imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

For me, the jury is still out. It is a GOOD lens - not sure yet about great. It is much smaller and almost 2 lbs lighter than the Canon- which is maybe the BEST part.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

That's good to hear, Dave. I get around western states with my sons' scout troop and take pictures off the grid (sometimes barely on a map) so GPS is sure nice to reference locations, and I miss it from my former a77. I've read about smartphone apps that record GPS data to a file that can later synchronize by date and time with EXIF data to add GPS coordinates to it, but I've been either too confused by what I read or too busy to mess with it.

From what little I could find this morning about the new a99ii, it seems to be pretty much what I said after Sony announced the a7Rii: that Sony should produce an a7Rii with an a-mount. This a99ii is nearly that, but with -- according to a YouTube video of Sony's Photokina announcement -- an even better sensor (and, of course, SLT technology, better focus and frame rate). It has at least a few other enhancements, such as an improved, color-coded menu, and even a front control wheel (not the dial we use with our index finger to adjust shutter or aperture, but a new wheel next to the lens) that is user-set to have clickable stops or not and can control aperture or other user-assigned functions. Someone put a lot of thought into this thing, it appears, and although the new camera isn't groundbreaking, it incorporates Sony's best tech into a nice little a-mount package, and I'd say it't the camera to beat. Can't wait for an a99ii vs. 5Div showdown!

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

I'm familiar with the GPS Synchronizing system you described and have used it. I often carry a very good Garmin GPS with me on hikes and have managed to link the data from the GPS to the image files time stamp. It works okay but is a bit of a pain in the a$$. I decided it was not worth the bother. After the novelty wore off I stopped using it. My iPhone in smaller, lighter and more accurate at finding my location, particularly if I'm within cell tower distance. I suspect that the Bluetooth connection to my iPhone will be a more elegant and wireless solution. Granted, we will need keep the iPhone charged.

I'll be placing my order today for the A99ii.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

It will be intersting to see how the Minolta lenses do on that sensor detail wise.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

That's kind of what I concluded, Dave, even without trying one of the apps or other solutions. And I noticed in another thread you've ordered the a99ii. I am envious! I'm eager to see sensor benchmarks - particularly low-light, as we know the sensor will excel in all other areas because it's a Sony, after all.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

Same as the A7rii benchmarks.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

Don't get your hopes too high on that one, Dave. I think you'll find that only those lenses that Sony has written a "recipe" for in the firmware will implement Hybrid focus.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Hummmm...I understand what you are saying, but I hope you are wrong about the A99M2 needing a firmware "recipe" for every lens they currently support. I don't know enough about how the PD Hybrid focus works to make an intelligent comment as to whether they will need information about each lens. That seems like logistic problem as well as a "Rube Goldburg" solution. I bought my mirror lens and many other from Sony. I will be disappointed in Sony if this new camera is not backwards compatible with Sony and for that matter, Minolta lenses.

Modern lenses have replaced screw-drive with SSM. I notice that the A99M2 provides a screw that will mate with my old lenses. We will find out soon.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

Dave, you will be Ok with any Sony SSM/OSS lens, Minolta screw drives is doubtful. Maybe Sony will surprise but ..........

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Pete, I think OSS stands for Optical Steady Shot. That is only used in C-Mount lenses. I only own one MINOLTA lens that I care about. It's the little 35~70mm f/4 with a manual focus Macro mode. This little lens is my favorite carry lens. It's remarkably SHARP and CHEAP! I recently saw one on eBay for 7 USD. I own two copies of this lens in case one breaks. I attended a big wedding last week in the middle of farm country in the state of Illinois. I was a guest not the official photographer. I was sitting near the front using my trusty G 70~300mm f/4.5-5.6 SSM lens. I did not want to take the same photos the designated photographer was taking. I turned up my ISO and what taking very tight shoots, hand held. I knew that some good software that I use would be able to take care of the noise introduced by the high ISO. The photographer noticed my big lens and latter approached me at the reception that was held on a big farm, and asked my about my big lens. She told me she would like to own that lens but can not afford it yet. We got into a conversation about A-Mount lenses. It turns out that we both were using the little Minolta 35~70mm f/4 at the time. She told me that it's her favorite lens because it's so sharp. She was using two slave flashes with umbrella reflectors and diffusers. She was working hard and I'm sure that she got a lot good photos. I e-mailed my processed photos to the grooms grandmother who I'm very distantly related to. It turns out that the bride choose a photo I took, to post on her Facebook page. It was taken of the "first kiss" moments prior to their lips touching. That's always a good wedding shot.

It turns out that my worst lens is the only lens that I ever made any money for me! I own a second home in Northern Virginia near Washington DC that I rent to military people stationed at the many posts near that home. I used an old Sigma 12~24mm lens and my old A900 to take real-estate advertising photos of that home. I used those photos at a website used by military personal to find housing. Super wide angle lenses make houses look great! I literally had ten people call me wanting to rent the house before the prior tenants moved out. Three years of collecting rent has payed for that lens many times over! It's a horrible lens with heavy vignetting and blurry corners that even DxO can not correct for, yet it the only lens that has paid for it's self.

Getting back on topic, I also own several good Sony screw driven lenses that I hope I will be able to use on the A99M2. For example my 100mm f/2.8 macro, and my 50mm f/1.4 prime. I have a several other old Minolta lenses that I bought from a man who has since became a friend. He was a Minolta user who jumped ship and went to Canon prior to Sony picking up the Alpha A-Mount line. I bought all his lenses from him for a couple hundred USD as an act of charity, but I seldom, if ever, use them.

I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas as I wait for my A99M2.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The Minolta 70-210 f3.5-4.5 is also a GREAT lens - about $45 on ebay .....

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Thanks for that recommendation. I wonder if the price for old Minolta lens will go up now that Sony has come out with another good full frame body.

I just looked in the collection that I bought from friend my who jumped to Canon. I don't own that lens but I found an old Minolta 100~200mm f/4.5 and a 135mm f/2.8. I suspect they are both good lenses but I have not used them enough to know. Both these lenses are reasonably sized at about four inches long. I must try them out. I hope they work well on my A99M2 when it arrives.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Dave, the 135 f/2.8 is a VERY good lens! Sharp with little distortion and that "Minolta Color". It works well with digital sensors too.

Folks, the A99II marries the best of both mirrorless and SLT technology in an affordable package that rivals the performance of cameras costing twice as much. 79 hybrid cross type AF points?!?! Sensitivity down to -4 ev?!?!

And Pete, with 5 year development time and a 2 year delay in release to the market, I am willing to be there won't be a need for many firmware updates on this camera!

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

I thank all those who've so far participated in this MPD. I'm extremely interested in purchasing the A99 II with my only hesitation now being whether there are any initial problems noted by users.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Doc, while the development phase of this camera has been exceptionally long for both Sony in general and SLT camera's in particular, it is STILL prudent to wait for the "second run" before taking the plunge.

6 more months after release should be plenty of time to work out any and ALL kinks.

This camera is nearly EXACTLY what rumors from 2 years ago said it would be and almost ALL of the technology utilized is proven in previous models... so maybe 4 months is sufficient.