Luminous Landscape Forum
Site & Board Matters => About This Site => Topic started by: Kevin Raber on May 14, 2018, 07:22:47 am
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I just published a conversation I had with two top Sony executives at the Sony Kando event last week. I sit down with Sony Electronics President and COO Mike Fasulo,
and VP of Sales and Marketing Neal Manowitz. We talk about Sony yesterday, today and in the future. You can see this video on our Home Page (https://luminous-landscape.com/sony-cameras-yesterday-today-and-tomorrow-a-conversation-with-the-top-sony-executives/)
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Did you ask them about a firmware update to fix the "star eater" issue?
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I'm tiring of the repeated and gratuitous Sony advertisements on this site.
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I'm tiring of the repeated and gratuitous Sony advertisements on this site.
Love the "how to .." articles, such as the Charlie Cramer series.
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I know it seems like a lot of Sony but Sony is the only one doing anything significant. You'll see it on just about every site out there. I have also done a video on this and will publish it soon. We have numerous projects like Charles underway as welll as new Master's series but they are projects that take a while to produce. There are some cool interviws from photographers coming up from the Sony Kando event as well as a bunch of others non Sony. When other camera companies start doing what Sony is doing then we will focus on them also. And, as my friends who are other content providers will agree as well as my co-hosts on On The Rocks, Sony is the horse in frint right now. Sony, or not these articles and the video that we just did say alot about the industry.
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I'm fine with it, Sony are the main event these days. And we just had a whole bunch of Leica videos. I'm far more likely to end up with a Sony over a Leica. More access if anything would be good. Perhaps a series of questions around what challenges they are looking at would have been interesting. Most of us are across their recent history, it would have been good to get a bit more technical with them.
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The technical will come later. SONY was open with a lot of technical information about their cameras with press and I hope we can find the right person to bring some of their technical innovations to us through a video. It’s on my to do list.
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The technical will come later. SONY was open with a lot of technical information about their cameras with press and I hope we can find the right person to bring some of their technical innovations to us through a video. It’s on my to do list.
What happened to the Fuji X-H1 review? Eclipsed by the Sony a7III? ;D
Rand
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I'm tiring of the repeated and gratuitous Sony advertisements on this site.
Could not agree more with this statement. And as it is free advertisement, obviously it is not hidden behind the paywall as other articles and videos.
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The Fuji X-H1 review is underway. Part one of the video is finished and part two has a print critique as part of it. For the time being, I have put a number of articles on hold as I am with my mom who is in hospice. I'll have a lot to catch up on when I return home.
For the time being, we have a number of interesting conversations coming up made at the Sony Kando event. I have said before when the other guys give us opportunities like Sony does then we will be over it. Just about every content provider will be heavy on Sony for a while as they presented us with some great opportunities.
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I'm tiring of the repeated and gratuitous Sony advertisements on this site.
Maybe you should start your own photo web site/forum. Or just leave this one?
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So is Sony ever going to put an OVF on one of their models? ;)
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An interesting video, Kevin. Thanks!
I bought the first A7 version shortly following its release along with the Zeiss 55/1.8. While I was very pleased with the images, I wasn't thrilled with the menu system of the camera's ergonomics. I sold it some weeks later.
While I'm not in the market for a new camera (sticking with Canon and Fujifilm), I do enjoy your videos presenting current technology, especially the chats with manufacturers. My Leica days have passed, but I also enjoyed those videos too.
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I did mention to the Sony executives in the video that the menus need fixing. The main things mentioned in focus groups and such were a better more intuitive menu system (old news), fix the so-called star eater problems. Many claim it isn't a problem. Many wanted to have an intervalometer built into the camera as well as better connectivity to devices. There were a lot of engineers at the event and they were busy taking notes.
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Maybe you should start your own photo web site/forum. Or just leave this one?
Hi Andrew
I joined LL several years ago when Michael ran it is as a site that focused on technique, rather than technology. If I want info on Sony technology, there are plenty of sites that do this. For me LL has always been the premier site for landscape photography.
In my view it is important that readers are able to provide positive and negative critique. This should help Kevin manage this valuable resource. Simply shuffling off silently is unhelpful.
Thanks Kevin, for all the hard work in publishing this site. I am just about to launch my site and so I have an inkling of the work involved.
Clearly you are passionate about technology and Sony.
Please keep the technique articles rolling - I mentioned how I enjoyed the Charlie Cramer series, for example.
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I know it seems like a lot of Sony but Sony is the only one doing anything significant.
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Sony is the horse in frint right now.
I agree.
Also think Fuji and Panasonic are contributing a lot with Sony, but on what events are concerned, this latest is doing things just right.
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. . . when Michael ran it is as a site that focused on technique, rather than technology.
This is inaccurate. Michael was very much interested in technology. He was the first to call out "digital now as good as 35mm film." His articles on various aspects of the technology were informative, interesting, challenging (sometimes). He was also interested in technique, of course, and in the final image. But to say he was focused on technique "rather" than technology is just on the face of it totally inaccurate.
