a300, My first impressions :)

[Ian C]

Love it!

I got the a300 with the twin zoom lens kit 18-70mm & 55-200mm.

Not taken any shots during the day yet... but:

I feel it improves on the already fantastic a100. Live View works great, really great! I find myself switching between the OVF and LV now, it really does help to make that first shot count! I found the flash to be better on exposure as well.

It feels like it has been built very well and it looks great too. Grip is comfortable and the overall feel is better than the a100. Quieter/Faster/More accurate AF!

It has a pop up flash! it's GREAT to have a flash you don't have to manually lift anymore! :lol

Image quality (being the same sensor as the a100) is exactly what you would expect, but, I'm not sure if Sony has worked some more magic on the sensor? the images just feel different to the a100... not sure if its a dynamic range thing or just me!.

Love the Smart Teleconverter which basically auto crops the image down to get you in closer to the subject on the LV Screen. Changing the White balance and various other options is great in LV and I find that what you see on screen is exactly what you get when you press the shutter (Takes me back to my fun cybershot days!)

Heard some people complain about the OVF being Dim... honestly I can't see the same problem!

Could go on for hours, but for me, its a worthwhile upgrade from the a100 in every respect.

Couple of things I would have changed though: LV screen sticks out a little too much and can impede your OVF use, I also think ISO 3200 might be over-kill for the sensor!

Couple of quick samples with +3 sharpening on cam (perhaps too much!), Nothing technical here! just the first few Jpeg's I fired off.

55-200mm


100%crop


55-200mm


100% crop


18-70mm


100% crop

[alfake]

Ian, thanks for sharing your impressions about the Sony A300. I have felt tempted to get an A350 as a landscape tool, and your comments on A300’s live view don’t help me overcome temptation.
Alfonso

[Dr. Harout]

And congratulations.
Seems Santa paid an early visit.

[Ian C]

Indeed I think Santa did come early!

Really love the way Sony has implemented the LV.... its magic!

Realise I haven't taken any shots yet with my Big Boy lens.... the 100mm Macro!

[Dr. Harout]

That would really interest me, i.e. how will it be of use on macro shots: OVF vs LV (manual focus, please).

[Ian C]

That would really interest me, i.e. how will it be of use on macro shots: OVF vs LV (manual focus, please).

Will look into that for you at the weekend

Ian C

[Dr. Harout]

Many thanks in advance, Ian.
Some insist that you can make fine focus adjustments on EVF (LV), which I doubt but might be wrong.

[aster]

Congratulations!

Pleased to hear your positive feedback on this model. Please don't forget to share more of your experience and photos with this camera...

Yildiz

[Ian C]

Many thanks in advance, Ian.
Some insist that you can make fine focus adjustments on EVF (LV), which I doubt but might be wrong.

If you mean where you can press a button and make fine adjustments, then no, you cant, but otherwise the Live View is so useful that you can watch EXACTLY where your focus is going to be and make fine adjustments manually... and for this reason, it works VERY VERY well for Macro shots. Not only is it easier using LV for Macro shots, but for small insect shots.... you have a much LESS chance of scaring off your subject because you remain at a more comfortable distance.

I really cant stress how easy it is to get the exposure SPOT ON, on every shot using Live View.
As for making White balance adjustments in LV... it has to be seen to be believed, because again, what you see it EXACTLY what you get.

Took a long range shot today of some Bamboo Sticks in the garden with the 55-200mm



Oh and one more thing... I am absolutely mad about cars! So decided to take a picture today of mine after a nice wash and wax with my new a300

Converted straight from RAW this was... and as you can see, the dynamic range is superb!

[Dr. Harout]

Thanks for the quick reply Ian.

[KevinBarrett]

Nice "head shot" of your Integra! Which lens was this?

[bfitzgerald]

Shots look good to me.

Not much interest in the LV side of things myself, but maybe later on. I can see some use for it.
Pop-up flash, kinda bugs me though, it's pretty good exposure wise, but just does not raise high enough on some lenses, hoods can cause trouble. Still, not a real problem with a proper flashgun, which of course I would use most of the time.

[Ian C]

Nice "head shot" of your Integra! Which lens was this?

I'm surprised you knew what car it was! Indeed it is a Honda Integra (Imported from Japan) known as the Acura RSX in America I believe?

Lens used was the 55-200mm

[KevinBarrett]

Oh, I'm a bit of a car nut. I was disappointed with Honda when they discontinued the Prelude, I'm glad they kept the Integra around (though I was sad to see them turn their back on a legendary name in North America). When the new "RSX" came out I remember thinking it a very chunky car, but its actually quite svelt now by today's standards. It's only grown on me more and more since then, and I think it looks even handsomer with a red Honda badge instead of the Acura symbol.

[Ian C]

Oh, I'm a bit of a car nut. I was disappointed with Honda when they discontinued the Prelude, I'm glad they kept the Integra around (though I was sad to see them turn their back on a legendary name in North America). When the new "RSX" came out I remember thinking it a very chunky car, but its actually quite svelt now by today's standards. It's only grown on me more and more since then, and I think it looks even handsomer with a red Honda badge instead of the Acura symbol.

I think you should get one! Best car I have ever owned... See if you can get the Japanese one like mine. It has an extra 30 horse power and a very large spoiler!

Another pic for you: