Calling all Sony Alpha users! (Part 3)

[bobiscuit]

Did anyone else buy the Sony 24-105mm that Jessops have in clearance at the moment?

I got one a couple of weeks ago, and at first I thought it had awful IQ, which was odd as it does get a lot of good reviews. But after a few days I realised it actually had a back focus problem.

After much testing with both of my camera bodies to make sure it was faulty, I got a replacement, and... Exactly the same problem!

Now I've tested it with two bodies, and all of my other lenses focus perfectly under the exact same test conditions (same focal length, aperture, lighting, distance from subject, etc.)

Bit odd that two lenses both have exactly the same issue :shrug:.

 

[mastertrinity]

a quick shot from 30mm macro just a quick sharpen for web otherwise as they were

1.penny

2.100% crop of above

cheers billybob, i quite like the fact that the 30mm has a macro feature because i can make do with that until i get my tamron 90mm f2.8 macro. cheers for posting them pictures.

 

[Boobster]

Have you seen this http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/an-opteka-85mm-f14-review_topic56960.html ?

I considered one but decided not to simply because I find manual focus impossible, possibly due to my spectacles, so I'm saving up for the CZ. If I could MF I'd have no hesitation in buying a Samyang.

Thanks. That is an interesting read. More reading to be done me thinks

 

[chrism_scotland]

Well I've managed to get hold of a Mint Beercan and a Minolta 28mm f2.8 for £225 the pair, looking forward to getting them!

 

[chrism_scotland]

Does anyone use a Battery Grip on the A700?
Been thinking about getting one to help balance out the Beercan a bit and also so I can use 2 batteries at at time but just wondering how other people get on with them?

 

[Marc]

Does anyone use a Battery Grip on the A700?
Been thinking about getting one to help balance out the Beercan a bit and also so I can use 2 batteries at at time but just wondering how other people get on with them?

I have them on both A700s. Wouldn't be without them for the bigger lenses, take them off when using the smaller primes though. I've even had the grip admired by Canon/Nikon users as it seems to go with the camera a lot better than theirs.

 

[Kev M]

Where is a good source of non-OEM batteries for the A700? The Sony one is silly money and I'd like a 2nd one to go in the grip, save me rechargins all the time.

What do people use for screen protection on their A700s too?

Lastly, what RAW process do people use with their A700 (specifically), I've spoke briefly in another thread to puddleduck about it because LR is doing some very funny things to the red channel in my RAW files which he's experienced too. I need to do some experimentation with the Sony converter and maybe a few others but I'm a bit concerned that a change of software will mean a computer upgrade so upgrading to the A700 will suddenly become a very expensive exercise.

 

[Marc]

Actually they seem quite reasonable on Amazon at the moment.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000XAE3IM/ref=s9_sima_gw_s1_p23_t4?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0ZWZCAR1SZGSW9RY3GKD&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

 

[chrism_scotland]

Where is a good source of non-OEM batteries for the A700? The Sony one is silly money and I'd like a 2nd one to go in the grip, save me rechargins all the time.

What do people use for screen protection on their A700s too?

Lastly, what RAW process do people use with their A700 (specifically), I've spoke briefly in another thread to puddleduck about it because LR is doing some very funny things to the red channel in my RAW files which he's experienced too. I need to do some experimentation with the Sony converter and maybe a few others but I'm a bit concerned that a change of software will mean a computer upgrade so upgrading to the A700 will suddenly become a very expensive exercise.

I've bought a battery from 7dayshop for £10 which has lasted very well!

 

[specialman]

Had my first play with a Sony DSLR today, a a230. Very impressed. Put my mate onto it as a prezzy for his missus who's just got into togging because it was the best value. Can't believe how much is packed into that little body; wireless flash, steadyshot, decent ISOs. The little 18-55mm kit lens seems half-decent too. Very taken by what Sony is managing to achieve and compared to a 450D is picked up t'other day. it felt better and worked better.

