A new DSLR in August

[Lee Sacrey]

I went to order a Sony a700 today and was told that it is due for replacement in August. What has anyone heard and should I wait or go ahead with the a700 purchase?

Your thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks

[candleman]

if its true.. wait til November.. by that time the A700 will have dropped in price and you'll get a great camera for cheap.

[TammyB74]

I agree, if Sony is about to release (which I knew they were going to, just wasn't sure when) a new model, I'd wait and the A700 should come down in price a little.

[DonSchap]

Modern digital photography has become the game of waiting for the newest and latest.

Don't buy into it. Your photographs are not waiting. The A700 is one of the best cameras available, even now, for the price. My advice: Get in there and get snappin'!

[bmcguirk]

I agree with Don. Anything filled with electronics like our dslr's are always going to be changing and updating. If you see something you like now go for it. Otherwise you could be waiting forever for the next improvement.

[Lee Sacrey]

I ordered the a700 and a vertical grip today. The decision has been made, the wallet is lighter, lol.

[DonSchap]

Hey Lee, I noted that you have a Minolta AF 35-70mm f/4 lens in your bag and I was wondering how much you are using it?

I have found that with digital, I have gotten terrific results by changing from that lens to the TAMRON SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO lens. Not only does it provide you with a tad more range, it is exceptionally sharp by comparison. Heck, it is my "walkaround" lens, outdoors. If you are really looking to improve your image results, you might want to consider something along those lines. The cost is reasonable, compared to what upgrading to a SONY CZ 24-70 f/2.8 would be.

Just a thought.

[Lee Sacrey]

Thanks for the info Don,

I use the 35 - 70 mm f4 quite a bit. The 2 lenses I use the most are that one (35 - 70 mm f4) and the Beercan 70 - 210 mm f4. I have considered an 18 - 70 mm f2.8 and also a Minolta 17 - 35 mm f2.8 - 4. I am not yet sure what I will do. I only have some much room in my camera bag.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by bmcguirk

I agree with Don. Anything filled with electronics like our dslr's are always going to be changing and updating. If you see something you like now go for it. Otherwise you could be waiting forever for the next improvement.

sure.. but a newer camera wont necessarily improve the images.. so theres no point throwing moneyt away.. the sensor wont be any worse in 5 months time.. it will still be the same camera.. just a little cheaper.
that means you could take your wife out to dinner AND have an a700.. for the same price
that way she wont get to grumpy at the next purchase

see where i'm going with this?? only the wise survive my friend..

congrats on the new camera...

[DonSchap]

Originally Posted by Lee Sacrey

Thanks for the info Don,

I use the 35 - 70 mm f4 quite a bit. The 2 lenses I use the most are that one (35 - 70 mm f4) and the Beercan 70 - 210 mm f4. I have considered an 18 - 70 mm f2.8 and also a Minolta 17 - 35 mm f2.8 - 4. I am not yet sure what I will do. I only have some much room in my camera bag.

Who is making an 18-70 f/2.8?

As for the Minolta AF 17-35mm f/2.8 'D', seriously consider the TAMRON SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) as a better substitute.



It is f/2.8 through its longer focal length. I have both of these lenses and I find the TAMRON to be the better choice, as it will not darken up on you as you increase focal length.

A lot of people have made this choice also and no one complains. I really recommend that you try them BOTH before making your move for a non-warranty lens that may no longer be repairable or have parts available.