A700 WOW

Phixel · Dec 8, 2009

EdPaintsLight said:
Ok...

I just remember a lot of talk about the A700 needing to be replaced, I thought you were one asking for it all summer. Maybe I was wrong.. sorry.

My thoughts on this subject may have been misinterpreted, or it may have been my fault that I was not clear in my posts. No doubt, I could have worded things better.

What I wanted was to see a Sony a700 replacement which would demonstrate Sony's continued commitment to a high end APS-C DSLRs like the Canon 7D or Nikon D300 does for those brands. But I never felt a need to upgrade or replace my a700 as it has everything I need for my type of photography and more right now. Some people criticized me for asking Sony to produce an a700 saying I was "insecure", "chicken little",etc. Well here we are now two years+ after the release of the a700 with the last of the a700 bodies being sold (few kits available) and still no upgrade or replacement is in sight. So yeah, I was worried this would happen, and it appears my worries were justified.

All that said, I have come to accept that Sony is done with the a700 series as we know it and I will just wait until I need another camera and then look around and see what is available from each manufacturer and make a decision then.

Until then I will enjoy using my a700 until the "wheels fall off" and no more worries !
-Phil

EdPaintsLight said:
I do sales. Ya know what happens... just as my customers get to a point where they are comfortable with a product, the marketing guys want us to sell them something new. We have to do it because the other guys do it. In reality if we upgraded the products half as often and put more effort in support etc. I think many people would feel better. I know I have lost sales because they heard something new is coming, then they either don't buy or while waiting get sold another product.

but I think we are just as much at fault always treating what is new as needed even if we never had it before. Marketing guys trying to puppet us all.

I know people say they want video, it might be fun. but except for that this camera is still better than lots of the new cameras with video. The controls and the LCD make it easier than the old Film cameras. Nice work.

Phixel said:

EdPaintsLight said:

Thanks Phixel!!

You know, you were one of the people that had me waiting all summer. I read a lot of complaints about Sony and stuff. So what changed your mind?

I know there is always something new coming, but this camera may be all I need for years. Waiting was a big mistake, I should have listened when some here said don't worry.

But glad for the welcome!
--
ED Paints with Light

Click to expand...

Nothing changed my mind about the a700. I have always thought highly of the a700 from the moment I brought the camera home because I recognized it immediately as a "photographers camera". All the functions are there without diving into menus and no crippling or missing features to curse.

I have always had high praise for the a700s quality construction (even more so after using a Nikon D90 for a while), handling, and user interface and hard controls. Quick Navi and the joystick control is just brilliant !.

No other camera I have ever used handled as well as the a700.

The only real criticism I have of the a700 was the original JPEG engine and software which was improved nicely with the release of V4 firmware. Sony really shot themselves (and their a700 model) in the foot by not doing it right the first time and that bothered me. I give Sony kudos for the V4 firmware update fix, however, I believe if Sony had a replacement for the a700 in the works, the V4 firmware would have never been released.

My unhappiness with Sony has been with their cameras and lenses after the a700 and now no replacement for the a700.

I finally have come to the realization that the a700 is really a Minolta legacy design camera made possible with the help of Sony. Maybe the Minolta design concept will live on with the full frame Sony cameras (it has so far), but I doubt very much it will in the APS-C format as sub a700 DSLR designs become totally market driven cheaply made designs with more P&S features. And that is why I am unhappy with Sony at this point in time.
-Phil

Click to expand...

--
ED Paints with Light

--
-Phil

fjbyrne · Dec 8, 2009

EdPaintsLight said:
I can't believe I waited so long. I kept reading all the complaints about Sony here, but finally $799, I had to do it. I just got it yesterday and spent all last night with the manual.

Actually most of the complaints lately have been that the new cameras aren't like the A700 enough!

EdPaintsLight said:
This is the best camera even close to the price. Very easy to use and even played with slow shutter speeds using the 18-250 lens I got for it. Just getting started but WOW.

Agreed. Fantastic camera. Worth it when it was $1500 and is an absolute steal at $800 IMO.

Congrats and enjoy and very fine camera!

--
Rick

austinnyc · Dec 8, 2009

I would say its worth every penny up to $2,000.oo One of the best APC-S cameras I have ever used!
--
http://www.sonyprophoto.com

Contact me at [email protected]

Ronni H · Dec 8, 2009

it's more the low-end cameras that takes stick.. The A700 is a fantastic tool - not perfect - but a tool which most photographers in here will never grow out of.

Enjoy your new camera.
--
Never bite the Apple...

Ronni

http://www.pbase.com/ronnihansen

gil · Dec 8, 2009

for missing the obvious and just getting the negative side

. It merely affirms that if one keeps on repeating the same thing, it will just get negative response even if the intent is a new one.

Why do you have to mention about bird shots when I am mostly talking about photography in general that if the camera/body would be used properly; then, there is no thread input such as this

. Are you bitter and sick too that I only post mostly bird shots? lol. I will try to do some dogs and cats next time, promise

.

