The A-mount future slide showed by Sony last yer (the hidden camera was the A77II)
Sony just like every company has a roadmap of products already planned for the coming 1-2 years. And usually only minor changes can happen in between. It’s not an easy task, but my job is to get tidbits about that roadmap. The strange thing that happened this year at Photokina is the following: The same kind of trusted source that told me correctly about the FE lenses like the 16-35mm Zeiss, 90mm macro, QX1, Loxia lenses the 85mm lens (on new roadmap as large aperture prime) also told me there would be updated A-mount lenses at Photokina.
Of course I am surprised to hear this didn’t happen. Now, obviously you can believe the 2-3 sources who shared the A-mount info were simply wrong. And I hope that’s the case. But it’s my believe for now that something must have happened in those last two months. Something that lead Sony to “freeze” the A-mount lens announcement.
Now, fact is, last year Sony said they are fully committed to the A-mount system. Also a Fact is they are pushing E-mount now and they did not mention one single time A-mount during their 1 hour Photokina press conference. And they now mix the A and E-mount stuff under the same “Alpha Lens” brand which is pretty confusing. I think it’s time for Sony to clear things out about the A-mount future. They have two options:
1) Make a clears statement pro A-mount with a proper lens/camera roadmap to really convince us about that.
2) Just confess they will focus on E-mount and maybe offer all A-mount camera owners and E-mount camera in exchange with adapter for free.
You readers tell me if I am right on that. Write down all your frustration in our comment system!!!
UPDATE: I am busy at work and cannot visit Photokina. Those of you that will be there can please ask Sony managers to tell us more about the A-mount future? Thanks!
Note: Here are a couple of pro A-mount statement from Sony:
September 2013: “Rest assured that we will further develop the A-mount system together with the E-mount,” (SAR reader Brad)
October 2013: Sony UK’s Alpha product manager Takahiro Hirata, said: ‘We will not quit A-mount product lines. We will have both product lines.’ (Amateur Photographer).
October 2013: “Sony are still committed to the A-mount system.” (Photographyblog).
November 2013: Kimio Maki is Senior General Manager at Sony’s Digital Imaging: “for A mount we can realize superior image quality with better new technologies” (Dpreview).
One more thing: The BIG Sony January announcement is 100% confirmed.
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I just want to own one system, right now I fell as if I own two, I have a mount and e mount lenses, lets just retired the a mount already. most of my lens are a mount but I am just getting tired of owning 2 systems with the same name and brand. I like the idea of getting something in exchange for my a mount camera.
Everybody should understand that A-mount has no future. In both technical and financial way E- mount is the future. But will Sony admit this? Of cource not. Do you know the “Elop- effect”? Sony wont do the same.
Kimio Maki is Senior General Manager at Sony’s Digital Imaging and also considered the “father” of the RX and A7-A7r series. He explains the difference between E and A-mount: “We can make E mount cameras and lenses smaller than A-mount. But for A mount we can realize superior image quality with better new technologies“.
More like inferior image quality thanks to SLT.
I wonder what he has to say about the new 35mm 1.4.
E-Mount cameras are currently worse than A-Mount counterparts in every possible way (AF, batteries, ergonomics, lens range etc.), with the exception of compactness.
Now, with the recent annnouncements we’ve seen that fast lenses for FE will be just as large as for the A-Mount.
But sure, E-Mount is the future… makes perfect sense to Sony.
Why should they be way smaller? You save bit here and there, but you can’t just reduce the aperture size. Usually, equivalent lenses are of (almost) equivalent size.
Hmm… because it’s the whole reason they came up with mirorrless, no?
I don’t know. For me there a more important reasons: EVF (live histogram, focus peaking, instant image review, magnification …), fast contrast based focusing (more accurate than phase detect in DSLR, although fine tuning lets you get close), intelligent tracking on sensor, less bulk of body, decrease lens flange distance, adapting lenses (although good adapters need to be used for the Otii). There are some reasons why good mirrorless cameras have advantages. I, personally, like the size of DSLRs (D810) and would like to have a mirrorless version of it. If SOny would make this, I will buy one.
No.
Now I can think of some other reasons (EVF: live histogram, magnification, peaking, image review…,Sensor: fast contrast AF (more accurate than phase detect of DSLRs, less lens flange distance, smaller bodies of course).
Sorry but Mirrorless has no future if Mirror lenses fade away.
The strengh of E-mount if their ability to mount any lenses on it.
E-mount will slowly die if A-mount lenses are left apart.
And, this is just my opinion, i prefer to buy A-mount that can be mounted on any mirrorless than E-mount lenses. So yes A-mount has a future
Admin add poll.
Andrea, we all have been disappointed with rumors. I have read few SR5 here about E mount 85/1.8 long before A7 came about. Still there is no portrait lens for E mount.
So delayed announcement for A mount I see as no big thing.
I wrote yesterday that Sony seem to be well behind on their FE mount promises. So may be they want to catch up and are delaying other projects for few months. We were supposed to have 15 lenses by end of this year. We will only have 8 so quite a bit of work ahead of Sony to make FE a viable system. It is probably their only chance to get into professional hands and steal market form Canon and Nikon.
I update the 85mm rumor a month ago saying it would come 2015 only.
A-mount is not dead. Since they continue to expand the pro service and updated the AF module in the a77 MkII. People has been saying this for many years and we still have the a-mount.
There are enough A-Mount lenses and also some were refreshed. Bodies come and go. New A-Mount bodies make not much sense to me as you can continue using the lenses on better mirrorless technology. Just add an E-Mount body with stabilized sensor that can use full A-mount lens functionality including fast AF with a mirrorless adapter like LA-EA3 and everything is fine.
It will help to increase development and production capacity for E-Mount system which is the future.
Fast AF (like that of A6000) doesn’t work with A-Mount lenses/adapters.
Not yet, but how will you know that there will be no solution in the future?
Probably not. A different focusing system requires different lens design; just look at Canon with its new STM lenses.
Sounds like the right path to me. Sony need to consolidate their camera efforts into one system. I even wonder if they need to run APS-c and full frame together or just focus on full frame. Fuji and Samsung will focus on APS-C it seems.
EA4 works great but if they can make EA5 with I motor and remove the mirror and still keep fast AF own ring that will be great. EA6 with mirror and 60+ focus points will also work well.
Sony need to also make bigger E mount cameras like the A3000 but higher class.
Yup. That’s what i believe too. A mount lenses wont go to waste, just make an ibis e mount with cheap and good af adapter.
Adapters = toys.
I would be happy to move from my A-mount system, based on A77, to FE. There are two main problems. The first is that the AF performance of the A7 and A7R are not quite up to scratch. Secondly, I’d find it difficult to afford the lenses. €900 for the FE CZ 24-70, which would replace my CZ SAL 16-80, is a bit steep. But I guess that’s the same for all FF lenses. APS-C E mount doesn’t tempt me (yet) – I don’t see any of them which are as comfortable to use as my A77.
SONY can not write off A-mount yet. Obvious reason is that mirrorless system is not mature enough for some pro applications like sports and wildlife.
Never saw a pro sports shooter using A mount. Or E mount for that matter.
Never saw anyone but chinese girls shooting E-mount. No idea what’s up with all these people here talking about how “e-mount is the future” – no way there’s so many Chinese girls around here.
I am a pro sports shooter (Olympics, Paralympics, International Skiing, etc.) and only use Sony Alpa cameras and glass.
I think too a-mount is not dead for now, i bet Sony is simply waiting what Canon is doing next and then top it, because e-mount is not the direct competition for the 1ds X2 & 5d4 they will likely come in jan/feb, so the BIG announcement makes sense imo.
Aren’t there enough a-lenses to work with & enjoy it? Otherwise they could make a statement about it, like with the e-lenses 2015 roadmap.
It is not possible to know if Sony is committed to Amount or not, however – if people stop believing in Sony’s committment, there will soon enough be a problem.
Sony simply just has more lens mounts than resources for lens development. I have an NEX-5N and I’m starting to wonder if Sony will ever announce a new lens for APS-C E-mount. Are they just slowly fading A-mount and APS-C E-mount away by rebranding everything to “Alpha Lens”?
The 35/1.4 looks like a last minute conversion from a-mount to e-mount
And what does that have to do with this thread title? Care to make an on topic suggestion about what Sony should do for A-Mount?
If it was designed for a-mount and then abandoned and switched to e-mount then that might be a worrying sign concerning a-mount
(and I agree, the 35mm has a large slr design and doesn’t look like it was designed for e-mount)
I am just putting 2 and 2 together. You keep telling us that Sony will focus on releasing game-changing innovations. That, plus the rumours that they will come out with a major new camera, plus curved sensors, plus… adds up to either (1) they need to support an inordinate amount of legacy gear plus the new stuff, or (2) they make hard choices. As the A-mount is one market segment where they lag badly behind Canon and Nikon, and innovation in sensors will do little to change that, it is the obvious candidate to get the axe. Sony then concentrates on segments where they lead: RX, E-mount, QX, new stuff
I am an A-mount user from 2007. I was about to by A77II before now. Now I am confused and in doubts whether to stick to A-mount or not…
same to me, I am an a-mount user since 2011, was looking to upgrade to A77II or the coming full frame, but then i heard new a-mount ff might postpone to next year, so Im really confused and see what just happened on photokina yesterday. I remember early this month I was still confident that I will stay in Sony, but now my mind is 50% on A99II/A77II and 50% on Nikon D750
Same here. A900, and A99, with a crapload of glass. I will either get the successor to the A99, or bail for Nikon. The lack of professional support from Sony at large international media events is criminal, and I am having a harder and harder time defending my reasons for sticking with them.
Ps, all of my kit is insured, and I like to leave my car doors unlocked…..
No way, la monture A est bientôt morte ! Elle n’a d’ailleurs jamais prise au niveau des professionnels. Sony s’en moque complètement. Le A99 est un super boitier mais qui ne s’est pas vendu. Dommage… et je fais partie de ceux qui l’ont acheté ! Je n’attends plus rien coté A-Mount et encore moins l’A99ii !
Are there any other nations as ignorant as the French to write in their native language on an English speaking forum/website?
Lol, I wrote exactly the same, even the same wording on another french post some days ago. It’s weird that they would like us to know their view of things but on the other hand don’t care if anybody understands it.
English speaking guys are more ignorant …
Don’t use “they”, you don’t notice it but many people posting here in English are actually french ….
Pauvre Glina, je te plains !
You can “pity” me as much as you want, but the fact is:
1. I don’t care
2. You’re only ridiculing yourself
Oh and by the way, I speak your language pretty well, but wont be bothered to reply to you in French.
Olympus did this a few years ago, almost a template of this situation: they just let four thirds die, all the while saying little about it, hoping the problem would go away by itself. Only about 4 years later, did they come up with the OM-D EM-1 that has a decent autofocus system for what they now call “legacy lenses”. Similarly the A-mount will be discontinued, I am sure, but if Sony are clever they’ll find a way to enable the use of what are now Sony’s legacy lenses on their E-mount cameras that is less of a clunky and at the same time cheaper method than the available adapters.
The price of Minolta AF lenses on Ebay has fallen to about half what they used to be: always a good indicator.
I love my A77 and I’m not selling anything, plan to continue using the system for a while – it’s obviously still as great as it was yesterday. Investments in either A- or E-mount will have to wait, though.
…Sony’s Headquarters…Let’s build a few A Mount Cameras and don’t produce any lenses for them…Will our customers stick around? lol
It is enough for me of these mirrorless electronic toys, switching mounts, changing hotshoes etc.; Minolta/Sony Alpha system seems completely dead now, and it’s zombie corpse acts unpredictable. Did not want it, but now I am choosing between Canon and Nikon.
Ever since OLYMPUS abandoned their Four Third system, I have sensed this coming.
If A-mount is indeed to be abandoned, and Sony doesn’t come out with good (or at least reasonable) offer to A-mount users to switch into E-mount (at least a free adapter), I might as well change system.
A-Mount user since 1992. Self employed photographer since 1981. I’ve used every type of equipment under the sun. I always come back to Minolta Maxxum AF.
Very simply, Sony should get the Mind of Minolta surgically implanted into their empty head. That, after all, created the customer base who supported Sony initial and continued offerings. They would NEVER have purchased the brand had it not been for the massive and loyal customer base. Sony should be more beholden, and grateful to that customer base for supporting and evangelizing the product line better than any advertisement ever could. Yet I feel that Sony is rather narcissistic, demanding loyalists suffer the butchery of the very philosophy that kept us away from other brands.
+1 Very well said.
Sony should take note that pushing their old customers away doesn’t give them a good name for creating a stable system. CaNikon are boring, but pros trust them because they are stable.
New tech is good, but only showing love to new tech and forget about its heritage and offer no support is not how a system should if they are to start pushing Sony imaging pro support.
Put the a7R sensor, (with AA lowpass filter) inside the a99, like they should have done three years ago, before giving MY COMPETITION three versions of the advantage.
Honor the elegant iISO hotshoe and all of our legacy investment by at least creating an iISO adapter that LOCKS.
Make the a99 operate as fast and nimble as the a900 does, still does.
Make a99 magnify playback at the focus selection point, like the a900 does, still does.
Make a99 option for Intelligent Preview, which is handier than EVF for many situations where one would rather analyze and adjust a still image, rather than having to hold camera on live subject view for adjustments.
Fix the a99 and all SLT flash delay, so that professionals who rely on the better 20 year old technology don’t have to suffer performance losses.
Could we at least get some native off camera cables for the new hot shoe, and flash? Not cool to need two non locking adapters on both ends of the cable. Ridiculous.
Create viewfinders that work with eyepiece magnifiers. The a900 works perfectly with the discontinued FDA-ME1AM… but doesn’t work with a99. No magnifier works on a99 without compromise of proximity sensor.
Update remaining screwdrive lenses to SSM, at least for the consistency of it all.
Allow for joystick to control magnified focus, rather than having to jump back and forth between the two buttons.
There is more. But these are some basics that will improve shooting in the field, and for clients.
Simpler:
Take A99 sensor, put it into A900 body.
Bang, job done.
It will give probably the best camera Sony ever made.
If they’d want to go with more upgrades – add swivel screen from A99, live view, video, and a full weather sealing.
I’ve looked at alternatives… all seem to be worse.
A7x have bad low-light / tracking AF, small batteries, bad ergonomics due to size, worse tilting screen (like that of A57).
Most pro lenses are missing, like the basic 24-70 f/2.8, and buying an expensive camera and lens to use via an adapter is not an option. Also, the “kind-of-fast” AF on A6000 doesn’t work with adapters. I guess adapters can help those who have the lenses already, but not new customers who want to purchase a pro system.
Canon / Nikon FF miss EVF, A99-like tilting screen (D750… better than nothing, I guess), fast LV AF and other basic comforts of SLT.
I see switching from SLT to DSLR as a downgrade.
Full Frame A-Mount SLT with a refreshed G / Zeiss lens line-up would be an ideal system, although a tad expensive.
Add pro support, a roadmap, firmware updates and some consistency, and Sony could surely compete in the DSLR market with it.
E-Mount cameras are currently worse than A-Mount counterparts in every possible way, with the exception of compactness and ability to adapt 3rd party lenses (which don’t bring money for Sony). Now, with the recent annnouncements we’ve seen that fast lenses for FE will be just as large as for the A-Mount.
But, for some strange reason, E-Mount is suddenly “the future”, and we’re left to ponder inferior options to what could have been the best photo system out there.
I agree with you but you are writing from a pro’s perspective. For many other uses the E-mount cameras are spectacular.
Sony just needs to release a new range low- mid- and high-end SLT cameras of A77 II caliber with best in class AF/speed/ergonomics.
The A99 was almost there but lacks speed and AF coverage. In addition, it should come in different varieties with 12/24/36 MP sensors. Sounds like an easy solution to me.
>I agree with you but you are writing from a pro’s perspective. For many other uses the E-mount cameras are spectacular.
Well, yeah. That’s why when there was a rumor that Sony makes A-Mount it’s professional system, it made perfect sense.
You don’t need to be a professional to want a high-end photo camera though. Many people who buy an 5D3 and L lenses don’t make money in photography.
I wouldn’t call low-light af bad. A7r’s, which is pretty much of the worst in lineup can indeed af in low light, even better than 1Dx that I used to have. Slower, yes, but accurarcy is better than the traditional phase-af that slr-bodies have. On a7 tracking is well on par with D800. A7s is the best low-light aquiring body in the market with its -4ev af. In the whole sensor, not just one point, which is the case with 6D. So nothing to shame there. Slr has some advantage in speed, but nothing out of reach.
The speed so far has only been matched by Sony APS-C. Recall that the A7 range was released around the same time as the a6000 which has the fast AF. This implies that speedy mirrorless AF is not FF capable yet or intentionally hampered. When Sony makes the tech leap to apply it to FF then that’s when A7x will be a great system.
“For many other uses the E-mount cameras are spectacular.” – so are compacts. I got RX100 and never regretted picking it over any E-mount camera for my “many other uses”.
Sorry, but the raise of large-sensor compacts = demise of mirrorless. And large sensor compacts are just waking up.
Andrea you have now opened the flood gates and I am sure you will get 100’s of comments especially from frustrated A mount users. I think Sony just needs to assure A mount users that the mount is not dead, failure to do this will cause many to jump ship to either Canon or Nikon.
It could be the lull before the storm and there will be a relaunch of the A mount early next year at CES when the next generation sensor should appear in both A & FE mount cameras, though to me this would be a duplication. The question is what do Sony sell more of, A or E mount cameras? If you know the answer to that you will perhaps deduce where Sony is going 🙂
It’s my goal to “force” sony to a clear pro A-mount statement. Because I am tired to see angry commenters here on SAR 🙂
Well if you know of anyone who is at Photokina – get them to go to the Sony booth each day & say “what are you doing with a-mount?” or even better “when will Sony release a roadmap for a-mount – you have been very quiet”.
If more people start to do that, then Sony will hopefully start to notice.
+1
Actually – update this article with a request for people at Photokina to ask those type of questions at the Sony booth. That will start to get Sony’s attention.
I’m with you. For me, an adaptor is not going to do it. It’s just plain odd, big and unprofessional cheap looking.
1) Sony either allows an equivalent A-mount to E-mount lens trade-in to owners whom wishes to do so within certain period.
2) If Sony drops the ball, I’ll protest by the smashing my Sony/Zeiss collection and post on Youtube for the world to see my stupidity for being Sony loyalist. Hopefully, that might wake-up everybody to boycott Sony products.
Thank you!
If the January announcement turns out all E-Mount again, we will be expecting a Youtube link from you mate 🙂
You can count on me, Bro!
If Sony really wants to catch up to Canikon in the Pro segment (and that’s what they told us the role of A-Mount will be in future) they have to go all in or nothing.
Either fire a broadside at them or commit yourself to leave the field.
I hope this lack of any A-Mount related news is the silence before the storm.
“To end a good news: The BIG Sony January announcement is 100% confirmed.”
Focus on this, since good news is what the A-mount system needs.
I really hope Sony drops focus on the A-mount line. SLT/SLR tech is in sunset phase, for Canon and Nikon as well. We all know it. Mirrorless is the future.
What I think Sony should be focusing on is bringing better pro tech to the E-mount line. The A6000 was a positive move in that direction for those who need pro autofocus. Develop image stabilization for the E-mount. I would LOVE an E-mount camera with the fully tiltable screen of the A99. And of course more fast lenses. The recent FE lenses announcement was encouraging.
Resources are limited, and Sony should be focused on the future, not the few complaining A-mount users. People with A-mount cameras already have the lenses and gear they need to do what they need to do.
People keep repeating the “Mirrorless is the future” mantra, but none seem to stop and think for a second. Why is it the future, other than being a newer technology?
What advantages does it have over DLSR/SLT?
Compactness? Nope. Fast FF lenses will be just as big as those for DSLR, just look at the 35 f/1.4 just announced.
Ability to adapt other lenses? Irrelevant for a new customer who doesn’t have a bunch of legacy glass. Besides, Sony needs to sell Sony lenses.
So why?
Amen duott. Even less stable with big lenses on a little mount with less screws.
+1 And overall button placement, ergonomics and handeling with long lenses, battery life, overall build etc all these isn’t necessarily better than DLSR/SLT.
Just think about this it is clear that FE isn’t ready for events: try to shoot an whole day indoor or low light event or with A7 with adaptor and A mont lenses, you will face those issues:
1. Forget about adapting CaNikon AF lenses to shoot events,it is way too slow, you will miss too many shots.) Since there is no “holy trinity” FE f2.8 zoom, and f1.4 prime ( Except the upcoming FE 35 m f1.4, and that has no OSS too ) and no A mount lanes has OSS, then you need to use higher shutter speed coz no IBIS thus using higher ISO + the light light loss in the LAEA 4 so it basically and it defeats the purpose of using A mount f2.8 zoom or prime.
2. Then there is battery life, it is shorter than any SLT, even with the and battery grip( Coz there are also battery grip for A77,A900, A99), and the grip doesn’t offer those control buttons like A77, A900, A99 when shooting vertically, one have to take their eyes off and look at the buttons if one need to use the buttons to changes settings quickly. And when you shoot with the A7 grip on, it is easier to knock the real dial on the grip when shooting normally. Hmm not exactly that convenient.
3. Then there is group AF points and for changing those AF area quickly when following actions, all SLTs can do that, not a single A7 cameras can. And there is no joy stick to switch to centre AF point quickly by pressing it down.
In the end yes DSLRs/SLTs are overall still bigger and bulkier, but handles way better in this kinda situations.
Mirrorless has their place and advantage but sometimes it is overhyped, same as DSLR, horses for courses.
Cost.
Less parts:
– no SLT mirror
– no separate AF module (expensive R&D for relatively small volume sellers like Sony A mount)
Less calibration needed between separate AF module and sensor plane
More flexibility in lens design. Even with the A mount and no mirror, you can develop shorter FL lenses with elements inside the mount, much closer to the sensor.
For a company like Sony, any cost saver could be convincing enough at this point.
Biggest hurdle is AF compatibility with legacy glass (older, slower chips, slower gearing and slower motors that don’t work well with anything that involves oscillating CDAF, thus pure on sensor PDAF required).
High-end models are expected to be expensive anyway. I got it when they got rid of the a37, but slashing its whole professional-grade camera/lens system to bring down the costs of production a little bit… meh.
I agree, very meh.
But Sony has been forced to take quite a few drastic measurements lately. Sadly, they’re not in the position to bleed for quite a while and then wait for profits (if ever) later anymore.
Because evolution happened, and we don’t need the mirror anymore. There are so many advantages to designing cameras without the mirror, there’s no need for us to remain stuck in past tech.
I bought 2 Voigtlander lenses and the new 50mm .95 Mitakon AFTER I purchased the A7. It should make Sony happy that more people are adopting their system even if they’re not using Sony lenses.
Instead of devoting resources toward the A-mount line, Sony should develop a pro-grade mirrorless A9 series.
What I really want released is an A5 without the viewfinder; that viewfinder is seriously in the way of my A7 camera becoming functionally coat pocketable. I LOVE having my coat pocket act as the only camera bag I need.
Your A-mount lenses still work with your A-mount camera. The current A-mount system is pretty capable. Let the engineers free up their mental energy to push photography into newer territories.
So, you found a perfect camera to use with your compact primes.
Any advantages for those of us who want to use a 70-200 f/2.8?
Even if there was one for E-Mount.
Yes, versatility.
Naturally autofocus speeds will need to improve on E-mount. And then there is no advantage for the A-mount.
