tmhutchins

If you want to join the Sony/Konica Minolta crew you are more than welcome. No one else seems very encouraging. However, people rave on about this and that but in the end, a good photographer using either Canon/Sony or Nikon can produce nice sharp images.

 

1. If you do come across to the Sony don't restrict yourself to the CZ lenses only as there are a number of great lenses that are very sharp and much cheaper than the Canon ones. The range goes back into the late 80s with some very special stuff. (Check the Dyxum forum for detailed info).

 

2. We are promised a new camera body next year and some more CZ lenses (since you're interested in CZ).

 

3. The only areas that I can see that Canon currently has the advantage is a Pro lineup with Pro support and USM lenses. Sony has SSM but they are pricey, who knows though maybe SSM will be more common in Sony lenses soon as that's the direction Pentax is taking with Tokina. So for Pro stuff and action photography Canon has the advantage. Bang for your buck both Pentax and Sony are ahead.

 

Good luck with the transition to Sony if that's the choice you make, I really hope you're happy with the "change of scenary" or "the greener grass".

 

Tim H

I ask myself If I had to have just 2 lenses which ones would I choose. My answer would be Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and then wait for the release of the Sigma 50-150mm f2.8. Those 2 lenses would be good in low light and cover a wide range. After getting those 2 lenses I would then get a few primes like 50 f1.7, a 15mm prime, 28mm f2 and a Tamron 90mm Macro which can also be used for portrates. A really good kit if I could start over.

 

Right now I'm using the 18-70mm kit lens, Beercan, 50 f1.7 and 24mm f2.8. Whilst I'm happy with that it's just fun to change things now and then isn't it. New lenses always look so good when someone else has them, lol. Have fun.

 

Tim H

I'm happy with all the current breed of cameras, they are getting better and better. The Sony A100 felt nice but prehaps a bit small for my giant hands, that was the only thing I could think of. High Speed noise is not an issue for me, if anything I'd love to have ISO50 for my storm photography. Hopefully the next Sony will be weather sealed and a bit bigger with a vertical grip and then I'm sure all will be pleased. The current range of 10mp cameras are all rather similar in picture result the main difference I'm finding is with the software when it comes to editing RAW files. I just hope that DSLRs get better and better + cheaper and cheaper.

 

Tim H

There are plenty of cable releases on Ebay for the Sony. They are aftermarket ones, cost about $10.00US and they work. Just go to buy and type in Maxxum Cable Release or Sony A100 Cable release and you'll get a number of hits.

 

Tim H

I believe the next camera will replace the 7D and the Minolta influence will remain but slowly fade away over time (ergonomics I mean).

 

Full Frame, maybe according to the amount of F/F lenses (rebadging a fisheye lense for APS-C, I don't think so). All I'm after is low noise because I shoot lightning and use slow shutter speeds so a CMOS sensor similar to the 30D would be good but maybe just a few more MPs like 12 to make Nikon squirm, lol.

 

More than one camera next year, I'll be happy if they pull that off, awesome.

 

Tim H

I've been hastled in here by a few people to in the past but I just don't care as they probably take life a bit to seriously. Most of them don't seem to post here anymore anyway for some reason.

 

According to reviews in the Dyxum Forum the menus does take a few weeks to get used to especially for those that had the 7D, buttons and knobs. I'm hoping that my 7D will last long enough for a Sony replacement that uses a similar setup to the 7D. But, since you have the A100 just find all the positives with it and focus on them. Read all the reviews and forum posts to get insight into the thing. If you see some nice shots taken with the camera ask the photographer for the EXIF or just how they did it.

 

Regarding noise. This is nothing new with the A100s sensor. It is well documented in most reviews and forums. Try to use the lowest ISO setting possible for the given situation and invest in faster glass. Work around the problem with software like noise ninja (try shooting RAW and use Bibble Pro), all options.

 

I'm just a hobby shooter and like you I'm learning each day so welcome to the club.

 

Tim H

PS> I generally do lightning photography up here in Darwin and for me a tripod is number 1 in importance.

Benro is a great brand. They seem to be a dead ringer clone of the Gitzo stuff, even the quick release plates are awesome. For $400-$450AUS you can get a series 2 carbon tripod and a really good ball head. I normally wouldn't recommend a clone of anything but these tripods are up there with the best even if the purists don't like me saying it. Just go to EBay type in Benro and all their stuff will pop up. You can just select the Buy it now option and use PayPal. My mate just got the latest series 2 and it is a real piece of work, nicely crafted.

