Off Brand: Sony Announces the A7 & A7R Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras

[drjlo]

According to http://www.sansmirror.com/lenses/lens-database/sony-nex-lenses/ ... these are the 15 FE lenses that will be available (in or before the end of 20015) "in order of likely introduction":

3. FE 55mm f/1.8 Zeiss (Available)

4. FE 24-70mm f/4 Zeiss OSS (Available)

5. FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Available for Pre-Order)

6. FE 16-35mm f/4 Zeiss OSS (2014)

7. FE 85mm f/1.8 Zeiss OSS (2014)

8. FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro G (2014)

9. FE 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss (2014)

10. FE 24mm f/2 Zeiss (2014)

13. FE 21mm f/2.8 Zeiss (2015)

15. FE 50mm f/1.2 Zeiss (2015)

See, this is a real problem.  Looking at the $$$ price Sony is selling their Zeiss FE glass, if I commit to the FE system, the lenses above are the lenses I would likely want, to at least half-way approximate my Canon lens system (minus my T-SE, MP-E, etc) We are talking about a lot, a LOT of money here, which I (and most) cannot afford IN ADDITION to the Canon glass we have already invested into.     

[Rienzphotoz]

According to http://www.sansmirror.com/lenses/lens-database/sony-nex-lenses/ ... these are the 15 FE lenses that will be available (in or before the end of 20015) "in order of likely introduction":

3. FE 55mm f/1.8 Zeiss (Available)

4. FE 24-70mm f/4 Zeiss OSS (Available)

5. FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS (Available for Pre-Order)

6. FE 16-35mm f/4 Zeiss OSS (2014)

7. FE 85mm f/1.8 Zeiss OSS (2014)

8. FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro G (2014)

9. FE 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss (2014)

10. FE 24mm f/2 Zeiss (2014)

13. FE 21mm f/2.8 Zeiss (2015)

15. FE 50mm f/1.2 Zeiss (2015)

See, this is a real problem.  Looking at the $$$ price Sony is selling their Zeiss FE glass, if I commit to the FE system, the lenses above are the lenses I would likely want, to at least half-way approximate my Canon lens system (minus my T-SE, MP-E, etc) We are talking about a lot, a LOT of money here, which I (and most) cannot afford IN ADDITION to the Canon glass we have already invested into.   

It's only a problem when you view it as a tool to replace your existing DSLR/lenses ... but as of today the Sony Full Frame mirrorless camera is not capable of replacing Canon/Nikon DSLRs and lenses. Also, it is unfair to compare a 5 months old system like Sony FF mirrorless, with decades old tried and tested eco-system like Canon & Nikon. When Canon first introduced a new system called the EOS in 1987, there were only 13 lenses introduced in the first 2 years (as listed below, not necessarily in the order of introduction):
1. EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye (1987)
2. EF 28mm f/2.8 (1987)
3. EF 50mm f/1.8 (1987)
4. EF 50mm f/2.5 (1987)
5. EF 135mm f/2.8 softfocus (1987)
6. EF 35-70mm f/3.5 - 4.5 (1987)
7. EF 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 (1987)
8. EF 50-200mm f/3.5-4.5 (1987)
9. EF 70-210mm f/4 (1987)
10. EF 100-300mm f/5.6 (1987)
11. EF 24mm f/2.8 (1988)
12. EF 200mm f/1.8 (1988)
13. EF 600mm f/4 (1988)
I am sure Nikon and other SLR users must have doubted the "limited" and "overlapping" line up of lenses Canon had introduced, but given the time Canon become numero-uno with some great line-up of lenses.
Give the Sony FF mirrorless system time and you we will know where it stands in a couple of years time.

[Albi86]

I don't remember where I read it, but some reviewer wrote "the a7 is not going to replace your DSLR, but the MkII could". I bought a sony a7 and I sent it back because I didn't feel ready to invest in the system. But the IQ and the size were so amazing that I might buy one again at some point.


I agree with Rienz. I think in a couple years time the situation might be very different. Sony has still a so-so reputation in the photographic world, but if/when Fuji will release a FF X system, then the whole market might reconsider its position. Canikon don't seem too interested, unfortunately.

[drjlo]

I agree with Rienz. I think in a couple years time the situation might be very different. Sony has still a so-so reputation in the photographic world, but if/when Fuji will release a FF X system, then the whole market might reconsider its position.

I had hoped Fuji would go FF based on rumors, but it looks unlikely according to this interview with Fuji executive:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2013/12/17/fujifilm-not-coming-up-with-full-frame-x-mount-camera-according-to-manager

Yes, we have a couple of years to consider things.  By then, a Canon 5D MKIV will be apparent, and depending on what Canon does with new sensor (or not  ), many will consider other options including Sony.  Hopefully, by then Sony will have: improved customer service, fixed their overheating speedlite, introduced some TTL triggers, made their RAW lossless, fixed the shutter vibration, improved AF on FF, etc. 

