Bought an A85 today...info please.

[mblanton]

I bought my wife an A85 today to replace her Kodak Easyshare 4330. From what I've seen so far the little guy packs a big punch. I'm kind of jealous because right out of the box it competes with my 10D (maybe even rivals, but don't tell my wife...lol). If you have any interesting information about this camera or photos you've take, please share.

I've been reading about the accessory lenses and how they block out light from the flash (I have the same problem with the popup flash on my camera). I read something that made it sound like it may be possible to use an external flash....can anyone clarify this?

Mike

[PaCiFiSt]

Hey, yes you can use an external flash. I have the A85 as well, I also have the wideangle converter as well as the Teleconverter. They do infact block out the flash in the lower right hand corner of the pictures. I bought a slave flash bracket from amazon (which I can't find at the moment but here is the identical thing on Adorama... http://www.adorama.com/SUDCFA.html ). I paired that (which goes through regular batties really quickly) with a regular SLR flash and it worked fine. Right now I am usinga really crappy old Minolta flash but I hope to get a Canon Flash soon.. possible the 420 EX... well anyway I recommend getting both if the budget can take it. I am constantly using one or the other. I almost never use just the camera now. I only use that when I can't carry all the other stuff with me. I also found that the flash adapter bracket helps steady the camera and makes it easier to hold.

Hope that helps

[gewb]

Hello Mike -

Your wife has good taste...

First thing to get are eight rechargable batteries! Get 2100mh or better. If you are in the USA and a Sam's Club or Costco member, an eight-pack with charger is around $20.

Next get a small, comfortable case. I purchased a Tamrac Tek Digital. It fits the A85 like a glove and has a zippered pocket the perfectly fits four (4) spare batteries and spare CF media cards. I'll post a pic of it tomorrow...

Get at least a 256MB card although Newegg.com has a 512MB for $30 USD + $5 USD shipping and NO rebates.

Regards,
gewb

[gewb]

Hello Mike -

Pix of the Tamrac case along with a pic from my A85...

Denver from 10 miles away


Regards,
gewb

[gewb]

Hello Mike -

Two more pix...

Storm clouds (color)
Inside a McDonald's

Only very gentle post processing and resizing.

I think your wife will enjoy the A85...I use mine 25% of the time, the Pro1 the rest of the time.

Regards,
gewb

[davidfig]

From what I've seen so far the little guy packs a big punch. I'm kind of jealous because right out of the box it competes with my 10D (maybe even rivals, but don't tell my wife...lol).
Mike

Whoa big fella! ;-) I have the A75, it replace a kodak 443. Wow what a difference. The A75 takes sharp stunning pictures as compared to the kodak. But not as compared to the SLR's. Look closer and you will see the noise (especially in the sky and windows). I have to admit for small photos its great. I have plenty of 8x10's from my 3.2 Mpixel A75. When people ask me what to get, I always say get the A510. I compared my A75 christmas party pictures with a sony 5Mp and mine where noticably better. It always throws people.

Look closely at gewb's pictures of the stairs. Look at the center where the wall is at the top of the stairs. See the noise? Not if this was an SLR.

[gewb]

Hello David -

...and shooting ISO 200 didn't help but all-in-all it wasn't too bad. Note that the wall and stairs are textured (not just noise) but the blue support structure shows noise.

Regards,
gewb

[mblanton]

Thanks for all the information. I can't wait to get it away from her long enough to shoot it myself...hehehe!

Mike

[cjm]

Hey Mike. I bought a A85 today also. But this baby is all mine :) After my first 6 hours of owning it I just have a feeling that this little camera will serve me well. Its like the great A60 but better!