p.44 #1 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
ShootPDX wrote:
It will arrive Tuesday.
Edit: the embargo is date product can change hands is my understanding. Either way, I get mine 3/9!
My understanding is that it would be released on Tuesday, March 9 but frankly, it doesn't matter at all. Some Sony users in Europe and Asia already received theirs at least a week ago. More power to you if you get yours on the day of the release here on this side of the pond.
p.44 #2 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
AGeoJO wrote:
My understanding is that it would be released on Tuesday, March 9 but frankly, it doesn't matter to me. Some Sony users in Europe and Asia already received theirs at least a week ago. More power to you if you get yours on the day of the release here on this side of the pond.
Well, the other option was going in-person and picking up on 3/9.
The embargo’s on possession. If it’s shipped 3/8, there’s no way I’ll take possession until 3/9 at least.
p.44 #3 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
My B&H order for the A1 is still showing "New Order" rather than "Processing." I pre-ordered within the first minute of the window of opportunity on January 27. However, I'm just a hobbyist and not an SPS member. I'm thinking a recent (and, I suspect, generic) email from B&H saying a 3/9/21 shipment is expected in response to my inquiry about when my A1 will ship will not come to fruition. In your experience with B&H, is "New Order" status rather than "Processing" status a signal that I will be among those waiting for an A1 well after 3/9/21? Thanks.
p.44 #4 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
FJR1 wrote:
My B&H order for the A1 is still showing "New Order" rather than "Processing." I pre-ordered within the first minute of the window of opportunity on January 27. However, I'm just a hobbyist and not an SPS member. I'm thinking a recent (and, I suspect, generic) email from B&H saying a 3/9/21 shipment is expected in response to my inquiry about when my A1 will ship will not come to fruition. In your experience with B&H, is "New Order" status rather than "Processing" status a signal that I will be among those waiting for an A1 well after 3/9/21? Thanks.
You are probably right. I am a SPS member and placed the order within a couple of minutes after pre-order opened. I just checked my B&H order status and it has changed from "New Order" last night to "Processing" this morning.
p.44 #5 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
davesit wrote:
You are probably right. I am a SPS member and placed the order within a couple of minutes after pre-order opened. I just checked my B&H order status and it has changed from "New Order" last night to "Processing" this morning.
Thank you for the reply. Yes, that's what I thought. Oh, well.
p.44 #6 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
Apparently this is all a bit of a mess on the SPS/non-SPS thing. I actually got this email yesterday from Sony SPS:
"Unfortunately, we can't control what the retailers do, and how they distribute their inventory. The A1 priority list was mailed out to members a few weeks back, and they submitted their request. This isn't guaranteed, and it is not something we do for all new releases. At the end of the day, the retailer decides what they want to do, and the list was sent to them in good faith, but as I mentioned above nothing is guaranteed since we can't control how they distribute. We understand that they have they have their own customers as well."
Meanwhile, my dealer was led to believe that he *had* to fill the SPS orders first, and is calling Sony tomorrow to sort this out. In another email from SPS they indicated that the A1 is the *first* release where they have done this, which is likely the source of some of the confusion in messaging.
p.44 #7 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
Apparently this is all a bit of a mess on the SPS/non-SPS thing. I actually got this email yesterday from Sony SPS:
"Unfortunately, we can't control what the retailers do, and how they distribute their inventory. The A1 priority list was mailed out to members a few weeks back, and they submitted their request. This isn't guaranteed, and it is not something we do for all new releases. At the end of the day, the retailer decides what they want to do, and the list was sent to them in good faith, but as I mentioned above nothing is guaranteed since we can't control how they distribute. We understand that they have they have their own customers as well."
Meanwhile, my dealer was led to believe that he *had* to fill the SPS orders first, and is calling Sony tomorrow to sort this out. In another email from SPS they indicated that the A1 is the *first* release where they have done this, which is likely the source of some of the confusion in messaging. ...Show more →
Reading between the lines of the SPS response: they want the dealers to honor the SPS list, but are not capable of monitoring compliance. I think most if not all dealers will honor the list, except for a special non-SPS customer who had given the dealer a lot of business.
But again, we are not talking about having to wait a year (think Nikon 500PF) for delivery of the A1. It certainly sounds like within a month or two, most if not all pre-orders will be fulfilled.
p.44 #8 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
davesit wrote:
Reading between the lines of the SPS response: they want the dealers to honor the SPS list, but are not capable of monitoring compliance. I think most if not all dealers will honor the list, except for a special non-SPS customer who had given the dealer a lot of business.
But again, we are not talking about having to wait a year (think Nikon 500PF) for delivery of the A1. It certainly sounds like within a month or two, most if not all pre-orders will be fulfilled.
Yes, I agree. The crazy waits on Nikon stuff was one reason I switched to Canon almost 20 years ago...and it seems with another 20 years Nikon still hasn't figure that problem out. Canon is very good on production and Sony seems pretty good as well.
p.44 #9 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
davesit wrote:
You are probably right. I am a SPS member and placed the order within a couple of minutes after pre-order opened. I just checked my B&H order status and it has changed from "New Order" last night to "Processing" this morning.
Finally got into the chat queue on B&H, and the representative verified a 3/9/21 ship date, to my surprise. We shall see.
p.44 #10 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
Yes, I agree. The crazy waits on Nikon stuff was one reason I switched to Canon almost 20 years ago...and it seems with another 20 years Nikon still hasn't figure that problem out. Canon is very good on production and Sony seems pretty good as well.
Nikon's problems, besides numerous poor decisions over the years, could also be attributed to the fact that it is a relatively small company compared to Sony and Canon. It just does not have the deep research capacity of its competitors. The consumer electronics divisions of Sony and Canon feed into their optical and photography development. And in Sony's case, they have been the forerunner in broadcast equipment research and development for decades. A studio television camera setup used to cost over $1 million per chain - from lens, camera head to camera control unit (CCU). All that high-end technology creates a lot of synergy with their camera division.
I was a Nikon shooter since the 1970's and a NPS member, but finally switching to Sony this winter. I hung on for as long as I could but the writing is on the wall, although I do miss the much superior Nikon ergonomics, menu systems and their lens lineup. Without the deep resources its competitors possess, I think Nikon will continue to lose market share. It's like observing someone's long illness, slowing fading away. It's hard to watch.
p.44 #11 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
FJR1 wrote:
Finally got into the chat queue on B&H, and the representative verified a 3/9/21 ship date, to my surprise. We shall see.
I think if the A1 was priced at $4K, we would have seen a much longer order queue. Everyone would be selling their A9, A9II, A7RIII, A7RIV and A7S3 etc... The $6.5K price tag does present a barrier for many shooters, especially the married ones.
p.44 #12 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
FJR1 wrote:
Finally got into the chat queue on B&H, and the representative verified a 3/9/21 ship date, to my surprise. We shall see.
I think B&H is just fulfilling orders based on the time/date it was received. In the past I've always been on the order button at B&H and placed my order in that first minute. This time I felt I could trust my local dealer since he's given me first shot at everything else new lately. He's apparently decided to stick with the SPS list. Oh well I'm signed up for the A1ii in a few years. I guess. I did a "backup" order at B&H on the 27th at about 6pm eastern time, and I just called them and they said I'm just going to miss the March 9th shipping cutoff, unless they have a few orders cancel. They said the next batch is expected in two or three weeks.
I guess I might as well just go back to B&H rather than a local business. Lessons learned and all that.
p.44 #13 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
davesit wrote:
Nikon's problems, besides numerous poor decisions over the years, could also be attributed to the fact that it is a relatively small company compared to Sony and Canon. It just does not have the deep research capacity of its competitors. The consumer electronics divisions of Sony and Canon feed into their optical and photography development. And in Sony's case, they have been the forerunner in broadcast equipment research and development for decades. A studio television camera setup used to cost over $1 million per chain - from lens, camera head to camera control unit (CCU). All that high-end technology creates a lot of synergy with their camera division.
I was a Nikon shooter since the 1970's and a NPS member, but finally switching to Sony this winter. I hung on for as long as I could but the writing is on the wall, although I do miss the much superior Nikon ergonomics, menu systems and their lens lineup. Without the deep resources its competitors possess, I think Nikon will continue to lose market share. It's like observing someone's long illness, slowing fading away. It's hard to watch....Show more →
Indeed, I learned on Nikon in the 80's when I was a boy, and switching away from them in 2003 was very hard, but the D2H was just such a dud compared to everything Canon had at the time, and the Canon options for glass were much better too, that I ended up doing it. There was a Nikon resurgence when they switched to the Sony sensors, but without the pockets to sustain their entire ecosystem it feels like it's a long glide path into the ground and sad to think about.
p.44 #14 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
I disagree that the $6.5K price tag is more of a barrier for married photographers. First, I would guess that these days the significant others of most photographers (whether hobbyists or professionals) are gainfully employed. Second, having a significant other means you share costs. I would also bet that people who are happy in a long-term relationship, on average, earn more than those who are single, although that would be very difficult to prove/measure.
davesit wrote:
I think if the A1 was priced at $4K, we would have seen a much longer order queue. Everyone would be selling their A9, A9II, A7RIII, A7RIV and A7S3 etc... The $6.5K price tag does present a barrier for many shooters, especially the married ones.
p.44 #15 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
Apparently this is all a bit of a mess on the SPS/non-SPS thing. I actually got this email yesterday from Sony SPS:
"Unfortunately, we can't control what the retailers do, and how they distribute their inventory. The A1 priority list was mailed out to members a few weeks back, and they submitted their request. This isn't guaranteed, and it is not something we do for all new releases. At the end of the day, the retailer decides what they want to do, and the list was sent to them in good faith, but as I mentioned above nothing is guaranteed since we can't control how they distribute. We understand that they have they have their own customers as well."
