More improvements with firmware 1.05 of SLT-A77/A65
March 31, 2012 - 08:22:07 AM:
The Firmware update to version 1.05 for the SLT-A77 and SLT-A65 contains more than was announced. The Japanese announcement mentions “other improvements”, without going into detail. Further testing and reports from the community reveal what these other improvements are:
- There were some problems with Minolta TCs and the Minolta 300/2.8 and 600/4 APO telephoto lenses. After some minutes of use, the camera would only hunt for focus. Firmware 1.05 reportedly has fixed this issue.
If you find other improvements, please comment below, and I'll update this posting.
Categories: Cameras (Sony), Product Updates | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
The Firmware update to version 1.05 for the SLT-A77 and SLT-A65 contains more than was announced. The Japanese announcement mentions “other improvements”, without going into detail. Further testing and reports from the community reveal what these other improvements are:
There were some problems with Minolta TCs and the Minolta 300/2.8 and 600/4 APO telephoto lenses. After some minutes of use, the camera would only hunt for focus. Firmware 1.05 reportedly has fixed this issue.
If you find other improvements, please comment below, and I'll update this posting.
SLT-A77/A65 Firmware 1.05
March 29, 2012 - 07:18:25 AM:
Rumor had it for some time, and today Sony has released firmware version 1.05 for the SLT-A77 and SLT-A65.
The new changes are:
- Added more lenses supported by the in-camera auto-correction features:
In total, the A77 and A65 now can auto-correct a total of 12 lenses.
- Improved response time for camera shutdown, auto-review, front and rear dials and playback.
- Improved AF response for the Sony Alpha 500/4 G SSM.
- Improved AF accuracy for high-contrast targets.
Unfortunately, the restrictions of many features to JPEG-only mode (and in particular, the necessity to manually switch to JPEG-only to access these features) were still not lifted. Other improvements of usability, e. g. the ability to remote-start movie recording or the ability to customize more buttons, are also lacking.
Categories: Cameras (Sony), Product Updates | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
Rumor had it for some time, and today Sony has released firmware version 1.05 for the SLT-A77 and SLT-A65.
The new changes are:
Added more lenses supported by the in-camera auto-correction features:
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24/2 ZA SSM
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85/1.4 ZA
Sony Alpha DT 35/1.8 SAM
Sony Alpha DT 50/1.8 SAM
Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135/1.8 ZA
Sony Alpha 70-300/4.5-5.6 G SSM
In total, the A77 and A65 now can auto-correct a total of 12 lenses.
Improved response time for camera shutdown, auto-review, front and rear dials and playback.
Improved AF response for the Sony Alpha 500/4 G SSM.
Improved AF accuracy for high-contrast targets.
Unfortunately, the restrictions of many features to JPEG-only mode (and in particular, the necessity to manually switch to JPEG-only to access these features) were still not lifted. Other improvements of usability, e. g. the ability to remote-start movie recording or the ability to customize more buttons, are also lacking.
Sony announces AF 500/4 G SSM lens
February 08, 2012 - 08:44:29 AM:
Sony has today announced their long-awaited AF 500/4 G SSM lens for release in March 2012.
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| Sony Alpha 500/4 G SSM |
Little has changed compared to the last version that Sony has shown. Most obvious is the change of the finish. Sony seems to move away from their silver-colored lenses again. The final version of the 500/4 is painted plain white, with no shiny patches of orange. The lens in its official finish fits well into the line of earlier G lenses, like the 70-200/2.8 and the 300/2.8, with only the 70-400 sticking out like a sore thumb.
Sony has also released the final technical data. There are also few surprises there. The lens is officially sealed against moisture and dust, and a new lens element coating technology promises to cut flare to a new low.
Also as expected, the lens is compatible with the 1.4× and 2× teleconverters. AF is maintained with the 1.4×, with the 2× only manual focus is possible.
Also see:
Categories: Lenses (Sony) | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
Sony has today announced their long-awaited AF 500/4 G SSM lens for release in March 2012.
Sony Alpha 500/4 G SSM
Little has changed compared to the last version that Sony has shown. Most obvious is the change of the finish. Sony seems to move away from their silver-colored lenses again. The final version of the 500/4 is painted plain white, with no shiny patches of orange. The lens in its official finish fits well into the line of earlier G lenses, like the 70-200/2.8 and the 300/2.8, with only the 70-400 sticking out like a sore thumb.
Sony has also released the final technical data. There are also few surprises there. The lens is officially sealed against moisture and dust, and a new lens element coating technology promises to cut flare to a new low.
Also as expected, the lens is compatible with the 1.4× and 2× teleconverters. AF is maintained with the 1.4×, with the 2× only manual focus is possible.
Also see:
Lens tech data for Sony Alpha 500/4 G SSM
SLT-A77/A65 Firmware 1.04 Upgrade
November 29, 2011 - 01:09:49 PM:
Sony has just released firmware 1.04 for the Sony SLT-A77/A65 (for example, click here and here to download). As usual, this is a common upgrade that can be installed on all regional models. Of course, you will still get only the languages and features of that regional model.
The official improvements (compared to version 1.03) are:
- Added more lenses supported by the lens correction feature. The newly supported lenses are:
This means the A77 now automatically corrects vignetting, chromatic aberrations and distortion of 6 lenses.
- Improved usability and response times
- Improved image quality
I will update my A77 review as soon as I'm back home next weekend.
Update
After installing version 1.04, I found there is no need to update the review. The reason is that none of the problems described there are fixed!
I can confirm that Lens Compensation works with the 16-80/3.5-4.5. Other than that and the version number, I do not find any difference! The control wheels react as sluggishly as before, turning off the camera still takes about 5 seconds, viewfinder switchover has not improved, and none of the problems and bugs described in my review were fixed. I read about the problem that in single shot mode the camera sometimes recorded two images with a single press of the release button. But I never experienced this before, so obviously version 1.04 does not fix this for me. I can not confirm that the shutdown hang was fixed, because I experienced it only once, anyway.
Categories: Cameras (Sony), Product Updates | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
Sony has just released firmware 1.04 for the Sony SLT-A77/A65 (for example, click here and here to download). As usual, this is a common upgrade that can be installed on all regional models. Of course, you will still get only the languages and features of that regional model.
The official improvements (compared to version 1.03) are:
Added more lenses supported by the lens correction feature. The newly supported lenses are:
Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80/3.5-4.5 ZA
DT 16-105/3.5-5.6
This means the A77 now automatically corrects vignetting, chromatic aberrations and distortion of 6 lenses.
Improved usability and response times
Improved image quality
I will update my A77 review as soon as I'm back home next weekend.
Update
After installing version 1.04, I found there is no need to update the review. The reason is that none of the problems described there are fixed!
I can confirm that Lens Compensation works with the 16-80/3.5-4.5. Other than that and the version number, I do not find any difference! The control wheels react as sluggishly as before, turning off the camera still takes about 5 seconds, viewfinder switchover has not improved, and none of the problems and bugs described in my review were fixed. I read about the problem that in single shot mode the camera sometimes recorded two images with a single press of the release button. But I never experienced this before, so obviously version 1.04 does not fix this for me. I can not confirm that the shutdown hang was fixed, because I experienced it only once, anyway.
November 14, 2011 - 07:29:23 AM:
When you buy your first SLR, you soon notice that it's not a good idea to let it bang at other objects when you carry it around. So you buy a bag for it, e. g. one of the abundant top-loading bags. Then, if you've been bitten by the SLR bug, you probably add one or two lenses to your set and an external flash, and so you've outgrown your bag. So you sell your top-loader and buy another bag. And then you buy a tripod, or a larger lens, etc. And at this point, you realize: that one ideal bag simply does not exist. A bag that can hold everything you own is just overkill when you only take a walk in the park.
Over the time, I've owned seven camera bags, used another two, and until shortly, I was left with just three. Now I've yet again bought a camera bag (it's impossible to have too many), the Lowepro Inverse 200 AW.
 Read more...
Categories: Reviews, Accessories (3rd Party) | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
When you buy your first SLR, you soon notice that it's not a good idea to let it bang at other objects when you carry it around. So you buy a bag for it, e. g. one of the abundant top-loading bags. Then, if you've been bitten by the SLR bug, you probably add one or two lenses to your set and an external flash, and so you've outgrown your bag. So you sell your top-loader and buy another bag. And then you buy a tripod, or a larger lens, etc. And at this point, you realize: that one ideal bag simply does not exist. A bag that can hold everything you own is just overkill when you only take a walk in the park.
Over the time, I've owned seven camera bags, used another two, and until shortly, I was left with just three. Now I've yet again bought a camera bag (it's impossible to have too many), the Lowepro Inverse 200 AW.
November 12, 2011 - 03:04:29 PM:
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| Sony SLT-A77 |
On August 24th Sony has released the SLT-A77 camera. It took a while before it became available in Europe, but I recently bought one. Here are my first impressions of the camera.
You will not find 100% crops of highest-ISO shots in this review. This is not my shooting style, and it's not my review style. You will also not find detailed descriptions of all features and menu items. What I write about here are my impressions of the camera in real-life use, and other thoughts. Obviously the A77 is compared a lot with its predecessor, the A700, and this review is no exception.
Read more...
Categories: Reviews, Cameras (Sony) | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
Sony SLT-A77
On August 24th Sony has released the SLT-A77 camera. It took a while before it became available in Europe, but I recently bought one. Here are my first impressions of the camera.
You will not find 100% crops of highest-ISO shots in this review. This is not my shooting style, and it's not my review style. You will also not find detailed descriptions of all features and menu items. What I write about here are my impressions of the camera in real-life use, and other thoughts. Obviously the A77 is compared a lot with its predecessor, the A700, and this review is no exception.
September 28, 2011 - 07:32:02 PM:
Recently I've explained Electronic Front Curtain Shutters and how Sony recommends when not to use it.
In the meantime, I've found the same warnings also in the A77's manual.
I've also found another explanation of why not to use it with Konica Minolta lenses. It's related to the angle of incidence of light from the lens hitting the sensor.
Read more...
Categories: Articles, Camera Technology | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
Recently I've explained Electronic Front Curtain Shutters and how Sony recommends when not to use it.
In the meantime, I've found the same warnings also in the A77's manual.
I've also found another explanation of why not to use it with Konica Minolta lenses. It's related to the angle of incidence of light from the lens hitting the sensor.
September 19, 2011 - 09:51:47 PM:
What is it, and why use it?
When Sony recently announced the SLT-A77,
SLT-A65, NEX-7
and NEX-5N, one little detail in
their specification lists was mostly overlooked: They are Sony's first photo
cameras with an electronic front curtain shutter. What does this mean, how
does it work, and why use it anyway? This page provides the answers.
Read more...
Categories: Articles, Camera Technology | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
What is it, and why use it?
When Sony recently announced the SLT-A77,
SLT-A65, NEX-7
and NEX-5N, one little detail in
their specification lists was mostly overlooked: They are Sony's first photo
cameras with an electronic front curtain shutter. What does this mean, how
does it work, and why use it anyway? This page provides the answers.
Display filter re-designed
September 16, 2011 - 12:39:35 PM:
The display filter on the equipment table pages was re-designed. When changing the selection, the page content is updated immediately. The overview display was integrated into the filter. A permalink is offered for linking to a selection externally.
Categories: Site News | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
The display filter on the equipment table pages was re-designed. When changing the selection, the page content is updated immediately. The overview display was integrated into the filter. A permalink is offered for linking to a selection externally.
NEX-VG20
August 24, 2011 - 10:43:29 AM:
Today, Sony has also updated their lineup of system camcorders with the NEX-VG20. It's an update of the NEX-VG10, using the NEX-3C/5N's 16 MP sensor, now with 50p/60p recording, still image recording in RAW format and audio level control.
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| NEX-VG20 |
The tech data will be available later today.
Categories: Cameras (Sony) | Readers' comments | Archive of all entries
Today, Sony has also updated their lineup of system camcorders with the NEX-VG20. It's an update of the NEX-VG10, using the NEX-3C/5N's 16 MP sensor, now with 50p/60p recording, still image recording in RAW format and audio level control.
NEX-VG20
The tech data will be available later today.
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