Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[Hockeyman]

If I time an eBay auction right, I should be able to get a body for around $350-370. And I figure that should be a better upgrade than a new lens in that price range.

Check Amazon also, I just saw a used A55 with lens for $390 so not only would you get the confidence of buying from Amazon and having their 30 day return policy in case something was wrong but then you can also sell that kits lens and make $50-$80 back

 

[Hockeyman]

Universal Orlando by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[havoc315]

Check Amazon also, I just saw a used A55 with lens for $390 so not only would you get the confidence of buying from Amazon and having their 30 day return policy in case something was wrong but then you can also sell that kits lens and make $50-$80 back

Thanks, I'll consider that. Though I don't like the hassle of having to sell the lens myself, lol. Still, even if I don't get around to selling the lens, its a good price for the body.

I think I need to put off the purchase for a few weeks, let a credit card month cycle through. (Darn my son's orthodontist bill!)

 

[Hockeyman]

Thanks, I'll consider that. Though I don't like the hassle of having to sell the lens myself, lol. Still, even if I don't get around to selling the lens, its a good price for the body.

I think I need to put off the purchase for a few weeks, let a credit card month cycle through. (Darn my son's orthodontist bill!)

Yeah thats not a bad deal at all for that price even with the lens. Have you considered the A57 also? Is really just about the same camera but just updated. Not sure if the difference between the two are worth spending the extra money on.


Butterbeer by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[havoc315]

Yeah thats not a bad deal at all for that price even with the lens. Have you considered the A57 also? Is really just about the same camera but just updated. Not sure if the difference between the two are worth spending the extra money on.

kr

The A57 has some minor upgrades but they also took the GPS out of the A57, so I don't see any reason to spend more for it. Even considering the A35. Maybe even A33.

Just want to have a reason to shoot sometimes with dslr again. My Rx100 outperforms my A100 in 90% of situations.

 

[Hockeyman]

The A57 has some minor upgrades but they also took the GPS out of the A57, so I don't see any reason to spend more for it. Even considering the A35. Maybe even A33.

Just want to have a reason to shoot sometimes with dslr again. My Rx100 outperforms my A100 in 90% of situations.

I didnt realize they took the GPS out on the A57. Its a nice feature to have though. Im overall happy with my A55 and have been able to get some great shots out of it.

 

[havoc315]

I didnt realize they took the GPS out on the A57. Its a nice feature to have though. Im overall happy with my A55 and have been able to get some great shots out of it.

Based on my research, the A33 and A35 should give me the same basic image quality as the A55. The main differences being slightly less resolution on the A33 (14mp vs 16mp), and less amenities on the A33/35 -- No flipout screen, no GPS, the A55 can continuously shoot a little faster. The A57 shoots slightly faster, slight improvement in ISO (a fraction of a stop), and longer battery life, while losing the GPS.

If money was no object, sure I'd step up to the A77 or even the A99. (Or both, as if money was truly no object, may as well have a great crop body and a FF). But in reality, it's hard to even say the A77 is vastly superior to the A35/37 or the A55/57. DXO image quality scores are pretty similar -- 78.0 for the A77, 74.0 for the A35, 73.0 for the A55 (not sure why the difference, could just be margin of error).
Thus, they are all vast steps up from my A100. (IQ of 61... meanwhile my RX100 is rated as 66)

 

[Hockeyman]

Based on my research, the A33 and A35 should give me the same basic image quality as the A55. The main differences being slightly less resolution on the A33 (14mp vs 16mp), and less amenities on the A33/35 -- No flipout screen, no GPS, the A55 can continuously shoot a little faster. The A57 shoots slightly faster, slight improvement in ISO (a fraction of a stop), and longer battery life, while losing the GPS.

If money was no object, sure I'd step up to the A77 or even the A99. (Or both, as if money was truly no object, may as well have a great crop body and a FF). But in reality, it's hard to even say the A77 is vastly superior to the A35/37 or the A55/57. DXO image quality scores are pretty similar -- 78.0 for the A77, 74.0 for the A35, 73.0 for the A55 (not sure why the difference, could just be margin of error).
Thus, they are all vast steps up from my A100. (IQ of 61... meanwhile my RX100 is rated as 66)

The one feature you listed that I find myself using a lot is the flip out screen and I dont think I could go to a camera that doesnt offer that since im spoiled now.

