500/F8 Reflex discontinued ?

[dynax800si]

I don't like this news if it's true. One of the most matchless lenses for the a-mount.


DC.watch with Google translation

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sony-500 ... roduction/

[Dr. Harout]

Who knows, maybe there will be a new version with SAM?

[bossel]

...and with IS! And a new price Sony 500 F8 G IS SAM at $1499

[Andy B]

Definitely won 't be getting rid of my Minolta version of the 500 reflex anytime soon. (Nor will I be able to afford the long-rumored 500/4 if it's ever released.)

Andy

[Wes Gibbon]

If it's a slow moving item, they probably made as many as they thought they needed for the foreseeable future, stacked their warehouse shelves and closed down the production line. When that happens (I believe this is standard industry practice), items are listed as available until stocks run out, when they are 'discontinued'.The supply situation may vary from country to country.

As an example, I did hear that in the UK Minolta's last 35mm MD Shift lens remained unsold for nearly a decade, during which time it was still listed as a new product. When they finally sold it, it was 'discontinued'.

If stocks of the 500mm Reflex are running out, but Sony think there is still enough demand for it, perhaps they will bring out a replacement. Let us hope so, and with the nice enhancements suggested here.

[InTheSky]

The contrast and sharpness of the 500mm reflex is probably not enough for a 14 mega pixels and more. For what I have experience with the Sony and Minolta on the A900, A700 and Minolta 7D. You can get very good picture by combining good photographic techniques (to much people forget that this is a 500mm field of view ) and increasing the contrast on PP, but the level of detail is limited (for pixel peeper like me ).

But, it is I think the less expensive lens in the 500mm angle of view, and the best for the size and weight.

On my side I decided to invest in a 2x for my 200mm HS that at the end give me the same amount of detail (400mm 5.6 vs 500mm F~10). But this cost three time the price of the 500mm F8 (on second hand market).

I think there is plenty of the lens on Ebay and other source that will make always one available for who want to try the lens.

Regards,

Frank

[dynax800si]

Who knows, maybe there will be a new version with SAM?

Who knows, new SSM version will be great.
The 500/F8 was used by Sony in some of the promo videos made with NEX, but new version with motor will be even more interesting for video.

[Old Hydro]

...and with IS! And a new price Sony 500 F8 G IS SAM at $1499

Where did you find this information?

[bossel]

...and with IS! And a new price Sony 500 F8 G IS SAM at $1499

Where did you find this information?

Sorry, it was a joke (see my ) - maybe that's a way how to create rumors. Soon we'll read on SAR about that new 500/8 G SSM

[Andy B]

...and with IS! And a new price Sony 500 F8 G IS SAM at $1499

Where did you find this information?

Sorry, it was a joke (see my ) - maybe that's a way how to create rumors. Soon we'll read on SAR about that new 500/8 G SSM

I knew you had to be joking, Bossel, as the real price will undoubtably be at least $1,999 (about $6,000 lower than the new 500/4).

[Chris Malcolm]

It's a very tricky lens to lens to focus accurately, due to its razor sharp DoF. Slight errors in AF which go unnoticed with other lenses can throw this one off. I suspect some of its reputation for softness is in fact due to incorrect focus. Mine id an A550 with a 14MP APS-C sensor, and while not as sharp as a very sharp prime, it's not difficult to get sharp contrasty edges resoling down to a transition of three pixels when accurately focused.

In practice for long shots that's a pretty academic sharpness anyway, since for anything further than about 100 metres atmospheric thermal turbulence is often the biggest factor in reducing detail.

I suspect the sharpness and contrast could be significantly improved if they brought out a modernised version with an aspherical mirror.

Even if they never improve it, and even if also had a much better refractor 500mm lens, I'd still be carrying this one around in my bag simply because it's probably the only 500m that's small and light enough that you can easily carry it just in case.

I wonder if I can post a large iamge here? No I can't, so here's a compressed image, plus a link to the full size one. This is probably my best shot with it so far.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_malc ... 7/sizes/o/