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10-08-2009, 08:59 PM   #1
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Your thoughts on A700?

What are your guys' thought on the Sony A700? I hear a lot of great stories about it and I've even seen great results coming out of this thing. Only thing that draws me back from switching to Sony is the horrendous price of their higher end lenses.

10-09-2009, 09:29 AM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by LeDave Quote
What are your guys' thought on the Sony A700? I hear a lot of great stories about it and I've even seen great results coming out of this thing. Only thing that draws me back from switching to Sony is the horrendous price of their higher end lenses.
the price of high end glass is horrific for every brand, so I dont quite understand your problem.
10-10-2009, 07:51 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by séamuis Quote
the price of high end glass is horrific for every brand, so I dont quite understand your problem.
LeDave didn't say he had a problem, just that he was intersted in thoughts on the A700...

LeDave, what is it you are hoping to accomplish with the A700 that you can't with your K2000? Using comparable lenses, IQ between the 2 cameras is fairly similar.
10-10-2009, 10:08 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by flippedgazelle Quote
LeDave didn't say he had a problem, just that he was intersted in thoughts on the A700...

LeDave, what is it you are hoping to accomplish with the A700 that you can't with your K2000? Using comparable lenses, IQ between the 2 cameras is fairly similar.
he said that high lenses prices are holding him back.... to me that is a problem. I read and used my logic to deduct that. he might not agree on the wording, but the situation is the same. so my awnser to that was simple. high end lenses from all the manufacturers are expensive. thereby negating his situation since even with Pentax its the same story.

as for the A700, I didnt give any response to, because I have never handled it. quite simple really.

10-10-2009, 04:58 PM   #5
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I have a good friend that has 3 A700's. He brings them by the studio constantly. I have used them on many occasions. What I like about the A700 vs. K20D

High ISO image quality
Dynamic range + (1-2)stops
3" LCD screen

other than that, not much as far as I'm concerned. The A700 has plethra a custom settings that I feel are useless, and the A700 seems to have problems with display and dial menu problems (he always seems to have to send a body too sony).
10-10-2009, 05:39 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by séamuis Quote
the price of high end glass is horrific for every brand, so I dont quite understand your problem.
In his defense, Sony does command a slightly higher premium than say Canon though. E.g. Sony's 70-200/2.8 is $1799 street, while Canon's is $1329.

But OTOH, you get IS in many Sony bodies.
10-10-2009, 06:06 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by pingflood Quote
In his defense, Sony does command a slightly higher premium than say Canon though. E.g. Sony's 70-200/2.8 is $1799 street, while Canon's is $1329.

But OTOH, you get IS in many Sony bodies.
but too expensive, is too expensive no? any more in depth than this and we may end up arguing semantics.

I wish I could be of help with the A700, but I have only handled one sony. the A900.

10-10-2009, 06:20 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by séamuis Quote
but too expensive, is too expensive no? any more in depth than this and we may end up arguing semantics.

I wish I could be of help with the A700, but I have only handled one sony. the A900.
Tell me about the viewfinder. I haven't gotten my hands on one (though debating looking at an A850) but hear that it's quite something.
10-10-2009, 07:48 PM   #9
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LeDave

Have you looked for an answer here?
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10-10-2009, 08:08 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by pingflood Quote
Tell me about the viewfinder. I haven't gotten my hands on one (though debating looking at an A850) but hear that it's quite something.
yes, I have to been very tempted in the A850. However, I think I'll wait to my buddy gets one, then decide.
10-11-2009, 10:35 AM   #11
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I have the A700
Was considering the K-7 when I sold my Sony A200 but I bought the A700 since the grip is matching my hands better!

Please ask if you ever wonder anything about the camera!

PS.
I am very jealous of your lens line-up, you have a fantastic range of lenses like the DA* 16-50/2.8, DA* 50-135/2.8 and 77/1.8 to name a few!
10-11-2009, 06:12 PM   #12
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AF will be much better if you're willing to compare for high-end stuff. Lower end, i would say Sony still has an upper hand. However, the Sony prime line-up is no where near Pentax's level (IQ and selection), except for the Zeiss duo. For zoom, from 16-400mm, I don't think Pentax can touch the quality (at the high end of course). When you buy into a system, you have to buy their lenses too, so that's why I have to bring this up.

Personally, I've handled both the A700 and the K20D. Personally, I like the A700 flash shoe better. The K20D has the upper hand on the weather seal, and less useless info. However, you practically have all the buttons needed on the A700, and it'll come quite handy (no need to combine and fiddle around). As for handling, I prefer the Sony "ugly" form. You have less adaptability with the Sony (has to be chipped for Alt. lens to have AF confirmation and SSS).

IQ: They perform very well within my expectation. So there is no clear winner.

Of course, with Sony, you can always make your move to the A900, which is a very fine camera. I enjoy it so much with the combination of Zeiss, Leica, Pentax, Minolta/Sony.
10-11-2009, 07:39 PM   #13
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The ability to shoot AF Zeiss glass is almost worth the price of admission, *if* you don't insist on "good" high iso shooting. I don't know about the a700, but a900 (and presumably a850) are awesome at low iso, but drop off quickly.

Top lenses from any of the big boys are pricey. Just the cost of doing business...
10-11-2009, 10:12 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ponisch Quote
I have the A700
Was considering the K-7 when I sold my Sony A200 but I bought the A700 since the grip is matching my hands better!

Please ask if you ever wonder anything about the camera!

PS.
I am very jealous of your lens line-up, you have a fantastic range of lenses like the DA* 16-50/2.8, DA* 50-135/2.8 and 77/1.8 to name a few!
you shouldn't be. it was your choice to get the Sony. deal with it.
10-11-2009, 11:35 PM   #15
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Never held one in my own hands, but from what I've read it should be an excellent camera with in-body SR and all. But I personally wouldn't probably consider switching from Pentax to Sony, unless I'd get a FF camera.

EDIT: One of the major reasons is that if I'd change brand, I'd want the strength of a major player and not a second minor one after P.
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