Talk about a digital camera to be produced in 2010 as being "soon" is naive. In the digital era 18 months is a lifetime. The more I look at my 9 the more it seems a bit "boxy" by today's standards. It's still an ergonomic gem. As for a future "flagship", much will depend on the sales of the A900. Notice I didn't say acceptance by pros. Although that is a desireable market, I believe Sony's target is the advanced amateur looking for a cost-benefit ratio to upgrade while still using legacy equipment. This develops word-of-mouth (or even viral) sales of the whole range of DSLRs. I doubt established pros are going to dump tens of thousands of dollars invested in Canikon glass for a marginal improvement over what they are presently getting. That said, should Sony make a breakthrough (say the backlit sensor provides dramatic improvement in IQ) then all bets are off. We're all anticipating the A900 and the quality images we hope to produce with it. To speculate on the next big thing takes us away from our primary goal - making beautiful images.

Thanks for all the nice articles, Carl and the great web site!

Speaking of our primary goal of making beautiful images, I'm head down to Bryce Canyon today, with my Maxxum 9, with 70-200mm SSM G. Hopefully I capture a few nice ones while I'm there.

In case you haven't already read the story about our Maxxum 9 upgrade adventure you can read about it here: http://www.dyxum.com/columns/other/maxxum9/index.asp

Kelly

I think that a900 will offer a good quality and performance and maybe this yes is a Maxxum 9 evolution, but with some change in design and style...

Good article...

Nostalgia is nice sometimes. But it's still nostalgia.

I can appreciate the artistry of a classic car. There are a couple I even lust after if only I could afford them. But I'd not want to drive one coast to coast. Some would, probably, those folks would admit it's about the experience, not getting somewhere. Ford Motors has been marketing to nostalgia. There are any number of cars that are faster, better handling, less cramped and more fuel efficient than a current Ford Mustang. They just don't look "like" a Mustang and don't sound like a V8.

I'd not trade Quick Navi for any number of knobs, no matter how slick and nifty they feel mechanically. . . . or how boxy the box on which they are mounted looks.

Who says you have to lose quick nav?
I think removing the 2nd dial was a mistake, and one sony have repeated through the new line. Instead we get that empty top plate space..just doing nothing.

And before I get a comeback on this one, quick nav and all, well if you want to do flash exp compensation..hmmmm, which is faster? Change for the sake of it, is not always good.

Geeze well don't make me jealous or anything :-D

I hope maybe you could share some of those shots with us if you get any in digital form eventually.

Have fun

"Talk about a digital camera to be produced in 2010 as being "soon" is naive"

I think you misunderstood me, and and 18 months isn't a lifetime. I've seen several manufactures take much longer than that to come out with a new camera in any level. But that isn't what I'm proposing at all so this argument is beside the point.

Since the flagship will be the first out (likely sept) then it would be silly for Sony to make a higher level camera than the flagship at/near the same time, wouldn't it? That, is my point.

I hope you do, and that if you do, you would share with us :)

Carl

Maybe I am misunderstanding your reply?

Carl

So how can you have an objective opinion of it?

Quick Navi is leaps ahead of a second dial, sorry bud!

Flash exp comp. is just as fast. Once you get used to Quick Navi, it only gets quicker. I've made adjustments without looking direct, using periferal vision. It blazes.

Carl

Carl..the advantages of the dial system are, that you can see what your camera is set to, even off.
You are right, maybe I cannot comment, but sony seemed determined to go to single dial, and in doing so you lost not only the exp comp dial..(if that bothers you), but the drive control dial under the main PASM dial from the 7 series. There is no way that can be faster to change with a button. And again, the other flaw in this, is all the other A series cameras are lacking this 2nd dial, and have the main one over to the left (doesnt make sense, with no LCD) I was playing with an A200 yesterday, its nice, but its 2nd best handling wise to the A100 and 5d. All based on change for the sake of it.

Maybe if I get a handle of the A700, I may change my mind..but no doubts that the single dial isnt ideal IMO. The A200 is still cheap, and worth a look, its fairly speedy..its just a shame sony dumped the advances they have, just to make models look sony ish.

But you can see what your settings are as soon as you push the FN button tho Barry (A700 is faster), and in some cases they are always displayed, just like the dial. Exp. compensation is shown always, and flash comp. is shown right when you push the FN button below Exp. comp.

I might agree when it comes to the A200, but not with the A700 its a bit different that way.

C

This is not about Nostalgia! It's about full frame, 100% viewfinder coverage, user changeable focus screens, 1/12000 sec max shutter speed, 100% metal weather sealed pro construction! It's not about knobs vs. buttons, or film vs digital. What's wrong with the hope of a Maxxum 9-like digital successor? BTW 67 vs 2008 mustang is just a bad analogy! The Maxxum 9 is in no way a 67 Mustang! Or any Ford for that matter, old or new :-) And that is coming from someone that drives one.

