Photoclub Alpha

The press release from Sony this morning (Tuesday, January 5th) confirms the proliferation of entry-level bodies in the Sony Alpha DSLR range, and the continued emphasis on smaller cameras to suit upgraders from consumer digital cameras. While this leaves Sony in danger of being seeing as a Jack of one trade and master of none, and will not satisfy those waiting for an Alpha 700 replacement, it will no doubt increase market share and allow Sony time to create something worth investing in for later release.

This article was originally published in Photoworld magazine April 2008. It discusses the reasons for choosing between the 18-70mm, 16-105mm, 16-80mm, 18-200mm and 18-250mm kit lens choices for the Sony Alpha DSLR system and has been updated as necessary from the original text.

Now that there are five Sony Alpha DSLR bodies in circulation, with many owners of the original 2006 Alpha 100 considering a replacement, the differences between this ur-Alpha and the 2007-8 generation of Alpha 700, 200, 300 and 350 need examining.

On January 5th, Photoworld was lucky enough to be able to attend the dress rehearsal and official photo-call for the new Cirque du Soleil production at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and to put the Alpha 700 through its paces for high ISO fast action stage show capture. This article with large reproductions of the images appears in our Photoworld issue due out later in January.

I’m still testing the Alpha 700 and still struggling with aspects of image quality, notably the failure to get much wow factor from straightforward shots in good light. It seems easy enough to get exceptional high ISO images, of the type they are expected to be, but even then many examples seen are marred by a very coarse noise structure.

I AM not a Mom, and if I was, I’d be a Mum because we don’t have Moms in Britain, just the same way we don’t have Pops. I grew up in a world where everyone had Mummies and Daddies, and having a Mum and Dad would have been non-u, infra-dig. Times change and our kids grew up with a Mum and Dad and ended up with parents just as likely to sign off an email with Christian names as anything else.

So, I do not qualify to test out the latest Sony Alpha system ‘product’. It looks like you have to be a Mom to do this one, and it’s firmly aimed at Mickey Mouse’s home territory. Disney has launched a ‘Digital Photogaphy 101′ course

Our articles are written as ‘Posts’ and automatically added to Categories, Recent Posts and Archives. This manual index to articles will help you find the larger reviews, as distinct from short pieces on assorted subjects:

Main camera reviews

Sony Alpha 380 review

Which Sony Alpha? Choosing between the A700, A200, A300 and A350.

Sony Alpha 350 Live View tested

Sony Alpha 350 – a Creative Review

Sony Alpha 200 guided tour (full description with large photos and comments on operation)

Sony Alpha 700 operation and use review: the Interface

Sony Alpha 100 report from the launch of the camera

Do You Really Need an Alpha 900?

Alpha 900 as a High ISO Camera

Alpha 900, Canon 5D MkII, Nikon D3X studio shoot out test

Major overviews

70 Years of Minolta History – 113 cameras from 1928 to 1998

Lens Reviews

The 70-300mm SSM G sized up (first report)

Carl Zeiss 16-80mm zoom review

Tamron 18-250mm zoom review

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Tele-Macro LD Di

Lensbaby 3G selective zonal focus tilt/swing lens

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Macro II

Sigma 400mm f/5.6 classic M-AF - rechipping for digital

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM EX DG

Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5

Which Sony Alpha kit lens?

Software Reviews

DxO Optics Pro 4.1 review

Seven raw processors tested with Alpha 700

Apple Aperture 2.0

Capture One v4

Accessories and aftermarket

Haoda Fu split-image/microprism replacement focusing screen for Dynax 5D or Alpha 100

Flash choices for the digital SLRs (camera top bounce/direct)

Studio Light table review and technique

Sony GPS-CS1 device to pin your pictures on Googlemaps