The A and E mount future…
Yesterdays rumor about the Full Frame NEX created some buzz about the A-mount future. Some do believe that this may be the end of the A-mount. So let’s get through that:
1) First, this is a rumor site, so never I repeat NEVER(!) accept my info as 100% sure facts.
2) I never wrote A-mount is dead. The only thing I wrote is that Sony is speeding up the NEX FF project and that there will be no SLT FF in 2013. Again, this is a rumor. It may be that Sony will release an SLT FF in 2014. But I have no info about the 2014 strategy.
3) Focus on my A-mount rumors: As I told you there will be at least four new A-mount lenses within the next 6 months, there will be 2 or even three new A-mount ASP-C SLT cameras. That sounds damn good to me! 
4) The NEX FF I heard about has 100% support for all A-mount lenses. Which means that AF speed will be as fast as it gets, like on current A-mount cameras. I would have no doubt buying A-mount lenses. Especially an upcoming lens like the superb 50mm f/1.4 Zeiss!
So again, we are a rumor site and it’s obvious that people discusses what could happen in one year from now. But keep your feet on ground. Don’t go too far with extreme speculations
P.S.: I would buy the A99 right now if I would need a FF hybrid stills and video camera.
—
P.S.: I still don’t know the price of the lens but we have many Zeiss 50mm lenses for different mounts and I thought it would be nice to give you an overview:
Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* for Canon (see auctions on eBay)
Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 ZE Planar T* for Nikon (see auctions on eBay)
Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 50mm f/1.4 50/1.4 LTM (see auctions on eBay)
Zeiss Normal 50mm f/1.4 for Contax (see auctions on eBay)
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF 50mm F1.4 Nikon Ai-S (see auctions on eBay)
Frank
5 months ago |There will be three APS-C I reckon, A3x, A5x and A7x all with the new shoe. The A65 line will be dropped.
SonyCyberPunk
5 months ago |I’m just gonna save everyone the misery of reading any other posts that bicker back and forth about the death of the A mount…
Sony’s sales figures with the Alpha line of cameras and lenses are atrocious. The loss is actually getting worse every year. Sadly, It’s a dead end for Sony to pursue anything that Canon or Nikon dominate in the DSLR arena.
However, the NEX exploded and is highly profitable. The writing is on the wall.
Dump the A lenses… they’re dead in a year.
kalpurush :)
5 months ago |Talking rubbish!?
A-mount is here to stay with some fantastic lenses already in the market.
If you don’t like A-mount camera, that’s fine. But, please don’t talk non-sense.
SonyCyberPunk
5 months ago |Aww, did sombwody’s feewings get hurted?
Grow up, troll.
LensIsAll
5 months ago |Source of these data? From last report I seen A-mount was one of very few profitable branches of the Sony Imaging division.
Dont talk crap if you have nothing to support it with besides your own word.
SonyCyberPunk
5 months ago |sorry im just throwing things in the dark hehe just messing around guys relax!
SonyCyberPunk
5 months ago |^ is an impostor troll.
Steve
5 months ago |I just got into photography and bought a nex5r. Now I have been taking notice to everyone’s camera and all Insee are canons and nikons. Seems like Sony is dying with the E mount and the A mounts. I work for Sony so that’s why I bought the 5. Otherwise I would have gotten a Canon. All my coworkers have Canon because they can afford it. I opt for the steep discount but kind of regret it. However I am new so it doesn’t matter which camera I use my composition will be the same ( not very good).
Hendrick
5 months ago |I never understood what looks like jealousy of A mount owners every time there is NEX news. It is as if they think that Sony can only have sex with one mount and neglect the other. So, they feel cheated. They must have completely forgot that the a99 is not even 6 months old, or are they already bored with it?
I wonder what A mount people want? Another a99 like product? There are some who want a cheaper a99 (understandable since Nikon and Canon offer these already) More lenses? Andrea says there will be four more this year (it is more lenses than NEX receives any year) so why get anxious?
It takes one A mount owner to say Sony can’t shag two bitches at the time and you have a mutiny in the brothel. FF NEX will be a more important product for Sony than any A mount product simply because it will be the only other company to offer it besides Leica. In the big picture, whether you like it or not, it makes more sense than new FF SLTs. Stop being jealous.
Tanglefoot
5 months ago |Its a bit hard when you have most opf your spare cash for a few years invested in the A mount & that could get washed away at any moment…
Some of us cant afford to go & build a new harem
SonyCyberPunk
5 months ago |Well, you pretty much summed it up.
Not sure if this deserves a
or a 
.
Kursad Sezgin
5 months ago |Hendrick, this has nothing to do with jealousy. There were lots of improvements expected on A-mount side. Let’s look at lens development for example. Most of the lenses are rebranded Tamrons and Minoltas. There are lots of lenses with screw driver focusing systems. There are still only 6 lenses that support AF-D on A99. Sony moving to E mount development means that we’d have to wait more for these to change. Sony has lots of financial troubles and cannot allocate sources for both e-mount and a-mount. OK, from a corporate point of view, investing in e-mount is more feasible. The market share is better and there’s a green field to penetrate. But from a marketing point of view, this may also mean stepping down from high-end pro photography competition. Whatever the photo quality of a NEX system is, one would not prefer a small body for pro photography and by talking about pro-level, I mean studio and/or wedding/event photography with flashguns, remote connectors, tripods, big heavy lenses. Of course, you can mount an Alpha lens to e-mount with an adapter but just think a 70200G attached to an NEX7 or NEX9 FF. How can you handle such a combination?
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |i gave up talking sense to these people, which i discovered there was no point.
Since sony even named a99 as semi-pro/ethusiast camera.
So FF NEX would drop to consumer/prosumer/ethusiast level.
i suggest you looking at the FF NEX as a travel camera instead.
With that state in mind, helps makes you accept the FF NEX.
At least that did for me.
NEXfive
5 months ago |I really doubt these whining E-Mount-bashers are really representative for all A-Mount-Users, because if so Sony would give up A-Mount as soon as possible to get rid of this sort of annoying customers.
SonyCyberPunk
5 months ago |You’re post, so confusing, must read it again, and again…
This is clearly a case of CTL.
