DSLR's Again

[Richard in Smithville]

Wondering if there are any opinions on the Sony Alpha? I have come accross a great deal on body with two lenses( one being a zoom). It all sounds good, and I have found some good reviews on the web but I'm looking for some personal experience.

[gerti]

My BIL went through a number of cameras and now arrived at that one. He really likes it.

[Hellrazor]

I have been looking at DSLR too. My biggest concern is finding a zoom lense for sporting events that doesn't require a mortgage

[cwithboat]

I have been looking at DSLR too. My biggest concern is finding a zoom lense for sporting events that doesn't require a mortgage

My Olympus C-740 has a 10X optical zoom and 3X digital for a total of 30. Problem is it does not have image stabilization so to use the full zoom you really need a tripod. Its been on the market for some time, so it should not be too dear.

[RayintheUK]

No direct experience, Richard, sorry - but it will involve yet another unique lens fitting, won't it? That might restrict adding a lens or two down the road.

Ray.

[Hellrazor]

The image stabilization part is what I am looking into. The better lenses are somewhat expensive. I have been looking at the Nikon D40, they have good balance on features, but the MP rating is a bit lower then the current selection.

[Ed62]

I haven't seriously considered buying a DSLR, and probably won't until the prices drop more. But I sure miss the options I had available with my film SLR. Do all DSLRs have the option to capture in RAW?

Ed

[Whaler]

I have no experience with the Sony Alpha but the reviews are good and there are tons of inexpensive non-stabilized lenses available. The marriage of Sony with Minolta is a plus in my opinion, I shot Minolta 35mm SLRs for years.

I bought a Nikon D-70 about 3 years ago with the Nikor 18mm to 70mm lens and add a 70mm to 300mm Nikor last year. Both lenses are image stabilized and it really spoils you, no more lugging around a tripod. I have been very happy with the Nikon but like most things features are different between brands and no one has them all.

[gerti]

IMHO image stabilization is a must with long lenses. If memory serves me right, one of the neat things with the Sony Alpha is that image stabilization is built into the camera, so it doesn't increase the cost of every lens (IS lenses tend to be expensive). But don't quote me on that without verifying...

[Tom Slick]

I haven't seriously considered buying a DSLR, and probably won't until the prices drop more. But I sure miss the options I had available with my film SLR. Do all DSLRs have the option to capture in RAW?

Ed

I believe all DSLRs have RAW, I certainly wouldn't buy one that didn't have it. I know for sure that all Canons have it. RAW is different for all manufacturers so comaptablity can be an issue with non-OEM software. adobe supports all of the major manuf. as far as I know.

which options are you concerned about with your film camera?

[Whaler]

Here are a couple links that may help. I have found that the reviews on this site are very comprehensive.

Here is the Sony Alpha 200
https://www.steves-digicams.com/2008..._alpha200.html

Here is a link to the complete list of reviews
www.steves-digicams.com/cameras_digpro.html

[poolhound]

I believe all DSLRs have RAW, I certainly wouldn't buy one that didn't have it. I know for sure that all Canons have it. RAW is different for all manufacturers so comaptablity can be an issue with non-OEM software. adobe supports all of the major manuf. as far as I know.

which options are you concerned about with your film camera?

I am also intrigued by what you think you may be missing. A good DSLR has everything a film camera has and more. One thing you get with digital this is just impossible with film is a broad range of "film" speed selectable from shot to shot. If you had a VERY expensive film camara wit hexchangabl;e backs you could have multiples each with a different film but man is that expensive. Medium formtas can do this but for a good one you are talking of starting prices around $10K!!!

[poolhound]

IMHO image stabilization is a must with long lenses. If memory serves me right, one of the neat things with the Sony Alpha is that image stabilization is built into the camera, so it doesn't increase the cost of every lens (IS lenses tend to be expensive). But don't quote me on that without verifying...

I agree about IS its a must have feature. The Sony does have it built in. There has been much debate about wether in camera or in lens systems work best. Most in camera systems can reliably get you an extra couple of stops. Good lens based IS can get you 3 or even 4 sometimes.