Interesting. Having dealt directly with Zeiss on getting my decentered Batis 85 fixed, I'd say the level of arrogance there precludes them giving a rats ass about what Sigma is doing. I'm sure whatever lens they've got ready, is what they've been planning all along. About the only influence I can think Sigma might have is that it's put a bit of time pressure on them to announce or release it.
I'd think that Sigma and any other 3rd party lens manufacturer has absolutely no influence on the roadmap of the big OEMs.
They have their roadmap and know what and when the can phase a new product in. There should be a tight schedule driven by two main factors - potential earnings and availability of resources (internal and external).
The rest is marketing and bla bla - which can be fun in many cases
The fact they're teasing us with photos makes me think the specs are underwhelming. I have to think that if it was one that could sell on specs alone (e.g. a 135 f/2 in a small light package) I don't see why they wouldn't have announced it already. So I'm starting to agree that the rumour of a f/2.8 is probably correct. There won't be a lot of interest in $1200 f/2.8 prime.
Correct - the way the try to make it sound even more appealing indicates a slower lens - I'd not be surprised to see a 120ish f/2.8 to keep it lighter. But lighter probably don't mean necessarily light compare to existing formidable legacy glass
I'd be much more interested in a super light weight 135 f/3.x with full EXIF and the smallest possible packaging - may it have AF or not - the difference between f/2.8 and f/3.4 e.g. is negligible but the size difference could be reasonable.
However, the teaser shots they are turning out aren't all that compelling either. The whole thing is starting to add up to a fail. I don't know why they don't just announce it. But I can't imagine the reason for not announcing it is because they are going back to the drawing board. If that was the case, there would be no word... nothing. Not a teaser campaign.
My reasoning behind that is that they try a 'new' marketing idea and see how they can draw attention. The funny thing is that even here in the forums this doesn't seem to work out pretty well.
I am utterly underwhelmed by the Batis lenses. No aperture ring, no AF/MF switch on the lens - focus by wire and finally bulky bulbous lens design and a questionable surface design that looks worn off soon after using it - hm - the Loxia line is much sleeker but here the position of the aperture ring is a bit odd with the given small design of the alpha series bodies - Carl-Zeiss should have looked to Leica and Voigtlaender for formidable designs that work out extremely well on small camera bodies.
Well - you'll never know if they redesign their approach ;-)
My expectations are low. Zeiss has a real opportunity here to cash-in big time being first to market with an FE 135mm lens. But they better not make it a f/2.8 or it will fall flat.
No worries - there are enough fan boys for Batis lenses that want to have a "full collection" of lenses ;-)
From the initial pictures the lens doesn't look too big - that's why I could imagine a 120ish f/2.8 - especially with the new Sony 100 T/5.6 which is a bit short for my taste and too slow.
I still hope Sony bings out a GM 135 f/1.8 in similar superior quality compare to the GM 85 f/1.4.
Maybe Voigtlaender will give us a FE 120-135ish f/3.x optically exquisite small lightweight travel tele?
Obviously all companies currently struggle to build a good longer tele prime for the alpha FF series - I wonder why we don't get better options with full EXIF in a compact form factor?
There once was a really nice Sigma 180 f/5.6 APO macro with excellent image quality and it was including AF and electronics with just some 450 g - that would be an outstanding lens for traveling!!!
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