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

mjScall said:
Had the A7III for two days now, and it's amazing!

I can't believe just how much faster/smoother the AF is over the A99.
Loving the 85/1.8, probably my new favourite lens, and the 50/1.4 ZA works perfectly on the adapter

Can't decide if I'm annoyed at myself for waiting this long to go mirrorless or glad I waited for the "III"

Having to stop myself from buying lenses just for the sake of it now, as I want any excuse to play around with it :)
Click to expand...

The AF on A99 was rather outdated even on the day it came out.

The e-mount 50mm zeiss is also better :D
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
TBH I don’t really find the weight an issue. But then after using a Sigma 120-300 Sport anything is lightweight
Click to expand...
I’m kind off the same. For wildlife I’ve been carting around a 3.4kg zoom lens for the last few years, and until this year a 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8 for landscapes so Sony f4 and f5.6 lens weights aren’t that bad. The f4 versions are much better for landscapes especially when walking up and down fellsides in the lakes. I find you just don’t need f2.8 for landscapes although some will say there is better sharpness with the f2.8s. I have to say there is a bit of a myth that mirrorless saves lots of weight. When you compare like for like dslr and mirrorless lenses it doesn’t save that much. A full frame lens is going to be limited by the physics of a full frame lens whether it’s on mirrorless or DSLR.

I think by manufacturers specs I’ve saved something like 350g on the equivalent Sony and Nikon camera and f4 lenses set up. I think all of that has been saved on the camera. I find Manufacturers weight specs are usually a little way off too and difficult to use as a comparison. The Sony 70-200 f4 is supposed to be 840g but that probably doesn’t include lens caps, hood or tripod foot because the lot is just over 1kg on my scales.

Ive been thinking about the potential of a 24-105 and 100-400 combo. I do wonder if I would notice carrying the extra 500g. Theoretically it’s around 200g more than my previous Nikon landscape setup and 2kg less than my previous Nikon wildlife setup (and probably won’t need a tripod either so saves another 3kg).

Im off out to look for otters tomorrow morning and try out my Sony setup. It’s possible the lack of focal length may surface and I will possibly be looking for a 100-400 sooner than I think!
 
mjScall said:
Haha, other than the fact that my GAS still casts a sideward glance at the 7RIII, it's the perfect camera for me

If the rain ever stops (at 6 days and counting here) I'll be able to get out and really try it out!
Click to expand...

You don't have to wait for the rain to stop. You can't really see the rain here but it was pouring down the last time I got out. I had a small hood on the lens but I still had to keep wiping it. Everything survived :D

u5JKQgB.jpg


A7 and Voigtlaner 35mm f1.4.
 
I was just about to update the a7iii to v2 firmware and see Sony have removed it.
Any ideas what the issue is?
 
I recently noticed after the update the write speed is slower on my faster UHS-II cards but it seems to be good/same with the slower fuji UHS-II cards.

What a f*** up Sony:facepalm:
 
While playing with my m mount Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 I took a picture of Mrs WW, the exposure will have been influenced by light from the window so today I boosted her face +4 and added +200% brightness, zoomed 28% and cropped 1:1 and ended up with something which will make a nice picture to send to her mam and which would look nice as a print.

1-DSC02455-C1.jpg

Those boosts would have been unthinkable a few years before the A7 came out and are good enough for me today.
 
Last edited:
rob-nikon said:
Good first outing with the A7R3. AF was pretty snappy with the 70-200 f4. I had a few issues not locating buttons but I’m sure that will come in time.

Met this little fella (maybe female I just don’t know!). It’s the first wild Otter I’ve ever seen so it was an awesome morning.

View attachment 139982
Click to expand...

how did you get on with 200mm?

The buttons take a bit of time to get used to. The way I do it I start by unsetting all the custom buttons except the 2-3 I need (like focus, shutter etc). Then I slowly customise one by one depending on which functions I use most. that way I learn where things are through muscle memory rather than having to remember what function is assigned which button!
 
nandbytes said:
how did you get on with 200mm?
Click to expand...

