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Meet the a450.quote:Sony has introduced another sub-$1000 DSLR, the A450. The Sony Alpha 450 slots in below the A500, offering the same 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor as the more expensive A550 but losing the company's clever fast-AF live view system. It also loses the tilt and flip LCD screen, instead receiveing the same rather small 6.7cm (2.6") display as the A230. This stripped-down, lower-cost model plays the same role as the A230 does to the A3XX range, but with the improved ergonomics and larger battery of the A5XX series. The reduced feature set helps boost the battery life to over 1000 shots, using standard test methods. However, in adding a sixth sub-$1000 DSLR, Sony has made its range that bit more confusing. 
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| # ? Jan 5, 2010 05:09 |
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| # ? May 19, 2013 02:23 |
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Does anyone have experience with these cheap Vivitar flashes? The price is less than the OEM sony HVL-F20AM. I've never used anything but the built in flash, so why would I pay more for the sony? Are there any features on the sony that would be worth the extra $$? Also, I picked up a sony 50mm 1.8 the other day from the sony store for $125 and I'm loving it.
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| # ? Jan 31, 2010 22:53 |
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I've never used that Vivitar flash, but from the looks of it, it is more powerful than the Sony and has the ability to bounce and swivel. The Sony, on the other hand, collapses on top of the camera when not in use, which could be useful if you're worried about the flash snapping off if you're getting jostled around a lot. Also, if you upgrade to an a850 or a900 down the road, it acts as a cheap remote commander for other flash units. It appears neither has a manual flash mode, which means you couldn't meaningfully use either as part of a strobist kit for professional/neat lighting effects. From a feature standpoint, you're probably going to get more out of the Vivitar. You might want to ask in the gear thread to make sure it's not a cheap piece of junk, though - no sense in saving $35 if it's going to fall apart in six months.
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| # ? Feb 1, 2010 17:44 |
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Bob Socko posted:I've never used that Vivitar flash, but from the looks of it, it is more powerful than the Sony and has the ability to bounce and swivel. The Sony, on the other hand, collapses on top of the camera when not in use, which could be useful if you're worried about the flash snapping off if you're getting jostled around a lot. Also, if you upgrade to an a850 or a900 down the road, it acts as a cheap remote commander for other flash units. It appears neither has a manual flash mode, which means you couldn't meaningfully use either as part of a strobist kit for professional/neat lighting effects. The F20AM can bounce, but not swivel. It's basically a more powerful pop flash. The flash the vivitar should be compared to properly is the F42AM. The 283 doesn't seem to support Sony's wireless flash protocol. Being able to use your popup to command the flash wirelessly without any extra dongles with TTL exposure is a pretty powerful feature. The Vivitar also seems to lack manual power adjustment as well. Also of relevant news to this thread, Tokina is returning to A-mount after a seven year absence with its 11-16 f/2.8. For a $600 wide angle, it's probably one of the best, so they're definitely returning with a model that will sell. I know I will buy one. kefkafloyd fucked around with this message at Feb 1, 2010 around 19:32 |
| # ? Feb 1, 2010 19:30 |
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If anyone is looking for an a700, here is a link to Sony's website where they're selling the a700 with a 16-105mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom lens for $999. Though I'd prefer a fast constant aperture, the included lens is certainly better than a standard kit lens. This might be your last reasonable chance to pick up a new a700, so if you're feeling inspired . . .
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| # ? Feb 8, 2010 16:42 |
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I just picked up an a230 as a step up from my old point and shoot. Even though I take crappy pictures so far, I'm loving the camera. It was a little cheaper than the rebel, and didn't have the weird rear end XD card like the Olympus ones do.
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| # ? Feb 8, 2010 20:05 |
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If Flickr is any indicator, I have to be maybe one of a dozen people not in Asia with an a850. It's such a nice camera and though it doesn't have the best high iso, it's still nothing you can't work around. The only other person I've met who shoots with an Alpha complained to me for 5 minutes how much she hated it in comparison to her toy cameras, then she got huffy when I mentioned that maybe she should try something else other than the kit lens. Lonely life.
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| # ? Feb 8, 2010 20:26 |
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THIS IS RUBBISH posted:If Flickr is any indicator, I have to be maybe one of a dozen people not in Asia with an a850. It's such a nice camera and though it doesn't have the best high iso, it's still nothing you can't work around.  I guess Asians like chubby Americans pretending to be chubby Germans?
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| # ? Feb 8, 2010 20:58 |
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 This lens for my a300 for ~ 240$? (Im in Denmark) Will the autofocus work? Deal or no deal? I currently only have the kit lens' (18-70 and 55-200) and the sigma 10-20mm.
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| # ? Feb 8, 2010 21:34 |
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I got a Sony DSC-R1 and although no alpha this thread is the closest one I could find.. Question: There's a three way switch for focus: Auto-Manual-Macro. I can't figure out what that Macro setting does. In all my tests the results were the same whether I set it on Auto or Macro. Any ideas ?
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| # ? Feb 9, 2010 01:10 |
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Kristneder posted:
It looks like the later version (50/1.4 RS) of that lens sold for $249 US brand new. So that seems a bit too high for me unless it was in exceptional condition with all the packaging and manuals. If you can find the 50/1.7, they usually sell for less than $100 US.
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| # ? Feb 9, 2010 02:45 |
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bung posted:It looks like the later version (50/1.4 RS) of that lens sold for $249 US brand new. So that seems a bit too high for me unless it was in exceptional condition with all the packaging and manuals. If you can find the 50/1.7, they usually sell for less than $100 US. Thanks. I will skip this, in hope to find another one cheaper 
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| # ? Feb 9, 2010 07:59 |
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Cross_ posted:I got a Sony DSC-R1 and although no alpha this thread is the closest one I could find.. Bob Socko fucked around with this message at Feb 9, 2010 around 19:29 |
| # ? Feb 9, 2010 19:26 |
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Every P&S I've seen uses the macro switch as a focus limiter (setting it to its macro position extends the range of focus at the cost of focusing speed).
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| # ? Feb 10, 2010 13:53 |
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So, any updates on when Sony will release a DSLR with video?
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| # ? Feb 10, 2010 16:46 |
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Officially, no. For a long time, Sony's stance had been that DSLRs should take pictures, not be video cameras. However, if they want to meet their goal of being #2 worldwide, they're going to have to come out with something soon. They're trying to build marketshare through flooding the entry-level market. They've got a good idea of what the uninformed consumer wants and what sticks out during a side-by-side comparison in store - Sony DSLRs sell very well at Ritz Camera, for example. However, they are (I believe) the only manufacturer whose DSLR line doesn't have at least a couple of video-capable models, so the strategy of looking better in store is now weaker. Sony has the technical knowledge to make a good video camera. Their little handheld models are pretty nice and they've been making broadcast-quality cameras for years. My prediction is that, by the end of the year, they'll release a replacement for the a700 that has video. After that (though not necessarily this year), they'll refresh the 2/3/4/5xx line and add video capabilities. If they're smart, the new 7xx will either have the same featureset as the 7D for a lower price, or more features for the same price. Bob Socko fucked around with this message at Feb 10, 2010 around 20:17 |
| # ? Feb 10, 2010 17:32 |
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Kristneder posted:So, any updates on when Sony will release a DSLR with video? Check back in a little bit when the a700 replacement is announced. Personally I don't see what the hubbub is about DSLR video; video manufacturers should be, you know, making VIDEO CAMERAS with larger sensors instead of trying to glom $10K worth of add-ons on to a 5Dmk2 to make film, disregarding all of the rolling shutter/aliasing artifacts that come with it. As a convenience feature it's terrible because there's no AF/AE, making it useless for handycam type of stuff, and the ergonomics of twisty things on the lens are terrible, and... bleh. Yes, I know about all the benefits of a larger format, but that larger format should be going into a body designed for taking videos as a primary function.
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| # ? Feb 10, 2010 20:43 |
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evil_bunnY posted:Every P&S I've seen uses the macro switch as a focus limiter (setting it to its macro position extends the range of focus at the cost of focusing speed).
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| # ? Feb 10, 2010 20:44 |
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I used to think that video in a DSLR was pretty pointless. But after watching many videos shot with the 5DmkII and 7D I can see the advantage due to the different look and wide variety of lenses that can be used.
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| # ? Feb 11, 2010 02:27 |
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Selling my a700 and getting a 5D, peace out y'all
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| # ? Feb 11, 2010 02:36 |
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Flower Power posted:Selling my a700 and getting a 5D, peace out y'all How many frames on the 700? How much?
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| # ? Feb 11, 2010 03:15 |
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Flower Power posted:Selling my a700 and getting a 5D, peace out y'all You can't just walk out on us! Traitor! 
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| # ? Feb 11, 2010 15:10 |
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Sony's PMA press releaseSony posted:α DSLR Camera  
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| # ? Feb 21, 2010 18:28 |
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Ooh, the Zeiss 24mm f/2 lens looks sexy.
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| # ? Feb 21, 2010 18:33 |
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The 24mm is definitely a step in the right direction. Looking forward to seeing where they go at PMA. The a700 replacement better be jaw dropping.
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| # ? Feb 21, 2010 22:39 |
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Anyone want to buy a Bigma? I just threw down on a 70-400G.
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| # ? Feb 22, 2010 01:35 |
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Congrats! Out of curiosity, how much are you asking for the Bigma? It's an good lens, though I don't know if it's the glass for me.
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| # ? Feb 22, 2010 04:16 |
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Bob Socko posted:Congrats! Out of curiosity, how much are you asking for the Bigma? It's an good lens, though I don't know if it's the glass for me. $600. It's got a few cosmetic blemishes but it has just returned from Sigma service to resolve a jamming issue. Glass is clean. It would probably be a good zoo or wildlife lens on an a850. Also, I'm looking to sell my beercan and my CD-1000 since I don't use either much these days.
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| # ? Feb 22, 2010 04:37 |
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Here's an intersting article by a pro wedding photgrapher on why he prefers the A900 over all other models.
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| # ? Feb 24, 2010 02:01 |
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I just got a used SAL75300 for my A200. I know that there's way better lenses out there, but I got this thing in immaculate condition for $130, it's pretty sharp up to 200mm, and the chromatic aberration really isn't that bad.
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| # ? Feb 26, 2010 09:02 |
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bung posted:Here's an intersting article by a pro wedding photgrapher on why he prefers the A900 over all other models. I remember when I first read this article. "Oh great, another Canon versus Nikon article - oh wait, a Sony section?" I'm happy to see some mainstream sources actually endorsing Sony as a viable alternative for professional work. I'm still having trouble justifying the price of Zeiss glass the author uses, though . . . maybe I'll consider it after shooting a few weddings. Opensourcepirate posted:I just got a used SAL75300 for my A200. I know that there's way better lenses out there, but I got this thing in immaculate condition for $130, it's pretty sharp up to 200mm, and the chromatic aberration really isn't that bad. $130 sounds like a fair price for the lens. It's not a bad lens in general, but if you're buying new, you're paying a price premium for no meaningful performance increase.
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| # ? Feb 26, 2010 23:31 |
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I wish there was some custom firmware or software that would shove the picture over USB as soon as you closed the shutter. That would be incredibly handy for doing portrait work. What would be even cooler is if you could control the whole setup via USB somehow, everything from auto focus to white balance. If it's out there, I haven't found it.
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| # ? Mar 1, 2010 22:28 |
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PnP Bios posted:I wish there was some custom firmware or software that would shove the picture over USB as soon as you closed the shutter. That would be incredibly handy for doing portrait work. http://dslrresources.sony-asia.com/...ra-Control.html Looks like it exists!
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| # ? Mar 1, 2010 22:33 |
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Bob Socko posted:However, if they want to meet their goal of being #2 worldwide, they're going to have to come out with something soon. Sony's goal is to be #2? So who are they going to edge out, Canon or Nikon? I thought those two were pretty much on even footing.
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| # ? Mar 3, 2010 20:54 |
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It's a goal; I don't think anyone actually expects them to, at least, not in the near future.
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| # ? Mar 4, 2010 00:30 |
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Canon's sales have been ahead of Nikon's for years. It helps that their compacts don't suck poo poo.
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| # ? Mar 4, 2010 21:04 |
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Costco finally has a Sony DSLR! They have the a230 kit + 75-300 lens + 2 gig memory stick + bag for $549. I'm shocked, I thought Sony's uniform pricing prevented them from selling Sony DSLR gear.
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| # ? Mar 29, 2010 23:59 |
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Bob Socko posted:Costco finally has a Sony DSLR! They have the a230 kit + 75-300 lens + 2 gig memory stick + bag for $549. I'm shocked, I thought Sony's uniform pricing prevented them from selling Sony DSLR gear. Each Sony division is a little different. I'm loving my a230 still. I bought mine with the 18-55 for 500, so thats a darn good deal.
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| # ? Mar 30, 2010 01:04 |
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This thread is so active! Anyway, I think I'm done buying lenses for a while. I got an a200 with the 18-70 kit lens. Then I picked up the 75-300 kit lens new/open box on ebay for $130. Then an old Minolta 100-200 f4.5 on craigslist for $40, and now finally an old Minolta 50mm f1.7 on craigslist for $75.
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| # ? Apr 20, 2010 22:30 |
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| # ? May 19, 2013 02:23 |
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Opensourcepirate posted:This thread is so active! I like the Minolta 100-200mm f/4.5. It's full-frame compatible, tiny, and fits through chain link fencing (which makes it useful at the zoo). Of course, I never remember to stick the thing in my bag, which makes no sense - it's tiny for a zoom lens, it's not as if it takes up any meaningful amount of space or weight. Looks like you got a good price on it, same with that 50mm f/1.7.
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| # ? Apr 21, 2010 04:08 |
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