A99II and A mount lens pricing....

[Digital Bliss Photography]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

 

[Lensmate]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

There's no conspiracy theory here... in the decade that Sony has been around, they are just trying to run a business whilst pleasing as many photographers as possible with the latest technology! Photography is more economical and assessable to many people than ever before...

Try not to read more into these things than necessary!

-Martin P

Martin Passchier

Explore Martin Passchier’s 973 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[Digital Bliss Photography]

No conspiracy theory intended. It certainly a numbers game but just seemed to click it's certainly a far more controlled environment for Sony with the A Mount system.

Plus Seemed like a positive for us A Mounters and getting newer A Mount glass. That yes, I do wish we're a little cheaper sometimes Haha

Not trying to start anything. It was just a thought.

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

There's no conspiracy theory here... in the decade that Sony has been around, they are just trying to run a business whilst pleasing as many photographers as possible with the latest technology! Photography is more economical and assessable to many people than ever before...

Try not to read more into these things than necessary!

-Martin P

https://www.flickr.com/photos/photosauraus_rex/

 

[Jabez02]

The A mount is an established business even if Sony has at times struggled over its correct business model.

But making the parts and technology developed for the E mount cameras available to the A mount seems from the outside a good idea. With the body developed and put into production for the A99 II, Sony could put out three cameras - a A77 III (based on A6500), a direct replacement 24 MP replacement for the A99 I (putative A7 III) as well as the A99 II.

All those cameras need not sell in the same numbers as Canon and Nikon need to turn a profit, as effectively they are just one production line. And hopefully as they are medium to high end cameras they would appeal to Sigma and Tamron to produce lenses for them.

I have all the A mount lenses I could possibly want at the moment. But if I was a new kid on the block I would certainly be looking to buy the Sigma 12-24 and 24-35 rather than the current Sony 16-35 offering. That may force Sony to re-examine its lens line up even if only offering a f 4.0 range of zooms like in the FE range.

 

[Digital Bliss Photography]

I use the Sigma 12-24 (the original one!) and love it. It give those awesome, grand perspectives that really make shots stand out.

The A mount is an established business even if Sony has at times struggled over its correct business model.

But making the parts and technology developed for the E mount cameras available to the A mount seems from the outside a good idea. With the body developed and put into production for the A99 II, Sony could put out three cameras - a A77 III (based on A6500), a direct replacement 24 MP replacement for the A99 I (putative A7 III) as well as the A99 II.

All those cameras need not sell in the same numbers as Canon and Nikon need to turn a profit, as effectively they are just one production line. And hopefully as they are medium to high end cameras they would appeal to Sigma and Tamron to produce lenses for them.

I have all the A mount lenses I could possibly want at the moment. But if I was a new kid on the block I would certainly be looking to buy the Sigma 12-24 and 24-35 rather than the current Sony 16-35 offering. That may force Sony to re-examine its lens line up even if only offering a f 4.0 range of zooms like in the FE range.

 

[mfriesenm]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

There's no conspiracy theory here... in the decade that Sony has been around, they are just trying to run a business whilst pleasing as many photographers as possible with the latest technology! Photography is more economical and assessable to many people than ever before...

Try not to read more into these things than necessary!

-Martin P

https://www.flickr.com/photos/photosauraus_rex/

I kinda disagree here, you sincerely think that Sony's primary goal is to please everyone and make advance the human race? I might be more cynical about things, but I would think the primary goal of a huge company would be to please the share holders which is make more money.

If they choose to advance technology and offer great products to please the share holders, then I am behind them and will keep purchasing their products.

But I wouldn't put it behind a company to stive for a monopoly on products, thats the kind of business that makes shareholders salivate.

 

[Lensmate]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

There's no conspiracy theory here... in the decade that Sony has been around, they are just trying to run a business whilst pleasing as many photographers as possible with the latest technology! Photography is more economical and assessable to many people than ever before...

Try not to read more into these things than necessary!

-Martin P

https://www.flickr.com/photos/photosauraus_rex/

I kinda disagree here, you sincerely think that Sony's primary goal is to please everyone and make advance the human race? I might be more cynical about things, but I would think the primary goal of a huge company would be to please the share holders which is make more money.
If they choose to advance technology and offer great products to please the share holders, then I am behind them and will keep purchasing their products.
But I wouldn't put it behind a company to stive for a monopoly on products, thats the kind of business that makes shareholders salivate.