Engineering resources are much better served developing the E-mount system to better serve the needs of A-mount users.
Even the APS-C users see the writing on the wall. FE system will continue becoming more accessibly priced, and more will upgrade to full frame. The APS-C will probably remain for entry level consumers only, as the A6000 series becomes less desirable when FE cameras are sub $1000.
Sony will be able to have a lot more impact with their FE system when their resources aren’t spread as thin.
Well, naturally, if mirrorless AF ever gets as fast as DSLR PDAF, A-Mount will become obsolete along with EF Mount and F Mount.
But this is a big IF that a lot of people on this board seem to skip over. It may happen in 2 years. May happen in 10. May very well never happen due to inherent limitations of the OSPDAF technology (a lot of tiny AF sensors on the image sensor).
“Compactness? Nope.” – Yes, when required. A mount that doesn’t have a mirror box has the inherent ability to be smaller.
“Fast FF lenses will be just as big as those for DSLR, just look at the 35 f/1.4 just announced.” – True, but a 35mm f/1.4 attached to an A7 is still smaller than when attached to an A99. You could never get a package as small as the A7/35mm f/2.8 with A-mount. Flexibility is the key to e-mount that die-hard A-mounters forget.
I don’t believe you’ve thought out your comments.
A-Mount users want stability. Especially the feel of the camera more stable with lens attachments. A-Mount larger/thicker with more screws than E-Mount and Nikon. Only Canon is larger, but thinner with two less screws. That’s why every CaNikon I’ve ever owned gets creaky over time with loose mount and body flex. E-Mount is creaky brand new. Nothing E-Mount can ever do to make that little mount as stable as genuine Alpha. That’s why it’s such an insult to hijack the name and repurpose it for the marketing that real Alpha cameras earned after 25 years of use.
If you need compact, then request for compact Alpha, even without mirrors. But don’t ever expect a toy NEX camera to be as stable as A-Mount, even if they make the camera around it larger.
http://numerof.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/sony_a9001.jpg
http://www.sony.com.au/microsite/a7redemption/images/camera.png
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/nikon-d800/ZURFRONT.JPG
http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.607999822728595979&pid=1.7
“Nothing E-Mount can ever do to make that little mount as stable as genuine Alpha”.
Add more screws?
Honestly, for my amateur needs, a dead system will suffiice for years to come.
If it is dead, its impossible to sell, so I might as well keep it.
Moving on, I would then look for alternatives that deliver of AF speed.
– I a so hate missing ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ shots due to hesitant cameras.
I can live with noise and whatever, but I hate
“Here is a shot of a guy that just did something great”
That basically rules out all MLC’s today.
What surprises me is that Sigma and others still releases a-mount glass. What do they know that we don’t know?
I also think that there is room for FF SLT-style s/_/r cameras like the a7’s, So where are they ???
Yes, I am a A mount user, and this is the last time to visit this site !
I made the decision. The nikon D750 is for me. I’m sure. No future with Sony !
Sony – thats mean a lot of problems.
Yes, am a little bit hate Sony for this.
Yes Sony cameras impossible to sell, no one wants them.
In the near future this forum named Sony E mount forum.
At this future Sony not produse E mount cameras – they produce new CE (curved) mount cameras. With new flash hot shoe standard and so on…
And E-mount owners waiting and waiting ….the new Sony A7II camera….
Goodbay Sony !
Not understand why people keep ranting over amount and amount again and again. A such simple logic that cannot you realize that amount eco-system is damn big compare to emount eco-system?If Sony letting amount in dust, what left to sustain Sony imaging division revenue…even though trend to mirrorless based on world wide camera sales report, that not going to happen that soon to completely vanish conventional DSLR.
When Sony slow in pushing for emount lenses, everyone hammered Sony on poor choice of the lenses and accessories availability; And now Sony get hammered again because of not announcing anything about Amount stuff. 2 possibilities here: 1) Pro user keen for A-FF replacement 2) Pro user losing patience
Be patient, good thing is coming soon (bulky-heavy-dslr pack with 54MP) to you!
I am convinced that It’s not the end of the A-mount, but it’s the end of the SLT camera’s, the A77m2 was not ready for that transformation yet, so the new A-mount camera stuff that is coming will be without the SLT system, Sony need more time to do this breakthrough, there seems to be more problems than first supposed, the question is what system exactly can replace the Sony SLT system in the A-mount camera’s and work with all lenses , maybe thats why there are no new A -mount lenses at this time announced ???
I think it is pretty clear Sony will cease development of the A-mount down the line, there is little resources for a company with financial problems to focus on two lines of lenses. The E-mount is not only the future of the imaging division but also their professional video division as seen by the cinema lenses, A-mount has always been a minolta legacy for Sony, they are moving past that.
How bout’ staying on topic of what the post is about. We don’t need your predictions Nastradamus. Or your judgement against something you haven’t used professionally for twenty years. This thread is about suggestions TO THE BENEFIT OF A-Mount. Not doomsday foretelling. Take your tarot cards to the ice cream shop and fool the kids with them.
I been a professional A-mount user all my life (Used the original Minolta Alpha 7), and own a large collection of A-mount lenses, honest I don’t see the issue with what Sony is doing unlike most people on this site. Technology change and we just have to accept it, if you look at Sony’s releases both in Camera and Lenses (or near lack of), we can pretty much see where the future is going.
Technology changes are supposed to be ‘technology upgrades’, not ‘downgrades’.
Sony, if you are listening.
I think you have 2 types of people here.
1) People that want emount
2) People that want amount
Why not to do the following:
Body: Make a DSLR e mount body and ship it with an adapter (LA-EA5 – no mirror but with screwdriver).
Make 3 DSLR like bodies. 1) High ISO – low MP 2) Mid MP – decent ISo 3) Studio beast with lots of MP.
AF: You have the ability to make great phase detect on sensor AF. Put this into an emount camera
Put in IBIS. Put in the “regular” batteries.
Keep making A7-Style bodies for those who need compactness.
Give us F2/8 standard zooms for emount.
Keep FW updating your camera (show us you care!)
May Be Sony will keep FF range to E-Mount only and 1.5 Crop to A mount. Their current actions suggest such. No aps-c e mount lens announcement at all.. no new a-mount announcement at all… hoping to see a APS-C a-mount system with fast focusing and goodies, in january.
lol, I think sony sold 100X more a6000 than a77ii. Younger generation are all buying e-mount cameras but not A-mount. A-mount is out dated. It is simply not profitable to Sony.
Yet the figures posted on SAR several times show that outside of Asia A-mount sales far outweigh E-mount.
Mirrorless ILC hasn’t caught on in the rest of the World to the extent that you think it has, soccer moms still want a camera that looks “professional”.
“Far outweigh”? Let’s see those figures please.
“Younger generation are all buying e-mount cameras but not A-mount.” – yea, outside of the trade shows I seen tons of Chinese girls with E-mount cameras.
Noone else. Ever.
I am a Canon shooter because when I made the decision, this brand was the most reasonable in relation to lens line, quality, acceptance, but was nothing exciting. I could have bought a Nikon, does not matter. My heart was beating for a A900: nice finder, well damped mirror, robust camera, real controls, haptics, personality of equipment etc.pp. BUT I WAS MISSING LENSES. Sony took about 6 (SIX!) years to release a high quality 50mm Zeiss standard lens. This was THE deal breaker for a 50mm guy. Then there were no Zeiss manual focus lenses for the A900. Now we have the Loxia’s but Sony gave up on the A900 quality for its A7 bodies. Sony has no consistency. Sony likes to play around but avoids the daily business, building up confidence, half baken products with wow effect, fading away in real life usage after short. This is a suicidal strategy. Sony should explain to us, why there is no 24 and 36MP DSLR, why they bought Minolta (this excellent brand) and let this heritage of simple, reliable tech starve. Sony lost credibility. I see no way how to make up for that loss. I would not believe Sony if they pretended to have changed their mind. Therefore I conclude, the A-mount is dead.
” this brand was the most reasonable in relation to lens line,” – it still is.
E-Mount fans get lost. This thread isn’t about you. Don’t muddle it up with your incestuous brand bias. You’ve had your day. Good for you. Now get lost and let A-Mount users make suggestions that work for us.
Quick, somebody call a waaaaaaaambulance!
Repeat “E-Mount is the future” until you get high. Don’t get scared if you go to the bathroom though, there’re may be a MIRROR there.
I threw in the towel today, sold my A900 and A99. have bought an A7r + clunky adaptor as an interim camera to get a bit more use out of my investment into Zeiss A mount lenses, each of which is worth more than the camera they will be mounted on. Will migrate to Nikon over the next 12 months as I sell off the lenses, Nikon know what they are doing, there’s lenses, support, a roadmap and a philosophy, time to get with it and stop waiting.
Whats the use of waiting for the A9911 replacement? its obvious that Sony isnt interested in the future of the A mount line. I think only the foolish will stick with it thinking there’s something just around the corner. All signs say its the end. What gets me is that as I parted with the A900, I thought, add a 36mpxl sensor, live view, processor and upgraded software and its an awesome working camera, solid, tough, straightforward, fits the hand and the balance with the 24 – 70 CZ was perfect. Sad.
Well this is the week of Photokina. Sony has a booth there. I’m sure we know people who are going there – get them to ask Sony what is going on.
Sorry SAR_admin for repeating this comment but update this article with a request for people at Photokina to ask questions at the Sony booth. That will start to get Sony’s attention.
We have the opportunity now to ask questions of Sony reps. Yes they might not know or can not or will not tell us but if more & more people ask, then they will notice. We have the opportunity now & Sony people at the booth. Bug them.
If it is anything like the shows in the US, they hire clueless girls off the street that have no knowledge. Do you think a Sony person in the know would face the wrath of lines of A mounters.
They should sell it back to Minolta for pennies on the dollar.
I have A77 ….and im ready to upgrade .I hoped for A6000 .But the Adaptor will not track and it uses the same AF as what i have so its not a step foward. theirs no battery grip for stamina .It could have used the A7x one but nope .So thats not a option .The AF and FPS is tooooo SLOW on the A7x so I cant go their .I dont want to invest in the A77II as I think the future is E mount thy will go from strength to strength now.
Personaly I think sony at the verry least need to build a new Adaptor with the A77II PD that will track with the flexy multy spot .
Pared with ether a A7000 with the tri navi and a optional battery girip id be happy .
Or A7X with 10+FPS I could deal with that .
But currently just going to sit tight see how it plays out .
As an Emount APSC user, I am frustrated as well. No more APSC lenses production. There are so much APSC user more than FF… Are we to use those expensive heavy FF lenses?
Sony, this is a very simple matter. Provide ACTUAL AND ACTIONABLE proof of your commitment to the A mount or just admit it already you plan to drop it and go E-mount all the way since it’s easier for you.
Enough with the goddamned teases and statements, we want FACTS, we want NEW lenses that we can all afford, not just rehashed lenses that you tweaked a little and increased the price 1000 USD or more, we want NEW cameras, not your usual itsy bitsy iterations to change a thing or two, which usually is dropping good things and implementing crap no one asked for.
Form a damn A-mount and E-mount working group for independent R&D and marketing. Merging both mount under the same name was a colossal screw up. Alpha (A-mount) and NEX (E-mount) was way better and made a distinction clear.
Do that already and let me know if I should keep buying your stuff or if I should go somewhere else.
One thing that is completely lost in this A vs E-mount discussion is whether or not Sony will be developing APS-C E-mount lenses or has dropped that segment in favor of FF lenses. Yes, FE lenses can be used on APS-C, but there is a huge difference in size and price between the two.
Yes. About that I wanted to write a post too. But I though A-mount discussion is more urgent now.
It is more urgent for A-mount users, for APS-C E-mount users however … 😉 Sony is rapidly digging a hole for themselves where they cannot get out of anymore.
The FE line is great from a technological viewpoint, but it is poisoning both the A-mount and APS-C E-mount market. A and E-mount used to be two very distinct segments, but the arrival of FE has muddled Sony’s camera lines beyond repair.
I love my A6000 and the lenses I have for it are fine, but there are a lot of gaps to fill. Tele primes, faster zooms, macro lenses. However, the future for dedicated APS-C lenses looks pretty bleak I think.
With DSLR, they only release many lenses for Full Frame to push you into Full Frame. APS-C DSLR has no advantages over a Full Frame, other than being less expensive.
WIth mirrorless, it’s a different story. People buy mirrorless for compactness. Some even opt for 4/3 with even smaller sensor and hence smaller lenses.
I used to own a Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 APS-C lens, and it was the same size as a Full Frame 70-200 f/4. So, although I have zero interest in mirorrless, I can understand your frustration very well.
In general you’re mostly right about that last part, except for longer tele lenses. For example a 70-200 covering just the APS-C circle would have been similar in size and weight and thus likely price too.
If Sony is going to devote their lens design resources to APS-C lenses, it should be towards f2.8 pancakes. Other than that, the current selection of APS-C E-mount lenses are sufficient. Especially with the options that will also open up from the development of faster full frame FE lenses. Most of the crowd that wants faster lenses probably also wants full frame, or at least wants their lenses to be future proof full frame upgrade compatible.
The silence is killing me. E mount look promising but lack lens bargains (read cheap tamrons with very good price-performance ratio). On the other hand sony a77mII looks like sony has finally made a breakthrough with an aps-c a mount camera and it will be a shame to stop development here.
And one question. Will Sigma and Tamron announce any e mount lenses?
They did last year or so, but there just isn’t enough income to justify them. As Sigma said: Mirrorless shooters usually buy a body, kit lens, and nothing else. Ever.
It’s not even funny that DxO Mark suggest a Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS for standard zoom lense for A5000.
It is not even funny that DxO Mark suggest a Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS for standard zoom lens for A5000.
a picture is not a entry level nore a skilled Amateuer a semipro and a Pro…
That old and waste of resuurces thinking does not bring us the real. Since
2011 Sony runns in my front and i did not take one of this, one time something
would ne great next time something is missing. APS-C is a good base in both
worlds ( small 1`hype and expensive R7s hype= where you stand in front of..
30% of Price…FS-7 Filmcamera..) The grappy alpha3000 is exelent in base.
But -not bic codec-and so many other things-most a waste of money and resourses.
And this bullishit-modell disaster ( like BMW taht works for a global market but every
grown up BMW fan runnn s away miles..becaus of its makrketingpapertigers..no:)
And i do not stay in HOPE when i WANT soemthing from MAUFACTURE a, b,c ,d so on.
I also do not care if it is 0,5mm thin , 1cm fat if it works fine.
And lenses- make no one-ore start with a fine f2,8-f2,8 18-55, because why should i
come back and buy another one? why?
do they realy thing i burn my money every day?
am i a bankster, ore somethnig else whre from chikago 1930`
no.
What?
Now that made everything verry clear, Chicago, BMW and apsC somthing …
Well, indeed.
I’m so frustrated by this! I’m waiting to pull the trigger on a upgrade, but I’m holding out for the potential a- mount monster.
I previously mentioned my assumption of Sony having been indecisive of treating the A mount last year.
Yes, they have the commitment to A mount, otherwise they would have been stupid to invest a lot of money into R&D of a mount lenses. And even if many of you haven’t been happy, about what came up – Sony released the 500/4, 50/14 and renewed the 300, 70400 and 70200.
And it is rumored that 35G, 85ZA and 135ZA will be renewed as well.
Now. Regarding bodies they have been concentrating on their idea of the E mount FF.
As of the A99 being just 2 years old, they didn’t felt being in a hurry mode to renew their top model. In order to give a sign that A mount isn’t dead they released a (in my mind) proper update of the APS-C work horse A77.
They skipped the idea of bringing an A99II because that is not the way they want to go. The A99 is not pro enough to them, so they skipped it (or left it to be released as number 2 in order to bring a completely new A mount top dog.
As said – just an assumption. Let’s see what will really happen.
How about a suggestion, just one, about what they should do for A-Mount, like the topic title says. We don’t really need your history recap or future assumptions.
Your words have the staying power of dust in the wind.
It’s not like Sony managers are reading this forum.
We’re only talking to each other here.
So this thread is for expressing our emotions, making our predictions or discussing what options we have.
Instead of being gruff just read between the lines. 🙂
Making my assumption becoming fact, with one additional wish.
So here – especially for you, FR09:
Update the 35G, 85ZA, 135ZA with sealing and SSM
Bring additionally an uwa prime 18mm
Release an a mount top dog that serves real pro requirements
Renew the top flash gun
suggestions what for? do you really think sony cares whats written in this message board full of bs!? yeah the admin cares because he wants you to come back every day.
A-mount does not cry for lenses. The rumored 35mm f/1.4G (which, I believe, now turned out to be the new SEL35F14Z) was nice, but not extremely important, given the existence of the pretty stellar Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art.
However, it’s crucially important to know whether there will be any further A-mount bodies, be it boring-and-just-incremental rumored a99II or something new and completely WOWish. Current A->E-mount adapters are plainly ridiculous and useful only as a stop-gap measure (LA-EA3 lacks any useful autofocus, a7 with LA-EA4 is bulkier than a99, not to mention ergonomics, both lack IBIS and no native A-mount lenses have image stabilization).
So, a simple question: will there ever be a new full-frame A-mount body which brings the a99 to the more current era or should we just slowly think and prepare to jump to another mount system?
Does anyone read? The thread topic asks for suggestions, not questions. Don’t ask if there will be another a99. Tell them if you want one and how you’d like it to be.
Get a clue. If I didn’t want one, I wouldn’t be asking about it.
Why are so many people unhappy with the A99?
Although being 2 years old now, it is anything else than outdated.
I agree that the AF is in need to be improved, but for 90% of the photographers it is absolutely sufficient in working.
I’m very happy with my a99.
However, in 2 years it’s going to be by far obsolete and even now it could use a refreshment (I’ll be the first in the line for the a7S sensor in a99 body). It’s more about knowing whether it makes sense to stay with the A-mount system as it will be kept up-to-date, or should we just consider something else long-term (which probably means stopping buying anything A-mount specific at the moment) and leave A-mount for the die-hards. 😛
Agree. In two years it is 4 years old and that would be a little bit too much.
Many users have no clue of R&D timelines and processes. A two years lifecycle is too short to release something new. Three years is already a tough target.
And once started and the market would go total different, a change processing in R&D would delay tremendously.
I could imagine, that the camera’s processor needs to be of a new gen, and that is probably not ready yet.
(à la what is a Ferrari chassis with a four cylinder engine?)
Well, that’s fine by me. All I’d need at this point is “yes, we’re gonna release a new full-frame A-mount body within a year (or something)”.
Because it has APS-C AF sensor in a Full Frame body, for god’s sake.
It competes with a D610 at a higher price point, and there’re no higher-end bodies by Sony.
Andrea, your provide a great service but your rhetoric isn’t doing anyone any good. It seems to me that if Sony decided to postpone the high end (and other camera) announcements until early 2015, that it would be beneficial for Sony to announce lenses and accessories at the same time as the cameras are announced. You yourself said that Sony was aiming for a WOW.
The new FE lenses are HUGE! Hopefully, they are of high quality (like the 70-200 FE). And before people complain too much about the smaller lenses for Olympus, Fuji, Panasonic – we are talking full frame coverage (or more) here. Would it not be amazing if these new lenses also work with a hypothetical E mount medium format camera?
Do you know anything about camras ? Would you like to explane how this dream of yours works lol
It is a supposition. And yes, while I am not obviously an expert on cameras such as yourself, I know a little bit about cameras. Besides, Andrea has mentioned several times that Sony may be working on medium format cameras. If they’re not fixed lens models (like the old Fuji medium format cameras), they will require lenses.
Mate .To use a FF Lense to fill a MF sensor you would have to somehow push the FF lenses a fair distance ( Think of setting up a projector )away from the huge senor to fill it .Think Extention tubes in Macro but were not zooming in this time were filling a large sensor .You would loose lots of light for a start because your strecthing the light (The image)over a bigger area .The camra would be verry large .
I understand that. But you don’t know what the flange to sensor distance is on the hypothetical E mount medium format. If it even exists. It’s just that if Sony is actually working on a medium format interchangeable lens E mount camera, they will need lenses. And introducing yet another series of lenses seems silly (but not out of the question).
BTW, you don’t actually stretch the light per se. When you use extension tubes for macro photography, you allow the light to be focused at the cameras’ focal point (to compensate for the closer lens to subject distance). If there is a hypothetical Sony MF camera, they need to ensure that the image hitting the sensor is not occluded and can be focused on the sensor..
Like I said, hypothetical. The larger medium format bodies basically extended the light path (not stretch light ) because you need to have the sensor (or the film plane) be the focal point of the image. On the reflex cameras, the image did not come to focus in the mirror – it came to focus on the film plane (thus, focusing screen distance was equidistant to the film plane distance). I don’t know what the flange to sensor distance is in a hypothetical medium format camera that Sony may or may not be designing. If they have such a thing, they need to be able to focus the image into the sensor with minimal to no light cutoff.
Let me try this response again. The reason why extension tubes are used for macro photography is so that the resulting image (due to the closer subject to lens distance) is still in focus at the focal plane. It is not stretching light per se, but extending the light path to allow for focus to be achieved at the film plane (or on the sensor).
As with any camera, a hypothetical Sony medium format camera has to have lenses that achieve focus at the focal point (or plane) without any occlusion. I am not sure whether a interchangeable lens medium format mirrorless camera is going to be produced by Sony, but if they do, it would be nice if they can make use of some (if not all) the FE lenses. That would be better than introducing yet another series of lenses.
Ok thats verry interesting.I belive the reports on SAR so far are that the MF is curved so it wi fit inside RX but hay anything is possible .thanks for your time
You cant just mount FE on a medium format .Unless its in some type of crop mode .You need bigger lense .Or small slow ones that are designed to spred their light over a larger sensor …..Much larger .Think of setting up a projector closer to the wall you get the brighter the pic ect
If SAR would actually let my replies to you post, you’d have my answer. Have you seen how big the lenses were for the 645 and 6×7 cameras? It’s not that they need to spread light over a larger sensor. What you need is a non occluded image at the focal point.
Odds of that are slim to remote, given that prople expected some of the apsc e-mount lenses to secretly be ff.
If there is no news soon on a new FF A camera and A lenses I am reluctantly off to Nikon. Just like the economy you cannot bank on uncertainties.
Arguably, Nikon isn’t introducing anything radically different than what they already had. The same thing can be said for Canon. Reading the comments on dpreview on the 7DMkII announcement is like reading the comments on SAR. Too much angst!
I read the Outdoor Photographer and Popular Photography articles on Art Wolfe. This GREAT GREAT photographer has two camera bodies. And uses essentially three lenses – a 16-35, 24-105 and a 100-400 along with a 1.4x teleconverter. His comment was that the doctors turned photographers have much more equipment than he has (and he doesn’t mean that as a slight).
People complain too much about what’s not available. Great photographers just take pictures.
Good to know I’m in such great company. I have a Minolta 17-35, Tamron 24-70 and Sony 70-400 Mk2 – I also do portraits so have a Minolta 85mm f1.4. I just want to know that when my A99 expires there will be an A mount replacement and I’m not getting good vibes on that front.
That’s why it’s always amusing to read about the complaints about lack of lenses. That was true of the E and FE mount, but the situation is getting better. I’d like an updated A99 or other full frame A mount camera as well (though I can’t afford it and I am happy with APS-C). For people who need such things, having a tool that serves their purpose is a great thing.
Sony should release four A-Mount bodies, with identical menu and INTERCHANGEABLE full frame sensors for different needs, and removable SLT Mirrors when desired… all high quality no compromise.
