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The Sony Alpha User List is managed by chiahau. Click here to jump to it!

>>>[Sony Alpha F.A.Q<<< courtesy of Ahmike

Common Kelvin White Balance Settings:


Removing Pop-Up Flash Effect In Wireless Flash Mode:


Sony Alpha Lens Line-up: HERE courtesy of vcxv

Below are the official additional accessories* that comes with respective Sony Alpha camera:

Flash hotshoe cover (Sony FASHC1AM) - A100, A700, A900
Remote Commander clip - A100, A200, A300, A350, A700, A900
Eyepiece cover / flash hotshoe cover holder - A100, A200, A300, A350, A700
Cheap Sony neckstrap - A200, A300, A350
Good Sony neckstrap - A100, A700, A900
Wireless Infrared Remote Control - A700, A900

* list provided by albnok

Sony Alpha Support Page and Alpha User Manuals: Sony Support Site A200 A300/A350 A700 A900

How to clean your Alpha sensor by albnok:



Some useful links:

Tamron/Sigma/Sony/Minolta 70-200mm F2.8 Shootout
http://www.glaringnotebook.com/default.asp?id=1243

Ultra Wide Comparison
http://www.glaringnotebook.com/default.asp?id=1324



Alpha street pricelist updated 25th January 2011:

Camera
---------
Sony A230 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM14xx
Sony A290 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM14xx
Sony A330 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM18xx
Sony A380 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM20xx
Sony A380 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM + 55-200mm F4-5.6 DT SAM = RM24xx
Sony A390 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM17xx
Sony A33 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM21xx
Sony A33 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM + 55-200mm F4-5.6 DT SAM = RM23xx
Sony A500 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM + 55-200mm F4-5.6 DT SAM = RM31xx
Sony A550 body only = RM21xx
Sony A550 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM21xx
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
Sony A55 + 50mm F1.8 DT SAM = RM26xx (Studio Zaloon)
Sony A55 + 16-105mm F3.5-5.6 DT = RM37xx (Studio Zaloon)
Sony A700 + 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 DT = RM33xx
Sony A850 body only = RM61xx
Sony A900 body only = RM73xx (Studio Zaloon)
Sony NEX-3 + 16mm F2.8 = RM16xx
Sony NEX-3 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS = RM18xx
Sony NEX-3 + 16mm F2.8 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS = RM22xx
Sony NEX-5 + 16mm F2.8 = RM21xx
Sony NEX-5 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS = RM22xx
Sony NEX-5 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS + 4GB MSPD = RM23xx
Sony NEX-5 + 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Active OSS + 8GB MSPD + LCD protector = RM32xx

The following suffixes identify what lens comes with the camera body:

G = Sony 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DT
K = Sony 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 DT
L = Sony 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM
P = Sony 16-105mm F3.5-5.6 DT
Q = Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM
W = Sony 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 DT + Sony 75-300mm F4.5-5.6
X = Sony 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 DT + Sony 55-200mm F4-5.6 DT
Y = Sony 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM + Sony 55-200mm F4-5.6 DT (2) SAM
Z = Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 DT ZA

For Sony NEX bodies:

A = Sony E 16mm F2.8 pancake
D = Sony E 16mm F2.8 pancake + Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
H = Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Active OSS
K = Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Battery Grip
---------------
Sony VG-B30AM for A200/A300/A350 = RM6xx
Sony VG-B50AM for A450/A500/A550/A560/A580 = RM6xx
Sony VG-C70AM for A700 = RM9xx
Sony VG-C90AM for A850/A900 = RM9xx
Battery
----------
Sony NP-FH50 battery for A230/A290/A330/A380/A390 = RM2xx
Sony NP-FW50 battery for NEX-3/NEX-5/A33/A55 = RM2xx
Sony NP-FM500H battery for A100/A200/A300/A350/A450/A500/A550/A560/A580/A700/A850/A900 = RM2xx

Flash
------
Sony HVL-F20AM = RM4xx
Sony HVL-F42AM = RM7xx
Sony HVL-F58AM = RM11xx

Sony/Minolta Used Lenses
------------------------------
Minolta 28mm F2.8 = RM450-600
Minolta 35-70 F4 (mini beercan) = RM250-400
Minolta 50mm F1.4 = RM750-850
Minolta 50mm F1.7 = RM450-600
Sony 55-200mm F4-5.6 DT = RM450-550
Minolta 70-210mm F4 (beercan) = RM750-1100
Minolta 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 (big beercan) = RM1000-1500
Sony 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 = RM450-550

New APS-C / DT Crop Lenses
-------------------------------

Sony 11-18mm F4.5-5.6 DT = RM20xx
Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 DT ZA = RM25xx
Sony 16-105mm F3.5-5.6 DT = RM16xx
Sony 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DT = RM16xx
Sony 30mm F2.8 DT SAM Macro = RM7xx
Sony 35mm F1.8 DT SAM = RM6xx
Sony 50mm F1.8 DT SAM = RM5xx
Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Macro = RM30xx
Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 Active OSS = RM21xx

New Full-Frame Lenses
---------------------------

Sony 16mm F2.8 Diagonal Fisheye = RM25xx
Sony 20mm F2.8 = RM19xx
Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 SSM ZA = RM54xx
Sony Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 SSM ZA = RM54xx
Sony 24-105mm F3.5-4.5 = RM18xx
Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2.0 SSM ZA = RM38xx
Sony 28mm F2.8 = RM8xx
Sony 28-75mm F2.8 SAM = RM26xx
Sony 35mm F1.4G = RM45xx
Sony 50mm F1.4 = RM10xx
Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro = RM14xx
Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM = RM8xx
Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 Macro = RM30xx
Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Macro = RM38xx
Sony 70-200mm F2.8G SSM = RM54xx
Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6G SSM = RM25xx
Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6G SSM = RM54xx
Sony Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm F1.4 ZA = RM50xx
Sony 100mm F2.8 Macro = RM23xx
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA = RM48xx
Sony 135mm F2.8/T4.5 Smooth Transition Focus = RM36xx
Sony 500mm F8.0 AF Reflex = RM25xx
Sony 300mm F2.8G SSM = RM20xxx
Sony 1.4x Teleconverter = RM15xx
Sony 2.0x Teleconverter = RM15xx
Sony LA-EA1 lens adapter = RM5xx
Sony VCL-ECF1 fisheye adapter = RM3xx

This post has been edited by albnok: Jan 26 2011, 12:58 AM

Userbars!

A100: image url: http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/2687/alpha100cb9.png

A200: image url: http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1922/a200.png

A230:
image url: http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/8318/a230.png

A300:
image url: http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2802/a300.png

A330:
image url: http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4850/a330.png

A350:
image url: http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3761/a350.png

A380:
image url: http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4733/a380.png

A390:
image url: http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/5741/a390.png

A550:
image url: http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2650/a550.png

A700:
image url: http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7245/a700.png

A850:
image url: http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8928/a850.png

A900:
image url: http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/5185/alpha900wp4.png


This post has been edited by albnok: Jan 25 2011, 11:55 PM

(Moved the price list into the first post.)

This post has been edited by albnok: Jan 25 2011, 11:34 PM

Wow, amadeo called me (I didn't even have his number!) to ask me to start this.

So I shall! But I will need someone who is always around to take some of the responsibility e.g. user lists, because I haven't had much time to get on the forums these days.

That lucky person will be someone who posts on this first page! ;D

chiahau, please do the honors! Quote my post and edit your very first post in this page to put in the list. Then I'll repurpose that post for whatever else we can put in later.

If you ever get too busy, the next round V51 whatever, just announce that it is open to anyone.

iamKiet: Thanks, updated the price!

8tvt: ewinee also got. strangex2 also got.

This post has been edited by albnok: Jan 25 2011, 11:33 PM

chiahau: Copy the user list from Post #1 into your Post #9.

And I knew something was wrong when you said iPad until you said you had to COD a Galaxy Tab!

Thanks chiahau, I've edited it to link to you. Also did a fair bit of cleanup because some of the information up there is 4 years old. :/ (And some still are, though I'm not so sure we care for that!)

kuro0314: Refer to the price list on the first page.

ieR: Done! Promo items... no lah. Unless they drop price permanently.

e-jump: A bit cold, the Chun Li WB.

shukrie: Would be nice to crop the lamp on the far right.

zstan: I like the last shot best.

Codyx: Yes, barrel distortion is quite common, especially on the wide-angle end of a zoom lens. Sometimes it will start to pincushion (opposite of barrel) at the tele end.

The Sony 50mm F1.8 DT SAM focuses much, much closer and has cleaner bokeh. Good wide open, too.

Codyx: You can fix it with Photoshop. Also, DxO Optics Pro has an automated process to remove distortion from selected lenses based on focal length and focus distance (if you notice, barrel distortion is made worse when focusing closer.)

zeipher: I think shot #1 with more focus towards the two uh... runway workers would be better.

ahpingko: Infrared remotes CAN function from behind the camera, IF it can bounce off something, into the camera's IR sensor.

Same goes for wireless flash.

Yeah you want a step up ring (where your lens is 49mm and the filter is 55mm).

mastering89: LOL starting to sound like me - I find a common comment I give is that the aperture could've been stopped down a bit.

psychohew: I didn't fancy #1, but #2 blew me away! #3 also! I love the color in #4 - all the different shades of green.

evilhomura89: Nicely done on #1. The color is slightly murky but otherwise commendable effort at HDR since there are no halos.

