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Fun with the A99!

etrigan63

etrigan63

Active member
Well, my A99 is on a UPS truck somewhere in Miami. I picked up a spare battery at my local dealer (who now carries the full Sony lineup) but they did not have any chargers at the moment. A little hunting came up with this from Amazon:

Polaroid Double (Dual) Battery Charger



$29 for those of you investing in the battery grip and extra batteries.
 
etrigan63

etrigan63

Active member
Got my A99 last night. Wanted to try some low light images and here are the results. Today I will post more test shots.



 
F

fotografz

Well-known member
petetsai said:
If I had to shoot weddings with Sony I'd for sure have an a99. The DR gains alone will be able to salvage things you wouldn't consider with the a900. Also for anyone looking to buy Sony Style store has a sale for Black Friday, its $2799 for the a99 and you get a free 32" flat panel sony TV! Ends today I think.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I don't have DR issues with the A900. What I need is about 2 stops more ISO reach without the attendant noise and color shifts. Salvaging images is a luxury I simply don't have.

Thanks for pointing out the TV deal. Unfortunately, the Sony Store adds $200 in tax over B&H, and the TV isn't worth much more than that. I believe B&H has a free storage card with their's.

-Marc
 
F

fotografz

Well-known member
etrigan63 said:
Got my A99 last night. Wanted to try some low light images and here are the results. Today I will post more test shots.



Click to expand...
No exif information ... it's been stripped from the images.

What ISO and color settings? The downspout looks like it's gaining magenta ... not good for skin tones. The wind-chimes shot seems to have blown the highlights ... not good for wedding dresses.

-Marc
 
etrigan63

etrigan63

Active member
Sorry about that Marc. I think my Picasa uploader stripped the EXIF.

Here is the EXIF for the downspout image:
Make: SONY
Model: SLT-A99V
Exposure Time: 1/60
F Number: f / 1.4
Exposure Program: Aperture-priority AE
ISO Speed Ratings: 1600
Date Time Original: 2012:11:27 00:48:23
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focal Length: 50.0 mmmm
Color Space: Uncalibrated
White Balance: Auto
LensInfo: 50mm f/1.4
LensModel: 50mm F1.4
Lens: 50mm F1.4
JFIFVersion: 1.01
Resolution Unit: inches
X Resolution: 300
Y Resolution: 300
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.3 (Macintosh)
Date and Time (Modified): 2012:11:27 02:02:41
Artist: Carlos Echenique
YCbCr Positioning: Centered
Copyright: Carlos Echenique Photography
Sensitivity Type: Recommended Exposure Index
Recommended Exposure Index: 1600
Exif Version: 0230
Date and Time (Digitized): 2012:11:27 00:48:23
Components Configuration: Y, Cb, Cr, -
Brightness Value: -2.7171875
Exposure Bias: 0
Max Aperture Value: 1.4
Light Source: Unknown
Flashpix Version: 0100
Focal Plane X Resolution: 255.3191528
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 255.3191528
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: mm
File Source: Digital Camera
Scene Type: Directly photographed
Custom Rendered: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio: 1
Focal Length (35mm format): 50 mm
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Contrast: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
GPS Version ID: 2.3.0.0
GPS Status: Measurement Void
GPS Map Datum: WGS-84
GPS Differential: No Correction
Compression: JPEG (old-style)
Thumbnail Offset: 1106
Thumbnail Length: 12222
: 4
: 2012:11:27
: 00:48:23-05:00
Digital Creation Date: 2012:11:27
Digital Creation Time: 00:48:23-05:00
: Carlos Echenique
Copyright Notice: Carlos Echenique Photography
Copyright Flag: True
XMPToolkit: Image::ExifTool 8.84
Creator City: Miami
Creator Country: USA
Creator Address: 13120 SW 4 ST
Creator Postal Code: 33184
Creator Region: FL
Creator Work Email: [email protected]
Creator Work Telephone: 305.219.2433
Creator Work URL: Echenique dot com
Tagged: False
Image Number: 11
Lens ID: 44
Creator: Carlos Echenique
Format: image/jpeg
Rights: Carlos Echenique Photography
Prefs: Tagged:0, ColorClass:0, Rating:0, FrameNum:000011
History: HASH(0x7fe1343f6878), HASH(0x7fe1343f69f8)
Creator Tool: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.3 (Macintosh)
Metadata Date: 2012:11:27 02:02:41-05:00
Derived From Document ID: 7673E229EA950D065E3C855CBC5B9ACD
Derived From Original Document ID: 7673E229EA950D065E3C855CBC5B9ACD
Document ID: xmp.did:ff82616b-18b9-4c03-99f3-2f50b186afb5
History Action: derived
History Parameters: saved to new location
History Changed: /
History Instance ID: xmp.iid:ff82616b-18b9-4c03-99f3-2f50b186afb5
History Software Agent: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.3 (Macintosh)
History When: 2012:11:27 02:02:41-05:00
Instance ID: xmp.iid:ff82616b-18b9-4c03-99f3-2f50b186afb5
Original Document ID: 7673E229EA950D065E3C855CBC5B9ACD
Marked: True
Usage Terms: All Rights Reserved
Viewing Cond Illuminant: 19.6445 20.3718 16.8089
Viewing Cond Surround: 3.92889 4.07439 3.36179
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type: D50
Measurement Observer: CIE 1931
Measurement Backing: 0 0 0
Measurement Geometry: Unknown (0)
Measurement Flare: 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant: D65

