505V - MY first impression

Georgi · Jul 1, 2000

Hi all, got my 505V from Onvia.com at $817 after ordering on May 31.

First impressions are:

1.
TOO COOL! TOO DAMN COOL LOOKING!

2.

Camera is too small for my fat fingers. I had the F55 which I think was larger. It fit my hand much better.

3. I really think that the zoom/wide button could be on the back of the camera where my thumb falls naturally and the shutter button isn't quite right either, but that might just be me.

4. It starts faster than the F55 BUT, when I scroll through the pictures in the play mode, from one to the other, it takes longer before I actually SEE the next picture. It takes longer I think to switch from still to play mode too.

5.

It SHOULD come with a lens shade and as big as the front lens is, a skylight filter wouldn't hurt to protect the lens. It WILL get dirty.

6. Of course, a totally manual exposure mode wouldn't hurt but hey, for now, the camera seems great.

George

Georgi · Jul 2, 2000

Also, I think the video clips could be longer.

Now, one thing I did was slap a 52mm skylight filter to protect that front lens and I also had

a rubber lens hood that I put on there. I haven't seen if there's any vignetting on the widest
zoom setting but I'll find out.

The camera DOES look cool with it so not a problem having rubber and NOT the original
color and besides, it could probably benefit from that hood.
You definitely need to protect that lens.

I'll try to post some pictures of the camera with the hood and filter.

For now, here are a couple of pictures taken with the 505V.

The first one is of Gene and is taken THROUGH a shop window. NONE of these are intended

to be any "quality" shots but are taken to show what the 505V can do as a great digital camera
PLUS what it can do as a great snap shot tool.

The second one of the kitty cat is there to show the quality or sharpness. Click it when it loads
for a full size picture. 1155kb by the way! (The large version that is)

The third one is again just there to show what the camera can do, apart from the kitties
being cute of course.

http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4293947503

George

Ulysses · Jul 2, 2000

George, now don't get me wrong. I am also going to go through my camera with a fine-toothed comb for 30 days before I decide to commit to it or not.

But you'll understand that I'm pretty psyched about seeing the FedEx lady later this week, right?

Georgi said:
1.
TOO COOL! TOO DAMN COOL LOOKING!

Don't you just luv the feeling?

Georgi said:
2.
Camera is too small for my fat fingers. I had the F55 which I think was
larger. It fit my hand much better.

You need smaller hands. But the F55 body WAS a bit larger. It may also be a mental thing as your brain "remembers" the way that your previous camera felt.

Georgi said:
3. I really think that the zoom/wide button could be on the back of the
camera where my thumb falls naturally and the shutter button isn't quite
right either, but that might just be me.

Again, another brain/hand thing, perhaps?

Georgi said:
4. It starts faster than the F55 BUT, when I scroll through the pictures
in the play mode, from one to the other, it takes longer before I
actually SEE the next picture. It takes longer I think to switch from
still to play mode too.

Remember that the images being produced are significantly larger in filesize, usually twice as large. That will take longer to send from memory.

Georgi said:
5. It SHOULD come with a lens shade and as big as the front lens is, a
skylight filter wouldn't hurt to protect the lens. It WILL get dirty.

That would be nice, but I don't know of anyone who supplies either a lens shade or a protecting filter with their cameras. Sony sells a polarize/protector, or one could go to the local camera shop and pick up one with 52 mm threads for cheap.

Georgi said:
6. Of course, a totally manual exposure mode wouldn't hurt but hey, for
now, the camera seems great.

Now, don't go cryin' about that NOW. You knew going into this that the camera doesn't have full manual control. =)

VERY happy for you, BTW. I can't wait to jump in and shar the joy!

Ulysses · Jul 2, 2000

George -

I'm not stalking you, really. I just seem to be the only one up right now on a Sunday morning.

Georgi said:
Also, I think the video clips could be longer.

You know why they are that small, though, right? If the quality were better, I'd probably agree, but as it is, I would just want to e-mail these to friends and family to spice up a message, or I'd just want to show a few seconds of a vacation during a slideshow. The 5, 10, 15-60 seconds works fine for me for what I'll use it for. If I want longer and better, I'll just get a Mini-DV cam. For now, I want to be able to e-mail or upload these videos without too much hassle.