[Lightmaster]

today i had the chance to test the Sony A7R.

all i can say.... I WANT THAT SENSOR IN A CANON!!!

pushing the shadow on ISO 100-200 images introduced nearly no noise.
images from canon looked like S___ when pushed about the same amount.
really, the difference on noise introduced is like ISO 400 vs. ISO 3200 images...   

for lansdscape images, where i often have to lighten the shadow areas a bit, that´s a great deal.
the sensor at ISO 100 really is a dream.
personally i don´t care about ISO beyond ISO 3200 (i can´t sell such images anyway).

the EVF is really good too. still not perfect but an absolutely useable EVF.

i must say i am impressed by it´s sensor... and in parts the EVF.

a canon 5D MK3 with this sony sensor.... what a fantastic camera that would be.

canon builds the best overall cameras in my opinion.
but this sony sensor shows that canon has much room for improvement.

of course i knew the tests done with the D800.
but using this sensor myself with LR today was an eye opener.

[Rienzphotoz]

I agree with Rienz. I think in a couple years time the situation might be very different. Sony has still a so-so reputation in the photographic world, but if/when Fuji will release a FF X system, then the whole market might reconsider its position.

I had hoped Fuji would go FF based on rumors, 

+1 ... I think most people, including myself, thought that Fuji would be the first to put a full frame sensor in a mirrorless camera ... but Sony managed to pull a surprise... I still think  if a few more players (like Fuji, Panasonic & CanNikon) put a FF sensor in a mirrorless camera, than we will see faster change (i.e more lenses, speedlites etc) ... till that time Sony will most likely take its own sweet time. 

[sdsr]

This is fun:

http://www.leica-boss.com/2014/03/the-switch-7-stages-of-moving-from-canon-to-the-sony-a7r/

Not that I plan to switch; I like the mix....

[drjlo]

This is fun:

http://www.leica-boss.com/2014/03/the-switch-7-stages-of-moving-from-canon-to-the-sony-a7r/

Not that I plan to switch; I like the mix....

That's hilarious and somewhat reflects how I felt.
However, somewhere between Stage 5 "Regret" and Stage 7 "Acceptance and Hope," I decided to go back to Canon. I also put a little something called Magic Latern on my 5D III 

[mkabi]

This is fun:

http://www.leica-boss.com/2014/03/the-switch-7-stages-of-moving-from-canon-to-the-sony-a7r/

Not that I plan to switch; I like the mix....

lol... and thank you...
I was strongly considering a A7s... but after reading this... I'm glad that I won't be going through Stage 3 through 7

[Rienzphotoz]

Sony's a7 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Gets A Teardown

[AvTvM]

forget A7/R/S. I won't buy any of them. :-)
If Sony wants my money they better give me an A8/R with 500+ shots battery live, 4k Retina EVF and fully tracking capable AF. Not video capabilities required.

btw: I just love it, that Sony charges much more for the freaking "video-optimized" A7S ... 500 bucks/Euro more than the A7R and a full grand more than A7.
I'd love to see exactly the same options and pricing differential for "video-optimized" Canon DSLRs. Not only 1d_x vs. 1D-C but also upcoming 5D IV vs. 5D IV c(inema) and 7D II vs. 7D II v(ideo).

So sweet. You want freking video, zebras, peaking crap ... you pay for it baby, you get it! You want stills only ... we're goin' to break you a deal, pal. Strike. 

[Dylan777]

forget A7/R/S. I won't buy any of them. :-)
If Sony wants my money they better give me an A8/R with 500+ shots battery live, 4k Retina EVF and fully tracking capable AF. Not video capabilities required.

btw: I just love it, that Sony charges much more for the freaking "video-optimized" A7S ... 500 bucks/Euro more than the A7R and a full grand more than A7.
I'd love to see exactly the same options and pricing differential for "video-optimized" Canon DSLRs. Not only 1d_x vs. 1D-C but also upcoming 5D IV vs. 5D IV c(inema) and 7D II vs. 7D II v(ideo).

So sweet. You want freking video, zebras, peaking crap ... you pay for it baby, you get it! You want stills only ... we're goin' to break you a deal, pal. Strike. 

If - if -- if --- and more if

Last time I check, Sony is the only one offering FF mirrorless for less than $3K. Can we really blame them for this?

[AvTvM]

No if whatsoever. :-)
Either precisely the camera i want, or no purchase.
Neither from canon nor from sony.
Quite simple.  :-)

[Orangutan]

Either precisely the camera i want, or no purchase.

This continues to be the core of your proclamations: you imply that what you want is also what the market as a whole wants.  Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but unless you have a few tens of millions of dollars to give Sony, Canon or Nikon, they're not going to custom-build a camera to your preferences.  Rather, they'll do their own market and engineering analyses to determine what's likely to make money.  (OK, Canon and Nikon will do that, Sony will build what some exec dreamed-up while sitting on the toilet  )

Just grab whatever you have and go out and take pictures!

[AvTvM]

You are mistaken. In many ways. :-)

I just stated, that i won't purchase another camera if it ain't precisely what i want. :-)

And i'm helping out possible suppliers by givkng them some clues what camera i would precisely want. So that they're not ignorant towards my requirements and don't inadvertantly build new cameras falling short of my wishes. Sitting on the shelves, waiting for purchasers never to come.

You know, it has happened before. :-)