p.42 #1 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
I'll confirmed have mine on Tuesday. Gonna get there at store open and then shoot all day with it. Very limited amounts coming to a pretty big store in the Chicago area. Yeesh, gonna see these things reselling for 7.5k I bet, lol.
p.42 #2 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
1bwana1 wrote:
Plus your photographic resume has caught Sony's attention, and they rightfully believe that you are going to be a valuable addition to the Sony community.
awww shucks, thanks! i think it was more my wallet opening... in the last 30 days, including the a1's i have purchased 31k worth of sony gear lol
p.42 #3 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
ShootPDX wrote:
It's kinda strange that shops are not given an allocation # by Sony, at least that's what some shops are saying. How can they not know how many they're receiving?
Do they multiply or vanish while en route?
In Canada they were given a # back on Friday Feb 26th. I guess not in the US? Although it seems a number of stores in the US do know the number coming. The stores saying they don't know probably are just too lazy to look/ask/care.
p.42 #4 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
Well I just found out that because I've never signed up for the Sony Pro program I'm not getting one I the first batch, even though I spend massive amounts of money with Sony and use them in a professional capacity. I'm pretty pissed off because I had told my dealer to put me on the list before it was even announced, and he had told me I was at the top.
I've looked at the Sony Pro program in the past and frankly it looked like mostly a waste of money like an add-on warranty. Things like the loaner bodies, etc. were somewhat pointless as I always buy two bodies so I have a spare if something goes wrong with one.
p.42 #5 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
Well I just found out that because I've never signed up for the Sony Pro program I'm not getting one I the first batch, even though I spend massive amounts of money with Sony and use them in a professional capacity. I'm pretty pissed off because I had told my dealer to put me on the list before it was even announced, and he had told me I was at the top.
I've looked at the Sony Pro program in the past and frankly it looked like mostly a waste of money like an add-on warranty. Things like the loaner bodies, etc. were somewhat pointless as I always buy two bodies so I have a spare if something goes wrong with one.
Try applying today and once you get approved send them an email asking to be put on the list at your store. Or maybe before that, email them to see if anything can be done for you: [email protected]
p.42 #8 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
Well I just found out that because I've never signed up for the Sony Pro program I'm not getting one I the first batch, even though I spend massive amounts of money with Sony and use them in a professional capacity. I'm pretty pissed off because I had told my dealer to put me on the list before it was even announced, and he had told me I was at the top.
I've looked at the Sony Pro program in the past and frankly it looked like mostly a waste of money like an add-on warranty. Things like the loaner bodies, etc. were somewhat pointless as I always buy two bodies so I have a spare if something goes wrong with one.
i can attest that it is not a waste of money, Sony's pro support is miles ahead of NPS and CPS. Their dedicated tech line, as well as loaner gear is well worth the 100 a year. If you use your gear in a professional capacity in any manner, i highly suggest people sign up for it. you get 3 free cleanings and check ups annually, and its a write off.
p.42 #9 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
I got 2 on preorder from BH. I ordered the moment it was up. Fat fingered it and lag, made the order to be 2 but I was fearful on cancelling. My order says new order, processing. It said backordered before 3/4
p.42 #10 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
turbodude wrote:
i can attest that it is not a waste of money, Sony's pro support is miles ahead of NPS and CPS. Their dedicated tech line, as well as loaner gear is well worth the 100 a year. If you use your gear in a professional capacity in any manner, i highly suggest people sign up for it. you get 3 free cleanings and check ups annually, and its a write off.
That may be the case, but this feels like a swift kick in the nuts. NOWHERE in the Pro T&C does it say they will give priority on new releases to members, and they have never done this with previous releases, at least not that I am aware of. I switched from Canon in 2018 and have been on the early order lists for the A7RIV, A9II and A7SIII and always got one (or two) when they came out. Since I don't do loaner lenses and have duplicate bodies, the "benefits" of the Pro Support program looked pretty weak at best. It wasn't the $100/year; that's chump change. It was more of a "why pay for a bunch of useless stuff." I'm not close to location for cleaning, and frankly in the decades I've been using my cameras professionally I've never needed a "professional" cleaning. These are tools I use and I know how to handle them, and that includes cleaning.
