Sony System any good?

[ManWearPants]

Oh? So you can buy a stabilized 24-70 for Canon?

I am just saying the price point if you look at my comparison works out more or less the same regardless of brand. I remember that one of the selling point of built-in stabilizer is cheaper lens. This rationale does not hold true for top range lenses. Just highlighting a point for TS to consider.

 

[Rashkae]

I am just saying the price point if you look at my comparison works out more or less the same regardless of brand. I remember that one of the selling point of built-in stabilizer is cheaper lens. This rationale does not hold true for top range lenses. Just highlighting a point for TS to consider.

Well, sony never said "cheaper lens". They always said "Image stabilization with any lens" which is quite true.

 

[eow]

The rrp of sony lenses is seemly more expensive.. but in actual fact some of the 2nd hand stuff for cz and G can be grab off the bns at a lower price than their nikon and canon counterpart... and also across the causeway..they can be also be bought at lower price than sing.
one of the advantages..bodies bought hkg and malaysia are also entitled to intl warranty..plus sony service centre open from 11am to 9pm except for wed 830pm daily mon-sun, even in public holiday..

the advantage of the stablised body benefit lot for certain lens like the std and wide angle zoom..til to date which even the canon and nikon had no answer for their stablised 16-35,24-70L and afs 17-35,24-70..none of their fixed lenses at below 100mm in focal length is stablised

 

[xiutian]

I am just saying the price point if you look at my comparison works out more or less the same regardless of brand. I remember that one of the selling point of built-in stabilizer is cheaper lens. This rationale does not hold true for top range lenses. Just highlighting a point for TS to consider.

I see your point but comparing the quality of the L lens to the CZ is like comparing the Canon 50D to the Sony A900. They are in a different class.

 

[Ouverture]

I am just saying the price point if you look at my comparison works out more or less the same regardless of brand. I remember that one of the selling point of built-in stabilizer is cheaper lens. This rationale does not hold true for top range lenses. Just highlighting a point for TS to consider.

To add on, you are comparing FF lenses pricing, of which cost is no issue to the people/professionals who owned them. CZ and L lenses are of different league anyway.

If you look at cropped bodies and lenses, then comparing the price, quality and coupled with IS, then Sony's offerings are quite unmatched, looking at apples to apples.

ie. A700 with CZ1680, for this range, price, quality, performance and IS, I dun think there is equivalence in other camps...not to mentioned Stabilized prime lenses...

 

[unimatrix]

Say we don't compare sony lenses with lenses from other systems.
because we can always say that the price differences are from different lens coating, quality of optics, materials, SSM / USM, etc etc
comparing L lenses with CZ lenses, then we can go on talking about the difference between CZ glass L glasses, blah blah blah..

how about comparing with 3rd party lenses usage? same optics and materials for every mount right (except of course the built-in motor for the Nikon variants)?

I always think that one of the major advantage of using alpha system is the availability of IS in any lenses, including 3rd party lenses.

think of using tamron 90mm F2.8, 17-50 F2.8 18-250, 70-200F2.8
Sigma 30F1.4, 24-70 F2.8, 70-200F2.8
all with IS.

too bad that in Singapore 3rd party lens is being poooh-poohed as being second rated... but they're really not that bad.. though their QC might be sometimes lacking ..
and 3years warranty for local tamron compared to 6 years of Tamron USA..
anyway, that's another issue all together..

back to my point: Sony: IS with any lens.

 

[die Blende]

hi i'm a newbie in Sony Alpha system bought a Sony A-300 with dual kit and loving it..

if you screen through all post by me you would see from the forum's BnS that i have used the 350D,30D,D200 and some assortment of lens from both CAMP C and CAMP N. This is not due to i am very rich ;p or itchy to keep on changing systems but it is because i was working for different photographers in the past 6 years and as such wanted to learn as much as possible. At that time many of the commercial (read successful photogs) were either using C or N. But due to high competition especially in small, sunny Singapore, I couldn't branch off myself and thus have to totally forget about going commercial. Now I am working in a full time job and doing freelance asst. photog to a photog who uses Olympus System. My point is

1) In SG majority of the commercial photogs uses C or N for many many years, at that time
didn't have sony or the marketing power of Sony(Konica Minolta).
2)During my stint as a assistant somehow i can never afford or save up enough or justify based on my pay to buy any of the f 2.8 lens that both camps offer be it normal or with IS/VR.

This time round I bought my DSLR not as someone who want to be a successful commercial photog but a newbie buying into a system. Photography is still much of a passion for me but cashflow is also a major concern.

So why SONY Alpha?
1)Dual Kit was going for, at very affordable price with lots of free gift
2)Nothing beats having (IS/VR) but having SSS(SuperSteadyShot)/IS/VR built into the body thats a killer. Imagine Sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM with SSS, 120-300 2.8 HSM with SSS, 300 2.8 HSM with SSS. I guess like what have been said for like endless times, ANY LENS ALSO GOT IS/VR (third party especially).
3)Image quality is really good for me since the biggest i would print would be A3 size. And so far there isn't any problem regarding IQ, Noise or anything. I must say its quite comparable to my D200 so I have no complaints.
4)Form factor and weight. Buying DSLR this time round is for hobby and to take photos when out with my family. I remember when i was lugging around my neck the
a)C 350D with 18-55 - this combination was good lightweight but due to the large
EF/EFS mount and small grip, it really is uncomfortable (i have big hands :embrass
b)C 30D with 17-85 is - this combination was good in terms grip but weight wise was a
a chore
c)N D200 with 18-135 - this combination to me is the most excellent but weight was
really,really unbearable
The above examples is based on shooting for casual hobby, street shooting, scenery and casual shooting of family, kids when out for a walk or picnic.

lugging the Alpha A300 with 18-70 around my neck is definitely much lighter than D200&18-135 and at the same time gives me almost the same grip/hand holdability.

