PMA rumours?

[David Kilpatrick]

Sunday 21st Feb

[InTheSky]

I sold my A700 before Christmas specificity to pre-order the first Sony with Video. With the rumours I have seen it will be maybe the "NEX5" or the compact body like the Panasonic GF1 with video ...

But I'm going to let the 21st February show me what will be available.

Regards,

Frank

[alphaomega]

I watched a demonstration a couple of days ago by a certain Mr Kilpatrick who showed how close the A550 is to being able to not only capture but record quality video. I am absolutely convinced that Sony have all the technology available already to be able to put on the market a worthy successor to the A700 that would maintain all the A700 functionality but add at least the new 14Mp CMOS sensor and the LV with tilting screen and Video at least as good at anything competition can come up with. They may not yet have available an APS-C sensor to match the 18Mp in Canon's 550D and 7D but the 14Mp from the A550 would do for now although I would prefer the ISO range to be taken down to 100-6400 as the current 12,800 one looks pretty useless for most purposes. Lots of folks are becoming impatient with Sony and their P&S shooter "crippled upgrade" offerings. I am patient though as I am quite happy with my A350/A700 combo. I will wait for their successor to the A700.

[InTheSky]

I was thinking that Sony can use Vectis lens design for the new camera that they are supposed to trough out ... There was good lenses in this line up.

Frank

[bfitzgerald]

Even if Sony produce a couple of "good" mirror less cameras, we can at this stage assume that it's a new mini mount, and mini lenses. Not going to help their DSLR conquest one bit..it's more a diversion than anything else.

Gonna be a tough year ahead, not just for Sony, but Nikon too. Both getting caught with their megapixel pants down
Canon are on a roll, and with Sony not yet offering anything A6/A7xx wise..can only hurt them more. Nikon have been not busy doing very mild warm over jobs on the D60, D300, and D3..little has changed.

2010 so far is Canon's year..they are very aggressive and keen to win in the market. Whilst I don't find the drive on megapixels appealing, it does work..and with the 550d launch, and beefed up HD video..one wonders what other makers will do to stop the inevitable mega sales.

[Dr. Harout]

Even if Sony produce a couple of "good" mirror less cameras, we can at this stage assume that it's a new mini mount, and mini lenses. Not going to help their DSLR conquest one bit..it's more a diversion than anything else.

Gonna be a tough year ahead, not just for Sony, but Nikon too. Both getting caught with their megapixel pants down
Canon are on a roll, and with Sony not yet offering anything A6/A7xx wise..can only hurt them more. Nikon have been not busy doing very mild warm over jobs on the D60, D300, and D3..little has changed.

2010 so far is Canon's year..they are very aggressive and keen to win in the market. Whilst I don't find the drive on megapixels appealing, it does work..and with the 550d launch, and beefed up HD video..one wonders what other makers will do to stop the inevitable mega sales.

I agree that Sony is on the downside unless it really comes up with new and very "interesting" lenses. That might change the overall situation.
On a second thought, not only new and interesting lenses but also other accessories too. For example, I desperately need a macro ring flash (not ring light), but not as the type mentioned in an other topic here (re: Delta DRF-14 or others).
Think of gadgets too.
As for Canon, it has always been aggressive, is aggressive and will always remain aggressive.

[Greg Beetham]

Sony Style here have their Ring Light described as a Ring Flash....still.
Below is a copy of their specification page, maybe they think it actually is a flash? maybe they really are that dumb and just don't know any better....This is the sort of stuff that just should not happen with a camera company that is in the business of manufacturing and selling cameras and accessories to photographers who might be thinking of Sony as an option....it's embarrassing, especially when you consider that they never needed the light in the first place..and neither did we.
Greg


1 2 HVLRLAM
This ring flash kit is specially made for attachment to standard macro lenses (49 & 55mm lens diameter). The flash itself has user selectable features to allow you to illuminate either the right or left half of the ring.

• Adjustable for two-step light (low or high)
• Supplied 49/55mm adaptor ring and flash adaptor
• Allows for more effective lighting of subject during macro shooting
• Ring can be fully lit, right side only, or left side only to create a shadow effect

Gallery
Specifications

GeneralDimensions (W x H x D) 64 x 78 x 79mm (Battery / Operation Part), 124 x 141 x 24mm (Light)
Weight Approx. 180g
Colour Black
Operating Temperature +5 to +40°C
Storage Temperature -20 to +60°C
Battery Power RequirementsType / Required Number AA Alkaline or AA Ni-MH Battery / 4
Light FunctionPower Consumption 4.4W
Illuminance 150lx (at 0.3m)
Operating Distance 0.1m to 0.5m
Lighting Angle 35 degrees
Remaining Battery Indicator Yes
Not all Windows Vista™ features are available for use on all Windows Vista Capable PCs. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run the core experiences of Windows Vista, such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. Some features available in premium editions of Windows Vista - like the new Windows® Aero™ user interface -- require advanced or additional hardware. Check www.windowsvista.com/getready for details.