Rand
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Here are some notes from the "About" section of this website:
"Michael Reichmann started The Luminous Landscape in 1999 after his friend Chris Sanderson suggested that he take some of the magazine articles he had written over the years and repurpose them for the web. … The reality is that after he posted his old articles from Photo Techniques magazine, where he had been a Contributing Editor, and other magazines, he started writing new ones and also started to receive contributions from other authors.
Workshops became another major aspect of LuLa’s evolution. He had taught photography, Cibachrome printing, and view camera technique at the community college level for years, and when he started to travel to exotic locations for his own photography it seemed a natural thing to bring others along.
Today LuLa is going through another stage in its evolution. Michael’s good friend of many years, Kevin Raber – previously a Vice President at Phase One, the world’s leader in high resolution, medium format digital photography – is now CEO and publisher. Kevin takes responsibility for revamping the website, new video services, advertising sales, and organizing and running and leading our workshops worldwide."
LuLa continues to evolve. As Kevin was a VP of Phase One, its not surprising that he has a particular interest in technology and I have a perception that this is the direction LuLa is evolving.
I am expressing my view, that I visit the site for articles on technique (such as those by Charlie), not technology.
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I did mention to the Sony executives in the video that the menus need fixing. The main things mentioned in focus groups and such were a better more intuitive menu system (old news), fix the so-called star eater problems. Many claim it isn't a problem. Many wanted to have an intervalometer built into the camera as well as better connectivity to devices. There were a lot of engineers at the event and they were busy taking notes.
Hi Kevin, it would be great if you could let the Sony representatives know about the convenience of including a "RAW histogram and clipping warning option" on their digital cameras. This request has appeared several times in this forum along time and lately I opened a change.org request explained here:
http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=124450.0
(http://www.guillermoluijk.com/article/histogram/rawhis.gif)
Not sure if you agree or would be interested in such a tool; I sent you a PM but had no response. I don't think of RAW histograms as a mainstream demand, but I'm pretty convinced that the first camera maker including them would gain very positive feedback from the most specialised and demanding photographers, more than marketing people could think of, and that could lead the rest of brands to follow.
Regards
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I am expressing my view, that I visit the site for articles on technique (such as those by Charlie), not technology.
But your view about Sony advertising (http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=124750.msg1043993#msg1043993) doesn't wash; I see none.
Yes everyone, please consider signing Guillermo's change.org page!
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Frodo, if you knew me you would know I’m not all about technology. I’m about taking photos, making prints and havin fun doing it. Maybe you should go back and look at the many articles about the craft of photography. You can view several years of my images in the galleries.
None of this could happen without technology and the cameras we use today. Michael and I both embraced technology and we both loved to shoot together. Craft articles out number technical articles on this site.
Watch my article and video tomorrow. Maybe you’ll get a better idea of where I stand on things.
Guillermo.. . Many people have asked and Sony knows we want RAW histograms. We want better menus and a number of other things. Many SONY reps especially from Japan taking notes during Kando.
No we wait and see what they do. I remain optimistic.
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Thanks Kevin, crossed fingers to that.
Regards
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Frodo, if you knew me you would know I’m not all about technology. I’m about taking photos, making prints and havin fun doing it. Maybe you should go back and look at the many articles about the craft of photography. You can view several years of my images in the galleries. .
Hey Kevin, this was never meant to be personal and I'm sorry if my initial post was abrupt - I tried to correct it straight after posting.
I really appreciate all the effort you put into the site. I've just perceived a shift in direction and I'm very happy to be wrong!
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Hello,
I was wondering if there was any discussion about Sony's plan for apsc cropped sensor? While I think the a7 series is impressive, I prefer not to have bigger lenses.
Thank you and best wishes for your mom.
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Hello,
I was wondering if there was any discussion about Sony's plan for apsc cropped sensor? While I think the a7 series is impressive, I prefer not to have bigger lenses.
Thank you and best wishes for your mom.
I''m interested too in Sony's intentions for APSC because they complete very well the ff for urban photography
And travels.
They pushed a lot, understandably, the ff line but their smaller sensor cameras seem to go slower.
However the 6300/6500 are high performances little cameras that can fit in my everyday's baise-en-ville,
So they are always with me.
Nota: baise-en-ville is a french construction for men's urban bag, not like a photo bag.
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Thinking of you Kevin with your mom in hospice. Not an easy time.
