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a55 Australian Release

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Lineypi

Lineypi

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The a55 should be in stock within the next week, according to a Harvey Norman near me. If you live in Melbourne you might be interested in going to Nunawading Harvey Norman and having a chat to Rob - he reckons his store is the biggest Sony Alpha retailer in Victoria and that he's able to pull a few strings. His body-only price is $1132, which is the best I've seen so far for a brick & mortar store. Exciting! :D
 
sideswipes said:
Sony Centres in Sydney have had stock of a55 for a few days now :-)
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Awesome! That makes me feel a little more confident that the guy at Harvey Norman wasn't talking out of his ass ;) And I just googled 'sony centre melbourne' and it turns out that this guy's store actually is one, so now I feel even better :D
 
Thanks for the info - which truly amazes me.

Sony finally fixed all the major complaints in their middle level DSLRS, and then they don't bother releasing them down here.

I've noticed Ebay prices not being crash hot on second hand Sony DSLRs of late - an A700 with 18-250mm lens and grip went for A$975 the other day. It wasn't all that long ago that one would have gotten nearly that amount for the A700 body alone. Plus there seem to be more than the usual number of people selling their entire systems.

I'm starting to wonder if the combination of ultra high lens prices, coupled with mainly beginners cameras in the shops, has led to Sony having run its race down here?

Renato
spazz said:
Also like to add if you guys didnt know the a560 and a580 wont be released in Australia.
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http://sonyalphamale.blogspot.com/
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Sad news indeed, its been confirmed by Sony Australia that they won't release it here!!

I am thinking of off-loading my alpha-gear as well, I really don't understand why they won't release it here?
Renato1 said:
Sony finally fixed all the major complaints in their middle level DSLRS, and then they don't bother releasing them down here.

I've noticed Ebay prices not being crash hot on second hand Sony DSLRs of late - an A700 with 18-250mm lens and grip went for A$975 the other day. It wasn't all that long ago that one would have gotten nearly that amount for the A700 body alone. Plus there seem to be more than the usual number of people selling their entire systems.

I'm starting to wonder if the combination of ultra high lens prices, coupled with mainly beginners cameras in the shops, has led to Sony having run its race down here?

Renato
spazz said:
Also like to add if you guys didnt know the a560 and a580 wont be released in Australia.
--
http://sonyalphamale.blogspot.com/
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The simple answer to your question is that we're putting all our weight behind the A33 and A55, trying to take our camera offering in a new direction. Sony has been in near-lockstep with Canikon for way too long. People like you, who live and breathe cameras, can very quickly grasp the difference between the A33/A55 and other cameras, but for the wider camera market, it's important to have a focused offering and clear message.

I'm a camera enthusiast myself, and I know the things camera manufacturers do often seem arbitrary, and sometimes aggravating. Understand that the A33 and A55 are still considered entry-level cameras, and the vast majority of people who will buy them don't have the kind of indepth camera knowledge that we do. Trying to explain to them the difference between the A55 and the A580, and why we're ranging both, and what the benefits are of each... sometimes it even puts me to sleep.

There are some very exciting mid-range cameras coming (the photokina mockup) which are aimed at advanced users like you and me. Keep your ear to the ground for those- I think you'll be favourably impressed.
 
Thanks for clarifying things. It really isn't too surprising that Sony is trying to refine their offering - it makes perfect sense: focus on one market and then expand the offering as the target market becomes more solid. Also I think Sony are trying to make their position in the market more that of the innovator than the direct competitor.

As someone only just getting into photography, I'm quite excited by the direction Sony is headed and the advances in technology being offered. That said, I just hope I don't progress too quickly for Sony to keep up with me. I doubt it, though - photography is a pricey business! It'll be a while before I'll let myself buy a new body :P

By the way, did you ever get a chance to try out the a55 when you visited Melbourne a while back, Phaelix? I'd be really curious to see some of your shots :)
 
Hi there Lineypi,

I did have a play with the A55 in Melbs- it went great! I was just kind of happy-snapping, so don't expect any pullitzer prize contenders, but I'll post up a few when I get the chance :) We wound up spending a fair bit of time in Fitzroy- if you haven't been already, check out Naked for Satan, great place for drinks and nibbles.

Phaelix
 
Hi Phaelix,

Thanks for your reply.
Phaelix said:
The simple answer to your question is that we're putting all our weight behind the A33 and A55, trying to take our camera offering in a new direction. Sony has been in near-lockstep with Canikon for way too long. People like you, who live and breathe cameras, can very quickly grasp the difference between the A33/A55 and other cameras, but for the wider camera market, it's important to have a focused offering and clear message.
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I do like the fact that Sony has gone the way of "if you can't win the game, change the game" attitude with their SLT's. I personally am not ready to use SLT's (i'm old-school, still use film sometimes).
Phaelix said:
I'm a camera enthusiast myself, and I know the things camera manufacturers do often seem arbitrary, and sometimes aggravating. Understand that the A33 and A55 are still considered entry-level cameras, and the vast majority of people who will buy them don't have the kind of indepth camera knowledge that we do. Trying to explain to them the difference between the A55 and the A580, and why we're ranging both, and what the benefits are of each... sometimes it even puts me to sleep.

There are some very exciting mid-range cameras coming (the photokina mockup) which are aimed at advanced users like you and me. Keep your ear to the ground for those- I think you'll be favourably impressed.
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One thing that Sony has taught me .. is patience!

Hope you don't mind me asking, are you affiliated with Sony?
 
Hi crisg0112,

I work for the local Sony office as a product specialist- I advise people inside and outside the company on the technical side of our cameras, as well as training retail staff... basically I'm the geek in residence :)

I know what you mean about SLTs- I have an old Canon FTb that I still like to run a roll of film through every so often, and something about the viewfinder on the A900 makes me go all funny in the knees. That said, I've used the A55 enough to know that there are some huge benefits to an EVF too. Give the tech a couple of generations to work out the kinks and it'll probably even be tempting for the old-school crowd... or maybe I'm just optimistic ;)
 
Phaelix said:
Hi there Lineypi,

I did have a play with the A55 in Melbs- it went great! I was just kind of happy-snapping, so don't expect any pullitzer prize contenders, but I'll post up a few when I get the chance :) We wound up spending a fair bit of time in Fitzroy- if you haven't been already, check out Naked for Satan, great place for drinks and nibbles.
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I'll keep an eye out for your pics, then :) Happy-snaps are fine - simply the fact that you're taking them implies that the camera is a great 'carry-around' type :)

As to Naked for Satan, nup I've never been there but it's actually not far from where I work, so maybe I'll pop down there for lunch some day soon :)

Cheers :)
 
Phaelix said:
Hi crisg0112,

I work for the local Sony office as a product specialist- I advise people inside and outside the company on the technical side of our cameras, as well as training retail staff... basically I'm the geek in residence :)

I know what you mean about SLTs- I have an old Canon FTb that I still like to run a roll of film through every so often, and something about the viewfinder on the A900 makes me go all funny in the knees. That said, I've used the A55 enough to know that there are some huge benefits to an EVF too. Give the tech a couple of generations to work out the kinks and it'll probably even be tempting for the old-school crowd... or maybe I'm just optimistic ;)
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No doubt given the time and effort we will all be taking 3d shots etc like there is no tomorrow..The Sony advancement in the last few years has been spectacular to say the least..I will be in melbourne the 25th of this month and will hope to check out the a55..Iam waiting though for the a700 slt equiv or there abouts and will no doubt spend to get something decent..still find it hard getting away from the quality of the R1 photo's but HDR and panorama in house!! will keep me out of photoshop!!
 
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