No new news regarding A mount lenses or bodies bodes bad for A mount

[delewin]

I am a dedicated A mount user with 10 A mount lenses and the A99ii body.

 

I love this body and what it can do with my A mount lenses.

 

I am just so sad that Sony appear to be just letting their A mount base die off.

 

They have not published any future "road-map" for A mount.

 

From a financial point it makes sense to support your new product that is enticing Canon and Nikon users to Sony mirror-less A7rii, A9, etc.

 

All we get from SAR is E -mount, E - mount and more E - mount. Never anything about the A mount.

 

Has the A mount got Leprosy or the Plague that it cannot get a mention in SAR even once in a while. How is Sony going to invest any time or $$$ in A mount if it is never takled about?

 

The A99ii is a magnificent camera and because it is A mount it is under-rated and ignored.

 

Just letting off some frustration at Sony.

 

David

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

You are absolutely correct. I am still an A-Mount user, too. I tried Sony FE but there were too many issues with it.

 

My interpretation is that Sony only wants to manufacture and sell FE-Mount equipment. This is where they have unique selling points and high profit margins. 

 

The key part of Sony's marketing is that their FE system is supposed to make traditional DSLRs obsolete. This makes it awkward for them to market their own DSLR (SLT), which in most respects equals or outperforms their FE cameras (at lower cost).

 

Even if the A9 was a nice surprise, I don't intend to ever buy a Sony FE system again. I will continue with my lovely A-Mount gear for as long as it is viable. After that, I will go with Nikon DSLRs, if they're still around, or Canon. 

[Bside123]

I feel you! I posted some of my feelings about the subject here: http://www.sonyalphaforum.com/topic/7754-maiko-portrait-rant-included/

 

Perhaps, this could make a good discussion beyond tech and the latest market flavor.

[Username]

`   

  

I am an A-mount user too. About a dozen lenses 

in use. But no A-mount bodies in use. I'm happy 

with that set-up and until all the a77-II and a99-II 

bodies die off, I hope other A-mount users can

be happy campers too. 

   

Despite our different versions of A-mount usage, 

what we should all hope for down the road is for 

some high level of compatibility and functionality 

by adapters, or converters, onto E-mount bodies 

that include design elements to accommodate it.  

   

Thaz our best all around hope, cuz A-mount will 

be a totally vestigal legacy. If Sony A-mount gets 

from Sony the degree of support that the NF-AI

mount gets from Nikon, we should be pleased. If 

Sony gives the 30 yr old A-mount similar support  

as Nikon gives the 60 yr old F-mount, we've got 

no reason to gripe. 

  

As an aside I'm grateful to Sony and Metabones 

jointly for their manner of supporting the Nikon-F 

mount, intentionally by Metabones, accidentally 

on Sony's part. Point is, the adaptable E-mount 

bodies are the support for legacy lenses and the 

A-mount users hafta grasp that the A-mount has 

one foot in the grave and the other is on a cobra. 

When the current A-mount bodies are used up, 

the cobra bites. A-mount lenses are "neo-legacy" 

lenses, and Sony has provided an extension of 

the A-mount camera line ... verrrry likely the last 

extensions ever for A-mount as a separate line. 

No point in praying for another extension. Better 

to pray for a soft landing, meaning provisions to 

accommodate legacy lenses, similar as at Nikon. 

[Username]

FWIW, I'm a sorta hybrid A/E mount user. I'm far 

from home for a few weeks. My travel kit varies 

but at the moment, for causal needs:  

  

a7-II wearing an LAEA4 and Maxxum 35/2.0 

 

a6000 wearing a 24-70/4.0 FE    

   

Might seem like the lenses ought to be swapped 

to opposite bodies, but this works for me most of 

the time, and I'm not against swapping if needed. 

   

That 24-70 FE is my only native lens for the a7-II. 

All the rest are about 2 dozen A-mount and Nikon 

F-mount lenses. 