Elija - I have used all the metering modes with the same result. The flash functions when the mode named "FP" is shown on the flash LCD Screen but even then it over exposes by 2 stops and when bounced the flash needs to be set at -2 or even -3. THe s/n begins with 70... which I have found is an older one. To be fully compatible it must begin with an 8. It does seem like a good flash, but I'll get it replaced with the newer one and then when I can know for sure that it is just a chipping issue and I have a fully functional model I'll do a review on the flash as an cheaper alternative to the Minolta ones. Seems there hasn't been many product reviews lately and Minolta flash reviews could help others with and flash issues. If anyone knows of other compatible flashes that could be reviewed then do it because it will be helpful to all us Minolta users.

I don't know, this is the first external flash I have ever owned and I think I'll be returning it for them to replace. It over exposes by +2 when pointed at the subject and under exposes by -2 when using bounce flash. It only works when set on FP mode whatever that is so I guess ADI and PTTL won't work. You said it worked well on your camera, was it also a 7D? It is digital that this particular flash seems to have trouble with.

I have a problem!! This flash is meant to be fully compatible with the 7D and

B&H Photo Video even recommended it to me as a good alternative to the 5600HSD

which is not being made anymore (Sony will release a re-badged one, but when?).

 

I needed a flash for a wedding and just couldn't get my hands on a Minolta one.

I received this Sigma flash last night and put it on the Hot Shoe, set the 7D

to program mode and tried it out. It fired at full power burning out all

detail. I tried a few other settings with the same result. Are there people in

this forum that have experiences with this flash? If so I really want to know

if I'm doing anything wrong before I send it back. I could have the camera,

flash or both setup incorrectly as I'm inexperienced with external flash use.

 

I would be suprised if Adorama, B&H + Sigma all recommend this flash for use

with the 7D & 5D and it is found to be useless.

Not sure about the FLash issue, actually I'm having my own flash issues right now. I have just bought a Sigma EX 500 DG Super flash and it doesn't seem to work, just fires full burst everytime. As for fireworks I took some photos the other night. It depends on the effect you're after. If you want more bursts just leave the shutter open for longer, less, use a faster shutter speed. As for Aperture just experiment. I use f8 for close fireworks and f3 or 2.8 for distant fireworks. Here's one of mine from the other night:

 

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4628173

 

Just paste it into your web browser and let me know if you like it!

Sony will definately make everybody interested when they show off a Semi-Pro DSLR at the next camera show. It probably won't be released until next year but they will show it. Showing something obviously keeps the interest high if there is a bit of a time gap between the A100 and the next camera. I believe it is interesting as someone pointed out in another forum question that Sony haven't released news of any more digital only lenses, they are all (accept for the kit lenses) designed for a future full frame camera. All the Sony lenses will filter into the market and be fully available just when the next camera will be released. The new camera is probably linked in with the availability of all the lenses, so when will the Full 20 be on the shelves, probably by the end of the year. That being said I guess another DSLR could be with us by January or February, but I bet they'd love to get all those Pre-Christmas orders, lol.

If you are gonna buy into a wedding setup I suggest you factor in 2 camera bodies. One is never enough. If you are using your Pentax gear as a backup rig then no worries, if you are selling your Pentax gear for either Canon or Nikon gear then you will need two bodies incase one packs it in during the wedding. I chose to get 2 Konica Minolta 7D bodies. The second one was only $680.00 plus 28-75mm f2.8 lens in the package. The top shelf flash for the Minolta is excellent and under estimated. I have never had an issue with it. Sony has now taken over and their entry level Alpha has the same Sensor as the Nikon D200 for half the cost so I personally can't wait to see their next Pro Level Camera. Until then I can say that the Konica Minolta 7D is a highly under rated camera that is easy to use and gets the job done. A good alternative!!

A big question is how much money do you have to spend on your gear. I just use a Konica Minolta 7D, you can buy a kit at Adorama with a 28-75mm f2.8 lens for $680US. All the lenses are compatible with the new Sony Alpha cameras with the entry level Alpha having the same sensor as the Nikon D200 for half the price. The Minolta lenses are also easy to get. From talking to others about Wedding Photography I have found that most don't want enlargments bigger than A3 and the 7D can make nice enlargements from a RAW file to A2. It is a good cheap DSLR with Pro build quality and Image Stabilisation built in for those low light weddings.

 

If you have more money to spend and aren't sure about film or digital why not get both in one camera. The Leica R8 & R9 are film cameras and you can attach a digital back. The lenses are some of the best in the world and from all reports it is a good camera. Lenses are manual focus and very smooth like the ones used on most Medium Format cameras.

