The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!

snerkler said:
The version 4.00 firmware for the A1 has been out for 2 or 3 months now, has anyone heard of any major issues before I update?
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Well I've taken the plunge and so far not noticed any issues :banana:
 
Just in case anyone is interested. A review of the Sony mount Voigtlander 28mm f2 apo.

Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 28 mm f/2 Aspherical review - Introduction - LensTip.com

Best digital cameras and lens reviews. If you are looking for the information about digital cameras and lenses you are in a right place. We have many professional tests of digital photography equipment.
www.lenstip.com www.lenstip.com

Vignetting seems to be the only real issue.
 
Is anyone using the 28-70 f/2?

About to pull the trigger on one here but have seen a few reviews mention issues with flare, has anyone got firsthand of experience of this?
 
snerkler said:
You need the samyang dock :facepalm:
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f/1.2 said:
Sounds like you need to update the firmware on the lens had the same problem with every Samyang lens.
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snerkler said:
@Swanseajack I've checked my Sammy 45mm and it still had version 2.0 on so I've updated it to version 8.0, the latest version. Maybe worth trying if you've got the Sammy dock?
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Apologies for the late replies but I have been unable to log onto this website since Sunday due to not receiving verification codes or they were coming too late and they were timing out. Reset my password so hopefully I will be okay now. I have also notified Admin.

I decided to return the Sammy for a refund and I have picked up the Zeiss 55mm lens instead. I have voucher codes from Sony after buying into the system and the 55mm lens lets me have £100 cash back, so the lens will only owe me £349, so it seemed a no brainer for me.

Initial play and the 55mm has very nice rendering and seem's super sharp.
 
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woof woof said:
Just in case anyone is interested. A review of the Sony mount Voigtlander 28mm f2 apo.

Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 28 mm f/2 Aspherical review - Introduction - LensTip.com

Best digital cameras and lens reviews. If you are looking for the information about digital cameras and lenses you are in a right place. We have many professional tests of digital photography equipment.
www.lenstip.com www.lenstip.com

Vignetting seems to be the only real issue.
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I bought one at the end of February out of the first stock to hit the shelves. I haven't been concerned by any Vignetting when running the files through LR. The design is different to the 15mm Voigtlander I currently own and the 35mm & 50mm I owned when I had my Nikon Z cameras.
 
Swanseajack said:
Apologies for the late replies but I have been unable to log onto this website since Sunday due to not receiving verification codes or they were coming too late and they were timing out. Reset my password so hopefully I will be okay now. I have also notified Admin.

I decided to return the Sammy for a refund and I have picked up the Zeiss 55mm lens instead. I have voucher codes from Sony after buying into the system and the 55mm lens lets me have £100 cash back, so the lens will only owe me £349, so it seemed a no brainer for me.

Initial play and the 55mm has very nice rendering and seem's super sharp.
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The 55 is a very sharp, neutral lens, quick and accurate focussing. Weaknesses are CA, 55mm focal length often being just a little bit longer than wanted and the rendering being a little busy at times. Enjoy.
 
Swanseajack said:
I bought one at the end of February out of the first stock to hit the shelves. I haven't been concerned by any Vignetting when running the files through LR. The design is different to the 15mm Voigtlander I currently own and the 35mm & 50mm I owned when I had my Nikon Z cameras.
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A while ago I'd have been very excited by this or the f1.5 and I'd have bought one but I haven't really been using my Voigtlanders or any of my manual focus lenses recently. I used the TTA 50mm f2 for a couple of days and that's it. I've been thinking of selling my MF lenses but it's making the decision and going through with it that's the problem.

Hopefully you'll post some pictures at some point.

I have the 35mm f1.2 and f1.4 and 50mm f2 apo and f1.2.
 
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Clare would kill me if she knew I was posting photos of her at work and in her lounging clothes. Just a couple of grab shots with the recently purchased 55mm lens. Also, I don't think I have posted any photos taken with my A7R5.

I like to test a lens for sharpness when I can clearly make out a persons eyelashes or eyebrows. What do other people test lens on for sharpness.?

A7R5 & 55mm f1.8 lens @ f1.8.

