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

My Sony 28mm f2 came. Looking at the comparison sites I could see that it's a smidgin smaller than the 35mm f1.8 but placed side by side in hand it's appreciably smaller. The image quality looks ok, there's vignetting and it's a bit soft at f2 but acceptable and sharp when stopped down. One little disappointment is the close focus distance isn't anything outstanding and certainly longer than the old Nikon 28mm f2.8. I'll see how the Sony does with a close up filter and I'll have a look at the bokeh from these two 28's and see how they compare.

I thought I'd save a few pennies and buy used. The one I got was at a reasonable price and with its caps and hood and in its box. It seems to be in good condition apart from a few minor scuff marks on the focus ring.
 
ancient_mariner said:
The 28 CRC is meant to be excellent, certainly for its era. I suspect it will be less sharp in the centre, but better at the edges than the FE28, and with a smoother rendering.

Enjoy your lenses.
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I read a few reviews and people do seem to think the Nikon 28mm f2.8 ai-s is a good lens. The series e version is smaller and lighter but the ai-s isn't exactly a heffalump so I'll have to decide if I want to keep the series e. I might do as it's in beautiful condition.
 
trevorbray said:
interested in your thoughts on the45
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It’s light and comes in a nice case. It focuses quickly enough. And that’s as far as I’ve got so far! I’ll keep you updated! Oh, and it was cheap.
 
Just a simple Sonygraph taken at Dungeness Romney Marsh Kent UK of one of the many discarded boats amongst many other things scattered about the beach that have just been discarded and left behind.
In the lower right of the snap you can see one of the old railway lines that were used for hauling the boats or catch up the beach.
I'm also working on a personal project called Things Left Behind and this will be one of the shots included.

RX10M4, 1/450th @ F5.6, ISO-100, Tripod.
Discarded Boat (3)-03459ip by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

:ty: for looking., (y):sony:

George.
 
G.K.Jnr. said:
Just a simple Sonygraph taken at Dungeness Romney Marsh Kent UK of one of the many discarded boats amongst many other things scattered about the beach that have just been discarded and left behind.
In the lower right of the snap you can see one of the old railway lines that were used for hauling the boats or catch up the beach.
I'm also working on a personal project called Things Left Behind and this will be one of the shots included.

RX10M4, 1/450th @ F5.6, ISO-100, Tripod.
Discarded Boat (3)-03459ip by G.K.Jnr., on Flickr

:ty: for looking., (y):sony:

George.
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Looks moody George!
 
nandbytes said:
most lenses will have dust in them. Samyang is particularly worst, so a spec or two isn't end of the world especially if I have won the optical lottery and got a good copy of it.
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I check for dust and can’t say I’ve ever noticed any in a new lens, I’d send it back if I ever saw that (y)
 
woof woof said:
My Nikon 28mm f2.8 ai-s arrived and it's a very good lens. It seems sharp enough from f2.8 and the only thing I can see to criticise is that there's vignetting at wide apertures but not too much and pretty much what I expected. The close focusing is impressive though as is performance at f2.8 but I think it has close focus correction. It should work well with a close up filter too. It'll be interesting to see how the Sony f2 compares to this, it's due this afternoon.

Just on the old Nikon. I've watched some go on evil bay for amounts I see as over the top. I got mine delivered from one of the usual sellers for less than the last one I was watching on evil bay went for before postage was taken into account. I think maybe people get carried away bidding sometimes.

Ken Rockwell has a nice page on it if anyone is interested.


Anyway. I'm happy enough with the old Nikon and when the Sony f2 arrives that's it, I'll have everything I want and I can stop buying lenses except maybe a 12-24mm at some point.
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Thing is with adapted glass, it gets addictive as it's easy to get one more lens just because it has a different look. I sold so much of my old glass earlier in the year, I had so much I had forgotten what lenses I actually had. I lasted a couple of months before I replenished a little bit. I'm telling myself it is to make up for not being able to go out and take photos in the current climate
 
woof woof said:
I read a few reviews and people do seem to think the Nikon 28mm f2.8 ai-s is a good lens. The series e version is smaller and lighter but the ai-s isn't exactly a heffalump so I'll have to decide if I want to keep the series e. I might do as it's in beautiful condition.
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In it's day the CRC 28 f2.8 was a really top lens - the 28 E was definitely food grade by comparison, and IIRC was reckoned to be the worst of the E series lenses (the 50 is meant to be ver good). I have an AIS 28 f3.5 that isn't tremendously sharp (more than adequate though) but gives a very nice rendering and slightly lower contrast for a smoother image.

When buying the A7III I'd seriously considered the 28 f2, but with a few exceptions haven't been impressed by images that I've seen plus the 24-105 has that covered adequately. Unless I needed the extra half-stop then I would probably buy the Tamron 28 f2.8 instead to have a prime in that FL.
 
