Dyxum Owner Not Pleased With Sony Alpha Line Progress & Inno

[Birma]

... people who buy it will need to have some lenses for it for general photography, like the KM17-35 f2.8-4 and the KM28-75 f2.8 ie. good mid-upper quality lenses that don't cost the earth, and are ideal for general photography, Sony don't have any such lenses in their range.

I think you make a good point Greg, about the middle level lens. If I was to get a A850 and want something in the wide range then I can't see a CZ 16-35 being in my price range. There is the sigma 12-24, but nothing in the Sony range I think. I suppose the worst case scenario is that Sony don't see a market in this area, and so it doesn't get addressed. What happens in the other ranges? Is there a "middle" ground in anyone's range, or does Tamron/Sigma/etc. "own" this market and so the "big" players don't bother - they just need cheap kits to get people in, and the big/expensive stuff with the bigger mark ups?

Please may I add Tilt&Shift to the rant list

[Greg Beetham]

You're right Birma, there is the Tamron and Sigma offerings, but that doesn't absolve Sony from the responsibility of having a complete stable, just like Nikon and Canon have, besides I think the KM versions of those essential GP lenses were perhaps built to KM's specs rather than the 'built to a price' of the Tamron versions.

Yes add away,
that's the one that was scratching at my memory while I was composing my post, but I refused too let it distract me from trying to remember it.
Hmm I think on reflection tho I'll just take a straight shift, I don't think I'm ready for a tilt n shift...but by all means be my guest Sony should offer both versions.
Greg

[Dulaney Ward]

I agree with you guys. Sony certainly needs to expand its stable of lenses--in several directions--better ones for newbies, the middle-price-range lenses you are talking about, AND some killer new lenses to attract the pros. I suspect that's what Sony has in mind, in part, by offering the 850 at the expected price point. I think an awful lot of 850s will be sold, creating a much bigger market for those top-of-the-line and middle-of-the-line lenses, With Zeiss on board for another five years, and a killer G (the 70-400) out at the beginning of this year, I think we'll see some really nice lenses in the next year or so.

[By the way, I was lusting after a Minolta tilt-shift a quarter-century ago, and longer.]

Dulaney

[alphaomega]

I think there is general agreement that Sony do need to expand the range of lenses available both for APS-C and FF. I seem to recall that the Sony chap who spoke at the A900 launch in Edinburgh said that the 24Mp A900 sensor was sized to get the best out of the CZ lenses such as the 24-70 available at that time. So presumably Sony thinks there is little point in putting anything less than a CZ or G lens on the A900 and presumably also the forthcoming A850 if you want the best quality. Anyone wanting lesser performance at a lower price can go for Tamron or Sigma. As DK has shown you can get good results with lesser lenses such as the 28-105 and others, but it would appear to me that Sony has priced the A900 to make money on the CZ and G lenses. A bit like me buying an Epson Photo R285 at £50 when the inks alone were £45 and parked right beside the printer. Probably Sony are releasing as many lenses as Can/Nik but doing so from a much smaller base. There must be a design and production limit they cannot exceed so patience is probably a virtue and Sony are probably not too disappointed that Sigma have ramped up their release of Alpha compatible lenses after having shunned KM completely. As I understand it Tokina are also now considering joining the fray. My main worry is the current tendency to release lower specified versions of older models. I do now fear that the A500/550 will be 12Mp Exmors with cannibalised A700 functionality. I am hoping to purchase a new A700 at £500 shortly. Best price I have seen is £540. I am really disappointed that Sony have not announced a straight A700 replacement with a larger sensor and improved higher ISO noise performance.