Rumour says, A900/A850 firmware update due in February

[01af]

See http://sonyalpharumors.com/sr3-new-sony ... -february/. It's supposed to reduce both low-ISO and high-ISO noise. Personally, I am hoping for a re-designed histogram display, for better readability in sunlight.

-- Olaf

[InTheSky]

The good think about the A900, is that on my side I don't see really something that will really make me more happy in a firmware update. Probably a ISO 50 capability will be the only think I can want in some situation.

Well... less noise at high ISO ... ? But I don't think they will be able to do a huge change to it.

Regards,

Frank

[pakodominguez]

Inch'Allah!
and how about a Desktop software update? like a real software for handling Alpha RAW files...

Regards

[KevinBarrett]

Improved ISO performance would be dandy, ISO 50 would be great, but what I'll be more excited about is if they fix the "crippled A mode" problem. We've kinda been hammering them about that over at Backstage101.

[Javelin]

Click.

I'll bet thats what it is. it always struck me as an oversite to not have the release without lens on those cameras. and you writing it here remided me of something the Sony tech said (I got a tour of the canadian repair facility) which made me thing they thought it was supposed to be in and never materialized.

[bfitzgerald]

You should have a lens release option on all models. Rather silly to force users to M mode.
I've not come across another maker who tries this one on, even my older film bodies all have lens release options.

Should be done across the board on all models.

[harvey]

The good think about the A900, is that on my side I don't see really something that will really make me more happy in a firmware update. Probably a ISO 50 capability will be the only think I can want in some situation.

How about

• Turn off "Eye Start"
• Mirror lock up mode with IR commander
• Double width border around histograms

Harvey

[Javelin]

Actually Nikon D3000 and what I understand all of Nikons entry cameras. without a lens attached confirmation the meter in the camera doesn't work at all. though the shutter still fires. I had a couple friends and co workers buying cameras recently and I read about this at DP review and confirmed it at a henrys store. The sales guy confirmed also they won't work with lensbabies for example. Don't know how far up their line this happens

Edit: Found this on LB's site

""

Q. Why can't I get my Lensbaby to meter on my Nikon D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70(s), D80, D90, D100, N80, Fuji S1, S2, S3 etc.?

A. Older and more expensive current Nikon cameras have a mechanical link between the aperture mechanism on lenses with an aperture ring. Nikon stopped putting this mechanical interface on the lower priced camera bodies. In order to make a mount that physically accepts all F-mount lenses, but avoids messing up an active meter that has no way of knowing what aperture the lens is going to be at the moment of exposure, Nikon disabled the meter altogether on these lower priced models (this a relative criteria since we are talking about $2000 D100 cameras and $400 N80 cameras).

""

You should have a lens release option on all models. Rather silly to force users to M mode.
I've not come across another maker who tries this one on, even my older film bodies all have lens release options.

Should be done across the board on all models.

[bfitzgerald]

No idea about Nikon, I just know 6 out of 7 bodies I have, do have a lens release lock option, the one that does not begins with an "S"

Currently this is not a huge issue for me, but I can see how it annoys others. And considering the price of the A900 etc, it's rather strange to say the least. I know Walt is not too impressed:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read. ... e=34206301

[Greg Beetham]

Yeah well, I can understand why Walt isn't impressed, he likes super macro with bellows or tubes and using lenses like the micro Minolta lenses etc. for which you need to be able to release the shutter when YOU want, not jump through hoops with an uncooperative camera just to get the thing to fire. What he and others (including me) are wondering is...what else is Sony going to do to scew up the works, and at what level of photography are they going to support with full featured STILL cameras...ongoing.
They obviously don't give two hoots for anyone doing macro, and they also got rid of the Minolta light meters (the mind boggles)..Sony can bash out plenty of less than desirable bodies, but they really struggle when it comes to needed accessories for some unknown reason.....
Greg

[David Kilpatrick]

The light meters were not part of the photographic division, and the non-technical ones (i.e. not the colour measuring equipment) were made by a third party - probably Sekonic - over the last 20 years or so. Konica Minolta still makes technical and industrial meters as far as I know.

David

[bossel]

See http://sonyalpharumors.com/sr3-new-sony ... -february/. It's supposed to reduce both low-ISO and high-ISO noise. Personally, I am hoping for a re-designed histogram display, for better readability in sunlight.

-- Olaf

This probably happens at the same time that the A900 MKII is released with a sensor upgraded to 32M pixel whereas the A900 dies and the A850 remains at 24M.

[Greg Beetham]

Well it's a really good snow job, I looked at my meter, the box it came in, the instruction book and the warranty card, and I can't find any mention of a third party anywhere. I have to admit I couldn't find anything that says specifically "made by Minolta," either. The box has the usual Minolta logo and the model of the meter in large prominent print, and in small print on each end has, 'Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Japan'
The meter just has the expected MINOLTA on the front, and on the back is a small plaque that says, 'MINOLTA AUTO METER IVF JAPAN' and down the bottom is '76213286'.
The instruction manual has an introduction that says (amongst other things), 'The Minolta Auto Meter IV F's versatile operation will help simplify your most critical applications. It includes such basics as ambient, cord and non-cord measuring modes, average calculation, and memory space for two seperate readings.'
The back of the manual has the Minolta logo and down the bottom is a copyright symbol followed by, '1991 Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. under the Berne Convention and Universal Copyright Convention.'
The warranty certificate doesn't offer any really conclusive evidence one way or another, just the warranty statement (including the model) on one side nominating the procedure and places (all Minolta) to return the meter for service listed on the reverse side...beginning with, Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Osaka Service Center, Osaka Ekimae No. 4 Bldg., 1-11, Umeda, Kita-Ku, Osaka, Tel. (06) 341-6501
Greg

[David Kilpatrick]

The flashguns for Minolta were never made by Minolta either - nor were the camera bags, straps, mini tripod, and countless other bits and pieces. That does not mean the meters were not designed by Minolta, and possibly even assembled and tested by Minolta. But as with the flash assemblies, they are a specialist product subcontracted out. I am not sure whether Sony is still buying in the flashguns, I suspect from the radical changes to design that the HVL-F58AM may be a genuine Sony item all the way.

Minolta did the same for other people. Minolta produced the colour heads which people bought as Durst and Beseler.

The Industrial Metering division - entirely separate - made their own gear but the prices started at £1500 upwards. The only meters I am not sure about are the Color Meter I, II and Color Meter IIIF. I don't think these were bought in. They cost about half the price of the 'real Minolta' products but I think they contained Minolta circuitry.

David

[Greg Beetham]

I remember lusting after the Color Meter IIIF at the time...but the price was way out there, something like $1,500.00 in 1992 dollars I think, that slowed me down a tad...lovely meter though.
The dang IVF just about cost me an arm and a leg as it was already.
Greg