#2 would be better without that thing in the top-right corner.

I like the black-and-white toning of the ape. Very gray-ish.

zstan: How nice of them to let you keep the replaced parts, especially for that price, just as proof!

And oooh the slider unit.

In your situation I'd go for a flash.

death_nite: Contrast detect is slower but accurate; phase detect is faster but the mirror flips down, causing your Live View to be interrupted. Note that contrast detect only happens in Focus Check Live View.

Codyx: Would rather you tune it so the trees are green. So you get a green versus red picture.

h_n_s: You can't check shutter count, and it doesn't matter.

geekster129: You could reshoot this picture in portrait orientation in order to have more space up and down (which you can crop later).

TT just for primes!

If you bring one of those zoom-zoom lenses... haaa you take the group picture of the primes lah.

What: That's Just Prime TT
Where: Pelita near KLCC
When: 8pm Monday 31st January 2011
Who:

1. albnok (bringing Peleng 8mm F3.5, 16mm F2.8, Zeiss 24mm F2.0, Opteka 85mm F1.4, Zeiss 135mm F1.8)
2. tanjq87 (bringing 50mm F1.4, 85mm F2.8, 90mm F2.8 Macro, Zeiss 135mm F1.8)
3. craziqbal
4. strangex2 (bringing Peleng 8mm F3.5, 16mm F2.8, 35mm F1.8, 50mm F1.7, 135mm F3.5 M42)
5. Zicron (bringing 28mm F2.8!)
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

zstan: Yes, 3 minutes away from KLCC.

kopitiam: No, though since the Peleng is actually a T-mount lens, not an M42 lens, there is minor clipping on the edges. You can come and see for yourself.

eddybeh: Whoa what is that in the back of the road?

chiahau: Nothing to shoot other than all the primes in one place.

ahpingko: Nice #1.

lwliam: I find the female face behind intriguing in an attractive way.

Give Jeff another call. You have to bug him. If he sends it to International Camera then it should be fast.

fansoption: Normal lah all of them dunno anything wan.

chiahau: It's at night, and the next day is Federal Day (okay, not applicable when you're not studying in KL...)

lwliam: Overexposing with high ISO does not mean oversaturation. Though in a lot of cases, a low-light scene will have a bright light, and the subject is way darker. We only care to expose the subject correctly and can blow out the light - though our Alphas prefer to expose the light correctly, causing underexposure and more noise.

8tvt: Since you cannot buy any more lenses, just use the brightest lens in that focal range that you want e.g. 18mm F3.5, 28mm F2.8, 50mm F1.8, 55mm F4.0 (of 55-200mm). (Instead of using 18-55mm at 55mm F5.6).

I like the color combo of #2 but the other buildings could use some slightly more telephoto perspective.

death_nite: #1 with the proper WB would be great. I like #3 how it brings into context the baby and mother.

So we had a TT at Pelita near KLCC. The title? That's Just Prime!

From back row, left to right:
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA, Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA, Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Macro, Carl Zeiss Jena MC Sonnar 135mm F3.5 M42 mount
Minolta 20mm F2.8 Original, Supertakumar 55mm F1.8 M42 mount, Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2.0 ZA SSM, Opteka 85mm F1.4
Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM, Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro
Minolta 24mm F2.8, Sony 50mm F1.4, Sony 35mm F1.8 DT SAM
Peleng 8mm F3.5 circular fisheye M42 mount, Minolta 50mm F1.4, Sony E 16mm F2.8, Minolta 28mm F2.8, Sigma 28mm F1.8, Sony 50mm F1.4


This particular copy of the Sigma 28mm F1.8 had very interesting flare that caused every shot to look lomo-ish.


From the Minolta 24mm F2.8, a classic. Also, a HTC Dream, the first ever Android phone, with a most interesting slide-out screen!


From the Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM, at F2.8. This lens is good! (I didn't take this picture.)


Yet another wide open shot.


The wide-angle full-frame prime lineup. Left to right: Minolta 20mm F2.8, Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2.0 ZA SSM, Minolta 24mm F2.8, Minolta 28mm F2.8.


The normal prime lineup. Left to right: Sony 35mm F1.8 DT SAM, Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro, Minolta 50mm F1.4, Sony 50mm F1.4.


The telephoto prime lineup. Left to right: Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM, Opteka 85mm F1.4, Tamron SP 90mm F2.8 Macro, Carl Zeiss Jena MC Sonnar 135mm F3.5 M42 mount, Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA, Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm F1.8 ZA.


And then for some miscellany. Left to right: Sony E 16mm F2.8, Peleng 8mm F3.5 circular fisheye M42 mount


Ted Adnan testing the NEX-5 with the Opteka 85mm F1.4.