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MrMackyB said:
Thing is with adapted glass, it gets addictive as it's easy to get one more lens just because it has a different look. I sold so much of my old glass earlier in the year, I had so much I had forgotten what lenses I actually had. I lasted a couple of months before I replenished a little bit. I'm telling myself it is to make up for not being able to go out and take photos in the current climate
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I started buying old lenses when I had my Panasonic G1 and I've continued. I'm tied to the house a lot of the time so looking for lenses on line, reading reviews, looking for a nice one at a decent price and trying them out and comparing them gives me an interest while I can't leave the house. I have so little free time to go out into the world and take pictures outside of the house and garden that I suppose old lens chasing and comparing is more of a hobby than photography.
 
ancient_mariner said:
In it's day the CRC 28 f2.8 was a really top lens - the 28 E was definitely food grade by comparison, and IIRC was reckoned to be the worst of the E series lenses (the 50 is meant to be ver good). I have an AIS 28 f3.5 that isn't tremendously sharp (more than adequate though) but gives a very nice rendering and slightly lower contrast for a smoother image.

When buying the A7III I'd seriously considered the 28 f2, but with a few exceptions haven't been impressed by images that I've seen plus the 24-105 has that covered adequately. Unless I needed the extra half-stop then I would probably buy the Tamron 28 f2.8 instead to have a prime in that FL.
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The reviews saying that the 28mm series e was awful were what got me interested and as I said, I don't think it's too bad considering its performance / price ratio, it's certainly good enough unless pixel peeping into the extreme corners. This ai-s is definitely the better lens though and it should be as it costs more.

I've read that the Sony 28mm f2 is relatively weak but I have to say that it seems ok to me but the camera may be applying some corrections, I don't know. TBH my only real criticism at the moment is that the minimum focus distance is rather ordinary. Only when I fit my +4 close up filter can it match what the old Nikon can do.

I bought this Sony for a couple of reasons, just to give it a try and also to fill my AF prime gap between 20 and 35mm to give a reasonable FoV for more scenic shots. We did have a trip to London planned as Mrs WW needs to visit the Thai embassy but sadly that's been cancelled possibly until April. This lens might suit me for that sort of trip, day out, holiday use as 20mm would be a bit wide and 35mm might be a bit tight for some scenic shots. There is stitching though. Anyway, I'm sure I'll use both lenses when I get the chance. The Nikon will be for when I can take my time on a walk and maybe want to take some close up shots and the Sony will be for more general use when I'm with someone else and don't want to be slowing things up with MF or fiddling with close up filters.
 
Barrysprout said:
Definitely, and after having to jump start the car today because its been sitting so long I really need to make the effort to get out more.
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You should get one of those battery pack jump starter thingies. I got one recently and it's started my MX5 a couple of times.

Here's wot I got...

www.ebay.co.uk

20000mAh USB Car Jump Starter Pack Booster Battery Charger Power Bank LED 800Amp | eBay

The high 20000mAh battery with 4 flashlight modes can fast restart your 12V car and rapidly juice up 2 different USB port devices simultaneously. High Capacity: multifunctional and high efficient 20000mAh (800A peak) battery boosts your 12V vehicle (up to 6L gas / 5L diesel engine), 2 USB ports...
www.ebay.co.uk
 
I have one and bought the Mrs one they hold the charge for ages.

Rob.
 
Barrysprout said:
Definitely, and after having to jump start the car today because its been sitting so long I really need to make the effort to get out more.
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woof woof said:
You should get one of those battery pack jump starter thingies. I got one recently and it's started my MX5 a couple of times.

Here's wot I got...

www.ebay.co.uk

20000mAh USB Car Jump Starter Pack Booster Battery Charger Power Bank LED 800Amp | eBay

The high 20000mAh battery with 4 flashlight modes can fast restart your 12V car and rapidly juice up 2 different USB port devices simultaneously. High Capacity: multifunctional and high efficient 20000mAh (800A peak) battery boosts your 12V vehicle (up to 6L gas / 5L diesel engine), 2 USB ports...
www.ebay.co.uk
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I have a Sealey SL65S - Starts the silly compression Escort no problem.
 
Anyone bought from E-infinity recently? Just wondering how delivery time was due to Covid.
 
JJ! said:
Anyone bought from E-infinity recently? Just wondering how delivery time was due to Covid.
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I haven't bought anything from them but noticed a thread recently saying folks were waiting 2+weeks with no sign of delivery.
 
woof woof said:
You should get one of those battery pack jump starter thingies. I got one recently and it's started my MX5 a couple of times.

Here's wot I got...

www.ebay.co.uk

20000mAh USB Car Jump Starter Pack Booster Battery Charger Power Bank LED 800Amp | eBay

The high 20000mAh battery with 4 flashlight modes can fast restart your 12V car and rapidly juice up 2 different USB port devices simultaneously. High Capacity: multifunctional and high efficient 20000mAh (800A peak) battery boosts your 12V vehicle (up to 6L gas / 5L diesel engine), 2 USB ports...
www.ebay.co.uk
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I've always used an optimate battery charger/optimiser for my bikes as bike alarms seem to deplete the battery pretty quickly, can you not use something like this for cars. Modern day batteries don't tolerate being depleted very well and can often require a new battery once completely drained so even if you can get it going with a jump starter it's not the best option imo.
 