Georgi said:
Now, one thing I did was slap a 52mm skylight filter to protect that
front lens and I also had
a rubber lens hood that I put on there. I haven't seen if there's any
vignetting on the widest
zoom setting but I'll find out.

Yeah, I'm going to most likely get a filter of some sort to protect it as well. Don't know if I'll just get a second-party piece or direct from Sony. I want a polarizing filter, as well. Doubt that I'll get the hood unless I'm having real trouble visualizing the LCD.

Kitties? Why, George, you're a softie after all.

Teddy · Jul 2, 2000

Member said:
I'm not stalking you, really. I just seem to be the only one up right now
on a Sunday morning.

Ho-hum ... good morning guys ...

Member said:
Member said:

Now, one thing I did was slap a 52mm skylight filter to protect that
front lens and I also had
a rubber lens hood that I put on there. I haven't seen if there's any
vignetting on the widest
zoom setting but I'll find out.

Click to expand...

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Member said:
Yeah, I'm going to most likely get a filter of some sort to protect it as
well. Don't know if I'll just get a second-party piece or direct from
Sony. I want a polarizing filter, as well. Doubt that I'll get the hood
unless I'm having real trouble visualizing the LCD.

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.
Yeah, I need a Lens hood too. Someone suggested the rubber HOYA a while back.

Member said:
Kitties? Why, George, you're a softie after all.

See what 505V can do ?

Ulysses · Jul 2, 2000

Teddy

Teddy said:
You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Nah, I don't want a cheapie at all. I'm considering getting the Sony filters just to have a complete set and all. I'll have to check prices.

Teddy said:
See what 505V can do ?

Turns a sourpus into a purring kitten.

Pondria · Jul 2, 2000

I am using the cheap Tiffen skylight filter. That's why my photos are still marginal. Tell me the best filters in the world. I would do anything if that's what it takes to shoot good photos.

Ulysses said:
Member said:

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Click to expand...

Nah, I don't want a cheapie at all. I'm considering getting the Sony
filters just to have a complete set and all. I'll have to check prices.

greg · Jul 2, 2000

I like the multi band front and back side AR coated Nikon UV filter # L37c, 52mm for my 505, and 505v. It's much better than the Tiffen and Hoya which I've tried. Doesn't shift any wavelengths except in the UV regions and has no effect on color. It's more expensive than most except some manufactors that make conversion kit/filters for different size-applications and filter colors. greg

pondria said:
Ulysses said:

Member said:

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Click to expand...

Nah, I don't want a cheapie at all. I'm considering getting the Sony
filters just to have a complete set and all. I'll have to check prices.

Click to expand...

Stewart Corman · Jul 2, 2000

You people are kidding yourself, unless you can prove to me with two side by side shots taken with different filters, that you can demonstrate a visual difference in the shots. Tiffen is by no means "bottle glass" and coatings are coatings. I've been doing 35 mm shooting for 35 years and this year is my first time owning a zoom lens ( Tamron 60-300mm) if you are shooting an zoom lens (Zeiss or no) you already have made sacrifices in resoultion, contrast, color, distortion. You would flip out is you knew how much the replacement cost for your hot shot Nikon 35mm lens elements really cost ...pennies on the dollar of lens cost ...the expense is in the mechanism and auto focusing, not the glass ...and flat filters be they skylight 1A or polarizers can be pumped out with such high precision and coating quality, for probably $0.30 at the factory. Not to say that no name Kmart filters should be puchased, but any reputable firm like Tiffen, Hoya, etc in the business for 40+ years are all interchangeable.

I will await the posting of sample shots before I will conceed that any of you have valid arguments here.

Stew Corman

greg said:
pondria said:

Ulysses said:

Member said:

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Click to expand...

Nah, I don't want a cheapie at all. I'm considering getting the Sony
filters just to have a complete set and all. I'll have to check prices.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Georgi · Jul 2, 2000

I was going to ask if she looks good but hell, I don't think you'd notice
if she looked like Michelle Pfeiffer and crossed her legs like Sharon Stone.

Keep in mind that these are just first impressions. Not very scientific of coruse
but I have to tell you, the size was a bit of a dissapointment to me. Too small
I mean.

