Views on A200 please!

[Six-GHz]

After considering the offerings by different dSLR manufacturers, this Sony A200 became one of my finalists, in terms of (in order of merit) features, ease of use, ergonomics and affordability.

I would like to seek current A200 users' opinions (there isn't much reviews from the Internet yet), especially owners like henrykoh (yeah, gotta say your 90mm butterfly shot is great!), upgraders like Rashkae (esp for your fierce loyalty!), Dewakarma and converts like frederickyfoo, and of course anyone who can contribute.

1. Read from somewhere here saying that Sony cameras are most suited with Sony lenses. But I'm more inclined to get a Tamron 17-50mm than the kit lens to go with it. Do they accept third-party lenses readily?

2. Are such third-party A-mounts readily available?

3. Based on the look of it, the flash is comparatively low when popped up. Does it affect the images, casting shadows etc?

4. The sliding on-off switch has the worst placing (in my views) but guess it's inherited. It really doesn't look too durable. Any A100 long-time users' views on this and its overall body and lens ruggedness?

5. I don't expect any answers for this - Why is Sony pricing so rigid, as compared to other makes?

Yeah, I have not own any Sony dSLRs before - except for a Cybershot U20 moons ago, so I really hope to hear some honest and open views on the Sony dSLRs. Thanks in advance, Sony community!

[sulhan]

Hi Six...

Good step to really check things out before you get any equipment. Well, personally I have been using Minolta cameras since the film days for the Minolta Dynax series. Ergonomics, i can say since the Dynax 7 film days, its been very well thought off and you can see that it seems the cameras are designed by photographers for photographers. Power switch has been on the left side is probably because, its not meant to be turned on/off between every shot.

In the film days I could leave the camera on "ON" position of the switch for a few days without draining the battery. Camera goes to "sleep" mode after awhile.
For digital (Dynax 7D ~Alpha 700) I have been shooting that way even for a full 5~8 hrs shoot on two batteries without problem - just mainly having camera on standby all the time.

I tried the A200 last Saturday side by side with the other cameras of its same range(E.g D60, 400D), and all I can say is that they are somewhat similar in build.

Mostly, the difference is basically the "thickness" of grip, placement of shutter buttons, and eye relief + brightness that are different among them.

I guess if you are a new user with no system in hand, well all the cameras are rather on par.
Availability of lens and accesories, I guess, should not be a problem. There are many shops that stock off-market third party lens.

Well, hope you have a good time camera shopping...

[tankm]

Quote: 1. Read from somewhere here saying that Sony cameras are most suited with Sony lenses. But I'm more inclined to get a Tamron 17-50mm than the kit lens to go with it. Do they accept third-party lenses readily?

Not true. Lots of SONY DSLR users are using third party lens and are happy with it. I'm currently using lenses from Minolta (some as old as me), Konica-Minolta, Tamron, Sigma , Tokina and SONY. No compatibility issues so far even on the latest DSLR.

The major third part lenses are from Tamron and Sigma. Tokina decided they do not want to support a-mount when konica-minolta is sold to sony. You can still find older model of Tokina that uses the a-mount.

Quote: 2. Are such third-party A-mounts readily available?

Depend which lens you looking for. Generally it's still true that availability of Nikon and Canon mount lens is easier. This is a chicken and egg situation, it will get better when SONY is more established.

Quote: 3. Based on the look of it, the flash is comparatively low when popped up. Does it affect the images, casting shadows etc?

It's true for most SLR/DSLR when you are using lens with long barrel and make worst when the hood is used as well. If you do use often an external flash is advisable. The shadow is more prominent when using pop-up flash at wide angle.

Quote: 4. The sliding on-off switch has the worst placing (in my views) but guess it's inherited. It really doesn't look too durable. Any A100 long-time users' views on this and its overall body and lens ruggedness?

Please see Sulhan response.

Quote: 5. I don't expect any answers for this - Why is Sony pricing so rigid, as compared to other makes?

This is SONY marketing strategy and no idea why they doing this. If you notice, the SONY DSLR is not sold in as many shop as Nikon or Canon. They even setup PRO shop to serve the customer better. Via this PRO shop they hope existing and new customer will be better serve as it will be manage by people who knows about SONY DSLR.

[Six-GHz]

Hi Sulhan,

Well, I may not be a new user but I've got no system in mind. I use the Minolta Hi-matic 7 when I first started photography. Ok, I digress!

Agree that with a bit of practice and familiarity I may overlook the "unsightly" power switch! I too find the camera grip acceptably comfortable, if only the shutter could be placed more towards the tip of the grip.

Thanks for your inputs, and I do enjoy your write-ups on photography too. Yeah, I'll have a good time shopping!

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by tankm Not true. Lots of SONY DSLR users are using third party lens and are happy with it. I'm currently using lenses from Minolta (some as old as me), Konica-Minolta, Tamron, Sigma , Tokina and SONY. No compatibility issues so far even on the latest DSLR. The major third part lenses are from Tamron and Sigma. Tokina decided they do not want to support a-mount when konica-minolta is sold to sony. You can still find older model of Tokina that uses the a-mount.

Thanks, it's comforting to hear that. I don't know about other third-party lenses, but somehow I dig Tamron!

[Rashkae]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz Thanks, it's comforting to hear that. I don't know about other third-party lenses, but somehow I dig Tamron!

Hey bro, i totally agree with what Tankm said. As for the power switch, I've seen seriously roughed-up A100 cameras and every switch and button still works perfectly. Have no fear.

As for third-party lenses, there actually quite a few available if you look in the marketplace section and on the other alpha-related forums. You can PM me and bro dewakarma for any help with some specific lenses.

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by Rashkae As for third-party lenses, there actually quite a few available if you look in the marketplace section and on the other alpha-related forums. You can PM me and bro dewakarma for any help with some specific lenses.

Thanks for the feedback. Are there alpha-related forums other than Hardware Zone? And yes, the calling for an A200 + Tamron 17-50mm is getting louder!

[dr34mc4st3r]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz Thanks for the feedback. Are there alpha-related forums other than Hardware Zone? And yes, the calling for an A200 + Tamron 17-50mm is getting louder!

Dyxum forums are a good resource. www.dyxum.com

[TME]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz Thanks for the feedback. Are there alpha-related forums other than Hardware Zone? And yes, the calling for an A200 + Tamron 17-50mm is getting louder!

Try dpreview forums as well... this is frequented by a wider demographic than the dxyum forums but both are good... the founder of dxyum has a presence also in dpreview... check out photoclubalpha for David Kilpatrick's very interesting and informative articles, check out the forums as well... DK has a very good rep on dpreview forums and dxyum forums as well... he's a rare pro that uses alpha mounts.... M to KM to SONY... he's the goods...

[a.c.e]

ya, tamron 17-50 F2.8 right?
it will suit alpha real well.

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by TME Try dpreview forums as well... this is frequented by a wider demographic than the dxyum forums but both are good... the founder of dxyum has a presence also in dpreview... check out photoclubalpha for David Kilpatrick's very interesting and informative articles, check out the forums as well... DK has a very good rep on dpreview forums and dxyum forums as well... he's a rare pro that uses alpha mounts.... M to KM to SONY... he's the goods...

Whoa... information overload! But since I'm new to the Sony range of offerings, there's a long unending way to go! Thanks!

Originally Posted by a.c.e ya, tamron 17-50 F2.8 right? it will suit alpha real well.

Yeah baby... fast lens and flexible range; vibration reduction and quite intuitive menu. To me this is the killer combo! ... unless someone can offer a better option!

[Six-GHz]

Was at IMM yesterday and helped by a very friendly sales guy from Best, molested one A200 through and through!

Just want to check, in case I didn't got it from pushing the Fn and menu buttons,
1. It doesn't have optional grid lines, does it?
2. Is there a Retouch function (for in-camera post editing) hidden somewhere in the menu?

Although the mirror slap is softer than the A100, it's still pretty loud compared to others (the D60 shutter is soft and muffled, while the A700 very "retro"... should I say it sounded like a film SLR?)

All in all, I find it very pleasing, and not as intimidating as I thought it would be (I'm totally new to Sony dSLRs). The only thing is that they don't have a body-only option.

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz Just want to check, in case I didn't got it from pushing the Fn and menu buttons, 1. It doesn't have optional grid lines, does it? 2. Is there a Retouch function (for in-camera post editing) hidden somewhere in the menu?

Think I found the answers to my own queries... no to both!

[dr34mc4st3r]

dun worry, u can train urself on the grid lines. for retouch, why do in the camera? what kind of retouch?

[boombox]

I agree with bro dr34mc4st3r, and to add about the Editing mode:

My take is, the thing about implementing editing modes on the camera is a complex operation, and most implementations I feel are too simplistic and not powerful enough, and increases the unit cost of the product, and editing on a tiny screen is not a fun thing to do...

Just my two cents.

[Six-GHz]

Hi DC, BB, agreed we can train our eyes on grids, rule of thirds and do post processing on a computer, but since this is an entry-level model, I was hoping it comes as an option... To me it's a good-to-have feature, not a deal breaker though.

[rOnGrEn]

one thing i hope future cameras will have.. is to be able to "rate" the photos say from 1 to 5 stars, and manage the photos into different folders.. can do that while travelling on buses or trains.. can save some time during PP at home..

[TME]

Originally Posted by rOnGrEn one thing i hope future cameras will have.. is to be able to "rate" the photos say from 1 to 5 stars, and manage the photos into different folders.. can do that while travelling on buses or trains.. can save some time during PP at home..

Bro already available... bring a laptop along lar... better still bring a UPC along lor...

[raincool2005]

my take on A200

1) good and cheap !
2) lenses ? yes tamron 17-50 f2.8 ! u benefited from Anti-Shake in Alpha... unlike other brands
3) flash ? simple 3600 will do ... i hardly used flash indoor as ISO can do the job well enough.

[GKF]

Originally Posted by raincool2005 my take on A200 1) good and cheap ! 2) lenses ? yes tamron 17-50 f2.8 ! u benefited from Anti-Shake in Alpha... unlike other brands 3) flash ? simple 3600 will do ... i hardly used flash indoor as ISO can do the job well enough.

Bro, how much is the tamron 17-50 f2.8? Thanks!