Calling all Sony Alpha users! (Part 5)

[phil-t]

Where did you purchase the Pixel Soldiers? I've been looking at Pixel Pawn TF363 for £40, these are supplied from UK Highland Photography who I've never heard of.

The dreaded eBay!

They where the only ones from a UK Based seller (Yorkshire), the sellers name was "simon.ho", although checking my payment history, with 1-3 days delivery (arrived within 2 days) I paid £45..

There are others on there from HK for £45, but you'd have to wait an age for delivery..

 

[Sneeks]

I'm trying to decide if I should pay extra and buy the Pixel King TTL trigger or if a manual trigger is all I will actually need.

 

[Faldrax]

I'm trying to decide if I should pay extra and buy the Pixel King TTL trigger or if a manual trigger is all I will actually need.

There's a long thread on Dyxum about the Pixel Kings, and in particular compatibility with the SLT's

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/new-pixel-king-triggers-with-hss_topic80735_page1.html

Worth a read before you decide (I can't remember if the A77 works properly or not - I know the A900 works very well with them).

 

[Sneeks]

The Pixel King's work ok with the A77 if the latest firmware is installed from Pixel.

It costs £39.99 for the Pixel Pawn with two receivers and £195 for the King's. I'm undecided if I really need TTL and HSS or if manual mode is enough.

 

[Faldrax]

The Pixel King's work ok with the A77 if the latest firmware is installed from Pixel.

It costs £39.99 for the Pixel Pawn with two receivers and £195 for the King's. I'm undecided if I really need TTL and HSS or if manual mode is enough.

Good, I wasn't sure, so thought it best to point you at the thread.

I had the same dilemma regarding cost, but in the end decided I wanted the option to use TTL or HSS - I don't use flash enough to be confident that I'll get the settings right on manual if I'm in a hurry

 

[Sneeks]

Good, I wasn't sure, so thought it best to point you at the thread.

I had the same dilemma regarding cost, but in the end decided I wanted the option to use TTL or HSS - I don't use flash enough to be confident that I'll get the settings right on manual if I'm in a hurry

This is the problem I'm currently pondering too. If I buy manual triggers then I do still have the capability of using TTL with my external flashes using the built-in flash to utilise the Sony optical trigger system. I am very tempted by the Pixel King's but not sure the cost is justified.

 

[Faldrax]

This is the problem I'm currently pondering too. If I buy manual triggers then I do still have the capability of using TTL with my external flashes using the built-in flash to utilise the Sony optical trigger system. I am very tempted by the Pixel King's but not sure the cost is justified.

I got mine when I upgraded to the A900, which does not have a pop up flash - which meant the choice was between £100 for an HVL-20 with all the limitations that imposes, or £180 for the Kings - decided they were worth the £80 extra (given how much I'd spent on the camera and lenses to use with them )

 

[Sneeks]

I agree, a wise choice in your situation

 

[Sandiman]

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8. Great lens, I had one before swapping to the Sony 16-50mm f2.8.

Thanks for the recommendation eddewood and all who recommended the Tamron, however I've decided to try and save up for the Sony 16-50mm f2.8.

In the meen time I have managed to pick up a mint Minolta 50mm f1.7AF lens, don't you just love those Minolta colors? I think along with the kit lens that will do me fine till I can afford the 16-50.

Sorry for not replying to those who quickly answered my request for advice but we have been away for a few days and I forgot to take my iPad with me. D'OH.

 

[heidfirst]

Sony's Winter cashback is upon us.
http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/1237485521135

Interestingly the A77 isn't included which suggests to me that either there isn't a margin for it or that it's selling well enough that they don't feel that they need to.

 

[srichards]

Just got a 30mm 2.8 macro. Castle Cameras are doing them for £149.99 and I'm assuming I should be able to get another £30 back with cash back

Been umming and aaring about which fast wide angle. I was going to get the sigma 30mm 1.4 but that didn't focus closely but did work on FF. Finding the 50mm is too long for indoors on a crop. Also the 30mm being SSM it should be quiet enough for video when I upgrade to an SLT eventually.

 

[heidfirst]

Also the 30mm being SSM it should be quiet enough for video when I upgrade to an SLT eventually.

it's 1 of the early SAM lenses so won't be as quiet as SSM.

 

[srichards]

it's 1 of the early SAM lenses so won't be as quiet as SSM.

Drat!

 

[heidfirst]

A99 manual is online as are a few new firmwares (incl. A77 & NEX-7).

 

[Sandiman]

A99 manual is online as are a few new firmwares (incl. A77 & NEX-7).

I had an e-mail from "The Photographer" tonight and that said the updates included the a65 but I tried it and it doesn't work on the a65.:thumbsdown:

 

[heidfirst]

there is 1 for the A65 listed http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/SLT-A65V#
Did you use that file or the A77 one?
Are you on Windows or Mac?

 

[Sandiman]

there is 1 for the A65 listed http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/SLT-A65V#
Did you use that file or the A77 one?
Are you on Windows or Mac?

Hi I went through Sony Rumors as that was mentioned in the e-mail It would have paid me to stop and think before I tried to do the download. D'OH.

I'm on windows 7 I can't afford a Mac to busy buying camera gear.LOL.

