Today we present to you the second and final part of the article about the first-born brand Sony Alpha, Digital SLR, Sony DSLR-A100. Those who for some reason missed the beginning of the story can read it here: Digital SLR Camera Sony DSLR-A100: the brand's debut in the dense Alpha D-SLR market, Part I.
However, unlike the first part, where most cited meticulously collected by the official information about the camera Sony DSLR-A100, in this part we shall deal more practical side, including the results of the first filming of a new camera. Just want to make a reservation: the results "live" shooting – this is not what is normally provided in the articles after the steady-state tests on the full program. Even below the actual camera shots were done, they say, in haste, at rest in Agadir under the sun in extremely Berber tent style – a white canvas on the outside, bottom – quilts (that's where the pictures purple or pink tint of the camera body).
Not so easy to make a lot of test shots, given our permanent move to Morocco, as well as constant "hovering over the soul" of other journalists who want to quickly fill their own test images flash card. In short, if not enough – do not blame me, it came out how it happened, and ending up with "stationary" survey cameras have to be content with what we have.
Design features of Sony DSLR-A100
From the very beginning – as soon as the Sony DSLR-A100 fell into my hands, I quite liked the camera. I'm not going to argue, some journalists have a "syndrome" – they like the most is the fact that they have not yet touched, to touch what was the first time, and that twist in the hands at the moment, and I'm probably no different from their number. And yet, over time, and the smoothing of emotions, I can say for sure, and very likely objective: The unit is very easy to work with it nicely.
Personal experiences will be slightly lower, but now let's look at the design Sony DSLR-A100 – nothing missing, in detail, almost like in the instructions.
Front view
Lamp Timer
The plane of the lens mount
Button Depth-of-Field Preview (preview images in accordance with established the diaphragm)
Catch
Electronics
The button latch lens
Back view
Viewfinder
Switch
Sensors eyepiece
MENU button
Button Display
The Delete button
Playback Button
LCD Monitor
Button Exposure (photography) and Reduce (preview)
Button AE Lock (photography) or Enlarge (preview)
Indicator of treatment / readiness
The central joystick button / Spot-AF
Joystick buttons
Super SteadyShot Mode Switch
Remote Connector
Top view
The switch functions
Fn button
The disk control
The shutter button
The mode dial
Drive Button
Right View
Focus mode switch
Flexible cover, covering the power jack
Left Side View
Built-in flash
Hinged hard cover, covering the slot USB / video output and a slot for Compact Flash card
Details are icons, displayed an LCD monitor, the paint does not make sense, because, firstly, they are not eloquent enough, and secondly, the display changes as the mode to mode, and depending on screen orientation – horizontal or vertical. Let me just note that if we talk about the display screen in shooting mode (see figure above) and divided the display into four horizontal bands, the upper "band" of the screen we see (from left to right) set the shooting mode, the current settings for shutter speed and aperture ( Auto, 1/250 sec, F5.6). In the second zone – the flash mode, exposure compensation, flash compensation, the scale of EV and set ISO.
The third band indicates the color setting mode, setting the contrast, saturation and brightness mode, D-Range Optimizer, metering mode and set the autofocus, shutter priority, shooting mode, set the size and format of the image, the lower band is responsible for the display of AE Lock, battery charge status , white balance, plus, in the lower right corner – the traditional count of remaining personnel.
Playback mode – a very different "song": there, along with displaying the picture size, focal length, shutter speed and applied a variety of other settings you can see the histogram, put the protection on the picture to control the output image to the printer and so on. By the way, if you turn the camera in a vertical "portrait mode" display somewhat modified, although the concept is about the same.
Finally, a few words on the viewfinder. In the field of view is traditionally displayed a variety of frames, depending on the focus mode, this is understandable, but the bottom line displays the following information about the settings: flash mode (compensation, charge, wireless, high-speed mode), AE Lock, Focus mode, shutter speed, aperture, scale Ev, count the number of shots remaining, a warning icon on the possible image blur with the established parameters of exposure and scale mining of Super SteadyShot.
Such cases, even in the description of the apparatus I could not avoid the table-boring details. Nothing is more fun, because now I just turn to a description of personal experiences.
In the process of demonstrating Sony DSLR-A100 camera we have been shown in longitudinal section. Suffice clear demonstration of "content" system, the three most typical picture – below:
The first thing I would like to draw the attention of our readers featuring the Sony DSLR-A100 – is, of course, the metal front of the camera. And if the metal frame camera traditionally used for chamber stiffness in general, the metal front panel, as you might guess, specially made with a view of potential use in conjunction with the camera Sony DSLR-A100 large heavy lenses – so as not to "break down" the bayonet of the camera body.
Rubber coated side of the body is comfortable, comfortable hand rests. Due to the relatively low weight of the device (for example, compared to F828) there may well be cases where the camera is combined with mild lens would make offhand shot or two with one hand.
Of course, in many past achievements transparently visible Konica Minolta, especially in the ergonomic device. Yet for the sake of fairness it should be noted that even in the very first Sony camera has successfully managed to get away from the basic facilities Konica Minolta, and even in small things – like the original backlight, time to do everything their own way.
At the end of the first experiments with the camera can note that clicking the shutter can be heard clearly, but the process is quite delicate, with no perceptible noise and camera shake.
As stated in the specifications, memory card slot of the camera Sony DSLR-A100 alone, and it is designed to fit Compact Flash. How does the use of cards is the "native" format, Sony, Memory Stick PRO Duo. The answer is simple: thanks to the adapter in the form of Compact Flash original design. The adapter comes supplied Sony DSLR-A100, but the future still plan to promote a standard for the "top" Sony cameras 2-slot design CF / MS PRO Duo.
Perhaps, this design features Sony DSLR-A100, the owners of unusual D-SLR cameras Konica Minolta, come to an end. Well, except that the additional 78 grams Battery Sony NP-FM55H.
Special mention deserves the lack of in-camera Sony DSLR-A100 set a conditional in relation to the sensitivity level of ISO 3200. Why not? Experts commented on Sony follows the question: a sensitivity setting of the internal standard Sony is not practiced.
My comment would be the situation. Many thanks to marketers Sony – for what did not go in the wake of widespread global trend now with the buyer obdurivaniem unreal transcendental characteristics. But the released product with the declared characteristics actually reflect the inherent possibilities. Indeed, if we begin the battle for the hearts basically tech savvy buyers who are called – "advanced amateurs", it is better from the start not to promise unrealistic to then they did not have an awkward feeling of frustration. A promotional "zavlekalochka" so be it, let them remain to producers who promise fantastic, contrary to the laws of physics class thing "ISO1600 tsifromylnitse in a half-inch, 5-matrix."
And another key issue, in fact, automatically determines the positioning of the camera – it is essentially an amateur or professional. Yes, it is the average life gate. Unfortunately, official data on this subject I could not get, if this parameter and is normalized, it is likely as long as somewhere on the level of information for internal use.
And yet, on the sidelines could clarify that for the Sony DSLR-A100 is about life 50,000 shutter. This information is, of course, unofficial, will try to iron in order to find out where he took – tell a dream, but for the exemplary apparatus features prikidok quite fit.