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A100 replacement

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myte8

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Hi Guys,

Currently I use my A100 to shoot outdoor junior soccer games.

I use a Minolta 100-300mm f/4-5.6 and recently purchased a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and most of the pictures turn out pretty good, there are a few missed focus shots but most of them are good. My daughter has now started playing Futsal(indoor soccer) and I have tried to use my KM 28-75mm f/2.8 lens and found that I need to use ISO 1600 in order to get a fast enough shutter speed, But the A100 is very noisy at such a high ISO setting so I think its time for an upgrade.

I want to stick with Sony so I can keep my lenses but I'm not sure which camera to get. I was looking at the Sony A580, but I have read that even though it performs great at high ISO settings it has a slow AF system.
It can't be slower then the A100, can it ?

If I'm getting decent shots with the A100, then I guess the A580 should be fine ?

I was also looking at the older A700.
Which one would be better between the 2, the A580 or the A700 ?

For my outdoor soccer photography, I manage OK with my A100, But it fails at taking decent pics of indoor soccer games.

Another thing I though about was the lens I use for indoor soccer. I was thinking of buying the Sony 50mm f/1.4 , But I think the KM 28-75mm f/2.8 on the A580 with a high ISO setting would be fine.

So what do you guys think I should do ?
 
I have not heard that about the A580, I do not own one, I do shoot with a A550 and a A700. The A550 is great with high ISO and is very fast AF. The A580 is even better so I do not know where you heard that.
 
There is a review on dpreview:

"When shooting fast moving subjects the AF system cannot always keep up with the action but for a camera in this class that is not unusual. In demanding shooting situations such as sports or action photography, where efficient predictive AF is called for, are one of your main photographic applications you are arguably better off investing a little more money in a semi-professional DSLR such as the Nikon D300S or Canon EOS 7D."
 
a580 or a55 (or even a550 or a500 if you want to go a little cheaper) would be best for what you are doing.

I really like the a700 (I have two) but the a580 far outpaces it in high ISO images and AF speed.
 
A580 should be a huge upgrade from A100 in every aspec, except flash sync speed (maybe?). You can also consider A55 as it has fixed translucent mirror to enable ultra fast burst shots while maintaining full time AF.

Even better, A77 is just around the corner, and that's is expected to be the terminator of all current APSC cameras (including D300s and 7D).
 
Thanks guys. Sounds like the a580 is the one to get.
Or maybe wait for the a77 ?
 
If you want to wait. Everyone keeps saying that the a77 is the end all be all, but no one has ever used or even seen any images from an a77.

Plus you're looking at probably a $1200 range for the a77, and an $750 range for the a580/a55.

If you're thinking about the a77, go look at an a55 with the EVF and see if that's something you could get used to. The a77 supposedly will have an improved EVF over the a55, but it's still EVF. Some people really like them, some people really don't.
 
myte8 said:
Hi Guys,

Currently I use my A100 to shoot outdoor junior soccer games.

I use a Minolta 100-300mm f/4-5.6 and recently purchased a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and most of the pictures turn out pretty good, there are a few missed focus shots but most of them are good. My daughter has now started playing Futsal(indoor soccer) and I have tried to use my KM 28-75mm f/2.8 lens and found that I need to use ISO 1600 in order to get a fast enough shutter speed, But the A100 is very noisy at such a high ISO setting so I think its time for an upgrade.

I want to stick with Sony so I can keep my lenses but I'm not sure which camera to get. I was looking at the Sony A580, but I have read that even though it performs great at high ISO settings it has a slow AF system.
It can't be slower then the A100, can it ?

If I'm getting decent shots with the A100, then I guess the A580 should be fine ?

I was also looking at the older A700.
Which one would be better between the 2, the A580 or the A700 ?

For my outdoor soccer photography, I manage OK with my A100, But it fails at taking decent pics of indoor soccer games.

Another thing I though about was the lens I use for indoor soccer. I was thinking of buying the Sony 50mm f/1.4 , But I think the KM 28-75mm f/2.8 on the A580 with a high ISO setting would be fine.

So what do you guys think I should do ?
Click to expand...
i dont know where u heard that the A580 AF is slow..i would like to see that link...

i have the A580 but if you are into the more sport stuff shooting i think the A55 would be the choice for u as A580 can only go 5fps using full AF ..while the A55 can go 10fps..plus the evf of the A55 will serve u much better indoors than the VF of the A580 which i found lacking.

and if you are worried about the A55 being more fragile i suggest ..actually i always suggest this regarding such delicate pricy equipment - get a full 3 years warranty at least.

last but not least ..the AF is very good..just need to choose the one u need for ur scenario thats all.
 
you've lived with your A100 for this long, what's another couple months for the A77? it will be better than the 55 and 580 for sure. unless you have no camera right now, I'd wait for the A77
 
rinkos said:
i dont know where u heard that the A580 AF is slow..i would like to see that link...
Click to expand...
From this page - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra580/page5.asp

"When shooting fast moving subjects the AF system cannot always keep up with the action but for a camera in this class that is not unusual. In demanding shooting situations such as sports or action photography, where efficient predictive AF is called for, are one of your main photographic applications you are arguably better off investing a little more money in a semi-professional DSLR such as the Nikon D300S or Canon EOS 7D."
rinkos said:
i have the A580 but if you are into the more sport stuff shooting i think the A55 would be the choice for u as A580 can only go 5fps using full AF ..while the A55 can go 10fps..plus the evf of the A55 will serve u much better indoors than the VF of the A580 which i found lacking.
Click to expand...
I prefer an OVF and I don't shoot in bursts all that often. The 3fps of the A100 was enough for me, so 5fps is not a problem.
 
