A1 : Big Problem

[fevernova]

Just read from the MINOLTA forum of dpreview.com and it was really quite surprising to see a huge number of A1 users complaining about the light reddish cast that would appear in your picture when taking photos using high iso settings in dark conditions. Since I plan to get the Minolta A1 soon, I hope guys out there already equiped with this camera to do a test. Cover the lens with the lens cap, tune your camera to iso800 and take a shot. Or go to a darkened room and shoot a picture with iso rating at 800. Some people with a defect A1 should see a reddish hue on the left side of the picture. I don't know if this happens on all A1's but here is the link : http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=6887076

 

[sehsuan]

maybe you need the tact to post this as a question, instead of posting it in such a way that "A1 has a BIG PROBLEM!".

 

[amonxtreme]

tactless....

anyway, looks like a batch defect

 

[tbteng]

That's strange....I have just tried it. My A1 seems ok although I did see a vertical striaght line running from the left hand side from the top to the bottom. But this line is very thin and negligable. Furthermore, its not often that we crank up to ISO800 for shoots. It could be a batch problem. There was no fringing or color casts at the side on my LCD.

I do not think this will be a big issue so long as the pictures turn out ok. All cameras have some "ïcks" here and there. SO there is no perfection. So long as it does affect your final output, it may be tolerated to a certain extent.

 

[fevernova]

Gosh, I have already set my mind on the A1 but because of this batch problem, I think I would have to reconsider. Also, If i were to purchase one now, how can i ensure that I have the one with the new firmware?? Any suggestion on which flash to go with the A1 ?? Heard that the 3600 flash doesnt go well with the A1.

 

[frisky]

Gosh, I have already set my mind on the A1 but because of this batch problem, I think I would have to reconsider. Also, If i were to purchase one now, how can i ensure that I have the one with the new firmware?? Any suggestion on which flash to go with the A1 ?? Heard that the 3600 flash doesnt go well with the A1.

Frankly speaking I got the feeling that those posters in dpreview are out to look for trouble than anything else.........

New firmware for A1 shouldn't be an issue. You can just download and install yourself.

About the 3600HS(D), it should be a ok match with A1. Where did you hear that from?

 

[fevernova]

I aint too sure bout flash thiggies but I saw somewhere on the net that the3600 flash does not go very well with the A1 cause it doesn't have blah blah blah....(can't remember)....I am now feeling kinda confused on which camera and flash to get after reading those forum posts in dpreview. Btw, how do I install the new firmware if i were to purchase an A1 ???

 

[sehsuan]

let's put it this way - most digital cameras have problems. why not stay away from them altogether?

in other words, do your homework , use more of your own analysis than purely on what others say, especially those you can't substantiate - that especially includes those people overseas. take heed with a BIG pinch of salt.

 

[fevernova]

I have done quite some research on the A1 but only tried the camera twice so most of the time, what others say matters to me and its really important because no matter what the information on the net states, its not 100% reliable. I am here collecting data and reviews from people over the net in order to help me understand more on the characteristics and flaws of the camera. That way, I would would be able to consider whether it is a good and trustworthy investment.

 

[fevernova]

Also, about the flash not taking part in the Af or whatever thinggie.....Its here: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=53477 .

 

[vader]

I have done quite some research on the A1 but only tried the camera twice so most of the time, what others say matters to me and its really important because no matter what the information on the net states, its not 100% reliable

Follow your heart...............

 

[fevernova]

...........

 

[frisky]

Also, about the flash not taking part in the Af or whatever thinggie.....Its here: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=53477 .

Ai yo, the A1 don't really need that. It works rather well in low light......

 

[deslim27]

Also, about the flash not taking part in the Af or whatever thinggie.....Its here: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=53477 .

A1 don't requires AF illuminator, that's why it doesn't have one inbuilt.

 

[fevernova]

But havent you heard of the issue whereby during low light and higher ISO conditions, pictures taken by the A1 would have a light reddish streak on the left side of the pic? I am getting really Paranoid now.....Also, how much is the 3600 flash??

 

[deslim27]

A1 don't requires AF illuminator, that's why it doesn't have one inbuilt.

Inserted -> Just found the related topic in dpreview MTF. Hope you find it useful.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=6894884

 

[fevernova]

So i suppose thats a bad sign or a good sign??? Firmware update to cure that problem ??

 

[tbteng]

Hi fevernova,

I think you need to look past some of these stuff. You seem very concerned which I can understand. Coz before I bought my A1, I was moving from S7000, C5060, A1 and G5 reviews and comments. After reading all that I can from reviews and posts, I ended up almost no where coz all of these cams have their own problems according to reviews and post. I got frustrated and asked myself two questions. 1. What am I going to use this cam for, macro, streetshoot, nightshoot, nature, etc? 2. Do I feel the rush"" when I hold it? So select your camera based on what you need. don't let a small comment like this affect you.

If you dig into all the cams, there's bound to be "dirt" also. The what would you do? This would be never ending lah....Once you are fixed, stand firm and tell yourself that you have researched all you can and I am satisfied :bsmilie:

 

[hlminolta]

Hi fevernova,
It's good to do a research before deciding. I could be wrong, but you seem to have only read about all the bad things, which are not happening to everybody. I hope you also read all the good things about A1 on the net. Plenty of them. Try looking at other brand on the net and search for the bad things about the camera, you probably will end up not buying any camera ... any model, any brand.
Don't be paranoid. Go for it, if you like it.

BTW ... have I mentioned that my A1 has been working perfectly so far?

 

[Inimatad]

I agree with hlminolta - think you should go to the shop and get a feel of the A1. If you like what you are see and if it feels good in your hand, then this is the camera for you.

One thing about the camera is that the images is a bit soft even with the colour saturation and all. Unlike my Sony F707, the images/colour does not actually strike you. You can check the A1 gallery on dpreview.

Overall - its a good buy !