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A55 views please? It feels SO responsive! And great EVF!

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antoineb

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I'm the current owner of a Nikon D7000. A camera whose AF performance has been heralded as breaking new ground.

But as I found out, this is NOT the case. I'm talking about phase-detection, not about live-view where the D7000 is pathetic of course. And I'm not even going to start with video where it attempts to have constant AF but tracks very poorly, and makes noise that gets picked up by the (mono) mike...

So as I'm still within the 10 day return window, I went to a store and tried an A55. Wow!
  • the AF is MUCH MUCH faster than the D7000. No comparison.
  • as an added bonus it remains fast in lower light (where the D7000 gets slower), and in live view.
  • the viewfinder (EVF) is MUCH better than the OVF of the D7000. At the end of the day, APS-C DSLRs have cramped viewfinders. But at least on the Sony it has gain so it remains bright.
So questions:
  • any weak points? As far as I can tell the IQ gets lower from about ISO 400 (possible due to the pellicle mirror)
  • are there good portrait primes such as an 85mm 1.4?
thanks!
 
All cameras have weak points but the a55 seems to have fewer weak points than any other camera I have ever used. 10 pfs, Pano mode, twilight mode, and DRO make this a standout in it's class. High ISO shots look fine to me, especially in twilight mode.
--
Tom Seiler
My portfolio:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SeilerBird/MyPortfolio
Sony a330 Copper > Sony 18-55
Sony a55 > Tamron 200-500
Sony 75-300
 
Wow.... Doesn't the d7000 cost almost twice as much?

Which lenses are you using and What other Nikon Camera do you have or have used.

The a55 i SMALL and light! comparing to my Hx1 Sony bridge cam i can't believe it is a DSLR/DSLT.

Grip is basically the same as the like my Hx1 pinky goes under the camera i am used to it but some people will hate this fact.

If you can return the D7k without any problem or loss.
I would say get another look at the a55 research and decide.

Eventho i would push you to wait for the a700 upgrade (whenever that will be)
And by then Nikon will also have something new to the game.

This all depending on what you are going to shoot.
 
Condor99 said:
Yes, the EVF is amazing. I feel sorry for all the advanced amateurs, Luddites and members of the Flat Earth Society who won't even give it a decent tryout to see if they like it.
--
Tom Seiler
My portfolio:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SeilerBird/MyPortfolio
Sony a330 Copper > Sony 18-55
Sony a55 > Tamron 200-500
Sony 75-300
Click to expand...
Luddite here ;-), have tried it, but only briefly, can't say I was wowed by it , but to be fair, 2 minutes in a shop is not long enough to make a balanced judgment.
I have never really liked EVF on other cameras, I shall try it again soon.

“I prefer my Sony A-7xx, to be made out of wood” ;-)
 
It would be nice if there was a dual-VF option - but I don't think it'll ever happen. I tried out the a55 for a while at the PDN show, but it's quite clear that it can't handle "extremes" of light, and I like sunrise work. I don't think this will clear up with EVF's until we move off our 8-bit display system, and that will probably take many years. Still, I'm enjoying the fun people are having with their SLT's - if it's not fun, it's just not worth it.

A thought that recently came to mind: because of the way digital has taken over the imaging world, we're used used to seeing pictures that seem more like "cartoon" renditions than [what's portrayed by film.] EVF's are another aspect of this (an 8-bit display, of course, can't come close to what's really there; it's to light what MP3 is to sound); I certainly don't see it as a "conspiracy," but I do think there's an impact on the consciousness. Our minds will consider "reality" to be whatever we've become accustomed to.

--
Rich

http://philosurfer.zenfolio.com/
 
I have been recommending D7000 to those who can afford one but your response is a huge surprise to me, with regard about the AF speed. Is this so true?
I tried A33 and was already very impressed
antoineb said:
I'm the current owner of a Nikon D7000. A camera whose AF performance has been heralded as breaking new ground.

But as I found out, this is NOT the case. I'm talking about phase-detection, not about live-view where the D7000 is pathetic of course. And I'm not even going to start with video where it attempts to have constant AF but tracks very poorly, and makes noise that gets picked up by the (mono) mike...

So as I'm still within the 10 day return window, I went to a store and tried an A55. Wow!
  • the AF is MUCH MUCH faster than the D7000. No comparison.
  • as an added bonus it remains fast in lower light (where the D7000 gets slower), and in live view.
  • the viewfinder (EVF) is MUCH better than the OVF of the D7000. At the end of the day, APS-C DSLRs have cramped viewfinders. But at least on the Sony it has gain so it remains bright.
So questions:
  • any weak points? As far as I can tell the IQ gets lower from about ISO 400 (possible due to the pellicle mirror)
  • are there good portrait primes such as an 85mm 1.4?
thanks!
Click to expand...
--
Mark K
 
For me the grip is the biggest problem. I don't mind that my little finger falls under the camera. For me it is about the depth and width of the grip. It doesn't quite come to the end of my first knuckle. Also the top of the notch under the wheel is to sharp and bites into the side of my middle finger. All of the is less of an issue with a lighter lens. I'm using the Sony 18-250 exclusively which, due to the weight, aggravates the grip issues.
--
John
 
Even though A55 is great in some area but other area, like built quality, is not the same as D7000. I just warn you I advance so that you don't disappoint later. the price will not lie, one is metal and sealed, the other is excellent plastic.

Anyway, if you haven't own anything expensive in Nikon lens, I think you should consider Sony. Try the STF lens and you will be please with this unique and only lens.

IMHO, you may want to wait until A700 replacement out next year. I think it will be a camera that breaks many ground rules and will be more superior than D7000 in every way you look it.

Good luck.
 
