Worldwide Sony lens price increase coming in April :(
First we had that price increase in Hong Kong, than the rumored price increase in USA. Now one of my trusted sources told me that Sony is going to increase the price almost EVRYEWHERE 
This means that also European and other Asian countries will see new price increases. I don’t have exact info about how much the prices will raise. I only know you will see them in April
For now our USA readers can enjoy an Instant Rebate action at Bhphoto (Click here). It last until March 3th. And from April 1 the party is over with the following price increase:
| Model | Effective 9/1/11 | Effective 4/1/12 | Price Diff | |
| SAL1635Z | $1,899.99 | $1,999.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL1680Z | $849.99 | $999.99 | $150.00 | |
| SAL2470Z | $1,799.99 | $1,999.99 | $200.00 | |
| SAL24F20Z | $1,299.99 | $1,399.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL85F14Z | $1,499.99 | $1,699.99 | $200.00 | |
| SAL135F18Z | $1,599.99 | $1,799.99 | $200.00 | |
| SAL70300G | $899.99 | $999.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL70400G | $1,799.99 | $1,999.99 | $200.00 | |
| SAL35F14G | $1,399.99 | $1,499.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL300F28G | $6,299.99 | $6,999.99 | $700.00 | |
| SAL100M28 | $749.99 | $799.99 | $50.00 | |
| SAL1118 | $699.99 | $799.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL135F28 | $1,299.99 | $1,399.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL14TC | $499.99 | $549.99 | $50.00 | |
| SAL16105 | $649.99 | $699.99 | $50.00 | |
| SAL1650 | $699.99 | $799.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL16F28 | $899.99 | $999.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL18250 | $599.99 | $649.99 | $50.00 | |
| SAL1855/BQ | $199.99 | $219.99 | $20.00 | |
| SAL20F28 | $649.99 | $749.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL20TC | $499.99 | $549.99 | $50.00 | |
| SAL2875 | $799.99 | $899.99 | $100.00 | |
| SAL35F18 | $199.99 | $219.99 | $20.00 | |
| SAL50F14 | $399.99 | $449.99 | $50.00 | |
| SAL50F18 | $149.99 | $169.99 | $20.00 | |
| SAL50M28 | $529.99 | $599.99 | $70.00 | |
| SAL85F28 | $249.99 | $299.99 | $50.00 | |
| SEL18200 | $799.99 | $899.99 | $100.00 | |
| SEL24F18Z | $999.99 | $1,099.99 | $100.00 | |
| SEL30M35 | $249.99 | $279.99 | $30.00 | |
| no price increase: | ||||
| SAL18200 | $549.99 | $549.99 | $0.00 | |
| SAL1870 | $179.99 | $179.99 | discontinued | |
| SAL30M28 | $199.99 | $199.99 | $0.00 | |
| SAL55200/2 | $199.99 | $199.99 | $0.00 | |
| SAL70200G | $1,999.99 | $1,999.99 | $0.00 | |
| SAL75300 | $249.99 | $249.99 | $0.00 | |
| SEL16F28 | $249.99 | $249.99 | $0.00 | |
| SEL1855 | $299.99 | $299.99 | $0.00 | |
| SEL50F18 | $299.99 | $299.99 | $0.00 | |
| SEL55210 | $349.99 | $349.99 | $0.00 |
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Comment from Abu Baqer: I agree 50mm f1.8 good lens.
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Mark
4 months ago |Well way to screw over your users, was planning to buy the 50mm 1.8 in june but now i’m not so sure anymore
Andrew Reid
4 months ago |Yeah, I can understand how a $0.00 price increase on the 50mm F1.8 would change your mind Mark.
Allan
4 months ago |That’s the E lens
Jonathan
3 months ago |Also I think perhaps Mark could possible be like me, waiting to see how much local prices will increase (I’m from Australia) and if it does in fact go up I’m going to be checking out how much it will cost me to change systems as we are ripped off enough as it is…
Matt
3 months ago |When the HK price increase was rumoured a guy who worked for a ‘large Australian photo dealer’ said that the prices of all Sony lenses had just come down here in Aus as as you say we are getting absolutely ripped off as it is! Hope that that still holds true, although I import all my gear from HK.
Denis
4 months ago |OMG
even this “zeiss” sonnar 24 is getting pricier
I didn’t get what the hype about this _just good_ lens, which just doesn’t worth its price and this becames even more ridiculous.
C
4 months ago |What’s wrong with it?
Denis
4 months ago |It’s just not good enough.
Dummy00002
4 months ago |Not good enough, but still better than the rest of the NEX crap.
D.Ortego
4 months ago |I agree. The ZA 24 isn’t that great in my view. I purchased it and returned it within days.
Solo
4 months ago |they are talking about emount
Joe
4 months ago |Well time to buy now I guess
Jonathan
3 months ago |Mmmmmm, or time to re-evaluate your purchase and see if it’s worth switching systems or not… I was about to upgrade to an A77 but if Sony is going to increase prices further on lenses in Australia… all purchase plans are on hold (I’m not being rushed/forced to buy before an increase!) and if I can switch systems and it’s viable I might just do that…
Wheelus
4 months ago |Got the 11-18 with the rebate a few weeks ago. That’s $650 US as compared to the new price of $800. Time to act if you can afford it.
Carl
3 months ago |Or get a second hand Tamron badged version for half that.
Vivek
4 months ago |This is sales gimmick and nothing else!
Why would they spread a rumor that the prices will go up soon and offer cash back now? ???
The prices would drop, at least, in Europe. Who is going to buy these things when they are already over priced?!?
Ed
4 months ago |1 April you say.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.
And all continents the same time.mmmm
This must be a 1 April joke.
haha.
kalpurush :)
4 months ago |If the news is true, it would be a shame for Sony. Sony did increased lens price in last November 2011 and now they are planning to increase it again? This is totally unacceptable and “cheap” business policy IMHO.
extra|ordinary
4 months ago |This would be an unfortunate move by Sony. The prices for many of these lenses are already seen as excessive, so this is really adding insult to injury.
I fortunately just bought the Zeiss 24/1.8 E-mount lens yesterday, which was the only Sony brand lens I had planned to buy in the foreseeable future. In fact, I have been selling off more Sony lenses than I have been buying. That said, I am looking to purchase a 24-70ZA, but have already decided to look for second hand copies, as the price new is already too high for me to justify.
Garreth
4 months ago |On the bright side the glass you own just increased in value. If I ever want to sell my 16-35 or 24-70 I could sell them used for more than I paid for them new a year and a half ago. Doing better than my other investments.
Stewe
4 months ago |It’s finally dead. Screw it, i’l better buy manual glasses with adapter.
Rick
4 months ago |Sometimes I really wonder if Sony wants to build a user base.
Sonyman
4 months ago |Well, for me as a user planning to buy the first and an complete new system its a very bad news … first the A55 became more expensive (and then discontinued) and now all the lenses will be increased in price. Maybe I should think about my plan to make my first system a Sony one and move to m43 like Panasonic GH2 :-/
bad move Sony, bad move … first we had to wait a very long time because of the flood, and now that?
Jonathan
3 months ago |NO Full frame camera’s available from Sony and replacement full frame camera’s delayed as other lines have been of recent times as well, lens prices apparently going up increasing, stock shortages and we are suppose to believe Sony is trying had to sell their products and take market share from Cannon/Nikon? Sorry but I could think of better ways to get market share and look after your existing customers to how Sony has been travelling over the last couple years!
Carneiro
4 months ago |This is a good opportunity for Sigma and Tokina….
There are several interesting Sigma lenses that can give a beating on sony:
the 50mm 1.4, the 85m 1.4, the 70-200 OS, and why not forget…the 300mm 2.8 and the 500mm 4.5…specially this latter one…
Trent
4 months ago |the sigma 50mm 1.4 is a good lens. I also have the discontinued 70-200 f2.8 macro. way better option then buying over priced sony glass.
waldomarek
4 months ago |so the already expensive zeiss 24mm just got even more expensive?! WTF seriously sony -_- i was most likely gonna buy one in the future but now i have to rethink it
Johannes
4 months ago |But why?! And will it go back down again? $100 is a huge increase! I want a Nikon now…
Jeff
4 months ago |Why does this surprise anyone? Sony doesn’t have much of a choice, especially after the rough year they had with quakes, tsunamis, floods, and hackers all of which cost them massive losses in profits. In the big picture these price hikes are pretty minimal and are still more than competitive with regards to Nikanon’s numbers.
Stop crying. How many of you run a business anyway?
