still alive! Very great product. I will surely buy both of them.
Weather seal is always welcome.
But hope the zoom ring won’t get stiff with time, like the 16-50 2.8
yawn……this isn’t news…..just an update that should have happened a couple of years ago. Sony !….you only have 1 camera in your range that will get the best out of these lenses…the A99.
I think you just got your announcement (that something’s coming). I doubt they would have bothered updating these lenses if there wasn’t at least one more FF A-mount coming.
Hell yea A mount is doomed lol
Some A-mount news is better than no A-mount news. Doubtful they would even be releasing these minor refreshes if they were killing the A-mount tomorrow.
At the same time, they are just refreshes. There hasn’t been a NEW A-mount lens in about 3 years.
A mount has to go big or go home this fall. We need more than an A99 replacement. We need at least two cameras offered at minimum. Full frame ofcourse.
A99R the resolution beast
A99S the king of night
This is what Sony should do
A85 = A99 replacement with better AF and 6~7fps capable of competing against D750
A99II = D810 competitor with either 36Mpx or 50Mpx and 4~5fps
and finally, a D4S/1DX competitor with 12Mpx or 16Mpx and 10~12fps and max. ISO409600
Exactly. FE for me is too limited at the moment. I’m not interested in unloaded 1k for a lens each time and personally, I don’t think the “advantages” are all that spectacular.
1) I don’t do video
2) AF is important to me
3) Plenty of minolta and Sony lenses that work perfectly fine with very good to excellent quality.
4) Bigger body balances well with any lens. No fiddling around with adapters
5) Big flash balances well on a bigger body as well
6) Screw drive is dependable- I can live with the little bit of noise.
7) No 135 man…no 135 FE and no go.
8) Dual card slot option please
9) If size is of issue, I’ll just use M43.
10) I personally like the A mount flip screens over what is being used on the FE
11) Access to third party lenses with no adapter please.
Is how I see it. Just give me a new body please.
12) Bigger battery
Easy enough to do mirrorless with a bigger battery. The NX1 has a longer battery life than Sony SLTs
1. I don’t do video either… but that’s not a reason to pick the worse video
2. According to some, good mirrorless AF is better than Sony dSLT… dpreview just said they found the AF tracking on the A6000 to be better than the A77ii.
3. I totally agree…. but FE mount will catch up to A-mount soon. While they both lag way behind CaNikon.
4. See NX1.. if Sony chose to do so, they could easily make a mirrorless with larger body
5. See 4
6. And sticky aperture blades.. not so dependable. But really, lets face it, nobody is doing screw drive anymore except Sony A-mount. Nikon only has a handful of screwdrive lenses they still sell. Only Sony A-mount still has lots of screw drive.
7. They just announced 85 and 90 recently… I’d expect to see something in the 135 area in the next year.
8. Would be easy enough to do that on FE camera. Whether they choose to do so, who knows.
9. Why not go even smaller with Nikon 1 or RX100?
10. Again, see NX1.
11. 3rd parties will make lenses for FE eventually.
1) Video is a throw in. I can’t deny the fact that FE mount is better suited for this by design however.
2) Maybe. They can always advance either technology.
3) Besides two 2.8’s we all know FE lacks and a bangin 135- it’s not really behind. Strike against me I guess. If Canikon ever drops a mirror less bomb and I can use my A mount lenses..well, score.
4) NX1- seen it. Looks like a refrigerator. Not interested. It’s vein I know.
5) Refridgerator- not to mention that horrid constant focus ability. I like big flashes too. Heck, I even have a few massive minolta 4000’s for giggles. Works like a charm.
6) Got me there. Didn’t know there was a difference with the aperature blades in Fe design. I’ll have to investigate.
7) Many people are shooting A mount explicitly for lenses like the 135mm. I think they are purposely holding off on this one.
8) True- but they haven’t yet. I want the duallies.
9) I got this weird thing for M43. The cameras are sexy, the lenses compliment the bodies quite well and I’m pretty sure Olympus makes the best cameras- period. I mean…16000th of a second EM5II, 5 axis that literally is good for 5 stops, touch screen..enough AF points to choke a horse.
10) Fridg thing.
11) I hope you are right. That could get me going. Some Art lenses on an FE mount. Not today though. Isn’t looking good for tomorrow either. Forget about the fact that you can already have a lot of third party glass at excellent used prices today in A mount:)
All fair points…… But my point is, if Sony chooses to make an E-mount version that is more like a dSLR, most of those objections are out the window.
Right now, it feels like Sony intentionally leaves both A and E mount systems are partially incomplete, to try to prevent them from competing with each other. Want a dSLR feel? Then you have to go to dSLR, no E-mount options with a true dSLR feel, certainly not APS-C E-mount.
