I can only say I am impressed with the Sony Alpha 350, being a relative new comer to DSLR’s I bought an entry level camera (Nikon D40) around eighteen months ago so this is only the second DSLR I have used.
I like the feel and the weight of the a350, and found the instruction manual clear and easy to understand.
The camera itself is so easy to use, with an ISO button on the top and a Function button on the back make the settings simple to change, I have experimented more with this camera in a couple of weeks, than the whole time I have had my Nikon, it just invites you to play with it, you cannot lose track of what settings you have changed as there is a one touch default button to reset the camera.
It is the live view feature that makes the a350 stand out, shooting at ground level, waist height or overhead is a whole new experience, I have had some frustrations using live view, getting a focus in a low light and trying to photo birds overhead proved difficult, at first.
I have enjoyed the first assignment “high and low” and tried to take a diverse range of photos to test the camera, my photos may not be technically brilliant, I still have a lot to learn, but I have had so much fun taking them…. and that’s what it’s all about.
Must say I'm rather impressed also. I find the A350 to be a litle on the small size and a little lightweight, but then I'm used to a fullframe Canon with at least a 24-70mm f/2.8 attached.
The menu system is petty straight forward as are the various buttons. In fact the camera is so easy to navigate that the manual is still unopened
I've always considered Live View to be a bit of a gimmick, but until using the Sony I've had no experience of Live View. Do I still think it's a gimmick, well no, LIve View certainly has it's advantages, as in this shot.
I went to the Cathedral last year with Simon, but this is one shot that I could not manage.With live view, well it's just so simple. Live View certainly is no gimmick and IMO will be featured on all DSLRs.
The other benefit of this system, especially under difficult lighting situation is the WYSIWYG nature of Live View. Just switch over to manual set your desired aperturethen turn the control wheel to adjust the shutter until the image appears correct on the LCD. Just love it.
Experiencing a strange problem when using ARW files with Lightroom or CS3. I took a number of shots and these opened in Lightroom and CS3 without problem.
I then replaced the card in the camera and proceeded to take more photos, the strange thing being, when I put the card back into my card reader lightroom/CS3 tell me there are no photos on the card.
I can drag the files off the card onto the desktop. lightroom/CS3 will then read them. Alternatively Sony software has no problem recognising all the images on the card.
I do like the camera, but the software needs upgrading so as to be more user friendly.
Yesterday (Sunday) Ihad to go to York, so planned to stop off at the Humber bridge to take a few photos, but unfortunately as I arrived so did the rains, so here's a not so good photo of the bridge which I quickly sheltered under so has to avoid a soaking.
Just as I started really getting into the swing of Sony Liveview, through absolutely no fault of my own, for no apparent reason, and without any form of heavy impact whatsoever, the LCD cracked on me. The protective scratch resistant plastic/glass on the top is good as new, but there are cracks appearing from the bottom right hand corner of the LCD. It's still useable for now, but I'm beginning to have reservations about build-quality. More on this later...
Dennis, as you know, I lurk around all of the Minolta/Sony forums and this has never been mentioned before. And, touch wood, certainly not on my A300. Sounds like a one-off, hopefully!