Circular Troll Logic
NEXfive
5 months ago |You’re confused? You can’t stop reading postings managing to express a clear opinion? You’re blaming these posters to be that trolls you are yourself by posting nothing but hate? Well, you’re coming quite close to your very own personal defects, which you’ve got to work out. Good luck!
Carl
5 months ago |There’s one new lens and three restylings.
dyna
5 months ago |I think it also clear that the A99v is a firmware monster, something that can be upgraded considerably without the addition of new hardware. There is so much under its hood… there will be no need for a new FF SLT this year.
john
5 months ago |If the A99 was sub $2000 I would agree with you
dyna
5 months ago |I simply refuse to give more than 15 seconds of my time to those who tell me the D600 is a better buy than the A99v. The A99v is capable of things the D600 simply cannot do, and will do them longer and far more reliably than the D600 is built to go. There is no competition for the prosumer between the A99v and a D600 whatsoever. And the 6D is even more of a non-player at this point.
Sony is better off updating the A77v with a better dual core processing system and 14bit processing and contrast detect on-sensor than they are producing a sub-$2k full frame camera. That will allow them to have the same heavy one/two punch the D300s and D700 had back in the day… the way Nikon will have the D400 and the D800 soon.
A mount isn’t going anywhere. All the chickens with their feathers ruffled need to relax.
George Evans
5 months ago |@Dyna. “Sony is better off updating the A77v with a better dual core processing system and 14bit processing and contrast detect on-sensor than they are producing a sub-$2k full frame camera”
Good point. I’m getting such good images out of the A77 that I can’t justify spending amost three times as much to go FF with the A99. I’m guessing Sony would sell more of the 7 series cameras than FF Alpha.
Ken
5 months ago |People need to relax
EddyH
5 months ago |+1
And all those people that just puchased an A99 and our now questioning whether they should return it or not, they should get out and take pictures with it! Returning it and waiting at least a year for something that is at this point in time a rumor would mean at least one year without taking pictures. That would be unbearable to any photographer.
Tanglefoot
5 months ago |What about if you wanted a stills only/orientated camera like most of the market?
Just a question….
AK-77
5 months ago |+1
I guess the NEX news would be better accepted had there been some news about shared development on A mount side e.g. mirrorless (still oriented) Alpha camera…
Dan
5 months ago |+1
Just want a stills oriented FF Camera, some video capability but not a priority as in the the A99. I would sooner have a better burst rate and faster in camera processing for things like HDR.
LensIsAll
5 months ago |+1 especially when ppl are still waiting for true photo-oriented FF camera (preferably with 12 FPS and proper, photo-oriented AF system)
George Evans
5 months ago |Thanks Andrea. I think the rumour shook a few who were hoping for a stills orientated pro FF SLT in mid 2013 and are now questioning Sony’s priorities between A and E mount. The A99 is a fine camera but orientated towards video and that’s been Sony’s path with the development of the transluscent mirror and EVF. Earlier rumours were of a still orientated FF SLT in mid 2013.
The rumour about Sony’s priorities for FF switching from A mount to E mount in an effort to understandably chase the money that the NEX system is bringing in has naturally got some people worried about the pace of upgrade of their A mount cameras. I’d hate to see the 7 and 9 series A mount cameras going back to 4 yearly upgrades as Sony concentrates on the NEX system.
Your rumour did say that the FF pro NEX would be slightly bigger than the NEX7 perhaps on the lines of the RX1 with interchangeable lenses allowing A mount lenses to be used via an adaptor which if true would be priced way out of my league so I’m relying on an A77 replacement within a reasonable timescale.
Moow
5 months ago |Its kinda funny people think Sony will drop A mount. If they are intending to do so.. Why would they bother to update the 70 200 and 70 400G. Think about it people. Seriously, its kind of silly to think they will abandon A mount.
Jakob Røjel
5 months ago |I think that the “uproar” is based on the group of people who owns a stack of pretty expensive Zeiss lenses who is never going back to APS-C again.
A99 is just not the camera that I’m looking for to replace my A900. DxOMark clearly states that D600 provides better image quality (in a cheaper body) to a much lower price.
So waiting for 2014 (which might be forever) it a bitter pill to swallow.
So releasing new lenses might be a positive sign, but with the uncertain future I think a lot of people (like me) will postpone their purchases, and that might kill the highend alpha market (dead spiral)
oskar
5 months ago |Finally a good explanation for the uproar. FF alpha shooters really doesn’t have a lot to choose from, comparing to other brands. Still: what is the a99 lacking? OVF, of course, battery life, yes. No big suprise. But then I heard that it’s not as capable in continous AF mode as other brands! Big surpise! What’s the true benifit of SLT technology then? Well – one thing: liveview. But old time pro’s never really used liveview (excenpt for macro and landscape maybe) and never discovered the benefits of it, thogh somebody like me think it’s really, really convenient.
will.afineday
5 months ago |Good points summarized in a very concise form. Totally agree.
Abit77
5 months ago |For starters lens mm/1.2F 85 Series G or CZ will be very good news for A-Mount
Hellven
5 months ago |A-mount will end one day, canon’s EF-mount and nikon’s F-mount will also end one day!
Some day, we will see mirrorless cameras with professional bodies like the A99 or 1Dx, its the future.
But Sony is the one with better condition to make the transition to full mirroless and full support to your good old lenses, nowdays you already can enjoy the full potencial of A-mount lenses on a mirroless with the LA-EA2, no other brand can get even close!
when the time comes, you will have a big and professional body with a big grip, excellent EVF, global shutter, no mirror of any kind, insane FPS, better AF, completly silent, and E-mount that will suport A-mount with an adapter, so dont worry, you are on the right side
Anonymous
5 months ago |>A-mount will end one day, canon’s EF-mount and nikon’s F-mount will also end one day!
The universe will also end one day. What’s your point?
Aahlpha100
5 months ago |I think he tries to say that we should go on living until then (we may end sooner). After all the end of the world is already behind us
.
Just bought the A99 and I really like it so far (mostly). And hey: haven’t touched the video yet but guess what: it makes great pictures!
Now for the new lenses..
Bephep
5 months ago |The frame size of the E-mount is smaller than a FF sensor – so a logical approach for a FF NEX would be using the A-mount.
