-- The reason was mainly $1450 in difference, Wireless flash system with onboard flash, and for now (I think Sony will catch up some..) a broad specter of lenses that appeals to me and the wallet... But hey, I do not mislike Sony, I'll watch closely on the development.Why on earth did you buy the D700 if you could have had the A900
which almost exactly fits your specification?
Greez, Steve
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"Sony A800" - A pray...to former Minolta engineers!
- Thread starter Dynax7Man
- Start date
H
Henry Richardson
Guest
Yes, the missing onboard flash was a disappointment for me when the A900 came out. Even the Maxxum/Dynax 9 included one. With the A900 there is no built in wireless flash controller so you have to use a big, expensive flash or, maybe, later Sony will come out with an expensive accessory wireless flash controller like in the Maxxum/Dynax 9xi days. Also, there are times when a bit of fill flash is very useful and I would hate to have to carry a big flash just for those rare times.
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Henry Richardson
http://www.bakubo.com
kiklop_2
Veteran Member
Sorry to disappoint you but Minolta is gone and Sony is in charge for almost 3 years now. No matter how much one can share your opinions (at least i do and i owned dynax 7 and now have 7D, a700 and a900) it is way too late for your wishes; while there are former minolta engineers working for sony now (these are likely "guilty" for wonderful viewfinder a900 has) they certainly aren't the ones that do decide what and how to do things.
We should be happy only with the fact that a-mount is alive and getting popular like never before.
All the rest is just a great memory at how cameras were made in the past and how important once a "photographer to photographer" approach was (rather than "seller to buyer" policy that is so common in modern business).
That's life .. and we shouldn't deny it
Happy shooting !
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-- http://www.dyxum.com - the world of the Minolta/Alpha mount digital SLR
Ken_5D
Forum Pro
You want a FF DSLR just like the Dynax 7 but not like the Dynax 7 which removed the top LCD except for a small window for frame counting.
The A700 when you thing about the changes DSLR bring in new controls like
ISO, WB, even expanded Drive options is about as close to the D7 as you will ever get. The only real thing I see on the D7 that I would like on the A700 is three USER Memory dial locations.
---------
Ken - A700 Owner..
Some of my work at:
http://gallery.cascadephotoworks.com
The A700 when you thing about the changes DSLR bring in new controls like
ISO, WB, even expanded Drive options is about as close to the D7 as you will ever get. The only real thing I see on the D7 that I would like on the A700 is three USER Memory dial locations.
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Ken - A700 Owner..
Some of my work at:
http://gallery.cascadephotoworks.com
Is the back-illuminated cmos technology still too far in the future, or is it possible the next wave of sony dslr's could possibly have a new sensor with this technology?
Remember this:
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200806/08-069E/index.html
Remember this:
http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200806/08-069E/index.html
That's a full-frame lens http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=33
stevemark
Forum Enthusiast
The 28-75/2.8 D is a full frame lens. Only the "DT" lenses are APS-C lenses, but you may use them on the A900 as well: The camera goes automatically to a 11MP cropped mode
If you prefer detail: The A900 has better resolution at ISO 3200 than the Nikon D3 at 200 ISO ... and concerning detail - just check my A900 images here:
http://artaphot.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=105
No 14MP DSLR will ever match this.
Gr
Stevestevemark
Forum Enthusiast
I have used 9000, 9xi, 9, 7D, 700, and 900 extensively, along with Nikons D1. The A900 user interface is as good as it was on 9000, 9, and 7D. There are differences, but once yoou use them you will quickly change your mind. Unless you are too "old" to change your mind ...
B
Barry Fitzgerald
Guest
It also shows exposure information..shutter speed and aperture, but overall the concept is the twin dials one, which I have to say I do like. The film 7 sets a benchmark for body handling which has never been matched IMO.
However, there are certain functions on digital you need to be able to change quickly, that you don't on film. WB and ISO are strong contenders.
Simple way around this is remove the program subject modes, or, much like on some other bodies from the past, shove them all onto one icon on the dial, and you can scroll through them.
The 7 had a few neat tricks, the side set in dial that could change flash modes, no need to dive into a menu, DOF information displayed with D lenses when DOF button is pressed, aka a readout of the actual DOF in distance. Also a metering readout, showing the honeycomb zones and their relative exposure. Both very cool features.
I would like to see sony return to twin dials, many have commented that the A900 top lcd is a waste of time..and I know some suggest the big buttons are good, but the fact remains, it's easier to use your finger, not your thumb!
Thumb changes require a change of hand position, thinking outside the box sure..but not as good as it could be IMO
W7D
Member
Sometimes I do wonder what kind of shooters 'we' are.
1. sport
2. landscape/nature
3. science
4. fashion
5. portrait
6. nude
7. home/family
8. non of the above
And
A. pro
B. amateur
My guess is most people fall in category 7B.
