Sony removes remaining DSLTs from its website suggesting the A-mount is all but dead

Sony's best ergonomics and tiling LCD are gone now too. Reading the comments a good number of Sony users say the SLTs were always Sony's best bodies. RIP.

May 12, 2021permalink

shigzeo

And in one fell swoop, Sony kills off the only good ergonomic players in its post-dSLR game.

May 12, 2021*permalink

ChicagoSam

I wondered why there was silence from both Sony as well as the public as these cameras quietly disappeared from view. Well, you're silent no longer. I'm pretty dismayed because I almost certainly would have bought an a77iii if they'd ever released one. Now I've got all these terrific lenses that can be used only on an aging, obsolete camera.

May 11, 2021permalink

jzet

135 1.8 Sony Zeiss is (aside from screw drive) a dream lens. Myabe would even buy and adapt in via LAE5 in the future in (coming soon) a7m4

May 12, 2021permalink

Nothing obscelete about the A mounts

May 18, 2021permalink

sirhawkeye64

Some how i don't think this is going to be a big surprise to anyone....
I'm pretty sure when the E mount took off back in 2013-2015 with the a6000 bodies, etc, Sony knew at that the A mount was basically dead but kept it on life support all these years....(not that they sold any A mount lenses or bodies that I'm aware of in recent years).

In NIkon land, they just "archive" the product.

May 11, 2021*permalink

felix from the suburbs

Wow, 698 comments and counting. It's almost as if A mount was still in production and heavily promoted by Sony.

May 11, 2021permalink

Nikon DX line is next.

May 11, 2021permalink

Gesture

Start with just 2 models: D5X00 and D5X0.

May 11, 2021permalink

sirhawkeye64

Next....?? The DX line has been rather "dead" for the past few years in general. I mean we only have what, 2 DX lenses after 18 months of the Z50 being on the market? There's supposedly an 18-140 and (I think) a telephoto zoom but so far, no word. But I think honestly Nikon wants to phase out the DX line.

May 11, 2021*permalink

Roger

I believe your correct. You can't really use the D lenses on the new Z bodies. They fit, but don't really work.
Roger J.

Jun 22, 2021permalink

Anastigmat

Minolta never marketed a professional camera like the Nikon F4 and it never had a mirror box that can give the camera 10 frames per second. The pellicle mirror is attempt to improve the frame rate of its cameras but it did not appeal to pros who use Canon and Nikon cameras for sports photography. Sony finally decided to dump the mirror altogether. Without the mirror, Sony can finally offer a camera with frame rates that the DSLR camera cannot equal. The logical next step for Sony is to put the Minolta A mount into retirement.

May 11, 2021permalink

The pellicle mirror was not primarly put in there to get higher frame rates, but to create a mirrorless camera while still retaining the much faster PDAF for both stills and video. At the time SLT came on the market, mirrorless cameras used CDAF only, and their AF performance was poor compared to DSLRs . The DSLRs could not use PDAF for video as well.

May 11, 2021permalink

SLT cameras had many cool features that DSLRs never had: dual AF(PDAF+on-sensor CDAF(A99-2)), EVF, video through EVF, exposure imitation, no difference in AF between EVF and display(fast AF in live-view mode), no mirror shock, no mirror mechanism...

May 11, 2021permalink

@hippo84:

Exactly. All these are characteristics of a mirrorless camera of today.

May 11, 2021*permalink

@EXX

That's why I loved my SLTs(A77/77-2/99/99-2) so much. They were like mirrorless but with great ergonomics) My last SLT(A99-2) makes 498k shots and still alive) Amazing camera!

May 11, 2021permalink

i have handled slts in yodobashi few times. They felt very good in hands.

May 12, 2021permalink

Roger

Minolta built the Maxxum 9000 second AF camera and the only AF camera to have a manual film advance lever or a MD. The 9xi matched the F4s then Minolta built the Maxxum 9 Nikon even bought a few to reverse engineer to see how some things done, yes that's fact.
Oh well past history
Roger J.

Jun 22, 2021permalink

PortraitLover

RIP, its been a semi-solid run.

May 11, 2021*permalink

With SLT, A-mount became de facto a mirrorless mount, but without the benefit of the smaller flange distance of E-mount. In the beginning, A-mount SLT was still superior in AF performance and lens selection, but that all has vanished now as OSPDAF has progressed a lot and there are now lots of native lenses for E-mount . Sony could easily create an A-mount camera without the SLT mirror, but what is the point. This would effectively be an E-mount camera + LA-EA5 adapter.

What would be a great thing is that Sony would continue the Axx series (so using the body shape, swivel screen, top LCD, on board flash etc.), just with E-mount instead of A-mount, with or without the LA-EA5 adapter.

May 11, 2021permalink

True. Worked fine before on-sensor AF was mature.

May 11, 2021*permalink

Sony had faked a try of this.... In a way Sony doesn't want to bring E-mount with A-mount ergos and form factor.

They designed a frankenstein ugly and useless camera-joke, the A3000, and used the sales numbers of this non-proposition to conclude that clients don't want E-mount with A -mount form factors.
I'm moving on my 2 legs, kangurus are moving on their 2 legs. Sony Conclusion ? Naturally I'm a kanguru.

Obviously clients want cameras with correct to good specs, not this fake atempt of a camera-joke that is A3000.
If Sony had put A6xxx sensor and tech into an A77m2 body, that would have sold like hot cakes.

May 14, 2021permalink

Yes, the A3000 was a NEX camera in an SLR like coat. But is was indeed very low spec: the EVF was rubbish and the AF painfully slow. The sensor however was quite decent (same sensor as the A58), so one could take great photos with it.

