good lens but no AF. suitable for shooting that require you to AF.

anyway i go test test the Alpha A230 yesterday, aiyoh i really disliked it - the mode knob so small and cacat wan. menu button cacat, dial / shutter button area cacat. grip so small that my small hands also don't like it.

I mean I've used A200, A300 and A350 and thought their buttons placements were well thought of, A230 feels like buttons placements went less optimal.

urrgghh, yeah.

small and light - yes. i have small hands but i find the buttons placed on an almost 90 degree flat plane above the usual button area was a little difficult. for example the AV button and MENU button.

the mode dial, it's unlike other Alphas. it's like a 2-3mm thickness plastic that can only be dialled by thumb, and not a comfortable one at that. even the front shutter / dial feels so cacat.

oh I am aware of the A550. It's nice, my friend's using it (upgraded from A200) and i thought the button layout are good there.

last time i would recommend people A200 cos it's a good camera, combined with twin kit + free workshop, it's a bargain.

now with A230........... it's a bit on the side.

cjlai - why you use flash + ISO1600 la?

why so? because not enough bokeh or what?

if f1.8 struggle then i don't see f1.4 can be any better. just very slightly better but it's already too dark, the DOF may not be sufficient as well.

that time is flash time liao lor.

eh you referring to my post about cjlai's photo?

my thought is why pump ISO to 1600 when using flash ............ other than the thought of TTL + lower flash power needed.

If I'm firing flash, I'd go ISO400 - 800 range. perhaps he's got other reasons, I'm just curious.

ahhh but he's not to showcase the lens mah.



oh say so la. i thought you referring to both at widest aperture.

yes, going by what you guys posted - it's fine but for the ambient lights it could be done via aperture / shutter speed without having to pump the ISO.

cos i look at his pics, the ambient isn't all too dark and neither are they distant lights. he doesn't look like firing direct enough to create dark background either.

that's why i asking him - not you guys.

bro, i referring to his pics in particular la. he's using f/5.6 and 1/100.

for me is case by case lor - if aperture and shutter is as what is intended already then ISO is the last thing to adjust.

aiyah you keep answering for him wan.

anyway my thought is he could still possibly get it through with lower ISO by widen the aperture and if need to, a slightly slower the shutter a bit more.

just curious only la, small matter. not like i'm grilling him or anything, just out of curiosity.

bro neo - i know you saying truth. i know combination flexible.

and of course he wanna use that way of course let him be la, tak kan i go over lecture him meh? later he no give me discount when i buy toy from him then susah. haha. (for real man, i buy toys from him wan)

so hor, don't worry la. i'm just curious only.

then we think alike on this matter liao lor, just like what i mentioned earlier.

if desired aperture and shutter already reached, then ISO is the only way to go.

if i'm not mistaken cjlai selling Samyang lenses, also have the fish-eye.

finally answered! settles my curiosity liao. no wonder la, i was thinking is there any particular reason for that ISO1600.



haha. i view EXIF also never go check.

to each their own lor. i believe i've tested your Tokina 10-17, which seems to be a pretty fine fish-eye lens too.

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Added on April 19, 2010, 7:31 pm which is why lor i was thinking he f/1.4 but why stick to f/5.6 when he could easily afford to go lower.

that's why i tot he purposely pump ISO to conserve on battery, either that or for some other reasons unknown which he finally revealed.