Hi everyone.
I have a page on PBase with test images from my new Sony Alpha 900 DSLR. I try to produce these images with some care (pronounce as tripod and mirror lock up). The pictures are converted with LR 2.1 and posted as full resolution JPEG (95%). I'm just posting the results that I find interesting but feel free to ask for any specific information and I'll try to oblige if I can.
http://www.pbase.com/ekr/a900_testFindings this far (subject to revision):
1) Camera is OK, but I miss an L plate. RRS has now an L-plate, I have it on preorder (2008-12-14)
2) A2 prints from A900 are in the same league as from A700. On screen sharpness from A900 is significantly better than A700, but A700 seems good enough for A2. There is a visible advantage to A900 on A2 prints, but not a lot.
Preliminary lens evaluations:
Updated 2008-12-21 with some observations on SAL 24-70/2.8 ZA, Minolta 80-200/2.8 APO, KM 28-75/2.8 and Minolta 50/1.4.SAL 24-70/2.8 ZAI start to understand while Michael Reichmann likes this lens!
The bad news is that the lens is not really sharp in the extreme corners at 24 and 70 mm below f/11. The good news is that what is not in the extreme corners is spectacularly good.
Test images:
http://www.pbase.com/ekr/2470za_test1
Minolta 80-200/2.8 APOThe lens I have is the original black version. Observations:
At 200 mm there is a lot of lateral chromatic aberration. It can be eliminated by and large with a chromatic aberration preset in lightroom. Once properly processed the image is very sharp. At 90 mm I didn't see any sign of lateral CA.
KM 28-75/2.8A series of test images will be posted later today on PBase. No other comments right now.
Minolta 50/1.4Not overly impressed by this lens. More useful as a portrait lens on the A700 (APS-C) than on full format, because of very soft corners.
A series of test images will be posted later today on PBase.
I have a few test shots with KM 28-75/2.8 and Minolta 20/2.8 this far, i don't have a complete evaluation yet. Primary findings are:
27-75/2.8
Very sharp across the field at 50 and 75 mm at f/2.8. Possibly some softness along the extreme edges (to be invistigated) at 75 mm.
I have an Sony SAL 24-70/2.8 ZA on order, scheduled delivery is end of Feb. 2008 (ouch). The 28-75/2.8 is a fine lens but will probably replaced by the 24-70/2.8.
20/2.8
Very sharp across the field at f/8.0. Quite soft and serious vignetting at f/2.8.
I would say that this lens is a great positive surprise! My past experience with the same lens in the "film days" was not so overhelming, and I also think that the original Photodo tests were not that impressive (Grade 3.5).
I checked back on the Photodo site for the MTFs (
http://old.photodo.com/nav/prodindex.html ) and they are quite interesting. At aperture f/8 sagittal MTF is very high except extreme corners. Tangential MTF is less impressive.
Minolta 100/2.8 Macro (original version with metal focusing ring)Sharp at center from f/5.6 to f/11, nominal. Not tested beyond f/11. Possible issues with not entirely flat test target possibly not perpendicular to camera.
Images uploaded to:
http://www.pbase.com/ekr/km_10028_macroFor latter evaluation:
50/1.4 (Minolta)
80-200/2.8 APO (Minolta black)
100/2.8 Macro
400/4.5 APO (Minolta)