Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[MICKEY88]

Those pics from Chicago are gorgeous, I would love to see that in person.

Great shot Mickey88. Is that your 300? My husband drives a dark blue one, not sure of the year, but it is our second, I am pretty sure it is an 04, we had a black 2001 before we had kids.

yes, that is the Black Pearl
my 2002 300M Special.

the picture was taken last July the weekend of the All Chrysler NAtionals in Carlisle PA,
The Chrysler 300M Enthusiasts Club, always attends, and on Saturday night we have a club dinner,

I had previously arranged to have the street shut down behind the Capitol so I could do a photo shoot with the club, each member had the chance to drive their car up to that spot to have a pic of the car and then one with the member standing with the car, it was a fun shoot..

are you and your husband members of the club. it's a great group of people, if not and you are interested pm me for more info

 

[steery1]

These shots are ADORABLE. Very nice work and very cute son

Wow - 9 months already. It doesn't seem that long since you were posting his first pictures. Such a cutie and nice poses!

Thanks. He's a real handful at the moment. I'd forgotton how much hard work and absolute joy they are at that age.

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

yes, that is the Black Pearl
my 2002 300M Special.

the picture was taken last July the weekend of the All Chrysler NAtionals in Carlisle PA,
The Chrysler 300M Enthusiasts Club, always attends, and on Saturday night we have a club dinner,

I had previously arranged to have the street shut down behind the Capitol so I could do a photo shoot with the club, each member had the chance to drive their car up to that spot to have a pic of the car and then one with the member standing with the car, it was a fun shoot..

are you and your husband members of the club. it's a great group of people, if not and you are interested pm me for more info

No, we aren't, to be honest, I have never heard of it. We have always loved Chryslers though. When we traded the black one we got a pacifica, then we traded that for an Explorer(moment of weakness, we needed more room) We still have that but also bought the blue 300 that we have now. We are looking to trade the explorer for a Town and Country. We just got a great dane pup, so we will need more room. We are very tempted to go back down in size to a Pacifica though. I LOVED that car. In a dream world, we would have an Aspen. Maybe one day. . .

 

[MICKEY88]

No, we aren't, to be honest, I have never heard of it. We have always loved Chryslers though. When we traded the black one we got a pacifica, then we traded that for an Explorer(moment of weakness, we needed more room) We still have that but also bought the blue 300 that we have now. We are looking to trade the explorer for a Town and Country. We just got a great dane pup, so we will need more room. We are very tempted to go back down in size to a Pacifica though. I LOVED that car. In a dream world, we would have an Aspen. Maybe one day. . .

it's an awesome club, well worth the 15,00 a year membership, we have members from all around the world, some of these guys tear the cars apart just for fun, if you ever have problems you can literally save hundreds by going to the web site, picking the brains of these guys and buying parts thru club discounts..

the all chrysler nationals is a 3 day event,,friday -sunday it's like a family reunion, we get a huge tent on the showfield, have our cars on display, have our own 3 day cookout, which costs like 15 or 20 dollars per person for all 3 days... 2 years ago we had a wedding at the event, last year we were awarded the cool club hangout...

if you want to check out the website its

www.300mclub.org

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

it's an awesome club, well worth the 15,00 a year membership, we have members from all around the world, some of these guys tear the cars apart just for fun, if you ever have problems you can literally save hundreds by going to the web site, picking the brains of these guys and buying parts thru club discounts..

the all chrysler nationals is a 3 day event,,friday -sunday it's like a family reunion, we get a huge tent on the showfield, have our cars on display, have our own 3 day cookout, which costs like 15 or 20 dollars per person for all 3 days... 2 years ago we had a wedding at the event, last year we were awarded the cool club hangout...

if you want to check out the website its

www.300mclub.org

Thanks for posting the link, I will pass it along to my husband.

 

[DznyFan]

My Sony and I are still getting to know each other, and despite the questionable weather yesterday, I tried to just find some things around the house that I could shoot. A little unconventional, lying in the grass was my dog's tennis ball on which my daughter had drawn a face.

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Can someone tell me how I know which of the minolta lenses will work with my A300k?

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

My Sony and I are still getting to know each other, and despite the questionable weather yesterday, I tried to just find some things around the house that I could shoot. A little unconventional, lying in the grass was my dog's tennis ball on which my daughter had drawn a face.

I am still getting to know mine too, and I took a very similar shot to yours. Only mine is a cat rather than a ball.

