Alpha 2008 Lineup Update

Early this year I've posted my 2008 line up. In 3 months time I have tidy up the lineup, adding few lens and sold the Sony A100 kit with the Dicain vertical grip.

So the updated 2008 lineup will be:

Back row: Sony HVL-F56AM, Minolta 70-210mm F4 'Beercan', Minolta 3600HSD (supposed to let it go but decided to keep it a little longer til I get a right price)
Front row: Sigma 10-20mm, M42 Jupiter 9 85mm F2, Sony A700 with Tamron 17-50mm F2.8, Tamron 90mm SP F2.8 Macro, Minolta 50mm F1.7, M42 Helios 135mm F2.8

The last thing I want on my list this year is the Sony VG-C70AM vertical grip.

More Sony A700

It has been a hot topic since A700 was unveiled 2 days ago and it receives various responses in several photography forums. Of course most forum members in Dyxum are quite excited and looking forward for it as the next upgrade. However there are some negative comments in the other forums whom members are mainly from the other camps, which were baseless mostly even before seeing the real model.

A senior member whom I believe is associated with Canon Malaysia has made a straight comment that A700 is an ugly camera here. Well, it's personal favour and probably it's his rice bowl that he needs to take care of so I can understand.

A side by side comparison on the appearance of 3 new advanced level DSLRs - Canon 40D, Sony A700 and Nikon D300. Some people may like a more curvy body but I think A700's design is clean, simple yet elegant. Again it's personal favour anyway. I am quite open minded and do consider the other 2 DSLRs as my next upgrade models, in case A700 doesn't live up to my expectation.

Somehow, I think the statement that Canikon looks better because it is designed by Italian is rather childish and not very convincing.

Perhaps he can suggest this to Canon to make the 40D looks more Italian.

There's a good review on the pre-production A700 by cameralabs:

Arrival of my prime lens

Finally the minolta maxxum 50mm F1.7 prime lens is added to complete my dSLR system line up, thanks to dyxum forum member jeff from US who sold it to me at just USD$65 including shipping cost.

The used lens price has gone mad on ebay to GBP50-60 easily. My ultimate target is the sony alpha 50mm F1.4 but it's selling new in KL at RM1,400. I am happy with the F1.7 since the 1 stop different doesn't really affect much on photos that i want to take at the moment.
my line up from left to right: 70-210mm F.4 beercan, 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 (will get rid of it if the price is right to fund for a minolta 100-300mm APO D), 50mm F1.7 and 18-70mm F3.5-5.6

tested the lenses at borough market during the weekend, the outcome was satisfying, will post the photos later after editting, not yet familiar with the commands in adobe photoshop cs2 yet.

New member on board!

finally won my beercan on ebay at GBP85! not the cheapest for the used lens but it's in very good condition complete with hood hence i think worth the price.

the legendary minolta lens is famous for it's reliability and sharpness, and it's solid and built like a tank, even the hood is made of metal! nickname 'beercan' for it's shape.

the aperture is a fixed F4 at all focal length and is able to produce beautiful bokeh shot, some quick test shots in my room:

will bring the new member out this weekend for more testing! yeeeepeeee~