That's stretching it by a little, don't you think? hahaha.. extra 30mm for 3 other things wor... you could just step a bit closer you know... works most times I would say...

an extra 30mm is still an extra 30mm. some people will appreciate it, while others can't really be bothered with it. what zstan said is likely the case. these two lenses will cater to different users.

ieR: Nice! The girl sitting down was a very interesting touch.

shootkk: Stepping closer means a different background and different perspective. Not quite the same thing.

Agreed on points raised by zstan and kysham but I would say the Zeiss is catering for a very small group of users.

Back in the days before the 16-50mm, the Zeiss faces stiff competition from the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and the biggest factor is of course the price. While the Tamron is a huge gap away from Zeiss, the Sony 16-50mm has lessened that gap considerably while still maintaining a lower price.

The 16-80 Zeiss is caught in a very awkward position. For budget conscious users, the Sony 16-50mm seems to be the logical choice. For those who are not budget conscious, they might as well go for the 16-35mm f2.8 SSM Zeiss and couple that with a 70-200mm f2.8 G SSM

Even if you're not planning on going FF, the A77 kit that bundles the 16-50mm will deter a lot from buying the 16-80mm Zeiss

I would think the 16-80mm Zeiss is headed for discontinuation.

Of course this is all my opinion lah...

It's a shame the 16-50 2.8 ssm isn't a FF. Else I'd be buying it on a blink of an eye. Since it's not a Zeiss, the price will be very competitive compared with the 16-35Z.

albnok: thanks i am coming back alive~ back to shooting girls again its been a while i last shoot... (ever since i join workshops)

guys: not quite true, zeiss will make optics for sony, most sony lens are designed by sony themself, then the optics, is base on sony's requirement, the optics designed and build by zeiss, not the other way around. sony "uses" zeiss optics. not Zeiss makes sony lens. so its SONY decision to make more zeiss lens or not. Zeiss are still a optic supplier.

16-80 is totally diff then 1650. if i were to go traveling to taiwan, i rather bring just one 16-80 then any other lens (16105 is great too, BUT....) i can imagine how light i can travel with 1680+A35! but travel journal is never about super sharpness, but rather moment and reach. so again, it depend what you are "needing"(practicality) not what you 'greed'(spec)... greed? of coz i greed for 300F2.8... but i dont need it =.=

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Added on October 11, 2011, 1:01 pm



more here

This post has been edited by ieR: Oct 11 2011, 01:01 PM

this is not a shame, this is for aps-c amount with range 16-50mm powered f2.8 & SSM which try to fill the gap which canon already have 17-55mm f2.8 USM IS and now you one more choice besides the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 VC w/o ssm.

definitely smart move to put SSM and f2.8. this will be duplicate effort if 16-50 FF and ppl start complaint why we have similar lens, why not doing some thing new user needs

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Added on October 11, 2011, 1:38 pmplay 4P hehe nice shot!

This post has been edited by jimlim007: Oct 11 2011, 01:38 PM

Saying it as 'it's a shame' is a figure of speech FYI if your daft enough. Giving a same meaning as 'too bad' as it would be good for me, not nessecary that it must be done because of one person's request.

Although Zeiss probably does not physically make the lens itself, I am sure Sony must get some form of approval from Zeiss for the lens design, because the lens design and optics must be closely related. And don't forget Sony is putting the Zeiss logo on the lens, so no way Zeiss is going to allow that without any form of quality control from their part. Every Zeiss lens has a signature card from Zeiss, so I don't believe their involvement is strictly "just supply the optics" alone.

I believe the collaboration may work this way:

Sony propose a lens design to Zeiss -> Zeiss agrees to the lens design -> Sony do the engineering work, with input from Zeiss -> Sony manufactures the lenses, with optics supplied by Zeiss

seriously, i will gila soon ; bahaya break - go -bahaya break-go; just release to go with A77VQ, now pull break again on A77VQ observed on A7X new camera in plan. This sony so cute, may be 16MP A77 body+features lol dreamimng

(SR4) One more APS-C model in the works (A75?)

This post has been edited by jimlim007: Oct 11 2011, 05:30 PM

Probably not true lah.... Would have been more believable if they said that the sensor was FF! Hahaha! The A99 is coming!!!

All sifu, I wanna ask our alpha camera can use at winter time ar?

depends how are you gonna use it.

If you plan to sink your camera in the snow then your best bet is the a77 with the kit lens. The a900 and a850 are reported to be able to withstand these strong environments but beware that warranty would not cover should anything go amiss.

Other cameras, take your risk lo. Please report your test here. Thanks

your question is not specific enough.

theres varying conditions of 'winter'.

In Tasmania (where I am) - temperature can drop until 0 degrees sometimes.
In Russia is much much much much lower (im sure on the numbers but I think its -20+?)

So you have to be specific.

if we talking canon or nikon rumor, i believe is not true. but some how sony and m43 rumor are very reliable and this round it is SAR4 multiple source sayd a77 is not the toppest model in apsc, very interesting.

since the sony centre SA no call back me to explain the more detail, then i have to wait. quite terrible this area sony centre, althought is rare item sold in shop, but this gal job is she is quite look down on me when i ask her about dslr

im going to china soon. so the weather there is already winter. i scared bring the there then my a33 will GG! the temperature i not sure is how much.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/beijing.htm

"The coldest month is January, with its lowest temperature at -20 C (-4 F)"

New APS-C camera? Sony really troll all of you la!

but how ever it goes, still, sony wouldnt make it this far without close relationship with zeiss. but knowing sony, they only buy from themself or own it. so i highly believe they have deep relation with zeiss. i seen some medical equipment build by Sony with Zeiss optics inside. but sony wouldnt make stupid moves also. because a single decision affect 20 years to come. that why the 1680 will stay.

There'll be no issues with bringing your camera gears to China during winter.

You'd need to watch out for 2 small things though.

1. If it's really really cold out there, and you don't plan to use your camera for a long period (let's say 3-4 hours), take out the battery and keep it in your jacket or pants pocket where it is warmer. Cold weather is not an ideal condition for battery storage. This applies to all types of batteries (Sony, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, AA, AAA, D, acid... etc)

2. If you are moving from cold to warm environment (ie. outdoors to shopping mall), make sure you do not immediately turn on or remove your camera from the bag. Let the camera body and lens to adapt to the warmer environment for a little while (5-10 minutes) to prevent condensation from forming on the lens and sensor. It is not damaging to your camera if it happens, but DO NOT attempt to clean the condensation on the sensor if you're not familiar with sensor cleaning. If is happens on your lens, just give it a quick wipe with a microfiber/lens cloth.

This post has been edited by lwliam: Oct 11 2011, 09:13 PM