Adriaantie
4 months ago |Loser,
to make money you offer something better than the competition. Superb cheap/expensive lenses or cheap medium lenses. Now Sony got nothing only medium expensive lenses.
kalpurush :)
4 months ago |@ Jeff
One of the reasons I am a Sony camera user is the cost. Compare to CaNikon, Sony has offered us same value (or,better) camera and lenses at a lower price.
Now, if the prices are same, why anyone should buy Sony camera products?
Unlike CaNikon, Sony offers limited customer service worldwide with many other limitations.
If you take off the lower price, there is less incentives for buyers to go with Sony.
Does it make a business sense?
Jeff
4 months ago |Don’t call me something here you wouldn’t have the balls to call me to my face.
This site needs better moderation. I’m sick of watching it go down the toilet in these comments. It’s become nothing but a litany of complaints by crybabies.
Jeff
4 months ago |Sony wouldn’t be raising prices if they didn’t feel it was necessary. The price hikes are reflective of many changes in markets globally. The price hikes are also still below the cost of Nikanon for most of the product in a similar class.
Less bitching and moaning and more thought about what is necessitating the increase would better serve any and all discourse.
Mediocre minds do nothing but complain because it takes ZERO talent to do so.
Hello World
4 months ago |It seems to me you’re the one who keeps crying! Calm down! It’s a free world.
Jonathan
3 months ago |No offence Jeff but you are the one stating Sony does not have any choice (please explain how to confirmed this?) Is there lens division running at a loss? If Im’ not mistaken Tamron do allot of work with Sony and if you check the prices of Tamron lenses they are ‘less’ than Sony’s so I’m rather sure Sony could sell for less or the same price as Tamron if they wanted to and still make a profit as Tamron does. Sony should have been insured for allot of the disasters and had better security in place from the hackers (that’s not my problem it’s there’s). Sony is not Kikanon and they need to buy market share, better pricing has helped them and me to is a reason I chose Sony initially and/or they have to have significantly better product to get the market share… looks like they will soon have neither of these points (similarly pricing and similar products but will less support, less second hand market, less repair/parts..etc..etc..) Why would new comers chose Sony if they are around the same price as the others yet offer less?
Jeff
3 months ago |Oh brother.
“The eagle never wasted so much time as when he submitted to learn from the crow.”
Quake/tsunami/nuclear plant failures (over 16,000 dead, tens of thousands injured, tens of thousands homeless, all having horrendous impact on Japanese economy and businesses which effects global economy on a multitude of levels).
Massive flooding that occurs once in a hundred years wiping out stock, shutting down production, laying off thousands of employees, hurting an already damaged economy…
Hackers infiltrating personal customers’ accounts (which means they targeted the people and NOT Sony). Way to blame the victims. I guess you’d blame a woman for getting raped because she forgot to lock her door as well.
Sony doing what they can to get over these disasters and still pushing their technology all while holding in the third position behind much more established brands in Nikon and Canon and STILL offering competitively priced, quality product.
You guys are so incredibly selfish. You’re only thinking about yourselves and not seeing the much bigger picture. The world doesn’t revolve around you. Grow up, learn to run a business that requires heavy r&d and serious ri$k taking, grow a heart, then get back to me when you’ve been out in the real world and actually learned something of value that is relevant to this discussion.
Or just jump over to Nikanon already. But I’m sure you’d have plenty to cry about over there as well.
“A fault finder will find faults even in paradise.”
Abu Baqer
3 months ago |Jeff, you are the only one to me who wants to be defending Sony actions here. You mention many reasons why Sony will increase there prices. But you forgot to mention also mostly all manufactures camera as Sony who located in Japan and had others in other countries as Sony and they didn’t increase any cent yet on there production except Sony, Sony, Sony….. Sony. Also Sony company not responsible of all disaster to build Japan again as I understand from your comments/replied. Sony didn’t control Japan (so what the hell Japan government doing).
Jeff
3 months ago |Abu Barker,
Yes, you and all the other whiners are right and I’m wrong. Sony is out to get you all. They are greedy corporate slime looking to gouge their loyal customers and turn everyone to Nikanon because that’s what’s good for their business.
Give a man a nickel and he’ll bitch it ain’t a quarter. “I’ll take a ditch and a flamethrower for twenty, Chuck!”
kalpurush :)
3 months ago |Your comments lack respects for others and represents the mind of a cyber-hooligan!
kalpurush :)
3 months ago |Nicely said Jonathan
Jeff
3 months ago |Your comments lack the humility more often found in people less inclined to mindlessly complain about an issue as much as put in the hard yards necessary to do the required research to figure out why a company, like Sony, would feel the need to raise their prices.