Just like Minolta did…
3 Series super compact.
5 Series medium size.
7 Series larger with unique experimental features.
9 Series most robust and strong like bull.
Pretty simple math Sony. Turn the games off and get your game on.
First company with interchangeable sensors upon an architecture of four consistent bodies… WINS… and wins bigger than any Sony WOW promises.
A modular camera would be significantly more expensive to produce than a solid camera.
I consider Emount modular. A replaceable sensor need not be any less stable than replaceable AA low pass filter that medium format uses for all in one bodies. I would hope to think anyway.
Solid MF cameras like Pentax 645D are significantly cheaper than modular MF cameras.
“I consider Emount modular”.
How so?
Barry?
10 months ago both the Senior General Manager and the Product Manager issued statements to the effect that A-mount has a future. Clearly Sony have concentrated on developing the FE mount lenses this year because that’s where they felt their resource was most needed.
Would you like a statement every 6 months to stop your crying?
No we’d just like a decent product line with steady updates and fewer empty announcements.
So the lens refreshes and A77II aren’t steady updates? As for announcements, Sony have not said anything about A-mount other that it is supported, rumours are not announcements, it’s not Sony’s fault that people here take them to be so.
Wasn’t talking about the rumours–was referring to the reassurances. As for a 77 II not to step on your toes per your moniker but I like a lot of people thought the update was pretty half assed–and absolutely appalling on the video side.
Many disagree; the A77 II was a very decent update; besides, we all know that E-mount is video focused, much more so than A-mount.
What you think of the A77II is irrelevant. The FACT is that lenses have been refreshed and the A77II has been released. Sony have twice released statements in less than a year stating that they are supporting A-mount.
Yes, but “supporting” tends to be the word used when you no longer can say “develop” .
Indeed, Sony still “supports” MiniDisc.
I am hopeful that Sony provides updated codec support on the 77II and the A6000.
No, a release of some kind every 6th months would do fine.
If E-mount is to be the future, then that’s fine. Clearly DSLRs are on a gradual decline and will eventually join MF as a niche market for specialists. However, what existing A-Mount owners will want is a migration path which allows them to continue use their existing lenses without sacrificing stabilisation.
I would also argue that E-Mount requires a model with a larger body which would allow for longer battery life, more direct controls and a better balance with large lenses.
Personally I think adapters aren’t a problem, but the issue with E-Mount and IBIS (on FF) might well be the slightly narrower throat size not allowing a larger enough image circle for the sensor to move within. This brings us to the much discussed (in the past) hybrid mount, which I think is impractical. However, a systems approach which allows both E & A mount adapters to be installed could answer that one.
Everyone needs to realise the only thing that is wrong is the rumour. Anyone who is in business knows that time frames get delayed. Andrea is sensationalising the post by using words such as “freeze” implying A-mount is cancelled. While many companies use trade shows to promote their stuff it is by no means the only way. This isn’t the days of old, Sony can simply update their website and put out a press release and everyone will be all over it. Remember another rumour is that an A-mount announcement in January. What better way to have a stream of good news flowing instead of putting all your lenses into Photokina.
Well, that makes sense. Actually, Andrea said earlier that Sony will announce products more frequently and more focused instead of throwing everything on one pile. This can explain their Photokina announcements very well. At least, the focus is now on the long awaited FE lenses.
people get a false picture of reality on this site and there are obviously enough people who are not able to realize it. too much wild interpretation going on.
The problem is the marketing steers new customers away from a-mount…
+1
I want a good succsessor of A99, not an adjustment. The new one has to have fully electronic shutter with fast x-sync, no enoying lag with flash, High ISO, 3×4 and 1×1 ratio, and a high dynamic viewfinder.
I like the Sony style in one way, no small upgrades, only big. But there is one problem: they will never get rid of the enoying bugs! For every fixed old bug they will create one new when they launch their new teknology.
“The BIG Sony January announcement is 100% confirmed.” The question is E-mount or A-mount. That new 35mm doesn’t look like it was design for E-mount system. But it was changed.
I’ve always been of the view that a-mount was perfectly safe unless the lines between a and e started blurring. The initial FE lineup was clearly designed to favour size over speed and a-mount was there for people who wanted faster, heavier glass. Yesterday’s announcement is a game changer – they’ve announced 2 lenses (28mm and 90mm) that aren’t available in a-mount and a fast 35mm that will inevitably outclass the a-mount equivalent…
I’m not invested into A-mount, so my view might not please current
A-shooters, but I think it would constrain Sony big ways to support
what are basically 4 lens ranges (A and E, both FF and APS-C). Especially as Sony’s
SLT range never managed to make big strides into the DSLR world – AFAIK they’re
somewhere between high one digit and low two digit market share.
From my point of view, what Sony should do is concentrate their efforts
on E-mount, both lenses and cameras. To cover the whole APS-C camera range with
mirrorless they only really need a high-end body with better build, weather sealing,
larger buffer and more direct controls – a competitor to Samsung’s NX-1 and
Fuji’s X-T1. I know the AF isn’t quite there yet, but if they can improve on
the A6000 in the next 1-2 years, the difference will be miniscule.
The bigger challenge would be FF, as in my view, they would need to
expand the camera range up as well as down. Sony would also need to step up
their AF long ways in this field. Lenses should be the minor problem, seeing
the mockups of the upcoming macro and 35mm F1.4, A-mount lenses plus adaptor
are size wise more less equal.
The adaptor could also serve as a way to show commitment to the customer
base. Sony should just ask their customers to send in the receipt for an
A-mount lens (other than kit) and a new E-mount body and in exchange provide a
free adaptor (the one with built-in SLT-style AF). This way, they show
mirrorless is the future, strengthening their leading position in this field
even further, and on the other hand send a message to their current customer
base saying ‘we’ve got your back’.
How you gonna ever get that thin little E-Mount with four screws to be as robust and stable as the thicker A-Mount with six screws, two more than Nikon, and one more than the thinner Canon mount?
A-Mount is about stability that no little four screw flange can ever compare to. Please don’t support devolution.
Adapting my way to instability is not a solution. My LAEA-4 and 1 lose aperture info quite often. AF shuts down just when I need it most. Things get real flimsy on that little mount.
A-Mount native is larger, thicker than E-Mount with two extra screws for stability. More than Canon or Nikon provide. Please don’t support devolution. We need the robust A-Mount for professional use.
Adapters don’t have IBIS, fast mirrorless AF doesn’t work with adopted lenses – to name just a couple of problems.
And could you please explain why mirrorless is suddenly “the future”? (see: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/the-a-mount-frustration-post-what-should-sony-do/#comment-1591099737 )
If release was canceled in a late stage as suggested, the most important reason I can think of is lacking A77II sales. If they are having a hard time making a profit on that one, pressure from above and shareholders could quickly lead further expansion of the line to a halt. Especially since they have to get Imaging as a whole profitable again and also compensate for the decreasing compact market.
When the price of the A77II dropped as fast as it did after introduction, I was starting to get this feeling already. Reminded me of the A500/550 release and prices for those plummeting faster than ever too. Great cameras, completely undervalued by the market. Picked one up for HALF the introduction price in less than 6 months after the initial release… Hence why I wasn’t surprised when the nice A580 gathered even far less attention (according to Dpreview clicks following the timeline from release, review until a year after release) than any Sony camera before it and was the last OVF camera for Sony.
Lacking a77II sales are because of lacking a77II features to justify majority upgrading and lacking commitment from Sony to support the line.
Don’t put the cart before the horse. Sony is losing sales because they don’t support the product. Not the other way around.
Having used a 77II and a 77 before that, I would not say that the A77II is lacking in features.
Agreed. a77II is awesome camera no doubt. Just not a major upgrade enough to tempt majority a77I owners to lust after an upgrade.
And require a new flimsy flash adapter with two caps to keep track of when we never had to do that before. They made my job harder, and gave me less performance for it.
I don’t think the new flash mount offers less performance. Sony just hasn’t produced the accessories to fully utilize the new interface. Their new XLR adapter with a shotgun microphone is a start. How about a GPS module?
I always hear this nonsense from people who haven’t used the A77II, go and use the A77 and A77II for a month, I’ll wait for your reply.
Umm, I’ve been using an A77II for over a month and find it to be a great camera, just like its predecessor.
Umm, so? I wasn’t replying to you.
You replied to my post, so I was under the impression that you were replying to me. Still, the A77II is a great camera. Not perfect, but great. Then again, the A77 was and still is a great camera.
Look again, I have not replied to YOU.
I am looking at the thread. My bad. Still, I think we all agree that the A77 series of cameras are great.
Indeed!
I’ll wait, as I said, until they give me a product to justify the upgrade. I don’t doubt there is a difference. Just not enough for me to care.
The Canon owners are also disappointed with the 7DMkII (reading dpreview). It’s also a great camera. What people need to do is take more pictures, become better photographers with what they have. Every camera is great in the hands of someone who can use them properly (and has the vision to take compelling images).
+1. The a77ii is a pleasure to use – it gives much cleaner results at all ISOs than the original version and the af performance is great. The “no little upgrases” comment suggests that’s what Sony sees it as though – a77ii hasn’t driven sales through the roof so we’re not repeating it with the a99…
If there’s any camera that isn’t lacking in features, it’s the A77II. One of the most feature rich Sony cameras ever released.
It’s easy to point out features you are missing, but the same can be done by anyone else for any other camera.
They gave A77-II zero marketing hype – hence the sales. It’s an amazing camera with little to 0 advertizing.
I get your point. But it doesn’t help to have abundance of a77mk1’s on used market either. A77II is definitely awesome. But not awesome enough for majority of a77I users to lust for upgrade.
Marketing can surely help a lot, but the question is whether a great effort of marketing would have been worth say double the current sales. It was never going to be a huge volume seller to begin with, relative to Canon and Nikon competition.
In the end, marketing is in part paying it forward and with little money in the bank, you’re more likely to lean on good reviews and mouth of word than increasing a marketing budget past what banks and shareholders will allow you to do.
Oh and you’re more likely to spend the little budget you have mostly in the only camera (not counting cellphones here) market that still shows growth or isn’t shrinking: mirrorless.
see my answer to WML above
Basically the same thing. With limited space on a front page, you’re more likely to put more forward those cameras that are part of a growing/not shrinking market.
I just looked at the latest issues of Outdoor Photographer and Popular Photography. Very little in the way of actual advertising from Sony, Canon, or Nikon. Canon was selling the benefits of Canon branded battery chargers. Panasonic didn’t have much advertising either. Olympus and Samsung had advertisements. Of course, the lens and accessory makers had lots of ads (Tamron, Sigma, Metz, Samyang). Just an observation.
No, I’m not talking magazines; just look at their own website.
A77-II is the newest camera to date.
Look: http://www.sony.ru/
What cameras do you see?
I see words in Cyrillic that I don’t understand, TVs and cameras and a small picture of the A77. Sony needs to update this website. I don’t see too many RX cameras either. Sony needs to update their website. Everywhere, not just Russia.
The A580 wasn’t available in many parts of the World. It also competed with the A55 which got a lot of press and even surprised Sony at how popular it was.
Most of the larger markets had access to the A580, minus Japan.
But yes, those same clicking statistics showed a 10 to 1 ratio between the A55 and A580, even after initial release of just the press material (which was pretty evenly spread between the 2). From that point on the A55 was mostly getting more attention for being so different. Which was also what set it apart from the established Canon and Nikon named cameras.
The trend downwards with the A5XX range had already started before the A580 release, but it was pretty clear where it was going to end after the release of the A55.
Do you know what the list price of the Canon 7DMkII is? The general consensus at dpreview is that it’s overpriced. It seems that everyone wants a great camera as cheap as possible. Not just Sony users.
Release a RX10 with APS-C sensor size and fixed lens.
Just what the world need.
And where are the small primes for the NEX FE? 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 85mm.
Don’t need to be Zeiss or ultra fast. I shoot landscape most so F2.8 or F4 is ok
Just keep them small.
SONY is busy to take advantage of momentum they have got with introduction of FE line. They see opportunity to make money there. The question is what happens when their initial plan for FE line is fulfilled and sales of FE stuff is stalled. And I predict it will happend as soon as people realize there are limits of mirrorless technology which can not be solved as fast as they hoped for. I expect SONY to introduce another mount then …
What limits are those that you talk of, do you think the mirror box as such an extremely important part of the camera?
The limitation of mirrorless is AF speed. Not even latest hybrid AF is as fast as phase detect AS system used in SLT or DSLR. Although I give hybrid AF credit for more accurate AF in some conditions, I do have doubts OSPDAF will get as fast as PDAF in all lighting conditions anytime soon. I have not spotted rumors about new revolutionary OSPDAF tech on the horizont.
For many hybrid AF will be probably good enough. That is SONY’s bet. But for demanding AF applications it will not be best option. That is why SONY updated top A-mount telephoto lenses lately.
What can Sony do? They told in public that they will continue the A-mount. The showed and delivered the high end APS A77II just 4 months ago and you are asking again: Sony tell us you will not abandon the A-mount? And when they say: We will continue the A-mount development will you believe them?
There will be a large Sony announcement in january. Can it be that Sony will tell us then more about the A-mount successors?
Is it maybe possible that Sony consentrated on delivering more FE lenses so the FF E-mount system is becomming more and more a real system and not just a camera with one ore two lenses? Is it possible, now they succeeded there they will come with new A-mount stuf?
Further more I think that mirrored (translucent or not) systems will die in the future (say in 10 years or so) but now the mirrord systems are outselling mirrorless ILC systems by over 100%!~Why should Sony abandon that market now? They probably sell more SLT cameras then E-mount cameras (and Sony is the best selling ILC brand at the moment.
So far all we’ve got is a rumour of an announcement, which may or may not include an a-mount body. Sony couldn’t even say ‘stay tuned for a big a-mount announcement’, when they know people are anxious about the future of the system. The a77ii was released to no fanfare (when actually it’s arguably the best in class apsc dslr), whereas they were shouting from the roofs about the a6000’s performance.
But they did the A5100 rather quietly again. They did tell everybody openly that they continue with the A-mount allready. Why are you parnoid? there is no reason. It took then, how many years to come with the successor of the A700, and the A900. Have faith for now and enjoy the camera you have. Sony will continue the A-mount for some years from now.
They did, but only when they were pushed in interviews and gave no meaningful information at the time. And let’s be realistic, what else would they say? I can see why they didn’t make a song and dance about an incremental upgrade to an entry level e-mount body, but the a77ii is their flagship apsc a-mount body (not to mention the only a-mount product released in 2014). Meanwhile they release a generation of full frame sensors that end up in e-mount and Nikon bodies, but not in a-mount bodies… On top of that, older minolta lenses that could really do with an upgrade are untouched.
The turning point for me is that they’ve finally released e-mount lenses that compete directly with a-mount lenses. Up until now, none of this was on the table and size/weight was used by Sony as the differentiator between a and e. It made sense as the 2 platforms dovetailed nicely. Can you honestly see them supporting 2 overlapping systems though? Call me paranoid but I’m not optimistic about their long term intentions.
Uhm, no, this isn’t true. Journalists were talking up the A6000 and not A77 II because that is what their readers are interested in. Unfortunately brands like DPR have a lot of sway about the public photographic consciousness and they HATE Sony… Didn’t get a single mention as a competitor to the 7D II, RX100’s main strength (pop up EVF) becomes a footnote in the G7X’s ‘hands on’ as “well if you need that sort of thing” but waffle on for hours about the control dial clicking. Sadly, for Sony, positive press was a bit hard to come by with the actually rather amazing A77 II.
+1
It could be so easy. Olympus did it before, and did it well.
1. Ditch SLT, no one really wants an expensive DSLR-like camera that gets
less light then a competing mirrorless camera in the same situation.
2. a) Either go back to making real DSLRs, the Minolta/Sony optical
viewfinder used to be one of the best you could get, and continue making
and developing them, and continue to produce and develop the A-Mount lens line-up.
2. b) Or, if that’s no option, ditch A-Mount completely, slowly phase out
A-Mount lenses and replace them with adequate E-Mount alternatives, but for the time being, improve A-Mount support for E-Mount bodies. Meaning:
3. Introduce sensors that will enable perfectly good PDAF with DSLR lenses just like the Olympus E-M1 does, so that no big, expensive SLT adapter is necessary anymore, and
4. Switch to in-body stabilization for all E-Mount cameras. To choose optical stabilization just for saving a millimeter or two in body depth was a stupid decision to begin with.
Coming from Olympus DSLRs as my primary photographic gear, but using a small NEX for some time, too, mainly to offer a digital future for my old manual Minolta lenses, I always wondered whether Sony could be the path to go for me, be it A-Mount or E-Mount. The way things currently look, neither can. With a bold move to either revive A-Mount DSLRs or substantially improve the E-Mount concept, one of them still could, though.
You’ll never get that little four screw emount to be as stable as the thicker six screw Amount. Alpha users don’t want to suffer less stability.
You do know that all Canon FF cameras also have 4-screw mounts? And they hang pretty heavy lenses on them too.
In addition to what Seeky says, who would stop Sony from increasing the number of screws if it should become necessary?
>Ditch SLT, no one really wants an expensive DSLR-like camera that gets
less light then a competing mirrorless camera in the same situation.
This is about as ignorant as it gets.
SLT is currently superior to both DSLR and mirrorless in many aspects, and the already-negligible light loss could be further reduced by the new 20% mirror.
I ditched Canon for Sony specifically for SLT, as do other people.
Yes SLT tech is superior in gathering noise in contrast to the same sensor without SLT. LOL
SLT was a transition tech between normal DSLR’s and Mirroless with good AF and now the time has come for it to phase out.
SLT mirror does not introduce noise. You’ve got an option to lower the ISO if you want less pixel noise. And sorry, in low light OSPDAF will always be a slower then PDAF with dedicated sensor. Sure one day there will be another solution which overcomes OSPDAF limitations. But I do not see it comming that soon.
LOL, SLT is absolutely great! For stills the traditional AF from Nikon and Canon is better and for video it also “something to rave about”, most of us video guys use lenses with large apertures, f/2,8 is a minimum. SLT tech dos not AF lenses in video brighter than F/3,5, so…SLT is….? You tell me.
LOL
I see it coming very soon. The advances in low light focusing and focus speed in general have been quite pronounced.
[quote]SLT is currently superior to both DSLR and mirrorless in many aspects[/quote]
Is that so? Which could that be? IMO, SLT combines the disadvantages of DSLR an mirrorless and, not enough, introduces even completely new ones neither of the two has.
[quote]light loss could be further reduced by the new 20% mirror[/quote]
Yes, by further reducing PDAF performance and precision in low light. And no, if you compare low-light and high-ISO performance, I don’t find it negligible at all.
EVF, LV, video and CDAF advantages from mirorrless, PDAF advantages from DSLR.
Best of both worlds.
A-mount is in maintenance mode. Of course they’re committed to it! What else should they say? The number of A-mount bodies Sony has in their lineup is all yo need to know to guess where the system is heading. Like with any other Sony system before it will be a slow death and they won’t admit it. Sony will be committed to it until the last lens is sold.
The A77II PDAF development would have costs a fortune and can not be re-used on mirrorless. Companies don’t spend that much time, resource and money on products in “maintenance mode”.
It’s Minolta Maxxum’s 30th Anniversary next year.
Sony doesn’t give a s*** about Minolta legacy. I thought that was clear at least since after the A900 release.
“Hey, look everyone, our mount is really old! Please buy our new cameras.”
Just because it’s old it doesn’t mean it’s not good enough/anymore. DSLR is old, and because of it we should stop using?
I didn’t say that, but eventually A-mount and other DSLR mounts will not be good enough for modern cameras as they advance. Do you really think the flappy mirror and associated mirror box will last forever?
A fortune? You don’t even know where the module is coming from. 🙂
Are you on medication? The sort of R&D involved in developing that PDAF module is immense, it would have costed a FORTUNE.
Thy can use it in the next gen A to E adaptor ,The A77 pd is in the current one ; S
lol
So, do you know? Please enlighten us 🙂
Boy, you didn’t get it. The point is we don’t know how much it costs.
Unless they’ve decided to cut their losses… I hoped at the time that it would be used in the a88, but as far as I can tell that’s not even on the cards
If they want the a-mount to have any chance of surviving, it’ll need a comprehensive overhaul. Start with a decent entry level and offer a clear upgrade path to ff. That means an entry level ff body (even sticking the a99’s sensor in the a77ii would do it) and pro orientated bodies (high res studio/landscape camera and leverage SLT to give the sport togs a wet dream).
Back it up with a comprehensive modern lens lineup – all weather sealed and all with ssm. If it’s a minolta design it needs an update… Also release a range of affordable ff primes (28/2, 35/2 and 50/1.8).
And ffs sort out the accessories. We need a flash system that beats the competition and accessories that let you work seamlessly with your tablet/laptop in the field.
Promote a-mount photographers and give them a support system that lets them go into the arse end of nowhere in the knowledge that you’ll take care of any problems in the field.
Better place to complain: kazuo.hirai@jp.sony.com
Not complaints… But sending suggestions now. Thanks!
OK, let’s teach eagl fly.
Whenever Sony does a major announcement they usually have Sony “ambassadors” or professional photographers on hand to promote the kit. They did when the a7 series was announced.
I presume there are several Sony “ambassadors” for the a-mount line-up. Do we know who they are? Did they have them available for the a77II release?
Can we ask them what is going on? I don’t mean to pester them with many “where the hell is the a-mount stuff” rants. Usually they receive kit (with NDAs) before major releases – so they will only be allowed to say so much, if anything at all.
However if all of the a-mount “ambassadors” for Sony have already switched to FF e-mount (or another manufacturer) – that says a lot.
There is no harm in finding out what they are using now BUT not to pester them with loads of questions or “I hate a-mount” rants.
Well, if Sony will leave a-mount behind… they wouldn’t have been releasing a high-end APS-C camera like the A77 II just a few months ago. That wouldn’t make sense. But: I also think E-mount is the future. I guess A-mount lenses and other related stuff will be announced with the one BIG event in january.
It makes perfectly sense and as you can see it works, their customers think the system they invested in is alive. You need to keep your existing user base happy to give them time to translate slowly to the new system.
It is ridiculous to state that Sony spend a fortune on the A77II PDAF system just to keep existing users happy.
The Focusing system will make its way into the next adaptor also
Where do you work?
Sure, it does make sence. One camera will be the last for such a system, why should this be the A77II? I don’t know how much effort they put in the new AF system and if they can’t use it otherwise.
Unless it’s their swansong…
Can we ask the Sony “ambassadors” e.g. professional photographers that have been using the pre-release kit and are available at release events, for information?
These Sony “ambassadors” were around at the a7 release events and therefore I assume have been around at a77II events & the original a99 release.
If they don’t use a-mount anymore that is a telling sign. They might already have pre-release a-mount kit (with NDAs) and so can’t say much.
Assume your goal is to become #3. Say you have 20 engineers, count does not matter, any finite number does. The market is split in DSLR and mirror less. DSLR is the bigger one but rather shrinking long term. You first try to enter the bigger market for years (A700…A850/A900…A99) but ultimately fail to gain much ground. The forums yelled about high iso and AF ignoring true marvels such as the built-in DRO JPEG feature of the A900. Then you try the smaller market and get significant share in short time, maybe even lead it. Getting one fourth of the overall market suddenly is within reach. People love it but your lens range is lacking. Where to you put your engineers first? Once you put them there, people start yelling again.
DSRL-style/A-mount still matters for the big goal to become #3. Yet, if you don’t have enough engieers… And, hiring? Well, not easy, takes a year or two to integrate top guys into highly specialized teams.
