Welcome to V57!!!

Previous threads: V56 V55 V54 V53



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 25th June 2012:

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 A37 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM18xx NEW
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 A57 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM25xx NEW
Sony A65 body only = RM26xx NEW
Sony A65 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 DT SAM = RM28xx NEW
Sony A700 + 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 DT = RM33xx
Sony A77 body only = RM38xx NEW
Sony A77 + 16-50mm F2.8 DT SSM = RM57xx NEW
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-F3 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS = RM18xx NEW
Sony NEX-F3 + 16mm F2.8 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS = RM22xx NEW
Sony NEX-F3 + 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS + 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS = RM25xx NEW
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
M = Sony 18-135mm 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 (or Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS + Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS)
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-C3/NEX-F3/NEX-5/NEX-5N/NEX-7/A33/A35/A37/A55 = RM2xx
Sony NP-FM500H battery for A100/A200/A300/A350/A450/A500/A550/A560/A580/A700/A850/A900/A57/A65/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

Samyang 8mm F3.5 = RM10xx
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

E-mount Lenses For Alpha NEX Cameras

Sigma 19mm F2.8 EX DN = RM7xx NEW
Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN = RM7xx NEW
Sony E 30mm F3.5 Macro = RM7xx NEW
Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS = RM9xx NEW
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
Samyang 35mm F1.4 = RM15xx NEW
Sony 35mm F1.4G = RM45xx
Sony 50mm F1.4 = RM10xx
Sony 50mm F2.8 Macro = RM14xx
Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM = RM8xx
Samyang 85mm F1.4 = RM10xx
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 LA-EA2 lens adapter = RM9xx
Sony VCL-ECF1 fisheye adapter = RM3xx

This post has been edited by albnok: Jul 9 2012, 10:30 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: Jul 16 2012, 11:53 PM

i'm the first , thanks

This post has been edited by popfish: Mar 15 2012, 07:17 PM

wow. v57 already.. really fast!

every time open new thread all like that meh?

please la guy, dont play im first or 2nd... later u be first send for holiday...

btw, lets start this new thread with something interest (hopefully in all future new thread)

we start off with picture spam, let try fill our first page with picture (with title of coz)... right now, out first title would be "BOKEH"




This post has been edited by ieR: Mar 15 2012, 07:25 PM

lwliam: Yes, the question is what is what is the big deal about this picture?

8tvt: It's hard to find stuff regardless unless you use the Search Topic function. Even then, what if you posted in V53... or was it V54?

In the lowest common denominator of SQL, SQLite, the lowest size for an integer is 1 byte (0-255). Obviously since we can have more than 255 posts in a thread, it must be at least the next one, where an integer is 2 bytes (0-65535).

If there is such a limit, then the maximum number of pages we can have is 1310.

A more practical reason I can think of, is if there were 2500 posts, all by different users, and each user chose to Track This Topic, and get email replies. So if you move to a new topic, the inactive users will not be emailed anymore!

ieR: You call that... BOKEH?

ieR , i'm noted



Please help C&C

Can the background be considered bokeh?

I don't know why was the picture resized until so small. @@

This post has been edited by Ryou: Mar 15 2012, 07:35 PM

albert: the distortion is at minimum?

popfish: niceezzzz~ got great "feel" towards it

Ryou: cannnn....

Hahaah ieR kena charrrrr~~

walk into the room corner and

apa lagi.. Hot Balloon..

#1


#2


This post has been edited by 8tvt: Mar 15 2012, 08:18 PM

8tvt: eh? at last they get new balloons a? hahah...

got but no darth vader and doraemon like last time la.. even upside down also not notice...

ieR: No, the Zeiss 24mm F2.0 ZA SSM does have a little bit of barrel distortion - heck every lens I have, has a bit of it. Not so obvious because of the way this picture was taken. But that's not what the picture is about!

popfish: Nice moment, though the noise reduction has made it somewhat blotchy - shoot RAW next time?

Also, speaking of bokeh, you can see what distracting bokeh is, in the left and the top-right of the picture. Now real quality bokeh has none of that yo. (More subliminal hints.)

IeR: don't be a putty and man up! Buy the 135mm STF and show your bokeh shots!

