Sony SLT A77, talk to me :D
Discussion
Thinking of selling up my old Nikon kit and getting one.
Looks like a fantastic all-rounder with some really useful new features that SLT offers.
The one thing I don't get though is the splitting of light. Surely if a portion of light is bounced for focussing purposes then it has to expose for 1/3rd longer than it would if it had a mirror? Hmmmm... the drawback of the system?
Has anyone else had any experience with one yet? It looks like it's only just kinda come out.
Dave
Looks like a fantastic all-rounder with some really useful new features that SLT offers.
The one thing I don't get though is the splitting of light. Surely if a portion of light is bounced for focussing purposes then it has to expose for 1/3rd longer than it would if it had a mirror? Hmmmm... the drawback of the system?
Has anyone else had any experience with one yet? It looks like it's only just kinda come out.
Dave
My main motivations are the improvement in video capability.
I use 5D and 7D at work with 1080p and they are quite hard to make the best of without really planning your shots out etc...
Also I like the idea of the display viewfinder and it's potential benefits, like a centre zoom for focus checking and all the other things that might be made possible (zebra, DOF simulation at decent intensities) and so on.
I also just fancy a change. My D70s Nikon is showing it's age, and I'm looking to have a nice camera to do some commercial work with and the SLT A77 seems a great all-rounder from video through to photography.
I think it's the innovative techniques and capabilities it will allow, and the video features that are making it stand out to me. I'd really love to try one out for a few days so am going to try rent one at work to test when they are available
Built in VR/IS also seems sensible.
I dunno, SLT just makes a flappy mirror seem really old-hat. Since most SLR's now all have live view it seems weird to offer it with the drawbacks of a mirror system. The SLT seems to offer the benefits of SLR without the drawbacks?!
In any case I'll have to try it to be sure it's for me
Dave
I use 5D and 7D at work with 1080p and they are quite hard to make the best of without really planning your shots out etc...
Also I like the idea of the display viewfinder and it's potential benefits, like a centre zoom for focus checking and all the other things that might be made possible (zebra, DOF simulation at decent intensities) and so on.
I also just fancy a change. My D70s Nikon is showing it's age, and I'm looking to have a nice camera to do some commercial work with and the SLT A77 seems a great all-rounder from video through to photography.
I think it's the innovative techniques and capabilities it will allow, and the video features that are making it stand out to me. I'd really love to try one out for a few days so am going to try rent one at work to test when they are available
Built in VR/IS also seems sensible.
I dunno, SLT just makes a flappy mirror seem really old-hat. Since most SLR's now all have live view it seems weird to offer it with the drawbacks of a mirror system. The SLT seems to offer the benefits of SLR without the drawbacks?!
In any case I'll have to try it to be sure it's for me
Dave
Edited by Mr Whippy on Wednesday 5th October 11:56
I'm not sure on the Nikon SLR stuff with regard to video. I know their offerings at the same time the 5D and 7D were offering video, were 720p and less considered.
The Canon stuff also has Magic Lantern offerings (3rd party freeware firmwares) to improve video usability/features, much of which the Sony appears to do to start with now as it just seems logical to have those features.
I think any 1st gen SLR/video will be a bit less workable than newer stuff. It looks like the Sony stuff is 3rd gen level of consideration, which is a big draw for me.
Just looking, eeek, the A77 is £1150 from Jessops. The A65 looks much better value now at £800. I'm just not sure how I'd cope with only one command wheel type thing (a big reason I went for the D70s back in the day)
I think I'll get about £600 for my old Nikon D70s, 18-200vr and 50mm 1.8, and other associated accessories, so another £600 thrown in and I've got £1,200. An A65 and £400 for a 50mm 1.8 and some other 2nd hand mid-range lens would be a good deal I think...
I'll have to go try out an A65 soonish. Not sure I want to stretch to £1,150 just for an A77 body.
Dave
The Canon stuff also has Magic Lantern offerings (3rd party freeware firmwares) to improve video usability/features, much of which the Sony appears to do to start with now as it just seems logical to have those features.
I think any 1st gen SLR/video will be a bit less workable than newer stuff. It looks like the Sony stuff is 3rd gen level of consideration, which is a big draw for me.
Just looking, eeek, the A77 is £1150 from Jessops. The A65 looks much better value now at £800. I'm just not sure how I'd cope with only one command wheel type thing (a big reason I went for the D70s back in the day)
I think I'll get about £600 for my old Nikon D70s, 18-200vr and 50mm 1.8, and other associated accessories, so another £600 thrown in and I've got £1,200. An A65 and £400 for a 50mm 1.8 and some other 2nd hand mid-range lens would be a good deal I think...
I'll have to go try out an A65 soonish. Not sure I want to stretch to £1,150 just for an A77 body.
Dave
Simpo Two said:
Mr Whippy said:
Looks like a fantastic all-rounder with some really useful new features that SLT offers.
What are the advantages of SLT (which I take it stands for 'Semi Translucent Mirror') other than pushing fps from a pathetic 10 to a fantastic 12?S2_DPD said:
Simpo Two said:
What are the advantages of SLT (which I take it stands for 'Semi Translucent Mirror') other than pushing fps from a pathetic 10 to a fantastic 12?