   

You could not trade me an a99-II for my a7-II and 

I admit that is just a personal quirk, not suggesting 

others should feel as I do. OTOH I'm sorta warning 

others that it's almost time to learn to feel as I do, 

not cuz my way is best, but cuz it may become the 

only option ... cuz IMNSHO you're all using the last

dedicated A-mount bodies ... ever. 

   

In a way, I'm saying " Enjoy the present, but don't

be fearing the imminent future. Hey, I am already

living your future ... and it's really quite OK ! " 

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

I have used A Mount lenses on Sony E and FE cameras. In terms of IQ it works great. In terms of mechanical performance it's a bit clunky. Sony's hybrid AF is the main reason I am stil using E Mount cameras at all. So, native performance matters.

 

Some of the A Mount bodies will probably never cease to work but eventually the image format will become obsolete. The only thing that matters to me is if Sony continues to make new A Mount bodies. If they don't, I won't be a Sony customer.

[delewin]

Thank you all, for your feedback.

 

As has been said previously, Sony has a high profit margin item in E mount lenses and bodies.

 

There is minimum profit in A mount so Sony obviously sees their future in E mount.

 

As my Son has an A7rii and an LA-EA3 I have tried out some of my lenses and the image quality is very high indeed. My beef is that some of the key features like EyeAF are not possible with any Sony A mount lens.

 

If Sony came out with a new adapter that provides all the features of native E mount glass using Sony A mount glass then I would better accept the future.

 

For now I am sticking with my A99ii body and getting maximum enjoyment out of it.

 

It would be comforting for all A mount users if Sony came out with a general statement that they expect to release a new A mount body every 5 years. That would give the photographic community and 3rd party lens manufacturers a point to plan new A mount lenses and other accessories.

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

Uncertainty comes with being a Sony user. They were actually getting ready to quit the camera business a few years back. The camera division was just one loss-making part of a loss-making company. Then they had two surprise hits, with A6000 and A7. So, they decided to continue but only with the new cameras that were making money. Their focus at the moment is 95% FE-Mount, 4% E-Mount and 1% A-Mount. (That's being generous to A-Mount). They are also quite clear that they only do legacy support for A-Mount, they don't want any new A-Mount users. In fact they want everyone on E-Mount. So, they won't do anything to encourage A-Mount users.

[Username]

...........

 

It would be comforting for all A mount users if Sony came out with a

general statement that they expect to release a new A mount body

every 5 years. That would give the photographic community and 3rd

party lens manufacturers a point to plan new A mount lenses and

other accessories.

    

Thaz waaaaay too optimistic. Thaz just some parallel universe. 

5 years is two generations in in tech evolution. 3rd party brands 

are, businesswise, even more like Sony than Sony itself ! IOW 

that schedule would lead the 3rd party brands to drop A-mount 

in a New York  Minute. The user base itself would wither a bit 

slower than that, but by the time 5 years passes, if Sony were 

so insane as to toss that base another fresh body, they would 

sell a coupla dozen ... if the WHOLE base bought 3 or 4 bodies 

per user ! 

[Username]

Uncertainty comes with being a Sony user. 

      

"Uncertainty comes with being a Sony user"   - Jaf  

   

So sooper true. Thaz why I have no A-mount alpha bodies. 

I have a coupla film-era A-mount bodies for doorstops and 

a whole bunch of lenses ... so I wanted to use the lenses. 

  

Looking at my doorstops did not encourage me to "invest" 

[ROTFL] in a new A-mount body. Anywho I also have this 

heap of film-era Nikkors as well. 

   

So, cuz I fully agree that "Uncertainty comes with being

a Sony user"  I chose the minimum risk solution: the a7-II

and some adapters. Choosing an A-mount body instead

woulda orphaned all my Nikkors. I bought the a7-II used 

[likewise the LAEA4].  

  

I laff at forum questions like "Should I invest in the current

Sony XXX or wait for the next upgrade" ! INVEST ? Hey, if 

you're gonna use fiduciary jargon, get real ! Calculate your 

RISK in Sony ... not your "investment". Which is what I did. 

