Camera Labs

My Sony a580 has finally arrived from Hong Kong. Was a bit wary of buying from there but could not find a European wholesaler that would ship to Malta and still be less expensive. At the end, I had to pay 130 Euros VAT at customs; so in the end I think I'm break even.

As regards the camera... it's beautiful! This is my first proper SLR, as I only had Nikon p&s cameras before. When I was a child, my father would often let me play with his film slr, but never really used it in a technical manner. Since this August I have been doing research in this forum and others and now am looking forward to start contributing photos.

Congratulations

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AntBlog701 | SillyDog701
Apple: MacBook Air (11-in, 1.8GHz i7), Mac Pro (12-core 2.66GHz), MacBook Pro (15-in), iMac (21.5-in, Core i5), Mac mini Server (2.66GHz), iMac (24-in, C2D), PowerBook G4 (12-in, 1.33GHz), iMac G4 (1.25GHz)x2, PowerMac G4 (dual 1.44GHz), iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, 4, 3G, iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2, iPad, iPad mini (all 64GB, LTE/3G), iPod touch (4th gen & 1st gen), 3 x AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule...

I'm very happy for you!

Hopefully you enjoy your new Alpha!

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Hi,
Very happy for you! Please share the ups and downs of your camera with us.
Thanks, Jinay.

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A picture is worth a thousand words, but a photograph should make you say just one - "WOW!"

Canon EOS 550D + 18-55mm Kit Lens + Canon 75-300mm III USM + Filters.
Panasonic Lumix FZ35

My Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdm_01/

Does the α580 come with the GPS location recording thing built-in?

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AntBlog701 | SillyDog701
Apple: MacBook Air (11-in, 1.8GHz i7), Mac Pro (12-core 2.66GHz), MacBook Pro (15-in), iMac (21.5-in, Core i5), Mac mini Server (2.66GHz), iMac (24-in, C2D), PowerBook G4 (12-in, 1.33GHz), iMac G4 (1.25GHz)x2, PowerMac G4 (dual 1.44GHz), iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, 4, 3G, iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2, iPad, iPad mini (all 64GB, LTE/3G), iPod touch (4th gen & 1st gen), 3 x AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule...

@anthony
no GPS in th a580.
only the sony a55v has it.

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Sony α580 dSLR
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Sony 18-55 kit lens, Minolta AF 50mm 1.7, Minolta 28-105mm xi zoom, Minolta 35-70mm 3.5-4.5, Minolta 75-300mm 4.5-5.6
Kata 3n1-22

My short photostream: ivandegi

It does look like a very impressive camera. Is it the same size as the a550, because I always liked its size and weight with the vertical grip.

Any chance of any pictures and your impressions off the camera. Their always welcome.

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My Flickr

My Music Photography Website

www.malachitimothyphotography.co.uk

Nikon D700 - Vertical Grip. 24-70mm F2.8, 70-200mm f2.8vr2, 50mm f1.8d and a nice bag to put it all in.

The a 580 is my first SLR and I never handled a 550 before. But according to dpreview, they both measure at 137 x 104 x 84 mm.

As regards to picture quality, I'm a noob so any impressions are solely based on first hand impressions of an slr. I can't offer comparisons. If you go to my flickr page I put up some pics - most are using the Minolta 50mm 1.7 as I photographed the cats indoors at home in my free time and found that lens to be best adapted to the low lights.

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Sony α580 dSLR
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Sony 18-55 kit lens, Minolta AF 50mm 1.7, Minolta 28-105mm xi zoom, Minolta 35-70mm 3.5-4.5, Minolta 75-300mm 4.5-5.6
Kata 3n1-22

My short photostream: ivandegi

So their about the same size, that's cool. Am I right in thinking that the Vertical Grip is the same as the one used in a550?

And you have some nice pictures of cats, although I'm more of a dog person myself, so the pic of the Dog's my favorite.

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My Flickr

My Music Photography Website

www.malachitimothyphotography.co.uk

Nikon D700 - Vertical Grip. 24-70mm F2.8, 70-200mm f2.8vr2, 50mm f1.8d and a nice bag to put it all in.

100 % correct . While the battery life is excellent (unlike say a 550D/Rebel T2i), it's nice to have the option. Makes for a much better balance between the camera and a heavy lens like a 24-70 or 70-400.

Congratulations ! I'm still holding off until the A700 successor will be here (should be somewhere next year)...

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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...