I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

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kombizz
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p.1 #1 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

After waiting for a very long time for A900, I hold the camera last week. By my surprise, I found the grip was bigger than the grip of Minolta Dynax 7, my current film camera. As a result barely I was able to grab it in my hand, although my fingers were not able to hold it completely. Unfortunately the Sony Manufacturer DID NOT put the hand wrist, otherwise I could hold that grip with hand wrist.
Now, I have two choices:
1) Sell all of my Minolta System and go for Canon EOS 5D, or
2) wait till somebody in Sony RECOGNIZE that not many photographers have a big hands, then try to bring the new models with a smaller grip similar to Minolta Dynax 7.

NOW, I wonder has anybody has the same feeling about the grip of this new camera?
Also I wonder if anybody has a solution for my problem about holding the grip?

Please help me and write your feeling or suggestions.

kombizz, a DISAPPOINTED photographer!!!

Oct 11, 2008 at 10:51 PM

Gary Petersen
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p.1 #2 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

It's the reason I recommend playing with a camera before buying it. If it doesn't feel right in your hands it doesn't matter what the logo says.

Oct 12, 2008 at 01:57 AM

douglasf13
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p.1 #3 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

I agree with Gary. You need to try the camera first. FWIW, you're the first complaint that I've seen about the grip being too big, so Sony probably got it right for most users.

Oct 12, 2008 at 02:00 AM

moire
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p.1 #4 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

kombizz wrote:
After waiting for a very long time for A900, I hold the camera last week. By my surprise, I found the grip was bigger than the grip of Minolta Dynax 7, my current film camera. As a result barely I was able to grab it in my hand, although my fingers were not able to hold it completely. Unfortunately the Sony Manufacturer DID NOT put the hand wrist, otherwise I could hold that grip with hand wrist.
Now, I have two choices:
1) Sell all of my Minolta System and go for Canon EOS 5D, or
2) wait till somebody in Sony RECOGNIZE that not many photographers have a big hands, then try to bring the new models with a smaller grip similar to Minolta Dynax 7.

NOW, I wonder has anybody has the same feeling about the grip of this new camera?
Also I wonder if anybody has a solution for my problem about holding the grip?

Please help me and write your feeling or suggestions.

kombizz, a DISAPPOINTED photographer!!!

deleted

Oct 12, 2008 at 02:12 AM

PhotoMaximum
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p.1 #5 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

I hate to echo the point, but...

There are SO many digital SLR's out there by all kinds of manufactures. There are all the technological differences and specs etc. Then there is ergonomics: how do the controls work and how does it feel etc? How is the balance, weight, metal feel, plastic feel? How is the viewfinder?

All of these are considerations that go into choosing a camera; a big dollar ticket item these days.

You just have to play with the camera first...

Oct 12, 2008 at 02:18 AM

Tariq Gibran
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p.1 #6 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

That's great news about the A900 grip to me as I usually have the opposite issue. Most built in grips are too short in length and not thick enough for my hands and a comfortable hold. You might try the Alpha Grip Belt (Handstrap)

Oct 12, 2008 at 03:12 AM

Kit Laughlin
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p.1 #7 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

I played with an A900 body for a few minutes in a Vancouver store while over here—and all I can say to the OP is that, if this is the case for you, all modern pro DSLRs are going to feel pretty much the same in this regard. It is smaller to hold than the D3 or 5D, and v. slightly chunkier than the D700 (but feels lighter; this may just be an impression).

The Oly range may suit you better. And, this is a serious suggestion, you may care to get some advice from a gym pro about improving your grip strength—and I am not kidding or being sarcastic here. The A900 is a good shape to hold (it's never going to fall out out of your hand) but with a pro. lens on it, you *will* have to hold on to it, no matter what size your hand. Tariq's suggestion is a good one, too: I have wrist straps (and base plates where necessary) on all my cameras.

Can I respectfully suggest that you give it another try? The finder is truly excellent, as are the lenses. Cheers, KL

Oct 12, 2008 at 04:58 AM

Craig Gillette
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p.1 #8 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

I handled one for a while today, with a couple of different lenses, the new 24-70/2.8, my 28-70/2.8 G, the 100-300 APO (D) and a Tokina 400/5.6. I found the feel of the grip quite good, balanced quite well with the two 2.8 lenses. I am 6'2" tall and started out years ago with the SRT-102 so "larger" cameras don't bother me and I'm not sure I'd like the smallest ones although I didn't have any trouble with the KM Maxxum 5.