I agree: creating a decent E-mount camera using A-mount design would be great. It even does not have to be big; just look at the A55: not much bigger than the A6xxx cameras and smaller than the A7 series. But with things like fully articulated screen and on board flash (and would be capable of holding either an APS-C or full frame sensor). An A77II style E-mount camera would be superb.

May 15, 2021permalink

Kirk Bruner

What is the benefit of a shorter registry?

May 31, 2021permalink

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_focal_distance

The benefit is that you can easily adapt lenses from DSLR mounts, as these are designed for a longer register aka flange focal distance. You only need an simple adapter without any optical elements that fills the gap between the actual distance and the distance required by the lens, and you can use this lens from its nearest focal distance to infinity using manual focus. Auto focus may work, depending on the adapter and the lens type.

Jun 1, 2021*permalink

@ EXX: The most important benefit is that there is much more flexibility for how lenses are designed optically, and that you can make much brighter lenses (theoretically as bright as about f:0.6 with all the major mirrorless mounts, including E-mount with a full frame sensor.

Jun 1, 2021*permalink

Sebastian Cohen

Sony makes digital cameras.

May 11, 2021permalink

mmditter

Hmmm... never wanted one anyway.

May 10, 2021permalink

BrownieVet

Not relevant to me. All my Nikkor F mount lenses I use on Nikon F and other Nikon Film SLRs works on every Nikon DSLRs I own. I'm sure all my NIkon cameras and Nikkor lenses will outlive me. Not interested in getting Nikon Z nor any mirror less camera or lens.

I'd rather take photographs than waste my time and energy on events I have no control.

May 10, 2021permalink

thisisbenji

Then why exactly are you on this website?

May 11, 2021permalink

SiriusB

Still remember when the A900 came out and I first saw it 'in the wild'. 25 MP FF sensor! I thought it was the most appealing FF DSLR at the time. A-mount going extinct is just part of the bigger extinction, EF and F-mounts are also going, and fast. Or probably even already gone. Don't know why some people get hung up on it. Mirrorless and new mounts offer so much more.

May 10, 2021permalink

Bigsensorisbest

Yes its puzzle to me too. I can remember the pre Internet fuss when canon dropped the FD mount for the EF mount, it was like many owners lives were over...

May 10, 2021permalink

landscaper1

Well, as for EF mount cameras, thankfully there's a lot of excellent EF mount lenses to be had in the used lens market because some of us, no matter how much we might desire them, just can't afford almost any of the RF mount lenses being offered.

May 10, 2021*permalink

Bigsensorisbest

Landscaper yes and they will fall in price making them more affordable. Apologies if you have low or no income, but if you do it can be a question of priorities, I’d rather have cutting edge gear than a newer car or house, holidays, more kids eating out, drinking/smoking, Ken Rockwell has a useful page’how to afford anything’

May 10, 2021permalink

SiriusB

To each their own. I find Rockwell's article patronizing and mostly clickbait. If you can't figure it out yourself, then you have a bigger problem than not being able to afford photographic gear :) Set your (personal) priorities and goals and go with it. I would love to have the latest RF glass and R bodies - I can afford it, but choose not to buy them (or the Nikon or Sony equivalent), as there is a ton of other stuff I want to spend my money on. In any case, there is a lot of excellent EF glass out there - up until a couple of years ago it was the best available for Canon, including pro grade. Of course RF lenses offer improved optical performance (as is the case with all new MILC mount lenses), but that does not diminish the performance of EF mount lenses. In any case, there is always the next best/new lens that you don't have and want to buy :)

May 11, 2021permalink

Bigsensorisbest

Sirius I think he's right about 80% of the time I love his work, and it doesn't harm to actually spell things out once in a while to help others work finances out, I've got what i think is the the best gear at the expense of other things. Youre right of course you can be content with previous generation equipment but with increasing numbers starting to drop the same age as me as I get older there's some justification to enjoying the things you want in the present:-)

May 11, 2021permalink

BRWAT

We all knew the A-Mount was on the way out, and that the A99II was going to be the last A-Mount. I own a single A99II, and it remains fantastic. I sold the other one in order to begin the transition to the e-mount.

I still haven't decided which body, but A7RIVs are on sale with a free grip which seems like the way to go...

May 9, 2021*permalink

chev3100

It never was fantastic and your imaginary transition to e-mount is just...imaginary. Its called caught by the b.. and now Sony is going to tear them again? Just when you thought the first scar healed.
Wait? you were d.. enough to by two of those darn things? And now you get a 4 year old A7 because of a "free" 3$ doodah? Oh and you are still stuck with the horrible A mount lenses which are worth nothing.
Transition my...

May 9, 2021permalink

@chev3100 meds !

May 9, 2021permalink

Martii52

Noise is a big factor with the a7riv I have the riii at 42mp it's hard to control at 60mp it's harder still 😉

May 10, 2021permalink

Derek Dean

chev3100, you are one rude dude.

May 10, 2021permalink

Lucignano

Martii52 wrote: “Noise is a big factor with the a7riv I have the riii at 42mp it's hard to control at 60mp it's harder still”.

IIRC the α99 II uses the same 42MPix sensor as the a7R II, and the α7R III uses again the same 42MPix sensor, but with improved read-out technique resulting in a lower noise level.

Therefore, BRWAT, if you belong to the people who dislike noise very very much, you might consider moving to the α7R III (instead of IV) which gives you the same resolution as the α99 II but probably with a bit better noise control.

If you are not that fearful against noise, and can make benefit from the increased resolution, the α7R IV is the right move. I have switched recently from the a7R II to the α7R IV, and while it is right that there is more noise to be seen when pixel peeping, the overall image quality is better (and the handling is *far* better).

