Calling all Sony Alpha users! (Part 5)

on an A330 it will only fire at full power unless you have the later mfc-1000 controller (which the one on ebay doesn't).
should come with 49 & 55mm adapters & at least a 72mm adapter was also available.
I would avoid it.
 
yawny said:
Hi people, was told about this thread and just thought id ask a question....just wanted to find out off any Sony DSLR users if they use Sigma lenses and if they are ok on them.

The reason i ask this is because of the fault that became apparent on the Sigma 70-300 F4-5.6 and the gears stripping.

just wondered if any of the other Sigma lenses have the same problems as i am looking at some new ones.

Thanks in advance
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Sigma 70-300 AF gears are made from plastic. I've been using Sigma lenses for donkeys years without issue (except whe I put the 70-300 on my A700 in fast AF mode) and had it repaired. Sigma (UK) said "use in slow AF mode". Something about shutting the barn door after the horse had bolted came to mind and a £100.000 repair bill in the process.

99% of the time you'll have no problems, it may just depend on the age, type of lens and body it's attached to that can make the difference as well as the AF speed settings as the torque drive of the A700 is very powerful and some lenses can't take the stress (not all Sigma BTW), otherwise they're a superb optic depending on what you want/use (I have 2 for sale) as I've moved to FF.
 
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Melmount said:
Hi folks,
I am thinking of buying a ring flash for macro and I saw the MINOLTA MAXXUM MACRO1200 AF RING FLASH FOR SONY/MINOLTA on ebay current bid £19.99 and would appreciate if anyone could give me any information on the item. Has anyone used it ,will it fit the a330 and what size of lenses does it take, as there is little information on the sellers site? Any information would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Melmount.
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If you want a dedicated Sony mount ringflash, get the re-branded Marumi (Delta DRF-14 S) from Foto-Tip via eBay. Does what it says on the tin at silly money. Take a look at item: 350311920117 for example.

I have one BTW, and it works perfectly. Just get some half decent rechargable batteries from 7dayshop.
 
stan the man said:
hi guys...okay,i want to use my HVF-L42M flashgun off camera,but don't want to use the pop up flash to fire it,so as i understand it,i will need a flash sync cord to do this,yeah? Also,the 42 doesn't have a terminal[?]to connect the cord to,but i've recently purchased an hotshoe adapter[HS1100 i think]which has a terminal for the sync cord,so could i connect the cord to this,and mount the flash on top allowing it to work?

hope this all makes sense...:thinking: :lol:
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I'm not a flashgun/lighting guru, but I did come across the Cactus wireless triggers, though I have no idea if they're any good etc.

http://www.gadgetinfinity.com/product.php?productid=16748&cat=285&page=1

Yongnuo CTR-301P is another brand of wireless trigger (see flickr forum): http://www.flickr.com/groups/sony_alpha/discuss/72157617204176062/

See item: 350180158573

Hope this helps.
 
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Hi,
Thanks Scott for your reply, left it alone.

Thanks Mark for your advice, will look at Foto-Tip later.

Melmount.
 
hi folks

i've just bought a new computer withg windows 7 operating system,and after several attempts at installing the disc supplied with my A700,which resulted in me having to perform a system restore,i'm at my wits end as to how i overcome this problem.is there somewhere i can get a version of IDC,picture motion browser and image data lightbox that is compatible with windows 7.a link to any possible appreciated.

stan
 
Click start button then right click 'computer' and select properties, it will show what version
 
IDC runs fine on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for me ...
pretty sure that I used a later version to install though than the A700 disc.
 
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heidfirst said:
IDC runs fine on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for me ...
pretty sure that I used a later version to install though than the A700 disc.
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Actually you're right, just double checked the link I provided and it's not windows 7 64bit that isn't supported so Stan download it and give it a try.
Sorry for my mistake :bonk:
 
don't really need PMB,as it only really gives me a view of my shots,so now not bothered.okay,i've ordered the HVL-F58AM from kerso,so should be with me shortly :).now i believe the 58 acts as a trigger for other flashguns[the 42AM in my case].so,does this mean it will fire my 42 without the need for the pop up flash?
 
guys...