The only mistake they make is not speak about their future vision for A-mount. This is tricky. If a big corporate promises a product and misses it, some clever person could try to sue them claiming that if he had known that, he had never bought into the product. There is still some hope.
Sony are #3 in DSLR. What are you talking about?
And it’s not even hard to get there these days. 😛
But costs a LOT of money and spending that amount of money isn’t something you do without being serious about it.
Or, was it #2… whatever they announced an overall goal and will need both markets to reach it .
I perfectly agree. They should invest all their manpower in delivering those FF E-mount lenses.
At the same time, they should be clear about what will happen to A-mount and what kind of (if any) bodies to expect in the future.
The A-Mount is still over 30% of the revenue generated, by the imaging division. Sony is unlikely to kill it off. There looking to drop the new cameras just before the MKIV release in order to disrupt its launch. The A-Mount’s 30th Anniversary is next year, and the forces at play here are going to take full advantage of this.
Sony does not differentiate its revenue numbers between A and E mount. You can only see ILC revenues.
Dude the A77II release had a slide that states 31% of all camera revenue. So you’re wrong. Look it up on youtube.
You make too much sense for the sky is falling crowd.
Who in the world is going to give a flying f**k about A-mount’s 30th Anniversary? Are we all supposed to throw street parties?
I truly doubt a-mount is still 30% of their imaging revenue.
And nobody will even notice the 30 year anniversary of the mount.
The new Samsung should be a wake up call.
Samsung though lacking Sonys experience is a lot better at listening to consumers.
Today Samsung nx1 is not compatable with other lenses..they hear consumers so I would guess they are working on it.
There is a proffessional demand for a camera that looks like a camera and an amatuer demand to look proffessional.
The lack of direction from Sony..by actions, not words is hurting Sony.
Sony may have a legitamate interest in combining every mount into E mount.
If that is thier intention than the proper way to go about it is to include thier customers in that change..make them part of it.
Making a fully compatable way for A mount users to switch..either an E mount with IBIS , since there is already an LAEA4 ….this is basically the message that Samsung has heard..thier nx1 has multi axis IBIS.
I sense a posible frustration that Sony wants to go to E mount….well wake up and include A mount users in that decision..
Sony you ignored your tv customers and Samsung mopped the floor with you because of it…Samsung now wants to do the same with, all the frustrated A mount users you have been ignoring.
If Samsung made the nx1 fully compatable with other lenses…it already has IBIS …and matched your quality do you actually think they wouldn’t take over your frustrated A mounters…and your new E mount customers because thier system would rapidly focus with Canikon.
You are only getting away with ignoring your customers because ther is no competition…Samsung is listening to the customers you are ignoring..and they are nipping at your heels ready to take them all away…
You may not care if you lose your A mount customers. .but would you care if all those A mount customers went to Samsung?
Companies like Sony don’t think like that.
A saying in my country said a donkey never falls in the same hole twice… A system is like Minolta story all over again…
Well Sony saved a mount.
Imagine if they sold A-Mount to Samsung. At last, SLT would get proper marketing.
Yes, like Samsung did when they had Pentax cameras rebranded, great marketing, stellar sales, many many new cameras and lenses, do you remember? No? that is how Samsung handled that camera…
The recent iPhone bashing ads are pretty atrocious and lacking in any comedy – just tired harping.
Samsung should get back to making phones.
They’re more clueless than Sony, who has at least one mount with decent releases.
Another literally INSANE comment from you. For one, NX does NOT work with other lenses, they can’t even work with EF lenses manually. They will not have fast AF with those brands, too complicated, too expensive and for what? NX1 does not have IBIS. None. Period. NX1 is basically an A77 II clone (which you claim is not good enough), so if you wanted an A-Mount NX1 you could have bought one already. But you won’t because all you see is that other fields are greener and that Sony supposedly have no idea what they are doing.
YET!
Never, Barry.
Get over it. It isn’t going to happen. What is it with you and these crazy obsessions?
Obsesions?
You are the most obsessed person on SAR unfurtunately your obsesion is with me!
No Barry, I think intrigued is a more accurate word. I know you believe it to be so, but my existence on this board is not solely because of you.
Sony claims to be fully supporting A mount but thier actions indicate otherwise.
You claim not to be obsessed with me but your actions indicate otherwise.
First, Samsung NX1 has no IBIS, but relies on in lens stabilisation as far as I can see. So that is exactly the same as the E-mount cameras. There is no stqabilisation with old Samsung DSLR lenses or other lenses without stabilisation build in!
Can you remember the Samsung DSLR range (in fact a rebadged Pentax) but how good where they to their loyal DSLR users? Did they ever announced they left the DSLR market? Did they offer their users a good path to a new system with their old lenses? come on you forgot a lot…
And now Sony: Telling everyone that they are continueing the A-mount line and do we believe them? Oh no, they didn’t give us the lenses and cameras we liked at the time we liked and we are telling everyone Sony is stopping the A-mount….
Samsung is did the things you tell Sony is doing now, but you praise Samsung. Think about that!
I spoke to Sansung tech rep.
Im not sure if he actually knew what he was talking about…because the nx1 was so new…but he said the stabilization was in body.
The one thing about our conversation that impressed me however is that he actually documented my suggestions and seemed to actually want to know as a photographer what my needs were…that never happened with Sony.
He said that therecare currently 3rd party lens adapters that will allow use of other manufacturer lenses but no electrical connections so everything is currently manual.
This is one of thier first serios attemps at a higher level camera.
Samsung knows that full compatability with Canikon lenses is essential for thier system to succeed and I am absolutely sure they are working on it…if Sony thinks they cant do it they are in for an unpleasant surprise.
But I dont think Samsung cares half as much about defeating Canon and Nikon as they do about defeating Sony.
Dou you realy think this camera (at $1499) will deat any camera from Sony? Look it is a very promissing camera, but most of the Samsung cameras where. Yes it is an attempt for an higher end camera, but in the end the higher end cameras don’t sell as much as the lower end cameras do. In the end people whop buy hoigerend cameras will first look at Canikon and not adt Sony and especialy not at Samsung.
Remember that the first most important thing for mirrorless cameras is size. And that is all the Samsung will have in the end: a lot of size, but unfortuately for them, the size is in the wrong direction, it is large instead of small. Look at the sales of the Olympus OM-D EM-1 a greast camera, but to expensive and to large, only a small amount of people will buy that.
And about IBIS, why would Samsung come out with lenses with IS when their cameras will have IBIS?
Only some people want a camera just because it is small..typically hobbyist and a very very few proffesionals
Most serious photograbhers however care more for the most functional system.
Like me..they want a camera that is moderately small but big enough to be comfortable to use…and mirrorless..
In other words something like a mirrorless A mount system.
All Sony needs to do for us is to make a fully functional conversion to the E mount system they want us to switch to..then there would by no debate.
Talking of fooking nutters…
LOL are you sure it wasn’t a Samsung executive?
He documented your suggestions and wanted to know what your needs were? Sure he did. “Yes sir anything you say sir!”.
I accurately described him as a tech rep that may not have known the correct answers…so what is your fooking issue.
My issue is your lies to this forum.
You lied before, so why should anybody trust you now?
Your a fool.
This is a rumor site…many rumers do not happen…and I have never asked anyone to trust me.
If you expect facts you can depend on…or what you define as truth..then this is not the place for you.
Barry, you lied about speaking to a Sony Executive and passed that false information to this site. That has nothing to do with rumours or facts, it is simply you trying to grab some attention to liven up your pathetic existence.
I told the truth as it was told to me but you choose not to believe me and I choose not to provide more information…thats your problem not mine and quite frankly I couldnt care less if you believe me…this is a rumor site..not a court of law and I have no need or intention of proving every word I say.
Admin also tells the truth and tripple checks everything much more thouroughly than I do yet still much of what is reported turns out not to be true …but admin..to the best of my knowledge also does not lie..
Rumors will not always be true…and this is still a rumor site
I think it is only about communication strategy (to separate the announcement of E and A system).
I’m shooting with A-Mount since 1991 and i’ve never regrate it until now. I allways backed Sony when my frends and collects asked me which camera to buy.
If SONY is serious about Pro’s and Semi-Pro’s they should know that confidence in a system is key. Nobody invests in expensive equipment without the security in future. Anouncing a “Pro Service” without showing a roadmap and not behaving like a serious manufacturer to invest in is useless. One department Sony should consider to dump is it’s marketing department.
To me Sony acts like the crazy inventor who has interesting ideas, find clever solutions but has no clue how to bring it to market. I don’t know what strategy was behind the Brasil World Cup 2014.All the Pro’s wearing a Sony vest and showing of Canons and Nikons. The message was cristal clear “We are pro’s, we are forced to wear Sony but are still shooting Canikon”.
I was seriously considering to upgrade my equipment. But SONY’s A-Mount year shows clearly that SONY is not serious with Photography. They are so short sighted in profit, it’s even hazardous to buy any SONY stuff in future.
A-Mount shooters have the legitimate right to know what SONY’s roadmap
for the pro and Semi-pro sector is. SONY has to face the fact that buying
photography equipment is an investment in long term and not a joke like buying a playstation for an evening.
To be fair… World Cup was all about Sony Pro cameras… not about that cheap, amateurish gear, like D3 or 1D.
And press release for pro support is the only place, where they mention A-mount.
They can mention it every week. I don’t care if there are no releases to back the words. So far even Tamron did better job supporting A-mount than Sony, which is shameful.
Who are partly owned by Sony.
A mount people seem to be very nervous people. Of course Sony needs to make more FE lenses as a priority.
Of course Sony needs to make whatever-new-mount-we-have-this-year lenses a priority.
We haven’t had a new mount in 5 years.
Sony will make a new mount when the e-mount can no longer keep up with the latest advances.
That’s what is happening/will happen to A-mount. The future is mirrorless, and A-mount isn’t entirely compatible with that and is starting to look a bit antiquated – it has a redundant mirror box and it has a mechanical aperture lever ffs!
Future is in large sensor compacts and smartphones.
Mirrorless is was and will be a niche product.
Strangely enough mirrorless is still growing in market share faster then both large sensored compacts (that are expensive and have a fixed lens) and to DSLRs. smartphones are the real growing market. But that market can easely create a better market for mirrorless too. People find out that they like taking photgraphs and see that ta mirrorless camera is way more flexable then their smartphone, so they came over to the large side,,,
I don’t get it, people still going on about the “Death of A-Mount” because a whole whack of E-mount lenses were just announced and no A-Mounts or A-mount cameras.
Two things:
1) Photokina isn’t over yet, there might be more announcements.
2) Sony only had a small handful of FE glass to begin with, they badly needed to beef up that line and that’s exactly what they did.
Sony has repeatedly reiterated that A-mount development will continue, and the recent launch of the A77II (of which I’m a proud owner of and IMHO still looks better than the 7DmkII) demonstrated that, and rumours of a new A-mount FF body in January are circulating. I don’t think A-Mount is dead or dying, too early to say that… A-Mount has plenty of available lenses, a large used market and a, though small, number of current model A-mount cameras. Maybe if Sony went 2 years without a new body and discontinued most/all of the lineup I’d get worried.
That said, what I’d like to see Sony do for A-mount is beef up the bodies a bit, a high-res A99 successor, an entry-level FF 6D/D750 competitor, and a successor to the A58 for the entry level crowd to learn and build a system on. And perhaps, if we’re dreaming here, a true Professional 1Dx/D4s competitor body. On the lens front I’d like to see Sony update several of their screw drive rebadged Minolta lenses with SSM and tweaked optics, maybe an updated 70-200/2.8 that’s actually worth 3K.
As for those who are ditching Sony for CaNikon, just means cheaper lenses for me on eBay.
So far Sony just released same lenses for FE as for A-Mount, but darker and more expensive. Focus seemed to be on compactness.
Now, they’ve announced the much-needed-on-A-Mount Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 exclusively for E-Mount.
The 24-240 would be a welcome addition too.
Clearly, the prioritites have shifted.
Hence all the wailing.
People are strange veatures. For the A-mount you have a nice 35 F1.4 G lens. OK it was not branded Zeiss, but the lens is there, For the E-mount there was no 35mm fast prime, so Sony created that lens. And for “copying” the design to A-mount is not that easy: The fosussing system is different (PDAF vs CDAF) and the flange distance is different, so you are ttalking about a complete new lens…
Pure delusion. You can wait your 2 years before you finally admit it to yourself, but the writing is on the wall. The A mount is dead. Sony won’t even mention its progress at Photokina because, at this point, it will be a blatant lie to everyone that hope for an antiquated technology still remains.
Based on prior update schedule ( 3 years between ax00 and aXX bodies), the next gen is on or above schedule. The a77-2 came out earlier at 2.5 years. The a99 is only 2 years old and is due for updating by fall of next year along with the mid tier bodies.
By this time next year, there should be an a99-2, potentially an additional a mount body, an f62 flash and an rx1-2. I would be surprised if there are any FE body releases in 2015. There will probably be spec bumps on a couple of ax000 bodies.
If Sony develops a full frame AF System for the a99-2, then I would expect a new la-ea adapter and secondary full frame a mount body to maximize the AF module investment.
I wonder about Pentax / Ricoh.
They had even less share in DSLR than Sony.
Still, Pentax got bought by Ricoh and they’re releasing new cameras.
Clearly, a market share in DSLR, even #3 or #4, is valuable.
Why ditch it?
They aren’t. I didn’t see any K-Mount lenses being announced at Photokina, maybe K-Mount is dead?
Yes K-mount is dead! Pentax only focus now on their “real” FF camera the 645! The only lens the announced this year is for that mount, so K-mount must be dead. People investing in K-mount are stupid!
Yes the K-mount is as dead as the A-mount: so still a life and kicking!
Ok, assuming Sony releases a high mp ff a-mount body in January at the a99’s launch price (with no announcements re lenses or other bodies), how many of you (with a-mount bodies) would upgrade?
I’d “upgrade” to a A850 second body as hopefully by then more people will have abandoned A-mount and pushed eBay prices to silly money. 🙂
Me…. and keep using my 135 1.8 on it….
I don’t care if the a logo on my camera means I am on a or e mount. What I need is a camera with good ergonomics, the e-mount cameras don’t give me confidence ergonomics-wise.
Sony produces all these amazing sensors now for almost everybody, and has them in the a7, a7r and a7s.
I would love to have a series of a (or e-mount with some type of semi-fixed integrated adapter) mount cameras, with ergonomics like the a900 / a99, sensor as in a7/r/s series, so I keep investing and using my 9 good and expensive a mount lenses and 4 system flashes.
I am confident Sony will bring it, as even Samsung entered the slr market with this promising aps-c new camera, and not everyone wants a small mirrorless, there is still a pro market existend…
People dump their A7x, because they can’t take family photos of their kids running around without decent AF-C.
Not only pros need cameras with a mirror; currently mirrorless is insufficient for a lot of people.
Of course, AF is in SLR’s crucial. All I do is weddings, events and a lot of studio so I never think that direction.
The A6000 and other newer mirrorles cameras focus quite a bit faster than mirrorless cameras of old. And I would be surprised if focusing speed and accuracy will not improve in future Sony mirrorless offerings.
It does, but what some people call fast is what I can slow. I’ve yet to be impressed by the AF and tracking capabilities of any Sony mirrorless in variable lighting.
You would be surprised at how capable the A7 is at AF-C. But then you have never used one, so wouldn’t know.
Please tell me.
For some reason, I can’t find a single good video demonstrating A7’s AF-C on Youtube.
Text reviews I’ve read so far say it’s not good. Is it?
From the blog reviews I’ve seen, it’s much better than the a7r but obviously worse than the a6000.
It’s good in good light for a mirrorless, that is all.
AF-C seemed fine on the a7s I rented to test as far as tracking abilities. My only complaint is that AF-C would often cause the LCD/EVF video feed to jump/jutter as it followed focus which was jarring ( especially when looking through the EVF). I have never experienced this on my a99 or rx100-2.
I wonder what Sony will do with E-mount, when it will be a mature system with no place to new “WOWs”. They have almost everything in A-mount to dethrone Canikon, but they can’t cope with that and they look so confused.
They miss a few things to realy compeet with Canikon. The most important part is: userbase. Don’t forget that Canikon users are a very large group (say about what 85-90% of all DSLR users? That large group is telling their freinds and family that Canikon is the way to go. They tell that Sony sucks (like even Sony users here do) and then their freinds and family buy Canikon…
Let’s help Canikon by complaining here over Sony instead of using our cameras and show the world how great it is. It is not Sony advertizing that will sell their cameras, we are!
And for the E- and A-mount? Both mounts will live together for quite some time from now. Yes in the end the A-mount will die, together with the other DSLRs. And you know what? in the en d there might be only sellphone cameras…
but to act like Sony act their customer base is shrinking to nothing. They end up fighting for the occassional buyer of compact cameras.
Interesting question.
For all those E mount people…E mount has the shortest flange distance of any lens mount..it cannot be adapted to any other mount.
100% guaranteed that Sony will do the same thing to E mount they are doing to Amount.
E mount lenses will be useless for any other mount..an adapter woult reguire a teleconverting lens system built in that would degrade the image..there is no other way to convert it to the next new mount.
Come on Sony, ‘A’ and ‘E’ mount cameras are two totally different things.
‘E’ mount cameras are small, compact cameras which have their uses but I for one find them much too small for my big hands and also, because I shoot wildlife, are useless with big lenses.
‘A’ mount cameras are great for using big lenses on, are comfortable to hold, have fast focussing, in body stabilisation, etc. etc. etc.The thing is that you don’t seem to realise that they are two very different systems, and are used for very different purposes and that both should be treated equally in the terms of support (sorry, had to laugh at myself then), lenses, and innovation.
If you want to go ‘E’ mount all the way, then give us an ‘E’ mount DSLR style camera (A65/A77 size), doesn’t have to be full frame, fast autofocus, great ISO and with all the features of a proper DSLR camera. Otherwise, for goodness sake, start supporting the ‘A’ mount cameras with lenses and firmware updates..
A7000 . Tri navy .10+FPS, A77II AF modula adaptor .compatable with A7X battery grip .That would be the go .
That is exactly what I expect to happen. Sony will abandon the A mount completely and release an larger E-mount body similar to the Samsung NX1. This should satisfy those, myself included, who are looking for a more ergonomic solution. Still, the sooner they dump the A mount, the better they can focus on a more promising future.
How has supporting A mount in way way hindered development of NEX or FE?
If is profitable, there is no reason the “dump” it. Sony is a big company, and the manic release schedule of the FE bodies & lenses proves they can support as many systems as they choose to.
so the the A-mount future has no future?
Your reality is what you perceive it to be.
Yepp… http://i.imgur.com/HDA89jV.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaHhxRGYjFA
So much work to make the Alpha line competitive you just convinced me their better of sending the cash in E mount development
The bottom line is, wait ten more years before you build Sony system. Too many changes, too many names and no real support for you existing system. Meanwhile enjoy shooting your trusted Canikon.
Sony should get rid of the A mount completely. The sooner the better. There’s no sense in cameras that are just bulkier and have the same tech inside as new-generation E mount. Phase detect AF can better be done on the sensor instead of that bulky fixed mirror. They should concentrate on E mount alone which is (including APS-C and 35mm bodies and lenses) really enough of a task anyway. See how well other manufacturers can proceed with their one system (Fuji and Samsung) if they don’t have to care so much for existing but outdated product lines.
Meanwhile, Canon 7D II leaps to #9 in cameras on Amazon USA (a drop from #7 last night) for pre-orders sight unseen. Yes, teensy tiny iPhone-clone mirrorless fanboys (with weak wrists) it’s the Year of the Death of the DSLR. Everyone sell their DSLR gear on eBay. ;^)
You knew this was going to happen. Five years wait for the 7D update is quite a long time. And like the A77II, the 7DII looks like a nice camera. Hopefully, the new camera will serve the buyers well.
“Phase detect AF can better be done on the sensor instead of that bulky fixed mirror.”
Quick tell Nikon and Canon that they don’t really need a mirror, I wonder if Sony know that the mirror is just filling empty air and not really needed? Idiot.
They should also get rid of e-mount, as there’s cell phones that can do ‘4k video’ and ‘take pictures’ and they are smaller and cheaper.
There will continue to be demand for a standard size, rugged SLR shaped bodies. It would get expensive for me if I had to use mirrorless bodies every day because I know there is no way they could live up to the wear and tear that my shooting workload demands (thus repair / replacement costs) nor could they survive as the main camera for most press photographers.
I along with many don’t have time to baby my gear, that’s for enthusiasts. The SLR form factor is also superior ergonomically with large lenses and the battery life is vastly superior.
It’s not an either or situation – both will have different markets and both camera types can compliment one another. For instance, mirrorless bodies are a great backup / secondary body choice for SLR shooters (for press or events particularly) who wish to lighten the bag a bit or have a small/discreet option.
Let the person select the right tool for their use. Choice is good. And yes, having a big camera as a counterbalance to a heavy lens can be useful. BUT, if somebody sells a simple camera that makes them as good as Art Wolfe, Ian Plant, Joe McNally, Joey Lawrence without actually having to know what they’re doing, I bet you many people will still buy the camera that makes them look like they know what they’re doing.
Jan come sony unvals the ne FE 99II LOL
The future of a mount is this:
Sony will release a generation of camera bodies every 2.5 to 3 years unless they figure out a way to create a hybrid a/e body with IBIS in SLR form factor. ( or one that is easier to adapt).
A-mount has a large catalog of lenses. A-mount will only receive an occasional lens release or update every 1 to 2 years. Once they start duplicating a lenses in e format then they will probably stop doing that.
Accessories and flashes are multi format so they should continue to get updated annually.
Unfortunately A-Mount will only hope to survive if Sony release new models at the same rate as FE mount..Otherwise the FE bodies will simply pull further and further ahead in technology. As Sony roll out newer better sensors and AF in the FE cameras… leaving A-mount behind
Well, we do not yet know the cycle of the FE bodies yet since none have yet been replaced. I think it’s safe to say it will be at least 2 years. Let’s say the a7/a7r get updated next fall. – this would probably lead Sony to move to update the a99 by the spring (conveniently around when the 5d4 is expected). We can hope that Sony positions the future a99 body as a more modular platform for different versions like the a7 series.
A-mounters if you’re frustrated with Sony you need send a little feedback Sony’s way. We can whine all we want here but Sony doesn’t read this blog so it’s a waste of bandwidth (though I do feel better afterward! ;^) ). Call customer service. Email Sony. Use social media. Tweet and post questions/requests on ther Facebook page. Maybe we’ll get some brief response.
The arguments always the same. E-mounters almost to a person can’t comprehend anyone wanting a camera other than what they’re interested in and see a zero-sum game where they want a-mount dropped assuming it means they’ll get they want the h*ll will everyone else. A-mounters keep arguing Sony’s marketing sucks and it’s still a very significant part of Sony’s revenue stream but, face it, unless we b*tch slap Sony with a clear message their marketing behavior will never change, Sony marketing will never get off the pot.
So get busy with a social media campaign with Sony or buy something else. Ironically, I’ve done both. ;^)
Oh, Andrea, if you can ask your slam-dunk, SR5 Sony sources to send a clear message up Sony’s chain about the rebellion they’re starting to face with a-mount customers it might help as well. Communication works 2 ways. Time for inept Sony marketing to hear our rumors!
Sony, like many corporates, don’t actually run their own social media sites. They are operated by social media management companies who employ people (i.e jobless graduates) who know nothing about the products to reply to comments. The person replying has probably just also replied to a comment on the Pepsi Facebook page too.
