Still got mine, and before disability stopped me walking, I used to 'do' wedding photography, family shoots and even some paid architectural work (a cheap Sunpak flash worked well for reflected light too). Made a modest living from it just using the two kit lenses which were in the box (and later a lovely Minolta AF prime). I even used the free Sony imaging software that came with it. Again, not exactly Photoshop but adequate for my needs. The aftermarket vertical battery grip (non-Sony) has worked fine from day one. Obviously there are better options (even when it was new), but 16 years later mine is doing just fine (especially considering I hardly ever use it these days due to physical limitations). Best of all, they are now cheap to buy. Recommended for 'digital on a budget'.
I have the A390. Same tech and something very interesting is that the shutter mirror is translucent and there's a secondary mirror behind it which reflects the image downwards, where the 2nd sensor is located. If you pull the mirror up slowly with your finger you can see the 2nd mirror flipping along the 1st mirror
I want them to make a camera with what would have been 2 sensors, but with film in place of one of the sensors. The other can take digital photos at the same time, and give an EVF with heads up display, black and white viewfinding when you have black and white film, autofocus with that sensor, focus peaking, etc.
I've got an A100, A200 and A230 I'm a fanboy of old Sony's and they've been hammered, thousands and thousands of shots, they're all in working order. A100 is my fav camera, the focus screen is scratched to bits, but the images are still fine.
Look out for used minolta AF film cameras.. usually you can get some 50mm f1.7 primes for like 30-50euros with an untested film camera 😉 sometimes it comes with a 35-70f4 or the 24-50f4 lenses which are both quite sharp and good