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Kevin - It's your site and, of course, you can do as you wish. I do appreciate the fact that you still occasionally do something with the newest medium format cameras, which virtually no one else does. I will say, however (you knew a "but" or "however" was coming LOL), that the two recent videos on Kando and defending your position on Sony were a bit much for my taste. If I heard one more time in the two videos about the 20 frames per second on the A9 (you must have repeated it 4 or 5 times as if that was the only important innovation in the last 5 years), I was going to lose my lunch. And for you to say no one else is doing anything - particularly Nikon and Canon - is simply not accurate. As you are well aware Nikon's D850, which has features the a7r III doesn't have, and vice versa, was as feted by critics as the A7R III. No, it's not mirrorless. But for my hands, the Sonys aren't thus far comfortable in my hands. The ergonomics just aren't there for me. While the info off the sensor is great, IMO, they have a long way to go before they will become comfortable to shoot with. And I'm glad your prodding Canikon to do get their act together. While I think Nikon has produced some great cameras (D5, D500, D850) in a short period of time, they need to do more at the cutting edge. All I want to point out is that you are a bit over the top in your singular focus. You may be exaggerating to make a point, but even that can go a bit too far.
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Rumor has it that we will see something APS-C this year. Time will tell. I imagine a souped-up a6500. Maybe the a6700. Many of us are also expecting an a7s version of the camera with even better low light sensitivity.
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I made it about 10 seconds into the video - really - do "conversations" usually begin with rousing music and your friends' advertising slogan displayed over a glowing sunset???
Kevin - you went to Lisbon recently I believe - any chance of seeing your photographs from that trip? I'd very much like to see them, whatever camera was used.
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Jeremey, As I mentioned a lot of travel projects Lisbon, Chicago and others in the works. For over the last week I am focused on a family issue and have not been home. I am posting what I can while dealing with things. And, Portugal was shot with the FUJI X-H1. I would like nothing more than to be home writing and editing. And, with all our videos we are trying hard to up the production values.
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I did mention to the Sony executives in the video that the menus need fixing. The main things mentioned in focus groups and such were a better more intuitive menu system (old news), fix the so-called star eater problems. Many claim it isn't a problem. Many wanted to have an intervalometer built into the camera as well as better connectivity to devices. There were a lot of engineers at the event and they were busy taking notes.
Well that is good news! Let's hope they address the QC problem with their lenses too. I'll all in for Sony, but need more confidence in their lens QC.
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Rumor has it that we will see something APS-C this year. Time will tell. I imagine a souped-up a6500. Maybe the a6700. Many of us are also expecting an a7s version of the camera with even better low light sensitivity.
Thanks Kevin. My question goes a little deeper. One option, is that they just keep releasing incremental "souped-up" bodies to avoid the perception of abandoning the platform. The other, is that they are truly dedicated to supporting it as a second platform, including evolving the body/battery/etc., and new/revised lenses.
Any indication? Did they talk about it at all?
Thanks!
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Thanks Kevin. My question goes a little deeper. One option, is that they just keep releasing incremental "souped-up" bodies to avoid the perception of abandoning the platform. The other, is that they are truly dedicated to supporting it as a second platform, including evolving the body/battery/etc., and new/revised lenses.
Any indication? Did they talk about it at all?
Thanks!
I live in a european capital city. And the current situation is that the FF newest released are out of stock and there is a waiting list. Glasses on the second hand market stores are not easy to pick.
It has been an absolute rush and the executives were not jokin when they
Talked about the fact that their chalenge is to being able to respond to the demand.
Considering this, it would not be surprizing if they put all their efforts in the FF area
And leave the apsc.
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My question [about Sony's "APS-C" format system] goes a little deeper. One option, is that they just keep releasing incremental "souped-up" bodies to avoid the perception of abandoning the platform. The other, is that they are truly dedicated to supporting it as a second platform, including evolving the body/battery/etc., and new/revised lenses.
Indeed: this is the question and concern I have about every ILC system that has a "big brother" with which it can share lenses: Sony's two "APS-C" systems, Canon EF-S, Nikon DX, and not to forget Leica L. So Kevin, please try to put this question to every rep. of those camera makers that you get to interview!
Meanwhile, as a dedicated user of smaller format ILCs, I trust FujiFilm, Olympus and Panasonic far more to support the high end of their systems!
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I have signed Guillermo's petition as I think this is technically worthwhile. At the same time, I raised a query there about the feasibility of doing this. I wonder what's involved, as I imagine some kind of other (than JPEG) in-camera rendering would be needed as the basis from which to construct the histogram.
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While I think it interesting and useful to gather and disseminate the views of senior US-based Sony executives - and thank you Kevin for making that possible - it is perhaps at least as important to know what's on the minds of the company's most senior management in Japan. The particular reason for this here appears in this article, which suggests that Sony may be lessening its commitment to all hardware, including cameras, for financial reasons, i.e. the profit margin on hardware is said to be "razor thin", while it is said to be much more attractive in the non-hardware areas of their business conglomerate:
Sony reorientation (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-20/new-sony-ceo-to-detail-shift-away-from-gadgets-in-mid-term-plan?te=1&nl=dealbook&emc=edit_dk_20180521)
It wouldn't be the first time that great technology takes second place to profit margins. The real question for purchasers of these camera systems is how the change of company orientation will affect their commitment to the particular products of interest and the extent to which that could matter to those who invest in these cameras. Something to tuck into the back of the mind.