Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[havoc315]

The lens looks really sharp and even cropped at 10mp on the A99 its rather impressive. The details on the flowers are incredible

The A99 images aren't cropped... It's a full frame lens. That's 24mp of full resolution you are seeing.

Take a look at the portrait of my wife and our friend. Wide open at 2.8. Yes, there was some post production work, but absolutely no lens corrections. Pretty darn sharp corner to corner. Go ahead and pixel peep. I'm thinking of ordering a blown up copy of that one.

I'd easily say that the 50 macro is the sharpest lens I own, corner to corner. Followed by the Sony 16-50 2.8 zoom. (but that's a crop lens). On the next tier of sharpness, really like the Minolta 135/2.8., Sony 85/2.8, and the Tamron 70-300 usd. Still very sharp, would be the Minolta 70-210 f4, Minolta 35-105 and the Sony 35/1.8. More mediocre would be my Tamron 10-24 wide (still get sharp images thanks to the short focal length though), and the Minolta 50/1.7 (still sharper than most zoom lenses, but not as good as other primes).
And sitting on a shelf never to be used unless lenses break, would be my Sony 18-70 kit lens.

 

[havoc315]

I wonder if they will go the mirror less route with the future A79 or whatever they have lined up. Im with you as far as the noise complaint goes, the one thing I wished the A55 handled better. I an get some decent results out of 1600 ISO but with 3200 is pretty bad as you can see below in the third picture.

Really the only time I use my 35mm f/1.8 are on dark rides and walking around Halloween Horror Nights but even then it was so dark and having to use such a high ISO I got more noise than a Justin Beiber concert I did use it recently for some family shots but its just a lens that sits in my bag most of the time. I had the Sony 50mm f/1.8 but sold that since I rarely used that. On dark rides it didn't give me enough in frame so it took a back seat to the 35. 50 on a FF work out fine. So I would probably go for the 50mm f/2.8 first since you say it is a lot sharper and that im more interested in.


ISO 1600 1/80 f/2.8

Cat in the Hat by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

ISO 1600 1/50 f/2.8

An American Adventure by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

ISO 3200 1/20 f/1.8

Michonne's Walkers by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

I love your Walking Dead shot, but it shows the strengths and weaknesses of the lens and ISO. It looks PHENOMENAL in websizes...
Blown up.... unfortunately it starts to lose it.

On the other hand, at 1600 and 2.8, your Cat in the Hat really looks great.

That's been my experience with the A55:
ISO 800 -- Sometimes a tiny bit of noise correction, but overall top quality.
1600 -- Needs definite post processing, but can get great results.
3200 -- Careful post processing can get a good quality medium sized image.
6400 -- You can get something usable in websize, but just barely. Nothing you would want to blow up and frame, that's for certain.
And my attempts over 6400 have just been a mess.

On the A99:
ISO 800 almost flawless.
1600 -- Still pretty darn flawless though may need a tad of post processing.
3200 -- Perfectly usable, though could use some careful postprocessing.
6400-- You can get nice medium sized images still. But definitely don't want to pixel peep or make a huge print.
12800 or higher --- still wouldn't want to go there, but can possibly get something salvageable.

 

[Hockeyman]

The A99 images aren't cropped... It's a full frame lens. That's 24mp of full resolution you are seeing.

Take a look at the portrait of my wife and our friend. Wide open at 2.8. Yes, there was some post production work, but absolutely no lens corrections. Pretty darn sharp corner to corner. Go ahead and pixel peep. I'm thinking of ordering a blown up copy of that one.

I'd easily say that the 50 macro is the sharpest lens I own, corner to corner. Followed by the Sony 16-50 2.8 zoom. (but that's a crop lens). On the next tier of sharpness, really like the Minolta 135/2.8., Sony 85/2.8, and the Tamron 70-300 usd. Still very sharp, would be the Minolta 70-210 f4, Minolta 35-105 and the Sony 35/1.8. More mediocre would be my Tamron 10-24 wide (still get sharp images thanks to the short focal length though), and the Minolta 50/1.7 (still sharper than most zoom lenses, but not as good as other primes).
And sitting on a shelf never to be used unless lenses break, would be my Sony 18-70 kit lens.

Oh my bad, I thought the one with the doggy was auto cropped on the A99. I unloaded my Sony kit lens years ago lol

 

[Hockeyman]

I love your Walking Dead shot, but it shows the strengths and weaknesses of the lens and ISO. It looks PHENOMENAL in websizes...
Blown up.... unfortunately it starts to lose it.

On the other hand, at 1600 and 2.8, your Cat in the Hat really looks great.

