Important message to a source…
Sorry SAR reader to bother you. An important anonymous source just sent me an info via contact form and I have no other way to contact him than writing a public post.
Dear Source: The link is not working. Can you provide me the info via other resources? You have a text or screenshot to share? Create a fake gmail account if you want to contact me anonymously. Thanks! I can tell you is that your info is 100% correct. Not 80-90%. Got exactly the same info from other sources too.
P.S.: Again sorry readers if I have to do that and you don’t know what’s going on. It’s delicate and a very long term rumor that I am working on since a few months now.
Hellven
4 months ago |if its 100% correct its not a rumor!
Stan
4 months ago |That anonymous source should add a comment with name stating “The Source” lol.
I think I watched too much matrix
John
4 months ago |A NEW RX1 FIRMWARE!!! I KNEW IT!!!
calxn
4 months ago |Delicate and long term, huh? Sounds ominous. Question is whether it’s ominous for Alpha mount or Sony cameras overall.
pixypig
4 months ago |is it a road map that will end the alpha mount as we know it
John Maverick
4 months ago |It’s about time. RIP A-mount. I won’t defend A-mount when not even the users will defend their camera.
Stan
4 months ago |Very few Alpha users don’t like their camera. The ones that don’t, already switched or are about to switch brands. Yes we come here to vent once in a while, but all of us that use A-mount system, see something in it that no other brand has in the same class.
I joined the A-Mount bandwagon 2 years ago. For me it was a blind test in the store pretty much and I had to choose a new camera before leaving the store. I went with the A-Mount (A55) because it was more intuitive to me. Side by side it worked better than its Canon and Nikon counterparts in the same price range, when taking the same images. Focusing seemed faster and more precise with the stock lens.
Now, knowing that Canon and Nikon have been in business for a while and not knowing that Sony bought Minolta at the time of purchase, I think i’ve made a good unbiased decision.
The only people I see who say “RIP A-Mount” are either E-Mount users, trying to defend their purchase decision, or someone from Canon/Nikon board.
Noone, who owns A-Mount gear, in their right mind will say so, unless they can make something out of it….
I sure don’t want my gear to become worthless overnight.
evildogofdoom
4 months ago |Most users don’t have to “defend” the cameras, they are just out using them. I bet most users love their Alphas, the A99 is by far the best SLR I have owned in 32 years.
Stan
4 months ago |I sure hope that it is a roadmap, that includes the plans for the future of Alpha mount, whether it means that there will be full commitment to the mount or that it will be completely eliminated. I’m getting ready to buy a new camera and not knowing whether to sell my remaining Alpha gear or not is a bit annoying. I like the A-Mount more than Canon and Nikon counterparts for a multitude of reasons, but as many people here, some reassurance would be helpful. Without any reassurance, anyone who doesn’t “pray to Sony gods”, will jump ship in a heartbeat.
Mark
4 months ago |If its 100% correct, then tell us, please. please!
Nik
4 months ago |With the current state of the rumor mill, I wouldn’t buy an A-mount camera. Not to say that’s how everybody feels but with Sony trying to get the A99 off the ground it’s a bad position to have a part of your target thinking that way. If the sentiment is widespread Sony really need to get out in front of it and reassure people.
John Maverick
4 months ago |What makes you think the rumour has anything to do with A-mount? How is A-mount topical?
Steve
4 months ago |Congratulations!
When where you named as a moderator for the site?
John Maverick
4 months ago |Why do dissatisfied Alpha users’s feel the need to pollute every single thread? We got the message already, “RIP alpha”. At least give other users (cybershot, camcorders, nex) a chance.
WTH
4 months ago |Your complaints of people complaining to getting very old. If you don’t like it, why don’t you sell your internet browser url and move to a new site?
/sarcasm
John Maverick
4 months ago |@WTH Do you know what a non-sequitor is? Look at the thread title. This has nothign to do with Alpha.
WTH
4 months ago |yeaah, i know, but it was funny to state.
RickJ
4 months ago |I love my A65 but it’s disheartening to not see any real support or broadening of the Alpha lens offerings, No F4 glass,
Excessive pricing of glass, considering we aren’t paying for VR/IS, yet the Sony glass is more expensive than the similar Canon/Nikon offerings, gets kind of old… Typical Sony trying to push more new hardware out than fleshing out their accessory line. Cameras are only as good as their lens lineup.. and we have the same old tired lenses after 4 years..
Stan
4 months ago |+1
A 75-210 F/4 Sony version of a legacy Minolta 1980′s beercan would be most welcome!
