A Minolta inspiration idea for the Full Frame NEX :)
Imagine that camera…in E-mount 
Image courtesy: Wikipedia.
Have a little dream, and I want to share it:
As I told you I have no doubt anymore that Sony will sooner (or later) release a new Full Frame E-mount camera. But not only the specs and tech inside the camera will be important also the design has to be perfect. And knowing that some Minolta engineers are still involved in Sony camera development and design I really hope they are going to take some inspiration from the Minolta CLE you see here on top! More nice body images can be found within that camera auction (Click here).
I owned one for quite some time (sold it after in favour of the Mamiya 7 a plastic camera but medum format). At the time of the presentation the CLE was the best M-mount camera. But what I like most is the compact size philosophy (it is the most compact M-mount camera), the zero compromise in body quality, the easy design and easy handling. Now imagine a FF NEX camera having the same simplicity. That would be a killer. And probably you would not have to dream the new Leica M anymore. Don’t you think?
The CLE still sells used on eBay (Click here to see all auctions). There were even some Gold editions (here on slidoo ebay). History about the camera can be found on Cameraquest and Camerapedia. MIntola acutions on eBay here on slidoo.
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Thommy
8 months ago |OK. SOLD!
When can I preorder?
Hans
8 months ago |Please no retro-body for the FF Nex! I think the design and handling of the NEX-7 is almost perfect. I wouldn’t trade it for a rectangular Leica-ish metal-box without grip.
NEXfive
8 months ago |No retro design, please. NEX-7 & NEX-6 are too retro for me already, so I’m hoping for a white NEX-5RL in Europe forthcoming spring, while the RX1 looks like a nice development from vintage to modern design. I’m counting on Sony here not trying to fake traditions they don’t really have.
BTW photography full frame is 24 x 36 mm and video full frame is 18.66 x 24.89 mm (Super35/APS-C). That’s a REAL tradition since very early days of film & photography. So it does not mean everything else is less valuable – the term full frame simply describes two world wide standards even older than ASCII.
Eric
8 months ago |That is what i have thought for ages, but in my dream it is with an A-mount and screwdrivemotor (does not have to be superfast, but it has to be there for the old lenses) Sell it with a M-mount aadapter in the kit and you have a wide marked ; )
Sahaja
8 months ago |@Eric
You can’t make a camera with an A-mount that has an adapter for M-mount lenses.
Consider the following flange-to-film distances:
A mount 44.50 mm
M mount 27.80 mm
E mount 18 mm
You can make adapters that enable lenses built for cameras with a longer flange-to-film distance to work on cameras with a shorter flange-to-film distance – but not the other way round.
Also a mirrorless camera with an A-mount would need to be about four times as thick as one with an E-mount.
Sahaja
8 months ago |Perhaps I should have said “flange-to-sensor distance” instead of “flange-to-film distance”.
Carl
8 months ago |An M mount camera could work with adapted A mount lenses, though (albeit a SLT-style adaptor like the LA-EA2 would probably not be possible in that arrangement).
That would also solve the “no native lenses” problem, assuming one doesn’t need autofocus.
Sony makes PL mount cine cameras, so using someone else’s mount wouldn’t be unheralded for them.
John Maverick
8 months ago |It should be E-mount since it gives the most choices at 18mm. It allows e-mount lenses to be used in crop-mode. M lenses can be adapted just like people who care most about IQ are already doing with their NEX. Also Contax G. Also A-mount with AF via the LA adapters. Using E-mount as the shortest register distance, maximises choices.
Terrance
8 months ago |quote ["You can make adapters that enable lenses built for cameras with a longer flange-to-film distance to work on cameras with a shorter flange-to-film distance – but not the other way round."]
Who say that the lens mount has to be fixed? Make the body suitable for shortest distance and the have mount extension for other formats.
For that matter who says that the sensor has to be fixed, it could be moved in accordance with appropriate lens coverage.
If SONY is listening, you can have these ideas for FREE!
Joel Richards
8 months ago |Yes, and that would be an e-mount with an LA-E1/2/3 adapter.
Joe
8 months ago |ummm just look at the bottom of the RX1, it is already clearly influenced by the baseplate of Minolta rangefinders such as the CLE.
spaceman
8 months ago |I am with you Hans.
Why make a Leica rip-off, when the NEX is one of the most original designs in modern camera history. The of-centered lens is in my opinion the NEX trait. Even Nikon copied Sony with the new V2 or whatever it is called.
As Hans is saying NEX-7 is almost perfect, just make the NEX-9 a tiny bit more exclusive by covering the LCD with Gorilla glass like iphones and Leica M’s and fit the screen into a metal frame
John Maverick
8 months ago |As the owner of a Summicron “C” 40 I agree this is a fantastic concept. This lens was originally designed for the entry-level Leica/Minolta CL. At the moment it only sees use on the NEX 5n.
Eric
8 months ago |The should make it more retro because it sells, in the camera storeI work I have had numerous customers looking at mirrorless and in the case of Nex-7 VS Fuji 1pro and while a lot of the people say “I think the Sony is better and has a better grip, the Fuji is better looking”
So when the new Fuji comes, wich is a little smaller than the 1pro, it will fly of the shelf.
The nex used to fly of, but it was when there only was pana/oly as competitors, since fuji came along….we sold more of that, mostly based on looks since there are more lenses for sony, at the moment. (The Nikon 1-series is not a competitor, and I think we sold jus one or two of thoose)
Vladimir
8 months ago |…best design FUJI X-E1.
Danonino
8 months ago |Wow what a dream.. should I maybe skip the D600 in favor for this ?!
Weakling
8 months ago |The 70′s called, they want their camera back. Not what I call a beautiful design really.
Weakling
8 months ago |Judging from the reactions here I am in the minority, but I really do not like retro design camera’s.
obican
8 months ago |“As I told you I have no doubt anymore that Sony will sooner (or later) release a new Full Frame E-mount camera.”
VG900.
obican
8 months ago |AKA the and lightest 35mm FF interchangable lens DSLR in the world.
admin
8 months ago |NEX-7 alike photocamera of course. Not a camcorder!
Dominic
8 months ago |Wow….what a wonderful look. Buy! buy! buy!
Karsten Seiferlin
8 months ago |I don’t share the hype for FF. I even don’t like the term “full” here because it implies that everything else is only of less value. Each sensor size has its specific advantages and disadvantages, as the RX100, mFT and APS-C cameras show.
For me the NEX cameras are modern (not retro) capable compact cameras with APS-C sized sensors, and that’s all fine and good. As much as I like the Minolta CLE: the Fuji X-Pro line should satisfy people who want a retro-styled camera, and the sensor in the Fuji is really good enough to compete with FF.
Bottom line: I wish that Sony continues with NEX-7 styled APS-C cameras and leaves FF and retro-design to the RX1 and FF to the SLTs.
Sky_walker
8 months ago |Back in the day this whole “full frame” was a small format, with 210 being medium format and large format even further above it.
But since digital age everyone blindly consider 35mm as an “ultimate”, “full” camera with “full” capabilities.
Pure BS.
In digital world every 1,5 a year or so APS-C outruns 35mm in terms of IQ, while still retaining a perfect balance of body weight vs lens size (something dragging heavy towards body is 35mm and above, while heavy towards lens is mirrorless (though it depends very much on model and setup) ).
Yes, I still shoot 135, but that’s just hobby, mostly because I like the looks of film, not specifically so-called Full Frame format. For anything else then that: a pro or semi-pro reflex camera is the best solution IMHO (unless you happen to have some serious reasoning for FF, like the need of shallow depth of field at wider angles, or low-noise low-MPx camera – otherwise digital APS-C provides all the needs and wishes).
decato
8 months ago |All we are saying, (is)
Give APS-C a chance…
RX100, M43, Fuji X. They are all very capable.
Even on SLT/SLR. APS-C should live on.
Resolution, noise levels, even DOF; everything is good enough.
If there wasn’t APS-C, I wouldn’t be taking photographs today, at least not in digital.
Carl
8 months ago |Give me 8×10 any day.
decato
8 months ago |I know, right?
Jiri
8 months ago |I believe that the APSC format should be considered the standard format of the contemporary digital photography.
John Maverick
8 months ago |It can’t be the standard if pros all use full-frame.
Steve
8 months ago |Form follows function
this looks to be a very workman like design
I like it
Make it mirrorless, full-frame, make some world-class lenses for it and i’ll buy one!
Gato
8 months ago |I owned a CL for several years and can say I have no desire to go back to the old square designs. Retro may look cool, but modern cameras work better in the hand. Give me a decent size grip and a shutter button positioned so I don’t have to twist my hand.
Steve
8 months ago |Exactly, small is good but ergonomic with all of the features of an a99 and the image quality of an RX1 but with a full optical range and selection a world-class glass is better.
Dennis
8 months ago |even if there is a FF NEX, it will come with mediocre lens, and 10 bodies a year, and model update every fall. Last but not least, Sony will take away the function of the camera and start charging them thru apps, include firmware update.
John Maverick
8 months ago |People who pay attention have noticed that an entire range of M lenses already exists. Many are happily using them on NEX already. What’s missing from manufacturers is any short-flange full-frame camera for less than $7000. That’s a big market gap, and the reason something like the rangefinder concept that is being discussed is so interesting.
Dennis
8 months ago |Sorry no offend, if you want to use M lens with a $7000 full frame camera, may be get a lecia M or M-E a better idea? It is only my 2 cents of course.
John Maverick
8 months ago |You missed my point. I don’t want to spend $7000 (neither do many others I know). And SONY is already better than those other choices for bodies.
Joel Richards
8 months ago |I’m totally sold on the design philosophy. Maybe not super retro but “CLE” esque. Do that Sony and I’m sold at (almost) any price. Also why not bring back the Minolta and Hexar M-mount lens designs? Want to make a killing? Dig up the design for the Hexar 60m f1.2 and sell it in e-mount. The full-frame people will love it and the APS-C people will love it because a 90mm f1.2 on an NEX-7/6 would rock!
GreenLens
8 months ago |Yes CLE, with optional anatomic grip. And please retning MINOLTA logo!
GreenLens
8 months ago |… retain…
peterv
8 months ago |Please, no more of this retro stuff. The NEX 7 with Tri Navi is a brilliant contemporary design of which Sony can be proud. Fuji etc. looks fake to me.
Gunnar
8 months ago |i love the unique looks and ergonomics of the Nex series and have not much love for the retro stuff. but since Sony always stood for a modern design i doubt they will jump onto the retro bandwagon.. also i find those rangefinders to have very little size/weigth advantage over DSLRs, its just that their manual lenses were a lot smaller.. having tried the Xpro1 i clearly prefer my Nex7 and A77
Sensel
8 months ago |If it were $1000 with a good basic prime lens, I’d get one for sure.
John Maverick
8 months ago |No need to sound so cheap. It’s probable that just the full-frame sensors found in the 5Diii, D800, A99 etc all cost near $1000. SONY can expect to charge a premium.
Muhammad
8 months ago |NEX 5′s perfect grip is what made me buy it instead of NEX 3, it just got me. Removing the grip from a NEX would make it very difficult to handle and use
James
8 months ago |Why not just an interchangeable lens RX-1? Chuck in weather sealing and even better video. Bingo, my ideal camera. Job done. Bye.