(And the α7R IV is not a „4 year old A7“, it is a camery very different from the original α7 and was released in 2019.)

May 11, 2021*permalink

Cerridwen

@chev3100

I want what you're having

May 12, 2021permalink

chev3100

@Cerridwen: Intellect? Sense of humour? Disdain for the undiscerning, consuming herd? Can't help you , sorry.

May 13, 2021permalink

I'm sticking with my A992 these e-mounts are what I refer to as toy cameras. Who needs them?

May 18, 2021permalink

Kirk Bruner

chev3100 Explain how the A-mount 135mm f1.8, the 85mm f1.4, the Minolta APO High Speed 200mm f2.8 are "horrible". Thank you.

May 31, 2021permalink

shatterspeed

As a gamer, I couldn't care less. They have too much competition in photography. They should focus their efforts and R&D on their gaming department; the PS5 needs a better design profile.

May 8, 2021permalink

techjedi

As a photographer and a gamer, I care a great deal. I use Sony photography products because, right now, they are leading the marketplace in mirrorless and essentially established that marketplace. I use Xbox as a gaming platform.

Regardless which gaming platform you prefer or how large those markets are, it would be bizarre for Sony to abandon the imaging market where they are highly successful.

May 10, 2021permalink

I guess Sony will be selling a few more adapters for those A-mount lenses. Hope it works as well as Canon's EF to RF adapter.

May 8, 2021permalink

I have LA-EA5. All lenses(even screw-drive) work well with A7r4

May 9, 2021permalink

The adapters work well. You do have to figure out what Tammy or Sigmas work with it, but hey. Some A glass is great. I still use my macros.

May 11, 2021permalink

Kirk Bruner

They make the LA-EA5 adapter. It works really well, but only on two cameras. Once again, Sony proves themselves to be nothing more than another corporate profit monger. A-mount users must buy the latest expensive cameras just to get started.

May 31, 2021permalink

@Kirk Bruner

There are plenty of SAM and SSM lenses that works well on almost every E-mount camera. I shoot with A7-3 and 50/1.4Z, 300/2.8G, 24-70Z, 16-35Z, everything is great. Even my 24-70/2.8 that has strong back-focus on my SLT/DSLR cameras is tack sharp on 7-3. I have only two A-mount lenses(16/2.8 fisheye and 135/1.8) that works with AF only at my A7R4

Jun 1, 2021*permalink

I have the A9 and did have the cull a few non-AF lenses from the A collection. My macros are unfortunately some of the manual only lenses. Apparently the A7RIV is the most compatible camera. Won't be getting it but it works on enough lenses on my A9 to make it a good purchase.

Jun 9, 2021permalink

Sad, especially when you think of it as the very end of the line for Minolta. But it's no surprise; the writing's been on the wall ever since Sony introduced the E-Mount, and particularly since they went full frame. The LA-EA5 adaptor was a signal that Sony expected A-Mount users to switch to A7 bodies going forward. Same idea as Olympus making the OM-1 compatible with the old Four Thirds lenses.

May 8, 2021permalink

MrWalnuts

I wonder how much of Mintolta is left at Sony. People, machinery, etc.

May 8, 2021permalink

tassienick

@MrWalnuts - I'd be interested to know if any of the old Minolta staff were involved with developing the E mount. Minolta were always happy to go big on a new idea...

May 9, 2021permalink

Dan_168

I thought Sony SLR was dead ages ago. ok, learned something new today.

May 7, 2021permalink

Sony SLR died in 2010. The last one was the A580. From that moment on, Sony only made A-mount SLT cameras. An SLT is not an SLR. It is a mirrorless camera with a beam splitter for the PDAF module.

May 11, 2021permalink

PocketPixels

I would barely consider the original 4/3 mount "all but dead," even though Olympus discontinued all 4/3 cameras back in 2011. The idea that the A-mount camera system becomes obsolete *ten days* after the manufacturer pulls down a web page is pretty wild.

Maybe I'm wrong? Did Sony build a software kill-switch into these cameras to render them useless? That sounds like a class-action suit waiting to happen.

May 7, 2021permalink

"Dead" doesn't mean the existing camera gear will stop working. It indicates that manufacture of existing models in a line has ceased, and that no further products in that line will be developed. Ceasing to list a camera line as current stock is pretty definitive evidence of the above. As a Micro Four Thirds user I'm bracing myself for the day when that mount is discontinued (at least as a consumer stills format). I don't intend to stop using my cameras, in fact I'm carefully buying up good quailty second hand gear while prices are low, so I can have duplicates of key bits of kit for when servicing and repair is no longer an option. I'd encourage anyone who loves their Sony DSLR/SLT gear to keep using it, but you might want to consider having a plan for when your gear is no longer supported.

May 8, 2021*permalink

Uh....a class action suit based on...what? Sony discontinued a product. No manufacturer ever offers a guarantee that any product will be sold forever.

May 8, 2021permalink

PocketPixels

@dmanthree: A class action suit based on activating an undisclosed kill-switch embedded in hundreds of thousands (millions?) of otherwise useable Sony A-mount cameras. That would violate consumer protection laws in many countries.

But of course Sony did no such thing, and DPReview is wrong to use such loaded language as "all but dead" in its headline just to stir the pot.

May 9, 2021permalink

@pocketpixels: Honestly, the "all but dead" expression was not out of line. They were clearly referring to the entire line, and did not in any way say or imply that the camera would ever stop working. However, a statement from Sony clarifying their stance on the DSLR line, and how long they intend to support would to a long way.