Want more compact F4 zooms? A CaNikon shooter can keep their dSLR size down with F4 zooms instead of 2.8. But a Sony shooter has to switch to FE for the F4 zooms. Want 2.8? Then you need to step up to A-mount.
Problem is… these differences are enough to be really really annoying for both systems, but they aren’t enough to prevent the systems from competing with each other. Few people will deeply invest in both systems, most people will choose one or the other (or an entirely competing system).
If they choose to go with one full complete system…. Unfortunately for us A-mount fans, it is much easier to make the FE into a system capable of everything, then it would be to make the A-mount into a system capable of everything.
A few years ago, it felt like quality of mirrorless would never catch up.. felt like AF would always be horrible compared to dSLRs, felt like bodies would always be plasticky and cheap.
100% agree
If your lens-lineup is complete, you can either do nothing or release updates.
Is there a lens you are missing?
Yes. 70-200mm f4, 24-120mm f4, 400mm f5.6, 300mm f4, 12-24mm f4……
funny: a lot f4 lenses on the wishlist, whereas e-mounters moarn about the lack of f2.8
Not funny at all. A complete system has both. There are times when a photographer wants the optimum results, regardless of price or weight, and goes with a 2.8 zoom. There are times when a photographer chooses to make a compromise — whether for purposes of weight or price or both — and goes with an F4 zoom. There are CaNikon photographers who own and use both, and there are those who have chosen one or the other or neither.
70-200 f/4, 400 f/4, 24-105 f/4, 24-70 f/4, 35 f/1.4 (the G is poor)…
SSM overhauls are needed for all the older screw drive lenses.
Sony’s line-up is far from complete.
A set of fullframe F4 lenses (14-24 G or 16-35 G, 24-70 G or 24-105 G or 24-120 G, 70-200 G, 300 G, 400 G, 600 G)
A set of F2 fullframe lenses (28, 35, 50, 100)
A new set of Macro lenses with non-extending barrel (50/2.8, 100/2.8 and 200/4 G)
The return of the 200/2.8 G
Updates of the 85/1.4Z, 135/1.8Z and replacement or update of the 35/1.4G
Intermediate lens option for other lenses (85/2 or 1.8 as alternative to 85/1.4Z and 85/2.8 for example)
An update of the SAL16F28 fisheye where instead of colour filters, they put ND filters.
A new 14mm wide angle lens. Maybe there are other lens missing that I can’t remember right now, but priority is the whole set of F4 lenses for A-mount. the lineup is far from being complete
Complete? Is that a joke. Let’s take a look at popular lenses from the competition that are lacking in the Sony lineup. Ultrawide zoom wider than 16mm (canon 11-24 and Nikon 14-24). An ultrawide option under $1500 (canon 17-40, Nikon 16-35 and 18-35). F4 standard zooms and f4 70-200 zooms. More telephoto primes, not astronomically priced (300mm/f4). On top of that, update lenses that truly need updates — add SSM to all lenses. The 35/1.4 is embarrassingly bad, worst 35/1.4 on the market).
So yeah… A-mount lineup is no where near complete.
You’re forgetting the Zeiss 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM.
I said “about 3 years”…. The Zeiss 50 was announced in September 2012, went on sale in early 2013. So I guess it would be have more precise to say “about 2 1/2 years” if you are going to nitpick my estimate by a few months.
But thanks for reminding me of other missing lenses…. 1.8 primes… No full frame 35/1.8 (and the 35/1.4 is absolutely horrible), no full frame 50/1.8, no 85/1.8. Not to say you need to cover every single possible permutation, but it’s ridiculous to call the system “complete” as if there are no new lenses that anybody could possibly want.
You are mistaken. The Zeiss 50mm F1.4 was announced in February 2013 and didn’t ship until that spring.
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/9275555589/sony-lenses-50mmzeiss-70-400mm
Also, Sony may not have an 85/1.8, but if you’re looking for cheap/good quality lenses they have an 85/2.8 for $299 that is tack sharp.
There’s no perfect system, but I don’t think anything Sony will release will make you happy. Since you already have a Canon system, why are you spending so much time posting over here anyhow?
1. It was first announced in September of 2012:
http://photorumors.com/2012/09/12/sony-announced-new-zeiss-planar-t-50mm-f1-4-za-ssm-lens/
It went on sale (pre-order) in February 2013. My statements were entirely correct.
2. 85/2.8.. ok.. you mentioned the 1 affordable full frame lens Sony makes. Now where is the 50/1.8? 35/1.8? Where is ANY ultrawide lens that is under $1500?