Gavin 11 wrote:
ony 75-300
Gavin 11 said:
Luddite here ;-), have tried it, but only briefly, can't say I was wowed by it , but to be fair, 2 minutes in a shop is not long enough to make a balanced judgment.
Click to expand...
I have made this point many times. If you use it for a week most people will end up forgetting they are looking through an EVF.

It doesn't bother me that you don't like it. What bothers me is when people on this forum spend so many words explaining how worthless EVFs are and they haven't even used one.
--
Tom Seiler
My portfolio:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SeilerBird/MyPortfolio
Sony a330 Copper > Sony 18-55
Sony a55 > Tamron 200-500
Sony 75-300
 
There is a 85 1,4 that is as good as it gets, but expensive. There is a new, slower 85 that is much cheaper and have had some nice reviews.

See http://www.dyxum.com for all available lenses and info.
 
Condor99 said:
Condor99 said:
Luddite here ;-), have tried it, but only briefly, can't say I was wowed by it , but to be fair, 2 minutes in a shop is not long enough to make a balanced judgment.
Click to expand...
I have made this point many times. If you use it for a week most people will end up forgetting they are looking through an EVF.

It doesn't bother me that you don't like it. What bothers me is when people on this forum spend so many words explaining how worthless EVFs are and they haven't even used one.
--
Tom Seiler
My portfolio:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SeilerBird/MyPortfolio
Sony a330 Copper > Sony 18-55
Sony a55 > Tamron 200-500
Sony 75-300
Click to expand...
By the way, do you think the apparent shutter lag problem when using flash is a major prob? As you have the advantage that you own an A-55.

Does this just effect external flash guns ie Sony 42 or 58 or does this manifest itself when using the onboard flash?

As regarding if I like it or not, I said I was not wowed by it, that does not mean I don't like it.

Please remember I am comparing my A-700 OVF to the A-55 , not the much smaller A-330 OVF to it.

“I prefer my Sony A-7xx, to be made out of wood” ;-)
 
maybe some lenses out there do AF faster for all I know.

still at the end of the day, the end result is a camera that's bulky, heavy, doesn't focus particularly fast in phase-detection mode, focuses horribly slowly in contrast-detect mode, and can't shoot video if one assumes video implies continuous AF and stereo sound.

I'll of course sleep on this a couple more days but yes, for the money I could get the A55 plus the 85mm 1.4 lens...
 
except for very high-end beasts

but consumer DSLRs, no

I think the D7000 is a nice camera, capable of good IQ. But it has its quirks, and its AF is unimpressive when compared to an advanced compact, and it worsens in low light, and the Sony A55 is heads and shoulders better on AF.

All DSLR users should be forced to use an advanced compact for a day and see how fast it docuses, and how it can even track moving subjects! Sure there is much less glass to move (and it's plastic), and it's always the same lens so it's easier to optimise for it. But at the end of the day, it's a bigger heavier much more expensive package, delivering not so good performance.

Are DSLRs truly dinosaurs from a bygone era, like I always thought?
 
(nt)
A
 
antoineb said:
except for very high-end beasts

but consumer DSLRs, no

I think the D7000 is a nice camera, capable of good IQ. But it has its quirks, and its AF is unimpressive when compared to an advanced compact, and it worsens in low light, and the Sony A55 is heads and shoulders better on AF.

All DSLR users should be forced to use an advanced compact for a day and see how fast it docuses, and how it can even track moving subjects! Sure there is much less glass to move (and it's plastic), and it's always the same lens so it's easier to optimise for it. But at the end of the day, it's a bigger heavier much more expensive package, delivering not so good performance.

Are DSLRs truly dinosaurs from a bygone era, like I always thought?
Click to expand...
This poor AF on the Nikon D7000, is this regarding video or still photography as well ?
“I prefer my Sony A-7xx, to be made out of wood” ;-)
 
Gavin 11 said:
By the way, do you think the apparent shutter lag problem when using flash is a major prob? As you have the advantage that you own an A-55.

Does this just effect external flash guns ie Sony 42 or 58 or does this manifest itself when using the onboard flash?
Click to expand...
I rarely use flash so it isn't a problem for me.

--
Tom Seiler
My portfolio:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SeilerBird/MyPortfolio
Sony a330 Copper > Sony 18-55
Sony a55 > Tamron 200-500
Sony 75-300
 
antoineb said:
  • are there good portrait primes such as an 85mm 1.4?
thanks!
Click to expand...
You're in luck, there's a Sony 85mm F1.4 Carl Zeiss that is heralded by Photozone as optically one of the best if not the best in its class.

The main drawback of the A55 is the relatively short battery life, especially when compared to cameras like the D7000. One or 2 extra spares should solve that.

BTW, I noticed before that you also own or owned the FZ18, which I also own. Do you still use that for example when traveling light?
 
Condor99 said:
Gavin 11 said:
By the way, do you think the apparent shutter lag problem when using flash is a major prob? As you have the advantage that you own an A-55.

Does this just effect external flash guns ie Sony 42 or 58 or does this manifest itself when using the onboard flash?
Click to expand...
I rarely use flash so it isn't a problem for me.

--
Tom Seiler
My portfolio:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SeilerBird/MyPortfolio
Sony a330 Copper > Sony 18-55
Sony a55 > Tamron 200-500
Sony 75-300
Click to expand...
I see, but it's not ideal is it?
“I prefer my Sony A-7xx, to be made out of wood” ;-)
 
OT, I wanted to thank you Condor for the frequent use of the term "Luddite" I'd heard the term before but never really knew what it meant exactly. Thanks to you, I looked it up and now have a new word for my vocabulary. I think it's a good word and will come in handy on a lot of occasions. ;-)
--
Just for fun!

Jim
 
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