Sony DSLR Query.

[Killwilly]

I am thinking of buying either a Sony A200 or A230. Do Sony DSLR cameras have a function similar to "Bulb" on a conventional SLR?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Alan.

[rasputin]

Yep

[kong]

As above, they do, although you have to be on full manual mode to get it.

Left me stumped the other day trying to find it in shutter priority. As you can guess i'm a bit of a rookie...

[Skodaku]

Killwilly said:

I am thinking of buying either a Sony A200 or A230. Do Sony DSLR cameras have a function similar to "Bulb" on a conventional SLR?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Alan.

Nice choice. Recently bought an Alpha a300, (now quite rare new), and love it. The Sony 18-55 kit lens is better than O.K. for starters.............and beyond............and the 18-250 is worth the money. Enjoy whichever you decide upon.

[Killwilly]

Skodaku said:

Killwilly said:

I am thinking of buying either a Sony A200 or A230. Do Sony DSLR cameras have a function similar to "Bulb" on a conventional SLR?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Alan.

Nice choice. Recently bought an Alpha a300, (now quite rare new), and love it. The Sony 18-55 kit lens is better than O.K. for starters.............and beyond............and the 18-250 is worth the money. Enjoy whichever you decide upon.

Thanks to everyone for your replies. It is reassuring that Skodaku confirms that the Sony 18-55 kit lens is pretty good, I had read on another forum that it is rubbish.....or perhaps they were referring to its predecessor, the 18-70.

Will let you know which I buy. Just this minute read the review on the 380.

Alan.

[onomatopoeia]

I'd suggest handing them as well as reading the reviews, at least to feel the difference between the 200/300/350 and the newer 230/330/380 bodies.

Edited by onomatopoeia on Tuesday 17th November 18:30

[rasputin]

onomatopoeia said:

I'd suggest handing them as well as reading the reviews, at least to feel the difference between the 200/300/350 and the newer 230/330/380 bodies.

Yep, I would say that's essential. To me the 230/330/380 feel like grown-up compact cameras. Very uncomfortable to hold and not the easiest to work with.
When I bought my A300, the reason I chose it over a Canon 450D or Nikon D60 was the way it felt in my hands, and how easy I found it to change settings and use the menus.

And if you can get a good deal on one of the older style bodies (I highly recommend A300 or A350), remember that your money is far better spent on a decent lens or two.

[Simpo Two]

rasputin said:

When I bought my A300, the reason I chose it over a Canon 450D or Nikon D60 was the way it felt in my hands, and how easy I found it to change settings and use the menus.

Good job too!

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 17th November 20:27

[rasputin]

In-body IS does wonders for turbulence!

[Skodaku]

rasputin said:

onomatopoeia said:

I'd suggest handing them as well as reading the reviews, at least to feel the difference between the 200/300/350 and the newer 230/330/380 bodies.

Yep, I would say that's essential. To me the 230/330/380 feel like grown-up compact cameras. Very uncomfortable to hold and not the easiest to work with.
When I bought my A300, the reason I chose it over a Canon 450D or Nikon D60 was the way it felt in my hands, and how easy I found it to change settings and use the menus.

And if you can get a good deal on one of the older style bodies (I highly recommend A300 or A350), remember that your money is far better spent on a decent lens or two.

Great minds think alike. Those are the same reasons that persuaded me to buy an a300 vs the Canikon alternatives or the later Alphas. Was looking for an a300 on t'internet and couldn't find a new one but found my local Jessops had one collecting dust in a cabinet - at a good price too. Very happy with it and the Sony 18-55 and 18-250 lenses are fine for my needs, at present, tho' I'll doubtless add others over time. a350 was my "fallback" option if I couldn't find an a300.

Had a laugh at Cadwell Park a little while ago; some eejit with a Canon EOS 1000D took one look at my a300 and voiced the opinion that it was a pity I couldn't afford a decent camera, like his Canon ! You have to smile.

To the OP : get yourself an a300 or a350 - you won't be disappointed.

[onomatopoeia]

Skodaku said:

Was looking for an a300 on t'internet and couldn't find a new one but found my local Jessops had one collecting dust in a cabinet - at a good price too.

If the OP would like an a300 but be unable to find one, mine could be available . I haven't used it in the six months since buying the a700 and keep thinking about putting it up for sale on dyxum (to fund more lenses ...)

[Wax1234]

I have an A100, got it when it first came out, along with the standard 18-70 I also have a Sigma 70 - 300 which I use a lot and for the price I'm really pleased with the results.