Sorry for your bad experience with Sony support. I've had the opposite. I have an A230, A55, A550, and A850, and am contemplating the purchase of an A99. I've been with Sony since they were Konica Minolta and, before that, Minolta. Never had a problem.

At my users' group meetings, I'm the only Sony user, but most say the only reason they avoided Sony was the proprietary hot shoe, the the camera quality or the support.

I agree with this. I use Sony DSLRs for assignments that, in the past, would have been shot in 35mm. But for larger formats (medium format) I use film.

The medium format decision was based on financial considerations: I couldn't afford digital ones, but I could affort a Koni-Omega Rapid M and a Mamiya C33.

My DSLRs or A850, A550, A55, and A230.

Anyway, the best adivice was to spend your money on lenses.

Sorry, you're reading a response from one right now.

I have a long history with Minolta and when I switched to digital, I went with Sony. I have a lot of Sony and Minolta glass and 4 Sony digital cameras: A850, A550, A55, and A230. The 850 and the 550 are my prime cameras; the 55 is for special uses (including the occasional video), and the 230 is by fall back emergency camera (and the one I take into doubtful areas).

The only serious hit I've heard about Minolta/Sony is the proprietary hotshoe mount. But adapters are available, and, anyway, the A99 handles the more common configuration.

BTW, an A99 is on my wish list as the next camera in my arsenal.

So there.

By the way, I do special events, portraits, real estate and, for fun, landscapes and fine art. See my website at www.photosbytomroyer.com