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Sony on the A850 - Live View for entry-level users/cameras

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liquid stereo

liquid stereo

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A friend forwarded this to me and its quite informative. I hope its true.
It may be old news...

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Sony_Chief_on_Alpha_850_Live_View_is_an_entrylevel_feature_news_288932.html

When asked specifically why Sony has decided to omit Live View and video capture from the A900 and A850, Salmon-Legagneur explained that 'our vision of Live View and video is very clear - we believe that these are functions for entry-level users'. He added 'we still believe our 'Quick AF' Live View is better at the entry-level, and we could have brought Live View to the A850, but it would have meant more development time and [more cost]'. /

--
Illusion is the first of all pleasures.

Lenses: Mostly primes, a few zooms, several Gs, one CZ and a TC.
Camera: A700, 800si, and an M1
 
Liveview is useful. Not only for entry level. For examples:

1. If you mount the camera on the tripod, switch on the liveview. You would find that it is not as tired as you view from the viewfinder.

2. It is useful for you to discover different angles to shoot. Shooting from the eye level can sometimes be boring. Try with another angles and it may make the shot more interesting.
 
Liveview are very useful when I shoot with Bigma tele lens, I can point to moving object with move my eye close to VF, just seeing the LCD screen, like to carrying a big machine gun, watching LCD screen, and fire shoot.
pandaleo said:
Liveview is useful. Not only for entry level. For examples:

1. If you mount the camera on the tripod, switch on the liveview. You would find that it is not as tired as you view from the viewfinder.

2. It is useful for you to discover different angles to shoot. Shooting from the eye level can sometimes be boring. Try with another angles and it may make the shot more interesting.
Click to expand...
--
James
http://community.webshots.com/user/cwkei
 
I found it interesting that AP referred to GBP 2000 and that it was lacking in features from comparative models such as live view and video.

It would be interesting to know what they consider a comparative camera to be !

Also I am waiting for mine to be delivered in the next couple of days a present currency conversions of GBP 1380.
 
Such reports only indicate to me that perhaps Sony needs some new marketing executives ?

Current DSLR design is still largely dominated by the initial requirement ,years ago, to re-utilise 35mm film lenses & accessories & to stick with familiar body shapes etc. At the time that seemed sensible as many wanted to use both film & digital concurrently but now digital has gained massive dominance.

If digital applications had come out of nowhere without pre-existing film cameras then designs would have been radically different & far more progressive.

We are continually reminded that cameras , at best, mimic the human eye & brain but what eye sees still pictures & often in B&W ? OK stills still have an attraction but so do moving pictures - remember visiting the cinema long ago & watching TV ? Hybrid cameras that do both still & moving captures are the inevitable future.Sony should realise that entertainers succeed by giving the audience what they want & not by imposing a view of the past !!
--
Keith-C
 
KEITH-C said:
Such reports only indicate to me that perhaps Sony needs some new marketing executives ?
Click to expand...
Yes!

The most interesting comment I found to be the one about the A850 being out and ready for A700 users, wonder what they feel about that one ;-)

Also Sony at least admit, that the A5xx are entry level models.

But they are wrong to suggest LV and video are entry features, esp when top end rivals have them. Nothing to stop sony using sensor based LV on the FF models. But sour grapes as per usual Sony, the cannot admit they are mistaken and behind the curve.

They had a whole year to work on the A900 to A850.,,yet apparently didn't do a lot. And the EU price for the A850 is more than the A900 in some places..strange strategy
 
Barry Fitzgerald said:
KEITH-C said:
Such reports only indicate to me that perhaps Sony needs some new marketing executives ?
Click to expand...
Yes!

The most interesting comment I found to be the one about the A850 being out and ready for A700 users, wonder what they feel about that one ;-)

Also Sony at least admit, that the A5xx are entry level models.