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$ 549.00
(AUD inc. GST)

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[Javelin]

example, I desperately need a macro ring flash (not ring light), but not as the type mentioned in an other topic here (re: Delta DRF-14 or others).
Think of gadgets too.
As for Canon, it has always been aggressive, is aggressive and will always remain aggressive.

You don't think the Delta or the Sigmas would work? Is it the 4 tube the minlolta had what your holding out for ?

[bfitzgerald]

I'd give up on the ring flash idea..it's fairly obvious whilst Sony might read forums, they have no intentions of "acting" upon suggestions! They've done a great job ignoring MLU requests, and nope..they can't have missed all that moaning!

I've seen sigma units about, not sure if they have one for A mount bodies. Also read about a cheap Marumi unit, bit limited in power and no option to use one side of the ring, but evidently it's not half bad for a budget option.
Failing that, maybe we could design some kind of dongle to slap on a flashgun!

Pre order your zimmer frame now, because by the time Alpha team gets around to it., we'll all be too old to care anyway!

[Javelin]

The Sigma is plenty strong and seems to have a very nice and short flash duration. you can set ratio between the 2 flash tubes and has a modeling light function. They do have Sony fit for this although it just Says SO-ADI on their site in the details it names sony and I know the Sigma distributor here has stock on them.

If I can't have the 4 tubes I think I might like to have the one big round tube. seems to me some velcro might give me some added functionality. the big question on the delta is how well it can expose on close objects. from the samples I've seen there is a little too much overexposure.

I know if I use my big Sigma flashgun for macro wirelessly it does very well scaling back the power, better than the 36AM. it's hard to use that set up with moving subjects though.

[Dr. Harout]

Is it the 4 tube the minolta had what your holding out for ?

Yes, exactly.
Metz has something close: the 15MS-1 but cannot find a user experienced with it. And then it is designed for DSLRs with built in flash to use it as a triggering light (you just attach the supplied clip on the flash). Thus for A850 or A900 you should opt for a cable (not supplied) and use with limited options.
As for Sigma, I couldn't find one for Sony.

[bfitzgerald]

Seems to be for sale USA wise

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... l#features

And where it all went wrong!

http://ringflash.co.uk/2009/01/sony-hvl ... win-flash/

[Javelin]

Doc I tried the metz at a show. it works well but frankly it needs to be 30% of the price. it's kind of a toy (I can get the sigma for the same money here). the flash clip is actually an IR pass filter. if you don't have it on it will cast a shadow from the built in flash shining on the macro ring. with the clip on it still triggers the flash but blocks the light from going directly ahead. The dealer also didn't want me to actually try it. she wanted to hold it in her hand and not let me attach it to my 100mm. It's very light but I didn't think that was a mark against it really.

[Greg Beetham]

Seems to be for sale USA wise

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... l#features

And where it all went wrong!

http://ringflash.co.uk/2009/01/sony-hvl ... win-flash/

You're correct there Barry, in more ways than one, even the writer of the article is not fully understanding what is going on, (unless someone has found a way to make LED's "FLASH" that is), Sony didn't just replace one ring flash for another one, they butchered the Minolta design in order to promote some klutzy and expensive design of their own that doesn't even flash anyway...it's just a light.
Greg

[bfitzgerald]

I hear ya!

You folks know a lot more about this than I do, just a causal observer. Neither unit would be acceptable to users, the main one is crippled and the ring "flash" is as you say simply a crude led light you shove on the end of yer lens! If users want a ring light, I'd suggest you hit ebay, loads about for a fraction of the price Sony charges.

Looking at the real minolta ring flash, am I wrong in suggesting the appeal here is that it can light up 4 separate areas?

Dumb thing to say, but erm..why didn't Sony just clone the Minolta jobs? Cannot be that hard really..the design is there, they own the rights to it..easy. I know this was not a cheap job, but it would appear it was hailed as probably one of the best ring flash set-ups on any system, why change a winner? Oh I forgot, it's Sony who call the shots! lol