Calling all Sony Alpha users! (Part 3)

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chrism_scotland said:
Is the A700 a significant upgrade on an A300?
Its just that while the A700 body only is really cheap I'm considering selling my A300 and putting the cash toward an A 700 body.
I already have all my lenses, tripod, bag, etc so aside from getting a new Kit Lens which I'm looking for I'd already have a setup for the A700.
I know that its likely to be replaced soon but £550 I can afford, if the new one is circa £1000 then its just not going to happen, so I'm wondering whether its worth striking while the iron is hot you might say!
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Hi Chris

I've just bought a second A700 after owning the first one for 18 months so that tells you how I feel about the camera. This is also being discussed in this thread. :thumbs:
 
fabs said:
Hi Chris

I've just bought a second A700 after owning the first one for 18 months so that tells you how I feel about the camera. This is also being discussed in this thread. :thumbs:
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We kept hearing rumours of an A800 to replace the 700, but latest gossip is the A230/A330/A380 to replace the A200/A300/A350 respectively. I was thinking of upgrading and was going to hang on and see the sepcs of the 800 and decide either to go with this or with the 700 as the price should come down further. Was hoping news of the 800 would come with the other models does anyone have any otyher rumours as to the next mid range sony?
 
It does seem odd that the A800 is so hotly tipped but that nothing has been seen of it yet,
Frankly if the main change is going to be Live View its something that I can live without, I used LV very sparingly on my A300, its not very good when its sunny as you can't see and I find myself only using it when I'm in the flat messing about with settings and things,
I think thats what attracts me to the A700 just now, its meant to be a cracking camera and as an amatuer at the moment I see no need to a Full Frame A900 and I don't think I would stretch to £1000+ for the eventual A800.
 
Chrism 'looking for a kit lens replacement'...

FYI

Ebay ID: 330329331977 (Tamron 17-50/2.8)
 
stan the man said:
i upgraded from the A350 to the A700,and i'm so glad i did.if cash wasn't so "lean" at the moment,i'd be getting a second A700 and sell my A350 :thumbs:
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If there hadn't been the rumour of the 800 I would have happlily upgraded to the A700 without thought. I currently work in the states and get paid in dollars so it would be a good time to buy one. However now the 800 is rumoured I know that the day after I commit either the 800 specifications will be advertised. I will want one at any cost especially as my dad has an A700 and I want to regain one upmanship, or I will decide that the differences arent worth the cost and will buy a 700 that the photoshop is selling off cheap to get in a stock of 800s (and I can rub it in that I got it at half the price my dad paid!)
 
chrism_scotland said:
I'm not sure it would be worth me waiting for the A800, mainly as I know I won't be able to afford the cost.
Selling my A300 and getting an A700 at it's current price though seems a cracking idea.
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do it..you know it makes sense :thumbs:

to be honest..i'm a little suprised that the A700's price hasn't rocketed up in line with most cameras/lens etc...
 
I am wonder what to spend some money on at the moment, I have £375 to spend.

There are no lenses in that price range that I want, so new glass is not on my list. There a 3 options I am mulling over.

1/ Buy lots of bits and pieces, grip, 1.5x converter etc.

2/ Sell all the Sony kit in my signature, add the £375 to it and buy a D90 with 18-105 and maybe a 50mm. Trouble is this will leave me with no lenses longer than 105 and I will be unlikely to be able to afford any more lenses for a while.

3/ Sell the a200+kit lens (for appox. £200) and buy an a700 body. No point waiting for an a700 replacement as that would be out of my price range.

Option 3 is looking like the best one at the moment.

Anyone else have any views on what I should do ?
 
leaky5 said:
I am wonder what to spend some money on at the moment, I have £375 to spend.

There are no lenses in that price range that I want, so new glass is not on my list. There a 3 options I am mulling over.

1/ Buy lots of bits and pieces, grip, 1.5x converter etc.

2/ Sell all the Sony kit in my signature, add the £375 to it and buy a D90 with 18-105 and maybe a 50mm. Trouble is this will leave me with no lenses longer than 105 and I will be unlikely to be able to afford any more lenses for a while.

3/ Sell the a200+kit lens (for appox. £200) and buy an a700 body. No point waiting for an a700 replacement as that would be out of my price range.

Option 3 is looking like the best one at the moment.

Anyone else have any views on what I should do ?
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In a similar quandry Leaky, thinking about selling my A300 + Kit lens to buy a Sony A700 body.

Anyone know what the going rate for a Mint, Boxed A300 + 18-70mm kit lens would be? Maybe with a 4GB Memory Card?
I've looked at eBay but they all seem to be new.....
 
chrism_scotland said:
In a similar quandry Leaky, thinking about selling my A300 + Kit lens to buy a Sony A700 body.

