Sports shooting with the A700

[JonathanJ]

Hello all,

I recently got back from Vancouver, where I was spectating at the World Ultimate and Guts Championships. The competition was intense, with athletes from all over the world competing. I was mainly supporting my friends on the Australian team.

I shot over 2500 photos with the A700, mostly with my Sigma 70-300 lens. The 5fps and fast AF was ideal for sports shooting, I really noticed the difference vs my old A100. I had a bad moment on the 4th day of this week long event when the AF motor in the 70-300 made a horrible grinding sound and gave up the ghost. Shot the remainder of the event with my other lenses.

Some photos below:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/jonathan.jonas/SKNTuRlHexI/AAAAAAAADs4/iXZPD3Fbaug/s800/Highlights-28.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/jonathan.jonas/SKNTe8zX7HI/AAAAAAAADpg/4AgExM9QAZc/s800/Highlights-2.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/jonathan.jonas/SKNTjaX39pI/AAAAAAAADqk/MN1lw9SIoEc/s800/Highlights-10.jpg

You can see more action shots at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jonathan.jonas/WUGC2008Highlights

So as a replacement, I am going to give the venerable Minolta 70-210 f4 'Beercan' lens a go. The constant aperture is nice, and I've played with one before and like the Minolta color and bokeh. I will post some shots once it arrives. An alternative for everyone waiting for the 70-200 f2.8? At $200 and available now vs $700 it was an easy choice for me.

Cheers,

Jonathan

[sparkie1263]

I had the same thing happen to me with my Quantary lens which is also made by Sigma. ( was told). I got the Tamron 70-300 and love it. I did make my Quantary lens a MF lens only. I removed the AF drive gear from the back of th lens mount. All it took was removing the screws and taking the drive gear out. I can use it as a MF lens if I need it.
Frank

[JonathanJ]

Yeah, I was thinking about using it as a MF lens only but I am hoping that I can dig up the warranty card and get it repaired/replaced. Now I just need to find the card...

[sparkie1263]

Mine was still grinding in MF that is why I removed the drive gear. Good luck I hope it is covered. Ask them if they are going to keep fixing it.
Frank

[DonSchap]

If they simply made these parts out of something decent, life would be ... better. Oh well, a sign of the times.

[Birchblaze]

I'm using a Maxxum 70-210mm 1:4(32) Beercan (is this, in fact, a 'beercan'?) and haven't been all that impressed with the sharpness. I've been researching the newer Sony 70-300mm G. Has anyone tried this lens? Also, have I heard correctly that it won't be able to take advantage of a full-frame sensor? And, that Sony may be launching a new 70-300mm along with the a900 launch? ANy thoughts? Thanks!

[DonSchap]

As far as predicting the future goes, even with the help of the local SONY Corporate rep, I cannot get answers to what surprises SONY Japan has in store for all of us in Septemeber.

Anything at this point is simply unconfirmed rumor. I know that sucks, but for some reason, that's exactly how they want it to be. Makes the forums and the magazines that supply this "inside dope" just about ... yeah, I'll say it .... WORTHLESS.

But what the hey, why not ask?