A900

[OldFlower]

i thot they say the A900 has better batt performance than A700? :think:

When I read/heard about how A900 is better in battery consumption, I immediately had doubts because; logically it cannot be so, because of the size of the sensor, & the large mirror. And with this larger mirror inside, the shutter release sounds much meatier than
A700.
But then, I didn't buy the A900 for its shutter sound, it's the Full Frame & 24Mp I'm after so that I can use all my existing film lenses to their max focal lengths.

Personally, and as a matter of taste, I feel DSLRs of this calibre, are best produced without Live View. The Intelligent Preview in addition to DOF function, is a good inclusion without down-ranking the model. Based on the design aspect of A900, I sense its leanings towards the traditional era of photography - I like this in the A900, its semblance of old school cameras the likes of Nikon's F4. Chunky, hefty, rugged, & that dependable feel when you hold it.

 

[OldFlower]

Yes, and I guess I'll go for the HVL-F58AM.
But what do you think? I have to see it first, because my old Minolta 5600HS is still very functional after more than 5 years. I hope the Sony 58AM isn't flimsy.
I know how flexible the Sony flash is due to its ability to swivel in many angles, but I wonder about the durability of its hinges as such. (?)

Anyone has one and can provide user experience?
I depend on flashes a lot. And I hate buying a Lemon. And I don't sell lemons - I trash it.

 

[OldFlower]

Oh and I have been so burried in my work, what's new and good in the Dry Cabinet market at present? ... time to add another cabinet - running out of space.

Kindly advice, anyone?

 

[godzilla60]

When I read/heard about how A900 is better in battery consumption, I immediately had doubts because; logically it cannot be so, because of the size of the sensor, & the large mirror. And with this larger mirror inside, the shutter release sounds much meatier than
A700.
But then, I didn't buy the A900 for its shutter sound, it's the Full Frame & 24Mp I'm after so that I can use all my existing film lenses to their max focal lengths.

Personally, and as a matter of taste, I feel DSLRs of this calibre, are best produced without Live View. The Intelligent Preview in addition to DOF function, is a good inclusion without down-ranking the model. Based on the design aspect of A900, I sense its leanings towards the traditional era of photography - I like this in the A900, its semblance of old school cameras the likes of Nikon's F4. Chunky, hefty, rugged, & that dependable feel when you hold it.

haha.....i will prefer it to have Live View for the odd angles when necessary....

 

[godzilla60]

Yes, and I guess I'll go for the HVL-F58AM.
But what do you think? I have to see it first, because my old Minolta 5600HS is still very functional after more than 5 years. I hope the Sony 58AM isn't flimsy.
I know how flexible the Sony flash is due to its ability to swivel in many angles, but I wonder about the durability of its hinges as such. (?)

Anyone has one and can provide user experience?
I depend on flashes a lot. And I hate buying a Lemon. And I don't sell lemons - I trash it.

joints are always one of the places where wear and tear will appear........so i guess in this aspect, if u use it often, it will give way......

i have handled it before....feels like my trusty F56AM

 

[zcf]

Yes, and I guess I'll go for the HVL-F58AM.
But what do you think? I have to see it first, because my old Minolta 5600HS is still very functional after more than 5 years. I hope the Sony 58AM isn't flimsy.
I know how flexible the Sony flash is due to its ability to swivel in many angles, but I wonder about the durability of its hinges as such. (?)

Anyone has one and can provide user experience?
I depend on flashes a lot. And I hate buying a Lemon. And I don't sell lemons - I trash it.

I think so far no one use it enough to comment on it durability :sweat: But on hand feeling is quite sturdy, that's probably why they make it so thick.

Functionality wise, you don't actually need a 58AM if you have own a 5600HS, unless you really use a lot of bounce and have problem with flash's white balance issue. 5600HS is a good flash, just that 58AM is slightly better.

 

[DiGdUb]

the f58am is quite a joy to use. durability so far i haven't encountered any issues.