If you want to warp what I said out of context, so be it! I didn't say they were a charity either...if you look above, the word 'business' was included. I refuse to be baited by headlines of 'brainwashed' and 'propaganda' . Have a wee ogle at this link whilst keeping yer panties on...

Loading…

www.nbr.org

-Martin P

https://www.flickr.com/photos/photosauraus_rex/

 

[Chris Malcolm]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

It would be very odd indeed if Sony had only just realised that one of the main selling points of the mirrorless E-mount system with its short registration distance, that it can use lenses from any other system with longer registration distance, I.e. any SLR and DSLR range plus some others, was actually being taken up by customers. Seems to me that must have been one of its key strategic aims right from the design stage of E-mount.

Producing new cameras and lenses for A-mount isn't going to tempt E-mount users into A-mount. It's a different market, different kind of user population. In fact they're not breathing new life into A-mount. In fact they never stopped supporting A-mount. Just some naive users thought that the flurry of new cameras and new lenses for the new E-mount meant they had stopped, or soon would stop, developing A-mount. And when the next A-mount camera arrives at pretty much the time it would be expected from past history these naive users who thought A-mount was dead now think life is being breathed back into it.

 

[Molan]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

It would be very odd indeed if Sony had only just realised that one of the main selling points of the mirrorless E-mount system with its short registration distance, that it can use lenses from any other system with longer registration distance, I.e. any SLR and DSLR range plus some others, was actually being taken up by customers. Seems to me that must have been one of its key strategic aims right from the design stage of E-mount.

Producing new cameras and lenses for A-mount isn't going to tempt E-mount users into A-mount. It's a different market, different kind of user population. In fact they're not breathing new life into A-mount. In fact they never stopped supporting A-mount. Just some naive users thought that the flurry of new cameras and new lenses for the new E-mount meant they had stopped, or soon would stop, developing A-mount. And when the next A-mount camera arrives at pretty much the time it would be expected from past history these naive users who thought A-mount was dead now think life is being breathed back into it.

 

[Tequila MockingjayBird]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

E-mount being able to use any and all brand lenses (with adapters) is a matter of achieving brand name penetration and recognition.

However, with A99ii and OSPDAF availability only on Sony Lenses, it definitely "reeks" of Sony pushing for usage of newer Sony Lenses rather than older versions or 3rd party such as Sigma.

 

[Molan]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

E-mount being able to use any and all brand lenses (with adapters) is a matter of achieving brand name penetration and recognition.

However, with A99ii and OSPDAF availability only on Sony Lenses, it definitely "reeks" of Sony pushing for usage of newer Sony Lenses rather than older versions or 3rd party such as Sigma.

 

[Tequila MockingjayBird]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

E-mount being able to use any and all brand lenses (with adapters) is a matter of achieving brand name penetration and recognition.

However, with A99ii and OSPDAF availability only on Sony Lenses, it definitely "reeks" of Sony pushing for usage of newer Sony Lenses rather than older versions or 3rd party such as Sigma.

 

[craig66]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

E-mount being able to use any and all brand lenses (with adapters) is a matter of achieving brand name penetration and recognition.

However, with A99ii and OSPDAF availability only on Sony Lenses, it definitely "reeks" of Sony pushing for usage of newer Sony Lenses rather than older versions or 3rd party such as Sigma.

--
you need a team to realize your dream

Sigma is out anyway, but it's sad if Tamron can't make their lenses work.

For all anybody knows, Tamron and Sigma lenses may work if they were given the chance. The camera apparently only allows the on sensor PDAF for lenses reporting a lens id that is on the list of Sony lens ids in the camera firmware.

 

[Tequila MockingjayBird]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

E-mount being able to use any and all brand lenses (with adapters) is a matter of achieving brand name penetration and recognition.

However, with A99ii and OSPDAF availability only on Sony Lenses, it definitely "reeks" of Sony pushing for usage of newer Sony Lenses rather than older versions or 3rd party such as Sigma.

 

[craig66]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

E-mount being able to use any and all brand lenses (with adapters) is a matter of achieving brand name penetration and recognition.

However, with A99ii and OSPDAF availability only on Sony Lenses, it definitely "reeks" of Sony pushing for usage of newer Sony Lenses rather than older versions or 3rd party such as Sigma.

--
you need a team to realize your dream

Sigma is out anyway, but it's sad if Tamron can't make their lenses work.

