Sony A100

[Bugdozer]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1508616

Bug

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thank you so much, Bugdozer! That thread will give DH an idea of what the camera can do. I especially like how some photos have the notation that they were just resized, cropped, etc. because we don't really have much expertise with photo editing programs.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Some samples from the Olympus E-410: http://www.flickr.com/groups/379169@N23/pool/

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi! I'm just looking into getting a DSLR. The last SLR I had was a Minolta X700 so I am a little bit behind the times. My question is if the old Minolta lenses will work on the Sony Alpha mounts? I have a couple that I really loved and even though they would be manual focus it might sway me towards the Sony. Or any links to sites that could help me find out?

Otherwise I'm leaning towards the Canon Xsi because of it's light weight - and the camera feels as good in my hands as any of the entry levels - I just can't allow myself to hold the upper levels too long! I have a nephew who is very into photography and has a Canon so when he tires of a lens I figure I can buy from him, or at least borrow now and then.

Thanks for any info! I've been inspired by so many of the photos I've seen on this board that I thought it was time to start shooting again.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

You should wait for specific confirmation from one of the local Sony/Minolta fans, but I think it will work. If it would work with the Minolta SLRs made in the 90's and 00's, it will almost certainly work with the Sony.

 

[MICKEY88]

unfortunately your lenses will not work with the sony dslrs

the x700 was manual focus prior to the maxxum series of minolta cameras,, manual focus{MD} lenses had a different mount than the maxxums

if you liked your minolta I would suggest checking out the sony a300 and a350, both really nice cameras, with great features for the price..

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

unfortunately your lenses will not work with the sony dslrs

the x700 was manual focus prior to the maxxum series of minolta cameras,, manual focus{MD} lenses had a different mount than the maxxums

if you liked your minolta I would suggest checking out the sony a300 and a350, both really nice cameras, with great features for the price..

Oh well.....figured it was a long shot. Thanks for the suggestions on the Sony cameras - I'll take a look!

 

[MICKEY88]

Oh well.....figured it was a long shot. Thanks for the suggestions on the Sony cameras - I'll take a look!

the A200 is also a nice camera, but the 300 and 350 are newer models

 

[tazdev3225]

I just came back from Disney and once again I missed shots with my advanced point and shoot. I am upgrading to a DSLR which I know I should have done all along. I have narrowed my choices to the Sony Alpha 300 and the Nikon D60. I am leaning towards the Sony because I have an H-5 and H-50 now so my memory sticks are compatible. The Sony also has more inexpensive add on lenses. I have also heard really good things about the Nikon. Any advice from people who have either camera and can give me the pros and cons would be appreciated.

 

[Pugrpooh]

I have the H5 and upgraded a couple of weeks ago to a DSLR. At first, Sony and Canon were at the top of the list, but I went and handled them and then the Olympus E520. The Olympus felt better in my hands and it got great reviews, not to mention I got it quite a bit cheaper than what I would have had to pay for the Sony or Canon.

The Sony a300 takes compact flash cards. Sony's website says it will accept Memory ProStick Duo with an optional adapter, whatever that is. I bought 3 2gb CF cards for $60 total and I'm getting a $50 rebate for them! So I wouldn't base my decision just on what kind of memory cards you already have. Memory can be found for pretty cheap.

I was unhappy about missing shots with the H5 too. I probably would've missed this one with the H5, but I was using the continuous shooting (which I love!) and this was one of the shots. We got a touchdown out of this play too!

So far I'm not sorry I upgraded to a DSLR! I'm very happy with it.

Lynn

 

[zackiedawg]

I just came back from Disney and once again I missed shots with my advanced point and shoot. I am upgrading to a DSLR which I know I should have done all along. I have narrowed my choices to the Sony Alpha 300 and the Nikon D60. I am leaning towards the Sony because I have an H-5 and H-50 now so my memory sticks are compatible. The Sony also has more inexpensive add on lenses. I have also heard really good things about the Nikon. Any advice from people who have either camera and can give me the pros and cons would be appreciated.

I've been in a similar situation as yours - having replaced my H5 which I loved with the A300 which I also love.

A few things I'd point out:

First, a DSLR will improve your chances with some missed shots compared to bridge-cams like the H-series, but it doesn't fix all that ails you. It's a combination of larger sensor, the right lenses, and your skill, that will make the photos better. Getting a DSLR will give you a bigger sensor...so one down. If you're willing to spend some money on the right lenses, you can fix problem 2...but don't expect to do that much better with the kit lenses. Though most DSLRs can shoot comfortably and relatively noise-free at ISO800 or more, while your P&S cams can only push to 400 reasonably...that's only one stop of sensitivity gained. Your H5 lens is F2.8-3.7...compared to most kit lenses that start no better than F3.5, and anything that will give you the zoom capability from those H series (or even anything close) is going to have a maximum aperture of around F6. So you lose 1-2 stops of sensitivity on aperture...and you're not going to get that 36-432mm optical range without spending around $1,200 and carrying a whole lot more weight and bulk. Just a forewarning in case you hadn't considered it! A DSLR is still a better tool for more photographic situations, and for action shots, night handhelds, and indoor high-ISO, it'll crush a P&S.

There are techniques and styles you can use with the H series cams to improve your results in some areas...the only areas you should genuinely have limitations in would be indoor low light, handheld night shooting, burst mode speed, and tracking focus/action shots. Handled correctly, the H5 can do most everything else extremely well.

