Jump to content

Recommended Posts

I am a very proud and happy user of Sony’s amazing A99 camera and have a full frame lens set ranging from 12mm to 200mm plus a TC that will take it to 400mm.  At present I have an RX100, series 1, as a second camera but I am looking at getting a backup body for my A99 now that it is out of warranty and I use it on a regular basis.

 

I have thought about waiting to see what Sony’s has in store on the A mount full frame side but also I am considering either another A99, something second hand or an A7 or mirrorless series with adapter.  I have two ZA lenses and two Sigma's. I would be interested to hear the points of view from other forum members with regard to options and what they would do.

 

Cheers

 

Si

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am very proud of all pictures I make with my Alpha 99, but as a second camera I use an Alpha 77. Very quickly , I could see that in fact they can be complementary.

First, sometimes you must  "go light". An Alpha 99 with some lenses, a Flash and ... can be heavy. You can do with the Alpha 77 and better with the 77 M II. In state of a big tele lens, you can have a lighter one...

Second , for portraits, I prefer the 77, that's a question of taste;

Third, versatility: the 77 without lens does not take a large place in your bag and with another lens of your bag, you can have two cameras dedicated for two sorts of pictures and ready to use for different subjects. F.E: one for birds or animals and  one for landscapes . Each time you dont need to change the lens.
If Sony does not give a successor for the A 99, either  I will have to do like my son and go to Nikon or Canon (with a large second hand lenses market), or I will buy an A77 MII and keep my A99 as long as possible. With all lenses I could buy since 1989, I would prefer the second solution, but exclude turning to the FE system

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am very proud of all pictures I make with my Alpha 99, but as a second camera I use an Alpha 77. Very quickly , I could see that in fact they can be complementary.

First, sometimes you must  "go light". An Alpha 99 with some lenses, a Flash and ... can be heavy. You can do with the Alpha 77 and better with the 77 M II. In state of a big tele lens, you can have a lighter one...

Second , for portraits, I prefer the 77, that's a question of taste;

Third, versatility: the 77 without lens does not take a large place in your bag and with another lens of your bag, you can have two cameras dedicated for two sorts of pictures and ready to use for different subjects. F.E: one for birds or animals and  one for landscapes . Each time you dont need to change the lens.

If Sony does not give a successor for the A 99, either  I will have to do like my son and go to Nikon or Canon (with a large second hand lenses market), or I will buy an A77 MII and keep my A99 as long as possible. With all lenses I could buy since 1989, I would prefer the second solution, but exclude turning to the FE system

Hi Bernard,

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond.  If it was not for the fact that I want to stay Full Frame only I would consider the A77II as it looks like a very good camera.

 

Kind regards

 

Si

Link to post
Share on other sites

Frankly speaking I believe that your second camera (RX 100) is a very good choice, I'm not sure if you need a third one.

 

But if you think you do, I believe that your best bet would be A mount rather than E mount considering you already own A mount lenses. I think the adaptor to use them in E mount is pretty cumbersome. On the other hand you already own the best camera of A mount (99) so not sure what I can suggest you in that mount. :) Obviously every other A mount camera will be inferior to your A99.

 

A99 is also a pretty solid and durable camera so I'd doubt you'll have any problems with that even if you shoot very heavily so maybe you can stick with your current set? :)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Frankly speaking I believe that your second camera (RX 100) is a very good choice, I'm not sure if you need a third one.

 

But if you think you do, I believe that your best bet would be A mount rather than E mount considering you already own A mount lenses. I think the adaptor to use them in E mount is pretty cumbersome. On the other hand you already own the best camera of A mount (99) so not sure what I can suggest you in that mount. :) Obviously every other A mount camera will be inferior to your A99.

 

A99 is also a pretty solid and durable camera so I'd doubt you'll have any problems with that even if you shoot very heavily so maybe you can stick with your current set? :)

I always admire a frank opinion and thank you for taking the time to reply.  I agree the RX100 is a cracking little camera but it does have the focal range I need but one vote for staying with what I have.

 

Cheers

 

Si

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've been using the A99 since it came out and it must be over 50,000 frames. It works like a charm and I have to admit that I have not used my back-up a900 since I have it...

