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

Rizvan said:
Who knows mate, I was hoping for the Sony A9 but things seem to have gone quiet in that front.
Click to expand...

Yes it does seem to be dragging on and I'd give up on the whole thing as wishful thinking and rumour but the guys at Luminous Landscape said there's something on the way and they seem pretty well connected so maybe it's coming... sometime. Maybe the earthquake pushed it back, maybe they have trouble meeting current demand or maybe they decided to beef it up a bit based on what the competition has been bringing out or maybe it's all bang on schedule and will be announced any minute now :D

Dunno what to expect in an A7III. Better focus (including tracking) and a touch screen? Colour choices??? I fancy a lilac one.
 
Last edited:
I wouldnt be surprised if the New HP Pagewide range will soon take over. No moving head.
 
Are you doing weddings?

Why is there nothing between 35mm and 90mm? Sorry if you explained the logic earlier!
 
JYC said:
Are you doing weddings?

Why is there nothing between 35mm and 90mm? Sorry if you explained the logic earlier!
Click to expand...

I will be doing weddings but no longer as my primary source of income (hence the mind-numbing thoughts I had to move to Fuji etc)...... and the answer to your question is that I already have the following ...... as I am a uber Sony GAS whore. :D lol

A7RII
FE 35mm f2.8
FE 55mm f1.8
FE 85mm f1.4 G Master
FE 24-70mm f2.8 G Master
FE 70-200mm f2.8 G Master
Nissin flash system

I am going to sell off the following for now...
Zeiss Batis 25mm f2.0
FE 70-200mm f4 G OSS
 
Rizvan said:
I will be doing weddings but no longer as my primary source of income (hence the mind-numbing thoughts I had to move to Fuji etc)...... and the answer to your question is that I already have the following ...... as I am a uber Sony GAS whore. :D lol

A7RII
FE 35mm f2.8
FE 55mm f1.8
FE 85mm f1.4 G Master
FE 24-70mm f2.8 G Master
FE 70-200mm f2.8 G Master
Nissin flash system

I am going to sell off the following for now...
Zeiss Batis 25mm f2.0
FE 70-200mm f4 G OSS
Click to expand...


Riz, how you finding the Nissan flash system? does it do wireless HSS? I'm looking at getting something and not sure whether to for the godox hss flash and trigger.
 
addicknchips said:
Riz, how you finding the Nissan flash system? does it do wireless HSS? I'm looking at getting something and not sure whether to for the godox hss flash and trigger.
Click to expand...

I am finding the system very good vs. the cost, you'll need to ensure the batteries are good as when they get low there have been reports of them losing their signal with the Air1.
The all work over 2.4Ghz radio signal which is great and the actual GN and spec's are good.

I have the following and so far have had no issues, but note that I am using external power supplies for fast re-cycle times...

Nissin Di700a + Air 1 £195
Nissin Di700a + Air 1 £195
Nissin PS8 £119
NIssin PS8 £119
Nissin i60a £209

The Godox system is probably more expensive and better build but I went the cheapest option which seems to work well. :)
The Nissin i60a is amazing, its even more powerful than the bigger Di700a's and in a smaller package...... I'd recommend this for anybody just wanting a single on-camera flash, it also works with the Air 1.
Since your doing more portrait work it might be better to go with Godox or Profoto :D lol
Its a shame Sony don't really have a great flash range for the e-mount, what they need is a pro level flash system like Nikon's CLS.
 
Last edited:
Rizvan said:
I am finding the system very good vs. the cost, you'll need to ensure the batteries are good as when they get low there have been reports of them losing their signal with the Air1.
The all work over 2.4Ghz radio signal which is great and the actual GN and spec's are good.

I have the following and so far have had no issues, but note that I am using external power supplies for fast re-cycle times...

Nissin Di700a + Air 1 £195
Nissin Di700a + Air 1 £195
Nissin PS8 £119
NIssin PS8 £119
Nissin i60a £209

The Godox system is probably more expensive and better build but I went the cheapest option which seems to work well. :)
The Nissin i60a is amazing, its even more powerful than the bigger Di700a's and in a smaller package...... I'd recommend this for anybody just wanting a single on-camera flash, it also works with the Air 1.
Since your doing more portrait work it might be better to go with Godox or Profoto :D lol
Its a shame Sony don't really have a great flash range for the e-mount, what they need is a pro level flash system like Nikon's CLS.
Click to expand...

i think they are getting there and more options will follow. the godox flash and 2.4 trigger is only about £130 i think and the flash looks pretty decent.
 