Ulysses said:
But you'll understand that I'm pretty psyched about seeing the FedEx lady
later this week, right?

Member said:

1.
TOO COOL! TOO DAMN COOL LOOKING!

Click to expand...

Don't you just luv the feeling?

It really IS cool looking. I put a filter and a hood on it in black and it looks even cooler I think. I'll try to get a mirror and post some pics.

Member said:
Member said:

2.
Camera is too small for my fat fingers. I had the F55 which I think was
larger. It fit my hand much better.

Click to expand...

You need smaller hands. But the F55 body WAS a bit larger. It may also be
a mental thing as your brain "remembers" the way that your previous
camera felt.

Or that my body remembers that my hands and fingers ARE wide.

Member said:
Member said:

3. I really think that the zoom/wide button could be on the back of the
camera where my thumb falls naturally and the shutter button isn't quite
right either, but that might just be me.

Click to expand...

Again, another brain/hand thing, perhaps?

Maybe but I had a Hitachi camcorder and that's where it was located. Now, I don't have more than a couple of hours on that camcorder and it's been a year since I sold it so I don't think it's so much of a memory thing. I just have this thing. I know where I want things and if they aren't there, it feels wrong to me.

Member said:
Member said:

4. It starts faster than the F55 BUT, when I scroll through the pictures
in the play mode, from one to the other, it takes longer before I
actually SEE the next picture. It takes longer I think to switch from
still to play mode too.

Click to expand...

Remember that the images being produced are significantly larger in
filesize, usually twice as large. That will take longer to send from
memory.

Yeah, I figured that part out but that doesn't take away from the fact that it, well, SUCKS!

Member said:
Member said:

5. It SHOULD come with a lens shade and as big as the front lens is, a
skylight filter wouldn't hurt to protect the lens. It WILL get dirty.

Click to expand...

That would be nice, but I don't know of anyone who supplies either a lens
shade or a protecting filter with their cameras. Sony sells a
polarize/protector, or one could go to the local camera shop and pick up
one with 52 mm threads for cheap.

Yeah, well. It would kill them to make a plastic hood with matching color.

Member said:
Member said:

6. Of course, a totally manual exposure mode wouldn't hurt but hey, for
now, the camera seems great.

Click to expand...

Now, don't go cryin' about that NOW. You knew going into this that the
camera doesn't have full manual control. =)

Well, I can WISH can't I?

Member said:
VERY happy for you, BTW. I can't wait to jump in and shar the joy!

Thanks Ulysses. I have got to say that the WOW factor is really high with this camera. Shiit, it could almost take crappy pics and it would still be cool to have.

George

Georgi · Jul 2, 2000

Member said:
I'm not stalking you, really. I just seem to be the only one up right now
on a Sunday morning.

Bull! I know you're right now typing this in your wireless connection in your car while travelling down to NC to steal my camera.

My 115lb Rottweiler is carrying a gun by the way....just thought I'd tell you

I'll just get a Mini-DV cam. For now, I want to be able to e-mail

Member said:
or upload these videos without too much hassle.

Hey, we don't all make millions. If I did, I wouldn't think twice either but the way I see it, let me take a longer clip if I WANT to. After all, I have a 64MB card and I can do a fairly long clip. Besides, it would be cool to catch something that might take a couple of minutes. Like the woman I saw on a gas station that pulled up to the pump to find that the gas cap thing was on the wrong side.

She drove AROUND (making a left turn) to the next pump only to realized that.....she drove to the first pump again and back to the next pump again.
4 TIMES!

Finally she reversed to get it on the right side but was now 5 feet away and had to reverse to another pump! FIVE TIMES just to get it right.

That is Americas Funniest Home Videos stuff baby!

Member said:
Yeah, I'm going to most likely get a filter of some sort to protect it as
well. Don't know if I'll just get a second-party piece or direct from
Sony. I want a polarizing filter, as well. Doubt that I'll get the hood
unless I'm having real trouble visualizing the LCD.

Don't think twice about it. Get a good brand Skylight (1B) and a retractable hood for a few bucks in case you need it.

Member said:
Kitties? Why, George, you're a softie after all.

Would pussy have made you feel better? You know, as in pussy cats!

George

Georgi · Jul 2, 2000

Are you ok Teddy?

