Sony alpha A900
- Thread starter Volusian
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- Andy Drake
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I've (just) got one 
And I don't have any lenses (yet!)
The CZ 16-36 / 24-70 are supposed to be amazing - according to many sources the CZ 24-70 in particular is much better on 24 megapixels than the Nikkor 24-70 is on the D3X! Price is about the same in both cases.
My reasons are that I've been corresponding with a few landscape shooters, and frankly the detail from those files - as long as you stay below ISO400 - is mindblowing.
We all know a D700x / D800 is coming, but IMHO given that Nikon seems to think the D5000 is worth £700, christ knows that the D700x / D800 will cost. My bet? £3500 ex VAT. For the savings, getting an A900 (which is cheaper than a D700!) willl pay for the CZ 24-70, assuming my D700x/D800 price prediction is right...
And I don't have any lenses (yet!)
The CZ 16-36 / 24-70 are supposed to be amazing - according to many sources the CZ 24-70 in particular is much better on 24 megapixels than the Nikkor 24-70 is on the D3X! Price is about the same in both cases.
My reasons are that I've been corresponding with a few landscape shooters, and frankly the detail from those files - as long as you stay below ISO400 - is mindblowing.
We all know a D700x / D800 is coming, but IMHO given that Nikon seems to think the D5000 is worth £700, christ knows that the D700x / D800 will cost. My bet? £3500 ex VAT. For the savings, getting an A900 (which is cheaper than a D700!) willl pay for the CZ 24-70, assuming my D700x/D800 price prediction is right...
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Another a900 user here.
A litte lacking in the middle ground, but the top flight CZ lenses work really well with 25MP. Unfortunatly the best glass makes the a900 shine which becomes costly, but even modest glass gives good results.
As 'puddleduck' states, the CZ2470 is a cracking lens, and IQ looks similar to my Sigma 50/1.4 prime even wide open.
There are a number of lens reviews for the Sony mount on Photozone.de, which IMO are pretty honest and reflect my experiences.
A litte lacking in the middle ground, but the top flight CZ lenses work really well with 25MP. Unfortunatly the best glass makes the a900 shine which becomes costly, but even modest glass gives good results.
As 'puddleduck' states, the CZ2470 is a cracking lens, and IQ looks similar to my Sigma 50/1.4 prime even wide open.
There are a number of lens reviews for the Sony mount on Photozone.de, which IMO are pretty honest and reflect my experiences.
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I'm very tempted by the 24-70 but I do tend to avoid large zooms when out walking, as they don't require f/2.8.
I'll probably try to get a Tamron 28-75 first - this one is a stunner on the D700.
How is the Sigma 50mm on the A900? I have the Nikon version and its superb.
I'll probably try to get a Tamron 28-75 first - this one is a stunner on the D700.
How is the Sigma 50mm on the A900? I have the Nikon version and its superb.
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The CZ2470 is a huge beast. When it arrived (to replace my Tam 2875/2.8) I wasn't sure that I wanted to part with my Tamron as I didn't want to lug the CZ around all the time.
The Tamron performs pretty well on the a900. Much better once stopped down, centre seems pretty good but the corners aren't the best. It's not that they are bad, it's just that the a900 is obviously out resolving the lens.
After shooting with the CZ and looking at the images, it was obvious that this really does make the best of the a900. Detail is amazing across the entire frame. It really does feel like you've shot with a prime, and the SSM is very very fast to focus. I would guess the Nikon 2470/2.8 is similar.
At the moment I'm not having to lug my equipment that far, so I did sell the Tamron as I couldn't see myself using it.
The CZ does have a slight issue with bokeh under harsh lighting conditions, but from what I've read this is a common complaint with CZ lenses - sharpness over bokeh, which a why you'll find a number of Sony users choose some of the legacy Minolta G glass.
The Sigma 50/1.4m also great on the a900 and you will be as pleased as you are with the Nikon version. It does a very good job for the money.
I also (I mention this as I know you have one or had one in Nikon mount).... the Tamron 24-135SP....
I had this on the shelf from when I first bought my first dSLR and was keeping it for FF and intended to use this as the kit lens for a while.
I used the lens for a day and decided once I'd opened the files instantly that it really wasn't up to the job (and hence went looking for a replacement and got the Tam28-75). I did see a post from a person at Dyxum who thought it performed reasonable well, and I must admit I didn't print any images taken with the lens, but thought I'd share anyway.
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Brilliant - really informative post
You might have just cost me £1.1k for the CZ 24-70 though
I do have the 24-135 and its great on the D700 (surprisingly so), but wouldn't expect too much on a D3X, so no surprises the A900 trips it up too.
I've got a post up to see if I can trade my Siggy 50mm for the KM fit version, I guess I don't need one per se on the A900, I can't see me doing much low light handheld stuff anyhow...not sure how handheld lowlight would work at that pixel density.
Thanks again for the info