---
I cant help you.  I have the camera, but have no idea how to use it...
I am just learning.  Sorry!

----- Original Message -----

From: Karl Snyder

To: SonyAlpha@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 9:47 PM

Subject: Re: [SonyAlpha] A100 metering

I've shot about 4,000 images with my A100 and I'm not seeing
that. As a matter of fact for a long time I was using the
bracketing feature first at .5 stop then at .3 stops and found
that the middle exposure was closer to dead on under most
conditions. When shooting before sunrise or under very harsh
conditions I fell back to manual exposure setting and then
bracketing +- 3 stop to get to the best exposure.
5600D flash also appears to be almost dead on.

Check your metering settings to see which exposure system you are
using. Have you reviewed your in camera histogram after taking
images? I try to get mine in the middle with very little at both
ends, but that depends on each scene and whether I want it to be
light or dark depending on natural conditions.

Hope this helps,

On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 21:58:35 -0000, you arranged some electrons
so they looked like this:

>I am not receiving email from this group and I'm not sure anyone is
>active here. This email is to see if I can get a response.
>
>I'll ask a question of the membership: is anyone besides me somewhat
>put oug by meter inaccuracy on the A100? Mine works very well for
>flash - far better than my Canon 5D. However, I regularly have to
>underexpose by at least 1/2 stop to get anything like a reasonable
>exposure quality.
>
>Can anyone help me here?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

I have used (and am still using) a Minolta 7D for several years and am
very happy with it. I recently bought the Sony A100 but am not
satisfied with the 'noise' most noticeable in the shadows and constant
color (background sky, for example). The noise is apparent even when
shooting at ISO 200 - something the Minolta doesn't exhibit.

Anyone else having the same problem? If so, any solutions or
recommendations would be most appreciated.

Cheers,
Dave Furseth
Murrieta, CA
www.davesbirds.com

I've shot about 4,000 images with my A100 and I'm not seeing
that. As a matter of fact for a long time I was using the
bracketing feature first at .5 stop then at .3 stops and found
that the middle exposure was closer to dead on under most
conditions. When shooting before sunrise or under very harsh
conditions I fell back to manual exposure setting and then
bracketing +- 3 stop to get to the best exposure.
5600D flash also appears to be almost dead on.


Check your metering settings to see which exposure system you are
using. Have you reviewed your in camera histogram after taking
images? I try to get mine in the middle with very little at both
ends, but that depends on each scene and whether I want it to be
light or dark depending on natural conditions.

Hope this helps,



On Sat, 04 Nov 2006 21:58:35 -0000, you arranged some electrons
so they looked like this:

>I am  not receiving email from this group and I'm not sure anyone is
>active here.  This email is to see if I can get a response.
>
>I'll ask a question of the membership: is anyone besides me somewhat
>put oug by meter inaccuracy on the A100?  Mine works very well for
>flash - far better than my Canon 5D.  However, I regularly have to
>underexpose by at least 1/2 stop to get anything like a reasonable
>exposure quality.
>
>Can anyone help me here?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

----- Original Message -----

From: Jack L. Casner

To: SonyAlpha@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 3:58 PM

Subject: [SonyAlpha] A100 metering

I am not receiving email from this group and I'm not sure anyone is
active here. This email is to see if I can get a response.

I'll ask a question of the membership: is anyone besides me somewhat
put oug by meter inaccuracy on the A100? Mine works very well for
flash - far better than my Canon 5D. However, I regularly have to
underexpose by at least 1/2 stop to get anything like a reasonable
exposure quality.

Can anyone help me here?

I am  not receiving email from this group and I'm not sure anyone is
active here.  This email is to see if I can get a response.

I'll ask a question of the membership: is anyone besides me somewhat
put oug by meter inaccuracy on the A100?  Mine works very well for
flash - far better than my Canon 5D.  However, I regularly have to
underexpose by at least 1/2 stop to get anything like a reasonable
exposure quality.

Can anyone help me here?

John-
OI am so happy that you are happy.  I wish I were.  I LOVE my Sony A
however it is so foreighn to me. I am so confused and feel overwhelmed.
I am still working in Auto as this isn my SLR but am venturing into the
other modes.  I am also trying to figure the Apature... shutterspeed,
Depth of Field...ISO AND lighting. NOt to mention PS Elements..
Ugh... All this in time for my 1st off site session Nov 5th. I will be
all grey by then!
Jodi

garyfriedman2005 wrote:

>--- In SonyAlpha@yahoogroups.com, David Kilpatrick <iconmags3@...>
>wrote:
>
>
>>Go to:
>>http://www.sonydigital-
>>
>>
>link.com/DIME/digistill/Alpha/firmware/firmware.asp?l=en
>
>
>>David
>>
>>
>
>I plugged it into the camera, and after it asked me to upgrade I said
>YES, and then a fraction of a second later, it said
>
>Udating Completed.
>Ver. 1.00
>Turn Camera Off.
>
>Turning the camera off and back on again, I checked the version.  Sure
>enough, 1.00.  No upgrade had occured.
>
>Minolta used to mark software as US or European.  Do you suppose that
>that's what's going on here - it was a european update for what is
>essentially a US version of the firmware?
>
>(Oh, and I did press the "If the update doesn't occur, contact Sony"
>link, and it just brought me to a site with no meaningful help or no
>obvious path to getting it.)
>
>Anyone else??
>
>
>

Same thing happened with non-European update I got first. Getting the
correct download sorts it.

David

Yes, I had the same problem. I believe you are correct
because I could not find the firmware update on the
U.S. website.

--- garyfriedman2005 <gary@...>
wrote:

> --- In SonyAlpha@yahoogroups.com, David Kilpatrick
> <iconmags3@...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Go to:
> > http://www.sonydigital-
>
link.com/DIME/digistill/Alpha/firmware/firmware.asp?l=en
> > David
>
> I plugged it into the camera, and after it asked me
> to upgrade I said
> YES, and then a fraction of a second later, it said
>
> Udating Completed.
> Ver. 1.00
> Turn Camera Off.
>
> Turning the camera off and back on again, I checked
> the version.  Sure
> enough, 1.00.  No upgrade had occured.
>
> Minolta used to mark software as US or European.  Do
> you suppose that
> that's what's going on here - it was a european
> update for what is
> essentially a US version of the firmware?
>
> (Oh, and I did press the "If the update doesn't
> occur, contact Sony"
> link, and it just brought me to a site with no
> meaningful help or no
> obvious path to getting it.)
>
> Anyone else??
>
> -Gary Friedman
>
> ================
> Highly-acclaimed Sony A100 e-book available at
> www.FriedmanArchives.com/ebooks
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

--- In SonyAlpha@yahoogroups.com, David Kilpatrick <iconmags3@...>
wrote:
>
> Go to:
> http://www.sonydigital-
link.com/DIME/digistill/Alpha/firmware/firmware.asp?l=en
> David

I plugged it into the camera, and after it asked me to upgrade I said
YES, and then a fraction of a second later, it said

Udating Completed.
Ver. 1.00
Turn Camera Off.

Turning the camera off and back on again, I checked the version.  Sure
enough, 1.00.  No upgrade had occured.

Minolta used to mark software as US or European.  Do you suppose that
that's what's going on here - it was a european update for what is
essentially a US version of the firmware?

(Oh, and I did press the "If the update doesn't occur, contact Sony"
link, and it just brought me to a site with no meaningful help or no
obvious path to getting it.)

Anyone else??

-Gary Friedman

================
Highly-acclaimed Sony A100 e-book available at
www.FriedmanArchives.com/ebooks

Go to:
http://www.sonydigital-link.com/DIME/digistill/Alpha/firmware/firmware.asp?l=en
David

heya peter :)

I have the a200.. she's a real gem !

I have wanted to go dslr for some time now, and when i saw the sony
dslr-a100.. i knew that would be what I get.. still have my old sony,
and loved it.. low light technology is the bomb with sony.. pixie (my
a200) is not so good in low light, without a flash!!.. hate that.