 

[Sandiman]

there is 1 for the A65 listed http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/SLT-A65V#

I have spent most of the morning trying to download the a65 update using the link shown above.
All goes well until it comes to the Click on the Safely Remove Hardware Icon but there is no sign of the Icon.
Can anyone help by telling how I can get this icon to show itself?

 

[Johnd2000]

click on the little arrow at the far right of the task bar. It should be in the small window that pops up.

 

[Sandiman]

click on the little arrow at the far right of the task bar. It should be in the small window that pops up.

Nope tried that, tried the customize and had the icons all shown along the task bar but still no sign of the Safely Remove Hardware icon.

I have just managed to find a program that works in the same way but more long winded way of doing it.

Still update now done so have time to try and sort the proper icon out before the next update.

 

[Johnd2000]

Nope tried that, tried the customize and had the icons all shown along the task bar but still no sign of the Safely Remove Hardware icon.

I have just managed to find a program that works in the same way but more long winded way of doing it.

Still update now done so have time to try and sort the proper icon out before the next update.

Sounds like you right clicked on the little arrow. Should be a left click.

Updating my a57 now.

 

[Sandiman]

Sounds like you right clicked on the little arrow. Should be a left click.

Updating my a57 now.

Nope, left clicked, right clicked, double clicked but nothing.

Just no sign of the Safely Remove Hardware Icon.

Still not to worry and thanks for trying to help.

Oh and I even phoned ASUS Help desk and non of there advice worked either.

 

[todders]

Nope, left clicked, right clicked, double clicked but nothing.

Just no sign of the Safely Remove Hardware Icon.

Still not to worry and thanks for trying to help.

Oh and I even phoned ASUS Help desk and non of there advice worked either.

I have updated my Sony A65 last night to firmware version 1.6 without issue,i also did not have the the safely remove hardware icon shown anywhere for some reason but i just followed the steps without using this and it all updated without any hitches whatsoever.

After i pressed the reset button on the camera it seemed to me that the software had already performed the safely remove option step automatically itself as it began to install drivers on the desktop once the software began to update itself on the camera.

It took quite a few minutes to update itself,and i have been using windows 7 64 bit version.

It also saved all of my original camera settings as well.

 

[Sneeks]

Smooth update here using OSX 10.8.2

 

[Sandiman]

I have updated my Sony A65 last night to firmware version 1.6 without issue,i also did not have the the safely remove hardware icon shown anywhere for some reason but i just followed the steps without using this and it all updated without any hitches whatsoever.

After i pressed the reset button on the camera it seemed to me that the software had already performed the safely remove option step automatically itself as it began to install drivers on the desktop once the software began to update itself on the camera.

It took quite a few minutes to update itself,and i have been using windows 7 64 bit version.

It also saved all of my original camera settings as well.

I'm pleased for you that it all went well for you.

I was very tempted to try the update without using that missing icon but I didn't want to risk damaging the camera.

Anyhow once I downloaded the program that did the same job as SRH icon all went well..

 

[ChrisGaskin]

Woop they added more in the lens support list and then added a function to disable the movie button..... What's the fricken point of this update?! Still no tether though I see :/

Nice to see Sony are listening to their customers cos I'm sure everyone and their dog emailed in and left forum messages about that darned movie button needing a disable option!!

 

[Johnd2000]

The update made a massive difference to my a57. When I click on "version" in the menu, it used to say "v1.02". Now it says "v1.03". WhooHoo!

 

[heidfirst]

cos I'm sure everyone and their dog emailed in and left forum messages about that darned movie button needing a disable option!!

actually, they did. It's a common complaint.

 

[ki_user]

Honestly cannot see the point of being able to disable the movie button myself

 

[TurnipFarmer]

Hey guys. I finally got my a77 and now I'm thinking of getting a flash. Can anyone recommend one that I can get :-D?

 

[ki_user]

How much you got to spend?

 

[eccles]

Honestly cannot see the point of being able to disable the movie button myself

If you wear glasses and ever have to adjust the dioptre wheel on the viewfinder then you'll see the point.

 

[ki_user]

If you wear glasses and ever have to adjust the dioptre wheel on the viewfinder then you'll see the point.

I do and I do :shrug:

 

[heidfirst]

Hey guys. I finally got my a77 and now I'm thinking of getting a flash. Can anyone recommend one that I can get :-D?

what do you need it for & budget?

 

[Johnd2000]

Wex have just shaved £200 off the pre-order price for the a99. Body only is now £2299.

 

[ki_user]

I think Sony have dropped the launch price, so they should all be coming down.

 

[billybob99]

Just had an email from digital rev that the A99 us in stock at £2399 all in so more expensive than uk

 

[Deleted member 34016]

London Camera Exchange still @ £2499.99p Now wheres me credit card

Les

 

[srichards]

I think the A99 really needs to get under the £2k mark to stand a chance. At £1750 it would become a no brainer for someone that wants good video capability too.

Just bought a 30mm macro finally after dithering over that and the sigma 1.4 s/h. Managed to be a chump and buy it on the 16th not the 17th when the cash back started. Sigh.

 

[Deleted member 34016]

I did the same with the Sony 85mm

Les