(SR3) Zeiss to launch the three new primes along the new NEX-7n?
In about one month Sony will have a new product announcement date. They will release new camcorder and likely a new NEX-7n too. The rumored 85mm f/1.8 lens is scheduled for a release in the second half of the year. So will there be no new lens along the NEX-7n announcement?
According to one source Zeiss may launch the three new prime lenses for E-mount in April! As you know these lenses are the 12mm f/2.8, 32mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/2.8 lens. All with full electronic aperture control and autofocus. The lenses cover the APS-C sensor only and will not cover the Full Frame sensor area of the future Full Frame NEX. But they will of course work on it in crop mode (like it is on the VG900).
Price for each lens will vary between $1000 and $1400.
One more thing: Tomorrow I will post an important post about the future Full Frame NEX system. I have been asked by different sources to ask you about the price and marketing strategy of the camera. And we want to hear your opinion on that.
—
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
waldomarek
3 months ago |i’m excited about the new zeiss lenses, eager to read the reviews!
DiBok
3 months ago |@Andrea
Isn’t the upcoming 50mm Zeiss a macro 50/2.8?
In my opinion a release of Sony’s 7n and Zeiss’ lenses at the same time would be from sales point of view a good thing.
ruffy
3 months ago |I wanna see the 32 1.8. Also I expect the FF nex price should be rx1 price minus $1000 for the 35 zeiss lens. Which is about from $1500 – $1800 for body only.
doinks
3 months ago |zeiss 50 1.8?? sony has the sel 50 1.8
it should have been zeiss 50 1.4!
RVN
3 months ago |+1000000
Maximus
3 months ago |it’s neither, anounced was a 2.8 Macro 1:1
doinks
3 months ago |No point of the zeiss 50 1.8 for almost $1000?!
Better optics maybe but for sure no OSS
Sel 50mm 1.8 is cheaper and has OSS
Maximus
3 months ago |http://blogs.zeiss.com/photo/en/?p=2864
50mm f2,8 MACRO
Sik
3 months ago |Something about “High performance standard zoom”(G)?
I’ll buy 7n, but I want a good quality zoom.
eths
3 months ago |New and good lenses? I sure hope so!
Frank
3 months ago |More NEX lenses, it’s like A-mount hardly exists.
nevercat
3 months ago |Strange I read about two new Sony lenses for the E-mount a few days ago. It was the 50 mm CZ f1..4 and the new 70-400 G (with nano coating I believe)
RVN
3 months ago |CZ 50mm/1.4 SSM and G 70-400mm is for A-mount
nevercat
3 months ago |You’re right, I wanted to type A-Mount, but thick fingers….
Frank
3 months ago |Yeah wow a “new” 70-400mm with a different colour and everything! I’m so glad that you pointed it out, it really shows commitment to A-mount over the years where there have been NO new lenses released.
Shame they didn’t bother changing the optics, so we have the same bokeh. Pity they didn’t weather seal it to go with weather sealed bodies.
They managed to inflate the price though, so that’s okay then.
ArtoS
3 months ago |New info from Sky_walker in Dyxum
Hey guys!
Good news: I spotted a good deal for 70-400 G SSM II on Focus on Imaging.
One of dealers sells it for 1299 GBP (comparing to wex price: 1799 GBP – you save 500 quid!)
And famous nature photographer Ijsvogel is today testing that lens in Holland.
so, wait a moment before getting a climax
Wheelus
3 months ago |New 70-400 focuses four times faster. For many, that is reason enough to buy this lens.
LensIsAll
3 months ago |Sony just released 3 lenses, and you already complain. Come on, what do you expect? Lens each week?
Frank
3 months ago |They aren’t all new.
Chris
3 months ago |huh, whats the 85mm 1.8 plannend for? Nex? A-mount (apsc or ff)? An affordable 85mm 1.8 for ff A-mount would be great!
LensIsAll
3 months ago |It’s for e-mount.
rbj
3 months ago |I’m guessing that once the Zeiss lenses are available, we might see the Hasselblad camera as well. Who knows, if they have some super-fine resolution glass that would be able to benefit from it, they might leave the AA-filter off…
andrew
3 months ago |Any confirmation on oss? You wouldn’t miss it on the 12mm, but it would definitely help on the 32 and 50… Disappointing that they’re not ff compatible – I suspect a lot of less well informed early adopters are going to be upset when they realise they’re useless on the ff nex.
John Maverick
3 months ago |Zeiss have already said they won’t sacrifice image quality for OSS which requires designing the lens around the OSS optical groups. It’s one of the ways you can distinguish real Zeiss glass from SONY Zeiss.