Just thought I'd share that.....

 

[heidfirst]

Does anyone use a Battery Grip on the A700?
Been thinking about getting one to help balance out the Beercan a bit and also so I can use 2 batteries at at time but just wondering how other people get on with them?

yes & wouldn't be without it.
It's a true vertical grip for the A700 rather than just a battery grip.

What do people use for screen protection on their A700s too?

I use the Sony PCK-LH1AM

The little 18-55mm kit lens seems half-decent too.

going by recent reviews the Sony & Olympus kit lenses seem to be the 2 best atm but not by a lot.

 

[Dan51]

Had my first play with a Sony DSLR today, a a230. Very impressed. Put my mate onto it as a prezzy for his missus who's just got into togging because it was the best value. Can't believe how much is packed into that little body; wireless flash, steadyshot, decent ISOs. The little 18-55mm kit lens seems half-decent too. Very taken by what Sony is managing to achieve and compared to a 450D is picked up t'other day. it felt better and worked better.

Just thought I'd share that.....

have to agree im pretty impressed with it so far, the handgrip on the other hand :razz:

 

[stan the man]

i agree with scot regarding the vertical grip...was talking with a few canon users[mostly 50D and 5D users]last saturday at a TP meet at st fagans,and they all commented at how the sony grip has all the buttons/controls that the body itself has,whereas the canon versions didn't...you get what you pay for i guess

 

[Kev M]

Actually they seem quite reasonable on Amazon at the moment.

Cheers Marc, last time I looked they were £60 so at that price I think I'll get a genuine one and a screen cover at the same time.

 

[George7]

I am currently considering getting a wide angle lens and I'd love some recommendations! I don't want it to cost too much. About 300 odd would be ok but the less spent the better. I have no idea what's good/what to look for at the moment. Would love some advice!

a quick shot from 30mm macro just a quick sharpen for web otherwise as they were

1.penny

2.100% crop of above

Just wondering, how does the 30mm Macro fare for landscapes and whatnot? I'm quite interested.

 

[maggieme]

DSLR-A200 Windows 7 Compatibility list




The following table shows you the results of compatibility tests with Windows 7*.

* About the applicable environments:

Windows 7 needs to be preinstalled at the factory.
Environments upgraded from other OS are not supported.
Operations are not guaranteed in all computers.

Can anyone explain this to me in simple english...i've got the windows 7 upgrade but have not yet changed over from vista....i dont want to create more problems than i solve

Thanks
Marnie

 

[billybob99]

I did some landscape shots with it yesterday I'll post some up later

 

[kevin612]

Has anyone tried to price match jacobs for the 16-80mm CZ?
As Jacobs is selling for 559 pounds and Jessops is 479 pounds.
As Jacobs has stock and Jessops doesn't have it in stock in Manchester but can order from other stores.
Therefore, how can I ask them to price match? As I tried today and they say they can't because the price is too low therefore not able to sell it at Jessops price T.T

 

[chrism_scotland]

Content removed

 

[Marc]

Chris, you know the rules.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Chris, you know the rules.

Apologies Fabs not really thinking straight.

 

[George7]

Any recommendations on wide angle lenses? Anyone?

 

[stan the man]

Any recommendations on wide angle lenses? Anyone?

if you can find a jessops with one,the sony 11-18 is great value for money @£249,but it's collect from store only.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Any recommendations on wide angle lenses? Anyone?

Sigma 10-20 non HSM.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Has anyone tried to price match jacobs for the 16-80mm CZ?
As Jacobs is selling for 559 pounds and Jessops is 479 pounds.
As Jacobs has stock and Jessops doesn't have it in stock in Manchester but can order from other stores.
Therefore, how can I ask them to price match? As I tried today and they say they can't because the price is too low therefore not able to sell it at Jessops price T.T

Why not order it from the Jessops website and wait for them to get stock rather than trying to get another retailer to give you a discount?

 

[kevin612]

Why not order it from the Jessops website and wait for them to get stock rather than trying to get another retailer to give you a discount?

Well just that I can use it straight away
I am not in a hurry though but anyway might order it later from jessops.

 

[rodman]

Sony boosts Alpha range with DSLR-A450

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1001/10010506sonyA450.asp

 

[DC2Z]

Sony boosts Alpha range with DSLR-A450

It will be interesting to see h...rade for my A350 but no Sony jumps out at me.

 

[kevin612]

Sony boosts Alpha range with DSLR-A450

It will be interesting to see h...tilt screen and it's not 3" screen that's it.

 

[rodman]

pre order from jessops (from £479)

http://www.jessops.com/online.store...Show.htm?cm_re=050110-_-Home-_-promo_sonya450

 

[onomatopoeia]

It seems Sony are losing their way slightly, I wanted an upgrade for my A350 but no Sony jumps out at me.

A700, if you can find one, or its replacement when it arrives. Rumours it will be February so fingers crossed Sony will have them on the stand at Focus.

 

[DC2Z]

A700, if you can find one, or its replacement when it arrives. Rumours it will be February so fingers crossed Sony will have them on the stand at Focus.

Yeah looking forward to see what they say but rumours are it'll be £1200ish

 

[George7]

Is the 16-105mm Sony a good lens? I've found one for sale for 275. Is this a good price? I'd quite like a walkaround with a nice wide end My 18-200 Tamron is good but I want something a bit better for the wide stuff. Also, if I can find that wide angle sony lens for 250 (not on their website, guessing I'd have to phone) then I'll get that, but the rest are a little bit out of my budget. I might just go for a proper wide angle 10-20 if I can find one cheap enough, but if not, the 16-105 sounds nice

 

[cloudhunter]

Is the 16-105mm Sony a good lens? I've found one for sale for 275. Is this a good price? I'd quite like a walkaround with a nice wide end My 18-200 Tamron is good but I want something a bit better for the wide stuff. Also, if I can find that wide angle sony lens for 250 (not on their website, guessing I'd have to phone) then I'll get that, but the rest are a little bit out of my budget. I might just go for a proper wide angle 10-20 if I can find one cheap enough, but if not, the 16-105 sounds nice

Hi,

Is it mine for sale in the for sale section?
If not take a look.

Matt

 

[George7]

Hi,

Is it mine for sale in the for sale section?
If not take a look.

Matt

It is indeed Looks quite nice, but I'm unsure at the moment.

 

[cloudhunter]

It is indeed Looks quite nice, but I'm unsure at the moment.

Hi,

Its left with you. I dont think it will be here for long at that price. If you are interested its probably best to discuss it on that thread.
Matt

 

[Marc]

If you are interested its probably best to discuss it on that thread.
Matt

Yes please.

 

[civicboy40]

I dont see what Sony are achieving by bringing out the A450, when everyone is waiting for a replacement for the A700...seems rather odd logic to me!.

 

[George7]

I dont see what Sony are achieving by bringing out the A450, when everyone is waiting for a replacement for the A700...seems rather odd logic to me!.

Yeah, Sony do seem to have lost their way a bit. To be honest, if a decent A700 replacement hasn't rolled around by the time I come to upgrade (in a couple of years probably) I may have to switch over to the Canon side :shake:

 

[heidfirst]

I dont see what Sony are achieving by bringing out the A450, when everyone is waiting for a replacement for the A700...seems rather odd logic to me!.

well, it gives those who want a simple DSLR without LiveView/video but who find the A230 too small/uncomfortable/not fast enough or w.h.y. another Sony option.
I'm almost tempted to say that they could have a 12MP A400 up their sleeves too ... oops, I just did.

& saying that everyone is waiting for an A700 replacement simply isn't true - any of the manufacturers sell far more of their cheaper models than their "enthusiast" bodies.