(SR4) Zeiss 16-70mm for NEX coming within this year?

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The image on top shows you the great Zeiss 16-80mm A-mount zoom. And quite many NEX owners would be happy to see an E-mount version of it. And you know what? A source told us that we may see a new 16-70mm Zeiss E-mount lens coming within the the year! Finally we will have a high quality zoom. I only hope it’s not too big….

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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

Here is the Sony A99 deal: Free vertical grip and free flash on all A99 cameras!

 

Sony US officially launched a new A99 super deal. But instead of lowering the price of the A99 body they simply give you the vertical grip and the external flash for free! That’s a total instant rebate of $930. I checked around and you can find the deal available at Samys (Click here). Still not listed at Amazon US (Click here to see all A99 bundles). Don’t forget you can have a 6% back in rewards at Amazon and Bhphoto.

Like you I would have preferred to see a price drop on the body only but that deal is a first step into the right direction…

(SR5) Sony US to launch a new A99 superkit deal tomorrow (March 30)!

According to multiple sources from different US stores Sony will launch a new A99 superkit deal with a very(!) considerable saving. This will be the first time Sony answers the aggressive price reduction from Canon and Nikon DSLR. Currently we have plenty of “cheap” FF:
– The Canon 6D sells for $1,770 on Amazon (Click here).
– The Nikon D600 sells for $1,996 on Amazon (Click here).
– The Nikon D800 sells for $2,796 on Amazon (Click here).
– The Canon 5D MarkIII sells for $2,996 on Amazon (Click here).

Something had to be done to make the A99 more competitive. Of course the A99 is radically different camera. But this isn’t simply enough to make it a hotseller. I never saw the A99 within the top 100 of the most sold DSLR camera rankings at Amazon (Click here to see the list). So let’s see tomorrow if Sony US new offer will be good enough! As longs as I know there is no plan yet to lower the price in other countries too. But there have been some smaller price drops in EU stores during the last week and that may be the reason why they will not offer a bigger deal in Europe (see price at Amazon DE).

P.S.: Don’t forget that Gary Friedmann released his new A99 book: http://friedmanarchives.com/alpha99/

Don’t get crazy. A-mount will remain alive!

It’s three months now that I am waiting and working to get news about the new Sony roadmap. I told you that the SLT-FF cameras planed for 2013 have been taken off the map. Now, I am administrator of a rumor site and I have to remind you that we are not talking about official news.

That said… trust my words, the A-mount system is well alive and it will be so in future. Sony didn’t take off the SLT-FF cameras from the roadmap because they don’t believe in the A-mount system. The reason is another one. And that reason will be explained soon on SAR (as soon as I get an SR5 confirmation).

One more thing: When I write the A-mount is alive..I also mean that it will not rely on A to E mount adapters1 There will be 100% pure A-mount cameras in future. APS-C and Full Frame.

The “old” Sony 2013 roadmap!

I got an email from a very trusted source that show the now no more valid 2013 roadmap for the new Sony A-mount cameras and lenses. I repeat, it’s likely that the roadmap changed and the new SLT and the new SLT high resolution camera may not come at all:

A-mount Lenses
50mm f/1.4 Zeiss. Announced and available at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto and SonyStore USA (via AlphaCameraDeals). In Europe at Wex UK and Amazon DE.
SAL 70-400F4-5.6G SSMII (announced and preorders up at Amazon and BHphoto).
SAL 400f28G SSM
SAL 70-200f28 ZA SSM
SAL 300F28G

All weather/dust sealed A-mount Cameras
SLT a88
FF-SLT a95
FF 36-38MP with integrated battery grip (on market 2014)

Why did the roadmap change? Usually companies plan years in advance and so did Sony. But the financial crisis now forced them to get rid of some camera developments and to focus on more sustainable investments. Two things has to be said clearly:

1) This is a roadmap posted on a rumor site and not an official Sony news. So don’t blame Sony for changing a roadmap they didn’t officially share. Always keep in mind that we are talking about rumors.

2) The A-mount will be kept alive fo a very long time.

Personal note: It’s very difficult to write reliable rumors when things are changing that quickly. I hope Sony will soon have the clear roadmap. That would be good for them and for us rumor fanatics :)