Just got my Sony A77

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...and I don't know which button to press or picture to take first. I was very anti having had an an excellent A580 for over a year. Playing with the EVF and other features is just not the same in store as getting one at home. Didn't like the EVF at all but having taken the gamble and playing with mine for a few hours I see what all the fuss is about. I love it. The info it gives, the live view as you change settings and boy...those focus points and the speed in getting focus is amazing.

Focus peaking is just amazing and the detail in shots is as well. Looking for some new glass although my Sony 16-105 seems to be doing a good job. As soon as I learn how to turn it on :bonk::lol::lol: I'll post some pictures. but anythong thinking of taking the plunge...just go for it and you won't regret it :)
 
Congrats. I have had the Sony A77 for a while now and I absolutely love it. Even though I've just invested in a D700 to go FF, I will keep my Sony for more casual use.

The EVF is certainly a godsend and this will actually be something I will miss dearly when my D700 arrives tomorrow. To be able to get an accurate exposure simply by looking into the screen makes life so much easier.

The other week we were taking photos of water droplets and the combination of focus peaking and focus magnification made it a doddle to do.
 
Thanks...I'm getti9ng a Sony 16-50 f2.8 later in the week and so looking forward to it.

One thing that surprised me was the size and weight is just perfect. And I thought the A580 was spot on. The A77 looked so big in the shops but in reality its almost the ideal size and weight...at least for me.

I'll accept the slight compromise above 1600 as I dorarely shoot that high but as someone pointed out to me it can be fixed in PP.....
 
Thanks...I'm getti9ng a Sony 16-50 f2.8 later in the week and so looking forward to it.

One thing that surprised me was the size and weight is just perfect. And I thought the A580 was spot on. The A77 looked so big in the shops but in reality its almost the ideal size and weight...at least for me.

I'll accept the slight compromise above 1600 as I dorarely shoot that high but as someone pointed out to me it can be fixed in PP.....
My camera buddy has the a77 and 16-50 its a cracking combo its a lovely lens.
 
Now if only Sony had some decent telephoto lenses...

I have a quite lovely Sony 70-200/2.8 and a Minolta 300/4 which is extremely sharp (and being a Minolta lens from the 1990s has the usual fabulous Minolta colours). I don't have the Sony 70-400 but that is very highly regarded as well.

What focal length are you struggling to cover?
 
I don't do a lot of long zoom work to be fair. My current 16-105 does me pretty well but I guess eventually I will look out for something that extends that to say 200 and maybe a bit more but an f4 or less......big bucks and probably a large lens I know
 
Well, the Sigma 100-300 f4 is well regarded - probably the cheapest that covers what you want, assuming you can get one.

The next step up would be a Tamron or Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, and if you're feeling rich the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 is the way to go!
 
Nice one Gazza...shame it's a Sony though ;)
 
I never liked you Darren....but then you knew that :eek::lol::lol::lol:

But yes....I've very pleased with it. As good as the A580 was...and it was very good... I love all the features and have been surprised by how quickly I've taken to the EVF...prefer it in fact.

i like the 2.8 lenses but they are big of course. I guess I need to have a good look and handle them all first. But the Sigma always gets good comments so I'll keep an eye out for one. Cheers guys
 
I have a quite lovely Sony 70-200/2.8 and a Minolta 300/4 which is extremely sharp (and being a Minolta lens from the 1990s has the usual fabulous Minolta colours). I don't have the Sony 70-400 but that is very highly regarded as well.

What focal length are you struggling to cover?

Anything above 400mm...and prime. Sony have had a 500mm f/4 in the works for many years, don't know if/when it will become a reality but at what cost?

You can (fairly) easily pick up 300/400/500mm lenses for both Canon and Nikon. However if you don't need long lenses I am sure it is a mighty fine camera in all other respects.

Out of interest does the Minolta 300mm f/4 have AF?
 
Sony have had a 500mm f/4 in the works for many years, don't know if/when it will become a reality but at what cost?
been out for a few months but it'll cost you ~£10K
Or you can get a Sigma 500/4.5 for a lot cheaper (or indeed a Minolta 600/4)

Out of interest does the Minolta 300mm f/4 have AF?
If you mean the Minolta AF 300/4 HS-APO G then, yes ;)
 
However if you don't need long lenses I am sure it is a mighty fine camera in all other respects.

Of course, with 24Mp on an APS-C sensor you have a fair bit of cropping potential, meaning you can work with shorter lenses if you have to.
 
I don't do a lot of long zoom work to be fair. My current 16-105 does me pretty well but I guess eventually I will look out for something that extends that to say 200 and maybe a bit more but an f4 or less......big bucks and probably a large lens I know

You may want to look at the Minolta beer can. It's a bit of a cult lens which can be picked up from ebay for around £100 give or take. 70-210 f4. The focus motor is a little noisy but it's quick and sharp. Given the price I don't think you can find anything better value. Being f4 means it's also nowhere near as big as f2.8 lenses.

I loved mine until I upgraded to a f2.8 lens. It now sits languishing in my kit box. Keep meaning to sell it but can't bear to part with it.
 
The Sony SAL70300G is a good mid priced telephoto that can be bought second hand for around the £450-500 mark, this is my walk about lens 99% of the time, and coupled with the A77 is superb and sharp even at full focal length?

A couple of sample shots below!

300mm f/5.6 800 ISO and 1/320 speed! (Shutter-priority)


DSC02403 by mufftrix (Mick), on Flickr


300 mm f/5.6 400 ISO and 1/500 speed! (Aperture-priority)



DSC02041 by mufftrix (Mick), on Flickr
 
Very nice indeed. As you say sharp as can be...very impressive and would seem ideal for the enthusiast level TOG
 
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