Are you ok Teddy?

Are you ok Teddy?

Teddy said:
You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?

I think that Hoya I happened to have should be good enough. I would frankly use B&W but I don't really think there'll be any difference.

I am actually using a Hoya hood I think but that doesn't matter much as it's only a piece of rubber.

George

Teddy said:
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Teddy said:

Yeah, I'm going to most likely get a filter of some sort to protect it as
well. Don't know if I'll just get a second-party piece or direct from
Sony. I want a polarizing filter, as well. Doubt that I'll get the hood
unless I'm having real trouble visualizing the LCD.

Click to expand...

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.
Yeah, I need a Lens hood too. Someone suggested the rubber HOYA a while
back.

Teddy said:

Kitties? Why, George, you're a softie after all.

Click to expand...

See what 505V can do ?

Georgi · Jul 2, 2000

Seriously guys, dont' spend money on Sony filters when you can probably get B&W filters (German) for the same or less.

B&H Photo and every other decent dealer should have them.

BEsides, they're one of the only brands I know of that has special wide angle filters that are slimmer for use with real wide angle lenses. 95 degree coverage and so on.

I've always used them. Super quality stuff.

Forget Nikon. THey're NOT the only players. Canon makes AS GOOD or better lenses and B&W makes super filters and have a huge line to choose from.

George

Ulysses said:
Member said:

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Click to expand...

Nah, I don't want a cheapie at all. I'm considering getting the Sony
filters just to have a complete set and all. I'll have to check prices.

Member said:

See what 505V can do ?

Click to expand...

Turns a sourpus into a purring kitten.

Georgi · Jul 2, 2000

I don't think the filter will make much difference but...B&W is probably the best filters in the world. Hands down. THey aint cheap but in the 52mm size they don't cost much. It's when you start going up to 72mm and special wide angle fittings when you come up to cost.

Go to BHPHOTO.com and check them out or call them in NYC. (call 411)
B&H photo.

Like all the large jewish stores in NYC they are a bit of a pain but they have everything you'll ever need and at good prices.

NExt, get yourself a small Pelican waterproof case for the camera and you can toss it around anyway you want to. That's what I'm doing. One of the small Pelican cases are only around 30-40 bucks. Look at BHPHOTO under photo stuff, cases and look under water proof cases. (Hard to find and the site sucks)

Next, do the drop down menu for Pelican cases. THere is full foam or that precut foam that is cut in small squares.

Any other questions about photo stuff, just ask, I used to be a photographer and still remember SOME of what's good out there.

George

pondria said:
Ulysses said:

Member said:

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Click to expand...

Nah, I don't want a cheapie at all. I'm considering getting the Sony
filters just to have a complete set and all. I'll have to check prices.

Click to expand...

Teddy · Jul 2, 2000

The first is my parrot, the second one of course is mine. =)

TotalDesignZ.com said:
Are you ok Teddy?

Are you ok Teddy?

Georgi said:

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?

Click to expand...

I think that Hoya I happened to have should be good enough. I would
frankly use B&W but I don't really think there'll be any difference.

I am actually using a Hoya hood I think but that doesn't matter much as
it's only a piece of rubber.

George

Georgi said:

Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Georgi said:

Yeah, I'm going to most likely get a filter of some sort to protect it as
well. Don't know if I'll just get a second-party piece or direct from
Sony. I want a polarizing filter, as well. Doubt that I'll get the hood
unless I'm having real trouble visualizing the LCD.

Click to expand...

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.
Yeah, I need a Lens hood too. Someone suggested the rubber HOYA a while
back.

Georgi said:

Kitties? Why, George, you're a softie after all.

Click to expand...

See what 505V can do ?

Click to expand...

Georgi · Jul 2, 2000

I'll have to agree with Stew. I don't think you'll see the difference unles you are buying REAL CHEAP brands.

Again, B&W is a super brand and they don't cost much in 52mm size for Skylight as they are VERY COMMON.

Now, I dont' know about DIGITAL and all that but that zoom lens WILL cost you quality as opposed to a fixe focal length.

I am used to super lenses in the best brands and I have NEVER seen a zoom lens that approaches the quality of the Canon 50mm Macro and the 85/1.2L

I have pictures taken with them that you will have to see to believe.