Heck, even something like 16-50 or 18-55 F/4 would be awesome. At a cheaper price than 16-50 F/2.8 of course
Jon Jay
4 months ago |This new firmware “update” really made me rethink Sony’s commitment to it’s cameras. We’re in the age of firmware updates that make your products better. This is not the 90′s where you need it to buy a new dvd player to get a few new features. Also where are those high zoom lenses that were supposed to replace the 70-400 or the 70-200?
Rooru S.
4 months ago |All these people talking about “RIP A-mount” should jump ship right now or stop coming here and sell their gear already. I have used the A99 and even if Sony stop supporting the A-mount tomorrow, I would get a A99 and hope prices drop big time to get that 300mm f/2.8 II and 500mm f/4.0 for discounted price. Imagine getting the new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 for just 500USD or less?
Steve
4 months ago |So, who named you the boss of the Internet?
As I’ve experienced it over the years the only real issue is posters that think they have the right to tell others with can be said. Where I live, I have the right to think what I want to think, believe what I want to believe and say what I want to say as long as it’s not libelous.
Rolleiflex
4 months ago |LOL, and yet here you are, being a hypocrite.
Steve
4 months ago |+1
Rooru S.
4 months ago |Nah, I was just saying…why do we have all these posters writing RIP A-mount, Sony is sinking, etc? Is it that necessary? I’m wondering, changing brand isn’t that hard. There are people that are willing to pay good price for used equipment, specially if we are talking about G lenses or Zeiss branded lenses and that could work for getting new gear. I’m sure Mr. Steve, you’re aware of all these people here that keeps repeating the same thing over and over again.
xxxx
4 months ago |I hope it doesn’t go the other way and we end up paying more for rare items!
RickJ
4 months ago |Sony 500mm F4 = $13000
Nikon 500mm F4 = $8300
Sony 300mm F2.8 = $7500
Nikon 300mm F2.8 = $5500
Even if you find a Sony 500mm at 50% off it’ll only be $800 cheaper than the same Nikon lens. Sony is flailing their A-mount in the wind and obviously looks to intelligent people that they’re going to nix it in the next 18-24 months for E-mount.
You’re a clown. “I tried an A99″ Wow, way to go… you tried a camera in a Store. GOod luck on finding those bargain basement G lens prices .
Carl
4 months ago |The new Nikkor 800mm costs $18000, so it’s not like Nikon are running at charity, either.
rickj
4 months ago |I’m comparing available glass for both systems if you havent noticed ?
Rooru S.
4 months ago |No need to call me a clown. I used a SLT-a99 for two weeks for real thanks to Sony Interamerican. If you’re nice with Sony reps (not sellers at stores, I’m talking about main offices reps) they can give you some chance to test their equipment, specially if you’re going to give them some feedback on the experience or difficulty with the equipment. This is the second time they allow me to use the a99 + optics. And here in Panama you can get some bargains prices if you negotiate with the seller directly in person, so getting G lenses cheaper is a reality
WTH
4 months ago |Did you tell them the camera is too video centric?
Rooru S.
4 months ago |I did tell them the copy of Zeiss 24-70 had some serious decentering issues (more like damaged copy from bad handling, because that lens got so many years and probably it was a pre-production model).
About the camera, I didn’t use the video functions a lot but I did see some issues about the resolution. Don’t know why but it seems a bit soft. Stills everything ok, but video…hmmm don’t know, maybe the experts in video encoding and all that stuff can tell me what process is going on with the A99, if they downscale or what, but that camera got some issues with resolution. But for stills is ok! If Sony releases a SLT-a85 with more focus on stills and forget about the video, I am all in for that! But for now seems like I have to settle myself for the a99 or stay with low ISO with a850.
ArtoS
4 months ago |Nikon is Nikon and Canon is Canon and Sony is Sony…
At least in Europe you can buy new Sony 300/2.8 G II and Canon 300/2.8 at same price! I was in a situation where both of these were offered to me at a very attractive price because I rebought nearly all my camera stuff. I stayed at Sony, bought two A99 bodies + Zeiss 24/2 SSM, 16-35/2.8 and Sony 300/2.8 G II! Didn’t have to sell Zeiss 24-70/2.8 and Sony 70-300 SSM and Minolta 100M. sold about 10 vintage or original Minolta lenses (including 200/2.8 and 400/4.5) and got very good price from them.
I was offered Canon and Nikon new bodies but usability of A99 including electronic viewfinder is so good that it was not hard for me to stay at Sony A! I had also Nex-7 with several lenses in use but handling of small bodies is not for me.