You should spend less time here arguing with people you are clearly out of your depth taking on and more time doing the homework on this issue. Do yourself the favor.
Tennes
3 months ago |Quakes, tsunamis, floods, and whatelse?
ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT AN EXCUSE. It is the risk management. You cannot push your problems to your own customer !!!
Not only did Sony suffer from these incidents, Nikon and Canon also faced the same thing.
Nikon may be worse. They got tsunami at their major factory at Sendai, then got the flood in another main factory in Thailand. Did they increase their lens and bodies price?
Well done SONY …. Well done indeed
I will start the plan to sell my SONY gears soon.
Abu Baqer
3 months ago |+1
“I will start the plan to sell my SONY gears soon”
I’m not selling anything just I’ll do it with hard way.
Don'z
4 months ago |FYI. Malaysia already silently increase the price….
Jeff
4 months ago |Grow a brain.
Jeff
3 months ago |Sorry Don’z, that was for H.W.
Jonathan
3 months ago |Jeff just a few post ago you said “Don’t call me something here you wouldn’t have the balls to call me to my face. This site needs better moderation. I’m sick of watching it go down the toilet in these comments….”
Now you are saying things like “Grow a brain”, no offence but seems a little hypocritical (you’re not helping your own cause)
Jeff
3 months ago |Who said I have a cause? You’re the ones tilting at windmills.
RVN
4 months ago |shit!! i hope the price will gonna drop soon after economy in good condition..
JD
4 months ago |Got Zeiss 24-70 with discount few days ago, it just 1667 USD. And now with new price, I must pay over $2000 USD to get one. Hope that Sony 70-200 G will not increase the price in future.
lifeispixels
4 months ago |wow… suddenly.. increasing value of my lens assets..
I hate this though… lucky I started collecting sony lens since a few years ago…
PhotoNut
4 months ago |hahaahaha
Silly Sony!
Cameras and Lenses are for Camera companies!
Luis
4 months ago |I do not run a business (@Jeff) but I”m a consumer, I want good products at good prices, it directly affects the ones of us who like this brand, who are expecting new products for our needs, not 10 cameras that do the sme thing… We have lots of Sony gear, and saying “hell, sell everything and jump to another brand”, is just not good costumer service from Sony. Today was the first day I have considered switching to another company that is really into this matter. I’m not sure yet, and I guess Sony won’t miss me anyway since it shows I am not the kind of client they’re after… (meaning that every single move from Sony is a step farther from what I’m looking for). Sad…
Rick
4 months ago |@Jeff
Quakes/Tsunami – Not Sony’s fault
Floods – partially their fault. Setting up manufacturing in a flood prone areas is not very intelligent IMO. I guess the side of a volcano is next?
Hackers – completely their fault with poor security.
Sony should still be trying to build market share and a price increase is unlikely to help. Nikon and Canon can afford to me more expensive but Sony cannot IMO.
Ingmar
4 months ago |Yeah, give me more reason to think about changing the system. Way too long times for new camera releases (A700->A77, A850/900->A9x), increasing prices, problems with video, …
Jeff
3 months ago |You completely missed the point. Fault or no they have to deal with the variables and price accordingly or *poof!* no more Sony cameras and lenses.
Y’all need to take some basic courses in economics and business.
Jonathan
3 months ago |Hi Jeff, I run a business and don’t think it’s justified (especially in the Australian market at least) Also again you seem to be the one putting people down yet you complain about it when other do, I personally would say take some of your own advice you give to others.
FlashX
4 months ago |Bummer… I was still thinking about a 50mm lens. Can’t decide to go with 50mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4. Just got A77 so I m a bit cash strapped. Might have to buy one before the prices jumps.
I heard done some research that the new 50mm f/1.8 design is really good for the price and super fast and accurate AF. But 50mm f/1.4 has the older minolta design but have awesome DOF. Some people seem to have back-focus issues and sharpness issues. Any advice guys? Which one to get for 50mm for the A77 before the jump in price?
kalpurush :)
4 months ago |*I have the a77 and Sony 50 mm / 1.8 lens which performs nicely. Beautiful colors ans fast as well.
