The body is better than mine, glass is worst, photographer will make the difference.

Neal. http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sonyslta57

8 pages of comparisons. Sounds like Sony is trying really hard. I'd still shop lens first and see maybe what your buddy can do to help. Other things in that price range that are interesting although taking 2 bills off makes a big difference.

Thanks. He has several different lens that I could borrow to see which I like.

If I do decide to go Sony, I will not do their bundle and look for some good lens.

Just atea big bowl of udon in miso broth.

Mmmmmmmmmmm

So an 18-55mm is good to have for general use and 55-200mm would be good for some zoom quality?

18-55mm is, in my opinion, an appropriate range of focal lengths for general use.

I suggest you try out some lenses and it seems like you have access to them.

And naturally, Sean is right. Finding glass for that Sony might be difficult. I don't know what mount they have on there... They make adapter rings but I have never used one so I couldn't tell you if they are fidgety in any way or if they lessen picture quality in any way.

Try to find some local photo shops when you look around for lenses. Inspect the lens for obvious things like scratches, mold, dents. Make sure everything works smoothly but isn't excessively loose. Ask them if you can test it on one of their cameras. I even take my laptop with me so i can view fullsize test shots to make sure nothing funky is going on. It can be a great wallet saver. A few weeks ago I saved about $250 by buying a "used" lens that was impeccable!

I would recommend getting your hands on any DSLR and a generic cheap zoom lens combo for a few weeks. Rent one, borrow one, whatever. You need to spend more time shooting a larger array of scenes than testing in a store can provide in order for you to really know what lens you need. Pay attention to the focal length and apertures you use the most, or wish you could be using. That way, when you go spend the big bucks and get a great lens you know it's the one you will get the most out of. As a heads up, you will almost always be wanting a lower lowest aperture.

For example, I shoot mostly landscape imaging. I have four lenses but for 90% of my shots I use my same 10-22mm ultra wide. Now if I wanted to shoot just about anything else, that lens would be out of place. But for me, what I shoot, and my budget, that lens is perfect.

I need to get more Glass for my camera and start taking more pictures.

Soon. Very VERY soon!!

J

I push button on camera, it make pictures.

Me happy.

Neal. http://www.dpreview.com/previews/sonyslta57

8 pages of comparisons. Sounds like Sony is trying really hard. I'd still shop lens first and see maybe what your buddy can do to help. Other things in that price range that are interesting although taking 2 bills off makes a big difference.

Thanks. He has several different lens that I could borrow to see which I like.

Been reading reviews on here and the a65 did well also. Nice sight Sean.

So an 18-55mm is good to have for general use and 55-200mm would be good for some zoom quality?

18-55mm is, in my opinion, an appropriate range of focal lengths for general use.

I suggest you try out some lenses and it seems like you have access to them.

And naturally, Sean is right. Finding glass for that Sony might be difficult. I don't know what mount they have on there... They make adapter rings but I have never used one so I couldn't tell you if they are fidgety in any way or if they lessen picture quality in any way.

Try to find some local photo shops when you look around for lenses. Inspect the lens for obvious things like scratches, mold, dents. Make sure everything works smoothly but isn't excessively loose. Ask them if you can test it on one of their cameras. I even take my laptop with me so i can view fullsize test shots to make sure nothing funky is going on. It can be a great wallet saver. A few weeks ago I saved about $250 by buying a "used" lens that was impeccable!

I would recommend getting your hands on any DSLR and a generic cheap zoom lens combo for a few weeks. Rent one, borrow one, whatever. You need to spend more time shooting a larger array of scenes than testing in a store can provide in order for you to really know what lens you need. Pay attention to the focal length and apertures you use the most, or wish you could be using. That way, when you go spend the big bucks and get a great lens you know it's the one you will get the most out of. As a heads up, you will almost always be wanting a lower lowest aperture.