Id like the A77 and if and when I do upgrade, it will be to that camera most likely, unless I hold off for another year and try to save up for the A99

 

[havoc315]

The one feature you listed that I find myself using a lot is the flip out screen and I dont think I could go to a camera that doesnt offer that since im spoiled now.

Id like the A77 and if and when I do upgrade, it will be to that camera most likely, unless I hold off for another year and try to save up for the A99

Have you considered the A900? Lose some of the newest tech frills and video (I really wouldn't see myself using my SLR for video anyway), but step up to fullframe. Pair it with your A55, and it seems to me, that all your needs would be filled.

I'm sure a flip screen would be nice, and if I used it for a while, I might not be able to go back. But this is a case of not knowing what I'm missing. I've never had one, so can live without it.

The A77 is certainly nice, and I'd love to have a weather sealed body. (Though it's an area I'm ignorant about, is it any good to use a weather sealed body with old non-weather sealed lenses?) But in overall gains, I don't see justifying the A77 being more than twice the price of the A57.

 

[Hockeyman]

Have you considered the A900? Lose some of the newest tech frills and video (I really wouldn't see myself using my SLR for video anyway), but step up to fullframe. Pair it with your A55, and it seems to me, that all your needs would be filled.

I'm sure a flip screen would be nice, and if I used it for a while, I might not be able to go back. But this is a case of not knowing what I'm missing. I've never had one, so can live without it.

The A77 is certainly nice, and I'd love to have a weather sealed body. (Though it's an area I'm ignorant about, is it any good to use a weather sealed body with old non-weather sealed lenses?) But in overall gains, I don't see justifying the A77 being more than twice the price of the A57.

If I had to pick one or the other between the A77 and A900 I would get the A77 for sure. For starters I do use it to shoot movies every so often, most of the time of my little ones , second I love the 10fps of the A55 and wouldn't like going down to 5fps in the A900. Plus I like the gimmicky new features like the panoramic and in body HDR of the new cameras lol.

Im not sure how that works with no weather sealed lenses also

 

[havoc315]

If I had to pick one or the other between the A77 and A900 I would get the A77 for sure. For starters I do use it to shoot movies every so often, most of the time of my little ones , second I love the 10fps of the A55 and wouldn't like going down to 5fps in the A900. Plus I like the gimmicky new features like the panoramic and in body HDR of the new cameras lol.

But that's my point, if I were in your shoes. I would look at it like lenses -- having the right lens for the right coverage. I'd keep around my A55 for the video, for the fast action shooting, for in-camera HDR, and for greater reach on your zoom lenses. And supplement it with the A900 when you want the higher IQ, the wider angle, when you want a weather sealed camera, when you want less noise at a moderate ISO,
Of course, that might make the A900 your "backup" camera... and $1200-1800 is a lot to spend for a backup camera.

So I wouldn't look at it like A77 or A900 -- I'd look at it like owning a A77+A55, or a A55+A900. If I didn't already own the A55, then I'd probably also go with the A77 over the A900.

That's just me, if I was in that boat.

 

[Hockeyman]

But that's my point, if I were in your shoes. I would look at it like lenses -- having the right lens for the right coverage. I'd keep around my A55 for the video, for the fast action shooting, for in-camera HDR, and for greater reach on your zoom lenses. And supplement it with the A900 when you want the higher IQ, the wider angle, when you want a weather sealed camera, when you want less noise at a moderate ISO,
Of course, that might make the A900 your "backup" camera... and $1200-1800 is a lot to spend for a backup camera.

So I wouldn't look at it like A77 or A900 -- I'd look at it like owning a A77+A55, or a A55+A900. If I didn't already own the A55, then I'd probably also go with the A77 over the A900.

That's just me, if I was in that boat.