Don’t buy the 50 /1.4 as there is a new CZ 50 mm coming soon!
lifeispixels
4 months ago |C
4 months ago |I really hope its worth it… I wouldn’t buy (new) the current 50mm f/1.4.
As a 50mm f/1.8 owner, it owns for what it is and it sucks that its price is going up.
Abu Baqer
3 months ago |I agree 50mm f1.8 good lens.
Just to add instead of buying 50mm f1.8 now ($ 150 USD) and there is 50mm f1.4 CZ ($ 500-700 USD) coming soon. You could buy old minolta 50mm f1.7 with good priced ($ 50-90 USD).
lifeispixels
4 months ago |For A77, 50f1.8 is more than enough, unless you plan to buy full frame in the future then get the 50f1.4.
I recommend getting the 50f1.8 now and later if you want to go full frame, you can find many used 50f1.4 in great condition at affordable price.
SonyA77
4 months ago |eBay. The Minolta 50mm f1.7 is half the price of the Sony f1.8
With the A77 you have MF adjust!
FK
4 months ago |The 1.7 is a little less faster, smaller and sharper.
The 1.4 is faster, has better bokeh but is also a lot softer wide open, an it has to be stoped down more then the 1.7 to deliver entirely crisp images. It is also more expensive but in return the extra light can help and the soft effect can be desirable sometimes, too.
Both lenses perfectly cover full frame.
FlashX
4 months ago |I just sold my Minolta 50mm f/1.7 1st gen one. Although it’s a nice lens. I found my copy wasn’t particularly sharp wide open and when I closed it down. I didn’t find I liked the hexagon shaped bokeh either. That’s why I sold it in hope to get a Sony 50mm f/1.4. But the more I read about it, there are more people telling me the Sony 50mm f/1.8 is the better choice for A77 because of weight, best-bang-for-buck, sharper and faster af.
The question is should I even bother with either the Sony 50mm f/1.4 or the DT f/1.8? And look for something like the Minolta 50mm f/1.7 RS.
SonyA77
3 months ago |You said you were cash strapped, hence the reason for suggesting the f1.7 at HALF the price of the f1.8.
The fact is that the f1.8 is not twice as good as the f1.7
Carl
3 months ago |I have both the Minolta 50/1.7 and the Sony 50/1.4.
At f1.7, the Sony is comfortably better in all respects bar vignetting.
SonyA77
3 months ago |I should hope so too. There is a MASSIVE cost difference.
Carl
3 months ago |The extra cost is to get aperture blades that aren’t stuck.
I think I paid about USD260 for my 50/1.4, so the cost difference wasn’t that severe. Certainly nothing like the difference between the Minolta 85G(D)LE and Sony 85/2.8.
SonyA77
3 months ago |But you aren’t cash strapped like the OP.
FK
3 months ago |From what I know the Sony 50 F1.4 is nearly the same lens as the Minolta 50 1.4 RS, just with some different coatings. The 2ns generation (RS) 50s have round aperture blades as for the 1st generation they haven’t (though I’m not a 100% shure for the 1st gen 50 F1.4).
Jeff
3 months ago |You’re clueless about markets. Do you ever bother to visit Asahi to see what’s going on with regards to Japan? Before this very moment did you even know what Asahi is? How many people that visit this site even know what I’m talking about? You think that because you run a small independent business in Oz and like Sony gear that you are immediately qualified to understand what’s going on with their company?
Do you seriously think that Sony is just out to gouge its customers? GMAFB.
Adriaantie
4 months ago |I was looking for a NEX7 but i think the OMD E-M5 is starting to look better every day……..
Vlad
4 months ago |Same here.
FlashX
4 months ago |What does NEX7 have to do with a 50mm? Take your trolling somewhere else.
Anyways, I own two M43 cameras (EP1 and GH1). Although they are nice to work with manual lenses, I find it tough to find a cheap wide angle option on this format. I mainly use it for manual lens shooting portrait. I choose a NEX 7 over E-M5 anyday.
Vlad
4 months ago |Don’t understand your first sentence.
The 9-18 Olympus is very well priced, in my opinion. The NEX-7 is obviously amazing, but now that the m43 system has a decent body, it is much more difficult to opt for the NEX lens system.
Adriaantie
4 months ago |Trolling?
I think the NEX 7 is a great body with almost no good affordable lenses. It seems Sony is a little bit in a tight spot so whats next…….More price raises in the short run. Olympus now has a great body and always had good lenses.