 

[DznyFan]

Can someone tell me how I know which of the minolta lenses will work with my A300k?

cute kitty, by the way!

I *think* all the Minolta A mount lenses. My Minolta lenses are all between 6 and 17 years old - all AF - and they all work with my Sony, which is why I went with the Sony. I'm finding that they all focus remarkably fast, including my formerly sluggish Sigma 2.8 70 -200, which is about 14 or 15 years old. I've also picked up a used 1.7 50mm Minolta lens, which works beautifully.

 

[zackiedawg]

Yes...basically, any Minolta lens that is Auto Focus, or AF, should work. Most of those will be A mount. You can get adapters to work with MF lenses, but you probably don't want to go there unless you are a serious hobbyist. Shop at some online places like KEH.com, where you can pick up used lenses cheap, with a decent rating system to let you know the condition. B&H and Adorama I think both sell used lenses too, though with a more limited selection of Minolta lenses. Some very popular Minolta lenses to pick up if you see them: 28mm F2, 35mm F1.4, 50mm F1.7, 70-210mm F4 'beercan', 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 'big beercan', and 100mm F2.8 macro.

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Yes...basically, any Minolta lens that is Auto Focus, or AF, should work. Most of those will be A mount. You can get adapters to work with MF lenses, but you probably don't want to go there unless you are a serious hobbyist. Shop at some online places like KEH.com, where you can pick up used lenses cheap, with a decent rating system to let you know the condition. B&H and Adorama I think both sell used lenses too, though with a more limited selection of Minolta lenses. Some very popular Minolta lenses to pick up if you see them: 28mm F2, 35mm F1.4, 50mm F1.7, 70-210mm F4 'beercan', 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 'big beercan', and 100mm F2.8 macro.

I found this one locally on craigslist, but I am not ready to buy one yet, but it got me to thinking about it.

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/pho/1133763478.html

 

[DznyFan]

Hey Justin - thanks for that KEH link!

 

[zackiedawg]

You're welcome, dznyfan. They're a pretty highly rated organization - I've ordered two lenses from them after recommendations from others, and received everything promptly, well packed, and in better than advertised condition!

Disney Dreamer - that's a great lens. I picked one up a year or so ago (from KEH, actually!) when they were still going for around $70...the prices are actually rising on some of these older Minolta lenses due to high demand from Sony users. From what I've seen, the $100-120 range seems about normal for these lenses in good condition.

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Okay, I knew this would happen, I would have my camera for 2 weeks, and am already wanting another lens. I have a valid reason though. My daughter's dance recital is coming up. It will be in a dark auditorium, but the stage will be lit, also chances of me getting a close seat are nill, since this is a big deal in our area. So any ideas, or advice? Like forget it and just enjoy the show? lol. Her dance teacher suggested that I get some at one of the rehersals, since I could get closer, but she did say that the lighting would be the same. But I do hope to get some at the show, since Emma won't have her stage makeup on, nor her hair done for rehersal.

 

[DznyFan]

Okay, I knew this would happen, I would have my camera for 2 weeks, and am already wanting another lens. I have a valid reason though. My daughter's dance recital is coming up. It will be in a dark auditorium, but the stage will be lit, also chances of me getting a close seat are nill, since this is a big deal in our area. So any ideas, or advice? Like forget it and just enjoy the show? lol. Her dance teacher suggested that I get some at one of the rehersals, since I could get closer, but she did say that the lighting would be the same. But I do hope to get some at the show, since Emma won't have her stage makeup on, nor her hair done for rehersal.

I wasn't ignoring your question, but have been pondering it. I have no doubt that there are people here who have a lot more knowledge than me that may be able to give you some more specific insight - but I'm just going to throw out what I know.
That is one tough situation!! The problem with stage lighting is that it's just not as good for cameras as we see it with our eye. I have not sucessfully shot a stage (my daughter has been doing theatre for a few years) - I can get a few passably acceptable shots but the shutter speed is so slow that the biggest problem is movement - both camera and subject. A faster lens would help immensely, but a fast lens is major bucks, especially if you need zoom. If you're shooting from a distance and you're shooting with an f/3.5 - 5.6 lens, (stock lens in the Sony kit) when you zoom your f-stop will bump up to the high minimum which lowers it's ability to take in the light, and subsequently you'll have to have a slower shutter speed to compensate. ANYBODY - FEEL FREE TO CORRECT ME, PLEASE!!

