Upgrading my body to Sony A500

[noneforit]

Hello

I would like to get into Studio Photography (part time at home etc) and im wondering whether to upgrade my current A200 body to the A500.

Basically the limitations of the A200 are:


No live view
High noise above ISO400
Autofocus doesnt seem to be much cop


The A500 has an upgraded sensor and sample images look better in higher ISO's than the A200.

The upgrade will cost around £350 taking into account selling my A200 with kit lens.

I have a Sigma 28-70mm and am looking to purchase a studio flash kit (a professional as opposed to an entry level one).

My question is.....should I upgrade or would I be better investing in better glass.....or even waiting until Sony release a newer model....aaaaah too many decisions :eek:

[puddleduck]

The A200 is excellent, so if you are not getting good results with it, you might need need to look at your glass first.

Regarding IQ, the A200 is going to produce nicer IQ at low ISOs, better sky (less grainy) with proper base ISO 100. If you are using studio flash, you control the light, so I'm not seeing the high ISO "issue"?

Given your mediocre glass, a Tamron 17-50 f/2,8 or Tamron / Konica Minolta 28-75 f/2.8 is going to do a lot more for you than a body upgrade IMHO at this point in time I think.

[ShawWellPete]

:agree:

For studio stuff it's all about the lights and the glass. The autofocus on you A200 should be fine for studio work and ISO 100 or 200 IQ should be fine too.

[noneforit]

Thanks for the reply

I have got some good shots at low ISO (100 to 400) but anything above this creates an awful lot of noise.

I have got a Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 and it goes give good results.

The only reason I wanted to upgrade would be for better performance at higher ISO's, live view and the Auto HDR that the A500 provides

Plus I want to get into Studio work and I am not sure if the A200 would cut it?

[puddleduck]

Auto HDR is a useless feature IMHO - it just takes two JPEGs in quick sucession, and blends them. Again, as you control the light in the studio, DR should never be a concern, and you will always do better than a gimmicky "auto" feature.

[kevin612]

If you are going to change to A500...why not take a look at my A550..=)

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=202167

But then better to upgrade glass though as A200 is a very good camera and in studio you would go more than ISO 400..
I think should get the KM/Tamron 28-75mm F2.8

[heidfirst]

I agree that for the small extra it's worth looking at the A550 as well as you get a far better rear screen than on the A500 as well as the higher MP sensor & fps.
you can get a new A550 body from RGB (reputable & genuine UK stock) for £520.