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06/01/2005 07:32:42 PM · #1 |
| I have had a Sony 828 for over a year now. I almost bought the Canon 300D, but the swivel ability won me over. It's amazing how creative you can get with the swivel. If I could rewind time, I might go with an SLR camera...just because I'm into action shots (surfing, etc.) and I need a better zoom lens. But if don't need great zoom ability, the 828 is a great camera. The picture clarity is just as good as most SLR's (although I'm sure some people would argue that there is more noise...which I would agree with on low ISO's). |
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10/07/2004 05:35:15 PM · #2 |
I bought an F828 several weeks ago. I did a lot of research before buying the camera and I finally decided it was what I needed. However, when I opened the camera and started taking pictures, everything was slightly out of focus. It was SO annoying! I'm an amateur photographer and haven't really got into manual focus "stuff." I had everything on fully automatic. But everything was slightly out of focus. I finally returned the camera.
I still want to buy a new F828, but now I'm pretty skeptical. What are the chances of getting a defective camera two times in a row! Most stores have a 15% restocking fee, which makes me even more paranoid about buying a new one and having it "break" again! Has anyone else had this problem? Could it have just been a setting that I was overlooking?
I'd appreciate any help out there. Thanks! |
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10/02/2004 06:50:15 PM · #3 |
Here are some galleries taken with the F828
NASA
Hurricane
NYC
Roadtrip
Zoo
Many a time has the external screen and swivel come in handy.
The screen also simulates what the exposure will look like when changing settings.
Movie mode is HQ and very handy.
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10/02/2004 06:12:22 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
Originally posted by hsteg:
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
Thanks Zal!
I guess my next question is, who wants to buy my 717?! ;)
Also, thank you Zueszen for your advise aswell. |
thats not allowed. You have to wait for me to sell mine first. |
haha ya well, considering you haven’t sold yours yet and what your selling for the price is one hell of a deal; I don’t see myself being able to sell mine at all :/ |
he said its one hell ova deal. that means buy it.
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10/02/2004 05:32:33 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by hsteg:
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
Thanks Zal!
I guess my next question is, who wants to buy my 717?! ;)
Also, thank you Zueszen for your advise aswell. |
thats not allowed. You have to wait for me to sell mine first. |
haha ya well, considering you haven’t sold yours yet and what your selling for the price is one hell of a deal; I don’t see myself being able to sell mine at all :/ |
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10/02/2004 05:04:35 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
Thanks Zal!
I guess my next question is, who wants to buy my 717?! ;)
Also, thank you Zueszen for your advise aswell. |
thats not allowed. You have to wait for me to sell mine first.
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09/17/2004 10:44:36 PM · #7 |
Thanks Zal!
I guess my next question is, who wants to buy my 717?! ;)
Also, thank you Zueszen for your advise aswell.
Message edited by author 2004-09-18 00:16:55. |
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09/17/2004 10:16:35 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
In auto mode, what is the average time from where you press the button to when it captures the shot? |
If you prefocus, there is no perceptable shutter lag. It takes the photo instantaneously. If you do a shutter release with no prefocus, it takes around 1/2 second, assuming average lighting. Less in good light. To put it simply, it's fast.
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
Does the auto mode better compensate for action shots? |
There is a "Continuous" focus mode that speeds up focus for sports. I've shot some sports with it, and have been pleased with the results. It's not 1DMkII, but for a non-DSLR, it is great.
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
How is the 640/480 30 FPS video mode? |
Pretty good--I don't use it a lot, but for watching clips on the computer, it's fine. It's not up to the quality of a MiniDV camcorder, but then again, it ain't a camcorder!
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
What is the average MB per minute of video ratio at 640/480? |
I have a 17 second clip that is 22MB, and a 1min32sec clip that is 118MB. So it's about 70MB per minute.
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
The controls appear to be more bulky from what ive seen. Would you consider them efficient and easy to use? Can you modify settings by feel once your used to it or are there so many controls that you have to actually 'look' when you make changes? (Example: I can switch to modes, change image size, preview, delete, etc. w/out looking at the buttons.) |
The controls are the easiest to use out of any camera that I've used. The reason they look "bulky" is because they are molded and positioned to fit people's fingers, not some tiny scaled-down version of a human hand. Yes, I can change any setting by feel, without looking at the body.