I am still wondering if the picture quality from the NEX7 is so much better to go for Sony instead of the full package from Olympus.
Carneiro
4 months ago |I got the Sigma 50mm 1.4 and I believe it is better than the SAL 50 1.4…let’s see what CZ comes up with…
SonyA77
4 months ago |The Sigma is better than the Sony. It’s also more expensive!
derek
4 months ago |you all are bitching! but when you get 2-3% inflation raise every year from your work then it’s ok, right?
kalpurush :)
4 months ago |You know that Sony has raised the price of lenses in last November 2011?
How come you justify to increase the price so soon again??
Vlad
4 months ago |Dude, did you see the prices above? Some increases are more than 10%. And as Kalpurush said, last November it was the same.
Carl
3 months ago |I don’t think there’d be anything more than a quiet background noise of disagreement if Sony locked their price increases to inflation. Once the increases get into the 10-20%pa. range it’s a different story, though. Few of us have bosses that generous, or customers that willing to absorb our extra costs.
Jonathan
3 months ago |No offence Derek, I think you need to check the sums, some lenses are around the 20% increase range not 2-3% also there was an increase previously as well… I don’t think it’s justified or Sony should at least offer some kind of justification as I’m failing to see it right now (In Australia we are already ripped of like crazy this could be a system changer for me personally) BUT I’m going to wait to see the changes as this is obviously a rumour and not confirmed for Australia yet so no use making rash decisions just yet.
Vivek
3 months ago |Perhaps if you are in a place where there is recession and there is no inflation raise but a deflation cut, you would not be saying this at all.
If you let everyone know the Utopia you are in that would be beneficial to both the buyers and Sony.
Jeff
3 months ago |Derek,
We’re both wasting our time reasoning with these people. How they failed to get the point of what you said is tragically laughable. I’m no longer annoyed as much as I am amused.
HEY FOLKS!: Derek isn’t referencing the price increase, he’s talking about annual inflation rates and how they affect wages, businesses, and markets.
Stop merely reacting like a knee to a mallet and use those brains.
DuffyDuck
4 months ago |This is really unacceptable. Sony is shooting itself on the feet. Hopefully we’ll get to see nice lenses soon in E-mount from Sigma and Tamron. If I was on the market today for a new camera, these news would really not encourage me to jump into the E mount (whose 2 most worthy lenses get a price increase). Bad moves Sony, bad moves, one after the other (including your new roadmap….)
Yeahhh
4 months ago |Are we talking about the official Sony price recommendation? They’re always over the top and market prices are much, much lower (at least here in Germany). There’s a average 10% increase. Who cares? Go to the next shop and get it for 20% less!
And to me, even before most Sony lenses were over-priced compared to their image and build quality, especially the Carl Zeis-lenses. The only Sony-lenses I own are the excellent 35 mm/F1,8, the 50 mm/F1,4 and the 55-200 mm/4-5,6 for my APS-C. And they are really good but cheap. Everything else is over-priced and is better bought by Tamron, Sigma or similar.
Rick
4 months ago |Sadly here in the USA list price = street price thanks to the Sony SURE program. All shops have to charge the same price.
Jack Le Boul
4 months ago |Considering what happened in 2010 & 2011 this is not unexpected.
Sony invested massively in development in NEX-5n, NEX-7, A65 and A77 without able to sell these immediately and recover its costs because of :
- The Yen has appreciated more than 20% against Euro and USD. (killing Sony margins)
- Floods in Thailand forced Sony to completely revamp its productions sites there. (increase in expenses)
- Tsunami and nuclear accident in Japan disrupted supply chain in Japan. (again increase in expenses)
I do believe that Sony should have instead increased its prices on its cameras not lenses.
Most Sony cameras are in fact priced competitively compared to m4/3, Fuji, and Nikon mirror less cameras.
D.Ortego
4 months ago |I’m tempted to pick up the ZA 24-70 but damn, after purchasing ZA 135 in December I’m not feeling so flush. Still, these prices don’t seem all that bad but its just the greed factor that makes me want to buy one before they go up!
Solo
4 months ago |You will not regret the 24-70. Fantastic walk around and professional lens.
Brett
3 months ago |I was planning on getting the ZA85F14 closer to the end of the year. I guess I’ll have to suck it up and buy sooner than later. Can’t justify burning an extra $200. But I the bright side, I feel really good about buying my ZA2470 18 months ago for $1,499.
