p.40 #1 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
My initial thought was not enough of an update for the price and I think I'm still there. The A1 and RX1R updates were the two cameras I was most excited for. The A1II and RX1R III are very good cameras but just meh updates. For $5k I think I'd rather buy a used Q3 and try it out. I do hope it does well though and Sony continues the development.
p.40 #2 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
I don't think you're wrong, that's a fair assessment. I'd prefer it at $4k, but the price is the price, and there's nothing else quite like it. Fingers crossed Sony will continue to develop their fixed lens cameras, the RX100 and RX10 need updates. I'd love to see Lumix make a better, fixed lens version of the S9.
stuuke wrote:
My initial thought was not enough of an update for the price and I think I'm still there. The A1 and RX1R updates were the two cameras I was most excited for. The A1II and RX1R III are very good cameras but just meh updates. For $5k I think I'd rather buy a used Q3 and try it out. I do hope it does well though and Sony continues the development.
p.40 #3 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
Sharif Abdou wrote:
I don't think you're wrong, that's a fair assessment. I'd prefer it at $4k, but the price is the price, and there's nothing else quite like it. Fingers crossed Sony will continue to develop their fixed lens cameras, the RX100 and RX10 need updates. I'd love to see Lumix make a better, fixed lens version of the S9.
The RX100 and RX10s were great and definitely ahead of their time. I just wish Sony would have focused on keeping fast glass instead of chasing the mega super zooms. I still have the original RX100.
p.40 #4 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
Does anyone know if the reason behind not having a redesigned lens for the new version, is because Sony ended relationship with Zeiss and using old stocks of the lensed that they fit in the Mk3? Or is it that Cosina remanufactured the lens for Sony, as they do for Zeiss for a lot of cameras, and Sony is slapping the Zeiss logo on this?
I think the lens is designed by Sony(designed by 金高文和, who is also involved in many GM designs), but did use Zeiss' T* coating according to rx development story published by Sony, you can read the page using google translate.
p.40 #6 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
james2441139 wrote:
Does anyone know if the reason behind not having a redesigned lens for the new version, is because Sony ended relationship with Zeiss and using old stocks of the lensed that they fit in the Mk3? Or is it that Cosina remanufactured the lens for Sony, as they do for Zeiss for a lot of cameras, and Sony is slapping the Zeiss logo on this?
i suspect it is because the lens has achieved a kind of cult status, and the old lens is a draw for many of the buyers. personally, i would be much less interested in a redesigned "improved" lens (though i'd love a better manual focus ring on it). for the niche product it is having a new lens could end up hurting sales, plus not having to spend any money on lens design/development has gotta be cheaper and make the continuation of the series easier to greenlight.
p.40 #7 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
james2441139 wrote:
Does anyone know if the reason behind not having a redesigned lens for the new version, is because Sony ended relationship with Zeiss and using old stocks of the lensed that they fit in the Mk3? Or is it that Cosina remanufactured the lens for Sony, as they do for Zeiss for a lot of cameras, and Sony is slapping the Zeiss logo on this?
Probably just cost savings. I would actually have bought one if a new improved lens was included. I can overlook no tilt LCD and no true weather sealing. Not giving it a new lens is just hard to justify over Q3. I'm sure more would pre-ordered if there is a GMaster level 35 f2.0 on it. They could've even made it 35 f/1.8 to make it even sexier.
It's a great lens though. One of my all time favorites. But what a shame...
p.40 #8 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
The people that love the existing Zeiss lens would probably not be happy with a GMaster level 35/2. So it really comes down to "who" Sony was targeting with this release. It seems to me that it was the group that loved the existing Zeiss lens, and Sony may have added a bit of padding to the cost in order to cover for the volume that it expected from that group.
I mean 75%+ of the lens discussion in the equipment forums about lenses is about lens qualities. Modern vs classic vs somewhere in the middle. Well corrected vs character, etc.
I just don't see how Sony could make 100% of the people happy. It just wasn't possible. And not saying anyone isn't reasonable in what they prefer. It's just that different people prefer different things.
p.40 #9 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
james2441139 wrote:
Does anyone know if the reason behind not having a redesigned lens for the new version, is because Sony ended relationship with Zeiss and using old stocks of the lensed that they fit in the Mk3? Or is it that Cosina remanufactured the lens for Sony, as they do for Zeiss for a lot of cameras, and Sony is slapping the Zeiss logo on this?
Or maybe the lens is legendary as is and Sony wanted to keep the legend alive. Over the years all everyone heard was huge praise for the character in the images from this lens. If it ain’t broken, don’t try and fix it.
p.40 #10 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
gordec wrote:
Probably just cost savings. I would actually have bought one if a new improved lens was included. I can overlook no tilt LCD and no true weather sealing. Not giving it a new lens is just hard to justify over Q3. I'm sure more would pre-ordered if there is a GMaster level 35 f2.0 on it. They could've even made it 35 f/1.8 to make it even sexier.
It's a great lens though. One of my all time favorites. But what a shame...
You say the lens is great…one of your all time favourites…but you would not buy this camera unless they changed the lens. Does that even make sense. If it’s one of your favourite lenses, I would think you’d be over joyed have that favourite lens in the new camera.
p.40 #11 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
chez wrote:
You say the lens is great…one of your all time favourites…but you would not buy this camera unless they changed the lens. Does that even make sense. If it’s one of your favourite lenses, I would think you’d be over joyed have that favourite lens in the new camera.
