Sarah Soccer Match October 20, 2007

First one is before the game, at home.

All pix taken with A100 and Quantaray 70-300mm LDO lens.

180mm

F/4.5

1/250

ISO-200

135mm

F4.5

1/500sec

ISO-200

135mm

F/4.5

1/500sec

ISO-250

70mm

F/4

1/250sec

ISO-125

Sophia October 10, 2007

50mm (Minolta 50mm F/1.7)

F/1.7

1/125sec

ISO-400

Sarah October 10, 2007

50mm (Minolta 50mm F/1.7

F/1.7

ISO-400

1/50sec

Fall Start: October 12, 2007

ISO-200

1/250sec

F/7.1

180mm with Quantaray 70-300mm f/4-5.6

c|net Review of the A700

Popular tech site, c|net, has published a good review of the A700.

All in all, I'm very impressed by the Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 as an all-around midrange digital SLR. Though more expensive than the Canon EOS 40D, the built-in image stabilizer and higher resolution are worth the extra bucks, unless you really need the little extra oomph in continuous-shooting performance that the 40D delivers.

Seems like Sony has made a step in the right direction. I think I will stick with my A100 until they release a full frame version with live preview(for Astrophotograpy) that will not be too expensive. Though, if I were gifted the A700 at anytime, I would not refuse.

Fiery Apple: October 10, 2007

Bit of play with software.


ISO-200
1/50sec
50mm with Minolta 50mm F/1.7
F/2.2

Steve's Digicam Review of the Alpha A100

The first of the major reviews has been posted on the Steve's Digicam website. Overall the camera got rave reviews. Here is what Steve had to say:

The much anticipated 12-megapixel Sony alpha 700, the product of the mind-meld of Minolta SLR experience and Sony technology is sure to please die hard fans, or really anyone, looking for a new dSLR camera. This camera is based on the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D with a healthy dose of modern electronics from Sony. The body design, that will seem familiar to Minolta-Konica fans, has a durable magnesium alloy shell over a aluminum chassis and is sealed to be dust and moisture resistant.

Looks like Sony hit a homerun with this camera. Good for them and I hope it leads to better things in the future.

Fall Berries: October 9, 2007

This was taken in the yard. They are berries on a Dogwood tree.

ISO100
1/100sec
210mm with Quantaray 70-300mm LDO Macro
F/10

Sony Alpha Lineup

Currently, there are 2 cameras in the Alpha lineup, the A100 and recently released A700. Sony has also announced a replacement for the A100, possibly sometime next year. For my needs, the A100 is great. I don't do pro photography, so don't need some of the advanced features of the A700.

For lenses, I use a Minolta 50mm F1.7, Sony 18-70mm F3.5-5.6, a Quantaray 70-210mm f4-5.6 and a Quantaray 70-300mm f4-5.6. The Q 70-210mm and 70-300 may have to go to eBay and be replaced by a Minolta 70-210 F4 (Beercan) or something similar. I also have an external flash from Quantaray.

Along with the Beercan lens, I am thinking of adding a walk around camera case. Something that is not to bulky.

Life with the Sony A100 Camera

I have had the A100 since March of 2007. It was an easy decision, since I had some lenses and a flash from my Minolta 3Xi film camera. The A100 has been a pleasure to use and some example will be posted here. Since June the camera has also been drafted for use in astrophotography, primarily the Moon. Here is my favorite so far.