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

Did most people opt for the A7 over the A7R.

Was looking on ebay for the 50mm rokker, one has just gone to £84 is that a good price?
 
Got my a7r so I thought I would share some first impressions in the first 24 hours after a little play:

The bad:
  • The menu system is confusing and setting it up is a nightmare! I took one look at the manual and was immediately put off. For the first time I wished there was one of those quick set-up guides in the box and in camera guides which I normally dislike.
  • Getting to grips with this camera is a steep learning curve. There are so many buttons and so many icons everywhere it is very confusing. However I can see that once you have mastered and customised everything to your taste this will be a plus.
  • Build quality is in my opinion so-so. The dials and switches are all solid but the flaps seem really flimsy and I'm scared of breaking that fragile looking tilt screen - will only be used by me on a tripod!
  • Small thing but the strap provided in the box is cheap and awful IMO.
  • Battery life isn't good, as stated in other reviews
  • The playback zoom seems very unintuitive - the dial zooms very slowly and you have to turn it loads to zoom in and out, and the placement of the zoom button is awkward.
  • C1 button placement is awkward for me.
The great:

  • EVF is great
  • The extra dials/buttons are fantastic once you start to appreciate how quick it is to access things
  • Image quality is really really good, I'm seeing what people are going on about MF-like qualities.
  • MF is really easy
You might come to the conclusion that I'm leaning towards being unhappy with the camera, and I'm not in love with it for sure, but I feel quite certain that I will grow to love it once I learn to use it. Most of my unhappiness is coming from my inability to use it quickly at the moment because I'm unfamiliar with the controls. In the moment right now I miss the simplicity and ease of use of my X100 in comparison, but then I also recognise the potential this camera has.
 
The battery life can be extended by using flight mode.
I wouldn't worry about the flaps, the even more fragile feeling flap on my RX100 has stood up to some serious abuse over the year, even the finish is tough i have never had that in a case and its been with me on some long and tough hiking trips just thrown in my bag.
The menus are second nature for me already learnt most of it from the RX100.

The camera doesn't need to be complex you can just use it like any other, but if you wish you can customise to your hearts content.
 
Tobers said:
I'm very interested in the results from that 24mm. Do post some up when you can.
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I grabbed a few shots with on my way home just to see what it could do after dark. I didn't really have time to consider much what I was doing as I had a train to catch, so it was a bit seat of the pants shooting. There's some noise that needs taming, but it's amazingly usable.


Olympus OM 24mm f/2.8. f/5.6 at ISO 3200. I applied a Lightroom lens profile that I'd previously calibrated with my 5D. 1/100 sec, so that's some swirly coma in the lights round the edges, not movement.


More London Christmas Lights by cybertect, on Flickr


C/Y Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f/1.7. f/2.8 at ISO 12,800.


All Bar One by cybertect, on Flickr
 
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robj20 said:
Did most people opt for the A7 over the A7R.

Was looking on ebay for the 50mm rokker, one has just gone to £84 is that a good price?
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Well it's not off the charts but it's certainly more than I'd be willing to pay for a 1.4 lens. They don't normally reach such prices.
 
Musicman said:
Olympus OM 24mm f/2.8. f/5.6 at ISO 3200. I applied a Lightroom lens profile that I'd previously calibrated with my 5D. 1/100 sec, so that's some swirly coma in the lights round the edges, not movement.


More London Christmas Lights by cybertect, on Flickr
Click to expand...

Try using the Sigma 24mm f1.8 profile, works a treat for my Zuiko, not that there's much to correct in the first place.
 
travellingcello said:
Got my a7r so I thought I would share some first impressions in the first 24 hours after a little play:

The bad:
  • The menu system is confusing and setting it up is a nightmare! I took one look at the manual and was immediately put off. For the first time I wished there was one of those quick set-up guides in the box and in camera guides which I normally dislike.
  • Getting to grips with this camera is a steep learning curve. There are so many buttons and so many icons everywhere it is very confusing. However I can see that once you have mastered and customised everything to your taste this will be a plus.
  • Build quality is in my opinion so-so. The dials and switches are all solid but the flaps seem really flimsy and I'm scared of breaking that fragile looking tilt screen - will only be used by me on a tripod!
  • Small thing but the strap provided in the box is cheap and awful IMO.
  • Battery life isn't good, as stated in other reviews
  • The playback zoom seems very unintuitive - the dial zooms very slowly and you have to turn it loads to zoom in and out, and the placement of the zoom button is awkward.
  • C1 button placement is awkward for me.
The great:

