FF sensor photos from A900

I'm a happy A900 user.
Having the opportunity to use all my lenses on the new A900 FF sensor is really a joy.

Here is a shot on the view difference btw. FF sensor and APS sensor.
I'm surprise on how much view I missed previously using the A700. Now, I have a wider view with less distortion.

I'm Happy

View from 28mm lens

Sony A900 - noisy?

Well, it depends on the setting.
With the setting indicated here, it's almost noise zero.
Check out these photos at iso3200 and you decide yourself.

My new A900

I decided to grow up with SONY DSLR.. so I made the decision to upgrade my A700 to A900. Got the new DSLR on 24th October 2008. Rightfully this should be an easy decision but due to the pricing of the new A900, it took me a while to decide if it's a good time now to upgrade.







Here is my review on A900.. how does it perform as compare to A700.

Pro..
1. FF - all my lenses are wider now.. (FE lens is fun again) - Got a feeling that I just purchased all those new lenses..
2. Beautiful bokeh.. especially with those beautiful Minolta lenses with great bokeh
3. The grip is better..
4. Camera build - a grown up version of A700
5. AF is better, faster and more accurate
6. Color - jpeg.. a big improvement over A700
7. Micro adjustment - cool to ensure no more FF or BF issues and as well as fine tune lenses (good for those with minolta lenses)
8. Can switch btw APS and FF capture.. great when I need tele..
9. The best is on the photo quality.. zoom to 100% and the details are amazing (Best in DSLR)..
10. Noise.. I like noise at iso 1600 or 6400.. can call me weird guy but i can't take it for no noise photo at these iso.. I like noise on my photos.. like the old film day.
11. 5fps - fine for me.. but again, if it's 8 or 10 for smaller picture file, will be better.
12. Live view.. big deal. The DOF view is good enough.. works as well. No concern for me.
13. Video.. don't need. I'm a photographer.. (if bundle and don't increase price for the cam.. I'm OK)

Cons..
1. pricing.. If only A900 is selling at S$3.5K range (same as the rest..).. it will be selling like hot cakes..

A point to add..
- KM5d - APS sensor - 6 Mpixel - If today Sony release a new 6 Mpixel APS DSLR with iso 250000 and no noise.. Selling the same price as A700.. will you buy?
- A700 - APS sensor.. with 12 Mpixel. (D80/D90 - noise level.. about the same as A700)
- A900 - FF sensor - 24Mpixel (compare this with A700.. pixel density about the same as A700)
- D700/D3 - FF sensor - 12 Mipsel (pixel density same as KM5D).. For FF, it's like back to KM5D technology
- D800 - FF sensor - 24 Mpixel.. (can they get similar clean noise..) - don't know yet.

Those that upgrade to A900.. you should be able to hold on to this cam for the next 2-3 years.. before there is a new cam that can bring the sensor tech to next level.. (It's like those that hold on the Minolta lenses - as compare to current CZ lenses)

confuse.. don't worry. Not important.. focus more on taking photos.

A900 - what's my opinion

Well, I tested the camera during the official launch in Singapore. The camera feels solid and I just like the FF on my current lenses. Photos from A900 seems to be sharper and the details you are getting from this camera is amazing. It should be the best for all DSLR available in the market today. It's so like the film slr day.. I like the camera..
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.
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The only set back is on the pricing. Selling at S$4299, it's now one of the most expensive FF DSLR in the entry level.. D700 is only selling at S$3.5K range and the Canon 5DmkII should be around the same range as D700.. I'll get this camera if it's below S$3.8K range..

A shot with A900

The arrival A900

9th Sept 2008

It's here at last... after more than a year. Sony FF DSLR A900 - the 1st FF DSLR with antishake build in the camera.

Will I get one soon.. sure, why not? Since it's one of the cheapest priced FF DSLR in the market now.

Well.. I'm in Shenzhen today

So, I need to travel again and this time, I'm in Shenzhen.

It's good to have the opportunity to travel to China, Shenzhen and see how this city has developed from my last visit (almost 10 years ago)

What has changed.. population increased, more cars on the road and flats popping up almost everywhere.

I'm here to visit my supplier, Foxconn and when I was in the campus, it's like a small city by itself.

200 buildings in the campus with total employement of 300K !!

They have almost all manufacturing capabilities inside their campus.. amazing. With people, everything is possible.

I'm staying at Kempinski hotel at Nanshan District. Some of the shopping malls around my hotel.

ERP..

A funny way to highlight ERP impact on Singaporean - (click on the video camera on this page), view this Video

China Olympic..

It's one of the BEST show on earth.. If you missed it, make sure you watch it during the delay telecast.
It's so good and amazingly beautiful.

There are so many "How they do that?" questions during the show.. and surprisingly, the answer is simply, it's the people. The people of China.. the efforts that had put in to ensure it's a beautiful and successful show for the rest of the world to enjoy.

The beautiful show from the opening ceremony.

Baseball - The American game

Went to the Baseball game tonight at Durham Bulls baseball stadium.

This is my first time watching the baseball game live.. and there are lots of entertaining activities in between the inning. It's fun and everyone with a beer on their hand and having a good time. For me, I was holding a beer on one hand and the other hand, with my SONY DSLR clicking away.. I had a good time as well.. tiring but enjoyable.

Pontaic - made in USA

A beauty.. indeed (http://wwww23.pontiac.com/solstice)

The Varsity, celebrating 80 years anniversary

On the 1st August, they are celebrating 80 years anniversary. The varsity.. (http://www.thevarsity.com/) - best place for hamburger in Atlanta.

I was there.. ordered the most popular combo meal from the restaurant - 2 sausages with orion rings and a coke.
My verdict - it's nice. The serving does not look that "nice".. but the sausages do taste good.



The longest drive thru ordering for a hamburger place.. ?



Inside the restaurant..

Washington DC, part 2

Continue with places of interest.

White house



Lincoln memorial, I like this photo.. diversity of races.



Korean war.. a war memorial for all the wars.. I think the Iraq memorial will be up soon..



National World War II Memorial, just beside the reflection pool



Washington Monument, this monument is really BIG ! The monument is the world's tallest stone structure, and is the world's second tallest obelisk (behind San Jacinto Monument, in Texas), standing 169.294 meters (555 feet 5⅛ inches) in height and made of mable. granite and sandstone.

Capital of United State of America, Washington DC

Showcase some of the interesting places I visited when I was there in July 2008.
For more photos, please visit my Flickr website, www.flickr.com/photos/eyesthruthelens

At Jefferson Memorial - you should be able to see Jefferson statue standing at the center of the memorial.



Iwo Jima Statue



National gallery of Arts



The National Archives - where you can see the Declaration of Independence



National Museum of Natural History

Largest Aquarium in the world, Georgia Aquarium Atlanta

Well, at last I visited an aquarium with a BIG BIG glass between me and the fishes.. !!!
Georgia Aquarium at Atlanta.
This place is not even near the sea or river.. How they get all those sea water for the fishes..
www.georgiaaquarium.org
"The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world! It has 8 million gallons of fresh and sea water and more than 100000 animals per their website"



The great BIG view.. stayed there for 30 minutes just to admire those big Whale Sharks..
This is one of the must visit attraction when you are at Atlanta.

Steve Penley

I saw his exhibition at Atlanta World of Coca Cola. http://www.stevepenley.com/
His paintings are colorful and bright in color. I like such paintings.



Some of his paintings on display.

A nice restaurant at Raleigh - Mecca

We had our dinner here, the Mecca Restaurant.
This place is so "retro" and from one of the newspaper cut-out on the wall, the restaurant business started from 1930 onwards.. and right now, it's the 3rd generations that runs the place.

The ambiance and display in the restaurant is so.. thirties.. :)

Well, definitely we can't such place in Singapore. I like the place and if you are visiting Raleigh, do drop by this restaurant. Foods served here are reasonable priced and good.. highly recommended.



Entrance.. and inside the restaurant







Look at the cashier.. it's really retro, more retro than IBM POS system :)