What would be a good upgrade from the a200?

something that gives a noticable improvement in quality and features rather than being a tip toe step?

budget would be around £400 plus the sale of a200.
 
A580 or the SLT A55. You can generally pick up the A580 at around £500.
 
Yep, what he said.

Expect discounts on the a55 over the next couple of months if the rumours of an upgrade are true.
 
Or if you don't mind second hand, the A700. It doesn't have as many megapixels or video though, if those things are important to you, but is very good for still photos. Plus you should be able to get a good one for under £400 nowadays.
 
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they do look very nice, also the firmware updates are out for nex and slt sony's
 
I got a quick flash question, im using an on camera flash and if i set it to ADI and the lens isnt capable of supporting ADI does it automaticaly switch to TTL?

How can you actually tell if a lens supports ADI as you seem to always be able to select it?

Granted ive only used it on my sigma 17-70 but even boucing the flash i can select ADI which surely should be disabled in bouncing yeah?

Thanks.
 
I think it does switch yes. Basically I don't bother with ADI as TTL generally works better and is more consistent when it doesn't work :)
 
Thanks for that, i guess if im using different lenses then keeping it on ttl so its more predictable is the way forward.

ADI does sound like it has its adavantages tho in some circumstances.
 
PDub said:
I got a quick flash question, im using an on camera flash and if i set it to ADI and the lens isnt capable of supporting ADI does it automaticaly switch to TTL?

How can you actually tell if a lens supports ADI as you seem to always be able to select it?

Granted ive only used it on my sigma 17-70 but even boucing the flash i can select ADI which surely should be disabled in bouncing yeah?

Thanks.
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ADI will automatically use TTL if the lens doesn't support it.

To support ADI lenses need to have the full 8 contacts - older 5 contact lenses do not support it. Any Sony / Minolta 8 contact lens will do ADI I believe. For 3rd party lenses, check the Dyxum Lens DB, you want a lens that is noted as 'D Type Yes'
 
Thanks Jonathan, much appreciated it.

Better to leave it on ADI rather than TTL? Seem to get more consistant exposure with ADI, but then ive not used the flash a massive amount as i only got it this week. :)
 
PDub said:
Thanks Jonathan, much appreciated it.

Better to leave it on ADI rather than TTL? Seem to get more consistant exposure with ADI, but then ive not used the flash a massive amount as i only got it this week. :)
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I leave mine on ADI, but then 90% of the time when using flash I'll be using the CZ 16-80, which is ADI compatible.
 
I'm so excited I just had to tell someone! I just ordered my new Sony 50mm 1.8! I can't wait for it to come! It is supposed to get here day-after-tomorrow so hopefully I'll get some pictures posted. :D :D :D :D :cool:
 
Hi all......Didnt even spot this thread, I thought I was all alone in the Sony World ! :)

Anyways now I have "found" you....Pirate, another member on here, has started a Facebook page which hopefully will grow over time to become another valuable resource for us Sony owners.

Why not pop over and "like" it.....

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SonyMinolta-DSLR-NEX-Owners-Club/168149386582601

The more the merrier..
 
Rustico said:
I'm so excited I just had to tell someone! I just ordered my new Sony 50mm 1.8! I can't wait for it to come! It is supposed to get here day-after-tomorrow so hopefully I'll get some pictures posted. :D :D :D :D :cool:
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I own the very same lens- its a cracker for portraits :thumbs:


Les ;)
 
I debated over this lens or the 35mm....went for the 35 in the end and so far it hasnt been off my camera
 
While we're on the subject of "easy choice" lenses....

Jessops currently have the 85/2.8 for £99. In-store only and stocks are very limited. Argos also have all 3 EC lenses on offer, plus good prices for the 30/2.8 macro and 28/2.8.
 
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stan the man said:
do you have a link to the 85/2.8 please john?
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I'm afraid not. The offer is only in-store and isn't mentioned on the website. I spotted it by chance when I popped in to pick up a 50/1.8. The branch only had the "demo copy" of the 85 and when the guy checked other London branches they all showed as having one copy only.
 
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