Sony Dslr

[Mickee]

Since I haven't pulled the trigger yet on the dslr, as a newbie.. would you recommend that I go with the Sony?
I originally thought of the Xt, changed my mind to 30d, but I don't know if I need that much camera. ( Now that I see I can save $400.00 for a decent camera)

I presently am partial to Sony with my tv's, present P&S being Sony and some other equipment.


I've read a few pages of posts ands I see only one about the Sony.

[YEKCIM]

As the owner of a bag full of Minolta Maxxum lenses, I'm quite interested in the new Sony DSLR, as the lens mount is same. In addition, the body-integral anti-shake, reputed to be worth up to 3.5 stops, and the dust removal system, are very compelling features.

Now, having said that, I'm not sure how I'd view the Alpha A100, if I did not have all the lenses. The A/S and D/R are still nice features, but Pentax has also announced their own A/S, and Olympus has a D/R system. So, what Sony is offering is not unique, but so far, they are the only ones that incorporate both features in a single dslr body. Additionally, Sony will be introducing new Alpha models, supposedly, in September.

Personally, I would wait a while on *any* new camera, to see how it shakes out in the first several months after release, especially a $1000 one.

Here are a few A100 previews:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/alpha100.html

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/sonydslra100/

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA100/AA100A.HTM

http://dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dslr_a100-review/index.shtml


~YEKCIM

[Mickee]

Thx Yecim.....
Appreciate the links and your thoughts.

I'm just becoming antsy as we are cruising in Sept.

[YEKCIM]

One additional thought:

When you "buy into" a DSLR (or film SLR, for that matter), you are more or less locking into a system due to the interchangeable lenses and other accessories. That being the case, unless one is just loaded with cash, it would be wise to make absolutely sure the line you pick (whether Sony, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, or Olympus) is one you want a long-term commitment to.

~YEKCIM

[manning]

Panasonic is also coming out with one. I think it is a sister to the Olympus E330.

Here is another review on the Sony DSLR

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/2417/hands-on-sony-alpha-100-dslr.html

[Kelly Grannell]

The Panasonic/Olympus system is the one that's out of the de-facto norm of a dSLR. They use 4:3 aspect ratio instead of a 3:2 aspect ratio. So if you print at 4x6, regular dSLR will be able to show the entire frame, whereas if you use 4:3, the top and/or bottom of the frame must be cropped to fit the 4x6 paper (whish most of us use)

[MICKEY88]

As most people here know I'm a diehard Minolta guy, the Sony is based on a year of collaboration between Minolta and Sony,and it's mostly Minolta based, personally I think Minolta has made better stuff than pentax and Olympus in the past..

there is a lot to be said for the image stabilization being built into the camera rather than having to pay for it with each lens if you want it...


and you can use a hole bunch of great Minolta lenses that are out there ,


I'm betting that Sonycaptures a good share of the dslr market, they will get the minolta faithful, they will get the Sony faithful, and with the Minolta creative team now working for them they will continue to come out with innovative features, they also have a step up on Nikon, since Nikon buys their sensors from Sony, this will allow Sony to bring their DSLRs to market at a lower price...

[Mickee]

Thx Mickey88 and all.

Knowing nothing now about the lenses for this camera.....
as all my research and questions were based on the Canon product.

Can you suggest a few I should look at...
Initially I will have approx 1000.00 us for lenses
Basically some low light indoor sports, I was looking at the 85mm F1.8 of Canon..Not sure what is compariable to that and an all around lens I should look at.

Thx for your help.

[JR6ooo4]

But from the pics I have seen...

it is only available in yucky black!!!!


Mikeeee

[Kelly Grannell]

Mickey,

I don't have any personal experience with Minolta high-end lenses. That said, I find it very disturbing that considering Alpha will have AS built into the body, their 300 f/2.8 and their 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are about US$800 more than Canon L with IS.

Looking at those prices, I wonder why they are charging $800 more for an non IS lens (compared to Canon) when the body has built in AS.

