Use smaller aperture (big F-number) if you want whole thing in focus

while the eye-start function is a convenient, I never use it on my A700. i just turn it off to conserve battery power

If you're printing from the photo printing shop, leave your colour space at RGB.

But if you print using desktop printer, or print banners, leaflets where the printing labs use offset printers, set to CMYK for best result.

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Added on August 23, 2009, 5:14 amAs far as I'm concerned, 3rd party battery grip like Phottix/Travor/Octopus reads 2 batteries as 1, and they only display 1 battery reading (either just battery 1 or just battery 2). No percentage.


This post has been edited by soulfly: Aug 23 2009, 05:14 AM

Sony A500
- A100/200/300/350 sized body
- max shutter speed 1/4000s
- 12mp CMOS
- ISO expanded up to 12800
- 9 AF point with double cross center
- 2 LV mode - main sensor (manual focus only?) & dedicated sensor
- 5 fps
- 3" LCD, but medium resolution
- expanded DRO levels up to DRO+5
- uses SD & MS card
- new grip VG-B50AM

could be well compete with Nikon D90 series

This post has been edited by soulfly: Aug 25 2009, 11:47 AM

seems like confirmed spec. there might be other details as well but still unknown at the moment.

A550 still unknown.

There's spec for A850 as well which will be priced much cheaper than A900. Changes are such as
- different top panel for housing (not fully magnesium alloy like A900)
- 3fps (but still have dual bionz)
- viewfinder coverage 98% at 0.74x magnification (A900 has 100%)
- some alteration to in-camera functions

i wouldn't say video reduce IQ, but it certainly does not help improve still photo shooting or improve image quality, at the cost of price.

Sony might probably choose to follow other makers, semi-pro and above body use CF, lower bodies use SD

A700 has 11-AF points, while the A500 will have 9, but it will have double cross center AF point just like A700. But sadly, no red beam assist light to help shooting under low light.

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Added on August 25, 2009, 11:58 amhttp://www.photoclubalpha.com/2009/08/24/sensor-feed-live-view-in-new-alpha-500/


This post has been edited by soulfly: Aug 25 2009, 11:58 AM

I'd still prefer A700 due to larger sized magnesium alloy body. After using A700 for a while, A200 feels tiny in my hands.

Now anxiously waiting the pricing for A850. If it's not much different from A900... I might just get the A900 for its superior built (although a700 quality built on the A850 is not that bad too).

This post has been edited by soulfly: Aug 25 2009, 01:02 PM

albert,

i think we have similar approach in post-processing. i always tend to produce the most realistic look, or as natural as possible. somehow i admire those who put effects la, playing with colour tones la... but whenever i try to do those things, it came out looking lame. so i just stick to my normal looking photo... lol.

sony tend to underexpose a bit when there's a white object in the frame. probably its the bionz processing trying to preserve as much highlight as possible. i believe the JPEG engine needs some rework as it could actually benefit from the wide dynamic range. slightly blown highlight (in JPEG) can be pulled down or recovered in RAW.

don't have

Actually Sony wireless flash system is soooo easy to understand. To make it simple, you just have to remember:

- all bodies are wireless capable (A850/900 are exception because they don't have built-in flash, but they have triggering capability)

- all Sony Alpha flash are wireless TTL capable

- F20AM flash can be used as trigger on A850/900 only

- F58AM is the top of the line flash, can be used as trigger as well on any body

just something to share

highly recommend SAL50F18

should be significant upgrade in terms of performance

I don't know lah... but to me memory card type is not much of a concern, they're pretty cheap nowadays.

Although I still prefer CF cards than SD... lol.

a700 body is much more steady ler of course... magnesium alloy

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Added on August 27, 2009, 11:08 pmprobably the same sensor as A700, but refined (different filter, coating, etc)

This post has been edited by soulfly: Aug 27 2009, 11:08 PM

no, it's different

Actually it depends on whether your actually into taking photo, or chasing technology

If I'm not mistaken the mirror box design is slightly different. Mentioned in one of the reviews.

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Added on August 28, 2009, 4:13 pmdespite having only 1 control dial, you can actually change seeting with the joystick without the need to dig into the menu... very fast and easy.
i mean, the quicknavi feature.

This post has been edited by soulfly: Aug 28 2009, 04:13 PM

gobo the flash or adjust the lighting placement or your camera angle to avoid light spill.

flaring happens due to light spill

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Added on August 28, 2009, 9:01 pmsome tips i've learned...

if you're going to shoot a model which will reveal more skin, tell her in advance not to wear tight clothes a few hours before shooting to avoid skin marks.

This post has been edited by soulfly: Aug 28 2009, 09:01 PM