This post has been edited by lwliam: Mar 15 2012, 08:25 PM

Latest Version V57!

A100

A200

A300

A350

A700

A900

A230

A330

A380

A390

A500

A550

A850 - firmware V2

A33

A55

A580

A65

A77 - firmware 1,04

Send me a private message if you wanna add your name.


This post has been edited by chiahau: Mar 15 2012, 08:22 PM

albnok: sigma 12-24 have less barrel distortion i think? haha...

#3


#4


#5

errr the lens picture cant be e-mount? or 5 pins contact? or it was shot on a car hood in the middle of the day inside a apartment/condo area?

---

Added on March 15, 2012, 8:29 pmedit: oh its fit the title bokeh!!!!! nice bokeh btw

This post has been edited by ieR: Mar 15 2012, 08:29 PM

Thanks chiahau, I've linked to your post!

eddybeh: I have the Sigma 12-24mm, and it does have a lot of barrel distortion, but it's pleasant, so you don't notice it. You won't know it has distortion until DxO corrects it!

Anyway, as for the picture I posted, the thing about it is not the distortion...

8tvt: Fire in the wrong place, supposed to be on the candles LOL. I like how close #2 is, and for #3 you could take poetic license and tilt the frame so the 2 balloons on the left are not in the picture.

Also, if you cropped #5 to the top half, it would look like you were in a balloon yourself!

ieR: Yes it has 5 pins - how many other lenses have 5 pins? Look at the back of any lens and tell me what's different.

noted albnok..
tomorrow will try again..
hopefully no rain.. and with good sky..

jerebu la always..

albnok: noted. i think old minolta lens have 5 pins oso rite? my mini beercan oso 5 pins... i remember u all mentioned the difference b4, but cant remember well..

5 vs 8 pins is to add info for the advance distance integration (ADI) circuitry. As for what is Albert trying to show with the 5 pin lens, I'm not sure, but my best guess if it's a Sony lens is that it's an STF.

Addon: it has got orange dot, it IS a Sony lens. And judging by the size of the rear element, a congrats is overdue!

This post has been edited by lwliam: Mar 15 2012, 09:14 PM

(1)

DSC01484 by J.K sazol, on Flickr

(2)

DSC01481 by J.K sazol, on Flickr

C&C pls

This post has been edited by javed: Mar 15 2012, 09:35 PM

noted with thanks

Hello everyone,

How much do they usually charge for sensor cleaning?

Thumbs up, great photos. Keep up the good work

Pic #1 is great! I like it. The background is clean and the composition works. For no. 2 I'm kinda turned off by the flare... but that's just me.


albnok : I noticed the 5 pins too and the casing got me a bit confused as 5 pins is common for old Minolta AF lenses but then this is new... but what lwliam say may be true.. could it really be the STF??!!

8tvt : Like pic #3! I like how you framed it.

that one using UWA.. so can come very close with other view..
luckily no distortion..

Wokeh!

Bokeh pic spam!

Hope this qualifies... albnok what say you? It's not the best but I'm sure it's far from the worst... haha

Helping my friend in his studio...playing with his lens...self poisoning XD

C&C welcome =)
just my noob shots

i need some guide .. when you purchase lens is just cash n carry, credit card full pay or fully installment ?


currently i plan for Sony Distagon 24mm F2


please advice. thanks

This post has been edited by popfish: Mar 15 2012, 11:03 PM

if got 0 interest why not installment?

wow... noted. as i know is 1 shot pay & installment, the unit price is different

If more than 2k, I prefer use card swipe and clear 2morrow. Dislike carrying too much cash.

But, overall, prefer buy with cash/CC as long as settle on the spot.

If you buy something with installment, it usually mean you are not ready to afford it.

So, if can cash, might as well pay full and settle it asap.

But if REALLY can get 0% no charge, street priced item, same price with CC or cash, then maybe....

if you are using platinum card with those extra warranty on top of manufacturing warranty, why not?

This picture taken by Leica?

Date Time Original 2012:01:08 10:03:15
Exposure Time 1/4000
F Number f / 2.8
Exposure Program Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings 200
Metering Mode Pattern
Flash Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length 85mm
White Balance Auto white balance
Make SONY
Model DSLR-A850

kena ignored again

"can get 0% no charge, street priced item, same price with CC or cash, then maybe..." <<<<<<　i wish this kind of purchase matter will be happen.



