I've about had it on Sony's "WEAK" stance, or should I say "COMPLETE LACK OF" position on the future of Playmemories Apps in the newer camera's they are releasing (see below list).
- a7R Mark III
- RX10 Mark IV
- RX0
- a9 (though this one doesn't affect me and won't affect me)
I would like someone at Sony to officially respond. The veil of silence is not appreciated and I'm about to return a bunch of camera gear if I don't get a response (I JUST bought the RX10 Mark IV and the RX0 and I can still return them). PLUS, I was just about to invest in the a7R Mark III. There are people who don't use the apps and then there are others who use the apps for various reasons. Bottom line is there is missing functionality or the absense of 3rd party support (hw and/or sw) in part due to recent changes in hw that doesn't allow some of these things to be made by 3rd party with no Sony solution either.
I will try to list some of the reasons that I require the Sony Playmemories Apps below:
- Some of the apps fill a major gap.
(case in point for timelapses, without the function of an intervalometer on the camera (such as RX0, RX10 MarkIV, a7Riii), how else are we supposed to take photo's evenly spaced apart to be made into time lapses??? The answer used to be to use the playmemories apps time lapse app. Currently even 3rd party vendors are having problems providing this and NONE of the software I have tried works due to remote camera connectivity issues that keep 3rd party apps from working. And of course Sony themselve do not have an intervalometer to sell us (which would of course be 4 times the cost of 3rd party, but it's not an option), and please don't tell me about the Sony remote control that works with these camera's, suggesting that a remote control can take evenly timed photo's just shows your ignorance on time lapses (and yes, I have had Sony rep's tell me the remote was an option for time lapses... SMH) - You removed functions from firmware to be supplemented by playmemories apps (such as ND filters from RX10 Mark III and now Mark IV, and used to point us to Playmemories Apps like Digital Fitlers as a solution). Please don't tell me to go buy physical ND filters that I will have to purchase, carry, put on/off, clean, etc, etc. I think you are MISSING THE ENTIRE POINT of me buying a hybrid camera (don't have to mess with lenses) if you suggest buying physical ND Filters.
- One of the biggest selling points for mirrorless was the concept of adding functionality via apps instead of new bodies. (Mirrorless to me was a HUGE step, selling all of my DSLR equipment and lenses; and buying into this new world some years ago. One of THE main reasons to me was the concept of being able to add improved functions, add new functions to the camera simply by buying an app and installing it. Essentially my camera body was now a sensor and a computer where the computer could have new versions of apps installed that changed what my camera could and couldn't do. Upgrading the body was mostly about the sensor and logistical stuff like battery, memory options, Input/Output options, display capabilities, physical button ergonomics, etc. To me this ability to add functionality is a FUNDAMENTAL "pro" in the check box for mirrorless. You take that away and mirrorless is much less different than DSLR to me.
- I have invested in many of the apps with the idea that I can use them on upto 8 of my Sony camera's. If you are taking that away, I WANT A HUGE DISCOUNT OR REFUND of the current apps I have bought. $30 for a Digital Filter app (that in my opinion ND option should be included on ANY mirrorless camera in the first place) is a lot of money, but I justified the cost, because I could use it on several of my Sony camera's.
- Just your whole "MOUTH SHUT" approach to this topic, has cost you my and others confidence in your openess and forthcoming of the direction of your camera line. I don't understand this approach and what you think this will accomplish?
There will be people that say "I never use those apps any way so I don't care if it's in there or not". And that is fine. But there are also many of us, who DO use the apps to shorten our workflow or to achieve something in photography that we don't have the ability, time or patience to do in post. Not everyone has a video editing computer with photoshop or the skillset or the time. For those casual users the playmemories apps provided functionality they would otherwise not be able to get, you are removing that from them. For me, I do have the post production capability and do use that for some of my workflows. But other times, I just need a smooth water fall cranked out, without having to blend a bunch of photos in post.
I don't understand going away from the playmemories apps (or probably worse, I don't even know if that is the case or not)? I would appreciate you sharing where you are taking the playmemories apps, so that I can know what I have to work with. Your lack of taking a stance on this has created confusion, with people speculating what is going on. Your own employee's from several different area's of your business (believe me, I have called no fewer than a dozen in the past week), have a clue (or won't share with me) your direction on this.
Where are you taking Playmemories Apps? If limited, which camera lines will you continue to support? SIMPLE QUESTIONS, SONY PLEASE RESPOND