james_frater

I am sure there is a hot shoe attachment for a flash sync cable avialable for Minolta.

 

Another solution slave units that will trigger with the on-camera flash.

 

Always work arounds.

I am not sure if anyone posted this review, but Steves Digicams has posted

what I think is the best review so far.

 

One thing I have noticed is that it is more KM than Sony in design and user

interface. which I think is great for starters.

 

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/alpha100.html

Considering Australia will win the world cup, that game will be Gold. Aussies at one time or another dominate and win at every sport, time for us to be the best at soccer as well. Considering it is not our main sport.

Actually I had the same issue with the 8GB Sandisk CF card. I was given one from a fellow 7D freind on mine, which when taken out of the pack I was able to just pop in and use without formatting.

 

He put 'his' new one in, and he was asked to format, it did not work. I tried to format it in mine and could not do it, 'error message'.

 

Put the memory card reader into the computer, formatted it, and BINGO!!! was able to work in the camera.

 

Also never had any issues formatting the cards at later stages. I think it may have to do with how it comes out of the factory. They should already be pre-formatted, I think some are not, or some maybe stuffed during the processing stage, and I think a windows computer format will try to wipe anything, anytime. Where as the camera format is not a heavy duty wipe the hell out of it type of camera.

 

Because I could not also format it using the KM A2, but it works fine now in that camera also.

 

The moral is, if you want to wipe something, let Microsoft wipe your memory for you :) They are good at destroying data.

No, the new Sony models have the 10mp sensor. Now of course size is not everything, but it is a big improvement over the KM models. And when road tested hope the image quality is excellent and even imporoved on the current 5 & 7D models.

 

And with my inkjet printer I have been getting more and more into larger prints, A4, A3 for example. And in certain cases, the 6mp size does show.

 

I have a 7D, and will not get another one, not when a higher pixel version is coming out.

Okay, I have decided thus.

 

When the First Sony Alpha A100 hits the shelves, I will sit, wait and ponder.

That is until the next model comes out. I am assuming it will be an upgraded

model from the A100, (hopefully an upgrade from the 7D specs).

 

That is when I will be going in, either with the first release model or

hopefully the upgraded model to sit next to my 7D.

 

I am already attracted to the 10mp A100 model, but will just wait for the next

camera to hit the shelves, which I think will be not so long after.

From the reviews so far, many are re-branded items, the flashes are rebranded 3600HS and 5600HS flashes. Same for (some) lenses.

People seem to not understand evolution, in specific evolution of digital camera's.

 

DSLR's are becoming more common place, more and more models are hitting the market from makers other than the big guns such as Canon, Nikon, Olympus, etc. Now Panasonic, etc, etc are releasing cameras.

 

The plan is to get bigger and better, larger sensors, more megapixels. Like usual, prices will come down as more people buy and technologies are developed to make these things cheaper.

 

All makers in the future will make 35mm sensors and larger sensors, if not already. They have already on the market medium format digital camera sensors.

 

I used to think why not just name the lense correctly. But the thing is KM 7D & 5D sensors are bigger than Olympus sensors and even certain makes of Nikon and Canon.

 

Just look as the specs for different models to see the variation in sensor size. Naming focal length really is a non issue.

I do not see a 28-70 2.8, or some of the other 2.8 zoom lenses which were polular with KM

Well I think from what I have seen from just reading the "dpreview" review,

the initial release model looks like a winner from Sony. And I am eagerly

awaiting higher level models.

 

The people who jumped off the Minolta band wagon and set fire to them, I think

will be having some guilty feelings about the fire sale of their gear.

 

After looking at their first release model, it has rejuvinated my thoughts and

efforts with regards to all my current gear, the fact that my Minolta gear

will live on with Sony in so many ways.

 

I still love the feel and control of the 7D, the dials are perfect on the 7D,

and with the grip added, feels like a real pro camera. So I hope Sony builds

on the KM 7D camera later.

 

I feel Sony has come out with a camera that lies between the 5D & 7D, and has

so many KM features still there, that it will more than make the Minolta users

happy from the start about their future.

 

To sum up, they have created a camera that

 

- Takes my lenses

- Takes my flash

- Takes my cable release

 

I am more than happy, and the price for what you get, I feel smashes anything

else on the market for "spec for price" ratio.

 

The Sony push for world domination is on.

Okay the main thing, the Nikon D200 is no slouch. And if the sensor is good or better than the Canon 30D and nikon D200, then my lenses which are great quality will more than do the job for me with the camera, Entry level or not.

 

Either way, I think more pro level cameras will be released, so for starters, Sony has hit the mark for it's first release camera.

