Search found 68 matches

by Chris Malcolm
Sat Aug 04, 2018 2:15 am
Forum: Lens Lore
Topic: In praise of inferior lenses (the very wide range zooms)
Replies: 3
Views: 5997

In praise of inferior lenses (the very wide range zooms)

I must admit to being a lens snob. When I bought my first Sony A-mount DSLR, the A350, I bought the Sony 18-250mm general purpose wide range zoom to go along with it. Since then every time I've bought a new lens my intention was to improve the image quality. So I bought narrower range wider aperture...
by Chris Malcolm
Sat Aug 04, 2018 12:39 am
Forum: Lens Lore
Topic: Looking for suggestions/recommendations for WA lens
Replies: 4
Views: 6009

Re: Looking for suggestions/recommendations for WA lens

My A77 is crop sensor, so my WA focal lengths should be multiplied by 1.5 for your full frame. I used to use a Sigma 10-20mm, mostly for architecture, building sites, and landscapes. I noticed that a high proportion of my shots were at 10mm. That was because I often wanted the lens to go a bit wider...
by Chris Malcolm
Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:33 pm
Forum: Lens Lore
Topic: GAS is back - Sony FE 100 STF
Replies: 9
Views: 13205

Re: GAS is back - Sony FE 100 STF

The bigger f-stop to T-stop difference of the new E-mount STF compared to the old A-mount STF must be due at least mostly to a stronger apodisation element. Will that improve the bokeh quality? Will it increase the range of f-stops over which the apodisation element has an appreciable effect? What's...
by Chris Malcolm
Tue Nov 10, 2015 1:28 pm
Forum: Lens Lore
Topic: Minolta 80-200mm f2.8 white
Replies: 1
Views: 5498

Minolta 80-200mm f2.8 white

I just acquired one of these and have been checking it out. Weather is awful so I've mostly been testing it indoors. On my A77 at 200mm it needs a focus adjust of around -8. That seems to be about right for 80mm too. It seems pretty sharp at f2.8 and impressively doesn't seem to get any sharper as I...
by Chris Malcolm
Tue Feb 03, 2015 2:47 am
Forum: Lens Lore
Topic: Minolta 500mm reflex vs. Tamron 70-300mm - real world
Replies: 10
Views: 9948

Re: Minolta 500mm reflex vs. Tamron 70-300mm - real world

I've just been doing a similar test -- comparing my Sony 500mm reflex with the Tamron 70-300mm on my A77. The reflex came out much sharper, but the Tamron at 300mm was fuzzy enough that I suspect I must have messed up somehow. I'm going to have to do some more careful testing with manual focus on a ...
by Chris Malcolm
Sat May 04, 2013 8:02 am
Forum: Tripods, bags and accessories
Topic: Rapid deployment monopod (Manfrotto Neotec)
Replies: 3
Views: 6534

Re: Rapid deployment monopod (Manfrotto Neotec)

It's a Manfrotto 685B. Several reviews & a few videos on the web. I usually prefer to use monopods headless, although I'll sometimes carry a ball head if I know I'm likely to want it. There are a few walking poles which have a tripod head mount built into the handle. There's also a walking stick...
by Chris Malcolm
Wed May 01, 2013 7:09 am
Forum: Tripods, bags and accessories
Topic: Rapid deployment monopod (Manfrotto Neotec)
Replies: 3
Views: 6534

Rapid deployment monopod (Manfrotto Neotec)

I use a monopod most of the time, more often than handheld. It let's me keep the ISOs low in the often dim light of Scotland. It makes life easier for the developing arthritis in my right hand. And I prefer carrying the camera by means of the big chunky grip of the monopod to having it dangling on a...
by Chris Malcolm
Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:58 pm
Forum: Hints, Tips & Tricks
Topic: Enough battery power for usb on A77?
Replies: 0
Views: 9463

Enough battery power for usb on A77?

When connected to your computer for whatever purpose you need enough battery power in the camera to do the job. It would be handy if the display of ongoing USB connection on the LCD showed the battery power level so you could keep an eye on it, see the rate at which it was going down, etc.. Which I ...
by Chris Malcolm
Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:47 pm
Forum: Alpha A-mount System
Topic: Sony Alpha77 - first impressions
Replies: 35
Views: 16357

Re: Sony Alpha77 - first impressions

The reflex 500mm works much better on the A77. The absence of mirror and mechanical front curtain slap mean that you can now get really sharp shots at low shutter speeds, use lower ISOs. Makes it a much more versatile lens.
by Chris Malcolm
Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:31 pm
Forum: Alpha A-mount System
Topic: Sony Interview at Cameradiner
Replies: 35
Views: 13196

Re: Sony Interview at Cameradiner

I suspect that Sony haven't decided what the future of the A mount should be, and feel it would not be proper managerial behaviour to say so.
by Chris Malcolm
Sat Mar 02, 2013 9:40 am
Forum: Flash
Topic: Latest firmware fixes A77/A65 flash problems
Replies: 2
Views: 6294

Latest firmware fixes A77/A65 flash problems

As reported by Gary Friedman, who put a lot of work into giving Sony details of this problem. No response from Sony. http://friedmanarchives.blogspot.ca/2013/02/flash-exposure-problems-fixed.html If you read the comments it looks as though there have been at least two fixes in recent firmware releas...
by Chris Malcolm
Sun Nov 25, 2012 12:52 pm
Forum: Alpha A-mount System
Topic: Risk of SLT mirror degradation over medium term?
Replies: 16
Views: 8615

Re: Risk of SLT mirror degradation over medium term?

Spare SLT mirrors can be bought, and while Sony do not recommend that users replace it themselves, there are several users who have described doing so without difficulty. There isn't an alignment problem -- such alignment as is required is supplied by it snapping into place. I have also seen several...
by Chris Malcolm
Thu Aug 16, 2012 3:54 am
Forum: Give it Your Best Shot
Topic: Do you still use your REALLY old lenses?
Replies: 41
Views: 12776

Re: Do you still use your REALLY old lenses?

Minolta made some good MD to Alpha converters with optical infinity correction using multi-element lenses. They turn up rarely for sale, and are usually pricey. I have the MInolta 2X M/A Converter - S, for lenses < 300mm in focal length, both a 2X tele-converter and a mount adapter. It's attached he...
by Chris Malcolm
Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:51 am
Forum: Lens Lore
Topic: BIF with a red dot sight on the 500mm reflex
Replies: 3
Views: 2759

Re: BIF with a red dot sight on the 500mm reflex

More BIFs and improvement of device and ways of using it to follow. But not soon. And I'll probably be away from the web entirely for a week. With the camera and 500mm just in case I meet some seabirds. In the meantime here's a non-BIF shot taken with it, but which I'd never have taken without it. A...
by Chris Malcolm
Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:13 am
Forum: Lens Lore
Topic: BIF with a red dot sight on the 500mm reflex
Replies: 3
Views: 2759

BIF with a red dot sight on the 500mm reflex

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7161850959_0354cfbb62_z.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7347059134_50e721772a_z.jpg I've spent very frustrating hours trying to catch wheeling seagulls with the 500mm reflex on my crop sensor A550. Almost impossible. It takes long enough to aim this lens at...