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Why did Sony introduce the SAM lens?

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Gavin 11

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Why did Sony introduce the SAM lens?

Any opinions, as I can not see many advantages, there are a lot of complaints regarding noise with this type of lens regarding its application for video?

To me it seems they have fitted a cheap micro motor in the design, which would appear to be inferior to the Canon/Nikon MICRO motor lenses / not hypersonic Piezo type.

--
"Pru, it's kicking off!"
I am a Toadie and proud!
 
Gavin 11 said:
Why did Sony introduce the SAM lens?
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(1) These lenses can do AF (slow but still) with CDAF (Nex with adapter, A580 in liveview). Sony hasn't yet been able to make the older screw-driven lenses AF with CDAF.

(2) Even for PDAF, the AF accuracy has improved quite a bit from screw-driven AF lenses. Even if speed or noise hasn't improved, accuracy did improve (according to photozone reviews).
 
Myari said:
Gavin 11 said:
Why did Sony introduce the SAM lens?
Click to expand...
(1) These lenses can do AF (slow but still) with CDAF (Nex with adapter, A580 in liveview). Sony hasn't yet been able to make the older screw-driven lenses AF with CDAF.

(2) Even for PDAF, the AF accuracy has improved quite a bit from screw-driven AF lenses. Even if speed or noise hasn't improved, accuracy did improve (according to photozone reviews).
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Thanks, both very interesting points.
--
"Pru, it's kicking off!"
I am a Toadie and proud!
 
And you can AF on nex/emount camcorders.

It also presents the option to completely remove the focus motor from the body. Sony could make a nx10 sized camera if they gave up inbody focusing and if they folded the EVF they could make something really small.
 
KC Kennedy said:
And video was introduced on cameras after?
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That would be a valid point, except that they just introduced the 35mm F1.8 SAM. That is a fairly new design, brought out long after APS-C cameras with video were on the market.

I would GUESS it has to do with marketing and price points. They seem to be able ot sell a SAM lens much cheaper than an SSM lens. That does two things - 1> more of the cost can go to optical design, and 2> gets more of them sold and taking pictures. Both good things from the viewpoint of marketing and bean counters.....and acceptable to those of us who do not use them for video.

I do some video with my A55, so I am looking at at least one normal zoom, or normal (35mm to 50mm) fixed focal length lens that is quiet for video. Which will cost more. And be an extra lens to carry. Again, a win-win situation for the marketing types and the bean counters! :(

--
Robert Fielder
Brampton, ON, Canada
 
As someone else mentioned making a huge amount of fuss about the noise a $200 lens makes when for $10 you can get an external microphone to avoid lens noise seems a little dumb.

As long as it focusses quickly and accurately, that's the main thing imo.
 
Because Sony wanted to be cheap? The ultrasonic motors used in SSM type lenses are actually not that expensive but putting it in low end lenses like the $200 35 f/1.8 would reduce their ability to charge more for higher end SSM lenses. It would also eat into some of the the clear profit at that margin level.
Gavin 11 said:
Why did Sony introduce the SAM lens?

Any opinions, as I can not see many advantages, there are a lot of complaints regarding noise with this type of lens regarding its application for video?

To me it seems they have fitted a cheap micro motor in the design, which would appear to be inferior to the Canon/Nikon MICRO motor lenses / not hypersonic Piezo type.

--
"Pru, it's kicking off!"
I am a Toadie and proud!
Click to expand...
--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hopeiseternal/
 
mike_2008 said:
As someone else mentioned making a huge amount of fuss about the noise a $200 lens makes when for $10 you can get an external microphone to avoid lens noise seems a little dumb.
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Where can you get a $10 external mic that attaches to an A55?

Or do you mean any cheap corded mic?

--
Robert Fielder
Brampton, ON, Canada
 
HopeSpringsEternal said:
Because Sony wanted to be cheap? The ultrasonic motors used in SSM type lenses are actually not that expensive but putting it in low end lenses like the $200 35 f/1.8 would reduce their ability to charge more for higher end SSM lenses. It would also eat into some of the the clear profit at that margin level.
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On the other hand, SSM across the line might make very little difference in actual costs - 'specially when you factor in discounts from higher volumes of the components - and might give Sony a competitve advantage in the marketplace.

After all, if they are promoting video on all newer cameras, why not make all components related to the cameras video friendly? Marketing types will love it! As would those of us putting down our $$$ for the products.

Making cameras with great video capabilities and then bolting on bits and pieces that stop you from using those capabilities really does not make a lot of sense to me....

--
Robert Fielder
Brampton, ON, Canada
 
grammar errors, but he/she is probably referring to noise picked up by the camera's microphone when shooting video. The SAM lenses are no worse than any others in this regard; anyone shooting video with a camera such as the Axx series or Pany GH2 is going to be using an external microphone, although the 14-140 Pany lens for the latter solves some of the problem without a mic.

I have SAM primes and am very, very happy with them. Good quality and affordable.
 
Corkcampbell said:
grammar errors, but he/she is probably referring to noise picked up by the camera's microphone when shooting video. The SAM lenses are no worse than any others in this regard; anyone shooting video with a camera such as the Axx series or Pany GH2 is going to be using an external microphone, although the 14-140 Pany lens for the latter solves some of the problem without a mic.
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All three Nex kit lenses (so far) are silent with video.

Nex is the reason why Oly and Pana came up with "new" quiter kit lenses.
 
Corkcampbell said:
It's a bit difficult to understand what the OP's comments mean due to grammar errors,
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As a non-native speaker i had no issues getting the OP message.
I am rather curious to learn about the grammar errors in the OP:
Corkcampbell said:
Corkcampbell said:
Why did Sony introduce the SAM lens?

Any opinions, as I can not see many advantages, there are a lot of complaints regarding noise with this type of lens regarding its application for video?

To me it seems they have fitted a cheap micro motor in the design, which would appear to be inferior to the Canon/Nikon MICRO motor lenses / not hypersonic Piezo type.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I frequently use english in business conversations, so any opportunity to improve is most welcome. So if you could broaden your comment's envelope beyond your initial comment only mentioning the OP errors and actually highlight them - so we can all benefit from your superior language skills, please?

Thank you in advance.

--
Ralf
http://RalfRalph.smugmug.com/
 
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