''If you buy something with installment, it usually mean you are not ready to afford it.'' <<<<<<　i'm agree too, but it cause extra extend warranty 2+1 or extra gift i' ll will be consider/

Err, explain extra warranty and free gift?

I buy cash can't get extra warranty or free gift? I think if i pay cash, the seller will be more happy and give me more freebies LOL.

more from sekinchan ...

1.


2.


3.

ALBNOK.. I DEMAND A TT SESSION~!!!!!!!!!!!

share my happiness..

congrats ahpingko !

u ni.. it mean smart budget..
why need to pay 1.8k for example.. if can pay for 6months period with no interest.. unless u not pay la..
atleast other money can buy other things.. (maybe)

it's same concept if u wait for 6months and buy one shot..
the thing is.. u don't have a chance to utilize it now...

be smart yo

there is offer 12 & 24 months 0% installment , but unit price is standard

thanks your info

price also not diff by much la if buy cash..
search which is reasonable..

if want wait for 1 year.. cant gain experience later..

Congratsss!!!!

bokeh shots? hope this qualify

eddybeh: Yes, old Minolta lenses have 5 pins. Those with (D) or xi have 8.

lwliam: There is more than one Sony lens with 5 pins. If you (or anyone) can give reasons that accurately identify what I am trying to show, a TT shall be called. So far noone has been observant enough.

javed: Nice, got feel!

shootkk: Nice! Though she does fight with the bokeh, somewhat, for the attention of the viewer...

NutZ748: Er... not the best angle? Especially since there's no eye contact.

sugaring: Nice #1! A bit more space below the dog would really give the lazy afternoon feel.

ahpingko: Congratulations! Well done!

zeipher: Nice, and long time no see!

Albert is it because of the lens that you hinting?

noted with thanks.

currently sony online provide this installment matter, it should be ok?

@albnok
Is it the 500mm f8 reflex?It has a metal mount and too long to be a short prime.

for extended warranty, i should extended +2yrs then go online register or register online 1st then go extend warranty...

---

Added on March 16, 2012, 8:16 amit make no sense huh... i mean now getting close to april, if i am the seller i will not make such offer while drag to april, sell at new price gain more profit

This post has been edited by jimlim007: Mar 16 2012, 08:16 AM

Albnok: or is it the fact that the screw drive pin is a + shape instead of a - ? But I can't figure out what does that indicate.

thanks!

terima kasih!!!

tqtq!!..

Albert > I think it is quite impossible to find what lens by the words... N50 .. near the lens mount .I had tried to google images with that ... still not able to find it
My best guess would be samyang 35mm 1.4 USM...


This post has been edited by andell: Mar 16 2012, 08:45 AM

Can't be. There's the aperture thingy.

---

Added on March 16, 2012, 9:20 amIt has no serial number? I'm guessing it's the CZ 24/1.8

P/s: no, it's the cz24/2.0.

This post has been edited by Newbieeeeee: Mar 16 2012, 09:24 AM

newbieee The CZ 24/2.0 is used to take the pic.. so it cannot be on the cam and on the table at the same time now can it?

albert: miniature effect? look like 1680Z? cannot be 35, because the barrel is straight flat from the mount, this lens has a errr dunno what we call it, a sengek line, to increase 55mm barrel to around 62mm...

This post has been edited by ieR: Mar 16 2012, 10:01 AM

because im not the main shooter
im just sitting behind testing the lens...i mean....reallll behind LOL

"sorry i used the wrong account...im nutz748 "

This post has been edited by yaryu: Mar 16 2012, 10:12 AM

Oh, I thought he meant 'this' as in this lens, when fitted on his a77 the close up shots look great. My bad.

I am hazarding a guess that albnok's lens is indeed the Sony 35mm f1.4 G

Shootkk, I don't recall the 35 1.4G being that size. It's smaller, the G.

---

Added on March 16, 2012, 10:35 amDefinitely not 1680Z either. Exit element is FF. 1680 is apsc.