3. Never said there was any PERFECT system. But other systems continue to IMPROVE… other systems continue to ADD new lenses. Sony has stopped adding new lenses. At least for the last 2 1/2 years. While Canon is pushing boundaries of ultrawide with their 11-24.. while Nikon is pushing boundaries with light weight telephoto prime, the 300/4.. Sony isn’t adding anything new. They have their incomplete system, and not trying to add it.
4. I don’t have a Canon system. In active use in my family, I have 1 Minolta, 1 Sony, and 2 Nikons. Haven’t shot any type of Canon in years.
The on sale date was still 2013, not 2012. So suggesting the last “new lens” came out a year earlier is ridiculous.
So you’re fierce point of debate…. Is when I said there hasn’t been a new lens in “about 3 years”… you’re fierce point of debate is that the last new lens actually went on sale a little over 2 years ago?
Wow… a new lens went on sale 2 years and 2 months ago….. Phew, I was all wrong… that’s an aggressive lens release cycle. Canon must only release one new lens every 5 years! And I bet Nikon hasn’t done a single new lens in the last 10 years!
What, did you never pass grade school? If it’s 1/2 we round up. Under 1/2 we round down.
Sony resources are not without limits, but they are clearly readying all their most important lenses to support their new AF system for future cameras in level of importance. I wish they could update the 35 F1.4, the Zeiss 85 & 135, but I am happy they updated these two, which are both crucial for my sports work.
I have nothing else to add here.
I was going off the announcement date, not sale date… which was over 2 and 1/2 years… But regardless, you are nitpicking a few months, as if that makes a difference to the larger point.
Actually only the crop sensor 77II has the horsepower to take advantage of these lenses.
No it doesn’t. By virtue of the fact it’s a cropped sensor and not full frame the A77 won’t get the best out of them. They’re built as Full Frame lenses firstly, that can also be used of croppped sensor camera.
.
Let hope the focus button doesn’t fall out on the new version of the SAL2470z lens which is a known problem and happened with my copy of that lens….
mine too….
Really? That sounds bad…
Mine too 😀 but I bought the lens used, so I assumed it was just not handled properly by the guy who used it before me.
I don’t understand – these lens updates were announced ages ago…
I guess the stocks of both lenses have run low so Sony are organising another production run and therefore decided to update the electronics, revise the lens coatings and add a couple of sealing rings for the new run
The only question is whether the new run is because Sony plan to release further A-mount bodies, or if the purpose is to offer f2.8 zooms which can be used on E-mount (currently via the unsatisfactory LA-EA4 adaptor but perhaps there are plans for an improved version…) and the SSM2 will allow better connectivity with the newer E-mount bodies?
I thought the same thing. However, releasing A-mount zooms for E-mount customers does not make any sense. E/A-mount compatibility is a good selling pount to bring existing A-mount customers to E-mount cameras, but no E-mount-only user will buy a $2k A-mount lens.
Weather sealed Zeiss glass is not the kind of lens pros are looking for? Now how dumb is that.
This 24-70 is going to be SO Sexy on my new 50MP A Mount Body.
It would be pretty dumb to release these lenses and not release a new A-mount FF body in the near future, so surely an A99II is on the way…
The only other possibility is that A-mount’s future lies in adapters… notice how the lens announcement did not mention specific model names of any LA-EA adapters? Maybe much improved adapters are coming, and by improved I mean in terms of both functionality and ergonomically.
Your logic doesn’t make much sense…
…because…
No I did not notice. I do not think this is a sign of anything. Don’t get me wrong. A LA-EA5 adapter would be a cool thing, but I see no sign of it.
with 79 AF-points…. all X-type “_(“,)_/”
The press release mentions that the updated lenses will control ghosting better, have faster AF tracking, and better weather resistance. But the only thing that’d make me buy a 24-70mm F2.8 SSM ZA II would be if it was sharper wide open than the original. I currently stop mine down to F3.2 from 24mm-60mm and to F3.5 or F4 when I zoom it to 70mm.
The Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 G is much sharper wide open.
Canon’s new 24-70L ll f/2.8 must be the gold standard for 24-70’s, mine was so good it outperformed all my Canon L primes.
The corner performance on 16-35 is terrible according to MTF chart. Possibly another over priced under perform zoom lens from Sony.
Zeiss isn’t exactly known for their zooms unfortunately.
These are Sony lenses and sony produces pretty nice zooms.
The corner performance of the sony 16-35 is superior to the canon 16-35 2.8. Though both are inferior to the new canon 11-24mm f4 at the 16-24mm range.
I am not sure if the new Sony 16-35 is better. We will find out when the lens released and tested. Canon isn’t good at making UWA until 16-35 f/4L IS USM.
In my testing it is – I shoot with the Sony 16-35 2.8, Canon 16-35 2.8 and the Canon 11-24mm.
Just a few more breadcrumbs until they pull the cord. A mount is done for
Yeah, like the last 29 years.
This is the new trend at Sony: no product under a 1000 dollars anymore.
I don’t care if they are great lenses 🙂
Well, I think that’s the issue. They aren’t all great lenses…and we still have no 2.8 FE.
you have two 2.8 FE. The 35mm and 90mm. If you meant zoom, keep dreaming, those would be gigantic. Just look at the 35/1.4Z. Almost as big as A-mount 135/1.8.
edit: and look at the FE70-200/4G, bigger and heavier than 70-200/4L IS USM
Hm, new A-mount products but no E-mount product. This can only mean one thing: E-mount is dead. No doubt. ^^
Die E-mount Die!
That is fantastic news. I was just about to buy the 16-35 f/2.8, but now I’ll wait for this new lens. I hope they update more lenses like this, because I’m in the market for a modern 85mm f/1.4.
Uhm, excuse me, but why do the number of camera models count in any way!?
As I said, Sony only have 1 Full Frame A-mount camera in their range that can use these lenses as they should be used…..the A99…… AND It’s 3 years old now. Nikon have 5 Full Frame DSLR’s, Canon have 6 full frame DSLR’s. All of these ranges have been continously updated. It’s a question of choice, features and budget. Hope that helps ☺
Because Sony only has 1 fullframe body for A-mount and is begging for support or replacement. D750 outperforms the a99, the a99 can’t compete against the D810 and it seems Sony is afraid of competing against the D4S. So having several camera models does matter.
Gotta improve the AF for the LAEA4/A7r combo and keep stringing along A-mount users. “This means new FF A-mount cameras are on the way.” Been reading that since late 2013 here, yet nada. Keep the faith.
Meanwhile Nikon continues to produce the cameras Sony will not. Don’t see the point of sticking with A-mount when the D750/810 exists – both shoot better stills and video than Sony. And there’s a better lens lineup to boot.
^^ Very true. The A99 is outgunned by the D750 in almost every way except the LCD screen and to some extent the viewfinder. Else its superior in IQ, AF (except Live view AF), video, battery life etc.
No point buying new A mount lenses now. Sony may or may not launch a new A mount camera but even if they do this step motherly treatment is a big NO NO to spending additional money on expensive lenses.
Best to sell off all A mount gear and jump ship as soon as possible while there is still some resale value.
Best for you… sure go ahead.
Best for me to keep my clients happy shooting A-Mount with full articulating screens, two memory cards, and three batteries. Handles a full 64gb card for 2500 RAW files without thinking about changing anything all day.
Wonderful pro tool that a99.
Hey Brendon, thanks for enlightening me. I bet the magazines and commercial clients I shoot for will start rejecting my work once they realize I’m not using a Nikon D750! I bet every shot you make with a Nikon D750 is marginally better than anything I can produce with my A99s and “archaic” A850s. Well I guess photography isn’t about lighting and composition at all!
Get a grip. Learn to shoot.
http://www.frankwithersphoto.com
Most are rubber rings, Canon, Nikon etc. and are easily replaceable if necessary.
you actually can earn money with photography using decent zoom lenses. just depends on the type of photography and your clients…
These lenses still have a sexy factor going on. Maybe the A mount train of pain is about to drop it like it’s hot. Come on Sony….DO IT. Give us an A mount that punishes the competition into submission. Absolute decimation.
That 16-35 especially. I don’t own it yet, but I’ve rented it a few times, and I LOVE that thing.
I bet sony will make a better F2.8 Zoom for E-mount later this year : )
I wonder if the new improved AF would allow them to be used on E-mount camera with LAEA3 (without SLT) and still provide AF performance on par with native E-mount lenses. If yes – that’s pretty smart!
no way. It’s well known SLR designs aren’t compatible with hybrid AF from mirrorless.
Oh really? And I thought the problem was with the typical SLR AF lenses not being able to do series of rapid small adjustments… Stronger, faster SSM and faster electronics cannot help that?
^^ Unfortunately no. Two different types of motors and focusing systems.
Even Canon STM lenses are still very slow with their mirrorless camera.
Nikon did it, Olympus also did it. Sony can do it, but I still think E-mount F2.8 zooms will come
EOS-M3 or an older one?
^^ I was referring to EOS STM lenses via the adapter.
Me too,
STM lenses do only when camera did comand them to do.
And STM lenses (for DSLR) can focus fast and slow, the camera decides the speed.
EOS-M1 & M2 had contrast AF only and therefore needed a slow focus-speed to check each step if contrast increased or decreased.
M3 has dual-pixel-AF and knows aproximately how far to focus, being able to focus as fast as lens can do.
