Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[vandort]

Nice shot and PP, Mickey 88!

 

[MICKEY88]

Nice shot and PP, Mickey 88!

thanks,, I'm having fun playing with the car show pics and Topaz

 

[zackiedawg]

Ok...need to bring this thread back to life! Here are a few recent additions from me with the A550, and the new (for me) Minolta 300mm F4 APO lens:

This wasn't as exotic a location...this is one of my front-yard squirrels enjoying the peanut I gave her:

 

[MICKEY88]

Ok...need to bring this thread back to life! Here are a few recent additions from me with the A550, and the new (for me) Minolta 300mm F4 APO lens:

I'm guessing you are liking that lens, great shots !!

 

[zackiedawg]

Indeed I am, thanks! I've got some lenses that produce very nice bokeh (Minolta 50mm F1.7, Sigma 30mm F1.4)...but this thing is in a whole 'nother league. I am actually understanding the term 'bokeh' more in the original Japanese sense - not simply background blur being smooth, but the actual attractiveness of it, the perfect circles and spheres in out of focus areas from points of light and color, and how they translucently overlap...the huge, 9-blade circular aperture and all that massive, heavy glass, really makes a difference.

 

[MICKEY88]

Indeed I am, thanks! I've got some lenses that produce very nice bokeh (Minolta 50mm F1.7, Sigma 30mm F1.4)...but this thing is in a whole 'nother league. I am actually understanding the term 'bokeh' more in the original Japanese sense - not simply background blur being smooth, but the actual attractiveness of it, the perfect circles and spheres in out of focus areas from points of light and color, and how they translucently overlap...the huge, 9-blade circular aperture and all that massive, heavy glass, really makes a difference.

now you should buy the 300 2.8

 

[zackiedawg]

It's certainly tempting, if the price is right. I'm also looking out for the 400mm F4.5 and the 600mm F4...though they cost as much as a down payment on a new car!

 

[MICKEY88]

It's certainly tempting, if the price is right. I'm also looking out for the 400mm F4.5 and the 600mm F4...though they cost as much as a down payment on a new car!

I've been looking at the 300,400 and 600 for many years, but have always convinced myself that I don't do the type of shooting that would justify the purchase..

I almost traded a car for the 300 2,8 once, but then the guy got a cash offer..

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Aww - come on guys. With my lens lust you aren't helping out at all!

Beautiful shots Justin! And if you ever need help with the squirrel problem I have a dog that would be more than happy to assist. We try to keep the little critters out of the yard so we don't attract the longer more venomous predators that bring their own rattles.

 

[zackiedawg]

I have been feeding the squirrels and birds around my house for about 16 years now...the first 3 of which I still had my black labrador. The squirrels back then stayed high in the trees, only briefly coming down to grab a nut, then disappear back up the tree for fear the black beast might get them (and he did, a few times). Then my dog passed on, and for over a decade, the squirrels have had full run of the yard, and are bold enough to crawl up my leg to get peanuts. My stray cat that I took in stays indoors and watches them through the window...and they know they're safe from her, because they'll stand on the windowsill with their backs to her eating their nuts, as she crawls up the screen clicking and hissing, unable to stop them.

as for long predators, in Florida we're so covered in snakes of all types that they'd be in the yard no matter what you did or didn't do. Sometimes, in the walls, and sometimes in the house! It's just part of living in a swamp.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have been feeding the squirrels and birds around my house for about 16 years now...the first 3 of which I still had my black labrador. The squirrels back then stayed high in the trees, only briefly coming down to grab a nut, then disappear back up the tree for fear the black beast might get them (and he did, a few times). Then my dog passed on, and for over a decade, the squirrels have had full run of the yard, and are bold enough to crawl up my leg to get peanuts. My stray cat that I took in stays indoors and watches them through the window...and they know they're safe from her, because they'll stand on the windowsill with their backs to her eating their nuts, as she crawls up the screen clicking and hissing, unable to stop them.

as for long predators, in Florida we're so covered in snakes of all types that they'd be in the yard no matter what you did or didn't do. Sometimes, in the walls, and sometimes in the house! It's just part of living in a swamp.

