Posts for: marcomarks
Aug 16, 2011 11:02:21 #
I considered Nikon, Canon, and the Sony a55 and chose the Sony for several reasons. The stabilization being built into the body was a key factor. Nikon and Canon lenses with stabilization are FAR more expensive than Sony lenses that don't need it. Why would you want to pay extra for a stabilizer in every lens when one in the body eliminates redundancy.
Another reason I chose Sony is that all Minolta and Konica/Minolta "A" series lenses work on an a55 Sony body. Sony bought and absorbed Minolta in 2006 to take over their digital camera business instead of re-inventing the wheel. Minolta also made some of the sharpest professional lenses on the market and still does as Sony. Minolta had been making lenses for Sony and other brands for many years prior to the buyout anyway.
The advantage of this is you can find used Minolta auto-focus (D) lenses all over the place and they're typically cheap - except that the market on eBay and such has learned this and they're price gouging. But keep an eye on Craig's list or browse garage sales and camera shows for Minolta Maxxum cameras and you might pick up lenses with bodies at bargain basement prices.
By the way, (D) means the lens sends "distance" info to the camera. Not all lenses are (D). The camera can send that info to a TTL power zoom flash for it to set itself too. Whether it's a lens for a 35mm or digital Minolta - if it has 8 contacts on the rear of the lens it works just like a stock Sony. If there are less than 8 pins, it will still work on the camera but won't auto-focus.
The a55 can operate with an ISO setting that is absurdly higher than anything in this price range while noise that would typically be showing up at ISO 800 doesn't start until ISO 1600. This is good for low light situations.
All a55's sold in the U.S. have GPS built in if you need to document shot locations precisely but you can turn it off for longer battery life. The a55 has wireless remote control capabilities (you can get a wireless controller for $8 - 9 on eBay that works perfectly) for self portraits without needing to run to position within 10 seconds. The built-in flash is the best I've ever used even without a diffuser. The list of beneficial specs and features of the a55 goes on and on.
I considered the d5100 as well. A friend of mine has a d5000 and I consistently have better output than she does. I use mine on auto most of the time with exceptional results, and program other times.
Another camera you might want to consider is the Canon T3i which is a fine product in this same price range. You're back to buying stabilizing lenses though. Then again, some people don't like stabilization, don't use it, and don't care. I understand the Canon is available at Sam's Club as a 2-lens package for around $850 which would be higher elsewhere.
Attached are examples from my Sony Alpha 55 during the first week I had it. Hope any of this helps!
Another reason I chose Sony is that all Minolta and Konica/Minolta "A" series lenses work on an a55 Sony body. Sony bought and absorbed Minolta in 2006 to take over their digital camera business instead of re-inventing the wheel. Minolta also made some of the sharpest professional lenses on the market and still does as Sony. Minolta had been making lenses for Sony and other brands for many years prior to the buyout anyway.
The advantage of this is you can find used Minolta auto-focus (D) lenses all over the place and they're typically cheap - except that the market on eBay and such has learned this and they're price gouging. But keep an eye on Craig's list or browse garage sales and camera shows for Minolta Maxxum cameras and you might pick up lenses with bodies at bargain basement prices.
By the way, (D) means the lens sends "distance" info to the camera. Not all lenses are (D). The camera can send that info to a TTL power zoom flash for it to set itself too. Whether it's a lens for a 35mm or digital Minolta - if it has 8 contacts on the rear of the lens it works just like a stock Sony. If there are less than 8 pins, it will still work on the camera but won't auto-focus.
The a55 can operate with an ISO setting that is absurdly higher than anything in this price range while noise that would typically be showing up at ISO 800 doesn't start until ISO 1600. This is good for low light situations.
All a55's sold in the U.S. have GPS built in if you need to document shot locations precisely but you can turn it off for longer battery life. The a55 has wireless remote control capabilities (you can get a wireless controller for $8 - 9 on eBay that works perfectly) for self portraits without needing to run to position within 10 seconds. The built-in flash is the best I've ever used even without a diffuser. The list of beneficial specs and features of the a55 goes on and on.
I considered the d5100 as well. A friend of mine has a d5000 and I consistently have better output than she does. I use mine on auto most of the time with exceptional results, and program other times.
Another camera you might want to consider is the Canon T3i which is a fine product in this same price range. You're back to buying stabilizing lenses though. Then again, some people don't like stabilization, don't use it, and don't care. I understand the Canon is available at Sam's Club as a 2-lens package for around $850 which would be higher elsewhere.
Attached are examples from my Sony Alpha 55 during the first week I had it. Hope any of this helps!
My son - Camera Fine JPG file - fill flash - auto
My wife and son - Camera Fine JPG file - fill flash -auto
