Impressed with cheap Sony aLPHA Camera and Minolta Lenses (pics)
 

So I tested out a refurbished Sony alpha 330 camera I just purchased ($270) and a used Minolta 35-70mm lens ($45). I am pretty impressed with the image quality of this little package. Proof you don't need uber expensive gear to take decent images:

http://www.robspics.com/photoshoots/019.jpg

http://www.robspics.com/photoshoots/029.jpg

http://www.robspics.com/photoshoots/079.jpg

http://www.robspics.com/photoshoots/089.jpg

the lighting setup (two alien bees):

http://www.robspics.com/photoshoots/studio.jpg

yummy yummy! awesome pics!

The Sony alpha is a good camera. I almost bought one but ended up buying another Nikon.

Love your set up.. I would get a hair light, that is all ya need and will be complete

Just sold my couple years old Alpha 100 (almost never used it, will go for some advanced point-and-click instead as it's so much easier to carry around) but I was always impressed how well Sony did with the Konica Minolta buyout deal. Their latest models are fabulous.

Great pics!

Very good job for that camera and lens!

I love my Sony A100. It takes great pictures. It really shines in manual modes. I am thinking about upgrading it to the A55 this year.

I agree the pics are good for a $300 setup, yet it's way behind when it comes to tiny details that makes you recognize a pro dslr and expensive glass it was shot with.

depth of field is the first thing that comes to my mind

No doubt more expensive camera bodies and lenses have their advantages. For example, when I shoot sports/auto racing, I definitely need as much burst FPS as I can get. Only the more expensive bodies have 8 (or higher) frames per second burst speed.

But a lot of times, I feel people overlook entry level or older generation equipment.

Tacky, sleazy, awesomy!

very true HOWEVER if you continue to progress in your photography, and decide to move forward you'll find that the Sony system is limited in options.

the nikon system offers me more options and the glass I have invested in will quite possibly be usuable for the next 20 years.

Nice man. Definitely a step up from that camera on your flip phone you've been using until now. :thumbsup https://gfy.com/image.php?u=115725&dateline=1283114045

Looks good indeed, I am also pro alpha D-SLRs. Canon and Sony all the way. I would even attempt to buy anything else.

niceeeeeeeeeeeeee

Nice looking pics

Great pics for $300 worth... :thumbsup

Looks great :thumbsup

Thanks. The thing I really like about the Sony Alpha series is that there are so many compatible Minolta lenses that are available for very cheap (under $200 is cheap in photography terms)

nice pics, congrats