So again:
You said (adapted) STM lenses are still slow on theirs mirrorless cameras.
Was this mirrorless camera M1, M2 or M3?
I can’t remember the model number I used TBH. But I believe it to be the M2. The AF was basically non usable. Was using a 40mm f2.8 STM lens with the adapter.
On M2 was a slow constrast AF only version. M2 flopped. But Canonians are very keen about M3 and its focusing speed – seems like it catched up to its competitors. But I did not get really deep into this topic.
Olympus choose µ4/3 for a reason… you can’t today build big lenses for mirrorless cameras… to autofocus you need to move whole lens group extremely fast back and forth with great precision… and as we see it’s not that simple = no long telephoto for FE, no fast zooms, and the only complete (with long tele) ML system is µ4/3… where the biggest lens is probably smaller and lighter than 70-200/4
Since Photokina actually
Nice improvements (if true) for only a 5% price increase. Sony brought the same modest improvements to the 70-200mm 2.8…and increased the price by 50%.
You think so? I brought the 24-70/2.8 like two years ago and paid 1,7k. I don’t have any issues with AF, coatings or weather sealing. Now, the same lens costs 2,1k (+25%). It’s a great lens, don’t get me wrong, but this update is more or less unnecessary. And I think, you either already do have those lenses or are not interested. And I think this upgrade won’t convince you either. A 85/1.4 or 135/1.8 with SSM would indeed be nice – but also only for those who don’t have the old version.
Could you please let us know, why you don’t see these lenses as being pro-grade?
He probably means the electronics and AF system despite the sensor size.
These are silly statements. A great many professional press, event and wedding photographers rely on 16-35, 24-70 and 70-200mm lenses. Very few professionals are shooting with zeiss otus lenses of that is your perception.
I didn’t mean that they aren’t “pro-grade”, whatever that means. It has been my observation that “pros”–studio product shots, portraiture, weddings, interiors, aviation, wildlife, architecture, promotional landscape, etc.–tend to use specialized lenses. From what I have seen, these people get pigeonholed, so you won’t find, say, an architectural specialist doing portraits.
Sometimes the pigeonholing is accepted with pride, and advertised as a specialty. Because they tend to be narrow, the functionality of their lenses tends also to be narrow. I know various “pros” who use 1 specialist lens 90+ percent of the time, and I am in a building with literally dozens of “pros” of all types, and many more in adjacent buildings.
The only ones who use lenses like the ones described are those who do outdoor event and vanity photography–and of those of whom to I have spoken, they are most often just starting out in photography, and have told me that they would like to “graduate” to more specialist lenses.
Don’t crap all over me, it’s just what I have observed–and there is a LOT of photography around me (midwest USA)
BTW there are lots of fashion and ad shoots here too–LOTS–and not a zoom lens in sight.
Sadly, however, not a Sony in sight either.
Sony just have to decide. A mount means by far being able to design better glass. It might be a sign that they acknoledge this. A mount cameras still have the edge when it comes down to ergonomics, battery life, autofocusing, operating speed. I have said this before E mount is great, a lot of inovation and huge power in an appealing form factor. Nonetheless it’s the form factor that sets the two lines apart. It’s much harder to design brilliant wide aperture FE lenses considering the shortcomings of that short flange. So why not!? Why not improve in an easy manner. Just tweak on some lenses which already have great optics and resolving power like these two and the 85 and 135. They have already done so with the other zoom lenses in the past couple of years(70-200,70-400,70-300, 300). It’s reasuring to see that they enhance on lenses at least. And i think the day will come when we will glance at the A99 succesor. It’s just that the E mount is indeed a big succes that consumes a lot of resources and menpower. You cannot ignore the obvious that Sony has been alocating more resources into bringing E mount cameras and lenses into the market in order to consolidate it’s growing share of the mirrorless segment. DSLR market has been shrinking so it’s the right thing to do. Use the producing facilities and development segment in order to sell more.It’s just that you reach a point where the growth of the newest market does stabilize and the demand settles down a bit. So it is wise meanwhile to use as little effort as possible to enhance on A mount. And when the production line cleares a little bit just throw in a nice sensor with improved autofocus and significantly increased high iso performance in an A99 like body, put in the newest codec, enhance on video capabilities with maybe internal 4k(it would be time to have an appropiate response to the GH4), improve battery life and long live the Amount. Simple Danielas that. It would be insane not to take advantage of the existing lenses, some of wich would be impossible to find an equivalent in the FE lineup. What relly would of showed more commitment might had been a new 35 1.4. That would have been the sign that thing are also speeding up for the A mount this year. Just as the 50 1.4 Zeiss has been a great companion for the A99, a 35 would be for it’s succesor.