I would like to keep the character, but I would like an incremental update like better sealing, faster focus motor, just a little sharper throughout. I think this should've been done. I don't want a completely different character. Fuji updated their X100 lens with X100V, but they didn't change the character.
p.40 #12 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
I’ve been waiting for this camera for at least ten years, as an owner of the rx1 OG.
unfortunately their choice to remove the tilt screen probably kills it for me. Certainly coupled with Sony’s history of post sales support for this line and the cost creates a huge pause and alternate brand consideration.
I’m not worried about the lens keepingup. I do think the evf quality is not good enough.
I’m tall, getting older, multiple neck surgeries. Tilting screen in 2025 doesn’t seem options, and afaik I couldn’t even slap on the add on evf from the OG to try and fill the gap.
Instead it looks like I’ll have to pinch more pennies and consider the q3 43
Oh, the lack of weather sealing and my current residence in London, another let down.
They just seem to have kind of phoned this in
FWIW I’ve been trying the x100vi for months now and still don’t get anything I love out of it. And I look at the vast majority of my favourite shots and they’re from either the rx1 or tamron 28-200/a7iv
p.40 #13 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
I hasn’t realised there’s a mechanical shutter in the new rx1riii. Am I reading that correctly? If so, another bummer.
LiveShots wrote:
This was an interesting video for me. The attachment of the lens/sensor certainly explains many of the trade offs. From the sensor marking on top of the camera it’s clear there is very little space left to the rear of the camera which explains the lack of tilting screen, the IBIS and a regular shutter.
I agree with Tony that the 50mp sensor from the a1 would have been a superior choice, the faster read-out would have negated the need for any mechanical shutter. It might also have reduced the impact of the lens limitations that were highlighted.
I’m guessing Sony went with the 60mp sensor to crank up the specs, but I think that sometimes less is more…...Show more →
p.40 #15 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
gordec wrote:
Probably just cost savings. I would actually have bought one if a new improved lens was included. I can overlook no tilt LCD and no true weather sealing. Not giving it a new lens is just hard to justify over Q3. I'm sure more would pre-ordered if there is a GMaster level 35 f2.0 on it. They could've even made it 35 f/1.8 to make it even sexier.
It's a great lens though. One of my all time favorites. But what a shame...
If Sony had redesigned the lens to include OS like the Leica Q3, and included a tilt LCD, I think I would be quite happy to pay $5100 for one. If they also upgraded the EVF, I might even go $6K.
I've owned the RX1R and RX1RII and, like so many, loved the Sony/Zeiss lens; but, I have also owned a Q3 with OS and the rendering on that lens was pretty darned good, as well. A redesigned lens can be sharp and also not be too "clinical".
p.40 #16 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
InFocus2014 wrote:
If Sony had redesigned the lens to include OS like the Leica Q3, and included a tilt LCD, I think I would be quite happy to pay $5100 for one. If they also upgraded the EVF, I might even go $6K.
I've owned the RX1R and RX1RII and, like so many, loved the Sony/Zeiss lens; but, I have also owned a Q3 with OS and the rendering on that lens was pretty darned good, as well. A redesigned lens can be sharp and also not be too "clinical".
out of curiosity, do you have an example of sony achieving that recently? i wouldn't trust a redesign (updating mechanical fuction sounds fine though). there have been quite a number of new 35mm lenses made in the last decade and none of them really measure up for me.
p.40 #17 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
To that point, is there a modern lens from any manufacturer that resembles that RX1 lens character but can successfully resolve a 60+mp sensor? I have seen the blind 35s thread by nehemiahphoto, and also some of the versions of the Voigtlander 35 reviews, but everyone seem to still compare all to the RX1 lens for rendering and character. Is that the inherent design or is that the combined package that the RX1 can only offer that still keeps people interested?
p.40 #18 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
james2441139 wrote:
To that point, is there a modern lens from any manufacturer that resembles that RX1 lens character but can successfully resolve a 60+mp sensor? I have seen the blind 35s thread by nehemiahphoto, and also some of the versions of the Voigtlander 35 reviews, but everyone seem to still compare all to the RX1 lens for rendering and character. Is that the inherent design or is that the combined package that the RX1 can only offer that still keeps people interested?
From what I hear many people think the best 35mm modern design is Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35 f/2 ASPH (although it weight 750g, 1.5x weight of the whole RX1RIII)
APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH is also rather astonishing.
p.40 #19 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
james2441139 wrote:
To that point, is there a modern lens from any manufacturer that resembles that RX1 lens character but can successfully resolve a 60+mp sensor? I have seen the blind 35s thread by nehemiahphoto, and also some of the versions of the Voigtlander 35 reviews, but everyone seem to still compare all to the RX1 lens for rendering and character. Is that the inherent design or is that the combined package that the RX1 can only offer that still keeps people interested?
It's the combination of "perfectly" matching the lens to the sensor, the fixed lens design/flange distance, and sonnar lens design.
While modern lenses like the GM series are built to eliminate all aberrations for clinical perfection, the sonnar design carefully controls certain optical characteristics. Those controlled "imperfections" such as a slight field curvature, subtle spherical aberration actually contribute to the distinctive rendering gives that intangible "magic." The modern lens design also comes into play to match up with this high res sensors that are being put out these days. Anyway, the "magic" of the 35mm zeiss sonar isn't "magic", it comes down to engineering philosophy. Sonnar designs prioritize visual "character" resulting int images that have the "zeiss look" that "leica look" "3d pop" etc.
p.40 #20 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
architekt wrote:
From what I hear many people think the best 35mm modern design is Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35 f/2 ASPH (although it weight 750g, 1.5x weight of the whole RX1RIII)
APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH is also rather astonishing.
Great lenses, with a price to match! Thanks for the links to the RX1 design and the patent, fascinating read.
what? It's a leaf shutter, one of the most ideal types of mech shutters.