The Lotus Eater
3 months ago |Which Sony Zeiss glass has stabilisation?
John Maverick
3 months ago |I felt sure the SEL 24/1.8 had OSS. Turns out Zeiss don’t compromise even for plebs.
Nik
3 months ago |Zeiss doesn’t let OSS in to the Sony-made Zeiss glass either. I don’t get the hangup honestly. Maybe if you want something made in Europe specifically, but the Contax G lenses are extremely highly regarded and those were a similar arrangement. Zeiss design and quality control are the really important things.
Rolleiflex
3 months ago |LOL, if they want to buy a FF NEX without being well-informed then they’re pissing away their money without thinking. Not worth to talk about.
Nikola
3 months ago |New camcorder
Sounds interesting
simon
3 months ago |Hi Andrew
what about using those lenses with metabones adapters?
not that I’m an expert.
simon
admin
3 months ago |You can’t. Those are native E-mount lenses!
simon
3 months ago |Ah of course. That will teach me to post when falling asleep :-/
lol
AbuBaqer
3 months ago |Sony seems to be only focusing on Zeiss lenses!! I’m wondering why?
Sony also had a high quality lens w/ G class, why Sony ignoring this one?
Who could buy Zeiss lenses he/she really had a lot of cash or they will made it with hard way. But hey Sony, most of your costumer not willing to spend a lot of money “Who make money from his/her gears an exception”. I really want those G lenses more than Zeiss so I could buy. But without weather sealing @ high price may case different choice.
AbuBaqer
3 months ago |Sorry my comment should be not here
.
Zohee35
3 months ago |From what I gathered, these are not Sony lenses, just Zeiss. And to partially answer your question still, the 24mm Zeiss seemed to be a good seller, considering its price which would have indicated: smaller niche. Sony couldn’t keep up with demand for a long time. Add good profit margins and a long standing request for better quality E mount glass and you have quite a mix of reasons.
John Maverick
3 months ago |I’d rather use Zeiss ZM lenses. They’re smaller, all metal construction, widely reviewed and tested, and ready for fullframe.
Rolleiflex
3 months ago |But John, I highly doubt those ZMs, especially the wide, would play nice with the Sony full frame. The safe way is to either go with SLR lenses or to wait for Sony and Zeiss lenses specifically for the FF NEX.
John Maverick
3 months ago |I know what the arguments are regarding technical issues for fullframe. That said, the more awareness there is of the desirability of using existing lenses RF and SLR lenses, the more likely that message will find it’s way and resonate within sony engineering. It’s certain they have the knowledge and resources to make sensors that are capable of maintaining compatibility if they choose. In any case they will still be ‘fullframe ready’ if only on a Leica film or digital!
RA
3 months ago |Zeiss needs to make an E-mount version of Sony 16-80mm with SSM motor! Will sell like hotcakes!
admin
3 months ago |hehehehehe…wait….hehehehe
Artichoke
3 months ago |Well that will be welcome…, we’ve been waiting for a long time for this…,
BUT…, WITH ALL THE UNCERTAIN RUMBLINGS ABOUT FF NEX AND RX-2 AND RX-10, AND WHAT THEIR FEATURES MIGHT BE, I WON’T BE BUYING ANYTHING UNTIL I CAN SEE THE ENTIRE LANDSCAPE…, and I suspect that might take a year…, ugh!
Wouldn’t SONY be smarter to explain a longer range plan, say a year or two out, so those who want to buy now can do so in full knowledge of what they won’t be buying later…, and those who are looking for something specific can know whether it’s coming or not, and, if not, be confident that if they spend a thou on a new lens that they won’t regret it in a few months?
Probably too much to ask…, especially since, in 2012, both the RX-100 and the RX-1 were pretty much a surprise when announced,i.e. not much advance awareness.
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Caps lock much?
nehemiah
3 months ago |I really appreciate when a company gives a roadmap. It’s another reason I went with fuji over NEX. I like their lenses so far, and I know what’s coming down the pipeline. The maps might change a little, but Sony is so unpredictable, and they really had a slow start with releasing quality lenses (superzooms, 16 2.8, etc.)
Frank
3 months ago |^^ This ^^
Rolleiflex
3 months ago |Perfectly valid point. Fuji is shaping up to be a very competent platform, especially after the latest Adobe support. And I respect people that know what they want and move on to a better fit instead of staying around and constantly whinging to no end.
Zohee35
3 months ago |The only real difference I see is that Fuji filled in the basic specs for the 2013 lenses on their roadmap, where as Sony only mentions global types of lenses on their NEX roadmap(3 more to be anounced this year, not to be confused with these Zeiss lenses).
nehemiah
3 months ago |yeah, but knowing that fuji is going to release a 23 1.4 and 56 1.4 is huge for me–those are my two most used focal lengths. Had NEX roadmap given those specs, I would have thought much harder about buying in. Plus, Sony should realize they have been all over the place, and lots of Sony shooters have flocked away or our distrustful of Sony at this point, given that Sony has largely neglected A-mount the last couple years to focus on nex. I don’t feel like waiting for the release of unspecified lenses, only to find out its something I don’t want at all.
Hmmm
3 months ago |If there was a good quality E mount 16-80 I would buy it for sure. That is exactly the zoom range I want in a general walkaround and travel lens. I would pay extra for such a lens. Just make it high quality. Maybe weather sealed.
Frank
3 months ago |Sony need to update the existing A-mount version.
ArtoS
3 months ago |Admin, can you ask from your sources, if they have new info about SAL 70-200/2.8 G II?
gspam
3 months ago |+1
LensIsAll
3 months ago |+2
And I’m gonna slap someone in the face if the only change will be weather-sealing and a new coatings.
Frank
3 months ago |Well the 70-400mm II isn’t weather sealed, so you might not even get that. All Sony have done is taken the existing design, given us a “theoretical” (in Sony’s own words) faster SSM and slapped a new paint job on it.
Andrew Lynch
3 months ago |Nex 9 should be about the price of the A99.
Andrew Lynch
3 months ago |If they want to blow canikon away sell the Nex 9
the same price as the D600 6D
spaceman
3 months ago |Hopefully the FF NEX will be cheaper than the D600 and 6D.
It should be less than $2000 if it is more or less the same as the 7-series NEX but with FF sensor.
Frank
3 months ago |Yeah right, because the A77 is so much different to the far higher priced A99. LOL
spaceman
3 months ago |Oh, it is you moaning again
I am not saying that is my guess, I am just saying it should be less expensive than a weather sealed FF DSLR, D600.
Not sure why A99 price was not kept lower, apart from that it has FF IBIS, the FF sized pellicle mirror and the new AF system probably were expensive to develop.
I mean, if the FF NEX gets a revolutionary new and fast AF system, IBIS and other bells n whistles then a price on par with D600 would be more understandable.
Frank
3 months ago |Sony think they are an aspirational brand. Expect a FF NEX to be very expensive and not worth the money.
LensIsAll
3 months ago |Sure it will.
No idea why people fool themselves into thinking that it’ll be anywhere around D600 price!
I wouldn’t be suprised if they ask more than they did for A99.
Rolleiflex
3 months ago |The flexibility of the NEX FF is enormous. So to expect it to be priced less than a conventional, entry level FF is unrealistic. But unless it really has some interesting qualities, I don’t see how Sony would get the same success as the NEX-7 if they price it higher than the current A99.
LensIsAll
3 months ago |Rolleiflex – realize this: There’s only one competitor for NEX-FF: Leica.
Meanwhile A99 has got whole market of competitors. Above and below it’s price point.
Wayne summers
3 months ago |I am thinking the full frame next will be between 2,500 and 3,000 body only.
lng0004
3 months ago |$2000-2500 for a FF NEX and I’m all in.
andrew
3 months ago |Considering the price of apsc zeiss glass, I’d expect to be paying the kind of money for ff nex zeiss glass. Makes the 50/1.4 look like good value for money!
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |What is up with you idiots? Quit ramping up prices by telling Sony you’re more than happy to pay 2,500 for a FF NEX. Dang it! Put your poker face on… get some experience with bidding… learn how to negotiate someone down.
It’s like you’re begging Sony to price the dang thing higher. FOOLS!
;(
Little Monster
3 months ago |keep dreaming.
Adl
3 months ago |Hi Andrea,
to tell something about the price and marketing strategy (FF Nex), wo should at least know basic specs, body size and adapter solution for A-mount FF lenses…
By the way: expected price of 7n?
LensIsAll
3 months ago |Adapter is already there – LA-EA3
Frank
3 months ago |There needs to be a FF version of the LA-EA2.
Adl
3 months ago |Yes, but LA-EA3 does not seem to have a screw! So no AF support for legacy minolta lens and more important no AF for CZ 85/1.4 CZ 135/1.8 …
So for me that’s an important information: will there be an LA-EA4 with screw? With SLT (like LA-EA2) or without?
LensIsAll
3 months ago |CZ 135/1.8 on NEX? As what? A Lens cap?
Adapter makes sense for landscape lenses and things alike, but not some of the largest A-mount glass. At this point buying NEX doesn’t make sense any more: You’d end up better with A-mount DSLR(T).
