Calling all Sony Alpha users! (Part 4)

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I just picked up a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM.

I had the Sony fit 50mm f/1.4 and I didn't think it was that great really - not very good wide open, and I felt the Minolta 50mm f/1.7 was much better value.

I must say the 50mm f/1.8 DT is excellent, but crop only of course. Will probably let my 50mm DT and 50mm f/1.7 go once the Siggy arrives (today hopefully)
 
Does anyone with an A700 live near Derby/Loughborough/Leicester?

I bought a Tamron 28-75 2.8 in the classifieds off here and at 70mm 2.8 it's not sharp in the slightest to the point I think it's front or back focussing. I say front or back because I haven't had the time to do any exhaustive testing yet but I know it isn't right as it is.

I did a quick test last night and at 28mm 2.8 it's acceptable and 50mm is okay too. I've got no problem with the seller, you can't judge the quality of a lens from pictures on the internet as you don't know what has been done to them, it's always a risk even with any lens and just because it's not right on my camera doesn't mean it won't be right on someone else's camera.

Chances are the lens needs sending back to Tamron (Intro2020) for calibrating to my camera but it would be nice to test it on someone else's camera before hand to see if it does exactly the same thing on their camera or if it is different. If it's different then it would suggest that some of the problem is in the body, so if I could meet up with someone to do a side by side test it would be great.
 
The Tamron 28-75 should be sharp wide open at 75mm.

I'm afraid I'm no where near you, but my A900 is spot in with every lens, so if you get stuck and happen to be around Cambridge I'll test if for you.

I've seen this in Nikon fit - Krazy_Horse who posts here dropped over and we tested his vs mine (Nikon fit) and mine was much sharper.
 
Cheers for the offer Andy, Cambridge isn't a million miles away (even if it does mean braving the A14) and I've got a week off later in the month so might take you up on the offer. Would be good to get a 2nd opinion from someone whop knows what they're talking about before I send it of to Tamron.

Seeing as Sony have taken so long to replace the A700 it's a real shame they didn't develop a software upgrade to allow for micro adjustment. That would at least have kept it in the same ball park as the D300/50D.
 
puddleduck said:
I just picked up a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM.

I had the Sony fit 50mm f/1.4 and I didn't think it was that great really - not very good wide open, and I felt the Minolta 50mm f/1.7 was much better value.

I must say the 50mm f/1.8 DT is excellent, but crop only of course. Will probably let my 50mm DT and 50mm f/1.7 go once the Siggy arrives (today hopefully)
Click to expand...

yeah the sigma is unbeatable by any 50mm from any manufacturer, I might purchase one myself considering at Jessops the Sony version is £299 and the sigma is £399 I think.
 
Kev M said:
Cheers for the offer Andy, Cambridge isn't a million miles away (even if it does mean braving the A14) and I've got a week off later in the month so might take you up on the offer. Would be good to get a 2nd opinion from someone whop knows what they're talking about before I send it of to Tamron.

Seeing as Sony have taken so long to replace the A700 it's a real shame they didn't develop a software upgrade to allow for micro adjustment. That would at least have kept it in the same ball park as the D300/50D.
Click to expand...

Micro adjust doesn't work for zooms..you can only dial in one setting through the zoom range so it doesn't work in practice.

So if you adusted the 28-75 so it was good at 75mm, it would throw off 28mm etc.
 
puddleduck said:
Micro adjust doesn't work for zooms..you can only dial in one setting through the zoom range so it doesn't work in practice.

So if you adusted the 28-75 so it was good at 75mm, it would throw off 28mm etc.
Click to expand...

True, I'm guessing it's a hardware issue causing it to focus at one end and not the other? Still, it would be nice to pick which end you wanted it to work it, I'd much rather have 50-70mm sharp than 28-50mm.
 
mastertrinity said:
yeah the sigma is unbeatable by any 50mm from any manufacturer, I might purchase one myself considering at Jessops the Sony version is £299 and the sigma is £399 I think.
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My Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM just arrived!

Had this lens in Nikon fit, and loved it.

From the first quick test shots, it smokes the Sony version. Sharp wide open, lovely bokeh.
 
ok, had the chance to test the sony out tonight, my wee cousin just gave birth so i took the camera along and got some shots of my two day old cousin! cute.

what do you guys use for raw convertor? lightroom 2 is what i have?
 
so far so good, its different feel in my hands, need to get a proper shoot with model next week before i know for sure but so far, i like it, i just need a battery grip and im sorted!
 
Kev M said:
Does anyone with an A700 live near Derby/Loughborough/Leicester?

I bought a Tamron 28-75 2.8 in the classifieds off here and at 70mm 2.8 it's not sharp in the slightest to the point I think it's front or back focussing....it would be nice to test it on someone else's camera before hand to see if it does exactly the same thing on their camera or if it is different. If it's different then it would suggest that some of the problem is in the body, so if I could meet up with someone to do a side by side test it would be great.
Click to expand...

Hi - new member here, but been on Dyxum for a while under same username - I'm in Shardlow ['tween Derby & Nott] and could meet up with A700 & A900 if you want - also have a Sig 24-70/2.8 for 'similar' comparison - interested ?

