Calling all Sony Alpha users! (Part 4)

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heidfirst said:
the Tamron 18-250mm is noticeably better (& the Sony version seems a bit better again).
The Sigma 18-250 OS is supposed to be another step up in quality (as well as price).
Imo I would get either 18-250 over the 18-200mm.
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:plusone: I have a 18-200 and it is very slow to focus. This is my holiday lens, where I just stick it on and forget about carrying a bag of lens, worry I may drop it, bash it, being stolen. Well I did only get if £39, so no harm done.

I personally pair this up with a fast prime and it makes a decent starter lens line up. Yes there are obvious compromises to image quality, but as said before having a budget is already a compromise to image quality.
 
The 18-250 is generally thought to be better than the 18-200 ( which I have and love apart from the slow focus) the thing with any lens with this kind of reach is it always going to be a comprimise..although my other half uses mine at the moment as shes just learning her A330 and its helping her no end.

TBH the tamron version is 169.99 in jessops at the moment, and I think its worth a go for that price, esp as the sony one is a rebranded tamron lens anyway. beware of the dreaded sony brand tax thats everywhere!
 
civicboy40 said:
TBH the tamron version is 169.99 in jessops at the moment, and I think its worth a go for that price, esp as the sony one is a rebranded tamron lens anyway. beware of the dreaded sony brand tax thats everywhere!
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there's more to it than that though at least as far as the 18-250.
The Sony has faster gearing & judging by a review in 1 of the mags a few weeks ago where they tested both side by side the MTF curves were noticeably different too (with the Sony being higher).
 
PMA press release

Full text here : http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_r...digital_cameras/cyber-shot/release/56463.html

A700 successor, 500mm f/4 and CZ 24mm f/2 :D

Interesting bit for us:

Sony said:
Sony is exhibiting an array of innovative digital imaging products at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) 2010 International Convention, including a concept model of the new compact α (alpha) DSLR camera system that employs an Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor, which provides full AVCHD video capability.

ANAHEIM, CALIF. (PMA #2220), Feb. 21, 2010 – Sony is exhibiting an array of innovative digital imaging products at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) 2010 International Convention, including a concept model of the new compact α (alpha) DSLR camera system that employs an Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor, which provides full AVCHD video capability.

New concept α products being shown include an ultra compact model with interchangeable lenses, additions to the α family (including a successor to the α700), along with new TX5 and H55 Cyber-shot® cameras, new printers and other accessories.

α DSLR Camera

In addition to the current DSLR-A230, A330, A380, A500, A550, A850 and A900 digital SLR cameras, the following concept camera bodies and interchangeable lenses will be exhibited. Current interchange lenses, including Carl Zeiss® and G lens products will also be on display.

* Concept model of an ultra-compact interchangeable lens digital camera system that packs the quality of a DSLR camera in an extraordinarily small body, along with interchangeable lenses
* Mid-range concept camera for advanced users (a successor to the α700) as well as concept mainstream models
* Prototype of a Super Telephoto Lens (500mm F4 G) with class-leading optical performance
* Prototype of a Distagon T 24mm F2 ZA SSM, new Carl Zeiss wide angle lens for superior shots of landscapes and sweeping vistas
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I like the idea of a CZ 24mm f/2 in principle.

Price will be interesting - Nikon 24mm f/1.4 is around £2k.

It'll have to beat my £50 Sigma 24mm f/2.8 Super Wide II which is very good ;)
 
:agree:

I can see from the first couple of shots that the speed, quality, sharpness and color is much better than the kit lens. I cant say too much against the kit lens as I have used it to good effect, however this is one huge step forward.
 
I'd quite like to have a play around with the Zeiss 24mm - I note is has SSM on it as well, unlike the other Zeiss primes we have so far.

I worry its going to be priced at a silly level though... needs to be much less than the Canon and Nikon version as its a stop slower.
 
puddleduck said:
I'd quite like to have a play around with the Zeiss 24mm - I note is has SSM on it as well, unlike the other Zeiss primes we have so far.

I worry its going to be priced at a silly level though... needs to be much less than the Canon and Nikon version as its a stop slower.
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ah but of course it will be stabilised on an Alpha - where's the CaNikon 24/2 VR/IS ....?
& if it keeps to the Zeiss traditional performance it'll be best in class (or at worst 1st equal).
 
heidfirst said:
ah but of course it will be stabilised on an Alpha - where's the CaNikon 24/2 VR/IS ....?
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Eh? Why on earth would Canon or Nikon make an f/2 VR / IS when they have f/1.4 versions. No one needs IS or VR at those focal lengths of shutter speed the lenses deliver.

The "make is a stop slower but add IS / VR concept " is really silly (see Nikon 16-35 VR) which is just the sillyest proposition ever from a pricing point-of-view.
 
Think I'll wait now for the flood (hopefully) of decent A700's being replaced by the leaner, meaner newer version
 
Pedro Photosport said:
Think I'll wait now for the flood (hopefully) of decent A700's being replaced by the leaner, meaner newer version
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thats what i might do but instead im gonna work on my lens collection and when i finish school in 12 weeks (cant wait!) then i can get my jessops job and earn some cash which might pay for my new toy.
 
The A700 is excellent - seems like loads of folks seem to want it to be replaced... but if the A200 to A230 is anything to go by - newer may not be better.

I can't believe that anyone would "upgrade" for a silly video feature.
 
puddleduck said:
I can't believe that anyone would "upgrade" for a silly video feature.
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/nod. If I wanted to shoot video I'd buy a video camera.

