Thoughts on This? SONY ANNOUNCES NEW PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROGRAM TO RIVAL CPS/NPS

I just read this, didn't know about it earlier. Can anybody chime in and comment on how it compares to CPS/NPS? Thanks!

http://www.colbybrownp​hotography.com …ram-to-rival-cps-and-nps/

Edit: Here's the Sony website link - https://esupport.sony.​com/info/1523/US/EN

Edit: http://petapixel.com …re-for-pro-photographers/ Oh, seems like people are saying it's invite only? Is that like Google Inbox invite only where it's social inviting or do you have to be invited by Sony itself?

Interesting requirements.

Not many people are going to qualify for that. Two Sony bodies and three Zeiss lenses, is actually a pretty big investment in the brand.

ZachOly wrote in post #17281927
Not many people are going to qualify for that. Two Sony bodies and three Zeiss lenses, is actually a pretty big investment in the brand.

Yeah, two full frame Sony bodies, so the A77I&II shooters won't qualify either.

idkdc wrote in post #17272895
I just read this, didn't know about it earlier. Can anybody chime in and comment on how it compares to CPS/NPS

Canon and Nikon have a number of repair facilities in the USA that specialize in camera repair. They are staffed with highly trained technicians. Sony does not have a camera repair facility in the USA. Canon and Nikon stock replacement parts for their cameras at USA facilities. Sony does not stock parts in the USA, they must be ordered from Japan. This appears to be an attempt by Sony to make their camera lines seem more "professional" without making any commitment to delivering pro level service.

Beachcomber Joe wrote in post #17307898
Canon and Nikon have a number of repair facilities in the USA that specialize in camera repair. They are staffed with highly trained technicians. Sony does not have a camera repair facility in the USA. Canon and Nikon stock replacement parts for their cameras at USA facilities. Sony does not stock parts in the USA, they must be ordered from Japan. This appears to be an attempt by Sony to make their camera lines seem more "professional" without making any commitment to delivering pro level service.

Just found this out about Sony the hard way.
Have an RX1-r with 110 shutter actuations on it that needs to go to "someone else's" repair center.
Flat rate is almost $400 without even knowing the problem, (Mode dial doesn't read correct mode).
Recently with Canon, I was able to take my 24mm TS-E in to fix the Shift knob. They have a service center in NJ.
They fixed it for free on the same day and I'm not a CPS member!
Sony's sensors are great. I was thinking about getting an A7rII. Now I'm not so sure. This has given me pause.
Canon does service right.

Beachcomber Joe wrote in post #17307898
Sony does not have a camera repair facility in the USA.

Wait, what? Sony has no repair centers here in the USA? So, if I purchase that all so tempting a7R II and something happens it's taking a trip across the pond or headed to a third party authorized repair center? Ugh!

How's this going? Does Sony's Pro Service still suck? I've had the a7RII in and out of my cart several times. Usually, the pro service and autofocus niggles stop me from going all the way through in the checkout process.

If you are unsure, rent one. The honeymoon is over for me and it was a costly experiment. Back to a Nikon D810 for me...

eth3rton wrote in post #17839230
If you are unsure, rent one. The honeymoon is over for me and it was a costly experiment. Back to a Nikon D810 for me...

I've played around with a Sony Artisan's gear so kind of have an idea, just not any long-term experience (past a rental period).

Can you let me know what killed your honeymoon? I'm curious to know. Any thoughts on the pro services as well?

Posted by a Sony owner earlier in 2015 http://www.dpreview.co​m/forums/post/55768074

Sony themselves say explicity:

Membership Requirements
Qualifying applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Owns a minimum of 2 Sony Alpha Full-Frame interchangeable lens Cameras and a minimum of 3 Sony ZEISS(R) and/or G Series lenses
  
• Be an active professional photographer (self-employed or an employee of a professional imaging business/organization)​.
  
• Provides professional work samples - either tear sheets or a business URL with galleries.
  
• Provides Membership Fee Payment.
  
• Has received an invitation from Sony Electronics to join the program.
  
• Has reviewed and agreed to the Terms & Conditions
  

Wilt wrote in post #17839270
Posted by a Sony owner earlier in 2015 http://www.dpreview.co​m/forums/post/55768074

Wow, that sucks. Thanks for the link!

Pertaining to other threads about how the Sony mirrorless can 'replace' Canon, this serves as an example to those that oversimplify what a camera does for a professional...

It takes a 'company producing and supporting an excellent imaging product, with a full array of lenses and other accessories, and the service/parts supply infrastructure to provide rapid repairs' in order to equal a Canon or Nikon.
Sony proves to the world, via its camera support, that it is merely a 'leading technology consumer electronics producer', not a 'camera company for professionals'.
They have my respect for some products like their professional video recording equipment. And I love a number of Sony consumer products, but I have come to see how rapidly Sony consumer oriented things come to market with near-zero aftermarket support...my noise-cancelling earbuds, I lost the rubber earpiece for one side and could not even buy a replacement, as one simple example...spend $140 because a $5 part is not made available.

IMHO,

Overall camera ergonomics and button placement.
Battery life.
Camera got warm with general use - not even doing video. Some long exposures.
I never cared for the .acr files. Something always felt "off" with them.
AF is lacking - even on native lenses.
I wasn't impressed with high ISO - lots of noise.

Loved the articulating screen and overall size of the camera system though. Not enough to keep it.