guys,

I want to ask you about indoor shooting with flash. Look at this picture (credit to saiful nang).

My question is, how do I get the whole picture is equally expose (at least 'see-able' background) like picture above? Most of my indoor shooting will get dark background but object is correct exposure. How do I get both of them are equally same exposure?

I assume use high ISO and slower shutter would help, am I right? Any other tips?

guys, can i use mirror lockup function as regular habit? cos i found its produced very sharp image..

If you hv the time, try visit Zaloon Studio at Pudu Plaza and tryout Sony's lenses there.

before going zaloon, make sure either of 2 things:

1. your poison shield is up and running
2. your pocket is deep enough

U can try BB or SgWang , u can hv great deal fr there also ..

boeing sg wang...reasonable price and can try out the lens also...included the cz lenses 

kmarc, if you do manage to visit Zaloon Studio @ Sony Alpha Pro Shop, try the cz's and also maybe some macro lenses eg SAL100mm macro (if you are into macro la) 
nb: the 100mm macro can also act as a standard potrait lense too 

then maybe see if they got STF or not, can cuba try also...

STF = Smooth Transition Focus. Best bokeh you'll ever see. (:

Thanks for the comments nashakir & albnok.
Would be good if in the 2nd picture, both kittens are looking at the camera.
I really need to explore using multiple / burst shots. And also maybe using AF-C would be more appropriate no? It is slightly hard to keep up with the kittens, as they always running around.

Btw, last nigth when I turned on my cam and then turning it off, I noticed my A550 make a "trrrr" sound and vibrate when shutting down. I have not notice this before. Now, everytime I power off my cam, the "trrr" sound and vibration can be heard/felt.
Is there something wrong or is it normal? If normal, I wonder why I have not notice this thing before ??? 

ayyo, now you have made me worried
Im not sure if it is too strong than what used to, but before I didnot even notice any vibration.

In KKinabalu got sony service center ?
yup, so many POV
but at least Im doing it slightly different style than what I usually do with a snap and shoot camera
/me still trying to broaden my style, bit by bit... slowly but surely la.

Im still long way to go from the way those abstract photographers style. 

OMG! 50mm f1.4 for RM550!
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1340397

no need tripod for shooting the moon..
just make sure ur shutter speed is fast enough...

didnt enlarge it...but 2nd shot much better..first shot looked like bokeh circles more than moon..lol

kmarc.. the 2nd moon is 1/4000?

thanks ^^

when i saw the first shot..i was like "oh no.."  and then second shot came in..and i "pheww.." lol...i guess u did it on 2nd shot...just need few more practice..shd b ok..

to shoot moon... its better to play with manual mode...

or just use aperture or shutter... just make sure to ev meter is negative like -1 or more..
if ev = 0 ... it`ll be like the no1 picture

make sure shutter faster than the focal length to avoid shaky picture as possible...

like me.. I just use M mode Shutter speed set to 1/200 and then play with apature until it give ev near to -1

also use spot metering...

and just set ISO 200 or lower... since the moon is bright enough 

wait for 500mm G Lens (: + x2 teleconverter ... sure can snap it!!

as u said 1/4000 is the faster speed that A550 can reach ...

only A700,A850 and A900 can achieve 1/8000 shutter speed

No need that 500 G

now got SONY 500mm F8 reflect  + x2 Teleconverter can shoot already...
I got fren do that...  this one must be on tripod liao..

shooting moon cant really use fast shutter up to 1/4000, what u get will be pitch black! wingster, please go try it out before giving advice.

use a tripod, midrange aperture and a low iso. and dont use the extreme ends of the zoom range.

250mm can get quite good moon picture liao.. just u need to crop lo..

not using the extreme end is becoz normally the extreme end tends to be soft than other range..

that one is not a limit, what's limiting you is your creativity to unlimit yourself from what the standard is telling you. knowing facts of the gear u own is one thing, knowing how to push the gear you already own to squeeze the best out of it is another.

you can go to ...here
which is the Octopus FA-CC1AM+CS1AM Off Camera Shoe Cord For Sony alpha  one pretty cheap alternative

seems like u have plans on upgrading ur flashgun 

with F58..u can trigger it with your built in flash..no need cord ma......

get the tammy