Wishlist for next Sony FF

Martin --

Good list. +1 for all the AF points (more, better, crosses, selectable, etc.) -- but please don't make them any bigger in the VF. They already get in my way too often during composition.

+1, also -- from another post -- for removing the AA filter (if I understand correctly).

"if I understand correctly"

yes removing the AA filter . with more pixels the lens will become the blurring factor . Leica and all the mf camera's have no AA filter . The foveon advantage of not having a AA filter will be no valid any more .
Why blurring before and sharper after ? who has problems with moiré ?

Guido

Guido FORRIER said:

evf , life view , video (? my lumix gh2 has good video) etc....
but most off all : NO AA filter .
guido

Click to expand...

Good point. AA filter has no place on a professional high MP camera. If necessary, it can be done in pp. In-camera may be too slow for consumer use, but for professional it is best left off.

I just hope someone from Sony reads this thread - and does something with the great ideas here.

Even if the next Sony professional level camera is mirrorless EVF electronic-shuttered, much of what we have here is relevant and important. Take note Sony, if you ever want to move up from No. 3 position in system cameras!

Ignore. Actual non-gummed up reply in the next post....

Here's my post from two years (!) ago on this very subject.... Comments before some points in all-caps:
+++++++++++++++++

This is based on my experience bringing my A900 to a professional photography class, and on the needs in my engineering workplace.

1) (DONE) Work closely with Adobe to improve RAW processing in ACR / LightRoom;

2) New JPG engine (some pros make sure to get it right in camera, and hence use only JPG efficiency's sake);

3) ISO information in viewfinder;

4) Warning in viewfinder to let you know diopter setting is non-zero (that's bit me!);

5) PocketWizard TTL aware compatible wireless flash trigger built in (NOT A NEW SONY PROPRIETARY SYSTEM!!!);

6) Set option for the "shot review picture" to blink when one particular channel (namely, red) clips. This is important for not blowing out skin tones;

7) Mode that lets user set aperture & shutter, and camera picks best ISO;

8) An adaptable hotshoe - plug it in one way and it's Minolta, pull it out, flip it over, and replug in and it's ISO compatible;

9) (Implement the same on all flashes, so we can use standard flash rigging....);

10) Main sensor LiveView with 100% magnification mode for checking focus (needed especially in macro or other technical work);

11) in line with above point, make sure LiveView can output via HDMI at all times;

12) Pixel-binning, to give us "virtual 12 MP" or "virtual 6 MP" sensor at shoot time (Goal is very usable ISO25600 in 6MB mode);

13) Weather sealing, especially on dials;

14) Focus micro-correction tuned for what zoom setting a lens is at;

15) (WELL, MEMORYSTICK IS DEAD...) Be able to write to memorystick (jpg) and compact flash (RAW) at the same time;

16) Being able to have aperture-priority control for non-AF lenses;

17) Built-in pop-up flash that works as a ratio-capable flash controller;

18) Built-in GPS and digital compass, or direct plug-in unit that writes to EXIF;

19) Open-sourced firmware, for making it a truly Harry-Hardcore professional tool;

20) (building on two above items) a micro-USB accessory port (open standards!);

21) Built in help / manual, including for high-end lenses (70-200G: "what's 'F-Time' again?!?");

22) Implement the "SONY" on the front of the camera with an LED display that can be set to flash "TAKE THAT, CANON *****!" (Nikon's OK - they buy Sony Sensors!)

Archer66 said:

One more for my list:

• Filename should not rollover after 9999.

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Sorry but that isn't anything that Sony can do. That is the EXIF standard that all digital cameras follow. That needs to be updated to say use 6 digits instead of just 4.

Archer66 said:

VF:

• 100% view
• Option to show gridlines
• Option to show horizontal and/or vertical spirit levels

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This should be easy for Sony to do. The Minolta Maxxum/Dynax 700si has an OVF with a transparent LCD overlay so that various things can optionally be displayed. The 700si came out in 1993 and I bought one. Still have it.

--
Henry Richardson
http://www.bakubo.com

My Olympus (E-300) just kept on going eg: "P3121916.ORF" I'm almost %99 sure there is exif data in those Olympus RAW files.

It sure makes it easy for archiving and retrieving images though computer search.

Tom

RedFox88 said:

Archer66 said:

One more for my list:

• Filename should not rollover after 9999.

Click to expand...

Sorry but that isn't anything that Sony can do. That is the EXIF standard that all digital cameras follow. That needs to be updated to say use 6 digits instead of just 4.

Click to expand...

--
Tom
http://www.hawkinsbeauty.com

Almost all of Taamberg's post is well thought out, and a plus one.

Especially the hotshoe issue. Assuming the FF model is aimed at pros , it woudl be really good to make it a flippable ISO standard hotshoe. I need ISO for pocket wizard / Profoto syncing or other types of flashes I have bought that work just fine.

