1st impressions from my A99

Thanks Mikey and Peter - and thinking about it you can't select the OSPDAF sensor points, so it's difficult to see how it would help for static scenes.

So part of my thinking, is that if the AF-D doesn't help in static scenes, then for 99% of my use I wouldn't be using it.
(and if so, I think I can evaluate the A99's focussing ability by seeing how well my A77 performs as they have the same focussing module?)

So I'm coming to the conclusion that AF-D is almost irrelevant for my own style of photography, so it doesn't factor one way or the other into any future decision to purchase an A99 or not.
And similarly owning compatible lenses is also a non-issue, unless I plan to use them for very occasionally tracking motion. i.e. I could buy the A99 without needing to buy new lenses to get the best from it.

(obviously this conclusion doesn't hold water for people wanting to shoot action or video)

I have tried to get the 102 points to lock on before the standard 19 (so to allow AF on subjects outside the standard 19's coverage). However, I can't get any of the 102 to activate until one of the conventional 19 has first locked on.

I'm not 100% sure but it seems that using the 102 is dependent on getting a lock with at least one of the standard 19 first. Also, I'm not 100% convinced in the accuracy of the 102. They definitely seem to help the AF algorithms keep a lock on the subject (eg, no mad focus hunt to the background if your AF point strays off the intended subject). Also, in another thread Patrik tried AF with an AF-D lens and the SLT mirror physically removed and had no AF at all (not even the 102)

I find for critical focus on a static subject, I prefer to use the focus magnifier or focus peaking. It seems odd, but I'm using AF less and less as I have found the a99 peaking to be more sensitive than the a77. The a77 peaks seem to fade away as the light drops whereas the a99 keeps useable peaking even in relatively dim light; a benefit of the light gathering prowess of the larger sensor, I suppose...

Thanks Romke - I had thought of that and I have mine already set to "0". Supposed to be big wind Thursday, if the forecast holds I will be doing some more experimenting with settings then.

Thanks also to Peter. I guess it does make sense when I look at it like that. I will experiment with turning the tracking function on and locking on to a kiter - see what happens. Perhaps I can just leave it on all the time for this sport once I have locked on to a kiter - perhaps once locked, it will search and lock to ANY kiter which would suit me just fine as I generally only have one in the frame anyway.

I went to B&H 2 days ago and got an interesting comment from one of the sales rep's there: "Sony has with the A99 passed Canon and are now number 2 after Nikon with the most advanced DSLR on their line-up.."

**************UPDATE**************

So I've shot with my A99 for two weddings. I would say that the camera is awesome to work with and a pleasure most of the time. When the light fails (reception) the slight lag is an issue in the sense that you can't shoot in the same manner as you've done with say the A99. It's not a deal breaker for me because I like the other features of this camera too much. But Sony needs to issue a firmware update to improve performance before the A99 hits the masses.

After further comparisons with AF system...

The Good
Lenses like the CZ 24-70/2.8 that take advantage of the complete AF system focuses faster in just about any lighting conditions I could test it in that the equivalent Nikon D4. Although my test wasn't scientific both me and the other photographer agreed that the Sony A99 + CZ24-70 was the winner.

The Bad
I can conclude that in backlit situations the A99 hunts more unless you use the center point on all lenses except those supported in the new AF system. It seems to be no improvement over the A900, but it feels worse because the AF is so fast otherwise.

The Ugly
All the issues with the A99 can be improved with a firmware update. Sadly, this isn't Sony's strong suit. But when I think back how much better the A900 got after upgrades, I look forward to the future with my A99.

marlon127 wrote: **************UPDATE************** So I've shot with my A99 for two weddings. I would say that the camera is awesome to work with and a pleasure most of the time. When the light fails (reception) the slight lag is an issue in the sense that you can't shoot in the same manner as you've done with say the A99. It's not a deal breaker for me because I like the other features of this camera too much. But Sony needs to issue a firmware update to improve performance before the A99 hits the masses. After further comparisons with AF system... The Good Lenses like the CZ 24-70/2.8 that take advantage of the complete AF system focuses faster in just about any lighting conditions I could test it in that the equivalent Nikon D4. Although my test wasn't scientific both me and the other photographer agreed that the Sony A99 + CZ24-70 was the winner. The Bad I can conclude that in backlit situations the A99 hunts more unless you use the center point on all lenses except those supported in the new AF system. It seems to be no improvement over the A900, but it feels worse because the AF is so fast otherwise. The Ugly All the issues with the A99 can be improved with a firmware update. Sadly, this isn't Sony's strong suit. But when I think back how much better the A900 got after upgrades, I look forward to the future with my A99.

Marlon,

maybe you should write something to Sony with your suggestions, and maybe a link to your work.
I trust they will consider your words.

Regards!

You're not the first to mention that the adaptor isn't very secure Stuart

Is there no mechanism to actually lock it in place other than friction?

I'd assume the new flash doesn't lock any better, otherwise they'd have surely built the same mechanism into the adaptor?