Complaining on there is pretty much like complaining on any other forum, a waste of time, you aren’t talking to Sony and they aren’t reading the comments.
Maybe, maybe not. You’re assuming. I’m sure anyone working their, say, @Sony Twitter feed isn’t an empowered product manager but they do provide feedback to their marketing team, contract or no.
Sony doesn’t read this blog? How naïve are you?
The small band of lunatic A-mount fanatics are the worst when it comes to self interest – you (of all people) levelling that charge at e-mount users is astounding.
Christ, it’s a camera mount. You’re a fooking nutter.
I’ve got a nutter for you to suck on. Two of them actually. As soon as you get your pointy little head unstuck from your a$$ come for ’em, bud. ;^)
F**k off Earl, you mad b**tard.
I am A user. And I love the system and I must say I love A77-2. The camera is very close to be perfect. It’s AF system is tremendous, MUCH better then A6000’s. A system’s pros: Handy cameras of proper size, IBIS, great new 79 point AF. However E system has a unique ability to work with EVERY lens out there. Some of the lenses can be even used with AF. There are speedboosters and other interesting things.
So, SONY, please give us E-mount camera shaped as SDLR (like A77-2), make a A-E adapter with F77-2’s AF and give that camera IBIS. Then just stop A system development, and it will be perfectly OK.
Sony should base it’s future on solid ground as the build of an A-mount is.
Compactness with the A7 “was” key befor they anounced the first faster lens.
Now there is a tiny camera with weak ergonomic, with a weaker mount, with hopes on better AF in times to come, which should stand today for the future and soundness of Sony in the pro business using the same lense dimensions as an A-Mount? Will a DSLR-style Camera have the size of a A77II but will it be as thin as an A7 to be able to fit an adapter/ FE-lense?
No space for 2 Slots and decent battery, with overheat issues etc., is this the future of pro photography by Sony?
Pro’s use the A7 only as second choice due to its compact size and more for fun. As soon as a serious shooting is involved they grap a serious pro body!
Sony as to display a roadmap and announce serious stuff to back up the idea of a pro service. This also could be a weak try from the marketing department to state ” Yes, Sony is also a Pro Manufaturer”
It’s Photokina, it’s time for announcments with impact or as Sony says with a WOW-effect.
Sony as to release a clear statement about A-Mount ! Now, at Photokina 2014 (not 2016).
In my opinion, Sony avoided the mention of the A-Mount at the conference out of spite and pure arrogance. They knew full well it would create a firestorm of controversy but did it anyway. I now have more than 10k in Sony gear and it pains me to know I could have gone with a reputable camera company and didn’t.
the same for me.
But nowadays the managment of such companies think the money they get is because they are clever (and half gods) and not because the hardworking customer base have trusted their products and their brand intergrity for the future.
Spite? Really? ahahaha
as an only A mount user, its sad to hear “nothing”
but i understand sony
1. after slt, great bodies, great feautures, etc they had not dent canikon over a decade
2. they rule mirrorles (E mount) and had the most exciting cameras
3. they could focus resources to build both lenses (A and E) but they already had a full line of A lenses, they better focus in the E horse thats winning, i would do the same
4. they had 3 good bodies, glad they focus in new lenses rather than small upgraded bodies
5. with sigma ruling A mount (and canikon) with iron fist, and not a sign of slowing down, keep feeding ART lenses at good pace with a better price, that outclass any native mount, why relesase or upgrade lenses (and enter sigma in a blood bath lense war that will bleed money), better just make good bodies, like a77ii, and focus lenses resources on E.
1. Sony had 10-15% in DSLR. Quite a ‘dent’. Still have about 8,5%.
3. They don’t have a full line of Sony-branded A lenses.
5. This one I agree with. Sigma and Tamron has been doing an incredible job. Soon the only thing that’s needed may be the A99-II.
I agree
Hummm….. is “The Mirrorless TIME!!!!!!!”
GM said they were committed to Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saturn, Saab, and Hummer right up to the day that they weren’t. What a company says publicly is all about milking as much money out of the consumer as possible, it has much less to do with what is actually going on internally in the company.
Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saturn, Saab, and Hummer were all losing money, the A-Mount actually generates more revenue than mirror-less.
Plus the A-Mount is 30 years old and they’re probably holding back for the A-Mount’s 30th Anniversary.
Attention Internet Photographers, the following mounts and systems are officially dead due to getting no attention at Photokina:
Pentax K
Pentax Q
Sony A-Mount
Nikon 1
Canon EF-M
Nikon DX
Additionally Canon EF-S, Fuji X and Pentax 645 are officially on life support.
That is all.
This is just is the way things are
Sony launched the bulk of the A-Mount lenses between 2006 to 2011. Sony now only produces lenses to fill perceived gaps in the line-up.
Sony then launched the e-mount, and then launched the bulk of their lenses between 2010, and early 2014. Sony now only produces lenses to fill perceived gaps in the line-up.
Sony then launched the FE mount on 2013, and the bulk of the lenses will be launched between 2013, and probably 2016. Sony probably only produce FE lenses to fill perceived gaps in the line-up after 2016.
Yeah, it’s true. Maybe we’re all a little panicked. I hope that’s the case. Still, none of those others has a manufacturer that is focusing entirely on a different mount, to the exclusion of the other, with no transparency or indication as to the future. I hope Sony’s cluelessness is in the PR front (not knowing how to communicate in reassuring their A-mount users) and not as much in the strategy front (abandoning the A-mount entirely).
If you lived in s bubble with your head stuck up your a$$ and ignored the ironic joke the Year of the A-mount is and Sony giving their best 36mp sensor tech to FE and Nikon. Yeah, I can understand your boneheaded observation.
A camera is a tool, nothing more or less. I have far more than the £10,000 mentioned by another invested in A mount gear, but it has paid its way. The fact is it hasn’t suddenly stopped being great equipment just because something else has come along that is better!
The reality is that Sony have designed something good with a different mount. It is good, clever, and adaptable, so that there is little point in developing the A mount any further.
Am I dissappointed? A little, but it wouldn’t stop me continuing to use what I have or, as I intend to do, swap to the new E mount
Good comment!
@paulelisarov:disqus this could be a good solution.
The thing is that sony is not listening to there loyal customers,
who asking a long, long time for more lenses.
Instead sony put almost all there energy to new camera”s
If sony release’s camera’s like sony A77 mark 2
You must release also more lenses,
and if you release a A6000 you can’t release
a A5100 which matches the A6000.
Sony is not listening to there loyal customers!
Sony will gain new customers in short time by releasing
new technology only,
sony will loose regular client if they do not listen en make more lenses customers the ask for.
@paulelisarov:disqus this could be a good solution.
The thing is that sony is not listening to there loyal customers,
who asking a long, long time for more lenses.
Instead sony put almost all there energy to new camera”s
If sony release’s camera’s like sony A77 mark 2
You must release also more lenses,
and if you release a A6000 you can’t release
a A5100 which matches the A6000.
Sony is not listening to there loyal customers!
Sony will gain new customers in short time by releasing
new technology only,
sony will loose regular client if they do not listen en make more lenses customers the ask for.
Thank you sony for listening!
yeeeeeaaah….the year of A mount…
shouldnt that claim been: the LAST year of A mount? 😀
Sony gives nether consumers or 3rd party manufacturers reasons for confidence.
I need a new 150-600.
I canceled my Tamron preorder because the Sony version was not..and still is not ..available and I completed my last summer bird shoot.
The new Sigma 150-600mm sport seems like a better lens and I want that plus thier new 1.4x teleconverter ASAP.
They are not even offered in A mount …only the contemporary version which is probably not as good..and considering the lack of info is only a prototype at this point.
I may very well have no option other than buying a Canon or Nikon body and the lens I want.
Sony has some good features and technolgy that other manufacturers lack but they make it too difficult to build a sytem.
Lack of compatability and lack of confidents are two of the issues.
Whenever I need something new for Sony it is a very complicated process to figure out what works with what..usually involving compromise because the best stuff is not compatable.
It makes perfect sense to me that long term Sony might be better off consolidating all thier stuff into a single new mount system…but they need to consider the thousands of people that have invested in Sony and need to protect that investment.
Sony needs to provide FULL BACWARDS COMPATABILITY TO A MOUNT.
There are multiple ways to make that happen and Sony is smart enough ti figure out how…but too foolish to have already done so.
Samsung is watching every move Sony makes or doesnt make.
They have introduced a mirrorless dslr style system and are very aware that Sony is oblivios to our asking for full cpatabity.
I can absolutely assure you that while Sony ignores what Sony costomers are asking for..Samsung is not ignoring us.
Wake up Sony you are heading down exactly the same path you took with your tvs..and the same actions are sure to result in the same results.
I agree with you but I don’t think Sony cares at all about customer relations. I have enough lenses for my Sony A900 and when it dies I could limp along with repairs. However, I will move over as soon as I can to a different brand.
Nothing personal Sony, you just suck.
I don’t trust Sony anymore, I doubt I will spend any more money on this brand in future.
That’s the good way to establish a sound customer base like canikon.
The growth is assured as the market share is, Yeappy!!
No wounder they are facing financial problems acting like this.
“I may very well have no option other than buying a Canon or Nikon body and the lens I want.”
Barry, don’t tease us.
Do you think I am the only one?
Yes other people have other reasons to leave Sony..but Sony is giving us lots of reasons to choose from.
Whoosh!!!
LOL
Barry the A-Mount isn’t on life support, Sony just chose Photokina as a location to launch lenses needed for their newest platform.
It was a strategic decision.
The January launch of the new A-Mount body is intentional, because it gives Canon little time to respond, before the 5D MK IV launch. This will definitely disrupt the MK IV by using the A-Mount’s 30th Anniversary marketing buzz, and the new cameras 46mp sensor as advantages against other DSLR platform.
If you think Sony is going to dump a camera line that provides 60% of its interchangeable lens camera revenue stream, then you need to sit down and take a breath.
Could you please tell me what is the source of this information about 60%?
I do not know if what you say is true or not…and that is precisely the problem…the fear that Sony will drop the A mount system is every bit as damaging as the reality of them doing so.
For example..I may need to switch to Canon or Nion to get the Sigma lens I need….not because Sony does not make an A mount camera but because Sigma and me lack the confidence that Sony will continue to make A mount.
The BIGGEST CONTRIBUTER TO THAT FEAR IS THE LACK OF A SAFETY NET…nothing will convince everyone of an A mount future…but a fully functional conversion to E mount will provide a safety net that if Sony discontinues A mount our lenses will not be worthless and unusable.
Here’s a safety net, now sell everything.
Something tells me Canon isn’t actually shaking in its boots over the a-mount given Sony’s inept handling of the mount. They’d be more concerned with Nikon f-mount because that’s where Sony’s best sensors end up DSLR-wise, not anything Sony makes.
Please sell everything today, don’t hesitate. Thank you.
We can all agree that Sony has totally screwed up at Photokina with respect to A-mount. There are two possibilities:
1. Sony has clueless PR – it didn’t occur to them that A-mount users would feel neglected and have doubts about the future of the mount, so they didn’t even bother to make mention of it. This could mean that the A-mount still has a future that Sony cares about, but they just don’t care too much about the customers and what they’re thinking.
2. Sony is phasing out the A-mount. The A77II was just released. If Sony had delayed that release by a few months to Photokina, everyone would be comparing it to the 7DII and nobody would be talking about the death of the A-mount. So it’s unlikely the A-mount is being abandoned and more likely Sony wanted to get a jump on the competition in the pro-thusiast cropped body market.
Conclusion: Sony is probably just clueless in PR and communicating the future to users. This could be very damaging to Sony as people jump ship, but Sony probably hopes that A-mount users will simultaneously use FE mount, which is one of the hottest things in photography right now, and a real success for Sony.
FE is hot, but I buy things from companies I respect or people I like. I guess I’m funny that way.
As per the text above, ten months ago two senior Sony guys have stated “We will not quit A-mount product lines. We will have both product lines.” and “Sony are still committed to the A-mount system”.
There have been lens refreshes and the A77II. Do the cry babies here really need Sony to repeat these statements to them on a daily basis, they’ve said it less than a year ago!
Photokina isn’t held every day so yes, they should have said something.
Regards,
Cry Baby #A900
Say something about products that they aren’t announcing? That is bizarre!
It’s Okay, it will come to you ~ yes, I’m just kidding.
What will come to me? This is a RUMOUR site, rumours can be and frequently are wrong here.
It is clear that the Sony sources that fed this site dried up a long time ago. To base purchasing decisions on this sites rumours is stupidity, in the past yes, now? No.
Yet, SAR’s sources on the e-mount panned out, a-mount didn’t. I agree with you SAR’s sources are drying up. But I was able to piece together Photokina was going to be a bust even while others were predicting some a-mount. There’s a long pattern emerging of e-mount rumors being more credible with some pleasant surprises popping up while a-mount ones are unreliable and stuff gets delayed or falls off the radar scope entirely.
I bought on the trend and its worked out for me. Maybe a dumb move but I have something I’d like to have new gear for. I hang around, in part, because I suspect Sony will dribble out a DSLR FF of some sort around spring 2015. But Sony needs to really do a rich a-mount system or failure is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
A year is an eternity in the electronics field. Sony probably couldn’t have predicted the success of the FE mount back then, and the resources it would drain to rush new lenses to market.
The question on everyone’s mind then is will the FE success cause Sony to reconsider the A-mount’s future.
While it’s unlikely Sony intends to abandon the mount right now, considering everything that’s going on in FE, the lack of attention given to the A-mount, and their loyal users, is indicative of a lack or respect on Sony’s part, or at best, just total cluelessness on their part that anyone would be concerned.
It’s a different department, but Sony gaming said they have no idea why PS4 is selling well:
http://techcrunch.com/2014/08/20/sony-doesnt-know-why-the-ps4-is-doing-well/
So yeah, big corporations can be clueless.
Yes, Sony could have predicted the success of the FE mount. They were practically throwing them at people when they were released. Free flash + $200 off + 400 trade in credit…. etc. Even Sony Rewards had the A7K for $1200.
well on a Stage like Photokina, where a lot of potential customer are thinking about investing or not in a serious Company, yes it helps.
They have to show the new stuff and on the other site present the next steps to ensure the base. After all it’s A-Mount Year, Yeappy!!
The point of official announcements is not to tell the competition what you are going to announce BEFORE you announce it!
Admin’s sources point to a delay or even cancelling of a-mount lenses. So you don’t suspect anything? Really?
Suspect what on what basis?
But it’s A-Mount Year not ups its a mistake let’s go for FE-Year. Come on they change direction like a weather vane. Are they serious or what?
They never announced “The Year of A-Mount”, SAR did. It was never official.
Oh, didn’t they? I’m only thinking who will join Sony’s big Pro family after announcing the Pro service and not spending one word about or commitment in serious pro equipment or a latest roadmap to back up the soundness of the project. In my opinion it is a too weak PR approach and rather clueless – “let’s put something Pro-like in this slide show…. what’s about “Pro Service” sounds very pro!!
If you like Sony’s lack of a-mount product support, them skipping over their ‘pro’ line (another Sony marketing lie) with their best-of-breed 36mp sensor (and ignore there’s not even a hint at a high-performance ISO one like the a7S), yeah keep on keeping on. People looking for an upgrade like me are picking the competition.
I’m hanging around for a number of reasons but Nikon will be my go-to gear for the foreseeable future.
I don’t “like” it, but that doesn’t mean I am going around crying that the sky is falling in when Sony have clearly stated less than a year ago that they are supporting A-mount and put the A77II in my hands six months after saying so.
Sell everything today, don’t hesitate. Thank you.
3) Your totally full of $hit, and several model upgrades and lenses will be offered early in 2015.
Based upon what? The same SAR sources who burned him about Photokina?
3. Sony management have been replaced by vampires. Unable to make selfies with A-Mount cameras, they got frustrated and declared a full switch to mirrorless.
Agreed. However, I don’t think those jumping ship are going to FE. More like Nikon from those I’ve talked too.
I’m really concerned about this A-mount issue…
And no company that big can afford a clueless PR; so should it be confirmed that they will abandon A-mount, I’ll leave that ship and never come back to it again ! This would be a total no respect.
And contrary to what “A77II” is saying, yes, we need to have it repeated that they will commit to it. That’s their job, ours is to be happy as customers… and for now I’m doubting about it…
Sell everything today, don’t hesitate. Thank you.
Don’t forget to give us the eBay listing numbers.
Hey, hey, we’re all friends here! If we kill everyone on the life raft we’ll never be able to paddle to shore.
But we’ll have more food to go around.
Repeated how often then? It’s been less than a year. Would you like it every 6 months? Every month? How about a personal email to just you?
Would be nice indeed. Thanks to let them know about my wishes.
As for non sarcastic answers; when you see the marketing war machine they put in place for FE, you would expect a little bit more commitment to the loyal users…
but maybe as your nickname states, you’d be too sad to hear they’ll abandon it and you’ll be left on the life raft with your brand new and soon obsolete camera system…
If you have relevant and trustworthy sources, I’d be happy to hear about it, if you’re just trolling around… well… troll around.
Trolling? By stating facts, facts that are at the top of this page? I guess everybody that doesn’t share you opinion is a troll?
Facts ?
– no news at Photokina, so called the biggest event in photography
– old rumours from 2013 about A-mount ?
oh and maybe you didn’t noticed; the website is still called http://www.sonyalphaRUMORS.com — but yes, indeed, facts.
What on Earth are you one about? No news? They obviously concentrated on FE, so what? There was no news about a RX100M4 either but it doesn’t mean that they have dropped the RX100 line.
Old rumours from 2013? They aren’t rumours they are statements issued by senior SONY personnel. They don’t get any more factual than that, have you actually read them?
I have no idea what the last comment means.
Yeah, see that’s a good point. They didn’t mention the RX2 I believe yet. We don’t have any info. on the supposed monochrome FE camera body or the medium format that pretty much is guaranteed to be coming out. Just because it wasn’t announced doesn’t mean it’s on the back burner. Sony knows their lenses for FE are probably the most important presentation they need to leave people with right now.
But it stil smells too fishy to me. The Photokina is a Stage, so therefore you have present yourself in the best possible light to attract the audience.
But my question is, who is the real audience which Sony is aming for?
I doubt it is the Pro / Semi Pro audience who stroll around the canikon booth like flies.
What did Canon and Nikon do there then? Canon announce a couple of lenses and a over-priced 7DII months after the A77II. I imagine that Canon users had simply gotten fed up of waiting for the 7DII, so much for Canon caring about their loyal customers.
Nikon can’t even be bothered to wait for Photokina and announce a not well received D750 BEFORE the event! The D750 is getting a right kicking in the forums from D700 owners, so much for Nikon caring about their loyal customers.
It just shows what Canon and Nikon think of Photokina, they couldn’t really be bothered to have anything spectacular, just more of the same.
I dunno. After reading the Sony SAR fanboys go nuts over the Nikon fanboys and reviewers absolutely hating the D750, visited Nikon Rumors and saw Granger’s hands-on review. I didn’t really see that much angst. Normal back and forth you’d expect.
Actually they haven’t abandoned anyone. Sony isn’t know for keeping its users informed. They haven’t managed to effectively create a stable camera platform that professionals would be interested in using.
The company doesn’t effectively communicate with the outside world. They lose customers because of this, and their incompetence has driven plenty of A-Mount users to Canon or Nikon’s platforms.
Most of the A-Mount users dropping it will likely buy Canon’s or Nikon’s DSLRs and not the E-Mount.
We have lots of E mounters cheering the possible demise of A mount.
They do not seem to realize they have done this before and with absolute certainty they will do the same to E mount.
Unlike A mount that can be used in a partly functional manner with adapter on E mount…
E mount lenses will be completely and totally useless on any other mount.
They have the shortest flange distance an cannot be adapted to any other mount.
E mounters SHOULD BE JUST AS CONCERNED AS A MOUNTERS..THEY ARE NEXT
Already Sony has curved sensors ant they will reguire new lenses desighned with curved focal planes
How Sony deals with A mounters is how they will deal with E mounters next
Is Sony going to give us an answer or do we simply drop Sony.
It is really a simple decision. We have invested in there A mount cameras. Do we continue?
Or should we stick to Canon and Nikon, where you can have faith that your not purchasing a disposable system
Well, if they are serious in business, their project/roadmap and in keeping a broad customers base as possible they should put out a press release at Photokina 2014. But i doubt they have the courage to do so.
I just want a new A mount camera. Even worse I sold my freaking A900 thinking the A99II would be out next month. Oh well, in the meantime I guess I’ll have to shoot this new guy I just picked up. Ladies and gentlemen….I present to you….the Minolta 7000 and Zeiss 50mm 1.4! Heck yeah!!!
looks nice to me, something to trust in. build for the future not like this toys nowadays.
Feels better in the hands than an A7 which kind of freaked me out.
it is build with ergonomy in mind. I played with a 7R at the store and I felt it difficult to grip. The Sony Rep. told me there would be interesting news for A-mounters at Photokina. Well…
Have you ever tried to use a Minolta 7000? I’ve got one – it’s a beautiful cam but it’s ergononics (not the grip!) is a pain! Ever tried to select shutter speed or anything else with this buttons?
I just started messing with it. But, from what I can tell it seems decent. For a 30 year old camera I’m suprised. I’d like to eventually grab a dynax 7 so I can use all of my SSM lenses while shooting film. I’m going to do a review of the camera after I get a weekend out with it.
I’m going to buy a cheap A99 from someone suffering from a SAR meltdown.
I’m going to be laughing my butt off when the new A-Mount camera arrives. I will absolutely rub-it-in when it arrives.
Nice. Yeah, I’m still keeping my eye out for an A99. It’s easy to get lost in the thick BS online and forget just how great of a stills camera the A99 is.
This is tuff! I have been an A-mount user since the release of the A900. I currently use the A99 for all of my professional work, but I think Sony needs to drop the A-mount DSLR range. It’s a business decision and I don’t think Sony could ever make profit from a DSLR. I hate the thought of this since I own well over $10,000 in Alpha DSLR equipment but small and mirror less is the future for Sony.
But its not like Sony can’t make their dslr’s mirrorless- they practically are anyway. The difference in flange distance between FE and A mount is 1 inch. In real use it makes very little difference. Minolta and Sony have proven that A mount can make exceptionally light and smaller full frame cameras. It also has a vastly superior lens selection to FE. They just need to fill in the gaps (which IMO are few). And maybe the most important thing is flash support. They seriously need to get that fixed.
Can someone point me to the announcement of the January launch of the new a-mount stuff?
The SR5 rumor on this site only states that Sony will ANNOUNCE the possible release of a-mount stuff (including high MP camera) not the actual release in January.
I’m sure I read somewhere that:
1) a-mount should be coming first
2) That the release might be early 2015 – so that could be first quarter e.g. March.
However we have had these rumors before e.g. FF a-mount cameras early 20134 That didn’t happen. Rumors are just rumors.
Whoops – FF a-mount cameras early 2013.
Send Sony a notification via facebook e.g. “what is happening to a-mount”. We might get some response.
Also Sony Outlet UK is selling a lot of refurb a-mount lenses at the mo. A bit worrying.
The Sony UK outlet sells stuff in batches, sometimes there is nothing, sometimes there is a load of one product. As you can imagine, they collect load of stuff together into one batch and sell it off, it doesn’t mean anything.
