DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Sony DSC-F717
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 22 of 22, (reverse)
AuthorThread
01/26/2004 09:50:08 PM · #1
Hey! I'm buying a DSC-F717 (probably) tomorrow. Am I doing the right thing?
01/26/2004 10:10:26 PM · #2
It's a great camera. you'll love it.
01/26/2004 10:13:40 PM · #3
its teh win!
01/26/2004 11:33:52 PM · #4
I'm happy with it too.

Does anyone have the tele-converter from Sony? What do you think of it?
01/26/2004 11:59:56 PM · #5
if money is no object, get the 828, i heard it kicks ass. But the F717 has been well rated. One thing that did bother me though, was the fact that the viewfinder does not show a real image, but instead is a mini LCD screen. Basically, there's no point in using the viewfinder, you might as well use the large LCD on the back. And remember that you'll probably pay the premium for Memory Sticks.

Other than this, no big problems, it's a great camera to buy.
01/27/2004 12:08:52 AM · #6
Originally posted by khkai:

if money is no object, get the 828, i heard it kicks ass. But the F717 has been well rated. One thing that did bother me though, was the fact that the viewfinder does not show a real image, but instead is a mini LCD screen. Basically, there's no point in using the viewfinder, you might as well use the large LCD on the back.


Isn't this true about all non dslr cameras? Once you upgrade to the dslr you need to get use to using the viewfinder again.
01/27/2004 12:35:36 AM · #7
my friend has had his 828 for 2 weeks now and has yet to be able to tell the difference in quality between taking shots at the 8mp mode vs the 5mp mode. he is || close to taking it back and getting a 717 and spending the extra money on mem and accessories.
01/27/2004 01:04:19 AM · #8
Take a look at the Minolta DiMage A1 before you put down your big bucks for that Sony. And ask some people at your local camera shop about Sony's record for how many have to go back to them for repair, and how long it takes.
01/27/2004 01:13:36 AM · #9
Originally posted by khkai:

And remember that you'll probably pay the premium for Memory Sticks.


....but no problems with it corrupting like compact flash sometime does.
01/27/2004 02:21:06 AM · #10
True, I lost a 512 CF to corruption :(
01/27/2004 02:26:36 AM · #11
Originally posted by khkai:

if money is no object, get the 828, i heard it kicks ass. But the F717 has been well rated. One thing that did bother me though, was the fact that the viewfinder does not show a real image, but instead is a mini LCD screen. Basically, there's no point in using the viewfinder, you might as well use the large LCD on the back. And remember that you'll probably pay the premium for Memory Sticks.

Other than this, no big problems, it's a great camera to buy.


There is a point in using the viewfinder, since the resolution of the viewfinder is higher, 235000 pixels EVF versus 134000 pixels on the LCD (F828 figures). So you will be able to judge sharpness better.

A big difference of an electronic viewfinder, like on F7x7 or F828, compared to a DSLR, is that the Sony viewfinder always has live preview, showing exposure but also depth of field like on your final image. On a DSLR you usually have to press a button for depth of field preview and the final image can only be jduged in the review, after taking the picture. Both have its advantages, just have to get used to one of them.

01/29/2004 12:55:11 PM · #12
The 828 is probably worth the over all upgrades.. Everything from the physical design to the upgraded picture quality... After playing with one the other day I felt disapointed going back to my 717. Don't get me wrong, I love my 717, but man, the 828 was amazing... I would say it's better than the Canon DSL for the same price.

I could be wrong with my last point, but I'm not overly impressed with the Canon Rebel DSLR.

Oh ya, the 828 view finder resolution is MUCH higher than the one on the 717. I find this a problem when doing macro shots...
01/29/2004 01:25:15 PM · #13
This review (//www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscf717/) helped me decide to buy mine. You can check out pretty much every other camera on that site, too. The reviews are as in-depth as you can get.

I am still learning how to use mine (I am a VERY amatuer photographer!), but I am happy with.
01/29/2004 01:45:42 PM · #14
Originally posted by TommyMoe21:

Does anyone have the tele-converter from Sony? What do you think of it?


Yes, I actually just bought one. I'd been thinking about it for a long time. I haven't taken it out in the world yet, just played with it at home. The thing is huge. The diameter is about four inches and the lens weighs easily as much as the rest of the camera. If you hold only the camera body, the weight of the lens will pull the pivot all the way down. This wouldn't be a problem on a tripod, but handheld you have to support the lens with your other hand. That makes zooming/manual focusing difficult, not to mention holding on to railings or walls as I often do to keep my shot still.

The zoom power it adds is definitely noticeable. I often find that the 717's zoom stops just short of where I really want to frame a shot, and this will help with that.

I haven't spent enough time with it yet in my typical (outdoor/handheld) situation to know whether it meets my needs. It came in one of those stupid plastic clamshell packages that you have to fully destroy to get open, so I'm not really sure whether I still have the option of returning it.

The Sony branded teleconverter is a 1.7x lens; you can find a 2.0x one on ebay for less, but it's no brand and labeled in Japanese. I'm always a little uncomfortable buying unbranded things like that. Sort of has that "fell off a truck" feel to it.
01/29/2004 02:13:46 PM · #15
Thanks Kostia,
I was aware of it's size. I think I can figure out ways to work around that. Do you feel any loss of quality in your images when using it and do you feel it's worh the $300 they get for it?
Tom
01/29/2004 06:10:12 PM · #16
So my son just gave me a gift certificate from B&H and I was thinking to get the tele-converter...if it is that heavy what tripod do you use and do you think it is worth it to go SONY? Apperently B&H tried to talk him into something by another maker...they said you would get more "bang for the buck" with an adapter and other lenses
01/29/2004 06:23:59 PM · #17
WAIT before you order from somewhere else, //www.provantage.com has the lens for something like 195. I recently ordered from them and it was great. Got the product three days later. Also, at wide angle, how bad are the dark circles around the image. Maybe you can post a sample.
01/29/2004 06:30:56 PM · #18
I have a gift certificate so I am having to use B&H but I have used them a lot and always had good luck. The tele is not 300 but 250 or thereabouts with mailing.
01/29/2004 07:07:37 PM · #19
Originally posted by faidoi:

Originally posted by khkai:

And remember that you'll probably pay the premium for Memory Sticks.


....but no problems with it corrupting like compact flash sometime does.


...and I bought all of mine (64,128,256) on ebay (genuine Sony, new in sealed package) for VERY reasonable prices.
01/29/2004 07:43:36 PM · #20
me too.
01/29/2004 09:34:04 PM · #21
Originally posted by khkai:

...Basically, there's no point in using the viewfinder, you might as well use the large LCD on the back. And remember that you'll probably pay the premium for Memory Sticks.
...


Two things:

-The LCD viewfinder on the 828 has yet to grow on me, but I only find it "useless" when trying to pan with a moving subject.
-The 828 accepts regular Compact Flash memory as well as Sony memory sticks.
01/29/2004 10:15:53 PM · #22
bump
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 06:49:41 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 06:49:41 PM EDT.