Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

With my SONY DSC-F717 (a 2002 camera, "only" 5 MP...) I have pretty much tossed my tripod except for studio shots with my full rig. On MACRO setting, it knocks off crisp, clear poster-sized photos by the hundreds.

I know there are lots of good digital cameras out there, and have tried various ones from a half-dozen manufacturers. I keep coming back to the SONY. When I wore out my original one two years ago, I bought a new DSC-F828 (supposedly TOL) and was disappointed to find out that it had a different CCD. I then bought a used, rebuilt 717 on eBay for $180.00.

I took both cameras to the SoCal confluence last August and used them side-by-side. Virtually every shot from the 717 was crisp and well-let, with minimal grain, even in low and stage-lit situations. I had to toss out about 70% of the 828's files due to blurdom or grain. The 828 is now relegated to second string duty.

The DSC-F717 is my hero cam. And, though it's been obsolete for 5 years, it still does yeoman duty. Great (Zeiss) optics and a very fast CCD.

Anyway, Evan, if your camera doesn't have a MACRO setting, that's the source of your troubles. You'll also need more light, judging from that horn shot. If your camera has a MACRO setting, use it. And if you want a terrific bargain, Try one of the SONY 717s used. I don't know what I'm gonna do when this one poops out, though it's still got a few years left on it...

Thanks for the advice Paul - the camera is my wife's Sony - a 5.1 mp camera with a Zeiss lens - I just need to find the manual. It's something I've never taken the time to look into properly. I am about as familiar with cameras as I am with juggling chain-saws...

Evan, I saw that bass in the flesh when Frank was working with it. What a magnificent transformation and restoration. I would not hesitate to recommend Frank to any of our Australian friends.

He painted my 481 which should be fully restored very soon.

gellkeller wrote:He painted my 481 which should be fully restored very soon.

Can't wait to see it Brett!

beautiful bass,mate! the color is stunning,i love seeing ricks in traditional fireglo,but they look really nice in different shades of red,too. (i am still daydreaming about a coral pink/fiesta red one myself) .congrats-looks like it was worth the wait!

antipodean wrote:Thanks for the advice Paul - the camera is my wife's Sony - a 5.1 mp camera with a Zeiss lens - I just need to find the manual. It's something I've never taken the time to look into properly. I am about as familiar with cameras as I am with juggling chain-saws...

Thank God there are no chain saws in the vicinity, Evan!!!

Anyway, my wife also has a 5.1MP SONY point 'n' shoot, and it's tremendous. I think you're close to a solution-- selecting "macro" is your key, and then leave it on full auto for the time being. If you can deselect flash, so so and shoot in plenty of natural daylight.

The manual is downloadable from SONY's website.

Congrats Evan! It looks great. Nice choice of color, enjoy it!

Extremely jealous here in NY. That's a great bass Evan

Fantastic Evan! Looks great, they really did a great job.

.....and excellent color choice.

Thanks for the kind words guys! The bass is getting played at every opportunity, so it will probably be well reliced within weeks.

In the meantime, I have found and dowloaded the camera manual over the weekend, so after a week of reading and rereading it I may be able to get some decent pics posted!

Evan, great restore. It is very beautiful - love the Ruby. With the wood in it, the toaster, and 70s high gain, it should sound wonderful.