Therefore a FF-Nex should be good news for A-mount owners. Or am I taking something wrong?
Jah'son
5 months ago |+1
I purchase the a99 and I’m very pleased with it. There are a couple of things that are not quite there but nothing updates can’t fix. I love it.
As for NEX and E mounts I think it great for Sony to expand on this market. IMHO, Sony can only go upwards and forward from here.
gerardo
5 months ago |you wrong, remember the nex-vg900 is a FF video camera with E-mount and a new E-Amount La-EA3 to use FF lenses with A mouny: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892256-REG/Sony_NEX_VG900_Full_Frame_Interchangeable_Lens.html
Rob
5 months ago |What you’re missing is that the “fully compatible E mount cameras” don’t support IBIS. That is supposedly a major feature in A mount cameras, that somehow isn’t even considered.
The slts are just a stop gap measure too – Sony CAN build a mirrorless FF A mount camera with great specifications if they want. They SAID they want to lead the pack, but all we see is that they come late to market, if at all. How long was it between the end of the A900 and final release of A99? Years? The track record is not good.
I reiterate, Sony says they want to lead, but they barely keep up. They don’t even use the best sensor that they make! They can’t seem to extract the best performance from the sensors they do use – for whatever reason.
May I encourage Sony to just make a quantum leap – dump slt and get on with the REAL mirrorless revolution and include A mount cameras. Use higher resolution sensors (54 megapixel for example) and dump AA filters. Include 4k capability to future proof video. THAT’S the way to get switchers, and grow your sales. Also, get on with varying the lens lineup – e.g. 70-200 F4, 24-70 F4 with excellent optics so more people can make use of the excellent sensors of the future. C’mon Sony – stop playing the incrementalist games – you’re sucking at it. Maybe start dumping some of your bean counters, as they have no real vision.
RVN
5 months ago |@Rob
agreed, i hope future FF sony mirrorless have IBIS on camera so A-mount user can use their lens in best capability. can’t imagine holding FF mirrorless + adapter + Heavy lens and expensive A-mount FF lens with out IBIS on it…
people will bloody cry after buy super expensive 500mm/4 or new 70-200/2.8 and can’t use IS/IBIS on FF sony mirrorless.. it will bad business for sony lens market too,
the key is they must use IBIS FF sony camera like olympus, not A-mount lens will happy, other lens and manual lens will happy too
LensIsAll
5 months ago |There’s no such thing like folly compatybile E-mount camera, or at least: in no way it can be a replacement for true A-mount camera. Using adaptor for a serious photography under heavy conditions is a joke. No idea why people suggest that over and over again.
If it’d be that easy, then how about abadnonning E-mount lens development completly and going only with A-mount lenses? After all you can use A-mount lenses on NEX but cannot use E-mount on Alpha, so… Developing only A mount lenses would be a win-win.
But it’s not. So people: stop suggesting ******* adaptors!
vinu
5 months ago |hey andrea, u said tht “The NEX FF I heard about has 100% support for all A-mount lenses. Which means that AF speed will be as fast as it gets, like on current A-mount cameras.”, u mean the af speed is same as the translucent speed? like it has a built in translucent mirror instead of using a laea2 adapter??
admin
5 months ago |exactly
Carl
5 months ago |Maybe if Sony has [finally] made major leaps with their contrast detection (or more likely just licensed Olympus’ algorithm) the single shot AF may well be equally fast, but without external phase detection sensors there’s no way continuous AF will be. On sensor PDAF is still in its infancy.
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |It is to my surprise that, sony’s own e-mount lens is aspc only.
And yet some 3rd party e-mount lens support FF.
Good day to you sony e-mount lens supporters?
Now feel the pain of those a-mount guys?
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |oh yes, forgot to add.
You guys might have NATIVE e-mount support.
But once u slap on that e-mount aspc lens it switches to crop mode, fantastic isn’t it!
At least you still get to use them, its not 100% waste!!
And now if the FF NEX is 24MP, you only get 12MP on crop mode!
*thumbs up sony*
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |At least sony did some things right by releasing e mount spec without royalties.
And now we have 6 lens makers making e mount lens.
and Hasselblad Lunar camera to use e mount too.
And something i found on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_E-mount
“Due to the short flange focal distance of the Sony E-mount, many lenses can be adapted to be used on the Sony E-mount, although a crop factor will have to be taken into account most of the time, since all current cameras available in this mount are APS-C only.
Minolta, Konica Minolta and Sony A-mount lenses can be used via the Sony LA-EA1[6] and LA-EA2 camera mount adapters which provide electronic contacts and electro-mechanical diaphragm control.
They allow the body to control the aperture of the lens and provide automatic exposure and Exif data support.
The LA-EA1 adds slow (2–7 seconds) contrast autofocus with SSM and SAM lenses, other lenses can be used with manual focus.
[7] Older samples of the LA-EA1, NEX-3 and NEX-5 require a firmware update for this to work.
The LA-EA2 adapter supports fast phase-detection autofocus with all A-mount lenses, including screw-driven AF lenses.
However, its translucent-mirror design requires an optical element in the light path and thus causes a light fall-off of about 30% for the autofocus to work.
Also, it slightly decreases image quality.
The LA-EA1 does not need an optical element in the light path and thus will not change image quality in any way.
Both adapters are designed to cover the APS-C format only.”
and also this
“LA-EA3 Lens Adapter E-A 3 Full frame 2012 glass-less adapter for A-mount lens on full-frame E-mount camera, CD-AF / OS-PD-AF with SSM/SAM lenses only”
So got to buy new adapters again maybe? that’s just sad.
oskar
5 months ago |I guess the FF nex will come with an adapter, just like the vg900. And what the rumor says is that the adapter will give full AF functionality to alpha lenses with the FF sensor.
Tristan
5 months ago |Hi Andrea:
Thanks for all the message you dilevered to us.
Just have 1 question, any sign/info that SONY will introduce OSS into current A mount ? (especially for next tele lens)
I guess it will help video AOV (angel of view), and maybe the better result vs IBIS (for tele lens), and user-experience in view-finder.