May 9, 2021permalink

@dmanthree: No manufacturer will declare that it's discontinuing a line. They'll always let discontinued lines fade away without fanfare, because they don't want consumers to realise that their current line(s) of product may also one day become redundant. The best you'll ever get, perhaps, is an admission a few years from now, by an executive or engineer, along the lines of "E-mount products are no longer being developed." But that'll be years from now, when it's blindingly obvious that the system is a dead duck and the vast majority of camera buyers have long since lost interest.

May 10, 2021*permalink

@demon: anyone who buys ANY product from ANY manufacturers thinking it will be supported forever is a fool. I have an RF mount cam, but I have no delusions that some day Canon will leave it behind for something improved. Of course, at age 66, that's not really a concern. ;-)

May 10, 2021permalink

JLLC

I have an A77 bought in 2012 with 2 lenses that I chose for the size of the body which is much more practical than the current body and an A6000 bought in 2016 because it is lighter. With the A mounts there is no vignetting as with the E mounts: I have 2 lenses with my A6000, at wide angle there is vignetting that Sony hides by cropping the jpg images from the raw, it is all just a scam.
My A-mount lenses (one sigma and one tamron) do not work properly (very slow focus) on E-mount cameras with adapter rings.

May 7, 2021permalink

IdM photography

I never liked that "tranlucent mirror", taking away 1/3rd of the light...

May 7, 2021permalink

Well fortunately with a camera able to focus at - 6ev f2.8 that's not really a problem in the field.

May 7, 2021permalink

1/3 light loss is hardly visible for the eye. The difference is like base ISO 125 instead of ISO 100.

Those using auto exposure will often miss with more than 1/3 stop, and still judge the exposure for their files to be just fine.

May 8, 2021*permalink

If it were up to me I'd eliminate the mirror all together.

;-)

May 8, 2021permalink

@ dmanthree: They did. E.

May 9, 2021*permalink

Its all in your head my friend!

May 18, 2021permalink

@mangnar: whooooossshhh.....

May 18, 2021permalink

Anyway, I’ll probably remember these cameras best from this DigitalRev fragment: https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=32&v=ZTtGbYgM6e4&feature=youtu.be

May 7, 2021permalink

That guy. Sounds so pretentious. As for his take on the 77II, it does add much to the 77. I've seen less change between models in other lines get hailed as the the next coming. Oh well.

May 11, 2021permalink

The cutaway image of that adapter really makes me question Nikon saying an FTZ adapter with screwdrive AF support “would require a considerable increase in the size and mass of the adapter”.

May 7, 2021permalink

IdM photography

With a mirrorless camera, focusing manually using magnification is fast and even more precise than AF (for non moving subject)

May 7, 2021permalink

I'm surprised they don't make something like the old MC-16a, which had its own focussing element inside the adaptor. You'd use manual focus to get into the ballpark and the AF in the adaptor would fine-tune to sharp focus. Worked great with both AF- and AI- Nikkor lenses.

May 8, 2021permalink

Aaron Yang

Nikon isn't lying though. They are simply being honest about how far behind they are compared to Sony.

May 8, 2021permalink

@Aaron Yang Can you keep comments that anyone with 2 brain cells can figure out are fanboyism and speculation to yourself? Thank you.

May 8, 2021permalink

Aaron Yang

Or do you prefer me to say "Nikon could definitely make a variation of the FTZ which support AF-D lenses, but Nikon simply couldn't care less about Nikon photographer's previous investments!"
By the way, I don't think the above statement is true

May 9, 2021permalink

Aaron Yang

May 9, 2021permalink

I would prefer you stick to facts.

May 9, 2021permalink

Rob890

Too bad they discontinued the body something their modern cameras desperately need

May 7, 2021permalink

Ze De Boni

What if they use the molds, tools and production line to make a profitable E-mount line with that design?

May 7, 2021permalink

Onur Otlu

Well, they tried an E-mount camera with SLT-style body, the A3000 if I’m not mistaken. But it was a very “budget solution” with sub-par EVF, LCD and other components, and did not make a dent in the market. I sometimes wonder if it might have had better chance with higher-up components and technology.

May 12, 2021permalink

I wish that Sony would implement the flip screen from the A77ii/A99ii on the mirrorless bodies. That's the one thing I miss from the A77ii.

May 7, 2021permalink

quatpat

I agree, that was the best flip screen implementation ever, all brands included.

May 7, 2021permalink

Seconds2go

Goodbye old friend... though I'll still be using you for many more years to come as these large hands simply don't fit the e-mounts well... R.I.P.

May 7, 2021permalink

why RIP? You can probably get years out of your A mount. I sue mine for sports, theatre landscape etc who need s a toy e-mount?

May 18, 2021permalink

The title is misleading. SLT cameras snd A-mount lenses are not manufactured any more, sure. But, A-mount screw-driven lenses even the ones made in the 80's are excellently supported on the latest and greatest state of the art E mount cameras with the EA5 adapter. Yeah, not all E-mount camerss can autofocus screw driven lenses with the EA5, and for them EA4 (with SLT technology inside the adapter!) is available. So, you can safely buy used A-mount lenses, and they will be supported during the forthcoming decades.

May 7, 2021*permalink

When Sony made A7 and A7R in 2013 with focus peaking, that was the beginning of new era to let old lenses including Minolta MD, Canon FD, Olympus OM, and many others to be usable on state of the art digital cameras. These excellent old lenses now are a lot easier to use on Sony cameras than on film cameras. I have a couple of high quality precision manufactured Metabones adapters, a Sigma EF adapter, EA4 adapter and practically I can use any lenses ever made on my Sony cameras. A, Canon EF, E mount lenses with autofocus on all of my Sony cameras.

