Sony A200 -> Nikon D80 upgrade

[tfboy]

say who what now???? £450 for an a700? Details!!

Let's just say I work for a 4-letter Japanese electronics company

I think there's one in the shop at the moment... Will look.

Sorry, I didn't mean to raise that much interest. Hadn't realised it was a lot cheaper than the public market.

[BUFF]

Hadn't realised it was a lot cheaper than the public market.

about 20%.
Now if you can do that on lenses ...

[Lee`]

Your right, if I was able to find the right lenses for the sony A200, I wouldn't mind keeping the body, tbh.

I've seen a Canon 40D locally for £680 with a 17-85 is usm lens, which seems a good deal considering there is a 40D body only going for £520 on another forum. The 17-85 would be the perfect walk about lens for me, then I could pick up a 50mm quite cheaply.

[Bobster]

thats a cracking deal on the 40D with lens - its usually around 890..

[kalniel]

It is! Gah, why are there no nice offers where I am? (Might have something to do with the only camera shop in town closing down I guess )

[brammers]

I've mentioned the new Sonys a few times in this thread - well here they are:



Announcements any day now - a700 prices should plummet and there should be plenty floating around 2nd hand. We're expecting an a800 and intriguingly an a1000 - could be fun.

[kalniel]

I've mentioned the new Sonys a few times in this thread - well here they are:

What's happened to the grip on the lower end cams?

[brammers]

No idea, but the metal strips will be the grip sensors making a comeback. Quite like the styling though - the 2-tone is actually pretty nice. They've also got AF/MF switches on the body which suggests another round of in-body motors.

[YorkieBen]

new grip = new battery? Or maybe a move from CF to *shudder* MS duo

[kalniel]

new grip = new battery? Or maybe a move from CF to *shudder* MS duo

Possibly new battery, but I expect they'll still take CF. The diminutive E-620 still manages both a CF and xD card.

I do like the styling too, just hope they've not sacrificed comfort for it.

[Gunbuster]

new grip = new battery? Or maybe a move from CF to *shudder* MS duo

Well I hope not, Sony's official line has been MS with a CF adapter till now. I think that is the Minolta old guys laying down the law which is nice.

[YorkieBen]

I've mentioned the new Sonys a few times in this thread - well here they are:



Announcements any day now - a700 prices should plummet and there should be plenty floating around 2nd hand. We're expecting an a800 and intriguingly an a1000 - could be fun.

from what I can see there is the A700, A900 and three new entry level cameras tbh.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

As in the title, I think I've outgrown the A200 and the kit lens , so I'm looking to upgrade to the D80 and a 50mm f/1.8 lens.

There is your problem!! Try getting some different lenses instead of messing around changing systems.

Unless you really need specific lenses and features the Sony line-up is decent and has many secondhand Minolta AF lenses available for it. Remember that every Minolta AF lens from 1985 will work with the A200 and will also be stabilised at all focal lengths.

If you have got the money get a Sony 16-105mm or a Carl Zeiss 16-80mm and a secondhand Minolta 50mm/f1.7 - these will do well on your A200.

I picked up the 50mm/f1.7,70-210mm/f4 and the APO 100-300mm for around £200 only off Ebay late last year for my A200. All were in great condition especially the two telephotos which were boxed too. I also use a 135-400mm when I need a bit more reach. The A200 is a very capable body TBH unless you need better high ISO performance(A700) or more MP(A350 and A900).

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I've mentioned the new Sonys a few times in this thread - well here they are:



Announcements any day now - a700 prices should plummet and there should be plenty floating around 2nd hand. We're expecting an a800 and intriguingly an a1000 - could be fun.

Looks like Sony is doing a similar styling change to what Minolta did going from the 505si to the Dynax 5.

[Lee`]

That new grip doesn't look appealing at all, but I suppose it's all in the feel.

CAT-THE-FIFTH - I think the old minolta lenses were the same price they were a year ago I would stick with the A200 and take a chance on some second hand lenses, but they have taken a price hike from a year ago. I'll keep checking the dyxum forums for lenses.

I've also seen the 40D brand new with the 17-85mm for £795;

http://tradecamerasonline.com/index....products_id=60

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

That new grip doesn't look appealing at all, but I suppose it's all in the feel.

CAT-THE-FIFTH - I think the old minolta lenses were the same price they were a year ago I would stick with the A200 and take a chance on some second hand lenses, but they have taken a price hike from a year ago. I'll keep checking the dyxum forums for lenses.

I've also seen the 40D brand new with the 17-85mm for £795;

http://tradecamerasonline.com/index....products_id=60

Why don't you go for the Carl Zeiss 16-80mm?? It is a superb lens and is considered as good as the 17-85mm TBH.

Also the Canon 40D uses a slightly smaller sensor than the A200 too(1.6x factor as opposed to 1.5x for the A200). Hence the 17-85mm gives a 35mm equivalent coverage of 27mm to 136mm whereas the 16-80mm gives the equivalent to 24-120mm. The difference between 24mm and 27mm is significant. Also the 16-80mm has a wider maximum aperture too.

A review here:

http://www.newcamerareview.com/sony_...lens_id98.html

http://www.parkcameras.com/4638/Sony...ferrer=Froogle

There is also the cheaper Sony 16-105mm:

http://www.parkcameras.com/7625/Sony...ferrer=Froogle

Here is a review comparing it with the Carl Zeiss lens:

http://www.newcamerareview.com/sony_...05mmid222.html

You can also get the A700 with a 16-105mm lens for £799:

http://www.johnlewis.com/230453603/P...x?source=14798