philip_pj
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Ask yourself how many photographers / gearheads were using alt lenses a decade ago at the cross over point from film to digital? Very few. How many makers produced full ranges for existing platforms, such as the ZF/ZE range? Just a few 'fringe dwellers'.
Now alt lenses are in the press, on photozone, diglloyd, etc. and it is obviously a growing trend, a rapidly growing trend. Interest in older lenses is being rekindled anew. Seemingly each week, we see many new people here who are keenly interested in acquiring such lenses. All the main sales outlets stock them. New ranges are being released: Zeiss, Voigtlander is now reborn, Samyang, and the usual suspects of Tamron, Sigma et al are building ranges as well. Zeiss have a deal with Sony for their first ever AF lenses, I believe.
Now, why is this happening? Several factors occur, but there are undoubtedly many more.
Firstly, many Alt lenses have qualities that cannot be found in the makers' OEM lineup. Extraordinary resolution, microcontrast, colour rendition, dimensionality, corner performance, superior bokeh, low weight for performance, the list is long in what discriminating users can expect to 'value add' to their work as compared with the OEM lenses.
Secondly, price range, in that one can buy terrific lenses for a little or a lot. Third, the small sensor movement is tailor made for alt lens usage, especially given the effort required to build a full lineup for new formats.
Fourth, you are reading this on a medium that did not reach the mainstream until a decade ago - the web and its access to high quality information shared by enthusiasts, thus breaking the control of information flow - which of course heavily favoured the established players you refer to.
Fifth, the emergence of high quality, fine tolerance adapters and replacement mounts, exemplified by Novoflex and Leitax, together with chips to enable EXIF, focus confirm, A mode usage, in-body steady shot.
I am hoping you know enough to realise that high end Alt lenses have a build quality that generally shames most recent Nikon and Canon offerings, especially the AF lenses. You do cite some of the better Canikon lenses, and no one disputes their quality. But...I doubt any impartial viewer would prefer the Canon/Nikon offerings to say, the ZE 21/2.8, Leica's 28mm/2.8 E55, the ZE 35/2, the Contax 35/1.4, the ZE 50MP, Leica's 60mm f2.8 macro, Leica 100mm f2.8 APO, almost any of the Leica Telyt range, which would be my choice for long lens work. Though no expert, I could go on for quite some time...
"If it wasn’t a system-based decision, then why do we see so many posts in the Nikon and Canon forums on this topic?"
Partially ignorance, partially inertia. Some people are naturally inclined to be early adopters, and are driven more by the desire to use the best than to be straight-jacketed into using only what the body maker provides. Others may not know of their options - yet. Some will want a stand out lens for a particular type of work, like the 14-24 for interiors, as you suggest. Some people simply lack imagination, or have not been exposed to what Alt lenses can deliver. A lot feel they *need* AF and easy EXIF. Some pros need the pro support offered by Canon/Nikon. Some want to buy new for warranty.
Regarding weather sealing. I use my (expensive) Contax lenses in ultra humid and ultra dusty environs, and I wish the sensor was as easy to care for as the lenses. BTW, re Sony, very few users report any environment-related failures with them, and there is quite an installed base over several years now.
Finally, the Sony lenses (which I do not use but trust many who do, plus certain reviewers): best tele portrait lens in class (ZA 135/1.8), best AF mid-zoom in class (ZA 24-70/2.8), probably best wide range tele zoom, the 70-400G douglasf13 mentions above; best prosumer tele zoom (70-300G), arguably best short pro tele 'event' zoom (70-200G). The new ZA 24/2 is shaping up to be a great lens also, the ZA 16-35 is well liked by many users, though not in the 14-24 Nikon's class. More are apparently coming in 2011. So Sony have the main lens classes covered quite well, and one can find 'Alt' alternatives very easily if those are not suitable.
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My understanding of this stuff is certainly on very simple terms compared to either of them. 
