http://www.photoclubalpha.com/forum/vie ... 3&start=15
A long thread I started about the A700 control wheel problem is here:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp ... e=30539266
Over the years these are all the cameras I have owned:
1968 Diana -- 120 film, wasn't called Diana then, but is identical (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_camera)
1970 Polaroid Colorpack II
1973 Mamiya-Sekor 1000 DTL
1976 Minolta XK
1981 Olympus XA
1983 Minolta X-700
1986 Olympus Infinity Twin
1988 Minolta Maxxum 7000i
1991 Minolta Alpha 7xi
1992 Olympus Stylus
1995 Minolta Alpha 707si
1996 Olympus Stylus Epic
1996 Minolta Alpha 9xi
1997 Yashicamat 124-G
1997 Canon Canonet 28
2000 Olympus D-340R
2001 Olympus D-510Z
2002 Minolta Maxxum 7
2002 Minolta Dimage 7i
2003 Canon EOS Digital Rebel/300D
2004 Canon A70
2005 Konica Minolta 7D
2005 Konica Minolta 7D (had problems with both 7D bodies)
2006 Canon EOS 30D
2006 Canon A540
2007 Sony Alpha 100
2008 Sony Alpha 700
2008 Canon A590 IS
Cameras in red are the *only* ones to ever have *any* problems. Sure, I know, that others can probably point to how their Sony camera is problem free whereas a Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, or some other camera had problems. All I know is that my experience has been that only KM and Sony have had problems (2 each) and it is our own personal experience which trumps everything else. I am convinced that in the case of the Sony cameras there is a design defect or faulty parts with the control wheels. I really like the A700 package of features and performance and SSS is my number one feature, but do I really want to buy another Sony? The *most* important feature of any camera for me is reliability since it is so often very difficult for me to send in for repair. Sony really needs to work on quality control.
Okay, what is the point of this post? Well, I guess I just want to ask what others have experienced? Also, to be honest, I just want to vent a bit. I am very disappointed in Sony (and the camera business they bought from KM). Unfortunately, I am not so interested in the Canon 50D. I don't pay as much attention to Nikon since I have no Nikon lenses and no experience with them. Maybe my A700 will get fixed and I can use it awhile longer. But what next? Maybe there will be an A700 replacement this year or next and I am sure I will be tempted to get one, but right now I just don't see buying another Sony. Of course, my mind is subject to change.
