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

 
I have just purchased a lens from this forum, so went out to try it today. The images are not brilliant by bird photographer standards, but for me, and taken handheld, I am very pleased. I hope my skills improve, but to get sharp shots at the 400mm end, including a sharp bif, makes me happy.Sample 1.jpg Sample 2.jpg Sample 3.jpg Sample 4.jpg
 
Following my request for help to choose a long zoom a few posts ago, the Sony 100-400mm came up in the classifieds, so a quick decision was made and the lens was in my hands ready for the weekend (Thanks Graham).

What a fantastic lens it is, I am so pleased with my first attempts at handheld shots of birds (above). I guess the 1.4 converter is next on the list!

GAS - what me, never!!
 
david357 said:
I have just purchased a lens from this forum, so went out to try it today. The images are not brilliant by bird photographer standards, but for me, and taken handheld, I am very pleased. I hope my skills improve, but to get sharp shots at the 400mm end, including a sharp bif, makes me happy.View attachment 140826 View attachment 140827 View attachment 140828 View attachment 140829
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Looks good. I’m hoping to add this lens sometime in the new year. The reviews I’ve read seem to say it’s good. I only recently started the move to Sony so I’m releatively new to it all. So far so good. I’ve been impressed with AF on the A7R3 and 70-200 f4. It seems to be fast enough for me and accurate too which is always good. I’ve recently been photographing Otters and it has done well. They are fast little things, only surfacing for a few seconds or quickly diving or changing direction. The only issues Ive had were shooting rapid bursts this morning. I had to keep waiting for the buffer to clear before I could access settings. It feels like a faster card is definitely needed to get the best speed performance and reduce buffer time. I’ve also been impressed with silent mode. This morning I was at first shooting normally with the mechanical shutter and then decided give the silent mode a try. It seemed to worked well although it will take some getting used to as it just doesn’t feel like you are taking photos!
 
rob-nikon said:
Looks good. I’m hoping to add this lens sometime in the new year. The reviews I’ve read seem to say it’s good. I only recently started the move to Sony so I’m releatively new to it all. So far so good. I’ve been impressed with AF on the A7R3 and 70-200 f4. It seems to be fast enough for me and accurate too which is always good. I’ve recently been photographing Otters and it has done well. They are fast little things, only surfacing for a few seconds or quickly diving or changing direction. The only issues Ive had were shooting rapid bursts this morning. I had to keep waiting for the buffer to clear before I could access settings. It feels like a faster card is definitely needed to get the best speed performance and reduce buffer time. I’ve also been impressed with silent mode. This morning I was at first shooting normally with the mechanical shutter and then decided give the silent mode a try. It seemed to worked well although it will take some getting used to as it just doesn’t feel like you are taking photos!
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I am using the R3 too, I did have the A9 which would probably better for fast moving things but I had the R2 previously, and did miss the big files for cropability.

Good luck in finding a 100-400, I am seriously impressed.
 
This comment in the above ZX1 link caught my eye...

"I really like the look of this tool, it has the simplicity of an M10, with just enough of the benefit of an iPhone. What it doesn't seem to have is the complexity of the Fuji, Sony, Nikon or Canon of this world, even though it is almost certainly very closely related to Sony."

When I read this sort of comment I do wonder what's wrong with ignoring the complexity or turning it off and using the camera in Aperture, Shutter or Manual exposure mode with one focus point and shooting in one shot mode. Used like that any of the current modern complex cameras become very simple devices with only the following controls needed...

- The on/off switch.
- A dial for adjusting the aperture or shutter when in Aperture or Shutter mode.
- Two dials for adjusting the aperture and shutter when in Manual mode.
- The shutter button.

Adding a couple more things such as a way of moving the focus point, changing the ISO, changing exposure mode, formatting the card and altering the clock twice a year shouldn't really tax even the mode hard core luddites nerves too much, surely. I just don't really like reading that cameras are too complex when 1/2 an hour turning the complexity off and getting used to ignoring it is all that's really needed.
 
I've just got a close focus adapter for my M mount 35mm f1.4 and it works very well and really transforms the lens for general use including the odd close up shot of a flower or leaf etc.
 
