What I don't understand...

[bossel]

So it seems couple of people got an A900 to test, like Kiklop, Duncan or Carl G. DK, despite decennies of experience, ongoing connections with Paul G, editor of an alpha-magazine, returns home with empty hands. I'd guess if today I open my own alpha website they'll send me an A900 for testing the next day. What are Sonys criteria? Are they scared about ex-Minolta users?

[KevinBarrett]

You could be onto something there! Its time to edit any post mentioning my Maxxum5 and register a domain name! What do you think of www.alphanoob.com?

[KevinBarrett]

I hadn't been over there myself until just before I made that post and yes, I have to believe he's somewhat of a fanboy. He makes a better website than I could make, but his news and info is not journalistic quality. I read his article on the DT 55-200 and found the first paragraph (the only one visible until you click on the full article) detailing the author's trust in second-hand information and wishful thinking as he knowingly misinforms the readers. He doesn't set the record straight until the third paragraph of that article...so what did we read the first two for?

I think the purpose of his site, and the reason he gets support, is because he approaches the A mount as many of the new Alpha users do, discovering new cameras and a legacy of lenses in a marketplace with many offerings. Certainly there is good call for a site like his, but it is of little use to anyone who used a Minolta before digital. It is disappointing that an a900 body wasn't supplied for review on this site, for more experienced and discerning photographers who already know the A-mount.

[David Kilpatrick]

So it seems couple of people got an A900 to test, like Kiklop, Duncan or Carl G. DK, despite decennies of experience, ongoing connections with Paul G, editor of an alpha-magazine, returns home with empty hands. I'd guess if today I open my own alpha website they'll send me an A900 for testing the next day. What are Sonys criteria? Are they scared about ex-Minolta users?

Sony UK view providing Duncan McEwan with an Alpha 900 as almost equivalent to letting 'us' have one, because Photoworld and this website both get to use Duncan's images (I have his selection now, ready to be featured, and just await his text file); both MLaden and Carl are geographically close to, and friendly with, Sony execs they can meet easily. Paul Genge also knows that if he signs me to a non-disclosure, it prevents any discussion of any aspect of an embargoed product on this site - at least by me. And, if he allowed me a camera pre-release and I then used this for Master Photo Digital or British Journal of Photography reports, he would be obliged to do the same other professional market magazines (Professional Imagemaker, Professional Photographer, Digital Photo Pro, The RPS Journal, The Photographer, Image, f2 Freelance Photographer).

While I'm quite a senior journalist in the UK photo press - only two or three have been around as long - I write for small, specialist titles mainly in the professional sector and pre-production cameras would normally only go to the far larger circulation magazines and websites (like dPreview).

David

[KevinBarrett]

Well, I do have to say that it's been more fun being able to talk and speculate with a professional...it would have been quite boring around here if you had had to keep your lips sealed.

[bfitzgerald]

I didn't get an A900 to test, and I am puzzled as to why this is

I can only guess that I didn't ask for one, but I think there is a strong place for nitpickers who are beta testers! lol