I've been toying with the idea of a smaller camera for exhausting trips and it will be the RX 100 III once I replace my ageing Minolta 28-70mm G series lens (can't buy everything at the same time anymore... Going to the Paris Salon de la Photo tomorrow and hope to pick one up there.) But now of course, we learn that Sony might be coming out with a new sensor in a couple of years... So what will the A99 replacement look like ????

Signed, an ageing member...

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, back from the "salon"; two things I picked up

 

1) If I were to get a new camera, it would be the "old" RX100 I (full frame and 35mm lens); its perfect for street photography.

 

2) I won't replace my old Minolta 28-70 G series lens. The guys at Sony checked it and it works like a charm. They told me it is a beautiful lens. Then I visited an outfit at the exhibit that deals in second hand lens; they offered me €680 for it (I bought it in 1993 !). I am keeping it and instead of buying a Zeiss, will probably get the RX100 I for Christmas...

 

Si, should you really need a second back up, get a second hand a99 !

Link to post
Share on other sites

will probably get the RX100 I for Christmas...

IMHO, you should consider RX100 mk2 or mk3 over mk1. They are basically same camera with same sensor size but mk1 sensor is a regular CMOS sensor while mk2 & mk3 sensor is backlighted. In my experience backlighted CMOS makes a REALLY big difference in low light and high ISO. Even though mk3 is a bit pricey over mk1 due to being new, mk2 is as reasonably priced. So I say go with mk2 at the least.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, back from the "salon"; two things I picked up

 

1) If I were to get a new camera, it would be the "old" RX100 I (full frame and 35mm lens); its perfect for street photography.

 

2) I won't replace my old Minolta 28-70 G series lens. The guys at Sony checked it and it works like a charm. They told me it is a beautiful lens. Then I visited an outfit at the exhibit that deals in second hand lens; they offered me €680 for it (I bought it in 1993 !). I am keeping it and instead of buying a Zeiss, will probably get the RX100 I for Christmas...

 

Si, should you really need a second back up, get a second hand a99 !

 

 

IMHO, you should consider RX100 mk2 or mk3 over mk1. They are basically same camera with same sensor size but mk1 sensor is a regular CMOS sensor while mk2 & mk3 sensor is backlighted. In my experience backlighted CMOS makes a REALLY big difference in low light and high ISO. Even though mk3 is a bit pricey over mk1 due to being new, mk2 is as reasonably priced. So I say go with mk2 at the least.

 

Thanks I would not give up my RX100 for love or money that is for sure.  I think I might wait and see what Sony brings out next year before taking the plunge.  The A99 will be even cheaper then. Marc were you referring to the RX1 with the fixed 35mm lens, not considered that one?  :)

 

Si

Link to post
Share on other sites

Mmmm..; The guys at Sony were telling me the sensor on the RX 100 mk1 is the same full frame as on the a99 and that it is head and shoulders above the mk2 & 3: I must admit I haven't looked into the specs; time I did...

Thanks

Marc

I think you are confusing RX1 with RX100.

 

RX1 is a compact camera with Full Frame sensor and prime lens (no zoom).

 

RX100 is a compact camera with 1 inch sensor and zoom lens. It has make 1, 2, and 3.

 

I suggested make 2 or 3 of RX100 over make 1 because you wrote you are going to buy RX100 but I guess what you meant is RX1. ;)

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Frankly speaking I believe that your second camera (RX 100)

is a very good choice, I'm not sure if you need a third one.

 

But if you think you do, I believe that your best bet would be

A mount rather than E mount considering you already own

A mount lenses. I think the adaptor to use them in E mount is

pretty cumbersome. .........  

  

You *think* the adapter is cumbersome ? Are you saying

"I've tried it and it strikes me as cumbersome" ? Or are

you just thinking that it's cumbersome and then sharing

your thoughts on it ? 

 

As a regular user of the SLT-AF adapter, I don't find it at

all cumbersome .... despite its weird appearance, which

certainly invites untested opinions that it just *must* be  

cumbersome. It's actually rather ergonomically sound !

  

That said, I'd suggest an A7 series body with the above   

adapter as back-up and companion to an A99. The A7

body opens up many possibilities denied to the A99 [via

the E-mount's short flange distance] and it also hedges

your bets concerning the ultimate fate of the A-series. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...