Camera - my camera between Summer 2002 and June 2005 was the digital
Sony Model DSC-F707 cybershot. Nowadays, even faster, better and more
sensitive cameras are available, but when first introduced the DSC-F707, was the top of the Line.
Below is a short review of its Capabilities, my experiences with the F707 and some of its useful accessories.
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Accessories and Extras- The Sony DSC-F707 cybershot uses a system of extra's and accessories to enhance it's capabilities and functions in special fields of photography. Among these extra batteries, chargers, lensens, lighting -flash and infra-red-, filters, tripods and remote-control, transfer and storing media
When on Photography Tour in China I store all my photo-images on a laptop computer and a portable hard disk. This allows me to work on the material while traveling, and with todays hard-drive capability it saves considerable expenses on memory-sticks. To find out more about the use of my Laptop as a reporting-support tool, CLICK HERE and red the Information Page.
Palmtop PTA Handheld- Clie' PEG-NZ90 (E)
Very convenient because of it's multi-purpose use. The Sony Clie' PEG-NZ90/E.
Clie' PEG-NZ90/E 1st marketed and bought April 2003
The F707 has some good camera caracteristics, the most important of which are: the 5.0 megapixel photo-sensitivity, the Carl-Zeiss zoom lens which ensures 10x excellent optical and digital zoom, the Stamina batteries that allow for hours of freedom and working time, and last but not least - it's excellent low light capabilities.
The 5.0 megapixel nowadays is not the best and highest possible on the market. I therefor upgraded to the newer DSC-F818, which hits home at 8.2 megapixels. This is all you could likely need ! Blowing up and printing of images, without (any!) loss of quality, is now possible up to Wall-size. New memory-sticks Pro, now available up to 4 Gigabites, help store the large sized files resulting from this. The DSC-F707, however, still has enough megapixel capability to satisfy most of todays users. It is a still a strong choice for high-detail photography. Check the China Report for a demonstration of materials !
Stamina batteries. I usually carry at least 3, to ensure myself of enough working time to deal with my extensive photo-shoots. As these photo-shoots can include extensive use of flash-photography, and usually last at least half a day, stamina batteries are essential to my operations. All Sony DSC Cameras come with excellent batteries, that are easily recharchable and last for hours at a time, even when used for flash-photography. The DSC-F 707 has never disappointed me, lasting me through many reporting days, taking 1000's of photos and using flash, on only 3 batteries.
The Sony DSC-F707 low light capabilities are remarkable. Providing some practise in the correct use in low light circumstances the F707 easily picks up photos inside for instance a catacomb , mausoleum or Church and does so without using a Flash ! Switch to it's special low light setting, relax, take steady photos using patience and come to remarkable results without using tripod. True, for less steady hands the low light long "shutter"-time may cause problems leading to vague and smeared images. However, with experience the F707 outclasses the F818 in low light sensitivity and catches good colors in even the most shadowy settings. This may be it's best point !
Overall, the F-707's effective 5.0 megapixel image. The F707 camera is further enhanced by a wide variety of functions and options. These are too many to mention and often a challenge for the professional photographer. To mention a few of the more common ones: - Instant viewing, manipulating and deleting of Images on a built-in videoscreen , an excellent halogenic flashlight useful for in- and outdoor work , Night-photography/sensitivity , Night-shot achieved by emitting Infra Red Light or enhanced sensitivity , built-in Hologram AF laser sytem for rangefinding and supersharp photo's closeby (Macro Option!) and at large distances , - Bursts of Photo's , minutes of MPEG video with sound , and last but not least instant e-mail formatting.
The true professional photographer will be happy to find setting menu's for light-sensitivity, brightness , coloration , shutter-time , digital de-polarisation ( "white balling" ) for photography of subjects against sunlight or other bright sources and a variety of other functions.
The F707 handles pretty well in the hand and in the Field. Contrary to popular belief the camera is not too heavy to handle. It's weight makes it pretty steady which makes for sharper photo's off the hand. This especially true in windy conditions. This way, tripods and remote controls - all of which have to be carried around- are not necessary for the perfect picture.
With the back-up of a well thought out set of recharging and connecting cables the DSC F707 comes almost complete. Personally however , I would recommend all of the below accessories, most notably the extra battery and memorysticks needed for longer shooting in the field and ofcourse the protective F707 special carrying case LCS-FX with room for an extra battery. These are indespensable to Me.t.
The unique Carl-Zeiss electronic zoom lens on the DSC F-707 ensures great zooming. Electric buttons for zoom-in and zoom-out are very conveniently placed for the left hand to manipulate zoom while peering through your camera and firing away. For it's easy zooming capabilities I prefer the DSC- F707 over the F818, which has hand-operated zooming, any time !
DSC-F707 zooming, up to 10x, is sufficient to deal with photography of most of my subjects withing both City and Natural landscapes. Zooming ensures easy photography of nearby building details. Zooming-in on parts of landscapes, such as towers on The Great Wall of China, are also possible and result in satisfactory quality, while shooting off-the-hand. For large distances, a tripod or solid underground is necessary to avoid fading. Here an extra zoom lens (available!) is advised. For all party fotos, city landscape photography, and near close-up photos, the F707 lens functions perfectly.
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Upgrade to New Sony DSC-F818
in the Year 2005
Adapting to a new Camera -
Latest Camera in 2007 - New Sony DSLR-A700K
A 12.2 Megapixel - Digital Reflex Camera for November 2007.
A Colorful picture taken with the DSC-F707 on a Sunny Day in Beijing in November 2003 AD.