I risked the minimum it takes to put my Maxxum and Nikon   

lenses back to work. 

   

I also have an a6000 + lens. Cost $340, open box special,  

for a great almost pocketable camera that shares batteries 

and lenses with my a7-II. Again, minimum risk.  

    

---------------------------------------------------------------------   

  

I did finally get one native FE lens for the a7-II. Got GASsy 

and bought an open box special. "You only live once", and

"It's only money" ;-)  

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

I have Minolta film bodies from the 80s and 90s that I still use. They are the most exact film bodies I have in terms of measuring and exposure. I also have the early Sony FF digital bodies. They still create beautiful images. That's why I have the courage to keep using A-Mount.

 

When the day comes to upgrade my system, I'll put the proceeds from the sale of my FE gear into whatever gear is the most viable at the time. As long as it isn't Sony FE. Call me stubborn, but FE is a forfeit due to the first and second generation cr@p they pushed on us at inflated prices.

[delewin]

I agree with Jaf-Photo, Sony is letting its A Mount users "whither on the vine". (The A Mount is Dead. Long live the A Mount! to para-phrase.)

 

I am hoping my A99ii will last 6 to 10 years. Then I can reassess my options. Sell all and move to another brand or move over to FE and use an adapter.

 

I was into film cameras with a Olympus OM1 MD, Minox, as well as a Pentax with a number of lenses for each, but I gave all of it away when digital came in.

 

My move to Sony was the original Sony A55 and it used Minolta / Sony A mount. So I bought A mount lenses.

[tinplater]

To be honest I have little sympathy for those who complain about lack of support for older technology when a manufacturer's goal is to provide a profitable line of merchandise.  I have gone from Canon screw mount manual focus, FL on a Pelix,, FD, Eos and do not lament the fact that new lenses are not offered for those formats. Years from now E mount will probably be replaced with  something better and allowed to "wither on the vine" too.

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

To be honest I have little sympathy for those who complain about lack of support for older technology when a manufacturer's goal is to provide a profitable line of merchandise.

I'll let you know if there is a use for your sympathy. Don't hold your breath.

[Username]

I have not had problems finding Argus C-3 

lenses altho I could kill those bastids for the 

lack of a consistent mount between the C-3 

and the C-4. Those who shelled out the big 

bucks to Argus will certainly never trust the 

company again ! 

[delewin]

If Sony provided a fully functional A to E mount adapter then I would not be complaining. Both the LA-EA3 and LA-EA4 limit some key features (like Eye AF) when using an A mount lens on an E mount body.

 

Bodies do come and advancing technology creates their obsolescence, but lenses live on.

 

Most of my $$ is in my genuine Sony lenses and I feel that Sony should full feature support its A mount lens to E Mount bodies.

 

Sony A7/9 users that come from Canon, Sigma, Nikon or other brands have adapter manufacturers providing full use of all the features of the Sony body, why can't Sony do the same for its A Mount range?

[Username]

If Sony provided a fully functional A to E mount adapter then I would not

be complaining. Both the LA-EA3 and LA-EA4 limit some key features

(like Eye AF) when using an A mount lens on an E mount body.

 

Bodies do come and advancing technology creates their obsolescence,

but lenses live on.

 

Most of my $$ is in my genuine Sony lenses and I feel that Sony should

full feature support its A mount lens to E Mount bodies.

 

Sony A7/9 users that come from Canon, Sigma, Nikon or other

brands have adapter manufacturers providing full use of all the

features of the Sony body, why can't Sony do the same for its

A Mount range?

     

Sony A7/9 users that come from Canon, Sigma, Nikon or other 

brands have adapter manufacturers providing full use of all the 

features of the Sony body, why can't Sony do the same for its 

A Mount range?

  - delewin 

       

---------------------------------   

   

That last bit is somewhat of a fantasy. Those adapters work 

sometimes for some users, all the time for some other users,

but never all the time for all the users.  