The short flange of E-mount is not a limitation, it actually allows greater flexibility. Designers do not have to put the exit pupil close to the sensor, they simply can do so if it is of benefit.
The fact that there are native E-mount lenses with rear elements close to the sensor and that A-mount lenses on LA-EA adapters work without detriment to image quality demonstrates this.
It is easy to adapt on a mount that is shorter than others (the other
way around requires a piece of glass to achieve infinity focus). E mount main advantage? Flexibility, adaptability. The problem itself as i see it does not consist exclusively of the distance between the sensor itself and the lenses rear element. But it creates difficulties when designing lenses that are well corrected.. As you see standard zoom lenses on E(FE actually) mount are far from perfect. They show pronounced distorsion, much obvious without the incamera’s correction help than what i would like to see. Some wide angle legacy glasse show poor perfomance on E mount also.
FE 35 F1.4 Zeiss is already here
Who cares about MFT charts and so much corner sharpness. Stop being a pixel peeper. Look at the Pulitzer Prize winners and forget about all that. Although good gear is good, photography is about capturing the moment!
Yeah, everyone should go to western Africa to shoot people infected with Ebola!! To hell with MFT charts!!
hahahaha you should get a Pulitzer for your comment 😀
Perhaps there were more entries not related to that but that’s whats hot for the jurors.
Well said. Prizes in today’s world are worthless.
We are on a gear site, deal with it.
True, its a bit silly given the context of the forum. It’s like going to the Mustang GT forum or something and saying who cares about performance the important part is getting a car that will go from A to B or something
This forum simply is not what was years ago where people share knowledge and accept constructive criticism. Some trolls and some folks with low respect for others.
True, but we all know a good ol’ fashioned push rod V8 can do it better than a dual overhead cam 5.0. I mean, have you heard the sound of a LS3 with a comp cam valve train and some spintech headers? It’s glorious!
To make a correction to your comment. This is a RUMOR site, not a gear site. I don’t deal with it, I choose to either read posts or simply ignore your non sense comment. Go out and shoot, maybe you will get better.
You pay for the lens right? Why wouldn’t you care about it?
I do care about it, I just don’t go crazy about it cus out there, clients don’t care about specs or DOF. They don’t have the crazy knowledge some of us might have.
as i read somewhere else…
capturing first place
human pain + misery = pulitzer
maybe for APS-C E-mount but for FF E-Mount? No way. It would be just as big as these A-mount lenses. That would defeat the whole idea of having small camera, small lens idea.
These two are great lens. I use them quite often, both ver 1. Being honest, I’ve never experienced them as slow AF, but in some low-light contra-light situations 24-70 is hesitating to focus and sometimes failing at all. Interesting, is this user scenario improved now?
I don’t know about the SAL1635Z or SAL2470Z (always thought the 24-70 was focusing fine) but the 70-400G2 improves the AF performance compared to the v1
dont get me wrong, in 99,9 cases 24-70 is focusing just fine. But I have some backstage situations, against strong lights….
If you want a 2.8 zoom for A7 then just get the LA-EA4 adapter it won’t be a big difference in size with fast AF speed
EA3 Adapter it is slow, but let pass 26% more light to the sensor than EA-4 and looks better when mounted.
FE 70-200 f2.8 itself would not be shorter than the DSLR counterpart, but due to different construction you save about the length of the adapter: (~25mm) And it is more sturdy.
I don’t really know if I would choose a 70-200 f2.8 over the current f4.
What I really want to see is a FE 70-400 f4-5.6, weather-sealed.
EA3 is mainly for manual focus , AF will work with SSM lenses only and it will use contrast detection AF only which is very very slow (unusable for my use).
I read that, too.
But I see no reason, why only contrast AF is used. A cam with Sensor-PDAF should be able to use whatever the cam wants to use.
A99 isn’t even 2 1/2 years old yet! It didn’t ship until November 2012.
OK….6 months off (thanks for the exclamation mark ☺)…but during that time Nikon have brought out 3 new Full Frames……Canon 2…………….Sony A mount ? …a big fat zero
Great, there are a lot of cheap 24-70 and 16-35 on ebay now 😀
wow, it is very expensive.
It’s not fly by wire. It’s worth every penny.
To me it might worth the convenience.
IMO, the price is reasonable for a high quality Ziess lens.
unlike the 70-200 G2, which is overpriced.
when it comes to zoom, i always think they offer convenience.
Some full size samples from Sony…
http://www.alphaforum.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=114980#p114980
zoom lens + 50mp sensor = ZEISS
e-mount = toy mount = dying
a-mount = dinosaur mount = extinct
No mount is the future.
RXFTW!
RX = no mount = no future LOL (╭☞´ิ∀´ิ)╭☞
Love the ascii, bro
A-mount vs E-mount rivalry is both laughable and plain stupid, clearly displaying no understanding of usefulness of both systems.