 

In the end though there are 2 types of cameras, those with menus and buttons and those with dials and buttons. For me that's why I chose the Konica Minolta because I personally found it easy to use. Try out 4 or 5 cameras and then make your mind up. I wouldn't go for Medium Format because of the Post Production cost and camera weight + slow speed. Hope this helps in some way.

 

Tim H

Very glad I bought a 50f1.7 before they dropped that one. I'm a bit suprised that I don't see a Sony rebadged 28-75 f2.8 lens but maybe that'll be the kit lens for the next edition DSLR. Full Frame at a street fighter price would put all other brands on red alert. This new SOny DSLR may have already done that if you look at what Nikon users are saying. Some people who have just bought the Canon 350D are wishing they didn't, including my boss. I would really love to see a revamped 28-135mm f4 lens but maybe an f3.5 would be nice. I have the old version and appart from weighing a ton that lens rocks!!

I left my 7D on over night and it was still able to take a few shots the next day. Actually with a spare battery I haven't needed to change them very often. Keep your batteries in the fridge and they'll last a lot longer.

I like it for a starter camera. Puts a lot of pressure on other brands to do something. People will buy this I think rather than a Canon 350D and would think twice about the Canon 30D and Nikon D200 when they see the specs. It is missing some things, but for an entry level camera it more than meets those requirements. Now we wait for the next installment.

 

Tim H

Here's my take on this topic. Leica have a digital Aerial photography camera that uses 6 CCDs. I work in the Survey Branch of the Government here in Darwin Australia and we've been using film for aerial runs for ever. Digital is the way of the future here. The results that were produced by the sales rep from the Leica camera were nothing short of amazing and the price of 1 Million US for the camera was amazing too. It used a similar Anti Shake technology on each sensor that we are used to so that the camera and sensors can adjust to the planes movement. The camera was large format in size. If this technology could be scaled down over the years with new technology I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work well in DSLRs or better still Medium Format DSLRs. For me personally I think that CMOS sensors are the way of the future and the Canon 1DS Mark 2N is the leader there. The sensor in that camera is good enough for anyone so why would we need more than that (Full Frame +16mp)? If Sony one day put a sensor like that in a good body then all Minolta users will love it. More research needs to be done on batteries so that one day DSLRs will be able to stay charged as long as their film camera brothers. Sony may just provide that.

I agree. The lenses that we had available from Minolta were very good. One that I would love to see brought back and revamped would be the 28-135mm f4-4.5 lens. I have this lens and love it but a more compact D version that would be lighter would be nice. Also make it so that the front won't rotate when zooming and with a dedicated hood. There are a number of Minolta lenses that could do with modernizing but the I liked the quality and range. Oh, and make the above lens f3.5 right through the zoom range. About what was said regarding Sony & Minolta and making searching for topics easier (2 or 3 posts back) I think that needs to be done soon. Things need organising because after the 6th June things may get chaotic.

I think Leica had something to do with the Pre-AF era because on the Michael Hohner Minolta/Sony site I don't see any Leica stuff associated with Minolta AF products. As for the 70-210mm f4, I always hear people rave on about the Minolta AF lens with those specs that looks like a Beercan. After seeing results from this lens I can see why they rave. I thought all old Leica lenses would have been primes, but that may not be the case.

 

Tim H

It does look good, but wait there's more. Might be a 10mp version soon as well. The downside with the cheaper Pentax DSLRs is the ISO range that starts at ISO200. That may change with the higher level cameras. Probably won't be much difference between the 10mp version of the Pentax and the replacement for the 7D.

No they won't. Most need a spare, especially the wedding photographers. They'll hold onto their 7D or 5D and upgrade if it is a substantial upgrade. If it is not they'll just try a few new lenses whilst waiting for a direct upgrade to their 7D.

By the way, I'm happy to discuss Sony & KM. I'm really quite excited about the whole thing and after a bit of a worrying start I'm more confident to invest in an Sony Alpha camera now. I also think that Sony will have the smarts to knock Canon back a peg or two and deal directly with the Nikon D200. No water cooler for me, maybe a pressure cooker!!

I've felt as though there have been some tough comments made to people, but hey, sometimes tough is ok if you can learn from it. Nothing like a good coating of leather skin when posting. I understand the mood though, there has been a lot happening and heaps of changes. I didn't see any of the deleted posts, but it'll take more than a few comments to get rid of me as I'm enjoying Photo.net.