Sory Eric, it was not my intention to make anyone jealous. I was just excited about going to Bryce with my Maxxum 9 and my Maxxum 7D. And thanks, it was a lot of fun!

I suppose it was more of an expensive scouting expedition that anything else. I mean, Bryce is so fantastic, you just can't do it justice in 4-5 hrs. It was about a 4 hr drive in my FORD from SLC -- 550miles round trip and about 1 1/2 tanks of gas. Gas prices were definitely not Costco prices down there, ranging from about $4.19 to $4.30 per gallon for regular. The Ruby's Inn, or I guess it's now the City of Ruby's Inn, has really grown since I was last there some 20 years ago. Entrance fee to the Park is $25 per vehicle or $80 for a year pass to all National Parks. I stopped in the visitors center and asked the ranger about the lighting conditions, which was a mistake -- he was way wrong. What I learned is afternoon, evening sun light is not the best time. The canyon rim faces mainly east, so the early morning sunrise is the time to be there. Midday sun, though harsh, has some advantages shining down on the "Hoodoos" as shadows can be less of a problem. I would guess taking a helicopter excursion at sunrise and shooting from the east might be best, but Bryce Point, and Sunrise and Sunset points probably would also bag some nice keepers. From a plane or helicopter, or out in the canyon, the 70-200mm G would probably be idea. From the canyon rim, the 24-105mm range is nice along with the 70-200. I used mostly my 17-35mm D and 28-75D on my 7D and the 24-105D on the 9, with only a few shots take with the 70-200mm. I can't wait for full frame, APS-C -- 1x5 is less than ideal (JMO) for landscape. Nothing wrong with the 7D viewfinder, but you unless you've used the Maxxum 9, you cannot even imagine what a huge difference that 100% finder makes when framing Bryce Canyon -- just gorgeous!
That said, lugging the Maxxum 9, with 70-200mmG and other gear over any distance is no fun. The 7D with the lenses mentioned previously or a couple primes, and 100-300mm APO D is much more practical. And you really need a good tripod, especially with Velvia 50 and no antishake! Unless you want to change film mid roll (no problem with the 9) you can't change ISOs on the fly like with digital. My non-carbon fiber tripod and all the other gear was just too heavy. I'll try to get a few of the 7D photos up soon, and of course with Velvia 50, it will take a little longer.
All-in-all it was a productive, though short and a little expensive jog down there. And I was especially happy that my FORD actually made it there and back. I was a little worried about being found on road -- well you know -- and wishing that I had driven my Toyota instead. I had, however, total confidence in my Maxxum 9. It is built "Maxxum Tough" and I know it will keep on shooting for years to come :-) !
Kelly

Carl,

Thanks for such a great article. As a collector of Minolta cameras and lenses, it is my hopes that Sony will continue a legacy into the next generation of great photographers. Anyone remember the old slogan “ONLY FROM THE MIND OF MINOLTA” I seriously believe the MIND is behind Sony and they will revolutionize the digital camera in the near future. As the A-9 may be the Flagship of today, what does the largest manufacturer of electronics in the world hold in store for tomorrow? Much more, so much more!
AJ

Carl,

What constitutes "heritage"? Sony has already taken over Minolta factories and engineers. The A-mount is here to stay. The Minolta flash contact still exists. The propensity for Minolta to define buttons for functions rather than imbed pages in pages to get at functions is all through the Sony line. Innovation - a Minolta trademark - is being shown by each iteration of the Alpha. Yes, I'd like A900 to be built like a tank the way the Maxxum 9 was but with modern materials that may not be necessary. Weather seals in the A900 are mandatory if it's to be considered a pro camera but none of the Sony lenses are sealed so what good will it do in the rain? For sure a 100% viewfinder would be desirable but that's not essential Minolta DNA. I've owned or still own every AF Minolta SLR (including the Vectis line) because each new product appealed to me on a "gut" level as well as as a pragmatic photographer. I'll know the first minute I get my mitts on an A900 if underneath it's a Minolta.

Well, I almost cried when I say that the A700 has lost the second dial, but I bought the A700 anyway.

Now, what was that stupid second dial for? Quicknav 10, Second Dial about 3.
Quicknav is so much faster. And how useful is that Custom buttom? I o use the custom button for Flash Comp, although it would have been better if they had used the second wheel with the Exposure Comp button for Flash Comp. Shame we can't get Sony to fix this minor firmware issue :(

Second dial is really obsolete in comparison in some respects. Something about having more metal on a camera though that really gives you a feeling of confidence.

Be interesting to see if they include what you are looking for in the next model.

Carl

Together?

I think it's possible, without a doubt.

Carl