Actually, I looked at the images, it looks cheap and looks like a amature camera. Lets hope they release more serious models.

 

It looks very much like a DSLR you release, when you need to throw something on the market, when you really do not have anything proper ready.

 

For the price, I wonder how good the images are on that 10mp sensor.

I can see the flash mount, It looks like the old Minolta mount (maybe), so will this also be compatible with the 3600 & 5600HS models.

 

Still so many questions, but I am sure the answers will come.

In the end what does it matter. Speculation has been floating around, and from what I believe why would anyone bother to chase anyone away.

 

We all know Sony was going to bring out a DSLR, and most thought it to be entry level and semi-pro. With the hope of a pro model as well.

 

Everyone has had their say, so we all wait and see what happens.

 

So with all the gossip floating around, someone who posts saying they know the answer before anyone else was always going to be picked on. Especially when Sony had said nothing.

In the end what does it matter. Speculation has been floating around, and from what I believe why would anyone bother to chase anyone away.

 

We all know Sony was going to bring out a DSLR, and most thought it to be entry level and semi-pro. With the hope of a pro model as well.

 

Everyone has had their say, so we all wait and see what happens.

I have owned a KM 3600HS (D) for a while now. And have used it with ease on my

KM Dimage A2.

 

But then place it on the KM flashship camera, the 7D, and the results are

somewhat mixed.

 

Now the 7D on camera flash gives me very well exposed shots. But then place on

the 3600HS and the results are somewhat different.

 

In situtations where I need it to work most it will either under or over

expose the image.

 

Now I thought okay, maybe the flashgun maybe the issue. So I then visit a

fellow KM 7D user who has not only the 3600HS, but also the 5600HS.

 

I use his flashes, and the results are pretty much the same. So then I start

to think okay, maybe my camera?

 

I then use his camera vs mine for some comparison shots. Not only do they

produce the same results, they are just about spot on identical.

 

Now I have heard that KM does appear to have not made their DSLR's and

flashguns appear to work in unison. But it does appear that one really does

have to use the flash compensation dial very often.

 

Maybe one reason the dials are right there in front of you on the camera.

 

Anyone else finding there KM 7D and flashgun not very satisfying to use.

 

I really do not think it need calibrating because in some situations the

results are perfect. But it does get easily confused with whites and dark

colours.

The image is not bad. I suppose it would depend on how much work you had to do to obtain that specific image with regard to digital editing.

I just got the 28-75 2.8, I am not a starter in photography, but if I had this from the start some of my images I was not happy with with sharpness would maybe have been different.

The Sony Aplha trademark is now turning up more and more. My brother works at a large store that supplies many Sony products and the Sont catalogues and magazines are heavily featuring the Sony Alpha Stuff.

 

One thing Sony will do is a marketing blitz.

 

I am thinking TV commercials may not be out of the question.

 

Sony Alpha is making Minolta Gear rise from the ashes.

 

I am seeing more and more quality Minolta gear come on the market (well ebay at least)right now as well, and the prices are rising again.

 

For example the KM 7D vertical grip was being sold on ebay for $100 more than the original price when it was released, and getting bids.

Quality at that range you may as well take out a home loan to buy one of those lenses.

 

I have seen some long lenses on ebay at that range, but that is also taking into account the digital aspect.

 

Quality is usually ordinary with cheap lenses in that range.

Damn, I forgot to answer your question, UV filter is what I suggest. Skylight was used to make cooler films look warmer. For digital this is not required.

Unless you are a serious or Pro shooter. I say use a Filter to protect your lens.

 

For example if you plan to only ever use one or two lenses, then protect your investment. The loss of image quality in most cases cannot be seen to the human eye, and also depends on the quality of the filter.

 

Serious photographers would not use a filter to protect a lens, As they want images to be there best.

 

So before the moral image police shout me down I say this. It is much easier to replace a $20 filter, than to replace a $1000 lens.

 

So there..... :)

I had a $50 voucher but try www.teds.com.au

 

It is in Aussie dollars, and the price is not $499 Aussie, it is actually $399 Aussie for the 28-75. The other prices are correct. Plus postage (varies I suppose depending on local or international)

 

So current US dollar value is $300

 

$230 Euro or 160 Pounds

I just had some even better news. The online retailer I bought it from rang me and left a message saying they over charged me by $100 and were refunding that money back.

 

Well I thought it was $100 over what I bought it for, but it in fact turned out to be $100 less than the advertised price.

 

So coverting it to US dollars the 28-75 2.8 (D) lens, brand new cost $263 US.

 

Frankly I think that is a bargin for this lens brand new.

Film cameras from Minolta are dead & Sony will never consider making a film camera, not worth the effort.