Big Gotcha for Sony DSC-F828 (Accessories)

[billyray1usa]

I purchased two of Sony's new 8Mp DSC-F828 cameras from Adorama in January. At the same time, I ordered the rather limited accesories available for the camera. Five months later, most of these still have not been shipped! In particular, I need the F32X flash that was designed for the Sony high end digital cameras.

Does anyone know when these accessories might become available? I cannot get an answer from Sony and I have tried several times.

My advice to anyone in the market for prosumer level digital cameras is to take a look at the offerings from Canon, Nikon, etc. The Sony is a really nice camera, but without accesories, I cannot get the job done. The 8Mp cameras from other manufacturers use the same accessrories as their other high end digital and film cameras, so you could probably expect the their accessories to be available in a timely manner.

My wife and I are trying to start a small photography studio and Sony's complete failure to make the dedicated flash and other accessories for the DSC-F828 available has severely limited what we are able to do.

[Sebastian]

If you're trying to start a studio then why did you not get a set of digital rebels for less, with better lenses, and a studio lighting setup?

You can still get studio lights, since those will give you much more control over lighting than an on-camera flash anyway.

I don't see why this is such a big deal.

[billyray1usa]

Sebastion,

I have purchased a decent set of studio lights for in studio portrait work. The reason I need the dedicated flash for the Sony is for shooting wedding receptions, etc. I haven't found a good substitute for TTL when trying to capture those on the fly shots that my wedding clients often want to see.

I did not care for the specs or reviews for the Digital Rebel. I opted for the DSC-F828 for the greater resolution and I have not been disappointed in that regard. The built-in lense is adequate for my needs, although the new Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II is on my wish list. The Mark II has equivalent resolution and is pretty much better everywhere else (at least by the specs and reviews I have read so far). If I had anticipated Canon's 8Mp Powershot Pro coming out so soon, I would have held off on purchasing the second Sony DSC-F828. The Canon is in the same price/feature range and uses a lot of the standard Canon accessories.

Thanks for the reply,

Bill

If you're trying to start a studio then why did you not get a set of digital rebels for less, with better lenses, and a studio lighting setup?

You can still get studio lights, since those will give you much more control over lighting than an on-camera flash anyway.

I don't see why this is such a big deal.

[Sebastian]

Sebastion,

I have purchased a decent set of studio lights for in studio portrait work. The reason I need the dedicated flash for the Sony is for shooting wedding receptions, etc. I haven't found a good substitute for TTL when trying to capture those on the fly shots that my wedding clients often want to see.

I did not care for the specs or reviews for the Digital Rebel. I opted for the DSC-F828 for the greater resolution and I have not been disappointed in that regard. The built-in lense is adequate for my needs, although the new Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II is on my wish list. The Mark II has equivalent resolution and is pretty much better everywhere else (at least by the specs and reviews I have read so far). If I had anticipated Canon's 8Mp Powershot Pro coming out so soon, I would have held off on purchasing the second Sony DSC-F828. The Canon is in the same price/feature range and uses a lot of the standard Canon accessories.

Thanks for the reply,

Bill

Gotcha. Look into the Metz flashes, wouldn't surprise me if they don't already have a 828 compatible flash.

[billyray1usa]

Thanks for the tip. I will check into the Metz product line. The Sony is a pretty weak flash, anyway.

Gotcha. Look into the Metz flashes, wouldn't surprise me if they don't already have a 828 compatible flash.

[shesells]

I also ordered the same flash 3 months ago from academic superstore. It ultimately comes from Sony and they are back logged. I would have liked to know that when I ordered it and not had to wait all this time. (not as long as you) At any rate, I got in touch with them last week and it will finally be shipped out to me this coming monday,so Sony definately has them now. Sony satisfies their customers before they do other one sthat they drop ship for, just get a supervisor on the phone. At the same time I ordered the flash, I ordered the remote, which will come next week too. The wide angle and tele came right away. I have the f717 and adore it but I do wish I had gone the little bit extra for the 828. I've decided at this point to like the 717 and wait to see what they come out with next.
Now I have a question for you... do you think thhe HVL-F32X will be too strong for me because I dont do weddings etc, just an amateur. I called sony and tried to find out if there is some control on the amount of flash, since it does not say anything about that on sonystyle.com, their answe was kind of wishy washy, like they don't actually know. I'm thinking I should have ordered the HVL-F1000 instead.
good luck billray, Kit