This entry is part 3 of 3 in the series Photo Equipment

It’s quite interesting to actually see the SLT-A58 in “person”. There are certainly some great innovations in the camera, especially for video shooters and beginners. I still think that for an advanced amateur or enthusiast, the SLT-A57 is the better camera at that price point.

The interesting part of the “kit” to me is the new 18-55mm lens. I haven’t had the greatest of luck with the previous version of the lens, and I find it very susceptible to lens flare. The new version of the lens apparently has a new rear element (presumably with better coatings) to reduce the flare issue. Good news there.

Related articles

• Sony SLT-A58: A Beginner DSLR for a Beginner Budget
• Sony Announces the SLT-A58 DSLR Camera with DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM II Lens, Available for Pre-Order at B&H

One of my pushes lately has been to start “pushing” my photo business again. To that end, I’ve launched a new site or Orchard Studios. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be populating that site with a new selection of photographs, and will be posting much of my new work there. I’ll also be adding short essays on photography arts there. I will continue to post photos and photo related info here as well, but much of the “art” will be there.

www.orchard-studios.com

I’ll also be launching a new Facebook page for Orchard Studios. Exciting times are coming!

This entry is part 2 of 3 in the series Photo Equipment

A couple of days back, I wrote that Sony had announced their replacement for the SLT-A57. Called the SLT-A58, it initially looked as if the camera was made just for me! But, as official specs come forward, it appears that the camera could be a bit of a disappointment, as compared to the current model.

While the SLT-A58 gains the OLED EVF found on the higher-end SLT-A65, SLT-A77 and SLT-A99 models, and gets a resolution boost and slightly improved autofocus system, Sony have chosen to reduce specs in other areas.

Most notably, the rear LCD screen has been reduced from a 3″, 921,600 pixel display to a 2.7″, 460,000 pixel screen. Even my entry-level SLT-A35 has the better 3″ “XtraFine Tru-Black” display.

The screen isn’t the only downgrade, either. Here are a few other highlights — or rather, lowlights:

• The new camera forgoes Sony’s traditional metal lens mount in favor of composite plastic.
• Auto Exposure Bracketing is reduced from +/- 3 stops to +/- 2.
• Continuous frame rate is reduced to 5fps at full resolution.
• While the Sweep Panorama mode is retained, there is no mention of the Dynamic Range Optimization and in-camera HDR functions.

Based on pre-order pricing at B&H Photo and Adorama, it looks as if the price will be very similar to the SLT-A57. This for a camera that is, in some ways, a step backwards even from the previous entry-level models. This is not to say that there are not some very nice improvements to the camera. Sony’s new continuous autofocus enhancements are exciting, and the OLED viewfinder is a really big deal.

But…

Sony is making the SLT-A57 body available at a stupid-low price, and I’m thinking that I may want to find a way to pick one up before they’re gone, or be prepared to either be disappointed or buy the much more expensive SLT-A65.

Related articles

• New Sony A58 SLT SLR type digital camera is now available in North America
• Sony US announces SLT-A58 DSLR and NEX-3N mirrorless cameras
• Sony’s New a58 DSLT Camera Features People And Object Autofocus Tracking, Selective Digital Noise Reduction
• Sony announces SLT-A58 20MP mid-level DSLR-style camera

This entry is part 1 of 3 in the series Photo Equipment

The new Sony Alpha SLT-A58 offers features that blur the lines between entry-level and intermediate DSLR cameras — so much so that it’s bumped the SLT-A65 from the top of my “wish list” for an upgrade Sony camera body. Here’s a official video splash from Sony:

dpreview.com has preliminary information, as well.

Related articles

• Rumors of Sony releasing the new A58 SLT digital SLR type camera.