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
How long does the battery last on average? |
I get about 4 hours of normal usage. Easily enough to fill my 1GB card several times.
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
How is the overall speed of the camera? From turning it on to mode change to the focus, shutter, etc? |
Fast, fast, fast.
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
Are the memory cards and drives that are 1gig+ as fast or faster than a mem stick pro? |
I think MemoryStickPro is one of the fastest cards around, so I don't think you'll find much of anything that is faster. I use a 1GB Microdrive, and have no complaints with it.
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
Any complaints at all? |
Noise at ISO 800 is a bit high for me. I'd like to see it a little cleaner, and a usable ISO 1600 would be most welcome. Also, it gets a bit restricting to not be able to get very shallow DOF. I've seen shots taken with the Canon 85mm f/1.2 that I would kill for! But then, that lens alone is several thousand dollars.
I'd also like to see a higher-res viewfinder. The one it has is adequate (it's twice the resolution of the one on the 717), but there is lots of room for improvement in that department.
That's about it--overall, I'm very happy with it.
Oh, and one more thing--now that I've used a "real" mechanical zoom ring, I will NEVER go back to a motorized zoom ever. Trust me--you won't know how you lived without it.
Message edited by author 2004-09-17 22:23:02. |
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09/17/2004 09:36:06 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
...I tend to have problems with noise and lack of focus when in dim light. Like some of the sexy shots on DPC... I never get the clarity of these shots in the same kind of light. I either get very little focus or heavy noise. Now, another factor might be the type of light. Are some of these done with a metal halide bulb? Where does the 'white light' come from? |
I see what you meant more clearly now. Although grigirgirl's centre image does display a little noise, your point is made. While it would help to know a little more about the shots you posted, i.e. EXIF and processing details, the kind of silky image quality you're after, is, I believe, characteristic of DSLRs.
I suspect, that one or two of your examples may have been taken in relatively good light or under very good lighting and were then darkened out of camera (thus preserving a low ISO speed). The Sony's are likely to produce a grittier image, even the 828 under the best of conditions. You may intend this look for certain kinds of shots, and as you pointed out, dislike it in others.
I'm including a few F717 exhibits, relevant here, of my own (below), for comparison:
  
Message edited by author 2004-09-17 21:58:38.
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09/17/2004 09:05:56 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by spydr:
My ONLY complaint is that the hot shoe is on the lense, in front of the swivel. This is ok when on a tripod. However, when hand held, the added weight of the flash, can make the lense swivel too easily. |
That sounds like a pretty shitty complaint though. How crappy would it be to miss shots all the time cause the thing swivels while your move for a shot.
Anyone else have this same issue? Maybe yours was just build a little bit loose? |
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09/17/2004 09:03:17 PM · #11 |
| I have an 828, and I am pretty happy with it. I know it is capable of much more than I've been able to coax out of it with my meager skills. Once I max out its potential, which I expect will take quite a while, I won't feel too badly about upgrading to a DSLR. Sure, I wish it allowed for swapping out lenses, but I knew what I was doing when I opted to put a cap on my spending. I'm confident I could have spent quite a bit more and still not be taking ribbon winning shots. The 828 is not for everyone, but IMO, it does a good job for the money. |
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09/17/2004 09:02:09 PM · #12 |
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09/17/2004 08:56:01 PM · #13 |
The 828 is not perfect, and I intend to buy a DSLR in the near future, but I got more then what I expected for the money.
My ONLY complaint is that the hot shoe is on the lense, in front of the swivel. This is ok when on a tripod. However, when hand held, the added weight of the flash, can make the lense swivel too easily.
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09/17/2004 08:15:23 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
Originally posted by louddog:
Me, or the other guy? |
You, of course...dahling! ;o) |
Thanks!
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09/17/2004 08:13:33 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by MadMordegon:
...the auto focus mode (which I pretty much use exclusively) does have a delay. From the second I press down on the button to the time the picture snaps can be from .5 seconds to 3 seconds. Meaning I miss alot of shots. I don’t think its a very good action shot camera. It also hates low light |
I have no complaints about the autofocus speed with the 717. Sony has, however, cranked it with the 828.
What I cannot understand at all though, is your last comment (above): it hates low light. The 717 (and now the 828) have the fastest lens (that I'm aware of) of any compact, namely f/2.0-f/2.8. I imagine there are quite a few DSLR owners out there with lesser lenses.