May 7, 2021*permalink

KevinStarr

The last of anything Minolta .... dead !!!

May 7, 2021permalink

On the contrary, the brilliant EA5 and EA4 adapters give eternal usability to Minolta lenses. I regard E mount as part of the Minolta tradition. As the next iteration in the sequence of Minolta mounts: MD, A, E

May 7, 2021permalink

@ KevinStarr: What about Contax, Rollei, Petri, Miranda, Konica, Exacta, Topcon, Zeiss, Voigtländer, Bronica, Yashica, Mamiya, and many others? That's how production and marked works.

May 7, 2021permalink

Photodog2

Go to the adapted lens forum here in DPR. Minolta is very much alive and often used on Sony MILC bodies. It may well be the most popular lens-body combo to adapt. There are a lot of fans of Minolta colors.

May 7, 2021*permalink

Welsh

This is hardly unexpected. The weird thing is, the A-mount bodies are so much better to hold than the current Sony mirrorless bodies.

May 6, 2021permalink

le_alain

BEEERRRKKK !! :( :( :(

May 7, 2021permalink

Photodog2

Will the Sony A99ii become the camera equivalent of the 1998 Porsche 993, the last 911 that had an air-cooled engine. Of course, now a collector's item. I wish I bought one.

May 6, 2021permalink

hfolkertsma

No, electronics don’t hold value the same way.

May 6, 2021permalink

In a sense and to degree yes. I bought my 1st A mount cameras in 2020 Dynax 7, 7xi film and 7D digital along with a number of Minolta lenses. A lovely collection. Maybe in a couple years when used A99ii prices are dropped aroung $800 Ill buy one, too.

May 7, 2021*permalink

It's definitely a swan song, but I don't think it'll be a collector's item.

May 7, 2021permalink

Damovich

Kamera Express in the Netherlands still sells the A99ii.

May 7, 2021permalink

Greg OH

I didn't even know the 911 was now water-cooled! I'm 23 years behind.

May 7, 2021permalink

Photodog2

Will the Sony A99ii become the camera equivalent of the 1998 Porsche 993, the last 911 that had an air-cooled engine? Of course, now a collector's item. Still very fun to drive. I bet the A99ii will still take great photos 20 years in the future.

May 6, 2021*permalink

King Penguin

May 6, 2021permalink

Urbex Mark

Interesting reading about the A99II. I didn't realize they had gotten so advanced with this line. Was it basically a A7RII in a SLT body?

May 6, 2021permalink

Pretty similar, it had the same sensor and AF system, plus the AF system with the SLT mirror. It outclassed the RII in a couple of areas, even. I think Chris and Jordan did a review on it, they were pretty happy with it.

May 7, 2021permalink

filmrescue

I think it's mostly good news. Sony has been leading the way with their mirrorless camera systems and I think they just kept the DSLR as a placeholder. Now that it's clear that this is the way the wind is blowing, it's time to drop it and focus their efforts entirely on mirrorless systems.

May 6, 2021permalink

Thoughts R Us

Sony has been focusing their efforts entirely on mirrorless for the last several years. They haven't developed any new A-mount cameras in about 5 years, I believe.

This is just one more data point of confirmation that A-mount is, as DPR states, "all but dead."

May 8, 2021permalink

jpeghorror

A99 II and that Zeiss 85... bad***-looking combo.

May 6, 2021permalink

BrianK2

This is a function of the same corporate philosophy that pervades Sony and crosses many product lines. Loyalty is a one way street with Sony, and it isn’t moving in your direction.

I used to prefer Sony products for all of my electronics needs. “Not no more.” I got over that in the last decade having been burned by Sony many times in large and small ways. Now everything I buy is manufactured by someone else, and the only Sony stuff I buy is preowned on eBay so I don’t contribute positively to Sony’s bottom line.

And did I mention how badly their customer support sucks and how much the company gouges its customers when they need parts and service (god forgive)?

When it comes to Sony, buyer beware.

May 6, 2021permalink

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/nikon-is-exiting-the-rifle-scope-business/

Sony have run a pro video gear division for years. Comparing the camera marked with selling Walkmans seems pretty naive.

May 6, 2021permalink

Bank Shot

@BrianK2 - "Loyalty is a one way street with Sony, and it isn’t moving in your direction"

That is not correct, Sony for instance supported Betamax for 40 years, before they finally stopped making tapes.

Sony has made 5 different adapters for a-mount lens to e-mount body, which is far more support for old formats than any other camera company has ever done.

The reality of this age is that many companies have had to make changes.

Nikon for instance set the standard when they totally abandoned the Nikon 1 series cameras, abandoned their rifle scope business, and cut back a lot of user support: https://www.dpreview.com/news/5564430488/nikon-is-killing-off-its-authorized-repair-program-in-march-2020

Canon permanently shut down their main service facility, and laid off a bunch of employees:
https://fstoppers.com/business/do-canons-layoffs-and-service-center-closure-signal-retreat-photography-354140

May 6, 2021*permalink

whitelens

Please don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel about Sony!

May 6, 2021permalink

I am with @Bank. As an owner of a number of excellent A-mount Minolta lenses I am absolutely happy that Sony made not less than 3 adapters with focusing motors in the adapters. The latest one EA5 is especially brilliant. A-mount this way is supported forever, you can safely buy used A-mount lenses, and you can use them with full support on the best latest digital cameras.

If only Nikon made a single Z motored-adapter for AFD lenses. Shame on Nikon.