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |If you’re still using Minolta lenses, well, too bad for you. Update, man, for God’s sake. Minolta lenses? Really.
Wayne Summers
3 months ago |whats wrong with minolta lenses? There are plenty of them that are better or on par with todays lenses and 90% of the time they are built better.
CanonJack
3 months ago |Really? I shoot Nikon now. I used to shoot Canon. I’ve used Tamron and Sigma too. And I’ve used Minolta/Sony lenses; I have two hobbiest pals that shoot Sony/Minolta. Let me tell you, even comparing all the Nikkor gold lenses, Canon L’s, Tamron SP’s and Sigma EX’s (of which there are many amazing lenses!) there are plenty of old Minoltas that hold up right next to these modern day gems. The old Minolta 35-105, the 200/2.8 G HS, Rokkor 58/1.2, 80-200/2.8 HS G, the 600/4.0, the 400/4.5, etc….etc…
Lots of very good glass, on par or better than its Canikon equivlants.
GreenLens
3 months ago |Zeiss 12mm is an interesting option. Together with upcoming 85 it can complete decent APS-C NEX system. No need for FF NEX then, unless competitively priced.
incognito
3 months ago |Looks like Sony is making new lenses only for E-mount users. That 12mm would be nice on A-mount too.
LensIsAll
3 months ago |They – just – released – 3 – lenses.
Yes, 2 of them were only updates, but still: they just released 3 lenses.
And as for 12mm – I’d much rather see 8 or 10mm prime for APS-C than 12mm. Still: even 16mm prime would be a good thing to have
Frank
3 months ago |So “one” then…
LensIsAll
3 months ago |One and two refreshes (70-400 was quite a good one all things considered – only thing it’s missing is weather sealing. Otherwise it’s a superb lens in every respect after the refresh. Can’t say much about new kit though, haven’t seen it yet).
Frank
3 months ago |Yes I wonder why there is so much activity from Sony around NEX and E-mount.
Zohee35
3 months ago |These… are…. *not*… Sony lenses. Zeiss lenses with a mount for Sony (and later also Fuji) cameras.
alonzo
3 months ago |+1 I just want to see full frame if they do huge improve in low light area .
Where is e-mount zoom lens (fast f2.8 ) ????????
Rob
3 months ago |I’m still gonna wait for a significant change in alpha cameras – and for me that means a 54 megapixel, next generation sensor (decent iso performance, low noise, great saturation). Sony would get my money if they brought that out now – but also upgrade cz 85 1.4, and cz 135 1.8 to a modern focussing system. A good 100mm macro is needed too. Thusly equipped, I’d wander the Earth. Right now, I feel like I’m not getting the results I want – 24 megapixels, with soft corners, just doesn’t produce the images I desire.
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |You need to purchase that Sigma Pack… the 19 & 30mm f2.8. Stick them on the end of your NEX 7. Done. Seriously sharp, even in the corners without having to stop down.
Rob
3 months ago |Thanks for the advice – but 2.8 won’t cut it. Also, my main wish is for an exceptional camera sensor.
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Cool!
The Lotus Eater
3 months ago |What’s so special about 54 megapixels? Rather an exact figure you gave there.
Jhemp
3 months ago |I want to see the new NEX camera or Alpha SLT with 36mpx or more. If they are not I wont bother with them. I think the price should be around $3000-$4000. I’ve been on the fence the last two years on making the jump to medium format, but with recent cameras like the D800e I have held off hoping Sony would jump into that realm. PLEASE SONY!!!!!! make a truly stellar camera for us landscape photographers that want high megapixels!
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Again, NEX 7 with the 19 & 30 Sigs is all you’ll need. Trust me.
Jhemp
3 months ago |Trust me 24 mpx is not all you need. For prints 17×22 and under 24mpx is great, even 24×36 if everything falls perfectly into place. For BIG hyperrealistic prints you need 36+ mpx. I believe Sony has a few lenses that could resolve higher megapixels the Zeiss 24,50,85 and 135 primes could do it.
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Ummmm, I can print as large as I want with 24. What are you doing? No offense intended, but, I really doubt anyone is smashing their nose into billboard sized prints… anywhere. I can knock out gallery sized prints with 24 mp no problem. We’re talking 12 x 9 foot.
Jhemp
3 months ago |I’m looking for hyperrealism in my prints that are large. I want people to get up close and get lost in the images. I can get these results with stitching multiple images together but that doesn’t work for every subject. I have done big prints from my a900 and a99 and they do look good at a normal viewing distance. I have been bit by the megapixel bug.
Wayne Summers
3 months ago |There is a lot of info on the net about not needing as much mega pixels as we think for large prints. 24should be more than enough
Peksu
3 months ago |Even now, if you go to dxomark and look at the resolving power of average lenses in “megapixels”, they are nowhere near that. You don’t have glass that could resolve anywhere near 36Mpixels, getting sharper glass on current systems would benefit you more like SonyCyberPunk suggests.
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Thanks!
Jhemp
3 months ago |What would be better glass for my current system???? Already have the best Sony has to offer and I think they are wonderful lenses. A buddy just get the D800e with a few of Nikons top primes and I was really unimpressed when we compared the test shots with my a99 and CZ 24mm and 135. So yes you are right that better glass makes a huge difference.
AK-77
3 months ago |“I have been asked by different sources to ask you about the price and marketing strategy of the camera…”
What do you mean by that? I hope those sources are not from Sony because Sony should know the strategy for a product before starting a project and pouring money into R&D!
I’ve been suspecting for a while that Sony doesn’t do their homework (user research in particular) before developing a new product…
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Actually, Sony keeps up better than you might imagine.
AK-77
3 months ago |I sure hope so, sir…
Tanglefoot
3 months ago |Give me a fiver & I’ll take one off your hands.
Not interested in FF NEX as it will end up being hugely overpriced & an ergonomic nightmare for more controlled usage unless it is the size of a DSLR, at which point the whole exercise becomes quite pointless.
At ~£1000 I could see it being a success in the market place though even if I dont personally see the point
I expect it to end up being closer to £3000 where it will only be bought by technojerks & show offs with fat wallets… Bleurgh!
RickJ
3 months ago |I’m sure Sony will sell as many Nex full frames as they did RX1′s and A99′s. (not many)
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Let’s hope not. Sony is trying very hard. Very hard.
John Maverick
3 months ago |All the interviews with SONY execs confirm that they were very satisified with the RX1. A99 not so much.
LensIsAll
3 months ago |“I have been asked by different sources to ask you about the price and marketing strategy of the camera.”
- Finally get back to your senses and start adding flip-up mode to SLTs! (even if it’s just Mirror-Lock Up, not one that flips mirror up all the time while in single-shot mode (which it should be ever since A55) )
- Release Full Frame A-mount camera to compete with Canon 1D-series. A TRUE flagship.
- Release high-end APS-C camera aimed for sports (16 or 20 MPx sensor, 14 bit RAWs and buffer for at least 2 seconds (preferably: 4 sec) of continuous shooting (10 FPS as minimum, 16 FPS would be a delight). Also it needs to have separate CPU for viewfinder to avoid shuttering issues while taking photos (it cannot show last frame while in continuous mode!).
- Release 70-200 f/2.8 that’s actually sharp wide open (unlike like the current one)
- Update 35mm f/1.4 SSM (weather-sealed and sharp wide open, please)
- Update ultra-wide angle lenses (weather sealed and well corrected CA please)
- 70-200 f/4 SSM, please (it needs at least to match Minolta in optical performance)
- 200mm f/4 prime, please (and if you are on that: 200mm f/2.8 wouldn’t do harm either)
- 300mm f/4 prime, please
- ultra-wide angle prime for APS-C, please
- 85mm f/1.8 that exceeds performance of Nikon counterpart
LensIsAll
3 months ago |Sony, realize this: You don’t make any notable profits from lenses because you don’t release any interesting glass. Even Sigma or Tamron can release lenses that are desired by customers. Why you can’t?! Who makes these marketing studies for you?
LensIsAll
3 months ago |As for NEX – keep it as portable as it gets. Beat the size of X-PRO1 with your Full Frame NEX. If you can – release camera with optical viewfinder (rangefinder). It might be more desired feature than improvements in AF if you do it well. If you aim at high-end market: think about weather-sealing.
ps. I hate this system that prevents me to post comments right :/
Dave
3 months ago |The 12mm is a nice addition. I have the 10-18mm and it seems like there could be some more room for improvement. I can see the 50mm being a better focal length than 30 for macros. But the 32mm seems a bit redundant. There’s already a 24mm Zeiss and a 35mm Sony. I’ve owned both and the 35mm is pretty comparable in IQ to the 24mm with the addition of OSS and cheaper price. (Neither seem to have the Zeiss Pop I’ve seen in my mmount versions) It would be great if the 32mm did but it would be hard pressed to justify a 1000+ price with the other options.
WK
3 months ago |A bigger pile of short focal length lenses is not particularly exciting, even zeiss in those same focal lengths is not exciting. Sony needs to make a complete system out of E mount by having a full range of focal lengths in E mount all the way out to long tele. At least out to 600mm. If NEX cannot support long tele then it’s going to be much harder for Sony to end A mount cameras. Right now NEX is a very incomplete system.
