Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[sdshutterbug]

Thanks guys - you all make some very good points. If I was sticking with Sony I would definitely upgrade to a500 - it looks like a great camera! Basically I like how Canon has so many more options at varying price points for lenses (I have become very picky!). I just wasn't able to find what I was looking for at the right price point with Sony right now - but I know in just a couple years that will change. I also really like the idea of HD video though - it might be nice to capture some parades and things at WDW! Sony seems to be a stickler for still-only at this point, and that's not a bad thing if you don't want to pay for the video capabilities.

 

[zackiedawg]

In that case, sounds like a good case for moving over to Canon! They certainly have the biggest lens selection of any camera manufacturer, and Sony hasn't made any moves in video on DSLR yet. All of the DSLRs are so good nowadays that you can't really go wrong whatever brand you decide to buy - pick what fits your hands, your needs, and your budget the best. Sounds like Canon fits those criteria for you!

 

[MICKEY88]

Exactly!

So far, only the Nikon D300 has done that kind of performance from APS-C sensored cameras, and it's priced significantly higher than the A500/550 are debuting at.

QUOTE]

I recently stumbled upon this review, which actually scored the Sony A700 with firmware upgrade above the Nikon when it comes to noise handling at high iso..



http://www.ephotozine.com/article/DSLR-group-test-11857

 

[zackiedawg]

I recently stumbled upon this review, which actually scored the Sony A700 with firmware upgrade above the Nikon when it comes to noise handling at high iso..

The A700 has always been pretty decent, and the firmware definitely helps. The D300 I think to most casual observers 'looks' cleaner at high ISO, but that's because they always employed a stronger chroma noise reduction, whereas Sony let the chroma slip through a little more on the A700 while still preserving very good detail.

The interesting side of the A500/550 samples so far is that they seem to have taken Nikon's D300 approach with these two new cams. The A500/550 doesn't look significantly better than the A700 results at high ISO - they're probably very close to a tie...but on casual glance the A500/550 appear to be doing better because of the chroma reduction. With a dose of post-processing NR, the A700 results would probably be about the same as the A500/550's best results.

Those with A700s don't really need to look at the A500/550, as they really aren't an upgrade - in fact, in a few areas, they are a downgrade (no sealed body, no MLU, no adjustable focus, smaller viewfinder, no DOF preview). It has faster burst, and for those that like Live View, probably the best system out there...but really it looks like the A500/550 are a perfect upgrade path for A300/350 users, as it does make some serious gains over those cameras (920k res LCD, larger viewfinder, 5/7fps burst, and that high ISO ability).

 

[MICKEY88]

accidentally shot at 6400 ISO yesterday...LOL

 

[vandort]

Samantha,
Thank you for sharing your pictures. Your images are beautiful and very artistic. I also love sunsets; so, I appreciated that shot.

 

[vandort]

I thought that I'd post a few more shots that I took from my recent trip to WDW.

I'll share 3 photos that were real challenging for me. This were in the dark with no room for my tripod. I'm sure that the visual of me will make you laugh. I have my camera resting on my knees, holding my breath and hoping for a reasonably good shot. I'm also not tall; so I'm also trying to negotiate the heads of people sitting in front of me. I had thought about buying a monopod before this trip and I regretted not buying one when I was taking these pictures. Under the circumstances, I am happy with these pictures.


From the Little Mermaid Show at DHS:

From the Lion King Show at AK:

Also from the Lion King Show at AK:

A day time shot of the Tower of Terror:

 

[vandort]

accidentally shot at 6400 ISO yesterday...LOL

Mickey88,
You have the most interesting compositions. Where did you take this picture?

 

[Stargazer]

Well, after killing my camera in Hawaii (it suffered a quick death after falling to the ground in the 1974 lava flow -- RIP), I wasn't sure what camera I wanted. After researching for about a month, I finally decided what to purchase -- so, in about a week, I should receive my new Sony Alpha A230.

I'm hoping I made the right decision -- and thankful I'll have about 2 months to get used to it before our next trip to Disney.

 

[MICKEY88]

Mickey88,
You have the most interesting compositions. Where did you take this picture?

this was taken at the PA ren faire, during the pirate auction

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Well, after killing my camera in Hawaii (it suffered a quick death after falling to the ground in the 1974 lava flow -- RIP), I wasn't sure what camera I wanted. After researching for about a month, I finally decided what to purchase -- so, in about a week, I should receive my new Sony Alpha A230.

I'm hoping I made the right decision -- and thankful I'll have about 2 months to get used to it before our next trip to Disney.

Stargazer - It's amazing how sharp Lava is! Your poor camera.

However congratulations on your new camera! I really like the picture output from the new models and the A230 is so lightweight which should be great for carrying around Disney.

MICKEY88 - that picture just couldn't be from the A700 at ISO 6400. I like the composition as well!

Heidi - WOW - handholding the Little Mermaid at 1/2 second! Now that's super steady shot!!!!!! Nice pictures and great job with the flames. I have trouble capturing those just the way I want.

