BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

I'm living on the planet of I am a professional sports photographer and Sony, Pentax, and Olympus do not offer a complete enough set of tools that I could use to do my job. They do not have a 400mm f/2.8 super-telephoto. For that matter they do not have a 300mm f/2.8 telephoto. The best "serious" constant large aperture lens they offer is a "G" Series 70-200mm f/2.8. The burst mode speed is not the only thing that makes a good sports camera "system" you need long lenses with fast apertures and Sony doesn't have them yet. Let me see the Minolta/Sony, Olympus, Pentax 400mm f/2.8 that is on par with the awesome new Canon 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM. I just sold an Olympus 90-250 and 300mm Super High Grade and as awesome as they were Olympus had no answer to my above question and neither does Sony or Pentax. There is a reason why the people that make a living with their cameras stick to the big boys. Oh and by the way, the 1DX can shoot at 14FPS and is a Full Frame camera, if were choosing champions I'll put that baby up against anything anyone makes at any price point for action photography (mine is on order). The OP said he was GETTING SERIOUS so I asked what he was getting serious about. If its sports or nature, especially field sports and birding, than I would be looking at Canon and Nikon. If not than the Sony is a fine camera just like I said.

Do yourself a favor and rent a Canon 1DX and that 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM and go out and shoot some event, maybe a Friday night High School football game. Yeah combined were talking around $20K but then again once you have experienced it that Translucent Mirror (invented by Canon by the way) may seem kinda not so important. :thumbup:

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

They are coming out with a 300mm fixed 2.8 here. http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666488651 They also have a 500mm f4. Not sure what comparable Tamrons or Sigmas are out there. What did Minolta have? Thought I saw some like this years ago but maybe I'm confused.

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

There ya go, Sony knows they are playing catchup. Question is will they keep going, looks good so far. Funny if they have "all the lenses you could possibly need" why build this one? Bottom line is having three players instead of two is a good thing since it forces all of them to keep moving forward and keep the prices under control. :roll:

john merry Loc: tincan bay qeensland aus

canon sony nikon they all turn out great camaras a decent lens will cost more than the body tats the important bit

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

If the company makes the lens you need! If they don't you might feel as though you backed the wrong horse.
:-(

dixiemegapixel Loc: Salemburg, NC

I love my A77. The HDR and one touch panorma are tremendous. If you go for Sony, suggest you consider the Sony 18-50mm F/2.8 instead of the 18-55 kit lens. I also purchased from KEH, at the best price around, a like-new 100mm f/2.8. Lastly, spend a few bucks and purchase David Busch's Guide for the A77. It's definitely worth the price

jamm Loc: northumberland uk

i.am looking to upgrade and after reading this its a sony A77 for me £790 in uk dont forget there is a 99 now approx £1900 ,jimmy

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

JOHN, I'll have to disagree very strongly with this notion. The current crop of Canon swivel LCD's are very sturdy - I have an inexpensive SX30, and it is Timex.

(Takes a licking and keeps on ticking, for you young whippersnappers)

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Ok, now you are going to have to explain what a whippersnapper is.

Jim D

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

Compliance.

Noun 1. whippersnapper - someone who is unimportant but cheeky and presumptuous
jackanapes,

Blasi Loc: Arkansas

You would be very happy with a Sony Alpha77, I have only had mine for 2 weeks, I got the bundle with the lens 16-50 2.8, and let me tell you AGAIN... It is one sweet lens, sharp, fast and quiet!!!
Love it, love it!!!!

Bonkles Loc: St Albans, UK

It is nice to read more of the Sony story here. There is much critic about Nikon and Canon in this forum. I am currently a Nikon user but actively researching the latest Sony offerings as I have no real baggage (no real affinity to Nikon as a past user of many brands) although impressed by Canon and Nikon products, Sony are really showing their class with recent releases. The camera market is changing fast and Sony have some good solutions for us all. There are also options for using Nikon lenses with Sony bodies see matthewdurrphotography.com

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

LOL <: Thank you, need that this morning!

Jim D

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

One thing you MUST do is hold the Sony and check how it fits in your hand, and how the viewfinder works - I tried them in a store, and it was very awkward for me - I ended up with less camera (A Canon bridge model) because of the ergonomics, and don't regret it. You may be able to train yourself to use it, but it may be difficult.

Blasi Loc: Arkansas

Yes I agree you should go try the cameras to fit your hand! I would should suggest a camera store as you can hold the camera without being tethered to a security cord or electronics cord. Get the real feel with charged batteries,,
I have a smaller type point and shoot camera but i was wanting more from the camera and wanted to get into taking pictures a lot more seriously.
I also have the Alpha55 so with both cameras it will be the beginning of a lot of awesome pictures as I practice more!
The alpha99 was announced the week ingot my A77, I thought my hubby was going to have a heart attack....lol lol