imattersuk said:
That’s inaccurate seems to be a wide range of delivery times being quoted by people.
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Don't shoot have messenger
Was just referring to this thread
www.talkphotography.co.uk

E-infinity Delivery Times

I've used Panamoz in the past, but recently ordered something from E-infinity for the first time. My order was acknowledged on the 14th, but not shipped to the 19th, and as yet, the courier (in this case the Post Office) have still not received my package for delivery here. So it's getting on...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk
 
JJ! said:
Anyone bought from E-infinity recently? Just wondering how delivery time was due to Covid.
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A few weeks ago. It took 8 or 9 days.
 
snerkler said:
I've always used an optimate battery charger/optimiser for my bikes as bike alarms seem to deplete the battery pretty quickly, can you not use something like this for cars. Modern day batteries don't tolerate being depleted very well and can often require a new battery once completely drained so even if you can get it going with a jump starter it's not the best option imo.
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I've no idea, I'll look into it.

Sometimes my MX5 doesn't move for weeks on end. I bought a solar powered trickle charger but there's limited light in the garage especially in winter so it didn't cure the problem. Earlier in the year during lockdown both my cars suffered flat batteries as we just weren't using them. Despite the multiple flat batteries with my MX5 I've not had issues with batteries dying, I think I've had two reconditioned batteries which isn't bad considering the cars age and the fact that it doesn't get used a lot.
 
Another Sigma 85mm test photo from yesterday, sharper on Flickr as always.


A7R00817 by TDG-77, on Flickr
 
Just a quick note on the Nikon 28mm f2.8 ai-s.

This does seem to be a very nice lens with a good close focus ability not just because it'll focus quite close but also because performance is good at close distances.

If anyone is tempted to an old manual lens in this sort of focal range I think this deserves a look and there seem to be ones available in good condition for under £200. I generally prefer 35mm but 28mm is usable without being ultra wide.
 
Is a Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro being announced today?

New leaked images of the 105mm f/2.8 FE macro lens. Announcement today at 13:00 London time! | sonyalpharumors

Here are two new leaked images of the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 FE macro lens. The lens will be announced today at 13:00 London time and I will embed the video livestream on SAR. Sigma promised the launch of "multiple" new lenses but only the 105mm macro got leaked. This likely means that the other lenses
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com

Another new camera coming? Maybe an RX?

Hurray! Sony officially registered a new camera! | sonyalpharumors

Today Sony registered a new camera in China with the code "WW638397". It is equipped with Wi-Fi (5GHz / 2.4GHz). The last camera that was registered in China was the Sony A7c. Usually non-high end cameras are first registered in China so this might be an RX model. The fact that it has Wi-Fi (5GHz
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com

I'm hoping it's an A7c-NCHA (No Cripple Hammer Applied) with a front dial, a maximum shutter speed of 1/8k or more and a couple of extra custom buttons. I'd buy one of those.

Actually, people are saying it's not an ILC and possibly a security camera or camcorder.
 
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I would love that 105mm f2.8 in E mount, as I previously owned the A mount version a cracking lens for the money, I wonder what the selling price will be ?

Les :)
 
Interesting, AI generates images based on text...

www.dpreview.com

Researchers teach an AI to generate logical images based on text captions

The images won't be mistaken for actual photos, but they do reveal the machine's understanding of the visual world and how it relates to concepts presented as text captions.
www.dpreview.com www.dpreview.com

AI will get better at this but I hope we can stick to the three laws of robotics for AI's as we don't want any nasty outcome, no terminators please :D I first came across those 3 laws many years ago reading an Azimov sci fi book.
 
imattersuk said:
Few samples from the Tamron 17-28mm that I just sold, fantastic lens for the price but i'm going for the Sigma 14-24mm as i've got some interior property shoots coming up and that extra 3mm on the wide end could be very useful.

Hampton Court Bridge 2 by Pete Downham Photography, on Flickr

Hampton Court Bridge 3 by Pete Downham Photography, on Flickr

Hampton Court Bridge 4 by Pete Downham Photography, on Flickr
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I'm surprised I wasn't in the middle shot, I was walking past that shop with my son at about the time you took the shot! He lives round the corner.
All three nice images.
 
snerkler said:
Did quick tests this lunchtime, definitely a keeper. Wide open I’d say it’s a smidge softer than the Sony 85mm f1.8 (although I need to check that it’s not just perception due to DOF) but both are plenty sharp for me. Focus appears very fast, and it’s deadly accurate. Bearing in mind light was only ‘ok’ I’d say rendering is beautiful, very creamy bokeh. On the whole the lens reminds me of my Old Sigma 85mm f1.4 EX but sharper.

Weight didn’t feel as bad as I thought it would and is actually pretty well balanced on the A7R IV. Build quality seems top notch, and the only niggle is there’s only just enough room for between the lens and grip and have scuffed my knuckles a couple of times, but this is an issue with Sony’s bodies rather than the lens.

I’ll post a couple of examples up when I’m back home, but they’re nothing special ;)
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Ok, if you can report back when you get something special...that would be great

in all seriousness thank you, it looks good! Definitely on my list, I do love my little Sony 1.8 though!
 
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