got a dslr!

[backalley photo]

arrived today, a sony a300 with a kit lens.

feels big and clunky and sounds very loud.

i think i may be experiencing culture shock as it's not a rangefinder and it's so difference from a rf.

gonna be a while before it feels good in my hand, i think.

joe

[Doug]

I expect so, Joe... I hope the Alpha's setup and menus are logically laid out to minimize your need to refer to them in normal use. Intuitive controls has become the main issue for me, and one reason I chose the Pentax... but I'm afraid I've forgotten how to use it again!

How do you see this fitting into your photographic endeavors?

[mikeg]

Good luck with the A300, Joe. I chose the D40 for logic of menus, buttons and light weight. An advantage of weight and bulk for you, may be
less mirror slap and camera shake. For sure, a Sony must be made well...

[Kin Lau]

Welcome to the club.

Here's something else to look forward to :) http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sonydslra900

[backalley photo]

i went dslr mostly to photograph the dogs. they are too fast for the panasonic.
i am carrying it everywhere for now, to get used to it and see if having such quick access to the finished result changes my shooting style.

the sony seems like a good camera so far.

[Kin Lau]

Great portrait on #1.

A good lens to look out for now, is the 70-200/4, aka "beercan". Very cheap for a constant f4 lens.

You should take a drive out to Elk Island get some shots of the Bison butting heads right now.

[backalley photo]

i have not been out there in years. i prefer my wilderness to have concrete ;).

so, i have been busy, gear wise.
i bought a bnib sigma 28-70/2.8 for 100 bucks.
and today, i stopped off at the local 'classic' camera shop and got a 28/2.8 and 50/1.7, used minoltas for 200 bucks.
not bad eh? 3 lenses for 300 bucks, all faster and constant aperture than the slow kit lens.
still waiting on the sigma to arrive in the very slow mail - it was 3 hours drive away when it left home :)

joe

[backalley photo]

the sigma just showed up. it is very nice and makes the sony kit lens look pretty shabby. it is way more substantial and feels much better put together. of course it's a constant 2.8 so it would be heavier as well.

here's a shot from the 50/1.7 of the guy who sold me the 28 & the 50.

and a quick hip shot from the 28 and a back alley shot from the 28 as well.

joe

[ChrisN]

Nice going, Joe. I like that second shot - well framed and good timing. Was that shot from the hip? The good colours in these are pretty seductive.

[backalley photo]

yes, a hip shot.
i have read that minolta lenses are known for great colour.
that being said, i have the camera set to shoot b&w now.

[ChrisN]

How does it do colour? I do this sometimes with the Pentax, which can give me a RAW file with full colour and a JPEG which is in B&W. Best of both worlds!


Edit: I meant to say "How does it do B&W?" But your answer is good!

[backalley photo]

i like the colours so far but then i rarely shoot colour anymore so it's new to me, again.
i have not tried any raw shots. i need to upload the sony software which i hear is poor.
i don't think my ps elements 6 does raw.

[ChrisN]

I think there's a few options for processing RAW. The Pentax software has a bad rep, too. I'm using Lightroom, and really like it - it makes the adjustments really easy and I'm amazed at the range of adjustment you can do to bring up the details in the shadows.

[backalley photo]

i need to investigate some more.

the sony is becoming more comfortable, i'm even using the sigma 28-70/2.8 more now. it will be more handy in the dark of winter and nice not to have to change lenses with gloves on.
i think i may have a line on a minolta 24, i like the idea of the 24 and fast 50 minoltas for a smaller, lighter package.

[Kin Lau]

i don't think my ps elements 6 does raw.

Elements does RAW quite well. It uses the same RAW engine as the much more expensive CS.

I do 95% of my raw processing with PSE 5.

[backalley photo]

mine doesn't seem to have it kin.
when i try to open a raw file it says it can't do it.
it's a new copy of pse 6 for mac.

[Kin Lau]

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/cameraraw.html

bummer... Adobe Camera Raw doesn't support the A300 yet.

The new version should come out soon, with all the new cameras being released. ACR is a free download.

[backalley photo]

i just down loaded camera raw and it works!
seems the sony a100 is supported so i thought i would try, nothing ventured etc...

kinda cool to have a colour raw and a b&w jpeg (like chris mentioned).

damn, this digital is addictive.
if only there was were a drf that i could afford...

joe

[Kin Lau]

Very cool... glad it's working.

[ChrisN]

...

if only there was were a drf that i could afford...

joe



AMEN to that, brother!

[backalley photo]

maybe someday we will have an affordable drf but for now i am enjoying my sony.
i like the instant gratification of having an image ready to photoshop and add to the web.
and it's kinda funny as i am getting absolutely no difference in reaction from folks on the street. and the sony is LOUD!

[Al Patterson]

Welcome to the DSLR world Joe. I have a Samsung with Pentax mount, but I hear the Sony cameras are pretty good, what with all the KM glass out there.

[ChrisN]

... and it's kinda funny as i am getting absolutely no difference in reaction from folks on the street. and the sony is LOUD!

Now this is interesting. I always feel just as conspicuous even when I'm using a little camera like a Olympus XA. In fact the only time I've been challenged was when using an XA. Just the action of raising that camera to the eye says "Hey everyone - I'm taking a picture!" And being discrete about it somehow makes it suspicious!

With the SLR you are being obvious about what you're doing, and that somehow is more open, less devious, and gives people fair warning and a chance to turn away if they are worried about it.