  

Maybe Sony's techies know what they are doing ... cuz Sony 

adapters, WITH their limitations on features, DO work all the 

time for all users. I use LAEA4 and LAEA3 adapters and am 

quite satisfied with the degree of compatibility and reliability.  

  

Fortunately ... for me ... I'm kinda old school and don't expect 

that all the "non essentials" will carry over from "Planet A" to

"Planet E". I see very few posts by users of Sony's own OEM 

adapters. I read a zillion posts about other "smart" adapters. 

   

That is not so much reflective of a smaller user base of Sony 

adapters vs 3rd party adapters. It is more reflective of the fact 

that complainers post at 10X or 100X the frequency of those 

who post about things that work reliably !  

   

The only non-OEM adapter I use is a "dumb" adapter, which 

is no handicap, cuz I've never trusted any gear that's claimed

to be smarter than me :-) 

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

I agree that Sony should develop the LA-EA adapters and possibly the firmware of its A-Mount lenses to work better on mirrorless cameras.

 

Still, the A99II shows that when Sony lets go of the "mirrorless is the only future" dogma, the results are outstanding. A99II is a true photographer's camera, instead of being a fashion accessory for quinoa-munchers and techies.

[Username]

I agree that Sony should develop the LA-EA adapters and possibly the firmware

of its A-Mount lenses to work better on mirrorless cameras.

 

Still, the A99II shows that when Sony lets go of the "mirrorless is the only future"

dogma, the results are outstanding. A99II is a true photographer's camera, instead

of being a fashion accessory for quinoa-munchers and techies.

    

Assuming that the semi-mirror can be flipped outa the way in case a 

speck somehow migrates to the sensor and needs to be blown off, is 

it possible to operate the camera with the semi-mirror flipped up ? It 

would be an attractive feature at presumably very little cost.   

   

The entire SLT camera, minus the mirror, can function as an A-mount 

mirrorless camera that way. I usually never say "mirrorless" preferring 

the more positive term "live view camera", but the SLTs are live view 

anomalies, live view cameras with mirrors ... mirrors having nothing to 

do with view finder imaging, in place only to facilitate an archaic SLR 

AF system. I was actually shocked to see the 99 MK-II retain that ! It 

makes no sense for an advanced live view camera to have the AF of 

an SLR grafted onto it, at the cost of 0.5 EV at the sensor. I expected 

something competing with Canon dual-pixel live view AF and instead 

the a99 Mk-II still has an SLR AF unit :-(  SLTs are live view cameras  

with built-in LAEA4 adapters. Just too weird.  

[Guest Jaf-Photo]

Assuming that the semi-mirror can be flipped outa the way in case a 

speck somehow migrates to the sensor and needs to be blown off, is 

it possible to operate the camera with the semi-mirror flipped up ? It 

would be an attractive feature at presumably very little cost.   

   

The entire SLT camera, minus the mirror, can function as an A-mount 

mirrorless camera that way. I usually never say "mirrorless" preferring 

the more positive term "live view camera", but the SLTs are live view 

anomalies, live view cameras with mirrors ... mirrors having nothing to 

do with view finder imaging, in place only to facilitate an archaic SLR 

AF system. I was actually shocked to see the 99 MK-II retain that ! It 

makes no sense for an advanced live view camera to have the AF of 

an SLR grafted onto it, at the cost of 0.5 EV at the sensor. I expected 

something competing with Canon dual-pixel live view AF and instead 

the a99 Mk-II still has an SLR AF unit :-(  SLTs are live view cameras  

with built-in LAEA4 adapters. Just too weird.  

 

From memory, I think a Sony rep said it would be technically challenging to do a retracting SLT mirror. I think they could probably do it but are unwilling to commit the R&D funds.

 

But I've always said I would give up the mirror but not the AF performance, battery life or ergonomics of a DSLR. The A9 is the first serious step in this direction. But that's after flogging a lot of over-priced under-performing mirrorless gear. I think everyone who bought a first or second generation A7 camera should get a trade-in on an A9.