Dear All,
I’m an old user of Hasselblad, Nikon, Canon and nowadays mostly A7-system. I have NEVER been abandoned by ANY of the brands. OK I sold some equipment – you can’t keep all stuff!
I love A7-cameras BUT I get a little worried.
You A-mounters are being abandoned by Sony. That is absolutely so! It worries me for sure. Is Sony going to do the same thing with me and my EF lenses? Should I go back to Canon. Still got a full line of lenses but doesn’t use them today?
A mount treatment from Sone is a set back for EF line as well :-((
Sony needs to announce info. on the A mount for this very reason. Even if you shoot FE your still affected by what’s going on with their other line. It’s just bad PR. Either nix the system or build it up. You don’t even have to do anything, just MENTION it alone would help. They can’t even mention the system!
that’s the point why the Marketing department failed yesterday. Their incompetence costs a lot of customers, trust , market share and finally money which by the way doesn’t grow on the floor.
well a serious commitment to a strategy / Mount earns a broad and stable customer base.
I tell everybody to see the future check out the history of a company. Everybody says
Sony is innovative but has a little customer base compared to Canikon which are rather boring but trustful.
Therefore let’s Sony innovate ….
If someone were to create a petition for Sony to release information about their plans for A-mount on a website like http://www.change.org, and we got 100,000+ signatures, I wonder if that would matter? I cannot access the site right now, but I think it’s the coffee shop’s wifi I’m using that’s blocking it. I’m pretty dang sure it’s change.org.
Once the petition gets dumped on the Associate Press (which you know would run the story), then we might be able to shame them into telling us their plan. Often it takes lots of public pressure and bad PR to get a big company to do the right thing.
PS. I have boxed all my gear up, and accepted my quote from KEH, but I haven’t dropped it in the mail just yet. It was good to sleep on the decision.
That’s might be a way to pull them off their high seat and have them considering us, the base.
That’s a great idea! It’s better than just sitting on our duffs and not doing anything but complaining! ADMIN, can you make this for us?!?!
that is a great idea!
now go find 100’000 people who care and will sign.
good luck.
btw, I would definitely not stop at a digital protest, I’d say go riot the streets! “sony should reveal plans for A-mount”
I guarantee if the Admin here were to post something like this, we’ve get several thousand, if not tens of thousands of sign ups within a week. Once it gets out there more, we’d have no problem reaching 100,000.
For what’s it’s worth, I’d sign it.
Canon and Nikon aren’t exactly knocking it out of the park this Photokina. Nikons 750 hasn’t exactly been met with a huge amount of applause. What have we got from Canon? A very expensive 7DII- and late to the game as well.
Truth is, these manufacturers aren’t going to give up the cards in their hands for products you can’t either buy now or very soon. Product release dates don’t revolve around a show- it revolves around their annual business plan. Sony has a strategy for both A mount and E mount. Lenses are a given, so announcing lenses isn’t as much of a risk. Right now, even if January is the big A mount announcement that means it’s to soon to show your hand of cards to the competition. Maybe we’re building up Photokina way to much.
My issue is that Sony mentioned nothing yesterday about A mount. Didn’t even give it a nod or try to build anticipation. Even if nothing was announced, just an acknowledgement would have sufficed. Now that’s called stupidity.
Canikon are still trusted as reliable, therefore they will sell even when they are boring and slightly outdated
I don’t see the e-mount users loosing their sh!! because Sony didn’t announce new lenses for their platform.
I think the A-Mount users need to chill. Jan is coming, and everyone is gonna be jealous of the new 46mp A-Mount.
What are you talking about? Sony announced a slew of new e-mount lenses.
Oh i forgot, if Photokina is too small for these Companies to take this event seriously why not drop the whole thing and keep the money for R&D.
BTW To build the trust in a company / manufacturer is what I’m talking about not that I ask to layout all the plans Sony has in detail.
Check out the Amazon sales rank on 7DM2.
Polish a turd and put a Canon badge on it, it would get to the top ten in Amazon sales rankings too.
Yeah, no doubt. Well, it still is a good camera for what its worth. Canon makes solid products even if they are somewhat lackluster. I think when my switch happens it’ll be Nikon though.
Nikon is where I went too.
The 1 attraction to Canon was their wonderful 400 f/5.6. Nobody else does it and it sells the brand for many amateurs such as myself. I just took delivery on a Nikon 300mm f/4 today which with my Nikon 1.4x teleconverter will have to suffice until I sort things out long.
Obviously, I really like Nikon using Sony’s wonderful sensors and that was my attraction on picking up a used D800. If you want FF not a bad deal as you can get one for about the price of an a99 and, no offense to a99 owners, but the Nikon is a no-brainer at that price. The even better 800e isn’t that bad used either.
Not into herd mentality! Amazon ranking should not be how to choose a camera
Agreed. It’s the complete lack of any sort of mention whatsoever that’s concerning, that doesn’t give much hope for continued development. My current Sony DSLRs/Ts still have plenty of life in them and I still enjoy using them, so I’m not worried about immediate camera needs, but down the road, should I need to switch (brand/mount) to accommodate my needs, I worry about then having a bunch of a-mount lenses that are next to worthless (in terms of market value) and taking a huge bath on them. So then that has me wondering, should I just sell my a-mount stuff now before that happens and just go either e-mount or Canikon? This might be a good chance to jump ship to a company that also takes flash development seriously, too… Though I might have to remain Sony just for my CZ 135mm 1.8 – that lens simply can’t be matched by the other two big dogs.
135mm 1.8 is the anchor in my collection as well. I have the 50mm 1.4 zeiss but I can find something comparable. I don’t know if I’ll ditch before January- I can’t say. I mean, what happened to announcing the 135mm 1.8 SSM and possibly the 85mm SSM. You could at least hint at it!
I don’t know what they are planning to do but if they really will release the A99II and perhaps other A mount bodies with some other lenses soon we definitely can’t say that A-Mount will be abandoned.
Yes thats possible, but on the other hand Sony is losing customer base acting like this like on a melting Iceberg. The loss of trust of the base is financally critical. It’s easy to lose customer but it’s very hard work to convince him to come back.
Sony – PR is doing a very poor job to build up trust in the brand they are working for,
… or are they Canikon spies after all?
but they said nothing about A-mount in one of the largest (if not the biggest) photographic expo in the world. That clearly sends a message.
First post here… I have a Sony A99 and a Sony A77II and I love the pictures I can get out of these setups. What concerns me personally is that I love to shoot wildlife and birds, and although the 70-400G2 is a great zoom, I’m more interested in primes. Of course, I only realize this once I’ve invested in everything BUT a telephoto prime (28-75, 85mm 1.4, 70-200 2.8 Tamron V2, even a fisheye) to realize what my passion really is. And Sony, as far as I can see, doesn’t offer ANY reasonably priced prime telephoto lenses.
I ended up getting a Minolta 300 2.8 HS lens from Adorama, and I use it with a couple of TCs, but if i want to go longer, I would either have to get a 500mm Sigma (no silent focus, not as sharp with a TC) or a 500mm sony (15k, yeah right).
Meanwhile, Canon and nikon offer all sorts of 300 primes, 400 primes, 500 primes, 600 primes, and even 800 primes! And all are less money than Sonys’ 500mm F4 lens. And add insult to injury, the very best zoom (sigma 120-300 2.8) isn’t even available in A mount.
Bingo. No contest- Sony looses when it comes to wildlife. Even worse, it’s like the one hold out DSLR’s have over mirrorless. I use a Tokina 300mm F4 on my sony Alpha. It took me forever to find one online and I have a 2x tele when needed. I tried the 500mm F8 reflex, but the donut bokeh was annoying. However, looking back I wish I would have kept it. When you did nail the pictures sharpness wasn’t an issue. You just have to add contrast and hope to avoid the weird bokeh issue.
Check her to see the lenses that have been made for Sony that you say you want:
http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/results.asp?chbLensType=1&page=4
Then just google them and I bet you will find everything you need used. If you are shooting just stills, there is plenty for you out there. If you are doing mainly movies, then you may want to look elsewhere for a camera first.
Exactly my thoughts… I don’t have a problem going with second hand items since I got a few of them. But in my case, weathersealing is a must since I live in a humid placeb…
And most people simply want us to settle with what’s available in the second hand market… to settle with non-weathersealed, outdated, screwdriven af lenses. And without any kind of support. If you break it, it’s up to you to find a repair centre for vintage lenses… no no. Sony should be making a big effort to come up with a plethora of updated lenses and new releases or re-releases, but no. They’re not doing anything at all it seems.
What should Sony do:
Take A99. Insert new AF, like A77M2, but Full Frame for wide coverage. Insert new 20% pellicle mirror. Insert sensors from A7, A7R and A7S.
Announce A99, A99R and A99S before the New Year.
Tamron, Sigma and Samyang will take care of the rest, thank you very much.
I agree!
I’m down with that.
Its funny that the FE-Mount community naturally assumes that A-Mount users would automatically drop their platform and join them.
Us A-Mount users are DSLR users, and most of us already said we will adopt either Nikon, or Canon’s DSLRs should the A-Mount be discontinued. Its pretty clear the direction most of us are headed.
Us DSLR users are not interested in the FE Mount for the price of an A7r I can buy an D810 which is the better camera with better lens selection, or the upcoming 5D MK IV. Both Canon, and Nikon’s lenses are cheaper, and are of better quality anyways.
I’m an ex-A-mount user. At that time, I decided to switch from a m4/3 camera to a FF system, but I used to the EVF, thus A-mount is my answer. However, I always think that A-mount system is still large for me. So, when the FE system hit the market, it’s like I found my savior and I did’t have any hesitation to switch to FE system.
That is why I don’t understand when someone say something like “Use A-mount lenses with LA-EA 4 and you will get what you want (FE mount users who complaint about lack of lens support will get what they want and A-mount users who complaint about lack of new camera will get what they want too).
It not that easy. For me, I want to use FE system, because I want a compact and native system, thus I don’t have reason to adopt larger and heavier lenses and use it with a bulky and complex adapter. And if I really want to use those A-mount lenses, the native A-mount system would be better and more practical choice for me. In the other hand, I think some of A-mount guys used to ergonomics of DSLR-style bodies, thus they are no reason to use their A-mount lenses on the smaller FE system which will increased redundancy because of the adapter.
I hate it because I want to buy the sony a77 mk2 cause it is a better camera as the 7d mk 2 if you talk about sensor and price and still has great af and much better then the nikon d7100. But since it came out I only hear about third party new lenses and i know the mirror cameras are a big deal for sony but they just dont have the af when it comes to moving objects and i still am a fan from dslr but they should make there point asap otherwise they will get much haters if they discontinue the dslr and dont give anything back in return. I wanne be sure about my first dslr and its future not that i am buying a system which is already death.
Just grab an A77 for like 600 bucks. It’s fantastic. I’ve used to many DSLR’s to count and I still have a soft spot for that camera. The used price has remained literally consistant for the past year as well. You could shoot it for a couple of months and if you don’t like it ditch it on ebay. I sold mine to go FF and let me just say- nothing but regret. I plan on picking up another one. It’s just a great camera.
If I was new to APS-C dSLR and wanting fast stills AF then the Canon 7DII after it’s initial price drop would be top of my list simply for the lens options. You might be better getting a used 7D and spending the money saved on better lenses, it still has very good AF performance despite its age.
See my comment above, there are lenses of every kind you could possibly need already available for A mount so they do not need to announce new ones. Just how would you improve on the Zeiss 85 1.4 anyway? It is a spectacular lens and does not need “updating”. Those of us that have it, would NEVER update as the update can not justify spending a huge amount for a tiny improvement, if that were even possible. So Sony will not announce new ones the established base will not buy. Check e-bay and other sources to see the huge number of great prime Minolta lenses available at bargain prices. Then get the A-77 II. It is an amazing camera!
>Just how would you improve on the Zeiss 85 1.4 anyway?
+SSM +weather-sealing, obviously
I have the 85, and would upgrade it if sony slaps an SSM on it. Without thinking 😉 same with the 135
But several of those tons of lenses available are outdated or employs screwdriven AF, doesn’t have weathersealing or are simply second hand because now they are discontinued… and let’s not forget that many 3rd party support has put A-mount on Standby while they get sales from Canon and Nikon users. Without an official effort to update the current lineup, I don’t see a bright future.
Outdated? My Zeiss 85 1.4 from 3 years ago takes fantastic photos and focuses very fast. Unless you are doing the kind of photography that requires those features specifically, and most don’t, they are not necessary or worth the money. As for weather sealed, ever hear of a camera poncho? The features you mention add little value and are not worth upgrading for for the majority of people.
I said ”outdated OR …”, didn’t say AND. Anyway…If Sony releases a Zeiss 135 with SSM and Weathersealing, I would sell my SAL135F18Z inmediately. Using a poncho is not the best way to shoot under light rain or in very humid places. I live in a very humid country and having to use a bag or poncho doesn’t help at all with the shooting experience.
If you’re happy with your screwdriven AF lenses or without weathersealing then fine. While some lenses are fine the way they are, ignoring the possibility of improving the shooting experience with SSM, Weathersealing or new coatings of glass (I’m looking at you SAL35F14G) is not okay. Shooting with my Zeiss 50mm without worries under light rain is the best thing I’m able to do since I don’t have to fight with the environment. And you must admit that the Sony 35mmm f1.4 G is one of those lenses in need for an update… Heck, talk about the Fisheye 16mm… They’re charging me almost a thousand bucks for some extra built-in filters from the film era… And that SAL20F28 need some update too.
OK but have you actually had issues because of the humidity or do you just fear them? SSM would not improve my shooting experience at all. Don;t use the 35 1.4 G for my work, too wide. Never had a need for a fisheye lens and doubt if most people “need” these lenses or if they have them, “need” them upgraded. Sony knows this!
A lot of people want to buy something in A mount but are afraid to do so because Sony has neither..
Clearly demonstrated a continurd commitment to A mount to give people confidence
Or
Provide a safety net…a fully compatable method of using A mount lenses on E mount when Sony discontinues A mount.
This has withougt a doubt made a majorcimpact on sales….
CAN ANYONE NOW USING SONY A MOUNT RECCOMEND PURCHASING A MOUNT AS A FIRST CAMERA?
We can also look at it this way…
The second mirrorless AF catches up to DSLR, IF THIS EVER HAPPENS AT ALL, all SLR cameras and lenses – Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony – will become obsolete.
Sony will be leading the way in FF mirrorless, and our A-Mount lenses will still be somewhat usable on FE.
This kind of revolution will come as a much bigger shock to Canikon users.
Until this happens, A-Mount is the best DSLR system, and when it does, A-Mount users will be best prepaired to switch to mirrorless.
Any way, Sony users win.
The point is, this may happen in a couple of years; in 10 years; or never.
And Sony needs to account for the latter by ensuring continuing development, support and advertisement of the A-Mount system – until the possible mirrorless revolution, which HASN’T HAPPENED YET AND MAY NOT HAPPEN AT ALL.
Yeah, Sony is taking over. Don’t buy their mirrorless roadmap, get out of photography. ;^)
They can only screw it up if they try to jump ship when there’s no viable replacement in sight.
Current FE is in no way a comparable alternative to A-Mount.
Maybe sony is preparing something really big for a mount system.
You could think about loosing the mirror and make a a mount camera with on sensor phase detect af and in body image sabilisation and their recentely developed e mount cameras are just a step in the developing process…
..A mount with on sensor phase detect, ibis, no mirror, and a whole lot of empty space.
makes no sense
A-mount lenses aren’t designed for OSPDAF, it’s why we still have SLT.
Slt is already a old system, so it is time for something new. I don`t see why a a-mount lens can`t work with on sensor phase detect af. Afterall is a microprocessor who`s involveved in command process, so it doesn`t matter if the af is on sensor or a separate one, like now.
I have explained why a million times here and have since given up, just believe me that it CAN’T be be done. Google is your friend.
I’ve sent a couple of emails to Sony requesting clarification. The first was to their regular customer support email, and very expectedly they responded that they have no information one way or the other. I responded and asked them to please take my question seriously and send it up the flagpole. My expectations for a meaningful response are not high.
I sent a second email to tier two support, actual Sony engineers working in San Diego, who helped me through some early-adopter problems when I first got my a99. These guys are certainly in touch with what’s going on, but still, my expectations are low for a meaningful response. That email is: support@info.sel.sony.com and I encourage everybody to write a brief email expressing their frustration with lack of clarity on A-mount’s future, and making for a clarification thereof.
My hope is that eventually these and other emails will add up and let Sony know that they’ve got to say something publicly.
Sent….
I do not believe that the fact that they did not announce any A mount lenses is significant at all. There is a ton of lenses available for A mount from sony and others and there are no real holes in there for amount lenses, we have every kind and length of lens to fit any need. Plus there are huge number of older high quality Minolta lenses available at bargain prices on E-bay and elsewhere.
That said, as long as Sony follows through and announces more A mount cameras as promised/rumored in early 2015, I wont be looking elsewhere! If they don’t, it will be decision time!
January is it though. It was supposed to be this past January, then Photokina and now next year. Anything beyond that and I’m sorry- no way. Even I’m not ok with that and I’m fairly patient.
Same here.
+1 for me
Actually, a look at Canon’s and Nikon’s offerings reveals Sony has many gaps. True, they’ve got all the more popular focal lengths and zooms covered, but several of them are really outdated, such as:
1. 20mm f/2.8 – slow and not sharp, screw focus
2. 35mm f/1.4 – considered a dog of a lens, especially compared to Sigma
3. 85mm and 135mm Zeiss primes – screw drive focus, no modern coatings, no weather-sealing
4. 100 f/2.8 macro – slow screw focus, extending barrel
These are just the lenses I use, and would consider upgrading. Topping it off, there is no tilt-shift, no super-macro, no longer focal length macros, no medium-priced telephoto primes in the f/4-ish range. And this isn’t even mentioning the entry-level and midrange shortcomings. In short, there’s really a lot Sony could be doing to further mature the mount, and they’re not.
“35mm f/1.4 – considered a dog of a lens, especially compared to Sigma” – so, there’s Sigma, right?
There’s tilt-shift Samyang, etc.
If Sony has a lot of gaps (and it does), it’s Sony’s problem, because their money goes to 3rd-party manufacturers.
We, as users, are fine, as long as they keep releasing A-Mount bodies.
So by that logic Polaroid canceling instant film production doesn’t mean it’s dead as long as Impossible makes it at $4 a shot? Third party support as a sign of Sony continuing to develop the mount is a non-sequitur.
The mount itself cannot be developed further – it was developed decades ago 🙂
They can develop cameras. And lenses. And accessories.
Pentax doesn’t release any new lenses, but keeps releasing new cameras. Nobody says that K system is dead.
But of course it is 😉
Jonathan, what exactly did you mean by “no modern coatings”? They all are T* coated as far as I know.
Yes, you’re right. Even the new Sony Zeiss (50mm) has the T*. Maybe they could upgrade that to the fluorite coating that repels dust. Hey, just grasping for straws here.
Sony is interesting–it seems like there is always something to like, and something to hate, about what they are doing.
I just bought a new TV, and I went with a Sony. I’m often a top-of-the-line type of person, but I’m also rational, and often consider physical realities above prestige. I went with a 55″ instead of larger (wife’s preferred angular viewing size at 9′-10′ viewing distance), with HD instead of 4k (apparently 4k benefits not visually discernible at that viewing distance), and with 2d instead of 3d (we would never, ever use the 3d function). A plus was that it has an aluminum bezel, which matches other aluminum elements in our office.
It’s an extremely nice TV, well-suited to our needs. I looked at everything around, up to tens-of-thousands-of-dollars TV’s, and went with this USD 1,000 Sony TV. In this instance, Sony gave us exactly what we wanted by having product diversification…BUT, Sony was also able to give a good break on price due to “disabling” of certain functions like 3d ($300 off for 2d-only).
While I have a bunch of great A-mount stuff, and would like to be able to use it natively, I am not averse to adopting a new system like the A7, RX, or the new curved-sensor system, as long as it gives me what I want. Sony makes some very nice stuff at the prosumer level–sure the A7 doesn’t do what A-mount is capable of, but it’s still a very nice system in its own right, and is downright beautiful if it meets your needs.
Getting a Sony TV was the last thing I thought I would do, but there you go. I really like Sony’s RX series, and am very excited to find out more about the reported curved sensor implementation.
It’s annoying that Sony keeps coming out with E mount stuff and ignoring the A mount. Too many Sony lenses are outdated (their bodies are excellent though) and they claim to want to play with the big boys Canon and Nikon when they half heartedly create a system and then simply move on to something (e-mount) else because it is more profitable to do so. I guess that is why Third party lens manufacturers like Sigma are so reluctant to produce A mount of their marvellous lenses.
And also, E-mount cameras without in-body Stabilizer was a bad move because A mount users wont find it practical to switch to E mount when they have full range of expensive non-IS lenses at their hand.
I find e-mount cameras of no relevance to me as a working professional. And honestly speaking the a3000, a3500 or whatever it was called, was crap.
My sense is that
Sony’s response to my FB post was tepid at best. If you can’t read this, they basically said they continue to market and support DSLR A-mount, and linked me to their online store. Pretty pathetic. See the link:
https://www.facebook.com/Sony/posts/10152462526631997?comment_id=10152462918611997&offset=0&total_comments=1¬if_t=feed_comment
Well thats +1 for bad and useless PR
well I guess we have to wait until next year for clear statement from Sony. The choice is A-mount or migration to a reliable, trustful brand.
I think that’s where we all are. There’s little chance of Nikon or Canon dumping their mounts in the near future.
That’s the so called boring part of their product evolution. isn’t it ?
As I said earlier, Sony (and others) do not maintain their own social media presence.
When you post comments you are getting replies from a social media management company that maintains the Facebook and Twitter presence for Sony, they are not Sony employees, they are using a script to reply to you.
It’s the same for many companies, you are not getting replies from them on Facebook, Twitter, etc., and it’s very naive to think you are frankly!
My sense is that Sony originally had plans to announce a number of new cameras at Photokina based on a new sensor…these would have been RX, E , and A systems, however, as often it happens with new technology, the new line of sensors are behind schedule… and now they show up at Photokina with zero new cameras! (very embarrassing!) That their new lens announcements are all E mount makes sense as they’ve been way behind the curve in having a decent set of native lenses for that platform. So it’s on to January (CES?) before we can get a better reading on the future of the. A platform — an A99II then will indicate that there’ still life for the A platform — if there are no new A cameras then, it may indeed be the end of the line for that platform — a business decision will have been made just like it was when they got out of the PC business.
I just sent this email to two of Sony’s upper level support and customer service emails.
support@info.sel.sony.com , sonylistens@am.sony.com ,
I encourage more people do follow through as well.
————————————————————————————————————————–
Hello,
There are tens of thousands of very upset people regarding the lack of information about the future of Sony A-mount cameras and lenses. We expected *some* support in the form of updated lenses at Photokina, but we’ve had absolutely nothing. The only A-mount product released in the last few years is the A77II. We’ve had no new lenses (only “upgraded” existing lenses) and we’ve had no new bodies. Sony has announced they’re going to continue supporting A-mount, and they have positioned the system in the Pro range. However, only having one Full Frame A-mount camera, and two APS-C cameras is not showing us that commitment.
We have heard NOTHING from Sony about the future of this line. We NEED some communication. We need some sort of signal. If A-mount is going to be put on the back burner, or discontinued entirely, we deserve to know about it so we can make plans to move to Canon or Nikon. Mark my words, and I speak for tens of thousands of other users – if you kill off A-mount with the plans of transitioning us to E-mount, it wont happen. The vast majority of us will be moving on to a company that didn’t screw us over and has a stable and supported lens system, like Canon or Nikon.
