August-27-09
A850, a550 and a500 released
We all knew about them, but this time it is official.
Sony has released not one, not two but 3 new DSLR cameras.
May-18-09
Four new lenses and a flash released
Along with 3 new DSLR camera models Sony released 4 new lenses and a small flash gun unit. The fact that all of the above came with the same short press release as 3 new cameras speaks for it self :)
May-18-09
a230, a330 and a380 released
Sony today officially announced what we already knew from various leaks and sources; 3 new low end DSLR cameras aimed at first time DSLR users. Nothing big for most current a-mount users but rather an effort to gain new a-mount camera customers.
press release
April-29-09
Dynax 9 SSM upgrade available again!!
Thanks to persistent minolta userbase (especially the ones joined around MiFo/SoFo website), Dynax / Maxxum 9 SLR camera can be upgraded to SSM support
again.
Konica Minolta delivered their last 200 ICs with SSM support, Sony offers their stock of Dynax 9TI replacement parts, and Runtime Germany is assembling the parts as well as modifying the Dynax 9 bodies.
You can find more at
MiFo/SoFo website (German) or ask in our forum and somebody will get in touch with you.
And, please, spread the word about this opportunity since this may be the last chance to upgrade one of the best SLR ever made !
April-08-09
Dutch Dyxum Meeting: Meeting the A900
Just as was done when a700 was released, dyxum Ducth members have the oportunity to try the a900 and other Sony equipment on Saturday 25 April.
If you are close enough, don't miss this meeting
March-02-09
Petition for continuation/renewal of the Dynax/Maxxum/Alpha 9/9Ti SSM/ADI upgrade
Dear folks at Dyxum,
In the couple of days since we started our little petition in regard to the continuation/renewal of the Dynax/Maxxum/Alpha 9/9Ti SSM/ADI upgrade at Minolta-Forum (MiFo/SoFo), we have received an overwhelming amount of feedback from people not only from Germany and German speaking neighbor countries such as Austria and Switzerland, but from all over the world. Frankly, we didn't expect that kind of impact and thus were hit a bit unprepared at first, but it's fantastic to see the A-mount community going strong beyond all language barriers! :-)
Well, everything is still work in progress, and lots of things will still have to be discussed and coordinated, but I have meanwhile updated our portal announcement and some posts in the corresponding discussion thread at Minolta-Forum to help non-German-speaking visitors to find their way through. I hope, this will also help to clarify a few questions I have been faced with in regard to what we are trying to achieve - and why -, and how to support and participate in the project.
Link to our annoucement
Link to the corresponding discussion thread
Direct link to some English posts in this thread:
"A little welcome"
Who participates already? How to proceed?
We will bring this petition to the attention of our contacts at the German and Swiss regional and European Sony headquarters (Germany and Switzerland are both strong markets for Sony Alpha equipment) and ask them to report to the Sony Alpha global headquarters at AMC Division, Digital Imaging Business Group, Sony in Japan (which we will try to contact as well, but don't have already established personal relationships with them so far), to please clear up the actual situation, and to kindly find a satisfactory solution for all A-mount photographers and loyal long-term customers, who, in their creative endeavours, depend on silver-halide film based photography for one reason or the other and therefore continue to use the Dynax/Maxxum/Alpha 9/9Ti professional model (some insist on doing so even in addition to their utilization of new Sony Alpha DSLRs such as the great DSLR-A900 flagship model) and who have a strong and lasting desire to explore and take full advantage of the current and future high-grade Minolta, Sony, and Zeiss A-mount SSM lenses, they already own or were planning to obtain. Let's make it very clear, any successfully SSM/ADI converted Dynax/Maxxum/Alpha 9/9Ti body will not only help its owner, but will reinforce A-mount brand loyality and pay back for Sony in multiple ways for sure.
If you wish to participate in this petition, please voice your opinion at Minolta-Forum (you can do so in English or any other language). However, realizing that it may be difficult to navigate a forum in a foreign language and that some of you may not feel a need to open an account with us, you can, of course, alternatively post here at Dyxum. We will try to keep track of this and update the list of supporters in the above-mentioned thread. Please specify, if you just support this project for some idealistic reasons, if you happen to be a Dynax/Maxxum/Alpha 9/9Ti user yourself, and if you still wish to upgrade your own camera bodies as well. This may help Sony to get an estimate of how many upgrades are still needed worldwide. Further, it would be great, if you could disclose your real name and contact data to us (and Sony), but, please, don't disclose your full address in public! Instead, just send me ("matthiaspaul") or Rolf ("Conny1") a PM (no e-mail), so that we can add this info to the list for Sony. We will not publish your address in public, just as we will not publish your full name and account name at the same time, nor will we use any of your contact data for other purposes but this petition, of course. If you want to stay anonymous, this is fine with us as well, but assuming, that Sony will at least put our petition under their kind consideration and evaluate, what they can do about it, and given, that Sony may have to make some financial decisions based on the survey, anonymous participants may not put as much weight into it, as someone firmly stating s/he actually wants the upgrade and is prepared to pay a reasonable price for it (to give you a housenumber, Runtime, the German service facility performing the upgrade up until recently, did charge 150 EUR plus shipping & handling plus VAT).
If you would like to help spread the info about this project, point users in your local Minolta/Konica Minolta/Sony communities or photo clubs to the above-mentioned forum annoucement and the thread at Minolta-Forum and/or this thread at Dyxum. Please don't forget to tell us about similar threads in your local forums, so we can update the "master list" as well. Maybe, you or some trusted moderators in these other communities can help collect the signees' names in order to forward them to us?
Thanks alot for all your support and efforts.
Let's see what we can achieve together. :-)
Greetings,
Matthias
dyxum discussion thread
September-16-08
Sony Image Data Suite for Windows new version released
Sony is offering DSLR-A100/A200/A300/A350/A700 users the latest version of α application software, “Sony Image Data Suite” which includes the following software:
* Image Data Converter SR Ver.3.0
Software to view, adjust and save the RAW format still images shot with your camera.
* Image Data Lightbox SR Ver.2.0
Software to view, compare, and rate the RAW/JPEG format still images shot with your camera.
* Remote Camera Control Ver.2.0*
Software to control your camera connected to the computer via USB to shoot images or change the settings.
* This software can be used with DSLR-A700 only.
New Functions and Improvements
* Image Data Converter SR Ver.3.0
o Improvement of operability
o Higher speed of display
o Addition of the peripheral illumination compensation function
o Addition/Improvement of the D-range optimizer, etc.
* Image Data Lightbox SR Ver.2.0
o Higher speed of display
o Enhanced filtering function
* Remote Camera Control Ver.2.0
o Addition of the "interval timer shooting function"* (for Windows only)
* You can use this function with DSLR-A700 with the firmware updated to Ver.4 from here.
* To activate this function, you need to execute “Interval Shooting Set-up Tool” which is provided here.
Applicable Products
Digital SLR camera "α" series:
* DSLR-A100
* DSLR-A200
* DSLR-A300
* DSLR-A350
* DSLR-A700
Supported Operating Systems
* Windows XP SP3*
* Windows Vista SP1*
* 64-bit editions and/or Starter are not supported.
Sony Europe
September-16-08
a700 v4 firmware
Improvements and solved issues
* The choice to select auto exposure bracketing (single & continuous) with 3 shots in 2 EV steps has been added.
* The choice to turn [Off] the High ISO NR feature has been added.
* Improvement of the image quality in high ISO setting.
* Improvement of the auto white balance and D-Range Optimizer performance.
* Improvement of reliability for communication between camera body and vertical grip.
Sony Europe (Windows)
Sony Europe (MAC)
September-11-08
a900 released
Sony a900 DSLR has been released.
Press release
Sony a900 specifications
Sony a900 introduction
June-19-08
HVL-F58AM flash announced
The new "flagship" flash has been announced.
The new HVL-F58AM is bringing some new features while brings some old ones back (like controller, wireless ratio).
Sony HVL-F58AM press release
May-22-08
Film cameras transformed
Member Jed Smith writes that several Dyxumites collaborated worldwide in a scheme to convert their Dynax/Maxxum 9 film cameras to take the new CZ24-70 SSM lens. Read how it was done.
April-16-08
Micholand on B&W conversion
Dyxum member Micholand talks about Black and White conversion techniques in the latest of our “Case Studies”.
See.
April-09-08
Rule change for Critics Corner
The rules for Critics Corner posts have been relaxed in accordance with member's wishes.
See the new rules.
April-05-08
"Frankman on birding" -- new article
Dyxum member Frankman talks about BIF techniques in the first of our “Case Studies”.
See.
January-30-08
Sony a300 and a350 announced
Sony has announced two new DSLR cameras a300 and a350, both featuring requested live view option.
press release
January-07-08
Sony a200 announced
Sony has announced a new DSLR camera that many may see as a a100 replacement.
If you didn’t read the leaked press release so far you can read it on our site
December-31-07
Photo storage article
CezarL has written a major article on Keeping Your Photos Safe and Secure -- see.
December-21-07
Read "A Day With GIMP"
To view the latest “IMHO” column -- A Day With GIMP click here.
December-20-07
Sign up for January Madness (One Prime)
To check the rules and sign up for the next challenge, see January Madness -- click here.
December-20-07
a700 v3 firmware
Improvements and solved issues
Improvements over Firmware “Ver.1”:
* The picture sharpness is better under low contrast conditions.
* Noise is reduced when working at high sensitivity ISO setting.
* The flash control is better at close range with a non-ADI control lens.
Improvements over Firmware “Ver.2”:
* When pictures are taken rapidly, the access lamp may stay lit and the system may become inoperable.
* When turning off the camera when the "MR" mode is selected, some settings registered in the MR mode can be reflected in other shooting modes.
Sony Europe
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