Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[ukstitch]

Great shots! I am working towards picking up an A99 as well. Really want to get a FF camera. I have the A55 and love it. A big reason that I want to move up to the A99 is because of the Sony Lenses that I already have. I have 7-8 I think.

Not sure what you have for lenses, but did all the lenses you have because of your A55 work just as well if not better with the FF A99? Later on I want to invest in a couple higher end lenses for the A99 but that's a way off.

All my lenses "worked", but I needed to upgrade a couple of them. A number of my lenses are old minolta glass and these all work a treat. I've also a couple of APS-C lenses (Tamron 17-50 and Tokina 11-16) which had to be upgraded to full frame equivalents to get the full 24mp out of them, although they would have worked just fine in crop mode at 10mp if required.

Ukstitch, great to see your enjoying that new A99! Besides high ISO noise levels, do you notice a HUGE difference in DOF?

Mike, don't get too jealous. I don't want to be the only one left in the crop world. LoL! I can't afford to give up an organ to purchase a FF camera.

I've not really had much of a chance to play with the depth of field too much yet - most of what I've taken has been at quite a small aperture, so just about all of the image is in focus anyway.

I've had one quick play with my macro lens and the desktop bowling set on my desk at work - the depth of field definitely felt smaller and smoother compared to the A55, although I've not tried any sort of direct comparison to see just how big the difference is.

 

[BigGreen73]

All my lenses "worked", but I needed to upgrade a couple of them. A number of my lenses are old minolta glass and these all work a treat. I've also a couple of APS-C lenses (Tamron 17-50 and Tokina 11-16) which had to be upgraded to full frame equivalents to get the full 24mp out of them, although they would have worked just fine in crop mode at 10mp if required.

All the the lenses that I have for my A55 are Sony lenses. I spoke with a rep on the Sony website and he stated that all Sont lenses work with the A99. I am just trying to figure out if I will need to purchase other lenses to get the most out of the A99. If that is the case, I may or may not go with the A99 and just go with the A77 instead...

 

[Hockeyman]

All the the lenses that I have for my A55 are Sony lenses. I spoke with a rep on the Sony website and he stated that all Sont lenses work with the A99. I am just trying to figure out if I will need to purchase other lenses to get the most out of the A99. If that is the case, I may or may not go with the A99 and just go with the A77 instead...

I think if you want to take advantage of the dual AF you will need to compatible lenses. Did you happen to ask the rep about aftermarket lenses and compatibly with with the A99? Curious to see if there are any issues with non Sony lenses.

 

[Hockeyman]

Great Scott!!!! by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

Mike, thats a great shot!

 

[havoc315]

I think if you want to take advantage of the dual AF you will need to compatible lenses. Did you happen to ask the rep about aftermarket lenses and compatibly with with the A99? Curious to see if there are any issues with non Sony lenses.

The obvious issued with the dual AF. And of course, there are plenty of DT lenses out there, that aren't really compatible.

On the other hand, old Minolta Maxxum lenses are relatively cheap. I'm sure they will never be compatible with the the dual auto focus, but I'm willing to bet they still deliver incredible results on the A99.

 

[johamna]

Finally had a chance to go out and shoot with the camera last night. I'm still in the process of editing, but here's one of my favorite grabs from Madison Square Park:


Madison Square Park: Leo Villareals BUCKYBALL by Hamilton!, on Flickr

I echo everything spoken previously about this body -- it feels great. With the grip and CZ 24-70 it's a bit heavy, but it feels solid. All of the buttons are in just the right positions and I very quickly found myself in the groove of shooting and getting exactly what I wanted.

The Dual-AF system is pretty wild, albeit limited in the sense that everything is smushed in the center. It was able to keep up with my cats playing, though, without any hiccup.

I'm going to try and shoot some more at lunch but my first impression is that I'm in love.

 

[Hockeyman]

Finally had a chance to go out and shoot with the camera last night. I'm still in the process of editing, but here's one of my favorite grabs from Madison Square Park:


Madison Square Park: Leo Villareals BUCKYBALL by Hamilton!, on Flickr

I echo everything spoken previously about this body -- it feels great. With the grip and CZ 24-70 it's a bit heavy, but it feels solid. All of the buttons are in just the right positions and I very quickly found myself in the groove of shooting and getting exactly what I wanted.



The Dual-AF system is pretty wild, albeit limited in the sense that everything is smushed in the center. It was able to keep up with my cats playing, though, without any hiccup.

I'm going to try and shoot some more at lunch but my first impression is that I'm in love.

Nice One day this camera will be mine lol

 

[johamna]

Here's another of the BUCKYBALL

Madison Square Park: BUCKYBALL by Hamilton!, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

Hamilton, nice one! How is the size compared to your old D7000? Whats the ISO like against the Nex @ 3200/6400? Show us some more pics!

 

[ukstitch]

With regards to the lenses, is pretty much the case that if you own one of the 6 magic lenses (this list is supposedly going to be added to as time goes on) then you can use the depth based auto focus.

If you don't, then you get a lens that is just as functional on the a99 as it is on the a77 in terms of focusing.

The only other thing is the aps-c lenses, which will require the camera to be set to 10mp crop mode to work properly, otherwise ou will get a heavy vignette or very soft corners / edges.

 

[johamna]

Hamilton, nice one! How is the size compared to your old D7000? Whats the ISO like against the Nex @ 3200/6400? Show us some more pics!

Another, just posted:

Fifth Ave by Hamilton!, on Flickr

It feels beefier, for sure, over the D7000. It feels sturdier, more robust, and just better made, if that makes any sense.

I've been shooting with the Auto ISO in Manual and haven't had a chance to shoot too much that wasn't a low ISO, long exposure shot. But here's one from last night of my co-worker that was taken @ 4000:



And here's a 100% crop:

 

[johamna]

And here are some hand-held 6400 ISO shots with crops. Very, very non-scientific.

 

[HPS3]

Looking good Hamilton. Thanks for sharing those shots.


Star Tours by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[johamna]

Double Check: Thought by Hamilton!, on Flickr

 

[johamna]

Zuccotti Park: Tree Lights by Hamilton!, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Some stellar bokeh Hamilton and amazing clarity in those shots

Despicable Me by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[havoc315]

Some stellar bokeh Hamilton and amazing clarity in those shots

Despicable Me by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

Great shot Mike. Which fisheye lens do you use?

Btw, should be getting my A55 today.

 

[johamna]

Some stellar bokeh Hamilton and amazing clarity in those shots

*pic*
Despicable Me by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

Thanks Mike -- and WOW! That shot is incredible, you totally nailed it. Those clouds!

 

[johamna]

Magic Kingdom: Dead Men Tell No Tales by Hamilton!, on Flickr