Carl
5 months ago |What next telephoto, though? I’ve heard no suggestions that Sony is even planning a 200/2, 400/2.8 or 800/5.6, or a slower and more affordable series. Given we had about four years notice that Sony was working on a 500/4, it’s clear that things move slowly in that part of Sony.
Tristan
5 months ago |well, i just wish (in fact, i know it will just be a wish) OSS can be showed up in up coming 720G II & 740G II.
But you are right, sony is really slow on this part, they current focus more on camera body innovation.
Sorry, i’m not a native speaker, i don’t quit understand this part “… no suggestions that Sony is even planning a 200/2, 400/2.8 “. You mean sony has no plan yet on those lens just mentioned?
Carl
5 months ago |“Sorry, i’m not a native speaker, i don’t quit understand this part “… no suggestions that Sony is even planning a 200/2, 400/2.8 “. You mean sony has no plan yet on those lens just mentioned?”
Those are telephotos that Canon and Nikon have that Sony does not (well, the 800mm Nikkor isn’t out yet, but it is coming). It’s doubtful that Sony will ever make all the telephoto types that Canikon do. They aren’t really interested in filling up gaps at all, just covering the popular core focal lenghts and putting the rest of their resources to replacing camera bodies on a yearly basis.
Achim
5 months ago |It should be clear that SLT technology is only transitional – with phase detection af on the main sensor there’s no need for a mirror. And so concentration on E mount makes a lot of sense! Sony can build both compact bodies like the current NEX ones and bigger but more ergonomic (or more “professional looking” ones. With A mount there is no possibility for the compact side….
The only point is: will there be IBIS on future cameras or not?
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |Simple answer. NO.
Reason: not profitable.
Why spend precious R&D money to do IBIS, while they could charge people ILIS for each lens sold?
john
5 months ago |Money is not the issue.
I.B.I.S. on FF E-mount simply just won’t work due to 18 mm flange distance and smaller than A-mount image circle. For the sensor to shift enough to be effective there would be severe vignetting .
http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2012/08/19/should-nex-go-full-frame/
Don Cox
5 months ago |How far do you think the sensor needs to shift?
My guess is about 0.5mm
john
5 months ago |This is DK’s take
“For full-frame, the required image circle is 44mm and the maximum diameter for in-body stabilisation could be between 49mm and 54mm depending on how Sony’s statements about sensor travel are understood (“5mm in any direction” could mean the total scope is 5mm, or that 5mm travel from axis might be possible). A good idea of the actual travel of an APS-C sensor with IBIS is given by the Pentax K-5, which has a manual sensor shift function allowing the user to move the sensor off-axis for a slight rising or cross front effect – but only by 1.5mm. This sounds more realistic though it would, of course, be a great feature if you could shift a sensor 2.5mm or an extreme 5mm – every lens with enough coverage would become a PC lens!”
John Maverick
5 months ago |The A-mount users seem determined to destroy confidence in the mount with all the fear, uncertainty and doubt they’re spreading. I genuinely feel a little sorry for SONY.
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |Well they are just disappointed, not much of the rest.
I only feel sorry for SONY existing customers.
lets bring out a-mount out of the picture.
and look at e-mount, there is still a mountain load of issues to resolve.
Every sony branded e-mount lens you hold now is only able to do crop on FF NEX.
So in order to use it properly, you would need to buy new lens.
NOT GOOD for you -1 GREAT for SONY +1
Those would manage to get 3rd party e-mount lens that support FF.
SONY does not make much money, but get market share.
GREAT for YOU +1 MAYBE GOOD for SONY +0
So for those who current use a-mount lens on NEX using adapters, no problem!
Just buy more adapters! problem solved! another $299 down the drain.
MAYBE GOOD for YOU +0 NOT GOOD for ME -1 GREAT for SONY +1
Turns out GREAT for SONY!
Hope the new FF NEX is GREAT!
If not… erm… goodbye sony?
Mars Observer
5 months ago |“Every sony branded e-mount lens you hold now is only able to do crop on FF NEX.
So in order to use it properly, you would need to buy new lens.
NOT GOOD for you -1 GREAT for SONY +1″
Well… actually… if the new FF camera is 36MP I’d be quite happy to use my current e-mount lenses in crop mode and get a smaller, 16MB file. So that would be a +1 for me and my memory cards.
John Maverick
5 months ago |Frankly, I find it funny that A-mount users are so determined to trash a camera. One that hasn’t even been released yet.
I can’t think of any other manufacturer that has to put up with such hostility, and from it’s very own customers.
For the sake of the A99 and A-mount, let’s hope all the predictions of imminent death will settle down, before too many people take notice.
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |Forgot to add…
Alot of current 3rd party FF lens, could probably only do manual focus.
Imagine your travel FF NEX, not so small and maybe not so compact having to do manual focus when your busy traveling…
Fantastic for some maybe?
John Maverick
5 months ago |Like I said. What other company has to put up, with it’s own supposedly loyal customers trashing it’s own products like this?.
And yes I already happily take on vacation, small light manual-focus fullframe lenses, that have higher IQ than Canon L glass.
Marcel
5 months ago |This is no one’s but Sony’s fault. If they had a more transparent roadmap policy, A-mount users like me wouldn’t have to escape towards other systems instead of investing money to new A-mount equipment. It would take only one clear official statement from Sony that they will remain true to the A-mount system and to semi professional systems. It’s a pity to see so many people changing to Nikon and Canon because of the uncertainty of Sony’s product policy. Each photographer exchanging his Sony gear to a Nikon or Canon one makes it more probable that A-Mount will die soon. Sony may be heading into the right direction for the mass consumer and their own benefit, but they seem to turn their back on their old loyal Minolta enthusiasts, semi pros and pros. After 35 years Minolta and Sony, I am out now.
John Maverick
5 months ago |Did you actually read Admin’s comments?
A very superior fullframe DSLR in the A99 has just been released.
At least four new A-mount lenses slated within the next 6 months.
There will be two or even three new A-mount ASP-C SLT cameras.
How could SONY support for A-mount be in doubt?
Why? Because of a single camera that might be released in a year’s time?
WK
5 months ago |“It would take only one clear official statement from Sony that they will remain true to the A-mount system and to semi professional systems.”