  • EVF is great
  • The extra dials/buttons are fantastic once you start to appreciate how quick it is to access things
  • Image quality is really really good, I'm seeing what people are going on about MF-like qualities.
  • MF is really easy
You might come to the conclusion that I'm leaning towards being unhappy with the camera, and I'm not in love with it for sure, but I feel quite certain that I will grow to love it once I learn to use it. Most of my unhappiness is coming from my inability to use it quickly at the moment because I'm unfamiliar with the controls. In the moment right now I miss the simplicity and ease of use of my X100 in comparison, but then I also recognise the potential this camera has.
Click to expand...


Pretty much my conclusion too. I'm really peeved at the blue channel banding at the momen, I'd expect it from a phone camera but not from a cutting edge full frame sensor, especially when my compact and my ancient APSC DSLR can manage without doing it.

I have also noticed something weird going on at the edge of my images at high ISO too, I'm beginning to think I may have to send the camera back :confused:
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Try using the Sigma 24mm f1.8 profile, works a treat for my Zuiko, not that there's much to correct in the first place.
Click to expand...

There's enough barrel distortion with the OM 24mm for it to notice with architectural shots (I am a little OCD with these things, though :))

The custom lens profile I created with the 5D seems close enough for now, though I had to dial the vignetting correction down to zero after applying it on the A7 shot, which may be a good sign if a little surprising. I'll have to see if this holds true under more controlled conditions.

When I have some time, I'll probably build a library of custom profiles for the legacy lenses I use most often on the A7.
 
It does look good, i'm craving some vintage glass, but i'm waiting for a bargain.

Anyone got any accessories yet, i need a couple of spare batteries but im not paying for Sony ones, wouldn't mind a flash at some point as well. I don't want to buy a case yet until i have the 24-70 as that's what will be fitted most of the time.
 
I bought a travel charger off a seller on ebay and it came with a free battery. Other than that all I've bought is a Novoflex OM adapter and I'm waiting for my MD adapter to come. I can't really think of anything else to buy... I suppose a flash... and I do keep wondering if I should buy the primes.
 
Rollei HFT Planar 50mm f1.8 tried out today. Best lens yet used, even wide open can resolve detail I can only see when using a reversed lens as a magnifier!

Not the best example of this lens either, I may flog it and find a more cared for example.

View attachment 1900
 
Right can someone explain to me how the wireless transfer lark works? I've connected the camera to my network, but when I activate 'Send to Computer' I get a message telling me I haven't set the details up and that I should plug the USB cable in to do so, but that just brings up the regular transfer proceedings?
 
You need to install the software on your pc then set it as the default location.
 
Cello that is a sexy lens.
"Elmar" : does that mean F2.8 max?

Can anyone tell me what the max-ISO is in auto-ISO range in "A"perture mode?
 
Ulfric M Douglas said:
Cello that is a sexy lens.
"Elmar" : does that mean F2.8 max?

Can anyone tell me what the max-ISO is in auto-ISO range in "A"perture mode?
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Yeh it is a 2.8 lens. Had a chance to try the zeiss 35mm in a shop today, amazingly light and much smaller than I thought! Also very snappy to focus, just trying to work out how to afford it now... :-/
 
Picked up a Voigtlander 21 f4, Leica Summarit 50 f2.5 and Konica Hexanon 28 f2.8 today. Info and pics to follow...

Voigtlander 21 utilising articulating screen goodness


Konica 90 2.8
 
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robj20 said:
You need to install the software on your pc then set it as the default location.
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What software and where how do I dfo that? Helpfully Not covered in the manual.
 
manualfocus-g said:
Here's some more lenses I haven't had the chance to use on the a7 properly yet! :D


Sony a7 with Carl Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2.8 T* by <<BackToTheFuture>>, on Flickr


Sony a7 with Carl Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2.8 T* by <<BackToTheFuture>>, on Flickr


