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<p>Thanks for the reply. I'm hoping for free, but everybody hopes to get a new camera for free. I'll negotiate with the person on this, once we've worked out the amount of work involved. I've got a shopping list of things I'd like to photograph, but because I'll be there for such a short period of time, I'm needing more or less a Korean-speaking organiser who can pre-arrange some things, so I can arrive and shoot. The person will need to talk to the people at the site on my behalf, too (my Korean isn't that good... if it still exists).</p>

<p>The X700 is nice. I grew up with a Seagull license-make version with MD lenses. It came in handy last year when it was much too humid and hot for my digital. I do know the reputation of the G lenses, I've got the Sony 70-300mm G. It's not a perfect lens, but seeing that review of the 28-70mm G showed me that even that lens suffers from croma and CA. Though I don't think it suffers from distortion, at least that much.</p>

<p>I had the 35-80mm and thought it all right. Without realising what the KM18-70mm really was, I got that and gave my 35-80mm to a friend who broke his. Anyway, I've mostly been surviving with the 50mm 1.4, but having a zoom again would be awesome.<br>

Looking at the Tamron review (thanks Robert for those links) it looks mortifying. However, then comparing those to the Minolta 28-70mm G... the Tamron ain't so bad.</p>

<p>"...the main criticism seems to be relatively high geometric distortion" ouch. Thanks for the replies. Is there any other options of similar focal length, sharpness, but without this kind of distortion... without going into the Carl Zeiss price bracket?</p>

<p>It has been, but still there are some stocks available about the place, including from the Sony Japan website. I wonder what will be announced later in Aug or Sept.</p>

<p>Sony organised my FFB problem, but then I live in Japan, so my situation is a little different. If it's not FFB, it'd interesting to hear what else it might be. I still use my 5d occasionally (mostly use the A200 now).</p>

<p>Has anyone used this lens? Is it possible that this is the same as the Sony 28-75mm f2.8 SAM? Perhaps just rebadged and a different AF motor. anyway, what is the Tamron 28-75mm like? What problems have you had with it?</p>

<p>Thanks for the response. I didn't reply earlier, as I was hoping for more responses. Thanks for the suggestion.</p>

<p>I'll be going to Seoul, South Korea for a few days. I'm hoping to get some local help while I'm there. Does anyone here know of a Korean with some English skills (or perhaps some English AND Japanese language abilities; I live in Japan) who might be willing to help me out for a couple of photo shoots. Even if you don't know anyone, do you know someone who might know someone? Cheers. :)</p>

<p>What is the image quality like? Chromatic aberrations? Sharp in the sweet spot? Anything else I should know about or consider?</p>

<p>The second hand market might be a bit tough to find. Of course Bic Camera is good, but find lower prices elsewhere, get a photo or brochure from that place that shows the product and Bic Camera will then offer you a better price (so the rumours go, I've never bothered to try it). And you can get duty free if you show your passport. Bic Camera, though, doesn't normally have second hand goods (at least in Nagoya, where I am). Locally, I go to a place called Top Camera, to the third floor of their store, but again, I don't know if there's a top camera in Tokyo.<br>

Here in Nagoya, I've found that the lens prices on the second hand market seem to be about the same, or a little more than the US eBay, and film cameras seem to retain their values, too. However, consumer level cameras have 2/3 of their price wiped off of them withm a year and a half after release.<br>

Have a good trip.</p>

<p>You missed a fantastic opportunity! You should have given the officer your business card and offered to shoot his daughter's wedding! ;)</p>

<p>You could check out my page on "<a href="http://www.winjeel.com/photography/how_to_take_photos/mini_studios.htm">mini studios</a> " and there's other stuff there you might find interesting, and also at <a href="http://blog.photoshelter.com/corp/2009/06/delectable-and-profitable-food.html">PhotoShelter's Learn has an interesting bit on food photography</a> .</p>

<p>You'll find a few good ones at <a href="http://pa.photoshelter.com/">photoshelter</a> . Search by genre, take a look through their portfolios, and e-mail some who seem to be of the style you like. Explain your case and see how you go. You maybe lucky and contact someone who is in need of an intern right now, but I guess that most have already organised themselves, or it's a bit early. Let us know how you get on.</p>

<p>Those luggage restrictions are normal, but if anything, it's 2kg's more than Cathay (I think). I've never had my carry on luggage checked, that said, it's always been in about the size and shape less than they allow, but not weight. As Louise says, don't make it look heavy. Most airlines have also been lenient with luggage restrictions. In pre 9/11 days, I checked in a 23kg bag (limit was 20kg's), though during the fuel price hike they got strict. I'd put all the extras in the check-in luggage and the most precious bits in my carry on bag.</p>

<p>50mm 1.4 and 70-300mm G... (if I could upgrade to 70-200mm, I would).</p>

<p>Without having had an 85mm 1.4 G, I can't say much, but I do love the Minolta 50mm 1.4 that I do have. It's a brilliant little lens. However, for low light portraits (between f2 and f1.4), I find it can be too shallow, at least on aps-c, though I'm sure it's less harsh on full frame or film. It's really sharp and can be really fun to use.</p>

<p>Full frame and at a nice price, that's exciting. :)</p>

<p>Thanks for that link, Craig. I bounced to the JNTO website and found some interesting things.</p>

<p>I think the A200 is quite good, and perhaps better than the A300 and A350, as there were no comprimises to be made for including dubious bits of amatuer bait... err... I mean, live view. I agree with Paul, just get to know the camera first, the lenses, and your style of photography. It's probably a lot cheaper to only upgrade the lenses that you actually do need. You might find yourself more interested in macro, so get those, or more interested in wildlife, so get higher quality long lenses instead. But see what you like doing first. Have fun.</p>

<p>Other than the standard Cherry Blossoms, are there are places or events that might be interesting to photograph? Especially in central Japan. For me, I might be getting to the Osaka sumo tournament, then be looking around for the standard Cherry Blossom pictures, especially at Nagoya Castle.</p>

<p>Wow. That's nice. And that's handheld? No blur? This website, <a href="http://photozone.de/sony-alpha-aps-c-lens-tests">Photozone</a> has some good reviews, including that lens.</p>

<p>It is a nice lens, I enjoy it. Be careful with the flash, as there's a slight shadow under that last butterfly</p>

<p>I went to Cambodia, and have been through Thailand's airport scanners... oh and Vietnam's scanners with film, and have had no problem. Everything developed fine. You can buy film there. I'm sure now that everyone else (tourists with point and shoots) has changed to digital, there'll be a lot of unsold film available everywhere at probably minimum prices. I've even had film developed there, no prob', though their printing services are ma-and-pa-ish.</p>

<p>I don't have an A900, yet. But it's in my dreams every night. From what I've read and heard about it, G glass, as Richards says, is the way to go, at least for now. Who knows, they may begin work an a 'Platinum' series of lenses that could do well on future, higher resolution full-frame cameras. DP Review still gives the 50mm 1.4 8 to 8.5 in ratings, despite having had some negative criticism of it, so I guess you don't always need 'G' glass. I wish I could give it a try for myself, so I could tell you more (all donations are welcome).</p>