ieR: Unfortunately I won't be able to test them in daylight, if you know what I mean - Sony Style outlets are not within line of sight of daylight.

That said it is a better challenge for the lenses/bodies.

kevinwcw: I explained why already - SAM on the A55 just needs to go to the focus point e.g. 2 meters. It can detect this immediately with the phase-detect sensors. Whereas Contrast Detect goes to MFD, then Infinity, and MFD again, because it does not know the subject is 2 meters away unless it does the 'scan'. Then only does it go to 2 meters.

The buzz happens because the lens has to speed from MFD to Infinity.

destfull: Nice! This would make a decent budget video lens for the A55 since it has VC built in.

kevinwcw: I posted a video from my A55 and Zeiss 135mm F1.8 a while back.

Mikeshashimi: The A55 is good with focus even in the dark but then, I use mostly bright primes with it.

fansoption: In the last thread I already posted a picture of my A55 lah...

Also the one I used to test at Sony Style KLCC was mine lah.

zstan: Yup, surprisingly quiet!

ahtiven: King Grimlock! I love that addition to the group picture.

1212345656: Unfortunately you are better off buying a replacement - a secondhand 18-70mm can go for quite cheap these days.

aureliux: Nice! Like the mood in #1.

fansoption, I brought 3 cameras there.

So I tried the Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 - the less famous cousin of the Sony Alpha SLT-A55V. Its sibling, the A560, was delayed to 2011. It has a real nice grip to it, with a nice embossed mode dial.


The firmware is interestingly, Version 1.11.

In the menu you can choose Contrast Detect AF or Phase Detect AF to be used in Focus Check Live View.

In the A550, it was called Manual Focus Check Live View. Now that the camera can focus in main-sensor Live View (which is what Manual Focus Check Live View is, really) it had to change its name.

Phase Detect requires that the mirror drop back down so it can direct light to the Phase Detect AF sensors in the bottom of the camera.

Contrast Detect just uses the main sensor Live View to focus, albeit a lot, lot slower. At least the mirror does not move.



I recorded a video to show this.

Yes, there is no autofocus in video! You cannot manually focus and get a focus confirmation either! (The A55 and its sibling, the A33, show focus confirmation because its phase detect AF sensors are still seeing the view.)

zstan: Love the fact that the house stands out!

This post has been edited by albnok: Oct 22 2010, 12:57 AM

ProX: It was in Sony Style Times Square (and it has been in Sony Style KLCC a while already.) You can go and try it too!

evilhomura89: Thanks!

No I have another job, which was also a hobby in school. Have to say though, you lose some of the fun of a hobby once you turn it into a job.

Go check out the http://www.dyxum.com/ forums - you will see that everybody talks on this level. Far more geeks there!

8tvt: Yes, the A580 contrast-detect AF only works in Focus Check Live View, not video. Phase-detect AF works in Quick AF Live View and Focus Check Live View.

zstan: I recorded the videos for shorter, lighter lenses using the LCD, and longer lenses used the EVF (to gain stability and balance.)

However it is better to record using the LCD, with the LCD flipped out, to allow heat to escape through the back of the camera, where the sensor is.

Translucent mirror with OVF is very much possible - just up to Sony how they want to do it.

vcvx: Keep the 10-20mm and 55-200mm for video lah.

This post has been edited by albnok: Oct 22 2010, 10:31 AM

evanttc: Just to be sure, always get them to insert a memory card - without a memory card, the performance varies greatly. I didn't feel the lag. Was DRO on with the A580? It could be that causing the noise.

As far as I know, Sony Style outlets do not get engineering prototypes. You can inspect the serial number at the bottom. The A580 I tried had a firmware of version 1.11.

wingster: I love his review here!

http://scarletwhore.com/?p=967#comments

zstan: Wait and see.

1 USD = RM3.10 now dude!

A review of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM!

http://www.alanabramsphotography.com/2010/...-review-part-1/

I have to say though, the bokeh isn't quite as clean as the Samyang's... it has a terrible case of brightline bokeh.

ProX: Because we are more well-informed before making a decision, right?

Not just simply follow people. "Wah you got D90. I also want to get D90!"

chiahau: Oddly, I thought Nikon was a wee bit more expensive, but that was until Canon released their new II lenses.

craziqbal: Is it here?

3°8'56"N 101°45'16"E (enter this into http://maps.google.com)

I'll be coming!

Ranceed: Nice!

fansoption: Sure, come man!

amadeo: More additions to the street price list:

Sony A550 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM24xx
Sony A550 + 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DT = RM40xx
Sony A580 body only = RM24xx
Sony A580 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM27xx
Sony A55 body only + 8GB MSPD HX = RM21xx
Sony A55 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM25xx

zstan: The background could have been framed such to avoid the buildings from merging with the ride.

fansoption: That's weird - the A55 should be able to support ring flashes as well. Sony does not make a ring flash though; they only have a ring light at the moment.

ahtiven: No such thing, put the filters in the drybox!

mastering89: Nice cat picture! It's almost as if it commanded its master(slave?) to take its picture.

Nothing poisonous about a D3s fixed to a pole with very limited motion. It would be better off it and in low light!

Yes, the A33/A55 is at Sony Style Berjaya Times Square. Yes, they do let you try everything!

aureliux: Nice closeup of the tiger! The second shot could be a bit looser though.

vincyuee: No, not this series of lenses in particular. The 100mm F3.5 Macro is a decent lens though!

ProX: A bit too green - try adjusting the levels in Photoshop, especially in the green channel. That should give the prawn a bit more pop!

sevenor: The Sony 85mm F2.8 DT SAM should be coming out in October or November this year for under RM1000. The Tamron 60mm F2.8 DiII Macro is also a good choice but I don't know how much that is.

If you buy a Tamron make sure it comes with an Alpha mount on the back of the lens.

ieR: Not feeling it with the Starbucks photos. Also, posters who post non-Alpha related items do not get banned.

sevenor: The adaptors for film days really depends on the flange distance (distance from mount to film plane.)

If the mount on the lens has a shorter flange distance than the body mount, then an adapter with glass must be used, causing optical quality to drop, and you lose some light, and your focal length becomes effectively longer (it is effectively a teleconverter with 2 different mounts on each end.)

Examples of bad combinations that need glass:
- M42 on Nikon F
- Canon FD on Canon EOS
- Minolta MD on Minolta AF/Sony Alpha
- Nikon F on Minolta AF/Sony Alpha

If the flange distance on the lens is larger than the body mount, then adapters can be used without glass. This is ideal. Example:
- any large format lens on any SLR body
- any medium format lens on any SLR body
- M42 on Minolta AF/Sony Alpha
- M42 on Canon EOS
- M42 on Pentax K
- Canon FD on Sony E (NEX)
- Minolta MD on Sony E (NEX)
- Nikon F on Sony E (NEX)
- Minolta AF/Sony Alpha on Sony E (NEX)

Generally all the mirrorless camera mounts have short flange distances so it can adapt more lenses.

VC = Vibration Correction, built into the lens.

Silica does change color but it is honestly tedious and I've melted the plastic container that holds the silica before (when putting it in a microwave, to heat up) so it's not that practical.

What will define your decision as bad? You know that the A55 does not have an optical viewfinder, and that you cannot shoot an entire continuous video of a football match (because it will overheat, just like any other dSLR.)

Banzai_san: Nicely done, even with the digital GND!

fansoption: Looks like I'll have to go find it - where did you find this ring flash?

Wonka: Interesting abstract!

ahpingko: Prefer natural HDR! Rainy Day HDR is too saturated to look real.

cjlai: Congratulations! I think either a shot from the top dial, or the left side, is enough to identify an A33 from an A55.

mastering89: Aiya LOL! Hope you convinced your friend to get a group discount.

I like your +6EV HDR shot with the lamp; it really shows what it can do.

Use Media Player for *.MTS files.

zstan: The 18-55mm has never come with a proper lens cap. I discovered this back with the A330, where it debuted.

arief007: Love #3! Although it has a touch of nearly becoming obviously a HDR, it has this nice Kodachrome kind of vibrance. #2 I'd prefer to see a person in full as opposed to having her slightly obscured by the bridge I guess.

hazril: I don't remember how much the Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM II was anymore - can you check with your ex-colleagues?

hazril: Too tightly framed, I'd say.

fansoption: You can also try holding the ring flash above the insect; that should give you an interesting light.

bigxiaoniu: Good question - I want to test my 8GB Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX against a fast SD card. Especially so in the case of buffering after taking a load of burst shots.

fansoption: Wah confusing lah your sentence!

hazril: Ah! The first shot also a bit tight.

zstan: Shot works, am grossed out.

8tvt: Let's see a bigger version. I like how the green dominates the picture as usually you think of Putrajaya and a lot of buildings and bridges.

This post has been edited by albnok: Oct 24 2010, 07:59 PM