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A Canon user considering an A900 for studio use

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I looked at the link. This is interesting that he is probably seeing what the other guy in the previous link is seeing, more or less, and he is getting to a very different conclusion. To him Canon is neutral (I take it to mean closer to what he sees) and Sony and Nikon are warm. Also, he expresses about details in high as if it's taken with a polarizer on, sort of making it sounds like it's not accurate... Do we have evidences to back up his implications?

Best regards,

Hiroyuki
 
hhh2 said:
hhh2 wrote:
Also, he expresses about details in high as if it's taken
with a polarizer on, sort of making it sounds like it's not accurate...
Click to expand...
hmmm

I actually took that as a positive. IMO perhaps the main distinguishing characteristic of the A900 from other digital cameras is its film like roll-off in the highlights. I’m having a hard time getting over this as is fairly unique in my experience and very impressive. I see this 'reported' in many different ways. Sometimes as a graph where we have a stereotypical film-like heel and toe curve, some times as “decreasing-exposure” manipulation of the RAW file to see what actually is happening in the highlight areas, and in this case a seat-of-the-pants expression of the image maintaining robust highlight detail. I just assumed that this 'polarizer effect' was a direct result of this roll-off and that it was a ‘confused compliment’ not a negative comment. I might be wrong.

Bruce
 
I know. That's probably what I would think if I saw more details in the high. But he really didn't sound like all that positive or excited. He was like "what is this?".

Maybe he suspects that that kind of high rendition is not faithful to the way we see? Maybe he is so used to harsh high reflection in other cameras? I don't know. But he was there and he knew how his lighting was. This is important if we assume that he was after recording what's in front of him as they are. But it's also possible that he was just making esthetic decisions based on his taste...

And where is the difference in hue coming from (A900 being a lot warmer and Canon being cooler)? I checked some examples from Imaging Resource but they didn't have that sort of casts...

Best regards,
Hiroyuki
 
Andrea, thank you for the link. The photo linked to 135MM is done with A900, right? I see. There is no question about what it can do. I really like the popping out immediacy of the shot with the fine details. Really wonderful. Your site is also filled with beautiful shots.

There are series of identical photos with various raw converters in the link. I will take a look each one tomorrow when I have access to my desktop. Which converters are your favorites? Any one of them in particular to recommend? My photo computer is a Mac G5 dual processor 2.6 GHz(?) with OS X 10.4 with 6gb memory. I don't really need an elaborate organizational tool since my work flow is rather slow.

My 5D MK II went back to the store today.

Best regards,

Hiroyuki
 
hhh2 said:
Andrea, thank you for the link. The photo linked to 135MM is done
with A900, right?
Click to expand...
Yes it is, It was converted on Raw Developer
hhh2 said:
I see. There is no question about what it can do.
I really like the popping out immediacy of the shot with the fine
details. Really wonderful. Your site is also filled with beautiful
shots.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
hhh2 said:
There are series of identical photos with various raw converters in
the link.
Click to expand...
They are taken with the 50mm 1.4, I can't remember the aperture, probably around f11.
hhh2 said:
I will take a look each one tomorrow when I have access to
my desktop. Which converters are your favorites?
Click to expand...
As sharpness Raw Developer and C1. In general, I prefer the way I can control colors and tweak/adjust in Lightroom and Silkypix. Probably Silkypix is a good compromise among good detail and good color control.

I have not tried C1 pro yet to see if it has something better from the color wheel from the non Pro version.

I normally edit and do my selects and web galleries for the clients on Lightroom and used it for long time also for processing, especially with Canon cameras.

But I think from now on I will have to decide which one I use for final raw processing of Tiff.
hhh2 said:
Any one of them
in particular to recommend? My photo computer is a Mac G5 dual
processor 2.6 GHz(?) with OS X 10.4 with 6gb memory.
Click to expand...
I think any of them will do.
hhh2 said:
I don't really
need an elaborate organizational tool since my work flow is rather
slow.

My 5D MK II went back to the store today.
Click to expand...
Since you do not use high iso, I think you will probably be happier with the Sony.
hhh2 said:
Best regards,

Hiroyuki
Click to expand...
 
Hiroyuki,

Your web site bio lists your residence as Long Island. Assuming you're still in the NY area, are you aware Adorama rents an A900 kit for a very attractive price?

http://www.adoramarentals.com/ItemsDisplay.aspx?CategoryID=391

--
Regards,
Graham

'I photograph to find out what something will look like photographed.' -Garry Winogrand
 
Thank you for answering the questions, Andrea. This has been very helpful. I will check out the converter options tomorrow.

Are you happy with the Sony 50mm 1.4? Any other good options you can think of for 50mm?

