How much you want? RM400?

My initial budget was 2k... then became 2.6k... then 3.3k.... looks like it might just go above 4k......

Haven't tell my wife yet..... She will probably pengsan first then I will pengsan later (when she wake up later and knock me on the head)

This post has been edited by kmarc: Jan 15 2010, 12:20 AM

Nope. I don't have a kitlens or even a DSLR!!!! I have a digital compact camera that cost me RM799.....

Basically, I never used a DSLR before.... I'm still a virgin.....

Thanx for the clarification. That lens would be good for taking my baby's picture.


Right. After all the poisoning and advices (which I really appreciate ), I have decided to get this (unless I changed my mind again):
1) A550
2) The 50 mm f1.8
3) The 1855
4) F20 flash

Any other poison for me? Anyway, I still have one week before the stock comes to Sibu. Still have time to poison me....

This post has been edited by kmarc: Jan 15 2010, 10:55 AM

Woo hoo! Finally got my baby to take my baby's picture!!!



Kena poisoned until wanna pengsan, then go to the Sony centre, kena poison kaw kaw!!!

1) Sony alpha 550 - RM2999
2) SAL18250 - RM 1700 (minus another RM100 as display set, dunno when will stock come, I cannot tahan already)
3) Flash HVL-F20AM - FOC
4) Sony bag - minus RM100 as I downgraded the bag
5) Extended warranty 2 years - RM200

Size of hole in pocket = 4.7k (from my initial budget of 2k )

I couldn't get the new Sony Time 2010 promotion as the shop hasn't receive the new promotion/stock yet. Had to go with the older promotion. However, the guy was very helpful and after haggling and because I paid cash, managed to get the flash FOC and some discounts here and there.

What do you guys think? Is it a good bargain, considering I'm in Sibu and I don't have the luxury to go KL to buy.

Ermmm... how long to charge battery? 8 hours?

Thx. Wanted to get the SAL50f18 and 18-55mm but the sony centre didn't have the 18-55. Also got poisoned to buy this lens.

Another 4 hours... hmmm.... that means I can start playing at 9pm!!!

Ya, can't wait. Now cannot do anything else!!! Wanna skip dinner but kena scolded by wife.....

Thx for the advice.

Anyway, thank you all for the advices. I think I would need more advices once I start shooting!!!

Haiyaa... forget to buy LCD protector.....

Ok. Will pm him.

Ulppp! Better not post the 1st few pictures as I'm still a virgin.....

Errrmm..... I'm a noob leh. You'll probably have to give me ALL your experience + share share your gear

Arggghhhh!!! Not going to spend another penny more!

(Hmmm.... still haven't got my lens protector, flash diffuser, flash gel...... )

I bought from Sony centre. For the old promotion, I got the SAL18250 + pouch package for RM1700. It comes with the lens cap and the camera comes with the straps.

For the new promotion, there is free printer.

This post has been edited by kmarc: Jan 15 2010, 08:23 PM

Aikes! Was trying out my a550 and noticed that there is a dead pixel on the LCD!!!!!

The funny thing is, it is only present on Live view. On picture playback, the LCD looks perfect.....

This post has been edited by kmarc: Jan 15 2010, 10:07 PM

It's a blue dot only in live view. No defects in MF check LV or in playback mode.....

Anyway, will ask my vendor tomorrow to see what he says.....

Woo hoo! You're my saviour! Saved me a trip to the Sony centre! Thx!!!

See see... your gear better!

It only appears in live view and not on playback or MF check LV. The pictures taken, when viewed on the computer, is also perfect without any defects. If yours is the same condition, then use the pixel mapping like what albnok said. Make sure your lens cap is on. I did the lens mapping and the blue dot is gone!!! What a relieved!

This post has been edited by kmarc: Jan 16 2010, 12:10 PM

I think it should not be a problem as long as your pictures are perfect. I initially thought is was the LCD with a dead pixel....

If I were to take my DSLR into an aircon room to do some shooting, what is the best way to take the camera out of the room after shooting? I'm sure if I took it out immediately, the lens would get condensation right?

This post has been edited by kmarc: Jan 16 2010, 08:37 PM

Anybody knows where I can get a good deal for the Tamron 1750 f2.8 for my a550?

Shasinki is selling it for RM1,550......

I've got the SAL18250 but thinking of getting a better portrait/group lens that has a better "f"......

This post has been edited by kmarc: Jan 17 2010, 07:42 AM

You la, poison me until everyday thinking of DLSR and lenses and filter and dry box and and and.....

The 18250 is quite adequate but going to look around for this lens. No hurry to buy..... I hope......

18250 on promotion ma..... errmmm, beercan? I don't drink beers, thx...... (have to google what a "beercan" is..... )

Anyway, gotta go to work... be back later!

Ahhh... too late..... it's the minolta AF 70-210 F4!!!

Right, let me understand this properly. I have the SAL18250 f3.6-6.3. It would have been better if I got the Tamron 1750 f2.8 + minolta AF 40-210 F4.

As I understand it, my lens would be equivalent to those two lenses except that my best "f" would be 3.6 instead of the better f2.8 for the tamron. Are there any other advantages of having those two lenses as compared to the SAL?

What if I got myself a 50mm f1.8? Would it be adequate if I have SAL18250 + 50mm f1.8? (keeping in mind my main objective is to take pictures of my baby. The SAL18250 can do that but I want bigger aperture!!! ) Other types of photo taking is secondary at the moment. Next time maybe buy macro lens... haha....

This post has been edited by kmarc: Jan 17 2010, 10:38 AM

I did ask you all previously. Just that I was a super noob (and didn't understand much, and still AM a super noob) and the SAL18250 was under promotion so I grabbed that. I was thinking the SAL50f1.8 would be a cheaper alternative, then I can alternate between the SAL18250 and the SAL50f1.4.

Just a bit more poison for me , would a 50mm lens f1.4 be much much better or f1.8 would be adequate.... (and why is 85mm better?)

This post has been edited by kmarc: Jan 17 2010, 11:01 AM

I see. Thx for the info.

I'm thinking of going back to the Sony centre and try to get the promotional package for the SAL50f18 which comes with the A550 camera for RM300. See see how.....

Yup. That's the one but Sibu doesn't have that promotion yet!!!! They are still using the older promotion.

Wei, my pocket got big hole already la. My head also got big bump too, kena my wife ketuk my kepala for spending so much..... haha....

No, what I meant was that I hope the Sony Centre would be kind enough to sell me the lens for RM300 (like in the promotion) without buying an alpha as I have bought the a550 from them previously .......

I did some research to compare sony alpha with canon and nikon models. The thing about sony alpha is that it has excellent live view function and steady shot (image stabilizer) in the body and not on the lens (which should make lenses cheaper) which is suitable for noob like me as I came from a point-and-shoot camera.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I can still switch between lenses......

Errmmm.... if specifically the a380, it is supposedly not as good as the a350. Furthermore it is still using the old CCD sensor as compared to the a550. Yeah, maybe you should wait for something ilke the a450.....

Thx! I read some reviews of the 18250 and is reassured of it's good lens. At least I didn't blunder too much on my first DSLR....

Yup. I bought it from the Sony centre in Delta Mall. They do carry the alpha models but don't have many stocks. The guy there "Lawrence" said that they have ordered stocks long time ago but never came.