If they include a mirror lockup function and live view on the rear screen that can tilt it would be a bonus, but I don’t want or need a video button anywhere on it, just the mirror lockup Live View button that would be extra over what the KM5D had. The only proviso being that the mirror stays where you put it when you take the shot. (if you put the mirror up it stays up until you put it down)
I know such a camera is rather Spartan by comparison with today’s cameras but that’s all I need in a camera, actually by comparison with my previous camera before the KM5D (the X-700), it’s overflowing with features and functions.
My main requirement in such a camera is that it actually works without glitches, uses very little power (like the KM5D) and works properly without adaptors with the accessories I already have.
I have a right angle (OEM) viewer so I don’t really need a tilting screen either but perhaps one would come in handy for composition if I wanted to lift the camera up on a pod using a cable release or down low near the ground.
I don’t need a 3inch screen a 2.5inch (high res) is plenty of screen to zoom in on a focus review check.
I could get by quite happily without focus peaking as long as when using MF the selected focus point lights up when focus is achieved in normal config.
The only failure I can see with that system is there would be no focus confirmation when using rear screen Live View, thus the only possibility for focus confirmation without any image degradation is a sensor design similar to the aforementioned Canon one, but unfortunately Sony has already embarked on a different tangent and might not be able to emulate the Canon design without infringing patent rights.
I know lots of people like the front and back dials. I can get by quite ok with just the front one, the rear one is handy of course but it adds to the cost and is prone to being ‘adjusted’ accidentally, but I’ll take twin dials if plenty of people want to make it more A700-ish. That would mean moving the most important button on the camera (apart from the shutter button), the AEL button, to some other less handy spot, like where it is on the A700.
Sony could add the so called Auto ISO in M mode if they want (menu selectable perhaps or an extra M+ mode on the control dial and ditch one of the feature modes, don’t care which) because it should have been done in the digital age anyway beginning with the KM7D.
Some would like an intervalometer built in and I guess that would be handy too, I think that could be added in as an extension to the existing modes on screen brought up by the drive mode button, the A700 doesn’t have a drive mode button, just a more limited and fiddly selector switch.
Anyone can add things they like to my camera here EXCEPT video, as soon as you add video you open a never ending can of worms, AF in video, digital zoom control, video compliant lenses with IS and step-less f-stop exposure control, sound, sound control, frame rates, codecs etc. on and on and on so I don’t want video getting into my still camera.
I wasn’t thinking of creating a one camera suits all wonder cam, just an alternative solid reliable low maintenance not expensive still only camera model added to the range that still shooters might like for general use or weddings or in the studio, location portraiture, glamour, whatever.
And I wasn’t necessarily thinking of an expensive sports or high performance for BIF and other high speed action cam but if that is what the majority would like then I’ll go with the flow, the only thing is when you start raising the bar with frame rates and accurate high speed AF follow focus you also are going out on cloud nine with the price.
Put it this way, it’s a model no longer available…anywhere.
Greg
