Wedding photos

Remember I told you that a while back I won a Sony DSC-W22012.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom with Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization in silver?  Well, after playing around with it, we took it to a family wedding a few weeks ago. As promised, though, I gave it to my hubby to use.  I gave him a short, 10 minute primer on how to use it just before the wedding and he took some really nice shots.  

Instead of bringing my Sony alpha (DSLR) with me as it was going to be very hot and I am still recovering from back surgery, I brought my Sony DSC-H20 with me, and, in addition to taking pictures, I video-ed the entire 14 minute wedding ceremony.  Now, I managed to do this from the front row seat and without a tripod.  The Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization worked great - without a tripod, the image was nice and steady, and even when I panned around to get the dog walking down the aisle (unexpectedly, of course) and then sitting on my feet, everything was super steady.


Don't get me wrong - I still LOVE my Sony alpha.  It's just that after surgery, these two cameras were the perfect cameras to have with us to take pictures given the conditions of our backs (did I happen to mention hubby's back went out the day before the wedding?  No surgery required, but poor guy couldn't move that day!  So the nice, light DSC-W220 really came in handy, and was his first real use of a digital camera - yes, hubby rarely used digital and was still in the *gasp* film age!  Not that there is anything wrong with that, as I still sometimes use my Minolta SLR.).

New Sony DSLR

Have you all seen the new Sony alpha series cameras?  They look like a cross between a point and shoot and a DSLR, with the ability to attach multiple lenses to it.  It's the Sony a-NEX camera line.  I find them interesting because, in addition to taking interchangeable lenses, they can also take HD movies.  Check out the Sony website here for more info:  http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644718498&N=4294952674&Name=%26alpha%3b+NEX+Digital+Cameras#/nex5Section , or take a look at them through the Amazon links here.

I have yet to have a chance to see or try these out in person.  Drawbacks I can see, at least for my use, include the following:
1) The cameras take an "E mount" lens.  If you wish to use your Sony alpha or Minolta "A mount" lenses, you need to purchase an optional adapter sold separately Sony LA-EA1 - Lens adapter Minolta A-type - Sony E-mount.  Check out this link, which shows the present lowest price for this as about $154.95  http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&q=LA-EA1+lens+adapter&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=6843298615254164316&ei=-NRBTPzKMoP58Ab74dEO&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCsQ8wIwAg#  (Amazon does not seem to have it in stock as of today http://www.amazon.com/Sony-EA1-adapter-Minolta-type/dp/B003QK1VK4 )
2) Even after the adapter (yes, I'd have to get one, after investing hundreds if not thousands of dollars in Minolta and Sony A-Mount Lenses, I am not buying a slew of E-Mount lenses), I can't imagine how balanced, or unbalanced the a-NEX would be with my larger telephoto lenses on it. 

The above said, I do think it's a very cool idea - sometimes I don't like lugging my Sony alpha DSLR around, and I have taken to bringing my Sony DSC-H20 and/or my Sony Cybershot W-220 with me.  The Sony a-NEX sound like it just might bridge the gap (IF they lower the price on the lens adapter!).

Update to the memory card debacle

Just so you know, Amazon came through.  After arguing with the original Amazon Marketplace seller, Chitek/CTCStore that yes, the "Sony Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX 8 GB Flash Memory Card with USB Reader MSHX8G" did indeed come with a USB adapter/reader as indicated in the item name and product description (they actually argued with me that what I ordered was a "promotional item that did not come with an adapter/reader"), I filed a claim through Amazon's A to z guaranty service and they found in my favor and refunded my money to me.  In the meantime, I ordered the MSHX8G from another Amazon seller, Dependable Resources, and which was "fulfilled by Amazon", and lo and behold, I actually received what I ordered today.  Excellent - just in time for a family wedding.

Now we have to see if Chitek/CTS Store actually refunds my return postage as they promised.  I am waiting to see - if they refund it I will not leave awful feedback - if they fail to, well, they can just wait and see what I leave.

Kudos to Amazon, though, for stepping up and doing the right thing.

Have a happy Fourth of July all, and take lots of photos!