Granted, it gets dark at night. ;-)
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09/17/2004 08:12:12 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by louddog:
Me, or the other guy? |
You, of course...dahling! ;o) |
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09/17/2004 08:04:53 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
Originally posted by louddog:
<---- n00b
Maybe some day I can be cool like you :) |
...hey, I just want to be cool like YOU someday!
edit: because I think your photos are awesome... didn't mean to sound like a smarta$$ there. |
Me, or the other guy?
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09/17/2004 07:45:07 PM · #18 |
Good topic, I have been wanting an 828 but also have questions.
I love my Sony 717 but I have never used any other. I almost never use the viewfinder unless there is sun glare on the LCD. The swivel action is an amazingly useful feature; im constantly using the swivel for different angles and views. I wonder how some people use a camera that does not swivel. So much missed shot potential. The video mode is also great although the quality is not.
However, the auto focus mode (which I pretty much use exclusively) does have a delay. From the second I press down on the button to the time the picture snaps can be from .5 seconds to 3 seconds. Meaning I miss alot of shots. I don’t think its a very good action shot camera. It also hates low light.
Originally posted by Zal:
I've had my 828 for several months, and I'm over 2,100 photos shot. To say that "I love the camera" would be an understatement. If my 828 were mangled in a horrible accident, I would buy another one in a heartbeat.
If you have any specific questions, I'll be happy to try and answer them for you. |
I hope you can answer my questions Zal.
What im hoping for is that all the things I love about the 717 are there and better on the 828 plus fixes for my complaints.
In auto mode, what is the average time from where you press the button to when it captures the shot?
Does the auto mode better compensate for action shots?
How is the 640/480 30 FPS video mode?
What is the average MB per minute of video ratio at 640/480?
The controls appear to be more bulky from what ive seen. Would you consider them efficient and easy to use? Can you modify settings by feel once your used to it or are there so many controls that you have to actually 'look' when you make changes? (Example: I can switch to modes, change image size, preview, delete, etc. w/out looking at the buttons.)
How long does the battery last on average?
How is the overall speed of the camera? From turning it on to mode change to the focus, shutter, etc?
Are the memory cards and drives that are 1gig+ as fast or faster than a mem stick pro?
Any complaints at all?
Message edited by author 2004-09-17 19:52:04. |
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09/17/2004 07:00:17 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by e301:
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
N.B. All the ribbon shots are with the Minolta DiImage F100. |
No they aren't - though it must be said that 'only' three are with the F300, and 'only' three with the 828.
Ed |
Like I said, I'm sure any camera this photographer uses, even a toy camera, would produce fantastic images.
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09/17/2004 06:52:59 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
N.B. All the ribbon shots are with the Minolta DiImage F100. |
No they aren't - though it must be said that 'only' three are with the F300, and 'only' three with the 828.
Ed
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09/17/2004 06:04:19 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by faidoi:
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
N.B. All the ribbon shots are with the Minolta DiImage F100. |
but he could've upgraded to a dSLR but didn't. |
I'm sure any camera this photographer uses, even a toy camera, would produce fantastic images.
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09/17/2004 06:00:49 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
N.B. All the ribbon shots are with the Minolta DiImage F100. |
but he could've upgraded to a dSLR but didn't.
Message edited by author 2004-09-17 18:03:09. |
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09/17/2004 05:58:09 PM · #23 |
N.B. All the ribbon shots are with the Minolta DiImage F100.
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09/17/2004 05:43:24 PM · #24 |
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09/17/2004 05:34:46 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
...if you've ever used a digital point and shoot, there's that 3 or 4 second delay before the picture is actually captured. Just wondering if the Sony F series does that. |
I think your asking about write-speed... MemoryStick and MemoryStickPro (for the F717) record between 1.5 secs - 2.5 secs per image. The Pro sticks and larger CFs (for the F828) are faster. Other factors, like temp, size of file, etc. play a role as well. Overall, for all practical intent and purpose, I'd say both of these cams are relatively fast.
Shutter lag for the F717 is: Autofocus: 0.63-0.65; Manual Focus: 0.136; Prefocus: 0.120 (secs), which is also nothing to shake a stick at or hamper your photography.
Message edited by author 2004-09-17 17:36:35.
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