bossel wrote:Realistic - yes. Though in my own thoughts I'd give them around 10% less, more like $8000 and $1500. But, then I won't buy either

Greetings from Australia and thank you for your reply bossel.
My main reason fo asking this question is to gauge how the pricing on the new 500 will affect the prices on the 'old' Minolta 400 f4.5 & 600 f4 lenses.
A very good old gold Minolta 600 is still fetching $5-6kUS, however if the new Sony 500 is only ~$8kUS then the Minolta appears to be at a premium for the extra 100mm reach and then you have to consider its age ~20 years and no warranty with the potential of getting it repaired (if needed) in the future - even though they are a very well built lens?
The price differential on Sony gear is exaggerated where I live; e.g. the RSP for the Sony 300 2.8 G is $13,499AU or ~$12kUS. This would indicate a price of ~$16kUS here for the new Sony 500. I recently paid $2900AU for a Minolta 300 2.8 HS APO in excellent condition.
Because you can buy the Sony 300 for ~$7kAU on the grey market; I know that many ozies buy their gear OS - including me - I purchased my alpha bodies here though.
I am interested to hear what you think will happen to the value of the Minolta 600 f4?
Thanks again for your reply - Regards Steve