Former Nikon Ambassador Sporsheim says: “Sony are circling around Nikon’s camera division like a shark in the water smelling blood”

lol :D
 
Rizvan said:
Former Nikon Ambassador Sporsheim says: “Sony are circling around Nikon’s camera division like a shark in the water smelling blood”

lol :D
Click to expand...

They can circle but there are people who will probably never take Sony seriously as a maker of camera gear. Reading the comments on this and various other forums there does seem to still be a surprising amount of badge snobbery. This is something I just don't get and to me the comments about Sony cameras being computers from a computer game company just seem so... ridiculous and infantile.

To an extent I think this also exists in MFT land with Olympus being seen and accepted as the stills photographer choice and Panasonic being for video. Whatever happened to Samsung? :D

All this may be a demographic thing. Photographers tend to be male and older and maybe more prone to prejudice and fanboyism. The younger generation maybe wont care that Canikon are the accepted gear brands and that the pretenders would be better off sticking to making TV's toasters and phones. I've actually read that on a forum. How the public feel about brands may change over time as the older Canikon users die off but until then Sony can circle all they want but there'll be many people who will never consider buying a Sony camera. They may well go mirrorless and may do so with an inferior Canikon. Inferior, but it'll have the right badge :D
 
Last edited:
It's not entirely badge snobbery, you have to admit that Sony cameras have historically been feature packed but not that ergonomic or user friendly, hence the reputation. People do care about the experience of using the camera as well as the technical quality of the output.
 
The Sony camera I have is to me honestly not significantly different to the Panasonic cameras I have or the Fuji, Canon, Nikon, Kodak or any other cameras I've had in the past. But that's just me. They all have minor plus and minus points when it comes to handling and use but IMO these don't add up to anything which would explain the apartment negativity towards Sony and others not seen as traditional photography brands by DSLR using middle aged to elderly men.

Indeed thinking about the women and younger than middle aged people I know who are into photography or at least into taking pictures only two have DSLR's, both Canon, and one of them has just the body and kit lens and shoots in auto all the time. His results are frankly poor (I think he's got a focus mode selected that lets the camera decide what to focus on as a high percentage of his shots IMO have an OOF main subject) my GF does better with her smartphone :D

I'm not sure I've had a camera which was stand out awful to use. I've had cameras with dials and buttons on the back or top plate or both and cameras mostly without buttons :D If I had to pick a winner for handling it'd possibly be the Panasonic G1. That camera is pretty much perfect in use for me and better than any of my Canon's but I wouldn't say that my A7 or any other camera I've had was terrible in comparison and getting 8/10 compared to the G1's 9/10 wouldn't stop me from buying the kit or lead me to post on line that the makers should stick to making toasters. People less brand agnostic than me and with an inbuilt bias either subconscious or more conscious may however highlight minor differences in ergonomics or menu layout as justification. YMMV.
 
woof woof said:
All this may be a demographic thing. Photographers tend to be male and older and maybe more prone to prejudice and fanboyism. The younger generation maybe wont care that Canikon are the accepted gear brands and that the pretenders would be better off sticking to making TV's toasters and phones. I've actually read that on a forum. How the public feel about brands may change over time as the older Canikon users die off but until then Sony can circle all they want but there'll be many people who will never consider buying a Sony camera. They may well go mirrorless and may do so with an inferior Canikon. Inferior, but it'll have the right badge :D
Click to expand...

As an older user i have no badge snobbery lol i am always on the wrong side of my demographic bit concerning is it dementia

Many might just not like the idea of EVF in yet for me thats he real advantage horses for courses on the news it did say Sony are not doing great so in the long run perhaps Nikon have not so much they should worry bout :)
 
woof woof said:
To an extent I think this also exists in MFT land with Olympus being seen and accepted as the stills photographer choice and Panasonic being for video. Whatever happened to Samsung? :D
Click to expand...

TBF Panasonic have explicitly distinguished their cameras from Olympus by their video features, leading with the GH series.
 
woof woof said:
The Sony camera I have is to me honestly not significantly different to the Panasonic cameras I have or the Fuji, Canon, Nikon, Kodak or any other cameras I've had in the past. But that's just me. They all have minor plus and minus points when it comes to handling and use but IMO these don't add up to anything which would explain the apartment negativity towards Sony and others not seen as traditional photography brands by DSLR using middle aged to elderly men.