Remember that Sony has made “one clear statement about things like supporting DSLR and it’s optical viewfinder. When in the back rooms they already had dropped the design to favor video. No way their “one clear statements” are trustworthy.
When you are thinking about putting several tens of thousands of dollars into a interchangeable lens system, or major expense expanding and supporting one you have, you want the system to be supported long enough to recover at least something on your system.
Think about the folks who bought new Sony flashes last year as part of their long term building of their Sony system. And Sony switches to a new flash mount that’s not really compatable with anything. Shoving them out the door on adapters.
Depending on adapters for the main part of your system is only a very small step from not being supported at all. It’s a sign of no commitment on the part of Sony. I certainly get the impression that my Sony system is a dead end based on the A mount in what’s been going on at Sony, step by step. And if I don’t now Sony will dump some other part of their system to remind me.
Carl
5 months ago |“Think about the folks who bought new Sony flashes last year as part of their long term building of their Sony system. And Sony switches to a new flash mount that’s not really compatable with anything. Shoving them out the door on adapters.”
Isn’t that exactly what Minolta did at the end of the 80s, though? At least they’re staying true to Minolta’s ADHD way of running their camera business. In fact, they did it twice, as non-HSD flashes won’t work on digital bodies other than the RD175 and RD3000.
LensIsAll
5 months ago |Minolta changed flash system only several months after the bayonet, so you essentially invested into a new photo system. It was nothing alike what they did now.
a900andanex5
5 months ago |Andrea’s 2nd point yesterday was that:
“Plan of a FF SLT release in 2013 have been dropped to fully focus the development resources on that FF mirrorless camera”
There were a lot of rumors of Sony developing a 2nd FF A-mount camera in the spring, with higher specs and I read lots of people saying that that was the camera they’d be interested in, rather than the video hybrid A99. (including me)
So it’s not too surprising that the rumour that these options have been shelved is a big disappointment; even though a FF E-mount is exciting news
SanKuKai
5 months ago |Looking for a companion for my beloved A77, and a true match for my FF Minolta glass, I was also very much looking forward to that 2nd FF A-mount camera in 2013, even though it would probably be even more expensive than the A99 (beyond my budget). At least it would have been very interesting to see where Sony FF A-mount camera technology will be in about half a year, in stead of a year and a half.
And also I was hoping the release of a new higher end FF camera would maybe lower the price of the A99 :p
Any clue or rumor if we’re gonna see a higher-end version of the A77 in 2013 ? Maybe they could do a RX-100 trick with that one … a revolutionary bigger better sensor in between APS-C and FF ; ) … but guess they couldn’t make that compatible with current lens system …
Stu
5 months ago |How many of the expected 4 A-mount lens in 2013 will be FF ?. Or will they be mainly DT lens to suit the new batch of APS-C cameras rumoured ?
LensIsAll
5 months ago |Some will be DT, some will be FF. Most FF though.
WK
5 months ago |All those lenses that are the support for A mount continuing in the Admin statement are only rumors too, and in his own explanation about rumors is that one cannot trust them to happen. Sounds like building a house of cards.
And on top of that all of them are either warm over’s of existing lenses, or focal lengths we have in good lenses that are available. Nothing new there.
And making NEX their top camera they will be making a statement about what they consider important in camera systems. It’s a camera system, not just a stand alone camera body involved. Like no real telephoto in that system. Poor flash support, poor viewfinder support. It’s things like the implication of what Sony taking yet another step away from full systems that’s more what I as an A mount user find a problem. The NEX is unlikely ever to be a full system, and an adapter for the lenses won’t make it so either. It’s a system that at it’s upper end is being supported by a steadily decreasing supply of no longer made lenses from the film days.
oskar
5 months ago |To me, the true benefit of alpha and e-mount is the compatibility between the systems. There might be slightly better mirrorless professional systems, and there might be better overall professional DSLR-systems, but no other brand can compete with la-ea2 functionality or focus peaking functionality. Here lies Sonys momentum, and therefore they are doing the right thing trying to push the hybrid product line. I just hope the hybrid feels and acts like a true hybrid when it comes out – and not like a nex with an adapter on. Somebody suggested the adapter could contain more than just the AF-system – maybe a grip. Good idea, I think. Bettery life is an issue too.
Mike
5 months ago |Have we heard a strong and explicit commitment from Sony about keeping the A-mount? I doubt we have and I doubt we will.
Sony is by far the most likely vendor to drop their DSLR mount. I am not saying how likely that is, but the probability for it to happen with Sony is much higher than with Canon or Nikon. It only takes a CEO that is struggling and needs to cut costs and show short-term success no matter what, and the A-mount could be history.
John Maverick
5 months ago |Do you mean apart from the 3 new cameras set to be released, and 4 new lenses, as well as the best DSLR on the market that’s just been released?
Mike
5 months ago |Releasing new cameras and a couple of lenses is no long-term commitment at all. But has Sony actually SAID they are committed to keeping the A-mount for like the next 5-10 years?
John Maverick
5 months ago |Fair point. At the same time, actions speak louder than words. And there’s nothing to guarantee that a manufacturer stay true to their public statements (Actually talking about ‘commitments’ is likely to attract the wrong kind of publicity).
Steve
5 months ago |Sony is in no hurry to do anything A-Mount and I don’t see that changing soon.
I see the A-Mount slowly dying away
And maybe that’s for the best in the long run.
I still might buy that Zeiss 50f/14
WK
5 months ago |All those are rumors only. No firm commitment from Sony on them. As the Admin stated rumors are not to be trusted.
JSWINNYC
5 months ago |Cameras with mirrors are obsolete. A-mount is designed for mirrors. A-mount is therefore obsolete. Nikon and Canon face bigger problems in this area than Sony – they have no plan. A-Mount users should be confident that there will be a mirror less A-mount adapter for FF Nex camera (that will surely have on-sensor PDAF). So, this means you just leave the adapter on if you shoot A-mount. The fear of this change is simply ignorance.
I say all of this as pro with tens of thousands in Canon gear, and an NEX 7. The Nex FF can’t come soon enough.
