A850 owners what are your plans?

In your earlier post, you indicated that you would buy another A900. If my A700 failed and I couldn't get it fixed, I'm not sure what I would do.

I would like to buy another A700, but I haven't been able to find new ones with US warranty. I would probably buy a used one if I could find one at a reputable dealer (like keh). There are a couple available there now for a reasonable price (if I needed to replace mine.) However, that is a somewhat short term solution. Question is what runs out first - me or the supply of good used cameras.

I have seen new A850 available, but $2k is more than I want to spend, and I don't need or want FF. However, if that were the only option I would think hard about doing it. But if it was just the A700 situation over again...

I've looked at the specs for the A580, but the 5 series leaves out too many features that I routinely use (and which were the reason why I chose the A700.) I recall trying to use my old Minolta 5 series film camera after I had been using the 7, and found it to be very unsatisfying.

So I hope that my A700 will last a long time.

tom

Actually, I DID get another 900 body, and traded in my 700 and all those DT lens to help do it. In other words, I put my money where it counted. I am not talking theory, but my actual practice.

I hope none of these bodies fail, but I am adult enough to know there will be failures in life.
Dave
--
davidsdigitalphotography.com

No reply?
--
davidsdigitalphotography.com

I've got an A900 and an A850 and I will buy me another A900/A850, to keep in case one of my 2 cameras fails, gets stolen or whatever. That is just how good I think these cameras are.

My plan is to keep using my α850

I used to also have an α700 that I sold because the α850 gives me the same pretty much res. cropped when used with the 70-400G, so no point to have both.... but

I am certainly waiting for the α77. The 2 camera (at once) solution is what I am after since I really find changing lenses a pain. I am interested in landscaping and wildlife/BIF, so the FF in combination with the 24MP of the upcoming α77 will make a perfect pair for me.

Down the road a new SLT FF might be an option for me - the problem here is limited $$ not SLT

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/evangelos_k/

evangelos k said:

I am certainly waiting for the α77. The 2 camera (at once) solution is what I am after since I really find changing lenses a pain. I am interested in landscaping and wildlife/BIF, so the FF in combination with the 24MP of the upcoming α77 will make a perfect pair for me.

Down the road a new SLT FF might be an option for me - the problem here is limited $$ not SLT

Click to expand...

evangelos k said:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/evangelos_k/

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My decision to get me yet another A900/850 follows after a day spent with the A55. This camera takes nice pictures, no problem there, ... but .... the EVF is horrible IMHO. If you move the view slowly left or right the viewfinder becomes double-view blurry until you again hold the camera still. I am not talking about moving subjects here, I am talking about trees, flowers, landscapes, people standing still or barely moving. The EVF simply cannot follow the mildest movement you make with the camera. I was out with A900 and A55 together and the difference is night and day. If they ever go FF with this technology and want to interest me then the improvement w.r.t. the A55 will have to be phenomenal.

davemj98 said:

No reply?
--
davidsdigitalphotography.com

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Didn't think one was needed. I stated that I wasn't sure what I would do, and intended to use my A700 as long as possible, and then decide based on what was available and what my needs were at the time (synopsis).

You indicated that you made your decision and bought an A900. You also made a comment that while you hoped it lasted a long time you were adult enough to realize it might not. If you were implying that I was not an adult, maybe I should have responded with a pithy remark. However, I don't think that was what you intended (or at least I'm adult enough to assume it wasn't meant as an insult.)

I didn't see any reason to make a reply that you were correct in your decision or not. But since it was your decision and money, it was the right one for you.

tom

Checked site yesterday, and no sign of 850 being discontinued
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Fred
http://drwashboard.smugmug.com

Richard Cooper said:

I purchased my A850 in Decemeber 2010 after upgrading from my A700.

I love the camera and will keep it until it stops working.

As the A850 was discontinued in the US on March 7, 2011, what are your plans?

Sell it, keep it, trade up to what?

Click to expand...

There's no sign that the A850 has been discontinued in the US. It is still available on the SonyStyle website. It hasn't even been discounted.
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Dulaney

winedarksea said:

Richard Cooper said:

I purchased my A850 in Decemeber 2010 after upgrading from my A700.

I love the camera and will keep it until it stops working.

As the A850 was discontinued in the US on March 7, 2011, what are your plans?

Sell it, keep it, trade up to what?

Click to expand...

There's no sign that the A850 has been discontinued in the US. It is still available on the SonyStyle website. It hasn't even been discounted.
--
Dulaney

Click to expand...

I think it's coming. I was planning to purchase one via Sony Rewards and it is no longer available there. This just happened in the last week or two.
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Shawn

Dave,

Car company going out of business, vs. a discontinued model are two different issues. SONY is not going out of business, rather only the A850 is being discontinued.

When the OP asked the questions of sell it, upgrade it, right on the cusp of the A850 being discontinued the OP connotes a sense of woe and despair that most members of this forum seem to have picked up and felt quite strongly about.

Yes there are a few members here who felt generous to the OP and gave him the benefit of the doubt but myself, I'm agreeing 100% with Graham. The SKY is not falling with the A850, no need for panic.

The camera will still work as despite the announcement.

--
-Alex

From the minds of Minolta to the imagination of Sony, Alpha, like no other.

http://www.pbase.com/lonewolf69