You are about to lose a vast number of your existing customers unless you make a public announcement as to the future of Sony A-mount. I’ve been a loyal A-mount customer since 1988 with Minolta was running the show – and this is the worst I’ve ever seen when it comes to pissed off customers!
Please forward this to upper management at Sony.
Don’t think it’s as big of an issue as I’m making it out to be?
Read the comments at just some of these sites:
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/the-a-mount-frustration-post-what-should-sony-do
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sony-announces-the-new-fe-lenses/
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/sony-photokina-no-love-for-amount_topic109020.html
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/has-sony-forgotten-about-alpha-camera-lens-users_topic108789.html
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54367837
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54388876
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54393464
Jacob Hewins
very good ! let’s hope they can read
Well said, though possibly a bit too demanding of a tone.
Well a little bit of drama helps sometimes to wake up the dreamers of a migration to FE-mount
Well put. Here’s hoping they read it.
You could have added differen national forums like: http://www.sonyuserforum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=134562&page=275
The panic is a worldwide panic. I used to by my ebook-Readers from Sony. Being let down by Sony twice in one year would be too much… And I used to be a great Sony-customer, from TV over Blu-Ray, ebook-Reader & cell phone to camera. But when I think of the information politic with the ebook-readers.There simply hasn’t been one…
LOL.
On the local Russian Sony-club forum, the thread on A-Mount future is over 400 pages: http://sony-club.ru/showthread.php?t=67467&page=409
Just read a few pages, looks like Russians are selling off their gear. Maybe not all, but quite a few are panicking.
I have a friend at Photokina right now. I just asked him to try to pin down Sony on the A-mount future. I’ll share anything he finds out.
thanks, I’m really interested on this…
I used to continuously maintain Sony will continue to support the A mount but with ZERO announcements or even a measly prototype I guess I am wrong and this is about it for the A mount.
Not saying nothing will come up in future but to me it seems clear the A mount will be kept on life support with just a few piecemeal upgrades of a few new cameras and some lenses with old optical formulas at 2x the price.
Its with great regret that I must abandon my Sony A mount gear (I have 9 lenses and 2 flashes) as I don’t care for using a $399 adapter just to use my lenses on an E mount camera with crap ergonomics.
So I need to decide on either Nikon or Canon to shift too and frankly I don’t really like any of them but I don’t want to be stuck in a dead system anymore.
My father in-law recently went to Japan and tried to look for A-mount lenses there. He was told the “old system” (the A-mount) is being phased out and he can only get whatever lens remains in stock. Oh, rly? Sony’s clearning out A-mount system in home market?
I voted with my wallet on A99 but after seeing dissapointments like Sony’s over-priced, under-performing Zeiss 50/1.4 I’m serious thinking jumping ship. The Alpha lens line-up is getting too old. If you believe in DXOMark then Sony’s Alpha system combo cannot resolve more than 17 Mpix. Even with the excellent new Sigma 35/1.4.
The FE mount is doing very well both in performance and in the market. But I’m not sold in small camera, normal-sized lens combo especially with no built-in lens stablization that’s quite unique to Sony Alpha (and with fellow Pentax).
If that’s the truth it would definitly put Sony in untrustful position, nothing worth investing in.
“November 2013: Kimio Maki is Senior General Manager at Sony’s Digital Imaging: “for A mount we can realize superior image quality with better new technologies””
but they won’t do it ?
I think the thing to keep in mind is that in Nov 2013, he may have meant it. But he has since changed his mind.
That’s states the only fact. They act like a weather vane.
Today: A-mount is key
Tomorrow: we drop it but we tell nobody since there is some stock left. please visit Sony’s (legacy) shop.
The day after tomorrow: stills are boring lets drop the whole thing and focus on camcorder it’s core business after all.
Nice touch to build up confidence in a brand.
Well, Sony has always been this way. That’s the main reason why I would never switch from A to E mount. I have absolutely no reason to believe they wont kill this off once it’s “run it’s course” and then start something new. I have every reason to believe they might, based on their history.
Sony is a GREAT brand if you’re looking at buying a non-system based outfit, like an RX1. But for anything you have to depend on in the future…forget it.
Well, my brother lives in Japan and says they have plenty of Sony A-mount products available in stores. However, mirror less systems are definitely the dominant products being showcased.
I called the Sony store a few months ago in NY as well. The sales guy tried talking me into an A7 despite calling about an A99. Judging by his tone though, he seemed to indicate this was the future. I know my local camera store has Sony alpha products…but I know for a fact they aren’t moving. If your sales force isn’t pushing it…well, then….who is?
That’s because NEX is a big thing in Asia, not the rest of the World where dSLR sales dominate by a LONG way. Never take the Asian market as an indicator of anything.
I will not ever buy a New Camera or any other mount they Sony comes out with if the do not continue the Alpha line and I encourage everyone else to do the same. Its not that I think Alpha is better than Nex/ect., Its principle, Its also that if they do it once, they will probably do it again. Do not support a corporate giant that treats its loyal customers like this. I don’t care how great of a camera Sony comes out with, if they discontinue the Alpha line I WILL NEVER BUY IT.
People that may be considering buying into a camera system please read this…
Why buy an a99 when the Nikon D750 will spank it?
Why buy a Sony Rx100 when a Panasonic LX100 will spank it?
Why buy a A7R when a Nikon D810 will Spank it? ( In usability and lens support )
Why buy an A77II when a cheap Nikon D5300 Will spank it in Image Quality and high Iso?
Sony used to have products that contended and now they don’t (And what few do are WAY OVERPRICED so that’s not a true contender if its way more expensive).
No need to even consider Sony anymore if you are considering a system to invest in with their track history.
If you already have Alpha mount lenses I share your frustration but do not invest into Sony Systems anymore. I haven’t for 2+ years now and you should do the same.
That’s what I’ve been doing the last 2 years as well. I’ve saved enough money to pull the trigger but i guess it won’t be hitting Sony Corp. this time
Ha ha one of the most ridiculous posts of the day ! No point even responding to such rubbish. 😀
Yet you responded? Silly Sony Rep.
I have had suspicions for some time but I think its time visit Canon or Nikon for my next camera.
I feel let down and disappointed in Sony and the way they are treating us a mount users.
My money will be going else ware.
Its a good thing Nikon just launched the D810. I think my current goal is to sell my A850, A77, their associated lenses and purchase a D810 with a 14-24mm, 24-70mm, and 70-200mm
Perfect choice on Body and Lens selection.
You will get less of a feature set and possibly as small increase in photo quality. I bought the 70D, rarely use it. Most of the time I just fall back to my A77! And you will get a huge hit to the pocketbook!
Trust me baby. A mount is dead! I have said it many times before. We can only Minolta will take over A mount again.
In this case I start to pack my migration bags out of Sony’s world. the train leaves on january 2015 at latest.
over and out
My buddy at Photokina just tracked down the vice president of Sony Imaging marketing (Hirashi something or other) and asked him about A-mount and he had NO IDEA what he was talking about!!! He kept referring to E-mount and the A7 series and every time my friend said “no, like the A77II and the A99” the VP got this bewildered look on his face and changed the subject.
If the VP of marketing doesn’t know anything about it, that’s NOT GOOD! 🙁 🙁
IF that’s true, that’s truly pathetic on Sony’s part. Truly pathetic.
It would be like talking to Boeing, and every time you bring up the 777, they give you a strange look and say, “Oh, you mean the 787?”
What?
Depends. If you talk to someone in marketing, it may happen…
If that is true…if it really it true, I’d put all my stuff up on ebay tomorrow.
He’s a VP – of course he’s an idiot.
RIGHT ON! He has no idea what is going on unless someone tells him what to say.
Or he figured your friend was a Canikon spy!
Actually, it’s the same thing that happened at CES. A Sony marketing VP suit held a post-keynote live interview and took answers off of Twitter. He was given a direct question about the future of the a-mount and completely dodged it with a deer in the headlights look either he was scared of being truthful or had absolutely no clue about a-mounts. Other cameras? No problem! They featured an a7 or a7R on stage there (can’t remember which).
So would you like to wager $50 that a mount is dead? I will take the bet! And exactly how would we know if you exactly that you are not a Nikon/Canon troll and lying? Sony has publically stated that the a mount will continue and that has been covered on this site.
says a Nikon troll!
You are likely a Nikon troll. You don’t even use Sony from your previous comments. Quit trying to scare folks away from a great system with unsubstantiated stories like this. Go post on a Nikon comment board fanboy!
So what? I wouldn’t expect a marketing VP to know anything about products that he hasn’t been briefed on that morning. As him about the RX and he wouldn’t have a clue either.
For me, it is more on the investment side. I now has a A850 and several expensive CZ A mount lens. I also recently bought a6000 and has some E mount lens. The a6000 set up is more for travel because of its size and weight, but it doesn’t give me the FF look. Since Cannon and Nikon release a cheaper FF DSLR (6D and D600), I am waiting to upgrade by A850. However, Sony keep releasing E mount cameras. There are particularly two things I want better on my A850 – high ISO noise and AF tracking. Although I can use my A mount lens on a A7 with adapter, but then I am not sure if the high ISO noise and AF tracking are improved. The AF will be relying on the LA-EA4 adapter which from what I read, it is an entry level focus system as in A57. So, I don’t mind to upgrade to a E mount camera + adapter as long as it has equivalent performance as in A99 or Canon and Nikon equivalent. And I read the A mount lens is not compatible with the new on sensor PDAF, I don’t have high hope on this. And given the future of A mount is not clear, I won’t even upgrade to A99 nor buying any new A mount lens.
EA4 adapter has the same focusing system as A77, not A57.
A99 uses A77 focusing system.
So, A7 + LA-EA4 is essentially A99, except for comfortable grip
Are you sure? That’s not what I read in the link below. It says it has 15 AF point ( 3 cross point) which is the same number as in A55.
http://community.sony.com/t5/Alpha-SLT-DSLR-Cameras/Does-the-LAEA4-use-the-SAME-AF-sensor-as-the-a99/td-p/260897
From what I read, the EA4 adapter has 15 AF points (3 cross), same as in A55. The A99 has 19 AF points (11 cross). Seems I can’t post a link. Do a google search on “LAEA4 AF A99” and that should come up.
Unfortunately untrue. Its the same old 15 point AF system as on the A57. Its a joke of an AF system on a FF camera. 🙁
Wow, thank you for correcting me. I was always under impression that it had A77 AF module.
How can anyone expect A Mount users to move to E Mount with such a crappy adapter???
CAN ANYONE RECCOMEND AN A MOUNT CAMERA TO A FRIEND LOOKING FOR A NEW FIRST CAMERA?
No, but I recommend a D810.
The D810 still uses a 36mp Sony sensor thats been around for over 2 years now…. Oh wait, A mount doesn’t have that sensor yet. A mount still only has a 24 mp sensor thats been around for 8 years I think…when did the Sony 24mp sensor come out?
A900 came out in 2nd half of ’08. Making it 6 years
Thanks..I edited my comment.
Really? A99 has the 24mp sensor that is the same as A900 which is 6 years old? OMG …
Its not the same. It has OSPDAF in addition to primary AF module, aka AF-D mode.
But the sensor is largely an upgraded old 24mp.
A900 clean ISO was around 1600,
Same goes for A99, but due to SLT, true clean ISO is about 2200, just like A7.
Actually A7 and A99 sensors have more in common than A900 and A99.
Every time a new batch of sensors is made for a new camera some change or improvent is made so they can call it new…but it is still essentially the same 24mp cmos bayer array sensor as the day it was first made.
what do you wanne do whit the camera makes the diffrence
Use my lenses and take pictures.
Yes. At APS-C level A-Mount is fine, and you can pick up a used A77-I with lenses at very low prices.
And what will you do with your lenses when sony stops making A mount.
You keep them until your camera goes dead.
I’m not planning on selling my SAL1650, SAL35F18 and Tamron 70-300 USD.
However, that being said, I’m not planning on buying any other lenses either, until I see some concrete commitments.
Worst case scenario, I’ll sell them later on. Minolta SR lenses are still being sold. Some have gone up in price. I’m sure SAL1650 will at least hold its value.
You can expect that ALL a-mount glass plummets in value. They’re not going to hold their value! Huh?
If you do not believe Sony when they say they are committed to the A mount then tell what plummeted price you want for your A mount prime lenses now please.
Why would anyone buy them
I believe they wont hold their value. Up until this point, all A-mount lenses held their value because they could be mounted on a native camera. Adapters dont count. Eventually, A-mount cameras will start having mechanical problems. Once working A-mount cameras become scarce, then A-mount glass will be virtually worthless with the exception of super high end, long telephotos. Everything else will become door stop novelties.
Nothing. Pick Tamron 17-50, 70-300 USD and Sigma 50mm for a combined price of $750 and the new guy’s settled for a few years. By then he’ll get his money’s worth.
Nothing. Buy Tamron 17-50, 70-300 USD and a Sigma 50mm for a combined cost of $750 and the new guy’s settled for several years. There’re smartphones that cost more.
True, but I would never suggest someone start in a system that offers no potential for growth. I would never suggest A-mount (or E-mount, for that matter) to a newbie.
Exactly my point….why would anyone not already invested in the system buy into a dead end system that is likely to be discontinued.
I do not know for certain A mount will be no more but I am sure E mount will share the fate of A mount….
I seriously don’t know what to do right now. Sony’s silence on A-mount is just dumbfounding. I don’t even care that they have no products. BUT YOU DON’T SAY NOTHING AT THE BIGGEST EVENT IN TWO YEARS ABOUT YOUR PRO….YOU PRO…..LINE OF CAMERAS. I mean, even I working on an MBA know that’s bad news. Like, really really bad news. Even if (big if here) the A mount cameras are coming out in January, your still making a massive mistake not mentioning the system.
I’m so dissapointed that i’m eyeing 70d. I love my A65 and i’d love to upgrade to A77ii or maybe even A99, but the silence is keeping me away.
I wouldnt be surprised if lots of ppl will have a knee-jerk reaction ti photokina 2014 and will sell all their gear.
Ebay already seemes more swelled up with A Mount gear than usual.
I played with a Fuji X-T1 this weekend and found it to be a really neat camera. If I’m going to settle for limited lens variety and a questionable future, I might as well enjoy the camera I’m using, so if I jump I may just go to Fuji and not to Canikon. Either way, I’m not seeing what I gain by staying with Sony (and I’ve been around since Minolta film days)…
100% agree. The only reason I didnt buy Canon or Nikon after my A55 and instead got A65, was EVF. It is still the primary reason for staying with Sony. Maybe Fuji and Olympus are better bets than Canikon, considering that Oly has IBIS, and both have EVF
That’s the puzzling thing with Sony’s assumed plan to force a-mounters to e-mounts. Sure, there’s the kluge of using an adapter but, really, its time to open the possibilities of other mirrorless makers. I’d probably go Lumix GH4. Sony’s leaving a bad taste in my mouth plus I don’t like their APS-C bodies.
Wait for January…I seem to have accidently brought up a subject that keeps getting moderated out…if so E mounters will find themselves in exactly the same situation as A mounters…we will both sink or swim together.
Long-term I think the FE will run out of gas. I doubt they will abandon e-mount any time soon but if they start facing competition in FF mirrorless their consumer electronics mindset will ultimately fail to any competitor with even a speck of passion for photography. Sony will never, for example, fill out a complete system. They’ll cherry-pick popular lens choices so, for example, if you’re interested in sports or nature they’ll tell you to go pack sand.
When E mount joins A mount in the ranks of the discontinued…the shorter lens mount will make it impossible to convert E mount lenses to any other mount.
I think you assume wrong. You know what they say about assumptions! They are expanding their market!
Expanding markets by getting out of markets. Interesting concept. ;^)
Yes I guess they are doing that, let’s see, which camera maker has won Popular Photography’s camera of the year 2 out of the last 3 years? Oh that’s right, Sony! And if you do not like the A77 APS-C body that won one of those years, then go buy that Lumix GH4 and get off of this comment board with all of your negative thoughts. I’d say good riddance!
I bought a 70D with 2 kit lenses and the sigma 18-15 1.8 but use it very little. My A77 is so much better in terms of features and functions that, although I want to use my 70D more, it’s comparably limited feature set has me putting it back in the case and shooting live music shows with my A77!
Save $600 and pick up a A77 instead (not the A77II) The A77 is a significant upgrade from the A65!
I’m staying with what I have in the A-Mount because I can’t afford to switch. Heck, I ordered a ZA24 last week and it’s already in the FedEx system. Not sure I’ll keep it but I will try it before deciding for sure. Heck, if I had a spare NIB A900 in the closet I wouldn’t even care if they kill the mount. The three ZA’s I have is liveable for me, provided my A-Mount cam holds up.
What silence? They have indicated they are releasing in January or so. Relax! They do not want to tip off the competition. That is why no announcement now.
I really don’t care how slow they release the A-mount body or lens every year. 1 lens 1 or 2 lens lens each year is totally fine for me too, but the thing is I want them to promise A-mount is still part of their plans and a decent camera body will release every year. If not, please just us they are gonna abandon a-mount.
So you buy a new camera every year? WOW!
They have already said it TWICE in less than a year. Read the quotes above!
For those asking for an a99II because THEY want one…
EVEN if the a99II Remix comes out it WILL NOT return the Alpha user confidence for the future.
A half hearted remix of the a99II like the a77II is more of a “Please don’t buy a Nikon D750 and don’t spend money with our competitor” more so than it is a “We are committed to the Alpha line and here are the 2-3 bodies and 2-3 lenses we released this year that proves it.
(Example a7, A7r, A7s, and all the full-frame lenses for them.)
I’m waiting for Commitment, Not just another Alpha Body.
So, In the meantime, My mint Minolta lenses will be stored away (Already sold the Sony lenses and Sony bodies) and will continue using Nikon because I have been Very happy with the results, accessories, flashes, lenses, commitment, etc.
What do we really need in terms of commitment?
A99II, A99IIR and A99IS + existing lenses + 3rd party options make for a good professional system.
If they make it, I’d buy the A99IIS, around 5 lenses that I need – and couldn’t care less what they do after that. Not for 3-4 years for sure.
I think both e-mount and a-mount fans want to feel part of a vibrant system. E-mount fans are at least seeing a future. If Sony just tosses out a bone of an a99II that looks an awful lot like my old, used Nikon D800 what’s the point? Nikon isn’t exactly setting the world on fire but I know they’re committed to DSLRs and are still refreshing lenses and accessories for them. Sony not so much.
It’s not like Canikon are ‘vibrant systems’ ATM 🙂
Take 7D… add AF from a higher-end model, name it 7DM2… in a couple of years add tilting screen, name it 7DM3… :))) yaaawn
Sony FE is probably the most vibrant right now across all, because it’s new.
SLT was exciting when it came out, but now I don’t feel like it needs any revolutionary improvements, it’s more about getting things done with incremental updates. Push ISO, fix issues, add SSM and weather-sealing to lenses etc….
I pointed out e-mount fanboys are pleased and see a future. A-mount don’t. Sure, Canon’s 7DM2 is them playing catch-up. But it’s selling like hotcakes pre-order because people looking to upgrade or jump into a system see a vibrant system. The Sony a77II was (haven’t checked in a few weeks) selling well (for a Sony SLT) but it won’t ever set the world on fire because anyone with 1/2 a brain seeing the current state of the a-mount wouldn’t buy one unless heavily invested in glass and flashes therefore feeling trapped.
So, for example, a-mount fans got stiffies over a SAR rumor of maybe a 400mm f/4. You want to see a the hot new ‘great white’ at Photokina?Seriously want to see it? Head to the Canon booth.
>Buzzzzzzzz… the sound of my point sailing completely over your head. ;^)
That was just me trying to make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear.
And your whizzing point crushing my effort to do so 🙂
Unfortunate choice of words on my choice. I reconsidered and re-edited about a minute or two later. Mistook you for a troll at first, sorry. Not sure why you’re seeing the original so many hours later but that’s Disqus. ;^)
No worries
Remember…when A mount dies lenses can be used on an LAEA4 adaptor….when E mount dies …….shortly therafter….E mount lenses have the shortest flange distance of any lens made and therfore cannot be adapted to any other mount..
Relax already. While I agree that the A771 is not much of an upgrade most folks do not buy a new camera any more often than 3 years. Sony knows this. The A99 came out in 2012 so releasing it’s successor in 2015, if it is a significant upgrade and changes the curve like the a77 with it’s innovative changes did in 2011 is fine. It will be worth the wait. Sony is not just making small improvements like other manufacturers and putting them out every year. In the last 5 years their R&D has been head and shoulders above everyone! I am here as a fan of that incredible innovation. I expect it to continue. Sony is a HUGE company that is not strictly tied to their camera division like other companies. They don;t need to release minor upgrades to generate sales. Go to Canon if you want that.
Part exchanged my Sony kit last week and moved to Nikon, like I should have in the first place.
Yep, I won’t be far behind you, and the sad part is that Sony knows this and they’re quite willing to force us into the arms of their competition. Strange business model but what do I know.
I did that a few months ago.
I think we should have known this would have happened when Sony re-named its “nex” line to “Alpha” . So now when real ‘Alpha” users say “Why did you discontinue the alpha line?” Sony can say, we didn’t. HOW DID WE NOT SEE THE OBVIOUS?
Yes, ‘If you like your Alpha system, you can keep it’. This tactic should sound familiar.
It sounds like it’s all over for a-mount. Any news on the 7x 54 mp?
Yep, I think you’re right but I’m not throwing in the towel quite yet.
It’s funny that we are all willing to buy Sony…. But we can’t even pull the trigger…..
So you want to switch to E mount. Like Sony wants you too and your old A mount lenses can only be used with adapter and no stabilization.
Your brand new overpriced E mount lens are great quality and have the shortest flange distance of any lens made. That means they cannot be adapted to any other mount with longer flange distance.
Incedently Sony will be introducing a brand new curved sensor of superb quality…when paired with matched curved field lenses the quality is phenominal…4 years from now they will probably have figured out how to make a whole series of special curved field lenses and a special mount to put them on.
Great new system …more compact than E mount and much higer ISO as well as super high resolution…and the new curved field lenses can actually resolve that resolution…
But it will not work at all with the old E mount lenses…and Sony is not going to make any more E mount cameras.
Admin..I have attemped sevefal times to post a similar fictional future like this but it keeps going to moderation and then vanishing…is this a forbidden topic?
Admin
I have several times attempted to post a certain topic but each time it goes to mderation the vanishes…is this topic forbidden?
Maybe we’re tired of hearing you talk. Maybe the Admin is too.
Sometimes it happens to me too, Barry. There are a handful of ambiguous terms which the Disqus manners checker mistakes me for being naughty. I don’t know how long it takes Andrea to get around to release them from oblivion.
Not sure…one particular subject always gets moderated and has not returned…everything else goes through?
Just speculation. ..no real info…but I would not be surprised if Sony comes up with somethin new and revolutionary that is better than either A mount or E mount.
Sure. The “B” mount. We still have 24 unused letters. Many new lenses to be sold…
Use one of slavic alphabets, you get 32+ letters. Alpha is a greek letter, why not use cyrilic next time? 🙂
Don’t they realize that this small E-mount bodies might look nice and be quite innovative etc., but that when used with any fast lens above 50mm, they are not convenient. In my opinion, it makes absolutely no sense to kill the professional series. I can understand that they launch their novel e-mount A7, A7R and A7S prior to new a-mount cameras (it’s more exciting, gives more and better press) – but not to launching a-mount bodies performing equally is not an option. I’m probably naive, but I still hope that an A99IIS and A77IIS will be announced.