--
Photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wrvanstraalen/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/theoriginalphotodistillary/
WaltKnapp
Forum Pro
I do not use my thumb to run the front control dial where I have exposure comp. Same place I used on the 7D. I never used the left hand dial on the 7D, that was the hard way that required going the fartherest away from ready to shoot. No change of hand position is needed for running the rear dial either. Or the even more important AF/MF button.
On the a700 you can set both exposure comp and flash exposure comp using the FN system. That also has setting for the flash mode too, no menu needed. I use the menu system for little more than formatting cards. The FN system can also be run without changing how the hands are holding the camera too. It makes the 7 look like a clumsy antique.
I do agree user settings should take priority over program modes. But no real change in control layout is needed for that as the a900 proved. I'd prefer the user settings were in the FN system.
Agree, the honeycomb display would be interesting. When you had a very long time to set up a shot and were using a tripod. (funny how few folks shoot like that anymore) Otherwise is just a cute toy. In the end, no matter how many exposure readings you have, each shot is a single exposure setting. (Except for DRO which does do the equivalent of multiple exposure settings across the frame)
DOF display never interested me, I prefer to hit the DOF button and look in the viewfinder.
The top LCD is a film thing. Too many pieces of info needed for digital. You end up with either a incomplete display or one with the info so tiny it's hard to see. The top LCD's should go away permanently.
The 7 was a nice enough camera for film. It would not be near as good with the exact same controls as a DSLR. The needs in a film camera are quite different from that of a digital camera. And even better controls than the 7 have been invented since. The world has moved on and will not be returning to film. The 7 is history, not a viable design anymore.
If folks would actually use and learn the camera a lot of their comments would not look so off base.
Walt
WaltKnapp
Forum Pro
I've thought there is a chance we may see this with the a700's replacement. Think of it, an APS camera with less noise than current FF. And that could be with a pretty high MP count....
That is if Sony doesn't get into converting the a700 into a P&S toy instead.
Walt
B
Barry Fitzgerald
Guest
I was talking about the A200 mostly, I have not touched an A700. Being specific, the ISO and drive buttons are too far away, not logical, nothing to have sleepless nights over, but still, I could make it better ;-)
There is nothing clumsy about the 7 film handling wise! You get to see what it's set at even when off! Smart thinking, and a landmark handling camera. But I have not touched an A700, so cannot really comment.
I would be happy if the FN setting just went away and died! lol
It's of some use..some that is.
I like it, very clever..and easy to do with a nice big LCD.
Hmmm bit hard to say on this. If you browse my dynax 60 review, minolta managed twin dials AND a top LCD, it can be done. But that was a film body..being fair.
Of course it is viable, we had the 7d, which was very near to it. as I said ISO and WB are the only major areas that make a difference. I think a non top LCD and one dial is retarted, but I am not known to be nice on this one. The 7 is great, that switch for drive mode, just flick it..the flash mode dial, sunk down, lethal handling camera...really, almost nothing to be picky with.
I just wish the A200 has kept the twin dials of the A100 and 5d..shame, sony need to re-think this one..
Well I sure know how to use a camera.. ;-)
H
Henry Richardson
Guest
Yeah, that was interesting on the 7 and with film it was pretty cool since you couldn't review your shot immediately after taking it. With a DSLR though I don't see any point to it since it only gives 13 (or is it 14) readings and it takes time. Shooting with a DSLR you can immediately review the image and histogram and get much better info. I guess with the A900 and the image preview function you don't even really need to take a shot and review it -- if I understand how that function works.
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Henry Richardson
http://www.bakubo.com
H
Henry Richardson
Guest
Actually, the 7D (I had one) could be very confusing in this regard. For example, you could have the dial set to 0 exposure compensation, but could actually have -1 set since it could also be set in the menu and/or turning the thumb wheel. I think there were a few other settings too that the dials would not necessarily correspond to the actual settings. That is a result of trying to have 2 ways to set several things -- one way was with the mechanical dials and the other was by using menu/spinning the thumb wheel, etc. Although it is hard to see how KM have done any better with those 2 ways of doing things, it resulted in a horrible situation. You could look at the dials and think you knew how your camera was set, but the dial settings weren't accurate.
--
Henry Richardson
http://www.bakubo.com
-- Too many opinions to reflect on... But some seem out of place here;
"Film like controls - nothing to do with todays cameras!?" - Just leaves me with a ?... The receiver of light is different, nothing else...
"Buttons vs dials" - You even know your settings before you switch the camera on!! - If you don't manage to know wether you dial with the compensation dial or with your choice to use custom function with the front or rear dial instead; Do not use custom function!
"The Minolta engineers; Do you think Sony had gotten this far without the previous staff and history of developing some very good cameras??? We would have Play Stations controls! Yak! My thought is that they wanted the cameras to look more like the competition, just to be sure not to screw up! And remember they bought the whole camera division - to my knowledge.
