F707 beats F717

[Gillis Danielsen]

Thats because dony adressed the problem of giving the pictures too much saturation. But you know people tend to love more vivid colors then what they really are (just take a look at a tourist brouschure). Personally i think photography should be taking a picture that looks like the thing you are taking a picture off....

 

[Jane Zatta]

I just LOVE my 707, and I am so glad I didn't upgrade. For me, photography is about beautiful images, art, the pleasure of beautiful visuals , and the 707 is a dream camera for its price range.

Exact, truthful, and dull documentation is my day job, not my hobby.

I'll upgrade for a qualitatively better camera: i.e., better image sensor, and above all, a more powerful lense. but not for frilly things like histogram, etc., which I would never use anyways since I prefer manual settings and my own judgement of what works best in particular situations.

There is simply no camera in the Sony price range that beats the 707 for mouth-watering pictures, imho.

Jane

Thats because dony adressed the problem of giving the pictures too
much saturation. But you know people tend to love more vivid colors
then what they really are (just take a look at a tourist
brouschure). Personally i think photography should be taking a
picture that looks like the thing you are taking a picture off....

 

[rjoyon]

you 100% right mate

lebororo

I must have gotten a really good 707, or I am a better photographer
than I thought I was, because although my pictures are sharp and
vivid, they do not look unnatural or cartoonish at all. Not having
a histogram has not kept me from taking great pictures either, and
if there is a white balance problem I have not noticed it. I'm not
a pro, I just love photography. My 35mm slr is fully manual and I
consider my photography to be art. The fact that you can see any
adjustments you make in the viewfinder before you take the picture
makes learning to take a photograph that looks the way you want it
to infinitly easier anyway. I have no interest in how realistic it
is. It is me capturing a mood or something of beauty and if the
picture looks better than the reality then to me that is a good
thing. I put more stock in popular opinion, and my own opinion, of
the results (as did the original poster) than I do in the
tweakability or the technical aspects of the hobby. My camera is a
tool to capture my vision and it needs to let me trancend the
reality of what my eye's see so I can create art that I am proud
of. I think a lot of people get caught up in the prestige and the
technology and forget what photography is all about.
For the people reading the posts in this group that don't know any
better, please realize that we are splitting hairs here and that a
camera is just a paintbrush. It is the photograph that is the
painting and the art of photography is capturing what is in the
minds eye.

--
shamanjp DSC-F707

 

[Fritz Norris]

I don't own or haven't tried an F-717. I have owned an F-707 for about a year. My wife uses the camera to take every day type photos (mostly grandkids). She loves the camera and the pictures it produces right from the camera. We down load and she prints from Qimage to our Canon S-900 with outstanding results. The only minor "editing" she might do is in Qimage (great program).

To me (or her) upgrading to the F-717 and any "advanced" features it might have would be a waste of money.

No digital camera is perfect and the advancements (up grades of existing models) from one to another ie 707 to 717 are to me "baby steps" for most users.

As usual just my opinion.
Fritz

Last week I took 51 photos with F707 and 51 photos with F717. All
handheld . I showed these sets to 5 friends or co-workers without
identifying which is which. No manipulation, just straight from the
cameras.
Guess what? All 5 chose the F707 and I agree. It's not scientific,
I know,
but the F707 just has more "eye appeal'. Obviously it is not as
advanced as the F717. Look at the photos on Photosig or Pbase. Do
you see any shot with the F717 that couldn't be shot with the F707.
I too wanted to love my F717, but it just didn't happen. Let me be
the first to ADMIT that I'm going to sell the F717 and continue to
enjoy my F707.
Anyone agree??????

 

[frank mcmanus120973]

Jane, what you said about beautiful images and pleasure is the point I was trying to make with my original post. I simply got caught up in "upgrade-itis", when I was already happy with what I had. I am glad that Sony added new features and addressed some problems for those that were unhappy. Now there are cameras to satisfy everyone. Best of luck to all whatever camera you choose.
Frank

Exact, truthful, and dull documentation is my day job, not my hobby.

I'll upgrade for a qualitatively better camera: i.e., better image
sensor, and above all, a more powerful lense. but not for frilly
things like histogram, etc., which I would never use anyways since
I prefer manual settings and my own judgement of what works best in
particular situations.

There is simply no camera in the Sony price range that beats the
707 for mouth-watering pictures, imho.

Jane

Thats because dony adressed the problem of giving the pictures too
much saturation. But you know people tend to love more vivid colors
then what they really are (just take a look at a tourist
brouschure). Personally i think photography should be taking a
picture that looks like the thing you are taking a picture off....

 

[mjoshi]

Well said Shay. A practical and smart approach.

MJ

The upgrade cycle can surely be a never ending trap if one is not
careful. Only upgrade when your needs change beyond what your
current equipment can adapt to, that's my motto. Saves some money
and sanity too hehehe.

--
Shay

My Sony F707 & F717 Gallery: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp
My F717 Observations: http://www.shaystephens.com/f717.asp

 

[antoine52756]

Just improving in red and green is worth to upgrade already! Beside that Frank...You need some time to learn your camera's "personality" just like learning about your wife, before you can take a great picture with it!

Antoine

Last week I took 51 photos with F707 and 51 photos with F717. All
handheld . I showed these sets to 5 friends or co-workers without
identifying which is which. No manipulation, just straight from the
cameras.
Guess what? All 5 chose the F707 and I agree. It's not scientific,
I know,
but the F707 just has more "eye appeal'. Obviously it is not as
advanced as the F717. Look at the photos on Photosig or Pbase. Do
you see any shot with the F717 that couldn't be shot with the F707.
I too wanted to love my F717, but it just didn't happen. Let me be
the first to ADMIT that I'm going to sell the F717 and continue to
enjoy my F707.
Anyone agree??????

--
Antoine - F717, The Mirror Image
http://www.pbase.com/image/6381098

Antoine - F717, The Mirror Images
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291244987

 

[Jian]

but not for frilly
things like histogram, etc., which I would never use anyways since
I prefer manual settings and my own judgement of what works best in
particular situations.

The histogram IS a feature for manual control. If you use it right, you will get better exposed photos than guessing from the LCD. What you find useless may be invaluable to someone else.

--
Canon S100
Olympus C-720
Sony DSC-F717 (bye bye 707)
http://www.pbase.com/zuffy

 

[Vaughn T.Winfree]

Antoine

Last week I took 51 photos with F707 and 51 photos with F717. All
handheld . I showed these sets to 5 friends or co-workers without
identifying which is which. No manipulation, just straight from the
cameras.
Guess what? All 5 chose the F707 and I agree. It's not scientific,
I know,
but the F707 just has more "eye appeal'. Obviously it is not as
advanced as the F717. Look at the photos on Photosig or Pbase. Do
you see any shot with the F717 that couldn't be shot with the F707.
I too wanted to love my F717, but it just didn't happen. Let me be
the first to ADMIT that I'm going to sell the F717 and continue to
enjoy my F707.
Anyone agree??????

--
Antoine - F717, The Mirror Image
http://www.pbase.com/image/6381098

Antoine - F717, The Mirror Images
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291244987

--Love my 707, BUT!!!! It does have a problem with reds up close with flash..It can blow the reds right to over saturation... But I would not upgrade to the 717 just for that. Most conditions can be corrected knowing its limitation in advance..
Vaughn T. Winfree
Sony f707 first..... Nikon D100 next.... Just need $4K Hee,hee

 

[antoine52756]

Hi Vaughn,

As long as you are happy with what you get, It's the most important thing!

I loved my F707 to death...But I love my F717 even more! and if F717 can take the picture with the color, the depth and the feel of DSLR without changing it's physical size!?...I have nothing more to say!

Antoine

Antoine

Last week I took 51 photos with F707 and 51 photos with F717. All
handheld . I showed these sets to 5 friends or co-workers without
identifying which is which. No manipulation, just straight from the
cameras.
Guess what? All 5 chose the F707 and I agree. It's not scientific,
I know,
but the F707 just has more "eye appeal'. Obviously it is not as
advanced as the F717. Look at the photos on Photosig or Pbase. Do
you see any shot with the F717 that couldn't be shot with the F707.
I too wanted to love my F717, but it just didn't happen. Let me be
the first to ADMIT that I'm going to sell the F717 and continue to
enjoy my F707.
Anyone agree??????

--
Antoine - F717, The Mirror Image
http://www.pbase.com/image/6381098

Antoine - F717, The Mirror Images
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291244987

--Love my 707, BUT!!!! It does have a problem with reds up close
with flash..It can blow the reds right to over saturation... But I
would not upgrade to the 717 just for that. Most conditions can be
corrected knowing its limitation in advance..
Vaughn T. Winfree
Sony f707 first..... Nikon D100 next.... Just need $4K Hee,hee

--
Antoine - F717, The Mirror Image
http://www.pbase.com/image/6381098

Antoine - F717, The Mirror Images
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291244987

 

[Teresa51867]

Hey Joe I think I know the lady in that picture. Do you live in the Richmond VA area?
Teresa

I don't miss the exaggerated reds and greens (example sized down,
but no other post-processing)...



--
Joe
DSC-F717 (formerly DSC-F707, formerly Oly C3000UZ)

Last week I took 51 photos with F707 and 51 photos with F717. All
handheld . I showed these sets to 5 friends or co-workers without
identifying which is which. No manipulation, just straight from the
cameras.
Guess what? All 5 chose the F707 and I agree. It's not scientific,
I know,
but the F707 just has more "eye appeal'. Obviously it is not as
advanced as the F717. Look at the photos on Photosig or Pbase. Do
you see any shot with the F717 that couldn't be shot with the F707.
I too wanted to love my F717, but it just didn't happen. Let me be
the first to ADMIT that I'm going to sell the F717 and continue to
enjoy my F707.
Anyone agree??????

Yes,
I know at least four people who made the same decision. Hm, very
interesting........
--
Ernet

--
Joe
DSC-F717 (formerly DSC-F707, formerly Oly C3000UZ)

 

[Gorewon]

Is there a way to read these messages more than ONE at a TIME? I'm new to this forum. It's an incredibly slow process, especially since many of the messages consist of just a few words of agreement - but you can't know which to not bother with ahead of time!

So I can have the best of both worlds.

--
-Nicholas
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292037929

--
Canon S100
Olympus C-720
Sony DSC-F717 (bye bye 707)
http://www.pbase.com/zuffy

 

[Harris Newman]

So what your saying is your biased on the F717 and took crappy pictures using it. It's such a biased test that anyone who believes it is as big a fool as the perputrator.

Last week I took 51 photos with F707 and 51 photos with F717. All
handheld . I showed these sets to 5 friends or co-workers without
identifying which is which. No manipulation, just straight from the
cameras.
Guess what? All 5 chose the F707 and I agree. It's not scientific,
I know,
but the F707 just has more "eye appeal'. Obviously it is not as
advanced as the F717. Look at the photos on Photosig or Pbase. Do
you see any shot with the F717 that couldn't be shot with the F707.
I too wanted to love my F717, but it just didn't happen. Let me be
the first to ADMIT that I'm going to sell the F717 and continue to
enjoy my F707.
Anyone agree??????

 

[william Korn]

Sure, you may want your photos to look expressive, but the camera should start with images that are close to what you perceived, within the limits of possibility. All this artsy talk is very erudite, but would the camera be even better if it turned every photo into a cartoon?

For one thing, if you take the 707 images, post-process them for white balance, and then again for oversaturation, you are going to trash some detail that hampers your abillity to make enlargements or to perform enhanced special effects. If you started with a more realistic image, you could do what you want with it, afterwards. I don't need Sony to make my red shirt Magenta!

Having said that, here is my recommendation:

I would not trade my 707 for a 717, it is a fine camera. I can't get a new one every year!

If I was starting from scratch, I see no reason not to buy the better camera, what with the histogram, hot shoe, better white balance, better color profie, selectable focus zones, etc.

Respectfully disagreeing with most of y'all.
William

 

[Harry Behret]

Harris,

That's a tad harsh isn't it. All he's saying is that he took a bunch of shots with the 707 and the 717 and that his friends preferred the ones taken with the 707.

Many others have indicated that they preferred the 707 shots straight out of the camera. I've found the 717 shots more to my liking because with a little PS tweaking I get, IMHO, better results than I could from the 707. I also know that I was more than satisfied with the 707 results for the prior year.

Harry

http://www.pbase.com/hpb

 

[Koz]

Frank,

I too have taken many comparative shots with the 707/717 and came to the same conclusion. The 707 stays and the 717 goes. I must be a fool, but I LOVE the 707.

Koz

Last week I took 51 photos with F707 and 51 photos with F717. All
handheld . I showed these sets to 5 friends or co-workers without
identifying which is which. No manipulation, just straight from the
cameras.
Guess what? All 5 chose the F707 and I agree. It's not scientific,
I know,
but the F707 just has more "eye appeal'. Obviously it is not as
advanced as the F717. Look at the photos on Photosig or Pbase. Do
you see any shot with the F717 that couldn't be shot with the F707.
I too wanted to love my F717, but it just didn't happen. Let me be
the first to ADMIT that I'm going to sell the F717 and continue to
enjoy my F707.
Anyone agree??????

 

[Masgrada]

I wished I knew enough about programming and photoshop to make a tool that would convert the 717 pictures to the 707 style pictures. Perhaps even a slider to choose at what amount it does this. Or even have options where the certain aspects of the 707 would be exemplified and others supressed.(like BFS, just kidding)

I mean seriously that would make everybody extremely happy (who owns a 717). Then we could have the best of both worlds. (well, i don't own a 717 but i will!)

Then all this arguing will seem silly and arbatrary. (almost as bad as my spelling)

--
-Nicholas
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4292037929

 

[frank mcmanus120973]

Harris, it seems the biased one is the reader who can't or won't try to understand what was intended. I took IDENTICAL pictures with both cameras and presented them to others with NO identification as to which camera. I didn't say the F717 pictures were crappy. I said all 5 chose the photos from the F707. Open your mind a bit and allow others to have an opinion that may differ from your own. Of course the F717 is a great camera. I simply prefer the F707. Is that so different than all the 35mm shooters who prefer manual cameras to auto everything? Can they not still take beautiful photos with a manual camera? So lets get this straight once and for all. Technically the F717 is a more advanced camera. The F717 photos are probably more realistic. But I LIKE the F707 photos better. Sorry that offends you, but the world does not revolve around Harris Newman.

Last week I took 51 photos with F707 and 51 photos with F717. All
handheld . I showed these sets to 5 friends or co-workers without
identifying which is which. No manipulation, just straight from the
cameras.
Guess what? All 5 chose the F707 and I agree. It's not scientific,
I know,
but the F707 just has more "eye appeal'. Obviously it is not as
advanced as the F717. Look at the photos on Photosig or Pbase. Do
you see any shot with the F717 that couldn't be shot with the F707.
I too wanted to love my F717, but it just didn't happen. Let me be
the first to ADMIT that I'm going to sell the F717 and continue to
enjoy my F707.
Anyone agree??????

 

[frank mcmanus120973]

Harry, Thankyou for taking a moment to try to understand my point. I didn't intend to put down the the F717 or the people who own them.
However, I am a bit surprised at some of the comments.
Frank

Harris,

That's a tad harsh isn't it. All he's saying is that he took a
bunch of shots with the 707 and the 717 and that his friends
preferred the ones taken with the 707.
Many others have indicated that they preferred the 707 shots
straight out of the camera. I've found the 717 shots more to my
liking because with a little PS tweaking I get, IMHO, better
results than I could from the 707. I also know that I was more than
satisfied with the 707 results for the prior year.

Harry

http://www.pbase.com/hpb

 

[johnd1]

Perhaps you should have titled it differently? What did you expect, all 717 owners to agree with your 5 sample opinions? That kind of a thread title is certain to raise interest.

FWIW, I liked the vividness of the 707 too, but the reds greens and WB was simply overboard.
John

Last week I took 51 photos with F707 and 51 photos with F717. All
handheld . I showed these sets to 5 friends or co-workers without
identifying which is which. No manipulation, just straight from the
cameras.
Guess what? All 5 chose the F707 and I agree. It's not scientific,
I know,
but the F707 just has more "eye appeal'. Obviously it is not as
advanced as the F717. Look at the photos on Photosig or Pbase. Do
you see any shot with the F717 that couldn't be shot with the F707.
I too wanted to love my F717, but it just didn't happen. Let me be
the first to ADMIT that I'm going to sell the F717 and continue to
enjoy my F707.
Anyone agree??????