Sony Announced Three New Cameras.. Including 42MPix

[Texsport]

Breakthroughs are always astonishing.
However, we could all use that new amazing film in our existing equipment, without the need to upgrade our system every year.

And you can still do that with CineStill film today.

If they eventually find a way to produce CineStill 50D and 800T in 120 format, the digital guys can chase you, while you shoot with 40 year old medium format film cameras, now costing a fraction of the cost of "the latest".

Texsport

 

[YYV_146]

Oh, that's so rational.. Now, if only the changes to the cameras were minimal. But a the pace these are evolving (.e.g. IBIS, on sensor PDAF etc), last year's model feels like something from the Jurassic..

Even so, they are more than capable of producing great pictures.

Another option is to go the import route...Sony (as with most Japanese camera makers) sells their cameras at higher price in North America. If you're looking at a $3,000 body, the price difference might even be enough for plane tickets...

 

[YYV_146]

When I lived in Japan a few years ago, some of my local friends told me that they have something called the "Sony life." At first, I thought they were referring to the Sony Life Insurance Company operates in Japan. I then realized that the term was actually referring to the limited life expectancy of Sony's products. Once any Sony brand electronic products past the warranty period, it is likely to fail or Sony will find a way to obsolete the old models, e.g., stop supplying the parts/accessories or new but incompatible batteries, etc. At least, that's the perception among some of the Japanese.

On the paper, the new A7rII looks great. Sony even claims that the shutter vibration will be reduced by 50%. As the shutter sound and vibration of the current line-up have been stopping me from jumping on the bandwagon, the new shutter mechanism alone should be enough for me. However, as soon as I think of the phase "Sony life" confirmed by the whereabouts of my previous purchase of all kinds of electronic made by Sony, my GAS goes away.

Would the mirrorless cameras of Sony be an exception to the long standing company's philosophy of Sony? How good is the 500,000 actuation count, if there would not be a replacement battery for the camera 7 years later when I reach 300,000 actuation. I probably would need a brand new state-of-the-art computer to process the huge RAW files too.

Just like Steve Huff, Sony wants us to buy new cameras every so often so they can generate revenue. Like Gary, I am probably not the type of buyers that Sony targets.

John

As E-mount goes Sony's backwards compatibility has been excellent. The A7rii shares batteries with the NEX-5, a camera from 2010. All Sony/Minolta lenses from the past 30 years can be used on an E-mount camera with all features. Stabilization, AF all works for the lenses that have those.

As for other things Sony. My Vaio Z from 2011 is still regularly being used. My PCM recorder was purchased in 2008, and I had it serviced in Beijing last year.

With Sony I think it is important to separate the cheap mass-market stuff with their quality items. I actually own a Qualia 017 and it is the single best-made piece of electronics I've ever touch. Sony can do that, and I think they are trying to get that back with the new A7 cameras.

 

[uhoh7]

It is the $3500 usd price of the A7r11 that gives me pause.

is it really that much? Seems very high, considering the source.

3200 at BH. Still way high for a sony.

However, the backlit sensor could work better with RF glass......maybe.

The real deal for A7 is to get a used one for about 700 and get the kolari sensor mod. R also. But no mod for II. But having spent alot of time with the A7 series, I'm pretty much over being a test mouse for the latest Sony science project, aka half finished camera.

But I'm sure many will put the new beast to very good use

 

[kuuan]

..
Another option is to go the import route...Sony (as with most Japanese camera makers) sells their cameras at higher price in North America. If you're looking at a $3,000 body, the price difference might even be enough for plane tickets...

in case you are thinking of buying a Sony camera in Japan, forget it! Sony sells 'Japanese only' models in Japan and nobody yet has found a way to change firmware or otherwise bring any other language to a Japanese model. They also do sell 'overseas models' that have the language options but more expensively than 'overseas'

 

[Lss]

in case you are thinking of buying a Sony camera in Japan, forget it! Sony sells 'Japanese only' models in Japan and nobody yet has found a way to change firmware or otherwise bring any other language to a Japanese model.

They take pictures in English or any other language you like, though.

The menu system of these cameras is in Japanese, but as long as you take time to do the initial setup with an online manual (or a lot of trial and error) and mostly use basic features, you don't need to understand any Japanese to operate the cameras. There are simply amazing deals to be found from time to time.

 

[kuuan]

They take pictures in English or any other language you like, though.

The menu system of these cameras is in Japanese, but as long as you take time to do the initial setup with an online manual (or a lot of trial and error) and mostly use basic features, you don't need to understand any Japanese to operate the cameras. There are simply amazing deals to be found from time to time.

of course you are right, no worries if you can live with Japanese menus, if considering buying a Japanese Sony one should be aware of the fact though

 

[Lss]

Absolutely.

 

[YYV_146]

in case you are thinking of buying a Sony camera in Japan, forget it! Sony sells 'Japanese only' models in Japan and nobody yet has found a way to change firmware or otherwise bring any other language to a Japanese model. They also do sell 'overseas models' that have the language options but more expensively than 'overseas'

Hong Kong is a nice place for all things Sony. Thailand as well. Both can be up to 25% cheaper than US prices. Offical mainland China stock is slightly more expensive but still cheaper than US. Japan is the cheapest, but the language could be an issue for some.

Thanks for bringing that up. I forgot because I actually speak Japanese and haven't bothered with changing the menus...

 

[kuuan]

As European I actually find it amusing that, as it seems, US photographers wonder about where to purchase cheaper. I have been envying US citizens for the cheap prices they get, prices in Europe are usually higher in Euro than in USD and that not only now when 1 Euro buys 1.1 usd but they also where when 1 Euro bought 1.4 or even almost 1.6 usd. Unfortunately Europeans, because of strict and expensive EU costumes, can't easily buy overseas. Thailand, are you sure? Cheap Chinese accessories will be cheaper in shops in Thailand than in shops in the US but I'd not expect to find a new Sony camera cheaper in Thailand.
btw. first offers of the A7rII in Europe are quoted 3500 Euro or about 3900 usd

 

[YYV_146]

As European I actually find it amusing that, as it seems, US photographers wonder about where to purchase cheaper. I have been envying US citizens for the cheap prices they get, prices in Europe are usually higher in Euro than in USD and that not only now when 1 Euro buys 1.1 usd but they also where when 1 Euro bought 1.4 or even almost 1.6 usd. Unfortunately Europeans, because of strict and expensive EU costumes, can't easily buy overseas. Thailand, are you sure? Cheap Chinese accessories will be cheaper in shops in Thailand than in shops in the US but I'd not expect to find a new Sony camera cheaper in Thailand.
btw. first offers of the A7rII in Europe are quoted 3500 Euro or about 3900 usd

You can get them to loosen on the price even in the Sony official store. I'm in Bangkok right now and the A7s quotes seems to be pretty reasonable.

3,500 euro with 20% VAT means 2,800 euros without VAT, which is even cheaper than US pricing. Of course being in Europe VAT is practically unavoidable, but for rigidly priced (exchange rate wise) gear like Leica M lenses buying from Europe is consistently cheaper than local prices in the US...European dealers know this perfectly well, some have a 2-3% "management fee" if you ask, specifically to ship via DHL to other countries.

Anyways, for what it is, $3,200 seems like a steal. The Canon 5ds/sr bodies are more expensive, with worse video, noise control and dynamic range. The 645z might still have a better sensor but is more than twice as expensive. And the D810 isn't much cheaper, depending on location...

I plan to pre-order on the 17th. The question now is one or two of these...?