Zohee35
3 months ago |Yes, there’s lots of demand for a 600mm lens for NEX. Should be prioritized over shorter FL’s.
*facepalm*
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |I agree, 600mm is quite extreme. Small market share.
RA
3 months ago |600mm? Not only its a very small market, the lens would look ridiculous on a small NEX body. If you want anything above 300mm, you should look at full size DSLRs.
Jack
3 months ago |But it sure would be nice to get a G quality SEL70300 . . . there has not even been a hint of something like that. Wonder why?
Zohee35
3 months ago |Size and weight, people already complain about the size of the 18-200 lenses (which is why the smaller LE version was introduced…. until the fat PZ version came along).
Sony probably thinks that those not bothered by size, will use an A mount version plus adapter… until most of the gaps in the shorter and mid range are filled and long FL’s reach the top of the request pile.
Mart
3 months ago |If there is a full frame Nex, please have it packed with 36 megapixels or more. As such using Emount APS-C lenses at crop mode, we are still packed with sufficient pixel as the FF lenses will be limited for years to come. It would encourage Emount user for the upgrade.
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Not the most eloquently stated point, but I wholeheartedly agree with you!
PaddyC
3 months ago |Wonder if these will sell given that they don’t cover full frame? I would certainly be reluctant to put this much money into e-mount lenses until I’ve at least seen what they are going to do with the FF NEX and what the lens situation is going to be for it.
I shoot only Sony right now but have to say I feel they are making a mess of their NEX and Alpha product lines at the moment.
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Your sentiments are the exact reason Sony is working diligently to resolve all the questions surrounding the longevity of A full frame, A crop and E mount lenses. Sony understands that the lenses in its current lineup need longevity. What you point out is absolutely spot on.
Davethehiker
3 months ago |I’m not sure what Full Frame Nex even means? Does it mean that will take FF A-mount lenses? Will it auto-focus and have SteadyShot like Alpha Cameras? Does this mean a (God forbid) a third line of lenses? Will a FF Nex also accept the E-Mount lenses? Will it require I but an A-mount adapter or are they doing the focus different this time and are coming out with a new Adapter? So many questions! Hopefully they will be answered tomorrow.
Sony keep shooting it’s self in the foot. About the same time they announce something that might make reach for my check book, like the Nex-7N, they also leak a rumor about something even better is coming soon, like a FF Nex. Hopefully we will have a better understanding tomorrow.
Denis
3 months ago |One (and even more) stop for low light sensitivity and tonal range is always welcome. It looks very like technology stucked at the level of Nikon D3s, so APS-C sensor won’t be much better than we have now. The only way: increase sensor size.
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Not many have the insider info. Hang in there.
David Grano-De-Oro
3 months ago |Andrea when do you think there will be an SLT-A65 successor? I’m about one week away from purchasing the A65 and don’t want to regret it with a possible upgrade around the corner.
Klaus The Vampire
3 months ago |Sony would probably charge was over the odds for a FF NEX so you can forget that for most people (ie mere mortals)
SLT A99 shows how they think, price it above it’s rivals and it bombs sales wise.
Sony are not the sharpest knife in the drawer that’s for certain.
They seem to think they have a cult following like Leica, they are mistaken
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Thanks for your input.
winc06
3 months ago |Why does Zeiss and Sony persist with the 50mm focal length on a crop sensor? 75mm equivalent is not a useful focal length. It is too short for a nice, close portrait and not wide enough for general use like a normal lens. It is almost impossible to buy a 75mm lens used because it was essentially nonexistent before the digital age. I understood when camera makers with a trunk full of full frame formulas went the fast, cheap route to a 50mm lens for their crop sensor cameras, but designing a new AF lens from scratch for a crop sensor at 50mm is just perverse. What is it? Old dogs and new tricks? 60mm would have given a nice 90mm equivalent focal length. It also needs to be faster to get the narrow depth of field to match a full frame lens. A 60mm/F1.2 would have justified the price and helped the Zeiss fading reputation as a lens innovator.
AK-77
3 months ago |I believe the 50mm Zeiss is a macro lens. As such, the FL is okay on cropped sensor. It doesn’t need to be much faster as for macro you usually need to stop down to get everying in focus…
CanonJack
3 months ago |Based on everything I’ve read about Sony and the current rumors and recent releases, I’m guessing that Sony will focus entirely on the E-mount from here forward, and:
1) Release all new FF and APS-C NEX cameras with the E-mount, and around the time that the FF is released will also announce the retirement of the A-mount. I think we’ve already seen the last A-mount camera (the A58). I dont think another A7x series (or anything else) will reach actual production. IF there is an A78, it will defnintely be the last A-mount camera.