I think it’s actually a good time to shoot A mount. I mean, I definitely can’t say they won’t discontinue it at this point…but man…I hope some people unload the old versions of these lenses on eBay. I’m going to have a field day catching a deal. Cheap bodies and lenses, oh my.
Don’t be so excited. We A-mounters don’t choose our lenses lightly. Less so, sell them because a new kid arrives with fancy coatings but nothing else to speak for.
Don’t think so. Since Sony announced Version II of the 300/2.8G and 70-400/4-5.6G, many people predicted version II of 16-35/2.8Z, 24-70/2.8Z and 70-200/2.8G would come anytime soon so they refrained from buying version I. I bought the version II of the 70-400 straight away.
Not going to happen to the extent you hope. There are already lots of first generation 24-70/2.8, 16-35/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 lenses on ebay, but the going price has not changed much since last Photokina, which is when the mass hysteria and disappointment really took off.
Those lenses are very good performers, and there are still modern camera bodies to use them on, both native and via adapter, there is no reason for them to go any lower.
These lenses are described as being E mount compatible with an adapter.
Are they like other A mount lenses, requiring a laea4 to be AF compatible, or are they compatible with simple extension tube like adapter?
The best question I read so far
As far as I know they should be compatible using the LA EA3 adapter and using in campera autofocus because those (and I really don’t know if the ones they’re replacing too) are supposed not to have the screw for focusing and have their own motors to focus. What I don’t know is the speed of the AF using the LA EA3, if it is as fast as if it had native mount.
People fear A mount is dead and will be mpre likely to buy new A mouunt lenses if they fast focus with simple adapter than if they require laea4.
No, since those are SLR designs, they’re not compatible at all with Mirrorless Hybrid AF or CDAF. They will still focus too slow compared to native mount.
There’s nothing which prevents using OSPDAF with SLR len designs (except Sony’s stubborness) — Olympus EM-1 allows it, at worst only the center AF point will work (center AF point isn’t influenced by exit pupil location), but it’s supported.
I just saw the prices. Holy freaking crap.
LOL
watched yesterday on youtube “Canon 24-70 F2.8 II vs. Tamron 24-70 VC Shootout”, where Chris claimed the Canon is the most expensive 24-70 f2.8 of all time
Yeah. When it launched it was $2,200 (2012)
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon-ef-24-70mm-f-2-8l-ii-usm
While today is more like $1,800, I think in time Sony’s pricing will also change to reflect that.
How will Sony stack up against all other 24-70s will really tell us about its worth for people switching or thinking about switching.
Got ego?
You do know selling cameras is the only way for the A mount development to continue, right? Expensive zooms aren’t going to do much for the bottom line when you don’t have Canikons user base. I’d be shocked of Sony’s share of the DSLR market was even half what it was when the A99 was released. There no compelling reason to choose Sony over Nikon. Sony knows that too, hence no A mount body with the 36mp sensor.
Sony!!! These lenses are absolutely useless when there’s no A99II. Release them already. Though this is a good sign that A99II is possible.
Who did those awful pictures of the lenses? Bad pics and bad pricing, not impressed. Do Sony want people to stay away from A-mount? Anyway I’m not a zoom shooter. These upgrades gives a bad taste about what might be coming with A-mount now. I really wanted a good A-mount camera upgrade, but now I’m not sure if this is the road for me…!
Probably E-mount Pro then…. If it comes this year.
They really needed to at least hint that there are more pro A-mount bodies on the way. I wonder if these lenses are made to integrate with FE mount bodys better. Perhaps a new adapter released with either the A7RII. Or more likely released with the A9. Announcing the end of A-mount bodies…and easing the pain for shooters transitioning.
Who is God’s name would drop 2300.00 dollars on a lens just to then have to pay 350-500 bucks on a future adapter for a camera…and with no stepper motors. That’s the pinnacle of nuts. I like peanut butter but come on!
I never said it was a good plan. I am just trying to see the point of this lens release… 🙂
The real question is whether Hasselblad will start offering the version II of the 24-70mm lens in their kit with the HV 😉
http://www.hasselblad.com/dslr/hv
Reading all of these post it makes me wondering how many have shot or even held the V1 24-70 lens. That lens is amazing and upgrade to make is dust and moisture resistant plus kill some of the ghosting. I think it is priced right.
You have to question yourself is it in your shooting style? Will you use that lens a lot? etc…
Best bet is it rent it (V1) if you haven’t used it.
Will this mean the end of A-Mount owners continually pissing and moaning about feeling abandoned on every single unrelated post on SAR?
Moaning…maybe…pissing…not so much.