It was good. Pretty quick to focus and seems to be sharp. The combo is a nice weight, easy to raise and track subjects.

This morning was one of those morning where I can see a 100-400 being useful for the focal length, but the extra stop of the 70-200 at f4 kept iso down to 3200 when shutter speed was low at 1/320. With a 100-400 at f5.6 that would mean either iso6400 or 1/160, neither are great for wildlife. That said this morning was one of those morning you just don’t expect to get anything great.
 
Last edited:
rob-nikon said:
It was good. Pretty quick to focus and seems to be sharp. The combo is a nice weight, easy to raise and track subjects.

This morning was one of those morning where I can see a 100-400 being useful for the focal length, but the extra stop of the 70-200 at f4 kept iso down to 3200 when shutter speed is low at 1/320. With a 100-400 at f5.6 that would mean either iso6400 or 1/160 neither great for wildlife. That said this morning was one of those morning you just don’t expect to get anything great.
Click to expand...
I regularly do plenty of wildlife at or greater than ISO 6400, I no longer regard it as a barrier.
44444730102_dcdfaf54cc_z.jpg

ISO 8000 1/500 F8 560mm

43168686722_4153cecbaf_z.jpg

ISO 6400

41668279210_fc29d1d20e_z.jpg


ISO 12800. Not exactly wildlife but she is a bloody nuisance. Our daughters dog in New York.

43836541831_6696599ee1_z.jpg

ISO 12800

44753229045_106934a647_z.jpg


ISO 10000
 
footman said:
I regularly do plenty of wildlife at or greater than ISO 6400, I no longer regard it as a barrier.
44444730102_dcdfaf54cc_z.jpg

ISO 8000 1/500 F8 560mm

43168686722_4153cecbaf_z.jpg

ISO 6400

41668279210_fc29d1d20e_z.jpg


ISO 12800. Not exactly wildlife but she is a bloody nuisance. Our daughters dog in New York.

43836541831_6696599ee1_z.jpg

ISO 12800

44753229045_106934a647_z.jpg


ISO 10000
Click to expand...
Looks good. I usually air on the side of caution with ISO until I get used to what it’s capable of. Looks like ISO6400 and maybe beyond isn’t a worry if you need to get shutter speed up.
 
I know this has probably been asked a million times, but I'm after a bag for travel with my new A7 kit and figured here would be the best place for suggestions

I've got a Thinktank Retrospective 10 for using at home, and I think the size is about right, but maybe a touch more would be better for travel?

The reasons I'm after something else to travel with are:

Quick access is a bit of a pain with the 10, you either have to lift the full velcro flap each time, or use the silencers and lose any sort of security you may have had
Weather proofing is zero, I've got the rain cover, but I'm expecting rain/snow on the trip and I'd rather not have to use that all the time

Any suggestions for what to get?

At the moment I'm also thinking of using

https://www.amazon.co.uk/North-Face...1544387435&sr=8-1&keywords=north+face+charged

and just getting some dividers etc for it, as it's a really sturdy bag, but it's maybe a bit big to carry around all day half empty!

I'd be taking an A7 and 3-4 lenses, nothing massive.

Any advice welcome on either a bag or what dividers/packing to use in the one I've already got :) or even a bag and the dividers to put in it of not already a camera bag!
 
rob-nikon said:
Looks good. I usually air on the side of caution with ISO until I get used to what it’s capable of. Looks like ISO6400 and maybe beyond isn’t a worry if you need to get shutter speed up.
Click to expand...

I think output size matters a lot and also not cropping and printing big. If you can frame the picture and don't have to crop and can be realistic with your output size very high ISO's can become useable.

I've posted this as an example before, taken at ISO 16,000 with a MFT camera. As a whole picture viewed normally on screen noise isn't a problem. I keep meaning to print it to see what it looks like but I'm sure that when I do it'll be ok and if MFT can manage this at ISO 16,000 I'm sure an A7 series camera can do better.

