Sony alpha 580 very good entry. Works well with up to Sony 70-400 G lens.
WalterII
Happy with Sony alpha 580 Handles up tp Sony 70-400 well.
I have the SBH-100 Ballhead. It handles my Sony a580 with 70-400 zoom (lens is 3.3 lbs) quite well. Smooth and solid.
Walter II
Thanks. The larger than songbirds is what I'm hoping for.
Plan to be in Orlando FL area 3/2 with Sony 580, SAL 18-250, Sony 70-400, Tele converter 1.4, Monopod and "?" Tamron 70-300.
Would welcome advice which is better this time of year: Tosohatchee vs. Merritt Island Refuge.
Is equipment overkill for this short visit?
Thanks.
Many thanks for helpful replies-advice! Most importantly that I use my Smarts before my $s. Recently have been shooting with support of open window in actually measured 8-10. Probably inadequate attention to settings. However image size of bird and detail really does go down when shooting 20-50. So when does a longer lens over a telephoto 300mm become a significant asset? I think I was originally hoping for National Geographic quality but am ready to compromise. In the meanwhile I have mail ordered a hunting blind.
Walter II
I have been disappointed with sharpness and details, such as feathers, shooting birds from 6 to 10 ft with Sony SAL 18-250 DT 3.5-6.3 or Tamron AF 70-300 f 4-5.6. Have not tried a teleconverter but reviews are not encouraging when used with the lesser lenses or longer f numbers. It impresses me that web wildlife glossaries show terrific pictures using 200 or 300 range lenses. I am interested in something that would work and consider cost. However, Sony 500 is $13,000, and a Sigma 500 is over $5,000.
I am contemplating the following but would appreciate some direction.:Tamron 200--500 f5-6.3 @$950, Sigma 50-500 f4.5-6.3 @ $1400, Sigma 150-500 f5.6-6.3 @$1,070 but blogs say it is much heavier than Tam 200-500 and can not track BIF, and Sony SAL 70-400G @ $1,900 to be used with or without a TC considering its length of 400 may be inadequate.
I am looking for direction to achieve satisfaction.
Walter II (an old novice)
I didn't know! Now it works.
Macro 1:1 on Minolta Macro 100mm 2.8.
Thanks again UHH!
I needed that!
After I clicked "Send" for my Macro 1:1 question, I thought "what a numb inquiry". I could only expect some technical data back.
What I got back instead was a combination of patience, knowledge, wisdom and reasurrance.
I am truly grateful to the "FORUM".
Walter II
I mounted the camera on a tripod and focused on a ruler. When the nearest setting was clear, I read the marking. On Minolta Macro the smallest width was 2 1/4". I (?) gave the sensor size as 1 and therefore the ratio of 1:2 1/4 with the ruler 0 to 2 1/4 filling the LCD.
Certainly an insect image would only fill a small part of the LCD.
Thanks for your help.
Walter II
Trying for macro flowers and insects with Sony alpha 580.
With Tamron Tele-macro 70-300 4-5.6 I could test down to !:1 3/4 at 38 inches.
Got a used Minolta Macro 100 mm. 2.8 and can only test a ratio of 1: 2 1/4 at near focus of about 19 1/4 inches.
What gives? Did I dupe myself?
Bugged!
WalterII
What a great concept to not continue as an orphan!
I would love to join with my Sony a580 kit lenses and macro 100, new tripod and hew heavy panhead. I was NIkon film shooter in remote past but could never get deep and serious. I am now determined!
A Sony forum would be so helpful. The Nikon, Canon and Leica have set a great example with terrific depth of knowledge. tips and surprisingly great humor and pics.
Certainly as Sony users grow a forum could be successful.
Perhaps the UHH administrators could help!
Walter II
Pushing 80, working part time, do a great deal of gardening, and love the outdoors. Live in Massachusetts and "camp" in NH.