Indeed thinking about the women and younger than middle aged people I know who are into photography or at least into taking pictures only two have DSLR's, both Canon, and one of them has just the body and kit lens and shoots in auto all the time. His results are frankly poor (I think he's got a focus mode selected that lets the camera decide what to focus on as a high percentage of his shots IMO have an OOF main subject) my GF does better with her smartphone :D

I'm not sure I've had a camera which was stand out awful to use. I've had cameras with dials and buttons on the back or top plate or both and cameras mostly without buttons :D If I had to pick a winner for handling it'd possibly be the Panasonic G1. That camera is pretty much perfect in use for me and better than any of my Canon's but I wouldn't say that my A7 or any other camera I've had was terrible in comparison and getting 8/10 compared to the G1's 9/10 wouldn't stop me from buying the kit or lead me to post on line that the makers should stick to making toasters. People less brand agnostic than me and with an inbuilt bias either subconscious or more conscious may however highlight minor differences in ergonomics or menu layout as justification. YMMV.
Click to expand...

But you have to understand other people might think differently to you and prioritise factors such as handling to a greater extent than you do. Or what you see as an 8/10 vs 9/10 thing they see as a 5/10 vs 9/10 thing because of how they see it.

I agree there are people who don't consider Sony who should, but saying everyone who doesn't buy a Sony camera has an inbuilt bias is frankly wrong IMO.

The real market for mirrorless/DSLR is actually at the lower end. We are on a photo forum and compare flagship cameras like the A7 and 5Div all the time but most people are looking at the other end and picking up something costing £300 for a kit. At the lower end the Sony option (a5000) doesn't even come with a viewfinder!
 
Wissel said:
I have two of the Godox TT685 and the controller. All been faultless to date, although not something I use that often.
Click to expand...

Me too, but for Nikon. X1 controller and flash for little over £100. Also has receiver built in so less batteries to worry about. You can also add a external power pack at about £100. @addicknchips
 
T_J_G said:
You can the new add bigger flashes like the AD360ii or AD600 if needed.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm thinking to play around with hss with the speedlight then look to get something more powerful in the new year.

Setting the thing up will be challenging enough!
 
addicknchips said:
Yeah I'm thinking to play around with hss with the speedlight then look to get something more powerful in the new year.

Setting the thing up will be challenging enough!
Click to expand...

It's all pretty simple! Used mine in a woods a week ago and it was good. Would love the power pack and the AD360ii :)
 
border_all said:
I bought these plus a charger seem good and cheaper easier than 2 battery packs

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161714301990
Click to expand...

I have plenty of those and more on order, I think the power pack enables faster recycle (which when I'm dealing with my daughter is ideal) and I plan on getting a AD360II the power pack will work with that too
 
T_J_G said:
I have plenty of those and more on order, I think the power pack enables faster recycle (which when I'm dealing with my daughter is ideal) and I plan on getting a AD360II the power pack will work with that too
Click to expand...
Yes I agree for me my 2 flashes are probably a little far apart for one power pack and my projections for use just won't justify the better power pack option
 
JYC said:
But you have to understand other people might think differently to you and prioritise factors such as handling to a greater extent than you do. Or what you see as an 8/10 vs 9/10 thing they see as a 5/10 vs 9/10 thing because of how they see it.
Click to expand...

As long as their view is genuine and not a beard for their inherent prejudice :D

JYC said:
I agree there are people who don't consider Sony who should, but saying everyone who doesn't buy a Sony camera has an inbuilt bias is frankly wrong IMO.
Click to expand...

I didn't say everyone who doesn't buy a Sony camera has an inbuilt bias.

I do believe that there are some people posting on forums (and this almost certainly mainly men and mainly aged over 25) who are hopeless fan boys and we see this in other areas of man interest too from HiFi to cars to whatever and indeed we see the same sort of stupid irrational statements in those areas of interest too.

I've no problem with anyone making an informed, rational and intelligent choice or even with people who buy with the heart rather than the head but what I do have an issue with are the people who talk about toasters or trying to bring sexism into it. I couldn't give a flying who makes my camera gear and I wouldn't have a problem buying a Fisher-Price camera if they brought one out that suited me. I do find those who feel the need to denigrate the companies known more for general electronic products rather childish.

Actually one time I would be tempted towards a brand would be if they were British as I like to buy British if the choice is even anywhere near competitive but as there are no British brands in the mix here I don't care if I buy gear made in Japan, China or Thailand and I don't care what the badge says.

