Goodbye to Sony (but not to Dyxum)

(2499 posts in a little over three years... but this 2500th is a rather sad one)


My first DSLR was a Sony (the first one for them too, A100). My second DSLR was a Sony as well. But now it looks like my third DSLR won't be another Sony.
After three years with Sony (but more important, with Minolta glass), time has come for a change. But more on that later.
Leaving behind the Minolta lenses is hard enough, I had some favourites that will be missed for a long time (28/2, 85G, 200HS)... but what's making things harder is turning the page over the last three years I spent here, on Dyxum. I sincerly doubt I'll ever find a nicer, frendlier, more supportive Internet community than I have found here. In the past three years, not only did I watch this community grow (not only in numbers, but also in knowledge and experience), but I've tried to learn as much as possible from my fellow Dyxumers, and, moreover, I've made good friends. To be honest, I think it's safe to say that I've taken much more from Dyxum than I ever gave back (for which I apologize). But I've also seen old.
But in these past three years of Dyxum, I've also seen my share of forum members leaving the a-mount. If you'd have asked me one year ago if I had thoughts of 'jumping ship', I'd have laughed and given a definitive NO answer. Yet, here I am now, following in their footsteps.

Well... to a point, at least. Because I'm not going to either Canon or Nikon, but Pentax.
An odd decision, some would say, but the things I require cannot be given by Canikon: in-body stabilization, A700-like controls in an A100-like body, and a good selection of small, light primes. If these come in package that also offers excellent weather sealing & ruggedness, and more customization options than any Sony body I know of, all the better, bring it on. Yes, I'm aware of the fact that I'll lose a bit in the high ISO and DR departments, but I consider the tradeoff a fair bargain (if not better for me).
The K7 interested me from as soon as it was announced, but the decision to switch systems only came after PMA2010. I'm afraid Sony's vision on the future of the a-mount cameras has nothing to do with what I had in mind, and, I would dare say, neither with what Minolta had in mind back when they released the 5D/7D. The mockups shown at PMA, while they might differ from the actual finished products we'll get, tell me that Sony wants to break free of any traces of Minolta left, taking the Canikon route instead. Good for them, I say, this will make a lot of users happy, I'm sure of that. But I prefer to move to something that still reminds me of... 'the good old days' of photography, and that something is (just IMHO, of course) Pentax.


I bear no grudge to Sony, and I won't be... looking back in anger. But it's sad that I've come to a point where, after bringing four people into the mount (I've steered them all towards the A200, as they were all new to DSLRs), I'm afraid that today I cannot recommend a Sony camera to someone who wants to become serious about photography. Not that Sony cameras aren't good, but because whoever I bring on, they might resent me later when they'll discover they are not happy with Sony's take on things, especially concerning upgrading paths. Actually, I've decided against ever making recommendations at all, I will resume to presenting options as impartial as possible, without giving my own opinions.




Ouch... this is too long of a post already. All I should say is... THANK YOU DYXUM!
You've introduced me to the world of Minolta, you've nurtured my passion for photography, you have helped me in developing my skills, you've given me new friends.
But as I was saying in the topic, this is just a goodbye to Sony, not to Dyxum. I might have changed gear, but I don't plan of letting Dyxum get rid of me just yet. While I won't be able to post photos taken with the new equipment, I'll pop in now and then and share thoughts and opinions with you guys (or... maybe even give advice, if I'll be given the opportunity... just my way of giving back a little, I guess:) ).






(hopefully no-one will take this post the wrong way, it wasn't to complain about Sony, or to brag about Pentax; after posting the lenses and cameras for sale, I've received a couple of PMs asking what's going on, so I thought I should make the move... 'official', that's all)

Edited by cezarL - 10 March 2010 at 09:25

Good luck, CezarL, and hope you keep posting comments and suggestions.

I saw your posts in the buy and sell forum and thought you were maybe saving up for an a900 or something. This was not what I would have guessed. I wish you luck with your new system and I hope you come back and tell us how miserable the new system works for you Don't be a stranger, let us know how you are from time to time

Good luck... hope the new kit treats you well!

Best of luck with the new system Cezar and I hope you enjoyed the short time you had with the 85G I sold you. My first SLR was a Pentax (Super A) and it was a great camera but I replaced it with a Minolta Dynax 5xi and as the saying goes never looked back. I am not that familiar with the current Pentax range but if they are half as good at making DSLR's as they were SLR's you have made a very good choice.

Best of luck and don't be a stranger to Dyxum - drop in when you can and show us the great shots I'm sure you will be taking with your new system.

Good luck with the new system and hopefully we will see some pictures.
Stef.

Well, I don't feel like you are going that far because 2 of my film bodies are Pentax (6x7 and Spotmatic) and I have a whole drawer full of Pentax lenses. Of course, if I were evaluating Pentax as a company today, I would have some serious concerns given the change in ownership and apparent lack of stability. Also their withdrawal from medium format film cameras is a huge blow to the gut. And their latest foray into the multi-colored body marketing scheme leaves many of us sort of scratching our heads... But if they provide what you need over the long term then your decision will have been a wise one! Good luck.

Edited by revdocjim - 10 March 2010 at 02:16