For example, I shoot mostly landscape imaging. I have four lenses but for 90% of my shots I use my same 10-22mm ultra wide. Now if I wanted to shoot just about anything else, that lens would be out of place. But for me, what I shoot, and my budget, that lens is perfect.

I do have access to a few that fit the sony body and the person who has the would allow me to use the when needed. I am going to continue reading on the sights Sean linked me to.

Totality unrelated. One of my mechanics got a call that his truck was on fire. He sent me a pic and it is unreal! I would share it, I am at work. Maybe tomorrow.

alright ladies and gentlemen, it going down. just to warn you things might get crazy, but then again they mmay not.

who knows, i don't even know quite yet

alright ladies and gentlemen, it going down. just to warn you things might get crazy, but then again they mmay not.

who knows, i don't even know quite yet

Do tell...

Nothing like a 4:30 am fire drill.

Nothing like a 4:30 am fire drill.

Haha I guess not.

If I do decide to go Sony, I will not do their bundle and look for some good lens.

Neal, I know nothing of these lenses but you should research them as IMO they'd be good all around lenses. I think 18-50 is too low on a cropped sensor unless you have a small house and a big family

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/596259-REG/Sigma_571205_24_70mm_f_2_8_IF_EX.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/646853-REG/Sony_SAL2875_SAL_2875_28_75mm_f_2_8_SAM.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284401-REG/Tamron_AF09M700_A09_SP_AF.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/845351-REG/Tamron_SP_24_70mm_f_2_8_DI.html

I'd buy the body with nothing and try out something your friend has that is similar. Tell us what frustrates you about it and what you like and we can help.

One quick hint. Always shoot in P. It removes one extra variable and while full manual mode is best, it is a lot to absorb atm. In P pick the ISO that makes sense to you for the light and roll with it. That'll let you concentrate on composing the shots and testing the glass and zoom range.

Totality unrelated. One of my mechanics got a call that his truck was on fire. He sent me a pic and it is unreal! I would share it, I am at work. Maybe tomorrow.

<- Has a Nikon d200 on his desk, and "plays" around with the buttons for iso, aperture, and exposure.

Oh and I don't even know what lens I'm using.

Only pictures I actually kind of set up for, but not really.

I'm going in a bit to burn in a new trail we made the other day. Of course it's on private land, definitely not state land.

alright ladies and gentlemen, it going down. just to warn you things might get crazy, but then again they mmay not.

who knows, i don't even know quite yet

Do tell...

oh i was getting fucked up last night. looks like everything is cool though

Something like a G12 or similar if budget is to be followed.

It is impossible to get around optic problems so getting an expensive body without appropriate optics is not so smart.

I laugh my ass off on phones with camera's. Great 10mp and a lens that resolves 1mp. Dee dee dee. Fucking marketing.

http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-slr-mount/

FTW!!!

If I do decide to go Sony, I will not do their bundle and look for some good lens.

Neal, I know nothing of these lenses but you should research them as IMO they'd be good all around lenses. I think 18-50 is too low on a cropped sensor unless you have a small house and a big family

http://www.bhphotovi..._2_8_IF_EX.html

http://www.bhphotovi..._f_2_8_SAM.html

http://www.bhphotovi..._A09_SP_AF.html

http://www.bhphotovi...m_f_2_8_DI.html

I'd buy the body with nothing and try out something your friend has that is similar. Tell us what frustrates you about it and what you like and we can help.

One quick hint. Always shoot in P. It removes one extra variable and while full manual mode is best, it is a lot to absorb atm. In P pick the ISO that makes sense to you for the light and roll with it. That'll let you concentrate on composing the shots and testing the glass and zoom range.

Thanks Sean, the sony you have there is one that my buddy said he uses a lot. Still doing a lot of reading to the point I just want to F&*K it and just buy nothing. All this new found info is very mind boggling know people just go to BB and other stores and buy what ever with out know the lens is the most important piece.

Although the Sigma looks very tempting to try just to see.

So I can get the A57 body with the sony lens above for $1349. Thinking for a bit.