Canon's support for EF lenses is excellent, too. The RF mount is not that appealing, though, because Tamron and Sigma are not making lenses for neither Z nor RF, despite these Z, RF cameras are here for years now.

May 7, 2021*permalink

technotic

I was looking to get into A mount to supplement my Olympus gear.

May 6, 2021permalink

certo666

Well now maybe you'll get a discount if old stock is being cleared out ;)

May 7, 2021*permalink

Many many lenses available out there. Why not start now?

May 11, 2021permalink

Puppy2007

No surprise... the world has moved

Canon clarifies on discontinued EF lenses
https://www.insideimaging.com.au/2021/canon-clarifies-on-discontinued-ef-lenses/

May 6, 2021*permalink

Gesture

I see strong prices on eBay for the A-mount bodies, including SLTs and the last models (77, 99). They are not being given away. And as all the newest cameras are expensive, used prices for Canon, Nikon ook like they are holding firm. A Nikon D7200 might be $400-500.

May 6, 2021*permalink

BackToNature1

I really don't shop on Ebay but from what I have seen from random sellers online elsewhere, they seem to be looking for an you know what for anything they are trying to sell. For Example. This outdated product. Wayyyy overpriced. Buyers beware.
-----------------------

Sony a7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera - Body Only
New
$1,498.00
FREE delivery: May 21 - June 1
Add to Cart
Ships fromBuyDirect & Save
Sold byBuyDirect & Save

May 6, 2021*permalink

stan_pustylnik

Revisit prices after 6 months for pleasing surprice.

May 6, 2021permalink

I had an A77ii with the 16-50mm 2.8 (a VERY good lens!) for a short while. I couldn't agree much with the AF system, so I sold it. Ended up getting a pretty decent amount from it on eBay.

May 7, 2021permalink

If there was any question about Sony's lackluster support of A mount look to the LAEA5 and compare it to the Nikon F to Z adapter or Canon EF to RF adapter. The Canon and Nikon adapters work with all camera models for stills and video with any lens with an internal motor. For lenses with motors and 4 of Sony's current model cameras ( α7 III, α7S III, α6100, α6400), Brian Smith says FPS is limited to 2.5, and there is no AF with video at all. And while the LAEA5 could work with screw drive lenses for those cameras giving it an advantage over the Nikon and Canon adapters, Sony chose to not support it with many recent bodies such as the 4 I mentioned. Why? Only Sony knows.
The LAEA5 works better with the α7R IV and α6600 and AF works with screw drive lenses, but still no video support. More evidence of Sony's Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde support of A mount lenses.

May 6, 2021permalink

Urbex Mark

Right. Some folks point to those adapters and say they are proof Sony supports old tech better than Nikon but there are a lot of asterisks with them that need to be considered.

May 6, 2021permalink

Nikon offers zero AF support for their screw-driven lenses on adapters. How is that better? Does Canon support their early EF lenses on their adapters? There are a lot of asterisks for both.

May 6, 2021*permalink

With the LAEA5 there is as you say, "zero AF support for their screw-driven lenses" for almost of their latest cameras, Sony α9, α9II, α7 III, α7R III, α7S III, α6100, α6400, and all older models. As well as zero AF support with video for all lenses with motors on all models.
Are the Canon and Nikon adapters better, except for 2 Sony cameras, they are.

May 6, 2021permalink

hfolkertsma

But Sony has given the BEST support ever to Minolta glass owners by actually producing cameras all the way into 2021 ;-)

May 6, 2021*permalink

Greg OH

Nikon's a mixed bag when it comes to body-lens compatibility. There's a lot of complaints about no motorized adapter.

Canon got it right from the beginning of the EF mount in 1986. Although, at the time, there were a lot of complaints about the suddenly obsolete FD lenses.

May 7, 2021permalink

Brocak

Its not true, in Czech website they are still there:
https://www.sony.cz/electronics/fotoaparaty-s-vymennymi-objektivy-produkty/t/fotoaparaty-s-vymennymi-objektivy

May 6, 2021permalink

ChicagoSam

I was wondering when someone was going to say something about the obvious, that the SLT format was dead. The cameras disappeared from online stores in the US some time ago, maybe months. Sigma stopped development of A-mount lenses years ago. I'm not happy about this development because I've got some great A-mount lenses. I'm not looking forward to fiddling with small mirrorless cameras attached to big lenses with an ungainly adapter connecting the two. For some, SLT cameras were a perfect hybrid, an EVF and IBIS in a full-sized camera body. But others were unhappy with the fractional loss of light due to the translucent mirror, which is a valid concern if high ISOs are critical in your work. Don't get me wrong, I love my tiny little Fuji mirrorless, but I will probably never own anything else quite like the assortment of great lenses I've amassed for my old Sony.

May 6, 2021*permalink

lawny13

Well… you have canon, Panasonic and even the nikons to consider, they provide full sized body cameras as mirrorless. An R5 for example is a sizable body. And with the EF adapter, basically a near DSLR size camera running EF glass.

Their R3 won’t be small either. The Panasonics definitely aren’t small, and nikon’s more pro oriented body they announced will be in the same size range as the R3.

May 6, 2021*permalink

I agree. The SLT has desirable heft and its size better suits space between controls. Also there are no blind out situations such as some E mounts experience due to design.. I'm getting on in years and have no plans to switch to E mount and the enormous expense of replacing lenses. Long live the A-Mount. To hell with the E-Mount "toy cameras"!!

May 6, 2021permalink

armanius

About time.

May 6, 2021permalink

Ari Aikomus

Sony should make (maybe they will do this too!) new A77III and A99III A-mount models without SLT mirror, so basicly LA-EA5 adapter & their MILC technology ... I don’t think this is a total A-mount end yet , And besides, you can still use the old ones A-mount lenses very well with LA-EA adapters with Sony APS-C and FF MILC cameras.