Testing Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8 lens. by Swansea Jack, on Flickr

A7R5 & 55mm f1.8 lens @ f2.8.

Testing Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8 lens. by Swansea Jack, on Flickr
 
woof woof said:
A while ago I'd have been very excited by this or the f1.5 and I'd have bought one but I haven't really been using my Voigtlanders or any of my manual focus lenses recently. I used the TTA 50mm f2 for a couple of days and that's it. I've been thinking of selling my MF lenses but it's making the decision and going through with it that's the problem.

Hopefully you'll post some pictures at some point.

I have the 35mm f1.2 and f1.4 and 50mm f2 apo and f1.2.
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I was hoping to try the 28mm lens out properly yesterday, on a trip down to Mumbles. Unfortunately I have sprained my wrist and my arthritis is playing up in my thumb and I didn't feel like holding the camera.
 
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Swanseajack said:
Clare would kill me if she knew I was posting photos of her at work and in her lounging clothes. Just a couple of grab shots with the recently purchased 55mm lens. Also, I don't think I have posted any photos taken with my A7R5.

I like to test a lens for sharpness when I can clearly make out a persons eyelashes or eyebrows. What do other people test lens on for sharpness.?

A7R5 & 55mm f1.8 lens @ f1.8.

Testing Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8 lens. by Swansea Jack, on Flickr

A7R5 & 55mm f1.8 lens @ f2.8.

Testing Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8 lens. by Swansea Jack, on Flickr
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You shouldn’t have any bother with sharpness with the 55 it’s a very sharp lens even by today’s standards.

It’s main downsides is that it produces a lot of C.A especially in backlit situations and the bokeh for me personally is pretty ugly but that’s subjective.

A.F speed is decent for an older lens as well. For a small lens it performs pretty well all round.
 
Swanseajack said:
I was hoping to try the 28mm lens out properly yesterday, on a trip down to Mumbles. Unfortunately I have sprained my wrist and my arthritis is playing up in my thumb and I didn't feel like holding the camera.
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Here's hoping you get well soon.
 
Swanseajack said:
Clare would kill me if she knew I was posting photos of her at work and in her lounging clothes. Just a couple of grab shots with the recently purchased 55mm lens. Also, I don't think I have posted any photos taken with my A7R5.

I like to test a lens for sharpness when I can clearly make out a persons eyelashes or eyebrows. What do other people test lens on for sharpness.?
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I can't really stop myself from pixel peeping but with modern lenses there shouldn't really be any worries. When taking pictures of people and especially our wives and GF's and female friends I think a picture can be too sharp. I first thought this years ago when I bought a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 for my Canon DSLR and was shocked at the detail it recorded when I took a picture of my then GF. I don't think you'll have any worries about the 55mm's sharpness, but your Mrs might :D If she does tell her a sharp lens shows her lovely completion and beautiful eyes off best :D

If you go looking for sharp eyelashes or eyebrows the aperture and camera to subject distance and how they affects DoF and where the point of focus is need thinking about.
 
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f/1.2 said:
You shouldn’t have any bother with sharpness with the 55 it’s a very sharp lens even by today’s standards.

It’s main downsides is that it produces a lot of C.A especially in backlit situations and the bokeh for me personally is pretty ugly but that’s subjective.

A.F speed is decent for an older lens as well. For a small lens it performs pretty well all round.
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I'm more than pleased with the lens for the limited use I will mount it on my camera. When I had my Z cameras I had two 50mm lenses and they were very seldom used. I did like the Voigtlander 50mm APO though.

Hopefully you maybe be able to help or @snerkler. As your both Mac users IIRC.With Nikon I had CF Type B cards and as the Sony uses Type A cards are they physically the same size a SD card which I'm currently using (Lexar Silver Pro 256gb 280R 160W)or are they slightly different in size. As I have a MBP I use the card reader on the MBP rather than a separate card reader which I had for the Type B cards I have.

I'm not finding the cards limiting me for my current use as I'm not doing much wildlife photography, but, would I see a big improvement with a Type A card?

Edit: PS I don't use the cameras for any Video use.
 
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Swanseajack said:
I like to test a lens for sharpness when I can clearly make out a persons eyelashes or eyebrows. What do other people test lens on for sharpness.?
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Nothing. Not anymore. For how I am right now, sharpness is one of the last things I look into with an image.

I would test for ....... the thing I can't think of right now...... :mad: The equal corner sharpness thing.... that infinity test.... :ROFLMAO:
 
What do other people test lens on for sharpness.?
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Also hair and eyelashes for wide-open sharpness, then I have a long view over the city nearby I can walk to, stop down and shoot the horizon on an angle either way so I have corner-to-corner sharpness at infinity to test for landscape use etc.

The thing above is checking it’s not de-centred too badly.

Oh I also shoot branches against the sky so I can see what the worst case CA is like too and if I need to care about it.
 
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LeeRatters said:
Nothing. Not anymore. For how I am right now, sharpness is one of the last things I look into with an image.

I would test for ....... the thing I can't think of right now...... :mad: The equal corner sharpness thing.... that infinity test.... :ROFLMAO:
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Decentering?
 
the_accidental said:
Also hair and eyelashes for wide-open sharpness, then I have a long view over the city nearby I can walk to, stop down and shoot the horizon on an angle either way so I have corner-to-corner sharpness at infinity to test for landscape use etc.

The thing above is checking it’s not de-centred too badly.

Oh I also shoot branches against the sky so I can see what the worst case CA is like too and if I need to care about it.
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Luckily for me or not.:( When I step out of my back door my neighbour has built a kitchen extension to the side of my house and I have a nice large wall for checking decentering and corner performance.I also use my long run of fencing we have along with my garden tree branches for CA etc..
 
f/1.2 said:
Is anyone using the 28-70 f/2?

About to pull the trigger on one here but have seen a few reviews mention issues with flare, has anyone got firsthand of experience of this?
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Nobody using this lens?

My 24-70 GMII went earlier and should have the 28-70 by middle of next week. Prob not much difference but we will see.
 
Swanseajack said:
I like to test a lens for sharpness when I can clearly make out a persons eyelashes or eyebrows. What do other people test lens on for sharpness.?
Click to expand...
I don't tend to test lenses for sharpness per se, only if I clearly see an issue. Just processing photos lets me know if the lens is sharp or not so there's no need to test specifically.

I generally test lenses for decentering (although I haven't done with the Sammy 45mm), and in the good old days of DSLR I always tested lens for front/back focussing. On this subject I happen to notice that the 45mm f1.8 was set at -1 micro adjustment when I attached it to the dock, and when I ran the update it was still set at -1. It makes me think this is the default setting which is very odd :thinking:
Swanseajack said:
Hopefully you maybe be able to help or @snerkler. As your both Mac users IIRC.With Nikon I had CF Type B cards and as the Sony uses Type A cards are they physically the same size a SD card which I'm currently using (Lexar Silver Pro 256gb 280R 160W)or are they slightly different in size. As I have a MBP I use the card reader on the MBP rather than a separate card reader which I had for the Type B cards I have.

I'm not finding the cards limiting me for my current use as I'm not doing much wildlife photography, but, would I see a big improvement with a Type A card?
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CFexpress type A aren't the same size as SD cards, but they do share the same slot. In terms of shooting I haven't seen any difference between using UHS-II SD cards and high speed CFepxress A, even burst shooting wildlife or motorsports. The A1 does have a good buffer though.

Where I have seen a difference is transfer speeds to the computer, assuming you have a card reader capable of fast transfer speeds. I've just bought a type 4.0 reader (40gbps) and using the Pergear Master CFexpress Type A (1760 MB/s read, 1600 MB/s write) transfer speed to my Mac is rapid.
 
f/1.2 said:
Nobody using this lens?

My 24-70 GMII went earlier and should have the 28-70 by middle of next week. Prob not much difference but we will see.
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I'm interested to know your thoughts, although it's not a lens on my radar. I keep toying with buying the 24-70mm GM II but I keep talking myself out of it, I only want it for studio use and I'm not planning on doing as much of that in the future.
 
Here's a shot I took yesterday with the 45mm f1.8, it's sharp enough for me at 1:1.


