Sony a850 Discontinued

Perhaps having 2 very similar FF bodies did not make as much sense as they thought. The A900 is still for sell and doing OK. I don't know if Sony FF is doomed yet.

Sony did say they were probably moving to translucent mirrors all around. Just think if they came out with a FF sensor as good as the one in the A580, with a pellicle mirror allowing 10fps and phase AF in video recording/live view. It could probably cost under $3000 and have a spec sheet like a D3s.

tkbslc wrote in post #12493921
Perhaps having 2 very similar FF bodies did not make as much sense as they thought. The A900 is still for sell and doing OK. I don't know if Sony FF is doomed yet.

Sony did say they were probably moving to translucent mirrors all around. Just think if they came out with a FF sensor as good as the one in the A580, with a pellicle mirror allowing 10fps and phase AF in video recording/live view. It could probably cost under $3000 and have a spec sheet like a D3s.

That'd be nice

Also I dunno if i mentioned it but i did consider buying the a850 a lot actually :3 The 135mm Sonnar is just...Well...awesome

Not enough sale to float cost justifications. Bye bye. Never new ya, won't miss ya.

SLR cameras are reigned by Canon & Nikon. Going to mirror-less tech is a good idea. Create a new segment and dominate.

KenjiS wrote in post #12476626
Also of course, if i was selling someone a camera I'd steer them right clear of Sony for the reason of "Theres absolutely no upgrade path in their lineup"

This^

Another annoying factor is Calumet don't hire out Sony bodies or lenses, which would irritate me if I needed something I would otherwise use once in a blue moon, like an extremely expensive super telephoto

Jahled wrote in post #12514959
This^

Another annoying factor is Calumet don't hire out Sony bodies or lenses, which would irritate me if I needed something I would otherwise use once in a blue moon, like an extremely expensive super telephoto

Another good point with Sony of course is "What extremely expensive super telephoto" as there is one right now..

Supposedly there will EVENTUALLY be a 500mm f/4 but i have seen that thing at trade shows for about 5 years now i think...

unfortunately sony hasn't priced their lenses as competitively as their bodies . . .

MOkoFOko wrote in post #12476710
I understand that most professional photographers (weddings and otherwise) are reluctant to go with Sony in general--mostly because they'd be laughed right out of the room.

And that would be the same photographers who think they gear takes the photos...

You think my clients think for one second what the label says on the camera ?

a850/a900 are gems. too bad sony doesn't seem to cater to higher end of their systems as much.

I'm waiting to see the A77 which is supposed to be released in Sept or Oct . Some interesting posts about it , I hope some of it is true .

pyrojim wrote in post #12489153
Sony service is notorious for being the WORST in the industry.

I am a die hard PS3 fanboy, but after 4(yes 4) systems failed, and I had to pay 150 for EACH refurbished replacement....

I gave up. I called them up explained my position and asked them what they could do.

they asked me: why do we care?

my reply: because I am 23 and I make X a year... and I live in a house with 2 xbox360's.

their response: why is that important.

I really wish I was kidding but after that kind of treatment by THEIR CUSTOMER SUPPORT...its no wonder. really sony products are great, they are fun, and cool for the most part, but once they break, sony leaves you with your pants down, every time.

And I ***REALLY*** wanted to buy an A900. I mean could you imagein dropping several thousand for a 70-200G and a zeiss 24-70, only to have your 70-200G break down after a year? if a camera shop says it happens from time to time, it happens WAY to much.

what could possibly break 4 times on a ps3?
ive had ps2, psp, ps3, sony soundsystems, headphones, etc. maybe i am just lucky? ur story seems one in a million assuming its not a user problem.

too bad about the a850.. i almost went for sony dslr instead of canon. never good when competition leaves the market

^- I know its crazy but it does happen, But it also happens to the Xbox 360, Usually its heat has caused components to fail, and even in a well ventilated enclosure with a responsible owner who cleans it regularly, the fans could fail...PS3s and 360s both generate a large chunk of heat and have very poor cooling systems to be honest...

It makes more sense to drop the lower spec'ed product and keep the A900. That way the better body is still available until the replacement comes and there's room for price drops in the future.

I played with the a55 again today, This time it didnt lock up in my hands..

I like it, its quirky and i found the menus and controls really annoying, but its a nice little camera...AF wasnt the best with the 18-55 SAM though

Sony's 70-400 is said to be a stellar lens, razor sharp @400. Some day I'd like to try it out.

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #12935784
Sony's 70-400 is said to be a stellar lens, razor sharp @400. Some day I'd like to try it out.

Indeed..Thats one lens i love

The other is the 135 f/1.8...