Yes, you got it right that people have different needs and thus those people repeating the same lack of this and that mantra, just need to go out and do photography.

cheers,
gil

Mika Kovalainen said:
Not everyone does exactly the same photographing exactly teh same way with exactly the same settings.

People have different needs, and many posts (that you stay away from) show the effects of the stuff Sony has omitted/firmware:ed away.'

They may not apply to you, but please refrain from bitter remarks like that. If not, here's one for you: what gives you the right to be obnoxious? The fact you 've shot 10000 similar shots of birds?

--
Cheers,
gil - San Jose, CA
Cheap Lens, JPG and 100% Handholding Provocateur
Like happiness, photography is often better created than pursued.

gil · Dec 8, 2009

every time whiners repeats the same things over and over again

. I only did a few times and see the effect, lol. Getting bitter is not the right word but probably getting better at singing the same hymn. So what's your hymn Keith if I may ask? Words Keith are not just words as I've seen here people resulting for much much greater insults from just word exchanges. I guess I am getting old for all of these word plays and when others does it, it is ok but when I do it, I am getting bitter? Hmm...double standard here?

Keith please examine your past posting tone and if you didn't have any bitterness expressed in any of your posts, then you are ok. Also need to redefine what is the real meaning of smiley. Probably I put them in the wrong places the the meaning was missed

.
cheers,
gil

KEITH-C said:
Gil you seem to be getting bitter - get over it. Not all people have to sing from the same hymn sheet - I can accept different opinions , they are all just words anyway , without needing to resort to insults & barraging.
--
Keith-C

--
Cheers,
gil - San Jose, CA
Cheap Lens, JPG and 100% Handholding Provocateur
Like happiness, photography is often better created than pursued.

Babka08 · Dec 8, 2009

There are only two deficiencies with the a700: no micro AF adjust, and it's not full-frame. And the second one is actually a plus depending on who you are.

It is just the right camera for an enthusiast in so many ways. Slap a CZ16-80 on it, and it's a combo that many full-framers are actually looking back on with longing as their arms grow longer from all the weight of their gear.

Lucas_ · Dec 8, 2009

gil said:
use it as a camera and not as a complaint box and you mightl go places . Most of the whiners were those that can't take good pics and relegated themselves to being just armchair and forum photographers. If you can't take good ones after serious efforts, then, you are allowed to whine . Enjoy.

....

IMHO the A700 is ( still ) the best DSLR in its "extended" price range ( under $1200.00 )!! I keep thinking in selling mine since I bought the A900 five months ago to get a smaller/cheaper one just to be a back up, but I couldn't really do it yet!

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

Always having fun with photography ...

FEM2008 · Dec 8, 2009

Ronni H said:
The A700 is a fantastic tool - not perfect - but a tool which most photographers in here will never grow out of.

Technically, or wishfully? (Sorry, couldn't resist

)

Ronni H said:
--
Never bite the Apple...

Ronni

http://www.pbase.com/ronnihansen

--
FEM2008

FEM2008 · Dec 8, 2009

Congrats. It is a fine camera for the price. You can't beat it. Enjoy.
--
FEM2008

andialpha · Dec 8, 2009

ha..ha..merry x-mas to myself.

found a check in old mail thay i overlooked and spent the money on a camera.

called ritz in cambridge, ma, usa and they had one for $799. asked the manager if I canget it for the old discount price of $699. he said yes. drove in and picked it up.

total cost:
$699 A700
$49 sales tax (well i love to support our government)
$1.99 parking

charging battery right now

.ha..ha..haa...ha..ha..ha

so all of you call you local ritz camera and talk to the manager. maybe you're lucky!!

--
the second mouse gets the cheese

Tosfrd · Dec 8, 2009

Congrats, just got mine today!

Ed Schwing · Dec 8, 2009

Phixel said:
For the most accurate JPEG colors, I recommend you use DEEP creative style. Deep has accurate colors and best default tone curve, IMO. >

Phixel, can you please explain what "DEEP creative style" is, and how one would set it up on the A700. The only creative options I see are: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Adobe (RGB), Portrait, Landscape and B&W. Page 68/69 shows other options, but does not show how to select them, e.g., Clear, Deep, Light.

Ed

winedarksea · Dec 8, 2009

Phixel said:
Nothing changed my mind about the a700. I have always thought highly of the a700 from the moment I brought the camera home because I recognized it immediately as a "photographers camera". All the functions are there without diving into menus and no crippling or missing features to curse.

I have always had high praise for the a700s quality construction (even more so after using a Nikon D90 for a while), handling, and user interface and hard controls. Quick Navi and the joystick control is just brilliant !.

No other camera I have ever used handled as well as the a700.

The only real criticism I have of the a700 was the original JPEG engine and software which was improved nicely with the release of V4 firmware. Sony really shot themselves (and their a700 model) in the foot by not doing it right the first time and that bothered me. I give Sony kudos for the V4 firmware update fix, however, I believe if Sony had a replacement for the a700 in the works, the V4 firmware would have never been released.

My unhappiness with Sony has been with their cameras and lenses after the a700 and now no replacement for the a700.

I finally have come to the realization that the a700 is really a Minolta legacy design camera made possible with the help of Sony. Maybe the Minolta design concept will live on with the full frame Sony cameras (it has so far), but I doubt very much it will in the APS-C format as sub a700 DSLR designs become totally market driven cheaply made designs with more P&S features. And that is why I am unhappy with Sony at this point in time.
-Phil

I know you have always loved you A700, Phil, and I suspect that is the source of your disgruntlement with Sony. But I think the A700 is as much Sony as Minolta, as much as I love Minolta, and I believe the two companies share much more in the way of their approach to photography than you or many others have been willing to grant to Sony. And in the fairly short run, if I am not grievously mistaken, I believe that Sony will prove it to you, giving us some of the razzle-dazzle of Minolta's constant innovations, alongside, or perhaps even in, a classic photographer's camera like the A700.

By the way, I much appreciate you help for the newcomers.
--
Dulaney
A700; SAL 50 f1.4; SAL 18-250; CZ 85 f1.4

Stv · Dec 8, 2009

Hahahahaha! Don't you just luv this place?!?!
I know I do!

I like to call it the forum that prefers to Eat its own Babies. Hehehehe! No one person, thought or idea is sacred enough to Not be a potential victim to a parasitic cause. Chuckle! (No Smilies)

I can only agree with Gil. To bad for the whiners who literally bought into the A700 technology only to discover that the camera did not rescue them from their inability to take a decent nor interesting photograph. Perfect candidates to skip the A700 and upgrade immediately to FF, 850 or 900 IMHO.

Hehehe ........... no Smilies. ;> (

--
Talk much less, take more pictures.

http://stv.smugmug.com/

WaltKnapp · Dec 8, 2009

Ed Schwing said:
Phixel said:

For the most accurate JPEG colors, I recommend you use DEEP creative style. Deep has accurate colors and best default tone curve, IMO. >

Click to expand...

Phixel, can you please explain what "DEEP creative style" is, and how one would set it up on the A700. The only creative options I see are: Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Adobe (RGB), Portrait, Landscape and B&W. Page 68/69 shows other options, but does not show how to select them, e.g., Clear, Deep, Light.

Go into the back screen with the Fn key. Navigate to the long box second from the bottom on the left hand side, the style box and select it. Now if not in the left hand row navigate to it and then scroll down to one of the numbered style boxes. Then Navigate right and scroll the style box and all the rest will turn up.

I'm not as much a fan of DEEP as some others in my jpeg shooting. So experiment with them all.

Walt

Gene Tenold · Dec 8, 2009

We should be here to help others, not to bash each other. When someone new comes here as the original poster happy with what he bought then reads all this, what do you think his thoughts are? If you are unhappy with what you bought and feel something else is better then get that and stop the nonsense, it's that simple. I do not feel Gil was being harsh at all, just stating the truth,and sometimes that can be a bitter pill to swallow.

Maybe we should put all the energy that we use to bash each other and do what we like to do (at least me) take photo's on a hike, in the city or what ever it is you enjoy, and maybe we will be better people for it.
Just my thoughts
Gene

Gene Tenold · Dec 8, 2009

Congrats on your new a700, it is a very nice and well laid out camera. I upgraded from the a200 and found it to be a dream to use, but as others have mentioned make sure you put the latest firmware on it "v4."

Most of the settings you would like to change are on the controll's of the camera instead of having to go through menus "a very big plus" campaired to some others.
Enjoy, take some photo's, and hope to see some posts.
Gene

Ed Schwing · Dec 8, 2009

Thanks Walt for the instruction. Now that I know what it is, I doubt that I would use it much, but might give it a shot for curiosity. Thanks again,

Ed

gil · Dec 8, 2009

thoughts

. I am not bitter in any way but was just amused on the negativism level here and probably got tired already of advocating the full exploitation of the camera to its potential. My advise to the new owner maybe a bit too direct of fully using it and then complaining about it but it is the reality as I see it

. I am not saying one can't complain, just need to use it first before whining to give a better perspective. It is ok for anybody to whine but sometimes 2X-3X is enough for the same item. Whine some more but in a different thing. Ok, my rant and whining done. Will just revert back to posting images.
cheers,
gil

Gene Tenold said:
We should be here to help others, not to bash each other. When someone new comes here as the original poster happy with what he bought then reads all this, what do you think his thoughts are? If you are unhappy with what you bought and feel something else is better then get that and stop the nonsense, it's that simple. I do not feel Gil was being harsh at all, just stating the truth,and sometimes that can be a bitter pill to swallow.

Maybe we should put all the energy that we use to bash each other and do what we like to do (at least me) take photo's on a hike, in the city or what ever it is you enjoy, and maybe we will be better people for it.
Just my thoughts
Gene

--
Cheers,
gil - San Jose, CA
Cheap Lens, JPG and 100% Handholding Provocateur
Like happiness, photography is often better created than pursued.

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