I have put a selection of full sized, out of camera (no post processing) onto Flickr (not sure about bandwidth on UHH):-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86101670@N02/All images are handheld, I had no tripod with me. The images are partly MFNR (multi frame noise reduction) at chosen ISO values and HDR's mainly at -2 / 0 / +2 with all processing in camera.
Some of the night time MFNR's are taken off moving vaporettos in Venice.
I am well pleased with the performance of the Sony SLT-A65.
I used to shoot in RAW with my Sony A100 but with the SLT-A65 I found I only shot about 5% in RAW + JPG.
I have checked the Flickr link above but if you have any difficulties, look me up under People with the name 57prs.
I have just got back from Venice and used my new(ish) Sony SLT-A65 a lot in HDR mode - not much choice with the dynamic range from the brightness of the sunlight there in August. Shot HDR in aperture priority. The camera takes three frames at between 1 and 6 stops difference (selectable) and combines them. Results - Fantastic.
At night time and in the churches I shot in MFNR mode with up to ISO 3200. MFNR shoots six frames in rapid succession and combines them. Results - Unbelievable.
I shot without a tripod at all, some MFNR night time shots were off the back of moving vaporettos.
I will post some images in the next day or so once I get organised.
Very impressed with the Sony SLT-A65, uses all my old Minolta glass - picked up a 35-105mm f3.5 for £30 before I went to Venice, beautiful results with that baby.
Interesting topic. I run my own Engineering business and margins are tight in the current climate but it is oh so easy to think you have made a profit but by factoring in your time on design, order processing, invoicing, banking... etc have you really made a profit, broken even or been a busy fool?
The only approach can be to look at each stage of your 'process', evaluate it properly and then add a margin.
As an amateur, I do get some of my prints done professionally at
http://www.proamimaging.com/pricelist.php something like 78 cents for a 10 x 8 and their quality is top drawer. OK, I known I have to pay P&P but if I was a 'Pro and having many prints run off, that cost would get apportioned properly.
Lots of good advice already given but get hold of Recuva, a free program from
http://www.piriform.com/recuvaRecuva can rescue files from various media ( I have used it very successfully on SDHC cards) straight onto your hard drive. A freebie that possibly could have saved you $40 - that's value.
Brit here - Inspirational.
My son is currently in the air coming to your wonderful country, his first visit without parents. Freedom - USA & UK, great places to live.
Have a look at
http://powerretouche.com/Plugins available individually or as a suite. Work with any software that supports Photoshop plugins. I find B&W plugin superb.
I invested in a Sony SLT-A65 body recently having used a Sony A100 for some years, all my old lenses fit the A65. The camera is superb, the electronic viewfinder is fantastic especially with peaking colour focusing and the built in digital pitch and roll level.
Multi frame noise reduction for hand held low light shots is amazing. This camera is full of great features, get you hands on one and have a look - be surprised if you are not very tempted to buy one!
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Service Pack 1.
Ran Setup.exe from directory listing of CD.
Installation fully automatic from there on, accepting default directory.
Hope this helps.
I am running Photoshop 7.0 on a desktop PC with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.
Photoshop 7.0 installed to C:\Program Files (x86) directory which is the 32-bit directory and it runs perfectly.