Regarding dials, the "7" and "7D" had four (five with the white balance), in which you controlled exp. comp. flash comp. Program/drive mode. In my opinion this is far more easy than using buttons and dials combined - MY opinion! And I like the knob for whit balance on the 7D. (You (A700 owners) might think otherwise) This is a wish, not a critic to either A700 or A900.
Of course it could have a ISO dial too!
"D7 - Honeycomb reading" - very useful, this would have been useful today too! The histogram shows a lot, combined with a full view of Honeycomb reading - Yes!
Those of you using jpeg alone should scream for it, but only most useful on tripod, or when you have time to fine tune your exposure.
I have not tried the "preview mode" on Sony, but a "real time meter reading" is a very nice feature.
For those of you new to photography, you should know that Minolta introduced a lot of innovative features - now copied by the other big names. Nikon is very "handling oriented" and have probably looked "over the fence" to Minolta in many ways.
At last I'd like to tell a story when I was in the photo business...:
We were at a "Canon new products presentation" were Canon's product manager introduced with authority; "The all new and world's first wireless TTL flash system" integrated to an SLR camera system! One third of the on-viewers just shaked their head, one of them stood up and said: "Minolta have had that system for years..."
My hope is that Sony is going to do marketing by innovation and product development, so far so good.
"Film like controls - nothing to do with todays cameras!?" - Just leaves me with a ?... The receiver of light is different, nothing else...
"Buttons vs dials" - You even know your settings before you switch the camera on!! - If you don't manage to know wether you dial with the compensation dial or with your choice to use custom function with the front or rear dial instead; Do not use custom function!
"The Minolta engineers; Do you think Sony had gotten this far without the previous staff and history of developing some very good cameras??? We would have Play Stations controls! Yak! My thought is that they wanted the cameras to look more like the competition, just to be sure not to screw up! And remember they bought the whole camera division - to my knowledge.
Regarding dials, the "7" and "7D" had four (five with the white balance), in which you controlled exp. comp. flash comp. Program/drive mode. In my opinion this is far more easy than using buttons and dials combined - MY opinion! And I like the knob for whit balance on the 7D. (You (A700 owners) might think otherwise) This is a wish, not a critic to either A700 or A900.
Of course it could have a ISO dial too!
"D7 - Honeycomb reading" - very useful, this would have been useful today too! The histogram shows a lot, combined with a full view of Honeycomb reading - Yes!
Those of you using jpeg alone should scream for it, but only most useful on tripod, or when you have time to fine tune your exposure.
I have not tried the "preview mode" on Sony, but a "real time meter reading" is a very nice feature.
For those of you new to photography, you should know that Minolta introduced a lot of innovative features - now copied by the other big names. Nikon is very "handling oriented" and have probably looked "over the fence" to Minolta in many ways.
At last I'd like to tell a story when I was in the photo business...:
We were at a "Canon new products presentation" were Canon's product manager introduced with authority; "The all new and world's first wireless TTL flash system" integrated to an SLR camera system! One third of the on-viewers just shaked their head, one of them stood up and said: "Minolta have had that system for years..."
My hope is that Sony is going to do marketing by innovation and product development, so far so good.
- Resolution alone has not satisfied Canon users these days.... Hey, even they!(?) admits that it's more to a camera than resolution alone. A little kidding to a very "hard core group" - at least where I am from...
H
Henry Richardson
Guest
My film cameras that I own or have owned are:
Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL
Minolta XK
Minolta X-700
Minolta Maxxum 7000i
Minolta Maxxum 7xi
Minolta Maxxum 9xi
Minolta Maxxum 700si
Minolta Maxxum 7
Olympus XA
Canon Canonet 28
Yashicamat 124G
Olympus Stylus
Olympus Epic
I hope I didn't forget any.
Please show me where the following controls are located on these film cameras:1. white balance
2. histogram
3. image playback
4. image delete
5. menu
6. DRO
7. SSS
8. aspect ratio
9. image quality (raw, jpeg, etc.)
10. creative style
11. etc.
Unless I missed a lot of interesting functions in all those old film cameras over the last 35 years, I think, there are a few controls on digital cameras that weren't on film cameras.
--
Henry Richardson
http://www.bakubo.com
John De Bord Photography
Senior Member
Really? Who do you think is designing all those dslr's? You best believe they kept Minolta engineers! It was widely talked about after Sony announced the takeover, and they said they would be bringing on Minolta R&D, along with purchasing the production plants. It is no coincidence that the a900 looks like the 9D which was never to be
--
John De Bord Photography
Showcasing the Images of Colorado using the Mind of Minolta
website: http://jdebordphoto.com
deviantArt: http://kkart.deviantart.com
B
Barry Fitzgerald
Guest
Aside from menu stuff and set-up (which are on film cameras anyway), define "way more involved" ??
Going back? As has been said, WB and ISO are the main two areas that need instant control over, but not a lot else, mostly the same stuff as on a film camera. Very little difference.
Unless you want them to take the photo stuff out, and start slapping more video camera controls on them...hmmmmm
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