Yes, I am not so called pure amateur, I have been half time photographer earlier in my miserable
life and and part my salary and made three photo books by Minolta and Sony cameras and lenses, what a terrible situation 
grizzler
4 months ago |You sold a 400 F4.5!!!!!….you disgust me, go and stand in the corner and dont come out until you understand the error of your ways
thats the one lens sony really need to recreate. Same optics, just add fast SSM and same reasonable price point as the minolta had originally. My 400G is my pride and joy, by far my favourite lens and its not getting ebay’d any time soon
WTH
4 months ago |I just want Sony to remake the 135 STF with SSM + weathersealed
Carl
4 months ago |The 300G SSM II is probably just as sharp with the 1.4x TC as the 400/4.5 is normally, so I hardly blame him.
Rooru S.
4 months ago |I find a bunch of 200 f/2.8 lenses everywhere but 400mm f/4.5 nowhere! Even the 300mm f/4 isn’t available so easily! Sony really got to make those lenses available again with upgraded SSM, coatings and weathersealing!
WTH
4 months ago |LOL!!!
Either you are a Sony marketing director… Or you have the most twisted way at looking at things.
But it’s funny.
Rooru S.
4 months ago |Not twisted. For example, why there are people buying the last couple of a850 or a900? 1 of 2. They like the System or they are trying to get the maximum from their current gear before either selling it when the camera finally fails, or hope to find a decent replacement in the future.
And I’m sure, there are still some people using their Maxxum with some new A-mount lenses. We buy into a system because lenses or some features. Some because customer support. I’m with A-mount because of Minolta, not Sony at all. But The a99 is the only current SLT I would consider to take the most from my lenses. And if Sony drops the mount tomorrow, I’m sure some prices will drop just like Canon FD dropped when EF was announced.
WTH
4 months ago |Don’t you care about parts, warranty and availability of service?
Rooru S.
4 months ago |Here in Panama I can get a a850 for 1000USD new. a99 prices are starting to drop so getting backup FF cameras is getting easier. I’m only really concerned about the lenses. But about the warranty or parts, local service is good enough, although they don’t give rental while they’re repairing equipment.
J Shin
4 months ago |No need to apologize, admin. How else would you communicate with anonymous sources? I rather like the drama; it’s like watching spies working, and, in fact, that’s exactly what it is! Makes me feel like I should avert my eyes out of courtesy, but I just can’t!
ariliquin
4 months ago |If its a rumour and 100% correct, why are you not posting it here? Have you been asked not to announce this yet?
xxxx
4 months ago |He wanted to get some kind of evidence to show us instead of just telling us. Maybe the broken link he mentioned is a link to a picture of a square sensor? Whoa…
Stan
4 months ago |I think i just j**zed in my pants a little.
grizzler
4 months ago |you have no idea just how much we DIDN’T need to know that!
Varn
4 months ago |Me too suspect is about the square sensor.
ariliquin
4 months ago |Wishing: Square Sensor FF no AA filter and 3 layer colour sensing at each pixel…
Carl
4 months ago |I’d be all over it if it was.
A Ray
4 months ago |If it’s 100% correct why don’t you just publish it? If it’s not then use SR4. What exactly are you waiting for?
John Maverick
4 months ago |Square sensor, global shutter, foveon layered architecture, fullframe NEX. So many rumors make SONY the most exciting company to follow!
Stan
4 months ago |And then we all complain, when sony doesn’t implement that tech.
Its like that flip-up translucent mirror patent from ’09.
WTH
4 months ago |You know, it’s difficult to implement the flip-up mirror tech…
/sarcasm
Alpha850
4 months ago |I think its obvious what this means – Alpha mount is close to the end of its life. This is why they’re not advertising the Alpha cameras anymore with online ads (as were frequently seen at dpreview). This is also why Tamron and Sigma both are pushing out very few new Alpha mount lenses.
I was talking to sony support about the new lenses for A-mount last night, and the sony rep told me that they still see plans for a new 70-200 II lens, but nothing else. No 50mm Zeiss and no new 70-400 II lens. The rep did share more than they should have (I think) when they told me something to the effect of ‘its strange, they were showing up there last week, and now they’re gone’.
I plan on keeping my A77 and A850 for a long time to come, even when the discontinuation of the A-mount is made official and public (soon I’m guessing). They’re good machines and it seems parts are plentiful for repair.
Its gonna be a sad year for A-mount fans for sure, but we do have some good gear to play with and watch which direction the camera market goes(DSLR vs Mirrorless) before we re-invest in something else. I’d hate to buy into Canon or Nikon, and have the same thing happen again in 5 years.
Spuds
4 months ago |It might happen with canon, but Nikon seem to actually put more emphasis in the customer… That is the reason I can go get a Nikon lens from the 70′s and stick it on a new Nikon and use it… At least the always make things backwards compatible when it comes to lenses
Rob
4 months ago |A high end square sensor? So what – I’m sure Hassie will be glad to use it, but will this be like the 36 megapixel sold to Nikon? Will Sony ever use their best sensors in their own cameras???