4w4IQZ5.jpg


I don't really worry about ISO any more, not in natural light anyway but I do worry about it in some artificial lighting as even relatively low ISO's can look pants under some lighting.
 
mjScall said:
I know this has probably been asked a million times, but I'm after a bag for travel with my new A7 kit and figured here would be the best place for suggestions

I've got a Thinktank Retrospective 10 for using at home, and I think the size is about right, but maybe a touch more would be better for travel?

The reasons I'm after something else to travel with are:

Quick access is a bit of a pain with the 10, you either have to lift the full velcro flap each time, or use the silencers and lose any sort of security you may have had
Weather proofing is zero, I've got the rain cover, but I'm expecting rain/snow on the trip and I'd rather not have to use that all the time

Any suggestions for what to get?

At the moment I'm also thinking of using

https://www.amazon.co.uk/North-Face...1544387435&sr=8-1&keywords=north+face+charged

and just getting some dividers etc for it, as it's a really sturdy bag, but it's maybe a bit big to carry around all day half empty!

I'd be taking an A7 and 3-4 lenses, nothing massive.

Any advice welcome on either a bag or what dividers/packing to use in the one I've already got :) or even a bag and the dividers to put in it of not already a camera bag!
Click to expand...

Which 3-4 lenses?

I like tenba DNA messenger bags which provide quick easy access. If you are feeling rich peak design also has a few options.

I use f-stop kenti backpack for longer travels and hikes.
 
nandbytes said:
Which 3-4 lenses?

I like tenba DNA messenger bags which provide quick easy access. If you are feeling rich peak design also has a few options.

I use f-stop kenti backpack for longer travels and hikes.
Click to expand...

It would be the 28-70 Kit lens, 85/1.8 for certain, and then probably my 50/1.4 and the adapter, I've got a 35mm pancake as well but doubt I'd ever need it so might leave that at home

Just had a look at Tenba and I really like the Cooper, just annoying that it's basically the same as the Thinktank but with the game changing top zip ha!

I'd looked at the Peak Design Everyday backpack, but I'm not sure I'm keen on the side pockets being so easy to get into whilst it's on my back....
 
mjScall said:
It would be the 28-70 Kit lens, 85/1.8 for certain, and then probably my 50/1.4 and the adapter, I've got a 35mm pancake as well but doubt I'd ever need it so might leave that at home

Just had a look at Tenba and I really like the Cooper, just annoying that it's basically the same as the Thinktank but with the game changing top zip ha!

I'd looked at the Peak Design Everyday backpack, but I'm not sure I'm keen on the side pockets being so easy to get into whilst it's on my back....
Click to expand...

I use a tenba DNA10 in which I have previously carried 3 lenses - 70-200mm f2.8, 28-75/2.8 and 85mm/1.8 with an A7RIII. That was a very very tight fit but possible.
So considering your lenses and camera is smaller may be even a tenba DNA 8 might suffice. I may even have one for sale but I'll have to check first.

Peak design do messenger style bags too with a top zip like tenba. But they are lot more expensive.

p.s. someone is selling a tenba DNA 15 in sales but that may be a bit too big for your needs.

Edit:
I use my tenba DNA 10 bag everyday for work without the insert/padding which you can take out. It's good quality, comfortable and sturdy.
 
Last edited:
I also have both a Tenba DNA 8 and DNA 10. The 10 would do your job. The 8 is too small for 3 lenses. You could get 2 in there (one on body) but not much else. I use it for my A73 with Sony 85mm f1.8 attached and little Samyang 35mm f2.8. I also have my PD slide lite strap and mini tripod. That fills it. I could substitute the strap/tripod/35mm and stick my Samyang 14mm in. Apologies for the phone pics by way of illustration...

tenba1 by CFC Photo, on Flickr

tenba2 by CFC Photo, on Flickr
 
Diamonddec said:
I also have both a Tenba DNA 8 and DNA 10. The 10 would do your job. The 8 is too small for 3 lenses. You could get 2 in there (one on body) but not much else. I use it for my A73 with Sony 85mm f1.8 attached and little Samyang 35mm f2.8. I also have my PD slide lite strap and mini tripod. That fills it. I could substitute the strap/tripod/35mm and stick my Samyang 14mm in. Apologies for the phone pics by way of illustration...

tenba2 by CFC Photo, on Flickr
Click to expand...


