Camera Labs

I am looking to buy either the Sony a550 or a700. I can get either of them brand new for around $799.99.

Which one should I buy? I know the differences with both cameras just not sure which is the better way to go.

What would you do???

Id go to a shop and see which one I prefer the ergonomics of

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Nikon D5000 and D300 with 12-24mm, 35mm f1.8, 50mm f1.4, 60mm f2.8 Macro, 18-200mm, 17-55mm f2.8 (all Nikon)

Depends what you are looking for. If you really want live view I would say go for the 550. If you want build quality and more professional features go with the a700.

I would go with the a700 personally.

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Canon 40D | Tokina 11-16 f2.8 | Canon 50mm f1.4

www.flickr.com/claycarey

A700 is heavy and assured heavy duty i don't know with that 550

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Good Aperture Everyone! Good reply is always Making me very very happy thanks...
Sony A700; sony 18-70mm, 18-250.
My flickr!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/loymercs/
My Blog!! http://loymercsclick.blogspot.com/

Welcome conradcjc to the Camera Labs forum!
I'd opt for the A700. Has all the necessary features, is build superbly.

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

Thank you all for giving me your advice. I just purchased the a700 body. I also purchased the following lenses.

18-250mm (general all purpose walk around)
28-75mm f/2.8
70-200mm f/2.8 along with teleconverter

I should have it by weeks end. I am sure this setup will give me some nice results.

Thanks again!

If you have got the money, shoot for the best of the best.

I would shoot for the a700.

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"If I want a 'snapshot'... i will use my phone.."

My Photos:
http://mistycreek.deviantart.com/

You got quite a set! Congrats!

Hope you got the 1.4x teleconverter, not the 2x...

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

The 2x will give me f/5.6. You are saying I should have went with 1.4x. Does the image quality change that much?

Thanks

Yep, the basic conclusion from pretty much all reviews is that you should only really use the 2x converter on the 300mm f/2.8. Some users think the quality is OK, but those that have the 1.4x, and those I've "spoken" to, do prefer the 1.4x. The IQ is just quite a bit better.

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

What do you think of the SAL-70400G 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM Autofocus Lens for Alpha & Minolta Maxxum Series lens?

Thanks again for the advice you been a great help.

In case you're interested, there's a nice comparison up at Kurt Munger's site...

http://www.kurtmunger.com/300mm_zoom_an ... id217.html

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Sony α77V/VG-C77AM/α350/18-70/70-400 G SSM/NEX-5/18-55 OSS/Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW/CompuTrekker AW/Nova 140 AW/Street & Field gear/Toploader Pro 75 AW. And a huge wishlist...

My photos on Flickr...

For me, that'd be too slow (starting at f/4), but people I know seem to very happy with it. A friend of mine, quite well-known in the Sony community, Gustav (ijsvogel on Dyxum) shoots superb photos of kingfishers with the 70-400mm, doesn't use his 70-200mm as much...

As said though, it will be slower, aperture-wise. Not that f/2.8 is fast enough for the kind of work I like doing most...

- Bjorn -

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Street and documentary photographer | Google+ | Twitter | Tumblr

Leica M9-P (my article on Camera Labs) | Leica D-Lux 5 | 50mm Summilux

I guess if I would be shooting wildlife and nothing fast moving then I would not benefit from the f/2.8. Is this correct?

I ordered the body but not the lenses getting ready to click SUBMIT but then maybe I am thinking that the 70-400mm is a better option.

What do you think?

First, the 70-200 would be better to get a good shot if you'd ever find yourself in low light conditions. It does lack the extra 200mm...

The 70-200 is a just tad faster I think when it comes to focusing, although the 70-400 is a fast one, too.

Personally, I'd get the 70-400 since I don't think you'll be able to do anything with 200mm if you're intending to photograph wildlife...

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Sony α77V/VG-C77AM/α350/18-70/70-400 G SSM/NEX-5/18-55 OSS/Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW/CompuTrekker AW/Nova 140 AW/Street & Field gear/Toploader Pro 75 AW. And a huge wishlist...

My photos on Flickr...