Marcel
5 months ago |“Cameras with mirrors are obsolete”: That’s pure wishful thinking of Sony fanboys. Current sales figures and hordes of former A-Mount users selling their gears and changing to Nikon or Canon are telling a different story.
jswinNYC
5 months ago |Well, as I said, I shoot Canon, Sony only a little. Why do cameras have mirrors? They are a hold-over from analog cameras, pure and simple. You can deny this ’till you’re blue in the face, but it won’t change the fact that in a digital world, mirrors are, yes, obsolete. And certainly, they will be gone form ALL cameras in 10 years, and from most cameras in a lot less than that.
Don Cox
5 months ago |I completely agree with you. The mirror reflex system is bulky, expensive and obsolete.
Have you checked out the Canon-to-NEX adapters with autofocus ?
a900andanex5
5 months ago |Once we get a mirrorless camera which has the anti-shake on the sensor, I’ll consider the A-mount adaptor a viable option.
Until then my A-mount lenses are all over 3-stops worse on mirrorless, and for me, Sony remain vulnerable to being easily leapfrogged by any company that beats them to a large sensor mirrorless with anti-shake.
minornik
5 months ago |cliche: “a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush”. Use what you have now and don’t expect what comes in the future is what you’ll need.
Mars Observer
5 months ago |Exactly. Rumors are rumors, not fact.
When it comes to the long-term plan I doubt that even Sony knows the future for *certain* – so much will be dictated by the market, and the competition. It has to be, as it’s vital for Sony to respond to market changes, and remain competitive, in order to thrive in the market (and we ALL want that – whether you’re an e-mount or an a-mount owner).
However, by Sony’s own admission (and to the annoyance of NEX owners), they simply haven’t had the resources to deliver a lot of good e-mount lenses. I can completely see them (and agree with their decision) to focus on the e-mount line now, and direct their limited resources into that area.
**BUT** I do have one concern Andrea over the statement “The NEX FF I heard about has 100% support for all A-mount lenses. Which means that AF speed will be as fast as it gets, like on current A-mount cameras.”
If I were an a-mount owner, ’100% support’ would imply to me that my a-mount would be stabilized on the FF NEX. I’m not sure that is the case, and would hate for a-mounter to get their hopes on on that front…
I wonder if your source has any info they can share about the stabilization issue.
ibluetooth
5 months ago |I have a question. Why couldn’t Sony build IBIS into the adapter? – like an LA-EA2 but slightly bigger? Wouldn’t that take care of the worries about no OSS in the previous Sony Zeiss lenses?
Or is that physically impossible?
yong
5 months ago |35mmf1.8 review: http://youtu.be/bjZYLT2suKo
Kevin
5 months ago |I think it would be a dumb idea for Sony to get rid of there mirror slt design. It is called by Sony as a Filter. Using it as a means to Filter your images is the Road I’d like to see them go. A changing filter cam would pose a better design. Canon might have the edge in low light because their mirror gets out of the way including Nikon, but sony has the ability to say we have a built in Filter design cam and full auto focus with a filter in the path of light.
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |Well, for all we know sony might just be clearing out slt core stock using the new cameras released next year? lol
well jokes aside, i did some reverse thinking…
would it be viable if they did hybrid a+e mount with a switch button on the lens instead?
that will make one single lens system for both for lens from then on.
of cause they could throw OSS on it too.
Just that the weight would probably be alot heavier, but OSS IQ should be better than IBIS.
And the additional cost, but in long run might be for the better solution to save cost and unify R&D works.
calxn
5 months ago |Well, I guess Sony will keep Alpha around in the same way that Olympus is keeping the E series around.
Stef.
5 months ago |What speaks against them bringing out a ff Nex next year (2013) and the year after a replacement for the A99, which will be mirrorless but similar body size to the A99. If the body is bigger IBIS can be incorporated and you can use your A mount lenses?
I really do not understand all these negative rumors, nobody has said they will drop A mount! I believe the ff frame Nex is one step into the direction of mirrorless cameras and not the end of the A mount.
And for the record: I am heavily invested in the A mount with A99; A77; A100 and all CZ lenses, STF, Sigma 100-300 f4; Sony 70-200G and many more lenses plus other accessories, incl. four Sony flashes.
Stef
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |Instead of seeing it as negative rumors, take it in another way that there are actually lots of people interested in FF NEX.
BUT only if they would fix the issues surrounding it.
I too agree that it is a good move to use FF NEX as test ground and get so money back for FF mirrorless a-mount a half a year to a year later(any longer is bad… very bad!).
With this test ground, they can figure out things they should fix before FF mirrorless a-mount and drop SLT altogether that could well be the reason why there was no other alternatives after a99.
I take it that technology has mature to do FF mirrorless, with RX1 as test ground.
In my opinion a99 has yet achieve enough market share and with no other cheaper alternatives, consumers will buy from other camps.
It is a realistic world.
jswinnyc
5 months ago |What advantage would a “full frame mirrorless A-mount” have over a full frame NEX with A-mount adapter? Zero? Less than zero, since you can’t then use FF NEX lenses? Remember, with on-sensor PDAF, an adapter to A-mount is just a tube with electronic contacts. It would not change the performance of the lenses in any way (unlike the LA-EA2 on NEX). So an A-mount FF mirrorless would just be the FF NEX camera with the “tube” built into the body? That’s just silly. If there is a full frame NEX, I think it’s almost certainly the end of Sony A-mount lens development, since there would be no practical/performance reason to develop a separate A-mount camera body. It would not, however, be the end of A-mount usefulness. No one need panic.
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |“What advantage would a “full frame mirrorless A-mount” have over a full frame NEX with A-mount adapter? Zero? Less than zero, since you can’t then use FF NEX lenses?”
Gosh… advantages? it has every single advantage over a toy NEX.
Why do we need to use FF NEX Lenses for? They are not really that important.
“Remember, with on-sensor PDAF, an adapter to A-mount is just a tube with electronic contacts. It would not change the performance of the lenses in any way (unlike the LA-EA2 on NEX). So an A-mount FF mirrorless would just be the FF NEX camera with the “tube” built into the body? That’s just silly.”
On sensor PDAF huh? i too wish Sony would be able to release it, else it is just a pipe dream.
If they do it would help reduce the size of the camera, but i expect to be able to do on-sensor PDAF, they would need dual bioiz. which the NEX doesnt have the space and price to offer?
