Archive for the ‘Hardware’ Category
Sony A500 moderately tested “good” by German C-Net magazine
July 28th, 2010 | 
Author: The german c-net site has tested the Sony Alpha 500 (finally) and awared it with a moderate 3,5/5 stars or 7,3/10 point – please do the math yourself 
. Anyway to sum up the points of the experts below. Feel free to leave your comment
PRO
- good image quality in high ISO ranges
- large movable display
- quick phase detection auto focus (also during live view)
- wireless Flash capable
- high shooting rate
CON
- no video
- strange design and usability
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Lineup of affordable Sony Alpha SAM lenses expanded nicely
As announced today by Sony, the lineup of SAM lenses continues to grow. SAM stands for smooth auto focus motor – a bit of a crooked name with the meaning to indicate the motorization these lenses have without wanting to mix up with the significantly higher values SSM motorization of some G and Zeiss lenses.
However the lineup of SAM lenses is a great and realistic addition to photo enthusiasts not wanting to pay 4-digit Euro amounts for their lenses but sill like to shoot decent pictures.
The previous Lineup of SAM Lenses consisted of:
- DT18-55 SAM
- DT55-200 SAM
- DT50F18 SAM
- DT30M28 SAM
And is NOW extended by
- DT 35 F18 SAM
A very bright but inexpensive fix focal lens – you will be able to achieve greatest blurring effects really manage to make the subject stand out. The focal length however is a little bit strange. however when you look at it. The 54mm on any APS-C Camera (basically all Alphas apart from 850 and 900) are a very classic focal length and make this one a perfect portrait lens. - 85 F28 SAM
In the Zeiss Lineup Sony offers a SUPERB 85mm F1.4 with extreme abilities when it comes to full frame portrait shooting at also superb price. An interesting choice will be the F2.8 version which is also full frame capable. So possible the easy entry to the “real” Zeiss version. Anyone wanting to get used to the great focal length and to portrait brilliance will have a good entry drug before spending the 1.500€ for the Zeiss.
Full specs:
| DT 1,8/35 SAM (SAL35F18) | 2,8/85 SAM (SAL85F28) | |
| For Sensor type | APS-C | Full Frame |
| Focal Length | 35 mm | 85 mm |
| equivalent to APC-C | 54 mm | 130 mm |
| max Aperture | 1,8 | 2,8 |
| Motorization | Smooth-AF-(SAM) | Smooth-AF-(SAM) |
| Lenses / Groups | 6 / 5 | 5 / 4 |
| min. focal distance | 23cm | 60cm |
| max. magnification | 0,25 x | 0,2 x |
| Filter diameter | 55 mm | 55 mm |
| measurements (dia, length) | 70 mm , 52 mm | 70 mm , 52 mm |
| Weight | 170 g | 175 g |
| Distance Encoder | yes | yes |
| available | M/Oct 2010 | E/Sept2010 |
| ERP | 200 € | 250 € |
Sony Alpha NEX-3 and Sony Nex-5 Shoot 3D Photos improve battery life
An all new Firmware update for Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 is availabel at official Support sites for download:
Firmware Sony NEX-3 [ENG] [GER]
Firmware Sony NEX-5 [ENG] [GER]
Next to the previously announced ability to shoot 3D pictures utilizing Sony’s sweep Panaorama function, several further improvements are made available. Probabbly the most usable one (as noone has a 3D capable TV Set at home yet) would be the improved Battery drain whil the beast is switched off. Hopefully this will allow us to enjoy travel without Battery Charger soon…
Full List of improvements:
- 3D Sweep Panorama function has been added;
- Improvement of ‘normal’ 2D Sweep Panorama shooting;
- Decreased power drain when the camera is switched off;
- Quicker start-up in low-light conditions
Sony A290 – Entry class face- or “griplift” of Sony A230?
After Sony was forced to really get into the negative price spiral due to the unacceptably small an strangely shaped grip offering a double zoom kit in Germany for crazy €333, Sony is now making up the mistake with the newly introduced A290. But the better shaped grip is not the only update – perfectly tuned for the price concious DSLR entry without unnecessary gimmicks but useful ones Sony’s A290 seems to be the perfect choice.
Pricing (at launch):
- DSLR-A290L (18-55 mm): €450,00
- DSLR-A290Y (18-55 & 55-200 mm) €650,00
- DSLR-A390L (18-55 mm): €500,00
- DSLR-A390Y (18-55 & 55-200 mm): €700,00
Key features |
DSLR-A390 (α390) |
DSLR-A290 (α290) |
| Image sensor | 14.2 megapixels | 14.2 megapixels |
| Autofocus system | TTL phase detection system; (Centre-cross 9 points) | TTL phase detection system; (Centre-cross 9 points) |
| Auto Exposure system | 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC | 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC |
| Viewfinder | penta-Dach-mirror | penta-Dach-mirror |
| LCD monitor | 6.7cm (2.7-inch) TFT | 6.7cm (2.7-inch) TFT |
| Line view | Quick AF Live View (Pentamirror tilt system) | No |
| Shutter | Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type | Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type |
| SteadyShot | Image-sensor shift mechanism | Image-sensor shift mechanism |
| Built-in flash | Auto pop-up – GN 10 at ISO 100 coverage up to 18mm | Auto pop-up – GN 10 at ISO 100 coverage up to 18mm |
| Drive | Single, Continuous, Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay selectable), Self-timer (Cont.), Remote Commander | Single, Continuous, Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay selectable), Self-timer (Cont.), Remote Commander |
| Interface | USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, PTP), HDMI mini connector (Type C) | USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, PTP), HDMI mini connector (Type C) |
| Power | Approx. 500 images with viewfinder, approx. 230 images in live view mode (CIPA standard) | Approx. 500 images with viewfinder (CIPA standard) |
| Weight | 549g (including battery and Memory Stick Pro Duo) | 508g (including battery and Memory Stick Pro Duo) |
| Dimensions | Approx. 128.1 x 97.1 x 83.5mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions) | Approx. 128.1 x 97.1 x 79.6mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions) |
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Alpha Lens Highlights for 4/3 and Samsung thanks to Novoflex
As alphisti we do not really understand the purpose of shooting memories and other occasions on Samsung and only really rarely on four thirds cameras – especailly since we have the NEX models in our lineup now. BUT what we can understand really well is the fact that our SUPER Lenses such as the brightest 135 F1.8 or other darlings are in the line of desire of owners of Pentax, Samsung, Panasonic or Olympus Cameras.
A german company called Novoflex has a heart for those otherwise rather special customers and offers a €169 adaptor ring to make great Sony / Minolta AF Lenses fit.