That's been my experience with the A55:
ISO 800 -- Sometimes a tiny bit of noise correction, but overall top quality.
1600 -- Needs definite post processing, but can get great results.
3200 -- Careful post processing can get a good quality medium sized image.
6400 -- You can get something usable in websize, but just barely. Nothing you would want to blow up and frame, that's for certain.
And my attempts over 6400 have just been a mess.

On the A99:
ISO 800 almost flawless.
1600 -- Still pretty darn flawless though may need a tad of post processing.
3200 -- Perfectly usable, though could use some careful postprocessing.
6400-- You can get nice medium sized images still. But definitely don't want to pixel peep or make a huge print.
12800 or higher --- still wouldn't want to go there, but can possibly get something salvageable.

The noise on the Walking Dead shot drives me bonkers but I loved the shot otherwise. The CITH shot was a pleasant surprise, technically they dont allow photography on the ride so I had the camera on my lap with the lens aimed out front and just snapped away while we went around

I dont like going over 1600 but had to walkign around Halloween Horror Nights. I desperately wanted shots of the scare actors in the streets so had to raise the ISO to 6400 for some of them. Nothing too spectacular but was better than leaving empty handed. The second weekend I messed around with the flash and found that worked pretty well but was hit or miss with those also.

ISO 6400, really grainy but I loved the intense look on this actor. Would have been great if the guy didnt walk into the frame but what can you do.

Walker's Snack by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

Another 6400 and added some vignette to try and hide some

Finger Foods by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[havoc315]

The noise on the Walking Dead shot drives me bonkers but I loved the shot otherwise. The CITH shot was a pleasant surprise, technically they dont allow photography on the ride so I had the camera on my lap with the lens aimed out front and just snapped away while we went around

I dont like going over 1600 but had to walkign around Halloween Horror Nights. I desperately wanted shots of the scare actors in the streets so had to raise the ISO to 6400 for some of them. Nothing too spectacular but was better than leaving empty handed. The second weekend I messed around with the flash and found that worked pretty well but was hit or miss with those also.

ISO 6400, really grainy but I loved the intense look on this actor. Would have been great if the guy didnt walk into the frame but what can you do.

Walker's Snack by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

Another 6400 and added some vignette to try and hide some

Finger Foods by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

Great shots. Noise isn't even an issue at those sizes, look great.

The pop-up flash on the A55 is useless except at short range. I'm still pretty new to using a speedlite, but it does add impressive range.

Indoor bumper cars, low light, probably taken from about 30 feet away with 210mm of zoom, the flash let me shoot at ISO 1600 with the A55:


birthday-59.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Great shots. Noise isn't even an issue at those sizes, look great.

The pop-up flash on the A55 is useless except at short range. I'm still pretty new to using a speedlite, but it does add impressive range.

Indoor bumper cars, low light, probably taken from about 30 feet away with 210mm of zoom, the flash let me shoot at ISO 1600 with the A55:


birthday-59.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

Wow that came out great. I really need to get a speedlite

 

[fractal]

I put my camera in High Contrast BW Mono setting while at the in-laws for Thanksgiving.

My father-in-law and my wife.

 

[fractal]

 

[Hockeyman]

The Sperduto Clan


Here Comes Santa Claus by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Working on some of my Best Buy connections to see what type of discounts they get between the A99, A7 and A7r. Curious to see what that turns up since that might play a part in what I do next year.

 

[havoc315]

a99raw-31.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr
(ISO 6400 comes out pretty well when properly exposed on the A99)


a99raw-30.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Great detail in those shots Adam . Looking forward to seeing some of Harry's upcoming shots also, hopefully he gets some up later today


Jenn and Charity by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[havoc315]

Great detail in those shots Adam . Looking forward to seeing some of Harry's upcoming shots also, hopefully he gets some up later today


Jenn and Charity by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

Nice holiday bokeh and a lovely family.

 

[havoc315]

Well... ended up buying the A99 used for $1800.

 

[Hockeyman]

Well... ended up buying the A99 used for $1800.

What was the deciding factor? And from where did you find it at that price?

 

[havoc315]

What was the deciding factor? And from where did you find it at that price?

A reputable seller on eBay (a Boston-based camera store with 99.9% positive rating with over 7000 feedback).

I finally decided that *if* I could get it around that price, the superior ISO performance, build quality and other features, would be worth it.

Though I'm wondering if I made the right choice. Part of me is thinking I should have just waited for the A79. But I'm thinking the A79 won't be a ton cheaper new -- It will be at least $1200 for the body. It still won't match the A99 in terms of IQ. And while there may be a new/better fullframe, it will be over $2,000.

