In honour of Barry's new Camera

[aster]

Hello Barry,

Congratulations on your acquisition of the A200!
I hope you enjoy it and one day also get a camera like the A900 as I know you like the printed photos out of this particular camera too...

Good luck and enjoy,

Yildiz

ps. Looking forward to seeing your photos with the A200 and also hearing the critism of course.

[rush2112]

In regards to AF speed and accuracy Sonolta, the A200 does really well in even decent light. For my experiences, I found the A200 to keep up with the A700 in terms of speed and accuracy (sometimes more accurate than those with back/front focus issues) which is pretty impressive considering it's price. When light dims to about indoor levels (say at home... typical lighting) the A200 has a bit more trouble to lock onto the center sensor whereas the A700 will make a lock. I presume the lighting at the arenas should be sufficient for the A200 which would make it a good candidate as a back up to your A700.

I have both and for normal shooting which includes landscapes, portraits, macros, and the occasional family shots and weddings, the A200 doesn't feel like a camera where I sacrifice much, if at all. In fact, prior to V4 firmware, I preferred the A200's higher ISO output to the A700s from ISO 800 and up.

Be interesting to see what you think of the A200. MLU to me is a feature they have to have in that camera, and should have. I can live without DOF preview just fine, but MLU (amongst many other items on a list) went directly to Sony's alpha design team by me as requested as suggestions to improvements and criticism's (and even some praise was sent) for all the Alpha lineup .

Carl

[Dr. Harout]

The way I see it, MLU and DOF preview are 2 musts on a camera I'd choose. But then not everybody needs or understands or uses it, hence different cameras with different specifications.

[bfitzgerald]

Well not a lot can be done with the DOF preview, on the A200...no button so nothing will happen there, no much point in me moaning about that one. I would prefer to have it, though I admit, it's a must have for me film body wise (for obvious reasons..no instant review!), not as essential for digital, but nice anyway.

MLU, well I am moaning about that, because something can be done, via firmware, plus a few other tweaks etc would go down well. Not that I am knocking the A200, as the price is very good indeed, and I grasp the concept of needing to trim some stuff down, on budget bodies. If anyone feels the same way, I would encourage them to share their thoughts and moans, on the sony blog, you never know..they may do something for us on this one.

[Javelin]

FWIW i've never been able to duplicate the blurr of a A700 shot at 300mm without MLU on my A200. my A200 shots always come out just as sharp as my A700 with MLU on. I tried every shutter speed all the way from 1" to 1/200 where the A700 would blur right around 1/6 so I don't think you guys are missing anythig on that count.

[A1000]

http://www.falconeyes.com.hk/diyhp/1222 ... uto_Flash_(New" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).html

A new A-mount-camera flash made in honor of Barry's A200 camera



http://www.falconeyes.com.hk/diyhp/1222 ... outus.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is the new assembly line where they make the thier top-of-the-line products. Barry's flash is made in the basement.

[bfitzgerald]

Ist link does not work!

Back on topic..regarding QC, I had 2 problem A200's, both returned to the shop, the 3rd one seems fine. Ist one issue was AF (it missed far more than the 5d) and junk behind the focus screen, 2nd one junk behind the focus screen again. Some maybe an off day on the line.

As it happens I did email sony, and got a big fat 0 response, which gives me a rather dim view of their customer service dept. As it happens, I just took the 2nd body back for an exchange. All seems fine with the A200, though I do wish it were a bit more KM5d like overall.

[A1000]

This is the link again. This is the flash made in Barry's honor.

http://www.falconeyes.com.hk/diyhp/1222 ... uto_Flash_(New" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).html


If this long link does not work, try this one - it's the middle flash on the left:
http://www.falconeyes.com.hk/diyhp/1222 ... ashes.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Barry, too bad Sony keeps on making these bad mean substandard products and they keep on sucking it to you. Try this Chinese flash, please. It's truly hand made in a basement of a sweatshop, no bad mean Sony robots.

[Javelin]

Hen now.. BF is an official Sony owner now. he has every right to complain about almost anything (except MS, Infolithium and flash shoes!) besides there lots of chineses flashes he could use if he wanted.

[bfitzgerald]

I don't have a problem with the lithium batteries, simply because there are now 3rd party alternatives available. The minolta hot shoe, never really was an issue anyway. It's not about complaining, it's about getting stuff improved. Though I admit, that at the low price level the A200 is, you are likely to overlook a few areas.