Sony a7 with Carl Zeiss Sonnar 85mm f/2.8 T* by <<BackToTheFuture>>, on Flickr


Sony a7 with Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f/1.4 T* by <<BackToTheFuture>>, on Flickr
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I am green with envy, all of those are in my ebay watch list! Let me know how you get on with the 25mm especially.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
I am green with envy, all of those are in my ebay watch list! Let me know how you get on with the 25mm especially.
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Like the 28mm Distagon the 25mm is also sharp and contrasty from wide open :) Hopefully I'll get out at the weekend to see what it's like at infinity...it's the AE version so supposedly not as great as the later MM version in the corners at larger apertures. We'll see ;)
 
manualfocus-g said:
Like the 28mm Distagon the 25mm is also sharp and contrasty from wide open :) Hopefully I'll get out at the weekend to see what it's like at infinity...it's the AE version so supposedly not as great as the later MM version in the corners at larger apertures. We'll see ;)
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Who the hell composes their subjects in the corner at f2.8 anyway? Some b****r must as that's all anybody seems to care about online! :D
 
Postal contrasts today, Zeiss 35mm loose in just a single jiffy bag vs Konica 40mm in its original box and even bag!

Too bad I can't use either as the respective adapters have not made it yet.
 
I'm going to have to modify my Joby Gorillapod Ball Head quick release. Not like i need the spirit level and the release is on the front so should be able to cut the back off.

I cant wait for weekend, walk around Worsley and the canal on Saturday and Manchester Christmas markets on Sunday, plenty of photo opportunities.
 
A couple of SLR wides with the A7

Olympus OM 24mm f/2.8


Pavilion by cybertect, on Flickr


Canon FD 20mm f/2.8


St Saviour's Dock Bridge & Butler's Wharf by cybertect, on Flickr


I seem to be having a small issue with flare/veiling with both of the above.

Both of them have lens hoods fitted, but there's a noticeable reduction of contrast and occasional ghosting with the OM 24 on the A7 that I wasn't seeing with the 5D, at least I'd not noticed it.

Similar with the FD 20mm. In some cases it can be tamed in PP with some wide radius unsharp mask.

I'm trying to figure out whether it's just regular lens flare or if there's some other factor causing it. :thinking:

I've yet to try my FD 24mm 2.8, which might prove instructive.
 
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Went out for a wander this morning onto some local heathland. I'm somewhat lacking in mountains, sea and other dramatic scenery here in Surrey, so trying to work out what opportunities there are in the area nearby. I do find this quite challenging but in a good way. It's helping me to see things better.

Anyway, here's a picture from that wander. This with the A7R and a new Leica Summarit 50 2.5 which is beautifully compact, and very nice indeed.

 
manualfocus-g said:
Which 35mm is that, the Flektogon? I like the Konica from f/2.8 BTW (nice contrast), or wide open in poor light.
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Yes it's the Flektogon. I've managed to have a play (I forgot I had an M42 - Nikon adaper kicking about) but only indoors. Seems on par with the Rollei 50mm. The Konica I tried too just held in place in an OM adapter, seems a lot less flare prone than the last one I had. Think I'm going to enjoy using this one a lot.
 
I've been struggling to get back into the 'digital' way of doing things, IE no blowing highlights and boosting shadows as opposed to overexposing and pulling back down (as is required by film and Fuji S5s) so I've been struggling somewhat with sunsets. We've had afew good ones over here (always as I'm getting ready to go to work!) so I had another play today. I haven't quite cracked matching what I'm being shown on the EVF to what I actually end up with but I'm getting there.

Today's effort it appeared that the sky was being blown just over the horizon which appeared to the eye to be deep orange, whilst at the same time the shadows appeared to be blocked up. I plumped in the end to underexpose a good stop - 2 stops to try and bring it down and see what would happen to the files in post. Well, I'm impressed. This is as it left the camera:



And after hitting the auto button and boosting the shadows to +100 in LR5.3:

 
Can we change the title of this thread to something like, The Sony a7/r owners thread?
 
Put mine to actual proper use today in a Slate quarry. Went with my old bag, Zuiko 24mm, Konica 40mm and Nikkor 85mm. Even with the tripod strapped to the bag it still felt light compared to what I had to get used to lugging the Fuji and associated kit around. Pleased to report all went well, apart from the 85mm flaring and ghosting away even with the hood on - and the sun behind me. Not sure what all that's about but it's not for this thread.

Despite a long walk and some 1600feet worth of climbing, i'm now home and don't require back and shoulder surgery! I've missed this.
 
New version of the Remote app is available from the rather innovative in-camera app updater/installer. Rather superbly it has shutter, aperture, ISO and exposure compensation control from the Playmemories app on your smartphone.

Neat!

Also installed the Direct Upload app (also free) which sends pics direct to Flickr and Facebook.

The timelapse app looks intriguing, but a tad pricey at £8 (quite cheap that really I suppose).
 
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