If d $$ permits, i'd say both...

Well im not quite a split second shooter..so backfocusing isnt really an issue then...ok, save up save up...

zstan: The backfocusing unfortunately is the body's fault. The A900 and all Alphas after that had notably better focusing.

ReasonsofThanatos: Refer to my reply to zstan. Your camera came after the A900. Backfocusing with the Minolta 50mm F1.4 was a problem before the A900 as well.

This post has been edited by albnok: Sep 24 2010, 12:22 PM

Something wrong with the focusing .. or too soft? Tamron 1750 F2.8 rm 1300 i bought for a new one.

So far No such problem.. focusing is fast and accurate on my A700.. though i learn the hard way. I bought my A700 + tamron 1750F2.8 together... and I realise serious backfocusing problem....before i bought the lens i heard of frequent Tamron backfocusing problem.. so I thought is the tamron problem..100%. Never would I thought in the end is my New A700 is the one that is backfocusing. hahaha.. my solution to it is to adjust the A700 focusing point myself.. Now everything is good.. no more backfocusing problem on my tamron.. and its focusing is fast enough.. no complaint . it focus faster than i could respond. (mayb im a slow person ) after adjusting the focus plate my 50mm f1.4 also focus accurately. But now I realise i only rely on my center focusing point because my other side focusing points arent that accurate .... but as long as i have center focus accurate.. i can do most of my shot. I dont dare to tweak with my camera again..

the focusing problem must tweak the camera? how?

oh man. means i have to dump my dinosaur?

anyway, for me, i wont tweak my camera, will stick to the current settings and train my anticipation skills and correct calculation of the hyperfocal distance.

dont worry, canon heavily rumored 5DmkIII never announced in photokina, which made all canon fan really MAD. as long as canon doesnt has new thing to show, Sony surely will take her time... and nikon needs to wait for sony's development/sensor :/, their FF 12mp is toooo old.

dear friend, the backfocus issue is nothing to do with the lens, its the camera body. mine was calibrate base on 50mm F1.4, then my tamron F2.8 becomes Very sharp.

hmmm, shot in JPG though.. i'll see if i can manage to pull the +2 to +4 to see if there are any evident noise after boosting.

but it makes it looks like a super starry night though

This post has been edited by lwliam: Sep 24 2010, 12:39 PM

i calibrate more then 7 unit of alpha already(and some other brands too) all happy customer

btw, calibration is the reason i will not get new camera or A33, hate it if i gotten a bad unit, need to calibrate myself, and i have totally no idea how can a A33 calibration works

ieR, u should make a video on step by step how to do the calibration... i'd like to learn too.. i mean, not to say my A700 is having problems, just that it'd be good to learn new skills should i need them one day

This post has been edited by lwliam: Sep 24 2010, 12:46 PM

Want to get some advice & input about A33 video recording.

I am still considering if i want to get A33 body as my backup body for my existing A700. One of the reason i think i like to try A33 is because:

1. Liveview- open up wider shooting possibility at difficult angle. I never have used one until today and will like to try. A700 is one hard camera for stranger to help me take group photo during a trip because they will ask the same question "where is the screen.... (liveview)"? then i have to ask them look into viewfinder to snap

2. Video Recording- Exploring video recording. A whole new way of playing a camera.. I think more n more client will want video recording these days compare to still photos.

3. Backup body for my A700 & better high ISO handling. Was thinking the low weight A33 to be mount with 50mm prime (light fast lens) without flash, while A700 handle the general lens like 1750 or my UWA with Flash during event/wedding shooting.

Is the above reason good enough for me to get this camera? Or mayb i should invest on the 85mm F2.8 + 35mm F1.8? or A77?


I want to ask.. for Video recording .. i read a bit about its pro/cons of A33/55 video recording.. but correct me if im wrong?
- No manual control over video recording.. (all auto)
- Aperture Priority in video allow us to change aperture but there will be no AUTOFOCUS
- No Shutter Speed/ISO control during video recording... I heard the camera will automatically maintain at speed 1/60s by adjusting the ISO. So I cant do Slow down "matrix style" motion picture.. at 1/4000 second
- When shooting video at Auto.. Aperture open at F3.5? WHY??? or some I read is it will shoot at widest aperture F1.4???

Is there any other thing i need to take note? I was thinking maybe A77 will tackle all these restriction... they just reserve the full control over for a better advance model ... hai~~

Other disadvantage over A700 i realised is its fastest shutter speed is 1/4000. When using wireless flash shooting outdoor i can use up to 1/8000 with my A700 to darken the sky.. Is there any other restriction when using Flash on A55 that i might have missed out?

+111111111111111111

@ier
my tamron at f2.8 is very sharp also, just got backfocus issue. sigh.

wow.. very skillful already in calibrating already .. Mind asking when you calibrate your camera base on 50mm F1.4, Do you just calibrate base on the Center focus(by turning all the 3 Screws at the same angle) Do you actually adjust to make sure all other points is accurate? i know turning all screws together actually control the center focus.... but controlling the UP DOWN or LEFT RIGHT or even ANGLE of the focusing Plate.. i have no idea how to adjust each screws..

wait i got chance to pinjam tx5 from wife first(this one need to slowly wait)... else i have nothing to record, u wont wan me to record with webcam... LOL...

zstan: mine no back focus, infact, i purposely tune front focus, now picture turn out the way i wanted it, more front focus means the DOF end nearer hence more bokeh (not really obvious la, but still...)

VIDEO FTWWWWWWWWW~!

i manage to learn how to work around the 3 screw. it will take more time if u screw up the corner calibration... and u wan to avoid that. i calibrate by 90 degree straight, coz 45degree no feel... then i shoot on a subject i prepare hang in the air, with all AF points, if all is sharp, then only i test it on the 'focus chart' because sometimes, the focus chart is not really errr 100%, rely on subject is better because its more like 'practical' is there. and i always tune a little front focus... so more of front is sharp then back (who wans to see the back)ear, hair or watever behind which u cant see it in the first place) is sharp?

here i found a tutorial on fixing the BF/FF problem. what surprised me is the pic of the KM 5D is made in ________ http://www.dynaxdigital.com/sony-alpha-700...icseen#msg78289

anyway i wouldn't dare to do this myself, if send to Sony can aa?? but dunno can trust them or not

how much u charge for service?

pm me best price

Can I send it to a camera store to have it calibrated instead of doing it myself? (I'm scared I will ruin the camera) Hahaha! If can will it cost much???

made in malaysia

mastering89, yuhi: u can try, but as far as i know, Sony technician doesnt do it, coz before this i send in my body twice, and came back the same thing =.=. when i peel off the stick, there is no mark of them peeling it before.

not sure outside technician, how many of them knows. this has to ask albnok, he knows more technical shops in KL.