It's a bit of BS move to only make this change now and only AFTER the camera was announced.
p.42 #11 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
arbitrage wrote:
In Canada they were given a # back on Friday Feb 26th. I guess not in the US? Although it seems a number of stores in the US do know the number coming. The stores saying they don't know probably are just too lazy to look/ask/care.
For the record, it’s Kenmore Camera saying they don’t know.
p.42 #12 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
That may be the case, but this feels like a swift kick in the nuts. NOWHERE in the Pro T&C does it say they will give priority on new releases to members, and they have never done this with previous releases, at least not that I am aware of. I switched from Canon in 2018 and have been on the early order lists for the A7RIV, A9II and A7SIII and always got one (or two) when they came out. Since I don't do loaner lenses and have duplicate bodies, the "benefits" of the Pro Support program looked pretty weak at best. It wasn't the $100/year; that's chump change. It was more of a "why pay for a bunch of useless stuff." I'm not close to location for cleaning, and frankly in the decades I've been using my cameras professionally I've never needed a "professional" cleaning. These are tools I use and I know how to handle them, and that includes cleaning.
It's a bit of BS move to only make this change now and only AFTER the camera was announced.
Jeff, as I mentioned a few pages earlier, the Sony Pro Support doesn’t get involved in the final and actual decision who will get prioritized in the delivery of the first batch. They will give respective dealers a list who are on the priority list. It is merely a recommendation from the SPS; that’s about it. The final decision is with the camera store or who is in charge at the camera store. BTW, the program has been in effect for at least 2 years. I received my GM 600mm in the first batch in 2019 that way. I received emails, for the A7r IV, A9 II, and a few lenses. In the past, when the supply was abundant, this barely was mentioned, if at all. It seems that the A1 is in pretty high demand, regardless of the price .
I would contact your dealer again as soon as possible and talk to them about this. Hope this helps.
p.42 #13 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
AGeoJO wrote:
Jeff, as I mentioned a few pages earlier, the Sony Pro Support doesn’t get involved in the final and actual decision who will get prioritized in the delivery of the first batch. They will give respective dealers a list who are on the priority list. It is merely a recommendation from the SPS; that’s about it. The final decision is with the camera store or who is in charge at the camera store. BTW, the program has been in effect for at least 2 years. I received my GM 600mm in the first batch in 2019 that way. I received emails, for the A7r IV, A9 II, and a few lenses. In the past, when the supply was abundant, this barely was mentioned, if at all. It seems that the A1 is in pretty high demand, regardless of the price .
I would contact your dealer again as soon as possible and talk to them about this. Hope this helps. ...Show more →
I'm not sure that's totally true. Here's what he wrote to me this morning:
"Unfortunately I have an obligation to fill Sony Pro Support member orders first. As a member of Sony Pro Support, one of the “perks“ Sony offers is priority allocation of new products when they are released to dealers. Sony sends me a list of Pro Support members that ordered cameras through my store and I have to fill those orders first. Sony has released such a small quantity of cameras that we will not have any available beyond the Pro Support Allocation. We do expect to receive another allocation in a few weeks and you are near the very of top of my list to receive a camera when available. Sorry for the disappointment but I should have a camera for you soon."
I'm sure they can choose to ignore Sony's list but it sure sounds like he was given a list of names to fulfill orders for first. This dealer is local to me but well-known nationally. I actually switched to buying from them last year when B&H had to start charging sales tax, and he had a 600mm f/4 when no one else did--the search for the 600mm is how I found him. I had no idea this dealer was only about a 90 minute drive for me. I've since gotten everything from him. But this is making me wonder if I should have just stuck with my previous strategy of ordering everything from B&H as I'm hearing of folks who *aren't* SPS getting notified they will get one from B&H.
Do you have some information from Sony that supports that they don't have to stick to a list? Because if so, it sounds like I need to have talk with my dealer to see if he really wants my business or not and if I would have gotten it if I was on SPS.
The part that pisses me off is I have been on his list since I got my A9II--I wanted the A9II to be *this* camera, or closer to it. So part of the reason there's a built up immediate demand for the A1 is people like me. To get shafted because I didn't sign up is pretty crappy IMO. BTW, I signed up this morning, but I was reminded why I thought it was BS in the past. In their list of lenses to choose from there's tons of crap budget lenses and they don't even list all of the GM lenses. That certainly didn't smell like a "Pro" program to me. And I re-read the T&C and benefits and absolutely nowhere did Sony mention first access to new releases.
p.42 #14 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
I'm not sure that's totally true. Here's what he wrote to me this morning:
"Unfortunately I have an obligation to fill Sony Pro Support member orders first. As a member of Sony Pro Support, one of the “perks“ Sony offers is priority allocation of new products when they are released to dealers. Sony sends me a list of Pro Support members that ordered cameras through my store and I have to fill those orders first. Sony has released such a small quantity of cameras that we will not have any available beyond the Pro Support Allocation. We do expect to receive another allocation in a few weeks and you are near the very of top of my list to receive a camera when available. Sorry for the disappointment but I should have a camera for you soon."
I'm sure they can choose to ignore Sony's list but it sure sounds like he was given a list of names to fulfill orders for first. This dealer is local to me but well-known nationally. I actually switched to buying from them last year when B&H had to start charging sales tax, and he had a 600mm f/4 when no one else did--the search for the 600mm is how I found him. I had no idea this dealer was only about a 90 minute drive for me. I've since gotten everything from him. But this is making me wonder if I should have just stuck with my previous strategy of ordering everything from B&H as I'm hearing of folks who *aren't* SPS getting notified they will get one from B&H.
Do you have some information from Sony that supports that they don't have to stick to a list? Because if so, it sounds like I need to have talk with my dealer to see if he really wants my business or not and if I would have gotten it if I was on SPS.
The part that pisses me off is I have been on his list since I got my A9II--I wanted the A9II to be *this* camera, or closer to it. So part of the reason there's a built up immediate demand for the A1 is people like me. To get shafted because I didn't sign up is pretty crappy IMO. BTW, I signed up this morning, but I was reminded why I thought it was BS in the past. In their list of lenses to choose from there's tons of crap budget lenses and they don't even list all of the GM lenses. That certainly didn't smell like a "Pro" program to me. And I re-read the T&C and benefits and absolutely nowhere did Sony mention first access to new releases.
...Show more →
I don’t understand why the Sony Pro prioritization is so surprising. You say you’ve had the a1 on preorder since the a9ii, so that should give you priority over their pro list. But by the same token, by being a pro member you are telling Sony where you spend your money and that you represent their brand. We’re all playing the same game, but it’s important to play by the rules that are laid out by Sony. They probably don’t always give pro priority, so it’s not a perk they felt comfortable making part of the pro program officially, but I know for a fact they’ve given pro priority in the past, and I’ve heard of other brands doing it as well.
Like it or not, your vendor is trying to keep the pro member business, too. And it’s a $6500 so it’s not entirely unreasonable for them to have expected mostly pro members to buy it.
p.42 #15 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
ShootPDX wrote:
I don’t understand why the Sony Pro prioritization is so surprising. You say you’ve had the a1 on preorder since the a9ii, so that should give you priority over their pro list. But by the same token, by being a pro member you are telling Sony where you spend your money and that you represent their brand. We’re all playing the same game, but it’s important to play by the rules that are laid out by Sony. They probably don’t always give pro priority, so it’s not a perk they felt comfortable making part of the pro program officially, but I know for a fact they’ve given pro priority in the past, and I’ve heard of other brands doing it as well.
Like it or not, your vendor is trying to keep the pro member business, too. And it’s a $6500 so it’s not entirely unreasonable for them to have expected mostly pro members to buy it. ...Show more →
No I get it....sort of. But IF they are going to do that, they should say so. You have to admit their "Pro" program looks kind of amateur, at least compared to what I was used to with Nikon and CPS in the past when I was shooting their systems. The only benefits they list online are the loaners and cleaning, and neither had appeal. If they simply said "priority on new releases" that would have been a no brainer. Having been a recent switch, I had no experience with any past prioritization for SPS. It certainly has been a non-issue for me for every new release since 2018 when I switched from Sony, so I think I can be forgiven for not knowing about what is apparently a "secret" benefit that is not published anywhere.
