Carl Zeiss posted this message on their Facebook page about a new Sony lens that is suppose to be announced next Tuesday (July 27th):
“Sony will present the new Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM next Tuesday. It is intended to appeal to experienced photographers looking for a large-aperture wide-angle lens of real distinction. The Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20Z) features the acclaimed Carl Zeiss Distagon design and rounds out the existing Planar (SAL85F14Z
) and Sonnar (SAL135F18Z
) models also developed in conjunction with Carl Zeiss. It functions as a wide-angle 24mm lens on full-frame cameras with 35mm sensors, or as a 36mm equivalent lens ideal for general use on cameras with APS-C sensors. Jointly developed with Carl Zeiss, it features the highly-regarded Carl Zeiss Distagon retro-focus lens configuration designed for wide-angle lenses.”
On the DSLR front, the Sony A550 is listed as discontinued in Japan (this model was announced in August of 2009, Sony seems to have 12 months refresh cycle on this product line - a new version is expected at Photokina) :