I have a 20x30" enlargement from a 35mm neg taken with Canons 20/2.8 (ALL THE manual series lenses) and you would be amazed at the detail that you can see. I shot a construction site and there is a building in the background where you can still see the stairwell AND the hand rails and this is at night with the light in that stairwell. Exposure was 30 MINUTES!
The building was around 100-150 feet away!

George

Stew Corman said:
I will await the posting of sample shots before I will conceed that any
of you have valid arguments here.

Stew Corman

greg said:

pondria said:

Ulysses said:

Member said:

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Click to expand...

Nah, I don't want a cheapie at all. I'm considering getting the Sony
filters just to have a complete set and all. I'll have to check prices.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Pondria · Jul 2, 2000

Before my joke goes too far, hey guys, I know that the current DigiCams still have bigger problems than the quality of the skylight filter.

Stew Corman said:
I will await the posting of sample shots before I will conceed that any
of you have valid arguments here.

Stew Corman

greg said:

pondria said:

Ulysses said:

Member said:

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Click to expand...

Nah, I don't want a cheapie at all. I'm considering getting the Sony
filters just to have a complete set and all. I'll have to check prices.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Georgi · Jul 2, 2000

REminds me of that commercial for Stocks and that fat lady is sitting on the keyboard at the office party, "typing" something in. THe guy's at the other end thinking he's getting a hot stock tip.

George

Teddy said:
TotalDesignZ.com said:

Are you ok Teddy?

Are you ok Teddy?

Teddy said:

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?

Click to expand...

I think that Hoya I happened to have should be good enough. I would
frankly use B&W but I don't really think there'll be any difference.

I am actually using a Hoya hood I think but that doesn't matter much as
it's only a piece of rubber.

George

Teddy said:

Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.

Teddy said:

Yeah, I'm going to most likely get a filter of some sort to protect it as
well. Don't know if I'll just get a second-party piece or direct from
Sony. I want a polarizing filter, as well. Doubt that I'll get the hood
unless I'm having real trouble visualizing the LCD.

Click to expand...

You don't want to slap a cheap skylight filter, and cheap polarizer
infront of Zeiss lens do you ?
Get those 52mm Nikon (SORRY folks for mentioning that) filters.
Yeah, I need a Lens hood too. Someone suggested the rubber HOYA a while
back.

Teddy said:

Kitties? Why, George, you're a softie after all.

Click to expand...

See what 505V can do ?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Teddy · Jul 2, 2000

Georgi said:
Like all the large jewish stores in NYC they are a bit of a pain but they
have everything you'll ever need and at good prices.

Hhhhmmm .... careful

Georgi said:
Any other questions about photo stuff, just ask, I used to be a
photographer and still remember SOME of what's good out there.

Can you explain what a Hyperfocal distance is ? And how can we relate this to 505V's AE Pan focus mode ?

Georgi · Jul 2, 2000

Teddy said:
Teddy said:

Like all the large jewish stores in NYC they are a bit of a pain but they
have everything you'll ever need and at good prices.

Click to expand...

Hhhhmmm .... careful

I was. I don't mean that there is a problem with them being Jewish.

I think they are rude in ALL stores in NYC but it just so happens that most of the BIG ones are jewish. B&H certainly is and it's probably the biggest which is a reason to buy from them. They usually have it ALL. They have a huge selection but again, I don't like shopping there or anywhere else in NYC by the way. I've BEEN there several times AND I've bought mail order. I do NOT like talking to them as they are all business and not a second to be friendly. This is a NYC trait, not a B&H or a Jewish trait.

I was in NYC in 96 to buy some stuff but I cut my trip short as i got tired of the rude people there. I was buying a 7 grand laptop and they wouldn't even take it out of the box for me. They expected me to buy a 7 gran puter without even looking at it. Finally I found a store that had one on the floor that I could look at.

Again, this was in every store pretty much.

Now for those who are from nyc, sorry.

George

Teddy said:
Teddy said:

Any other questions about photo stuff, just ask, I used to be a
photographer and still remember SOME of what's good out there.

Click to expand...

Can you explain what a Hyperfocal distance is ? And how can we relate
this to 505V's AE Pan focus mode ?

505V - MY first impression

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