Pro photog buys new walk around camera-Sony f828
Written: Jan 12 '04 (Updated Jan 12 '04)
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Pros: well built,8 megapixels,dual card slots
Cons: aberations ! Purple/cyan fringe! Erratic focus! No raw software for Mac OS X
The Bottom Line: Wait for the new digicam offerings in 2004
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| ingoditrust's Full Review: Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-F828 Digital Camera |
I really wanted to love this camera.
I'm a professional photographer shooting for major magazines and newspapers around the world.I was looking for something with lots of pixels since my stock photo agents now want images that can go to 50 megs which would require I shoot raw and convert to tiffs.
Unfortunately Sony did not put any raw conversion software for Mac OSX.Instead doling out-what I heard is horrid anyway,software for the old old OS 9.2 Mac operating system.
Oddly,from what I hear from Windows users is the raw software is very slow and converts images to 8 bit as opposed the standard 12 bit and has it's own proprietary format where third parties can't write any software that could open your raw image anyway.
OK,back to the workings of this camera.
*It's built really nice.Nice weight,black metal finish,ergonomically
a nice fit.
*The onboard flash is mighty powerful.Can light up a room!
*The battery life is very good and will show you how many minutes your camera is good for too!
*28-200 zoom 2.0/2.8 zoom is nice
*You can shoot from the finder or the LCD screen.This takes some getting used to though if your use to shooting looking thru a camera viewfinder.
*The video quality of this camera isn't bad.Not great,but not bad either.The sound was adequate for this type of camera.
OK,the ugly:
*Purple fringe will outline most of your tree type scenes or any shiny objects you might photograph.
*Cyan lines run down the sides of buildings.Weird outline effect.
*Noisy/grainy.The lowest ASA is 64 and it reminds me of my Kodachrome 64 days of the 70s and 80s. Hated shooting like that with film,hate it even more with digital.
After ASA 100,your images will really look horrid.My previous walk around camera the Minolta 7i at least looked good at 200 ASA!
If you want to walk around with a tripod mounted camera and just shoot at ASA 64,you may not be bothered buy this.However,I do not want to lug a tripod on my off days and this is not an acceptable way for me to shoot.
I like to shoot fast and from the hip.Get great candids of people.Preferably with available light.At ASA 64 this is not possible unless you are in a very bright situation.
My pro cameras are the Canon 10Ds and my images are beautiful and smooth at 400.800 grain/noise is noticible but can be toned down a bit.
I purchased the external Sony HVL-F32X to go along with this camera. It's a nice set up that comes complete with bracket,built in diffuser and PC cord.
However,when attached to the Sony f828 camera it doesn't catch the action.Say your photographing someone kissing.You won't get "the kiss" but that second the couple backs away.it's very slow
recycling even with super charged up Ray-o-Vac 15 minute NiMH batteries.
I feel that this camera is a Sony marketing ploy.BIGGER IS BETTER!! Be the first with the MOST pixels for under $1000 and they will come running to buy.Many did run,but many are returning the goods too after finding the quality not up to par with a current digicam in the 4 to 5 megapixel range.
It's not the number of pixels that matters but the quality of the pixels.
I had a pro Kodak camera that was about $30,000 when new.
At 2 megapixels or so,it still blows away many consumer digicams I've used.
So,2004 promises to be an interesting year for digicam offerings.new cameras ar coming out almost weekly and Canon has promised to put out 20 new digicams in all flavors this year.Canon makes some great products and I will be returning my Sony and waiting for the Canon offerings.
I'm sorry the quality on this digicam wasn't up to par.This camera was like candy... sweet,but I sure was deceived by the packaging!
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 999.00
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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Epinions.com ID:
ingoditrust
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Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 2 members
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