Here's one from my biggest challenge this summer to get a panning shot of a horse cantering. Uggg - catching the horse at a pleasing point in his gait, at the right panning speed was difficult and not something I'll master quickly. This was about my best in getting some blur in the background and sharpness on the subject. The rider could be better and course it was one of my most off center shots. Something to work for next year.

This was of a horse I sold in June competing in his first horse show. He even won two blue ribbons!

 

[MICKEY88]

MICKEY88 - that picture just couldn't be from the A700 at ISO 6400. I like the composition as well!

the firmware update sure did a nice job.

as for composition, thanks..

since it's a live auction, the only place I can shoot from without people and hands getting in the way is from the ramp leading up to the ship, so I'm shooting from the right side, just beyond the wheel,or the steps.. and the crew is running the auction from up on deck, so my composition is really limited,

 

[MICKEY88]

t.

Here's one from my biggest challenge this summer to get a panning shot of a horse cantering. Uggg - catching the horse at a pleasing point in his gait, at the right panning speed was difficult and not something I'll master quickly. !

did you set your drive on high, and fire away...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

did you set your drive on high, and fire away...

Yep! The girls parents got a big kick out of how fast the camera could take shots. It was better when I was just trying to capture the action, not pan. I had many, many rejects, some decent shots but never exactly what I envisioned. Several time my sync would be off just the fraction of a second that never caught the correct stride. The panning shot I posted was the closest I got and I know it's got a ways to go. Besides my lacking of skill at panning there's a lot going on with a horse and rider. There are two sets of eyes that need to be open. The look on the face, the way the mane is going, the point of the canter. Then, another horse and rider can get in the way, the judge, dust flying, people parking their trucks and trailers wherever they felt like...... Didn't they realized what I was trying to do?! It remains my challenge to get the perfect canter shot.

 

[MICKEY88]

Yep! The girls parents got a big kick out of how fast the camera could take shots. It was better when I was just trying to capture the action, not pan. I had many, many rejects, some decent shots but never exactly what I envisioned. Several time my sync would be off just the fraction of a second that never caught the correct stride. The panning shot I posted was the closest I got and I know it's got a ways to go. Besides my lacking of skill at panning there's a lot going on with a horse and rider. There are two sets of eyes that need to be open. The look on the face, the way the mane is going, the point of the canter. Then, another horse and rider can get in the way, the judge, dust flying, people parking their trucks and trailers wherever they felt like...... Didn't they realized what I was trying to do?! It remains my challenge to get the perfect canter shot.

ohhhhhhhhhh so you need a better camera....

when you pan, do you keep your upper body rigid , elbows in tight to your body, and rotate at the waist.. ??

I tried shooting the joust 2 weeks ago, definitely interesting when horses are running...

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

ohhhhhhhhhh so you need a better camera....

when you pan, do you keep your upper body rigid , elbows in tight to your body, and rotate at the waist.. ??

I tried shooting the joust 2 weeks ago, definitely interesting when horses are running...

Of course - that's it!!! Why didn't I realize it's the camera.

I do tuck in my elbows and rotate more at the waist but have not really concentrated on keeping a more quiet upper body. I bet I probably do more twisting than rotating so I'll have to work on that.

 

[MICKEY88]

Of course - that's it!!! Why didn't I realize it's the camera.

.

that's why you like my pictures...I have a great camera... it takes great pictures...

 

[vandort]

Mickey 88, You're too funny! Although I am sure that I would love using your A700.

Kathy, Your horse is beautiful. I can appreciate how hard it is to accomplish what you are trying to do. Like you said, 4 eyes and 4 legs all moving at once. I have never tried to capture an image with so much in flux. I have always tried panning to capture a moving image. An example of a picture I took with one of my Sony point and shoot cameras a few years ago:

This picture is not great, but at least my daughter's face is reasonably in focus.

One of the reasons I bought the A300 was how fast I could take pictures. I've really enjoyed that function with my camera.

 

[vandort]

This is really impressive and so is your photo, Mickey88!

 

[MICKEY88]

Mickey 88, You're too funny! Although I am sure that I would love using your A700.
.

which one...??

in case you didn't know the background on my A700s,, a year ago MAy,,

KAT4DISNEY. came on here talking about the A700 she bought at best buy for a around 560, I checked my local best buy and they wanted 1400 for it,

so I contacted KAT4DISNEY and asked if her best buy had any left, 'til all was said and done, I bought the A700 by phone and fax from her best buy, she picked it up in the store, drove to UPS, called me from there and I did the shipping transaction by phone, a few days later I had A700 number 1 in hand, I charged the battery, played with it for about 30 minutes and decided that I had to find another one at that price, I went to my local best buy to see if they would price match, they didn't have any left. they had sold the last one for 1200 the day before... we checked the store computer and found one 20 minutes away for $560 I asked them to hold it, and went and bought it...LOL

that is why I told KAT4DISNEY that she needed a better camera and that I had a great one....LOL