Steve'sDigicams

mattkic · Nov 14, 2002, 12:16 PM

I'm going to purchase a high-end "prosumer" camera by the end of the year (waiting for the slr's to come down in $) & I've narrowed it to the Minolta or the Sony 717. I've been shooting with an Olympus c3000 and have managed some pretty impressive (I think) photos along the way with a pretty cheap kit but I need to step up. The Olympus is slow. Focus in low light w/o flash is really, really tough. No good external flash options. Only 3 MP (not big enough for crops). Noise is a factor at speeds of 200+. Images all require post processing in Photoshop.
A friend of mine owns the 7i (not the hi) and I've handled it a bit. I know I could like it, especially because it feels/looks like a camera. However, he does complain about the ugly noise issue. My limited experience with this camera tells me the focus is fast & great shots can be had in the right conditions.
I've only seen the 707 (not the 717) in the store & wasn't as impressed initially with the overall design & menu system. However, despite the fact that I try to stay away from comparing photos posted on the internet, I have seen some pretty impressive images from the Sony.

I'll be using this camera for people/street shooting & some studio/people shooting. It's important for me to be able to control the focus & depth of field.

So, which way to go? If I'm going to spend the money I really want to step up. Hopefully with less post processing headache.
Not a great representation of my normal shooting stuff but you can check out some of my OLY shots at artgig.com/africahome.html (fast connection/flash player required)

Thanks,

Matt

NHL · Nov 14, 2002, 1:23 PM

Quote:

with less post processing headache

Go for the Sony:
http://www.stevesforums.com/phpBB2/v...602&highlight=

but be prepared for the proprietary batteries and the limiting MemorySticks (@ 5Mpixels/128Mb)!

DigiCamMan2 · Nov 15, 2002, 9:00 PM

Just received my 7hi and I LOVE it. Easy to learn and use. No issues and I looked a long while and a a lot of brands before I made a purchase decison. It has many great features and can accept the MicroDrive which is a big plus. Go for it.

Nov 14, 2002, 12:16 PM	#1
mattkic Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1	Really want to like the 7hi... I'm going to purchase a high-end "prosumer" camera by the end of the year (waiting for the slr's to come down in $) & I've narrowed it to the Minolta or the Sony 717. I've been shooting with an Olympus c3000 and have managed some pretty impressive (I think) photos along the way with a pretty cheap kit but I need to step up. The Olympus is slow. Focus in low light w/o flash is really, really tough. No good external flash options. Only 3 MP (not big enough for crops). Noise is a factor at speeds of 200+. Images all require post processing in Photoshop. A friend of mine owns the 7i (not the hi) and I've handled it a bit. I know I could like it, especially because it feels/looks like a camera. However, he does complain about the ugly noise issue. My limited experience with this camera tells me the focus is fast & great shots can be had in the right conditions. I've only seen the 707 (not the 717) in the store & wasn't as impressed initially with the overall design & menu system. However, despite the fact that I try to stay away from comparing photos posted on the internet, I have seen some pretty impressive images from the Sony. I'll be using this camera for people/street shooting & some studio/people shooting. It's important for me to be able to control the focus & depth of field. So, which way to go? If I'm going to spend the money I really want to step up. Hopefully with less post processing headache. Not a great representation of my normal shooting stuff but you can check out some of my OLY shots at artgig.com/africahome.html (fast connection/flash player required) Thanks, Matt

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Nov 15, 2002, 9:00 PM	#3
DigiCamMan2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 4	Just received my 7hi and I LOVE it. Easy to learn and use. No issues and I looked a long while and a a lot of brands before I made a purchase decison. It has many great features and can accept the MicroDrive which is a big plus. Go for it.