wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Sony wasn't a camera company until they bought Minolta. Like Panasonic wasn't until they collaborated with Leica. Nikon & Canon are the biggest brands so of course that's what you'll see the most but you'll see the others too.

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

Welcome Roger,

I have the A55 as well. I bought it with the kit lens but later purchased a Sigma 70-300 lens. Just a few weeks ago, I purchased a Tamron 18-200 to replace the kit lens. It makes a great walk around lens. Also, there IS a Sony users group on here, not that we collaborate a great deal, but we know we're there which makes getting an answer or advice much easier.

Tim :)

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

They aint heard of me yet, have they? Lol.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Do your homework.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Anne, I do not know if this is in you budget but look up the Sony DT 18-250mm zoom. It is a very good lens. Then add up the lens and a65 body only and see if this is in your price range. This will save you from buying 2 lenses for now. Then, in the by and by, try finding a used Minolta 28mmF2.8 wide angle lens. You can pick them up between 30-50 dollars. You will be set for a long time until the 400 to 500mm bug hits you. I know what I am talking about.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Hi roger. Welcome to the forum. Sony has only been serious about dslr cameras for about 5 years now. At this point they only have 11% of the market but they are winning awards left and right. They now have changed over from optical viewfinders going to all SLT technology such as yours and they are doing a fine job of it! There are plenty of us Sony users out here but as you know already, Nikon and Canon make up most of the market for now. Did you know that Sony has been making sensors for other brands for a long, long time? Nikon buys their sensors from Sony. Nikon is one fine camera. When I bought my first Sony dslr, I was able to compare comparable Nikon and Canon cameras to it side by side. I saw no difference in picture quality. The Sony was hundreds of dollars less and actually included some nifty features that the others did not have. With the savings, I was able to purchase a macro lens and a zoom lens that I could not have done if I bought one of the others. In addition, there are some real good Minolta AF lenses out there that you can buy for a song which work real well and at the same time, save you money. Have fun!

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Why do you say "do your homework?" My info says Sony and Panasonic made camera parts before they made cameras.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Yes, but the way you put it sounds like it was a recent thing. I have a Panasonic 8mp digital camera that is 10 years old. Sony has digital cameras older than that. When they started dishing out parts to other companies, they already had their own brand name. That is all I am saying.

rstar

I use a Sigma 18-250 lense on my Alpha 55 and love it! An all-in-one lense if you're on a tight budget...

Anne

Thanks for the tip. Sounds like this may be the way to go.

jlf1938 Loc: Acworth, GA

I just purchased an A77/V. It was delivered by FEDEX yesterday. I used the evening to set it up. Today I am exploring the user guide.

So far, I love it. I upgraded from a Rebel T2i. Good cameras!

sbesaw Loc: Boston

There are Sony users here and you will hear from them. Canon and Nikon have largest market share hence largest percentage of members shoot those brands. I recently bought Olympus E-M5. I have to Nikon FX bodies and lots of Nikon glass which I haven't used much since the Oly entered the picture. You can search on "Sony camera forums" to find groups who shoot primarily Sony. That said there is a wealth of knowledge on this forum that applies to all brands.