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your opinion: did I make a good purchase?

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socal4142

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I spend my time in the NEX forums, and am a very happy NEX user. Wanted to pick up an inexpensive DSLR that could complement my NEX. Got the A37 for features like microphone input (which is quite important to me), better AF for action photography, more options (hot shoe, etc.), and also possibility of using LA-EA2 in the future. (Will continue to use the NEX anytime I'm on the move, and use the two cameras together for some shoots)

Paid $325 for a new A37 body-only, and about $125 total for three used Maxxum AF lenses: 50mm 1.7, 28-80 standard zoom with macro, 70-210 basic tele.

Grand total $450 (you can tell I'm working on a pretty small budget).

Your opinion: am I going to decide this was a good move, or not?




Tim
 
Solution
mmhendrie
yeah, it's not because of it being a different country model - i think that might impact your video recording settings and power adapter for charging only.

Sony's newer RAW files are not recognized in LR3. You really have a few options:

1- shoot jpeg only

2- upgrade to LR4 (requires windows vista or higher I believe, I'm an XP user and resistant to doing the upgrade just for LR4)

3- Adobe makes a free DNG convertor - download the DNG converter, run your RAW files through it, it converts them all to DNG (which is a better long term storage format then RAW), LR3 will then be able to process the DNG files. It just really adds an extra step to do this, but it works perfectly. I did this for a while, but as a newer user, I just found i...
Ya did all-right there kid! Now get out there and make some photos to post back here soon with the new kit. I'd be interested in knowing which camera you reach for more... the NEX or the Alpha.
 
socal4142 said:
socal4142 wrote:

I spend my time in the NEX forums, and am a very happy NEX user. Wanted to pick up an inexpensive DSLR that could complement my NEX. Got the A37 for features like microphone input (which is quite important to me), better AF for action photography, more options (hot shoe, etc.), and also possibility of using LA-EA2 in the future. (Will continue to use the NEX anytime I'm on the move, and use the two cameras together for some shoots)

Paid $325 for a new A37 body-only, and about $125 total for three used Maxxum AF lenses: 50mm 1.7, 28-80 standard zoom with macro, 70-210 basic tele.

Grand total $450 (you can tell I'm working on a pretty small budget).

Your opinion: am I going to decide this was a good move, or not?

Tim
Click to expand...
I think the 50 1.7 lens was worth the price alone if it is in good condition. I bought one new at least 10 years ago for around 100 bucks and have found it to be a good portrait lens with an APC sized sensor. Just bought an A37 a few weeks ago myself and am liking the size and weight of it compared to my old Sony A100.

Les
 
Sounds like you got a great deal on a nice camera, and some solid lenses. The Minolta 50/1.7 is very well-respected around here, and if the 70-210 is the f4 "beercan," that is another well-respected lens that normally goes for more than $125 by itself. A very, very nice starter set for just $450. Congrats, and enjoy!
 
OFC you did well. I bought a37 additional to a77 and I'm very happy with it! I wanted to go for nex in the first place but in the end I decided that a37 is the nex size with adapter for alpha lenses on . Only a37 is a real Dslt . I got pretty nice results out of it .
 
good move - you might find you're missing something on the short end though. With that lens lineup, the shortest end you have is equivalent of 42mm on the a37. But good price/package for what you've paid.

-Matt
 
That's a good point. I'm brand new to the A-mount, so correct me if I'm wrong, but there don't seem to be any very affordable options at the wider end, other than the 18-55 kit?

(i.e., nothing like the Sigma 19mm that I have for my NEX)
 
Good gear, great price. Lets see some great shots!
 
Yes.

You can now mark this question as "answered." ;-)




Will
 
socal4142 said:
socal4142 wrote:

I'm brand new to the A-mount, so correct me if I'm wrong, but there don't seem to be any very affordable options at the wider end, other than the 18-55 kit?
Click to expand...
You wouldn't need more than that, and used ones are very inexpensive. There are also the older Sony or Konica Minolta 18-70mm lenses. Some people disparage them, but I use my KM version all the time.
 