Best regards,

Hiroyuki
 
Graham, good to know, thank you! But I am getting ready to order one perhaps. Are there any good deals out there for the body? I will also need to get at least a 50mm lens.

Also, I should probably grab a flash unit. I've been very happy with Canon 580 with my 1Ds. What's the equivalent of that with Sony?

Thanks so much for all your help.

Best regards,

Hiroyuki
 
hhh2 said:
Thank you for answering the questions, Andrea. This has been very
helpful. I will check out the converter options tomorrow.

Are you happy with the Sony 50mm 1.4? Any other good options you can
think of for 50mm?

Best regards,

Hiroyuki
Click to expand...
Hiroyuki, first of all congratulation with your work. It is very impressive.
I have seen you were born in Tokyo.

My wife and I fell in love with Tokyo and we love it so much that we are moving to Tokyo sometime this spring. Studying japanese at the moment.

I'm happy with the 50mm 1.4, I think it lacks the nice 3d mid range contrast of the Zeiss, but I think over all is a very good good lens.

Some people of this forum are suggesting that the 50mm macro is sharper at the edges and maybe that could be a better solution for you. I have never used the macro version, then I cannot tell.
 
hhh2 said:
Also, I should probably grab a flash unit. I've been very happy with
Canon 580 with my 1Ds. What's the equivalent of that with Sony?
Click to expand...
Hiroyuki,

You should get the Sony HVL 58 :), you need to elaborate a little bit as to how you use the flash.

N
 
Hiroyuki.

Sony instituted the SURE policy here in the states some months ago. Meant to level the field between large web vendors and local camera stores, it requires all vendors to advertise at manufacturers retail price. If you find a price lower than list, it's either gray market, or from a less than reputable dealer.

The obvious plan to save a few bucks would be to order the camera from an out of state vendor to avoid NY sales tax. If you decide on that course, I can recommend One Call ( http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=93085 ). One Call is located in Spokane, WA and has the camera in stock with free shipping.

I'm sure there are numerous additional vendors but my only experience other than B&H is One Call. With the current economy, you may be able to negotiate some savings in person at one of the NY camera stores.

The top Sony flash is the new HVL58am ( http://www.dpreview.com/news/0806/08062001sonyhvlf58am.asp )

--
Regards,
Graham

'I photograph to find out what something will look like photographed.' -Garry Winogrand
 
Andrea,
andrea buso said:
Hiroyuki, first of all congratulation with your work. It is very
impressive.
Click to expand...
I'm happy to hear you liked it. Thank you.
andrea buso said:
I have seen you were born in Tokyo.
My wife and I fell in love with Tokyo and we love it so much that we
are moving to Tokyo sometime this spring. Studying japanese at the
moment.
Click to expand...
Good for you! I was born there but my family moved to subberban area outside of Tokyo (sort of like NJ or Long Island) so I've never lived there. But, yes, what a special place that is. I wish you good luck with the move. Email me if you have any questions about Japanese. I was in Japan till I was 18 or so and I don't speak Japanese very often but I read it all the time.
andrea buso said:
I'm happy with the 50mm 1.4, I think it lacks the nice 3d mid range
contrast of the Zeiss, but I think over all is a very good good lens.
Some people of this forum are suggesting that the 50mm macro is
sharper at the edges and maybe that could be a better solution for
you. I have never used the macro version, then I cannot tell.
Click to expand...
I guess Zeiss doesn't make 50mm, right? I will also review the recommendations above and check the availabilities.

Thank you!

Hiroyuki
andrea buso said:
--
Click to expand...
 
Hi. I primarily use it indoor aiming it to walls or ceiling to light people. The Canon 580 allows the movement (although I wish it was easier) and it seems to have OK power (although I wish it could charge faster). It's just something I want to have in the bag for family occasions and friends gatherings aside from the studio use. I will check the one you mentioned. Thank you.

Best regards,

Hiroyuki
 
I saw two posts praising Minolta 50mm 2.8 macro above. Does anybody know how does the Sony one compare?

Best regards,

Hiroyuki
 
Graham, thank you for the info. I will look around a bit for the lenses and I will probably give Onecall a call later on.

The flash unit seems to be nice. At least it seems to be better than the one I have for my Canon.

Best regards,

Hiroyuki
 
Thanks all for helping me out. I ordered an A900 and HVL 58am from Onecall (Thanks Graham) this afternoon. I searched for some Minolta 50mm 2.8 macro but I didn't see the one that was mentioned here. There seems to be various kinds of the 2.8 50mm by Minolta... I just ordered a Sony 50mm 2.8 macro from B & H after all. I probably should get a zoom but I will think about it for now. Is it pretty much the consensus that the CZ 24-70 2.8 would be the good basic zoom to get?

Best regards,

Hiroyuki
 
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