anyone has experience with 85mm F1.4 from Samyang? I want to know how "Manual" is this lens? I know focusing & aperture is manually adjust on the lens... but will Aperture priority or auto exposure work automatically? Will work when using Liveview?

Albert, may I know around how much is this samyang lens? and is it sharp as a prime even at F1.4? Would u recommend this lens on A33/55? Cause reason i will even consider manual lens now is because if I get the A33, the Liveview can zoom in to check if it is in focus.. giving me more confident to have a manual lens. But the IQ gotta be amazing/good in order for this lens to worth buying. i am expecting around rm 1.2k? vs 85mm F1.4 Carl zeiss rm 5000

Tomorrow I am going to lowyat to help my friend buy his A33. He called Fotoshangrila, they offer him rm 2199 for A33 + Kit +8gb card + (none sony) bag + tripod. Then I can play a few days b4 I pass it to my other friend for him to bring the camera back to my hometown hope I can determine if i will like to buy this camera during these few days of trial.

Oh congratulation!!! I will buy the issue to check


Yesterday I just help my friend bought his A33. The camera is still with me until Thursday before it is send back to sarawak for him. During this period of time I can test to determine if I should get one myself. Yesterday i manage to play for 2 hours + and here is my little review (i play more with video).

EVF:
I started to appreciate the EVF a lot more than when i first try out in Sonystyle. I tested shoot in my dark living room.. It appear so Bright in the EVF! Controling the WB/ISO/ or basically EVERYTHING from the EVF is just genius.

BODY SIZE & BALANCE:
I tested the A33 with my 50mm F1.4, Tokina 1116F2.8, and the Tamron 1750mmF2.8. Only the 50mm lens look proportionately on this body...and the weight is just nice with this combination. As for Tamron+ Tokina, I think the lens itself is heavier than the body.. I have a feeling this is the camera which I will have the chance to DROP it accidentally. The camera is way too small for serious user. Some of the button require u to use your left hand to hold the lens while u press the button on the camera with ur Right hand. Especially the "dustbin" button which works as the "manual focus check, magnify x7" when shooting. After using for few hours I can feel my hand and fingers starting to feel cramped. When mount with giant F58, it is the most weirdly combination I ever saw...

CONTROL LAYOUT:
It takes me a while to get use to where each button is located... but can easily figure out and I have no complain over difficulty to access certain setting (which is common problem for entry level camera)

VIDEO:
I am surprise even without SSM/SAM lens, the video AUTOfocusing is slow & smooth..(other than the LOUD focusing noise from the lens). I make a few test to confirm the video limitation issue.
1. No manual control over Aperture/shutter speed etc when in AUTOFOCUS... basically all AUTO EXPOSURE when using Autofocus
2. When set to Aperture Priority, and MANUAL focus. I get to control the Aperture.
3. I realized The Manual Focus is not much of a problem to me.. because although in video mode you set to manual, when u manage to focus accurately, the confirmation focus light will light up. I am not sure if this already available in A550 or other model but this is the first time i experience this... Now I really believe shooting video should done it manually... and manual focus isnt as impossible as I first thought. The autofocus if not planned properly u might find some focus Hunting...which will appear bad in video.

D-RANGE & ISO
The option to use multiple shot to reduce the noise on the photo is simply AMAZING... I see this option as a very helpful tool. Same as the HDR

BATTERY LIFE
Battery life is Weak. Sony stated a fully charged battery can last 300 photos. I played for less than 2 hours with video/ photos etc.. the battery goes down to 48%... I think I only have 50 photos in the memory card (I switch around mode, checking the setting etc a lot compare to taking photos)

CONCLUSION:
Overall I am very impressed with what Sony has come out with. And I REALLY see the potential in SLT in the future. A little bit improvement on the EVF & video recording control + the GOOD BODY with professional control layout + BETTER BATTERY LIFE, This SLT is going to be perfect. I think Sony already long see this and that is why A77 is on the way. I wont hesitate to switch to EVF looking at how much benefit it has over the OVF.. Although I still have to admit looking back into the OVF, it is still more visually pleasing... more human. hehe

This post has been edited by clivengu: Sep 27 2010, 04:21 PM

suddenly im excited bout the so called A700 replacement already hahaha. Finally after 2 years focusing on entry level we should see how Sony comes out with Advance n Pro camera.. (cross finger)


Just try it at F8, manual focus Video recording... IT doesnt show up~ But why? is there a technical restriction behind this? I tested F6.5 and F5.6 both the green light shown up

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Added on September 27, 2010, 5:15 pmIm not good at review Picture quality etc etc.. I dont even know the term Beside I think most have found website review on how the camera performs under high ISO and is very amazing.

This post has been edited by clivengu: Sep 27 2010, 05:15 PM

Yeah the EVF a bit Bluish... and a bit Lag compare to when view in LCD. I am also hesitating ...should I buy A33 or wait for A77. when u r given something good.. u always want more.. hehehe greedy human.