The high-ISO performance of the A7S is the most exciting Foto-News of the Year. That’s an innovation that can significantly changes the way you take pictures – not this insignificant reduction of size and weight of the body.
I agree! I am willing to wait a bit too to let Sony do it right. And none of the competition has anything like the S features. I take them at their word, that they are committed to the A mount.
The new curved sensor will produce very high ISO and since it is back illuminated can also be very high resolution
It sucks donkey balls, i want to buy a new lens and maybe a new camera as well.
bought two A77’s last year and no idea what to do now!
I like the new Sigma ART 1.8 but its only on A-mount, but not fullframe
and buying the A7S(or R) means i need all new lenses anyway
If Sony forces you to buy all new lenses why on earth would you buy all new lenses for another Sony camera.
If A mount dies E mount will die with it.
See what happens in January..it may change the picture a lot.
Sony right now sucketh the balls- you are very correct. The amount of sack suckness than they encompass is of massive sack proportions. I imagine there is no end to the ball cheese of crud Sony has now created.
I’ve sucked donkey balls. This is WAY worse than that.
Ok. Eww…
Well, I think it’s apparent that A-mount is truly dead. I guess that means I take a sh*t in my camera body and send it in for service. lol. I might just do that.
I already tried that. I ended up with 50MP slides of corn, potatoe chips and peanuts.
This is the very first time I have ever found scatological humor funny.
LOL
I have made this comment before but it belongs in this post…
Tamron has a patent for a .9-1.5x teleconverter with a built in optical stabilization system.
Sony should license this patent and combine it with thier LAEA4 adaptor.
The resulting LAEA5 adaptor would provide high speed focus, optical image stabilization, and as a bonus provide zoom capability for any ens.
This is one possible way to allow A mount users full lens functionality on E mount…or they culd build an E mount camera with IBIS and continue to use the LAEA4. But sony needs to provide some sort of full compatability safety net or ther will be a mass exodus from Sony cameras.
Dear Sony: I don’t mind that you have now ignored A mount. After a few glasses of wine tonight I can now forgive you. However, in the event that you do not unleash a massive storm of A mount stuff in January I must worn you. There is a strong potential that my Tokina 300mm F4 may make its way up your back side and my foot soon to follow. That is all, carry on……..
What does it take to start a class action lawsuit? Anyone know any lawyers?
What does it take to start a class action lawsuit? Anyone know any lawyers on here?
On what grounds? Sony hurt your widdow feewings?
I’m a lawyer.
Although I don’t practice personal injury, I would suggest a cause of action like “Intentional infliction of emotional distress”, commenced in an appropriate jurisdiction.
But I think I’m over it. After that Bravia TV I just bought for the office, I might just be OK with FE-mount, depending on how it evolves.
I want to come out of the closet folks. I can’t hide it anymore. Secretly I’m a D810 lover and I’ve been denying it. It all started with my first glance. I tried to deny it and was like…oh, it’s just a phase. Then it started looking back at me, drawing me in. Oh, the sleepless nights and the tossing and turning. Now I know, I must be free to fly…free to embrace my true identity….D810….you big beast….come to big daddy.
Was I in the closet with you?
I am so upset with Sony actions that until further notice I withdraw permision for Sony to call thier new high resolution sensor the Barry Sensor.
Barry, Please dont do this to us. We SO wanted to call it the Barry Sensor. The CEO will be heartbroken. All of the board members are in the room with me, and we’re all crying. We NEED your name. After all, you’re just as crazy as we are.
Sincerely,
Hamayamamoto Samurai
Director of Pubic Affairs (oh yeah!)
SORRY IMAGING DIVISION
Sony’s selling the Barry Sensor exclusively to Nikon anyway for DSLRs so I hear it’s going to be called the Nikkor Sensor. ;^)
I will give Nikon permision to call it the Barry Sensor but not Sony
Good One Earl. Good to see you (I) still have a great sense of humor.
Should have been Director of Public Hair!
“Hamayamamoto Samurai”
I’m so dead! LOLOLOL
Does anyone know what the SAR record for most comments on a single post is?
Asked that yesterday and heard over 700. Didn’t the last thread already surpass it?
I just looked..742 so far.
It’s okay Sony, I already have all the lenses I need(and that I can afford to buy).
The New Sony Logo inspired by the guy who posted below!
Yes, deceive is misspelled on purpose!
If you can’t own up to a mistake, why should Sony?
I was going to get the image of the roadmap Andrea posted above and superimpose someone flipping everyone the bird on the a-mount side but figured it to be overly rude. ;^)
Well, about now the tray of donuts at Sony’s ILC 9 a.m. marketing meeting are half eaten. Another 5 minutes more of making fun of the rube still buying a-mount gear and they’ll start getting down to serious business of talking cranking out another couple mirrorless bodies before Christmas.
A9 Pro Series E-mount cameras will make A-mount users migrate to E-mount w/o any hesitation
24mp full frame sensor
on sensor steadyshot is a MUST HAVE!
an updated LAEA4MarkII adapter w/ wider coverage is the only way u can have us a-mount users buying your e-mount cameras.
No it will not. You fail to realize that IBIS isnt the only thing A-Mount users are looking for. Egronomics is the primary issue. Another point is price. Noone in their right mind will pay $4k for A9, for what we essentially had in A77 for $1200. Sure, its not a FF, but its not worth $4k to just get IBIS in another mount.
What will start warming us up to E-Mount, is an entire A7 range in a DSLR body and with A Mount. Essentially a mirrorless A mount. Call them A7a, A7ra and A7sa. Then, slowly start migrating all lenses to EMount, eventually phasing out A Mount alltogether
Well this is your opinion but not mine. And I really feel betrayed. Just didn’t realize that “Make believe” actually means “Lying to all of you buyers and loving it”!
Hello A-mount users, I have a serious question for you guys.
Would you migrate to E-mount if Sony will release the A9 w/ SteadyShot along with an updated LAEA SLT Adapter with 60% or more AF coverage?
The future of camera technology is mirrorless and the DSLR design is going to be obsolete just like the film cameras. It is very smart for Sony to lead the way of mirrorless and be aggresive with it just like what they did with the A7 Series cameras.
The are no good reasons to stay with the A-mount if mirrorless is the future. With E-mount you can use all your existing A-mount lenses via adapters so whta are you crying about?
Simply buy an A7 and use the adapter. The A7 has better still image and video quality than the a99.
I will ask again, if Sony will release the A9 w/ SteadyShot will you buy?
nope.
Never giving another dime to a company that screws me over like this. I dont care if they’d give me the A9 – in the trash it goes.
You see… adapters… doesnt quite float the boat for alot of people. Especially considering the price that A9 will have. D4s territory…
I’d buy an A7 with a DSLR sized grip, with an adapter and IBIS.
Why should we pay $4k for A9 for something we used to have for $1200 in A77?
Once you understand that, you will not ask any more stupid questions…
I really gave consideration to the A7s. In the end I couldn’t accept the poor ergonomics relative to the A99. I want the DSLR body. If I have to go to another brand to get that I will. The A9 will be out of my range so not going there. If they release a new A99 then I will get that. If this is the end of the A-mount however Sony will have lost me.
same to me.. Sony claim to focus on PROFESSIONAL… but it does not seem at all. It just a trick that for them slowly let A mount die… If that happen, I will remain Sony until my A99 die and say bye bye to Sony…
Fu*k No! Give me a A-Mount camera with apps, plus new Sensors!
NEVER.
Nope, too late for me. Hate the e-mount bodies anyway. Oh, how’d you like the new jelly donuts at the weekly Sony marketing strategy meeting?
I would, if the ergonomics were right. There were talks of a convertible A/E camera here in the past. This is the only way… Make a big, beefy body with a good grip and tons of buttons, ala A99, and then provide some sort of clever clip/slide on adapter on the front for the A-mount. Heck with a nice PDAF pixel focusing system on the camera (like the a6000), they can even skip the translucent mirror, all it would need to be is a spacer with contacts for the electronics, along with an AF motor for the body driven lenses. Its a win-win situation.
Yeah, nice DSLR-styled body with easily accessible buttons in all the right places so I don’t have to toggle through layers of menus just to take a picture of my cat (memo to self to buy cat to have something to take pictures of!). Give it Sony’s best-of-breed 36mp sensor. Great clean output up to at least 3200 ISO like you’re shooting 100 ISO on my Sony APS-C. Oh wait, I’ve already got that. It’s my Nikon D800.
It doesn’t really resolve the issues most people are having, in my opinion. A proper DSLR-style body is simply better ergonomically/functionally for shooting with larger, heavier, professional lenses. Put a weighty 70-200mm f/2.8 on a little A7 (for example), and the whole setup is just off-balance. Plus, when you have an adapter between the body and the heavy lens, you’ve introduced another potential point of weakness and failure; I wouldn’t necessarily trust it.
Look, I’m not anti-E-mount. Hell, I think they’re great cameras, and the myriad of combinations you shoot with because of the innovative new mount is amazing. I recently bought a NEX-6 myself and love it. However, I don’t see shooting with that and my larger, expensive A-mount glass as I shoot weddings, conventions, etc. Different cameras for different purposes…
As it is now, if it looks like Sony is truly killing off the A-mount, I think it’s time for me to switch to Canon or Nikon. That doesn’t mean I’m telling Sony to f*** off and am bitter about the e-mount. Indeed, I’ll probably still use Sony E-mount stuff for personal shooting, etc. For my bread & butter, though? I’ll probably go Canikon just from a usability/stability standpoint. Plus, they both have better flash systems and professional services support anyway, not to mention wider rental/parts availability and better compatibility with a wide variety of third-party tools, so in some ways I wish I’d gone with them in the first place. I simply didn’t know I’d end up doing professional shooting; plus, Sony has kept tempting me with innovative technology and great glass. Alas, practicality…
I hate adapters with a vengeance. Two busted Kenko et tubes have put me off adapters forever.
Will sell my Sony gear and move to Canon or Nikon if Sony kills a mount gear.
If however they somehow come with a dual mount camera with no adapter or a dirt cheap $20 adapter then I might buy.
But mostly no.
If there was an E-mount equivalent body of the A77II (with IBIS of course) I would have bought that if the adapter gave me exactly the same AF points, features and performance for A-mount lenses. I actually don’t care what the native mount is as long as the body+adapter does exactly what my A77II does, being able to put any other lens on it would be a bonus.
I have been saying..in fact ..in this post…that Sony needs a safety net for A mount users in case it is discotinued.
E mount with IBIS is such a safety net because A mount lenses wpuld be fully functional via adapters.
Sigma has taken the intiative of providing thier own limited safety net…the new 150-600 contemporary has optical stabilization in the Sony mount version.
Sigma have put OS on A-mount lenses before, it’s nothing new. The 120-400mm is ancient and has OS.
Old Sigma lenses had OSS but recent lenses do not…the 150-600 is the first new ‘ll ens to have OSS on Sony version
Can you really say that image quality is better on the A7? You know that’s BS. They both have the same sensor.
You said mirrorless is future, well, so why don’t you say the other way around, make an A mount DSLR like body with mirror less technology, I will be the 1st guy buying it!!!
You are joking or… you weren’t at primary school yet. Have you learnt about optics, balance and ergonomics? E-mount is better idea only for video shooters using adapted manual lenses from whatever system… For most shooting situations when you don’t care to keep your camera as small as possible DSLR is better.
Lack of image stabilization is primarily why I’m not currently interested in A7, because my A lenses rely on in-body stabilization. If in-body stabilization were added to A9, and the viewfinder resolution were increased so I could better assess DOF, I might be tempted. Otherwise, I’ll be using my A850 and SAL24F20Z until I’m planted…
Sony, in the middle of all this chaos, is possible to make a DSLR retro-camera, manual only, no P,A,S…, only M ???. please, Please, PLEASE!!! xD
not sure there is a market for this, or what benefit it provides you over simply keeping your camera set on M. its like asking in a few years for someone to make a TV without having 3D even though you can turn off the 3D
Since everyone else in the world has an opinion, why shouldn’t I join in?
My opinion — as a complete outsider — is that Sony has made a corporate decision to invest only in game-changing products. That means that if you are looking for an evolutionary, traditional DSLR, then Nikon has a camera for you. A D750 will meet your needs nicely. Don’t look to Sony for an equivalent product, though.
Does this mean A-mount is dead? Seems like a leap. Curved sensor, Foveon sensor, 50mp A-mount … hmm, those would be game changers. Only Sony knows for sure!
Yes Sony would love that, an A-mount with curved sensor so we could throw away our lenses and buy new ones. I hope they do not read this..
I really love my A99 (except using a flash with it) and have invested in lenses. Now I have put further investments on a hold. Seems Sony is changing directions and breaking promises (commitments) again and again. I guess this may be a reason many pro’s will not buy their products and just stay with Canikon. Those who do mostly keep their lenses and go for E-mount. So this is something that strengthens the belief that pro’s do not need the A-mount and so…
So my feeling is really quite bad bcs I have committed myself to Sony A mount by investing heavily in glass and now seems like the wrong choice…
Totally agree.
I’m in the same boat. I still have a lump in my throat from ordering the ZA24 last week and it’s scheduled to arrive at any minute. Oh, I do plan on testing it but I’d feel really stupid if I kept it.
We’re probably talking semantics here but “game-changing products” in my mind gets back to a point I and others have pointed out that Sony is concentrating on FF mirrorless right now because there’s no competition. DSLRs they lack the imagination and drive to properly market so are conceding it to Canikon. Cropped mirrorless is oversaturated with also-rans who can’t compete with Canikon in DSLRs so notice Sony has hacked of many e-mount fanboys (e.g., NEX-7 owners) by consolidating the APS-C line towards the lower budget end.
It’ll be interesting to see if Canikon ever replies in a serious way. In the long-term, I don’t care how much of a head start Sony has. Their pathetic consumer electronics marketing mindset doesn’t grasp the serious/professional photography market yet and Canikon, which does, will IMHO wipe the floor with them. No, I’m not a Canikon fanboy or Sony hater. Just a frustrated a-mount fan who has learned the hard lessons.
GAME CHANGER? FUMBLES CHANGE THE GAME ALL THE TIME. (You must not watch football) AND SONY FUMBLED. BIG TIME.
Somebody should tell Tamron that A-mount is dead since a “trusted source” says the 15-30mm f/2.8 DI VC USD is coming to A-mount.
It not even close to dead. The E-Mount users were also left in the lurch by the FE lens announcements, and you don’t see them in a meltdown.
I see you are always confident about A mount future, why not share with us what you know and from where?
Some of us have heard the A-mount is dead cr4p since 2006.
Same trusted source who said new a-mount lenses coming to Photokina? I scrape better stuff off the souls of my boots. ;^)
Well since one would be working for Sony and the other Tamron I’d say no, not the same “trusted source”. 😉
Who needs new A-mount lenses? Got the Sigma 8-16mm, 18-35mm, 105mm Macro, 180mm Macro, 4.5 500mm EX and 5.6 800mm EX. And no, I do not care about HSM. I use all of them manually on my NEX-6 with the Sony adapter. These lenses are as sharp as a razor – all of them. The only thing that can make them soft is a clunking mirror which the NEX does not have (assuming use on a tripod).
Maybe an American can sue them in a test trial for lying and so we can get back all the money we invested and buy Canikon stuff for that.
Comment number 666. 🙂
Its time for Sony to give A Mount users a full road map. If not sell or license the A Mount and its Alpha and Minolta patents to a manufacturer or brand that can make full use of its ready made but dwindling customer base. Do one or the other soon, before the numbers of users becomes unviable.
If Sony are no longer interested in developing the A Mount then this solution would allow them to save face. Secondly it would not necessarily be in direct competition with mirrorless and they would still have a market for sensors…….I’m off to find a venture capitalist or investors from here, maybe!!!
Well I can dream
SAR readership is not the sum total of A-mount users. The rest of A-mount shooters out there are totally oblivious to what is being said here about the future of A-mount. They are out enjoying their Sony dSLR/SLT, some even making money from it.
The fact is that a tiny, tiny, number of people are discussing the future of A-mount.
I’m counting on those people to buy my A99 and 10 lenses that I’ll put up on ebay soon.
LoL, I had the same thought… my A77ii will be making me money for the next several years. If a-mount is gone when its time to be replaced, then so be it. A to E mount adaptors will let me keep using my a-mount glass. My biggest worry right now is whether my next outdoor project will be rained out!
VERY TRUE. I WISH SAMSUNG WOULD HAVE TAKEN OVER SO THE NX-1 WOULD HAVE BEEN A-MOUNT.
Indeed! Samsung!
I’ve just send an email to the local Sony rep. for more information, let’s see what happens.
Sony’s financials were four times worse than expected. They now expect to lose 2 billion dollars for the fiscal year. The phone division may need to be spun off because it is being destroyed by Apple, Samsung, and cheap Chinese phones.
Yep, and day three no mention of alpha news. Let’s be honest, there is no way…no way….that Sony is going to be releasing new a mount lenses with that type of unexpected loss. They are going to go for the throat and pump out whatever FE lenses they can. A mount is simply a bridge for FE until they can fill out the range.
The chances now of some major January suprise I think is slim. I’m not saying it can’t happen, but Sony’s virtual silence this past year is not reassuring at all.
The camera division may need to be spun off because it is being destroyed by Sony.
Your sony rep or the people at these trade shows aren’t going to have a clue. Management is going to bring on a team that will create a separate company that will have all of their money losing products (phones, maybe TVs, most of their gadgets). This company will slowly be destroyed. The profitable divisions, like Sony Pictures, will be part of SNE. This is what B&N did with the NOOK and it’s worked out OK for them. If the A mount division is losing money, it will be spun off into the company that manufactures phones. But it will be wait and see for a bit.
Sony support blew off my question about A-mount future for a second time, told me to take my concerns to the Sony forum, which they said their engineers monitor. The link is below. Let’s flood the crap out of their forum with questions and complaints about the way they’ve handled A-mount’s future. Let’s storm the palace people!!!!!
http://community.sony.com/t5/Alpha-SLT-DSLR-Cameras/bd-p/alpha-slt-dslr-cameras
Done.
THE MOST DISRESPECTFUL THING A PERSON OR COMPANY CAN DO IS NOT ANSWER A CONSUMERS QUESTION AND TREAT THE PERSON THAT IS ASKING THE QUESTION LIKE THEY ARE RETARDED.
THE SAME WAY SONY ACTED LIKE THE A-MOUNT DOESNT EXIST AT PHOTOKINA (see comments about that below) I WILL ACT LIKE SONY DOESNT EXIST.
I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING THAT IS SONY AGAIN.
I WILL NEVER BUY AN E-MOUNT BODY, E-MOUNT LENS, SONY POINT AND SHOOT, SONY PHONE, SONY BATTERY, SONY T.V., SONY BLU-RAY PLAYER, SONY PLAYSTATION. NOTHING WITH THE SONY LOGO ON IT!
Erm… … they really hurt you hard.
I feel sorry for you 🙁
A ray of hope..
Canon rumor sites are now talking abou a 46mp Canon camera in January.
Of course there is no way to know if there is any truth to it.
Yeah, but read the details. Canon Rumors isn’t sure if it’s a forum troll and the price being tossed around is $8,000-$9,000.
Sony would be keeping us waiting for thier next generation sensor if Canon was NOT about to release thiers.
The only reason Sony did not release thier new tech sensor at Photokina was that Canon did not release thiers.
Do you have a lens which can resolve 46mp? I don’t and I have some of the best lenses (big glass for megabucks) around.
The complete lack pf any mention ,discussion or answers about A mount by anyone at Sony is no accident…they have obviosly been specifically ordered to remain silent.
That means that Sony is DELIBERATELY generating all this concern for a reason.
The only explaination is that something big is just around the corner….and the angrier we get now the more attention Sony hopes to generate with whatever it is.
Obviosly Sony is generating a lot of attention.
Sony = The next Enron. Don’t Invest !
Just heard on the news Sony lost another few billion dollars and is laying off a few thousand more workers.
Does anyone see a connection here?
It has nothing to do with the imaging division, or cameras, because they are earn substantial profits with their camera division.
Their smart phones are losing money, they’re getting the collective butts kicked, by Apple and Samsung. Sony seems to enjoy abandoning their profitable segments in order to lose billions producing items that nobody wants (Sony smart phones)
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/18/business/international/sony-widens-expected-loss-to-2-14-billion.html?_r=0
This table does not really back up your claim. Change is negative for the Imaging Division, as far as I can see. I think Sony will have to split itself up in the near future and the Imaging Division will be sold.
You didn’t read carefully. The total sales dropped mainly due to the shrinking of the P&S market due to camera phones BUT the income increased as there was an increase in sales of higher margin interchangeable lens cameras.
looks that you cannot read financial figures.
operating income as almost doubled in the imaging division from FCY13 to FCY14 !!!! Only sales has reduced. That means the division got more profitable!!!
A-Mount? Get over it, and let it die.
Just like all the other obsolete mounts before.
Difference this time: You can easily adapt the old lenses. Why do you want a free camera for that?
There’s nothing ‘old’ or ‘obsolete’ about A-Mount.
So far it’s better than E-Mount in every single way, other than compactness.
Oh please. How many E mount cameras offer IBIS that works with all lenses ? None ?
And does E mount offer even 1/4th the number of native lenses available for A mount ? Nope.
The E mount has a long way to go before it can fully replace the A mount.
At that time most A mount users would have jumped to Canon or Nikon and a few would use some crappy adapters and use E mount cameras with crap ergonomics.
Sony. Please don’t abandon your loyal A-mount customers. Thank you.
Don’t know if this has been said already but I think a very good Signal to all Alpha users would be if Sony Comes up with a firmware update for the A99. There are many things which can be improved and they should really work on this. So get going, Sony!
I fully agree to your point. Many of the software features of the A77II can easily be implemented in A99. That includes lock-of.wheels, more tuning options for the current AF algorithms (even if the new algorithems can not be ported); If there is now hardware limitation, the stabalized viewfinderimage is most likely only a software option. More customization of the buttons, more AF-D support.
If no new A99 model is in the pipeline, this firmware update cost a peanuts compared to a new camera model and shows customer investment stability in Sony products , which by itself lead to better brand committment.
Something I forgot to mention, Sony please fix the flash issue with A99. A77 has it fixed. Why not patching the A99 firmware?
I love Sony Alpha 99 so much.
This is very good camera. I own a lot of Sony photo gear (and Minolta). If Sony abondon A-mount I will never ever buy a Sony product again. When I invest so much money in a given system, I want to know the future is bright to continue my investments, to grow my Sony system. Also E-mount is intresting and I might have end up with both systemes with interoperability via adapters if that is assured (like today for A7 series cameras ad adapters for A-mount lenses)
So Sony please do not abondon professional photographers.
Something very important:
Now, Sony please do something we professionals want to be treated like Canon and Nikon customers. Do something about it. Example: Why Pocket Wizzard do not realease TTL transmitters for Sony? I have got a direct answer from Pocket Wizzard: ” We devellope advanced accesories only for professional systems”
F**** in the end I loose my cold blood. Sony please react, show to the Photography PRO World that you are serious about Pro users!
Thank you so much Sony and best of luck!
I just hope Sony realized how many people may be holding off buying lenses and accessories due to the fact we have no road map. How would it hurt Sony to say “we are developing a new FF A mount camera that is going to feature our new 4D focus, blaa,blaa,blaa”
I’m also waiting for the a99 ii