Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[johamna]

Alternate view of the Double Check statue:

Double Check: Ponder by Hamilton!, on Flickr

 

[havoc315]

So I got a A55, nice and cheap as its discontinued now. Still a big step up from my A100. Quite impressed with the ISO sensitivity and the focus speed.
But as I know we have some SLT users here, thought I'd get some feedback on the settings you prefer -- Local AF, spot or wide? AF-S or AF-A for focus?
Any other default settings you would tweak and why?

 

[HPS3]

Havoc315, congratulations on your new A55. As far as focus goes, I shoot with the Nex and LA-EA2, I use local spot. I think that's what it's called. I like to pick my own point because I know what I want to focus on. The camera has a mind out its own when it comes to focusing. I think AF-A is a good choice unless your setting the camera up for something specific. When I shot Nikon, AF-A worked really well.

 

[HPS3]

No Photo Please by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[havoc315]

Havoc315, congratulations on your new A55. As far as focus goes, I shoot with the Nex and LA-EA2, I use local spot. I think that's what it's called. I like to pick my own point because I know what I want to focus on. The camera has a mind out its own when it comes to focusing. I think AF-A is a good choice unless your setting the camera up for something specific. When I shot Nikon, AF-A worked really well.

I'm just getting used to being able to use my 50/1.7 lens without loudly hunting for focus.
Thanks for the input. Which metering mode do you prefer?

 

[HPS3]

I use matrix metering most of the time. With the EVF, its easy to add or subtract exposure when you can see it in live time. When I shot with Nikon and an OVF i would use spot metering especially with portrait shots.

 

[havoc315]

So another question for the SLT shooters --
I seldom shoot video with my camera, so it isn't a big issue. But 1 of the supposed selling points of the SLTs, is the ability to use phase detection auto focus with video.
I tried it out, and sure enough -- the focus worked great during video.

EXCEPT... with the placement of the microphone in the body of the camera, the video picked up a lot of mechanical noise from the focus.

So, for those who use the SLT for video.... Do you just cope with the noise? Use manual focus instead? Or switch to an external microphone?

(At least with playing around thus far, this is my only "complaint" about the camera. )

 

[havoc315]

untitled-1.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

Not the greatest picture, but I am quite impressed with the low light ability of the Sony SLTs.

 

[HPS3]

So another question for the SLT shooters --
I seldom shoot video with my camera, so it isn't a big issue. But 1 of the supposed selling points of the SLTs, is the ability to use phase detection auto focus with video.
I tried it out, and sure enough -- the focus worked great during video.

EXCEPT... with the placement of the microphone in the body of the camera, the video picked up a lot of mechanical noise from the focus.

So, for those who use the SLT for video.... Do you just cope with the noise? Use manual focus instead? Or switch to an external microphone?

(At least with playing around thus far, this is my only "complaint" about the camera. )

I believe the only cure is an external mic. Every camera I have had so far does it depending on the lens. Some of the newer lenses are made for video with quieter focusing. I would still get a mic if your going to record video. I personally use manual lenses for video on the nex.

 

[njtree]

oo pug pictures! ok my turn. a33 with 35mm1.8 lens in mid august.


Pugsly by NJtree, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Sorcerer Mickey by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[HPS3]

I love the puppy shots y'all!

Mike, that's some creamy bokeh. I just love blown out backgrounds.


Hollywood Studios by night by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Great shot Mike. Which fisheye lens do you use?

Btw, should be getting my A55 today.

I use the Rokinon 8mm fisheye and love it.

 

[Hockeyman]

Nemo Ornament by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

I love the puppy shots y'all!

Mike, that's some creamy bokeh. I just love blown out backgrounds.

Thanks Harry I had that lens zoomed all the way to 300mm trying to get background blurry. I took a few but that one cam out the best with the added green in the background from a swaying palm tree branch lol

 

[Hockeyman]

Does anyone know if Flickr changed ome stuff around on their site? I used to be able to click on my camera in the upper right area where is shows my name and when it was taken and it would take me to my metadata but now it takes me a different screen that shows the A55 stats across all of Flickr. Anyone know how to get back to the metadata?

 

[HPS3]

Mike are you talking about the exif info. I never noticed it changed, I'm going to check now.

 

[havoc315]

novembertkd-32.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Mike are you talking about the exif info. I never noticed it changed, I'm going to check now.

I just noticed they added a section on the right with additional info and f you click on it takes you to the exif info. No idea where i came up with metadata lol

 

[havoc315]

sunset-36.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr