Comments on: Sony A500 and A550 Digital SLR Review: Field Test Report

By: Marinus

Marinus — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 02:02:49 +0000

Just one year later and the A580 has replaced the A550. Bummer, the value of my A550 just halved. On the one hand I’m glad with progress, but this is a bit fast, isn’t it. I’ll just have to sit this one out and enjoy what I have.

By: camera quick release wrist support brace

camera quick release wrist support brace — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:09:45 +0000

Very nice, i have seen people position the monitor closer to the camera on top. you might want to look into this. its alot easier for you to see. or you can place it on the hotshoe on top.
Very good idea! Congratulation!
Thanks for camera quick release wrist support brace.
easy to handle.

By: Brian Ireland

Brian Ireland — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:50:37 +0000

Well I was shopping around and in the process of getting a new camera . Been of the old school of dark room and red light and chemicals. I have opted for the Sony A550. Its on its way to me as I write this.
So one may wonder what has guided my choice. Well the reviews I have looked at for a few weeks before
Deciding. Some may say.
Well it dose not have video capability . Well if I want to shoot Video I would have a camera just for that.
The lack of a depth of field preview I don’t believe its an issue it would be an issue if it was a film camera. But I would ask you to consider that any and all results are instantly available for viewing. Unlike film where the processing was when you found out. So for me its not a worry. But using the right f stops and a little faith in the available technology I believe will give the required results and with practice one should be able to judge without even having to think about it.
The mirror lock up there may be a slight issue but not a biggie.
But the stabilization built into the body is a big plus. It means you can get away with lenses that don’t have it built into them. So it’s a saving when one comes to adding lenses.
For me it seemed the logical choice when one considers the rest of the specifications this camera offers.
So that’s the reason I went for it and reading what the people here say about the A550 it seems I have made a good choice.
So I am eagerly awaiting that knock on the door and then getting to grips with the A550
But I shall be keeping a hand in the old world of film and chemicals dark room and all that goes with it.
My old Mamiya 645 still has a part to play in the art form we call photography
I shall return when I have used the camera myself to let you know if it is as worth waiting on as I believe it is.

Kind regards to all
Brian Ireland

By: wirefresh » Sony Alpha A500L mid-priced dSLR: reviews round up

wirefresh » Sony Alpha A500L mid-priced dSLR: reviews round up — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:54:54 +0000

[...] Photocrati found that the A500 (or the A550) would be a, “fine choice for DSLR novices thanks to the many digicam-style features, but the great versatility and advanced functions make it just as suitable for photo enthusiasts”. [...]

By: PeterKBurian

PeterKBurian — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:00:56 +0000

Well I don’t know why you would want to switch to an entirely different brand, Xenakis.

Granted, you don’t have really expensive lenses (or many of them) but your flash unit was not cheap.

It would cost a lot to replace the lenses and flash. Why not spend the money on an a550 and an extra lens, such as an ultra wide angle 11-18mm?

Peter

By: Xenakis

Xenakis — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:28:18 +0000

In Octobre 2005 I bought a Konica Minolta 5D with the following :
Sigma 18/50 F2.8 DC EX Minolta D
Konica Minolta Flash 5600 HSD
( I had still from my Minolta 7000i a Sigma 100/300 Apo Macro )

My 5D is now broken ( Stabiliser is dead )

Now I’ve got 2 solutions :

buy a Sony Alpha

buy another brand and sell all my equipment

What would you do ?

I had a look at the Sony Alpha 550 … can you recommend it ?

thanks for your help …….

By: PeterKBurian

PeterKBurian — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:11:02 +0000

Good morning, Philippe: No, I have never tried the DXO programme; it’s perhaps more popular in Europe than in North America.

I think you should also try the Trial version of the Phase One Capture One Pro 5 software. See my review also here at Photocrati.

http://www.photocrati.com/phase-one-capture-one-5-pro-review/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+photocrati+%28Photocrati+RSS+Feed%29

Peter

By: Philippe

Philippe — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:08:41 +0000

Thanks Marc & Peter. Always good to have complementary professional advice. Just bought the SAL50F14 & Zeiss SAL2470Z. “Fantastic” is not superlative but its total weight, as you say Marc, is proportionnaly equivalent to the new lightness of my wallet. I will just have to wait a while for the G 70-200 f/2,8. One last question, have you any advice on the DxO programe? Heard it’s the best for correcting RAW files obtained from the A900.
Philippe

By: PeterKBurian

PeterKBurian — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:58:15 +0000

I’m sorry I did not notice these new Comments sooner.

The a850 and a900 obviously have benefits over the a550. Because of the oversized sensor.

Check out my Review of Full Frame DSLRs http://www.photocrati.com/comparison-review-of-full-frame-digital-slrs-canon-eos-5d-mk-ii-vs-nikon-d700-vs-sony-a900/

AND my a850 Review http://www.photocrati.com/sony-alpha-a850-digital-slr-review-field-test-report/

AND my Large vs. Small Sensors — Pro’s and Con’s http://www.photocrati.com/large-vs-small-sensors-pros-and-cons/

I would have suggested the a850 due to its lower price, but if you were able to get the a900 for the same price, great!!!

Peter http://www.peterkburian.com

By: Marc

Marc — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:10:35 +0000

@Philippe: Congratulations with your new A900! To be frank no advice was needed… If I could buy an A900 for the price of a A850 I would not hesitate if I wanted one. The A900 and the A550 cannot be compared (apples and pears) The A900 is a full blown and heavy FF camera to be used with big and heavy FF lenses and the best (Sony) choice for photographers who just want to settle for the best possible 24MP image for A2+ poster printing. The A550 is a rather compact and relatively light DT 1.5 crop DSLR especially when smaller and lighter DT lenses are used. Suitable for photographers who are satisfied whith excellent A3+ results. It is just what you want and need.

The A900 is a very nice piece of machinery with matching CZ lenses, but for my line of work too big and heavy… as are the files it produces…