JYC said:
The real market for mirrorless/DSLR is actually at the lower end. We are on a photo forum and compare flagship cameras like the A7 and 5Div all the time but most people are looking at the other end and picking up something costing £300 for a kit. At the lower end the Sony option (a5000) doesn't even come with a viewfinder!
Click to expand...

People using an entry level DSLR and kit lens in green square mode may be better off with a CSC if for no other reason than the kit lens may well be better but I also think that to get the best out of mirrorless you need to know what you're doing a bit more :D
 
woof woof said:
As long as their view is genuine and not a beard for their inherent prejudice :D



I didn't say everyone who doesn't buy a Sony camera has an inbuilt bias.

I do believe that there are some people posting on forums (and this almost certainly mainly men and mainly aged over 25) who are hopeless fan boys and we see this in other areas of man interest too from HiFi to cars to whatever and indeed we see the same sort of stupid irrational statements in those areas of interest too.

I've no problem with anyone making an informed, rational and intelligent choice or even with people who buy with the heart rather than the head but what I do have an issue with are the people who talk about toasters or trying to bring sexism into it. I couldn't give a flying who makes my camera gear and I wouldn't have a problem buying a Fisher-Price camera if they brought one out that suited me. I do find those who feel the need to denigrate the companies known more for general electronic products rather childish.

Actually one time I would be tempted towards a brand would be if they were British as I like to buy British if the choice is even anywhere near competitive but as there are no British brands in the mix here I don't care if I buy gear made in Japan, China or Thailand and I don't care what the badge says.



People using an entry level DSLR and kit lens in green square mode may be better off with a CSC if for no other reason than the kit lens may well be better but I also think that to get the best out of mirrorless you need to know what you're doing a bit more :D
Click to expand...

Try not to take it personally. As long as you are happy with your gear, that's the main thing
 
woof woof said:
As long as their view is genuine and not a beard for their inherent prejudice :D



I didn't say everyone who doesn't buy a Sony camera has an inbuilt bias.

I do believe that there are some people posting on forums (and this almost certainly mainly men and mainly aged over 25) who are hopeless fan boys and we see this in other areas of man interest too from HiFi to cars to whatever and indeed we see the same sort of stupid irrational statements in those areas of interest too.

I've no problem with anyone making an informed, rational and intelligent choice or even with people who buy with the heart rather than the head but what I do have an issue with are the people who talk about toasters or trying to bring sexism into it. I couldn't give a flying who makes my camera gear and I wouldn't have a problem buying a Fisher-Price camera if they brought one out that suited me. I do find those who feel the need to denigrate the companies known more for general electronic products rather childish.

Actually one time I would be tempted towards a brand would be if they were British as I like to buy British if the choice is even anywhere near competitive but as there are no British brands in the mix here I don't care if I buy gear made in Japan, China or Thailand and I don't care what the badge says.



People using an entry level DSLR and kit lens in green square mode may be better off with a CSC if for no other reason than the kit lens may well be better but I also think that to get the best out of mirrorless you need to know what you're doing a bit more :D
Click to expand...

On the train double post
 
Last edited:
woof woof said:
As long as their view is genuine and not a beard for their inherent prejudice :D



I didn't say everyone who doesn't buy a Sony camera has an inbuilt bias.

I do believe that there are some people posting on forums (and this almost certainly mainly men and mainly aged over 25) who are hopeless fan boys and we see this in other areas of man interest too from HiFi to cars to whatever and indeed we see the same sort of stupid irrational statements in those areas of interest too.

I've no problem with anyone making an informed, rational and intelligent choice or even with people who buy with the heart rather than the head but what I do have an issue with are the people who talk about toasters or trying to bring sexism into it. I couldn't give a flying who makes my camera gear and I wouldn't have a problem buying a Fisher-Price camera if they brought one out that suited me. I do find those who feel the need to denigrate the companies known more for general electronic products rather childish.

Actually one time I would be tempted towards a brand would be if they were British as I like to buy British if the choice is even anywhere near competitive but as there are no British brands in the mix here I don't care if I buy gear made in Japan, China or Thailand and I don't care what the badge says.



People using an entry level DSLR and kit lens in green square mode may be better off with a CSC if for no other reason than the kit lens may well be better but I also think that to get the best out of mirrorless you need to know what you're doing a bit more :D
Click to expand...
Oh no ..... I am guilty of really liking nice hifi :clap: so good that I am back in my demographic ;)

Cars are just tools for me if it's legal and goes I am happy
 
Rizvan said:
I'm sticking to my original plan.
Sony A9
16-35mm GM
2.0 TC
90mm Macro
Click to expand...