Anyone know what the going rate for a Mint, Boxed A300 + 18-70mm kit lens would be? Maybe with a 4GB Memory Card?
I've looked at eBay but they all seem to be new.....
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Just had a quick look at some finished auctions for a300's, one body only for £260 and one with kit lens for £290.

a200's with kit lens go for around £200 - £230.
 
leaky5 said:
Just had a quick look at some finished auctions for a300's, one body only for £260 and one with kit lens for £290.

a200's with kit lens go for around £200 - £230.
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I think I'd rather avoid eBay to be honest, and sell it here or over at Dyxum, I'd probably be happy with around £340 as I paid around £440 for it at the time, but we'll see.
Trying to see if I can get 0% credit on the A700 and then I would sell the A300 and keep the cash.
 
£340 probably won't be achievable, I've just bought a brand new a300 with kit lens from Jessops for £329. It was a bank holiday offer with £20 off :)
 
rob_t said:
£340 probably won't be achievable, I've just bought a brand new a300 with kit lens from Jessops for £329. It was a bank holiday offer with £20 off :)
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Well I'd maybe hope for £300 with a 4GB card thrown in and maybe a Minolta 35-70mm as well.
 
built in lens bf/ff calibration (like A900)
HD video?
probably 15/16Mp?
possible slight AF improvement?

It's a great body as it is so I find it hard to imagine other than incremental improvements to it's existing core functions without pricing it significantly higher than the existing A700 (e.g. 50D/D300 level) - more evolution than revolution.
In the case of significant upgrades & hence significant price increase either the A700 would live on or they would have to bring out something else to compete with 40D/D90.
 
heidfirst said:
built in lens bf/ff calibration (like A900)
HD video?
probably 15/16Mp?
possible slight AF improvement?

It's a great body as it is so I find it hard to imagine other than incremental improvements to it's existing core functions without pricing it significantly higher than the existing A700 (e.g. 50D/D300 level) - more evolution than revolution.
In that case either the A700 would live on or they would have to bring out something else to compete with 40D/D90.
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Cheers Scott, just taking a look at your pics! Would you recommend an A700?
 
I'm going to join in with this one. I've just noticed WarehouseExpress knocking the a700 out for £570 body only and I'm very tempted at that price.

I'd expect to get around £300 for my a200 with grip, lens, card etc so £270ish seems cheap for such a good upgrade. Only thing is, I had my eye on the Tamron 18-250mm Di II.

I keep hearing good things about the Tamron, and I love the idea of never changing lenses (well, not often anyway!). But, as I'm not fussed for liveview, video or a few more megapixels (a800?), the a700 is about as far as I'd want to upgrade for quite some time. I've got no need for a full frame a900!!

Just can't make up my mind!!!:thinking:
 
Slimbert said:
I'm going to join in with this one. I've just noticed WarehouseExpress knocking the a700 out for £570 body only and I'm very tempted at that price.

I'd expect to get around £300 for my a200 with grip, lens, card etc so £270ish seems cheap for such a good upgrade. Only thing is, I had my eye on the Tamron 18-250mm Di II.

I keep hearing good things about the Tamron, and I love the idea of never changing lenses (well, not often anyway!). But, as I'm not fussed for liveview, video or a few more megapixels (a800?), the a700 is about as far as I'd want to upgrade for quite some time. I've got no need for a full frame a900!!

Just can't make up my mind!!!:thinking:
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I have to be honest I'm in the same pickle, I've got my eye on a kit lens replacement and a flashgun so with the A700 on top it would be tough, although I've been offered interest free credit so I guess I've got little to lose.

Chris
 
chrism_scotland said:
Cheers Scott, just taking a look at your pics! Would you recommend an A700?
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well, imo it's the best DSLR body in it's price range for my needs (5fps, good AF etc.) & I've got no qualms about recommending it especially as your storage, any lenses & that spare battery for your A300 will fit it too.
It's all about your needs though so I suggest handling 1 in a shop.
 
heidfirst said:
well, imo it's the best DSLR body in it's price range for my needs (5fps, good AF etc.) & I've got no qualms about recommending it especially as your storage, any lenses & that spare battery for your A300 will fit it too.
It's all about your needs though so I suggest handling 1 in a shop.
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I've handled one before and liked it but at the time I didn't pay much attention to it as I was more indulging in it, I knew I couldn't afford it at the time!
 
Slimbert said:
I'm going to join in with this one. I've just noticed WarehouseExpress knocking the a700 out for £570 body only and I'm very tempted at that price.

