Comments on: The Sony EVF Alphas: a closer look

By: Dong Heyl

Dong Heyl — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:08:27 +0000

Good share, great article, very usefull for usÂ¡Âthanks.

By: Photography Studio Equipment

Photography Studio Equipment — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:23:20 +0000

Nice digital cameras pictures. â€œMODELâ€ cameras have always had a nice overall look

By: Sangeeth Priyanath

Sangeeth Priyanath — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:15:58 +0000

Nicely explained it , and I think one of the advantages of traditional moving-mirror SLR cameras is that the photographer can look through the viewfinder and see what the actual taking lens is seeing. The primary disadvantage is mirror blackout â€“ when the mirror has flipped up to expose the film then nothing can be seen through the viewfinder. Mirror blackout, though brief at high shutter speeds, can nonetheless be a problem for sports and other action photography.

By: TJP

TJP — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:09:04 +0000

That video is actually very revealing. If you dig up sales figures, it’s pretty obvious that the photographic device to beat is the iPhone and its copycats. The SLR has always been a smaller market. It made gains at the mid-point of the last decade–and continues steadily–but the sales lag far behind P&S cameras, of which about 10 times as many are purchased. I’m not sure if the CIPA figures even take into account combination devices, like iPhones.

Look at the mock-up rear LCD on the EVF: it’s quite obvious where Sony is aiming. 🙂

By: Sisco

Sisco — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:18:14 +0000

The Photography bay posted a video from Sony Europe advertising the camera you can have a brief look at the camera itsdelf and at the menus from the displays.

Here’s the link:

http://www.photographybay.com/2010/03/11/sony-unveils-the-alpha-ultra-compact-menu-system/

This one has video so I guess we can hope for some HD video on the models to be released further along the road

By: TJP

TJP — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:17:41 +0000

Nice write-up. I think that about rounds out the whole situation.

How about master flash logic through the pop-up, like the A100? Radio wireless flash built-in? Maybe this is Sony’s trial balloon?

I think the success of the model depends on what sensor they stuff in it, and in which price range it is offered. I take it many camera makers desperately want to ditch the half century-old rebounding mirror to take advantage of better image quality and make video recording less complicated.

The magic number, I believe, is 44.725 millimeters–between the lens mount and the sensor. Going longer isn’t a problem. An Alpha mount adapter would need enough hold-off so that close-focusing was possible. I’m sure everyone is familiar with the problems with going the other way, using an adapter with glass in it for infinity focus. Either way, I don’t see the focus motor hump, so I’m guessing old Alpha glass would be MF only, maybe with focus confirm in the adapter?

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:58:30 +0000

I tell ya Tom, if it can use my old maxxum and alpha glass, I’d look at buying one. I guess it might need some sort of geared adapter to fit the a-mount and screw for focus. That said… wouldn’t it be great to the face of a Cankon user as you role up with a Beercan and one of these EVF hanging off the back. Or better yet… a CZ 24-70 or a 300 G. Now that would be cool.

And if Sony is somehow reading this…. make that popup control the flash line up. Off shoe control for the 42 and 58 would be awesome…!

Thx

Scott

By: Peter Blaise

Peter Blaise — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:51:20 +0000

Hi Tom,

Nice exploration here.

I think that it’s not about “game changing”, it about selling chips. Panasonic proved there’s a market for chips under this type of camera design — DSL/EVF — so Sony wants a piece of the pie. This is simple marketing of Sony factory output potential.

And the EVF is not trying to be “merely” an Optical View Finder competitor. EVFs do more than any OVF can do, such as allow complete camera control settings without taking your eye off your subject, such as privately changing menu options in a theater without using the back LCD, as well implemented in the Minolta DiMage 5/7/A-series and DiMage Z-series. EVFs allow about right-angle viewing as in the Minolta DiMage A1 and A2. EVFs allow previewing image capture settings — exposure compensation, spot metering effects, and so on — real-time as Minolta and Panasonic offer, and so on.

EVF and OVF have different offerings, and each has their appropriateness and deficits. I would never try to use an OVF where it’s inappropriate, and same for an EVF. With an OVF, you think seeing your subject uncompromisingly clearly and differently than the sensor sees your subject is important. With an EVF, I think controlling my camera and seeing my subject without interruption as my camera sees my subject are important. Both VF types will probably be around forever.

I’d like another place to try out my Minolta SR/MC/MD/X-600 lenses, and 1/1.5x crop is nicer than the 4/3rds 1/2x crop. Both are cheaper than any Canon full frame with heavy mods. Silly us antique collectors who have more than still-fits-everything Tamron Adaptall or screw mount lenses!

Thanks again for keeping the energy around Minolta-born photography.