Thanks that really helps to see the size, I'll have a think and either go for the 8 and ditch some stuff for the trip, or just go with the 10 :)

Thanks all for the help
 
mjScall said:
Thanks that really helps to see the size, I'll have a think and either go for the 8 and ditch some stuff for the trip, or just go with the 10 :)

Thanks all for the help
Click to expand...

I suggest go for the 10. It'll give you some room to add few other bits and bobs if you like (eg: flash, water bottle, etc).
 
nandbytes said:
I suggest go for the 10. It'll give you some room to add few other bits and bobs if you like (eg: flash, water bottle, etc).
Click to expand...

Agreed. Was about to say that myself. I use the DNA8 for light days out, such as street photography, photowalks etc. If I'm going abroad though, I'll take the DNA10 for the above reasons.
 
Looking to make the switch from the D750 to the a7iii.

Currently second shooting weddings, so want something for this sort of setup (silent shutter and eye af looks a big seller for me).

So currently have the d750 with Sigma 35mm art 1.4 and the nikon 85mm 1.8.

What 35's and 85's are worth considering for sony (currently pricing up the cost of switching)?
 
-markie- said:
Looking to make the switch from the D750 to the a7iii.

Currently second shooting weddings, so want something for this sort of setup (silent shutter and eye af looks a big seller for me).

So currently have the d750 with Sigma 35mm art 1.4 and the nikon 85mm 1.8.

What 35's and 85's are worth considering for sony (currently pricing up the cost of switching)?
Click to expand...

The native sigma ART 35/1.4 and sony FE 85mm f1.8 :)

You'll basically have the same setup
 
nandbytes said:
The native sigma ART 35/1.4 and sony FE 85mm f1.8 :)

You'll basically have the same setup
Click to expand...
Thanks :)

Used sigma 35mm don't seem to be on wex, mpb much if at all, so might be a ebay grab.

One issue i had with sigmas previously was focusing issues and need to calibrate on the d750. My understanding this isn't an issue with mirrorless cameras and they don't suffer with front/back focusing issue, however they also sell a sigma dock for sony... anyone know much about this and do they or don't they need calibrating?
 
-markie- said:
Thanks :)

Used sigma 35mm don't seem to be on wex, mpb much if at all, so might be a ebay grab.

One issue i had with sigmas previously was focusing issues and need to calibrate on the d750. My understanding this isn't an issue with mirrorless cameras and they don't suffer with front/back focusing issue, however they also sell a sigma dock for sony... anyone know much about this and do they or don't they need calibrating?
Click to expand...

I don't think there is a sigma dock for Sony e-mount (must be for Sony a-mount perhaps?)
It shouldn't need any calibrating.

You'll struggled to find a used sigma anywhere since its newly out for e-mount and not many people own it.
 
mjScall said:
I know this has probably been asked a million times, but I'm after a bag for travel with my new A7 kit and figured here would be the best place for suggestions

I've got a Thinktank Retrospective 10 for using at home, and I think the size is about right, but maybe a touch more would be better for travel?

The reasons I'm after something else to travel with are:

Quick access is a bit of a pain with the 10, you either have to lift the full velcro flap each time, or use the silencers and lose any sort of security you may have had
Weather proofing is zero, I've got the rain cover, but I'm expecting rain/snow on the trip and I'd rather not have to use that all the time

Any suggestions for what to get?

At the moment I'm also thinking of using

https://www.amazon.co.uk/North-Face...1544387435&sr=8-1&keywords=north+face+charged

and just getting some dividers etc for it, as it's a really sturdy bag, but it's maybe a bit big to carry around all day half empty!

I'd be taking an A7 and 3-4 lenses, nothing massive.

Any advice welcome on either a bag or what dividers/packing to use in the one I've already got :) or even a bag and the dividers to put in it of not already a camera bag!
Click to expand...

I have a Tenba Cooper Slim that I managed to pick up in the sales. Its quality, but a big step up in cost from the DNA!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top