Meanwhile, my dealer was led to believe that he *had* to fill the SPS orders first, and is calling Sony tomorrow to sort this out. In another email from SPS they indicated that the A1 is the *first* release where they have done this, which is likely the source of some of the confusion in messaging. ...Show more →
SPS can only request that the vendors give SPS priority. They have zero obligation to do so. This may be the first release where they sent a form to SPS members to request priority, but it's absolutely, positively, not the first time they have requested SPS priority from vendors. I know for a fact they did it with the a9ii and a7riv. Maybe that was on an individual basis, I don't know.
p.44 #16 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
I think B&H is just fulfilling orders based on the time/date it was received. In the past I've always been on the order button at B&H and placed my order in that first minute. This time I felt I could trust my local dealer since he's given me first shot at everything else new lately. He's apparently decided to stick with the SPS list. Oh well I'm signed up for the A1ii in a few years. I guess. I did a "backup" order at B&H on the 27th at about 6pm eastern time, and I just called them and they said I'm just going to miss the March 9th shipping cutoff, unless they have a few orders cancel. They said the next batch is expected in two or three weeks.
I guess I might as well just go back to B&H rather than a local business. Lessons learned and all that....Show more →
I wouldn't bet on being signed up for the A1ii in a few years. :P Your best bet is to call your vendor days before the pre-order and order then. That's the best way to be top of the list.
p.44 #17 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
I think B&H is just fulfilling orders based on the time/date it was received. In the past I've always been on the order button at B&H and placed my order in that first minute. This time I felt I could trust my local dealer since he's given me first shot at everything else new lately. He's apparently decided to stick with the SPS list. Oh well I'm signed up for the A1ii in a few years. I guess. I did a "backup" order at B&H on the 27th at about 6pm eastern time, and I just called them and they said I'm just going to miss the March 9th shipping cutoff, unless they have a few orders cancel. They said the next batch is expected in two or three weeks.
I guess I might as well just go back to B&H rather than a local business. Lessons learned and all that....Show more →
I've got a Procam brick and mortar store just 20 minutes away and a smaller shop within an hour. I prefer to purchase locally, but B&H has always treated me well, and I couldn't pass up the $500+ in "sales tax" savings that their credit card allowed. Since my order went in within the first minute or so on January 27, I was pleased that I, as a hobbyist who is not an SIPS member, still made it into the 3/9/21 ship date queue.
p.44 #18 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
I am one of those who could afford this price tag if I am not married now. Having worked in the tech industry here in Silicon Valley, my current home value and retirement account should be able to comfortably support me even to a worst scenario of the 50-50% separation case.
I have conditioned my wife for up to 4K only for the past year and traded already about $1K in entry level gears. I just formally retired last month and but still qualify for the coming California $400 and the new $1400 federal stimuli. Even with these, the wife was not happy with the $6.5K price for my birding needs (I still have some SLT and P&S for macros and flower shots). When the wife is not happy, there would be no harmony at home from the kitchen to the laundry to the bed (bedkeeping of course ). For now, just acquired the A6600 body so that I could play with also the newly bought LEA5. I could also target the A9 as I expect it to be below $2K later on this year if the A1 lived up to its hype. Yes, to some, marriage is not a hindrance but for me, it is a big consideration.
cheers,
gil
httivals wrote:
I disagree that the $6.5K price tag is more of a barrier for married photographers. First, I would guess that these days the significant others of most photographers (whether hobbyists or professionals) are gainfully employed. Second, having a significant other means you share costs. I would also bet that people who are happy in a long-term relationship, on average, earn more than those who are single, although that would be very difficult to prove/measure.
p.44 #19 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
ShootPDX wrote:
I wouldn't bet on being signed up for the A1ii in a few years. :P Your best bet is to call your vendor days before the pre-order and order then. That's the best way to be top of the list.
I was jesting of course, but calling and working with the vendor is exactly what I did and have done. It appears that he has just decided he will honor the SPS list vs. a repeat customer. His decision. I'll have to reconsider now whether I keep ordering with him or just go back to hovering on the order button with B&H like I've done for ages. I thought being able to speak with the vendor in person was a great idea, but apparently not. Such is life.
p.44 #20 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
jhapeman wrote:
I think B&H is just fulfilling orders based on the time/date it was received. In the past I've always been on the order button at B&H and placed my order in that first minute. This time I felt I could trust my local dealer since he's given me first shot at everything else new lately. He's apparently decided to stick with the SPS list. Oh well I'm signed up for the A1ii in a few years. I guess. I did a "backup" order at B&H on the 27th at about 6pm eastern time, and I just called them and they said I'm just going to miss the March 9th shipping cutoff, unless they have a few orders cancel. They said the next batch is expected in two or three weeks.
I guess I might as well just go back to B&H rather than a local business. Lessons learned and all that....Show more →
It's hard for me to understand your dealer's behavior if you bought 600 GM from him... but maybe it's not as rare a sale as I think (I thought A1'a price will limit its adoption, but it seems the supply is the limiting factor). I do understand your frustration though, fingers crossed enough people before you cancel their preorders (happened for me, or that's at least what my dealer told me ).
).