lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Dear All,

I'm seriously considering purchasing this camera, the Sony A99 mkII. Yes, I've seen some online reviews from dpreview, etc. What I'd like to know is whether actual users have experienced any disappointments, e.g. features/capabilities that do not match what was advertised or which are not so good as those on previous Sony SLR/SLT models (not mirrorless models).

Thank you,
lev29

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

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You might want to talk with B&H before you buy.

I have bought the a99II and found that there is only one lens on the market that supports - all - the advantages with that camera.
Tamron makes it, and it's their Model A010 in order to get all of the features of the camera with regard to focus and face detection.
I would talk with David at B&H Extn. 5089 he's now aware & can explain just what I'm talking about.
I would also recommend looking into (if you buy) getting The Friedman Archives Guide to Sony’s Alpha 99 II.
If you buy the camera it will fast become your bible as far as understanding.

I Have bought the camera and now waiting for my new lens.

Charles

Quantus5

You probably have already seen these but Tony and Chelsea Northrup have some great YouTube videos on the Sony a99 II. In general, their videos are top notch.

The Sony SLT technology is very interesting but on my end I'm waiting for the a7R III, and maybe pick up 1 or 2 FF E-Mount lenses this year.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Thank you, Charles.
I don't want to waste your time, so I won't ask you now as to which advertised features of the A99 II can only be manifested by that specific Tamron lens, unless you've got a minute to spell them out for me. If I take what you wrote literally, I'm intrigued that Sony doesn't sell any such lenses yet that take advantage of these advertised features.

Yes, I'm on Gary Friedman's mailing list; he just announced his book for this model is ready.

So tell me, please, does your camera work well with full frame (and/or Minolta legacy) lenses you own? If not, what problems or disappointments have encountered thus far?

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Thank you for your input.

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

Certain of the recent Sony lenses are the ones that take full advantage of the new sensor focus layout.

http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/cscs/lens_body/index.php?mdl=ILCA-99M2&area=gb&lang=en

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Most enlightening. Thank you for posting this!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

The latest reviews from dpreview are very specific about all the shortcomings, especially the AF system, I think it will give you most all the anwers!

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

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What I was dealing with was the Tamron 28-300 Mod. a061 lens which I was using on my prior camera the SONY a99.
Tamron advised me that they had a 28-300 Mod. A010 made for the Sony a99II and I am waiting for that delivery now.
What I would loose as I understand them with my mod a061 is the camera's ability to make use of the AF-D.
I use only my Tamron 28-300 lens. There may be other mm lenses that will perform properly with the a99II
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I wrote Gary Friedman and here is his answer.

"The AF intricacies of this camera can be mind-boggling. And while the engineers at Tamron might understand the nuances, the folks answering customer service emails most certainly do not. The A99 II doesn't even have an AF-D mode to turn off; what they meant to say is "Set MENU --> Camera 1 --> 4 --> AF System to "Dedicated Phase AF Only" when shooting with that lens.

My speculation is that this new lens A010 qualifies to be labeled as a "Hybrid AF compatible lens", and therefore will autofocus better and with the AF SYSTEM function set to AUTO.

Mind you, if the lens isn't focusing properly on your body, the first thing you should do is calibrate it using AF Micro Adjust feature. That might fix the problem for you.

Hope this helps!
Sincerely, Gary"

I hope some of this makes sense.
I have Gary Friedman's Book on my PC now and have just started to get into it.

Charles.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I have had this question for some time, and the introduction of the a9 is the trigger that revved up my curiosity. Mirrorless cameras, in most cases, eliminated the need for a penta/porro prism and made flat top cameras (much like rangefinder cameras) and many were able to incorporate a LVF and/or EVF. Even though the body would be slightly larger, why is Sony (and, for that matter, Canikon) keeping that blasted arch design? Would anyone else like to see an (affordable) full frame camera with a flat or stepped too?

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

BHC,

With respect, aside from the first clause of your first sentence, your entire post is irrelevant to the Topic I posted. While your tangential subject may well be worthy in its own right, please refrain from developing it further in this thread. Instead, I suggest you create your own Topic by posting the above separately.

Okay? 😎

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

OK. Sorry.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

after I read this post I was concerned as I have just purchased a Sony A99II and wondering if the lens I have was going to work. I bought it last year for my A99 and now that I have a big trip coming up and they recommend 2 cameras so I bought the other one too---in dept now!
But I want to let you guys know that this Tamron lens they are talking about is the sharpest lens I have ever used and I am loving it. It came highly recommended from someone here on UHH and so I bought it when I needed a full frame lens and am sooo happy I did.
will the Gery Friedman book be out in book form or only on line? I like a book in my hands!

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

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Good for you Gal.
I couldn't have gotten many of my favorite pictures if I hadn't bought Friedman's book on my a99.
Now I have his new book on the a99II on my HD I'm sure that the switch over will go much easier.
I couldn't believe that he took time to answer my question on my camera so quickly.
My new Tamron lens is due this week and then it's off to FL. the first of next month.

Taken yesterday with my a99II at a local garden.