“If there is a full frame NEX, I think it’s almost certainly the end of Sony A-mount lens development, since there would be no practical/performance reason to develop a separate A-mount camera body. It would not, however, be the end of A-mount usefulness. No one need panic.”
I’m amazed, you contradicted what you said yourself.
Lastly, even if it means the end of a-mount.
They would not disappear for the next 5 years.
Just look at minolta lens, still alive and kicking some even on NEX.
But then NEX systems just isnt going cut it if your doing professional work in front of your client.
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |[wicked version reply]
“Gosh… advantages? it has every single advantage over a toy NEX.
Why do we need to use FF NEX Lenses for? They are not really that important.”
ADAPTERS! Just buy more adapters for your FF NEX lenses!! Didnt you guys just like adapters?! HAHAHAH
“On sensor PDAF huh? i too wish Sony would be able to release it, else it is just a pipe dream.
If they do it would help reduce the size of the camera, but i expect to be able to do on-sensor PDAF, they would need dual bioiz. which the NEX doesnt have the space and price to offer?”
Come on, NEX is just a toy to get money from you rich pro-consumer.
Its not for professional work, stop making weird dreams out of it.
“I’m amazed, you contradicted what you said yourself.
Lastly, even if it means the end of a-mount.
They would not disappear for the next 5 years.
Just look at minolta lens, still alive and kicking some even on NEX.
But then NEX systems just isnt going cut it if your doing professional work in front of your client.”
So, the NEX toy system is going to need some many parts and pieces to do some decent work.
I wonder why even bother trying, since you would end up paying money you should not need to and having the size balloon up into imbalance proportions.
End of the day why trouble yourself, Sony will release another FF SLT or FF Mirrorless after the FF NEX.
Jswinnyc
5 months ago |Yes, well, repetition of the ignorance and paranoia abound. On-sensor PDAF exists. There will not be a Sony full frame NEX without it (likelihood is, what, 95%?), and it will be a dual focus system with CDAF. Sure, dual processors are likely, and so little bit bigger body, but NEX is not a body size, it is a lens mount a flange distant that allows NO ROOM FOR MIRROR BOX. That’s it – it can be as big or small as the engineers choose. If you think that there will not be on-sensor PDAF, of course, you want to stay with your mirror, I understand. But if you allow for the possibility of on-sensor PDAF, there is no reason to maintain the A-mount, except for those who are uncomfortable with change. There are two big camera companies I can think of that make money catering to those uncomfortable with change, but that’s a dangerous game. When change comes, it tends to come very quickly, and as I’ve said before, Nikon and Canon are not ready for it.
Sony NEX 7 is a very cable camera, but has many major problems and annoyances. I use it whenever I can despite these issues, because it takes great photos (often better than my Canon full frame). Yes, Sony has to prove itself in the pro space, and NEX has a ways to go. But if you like A99 or A77, what do you have to fear? Sony could make the exact same system of menus, exact same kind of user experience, in a FF NEX (though I image the control wheel setup of NEX 7 will stay, because it is superb and unique to Sony).
You ask why would you want FF NEX lenses? Ask that question of someone who has shot with Leica or Contax lenses for analog mirror less (rangefinder) cameras. When you are not forced to design retro focus lenses, the optics can usual be better, and often much, much better. And wouldn’t you like to shoot Leica lenses on your Sony camera? No, I forgot, you would rather have fewer options.
It is not a contradiction to say that FF NEX means the end of A-mount development, but not the usefulness of existing lenses. Perhaps a better way of saying it is that A-mount lenses will not be orphaned, since they will retain full function on a FF NEX. If you love your CZ 135 on A99, you will likely love it more when there isn’t a translucent mirror in the way.
Anyway, if you want traditional film-style cameras, for now you have other choices in the marketplace – just not with Sony, and that won’t change. What may change is how many choices for traditional film-style cameras you have in future from any manufacturer. I say not many.
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |On-sensor PDAF for NEX? 95% likely it would NOT make it to NEX System.
Like what was said before, why PDAF? Its for sports and video taking.
What is NEX system for? pro-consumer, so it ain’t gonna happen, dream all you like, its just not coming.
Who would buy a bigger body NEX as a pro-consumer for travel?
How could they answer the additional cost to the marketing and sales dept? tough luck i say!
Well you really do not understand anything do you?
Most of us in sony camp would probably probably pre-order a FF Mirrorless A-mount camera any day.
SLT technology is only a step stone to full mirrorless.
The earlier they could drop SLT the better it is for all of us.
Ok, so you say drop the A-mount?
And once they do that, so does the current 6 lens on A-mount that supports AF-D.
Any e-mount lens support? NONE.
How sony how? Seems like they have no idea either huh with you knowing more than they do?
Using NEX 7 to take better photos than your Canon full frame is amazing.
I am in awe of your NEX skills and so what happened to your canon full frame skills?
I’m not in fear of anything sony does, i sold everything i had with sony.
SLT, NEX, CyberShot.
It is not that i dislike sony, i do like my sony cameras but sony’s unknown future is just to unstable to invest my money in.
Until sony can decide and be true and dedicated to their own camera system, they would not be getting my dollars anymore.
Unfortunately, chances that FF NEX 9 would just be a NEX 7 with full frame sensor. That’s just sony style. Hopefully they proof me wrong for you, else it would be just sad to see what was released a year later just to be disappointed again and sony has to deal with lack of sales again.
Why would we want FF NEX E-Mount lenses on a FF Mirrorless A-Mount?
We have better range and aperture on ALL our lenses, more than E-mount lenses ever have.
I really wonder what fewer options did we lose?
Compared to NEX, being dependent on 3rd party lens like Leica and Contax does not sound good to FF NEX lenses at all… not at all.
I agree that having a mirrorless FF without a translucent mirror will be great but just not on a FF NEX.
If sony really did what you say to a-mount, sony would have a major fall in market share.
All sony professional/semi-professional would dump all their sony equipment.
And with their disappointment, they would not buy a sony product for another 5 years to 10 years when sony finally manages to get the e-mount lenses up to scratch to the current lenses a-mount has to offer.
And sony cameras would only be labelled as a non-professional camera for the same amount of time.
Lastly like what i repeated so many times.