I have two adapters now but after using the close focus adapter I can't really see why I'd want to use the standard one. I still can't get used to focusing with the focus tab and I still feel like I'm juggling the camera. I don't know if I'll keep it so I'll have to make my mind up.
 
Not sure how to explain this one but my a7RII will only focus at close distances, as soon as I point it at something more than a few feet away it basically does nothing. I assumed it was an issue with my MC-11 and Sigma Art lenses, but I've just acquired the FE 50mm 1.8 and it does exactly the same thing.

If I manually AF to something further away it will then adjust focus in that range, but otherwise it just flat out refuses to function if it needs to rack from near to far or vice versa.
 
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ukaskew said:
Not sure how to explain this one but my a7RII will only focus at close distances, as soon as I point it at something more than a few feet away it basically does nothing. I assumed it was an issue with my MC-11 and Sigma Art lenses, but I've just acquired the FE 50mm 1.8 and it does exactly the same thing.

If I manually AF to something further away it will then adjust focus in that range, but otherwise it just flat out refuses to function if it needs to rack from near to far or vice versa.
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Strange one, I assume these have no focus distance switches on the lenses?

Maybe contacts, could try giving them a quick clean?
 
ukaskew said:
Not sure how to explain this one but my a7RII will only focus at close distances, as soon as I point it at something more than a few feet away it basically does nothing. I assumed it was an issue with my MC-11 and Sigma Art lenses, but I've just acquired the FE 50mm 1.8 and it does exactly the same thing.

If I manually AF to something further away it will then adjust focus in that range, but otherwise it just flat out refuses to function if it needs to rack from near to far or vice versa.
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Have tried taking the battery out and putting it back in?
If that doesn't work resetting the camera?
 
I've solved the issues temporarily by buying a a7III :) Got a few January weddings coming up so didn't want to be without a back up.
 
nandbytes said:
Have tried taking the battery out and putting it back in?
If that doesn't work resetting the camera?
Click to expand...

Yep done all the basics. It actually started a few weeks back in Hong Kong but until now I've only had adapted Canon Sigma Art lenses. I assumed it was just that till I receiver my 50mm 1.8 today.
 
I've always thought that the 28-70mm f3.5-5.6 is an underrated lens.
 
M mount Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 again...

100%.

ntIxnAu.jpg


Into the sun.

uStD5Oy.jpg


About minimum focus distance with the close focus adapter.

K2WyoL0.jpg


100% from that.

HC5KraQ.jpg


I still can't make my mind up if I want to keep this or not.
 
Oh, yes... A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you ALL!!!!!

Hugs and kisses etc...

Close focus adapter again.

8z595Ka.jpg
 
Playing around with the FE 50mm 1.8 today. Only purchased as a safety net in case for some reason the two MC-11s fail, but it's actually pretty decent. Eye AF is rapid even in ISO2000 conditions and the balance is rather lovely considering I'm used to the 35 and 85 Sigma Arts, it might even become my daily walkaround despite being a bit long (please Sony, release a 35mm 1.8!)
 
They've said there's a 35mm f1.8 coming in 2019. Lets hope it happens.
 
Rumours...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-v7RKd_8RI


Sorry, couldn't resist :D

Rumours relevant to this thread...

Apparently there'll be a press event in mid January, maybe to announce some new kit...

A7000?
New APS-C lens?
135mm f1.8 GM and drum roll....
35mm f1.8 G !!!!!! :D

I'll believe it when I see it and if it happens I'd like the 35mm to be reasonably compact and good with good bokeh and an added bonus would be if it focuses closely. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed.

Read all about it...

https://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-there-is-a-new-major-sony-press-event-in-mid-january/
 
LeeRatters said:
Of course they have. I've just bought the CV40/1.2 haven't I? ;)
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Have you had chance to try it yet?

I've only used mine a few times since the e mount 35mm f1.4 came out. There's no doubt that the 40mm is the more modern lens though.
 
The A mount 135mm 1.8 is my favourite lens of all time, if they come close to that with quicker AF I'll be first in the queue.
 
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