A couple years ago, Sony introduced their A7r and A7s series cameras.   These cameras were considered the answer for all of us who were reluctant to buy into the CCD/CMOS camera systems.   But soon after, Sony released a firmware update that effectively crippled their cameras for astrophotography use.

An online petition appeared and it attempts to create a pathway for those who want Sony to pay attention to the problem.

It seems like Sony could have easily made the firmware update "optional" in the camera menu.  The slight irony of all this is that Sony is currently one of the most popular producers of CCD and CMOS imaging sensors used by the astrophotography community.   Maybe it's time for someone in the Sony upper echelons to go to a star party?