Jakuli
4 months ago |Switch to Nikon is coming nearer and nearer. Unless the EVF in a99 is super good (I doubt that now having Nex-7) it’s goodbye Minolta/Sony
A900 Faithfull
4 months ago |sadly im joining you
Hello World
4 months ago |Same here. I really started looking at Nikon.
FlashX
4 months ago |Please flood the market with your old Alpha lens and lower the 2nd hand market price.
I will gladly look for the deals after the OVF die-hard jumps.
Clyde
4 months ago |You’ll miss your Minolta Primes too much. You’ll miss the little baby but curve of the a900 sitting comfortably in your palm. There is no other system.
Tennes
4 months ago |* Sign *
Me too.
windd
4 months ago |Looks like we are done with SONY finally?
decato
4 months ago |This is the reality. Let’s accept it. Sony is not selling huge number of these lenses like CaNikon and volume of production/sales has a huge impact on the expense to Sony. Besides, like Jeff said, there has been so many unfortunate incidents last year and the strong Yen is not helping either.
There are some decent cheap prime lenses, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm. These should cover the basic needs. There is also the new 16-50, even after the price increase it is still good value. For the other needs you can look at some good offerings from Sigma, Tamron, Tokina. Also there is still old Minolta glass you can find.
I will stay on the ship as I am a hobbyist and I can afford to use <$500 lenses and can still get impressive results. I have some sort of Minolta loyalty and I like to support Sony in their quest against the bigger camera companies.
Those of you who absolutely need the "marginal" benefits from those more expensive lenses, you can switch anytime if you think you will be better off.
Of course you can stay and keep complaining, too.
Tennes
4 months ago |Sale margin or unexpected incidents are not the excuses. It’s normal business management and you have to deal with it.
kevin
4 months ago |ouch… i was thinking nex-7 kit lens and get CZ 24mm later but looks like sony is pushing the price close to the x-pro 1 + 35mm prime.
more to think about now…
Solo
4 months ago |+1, I will jump ship if the new FF is shit though. Here’s to hoping they can set things straight.
Sam
4 months ago |Don’t like it?, then buy something else. It’s that simple…
adam
4 months ago |damn sony!….the only reason i pick sony instead of canon/nikon is becouse of their cheaper price…wel that was 3 years ago… If this is true, i will sell my a77…
dealaddict
4 months ago |Agreed. I just switched from Canon to Sony. It shouldn’t impact me because I already got what I want. But if I see this price now, I won’t switch, because I will lose too much money. I think Sony is on the wrong path. This will definitely drive people away to Canon and Nikon. And the worst part is, the lens doesn’t worth that price compare to Canon and Nikon. They are not as good but charging the same price.
sergei
4 months ago |Now that I have had the a77 and 16-50mm kit for over a month I can say that Sony offers far more bang for the buck than a comparable kit from Nikon or Canon (D300s+ Nikon 17-50 or Canon 7D + Canon 17-50) do the math and see what you get. Full frame is the same story. Sony a900 (fantastic Raw performance) plus CZ 24-70 are superb. Use any other CZ prime and you get truly amazing performance. Now a new FF model from sony will close the gap in performance with the big two.
Look at the prices of the new Nikon and Canon offerings for comparison. Sony G and CZ lenses deliver the goods at 24mp.
Andrew
4 months ago |I’m selling mine right now
Wheelus
4 months ago |I paid $650 for the Sony 11-18. Canon price for their 8-15 is $1400. The new price will still be half the price of the Canon.
FlashX
3 months ago |Those are 2 different ranges.
First of all Sony DT 11-18mm is a DT lens. A close cousin in the Canon lineup will be the Canon EF-S 10-20mm which is also a APS-C lens.
Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 – $699 (old price) $799 (new price)
Canon EF-S 10-20mm f/3.5-4.5 USM – $799
Side-by-side comparison, it seems like Canon is the better deal:
1) Both APS-C
2) Same price
3) Canon’s version is faster
4) Canon’s version has more coverage
5) Canon’s version has USM
I shoot Alpha, but it’s looking like I can no longer say Sony lens selection is cheaper. In fact, I m getting less performance with the same price.
Brendon
3 months ago |The Sony lens is based on an old Tamron 11-18mm optical formula that is very dated and lacks the sharpness and contrast of more modern lenses like the Canon 10-22mm. So the Canon beats the sony in EVERYTHING – Build quality, sharpness, AF speed, contrast and now even price.
