Thinking of selling up my Sony gear. Should I, or shouldn't I????

andy_fozzy

andy_fozzy

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There's a few reasons for selling up and going to another make.
And there's a few reasons not too!!!

Reasons for wanting to change:

Lack of lens availability.
High noise at ISO400 and above.
I get bored with my gear quickly :lol:
Never was very happy with the position of the cursor buttons on the camera. Keep pressing them by accident!!
Never was very happy with the positions of the focal points in the viewfinder.

Reasons not to:

Lovely camera, lovely shots.
In body IS.
Tilting live view screen.
And I'll probably lose too much money!

As it stands, not a bad kit setup. But been seriously wanting a 70-200mm F2.8 lens for a while, and the Sony version is well over £1000 :eek:
So it's never going to happen.
The Tamron version I've heard isn't too great, there doesn't seem to be the Sigma version for a Sony.

If I had another Canon, I'd be lusting over L lens's, which probably would never happen either, and if it did, def wouldn't be any L's with built in IS......

What should I do?
What would you do?
 
Give up this photography nonsense and learn to play guitar - that's my advice! ;)

*Runs away*
 
I changed from Sony A100 just over a year ago and I'm really pleased I did. The only thing that I really do miss is the IS system on the body. I moved over for virtually the same reasons you stated. At the time I had the kit lens, 75-300 minolta, 28-80 minolta and a 400mm sigma. For quite a while i managed with just a 30d and kit lens (which gave some brilliant results), before slowly adding as I'd managed to save up. I do miss having a longer reach lens, however, I found being stuck with just 18-55 for a while taught me a lot and now the lens that stays on the camera virtually all the time is the 17-40 f4L. Without doubt, my favourite lens is the 70-200f2.8 as the IQ and colours are sooooo nice. I'm still saving with a view to adding to my kit, but I'm not overly desperate at the moment. Next step is either flash or 2 x TC, then a new body and keep the 30d as a back up. Good times!

Looking back at some of the sony shots I have backed up, there are some really nice images there. That said, I'm really pleased I made the leap. Hope that helps!
 
Lovely camera, lovely shots.

Good enough reason to stay with what you've got surely?
 
I also moved over from my Minolta kit after Sony had taken over. At the time I had 2 9xi film bodies, 7D digital body, 5600HS flash, 50mm f1.7, Minolta 28-80, Sigma 70-300 APO, Sigma 17-35mmEX, extension tubes etc..
Reasons were mainly due to lack of availability of lenses - especially used kit. I also found with the 7D that the rear control for selecting the focus point was annoying me as I invariably knocked it off its intended setting.

I too initially missed the in-body IS, but am really happy I jumped when I did, as it has meant that I am now happy that I will not change again for a very long time.

Happened to go for a Canon 40D after comparing it with the Nikon D200 and D300, but just found the Canon layout worked better for me, and it felt more comfortable in my hand. It also appeared that Canon maybe had a slight edge on their lens range, and were preferred by more of the sports photographers.

You may find when comparing that you prefer Nikon - I don't think it really matters which of these 2 you go for - they both make great cameras, and lenses.

HTH,

Conrad.
 
My point is if your questioning your "brand loyalty" then it really is time for a change.
Go Canon, and build your lenses up slowly, get a second hand 30d or 40d and if you can get one or two lenses (Maybe a Sigma 17-70 and then a 70-200. I love my new Tamron 70-200 f2.8. Or maybe a Canon 70-200 F4. Great prices Second Hand)

You say you will miss the in body IS but if you buy 3rd party lenses like Sigma and Tamron, you can get their version of IS in lens alot cheaper then you can the Canon IS.

Make the jump now before its too late :lol:
 
Buy a "Beercan" first, the classic 70-210mm F4. I have a Sony 70-200 G and I sold the beercan shortly after I bought it. I still miss the beer can, the IQ is obviously not quite as good but it is a lot lighter and easier to carry.

I've been thinking about switching systems, as I am hankering for a D3 or D700. However at the more resonably priced end of the market the Alpha System makes a lot of sense.

With your Tamron and the Beercan (which should not cost you much, and you could sell the Siggy 70-300), you would have a fast wide lens and a relatively fast zoom both with IS. Work out how much it would cost you for the equivalent Canon or Nikon...
 
Its quite odd,but given the crazy pricing of the D3X, the Sony A900 is looking tasty at the moment...!

(I'd keep my Nikon stuff though)
 
andy_fozzy said:
But been seriously wanting a 70-200mm F2.8 lens for a while, and the Sony version is well over £1000 :eek:
So it's never going to happen.
The Tamron version I've heard isn't too great, there doesn't seem to be the Sigma version for a Sony.
Click to expand...

The Nikon and Canon equivalents will be about the same price (With VR/IS). The Tamron version has not had very good reviews, but the Sigma is thought to be quite decent and it does come in Sony fit. The Mark I version seems to be scarce and the Mark II is showing as pre-order on Warehouse Express so should be available soon.
 
andy_fozzy said:
. But been seriously wanting a 70-200mm F2.8 lens for a while, and the Sony version is well over £1000 :eek:
So it's never going to happen.
Click to expand...