I am still on the fence, in my mind I can't seem to justify having so much ££££ stuck in gear I hardly use, mainly due change of priorities but also down to the cost, weight and bulk.
Most of my time is now spent with family including my little boy (15 months), so I am rarely getting time for myself / hobbies etc. We had a trip up to Scotland recently I didn't bother taking the Sony gear, just too big and expensive..... the A7RII, Grip and 24-70mm is a whopping £5249 hanging around my next....... ouch! :o

Still considering the Fuji route...... a Fuji XT-2, Grip and 16-55mm to start with and see how I get on.
If I am still finding little time to use it, then at least I have a camera system with less £££ in it as a opposed to having a full-blown Sony setup worth 50-60% more than the Fuji, plus I will still have a camera for when I do need it.

I need to get a hold of my pixel-peeping and GAS now, its been long over due...... :(
 
If you are saving weight then the X-T2, grip and 16-55 is not the way to go!

Just get an X-T1 and 18-55 and save your cash
 
Xpro and 1 lens. Be different. I would be more concerned with the weight than cost. You've already spent it,got insurance and why not?
 
ATrendall1.jpg

Here's a shameless plug for votes but also it adds a photo to all the discussions on the A7 series.
Taken using a Sony A7 and 16-35mm lens it shows the Inaccessible Pinnacle high on Skye's Cuillin Ridge. It has been shortlisted as a finalist in Trail Magazine's UK Mountain Photo of the Year Competition.
To see the other finalists and vote go to

www.lfto.com/photocomp16
Inaccessible Pinnacle by Adrian TrendallATrendall1.jpg


It was a bit of an effort to get the photo since I needed to be by the summit for sunrise so needed to ascend the 3000 odd feet from Glen Brittle in the dark using ice axe and crampons, my way lit by head torch. After multiple early starts over a few days, things eventually came together with partial clouds, an interesting sky and beautiful light and views in the distance to Bla Bheinn. The earlier attempts had been thwarted by total cloud cover, snow, massive winds and spindrift to say nothing of the bitter cold. Knowing I had got something special I continued traversing along the ridge to Sgurr na Banachdich where my solitude was interrupted by a chef from Portree who added some human interest to the photos.

Absolutely loving the A7 for it's small size (smaller than it's successors), ease of use with view finder and monitor showing what you see is what you get. As for lenses... I now only take two lenses into the hills, Batis 25mm and Batis 85mm probably my favourite two lenses of all time. Would love to get the 18mm then I'd be really happy.
 
border_all said:
Oh no ..... I am guilty of really liking nice hifi :clap: so good that I am back in my demographic ;)

Cars are just tools for me if it's legal and goes I am happy
Click to expand...
Unfortunately cars have been a life long thing for me. As a kid I sat behind the bus driver and watched, I got my first car before I passed my test (which I did at the first attempt after watching the driver for all those years :D) and I got my first two seat soft top at 20. It's a bit funny to see people complaining about the rising cost of Sony kit :D
 
JYC said:
If you are saving weight then the X-T2, grip and 16-55 is not the way to go!

Just get an X-T1 and 18-55 and save your cash
Click to expand...

steveclem said:
Xpro and 1 lens. Be different. I would be more concerned with the weight than cost. You've already spent it,got insurance and why not?
Click to expand...

If bulk and weight are the driving forces I'd go MFT not Fuji.

Something like a GX7/GX80 and a 17mm f1.8 or the prime sized and sharp wide open 14-42mm Mega OIS makes the Fuji look like a truck. This is why for me Fuji is stuck in the middle not matching the finite quality of an A7 setup whilst being (give or take) about the same size and being larger than a RF styled MFT setup.

 
Last edited:
woof woof said:
Unfortunately cars have been a life long thing for me. As a kid I sat behind the bus driver and watched, I got my first car before I passed my test (which I did at the first attempt after watching the driver for all those years :D) and I got my first two seat soft top at 20. It's a bit funny to see people complaining about the rising cost of Sony kit :D
Click to expand...
I guess complaints about costs increase really comes down to disposable income, as you mention your financially comfortable many simply find it hard balancing having a hobby while still funding necessities

My hifi kit was largely bought used though new was probably £35-40k I would not do that again against today's financial climate

My car £2k some would say an in balance :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top