I would definitely agree with the idea of spending some time with any camera you might be considering because there is variation in size both within a brand and between brands. I think the "full frame" cameras will be in the larger bodies for a while, especially with the Sony as the mirror box needs to be bigger and with the Sony, space is needed to accomodate the anti-shake.

There are some size comparison pictures in the review at Imaging Resources.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA900/AA900A.HTM

Oct 12, 2008 at 05:42 AM

Alf Beharie
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p.1 #9 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

Oct 12, 2008 at 07:57 AM

kkartphoto
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p.1 #10 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

Alf Beharie wrote:

If you had looked at the poor quality pics the A900 produces in the samples posted on various forums, you would'nt have bought one and then you would'nt have been so disapointed with the grip.

I don't know, the images I am now seeing posted on dpreview from people who have received the camera look pretty darn good to me!

Oct 12, 2008 at 11:24 AM

Tariq Gibran
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p.1 #11 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

kkartphoto wrote:
Alf Beharie wrote:

If you had looked at the poor quality pics the A900 produces in the samples posted on various forums, you would'nt have bought one and then you would'nt have been so disapointed with the grip.

I don't know, the images I am now seeing posted on dpreview from people who have received the camera look pretty darn good to me!

I believe that was sarcasm at work there by Alf.

Oct 12, 2008 at 11:51 AM

Avi B
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p.1 #12 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

OP: Go to gym and do pull-ups or weight-assisted pull-ups. It will improve your grip strength so that you can hold these monster cameras.

Oct 13, 2008 at 05:07 AM

hubsand
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p.1 #13 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

I wouldn't like to see the exercise regime that can make your fingers longer . . .

The vertical grip design is also crucially flawed: the camera feels horribly precarious and top-heavy in V-mode. That alone was enough to put me off the A700.

Oct 13, 2008 at 09:13 AM

Beni
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p.1 #14 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

It's a shame though because from the photos it looks substantially better ergonomically (though horribly ugly) than that of, for example, my 5D's VG which is uncomfortable to hold and has the shutter release in exactly the wrong place for the index finger of anyone with non Japanese hands.

Oct 13, 2008 at 12:09 PM

JimGephart
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p.1 #15 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

I held an A900 on Saturday. I agree that the depth of the grip is not the same as the A700 and is not as comfortable. It's probably less than a quarter inch difference in depth, yet it felt less secure to me. It has nothing to do with the weight of the camera, it is how the fingers wrap around the front of the grip. In that regard I am in agreement with you.

Other impressions were that the viewfinder is like looking through a doorway instead of a peephole. Very bright and roomy viewfinder for sure. I also was surprised by the usefulness of the intelligent preview. I thought it was very cool to snap a preview and then adjust my exposure while looking at the end result before I took the actual shot. I don't know about using this in the field, but I think it would make a tremendous studio camera.

Oct 13, 2008 at 01:58 PM

Lotusm50
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p.1 #16 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

My bad. Deleted.

Edited on Oct 13, 2008 at 03:19 PM · View previous versions

Oct 13, 2008 at 02:22 PM

douglasf13
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p.1 #17 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

Lotus, I believe he was speaking of the vertical grip on the 5D. Sony and later Minolta cameras have a lowered shutter release that mirors the shutter position of landscape position ( which is why the grip looks a bit ugly IMO.) It is very comfy, except for Hubsand, who may be the only shooter Ive ever seen complain about it

I do tons of vertical shooting in the studio, and this v grip is probably one of the top 5 things about Sony/Minolta that I like.

Oct 13, 2008 at 03:06 PM

moire
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p.1 #18 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

Well as a conclusion you can say that you are in for a shock when it comes to dSLRs, A900 is the smallest FF camera out there today

( with a small margin only tho )

Oct 13, 2008 at 06:01 PM

Mike V
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p.1 #19 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

Oct 14, 2008 at 02:29 AM

Kit Laughlin
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p.1 #20 · I was very DISAPPOINTED!!

Mike: try the 'Captains of Crush", #s 1–3, or rope climbing, or sledge hammers; they work. The "Powerball" is a gimmick (though not without charm). cheers, KL

Oct 14, 2008 at 04:46 AM


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