Sony A65 Review- Alpha Ala TMT

Sony A65 Review- Alpha Ala TMT  (Updated 3-30-2012)
November 2011, Carl Garrard
Sony A65 Best Price Check

 Sony A65 Review: When my hand first wrapped around the Sony A65 I knew it was the medium sized bodied camera I had been wanting from Sony for quite some time- at least in it's size and form factor. I won't be shy to say that I favor medium sized DSLR's (or DSLT's/DTMT's) over typically larger Pro and Enthusiast level DSLR's. I find a medium sized body to be more practical for all day holding yet still fully functional and controllable when using larger lenses. Find out the rest of my thoughts on the A65 next.

Sony A65 Best Price Check

Sony Alpha 500mm G SSM Telephoto Announced

Sony Alpha 500mm G SSM Telephoto Announced
February 2012, Carl Garrard

Today Sony has silently announced the arrival of the 500mm f/4 G SSM Super Telephoto lens for Alpha DSLR's and SLT model cameras. This lens has been on display in various forms at photo trade shows for the last 3-4 years and finally makes it to the production line. Just in time for the new pro camera's coming later on this year, I'd say. This lens marks Sony's commitment to higher end camera models and shows they are more serious about DSLRS/SLT's than all the talk over the last 6 years.  Read on for the full press announcement, or check here for price:
Sony SAL 500mm f/4.0 G Lens

Sony Alpha A57 Review and Thoughts (Updated 9-13 Gallery)

Sony Alpha A57 Review and Thoughts
August 2012, Carl Garard

Sony Alpha A57 Review and Thoughts: Recently I've had the pleasure to use Sony's Alpha A57, after quite a hiatus from using Sony slt/dslr models. The break was needed, I had to detach myself from the EVF/SLR concept Sony were trying to pull off on the market in order to let that concept completely sink in. After the hiatus a few models emerged, and one of them being the A57. To me the A57 is the most mature SLT Sony has brought to the market, with none of the glitches that plagued earlier models and a sensor which, quite frankly, I feel to be superior as an overall design decision than other models.

Prices Sony Alpha SLT-A57

Sony Alpha A99 Preview (Updated Additional Commentary)

Sony Alpha A99 Preview
September 2012, Carl Garrard

Sony Alpha A99 Preview: Today Sony announces the long awaited (and rumored) A900 replacement, the Alpha A99 SLT. The A99 comes in with the same 24mp of resolution as the camera it replaces, but in a completely different form factor, improved weather sealing, a raft of video features, and of course the SLT mirror design. This is Sony's new flagship still image camera for the interim and shows Sony's full commitment to the SLT design with its full lineup now complete with SLT cameras and no traditional DSLR design on the marketplace.


Sony A99 Best Price Check

2011 Enthusiast Camera Review

2011 Enthusiast Camera Review
September 2011, Carl Garrard

Just a quick look back at all the new camera announcements so far this late Summer, starting in July of this year. Here are my initial impressions/rants based on features, timing, and overall value for the money. You're opinions of course may vary. Remember not to take this article too seriously, but read between the lines at the same time!

Auto HDR and Zero Sharpness

Auto HDR and Zero Sharpness
December 2012, Carl Garrard

Even though I think that Sony can improve the Jpeg engine in the A57, there remains a scenario where I still will allow out of camera Jpegs to be used. As the title of this article implies, I like to set my A57 for zero sharpness when using the Jpeg engine, and, use BASE ISO (as much as possible) along with HDR. In a way the Jpegs are three times better than a standard Jpeg considering there is a stack of 3 together into one. Sharpening out of camera, means you control that process almost completely yourself (as the OOC Jpegs at -3 sharpness are very soft indeed and look nearly untouched as seen below).

B & H Photo Excellent A57 Deal

Pentax K5IIs Review Forthcoming

Pentax K5IIs Review- It's forthcoming!
May 2014, Carl Garrard
Pentax makes some kick ass DSLR's, one of them in fact got my DSLR of the Decade award, the highest honor I've ever given any camera, let alone a DSLR- the K5. The K5IIs may be old news (late 2012), especially compared to the much fussed about K3, but it remains a very much capable camera. I've chosen it as a personal purchase to begin a photo project on ravens and crows I'm about to ebark on. Why? Two reasons mainly, it's phenomenal sensor is one of the best in the dynamic range department (14 stops is insane in the digital category at this price), namely the shadow areas, and it's lack of an anti-aliasing filter means more detail on crops. It's improved auto focus will definitely be welcomed as well. It's price right now is like insanely tempting and I couldn't resist it. The bang for the buck factor here is extremely high- bargain hunters you better take notice. I've also got an investment in Pentax lenses and the one's I've chosen are also great performers for the dollar. We'll see if the K5IIs's auto focus improvements live up to their promise with its Safox X af system.