I had a chance to play around with the a100 in london a few weeks ago
while i was there (yet, again..).. and decided, when i got home, i'd
order her, and did!

now i'm lookin for lenses.. have a 70-210 on the way, and wanting a
couple 50's

which lenses have you tried about with the a100, peter?

i love taking macro shots, i'm gonna try and get a 55 to 49 adapter
and see if the macro lens i have for pix will play nice with the sony



--- In SonyAlpha@yahoogroups.com, Peter Blaise Monahon
<peterblaise@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Heather,
>
>   So, what's your previous camera, then?
>
>   I LOVE my Minolta DiMAge A1 with LIVE sensor preview, but, as you
may be discovering, an SLR has no "digital" preview.  Just like a FILM
SLR, you look through the glass viewfinder through the lens and when
the camera fires the shutter, the mirror (the R in SLR = REFLEX,
meaning MIRROR) flips up allowing the digital sensor for the fist time
to "see" the picture through the lens that you've been looking at all
along through the viewfinder.
>
>   The Sony Alpha A100 is a pure REFLEX DSLR with no preview.
Perhaps the Sony DSC-R1 would be more to your liking?
>
>   Let us know what you FIRST experienced trying ths Sony Alpha A100
out BEFORE purchase, and what about your your hands-on experience
convinced you that it was THE CAMERA FOR YOU!
>
>   Click!
>
>   Love and hugs,
>
>   Peter Blaise
>   Minolta Rokkor Alpha DiMAge Photographer
>   http://www.peterblaisephotography.com/
>
> Heather <heatherbee@...> wrote:
>           Hi everyone :)
> I got my sony a100 today.. and have but one issue so far..
> I'm so used to seeing my subject in the lcd screen, when shooting
> pics, that i just must have it!.. but.. I can't seem to get mine to
> turn on?
> when i push the display bottom, all I get are 2 screens showing
> settings.. never my preview pic..
> after i take a pic, it's shown for 2 seconds.. so, I know the screen
> works..
> does anyone know how I can switch it on?.. so i get the preview screen
> amd not just the big settings screens?
>
> Thanks :)
> heather.
>
>
>
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Hi everyone :)
I got my sony a100 today.. and have but one issue so far..
I'm so used to seeing my subject in the lcd screen, when shooting
pics, that i just must have it!.. but.. I can't seem to get mine to
turn on?
when i push the display bottom, all I get are 2 screens showing
settings.. never my preview pic..
after i take a pic, it's shown for 2 seconds.. so, I know the screen
works..
does anyone know how I can switch it on?.. so i get the preview screen
amd not just the big settings screens?

Thanks :)
heather.

.

Heather wrote:

>Hi everyone :)
>I got my sony a100 today.. and have but one issue so far..
>I'm so used to seeing my subject in the lcd screen, when shooting
>pics, that i just must have it!.. but.. I can't seem to get mine to
>turn on?
>when i push the display bottom, all I get are 2 screens showing
>settings.. never my preview pic..
>after i take a pic, it's shown for 2 seconds.. so, I know the screen
>works..
>does anyone know how I can switch it on?.. so i get the preview screen
>amd not just the big settings screens?
>
>
>
It is a DSLR, and can never show a preview. It has an optical viewfinder
instead, and complete mirror and shutter system in front of the CCD,
which is not uncovered until the moment of exposure. There is no live
electronic image, and none can be shown.

If you really demand a screen for composition, instead of an SLR
viewfinder which most people find far preferable, then you might
consider trying to return the Alpha 100 and exchanging it for a Sony DSC
R-1. This has the same image size, and overall range of control found in
the Alpha, though its lens is a fixed range zoom and can not be changed.
It has an electronic viewfinder, and a large screen which can be used
for preview composition.

David

I have grown to like LCD viewfinders too; unfortunately with the way
the A100 is constructed it is a physical impossibility to have live
preview on the rear screen.

So now you have to put up with an incredibly clear, zero-lag-time,
can-use-it-in-bright-daylight optical viewfinder. :-)

-Gary



Quality Photography - Fine Art - Photojournalism
Visit our online gallery at www.FriedmanArchives.com

Check out my latest e-book on the Sony Alpha 100 DSLR!
www.FriedmanArchives.com/alpha100

Hi everyone :)
I got my sony a100 today.. and have but one issue so far..
I'm so used to seeing my subject in the lcd screen, when shooting
pics, that i just must have it!.. but.. I can't seem to get mine to
turn on?
when i push the display bottom, all I get are 2 screens showing
settings.. never my preview pic..
after i take a pic, it's shown for 2 seconds.. so, I know the screen
works..
does anyone know how I can switch it on?.. so i get the preview screen
amd not just the big settings screens?

Thanks :)
heather.

Thanks for telling us about the E-book, John. Just bought it on-line and
indeed very informative. I wonder why SONY didn't elaborate on the
flexibility of the flash system as described in the E-book, surely it can
only help as a selling point.

I have posted a first-light picture from the A100. It doesn't really
challenge the camera in any significant way but more to get a feel for its
handling under low light. Tech details are posted in the comment section
and best to ignore the horsing around among friends.
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4839363&size=lg

Michael

At 12:11 PM 8/26/2006, you wrote:
>I would highly recommend the A100 book by Gary Friedman. Excellent
>explanations of settings.. his "settings" and some real good
>photography tips. Well worth the $20 bucks.
>
>Us first time DSLR users have some good choices. I did check Nikon
>and Minolta and Pentax and even with the D80 and the 400D/Digital
>Rebel on the doorstep, I feel confident in my choice as son and the
>Sony System (with the KM heritage) as the right one for
>me ..features for $$$$. I can grow with this system, lenses ,flashes
>etc.
>
>The most important thing is taking the pictures and this camera
>doesn't get in the way.

Well I have had the camera one week and I must say that I am
completely satisfied:

Easy to learn Logical controls no deep menus:

Left and Right dials with entry buttons in center.

This I like:
Exposure Compensation -Thumb
Exposure Lock-Thumb
Settings above change with Wheel
Program Shift -Wheel


This little wheel is on top of handgrip (perfect fit) and use the
index finger to change value which can be seen in the viewfinder.

All done while composing and getting ready to take shot.

Picture quality-very very good
lots of resolution/sharpness (and this is with kit lens).

Some may complain ISO 1600-only if pixel peeping. Not really
shooting here. I understand some may need this ISO.

Speed-not even an issue. Plenty of all around speed -focus, writing
(Sandisk 2 GB Extreem III).

Viewfinder-Bright and accurate.

LCD-Nice zoom feature yes can even see 1600 Noise. Know if you are
in focus.

Handles great (weight, size, balance)

Many Sony bonuses:

SSS- It works and is useful

Dynamic range Optimization

Zone Matching

Scene Modes (not just up top but in DEC))

Wireless flash system (see Gary Friedman's book)

Sensor Cleaning (doesn't hurt may help in some cases)

Battery Power-WOW..Ordered spare in case of complete "failure" .


I would highly recommend the A100 book by Gary Friedman. Excellent
explanations of settings.. his "settings" and some real good
photography tips. Well worth the $20 bucks.

Us first time DSLR users have some good choices. I did check Nikon
and Minolta and Pentax and even with the D80 and the 400D/Digital
Rebel on the doorstep, I feel confident in my choice as son and the
Sony System (with the KM heritage) as the right one for
me ..features for $$$$. I can grow with this system, lenses ,flashes
etc.

The most important thing is taking the pictures and this camera
doesn't get in the way.


--
John Y
'You never know what you CAN see'

 
Hi Michael and fellwo Alpha Photographers,
 
I enjoy your photogrpahy as shown at the link below, Michael -- glad to see photo.net people here at yahoogroups, also, like me!
 
I played with a Sony Alpha A100 (digital) yesterday and realized that unlike my Minolta Alpha 507si (film) I didn't know and can't see immediately how or where to set it up. 
 
For instance, I couldn't find Direct Manual Focus (DMF) or Dynamic Range Optimizer Plus (DRO+) and so I at first shot off many test shots before trying to manually focus, but the lens fought me and wouldn't turn to focus manually, and the lens hood flew off (the sales clerk grabbed it mid-flight across the showroom!)!
 
Then I remembered my Minolta DiMage A1 and all it's internal manu settings and realized that the CONTROLS of the A100 are more like the A1, yet the viewfinder of the A100 is more like the Alpha FILM cameras - NO INFORMATION!  ARGH!  FOUND IT - DMF is on the top left control knob - not ON by default, apparently. 
 
Sadly, as Ken Rockwell says (damn him) you DO have to take your eyes off your photographic subject field to change capture settings on the A100, and switch your eyes to refocusing on the camera itself, loosing all contact with your photographic subject - a serious failing in my case.  My A1 allows everything to be set while looking through the lens at the subject field, still looking at and maintaining awareness of and contact with my subject, while changing capture settings. 
 
I may have to wait until the A100MkII or whatever to get a control overlay IN the viewfinder like the Minolta DiMage 5/7/A-seriies electronic View Finder (EVF) cameras.
 
