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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:


Wireless Flash Compatibility List:


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, A77 (soft version), 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, A77, 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 15th November 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 A35 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM21xx
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 A65 body only = RM26xx
Sony A65 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM28xx
Sony A700 + 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 DT = RM33xx
Sony A77 body only = RM38xx
Sony A77 + 16-50mm F2.8 DT SSM = RM57xx
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-C3 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS = RM19xx
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
Sony NEX-5N + 16mm F2.8 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS + 8GB MSPD = RM26xx

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 (or Sony 16-50mm F2.8 DT SSM with A77)
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-C3/NEX-3/NEX-5/NEX-5N/A33/A55 = RM2xx
Sony NP-FM500H battery for A100/A200/A300/A350/A450/A500/A550/A560/A580/A700/A850/A900/A77 = RM2xx

Other Accessories
------------------
Sony FDA-EVS1 electronic viewfinder for NEX-5N = RM9xx

Flash
------
Sony HVL-F20S = RM3xx
Sony HVL-F20AM = RM4xx
Sony HVL-F42AM = RM7xx
Sony HVL-F43AM = 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 = RM20xx
Sony 1.4x Teleconverter = RM15xx
Sony 2.0x Teleconverter = RM15xx
Sony LA-EA1 lens adapter = RM5xx
Sony LA-EA2 lens adapter = RM9xx
Sony VCL-ECF1 fisheye adapter = RM3xx

This post has been edited by albnok: Nov 15 2011, 02:35 AM

Userbars!

NEX:
image url: http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff385/shahibbul/AlphaNex-2.png (thanks to shahibbul!)

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: Nov 2 2011, 12:36 PM

chiahau: Linked to your post here! Typo though since it's V55 already.

In other news, the Sony-Alphanatics Competition (November 2011) is on!

fansoption: Nice #1!

gizmo_pony: Congratulations!

That is exactly right. Thanks!

Updated front page, added a NEX userbar! (Thanks shahibbul!)

gizmo_pony: Wah, I didn't notice this also, that the A77 has no SteadyShot bar displayed!

zstan: SteadyShot only works while recording video and during still picture exposure.

If Optical SteadyShot did work during Live View, we'd have a very hot sensor that shuts down after 9 minutes. Or else it would be a cropped, Digital SteadyShot that can go on longer (like when recording video on the A77 - it's Digital SteadyShot.)

fansoption: I find the insect's shadow interesting. What if you made a macro shot that purposely shows the shape of the shadow? Maybe in a scary way?

gizmo_pony: I have not tried the A77 with slower cards. Even with the Sandisk Extreme Pro 45MB/s read, 45MB/s write, it isn't all that fast. The ideal would be the Sandisk 95MB/s read, 90MB/s write SD card.

Maybe you have a Creative Style or HDR mode that causes longer JPG processing?

chiahau: I'm on the 16GB 45MB/s read/write and it still lags when say, creating a new folder. It still could do better - even when shooting at 8 FPS.

I would rather have a 8GB 95MB/s read and 90MB/s write card.

chiahau: Go ahead and get the 45MB/s one and see what you think of the performance.

It locked up on me twice while taking pictures, and it had to restore the image database. No pictures seemed to be lost though.

At 8 FPS it doesn't hold a long burst very well - the A900 meanwhile just keeps going at 5 FPS.

NutZ748: As I remember, peaking does work even with unchipped lenses.

azamunekurone: That is if DMF is enabled.

porkchop: A common suggestion is to use red or yellow peaking, and set the Creative Style to monochrome.

Wonka: Yes I was there! I work at Solaris Dutamas.

lwliam: A77 + A900, winning strategy indeed!

chiahau: Hmmm I was under the impression that it would clear out in half the time, at least according to videos. I do think it's worth bringing in!

chiahau: I haven't tried the Eye-Fi - it's a bit slow and expensive.

ahpingko: If your fisheye has a screw-on filter at the back, or a slot for filters, you can put a ND filter at the back. Not sure how the Samyang works though.

jimlim007:

1) instant picture effect while looking through the viewfinder.

2) the peaking does not show in the picture that is taken, obviously.

3) AutoHDR is better than graduated NDs because it follows the shape of the shadow/highlight - whereas the GND has a dark and bright area and you cannot change the shape of it.

4) I haven't tested this.

EvanKeat: Well the vignetting would appear on a full-frame camera because this is a full-frame lens put on an APS-C body.

ahpingko's Samyang 8mm fisheye is for APS-C, so if you add tape around the hood, it will vignette on APS-C already.

d4rkholeang3l: Nicely done!

jimlim007: A JPG processed from a RAW, depending on the RAW converter, will look different from the JPG. Only Sony IDC would give you that Sony JPG look. You can, of course, tweak the RAW converter to make it look like a Sony JPG.

NutZ748: F43, definitely.

jimlim007: No ideal setting since your white balance will be different, and the way you want to pull the shadows will be different.

Once you shoot RAW you will understand why I say this.

mastering89: LOL best long cat!

In HSS the sensor is never fully exposed. Let's say the opening between first and second shutter is 1/4 the height of the sensor, the flash fires 4 times while the opening travels, to expose across the whole frame. So it loses power. ADI is the thing that doesn't work in bounce because it can't use the lens distance. HSS does work in wireless direct, disproving lwliam's theory.

Half a point to Newbieeeeee.

chiahau: I am not free on Monday 21st November. Maybe 24th onwards only.

ieR: Well the A77's SteadyShot in video is digital, so it doesn't suffer from video overheating.

shootkk: You can do it yourself. I wouldn't recommend opening it up from underneath if that's what you're hoping to do...

alphazal: No low light? 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM then, for the light weight and speed.

This post has been edited by albnok: Nov 15 2011, 11:36 PM

hiansitt: Eh I meant SteadyShot in video (edited my original post.)

The A55 would physically move the sensor when recording video, causing heat (and audible noise).

The A77 just moves a 'crop' so it doesn't heat up.

eddybeh: F42 cannot trigger Sony's wireless flashes. You may be able to use a third-party flash with optical slave mode.

Lacus: Lightroom's default color profile is very neutral and doesn't boost the reds and greens the same way that Sony JPGs, DxO Optics Pro, and Sony IDC does.

You can of course tweak the color profile, or import profiles - if you have an X-Rite ColorChecker Passport for example, you can use that to make an even more accurate color profile.

I think it would be very obvious when comparing the Sony JPG and Lightroom's default, what the differences are.

NutZ748: The A850, A900, A65, A77 and NEX-5N have AF Microadjust on the body. So you don't need to tweak anything from the bottom (or the top, in the case of the A55.)

This post has been edited by albnok: Nov 16 2011, 12:40 AM

kysham: Yes, refer to the top-right picture:



I assume this is needed for any body which supports the LA-EA2. So a firmware update for the NEX-3/5/C3 should also add this.