How about continuous focusing on both any length of still fps burst and when shooting video? I'm still considering one of these.
The A77 with kit lens is a fairly whopping price, but it also seems a great all-round set up.
S65 is also an option but I'm just wondering if the superior focussing on the A77 will pay dividends in superior video focus performance.
Hmmm, still need to go try when they become a bit more widely available.
Generally I'm a bit disillusioned with with the Canon and Nikon offerings around £1000 right now.
Dave
The A77 with kit lens is a fairly whopping price, but it also seems a great all-round set up.
S65 is also an option but I'm just wondering if the superior focussing on the A77 will pay dividends in superior video focus performance.
Hmmm, still need to go try when they become a bit more widely available.
Generally I'm a bit disillusioned with with the Canon and Nikon offerings around £1000 right now.
Dave
Have you seen this?
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/...
There is also a link there to an earlier A77 'first impressions' piece.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/...
There is also a link there to an earlier A77 'first impressions' piece.
Mr Whippy said:
Surely if a portion of light is bounced for focussing purposes then it has to expose for 1/3rd longer than it would if it had a mirror? Hmmmm... the drawback of the system?
Yes, the sony pellicle mirror system eats 1/3rd of the available light. So though its direct ISO copmparisons are fairly competative you will need to bump the ISO or shutter/aperture a little to compensate for the light sucking slt aspect.Also note that whilst it can shoot at some horendous fps it will struggle to focus at those speeds (though to be fair normal SLR's have some issues here too) and the A77 only has a 13 shot buffer making the feature pretty damned pointless (and a nice example of sony plumbing for headlines without the backup to make them work).
Other downsides, the EVF, supposed to be 'ok' in most situations. The sensor itself, sony seem to always get the worst out of their own sensor, programming, filters and microlenses all add up to nikon and pentax wiping the floor with sony, using sonys sensor (which they also only runin 12 bit mode!)
Simpo Two said:
Having boned up a bit on this, perhaps the acid test will be whether Nikon and Canon adopt the same tech for their higher DSLRs, or leave Sony in the sidings. Is it better or did Sony do it because they need a new angle? Time will tell.
Canon had pellicle mirror 35mm film cameras out before but the mirrors yellowed over time and caused issues. Not sure if sony have fixed this problem and it may be more relevant in the digital age. I think I prefer an optical ttl viewfinder having used evf's beforeHmmm, things are never easy 
I may end up waiting then, no point rushing in and spending over the odds I don't think. I can always hire cameras if I *really* need some video or something in the shorter term...
How I wish Canon or Nikon would finally put a decent focus system (or focus checking system) into their SLR's with video features...
Was looking at the D7000 today, it's quite a nice camera really. Would be a nice upgrade from my D70s... just the video seems no more moved on from the 5D or 7D Canons... shame...
Dave
I may end up waiting then, no point rushing in and spending over the odds I don't think. I can always hire cameras if I *really* need some video or something in the shorter term...
How I wish Canon or Nikon would finally put a decent focus system (or focus checking system) into their SLR's with video features...
Was looking at the D7000 today, it's quite a nice camera really. Would be a nice upgrade from my D70s... just the video seems no more moved on from the 5D or 7D Canons... shame...
Dave
Manual focus is sensible.
On the 7D or 5D the live view screen doesn't help. You have to hold the camera away from you, with only one hand supporting the body and the other on the focus wheel. Not ideal without a full rig etc etc...
I'm fairly certain that a proper camera hold up to your face, and live view via the eye piece, with decent functions there (focus aids etc) will make manual focus on the A77 really nice too...
I'm expecting some really nice firmware updates/mods will make the viewfinder really powerful.
BUT, I'm yet to try one out. It's just reading good for now still
Just too bloody busy to go try one out. I've somehow managed to be working a full time job and then another 30hr/wk job on evenings and weekends
On the 7D or 5D the live view screen doesn't help. You have to hold the camera away from you, with only one hand supporting the body and the other on the focus wheel. Not ideal without a full rig etc etc...
I'm fairly certain that a proper camera hold up to your face, and live view via the eye piece, with decent functions there (focus aids etc) will make manual focus on the A77 really nice too...
I'm expecting some really nice firmware updates/mods will make the viewfinder really powerful.
BUT, I'm yet to try one out. It's just reading good for now still
Just too bloody busy to go try one out. I've somehow managed to be working a full time job and then another 30hr/wk job on evenings and weekends
A cameraman friend of mine is doing a 6 month docu, following a group cycling across asia - he's riding as well. He's had to choose everything based on whats lightest - He spent months deliberating about what to shoot it on, and he's now just purchased an A77.
Some of the video bits that interested him were- lack of cmos skew in test footage he'd seen, and he was particularly interested in it's ability to shoot 60fps at 1080p, for doing slo mo. Very bright screen as well - he didnt want to be faffing around with an EVF or Zacuto style stuck on number.
Apparently there have been firmware issues recently- but according to him theres been an update, and all seems to be well. He's only just got it, so i'm interested in seeing his test footage
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