Is this a good deal on my first DLSR

[powdork]

sony a33 (NIB) with 2 lenses
+ Minolta 35-70mm F4(excellent condition)
+ Minolta 80-200mm (Mint)

for 650$ + shipping.
I've got my finger on the trigger. Any reason I shouldn't pull it?

[grskier]

I made my decision based on the glass I thought I'd be using in 2-10 years out, so I started canon..... that and the t2i was the in thing to do a year ago for under a grand. I don't know much about the Sony's though.

[advres]

Plus the T3i was pushed out last week so T2is will start to come down in price very soon. Like grskier, I thought about the future so knew I wanted Nikon or Canon. The video feature and pro photog girlfriend at the time pushed me to go canon. I haven't been upset at the descision and I'm still a goddamn hack.

[Lonnie]

Powdork,

A new A33 body is about $550-$600 depending on where you get it. There most likely about a 10% used penalty there so 500-550.

As for the lenses the 35-70 f/4 is a decent lens, certainly better than the 18-55 kit that comes with the camera. You can find them used from $35-75.

The 80-200 is a bit of a different animal. I would say it's fair, but a bit soft wide open and on the long end. Usable for sure. $60-$80 is about what they go for used. The lens that "everyone" wants in this range is the minolta "beercan" 70-210 f/4 and they go for $100-$150+ on the used market. It's renowned for it's sharpness. As a result the 80-200 gets overlooked.

So on the low end you are looking at $600 and on the high end somewhere around $700. So I would say this is a fair deal, but not an outstanding one.

Don't be afraid of sony, they have lots of exciting stuff in the pipeline. If you look at their price points and the features you get, they can't really be beat. People go with Cannon-Nikon because they basically have a duopoly (it's what most stores cary), and have shy-ed away from sony because of the perceived lack of lenses, but I haven't found this to be a problem. If you consider that Canikon have 2 lenses in every range because they have IS lenses and Non-IS lenses then it becomes more competitive. Don't forget that Sony has IS in the body, so all your lenses are IS....

[outabounds]

You can get a D90 body from Cameta on ebay for about $600 that will use almost every Nikon/Nikkor lens made in the last forty years.

Think compatibility. Buying a Sony DSLR is like buying a mac to read your email and sync your ipod at Starbucks.

[powdork]

^^^keep in mind a major component of my wanting the sony over the competition is the superior hd video.

[Lonnie]

You can get a D90 body from Cameta on ebay for about $600 that will use almost every Nikon/Nikkor lens made in the last forty years.

Think compatibility. Buying a Sony DSLR is like buying a mac to read your email and sync your ipod at Starbucks.

And a sony will fit every sony-minolta autofocus lens made since the early 1980's...





The list is plenty long and this doesn't include 3rd party lens makers...


AF zoom lenses
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16–35 mm f/2.8 ZA(Sony SSM motor)
AF 17–35 mm f/2.8-4 (D)
AF 17–35 mm f/3.5 G
AF 20–35 mm f/3.5-4.5
AF 24–50 mm f/4 (Original, RS)
AF 24–70 mm f/2.8
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70 mm f/2.8 ZA(Sony SSM motor)
AF 24–85 mm f/3.5-4.5 (RS, II)
AF 24–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 (D, Minolta)
AF 24–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 (D, Sony)
AF 28–70 mm f/2.8 G
AF 28–75 mm f/2.8 (D)
AF 28–75 mm f/2.8 (D Sony ASM motor)
AF 28–80 mm f/3.5-5.6 (RS, D)
AF 28–80 mm f/4-5.6 (xi, RS)
AF 28–85 mm f/3.5-4.5 (Original, RS)
AF 28–100 mm f/3.5-5.6 (D)
AF 28–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 (RS, II)
AF 28–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 xi
AF 28–135 mm f/4-4.5
AF 35–70 mm f/3.5-4.5 (Original, II)
AF 35–70 mm f/4 (Original, RS, II)
AF 35–80 mm f/4-5.6 (RS, xi, II)
AF 35–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 (Original, RS)
AF 35–200 mm f/4.5-5.6 xi
AF 80–200 mm f/2.8 Apo G (Original, HS)
AF 80–200 mm f/4.5-5.6 xi
AF 70–200 mm f/2.8 APO SSM (G, Sony G)
AF 70–210 mm f/3.5-4.5
AF 70-210mm f/4 (nickname: beercan)
AF 70–210 mm f/4.5-5.6 (RS, II)
AF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SSM (Sony G lens SSM motor)
AF 70-400mm f/4-5.6 (Sony G)
AF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 (Original, RS, D, Sony)
AF 100–200 mm f/4.5
AF 100–300 mm f/4.5-5.6 (RS, APO, APO D)
AF 100–400 mm f/4.5-6.7 APO

DT Zoom Lenses (crop sensor)
AF DT 11–18 mm f/4.5-5.6 (D, Sony)
AF DT 16–105 mm f/3.5-5.6 (D, Sony)
AF DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (Sony SAM)
AF DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 (D, Sony)
AF DT 18–200 mm f/3.5-6.3 (D, Sony)
AF DT 18–250 mm f/3.5-6.3 (Sony)
AF DT 55–200 mm f/4-5.6 (D, Sony, Sony SAM)
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 f/3.5-4.5 ZA