Cheers

IDM
 
Hi Ian, very interested, thanks. I think I know where Shardlow is, it certainly rings a bell. When's best for you?
 
Hi Kev - I can do almost anytime - currently a mature student at Derby Uni doing Comm. Photo, so I'm on summer break! - perhaps not Sunday midday-afternoon, but otherwise not got much on...let me know if/when/where is best for you
 
I'm in no rush Ian, would one day the week after next (not the 24th though) be alright? I've got that week off work and won't have to worry about what her indoors might have planned as she should be in work.
 
Ahh - not so good - I'm off to Scotland for a couple of weeks on the 25th! - could maybe do the 23rd though...
 
It's a date. I'll give you a shout towards the end of next week to make sure everything is okay still.
 
anybody tried the minolta beercan and the 28-135mm? just having look before i decide what to go for!
 
onefunkypenguin said:
anybody tried the minolta beercan and the 28-135mm? just having look before i decide what to go for!
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The 28-135 I felt has become a bit over-hyped. I prefer the Tamron 24-135 myself. I'd be more inclined to go for a Tamron or KM 28-75.

The Beercan is very nice. It could be worth you registering over at Dyxum where there is a whole lens review section (beware of folks hyping lenses than trying to sell them mind you!) You see a lot of "5 star best ever" shortly followed by a Classifed ad :)
 
Kev M said:
Does anyone with an A700 live near Derby/Loughborough/Leicester?

I bought a Tamron 28-75 2.8 in the classifieds off here and at 70mm 2.8 it's not sharp in the slightest to the point I think it's front or back focussing. I say front or back because I haven't had the time to do any exhaustive testing yet but I know it isn't right as it is.

I did a quick test last night and at 28mm 2.8 it's acceptable and 50mm is okay too. I've got no problem with the seller, you can't judge the quality of a lens from pictures on the internet as you don't know what has been done to them, it's always a risk even with any lens and just because it's not right on my camera doesn't mean it won't be right on someone else's camera.

Chances are the lens needs sending back to Tamron (Intro2020) for calibrating to my camera but it would be nice to test it on someone else's camera before hand to see if it does exactly the same thing on their camera or if it is different. If it's different then it would suggest that some of the problem is in the body, so if I could meet up with someone to do a side by side test it would be great.
Click to expand...

Kev if you have to cancel with Ian Middy for any reason I'm J28 of the M1.

You very kindly offered the flash to me on my other thread :)
 
hey, just read through alot of this thread and thought i'd give a hello :)

so hello.

Im lee im currently shooting A200 with + 18-70mm f/3.5-5.8 and 50mm f/1.8 with an Sony HVL-F42AM
I mainly do low-lighting and nightlife photography, the portfolio is still being built up but most of my stuff is on Dontstayin im pretty sure ill throw the link in my Sig.
 
oosanders said:
hey, just read through alot of this thread and thought i'd give a hello :)

so hello.

Im lee im currently shooting A200 with + 18-70mm f/3.5-5.8 and 50mm f/1.8 with an Sony HVL-F42AM
I mainly do low-lighting and nightlife photography, the portfolio is still being built up but most of my stuff is on Dontstayin im pretty sure ill throw the link in my Sig.
Click to expand...

hey, we always welcomes new members (especially sony users :lol:)

welcome the the best photography forum ever!
 
oosanders said:
hey, just read through alot of this thread and thought i'd give a hello :)

so hello.

Im lee im currently shooting A200 with + 18-70mm f/3.5-5.8 and 50mm f/1.8 with an Sony HVL-F42AM
I mainly do low-lighting and nightlife photography, the portfolio is still being built up but most of my stuff is on Dontstayin im pretty sure ill throw the link in my Sig.
Click to expand...

hi Lee from Lee
 
hi Lee
and welcome ! :)


Andy ! the sigma 24mm f2.8 super wide II is only manual focus right ?
ruins my prime plans :(
 
Starastin said:
oh, yeah ! found one which is AF. before that I thought I spotted super bargain ! :(
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You can get an MF version that is very good, but I suspect won't work on Alphas (never tried it, but probably won't stop down)
 
I see. It's just that the price was sweet - around 40delivered. but I'll skip it.

there is one for sale for 80quid. is it a good price ? still, need to decide if I want to put up the zoom I just got in trade for sale. sigma 24mm f2.8 for 80quid doesn't sound too tempting.
 
It's probably worth £80 in optical terms - I think I paid less that for mine.

I've seen them lower than £80, certainly less than £60 is do-able. I think I paid about £52 for mine (with hood)
 
grrr.... there is one auction ending in 4 days. I like the pics I see in flickr, but I don't know if its shot wide open or is it the mf version, etc.
looked in dyxum galleries, some of the shots were overdone in PP.
 
4887657406_102c1efd70_z.jpg


this is original, shot in jpeg . only resized it, there is a neat option in lr3 - sharpen for screen or something, must do that if one is about to resize to a lot smaller size
24mm f2.8
will the swII be sharper for my a200 ?

I should be banned from talking about selling, trading lenses ! :D I'm getting on my own nerves.
I only want to do this to get some money back :(
Or get a job, occasional photography tuition doesn't cut it .
I'm pathetic ! :D
 
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