I get it that Sony wants to sell more sony flashes but the proprietary system is annoying and seems like a deterrent to others jumping the nikon and canon ship. Let them use their old flashes and not have to shell out $100 and extra camera bulk just to transfer the simple flash signal.

Tom

taamberg said:

8) An adaptable hotshoe - plug it in one way and it's Minolta, pull it out, flip it over, and replug in and it's ISO compatible;

9) (Implement the same on all flashes, so we can use standard flash rigging....);

Click to expand...

--
Tom
http://www.hawkinsbeauty.com

Happy_Tom said:

My Olympus (E-300) just kept on going eg: "P3121916.ORF" I'm almost %99 sure there is exif data in those Olympus RAW files.

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That is because there is only a "P" besides the number in the file name. Most camera makers use IMG or DSC, etc, along with a " " and then 4 numbers. There can only be 8 characters in the file name, not including file extension. From the EXIF standard:

File names shall be 8 characters or fewer, not including the extension.

And manufacturers like to keep using the format they've been using, in part because of re-using parts of firmware from previous cameras as well as using the same memory card in multiple (and older) digicams.

Don't screw up the ergonomics.

I'm tempted to pick up an A900 before the upgrade simply because of the ergonomics. (I own an A700, A55 and KM7d).

I find the A700 to be very easy and intuitive to work. On the A55 they moved a lot of buttons around and the Fn menu is not nearly as nice to use. As I usually have two cameras with me, I prefer to not have to think about the difference between the cameras.

Also, don't introduce another battery. I have three cameras which take different batteries which means I have to take a charger for each camera. Even the cords to the chargers are different.

I know it's better - but better isn't alway's better. It may be better in some ways, but less convenient in other ways.
--
Shawn

User-changeable lens mount
6-colour sensor
Focus with sensor shift
Tilt/Shift with the sensor
User-removable AA filter
Camera level (3ax) on the top LCD
802.11n/802.15.4/Bluetooth
and much more...
--
http://www.libraw.org/

Eye-start AF.

Craig

Craigski said:

Eye-start AF.

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According the Gary Friedman, this was removed (starting w. the a700) because the EU banned nickel from consumer items (roughly). The nickel was in the hand sensor.

I also have an A850 but I am aware that Sony may not have another FF in near future

Archer66 said:

I currently have A850 and while I love it there is always room for some improvement.

So here is my wishlist:

VF:

• 100% view
• Option to show gridlines
• Option to show horizontal and/or vertical spirit levels

Body:

• Ability to lock control wheels ( while shooting in studio )
• Support for CFast cards ( and keep CF )
• Ability to save pin-code protected owner info

Battery grip:

• Relocate AF/MF button ( it's just under my thumb in portrait mode )

Lens:

• 24-1xx FF zoom with a reasonable price ( 600-800 Eur )

I do not need:

• Top plate LCD
• GPS
• Video

If the rumours are correct and there will be two versions I will probably get the high ISO one bc I think A850 already has enough resolution for studio.

So whats on Your wishlist thats missing from A850/A900 ?

Pls don't turn this thread into a debate if there will be a new Sony FF nor to a fight about OVF vs EVF.

Click to expand...

--
Mark K

Thanks, didn't know that.

Here is my list:

Body -> almost similar size as in a900 and definitely as good ergonomics. Size cant be too small for a pro body, it needs a proper balance with heavy lenses.

Do not place key features behind menus.. a900 is a great example, dont make the new FF worse in that area.

Screen -> 3.5inch high resolution screen. No need for flip.

VF -> EVF with "best money can get", with at least 3 million pixel resolution, improved DR and frame refreshing. Make it to show 100% and with accurate colors.

Sensor -> no need to add much more pixels, 24mpx is good enough... well if you still add few more, please make better high ISO noise anyways! Also DR is really important, so more is better...

FPS -> would be nice to have something like 10fps, but ONLY if you can make pro level AF. I dont need fast frames if AF cant handle it...

Video -> make true 1080p video with abilities to adjust and change settings.

AF -> we need a pro AF. AF that is amazingly accurate with "single" mode and super fast for C-mode. For video would love to see AF that can be adjust so that user can select the speed when/during filming.

And rest of the a900 settings you should keep!

Thats about it.

As a conclusion, a900 is really great tool, close to the perfect camera for me.

Basically I would be happy, if i could even get a900 with better high ISO noise, better and faster AF and with HD video with AF...

What part you didnt understand ?

Mark K said:

Mark K said:

Pls don't turn this thread into a debate if there will be a new Sony FF

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Mark K said:

I also have an A850 but I am aware that Sony may not have another FF in near future

Click to expand...

nemofin said:

Here is my list:

Body -> almost similar size as in a900 and definitely as good ergonomics. Size cant be too small for a pro body, it needs a proper balance with heavy lenses.

Click to expand...

Is there any possibility of considerably reducing the weight of Sony's next FF camera? Does a FF camera REALLY need to be nearly double the weight of a good APS-C camera?

Rob
http://www.robsphotography.co.nz/Sony-A900.html
Examples of the amazing clarity of A900 cropped images