Long live A mount !!
on the adapter !!
Don’t worry, the bodies will come. I have a feeling they are holding out to bring on the next generation of sensor technology. I hope that’s the case. Anyhow, I won’t be buying either of these two pieces of awesome glass; I can’t afford it. I will be waiting to get good deals on the first generation versions.
My dream is that, we have the small E mount body with small E mount lens for people who need to go light and small, like for traveling. Then have a new LA-EA 5 adapter combine with a grip, basically turn the E mount body into a full size, DSLR like camera with full power of A99. Then we can use the big A mount F2.8 zoom lens. Then I can have one system for all situation.
About god damned time that Sony remembered to something for A-mount users.
As many others have posted before, A-mount is not dead. In the scheme of things a replacement A99 ii should not be on the cards until Sep/Oct of this year.
I am sure that during the last few months of upheaval Sony may have considered killing A-mount, but this is not conducive if one wants to be considered a serious camera maker. Economically, it makes perfect sense, but reputation-wise it would be a death by a thousand cuts. Killing A-mount would make many Minolta/Sony users angry and E-mount/FE-mount users might also question Sony’s long-term commitment to these platforms.
The announcement of the availability of the updated 16-35ZA and 24-70ZA confirms the existence of the A99ii. Even if you had limited production runs of these lenses you would have to build a minimum of 10,000 to 15,000 of each, and this could take two to three months. It would also cost a few million dollars. Why invest so much money on a mount you planned to cancel?
My prediction is that the A99ii will be 36mp only, but with much more advanced AF and stabilisation. Multi-Shot high-mp shots (ala Hasselblad, Olympus and Pentax) are the flavour of the moment, so this might be a new incorporated feature. I believe 50mp might be left to a new flagship RX-2 or future A9, and ‘advanced’ 4k video exclusive to A7s type cameras.
Yes, like others on this blog, in my ‘dreamworld’ Sony will release a 50mp A99ii, and an A1 pro camera with a 12/16mp super low light sensor. Prototypes of such cameras are likely to exist, but in a world where DSLR sales are decreasing it may not be economically viable to commercially release them.
Unless Sony decides to go on an all out assault to grab up to 10% of CaNikon’s marketshare, these cameras will never become a reality. As others have commented this will also mean that Sony may have to price the above lenses more competitively and provide a larger range of A-mount lenses at different price points. This appears unlikely at the moment. I hope I’m wrong and that 2016 is the year of the A-mount, but many of you will tell me that I’m dreaming 🙂
A99ii is an adapter. A9 is the real flagship. Cheer.
Great A-mount lenses without stabilization for A-mount and slow and showing big distorsion lenses but with stabilization for e-mount , Sony has two systems which exclude themselves. No wonder videographers are just buying Canon lenses and Metabones adapters. C’mon Sony, get your things together!
Have you got a clue about what your commenting on? “Sony has two systems”, so has Canon and Nikon; EOS M,Nikon 1 anyone? And why would you need stabilization in the lenses if you already have it in the bodies.Don’t comment just for the sake of it ,it make you look stupid.
Really? M? 1?
The sony Alpha a7s doesn’t have in-body stabilization. And the PXW-FS7 e-mount doesn’t have stabilized fast zoom photo lenses we can use. Do you have a clue? Don’t comment just for the sake of it ,it make you look stupid.
Your statement would make a LOT of sense if only pros bought cameras. A large bulk of cameras like the D750 and A99 are bought by amateurs who compare specs and prices and the D750 outguns it in almost every aspect.
People take great photos with even Iphone cameras. Its the photographer that matters not the camera BUT its far easier to get a great photo with a D4 than it is for a person using an Iphone.
Now it is time to renew also the 85 / 1.4 and 135 / 2.0. SSM and improved resolution seem to be the demands Zeiss has to meet with those lenses…
I’m not crapping on you, I am saying that your statement that these are not the kind of lenses pros would look for is false. No system without high grade 16-35 (or 12-24), 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8 zoom lenses will be considered by the majority of professional photographers. They are necessary zooms.
Architectural, interior & real estate photographers need a wide-angle zoom and the better ones use Tilt-shift lenses in addition to that. The great majority of press, photojournalist, event and wedding photographers all generally need a 24-70 & 70-200 (and many need a 16-35). Landscape guys tend to use 16-35mm lenses as well.
I read that the price is $2,050 for the 24-70 II versus $1999 for the original (list price and what I paid for mine 2 years ago) – hence my calculation of 5%. I have both lenses. I sometimes do have issues with the 24-70 focusing – it could be the a99 or it could be the lens (or both).
I agree that the 85 & 135 should have the SSM. I do not own these and have held off because of that lack given the price. I would buy one or both if they are updated.