May 6, 2021permalink

Urbex Mark

This makes no sense to me. How many of those do you think they will sell, exactly? Why not just use the new adapter on a E mount body?

May 6, 2021permalink

User7146803616

This is the reason, no matter how many awards Sony gets, I stick to Nikon. It is Nikon's long term commitment to backward compatibility, meaning that lenses thirty plus years old can be used on current models. If I had to look at even replacing my modest range of day-to-day glass lens it would be a a few thousand $s.

May 6, 2021permalink

Like nikon 1.

May 6, 2021permalink

Handsome90

Because Nikon will make new DSLRs or make new F mount lenses?

FYI Sony is on their 3rd generation of full frame adapters and some cameras are compatible with screw-driven AF lenses.

May 6, 2021*permalink

So naive...

May 6, 2021permalink

Nikon? Compatibility? So AF-P and E-type lenses work on every F-mount body? So every Nikon D3x00 and D5x00 is able to focus their current screw-driven AF lenses? And Nikon has an AF adapter to focus those same lenses on Z-mount?

May 6, 2021permalink

The latest Sony A-mount lenses completely work on Minolta Alpha 7, 5, and 3 film cameras. The cheapest Sony A-mount bodies autofocus the entire lineup of Minolta AF lenses back to 1985.

May 6, 2021permalink

User7146803616

Agree that Nikon has had its moments, but if you're a full frame user, overall, comparability has been pretty good, and - my opinion - a lot better than most.

May 6, 2021permalink

My Sony A7RIV will autofocus a $140 original MSRP 1985 Minolta 28 F2.8 using on-sensor phase-detect over most of the frame with Eye AF and Real-time tracking at 10 FPS and correct the distortion, lateral CA, and corner shading.

May 6, 2021permalink

Thoughts R Us

I will agree that with Nikon Z mirrorless, there are different levels of compatibility with their different types of F mount lenses from the past. With their more recent releases, there is pretty much seamless compatibility. With other older lenses there are some compromises.

But that being said, can we please stop bringing up the Nikon 1 product line as some sort of example regarding Nikon? That was a failed experiment and we all know it and it is not indicative of Nikon and their approach to their main camera system. The Nikon 1 was never meant to substitute for their F mount system or eventually replace it, as the Z system is.

May 6, 2021permalink

Sony isn’t allowed failed experiments. (I’m talking SLT. Though many wouldn’t even say that was a failure.)
Only Nikon is allowed failed experiments.

All the talk about abandoned users in the context of the end of the a-Mount is ridiculousness.

May 6, 2021*permalink

One could say Canon R5 is a failed experiment in heat management.

May 6, 2021permalink

Oh the irony.
Someone defending A mount by joking another camera overheats in 25-30 minutes.
Did we forget the A55 and A33 history? Did we forget they were unable for stills and video when they overheated in as little as 10 minutes (the Japanese manual said 7).

May 6, 2021permalink

@Rand does the A* cameras that you pointed out shut down for an hour due to overheating ?

If no then not the same issue.

Besides sony was given tough time for overheating for years.

May 6, 2021*permalink

Rand that was almost a decade ago...

May 6, 2021permalink

Yet another new member from Canon camp commenting Sony story.

May 6, 2021permalink

If you owned an A55 already and I have you already knew this.
https://www.popphoto.com/app/uploads/2019/01/17/3NBR5OU75PQ26IYDRUBPBFW5LI.jpg
I don't have experience with E mount, but with A mount the camera would die. There was nothing you could do to take photo or video of any kind for a good 20 minutes. And then you'd be lucky to get another 5 minutes of video.

A mount cameras are the only cameras I've heard of that overheat and die shooting stills too. Also in a matter of only a few minutes.
https://www.dyxum.com/dforum/sony-a33-or-a55-overheating-when-shooting-stills_topic90880.html
So if you are defending A mount by saying other cameras overheat, the joke is on you. I've never hear of one that dies in 7 minutes or dies taking a few photos.

May 6, 2021permalink

Rand i never heard sony camera overheating in 7 minutes too.

There are reports of canon r5 overheating and not able to shoot still too from multiple people.

Anway overheating is non issue on current sony cameras.

While r5 is current camera. So the joke is on people buying it for 4000$

Ps: the same thread you linked has users of sony cameras saying they never had overheating problems on their cameras. So even in year 2012 you could not find the issu es.

May 6, 2021*permalink

"Rand i never heard sony camera overheating in 7 minutes"
Then you didn't take time to click on the link did you.
https://www.popphoto.com/app/uploads/2019/01/17/3NBR5OU75PQ26IYDRUBPBFW5LI.jpg

You said, "even in year 2012 you could not find the issues."
after you read this
https://www.dyxum.com/dforum/sony-a33-or-a55-overheating-when-shooting-stills_topic90880.html

sybersitizen - "But now I've experienced overheating a few times when shooting stills."

revdocjim -"Last fall I had sold my A700 and the A77 hadn't been released yet so I had to shoot several volleyball games with my daughter's A55. It constantly overheated! "

Those are from 2012, so you lied, right? You blatantly lied for all to see.

May 6, 2021*permalink

Let me quote you from the link (talk about clicking on the link):

"That's sad, i'm having an a55 too - never had this problem (never use it for video).

Do you have the latest firmware one the A55?

What kind of memory cards do you use? (it's due to the fact you where using fast burst that i'm asking myself why this happened) - and one of the things to check is the writing speed of the memory-cards."