Second...You can't really go wrong nowadays with any DSLR...so don't worry too much about brand. I'd strongly recommend handling your two choices, hold the cameras to your eye, see how the buttons fall to your fingers, and how comfortable the camera is to hold. As good as all cameras are, they are designed a bit different, and sometimes one brand's ergonomics just fit you perfectly.

Third - don't let the memory card thing sway your decision...the A300 does NOT take Memory sticks. It uses the common CF cards. You can get adapters to use Memory sticks in a CF slot, but truly there's no reason to. Memory is so cheap nowadays, you can pick up a 4GB Extreme III card for $30 or less in the SD format Nikon uses or the CF format Sony uses...and they'll be faster than your Memory cards anyway.

I went with the Sony A300 for a few primary reasons - 1. I liked their implementation of Live View...I use it rarely, but when I do, it's simple, doesn't slow down the shooting or focus speed at all, and can be switched back and forth easily with one switch. 2. I liked the ergonomics and feel of the camera, and found all the buttons' placement was easy to pick up and fairly instinctual. 3. I liked the lens options which I found priced nicely, and the in-body stabilization means that every lens I add, including old used Minolta lenses and low light primes, are stabilized. 4. The price was good.

I don't think you'll find any drastic differences between any of the DSLRs in the same class and price range. There might be a feature here, a slight edge there, but they're all pretty capable and similar, and all will have improvements over your H5 and H50. Feel free to check out my galleries - I've got lots of pics there from both the H5 and the A300 - the shots from the A300 are spread throughout many galleries, but also all copied to one main gallery called 'Introducing the A300'. I bought mine with the SAL 18-250 lens, which is a nice walkaround lens that comes close to equalling the range and flexibility of the H5...giving me an equivalent of 27mm to 375mm. I also use a Tamron 200-500 for the long-distance wildlife stuff, and an old Minolta 50mm F1.7 bought second-hand for low light work.

Hope that helps!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The first things that come to my mind are:

In body image stabilization in the Sony A300 which means any Sony or Minolta Auto focus lenses will be stabilized vs. in lens stabilization with the Nikon D60 which means you need to purchase certains lenses that have that feature (and not all do).

The Nikon D60 does not have an in-body focus motor so some of the less expensive lenses need to be manually focused, but depending on what lenses you are looking at it may not make a difference.

Same frames per second and similar mega pixels.

Articulating live view screen on the Sony A300 which could be fun for getting low shots and not having to lay on the ground!

I have a Sony A700 (which does take both the Memory stick and CF cards BTW) and my Nikon knowledge comes from what I have read and talked to sales people in the photo shop when I was looking for cameras a few months ago. I also have used my cousin's Nikon D40 (the D60 is the newer version). I have both Sony and Minolta lenses as zackiedawg does including the Sony 18-250mm and the Minolta 50mm 1.7 which can be easily found for around $100 to give you a very good low light lens.

Have you looked at and held each of the camera's yet? They are both good cameras with a few feature differences. You may want to see what feels comfortable and decide if there are any features that really stand out to you on either camera.

 

[tazdev3225]

Thank you all for the input. I will go out and try them in the store for comfort. I am just beginning to look so I have some time and am really hoping for a good sale around the holidays.

 

[ngneer98]

I just got a Sony Alpha 700 DSLR and was hoping some dis-ers could share some/any tips with me I could use directly on my camera! I gotta get up to speed fast, as we'll be in the World in 2 1/2 weeks!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Welcome to the Sony group! There are a few of us around on the boards. I also have the A700 and have made 1 trip to WDW and 2 trips to DL since getting it. I'll try and give some thought to suggestions and get back to you on that. For a start a couple of background questions - Is this your first DSLR and what lenses do you have?

Here's a link to a thread for Sony Alphas that you can take a look at.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1508616

Enjoy!

 

[BCV2003]

I have the Sony a350. I am looking to buy a new lens, either an 18-200 or an 18-250.

Does anyone have any preferences or recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

 

[eddy-4]

Hey, Maureen,

I just purchased the 18-250mm for my a700 in January. I wanted a lens that I could leave on the camera about 75% of the time and it seemed to fit the bill.

I read the reviews for both lenses on www.dpreview.com and on sites such as BH Photo and Sony. For the most part, reviewers liked the 18-250 lens. I've been very happy with it. The pictures, sports and portraits, have turned out nice and sharp.

Having said this, though, I would definitely take a look at some of the reviews on both lenses to see which one would best suit your needs.

Hope this helps.

Linda

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'd also say the 18-250mm. Either the Sony or the Tamron which are pretty much optically identical. Both are very nice super zooms.

 

[JJ71]

I have the Sony a350. I am looking to buy a new lens, either an 18-200 or an 18-250.

Does anyone have any preferences or recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

I own the Sony 18-250 and find it to be quite good. Usually with superzooms one expects a compromise in image quality. But the 18-250, either Sony or Tamron, is a good lens. I ended up going with the Sony because it's claimed to focus a bit faster.

By the way, dyxum is a good site if you want to read a number of reviews of A mount lenses.

 

[zackiedawg]

From everything I've heard, the 18-250 is actually a better reviewed lens and a little sharper across the board as compared to the 18-200. Neither is bad, but the 18-250 really seems to have hit the sweet spot and just got everything pretty right in the design.

I use the 18-250 Sony version - the Tamron version should be basically optically the same, just a slight difference in the focus (fewer turns on the Sony version).

I've had the 18-250 with my A300 when I first bought it, and still use it on my A550. It's the default, go-to lens for my cameras probably 75% of the time.