So my camera arrived and I love it, the Maxxum lenses work awesome, the video through the Maxxum 50 1.7 looks great. But this is a European version of the A37 (not surprising, through ebay - I expected some sort of non-US version, though I thought it would be Japan). And Lightroom 3 doesn't recognize the .arw files. Is that because of the European camera? Is there any workaround for me?
 
socal4142 said:
socal4142 wrote:

And Lightroom 3 doesn't recognize the .arw files. Is that because of the European camera? Is there any workaround for me?
Click to expand...
No, it's because Adobe wants you to pay to update to their current version of Lightroom. They don't support newer camera files in older versions of their software. That's not limited to Sony cameras.
 
yeah, it's not because of it being a different country model - i think that might impact your video recording settings and power adapter for charging only.

Sony's newer RAW files are not recognized in LR3. You really have a few options:

1- shoot jpeg only

2- upgrade to LR4 (requires windows vista or higher I believe, I'm an XP user and resistant to doing the upgrade just for LR4)

3- Adobe makes a free DNG convertor - download the DNG converter, run your RAW files through it, it converts them all to DNG (which is a better long term storage format then RAW), LR3 will then be able to process the DNG files. It just really adds an extra step to do this, but it works perfectly. I did this for a while, but as a newer user, I just found i wasn't ever doing anything with the RAW/DNG files, and have switched to JPG only.


4- Use a different RAW processing software altogether

If you're still looking for lenses at the wider end, the Sony 18-135 is excellent, and quiet enough for video. Also the soon to be released 18-55 SAM II might be worth waiting for as a less expensive option.

-Matt
 
Solution
Perfect Matt - thank you for the newbie help.

BTW - delighted to discover that the A37 and my NEX c3 use the same battery!
 
It sounds like a steal! A modern DSLR with 3 lenses for less than the cost of a used rx100. Yes, you got a good deal and it sounds like you will be enjoying it.



socal4142 said:
socal4142 wrote:

I spend my time in the NEX forums, and am a very happy NEX user. Wanted to pick up an inexpensive DSLR that could complement my NEX. Got the A37 for features like microphone input (which is quite important to me), better AF for action photography, more options (hot shoe, etc.), and also possibility of using LA-EA2 in the future. (Will continue to use the NEX anytime I'm on the move, and use the two cameras together for some shoots)

Paid $325 for a new A37 body-only, and about $125 total for three used Maxxum AF lenses: 50mm 1.7, 28-80 standard zoom with macro, 70-210 basic tele.

Grand total $450 (you can tell I'm working on a pretty small budget).

Your opinion: am I going to decide this was a good move, or not?

Tim
Click to expand...
 
The A37 is a fantastic tool and you got a great deal. You should try the MFNR at ISO 3200. It's a great feature along with so many others.
 
socal4142 said:
socal4142 wrote:

I spend my time in the NEX forums, and am a very happy NEX user. Wanted to pick up an inexpensive DSLR that could complement my NEX. Got the A37 for features like microphone input (which is quite important to me), better AF for action photography, more options (hot shoe, etc.), and also possibility of using LA-EA2 in the future. (Will continue to use the NEX anytime I'm on the move, and use the two cameras together for some shoots)

Paid $325 for a new A37 body-only, and about $125 total for three used Maxxum AF lenses: 50mm 1.7, 28-80 standard zoom with macro, 70-210 basic tele.

Grand total $450 (you can tell I'm working on a pretty small budget).

Your opinion: am I going to decide this was a good move, or not?

Tim
Click to expand...
Ok deal on the camera, ok deal on the lens.




I paid 520 for the A37 with the 18-135, the 18-135 is really good, as in "really really good", I have the 50 1.7, it's nothing to rave about, just like any other prime 50 (out of 100, i say 90 of them are good lol).


the 28-80 is no good, you should have got the 28-85, i believe they're quite different.


and since you mentioned the 28-80, i would also assume you got the 70-210 non beer can version. those are ok, but the price is relatively cheap.

the A37 is a great camera, I prefer it over the bigger A57 and 65. Great choice for an entry level body IMO.
 
A very good purchase.

Similar to my situation. I got a NEX and used it a lot. Then inheritied six Minolta Maxxum lenses, so I got an A65 to use them with. Now I always grab my A65 first for most everyday. Only on vacation do I take my NEX for the smaller size. And on the next trip I am not so sure about that either.
 
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