 

[OldFlower]

I think so far no one use it enough to comment on it durability :sweat: But on hand feeling is quite sturdy, that's probably why they make it so thick.

Functionality wise, you don't actually need a 58AM if you have own a 5600HS, unless you really use a lot of bounce and have problem with flash's white balance issue. 5600HS is a good flash, just that 58AM is slightly better.

Ok I just picked up the 58AM. And yes I always bounce or use a self-made difuser, and never direct flash.
Having the unit now in hand, it feels quite sturdy, thick plastics, firm grippy swivel & swag. Functions as intuitively as the Minolta 5600HS.
I think good enough, I feel it is a good purchase. Now I don't have to worry when my old Minolta flash will give up its ghost on me.
One things though, it is a bit TALL so had to store it in its soft case horizontally in my crampy dry cab. Just bought another digicab to house all three Alphas. sheesh.. :embrass:

 

[OldFlower]

Oh and guess what's next in my Drool List?
... the CZ 85mm f1.4. ;p
It's really reasonably priced now!

 

[Rashkae]

Oh and guess what's next in my Drool List?
... the CZ 85mm f1.4. ;p
It's really reasonably priced now!

I might have a mint condition, second hand one on sale *very* soon.

 

[Andies]

wonder why sony left out live view for a900.. really weird decision

 

[Rashkae]

wonder why sony left out live view for a900.. really weird decision

Nope. And, once again, a topic that has already been discussed to death.

If you do any research on the LV implementation by Sony, you'll realize it doesn't work well with the pentaprism setup. And Sony doesn't like doing thinks in patchwork.

Also, the A900 is designed as a photographer's tool... And in that regard, it's quite stellar. LV is a gimmick.

 

[godzilla60]

Nope. And, once again, a topic that has already been discussed to death.

If you do any research on the LV implementation by Sony, you'll realize it doesn't work well with the pentaprism setup. And Sony doesn't like doing thinks in patchwork.

Also, the A900 is designed as a photographer's tool... And in that regard, it's quite stellar. LV is a gimmick.

technically-wise it may not be feasible to be perfect....but LV as a gimmick is quite relative, not an absolute.:nono: While LV may not be important to a photographer who go for street candids or portraiture shots, it is useful to a photographer covering events and macro shots when the need for composing shots arises. Likewise, while there are many arguments about IQ and lens quality between Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, etc.... i chose the A100 then because of the practicality of the camera according to my usage rather than the other brands (especially the built-in IS). So practicality plays an important role especially for serious amateurs and beginners which is why Canon and Nikon introduces LV in their higher-end cameras (e.g. D700, D300, etc)

also, i do think that while A900 is commendable on paper and tests, the somewhat lack of functionalities like LV does put the quite in the quite stellar comment. I will have be seriously tempted if Sony comes with something like D700, LV FF though at lower megapixels.

That being said, it is an admirable feat for their first FF DSLR.:thumbsup:

 

[Agetan]

LV on FF DSLR is kind of funny....

With FF and DSLR that is design for professional use, the implementation of intelligent preview works really well... save a lot of work and fall in love with this feature when I tested the A-900.

I think with LV, it will suck up too much juice from batt... so I would prefer to have 300 more shots than LV.

Lighter camera for macro use yes, LV will be great... but not on heavy camera I think...

 

[OldFlower]

Nope. And, once again, a topic that has already been discussed to death.

If you do any research on the LV implementation by Sony, you'll realize it doesn't work well with the pentaprism setup. And Sony doesn't like doing thinks in patchwork.

Also, the A900 is designed as a photographer's tool... And in that regard, it's quite stellar. LV is a gimmick.

Yes, well said, gimmicky is the word I never thought of using to describe how I feel towards LV. Frankly (and this is just me only I guess..) if want to have an idea how a subject/s frames, I'd use my cardboard cutout 'viewfinder' frame which I keep in my bag or breast pocket. As for odd angles such as low down to the ground, I'd use my angled viewfinder. I just feel that the LCD display is the single most power hungry integrated component of all DSLRs. Hence I think framing and composing via LV regularly would use up the battery faster than actual shots taken.

And ooohhh mama... LOVE the A900's pentaprism - it gives the A900 the traditional look! Very F4-ish!

 

[OldFlower]

LV on FF DSLR is kind of funny....

With FF and DSLR that is design for professional use, the implementation of intelligent preview works really well... save a lot of work and fall in love with this feature when I tested the A-900.

I think with LV, it will suck up too much juice from batt... so I would prefer to have 300 more shots than LV.

Lighter camera for macro use yes, LV will be great... but not on heavy camera I think...

Agreed.
Think of a Ferrari; it's built light to run, and really run fast. But if you add passenger seats behind to take 3 passengers - it would subtract from its performance delivery. I think that's why there are WRXs... :bsmilie:

 

[OldFlower]

I might have a mint condition, second hand one on sale *very* soon.

Woah... how much you plan on selling it?
And why sell such a jewel of a lens??? :dunno:
I mean this lens literally 'cuts' the subject out of the background!
I'm still in awe after trying it out personally.. even pics taken with it posted on the internet looks 3D! OMG man...

 

[Rashkae]

Woah... how much you plan on selling it?
And why sell such a jewel of a lens??? :dunno:
I mean this lens literally 'cuts' the subject out of the background!
I'm still in awe after trying it out personally.. even pics taken with it posted on the internet looks 3D! OMG man...

Hmm... Mainly because of overlap... I have the 50mm and the 135mm as well. Not too sure if I still "need" the 85. I'll think about it.

 

[godzilla60]

LV on FF DSLR is kind of funny....

With FF and DSLR that is design for professional use, the implementation of intelligent preview works really well... save a lot of work and fall in love with this feature when I tested the A-900.

I think with LV, it will suck up too much juice from batt... so I would prefer to have 300 more shots than LV.

Lighter camera for macro use yes, LV will be great... but not on heavy camera I think...

mmm. funny? maybe because the photographer looks unprofessional composing shots on a professional camera? :think: haha

true...LV sucks up LOTS of juice.....but I would really rather that the function is there when i really need it at the odd angle then to go for trial and error. In fact, i am not a LV fanatic...i can't shoot with PNS that uses only LV....my hands shake too much when extended...:sweatsm:

 

[godzilla60]

Yes, well said, gimmicky is the word I never thought of using to describe how I feel towards LV. Frankly (and this is just me only I guess..) if want to have an idea how a subject/s frames, I'd use my cardboard cutout 'viewfinder' frame which I keep in my bag or breast pocket. As for odd angles such as low down to the ground, I'd use my angled viewfinder. I just feel that the LCD display is the single most power hungry integrated component of all DSLRs. Hence I think framing and composing via LV regularly would use up the battery faster than actual shots taken.

And ooohhh mama... LOVE the A900's pentaprism - it gives the A900 the traditional look! Very F4-ish!

haha... i think u misunderstand my point....when i meant to compose with LV, it is not on a comfortable eye-level, which i can just use fingers and thumbs from both hands to form the necessary frame. What i meant is when u wanna take a shot from really low level that is very close to the ground (say, maybe 1 mm from the ground?) and it is inconvenient to lie down prone position? or composing a shot over the heads of the crowd in front (have u noticed that usually people standing in front of u always are taller..sigh..)?

LV is really not for frequent usage...it is really good for the odd shots at the odd angles...just like nuclear weapons..they are not frequently used (just once so far..) but they are a good-to-have when the need arises...

frankly, i have played with my friend's A350's LV, another friend's 40D's LV and yet another D300's LV...they are good to have when framing almost impossible shots but on frequent usage, it is like the bayonet exercises where we have to hold the weight of the M16 with extended arms....highly unstable....

but if the A900 price is good, i dun mind getting the 3rd party attachment that attaches to the VF to emulate LV without sapping the main batt's juice...

on the point of the pentaprism...yeah...i love it.....so manly...:lovegrin: