Field Review: Sony a580 (Day 1)

Sony a580

Within the past two weeks, I have made the move from film to digital. My Minolta career is on hold for a while as I explore every facet of Sony’s latest addition to the alpha DSLR line: the a580. I had a brief hands-on with it at Photo Plus. This camera is a blend of elements as it is an upgrade from the a550, and it shares a 16.2 MP sensor and full HD video with the a55. In this post, I will detail my first impressions as a new Sony alpha shooter. Any images taken with the a580 were shot with Minolta AF glass.

Review: Nero Multimedia Suite 10

Nero’s latest offering, Multimedia Suite 10, is an excellent toolkit for the video inclined. You can burn, rip, convert, back up, organize and edit digital media. The suite is divided into three programs: Nero Vision Xtra, Nero Burning ROM, and Nero BackItUp & Burn. In this post, I’ll provide a brief tutorial for creating a basic video with Nero Vision Xtra.

A Holiday Buyer’s Guide to Camera Bags

Every camera needs a good bag. This holiday guide will be broken into three categories: The Messengers, The Backpacks, and The Pouch. Here’s the guide for the bag on your list.

Hands-on with the Sony a580

Sony a580

Originally slated for a 2011 release, the a580 will be in stores in several weeks. Sporting a 16.2 MP sensor and Full HD video, the camera is a full upgrade from the a550 and a slight step up from the soon-to-be released a560, hands-on review here. The a580 is the latest traditional SLR in Sony’s alpha line.

A Pouch GF-1 Users Can Love

Black Rapid SnapR

Known for its efficient straps, Black Rapid has a new strap camera bag for point and shoot cameras.

The Minolta 50mm AF f/1.7, a Love Story

 

Through the lens

 

Let me be clear, in my entire kit of six lenses and a Maxxum Htsi-Plus body, the 50mm is the only lens I ever paid for. The 50mm sits at the front of the group comprised of 28-80mm AF f/3.5-5.6, 28mm AF f/2.8, 35-70mm AF f/4, 135mm AF f/2.8, and a 70-210mm AF f/4. A very special thanks goes out to my dad for the middle three lenses and to Gevon Servo for the 70-210mm. The 50mm cost me $139 at B&H, and it is quite possibly the best $139 I ever spent.

Hands On: Sony Bloggie Touch

At this year’s Pepcom, many companies came to display their latest products as well as their soon to be released ones. Sony had a modest booth with some keyboard skins, a laptop, some digital frames, and the Bloggie Touch. The latter is the latest in a line of pocket sized camcorders, and I got some hands-on time with it at the booth.