Standard Primes
AF 50mm f/1.4 (Original, RS, Sony)
AF 50mm f/1.7 (Original, RS)
AF DT 50mm f/1.8 (Sony SAM)


Wide-angle Primes
AF 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye (Original, Sony)
AF 20 mm f/2.8 (Original, RS, Sony)
AF 24mm f/2.8 (Original, RS)
AF 28 mm f/2 (Original, RS)
AF 28 mm f/2.8 (Original, Sony)
AF 35 mm f/2.0 (Original, RS)
AF 35 mm f/1.4 (Original, G, Sony)


Telephoto Primes
AF 85 mm f/1.4 (Original, G, G D, G D Limited)
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA
AF 100 mm f/2.0
AF 100 mm f/2.8 Soft Focus (SF)
Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA
AF 135 mm f/2.8
STF 135mm f/2.8 [T4.5]* (RS, Sony)
AF 200 mm f/2.8 APO G (Original, HS)
AF 300 mm f/2.8 APO G (Original, HS)
AF 300mm f/2.8 APO SSM G (Original, Sony)
AF 300 mm f/4 APO G HS
AF 400 mm f/4.5 APO G HS
AF 500mm Reflex (RS, Sony)
AF 600 mm f/4 APO G (Original, HS)

Macro Primes
AF DT 30mm f/2.8 Macro (Sony SAM)
AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Original, RS, D, Sony)
AF 50 mm f/3.5 Macro
AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (Original, RS, D, Sony)
AF 200 mm f/4 Macro Apo G
AF Macro Zoom 1x-3x f/1.7-2.8


AF tele converters
AF 1.4X Tele Converter (APO, APO II, (D), Sony)
AF 2X Tele Converter (APO, APO II, (D), Sony)
AF 2x M/A Converter-S (For use of manual lenses shorter than 300 mm on AF bodies)
AF 2x M/A Converter-L (For use of manual lenses longer than 300 mm on AF bodies)

[outabounds]

That's a good looking array of lenses, Lonnie. I didn't know there were so many. While it's dwarfed by the amount of Nikon glass available, I can only afford a certain number of lenses anyway. That's why I'm happy that the local shops rent lenses so I can use a 105mm Macro for the weekend for twenty bucks.

Here's the list:
http://www.prophotosupply.com/pdf/rentalrates.pdf

Guess what's missing?

Using different gear doesn't do you any good, but it can sure slow you down. I was out shooting with friends at night a couple weeks ago, and swapped lenses with a friend. His 12-24mm f4 and my 35mm 1.8. If I was shooting Sony I'd have been stuck with what I brought. You can take good photos with any system, so why not go with one that presents the fewest limitations?

Not to argue. You take good photos with your Sony. Enjoy it. If you talk enough people into buying Sony, you'll be able to swap gear with your friends, too.

[outabounds]

^^^keep in mind a major component of my wanting the sony over the competition is the superior hd video.

Looks like a low price for a new body and two lenses. If you can't beat it elsewhere, get it.

[Eldo]

Outabounds, you have generous friends. None of buddies who are shooters would think of asking to borrow a lens. That would be like asking to borrow someone's wife for the weekend.

One plus of going Canon or Nikon is that this forum is filled with people buying and then, only a few months later, selling nice lenses for cheap when they suddenly decide they need to have the latest, greatest, fastest 1.4 lens that they will never, ever use to its full potential.

Powdork, do note that the Sony SLT cameras have very limited control in video mode if using the autofocus. I.E., you cannot choose aperture, shutter speed, it's all automatic, unlike some of the Canons. So that means no control over depth of field, or to avoid high shutter strobe, etc unless you go to manual focus.

Lots of good Sony-compatible lenses out there, as Lonnie has noted. Most worthwhile new Sigma and Tamron lenses also come in Sony mounts. Sony/Minolta-specific flash hot shoe mount is annoying if you want to use a non-dedicated flash. But adaptors are available.

Whatever you decide on, you will be blown away by the performance and image quality of any of the manufacturers' entry level digital SLRs compared to a P&S.

[powdork]

i opted for the a55 (without gps) instead since it's supposed to have a new sensor which is faster than the a33, which uses the same sensor as the nex cameras. also has longer battery life. Backordered from Abes for $592 shipped with 18-55. Got a line on the beercan

optics are in excellent plus condition meaning there are no scratches, haze, mold or oil on the aperture blades and body is in excellent condition.
I would say around 150$ including shipping and insurance.

but I'm waiting to see what Abes has to say about the backorder before I commit.

[Eldo]

The U.S. model of the A55 only comes with GPS and is officially called the A55V (or VL if bought with a lens). So the camera you are looking at would probably be a Chinese market model, or one intended for other countries where a license is needed to own a GPS device.

I have no idea how buying a non-U.S. model might affect the warranty.

Where are you buying this, and what's their rep?

[powdork]

Buying it from Abes of Maine. i have had good experiences with them before. heard that the non-gps was only being sold in Japan but that could have meant Asia in general i suppose. Actually, here's the quote from dpreview

only in a handful of countries (notably Japan), will a non-GPS version of the A55 be sold.

I'm guessing the backorder is so they can get it here from there?
Regarding video I read the same stuff on dpreview, but when i watched the video sample i was still ok with it, given that those were picked to show the problem. i really dug the jello effect from panning back and forth on the bridge towers. (video 6).
I am concerned that I read in some regions the firmware runs the video at 25 fps rather than 30 fps. I'm assuming if thats an issue i can download other firmware?


here's a video sample from on youtube. it helps if you watch it there so you can go fullscreen (or maybe you can here with the update). I like the zoom effect starting at 1:05.

[Tippster]

Not a "zoom effect" but a rack focus on a very large aperture (short DoF.)

[advres]

Run like the fucking wind away from Abes. Good luck getting your camera in the next month and have more fun getting refunded. There is a reason they are the cheapest out there... They fucking suck. Most of their gear isn't in stock, they take you money immediately, find your item from some other wholesaler and then it goes to you. Waited on a Movado for over a month, when I finally called they said "oh we can't get that anymore". They were shocked I flipped out and asked for my money back. 2 weeks and 7 phone calls later I got it back.

Ps... You're probably buying a grey market Japanese model. Pray there are no issues because warranty will be next to impossible.

[haydukelives]

Powdork,you are an excellent photographer. Whatever you do,dont pinch a few pennies. You want video,and you want it to last for years. Sony,Canon,and Nikon are all great systems. Read all the lens reviews. Zeiss makes a few for sony,(i was just looking at the 16-80 for $750) but they are pricey and probably not many used. I have canon L glass, it is excellent,lots of really good used around. you probably dont need 2.8,but you do want stabilized.probably same for nikon.

Minolta lenses were never that great even new,the designs are old,etc.

Beware of abe's,especially on backorder. look at costco.....you can use and return if no like

[outabounds]

Outabounds, you have generous friends. None of buddies who are shooters would think of asking to borrow a lens. That would be like asking to borrow someone's wife for the weekend.

I guess, but when he suggested swapping his thousand dollar wide zoom with my two-hundred dollar 35mm, it was more like trading my fugly, overweight girlfriend for his hot chick for the weekend.

[powdork]

i got the call from them today regarding my order. they typically do that with their somewhat larger ticket items. could have also been about the back order. i'll know more tomorrow since i wasn't home at the time. i am aware that they know a guy named vinnie who knows a guy in japan and that's how i'll get the camera.
but the discount is around or more than 30%. part of it is because of their shyster way of doing business, and part of it is because it doesn't come with the gps, which i don't want. i don't feel that sony is sending their good inventory to the us, and sending the crappy stuff to japan.

[Hugh Conway]

abe's of maine? lulz.

[advres]

i got the call from them today regarding my order. they typically do that with their somewhat larger ticket items. could have also been about the back order. i'll know more tomorrow since i wasn't home at the time. i am aware that they know a guy named vinnie who knows a guy in japan and that's how i'll get the camera.
but the discount is around or more than 30%. part of it is because of their shyster way of doing business, and part of it is because it doesn't come with the gps, which i don't want. i don't feel that sony is sending their good inventory to the us, and sending the crappy stuff to japan.

You're right. But that means it's gray market. Just hope you don't have any issues with it. Like I said, you are playing with fire with a Japanese model. Not that it will be garbage, but if something happens to go wrong, you'll be lucky to get it fixed under warranty and if you do, it will be a gigantic hassle and probably be out of your hands for quite a while. People pay extra for additional warranty and you're paying less for no warranty and no guarantees. Not very intelligent with an expensive piece of electronics in my opinion.

[Lonnie]

Like I said, you are playing with fire with a Japanese model. Not that it will be garbage, but if something happens to go wrong, you'll be lucky to get it fixed under warranty and if you do, it will be a gigantic hassle and probably be out of your hands for quite a while.

That is true. You'll have a warranty, but it's only good in the country of origin. That means you'll have to ship it to Japan to get it worked on (during the warranty period). I know this because I bought my camera when I was on holiday in New Zealand. I didn't have any real issues in the first year, but I almost did. So buyer beware. You can also get a cheap policy to cover you camera thru your insurance company in case something goes wrong with it...

[powdork]

none of it matters now as i called them and was told not in stock, and not gonna be. order cancelled and i have a discount if i decide to go with them. a little more research also led me to find out the a55L (the one i was buying) does not have the same sensor or drive system as the a55v. it has the same as the a33.

[crackboy]

you could always go with gone skiing's 40D it requires work but that would just mean everything is gone over to make sure its working and i think you get a limited warranty on top of that

[powdork]

i think i'm in love


$675 with kit lens (18-55) in like new condition (fewer than 500 actuations)?

[powdork]

doesn't matter now since it's in the mail.
any rec's on a 2nd lens given that the main reason for purchasing is shooting the kirkwood comp next week. i'm thinking it would have to be at least 10x and stabilzed, although i do have a good tripod.