Upgrade from Sony A77...

vipgraphx · Jan 10, 2014

thats the thing with buying stuff you never know when the next one is coming out. Sometimes I wonder how much better things really are or is it just all marketing.

KooKoo102 · Feb 3, 2014

Ok, so with some time to reflect on the D610 and lenses... All I have to say is, IM SO HAPPY!
In comparison, the image quality is amazing! It has been very cold and over all crappy, so only been taking pics of my little boy indoors. I used to hate taking pics inside because I would always have to bump up the ISO past 800. Now, I can go past 1600 and not even think twice about it. Amazing. It really is that much of a difference to me. Even at ISO 2000 I still have great detail in the eye lashes. On to the lenses...

Sigma 50mm 1.4: amazing lens. This being my first 1.4 lens, I'm in love with it. To me, it seems sharp all over, great color, no issues at all.
Due to my son being only 9 months old, he does not sit still so it can be a challenge to focus on him without him moving out of the focus plane.
Focus is fast... But could maybe be faster?

Nikon 24-70 2.8
I have used it from time to time inside... But mostly the 50/1.4
The times I did use it, again, great quality. I can't wait to get outside and use it. Honestly, 50mm on this looks almost exactly the same (sharpness wise) compared to the 50 prime. I honestly feel I need to get outside with it to really enjoy this lens.

Sigma 120-400...
Ok... After getting this.. I feel I might have went a little short on the lens. I got used to my 55-300 on my A77... On crop is equal to about 450mm. And at times I felt was not enough reach when I used it. That being said.. This is only a 400mm
I only used it ONE time to do test shots wide open at 400mm and stopped down to f9/f13. Just to see what I get. Wide open, exactly what you expect. Some crome. abb, and vignetting. F9, all gone, looked quite good.
The OS, works very well, tested 1/60th a sec at 400mm.. Hand held and it was quite sharp.

Messed around with the sb-910 (first flash btw) tested it out with my sons stuffed monkey... I need some practice with it and the umbrella setup I got. But it's fun,

Besides the debate I'm having with the 120-400, I love it all! I have still much to learn, but I feel I'm getting there. Just need the weather to get better already. And with "another 6 weeks of winter" we will see when I get out for some shots.

vipgraphx · Feb 3, 2014

Cool! Glad this the camera is working out for you! I tried out the D610 and it is a great camera from my testing, it just fell a little short for what I want out a Nikon Brand FF for my uses.

I am looking into the D800 or the Sony A99….still not sure about the Sony A7 but these are my three choices right now.

By the way cute kid.

KooKoo102 · Feb 3, 2014

vipgraphx said:
Cool! Glad this the camera is working out for you! I tried out the D610 and it is a great camera from my testing, it just fell a little short for what I want out a Nikon Brand FF for my uses. I am looking into the D800 or the Sony A99….still not sure about the Sony A7 but these are my three choices right now. By the way cute kid.

Thank you.
On my issue with the 400mm, what do you think would be the best option? Sell my 120-400 and eat some of the $, then Get the sigma 150-500 / 50-500 OR get the sigma 1.4x teleconverter? Never used one and don't know what to expect. I understand I will lose one stop of light, and apparently my lens will operate MF only.

KooKoo102 · Mar 24, 2014

So the weather was nice enough to go to the DC zoo... So I finally got to use my setup outdoors

The one with the cheetah was taken through a fence, I know the image would be distorted in some what, but did not know how. I thought it was interesting looking. All these pics were taken with the 120-400. Being my first time using it outside the house, I'm still learning what works well with it. I played it safe and stayed at F8 and keep the ISO around 400-500 ish. I thought the images came out pretty sharp for what it was. Or am I mistaken?