2) Announce support-period terms (repair/firmware) from that date for existing A-mount equpiment (something like 5 years perhaps?).
3) Start advertising E-mount more and push hard to retain A-mount users. May even do something like offer converters (LA-EA series) at a massive discount or have a buyback program for A-mount gear? Probably being way too optimstic with my thoughts here.
4) Prices for used A-mount gear will fall dramatically; good for those wanting some killer deals on dead-end equipment, bad for those wanting out of the mount.
IF the above is true, my prediction is Sony will ultimately lose too much market share due to lost customer confidence and NEX will fail, dragging down the Sony Imaging Division. Like I’ve said before, Sony cameras are awesome; the company sucks. The company’s apparent lack of community involvement and transparancy, lack of a clear roadmap moving forward, Japanese Electronics companys still losing share to cheaper Korean brands, and Sony’s misguided belief that Sony is still, as Frank said above, an almighty “aspirational brand” are all working against them.
That said, I hope that I’m wrong. Even though I dont shoot Sony, I admire their technological innovations. This is a easily underrated driving force that keeps Nikon (and Canon) on their toes. Without Sony in the game, photography will be worse for eveyone.
Jack
John Maverick
3 months ago |Lots of people prefer the ergonomics of the larger bodies. Look at all the hate expressed for E-mount from many A-mount users here! I simply don’t understand why people keep predicting that SONY will abandon a captive market just because they are developing new products.
CanonJack
3 months ago |They will likely improve the ergonomics of the higher end NEX cameras. I cant imagine they wouldnt. The lower end models will stay slim and compact like todays NEX cameras, and the higher end will likely morph into an slim A77/99 style body with a big grip and E-mount.
Ian Scovell
3 months ago |COULD DISAGREE WITH YOU MORE CANONJACK
After my conversation today with Zeiss & seeing the A99 in person, I am more than convinced that Sony will have are going ‘FULL FRAME’ all the way with NEX, VIDEO & ALPHA.
There is “NO NEED’ to worry about the future of Alpha any more.
CanonJack
3 months ago |I certainly hope you’re correct; its just that everything is pointing in the opposite direction at the moment.
SonyCyberPunk
3 months ago |Quit worrying about A vs. E mount. They’ll all work on the new cameras.
AK-77
3 months ago |Please be it a mirrorless SLR-style (with big grip and lots of controls) FF camera. I don’t care if it is A or E-mount (however, IBIS would be highly welcomed).
CanonJack
3 months ago |The worry isnt about compatibility. I’m convinced Sony will integrate the systems properly – they have to. The worry is that discontinuing A mount will cause such a loss of customer confidence that it will have a very dramatic effect on sales. I know if Nikon announced it was retiring my F-mount for the Nikon 1 mount, I might not stick around. Of course, it will probably happen to Canon and Nikon one day too…
Dan1k
3 months ago |Will Sony keep the same hot shoe on the NEX-7n that is on the current NEX-7 or change it to the universal hot shoe? If they do change it that means your sony flash(es) will become unusable without an adapter on the universal hot shoe. Which sounds dumb that SONY NEEDS ADAPTER TO MAKE SONY WORK WITH SONY. Unless Sony starts making universal versions of all there current hvl-f__a flashes, and new flashes in the future.
CanonJack
3 months ago |Sony has switched to the multi-interface ISO hot shoe. You will not see another Minolta style shoe on any new Sony camera.
MK-5
3 months ago |I am happy that they are coming out with new lenses for the E-Mount but would be more excited for FF lenses. I hope the FF-NEX comes soon. I had a Nikon D3 which I loved but when I got the NEX-5N I enjoyed having the small camera so much (and it takes great pictures) so I stopped using the D3 and sold it. I was mostly happy but missed the full frame and auto-focus. I have not purchased any AF E-Mount lenses except for the Sigma since I did not want to invest too heavily until I saw where it was heading. I ended up getting Nikon D600 to use along with the 5N. Now I am just waiting for the new FF NEX. I personally do not want huge file sizes since they just fill up my hard-drives. I prefer the low light sensitivity since I do not like using my flash (again just a taste thing). I hope the manual M-mount Zeiss lenses will work on the new NEX. Does anyone know the likelihood of this?
Klaus The Vampire
3 months ago |CanonJack is probably right everything points to NEX and not to A mount which likely will be dumped at some point.