WTH
4 months ago |Well, there is always the option of buying a Nikon if you want the best Sony sensors…
lol!
Stan
4 months ago |I don’t think that’s an option anymore. Wasn’t there a teardown of D5200 and there was actually a 24mp Toshiba sensor inside? I remember seeing something on dpreview, but here’s something from dxOmark http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Nikon-D5200-New-sensor-and-new-leader
Even Nikon is dumping Sony
Rooru S.
4 months ago |Yes, It’s a Toshiba made sensor and so far it’s very good.
WTH
4 months ago |yes Toshi made the sensor for the 5200 but it will never come close to the D800 sensor.
Stan
4 months ago |I’m not sure I follow your argument. A65/A77 and D3200/D5200 use APS-C sensors, while D800 is FF and on the order of magnitude more expensive… Yes, it is arguably the best sensor ever made… But i’m not sure it fits the argument, unless that was a troll attempt.
I’m a bit confused by what you were trying to say in that comment…
WTH
4 months ago |Not arguing here,
Just saying that while toshi is good, everyone knows Sony makes the best Sensors, which is clearly shown in their masterpiece 36MP sensor sold to Nikon to use on their D800.
Wake up
4 months ago |Wake up people, A-mount RIP? I think you are over reacting. Do we need a road map? I do not think so. Com on, the A99 just released less than 6 months ago after everyone thought A mount is dead with no A900 replacement. Now, we have the newly released A99. That’s enough prove of commitment to me. I know the mirrorless e mount is big, but dun you think it is designed/planned after release of A99? If Sony is to abandon A mount, they won’t even manufacture the A99 when they have the mirrorless e mount in mind.
Yes, we may have a ML e mount before A mount. Bug I truly believe the next flagship a mount (4 yr later?) will be mirrorless and can only be better after the test out on e mount.
WTH
4 months ago |Doesn’t matter anymore.
Keep up the great work Sony.
At the rate you are going, I am sure you will make enough money to buy back your HQ…
Carl
4 months ago |“I am sure you will make enough money to buy back your HQ”
Look how well it worked for Nokia.
WTH
4 months ago |Poor Nokia… They once made good phones…
Carl
4 months ago |I still use an N900. I guess I’m just adverse to duopolies.
Frank
4 months ago |Still do, very cheap too. Many people just want a phone, not a computer.
Frank
4 months ago |You appear to have missed the rumour this year that there has been a shift in strategy.
The long rumoured higher-end full frame SLT is not being developed any time soon, instead they are developing an E-mount full frame with adapter for A-mount lenses.
This shift in focus to E-mount, along with a lack of A-mount lens announcements, is concerning.
One you dispose of the mirror, you no longer need A-mount lenses, you no longer need to support two systems, one of which isn’t selling well.
Sly
4 months ago |ok, but this a rumours blog rite? so could u post the rumour..SR1, SR2, etc
pixypig
4 months ago |Good news!!! A-mount is alive and well!! The Dslr/DSLT bodies will be marketed for more professional users.
pixypig
4 months ago |Good news!!! A-mount is alive and well!! The Dslr/DSLT bodies will be marketed for more professional users.
Frank
4 months ago |…and that’s what we WANT to hear from Sony. But the silence is deafening.
OneTrackMind
4 months ago |To me the ‘death of A-mount’ would be if the lenses were no longer fully functional on new cameras, but if the new FF NEX rumored camera has native E-mount and can still support A-mount lenses via an adapter ring (which provides 100% the same experience of the lens as current A-mount camera bodies) then I consider A-mount to be very alive.
It might mean that FF E-mount lenses eventually replace the A-mount lenses, but if 10 years from now you still have the option of using the adapter for current Zeiss and Minolta a-mount glass then the investment still works.
So A-mount glass investment still makes sense to me especially if people hit the panic button and start selling it off cheap! The real question is should you invest in an A-mount camera body which isn’t adaptable to other mounts. But after this year, Sony might take that option away from you anyway if they start moving more products to E-mount.
gonna be an exciting end to 2013 and start of 2014.
all this said – GIVE ME THAT CZ 50mm ALREADY!!! I’ve been waiting for release date for so long
Carl
4 months ago |Same experience as in phase detection autofocus, a viewfinder with acceptable eye relief, and a grip that is actually gripable?
alphabart
4 months ago |‘death of A-mount’ is a rumor, Not going to happen for at least 5 years. If so they wouldn’t be updating 70-400 would they.
Frank
4 months ago |The 70-400mm is also a rumour…