......and how much is the Canon version of their equivalent? Looks like just about the same to me on the sites I've just checked on. Ok it's the IS version but you'll need that with the lack of in camera stability.

The Nikon version is only slightly cheaper. Take a deep breath and have a few sleeps on it and think, do you really need to change. There are loads more Sony fit lenses out there now - more than there was when I first got my A100 in 2006. Anyway - how many lenses do you need? Unless you're starting to move into the serious 'togging scene or wanting to become a 'pap, then I'm sure there are enough lenses to cover your needs.

Yes ISO can be an issue, and I would like to be tempted to move to the Nikon D3 family, money though says I can't - so I'll carry on with my Sony set up - unless I have my six numbers come up this week on the Lottery. I'd still keep my Sony gear though.
 
puddleduck said:
Its quite odd,but given the crazy pricing of the D3X, the Sony A900 is looking tasty at the moment...!

(I'd keep my Nikon stuff though)
Click to expand...


:nono:

You'd only end up losing a pile of money 3 days later when you changed your mind :lol:
 
Thanks for your advice so far.......
Rather than reply to you all individually, I'll try to sum it all up in one post :D

Been into town this morning, and had a good play with the 40D.
One thing I have to ask, is why wouldn't it auto-focus in live view mode?
Other than that, I really liked it. Much nicer than the a300 to handle. Lot's of useful settings that I like the look of......


Also had a quick play with the D90. Like it lot's. But the battery died while I was playing!!!
So need to to back another day to play some more :D

The beercan is a great idea actually, which I hadn't considered.
So will add this to the list!!

Thanks again for replying, please keep your thought coming :thumbs:
 
fabs said:
Apparently the 40D doesn't AF in liveview, but the 50D does.
Click to expand...

:eek::eek::eek:

That's not much bloody use then eh :thinking:

Thanks for letting me know.
I might be able to cross that one off the list then!!!
 
fabs said:
A couple of guys at camera club were comparing them. The guy with the 40D seemed quite envious! :D

Does the A300 AF in liveview?
Click to expand...

:D

Certainly does.
Very quickly too I might add.
As quick as using the viewfinder.......
 
fabs said:
Would you care to let us know so I could at least pass it on to the guy at camera club?
Click to expand...

Sure.

For some reason you have to tell the camera to allow this.

Set Custom function 3, number 6, "AF during liveview" to enable.

Then simply press the "AF on" button during liveview, it drops the mirror, focuses and when you let go of the button, the live view returns.

Press shutter button to take.

Works fine. Not as quick as the Sony way but as liveview is most use for studio, portrait, landscape ie tripod work), speed isnt usually an issue.
 
fabs said:
Would you care to let us know so I could at least pass it on to the guy at camera club?
Click to expand...

Yeah, people say you can, but i have a 40d and have no idea how!
Is that really a big deal though Fozzy? Can you not use Manual Focus, or line the object up with Live view and then AF like i do at gigs for long distance shots.
 
GEH007 said:
Sure.

For some reason you have to tell the camera to allow this.

Set Custom function 3, number 6, "AF during liveview" to enable.

Then simply press the "AF on" button during liveview, it drops the mirror, focuses and when you let go of the button, the live view returns.

Press shutter button to take.

Works fine. Not as quick as the Sony way but as liveview is most use for studio, portrait, landscape ie tripod work), speed isnt usually an issue.
Click to expand...

Cheers, I'll pass that info on.
 
MJ Stebbings said:
Yeah, people say you can, but i have a 40d and have no idea how!
Is that really a big deal though Fozzy? Can you not use Manual Focus, or line the object up with Live view and then AF like i do at gigs for long distance shots.
Click to expand...

Yes that sure is an option, and a good idea!!
I don't really use the live view that much, but it is nice to have it.
After reading the recent posts on here, it may be back in :D

Going to have a good, long think about my option before I do anything daft :nuts:
 
Andy , word of warning , you will buy L glass :D
 
rusty said:
Andy , word of warning , you will buy L glass :D
Click to expand...

Yeah this is the trouble!
And another reason I'm a bit reluctant to go back to Canon.
I don't want to be forever 'lens lusting' :lol:

At the moment, the only lens I'm lusting over is a 70-200mm F2.8*, which the Sony version aside, I stand a chance of getting. (One day.......)
I'd never in a million years be able to afford a stabilized 70-200mm F2.8 L

:'(

* presuming I can find a Sigma one for about £500!!
 
Be a real man, abandon the alpha ship and buy yourself a medium format film camera. Then you don't need to worry about IS, AF or any of those other soft arse photogaphy aids ;)
 
Kev M said:
Be a real man, abandon the alpha ship and buy yourself a medium format film camera. Then you don't need to worry about IS, AF or any of those other soft arse photogaphy aids ;)
Click to expand...

Sorry - a WHAT :shrug:

:lol:
 
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