Pentax K-5 IIs Best Price Check

Sony Alpha A700 and A900

Sony Alpha A700 and A900
June 2019, Carl Garrard

Hey original A-Mount photographers... I just wanted to let you know I purchased the A900 and A700 again for my classic budget article series. I was able to get both for under $750 bucks total, and with the original boxes in like new condition (my second time for both cameras). What a deal! I figured it was time to get these cameras again before I can no longer find them in the condition I prefer. These are great additions to my "classic" collection of cameras and both still punch way above their weight. The A700 arrived today, and I updated the firmware to v4 from v3 (which adds excellent features not previously present in earlier versions). So many memories are coming back to me about the A700, the firmware debates and talk...funny how it all came back to me! Man, I almost forgot how good this camera actually is.

Past Sony Reviews

This is a comprehensive link list of all past Sony related reviews I've completed, for your convenience.

Progressive Photography Journal

Progressive Photography Journal
March 2011, Carl Garrard

Hello all. Welcome to my progressive photography journal. I'll be updating this journal as I take new photographs that I feel are worth sharing with my readers. Camera equipment and photography mediums will both vary as desired, and be reflected with each photograph. The purpose, or I should say goal- of this photo journal is to share with readers my recent photographic work and techniques, with hopes that it might even help to inspire others to stay active and invigorated about photography.

Canon EOS 50D DSLR Review- Final

Canon EOS 50D DSLR Review- Final
June 2012, Carl Garrard
Canon EOS 50D Review- Final: Canon has quite a few good DSLRS on the market dating back to as far as 2003 as far as I'm concerned, which gives the DSLR shooter on a budget a lot of options at a much lower price than modern DSLR bodies. Canon's 50D is one such DSLR, and one in which I feel after looking back on comments (and withdrawing from memory) got a bad rap far more than it should. Comparing the 50D to today's DSLR's on specifications and you might find it has a lot more in common with them than you think a DSLR announced in August of 2008 should. This is one loaded DSLR with lots of resolution and features that, on paper at least, stands up quite well with today's newest DSLRS on the market- even against Canon's own EOS 7D (which is again about to be replaced). I've written much more detail in this final review than my initial impressions article, so read on if you'd like.
Canon EOS 50D 15.1MP DSLR Current Price Check

Goods For The Original "A" Mount

Goods For The Original "A" Mount
February 2013, Carl Garrard

 Well it looks like the original Sony A-Mount also gets some attention this year, with two new full frame lenses (one completely new, one is version II), and a new version of the kit lens in APS-C only.  Not only that, but a new Alpha SLT body comes too, also a refresh, in the shape of the A57 now dubbed the A58 SLT from Sony. Only one of the three lenses is actually all new in the lineup, but one that could very well become the most popular lens in the Alpha Mount lens lineup yet- the new Sony Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM. SONY DSLRS AT B&H





SONY DSLR BARGAINS

Upcoming Sony A99

Predictions: This camera may not be the high performance camera many are hoping for in terms of speed of frame rate or buffer capability- probably similar to the A77 on the latter. Likely the rumor of 24mp will indeed be true, but I also think the ISO level will not be very high at all- definitely not the 102K or even 51K ISO level.
Sony SLR/SLT Best Prices


 

Sony A-Mount: Single Lens Translucent is Still Relevant

Sony A-Mount: Single Lens Translucent is Still Relevant
May 2019, Carl Garrard

Our camera market continues to settle down into what it will become for the future. Like many of you, I was there during its meteoric rise that occurred before smart phones became more common place as everyday imaging devices. And like many of you, I've seen the digital camera market go through quite a few interesting phases after the year 2000. And through all that, I believe that we are now finally at the last stage of what the digital camera market will go through. Today, we have more than enough digital solutions available to us to accomplish our personal and professional photographic goals. As we all should know by now, digital cameras aren't the #1 choice for the majority of personal photography needs anymore. However, DSLR's, DSLT, and Mirrorless all have a place in the market and fill specific needs for dedicated photographers, and all three are necessary.

Sony Alpha A600 Coming? (Updated 3-06)

(Not an actual A600 image, obviously)

Recently I received information from an apparently well informed gentleman about an upcoming A600 DSLR from Sony. I'm not normally in the rumor business here but I wanted to share this with readers mainly because of the source of the rumor. I also think it's directly related to a highly debated topic and therefore newsworthy. Yes this is about an actual DSLR rumor, not a rumor about an SLT model. This person who shared this information has given me inside (and secret) information in the past, but has not contacted me in about 2 years.

Sony Alpha A200- Re-Review

Sony Alpha A200- Re-Review
July 2013, Carl Garrard

Sony Alpha A200: Re-Review- Introduction: Yep that title is correct. I'm reviewing this camera all over again, but why? Well, that's easy. My first review of the A200 just flat out sucked. Yep, I said it, and have no qualms about admitting it. I've learned a lot since I've reviewed the A200 the first time and  picked one up for next to nothing used in like new condition from an excellent seller on ebay. After spending a couple months with it (again) I realized that there were a lot of good things about this camera that I missed or didn't emphasize in a way they should have been for A-Mount readers. Lets take another (short) trip with the A200.




Sony Alpha A200 Used Price Search