I thought I’d add my two cents worth today, since things are way way too quiet since SONY announced the pending arrival of the Alpha Flagship Model with its 24.6 mps on a FF sensor of their design and manufacture.

I was at a photo meeting recently, and one fellow who had recently purchased a Nikon D300 was going on with glowing praise for this camera, and how he could shoot RAW and JPEG all at the same time, as if Nikon had invented this. So I pulled out my Maxxum 7D and showed him the menu where I could shoot RAW and JPEG also at the same time. Then proceeded to show him how the Menu rotated to the orientation of the camera body. Everyone there had no idea that Minolta made such a camera. Then when I showed them 2 absolutely gorgeous 12 x 18 inch prints from this camera, their jaws just dropped! I had just bought this camera as USED from Adorama Camera in New York, and it is just a joy to use. I figure that for $499.00, even if I get only 2 years out of it, I shall be totally happy. Why is it that Nikon and Canon users seem to think or believe that they are the only ones on the planet who have access to a REAL camera. It seems to me that MINOLTA were the leaders and top innovators of photography equipment and cameras for decades, and when Canon or Nikon apply the same technology to their latest model, the make like they thought of it first. It seems to me that they have been the real Johnny Come Lately’s as far as camera technology is concerned. And one further thing if I may. There has also been much criticism of the looks of the proposed new Alpha Flagship model. It seems to be very UGLY to most Nikon and Canon folks. Personally I think it is a very no nonsense good looking piece of gear. The most recent Canon and Nikon models look to me like lumps of salt lick that the cows or deer have been sucking on, or a losenge of some sort that has been fashioned in a wind tunnel or something. Bring on the UGLY SONY ALPHA! The Minolta Techs are still out there, and if Nikon or Canon had been really smart, one of these companies should have snapped them up in a hurry. Now they have SONY to deal with. Looks good on them!