Na my iPhone is my backup camera When I get a new one ill sell my A55 to help fund it. Its a pain sometimes carrying just the one around so I couldnt imagine carrying another as a backup plus trying to chase around a 2-1/2 and 1-1/2 year old with all that gear

 

[havoc315]

Na my iPhone is my backup camera When I get a new one ill sell my A55 to help fund it. Its a pain sometimes carrying just the one around so I couldnt imagine carrying another as a backup plus trying to chase around a 2-1/2 and 1-1/2 year old with all that gear

2 1/2 and 1 1/2? I feel for you. Hard for me to remember/imagine having 2 kids both that young. You certainly have your hands full.

Well, if you're ready to sell around the time I'm ready to buy, I'll offer you a fair price for the A55. At least I kind of "know where it's been."

 

[1Grumpy9]

I have the A57 and I love the pictures I have been taking so far with it at the hockey games. I have been taking around 400 to 500 a game (now I sit next to the home bench so it is a little harder for me to take more pictures). I like that the GPS feature is gone because I the A57 uses the same batteries as my A300 used. I had 2 from that camera and the A57 came with one, so I now have 3 batteries and one battery can last a whole weekend of hockey games.

The one thing I wish they had for the A57 is a battery grip!!! I had one for my A300 and they make one for the A77. I am just waiting impatiently for a battery grip.

 

[BigGreen73]

I have the A57 and I love the pictures I have been taking so far with it at the hockey games. I have been taking around 400 to 500 a game (now I sit next to the home bench so it is a little harder for me to take more pictures). I like that the GPS feature is gone because I the A57 uses the same batteries as my A300 used. I had 2 from that camera and the A57 came with one, so I now have 3 batteries and one battery can last a whole weekend of hockey games.

The one thing I wish they had for the A57 is a battery grip!!! I had one for my A300 and they make one for the A77. I am just waiting impatiently for a battery grip.

I am w/ you on the battery grip. Wish the A55 had one!! Would love to go shooting for a day to WDW for example and not have to worry about changing batteries. That is another reason I am looking at both the A77 or A99. Both have grips. The A77 lets you use 2 batteries and the A99 lets you use 3!!

 

[Hockeyman]

I am w/ you on the battery grip. Wish the A55 had one!! Would love to go shooting for a day to WDW for example and not have to worry about changing batteries. That is another reason I am looking at both the A77 or A99. Both have grips. The A77 lets you use 2 batteries and the A99 lets you use 3!!

Isnt picking up some cheap batteries off Amazon lighter on both the wallet and the weight you have to carry around the park over carrying the camera with a grip? I grabbed some aftermarket batteries for $9.00 on there and they have worked perfect for me.

 

[saintstickets]

The one feature you listed that I find myself using a lot is the flip out screen and I dont think I could go to a camera that doesnt offer that since im spoiled now.

I really enjoy this feature on my A55. Even though I am 6'3", there are times when I cannot get a decent picture because of people in front of me so I unfold the screen, hold the camera up high and can see what I am shooting through the flip out screen.

 

[HPS3]

I vote tilting screen! I don't know if I could live without one.


The Great Movie Ride by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[BigGreen73]

Isnt picking up some cheap batteries off Amazon lighter on both the wallet and the weight you have to carry around the park over carrying the camera with a grip? I grabbed some aftermarket batteries for $9.00 on there and they have worked perfect for me.

I would prefer the grip to give the camera a little more size in my hands especially shooting portrait. The weight of it doesn't bother me really. It would make a full day of shooting easier for me especially at WDW.

I was thinking of getting some of the non Sony batteries but I am always hesitant about that. Which ones did you get?

 

[Hockeyman]

I really enjoy this feature on my A55. Even though I am 6'3", there are times when I cannot get a decent picture because of people in front of me so I unfold the screen, hold the camera up high and can see what I am shooting through the flip out screen.

Yeah I found that flip out screen comes in hand a lot. I also end up using when I want to get lower to the ground or if im getting pictures of my little ones, I can lower my camera and flip out the screen so I can see whats going on.