Why not other makes with built in shake reduction?
Camp O - i just can't get use to the 4/3 format, smallish view finder (really personal preference :sticktong)

Camp P - Well this was the other close competitor which i nearly wanted to get especially since used K20D was going at very attractive prices at BnS what stopped me short was the change of distributor.. warranty coverage (its just a feeling of unsureness that was bugging me in the P system).

Now what if i wanna try my luck at being a successful photog AGAIN?
Sony has a good line of DSLRs now and a vast variety of lens and even PRO BODY A900 has SSS
ps: I am not saying that Konica Minolta don't have successful photographers, maybe the marketing is not there or i was having selective hearing only can hear C or N :angel:

At the end of the day Sony won me over with affordable price,in body shake reduction,reliability(service center), weight over function ration and many more..

These are only my opinion and my experience with getting a DSLR please do not flame me just sharing my journey.

The only thing I'm concerned about is using flash on alpha system which i haven't tried.
On N's system flash was a bliss and CLS was a charm
Anyone can share about flash photography with Alpha system compared to N's CLS??

 

[pipo999]

I can't answer the question 100% as I have been exclusively using Minolta (apart from other camera's in the medium format range). I have obviously held a Nikon and Canon every now and then but was never really thrown of my feet to be honest.

The reason for Minolta has been clear, always pushing technology to the edge being the first in almost everything that ever came available. Apart from that, the colors man .. the sheer beautiful colors .. (not too forget it's bokeh, priceless on the high-end lenses)

 

[SK1968]

Reading all the posts in this thread so far, I totally agree with those supporting the 'Good'. Being a devoted Minolta user from the onset some 20 years ago, I could never get used to the feel and the user-interface of others. Sony has also done a good job continuing the legacy and improving on where Minolta and later KM left.

I have a question here and hope some of you can help....Registering Sony DSLR products on-line enjoys a 15-mth warranty and that's it (I just checked with Sony). Wonder anyone experienced any breakdown during or after that period ? Also, does anyone know of any possibility in acquiring an extended warranty coverage for the DSLR products ?

 

[Ouverture]

Reading all the posts in this thread so far, I totally agree with those supporting the 'Good'. Being a devoted Minolta user from the onset some 20 years ago, I could never get used to the feel and the user-interface of others. Sony has also done a good job continuing the legacy and improving on where Minolta and later KM left.

I have a question here and hope some of you can help....Registering Sony DSLR products on-line enjoys a 15-mth warranty and that's it (I just checked with Sony). Wonder anyone experienced any breakdown during or after that period ? Also, does anyone know of any possibility in acquiring an extended warranty coverage for the DSLR products ?

I have heard cases of SSC providing free cleaning/checks and minor repair even if warranty is over...that's how good they are.

Extended warranty, if you want, then you can get from big electronic shops like Courts/Best Denki/HM but the extended warranty is actually covered by an insurance company.

 

[SK1968]

I have heard cases of SSC providing free cleaning/checks and minor repair even if warranty is over...that's how good they are.

Extended warranty, if you want, then you can get from big electronic shops like Courts/Best Denki/HM but the extended warranty is actually covered by an insurance company.

I see. That means I won't have a chance of extended warranty since I got it from CP. Tks.

 

[Galdor]

I see. That means I won't have a chance of extended warranty since I got it from CP. Tks.

Not too worry too much. I don't think a high tech gadget like a DSLR will fail so easily. My old KM7D has not failed me till now, apart from the 1st black frame problem. Moreover, I don't think the charges are exorbitant. Don't worry too much and enjoy shooting.

 

[SK1968]

Not too worry too much. I don't think a high tech gadget like a DSLR will fail so easily. My old KM7D has not failed me till now, apart from the 1st black frame problem. Moreover, I don't think the charges are exorbitant. Don't worry too much and enjoy shooting.

Tks for reassuring. My worry may be unfounded but comes as a result that I am a new DSLR owner. Perhaps you are correct, especially for a quality product from a reputable manufacturer.

 

[reaper3075]

The only thing I'm concerned about is using flash on alpha system which i haven't tried.
On N's system flash was a bliss and CLS was a charm
Anyone can share about flash photography with Alpha system compared to N's CLS??

Im not really sure about CLS. It does seem like a charm.

But the Alpha flash system also boast a wireless flash system, whereby similar to the Nikon's the pop-up flash is used as the commander.

And there's no denying that the Sony HVL F58 is probably one of the coolest flash around. Even when i'm shooting alongside other pro photogs in weddings, compliments to the f58 flash never fail to arise.

 

[Rashkae]

For any flash questions, I do suggest reading up a bit more here:

http://www.alphastrobist.com/

 

[Exposure]

Im not really sure about CLS. It does seem like a charm.

But the Alpha flash system also boast a wireless flash system, whereby similar to the Nikon's the pop-up flash is used as the commander.

And there's no denying that the Sony HVL F58 is probably one of the coolest flash around. Even when i'm shooting alongside other pro photogs in weddings, compliments to the f58 flash never fail to arise.

Sony HVL F58 is so good ! u dun need to worry about 'unbalance' light casts on the subjects'