Yes, I read that thread. That poster (David K), seems to have shot a picture with a prototype (one of the SEVERAL prototypes) and even more controversially, seems to have even published it. He actually was allowed into the Sony introduction event in Edinburgh, after snagging a press-pass.
This lens would not even be produced (after finalizing and fine-tuning the performance of the prototypes), for several months (retail release date being January, 2009).
I would say he did a grave faux paus in publishing samples from the specific prototype, he managed to lay his paws on ! If I am Sony, I would not let this fellow into any future event of mine !
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The situation is looking very promising regarding both new lenses and new camera offerings.
I notice at dpreview that Carl Zeiss has launched a new version of its famous 21mm Distagon with a Canon mount, available also at the end of the year. Seems like this is going to be an expensive Christmas for camera enthusiasts.
With HD movie capability on the 5D2, that new Epson HD projector (TW-5000 or 7500) with a claimed dynamic contrast ratio of 75,000:1 might also prove to be irresistable.
I get the impression that the Distagon 21/2.8 is unbeatable for corner to corner sharpness. It's certainly noticeably better than the Nikkor 14-24 at 21mm, using a 1Ds3. Check out this review at 16:9 [a href=\"http://www.16-9.net/lens_tests/nikon1424_21mm/nikon1424_21mm1.html]http://www.16-9.net/lens_tests/nikon1424_2...1424_21mm1.html[/url]
If the Sony 16-35/2.8 proves to be no better than the Nikon 14-24/2.8, then it's likely I will be leaning very heavily towards the 5D2 with Distagon 21/2.8 prime, especially considering the HD video capability of the 5D2, which I would definitely use.
On the other hand, these wide-angle lenses do not have IS or autofocussing (the new Distagon by design and the Nikkor 14-24 no doubt disabled when fitted to a Canon). The anti-shake sensor of the A900, especially if there really can be as much as a 4 stop latitude, is very appealing.