Sounds like Kitty abuse! lol

Hmmm - "covered in snakes" is not what FL tourism will be using in their brochure I'm certain. Thankfully we're not quite that bad in NV but have had a couple of small snakes in the house. Both were found upstairs in our kitchen cooling off on the tile flooring. At least they didn't have the rattles. So far those kind have been seen stopping at the neighbors homes catching their bunnies and squirrels. It's so funny how pictures evoke different emotions but when I saw your squirrel eating the peanut instead of thinking how cute all I could think was how it would attract a rattle snake! And then I thought how my Corgi would love to chase and catch it.

 

[vandort]

Justin,
Thank you for sharing your photos. The images with your new lens are truly incredible!

 

[foolishmortal]

RANDOM SHOTS OF MY SUMMER 2010

 

[MICKEY88]

 

[vandort]

I'm just back from my WDW vacation and I have to ask you guys a question. While driving around Orlando, I noticed that there were many, many Sony shops. Some of them were only a couple hundred meters from one another. I didn't go into any of these stores, but I was really puzzled. Are these stores authentic Sony stores?

I also had a funny experience at a character meet-and-greet. I had set my camera down near a CM. She picked it up with the intention of taking a picture of my family and said "Ahhh, it's a Sony! I don't know how to use this!" I laughed and said, "It's an SLR camera and it's not all that different than other SLR cameras." You would have thought that my camera was from another planet or something. Really silly!

 

[vandort]

 

[zackiedawg]

I'm just back from my WDW vacation and I have to ask you guys a question. While driving around Orlando, I noticed that there were many, many Sony shops. Some of them were only a couple hundred meters from one another. I didn't go into any of these stores, but I was really puzzled. Are these stores authentic Sony stores?

My guess is they are just stores carrying Sony products and advertising it well...as far as I know, there's only 1 official Sony store in Orlando at the Millenia mall. I've got 3 within driving distance to me down here in South Florida - one in my town, and two south of me towards Miami.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I also had a funny experience at a character meet-and-greet. I had set my camera down near a CM. She picked it up with the intention of taking a picture of my family and said "Ahhh, it's a Sony! I don't know how to use this!" I laughed and said, "It's an SLR camera and it's not all that different than other SLR cameras." You would have thought that my camera was from another planet or something. Really silly!

That's funny. On a trip to DL I asked a Photopass person to take my picture and handed them my A700. He commented on it being a Sony and I had to confirm where the shutter release was. Once he was clear on operation he went to take the picture. Well, I usually keep the drive mode set to high continuous and the guy almost dropped it it surprised him so as it fired off several frames!

On the other hand almost every trip I have a CM who comes over to talk to me about my camera and comment on how much they like the look of it.

I really like your shot of the Gorilla!

 

[YodasMom]

Wow, this thread has kind of gotten buried!!

I do have a question regarding the Sony DLSR 50 mm lens.....I'm looking at replacing one of my old Minolta lenses with either the F 1.8 or F1.4. Am I going to note that much of a difference with either of these considering my interest is really not so much portrait photography, rather using the lens for indoors, low light, and landscape? Since there is a difference in cost of $170 between these two lenses, I'd love an opinion!!

 

[vandort]

I've been traveling a lot lately and not available to spend much time on this forum. YodasMom, I thought that I would post a link on a review of the Sony 50mm f1.4 lens. I really respect Carl (reviewer) and he also compares the Sony f1.4 lens with the Minolta f1.7 lens. I don't own the Sony or Minolta f1.4 lens; so, I can't really comment on those lenses.

http://www.alphamountworld.com/reviews/sony-50mm-f14-lens-review

The Dyxxum forum has user reviews for the Minolta 50mm f1.4:

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/resultsAdv.asp

I own both the Minolta 50mm f1.7 lens and the Sigma 30mm f1.4 lens. I have enjoyed using both lenses. However, I tend use the Sigma lens more. I appreciate low light and fast photography.

Here is handheld shot that I took at WDW in August with the Sigma f1.4 lens (no pp):

Here is a hand held shot with the Minolta 50mm f1.7: