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David Kilpatrick | all galleries >> Galleries >> Sony Alpha 900 > A700sizeA900shot-17mmDf8.jpg
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20-SEP-2008

A700sizeA900shot-17mmDf8.jpg

This is an in-camera JPEG from the A900 with 17-35mm KM (D) lens, resized to exactly match the A700 file size. It was shot with JPEG sharpness at -3, but sharpened for web viewing after resizing, to 100/0.7/0 in CS3. Focal length 17mm, aperture f11, no PP at all (DRO+3 though has opened up a deep shadow in the middle of the tower).

If you need to judge whether the lens, or the camera, has CA or vignetting problems you need to compare this with similar A700 shots taken using the 11-18mm at 11.5mm or thereabouts. My view: the mesh netting over the window spaces (to stop pigeons nesting) is resolved to extinction resolution and when the image is reduced this way, threatens to produce moiré.

Honestly - if you expect to do no PP on a 17mm on full frame at f11, and see ZERO colour fringe, there's only one lens I have ever used which will do it and that's the £1200 Nikon 14-24mm - and I've only seen what that does on 12 megapixels, identical to this resize.

Everything I have found so far suggests that the Alpha 900 is either far more compatible with older full frame Minolta lenses than the Nikon or Canon full frame models have been - or Minolta/KM lenses were and are, quite simply, much better than might be assumed.

Sony Alpha DSLR A-900 ,17-35mm Konica Minolta f2.8-4 (D)
1/60s f/11.0 at 17.0mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Stan Spurling 06-Dec-2008 17:51
David do you have any comments on the Minolta 17-35G lens with the Alpha 900
Graeme Knox 21-Sep-2008 09:15
Great pictures David, its looks like my Minolta lens esp the 17-35 and 28-75 will work just fine. It you have a 70-200 f2.8 HS APO it will be intresting to hear your comments on this.
Frank Nadeau Photos21-Sep-2008 02:34
Very good observation David ! :-). I have always thought that Minolta was the master with there special coating. The old 17-35mm and 28-75mm have always sound like if Minolta was waiting to push a full frame on the market only a few moment after the 7D. But, unfortunately we know the story. But, now with the A900, i cannot wait to play with the old an very good prime lens line up of Minolta.

I know you have a 100mm F/2.0 in your inventory, it will be a pleasure if you can try it soon on the A900 (even the 28 F/2.0 and the 35mm F/2.0).

Regards,

Frank