A1_08728 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
 
snerkler said:
I'm interested to know your thoughts, although it's not a lens on my radar. I keep toying with buying the 24-70mm GM II but I keep talking myself out of it, I only want it for studio use and I'm not planning on doing as much of that in the future.
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The 24-70 GMII is excellent.

I am just upgrading because all the cool kids shooting weddings are using zooms now and I ain’t about that f/2.8 :D. Amazing the way things come full circle.
 
f/1.2 said:
The 24-70 GMII is excellent.

I am just upgrading because all the cool kids shooting weddings are using zooms now and I ain’t about that f/2.8 :D. Amazing the way things come full circle.
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It does look great, it's a question of how mcuh use it'll get.
 
snerkler said:
It does look great, it's a question of how mcuh use it'll get.
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I used mine very sparingly but every time I did I was impressed. A.F speed of that lens is outstanding and it was as sharp as any of my other lenses at f/2.8.
 
Now that the 28-70 f/2 has been ordered (hopefully it works out or it will live in the car along with all of my other spare gear). If it works out for me its going to replace my 35 GM and my 50 GM, which I will pass on to my missus.

I am now deciding what to do about my 135mm and the old Tamron 70-180 I have. I rarely use either of these. Occasionally we will use them for outdoor weddings and elopements but even then not always. I suppose there has also been the odd large church or chapel wedding were we have used them as well. Realistically though we only use them maybe one 1 in 8 times and even then only for a short part of the day. While it will cause a bit of an overlap am thinking of swapping these out for a 50-150 f/2. One lens in the bag instead of two and that lens is supposed to be sensational. Maybe because of that I would use it more. The 135mm is unbelievable but too long for most things at a wedding, The Tamron has always been there just in case we needed an extra bit of reach, it's okay tbf but obviously the 50-150 f/2 would be a lot better.

I also have a new body to buy at some point though will either be another A9III or an A1 II and am still debating on a new monitor so its a lot of doh to be spending all at once.
 
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f/1.2 said:
Now that the 28-70 f/2 has been ordered (hopefully it works out or it will live in the car along with all of my other spare gear). If it works out for me its going to replace my 35 GM and my 50 GM, which I will pass on to my missus.

I am now deciding what to do about my 135mm and the old Tamron 70-180 I have. I rarely use either of these. Occasionally we will use them for outdoor weddings and elopements but even then not always. I suppose there has also been the odd large church or chapel wedding were we have used them as well. Realistically though we only use them maybe one 1 in 8 times and even then only for a short part of the day. While it will cause a bit of an overlap am thinking of swapping these out for a 50-150 f/2. One lens in the bag instead of two and that lens is supposed to be sensational. Maybe because of that I would use it more. The 135mm is unbelievable but too long for most things at a wedding, The Tamron has always been there just in case we needed an extra bit of reach, it's okay tbf but obviously the 50-150 f/2 would be a lot better.

I also have a new body to buy at some point though will either be another A9III or an A1 II and am still debating on a new monitor so its a lot of doh to be spending all at once.
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Wow, the 28-70mm f2 to replace an f1.4 and f1.2, that's a big call ;)
 
snerkler said:
Wow, the 28-70mm f2 to replace an f1.4 and f1.2, that's a big call ;)
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It is but styles have changed in the last couple of years, couples no longer want those beautiful out of focus backgrounds, unfortunately. It is probably part of the kickback against all things A.I and iPhone images. A lot of wedding photographers are now shooting at f/4-f/5.6 and using flash, thats how the trendy kids are doing it anyway.

Will see how it goes if I absolutely hate it can just go back to 35/50 and it will just replace my 24-70.
 
snerkler said:
I don't tend to test lenses for sharpness per se, only if I clearly see an issue. Just processing photos lets me know if the lens is sharp or not so there's no need to test specifically.

I generally test lenses for decentering (although I haven't done with the Sammy 45mm), and in the good old days of DSLR I always tested lens for front/back focussing. On this subject I happen to notice that the 45mm f1.8 was set at -1 micro adjustment when I attached it to the dock, and when I ran the update it was still set at -1. It makes me think this is the default setting which is very odd :thinking:

CFexpress type A aren't the same size as SD cards, but they do share the same slot. In terms of shooting I haven't seen any difference between using UHS-II SD cards and high speed CFepxress A, even burst shooting wildlife or motorsports. The A1 does have a good buffer though.

Where I have seen a difference is transfer speeds to the computer, assuming you have a card reader capable of fast transfer speeds. I've just bought a type 4.0 reader (40gbps) and using the Pergear Master CFexpress Type A (1760 MB/s read, 1600 MB/s write) transfer speed to my Mac is rapid.
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Thanks for the reply.

On checking my M4 Pro Macbook has read speeds of 250Mbs I believe, so I could possibly see a big difference with a better reader and cards. I will see how things pan out with my wildlife photography and buy new if required.

I bought a TB5 enclosure for my Mac and the difference was huge to my old enclosure so I have seen benefit with newer tech.
 
f/1.2 said:
It is but styles have changed in the last couple of years, couples no longer want those beautiful out of focus backgrounds, unfortunately. It is probably part of the kickback against all things A.I and iPhone images. A lot of wedding photographers are now shooting at f/4-f/5.6 and using flash, thats how the trendy kids are doing it anyway.

Will see how it goes if I absolutely hate it can just go back to 35/50 and it will just replace my 24-70.
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I feel like changing your style to avoid the trends of AI is a losing battle. Whatever becomes trendy will soon become AI, and I feel like it will adapt far quicker than the industry. By the time people get good at the new style, it will already be the next AI slop to be avoided.

I get that professionals need to adapt and try to stay ahead of the curve, but getting into an arms race of adaptation with a machine that was built specifically to adapt seems like a bad idea.
 
jimmyjamjojo said:
I feel like changing your style to avoid the trends of AI is a losing battle. Whatever becomes trendy will soon become AI, and I feel like it will adapt far quicker than the industry. By the time people get good at the new style, it will already be the next AI slop to be avoided.

I get that professionals need to adapt and try to stay ahead of the curve, but getting into an arms race of adaptation with a machine that was built specifically to adapt seems like a bad idea.
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Mmm think you have got confused.

I am not changing my style because of A.I. I am adapting my style to suit what younger couples currently prefer. I said that the likely reason why they no longer want everything shot wide open with no context is because of iPhone images and A.I.

Anyway I have never shot everything wide open anyway, the way some do, so it’s only a little tweak to my existing style which has also evolved to suit over the last 18 months or so. The zoom provides better flexibility for that purpose and as we shoot less and less wide open not using an f/1.2 lens is not really a problem.

It’s important as a wedding photographer to stay relevant. While we don’t jump on every weird trend it’s important to stay fresh. If you’re not fresh and relevant you attract a different type of couple.

Been shooting weddings since 2014 full time and have adapted and changed style many times since then.
 
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f/1.2 said:
Mmm think you have got confused.

I am not changing my style because of A.I. I am adapting my style to suit what younger couples currently prefer. I said that the likely reason why they no longer want everything shot wide open with no context is because of iPhone images and A.I.

Anyway I have never shot everything wide open anyway, the way some do, so it’s only a little tweak to my existing style which has also evolved to suit over the last 18 months or so. The zoom provides better flexibility for that purpose and as we shoot less and less wide open not using an f/1.2 lens is not really a problem.

It’s important as a wedding photographer to stay relevant. While we don’t jump on every weird trend it’s important to stay fresh. If you’re not fresh and relevant you attract a different type of couple.

Been shooting weddings since 2014 full time and have adapted and changed style many times since then.
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My mistake. I had just finished watching this so assumed it was in the same vein -
View: https://youtu.be/zkdO-q9zJec?si=IO3JV1J8MHu0nFkf
 
jimmyjamjojo said:
My mistake. I had just finished watching this so assumed it was in the same vein -
View: https://youtu.be/zkdO-q9zJec?si=IO3JV1J8MHu0nFkf
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This made me realise why I stopped watching him, 15 minutes to say have more depth of field and don't make your edits look unnatural :rolleyes: I nearly stopped watching in the first couple of minutes when he was bigging himself up, and then again when he said most trends come from New York. I appreciate New York is very influential but they do seem to forget America isn't the only country in the world ;)
 
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