I've had my A900 for almost 2 years, no wheel problems so far. To think about it, the A900 broke the record of the longest time I have owned a DSLR. I usually get rid of them within one year, but this one I'm still in love with it and actually going to keep it as a back up body when the eventual A950 is released.
edwardkaraa wrote:
I don't know about the A850 but the A900 is smaller and lighter than the D700 but seems equally as sturdy.
I'll have to look into the A900, but that build quality sounds excellent. I thought that the A850 body was the same buy maybe not. I had no idea it was smaller than the D700 though.
The rumour mills are saying that the A950 may still be 16 months away. I'm more interested in new lenses than the body though.
Thanks edwardkaraa, I'm looking at that lens. I'm thinking the 24mm ƒ/2 and the 85mm ƒ/1.4 will make a great kit. When they bring out the ZA 50mm ƒ1/4 I'd get that... If they bring it out...
My one concern in switching to Sony is that it is not clear (to me) that they plan on supporting FF very long. It seems that Sony has been chasing markets right and left and I suspect at some point they are going to evaluate $$$ and decide which ones work and which do not. The A900 and A850 seem like very fine cameras; but they also seem more minolta/konica than Sony. The question I have is will there be updated bodies and/or more zeiss FF lenses ? To be fair the A850/A900 are still relatively new (about same age as the 5d2) so it is a bit early for a new body. Still I have to believe Sony's camera divison is bleeding $$ and they keep expanding into new araes very quickly. Conversely what they do have, while limited seems fairly nice so if it meets your needs then it might not matter what the future holds.
For me personally they did not offer the right lenses (24-70 is a bit too heavy; and nothing between the 24 and 85).
"Sony to expand 35mm large format sensor camcorder lineup"
This was regarding video cameras but one would assume it will also apply to the DSLR line too. Although unreliable, it's rumoured that there is a number of new Zeiss lenses coming for Sony, all of them full frame.
Also - take this for what it's worth but Sony is selling NEX cameras like hot cakes and they are not a small company! Count on them to bring out a jaw-dropping FF camera in the next 12-18 months.
I can't find the 24mm ƒ/2 in stock anywhere but I could get it here from B&H for around $1500 but they don't have stock either.
The 24mm is actually 'only' $1149 USD with an instant rebate. I ordered mine 1 week ago (it's backordered but at that price and with a good exchange rate it was still $300 cheaper than the CDN price).
"Sony to expand 35mm large format sensor camcorder lineup"
This was regarding video cameras but one would assume it will also apply to the DSLR line too. Although unreliable, it's rumoured that there is a number of new Zeiss lenses coming for Sony, all of them full frame.
If this is true it is very good news.
I certainly agree tha Sony will make more 35mm digital cameras. However, it should be mentioned that the new Sony video cameras are super 35, which in the video world is a different size (closer to aps-c size.)
douglasf13 wrote:
I certainly agree tha Sony will make more 35mm digital cameras. However, it should be mentioned that the new Sony video cameras are super 35, which in the video world is a different size (closer to aps-c size.)
Yes, it seems a lot of people are getting confused about this since Sony keeps mentioning Super 35 as a large format sensor - and I suppose it is in the video market - not 70mm large though! Super 35 is a panoramic format that uses the full vertical dimension of traditional 35mm film (vertical between the sprocket holes that is). It is much smaller then the area of FF 35 still image size. I actually really like the format ratio.
Well, apart from Thom Hogan, no one else seems to be claiming that Sony will discontinue the FF sensor cameras. Even Thom himself says there will be at least one more upgrade. That will be good for the next 3-4 years. After that who knows what the future of DSLR will be, many things can happen until then.
OwlsEyes wrote:
I am looking for input from those who have gone this route.
I am wishing to shake things up a bit w/ regards to my gear... searching for inspiration and challenging my thought photographic though processes.
I am a nature photographer w/ some pretty decent Canon gear... see list:
1DsII, 7D, 300 f2.8IS, 17-40L, 70-200 f4L, and 1.4x
I am a bit of a minimalist in the nature photo world, but do pretty well w/ the limited gear that I carry. I follow this approach because I travel and hike extensively w/ my gear and do not wish to be encumbered.
I have been pondering a switch to a Sony body (850 or 900) and 3 good lenses. I shoot all things nature... wildlife, macro, landscape and environmental documentary. I exhibit work in galleries and actively blog (once a week)... see my blog, website and flicker for examples.
I looking for advice from those who have made a similar switch... are you happy? do you wish you went a different way? do you want to switch back?
What do I lose? What will I gain?
thanks for your thoughts and regards,
bruce...Show more →
A900 with 24-70, 70-300G and 100 2.8 Macro is a great choice imo.
Never look back to previous system ! !
Very very happy with Alpha !
Beginning of December 2010, Sony will release the firmware upgrade of A850/900 too !
I wasn't very happy with the 70-300G so I sold it after just 2-3 months of use. Optically it was a decent lens, but I was unable to work with the slow apertures. This lens is unusable in anything but sunny conditions unless you're willing to dial up the iso.
Super 35 is a panoramic format that uses the full vertical dimension of traditional 35mm film (vertical between the sprocket holes that is). It is much smaller then the area of FF 35 still image size. I actually really like the format ratio.