For all anybody knows, Tamron and Sigma lenses may work if they were given the chance. The camera apparently only allows the on sensor PDAF for lenses reporting a lens id that is on the list of Sony lens ids in the camera firmware.

Would it be illegal of sigma to make this lens ID changeable via the sigma dock?

--
you need a team to realize your dream

Interesting thought. I can't see why it would be illegal. It's just a number and you can't patent numbers though there could be a commercial agreement between Sony and Sigma that prohibits it. Whether Sigma would do it is another matter.

It would introduce issues with lens profiles that rely on the lens id in exif, but I guess you can change lens id in the exif back to the correct id before processing.

As Sony screw drive, SAM and SSM lenses are all supported, you have to ask what sort of special AF sauce Sony lenses have that is missing from third party lens - other than a different lens ID.

 

[John Tait]

I just had a crazy thought. Is it possible that Sony's big reason for continued A mount love with the a99ii has something to do with the fact that they're realizing people are using so many other lens brands, on their e-mount cameras. And that they're not making making as much money as they'd like, like they do with their far more controlled A mount system. Where they can mostly name their price on lenses. And they do. It makes sense.

Just kinda hit me as I was looking at discounts on E mount vs A Mount for Black Friday.

Am I crazy in thinking this?

E-mount being able to use any and all brand lenses (with adapters) is a matter of achieving brand name penetration and recognition.

However, with A99ii and OSPDAF availability only on Sony Lenses, it definitely "reeks" of Sony pushing for usage of newer Sony Lenses rather than older versions or 3rd party such as Sigma.

--
you need a team to realize your dream

Sigma is out anyway, but it's sad if Tamron can't make their lenses work.

For all anybody knows, Tamron and Sigma lenses may work if they were given the chance. The camera apparently only allows the on sensor PDAF for lenses reporting a lens id that is on the list of Sony lens ids in the camera firmware.

Would it be illegal of sigma to make this lens ID changeable via the sigma dock?

--
you need a team to realize your dream

Interesting thought. I can't see why it would be illegal. It's just a number and you can't patent numbers though there could be a commercial agreement between Sony and Sigma that prohibits it. Whether Sigma would do it is another matter.

It would introduce issues with lens profiles that rely on the lens id in exif, but I guess you can change lens id in the exif back to the correct id before processing.

As Sony screw drive, SAM and SSM lenses are all supported, you have to ask what sort of special AF sauce Sony lenses have that is missing from third party lens - other than a different lens ID.

This is from mikey2000 at dyxum.com

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/a99ii-first-impressions_topic123262.html

"10. I tried my Tamron 90mm macro. Lightroom sees it as a 100/2.8 Macro (not sure if lens ID is for the sony or minolta version) The full set of On-sensor AF points appear! The camera thinks I've mounted a supported lens. I've not tested the focus accuracy but it hunts horribly with the edge-most points. Inside the normal PDAF area, it seems fine. On-sensor points immediately surrounding the main PDAF area fare better but need to be reasonably near to being in focus."

I also have the screw drive Tamron 90mm macro and I believe it does have the same lens ID as the Sony 100/2.8 macro lens. Mikey2000 reports that his a99ii "hunts horribly" at the edge-most on-sensor focus points. If Sony supported the Tamron 90mm macro lens people would be screaming their heads off that Sony needed to fix this problem.

 

[craig66]

This is from mikey2000 at dyxum.com

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/a99ii-first-impressions_topic123262.html

"10. I tried my Tamron 90mm macro. Lightroom sees it as a 100/2.8 Macro (not sure if lens ID is for the sony or minolta version) The full set of On-sensor AF points appear! The camera thinks I've mounted a supported lens. I've not tested the focus accuracy but it hunts horribly with the edge-most points. Inside the normal PDAF area, it seems fine. On-sensor points immediately surrounding the main PDAF area fare better but need to be reasonably near to being in focus."

I also have the screw drive Tamron 90mm macro and I believe it does have the same lens ID as the Sony 100/2.8 macro lens. Mikey2000 reports that his a99ii "hunts horribly" at the edge-most on-sensor focus points. If Sony supported the Tamron 90mm macro lens people would be screaming their heads off that Sony needed to fix this problem.

It could be anything, including something to do with the individual sample of the Tamron. These outer points are going to be affected more by lens aberrations eg field tilt. I think we need a lot more information before drawing firm conclusions.