FF NEX e-mount will not be the end point, but just a stepping stone and testing ground.
Unfortunately for you to know, NEX system will always be a test system since its for traveling.
You can see NEX system 2nd hand prices, their prices do not hold their price as fast as other dslrs.
You can also see how fast sony releases NEX bodies and discontinue them, it is crazy.
A FF Mirrorless a-mount should be target sony should be aiming for in order to retain their professional customers.
Stef.
5 months ago |The advantage of a mirrorless replacement for tge A99 is size. I have the Nex 5 and while I love it as a travel companion I prefer the A99 for “serious” work. With longer lenses it is for me at least much easier to handle.
Frankly, as long as I can use all my A mount lenses with some sort of steady shot function on the camera and as long as the camera body is BIGGER than any of the Nex models, then I do not really care whether they call it Nex or Alpha. It might very well be a hybrid between the two systems, who knows.
One last point though, I do believe that they need to offer some sort of professional camera. If I were a newcomer to photograpy and I would invest into the Nex system I would very likely want to have some kind of upgrade system in place whereby I can later on change to a more professional camera.
What I really can not see happening is to get us into a situation where we ate unable to use our lenses any longer.
Stef.
Wayne summers
5 months ago |I think the better the nex does the better the A-mount will do. I think a good ff nex will help sell ff A mount. Sony cameras are on par with nikon and canon for the most part and I personally like having one brand with interchangable lenses that I can use on 2 or 3 cameras at a time.
WK
5 months ago |I have 4 camera bodies that all take A mount lenses, and behave exactly the same way with each of my A mount lenses. And often I have several along with different lenses on each, to make a ready to grab system that won’t slow my photography. Two different bodies will behave differently and have to be used differently, even if the same company produced both.
Actually I do have two different Sony camera systems. DSLR and Bridge Camera. The common ground those have to live in with me is what I want to photograph.
I’m not against NEX as NEX. But it’s not an A mount system. An adapter won’t make it into an A mount system. Though Sony can support so little in A mount to pretend they are the same, they certainly are already well on their way in that. Right now NEX is not a stable system that one can build on. Even adding in bits from A mount and third party and it’s still a mixture trying to figure out what it is as a system.
Want to put out a FF NEX? And it be “mirrorless”? Fine, that does not amount to any progress as a photographic system. Where I see this latest rumor if it’s real going is creating a more mixed up system, not a more organized photography system. Less that works together.
Like the a700, we are in a period where there is lots of denial, lots of assurances that the a700 line would continue back then. And it did not. There is plenty in what we know now to not be assured about the A mount system entirely now. I would say most who are worrying about A mount really hope what they are seeing does not happen and they don’t have to spend on a new system. They are not being anti Sony in doing this.
Jerry
5 months ago |+1
Sony keeps A-mount user uncertain about mount future, that’s why there are from time to time rumors about Sony abandoning
SLR type cameras.
Uncertainty is bad for business
Long wait for A-700 successor was bad for business.
Sony is wasting time and money by changing their road map.
Overpricing A-99 means loosing sale and people switching brands
Nikon great deal on D-600 means also locking customers on their mount and consequently higher sale of lenses.
It must have been great holiday season sale for Nikon and probably miserable sale for A-99.
Slow sale means higher cost per unit to recuperate R&D costs and will give Sony managers reason to delay new products in that class.
It is silly not to have FF camera in $2000 range.
So enthusiasts have to choose between APS-C A-77 for $1400
(- temp. rebate $300:$1100) or FF A-99 for $2800.
Totally ridiculous.
I was hoping for A-99 rebate.It did not happen.
I did not buy the camera and I am holding on buying any Sony lenses.
JustSoldMySLT
5 months ago |+2
Well Sony is known for abandoning things.
Look at their MD, and SLR cameras.
Agreed, D600 deal is too good to ignore.
[wicked version reply]
Well, Sony should just drop SLT altogether! Go Full Mirrorless!!!
YEAH! drop a mount and e mount too while your at it! both are crap!
Create new f mount that supports full PDAF & AF-D!
MrLee
5 months ago |a99 = Fullframe a77
This thing will be a Fullframe Nex 7..
Sony loves remixing cameras yealy now… Like an above poster said Stop the ‘incremental’ stuff Sony… Produce what you are capable of… And not this “Best Buy” stores special type camera….
Alexey Ozerov
5 months ago |3 new APS-C SLT – what good in it? Been bored of A77 I see many of that problem in 99 too – but 99 cost > 3000$ and i got just little update in terms of picture quality – not cot compared with money difference. FF NEX with small battery isnt an option for me. So for me this is real bad news
Good
5 months ago |I do have confident to Sony and A-mount. Why?
1.) DI division is one of the big money making now. So Sony will put a lot of effort in R&D.
2.) Nex can only be for leisure or the B-cam as back up due to its design. Short battery life and compactness (heat problem / ergo). There is no way to mount a big telephoto lens or accessaries with good ergo balance. Body is too small to put control buttons/switches at good location. Plus, no way to have IBIS in E mount. Heat is the biggest enemy for a compact design. Cannot use powerful ICs (more heat) in the circuitry.
3.) It is nice to see they develop mirrorless FF Nex because they will then have no problem to put that sensor in an A mount.
4.) For now, due to the semiconductor development, there is no way to have a good on sensor PDAF without sacrificing the IQ.
5.) IMO A99 is by far the best among D800 and mk3 when all these take into account: DR/IQ/iso noise/focus speed. What I mean is when you look at just 1 or 2 items above, D800 and mk3 may be better, but a good camera should be capable for all of the above. Especially the Fast focus is vital to sport or wildlife shoot. You do not want to miss a highlight shot because the camera not focusing fast enough. In contrast, at controllable condition, says studio portrait, I think all camera perform the same at final real world output nowadays.
6.) anyways, after 4-5 years, when the semiconductor (sensor) is really capable for PDAF, when Sony release the next flagship, it will be mirrorless and it will be A mount and it will definitely better then the FF nex next year. So I will not worry to invest in A mount lenses now.
7.) after all, a Nex is Nex, alpha is alpha.
Nex: compact, light duty, semi-pro, B-cam.
Alpha: big, heavy duty, pro, A-cam.