Here is the EXIF for the windchime:
Make: SONY
Model: SLT-A99V
Exposure Time: 1/30
F Number: f / 1.4
Exposure Program: Aperture-priority AE
ISO Speed Ratings: 3200
Date Time Original: 2012:11:27 00:50:00
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Focal Length: 50.0 mmmm
Color Space: Uncalibrated
White Balance: Auto
LensInfo: 50mm f/1.4
LensModel: 50mm F1.4
Lens: 50mm F1.4
JFIFVersion: 1.01
Resolution Unit: inches
X Resolution: 300
Y Resolution: 300
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.3 (Macintosh)
Date and Time (Modified): 2012:11:27 02:02:50
Artist: Carlos Echenique
YCbCr Positioning: Centered
Copyright: Carlos Echenique Photography
Sensitivity Type: Recommended Exposure Index
Recommended Exposure Index: 3200
Exif Version: 0230
Date and Time (Digitized): 2012:11:27 00:50:00
Components Configuration: Y, Cb, Cr, -
Brightness Value: -4.475
Exposure Bias: 0
Max Aperture Value: 1.4
Light Source: Unknown
Flashpix Version: 0100
Focal Plane X Resolution: 255.3191528
Focal Plane Y Resolution: 255.3191528
Focal Plane Resolution Unit: mm
File Source: Digital Camera
Scene Type: Directly photographed
Custom Rendered: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio: 1
Focal Length (35mm format): 50 mm
Scene Capture Type: Standard
Contrast: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
GPS Version ID: 2.3.0.0
GPS Status: Measurement Void
GPS Map Datum: WGS-84
GPS Differential: No Correction
Compression: JPEG (old-style)
Thumbnail Offset: 1106
Thumbnail Length: 10548
: 4
: 2012:11:27
: 00:50:00-05:00
Digital Creation Date: 2012:11:27
Digital Creation Time: 00:50:00-05:00
: Carlos Echenique
Copyright Notice: Carlos Echenique Photography
Copyright Flag: True
XMPToolkit: Image::ExifTool 8.84
Creator City: Miami
Creator Country: USA
Creator Address: 13120 SW 4 ST
Creator Postal Code: 33184
Creator Region: FL
Creator Work Email: [email protected]
Creator Work Telephone: 305.219.2433
Creator Work URL: http://www.echenique.com
Tagged: False
Image Number: 12
Lens ID: 44
Creator: Carlos Echenique
Format: image/jpeg
Rights: Carlos Echenique Photography
Prefs: Tagged:0, ColorClass:0, Rating:0, FrameNum:000012
History: HASH(0x7fcfb3c8e338), HASH(0x7fcfb3c8e4b8)
Creator Tool: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.3 (Macintosh)
Metadata Date: 2012:11:27 02:02:50-05:00
Derived From Document ID: B5AC2FF5E96FE171ECF648E12A672B42
Derived From Original Document ID: B5AC2FF5E96FE171ECF648E12A672B42
Document ID: xmp.did:14132871-bb4b-4644-aace-3b76dd624368
History Action: derived
History Parameters: saved to new location
History Changed: /
History Instance ID: xmp.iid:14132871-bb4b-4644-aace-3b76dd624368
History Software Agent: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.3 (Macintosh)
History When: 2012:11:27 02:02:50-05:00
Instance ID: xmp.iid:14132871-bb4b-4644-aace-3b76dd624368
Original Document ID: B5AC2FF5E96FE171ECF648E12A672B42
Marked: True
Usage Terms: All Rights Reserved
Viewing Cond Illuminant: 19.6445 20.3718 16.8089
Viewing Cond Surround: 3.92889 4.07439 3.36179
Viewing Conditions Illuminant Type: D50
Measurement Observer: CIE 1931
Measurement Backing: 0 0 0
Measurement Geometry: Unknown (0)
Measurement Flare: 0.999%
Measurement Illuminant: D65
 