Also I noted that the top right control knob has neither a lock nor a starting position!  There's no way to know where it's set without doing the "loose sight of your photographic subject" thing while you play with your camera.  I find it very interruptive of my photographic process.  I think I could modify it -- epoxy a couple of dots on the top right knob to stop it from rotating full circle around and around again so that then I could have a definite starting point from which to count "one click this way is Aperture Priority, one click that way is Program" and so on.  However, still, without a lock, the knob always seems to be bumped into in the wrong position when I whip my camera out of the bag.  This also happens on my 507si and A1, too, so I know what I'm talking about.  My FIRST grab shots invariably are taken with the control knobs knocked into the wrong position by rubbing against the inside of my camera bag, rendering the first shots useless because what I THOUGHT was Program mode was actually Manual or other and the aeperture and shutter were then all wrong, or was AUTO where I had no RAW, yada yada.
 
Sadly, with Sony in control, we have even LESS contact potential with Sony designers and decision makers than we had with Minolta where Phil Bradon at Minolta US would at least listen and relay our concerns.
 
Anyway, I LIKE the A100 camera, but there are little PROCESS struggles in it's design for me ... I CAN wait since I have a working A1.  We'll see, we'll see.
 
What have been other's experiences so far?
 
Click!
 
Love and hugs,
 
Peter Blaise
Minolta Rokkor Alpha DiMage Photographer
http://www.peterblaisephotography.com/

Greetings to all,

I just bought a A100 with 2 kit lenses, flash, remote and spare battery. I've also owned a Nikon D70 for two years. My decision to buy the SONY was influenced by its Super Steadyshot and high-speed sync which the D70 doesn't have, and when all considered, the cost of the SONY outfit wasn't substantially more than a Nikon image stabilized lens (18-200 VR), if you can even get it (since it's been back ordered forever).

First impressions of the A100 are very positive, especially image stabilization once used to viewing the meter. Autofocus is also quite responsive. It's a bit plasticy, but the weight reduction over the D70 is actually a positive if carried all day. I haven't had much time to explore the camera yet but hope to do so over the next couple of months, and looking forward to hearing others' impressions.

Kind regards,

Michael
http://photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=423056&include=all

.

Greetings to all,

I just bought a A100 with 2 kit lenses, flash, remote and spare battery.
I've also owned a Nikon D70 for two years. My decision to buy the SONY was
influenced by its Super Steadyshot and high-speed sync which the D70
doesn't have, and when all considered, the cost of the SONY outfit wasn't
substantially more than a Nikon image stabilized lens (18-200 VR), if you
can even get it (since it's been back ordered forever).

First impressions of the A100 are very positive, especially image
stabilization once used to viewing the meter. Autofocus is also quite
responsive. It's a bit plasticy, but the weight reduction over the D70 is
actually a positive if carried all day. I haven't had much time to explore
the camera yet but hope to do so over the next couple of months, and
looking forward to hearing others' impressions.

Kind regards,

Michael
http://photo.net/photodb/member-photos?user_id=423056&include=all

See:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra100/

Greetings

Hans

Hallo Friends,

free manuals for the Sony Alpha 100 are available from the
sony europe side in several languages.

I added the link to the Links section.

Best Greetings

Hans

See:

http://www.photoclubalpha.com/

This may be a short-lived site, since Sony themselves prefer to retain
control over all activities associated with their own brand. However, we
intend to continue the former Minolta Club magazine as we have enough
existing subscribers and likely future demand to make it self-sustaining
with a little outside advertising support.

David Kilpatrick

Hello members,

I don't understand the language but the pictures tell something...

http://www.dpnet.com.cn/report/report_show.asp?id=2204

Best greetings
Hans

Hello Friends,

take a look at this link:

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/
SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start%3FCategoryName%3D%26ProductSKU%
3DDSLRA100K%26TabName%3Dspecs%26var2%3D

The Sony alpha DSLR-A 100 is shown the first time.
The retail price is $995 including a 18-70mm lens.

Shipping is announced to "before July 28."

Also in the Accesories section we can find some fine Zeiss lenses!
Take a look.

Best Greetings
Hans

Hello and welcome,

the Minolta brand has died these days but the most
important part - the DSLR division - is now working
for Sony on the Alpha project.

If you have any information or questions feel free to
discuss here.

Good luck

Hans