I too am a Sony shooter but some Sony lenses are very dated and yet Sony is increasing the price. Lenses like the 11-18mm, 35mm f1.4G and 75-300 are quite dated and in need of an upgrade. However rather than reducing the price to make them more appealing Sony is actually increasing the price !
Tennes
4 months ago |Yeah I’m thinking the same. Really disappointed.
JonasM
4 months ago |Where are the best US deals on Zeiss lenses at the moment? BH photo above on has the APS-C Zeiss on sale.
Clyde
4 months ago |Canon Price Increase
http://photorumors.com/2011/01/01/canon-rumors-us-price-increase-plus-new-compact-cameras-for-ces-2011/
Nikon Price Increase
http://nikonrumors.com/2011/10/07/another-nikon-price-increase-in-the-us.aspx/
kalpurush :)
3 months ago |So did Sony increased the price in November 2011 as well.
And Sony is increasing it again!!
Tennes
3 months ago |Yes I saw both links. However, until now Nikon’s price remains the same. For canon, I don’t know.
Tennes
4 months ago |Truly unacceptable.
If this is real not a joke, I will jump a ship and move to another camp.
Jonathan
3 months ago |I can’t see how Sony can justify a price increase in Australia? Parts of Asia and the US sure I can understand to an extent as they have some really cheap prices compared to places like Australia were we can pay at times twice the price for some Sony gear… IF Sony are planning on increasing their prices in Australia as well, then I think the time has come to revaluate the Alpha system and do some comparisons how much it will cost to switch as already I feel ripped off by Sony Australia!
Brendon
3 months ago |Hey don’t complain ! Here in India the A35 (which is a discontinued model) is listed as a ‘New’ model and there is no sign of either the A65 or the A77.
And forget about lens prices as they are simply not available at all.
Marek
3 months ago |It is probably because of strong jen. 100$ increase is not much for a good lens. It is approx. cost of one shooting with model.
Brendon
3 months ago |If these were top of the line lenses I doubt anyone would complain too much.
For instance I dont think people buying 85mm f1.4, 135mm f1.8 or 24-70mm CZ are going to complain too much since they are stellar lenses.
However lenses like 70-200mm f2.8 G (which thankfully Sony hasn’t increased the price), 35mm f1.4, 300mm f2.8 and many others are going to feel cheated especially since better, more modern lenses from Canon and Nikon are selling for approximately the same price. Thats where people are going to feel the pinch and make them decide whether to buy that lens or not.
bas076
3 months ago |New prices will definitely bring much more buyers
especially for 16-105, 18-250, 18-200, 11-18 and some others old, already overpriced (and not real performers) lenses. New price for babyzeiss is real joke. This is good lens but with some bounds. It was overpriced from the begining but now there is no reason to buy it at all.
Carl
3 months ago |Maybe that’s the plan? Preventing people asking for more lenses by pricing the lenses they have so high no one buys them.
bas076
3 months ago |I am personaly in good situation. I already tried all that I want to try in the past and have all that I need for DSLR now: SAL-100m28, Minolta 200/4G Telemacro & 400/4.5G APO(+ x1.4 APO II).
I sold most of my expensive Minolta staf like 16/2.8, 28-135/4-4.5, 85/1.4G, 100/2, 100/2.8 Macro(D), 200/2.8G APO, bebyziess and SAL-70300G. Still selling SAL-50F14, Minolta 35/2 & 28/2 but it will not takes long time.
I am migrating to the E-mount. DSLR stays only for havy macro and tele lenses but not for many – two, three not more.
Zstan
3 months ago |I would ask all the whiners to jump ship but it doesn’t benefit me at as the second hand lenses will be pricier now
Well at least we can say the Sony 2nd hand lenses have more value now!
bas076
3 months ago |Jump to what ship? Did you see the new EF 24 and 28mm prices? 70-300L? Suggestion for future 100-400L?
fk
3 months ago |just buy your lens now lol~
if you already know its going up, why wait?
personally Im fine with the price increase, just makes my equipments worth more lol
Oparts
3 months ago |Just bought SAL70200G on last sunday for 1900eur (Finland). Today price increased at the same store to 2300eur. That means 400eur price increase for this lense! I might be lucky now, but I feel sad for this kind of news
Olli