p.42 #16 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
No I get it....sort of. But IF they are going to do that, they should say so. You have to admit their "Pro" program looks kind of amateur, at least compared to what I was used to with Nikon and CPS in the past when I was shooting their systems. The only benefits they list online are the loaners and cleaning, and neither had appeal. If they simply said "priority on new releases" that would have been a no brainer. Having been a recent switch, I had no experience with any past prioritization for SPS. It certainly has been a non-issue for me for every new release since 2018 when I switched from Sony, so I think I can be forgiven for not knowing about what is apparently a "secret" benefit that is not published anywhere.
Well, their pro program is new. And the people I’ve talked to say Sony PRO Support is leagues better than Canon’s or Nikon’s.
In the end, Sony received more pre-orders than they thought they would by 300%, so they decided it made good business ends to prioritize their pro members, and I can’t blame them for that.
p.42 #17 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
ShootPDX wrote:
Well, their pro program is new. And the people I’ve talked to say Sony PRO Support is leagues better than Canon’s or Nikon’s.
And yet another reason IMO that they should TELL people that early release access is a benefit...if it's new, people need to know why it's a good thing. I guarantee I'm not the only professional user that isn't signed up and is pissed to get passed over. Not exactly the best way to treat your biggest supporters. I love everything about my Sony gear but damn, this is leaving a very bitter taste in my mouth.
p.42 #18 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
And yet another reason IMO that they should TELL people that early release access is a benefit...if it's new, people need to know why it's a good thing. I guarantee I'm not the only professional user that isn't signed up and is pissed to get passed over. Not exactly the best way to treat your biggest supporters. I love everything about my Sony gear but damn, this is leaving a very bitter taste in my mouth.
I’m guessing not a lot of pros would join SPS just to get something early. The 20% repair discount and other perks are for more valuable.
p.42 #20 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
I'm not sure that's totally true. Here's what he wrote to me this morning:
"Unfortunately I have an obligation to fill Sony Pro Support member orders first. As a member of Sony Pro Support, one of the “perks“ Sony offers is priority allocation of new products when they are released to dealers. Sony sends me a list of Pro Support members that ordered cameras through my store and I have to fill those orders first. Sony has released such a small quantity of cameras that we will not have any available beyond the Pro Support Allocation. We do expect to receive another allocation in a few weeks and you are near the very of top of my list to receive a camera when available. Sorry for the disappointment but I should have a camera for you soon."
I'm sure they can choose to ignore Sony's list but it sure sounds like he was given a list of names to fulfill orders for first. This dealer is local to me but well-known nationally. I actually switched to buying from them last year when B&H had to start charging sales tax, and he had a 600mm f/4 when no one else did--the search for the 600mm is how I found him. I had no idea this dealer was only about a 90 minute drive for me. I've since gotten everything from him. But this is making me wonder if I should have just stuck with my previous strategy of ordering everything from B&H as I'm hearing of folks who *aren't* SPS getting notified they will get one from B&H.
Do you have some information from Sony that supports that they don't have to stick to a list? Because if so, it sounds like I need to have talk with my dealer to see if he really wants my business or not and if I would have gotten it if I was on SPS.
The part that pisses me off is I have been on his list since I got my A9II--I wanted the A9II to be *this* camera, or closer to it. So part of the reason there's a built up immediate demand for the A1 is people like me. To get shafted because I didn't sign up is pretty crappy IMO. BTW, I signed up this morning, but I was reminded why I thought it was BS in the past. In their list of lenses to choose from there's tons of crap budget lenses and they don't even list all of the GM lenses. That certainly didn't smell like a "Pro" program to me. And I re-read the T&C and benefits and absolutely nowhere did Sony mention first access to new releases. ...Show more →
Again, I would suggest for you to talk to your camera dealer about it. It will depend on how good your relationship is with that particular camera store and whether you were actually placed the pre-order earlier than some SPS members. If for whatever reasons, they could allocate one for you, then please keep it for yourself and don’t announce it. FYI, the SPS put a date, at which members who had pre-ordered had to inform them by, and the date was Feb. 19.