So my next issue, is what to do with my A55 and DT lenses. Keep the camera as a back-up body.... keep the lenses and use in crop mode, or sell them off on Ebay to offset the purchase.

Anybody want an A55 with a couple really great lenses?

 

[Hockeyman]

A reputable seller on eBay (a Boston-based camera store with 99.9% positive rating with over 7000 feedback).

I finally decided that *if* I could get it around that price, the superior ISO performance, build quality and other features, would be worth it.

Though I'm wondering if I made the right choice. Part of me is thinking I should have just waited for the A79. But I'm thinking the A79 won't be a ton cheaper new -- It will be at least $1200 for the body. It still won't match the A99 in terms of IQ. And while there may be a new/better fullframe, it will be over $2,000.

So my next issue, is what to do with my A55 and DT lenses. Keep the camera as a back-up body.... keep the lenses and use in crop mode, or sell them off on Ebay to offset the purchase.

Anybody want an A55 with a couple really great lenses?

Sell the A55 and lens to help fund a new FF lens

I honestly would have waited to see what Sony brings to the table next year.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Well... ended up buying the A99 used for $1800.

Nice! I think you'll be happy with the decision. I picked up a warehouse deal from Amazon in July although not quite that good of price - just slightly over $2000. I've been way tied up with other things and haven't gotten to use it as much as I'd like but when I have it's great. Mine was to replace my A850 - just loved that camera but after using the EVF on my A55 I was having a hard time with the old OVF. So my dilemma was a little different - having a perfectly good full frame already made it hard to justify but I had long been saying I'd consider it the perfect camera if it had EVF so when I saw the warehouse deal it apparently reached my threshold. Where I didn't have the difficulty was with lenses because I already had my full framer's although I started aps-c and still keep a body around and some crop lenses. I'd suggest hanging on to the A55. I traded mine off for some work and have missed that particular camera for the size and picture quality.

 

[havoc315]

Sell the A55 and lens to help fund a new FF lens

I honestly would have waited to see what Sony brings to the table next year.

1. I'm not patient.
2. Then I'd be several months without an upgraded camera.
3. Any new and better fullframe will be out of my price range. And while the A77 is over 2 years old, the A99 is really only 1 year old.
4. There will likely be a new A79 -- and this is what I might regret waiting for. But it won't be as cheap as the current A77 pricing. It may essentially incorporate some of the stuff from the A99, but it's not likely to be revolutionary.
5. If I waited, I bet the "new" A99 price will be dropping to $1999... but used prices would likely still be in the $1600+ range.

Anybody want to buy:
Sony A55
Excellent+ condition Sony 16-50 2.8 SSM lens.
Excellent+ condition Tamron 10-24 lens
Excellent+ condition Sony 35mm 1.8 SAM lens.

Debating whether to list them separately on eBay or as a package. I'll get more money separately, but it would be convenient to put them all together in 1 box to 1 buyer.

In terms of a new lens for FF.... I'm going to start with what I have. I think I'll primarily keep my 50mm macro on the camera. I may ultimately get the Sony 28-70. I just can't see spending $$$$$$$$ for the Zeiss 24-70. There are rumors of a new Sony 24-105 f4 next year. That would be an IDEAL walk-around FF Sony lens, depending on the price. I could save money by going Minolta or Tamron, but the in-camera lens support may be a reason to stick to the Sony brand this time around.

This will thin out my camera bag for now.... I'll carry: 50mm macro. 85 and 135mm primes. Minolta 35-105 zoom. And when I need telephoto, my 70-210f4 and my Tamron 70-300usd.

 

[havoc315]

Nice! I think you'll be happy with the decision. I picked up a warehouse deal from Amazon in July although not quite that good of price - just slightly over $2000. I've been way tied up with other things and haven't gotten to use it as much as I'd like but when I have it's great. Mine was to replace my A850 - just loved that camera but after using the EVF on my A55 I was having a hard time with the old OVF. So my dilemma was a little different - having a perfectly good full frame already made it hard to justify but I had long been saying I'd consider it the perfect camera if it had EVF so when I saw the warehouse deal it apparently reached my threshold. Where I didn't have the difficulty was with lenses because I already had my full framer's although I started aps-c and still keep a body around and some crop lenses. I'd suggest hanging on to the A55. I traded mine off for some work and have missed that particular camera for the size and picture quality.

Thanks Kat. Did you sell your A850? That should have offset your purchase. I see they are still selling for almost $1,000 used.