Have to wait and see what else the A700 replacement brings with it, but if I'm honest I'm unlikely to change my 700, I like it too much. At least not short of a windfall that leaves me with funds to buy a 900.
 
don't see me replacing my A700's..or at least until the price comes down a fair bit..but only then IF it has better ISO and auto focus as the video thing isn't for me.it will be interesting to see it in the flesh to see how it compares to the A700...
 
puddleduck said:
Eh? Why on earth would Canon or Nikon make an f/2 VR / IS when they have f/1.4 versions. No one needs IS or VR at those focal lengths of shutter speed the lenses deliver.
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& yet all the Canon fans bemoan the lack of a 24-70/2.8 IS (& you bet that the IS won't just be used at 70mm ;)
we'll have to see the ZA pricing but the Canon 1.4 is £1300+.

The "make is a stop slower but add IS / VR concept " is really silly (see Nikon 16-35 VR) which is just the sillyest proposition ever from a pricing point-of-view.
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we''ll see - Ken Rockwell (yes, I know :suspect:) seems rather keen on the 16-35/4 VR at least for FF.
 
heidfirst said:
& yet all the Canon fans bemoan the lack of a 24-70/2.8 IS (& you bet that the IS won't just be used at 70mm ;)
we'll have to see the ZA pricing but the Canon 1.4 is £1300+.
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Anyone spending £1+ on a lens and can't hold it properly needs to find a new job or hobby tbh. It silly to whiine about lack IS on such a short lens :nuts:

Bloody digital generation - don't know they are born :)

I'm quite keen on the Zeiss 24mm though. Will go up to about £800 for that personally.
 
Personally I would have preferred if they released a larger apperture sub f/2 24mm prime i.e. 1.4. Real shame, as the other two primes are superb.

Urghhh, I can picture the endless debate about the performance between this and the cannon/nikon 1.4, how the extra stop doesn't matter because of stabalisation etc.
 
evo456 said:
Urghhh, I can picture the endless debate about the performance between this and the cannon/nikon 1.4, how the extra stop doesn't matter because of stabalisation etc.
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A faster aperture is always preferable to VR. I don't think its even worth debating, as this is no debate. Fast aperture always beats VR.
 
What do you guys think about those Sony micro four thirds new prototypes?
Do you think they can compete with Panasonic GF-1 or Oly P1?
Full AVCHD video will be advantage at first...
 
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heidfirst said:
I disagree but I can't be bothered arguing ... :gag:



they aren't micro 4/3 - they use APS-C sensors & who knows what mount but I don't see Sony going with 4/3.
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Oh well.. I thought it could be my new camera, something a bit better than Pana GF-1. If only Panasonic wanted to change few things and come up with new, GF-2, with in-body IS and few other small bits I would buy it in a blink of an eye:)
 
but why would APS-C be a negative? most would say that it's a positive :thinking:
As for mount if it's a new mount (& a new range like this would be a good time to introduce an all electronic mount) not only will Sony introduce lenses to fit but probably adapters to allow MAF/Alpha mount lenses to be used will come out from someone - most likely both Sony & 3rd party.
 
heidfirst said:
but why would APS-C be a negative? most would say that it's a positive :thinking:
As for mount if it's a new mount (& a new range like this would be a good time to introduce an all electronic mount) not only will Sony introduce lenses to fit but probably adapters to allow MAF/Alpha mount lenses to be used will come out from someone - most likely both Sony & 3rd party.
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I'm not saying it bad, APS-C is fine, just kinda liked the idea of smaller lens like micro 4/3. Well, I wonder what mount they gonna come up with. Do you think it will be a totaly new one?
 
phinix said:
I'm not saying it bad, APS-C is fine, just kinda liked the idea of smaller lens like micro 4/3. Well, I wonder what mount they gonna come up with. Do you think it will be a totaly new one?
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The prototypes have "Alpha" logos on them, so could be "A" mount as per the DSLRs, although it would make sense to have a new mount, otherwise if you still need to use large lenses, can't see the point.

I think the m 4/3 concept loses a lot if you start carrying around lots of lenses, as then the camera size is just a small part of the system.

Best use to get a small pancake and have done with it, and maybe an adaptor. But the idea of use a small mirrorless body with a CZ 24-70 on it is ludicrous really.
 
Yep, exactly - For me GF-2 with two lens max - 20 pancake and 14-50 and I'm happy. I would buy GF-1, but if new model can bring few small changes I would rather wait.... First for release, then couple more months for price drop;)
It would be great if they do all those changes that users of GF-1 pointed.
I wonder if GF-2 will come out this year.. maybe at the end?
 
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TBH I'd just get a GF-1 and have done with it - its new lenses whatever really, so I don't really see any particular need to go Sony.

Suspect a GF-2 is coming pretty soon, as the GF-1 has £50 cashback..

I have noticed a number of GF-1's in the Classified here - folks buy them, and seem to sell them within a week or so... so I wonder if they is more hype than substance behind the whole thing at the moment?
 
puddleduck said:
TBH I'd just get a GF-1 and have done with it - its new lenses whatever really, so I don't really see any particular need to go Sony.

Suspect a GF-2 is coming pretty soon, as the GF-1 has £50 cashback..

I have noticed a number of GF-1's in the Classified here - folks buy them, and seem to sell them within a week or so... so I wonder if they is more hype than substance behind the whole thing at the moment?
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Hard to say... G2 and GH2 will come out very soon, thats for sure. I'm going to see what GF-2 can deliver, if not much then getting GF-1 will be pretty good deal I say. If GF-2 brings more than just a few changes, then it would be better to wait few months and buy one. That is exactly what I'm going to do.
Right now, from what I saw on those Sony prototypes, it won't anything good, looks too simple to be some extra bridge camera.
 
Has anyone got the Sigma 30mm F1.4 on their Sony/Minolta DSLR?
There are none on ebay for Sony/Minolta monut but quite a few for Canon/Nikon:razz:
 
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