Reasons:
1: FF A mount body 36mp “cancelled”
2: Rumours (and hard ones) of FF NEX body/bodies
3: SLT A58, a step back little effort from Sony
4: New NEX bodies and lenses announced
5: High price of A99, priced not to sell Sony don’t really care
Only thing that doesn’t add up is a few new A mount lenses esp the 50mm CZ and the 70-400mm G.
Aside from that it looks like Sony think NEX is the future. In which case A mount users will be in real trouble
CanonJack
3 months ago |You’ve got it. As for the 50mm CZ and 70-400 G, it does make sense. Plans to build/update lenses happen many months in advance. They probably decided to do this before the FF A-mount body was cancelled, and it would be more expensive to cancel the lenses too, than continue through development. But, they probably cancelled any lens plans after these.
To add one more to your list – Sigma and Tamron are also not announcing many A-mount versions of the new lenses they’re releasing. They may suspect the same.
In the same mindset, whatever is going to happen with A-mount, has likely already been decided for several months. Now they’re just following the plan.
Jack
Klaus The Vampire
3 months ago |I suspect you are right.
If so then I think Sony will do untold damage to their reputation if they follow this plan. A mount is too good to waste it could be so very different if Sony put more effort in, and had people with vision who could really take the system forward.
RB
3 months ago |+1
Dan1k
3 months ago |The fact that the NEX-7 overheats to quick depending on the video quality you chose. Lowest quality MP4=more video time, takes longer time to overheat, highest quality FULL HD 60fps=overheats in about 5min. I was recording my little brothers and sister outside sledding. It was FREEZING outside and after 3 short recordings and the “overheated” message pops up and then camera turns off. Disappointing
.
dellaaa
3 months ago |Hey Admin,
Are the body and lens shown a mockup up or is that what the NEX7n will look like?????
CanonJack
3 months ago |Thats a computer drawing of the NEX-7 with the rumored 32 1.8 CZ lens attached.
James
3 months ago |WHY IS EVERYTHING SO EXPENSIVE THESE DAYS???
Alpha Mark
3 months ago |Because there are more people can afford it than you do.
James
3 months ago |WHY IS EVERYTHING SO EXPENSIVE THESE DAYS???
CTPhotographX.com
3 months ago |Because our leaders, governments, politicians, are in the pockets of bankers and corporations, who value shareholder profiteering above policies beneficial to common working people.
Wong
3 months ago |I really hope that Sony pays attention to their existing A-mount lenses that need upgrade in features. For example, the 85mm Zeiss and 135mm Zeiss did not have SSM, the 35mm f1.4G also needs an update to optics and SSM feature. Come on Sony, these professional lenses need these treatment so that they can live up to their price. Look at Canon 135 f2L USM which cost 1000 and something, it got USM and some modern features and its sharp! And it just cost a thousand plus!
RB
3 months ago |Let me try to see in in a different way: Recently, Nikon has introduced the D7100 as their “flagship APS-C DSLR”. This would be as if Sony would have claimed the same for the a58 labelled as a38. Now, as nobody doubts that Nikon will continue to serve the market above the D7100, you can read this statement as: “From now on, APS-C is entry level stuff, only. The future standard format for all DSLR is again 24×36.”
Maybe that’s why Sony has revised their FF strategy… So, I can imagine, that the paint job on the 70-400 makes sense to newcomers: Looks less ugly and more like Canikon.
Also, keep in mind, that new NEX lenses were announced to be shipped in the blue-white Zeiss boxes and will be made available to other mirrorless makers as well. Perhaps, because the next Zeiss lenses exclusively for Sony will be for FF-NEX?
What do you think?
Klaus The Vampire
3 months ago |I think Nikon will sell a lot more D7100′s (warts and all) than Sony will A77′s or any other SLT model
I didn’t think Sony had a FF strategy a FF NEX won’t meet the needs of DSLR users, and the A99 is priced so high nobody wants to buy it, it’s not even selling well to A mount users.
Sony need to get real and work out what they are, a “cheaper” alternative to Canikon, not a more expensive one
!vo
3 months ago |I’m not complaining or anything, but does Sony tray to make prime lenses to cover the entire range from 12mm to 50mm? Come on guys, think out of the box, in this case out of the mainstream. We need 85, maybe 100mm, also f2.8 zoom lens, even a crappy one would do just fine, as long as they are lightweight. There is no point of using LA-EA2 and heavy FF A-mount lens, on a mirrorless camera.
Why the hell Zeiss is making the same APS-C lens that already exist, instead of FF lens? Sony, did you forgot that you have VG-900 on the market and in 1 year you are going to release FF Nex without a single lens? Oh, I forgot it will work in crop mode, so it’s fine.