This post has been edited by lwliam: Mar 16 2012, 10:35 AM

Keywords,
Screw drive ( 'cross' fitting)
FF (rear element is huge)
5 pin(older prime design)
Not small 55 filter thread due to shape, 62mm++

Shootkk, the 35 barrel is like 50mm, straight flat barrel from the mount size, 55mm thread

Haha... wrong guess... but then i don't have any other guess.. It's unlikely that albnok will want a 500mm mirror lens... that's just not like him.. If it's not the STF then what else can it be? All the older primes that Sony adapted with 5 pins are really quite small...

But unlikely is not impossible lah...

Congratulations on getting the STF, albnok.


Note: This is from the rear of a Minolta 135mm STF. So it doesn't have the orange ring that's a signature of sony alpha lenses.


This shows the SONY 135mm STF with the prominent orange ring and "N50" wordings. Unfortunately, the website decided to put a rear lens cap on it to take this photo....

That's what I could deduce from your photo (noticed the 5 pin & cross screw AF coupler right away). There are not many 5 pin lenses in Sony's line-up. I only know that the 135STF & the 500mm Reflex are non-ADI so they have only 5-pins. But that photo of the rear end is giving away the fact that this cannot be the F8 mirror lens. The 35G is an ADI capable lens, so it cannot be 5-pins.


p/s: The above 2 photos are scoured from the internet. Credits due wherever it's needed.

Congratz to V57

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

zstan: As Newbieeeeee sharply pointed out, the Sony 500mm F8 Reflex has no aperture lever, since it is stuck at F8 all the time (with an optional slot-in 2-stop ND filter to reduce light, instead of stopping down.)

lwliam has spotted the most important clue!

andell: You mean Samyang 35mm F1.4 UMC? Nope, the Samyang has an aperture ring, and no aperture lever...

Newbieeeeee: The serial number is around the other side of the lens. Also, the Carl Zeiss 24mm F2.0 ZA SSM has SSM, and SSM needs 8 pins...

ieR: Yeah the lens tapers briefly to enlarge the barrel size. Though, the 35mm F1.4G does taper a bit!

shootkk: The Sony 35mm F1.4G does have a large rear element.

Sure, you can guess what I would buy, but what if I didn't buy this lens, so it's not necessarily a lens that I would want to buy?

Hi all, new here~~ wanna check with you guys ~~ is Tamron 17-50mm valueable to buy wat the damage if a new one/2nd hand ? good for indoor? ~~

Please advice.

Thanks

Why would you want the Tamron? If you can't answer this question then it's likely you do not need the lens...

tough question...


because lens quality ?

This post has been edited by popfish: Mar 16 2012, 12:20 PM

Indoor Shooting ~~ wedding/indoor event ~~ if not mistake the its lowest to f2.8 ~~ i was thinking to use it on travel as well ~~
correct me if i get this lens wrong on usage ~~

I buy because I got $$, easiest answer of all.

CONGRATULATIONS kysham! You got it right, and for the right reasons, too!

Cross-shaped AF screw - stops the screw-drive on your Alpha body from turning. So that when you mount the lens, it isn't drilling into the lens like a n00b. (You might see this with a chipped manual-focus lens - it will always sound like a drill when you mount it or turn on the camera, with AF on.)

Interestingly, Sony SSM lenses also 'catch' the screw-drive, but with an "I" shape with a circle inside.

5 pins - The following Sony lenses have 5 pins:
1) Sony 16mm F2.8 Diagonal Fisheye
2) Sony 20mm F2.8
3) Sony 28mm F2.8
4) Sony 135mm F2.8/T4.5 Smooth Transition Focus
5) Sony 500mm F8 Reflex

However the key factor is that the STF has a cross-shaped AF screw.

N50 C-Tick logo - the white tick in a black circle is known as the C-Tick logo, and N50 is the AUSTEL permit number. This certifies the lens for sale in Australia and New Zealand. Though this isn't relevant to identifying the lens LOL.

Also, you can get pictures of lenses from the rear from Kurt Munger's site:
http://kurtmunger.com/sony_135mm_f_2_8__t4_5__stfid268.html

Blooddust: Welcome! #2 and #3's background leaf is a bit too distracting, and so is that leaf on the left of #4. So close! I like #6 though.

This post has been edited by albnok: Mar 16 2012, 12:17 PM