I'd expect to get around £300 for my a200 with grip, lens, card etc so £270ish seems cheap for such a good upgrade. Only thing is, I had my eye on the Tamron 18-250mm Di II.

I keep hearing good things about the Tamron, and I love the idea of never changing lenses (well, not often anyway!). But, as I'm not fussed for liveview, video or a few more megapixels (a800?), the a700 is about as far as I'd want to upgrade for quite some time. I've got no need for a full frame a900!!

Just can't make up my mind!!!:thinking:
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See HERE, £559 delivered with 2 year warranty + table top tripod and camera bag. I've used them a few times and they are very good. :thumbs:
 
fabs said:
See HERE, £559 delivered with 2 year warranty + table top tripod and camera bag. I've used them a few times and they are very good. :thumbs:
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About a month ago this was the best deal I could find & was about to pay them a visit in the afternoon but during the morning while escorting er indoors around the mall I called in the Sony Center shop just to see what they were selling the a700 at. To my surprise the salesman informed me he was selling off his stock of Alpha DSLR's as people only went in to buy tv's & the like and the type of people who bought DSLR's would buy them off the web or from specialist shops. He then led me to the DSLR display case & there sat one a700 complete with 16-105 lens for the sale price of £674.99 which was nearly £200 cheaper than I could find this kit anywhere else & I also stole another HVL42 of him for £100. (Just had to think quick what I was going to tell the wife who was stood outside the shop). So it pays to check in the most unlikely places.

It was an upgrade from the a300 which I have kept as a second body (the live view comes in handy for those awkward angles and also gets the daughter out of the house when I let her use it). As several other people have said the a700 is an excellent body in the current price range & quite a bit better in the speed, handling & image quality departments over the entry level alpha's. I am very very pleased with the a700. (just have to think of a way to convince er indoors that I need to spend some money on some better glass).:thinking:
 
congrats, Chris - you'll love it I'm sure :)

As for 2nd body tbh 95% of the time I can do without 1 but the A300's tiltable screen will be of use for low down (macro?) & over the head shots if you do those.
 
heidfirst said:
congrats, Chris - you'll love it I'm sure :)

As for 2nd body tbh 95% of the time I can do without 1 but the A300's tiltable screen will be of use for low down (macro?) & over the head shots if you do those.
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Yeah I'm looking forward to it, think I will sell my A300, I've got a kit lens replacement to fund :thumbs:
 
Two quick questions re the A200, is it possible to increase the range on bracketing from the standard +/-0.7? Apart from doing manual compensation? And also, the auto-focus, is there a way to stop the camera always trying to focus - ie when its switched on, but just being carried around on auto, it would be looking for a focus point. Is there an auto focus option that would focus at half-press of the shutter? Thanks.

And I admit at not having the manual, so apologies if its in there. I need to find an hour or two going through the manual.
 
GafferTape said:
Two quick questions re the A200, is it possible to increase the range on bracketing from the standard +/-0.7? Apart from doing manual compensation? And also, the auto-focus, is there a way to stop the camera always trying to focus - ie when its switched on, but just being carried around on auto, it would be looking for a focus point. Is there an auto focus option that would focus at half-press of the shutter? Thanks.

And I admit at not having the manual, so apologies if its in there. I need to find an hour or two going through the manual.
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Can't help you with the bracketing, but as for the AF, if you look through the menus there will be an option to turn Eye Start off. This will solve that issue.
 
GafferTape said:
Two quick questions re the A200, is it possible to increase the range on bracketing from the standard +/-0.7? Apart from doing manual compensation? And also, the auto-focus, is there a way to stop the camera always trying to focus - ie when its switched on, but just being carried around on auto, it would be looking for a focus point. Is there an auto focus option that would focus at half-press of the shutter? Thanks.

And I admit at not having the manual, so apologies if its in there. I need to find an hour or two going through the manual.
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Do you mean the eye start auto (battery drainer) focus thingy?, If you do then it can be turned off in the menus :shrug:
 
Upgrading to a A700, but how much would my a200, grip and kit lens be worth? or even the a200 and grip?
thanks
 
was very tempted to get a 2nd hand A900 in cameraworld yesterday..£1350..and they had a grip there for it at £180 :naughty:

OH,and there's a 50mm F/1.7 AF minolta lens there in excellent condition for £60 if anyone's interested...bargain!
 
PAS said:
Upgrading to a A700, but how much would my a200, grip and kit lens be worth? or even the a200 and grip?
thanks
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it's probably worth more to you as a backup/ 2nd body especially if it's about to be replaced next week ...
 
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