Constantly overheats?? Really, same link.

"Those are from 2012, so you lied, right? You blatantly lied for all to see."

The thread shows user with A55 never had camera overheating.

You are the one claiming that all A55 overheats and it is a problem.

May 6, 2021*permalink

Here is another quote from the link:

"reality is it shouldn't happen, I had both and never had this problem.

Yes it maybe lens related and a process of elimination may prove this."

May 6, 2021permalink

The person who never used the camera for video never had it overheat during video. OK. The other posters all had the issues you said didn't exist.

You said "you could not find the issues" after reading the thread. But you had seen the moderator said his A55 "constantly overheats", as well as another who said his overheats taking stills.
You lied. How deep a hole are you going to did here? Did they have the issue, or are you going to lie more.
You read an know the camera overheats when shooting stills and the mod said his overheats constantly, and still lied.

Dig your hole, lie some more, Make some lie up about how if everyone doesn't have their camera overheat it happens to no one. I bet you try that BS argument next!

May 6, 2021*permalink

"The person who never used the camera for video never had it overheat during video. OK."

Here is what you claimed:

"A mount cameras are the only cameras I've heard of that overheat and die shooting stills too. Also in a matter of only a few minutes."

You were claiming stills.

Make up your mind.

You also dishonestly ignored the people in the thread who had their camera not overheated btw.

May 6, 2021*permalink

Ignore him. Registered last week. I’m shocked. He probably will be gone soon.

May 6, 2021*permalink

@Mike he is another one from train of users who come and vehemently start to dis sony brand. (interestingly all of them support canon).

May 6, 2021permalink

Tibor1

The synonym for real commitment and backward compatibility in DSLR world is PENTAX.

Regards,

Tibor

May 6, 2021permalink

Thoughts R Us

It's funny seeing this discussion thread devolve into an argument about whether discontinued A-mount cameras had overheating problems about a decade ago.

It just shows you how easy it is to get off track with some debates and how once it does the combatants just dig in determined to make their point. (And I've been there too!)

May 7, 2021permalink

SurfFish

Is that the reason Nikon killed DL series 4K capable lineups? They hyped the announcement and kill it before a single product is sold?

May 7, 2021permalink

User7146803616

Thanks 'Thoughts R Us'. Thought my comment was rather innocuous, but just shows you! Anyway, as everyone seems to be getting overheated over overheating, should add that I've never had or heard of a Nikon that's got too hot to handle.

May 10, 2021*permalink

I wonder how long Sony will continue to provide after sales service for A mount gear? If I was heavily invested in the system, that would be my main concern at this stage.

May 6, 2021permalink

Like all other camera models that are not longer sold, you mean?

May 6, 2021permalink

Supposedly if you have 2 FF cameras from Sony, you are up to be in their prograde warranty program... So I suppose that if 1 or more of those camera bodies are A-mount, the proposition is still valid. Hence no problem @ all.

May 6, 2021permalink

@Magnar. Exactly. But especially when whole series is discontinued.

May 7, 2021permalink

@ Cian3307: There is a major difference between the end of a brand, and a discontinued product line.

May 7, 2021permalink

@ Magnars. I think you know what I mean. How long will Sony continue providing a repair service for A mount? If you can't buy a new body to replace an old one that has died, you'll need that service. Likewise, Canon are discontinuing many EF lenses but say they will continue to support them for as long as spare parts are available. How long is that? That's what owners want to know. When I worked building injection moulds for the automotive industry back in the 90's, car manufacturers were legally bound in the EU to keep spares available for 15 years after a model went out of production. I doubt camera manufacturers are bound by the same rules. So, do Sony have a big stock of A mount spares? Does any camera/lens manufacturer for their discontinued products? Or will they withdraw servicing to force users to migrate to their newer systems?

May 7, 2021permalink

@ Cian3307: How would this be different from other discontinued camera models, or mounts, as long as the maker still is in the business? Also, there are brand-independent repair shops.

May 7, 2021permalink

@Magnar. The issue isn't any different to other brands, I never said it was. I was just commenting on this current situation with A mount (which this thread is about). And once the supply of spare parts is gone, it doesn't matter if the maker is still in business or how many brand-independent repair shops there are out there. And it's not like the old days when cameras were largely mechanical and you could easily repair or even make some parts (something I've done), modern manufacturing techniques and technology mean you usually have to replace an entire complex sub-assembly or a PCB. And if you can't get one, you're scuppered. You can cannibalize old gear for parts to a certain extent but eventually your gear is finished. So, as per my original comment, that would be my main concern if I was heavily invested in A mount - availability of spares and repairs. I'm invested in EF and I will be worrying about this fairly soon I would imagine.

May 7, 2021permalink

If anything happens to the item under warranty well the manufacturer will have or to repair it or to replace it with something comparable/inline/equivalent...
So if you bought an A99m2 now and it had a problem under warranty Sony has to do the necessary even if it would mean for them to exchange it with an equivalent... Which would be something in between A7rm3 and A7rm4...

May 7, 2021permalink

This is already a problem for A-mount lenses, were Sony states it cannot repair due to lack of parts. Read about a case of a 70-300 SSM G lens that Sony could no longer repair.

May 7, 2021permalink

JonnyJ78

sony real ergonomics is dead

May 6, 2021permalink

Debankur Mukherjee

Will other manufacturers follow the Sony way ?

May 6, 2021permalink

JonnyJ78

Why they should do the same?
sony A series has been the only series with digital sensor and translucent mirror, an hybrid camera. Sony stopped to produce reflex cameras years ago already (10 years ago rouglhy), I remember the A-900 and A850.

May 6, 2021*permalink