Why did you choose Sony?

For my minolta lenses, SSS, good build quality, and better color in the output.

I used Canon 400D + 50f1.8 in the past.
I switched to Sony because of SSS on prime.
I am using A300 and live view is really a bonus.

no text

In-body stabilization works with primes, and that is the unique part in my opinion.

How many primes does Canon/Nicon have with IS/VR?

Well, I have at time over the paster few month, though of downgrading to A550 (from A700).

For live view and 7 FPS. I only use RAW so the superior noise reduction algorithm in A550 doesn't matter to me. Only less noise on sensor chip matters to me, and A550 has approximately the same noise although at better resolution - that I don't need - but still it manages to have the resolution without noise penalty - nice

Being new to DSLR when I bought the A100, the idea of all that great Minolta glass (relatively cheap back then) and in-body stabilization sold me.
--
From the original Pheanix:
'Shoot first (pictures that is); ask questions later'
Keith (me) - the original pheanix

Used Minolta for 20 years without problems.
Used Leica SLR for a few years, with a lot of trouble -- no more Leica for me!

Many cameras can do this now, 2 years later - but the Sony did it best when I was shopping!

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Jim R, A200 & stuff -- http://picasaweb.google.com/alphaPDX

Because I had already had 707 camera to717 828, R1, H1 and the natural progression to A100 now A700 and A900....

Jim in VT

in a nutshell: in-body SSS and Zeiss branded glass availability. The two trump cards for Sony IMO. Also lower body cost and DRO, Minolta heritage.

Got my first dSLR, a new A100 almost a year ago (already phased out) for less than some high end compacts. Curious to try my old Maxxum 50mm f/1.4 and a screw mount Cosina 135mm f/2.8 along with SSS on digital. Also had a Sony 75-300mm which is great as a 450mm equivalent in 35mm FF. Came from Minolta 9xi but that was not a strong argument with the limited system I had. A 50mm prime on APS-C (75mm equiv. FF), even with f/1.4, is not that useful for most of my photography anyway. Very satisfied with my purchase and no regret but not ready to jump to other Sony dSLR products yet unless Sony makes one with competitive or better specs than the Pentax K7. Or a mirror-less M-mount compatible like the Oly E-P1 but FF. Smaller, lighter body, etc.

My first SLR since 1979 (canon tx) was the A100 which I got when it first came out after all the positive reviews I read and especially the "camera of the year" it received from PopPhoto.

Next was the A700 which I thought was the best value when it was introduced and I already had committed to the system by then. D300 would maybe have been my choice if I was not already in the Sony system.

Now I am looking forward to A700 replacement which might just be an extremely good camera - or not. We will see.
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tom power

I went for the A300 as my first DSLR for those reasons:

• Useable live view
• SSS
• Bigger than competing models, felt better in the hand
• Accessible controls that are fast to operate

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http://kilrah.dynalias.net/gallery
http://www.rc-tech.ch/aviation

There is just one wor for it: Ergonomics.
The A700 is a great camera to use. It fits my hands like a glove.

Klipsen said:

KEITH-C said:

By excluding former Minolta users you have eliminated a lot of people

Click to expand...

Minolta users had more obvious reasons to stay with the A-mount after Sony acquired it.

It is more interesting to hear why someone without a lens park would look to Sony, because that tells us what they do right. Existing owners usually need a big "wrong" to leave for another brand.

Click to expand...

Your correct. The point was to exclude people that already had the history with minolta. I wanted to see what the reasons were for people who chose Sony as a starting point.

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Rick

Been a Nikon user for over 30 years. I'm in the process of selling 5 bodies and 15 lenses to move to Sony.

I used the Kodak SLR/n for landscapes and portraiture, but from what I've seen of the A850 after just a few weeks. I wish I had made the change sooner.

Gary E

Gary Eaves said:

Been a Nikon user for over 30 years. I'm in the process of selling 5 bodies and 15 lenses to move to Sony.

I used the Kodak SLR/n for landscapes and portraiture, but from what I've seen of the A850 after just a few weeks. I wish I had made the change sooner.

Gary E

Click to expand...

That's really interesting to hear. I haven't read about cases like yours very often.

I’ve been taking photographs for more years than most folks on this forum – more than 60 years. When my age reached a few years over 60, the weight of the equipment started to trouble me. I could bear it but it was just plain uncomfortable and cumbersome. So I eventually left my Nikon F4 system at home (> 5 kg in the bag) and started using other equipment. APS cameras proved a disappointment. Most digital gear at the time was even worse unless you were prepared to pay a fortune. I can afford fortunes but I have justify them to my most critical associate, namely myself. And they were simply not justifiable. So I bought a Rollei QZ 35W film compact camera, possibly one of the most expensive compacts ever produced. It was good but its performance failed to match my criteria.

Then, Eureka! Magic happened – the Sony DSC R-1 emerged in 2005. Ideal focal range for my requirements with its exquisite CZ16-80 lens. So I immediately bought one. And I was not disappointed - all I could want in a single package.

But in 2007 came my grandson. The R-1 was fine at first but in a few months he outstripped its performance. The R-1 simply could not keep up with him. So a change of camera was imperative.

A 16-80 lens remained paramount. Since no other manufacturer could equal the CZ16-80, a Sony Alpha was the only solution. I wavered about the model. A350 with live-view seemed the best match for the R1, but members of this forum persuaded me that the A700 was the answer. And it proved to be just that: beautiful build, handling and controllability.

I have to admit the kit has been building up since then. The CZ16-80 has been joined by the Tamron 55-200 and more recently by the Sigma 10-20mm. So the weight is returning to Nikon days. On the other hand the evolution of camera bag design in the shape of slingshot bags makes equipment weight less of a problem than it was 10 years ago.

I shall stay loyal to Sony provided they continue to maintain and develop the A700 concept. I won’t buy its successor (unable to justify it) but I expect I will be persuaded by the next in line.
Viva Sony!

...

... when they bought Minolta. I started with Minolta back in 1974 and had most of their film bodies, plus 7Hi, A1, 7D. Then came Sony A100, A700, A300, A900, now I keep KM A1 and 7D, Sony A700 and A900.

... Lucas
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Starting a new gallery: http://lucaspix.smugmug.com/
You're also welcome to: http://www.pbase.com/lucaspix/root

Always having fun with photography ...

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Thanks,

Digitalshooter!

I'm not a salesman or marketeer, just a user!