But they are wrong to suggest LV and video are entry features, esp when top end rivals have them. Nothing to stop sony using sensor based LV on the FF models. But sour grapes as per usual Sony, the cannot admit they are mistaken and behind the curve.

They had a whole year to work on the A900 to A850.,,yet apparently didn't do a lot. And the EU price for the A850 is more than the A900 in some places..strange strategy
Click to expand...
So as entry level cameras the a5xx are very well featured and they then do not need MLU. Features for mid and advance level cameras.
 
I have used my Minolta A2 for small product photography tethered to a laptop. Being able to reach over and move the camera to frame, then focus and shoot from the laptop without having to get up and look through the viewfinder each time was a real benefit. I wish My A700 has that capability.

I, like many, have no real need for video or the bulk of an articulated LCD, but main-sensor live view for tethered operation or magnified focus assist would be more than an entry-level feature

--
Dave Pierce

http://www.pptphoto.com
http://www.pbase.com/pierce324
Http: pierce324.zenfolio.com

The early bird may get the worm...
but the second mouse gets the cheese!
 
The omission of main sensor LV from the A850 whilst including it on the A550 is odd. It would be a very useful addition to the A850.

--
http://mike2008.smugmug.com
 
mike_2008 said:
The omission of main sensor LV from the A850 whilst including it on the A550 is odd. It would be a very useful addition to the A850.

--
http://mike2008.smugmug.com
Click to expand...
I agree and would be fine with main sensor LV for the A7XX/A8XX/A9XX cameras. I wouldn't want the quick LV since it would most likely to degrade the OVF.

Actually I think Sony should really work on the tethering support for these cameras since it would be a real boon in the studio.

--
Rick
 
I'm not sure that because there are now said to be 5 entry level models that automatically excludes anyone of them from having a no cost option of MLU - unless some hidden logic is at work here that just does not make sense.

If the argument is that the omission of MLU is necessary to differentiate between lower & higher models it doesn't say much for the high end bodies does it ? This is nonsense & most people here know it & it's high time the message got through to Sony - their stubbornness on this particular issue is costing them sales.

Buyers know when they are getting the run around & always have other options .....
--
Keith-C
 
Imagine 5 cameras, all with the same sensor (film).

Not to mention the 300si, 400si, 500si, 600si, 700si, 800si. Again, all with the same sensor.

Marketing.

--
Illusion is the first of all pleasures.

Lenses: Mostly primes, a few zooms, several Gs, one CZ and a TC.
Camera: A700, 800si, and an M1
 
Let's not interject too much into this quote: 'our target was to launch the Alpha 850 quickly to satisfy the Alpha 700 user that has been waiting for full-frame at a reasonable price'
MHO :)
--
Glenn

I'm kinda partial to video, but I'm hangin!
 
While I love my R1 and think the implementation of LV is brilliant on that camera - for the most part I don't think it's needed in the top end range of cameras - at least if you're 14 years old because you can easily get up and down crawling around on the ground or up in trees with a heavy DSLR. LOL

Point being, it, (done the way it is in the R1) might actually be very useful in some situations (ground level, overhead shots, hip/waist level candids, etc). I'm not having any problems working without it however - and if I really really need it I can still pull out the R1 with it's stellar Carl Zeiss lens and IQ (in well lit scenes).

--
  • Karen
http://www.karenengel.com
 
Just read the whole text from that sony guy. Got to say he sounds like a bit of a pillock. He's verging into Ratner's territory here... Does he really think the 5D2, D3X etc. are entry level? These cameras have live view and video. In that case the A5xx is in good company.

--
http://mike2008.smugmug.com
 
What an ignorant, stupid position for Sony to take.

Liveview is an extremely valuable tool for precise manual focusing and / or for taking pictures with the camera off your face, depending on the implementation. I prefer the Alpha 500/550 style which provides both types of LV.

I hope they hire someone who knows how to listen to their users soon.

Oh, they also need to provide MLU on all of their cameras too. There is no reason to leave it off.
 
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