What I will do is look at some files that I have from a friend who shoots all the local high school productions (and very well) to see the exif information on his files. I can at least see the stop and the shutter speed. I might drop him an email and see if I can find out what kind of lens(es) he's been using for the shoots as well. He does a lot of low light work - football games, productions so I'm pretty sure he's got some fast lenses. He shoots handheld too! One benefit he has is free rein of the auditorium. He's not just sitting in a seat dodging heads which STINKS for parents trying to shoot. Can you at least get there early so you can get a good seat?

I don't have a lot of suggestions for you - other than trying to shoot the rehearsal as kind of a test run for you and the camera. Try some different settings and see if you get anything that is acceptable for you. The other trick is if you can get something decent that's maybe a little underexposed you (or someone) can correct that to some degree with Photoshop. Also, try the exposure compensation setting on the camera itself.

That's just a tough, tough shoot and I don't envy you - nor do I blame you for trying it- great learning experience and who knows, if you can pull 3 or 4 acceptable shots out, it's better than nothing!

 

[DznyFan]

OK! Got some info for you. I looked at a couple files and he shot a zoom lens - exif info showed me f/2.8 at 200mm with an ISO of 800. (Canon 20D) I did not see shutter speed info. Now, this was a play, so he shot when there wasn't a LOT of movement on stage, unlike dance, but at least with the Sony you can go to an iso of 3200. (I totally forgot the ISO factor earlier) The f/2.8 is what's gonna get you, but I think you can find a Tamron 2.8 for the Sony for around $700 new. Probably not what you wanted to hear.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Len? I guess if I invest in that, I need a decent flash, too?

Sorry - I missed this and don't think you ever got any answers! I have the Sony 18-250 and think it's an excellent all around lens. It is quite sharp for an extended zoom lens and provides a lot of versatility providing a wide angle to a nice telephoto. It's probably the main lens I take when traveling and when I don't know what I might end up shooting. The Tamron version is also highly rated and would be a few dollars less and help you buy that flash.

Okay, I knew this would happen, I would have my camera for 2 weeks, and am already wanting another lens. I have a valid reason though. My daughter's dance recital is coming up. It will be in a dark auditorium, but the stage will be lit, also chances of me getting a close seat are nill, since this is a big deal in our area. So any ideas, or advice? Like forget it and just enjoy the show? lol. Her dance teacher suggested that I get some at one of the rehersals, since I could get closer, but she did say that the lighting would be the same. But I do hope to get some at the show, since Emma won't have her stage makeup on, nor her hair done for rehersal.

I completely understand! I think I had bought 3 lenses in my first two weeks - although my camera came body only so I HAD to get at least one of them anyway.

For the dance recital - how long until it happens, and what's your budget for a lens?

DznyFan had a nice recommendation for the Tamron 70-200. Depending on how close you can get to the stage will determine a lot on the lens you need but a 2.8 aperature is pretty much what will help you get the best pictures. Bumping up the ISO with a slower lens is an option but that will start to introduce more noise to the picture so it depends on if that bothers you or not.

If your budget is less than the Tamron one little different option might be a used autofocuse Minolta "beercan". It is 70-210 with a constant f4 aperature that is very good even wide open. You might be bumping the ISO up a bit for it but it's a less expensive option and probably weighs a bit less than a 2.8 zoom. It's price has gone up a bit but you should still be able to find a nice used one for $200-$250.

Or - if you can get close enought to the stage then a used Minolta 50mm 1.7 would probably be good.

Renting a lens would also be an option to see if you really like it and if you think it's worth purchasing.

Just some options I thought I'd throw out there.

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

I really love my new camera, however, I may shoot the recital with my H2, I know it better right now, and until I get used to the A300, and the money to put into a good lens. I think my best option for getting anything decent would be the H2 with some photoshopping. Otherwise, I may come home with a bunch of blurry dark photos, that might make for some interesting art and nothing more. Or I could take my own advice and just enjoy the show. Someone at the studio usually takes pictures that are REALLY good and puts out extra copies in the lobby that are free to take. No pride in taking the pictures myself, but great memories for my daughter. Thanks for the advice though, now I know what lenses to try to get before next year's recital. I have a list of them saved on the computer and what I need them for. Now how geeky is that?



Also wanted to add, Thanks for going through so much trouble, you are both very kind.

 

[steery1]

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Sterry, those are beautiful. They remind me. When my daughter was young, I took her pic in front of a mirror, and they were really sweet. I will post them later. I didn't take them with a slr, but with my H2. Which I had had a slr then.