A Nikonian's ramblings and Sony predictions.

[rogprov]

Have you read this? What do you think about what he has to say about Sony?

http://www.bythom.com/2009predictions.htm

[Dr. Harout]

Interesting article. Thanks for the link.

[KevinBarrett]

Its always interesting to read about our brand from the viewpoint of someone who isn't invested in it. I definitely see what he means about Sony needing some direction: it is a little deflating to have arrived at this place where we have all bodies from entry-level to professional and now no clear path before us. I suppose we need some more lenses. Obviously Sony won't be waiting to see which body goes obsolete first to begin development of the next generation, so it would be terribly interesting to know what they working on right now...

What I'd like to see:

• SAL-1024 (a Tamron clone with some Sony-unique upgrades)
• SAL-1650Z (a fast APS-C standard zoom at constant f/2.8)
• SAL-50150G (a fast telephoto zoom to complement the 16-50 at f/2.8)
• SAL-24120 (an upgrade over the 24-105, with f/4 throughout)
• SAL-24F18 (an affordable fast prime to fill a hole in the range)
• SAL-35F18 (Sony will probably never ever do this)
• SAL-28F20G (who doesn't want the 28mm f/2 back in production?!)
• SAL-50F14Z (everybody else has one!)
• SAL-400F28G
• SAL-600F40G

The a700 replacement becomes an ultra fast, ultra rugged APS-C monster with only a modest increase in pixel count. Lighter than an a900 and more extensively weather-sealed, it becomes the wild-life photographer's weapon of choice and an ideal second body for an a900 shooter to mount his long lenses on. Give it all of the new functionality introduced in the a900 plus a raft of features to be competitive with the next generation cameras from Canon and Nikon.

This is more of a wishlist than predictions, but it is hard to separate hopes from expectations.

[Dr. Harout]

Nice list Kevin, but where are the TS lenses? (at least 1)

[KevinBarrett]

Nice list Kevin, but where are the TS lenses? (at least 1)

Ah ha! I don't know what Sony's nomenclature would be for that! I figure if I make a list with the right-sounding names, then rumors fly, interest is generated, and Sony sends me a free copy of all of them for spurring them into action! That's the way it works, right?

[rogprov]

Well whether or not they guy really knows what he's talking about (and I have a feeling that some of it is a distillation of comments from another forum) it's quite interesting looking from another angle. My own guess is that Sony will concentrate more on getting some lenses on the market. It is, after all, the common criticism - lack of system.

[Dr. Harout]

Well whether or not they guy really knows what he's talking about (and I have a feeling that some of it is a distillation of comments from another forum) it's quite interesting looking from another angle. My own guess is that Sony will concentrate more on getting some lenses on the market. It is, after all, the common criticism - lack of system.

Exactly