Bill Caulfeild-Browne

Bill Caulfeild-Browne

Well-known member
fotografz said:
Thanks for the info Bill.

Can you shut off the EVF review of a shot in the viewfinder separate from the LCD? I do chimp the LCD once in a while ... mostly when first entering a room ... but there isn't time for that during most of the wedding shoot.

Marc
Click to expand...
No, I'm afraid not. Whatever review time you select applies to both EVF and LCD.

But one press of an "arrow" button next to the LCD gives you instant review.

Bill
 
F

fotografz

Well-known member
It appears that the A99 IQ is world class, and will get better as people figure out the post processing techniques best suited for this specific camera ... which is always the case anyway.

I've read a number of other reviews where I can find them, and have come to the conclusion that while an excellent camera, it may not be the right tool for my specific applications.

One of the largest users of 35mm DSLRs is the wedding photography industry. Not only do we buy 2 or three of everything, the full time pros blow through cameras at a ferocious rate. Same for photographers of amateur sports ... it is not unusual for a sports photographer friend of mine to shoot 5,000+ shots on a week-end of team coverage.

Sony has not penetrated these markets to any degree worth mentioning. I seriously doubt they will by following the EVF only philosophy. Canon and Nikon will dominate these application markets because they wisely retained the OVF in their flag-ship and Prosumer cameras used by these industries.

This direction of Sony bums me out no end. The A900 has a world class OVF, and a superbly thought out interface. The only draw back being the higher ISO performance. In the end it was the AF Zeiss lenses that lured me to Sony ... and now I may have to abandon the system ... a prospect I do not relish since swapping systems is a real nightmare.

Looks like the A900 may have to do for another season, or a Canon 1DX is in my future. Sigh.

Many thanks to all those who answered my inquiries.

-Marc
 
Steen

Steen

Senior Subscriber Member

fotografz said:
(...) This direction of Sony bums me out no end. The A900 has a world class OVF, and a superbly thought out interface. The only draw back being the higher ISO performance. In the end it was the AF Zeiss lenses that lured me to Sony ... and now I may have to abandon the system ... a prospect I do not relish since swapping systems is a real nightmare. (...)
Click to expand...

Marc, don't you think there will soon be a 36 Mp Sony DSLR flagship with an old-fashioned Optical Viewfinder to further separate from the 24 Mp A99 model ?
After all Sony made the 36 Mp sensor for Nikon as far as I know, so why wouldn't they make the ultimate flagship model with this sensor for their own line-up ?
Just like Nikon's two 24Mp (D600) and 36Mp (D800) FF models respectively.
Just my personal guess.
 
M

MikalWGrass

New member
Marc,

Love the word "ferocious." High iso shots of stationary subjects isn't the true test of the camera for me. I want to see high iso shots of kids moving around at high speeds in crappy lighting before I take the plunge.