sye46 said:
you've lived with your A100 for this long, what's another couple months for the A77? it will be better than the 55 and 580 for sure. unless you have no camera right now, I'd wait for the A77
Click to expand...
My daughter just started playing Futsal and the A100 produces very noisy high ISO shots. Its fine for her outdoor soccer games that I have been photographing, but its very bad for Futsal. Futsal only runs for 8 weeks, then starts over again. There are 4 terms in a year and each term is like a new season with a new ladder and new teams so I don't really want to miss many more games.

I guess I could buy the A580 now and then look at an upgrade to the A77 at the end of the year. I don't really like the EVF, I prefer OVF, But if the A77 turns out to be a great camera, I'll update at the end of the year.
 
I have the a500, and as the a580 is an improved version of that camera, in my opinion you can't go wrong there. I've even considered upgrading, but for some reason (and where I live) the a580 is much more expensive then the a500 I bought last year. Btw, also as an a100 replacement, also because of high ISO performance. The only thing I liked better in the a100 is that it felt like it was built better.
 
This is how bad it is..
Futsal Pics: (ISO 1600)







Compared to my outdoor soccer pics:(ISO 200)







 
The A77 won't be out until October if than, it will hard to get before the the end if the year. Time is short, I think you would be wise to get your A580 now a just enjoy your daughters games knowing that you have one of the best Sony cameras in your hand.
 
I switched from my old A100 a few years ago to the A500 and the AF and ISO are so much better. I do a lot of indoor volleyball shooting using myTokina 80-200 f2.8 and sony 50mm 1.8 and there is a big difference in the ISO and shutter speed. The A580 AF is better than the A100 of course. Like it was mention if price is a thought look at the A500 or A550
 
I do not think you are alone. I have been thinking of upgrading also, my A100 is starting to show its age and I seem to be hitting its limits more and more lately. I know the A55 would be a great camera but have decided to at least wait until Sony officially announces the new cameras (the A65 sounds interesting also). I have invested quite a bit in CF cards and dont really want to just throw them away. The battery life may be a bit better on the new cameras. And I can imagine that the 2nd gen EVF will have some improvements (resolution for sure). I actually hate to retire the A100 it has been around the world with me and has been a great camera.
 
yard29 said:
I switched from my old A100 a few years ago to the A500 and the AF and ISO are so much better. I do a lot of indoor volleyball shooting using myTokina 80-200 f2.8 and sony 50mm 1.8 and there is a big difference in the ISO and shutter speed. The A580 AF is better than the A100 of course. Like it was mention if price is a thought look at the A500 or A550
Click to expand...
How do you find the 50mm 1.8 ?

I have a KM 28-75mm f/2.8 that I have been using for Futsal and I was thinking that maybe the Sony 50mm f/1.4 might be a good lens to use for Futsal.

Also, what settings do you use for your indoor shots ?
Do you shoot in RAW with NR on or off ?

I shoot in RAW and have NR off, but then I don't really do any PP as I take around 400 shots and just use the software(v1.1) that came with the A100 to bulk convert the pics from RAW to jpeg, which seems to produce a better shot then shooting in jpeg.

I installed the newer version(v3) and I can not find the bulk option, Has it been removed or have I missed it ?

Anyway, thanks for the posts, I will go ahead and buy the A580.
 
I find my 50mm to be pretty good in the low light that i shoot in. I do use it on my A500. My best shots have come around the f2.5, shutter 1/640 around 800 ISO. Bumping the ISO to 1600 still gives a good quality of shot. Most of the time i shot in manual mood-cause I'm just picking certain action shots. The AF sometimes tracks the wrong subject and can be out of focus.

But it always depends on your light too. I would say play around with the WB too. I can't remember what i set it on will have to look in my notes
 
myte8 said:
yard29 said:
I switched from my old A100 a few years ago to the A500 and the AF and ISO are so much better. I do a lot of indoor volleyball shooting using myTokina 80-200 f2.8 and sony 50mm 1.8 and there is a big difference in the ISO and shutter speed. The A580 AF is better than the A100 of course. Like it was mention if price is a thought look at the A500 or A550
Click to expand...
How do you find the 50mm 1.8 ?

I have a KM 28-75mm f/2.8 that I have been using for Futsal and I was thinking that maybe the Sony 50mm f/1.4 might be a good lens to use for Futsal.

Also, what settings do you use for your indoor shots ?
Do you shoot in RAW with NR on or off ?

I shoot in RAW and have NR off, but then I don't really do any PP as I take around 400 shots and just use the software(v1.1) that came with the A100 to bulk convert the pics from RAW to jpeg, which seems to produce a better shot then shooting in jpeg.

I installed the newer version(v3) and I can not find the bulk option, Has it been removed or have I missed it ?

Anyway, thanks for the posts, I will go ahead and buy the A580.
Click to expand...
I responded on the post but forgot this. I shoot both JPEG and RAW. But in Post-opt RAW works better for color reproduction. I have found my JEPG's turn into good B&W prints
 
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