 

[John Tait]

This is from mikey2000 at dyxum.com

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/a99ii-first-impressions_topic123262.html

"10. I tried my Tamron 90mm macro. Lightroom sees it as a 100/2.8 Macro (not sure if lens ID is for the sony or minolta version) The full set of On-sensor AF points appear! The camera thinks I've mounted a supported lens. I've not tested the focus accuracy but it hunts horribly with the edge-most points. Inside the normal PDAF area, it seems fine. On-sensor points immediately surrounding the main PDAF area fare better but need to be reasonably near to being in focus."

I also have the screw drive Tamron 90mm macro and I believe it does have the same lens ID as the Sony 100/2.8 macro lens. Mikey2000 reports that his a99ii "hunts horribly" at the edge-most on-sensor focus points. If Sony supported the Tamron 90mm macro lens people would be screaming their heads off that Sony needed to fix this problem.

It could be anything, including something to do with the individual sample of the Tamron. These outer points are going to be affected more by lens aberrations eg field tilt. I think we need a lot more information before drawing firm conclusions.

I agree! It just feels like people get into a little feeding frenzy that not supporting third party lenses has no technical justification. It goes from speculation to sounding like it's fact in the posters' eyes. That belief also needs a lot more information before drawing firm conclusions. I'll be testing my Tamron 90mm Macro when I get my a99ii and it would be great if hybrid AF works correctly.

Edit: Another point, there are quite a few Sony lenses that are not supported.

 

[John Tait]

This is from mikey2000 at dyxum.com

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/a99ii-first-impressions_topic123262.html

"10. I tried my Tamron 90mm macro. Lightroom sees it as a 100/2.8 Macro (not sure if lens ID is for the sony or minolta version) The full set of On-sensor AF points appear! The camera thinks I've mounted a supported lens. I've not tested the focus accuracy but it hunts horribly with the edge-most points. Inside the normal PDAF area, it seems fine. On-sensor points immediately surrounding the main PDAF area fare better but need to be reasonably near to being in focus."

I also have the screw drive Tamron 90mm macro and I believe it does have the same lens ID as the Sony 100/2.8 macro lens. Mikey2000 reports that his a99ii "hunts horribly" at the edge-most on-sensor focus points. If Sony supported the Tamron 90mm macro lens people would be screaming their heads off that Sony needed to fix this problem.

It could be anything, including something to do with the individual sample of the Tamron. These outer points are going to be affected more by lens aberrations eg field tilt. I think we need a lot more information before drawing firm conclusions.

Assuming the camera does need information specific to each lens, I think Sony could make it possible to support third party lenses.

1. The a99ii would have to be able to query the lens for the necessary information before looking at the lens ID. This could possibly be added in a firmware update.

2. Sony would have to provide specs on what's needed for hybrid AF to work correctly. This information could be licensed and the contract could include a non-disclosure agreement.

3. The necessary information would have to be added to the third part lenses. This could possibly be done through firmware updates.

4. It would be the third party manufacturer's responsibility to fix any problems resulting from not following the specs correctly.

 

[Tequila MockingjayBird]

This is from mikey2000 at dyxum.com

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/a99ii-first-impressions_topic123262.html

"10. I tried my Tamron 90mm macro. Lightroom sees it as a 100/2.8 Macro (not sure if lens ID is for the sony or minolta version) The full set of On-sensor AF points appear! The camera thinks I've mounted a supported lens. I've not tested the focus accuracy but it hunts horribly with the edge-most points. Inside the normal PDAF area, it seems fine. On-sensor points immediately surrounding the main PDAF area fare better but need to be reasonably near to being in focus."

I also have the screw drive Tamron 90mm macro and I believe it does have the same lens ID as the Sony 100/2.8 macro lens. Mikey2000 reports that his a99ii "hunts horribly" at the edge-most on-sensor focus points. If Sony supported the Tamron 90mm macro lens people would be screaming their heads off that Sony needed to fix this problem.

It could be anything, including something to do with the individual sample of the Tamron. These outer points are going to be affected more by lens aberrations eg field tilt. I think we need a lot more information before drawing firm conclusions.

Assuming the camera does need information specific to each lens, I think Sony could make it possible to support third party lenses.

1. The a99ii would have to be able to query the lensfor the necessary information

query the lens? How? Is there a communications protocol established that allows back & forth talk of various parameters?