Personally, I think I may be able to live with the a900's noise at 6400 for a long while, considering that most of my son's water polo games (he is 7 and plays with the 12 and unders) are during the day so I can set the iso to 200. What matters more during the day is a good long lens, so I am thinking at getting the Minolta 200/2.8 for more reach as the 135/1.8 doesn't cut it.

I also downloaded LR 4, which seems to make my photos pop more. Either that or the more I shoot water polo players, the better my shots are getting.

Finally, and this is a bit unrelated, who knew that 12 and under water polo players talk trash :cussing: like adults? Opened my eyes. :bugeyes:
 
etrigan63

etrigan63

Active member
MikalWGrass said:
Marc,

Love the word "ferocious." High iso shots of stationary subjects isn't the true test of the camera for me. I want to see high iso shots of kids moving around at high speeds in crappy lighting before I take the plunge.

Personally, I think I may be able to live with the a900's noise at 6400 for a long while, considering that most of my son's water polo games (he is 7 and plays with the 12 and unders) are during the day so I can set the iso to 200. What matters more during the day is a good long lens, so I am thinking at getting the Minolta 200/2.8 for more reach as the 135/1.8 doesn't cut it.

I also downloaded LR 4, which seems to make my photos pop more. Either that or the more I shoot water polo players, the better my shots are getting.

Finally, and this is a bit unrelated, who knew that 12 and under water polo players talk trash :cussing: like adults? Opened my eyes. :bugeyes:
Click to expand...
Mikal,

my A99 is here so if you want some hands-on time, let me know. I only have the Sony 50mm f/1.4 ATM (the Zeiss 24-70 is patiently waiting for my Nikon 70-200 to sell) but you are welcome to try your Minolta glass on it.

LR4 & CO7 do wonderful things with ARW files. The Fiat picture I posted earlier had the shadows recovered very easily.

The more you do anything, the better you get at it. 10,000 hrs = Expert.

I don't know what school your son attends, but mine goes to Belen (all boys Jesuit middle+high school) and in three months he has developed a rather complete repertoire of swear words.
 
M

MikalWGrass

New member
Carlos, my son goes to Coral Gables Elementary but practices with the Gulliver guys and gals. Heard that most of the Belen water polo grads who stay in the area or come back to the area play for a team called the White Caps. I saw some of them the other day. Big, football player types, who play a mean game of water polo. Not the best finesse players but tough guys during a game. I would have enjoyed photographing the bigger guys playing water polo but my son was playing in the other pool at the same time.

My son's team played the Hialeah team twice. The trash talking was epic.

Thank you for the offer. I have other Zeiss glass you can try on your a99 if you wish. I have the 85/1.4 and the 135/1.8. Wish Zeiss made a good 35/1.4 or even 2.0 for the Sony lineup. Tempted by the Zeiss 24/2 but not worth the money for how often I will use it.
 
jonoslack

jonoslack

Active member
etrigan63 said:
Sony is releasing a Zeiss 50/1.4 and 35/1.4 at CES. I would love to try the 85/1.4 for sure.
Click to expand...
Isn't that just typical . . . . I packed up my beautiful 135 f1.8 today and sent it off to France . . . The A77 is winging it's way to Roumania.

Ah well. The camera looks great :mad:
 
ptomsu

ptomsu

Workshop Member
jonoslack said:
Isn't that just typical . . . . I packed up my beautiful 135 f1.8 today and sent it off to France . . . The A77 is winging it's way to Roumania.

Ah well. The camera looks great :mad:
Click to expand...
Jono, soon you will get into Sony again with the A99 ;)
 
M

MikalWGrass

New member
Carlos, I took the kids to eat at chicken kitchen last night, right around the corner from where you where.

Some guy with a camera and backpack walked in front of my car last night as I was turning to take the kids to whip and dip. He was wearing a plaid or check shirt, and had a moustache. Wonder if that was you.

The manatees in South Miami cannot hold a candle to the roosters on 8th Street.
 
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