If we want to compare Canon L non-IS vs Son-nolta G non-IS, the price difference for comparable lens will be about $1,200 each! That's mind boggling.

[MICKEY88]

Mickey,

I don't have any personal experience with Minolta high-end lenses. That said, I find it very disturbing that considering Alpha will have AS built into the body, their 300 f/2.8 and their 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are about US$800 more than Canon L with IS.

Looking at those prices, I wonder why they are charging $800 more for an non IS lens (compared to Canon) when the body has built in AS.

If we want to compare Canon L non-IS vs Son-nolta G non-IS, the price difference for comparable lens will be about $1,200 each! That's mind boggling.

I can't speak for their new glass, but I know in the past their high end lenses were far superior in build and quality to canon lenses..

[Kelly Grannell]

now to debate the value even further. I would be the first person to admit that Canon's L glass is not actually worth the $1000 difference vs regular Canon glass. It's a great improvement, but not 100% improvement, maybe 50% max. Now it seems like you've compared Canon L glass vs Minolta G glass, are they also a 100% improvement over Canon L?

I'm asking these questions because I WILL be buying a second body before the end of the year but I WILL have to get a 300 f/2.8, now the price of Son-nolta 300 f/2.8 is the same as Canon 300 f/2.8L IS + Canon 30D (estimated November '06 pricing) -- note I can get Canon body at dealer's cost --

So I'm wondering whether I should get a Canon system or pay an additional $900 to get Son-nolta 300 f/2.8 + Alpha body.

[Anewman]

So I'm wondering whether I should get a Canon system or pay an additional $900 to get Son-nolta 300 f/2.8 + Alpha body.

Only reason I can think of is if Sonolta released a couple MUST HAVE lenses, I have seen you mention craving a Nikon VR lens. The whole reason of having IS in body is so we dont have to pay for in lens IS, but it seems Sony expects consumers to actually pay EXTRA for a NON IS lens.

I compare it to Video Games, my son was a Sony diehard, until HALO came out and was only available on Xbox. Most other games were/are available on both systems.

[manning]

The Panasonic/Olympus system is the one that's out of the de-facto norm of a dSLR. They use 4:3 aspect ratio instead of a 3:2 aspect ratio. So if you print at 4x6, regular dSLR will be able to show the entire frame, whereas if you use 4:3, the top and/or bottom of the frame must be cropped to fit the 4x6 paper (whish most of us use)

All my digital cameras are P&S and I make 4x6s. Given that they are 4:3 ratio I'm not bothered with it. 3:2 isn't perfect either when you go to bigger pictures. In the end I believe it is a wash. If you are going to print different sizes you will end up trimming.

[Anewman]

Manning...
while I agree that it is not life or death, but with 4:3 there is not a single standard print size that will allow you to print with no Cropping. With 3:2 you at least get a few standard full frame print options, 4x6, 8x12, 12x18 and 20x30 is also very common.

Some see it this way. "Why buy a 6mp 4:3 camer if you will NEVER PRINT(due to cropping) more than 5 of those megapixels?"

[Kelly Grannell]

well put, Anewman

[Kelly Grannell]

is it me or the Son-nolta 300mm f/2.8 G looks far too similar to Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS?

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/SonyDSLRA100/Images/Accessories/Lenses/SAL-300F28G-001.jpg

http://www.canon.cl/canon/imagenes/productos/fotografia/accesorios/2531a003aa_f1_200x175.jpg

[MICKEY88]

is it me or the Son-nolta 300mm f/2.8 G looks far too similar to Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS?

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/SonyDSLRA100/Images/Accessories/Lenses/SAL-300F28G-001.jpg

http://www.canon.cl/canon/imagenes/productos/fotografia/accesorios/2531a003aa_f1_200x175.jpg




or do they both look similar to this older Minolta lens....... this is why I questioned the press photo a few weeks ago that claimed all the white lenses were canon,

don't all lenses look basically the same ??

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/300782.jpg