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

Yeah, I edited, the handling is nicer, but other than that not really, AF is pretty much the same, so is sensor performance, the colour is similar to mk1 which isn't great in my experience and Im not talking jpg. The Rii was when there were very noticeable differences in performance all round. IMO well worth the extra. Could go either way and say, save some and buy the mk1 or spend a little more again and buy the rii.

Was just looking up differences there, the ergonomics certainly improved, Sony also claimed a 30% faster AF system when it was released, I guess this didn't prove to be quite as effective as their claim for the end user. I do remember seeing comparisons between the II and some APSC sensors and it wasn't faring very well on the DR or high ISO side. The A7RII looks a massive leap forward, still very interested in that one.
 
Was just looking up differences there, the ergonomics certainly improved, Sony also claimed a 30% faster AF system when it was released, I guess this didn't prove to be quite as effective as their claim for the end user. I do remember seeing comparisons between the II and some APSC sensors and it wasn't faring very well on the DR or high ISO side. The A7RII looks a massive leap forward, still very interested in that one.

It was kind of when all the manufacturers were touting BS figures about increased AF performance with mirrorless "Worlds fastest" etc. I got used to these claims over the years, Id used all the MILCs pretty much from day 1 with the ep1, nex3, g1, x100/p/e1 etc etc.

The A7rii was for me, very nearly there, I ditched DSLR completely for it and it fell slightly (very slightly) short of requirements in terms of CAF, sensor performance and colour was top notch though. The A7iii exceeded AFC expectations and haven't had to switch for a long time (my expectations of AFC performance likely exceed most cases). Still get the itch to switch but the mk3 really does it all at a good price.
 
Last edited:
It was kind of when all the manufacturers were touting BS figures about increased AF performance with mirrorless "Worlds fastest" etc. I got used to these claims over the years, Id used all the MILCs pretty much from day 1 with the ep1, nex3, g1 etc etc.

The A7rii was for me, very nearly there, I ditched DSLR completely for it and it fell slightly (very slightly) short of requirements in terms of CAF, sensor performance and colour was top notch though. The A7iii exceeded AFC expectations and haven't had to switch for a long time (my expectations of AFC performance likely exceed most cases). Still get the itch to switch but the mk3 really does it all at a good price.

I would have been all set with the A7III, was willing to trade in my M43 gear for lenses and have it as my only camera. But the idea fizzled fast when I missed out on that one, just bought an XH1 to give Fuji another go, and will be doing my own side by side testers with the G80, will see how that goes. But I always leave my options open. A change of gear can be enough to motivate me to get back out there
 
I would have been all set with the A7III, was willing to trade in my M43 gear for lenses and have it as my only camera. But the idea fizzled fast when I missed out on that one, just bought an XH1 to give Fuji another go, will see how that goes. But I always leave my options open. A change of gear can be enough to motivate me to get back out there

Shame that, but I like Fuji a lot as a system with their primes, they are probably the best APSC system.
 
Shame that, but I like Fuji a lot as a system with their primes, they are probably the best APSC system.

I've always missed it a bit, the H1 is where I would have upgraded to if it had been out when I decided to switch to M43. It was IBIS that lured me in mostly, I know Fuji's won't be as effective but it should be a match for Sony's
 
I've always missed it a bit, the H1 is where I would have upgraded to if it had been out when I decided to switch to M43. It was IBIS that lured me in mostly, I know Fuji's won't be as effective but it should be a match for Sony's

Do you need IBIS that badly, other than XT3 and say zoom with lens IS or will you be opting for primes and shooting slow shutter?
 
Do you need IBIS that badly, other than XT3 and say zoom with lens IS or will you be opting for primes and shooting slow shutter?

Mostly primes for me, I've never been much of a zoom lens lover. I find it great not just for slow ss images but composing in general too, especially if you ever use a 100mm+ prime. It's not just IBIS this time out though, I prefer a nice chunky grip too. I did consider an XT3, lovely camera, really enjoyed the XT1 - but when i think back, I never found the T1 too slow for my style, lightening fast AF is kinda wasted on me. So it was T2 or XH1, would be happy with either I think
 
Last edited:
OK so I'm looking at moving from my fuji XT2 as want to try sonys full frame and want to give it a go. Budget to start would be around £1600 and could upgrade or add further lenses later.

My main photography interests are architecture street and some fashion. My head is mashed looking at the various cameras and I can't decide between the A7ii to start of with or a7rii, or just go for the a7iii. I don't do video so not bothered about that. Regarding lenses I've been looking at the tamron g2 24-70 or the tamron 28-75mm and maybe pick up a 35 2.8 samyang for street.

Any thoughts?

Having just moved across myself, my feeling is that you'd be happier with A7rII, which should be available around £950-£1000ish - the A7III has better battery life, eyeAF and better IBIS, but I've not especially found that much better than no stabilisation at all. The A7III will blow your budget once you add a lens, and you're used to short battery life from Fuji. By all accounts the Tamron 28-70 is good (seems to be around £650 grey) and I quite like the Samyang 35 f2.8 for its tiny size and decent image quality.
 
Appreciate all the feedback guys, think I’m set on the a7rii as going forward I’ve teamed up with a printing company who will be using some of my images to convert to wallpapers so the extra mp will help. Am I right in thinking this camera will take canon EF glass with the converter as well. Thinking the 85 1.8 usm for portraits.
 
Appreciate all the feedback guys, think I’m set on the a7rii as going forward I’ve teamed up with a printing company who will be using some of my images to convert to wallpapers so the extra mp will help. Am I right in thinking this camera will take canon EF glass with the converter as well. Thinking the 85 1.8 usm for portraits.

Afaik the best adapter to get is the Sigma MC-11, EF lenses apparently work really well using that. If you can get one used it's worth it IMO, one went on here recently for £110
 
Appreciate all the feedback guys, think I’m set on the a7rii as going forward I’ve teamed up with a printing company who will be using some of my images to convert to wallpapers so the extra mp will help. Am I right in thinking this camera will take canon EF glass with the converter as well. Thinking the 85 1.8 usm for portraits.

Yes, metabones and mc11. Don't expect hi speed AF.
 
Appreciate all the feedback guys, think I’m set on the a7rii as going forward I’ve teamed up with a printing company who will be using some of my images to convert to wallpapers so the extra mp will help. Am I right in thinking this camera will take canon EF glass with the converter as well. Thinking the 85 1.8 usm for portraits.
You will be better off buying FE85/1.8. when you factor in the cost of adapter it doesn't cost much more to go native.
 
You will be better off buying FE85/1.8. when you factor in the cost of adapter it doesn't cost much more to go native.

It makes sense if you have a few EF lenses already. The adapter and Canon 85 1.8 can be had used for less than the Sony 85 alone. I've seen the Canon 85 go for little over £200. The Sony seems to be a much better lens though, but the adapter also gives you more options for other Canon glass.
 
It makes sense if you have a few EF lenses already. The adapter and Canon 85 1.8 can be had used for less than the Sony 85 alone. I've seen the Canon 85 go for little over £200. The Sony seems to be a much better lens though, but the adapter also gives you more options for other Canon glass.

Adapter plus EF85 is around £350 and FE85 can be had for around £400. So the difference is not huge and you get better AF, better ergonomics, better IQ. Definitely worth the extra £50-ish.

He only mentioned adapting one lens. Not sure how many others he has if he has any.
 
Adapter plus EF85 is around £350 and FE85 can be had for around £400. So the difference is not huge and you get better AF, better ergonomics, better IQ. Definitely worth the extra £50-ish.

He only mentioned adapting one lens. Not sure how many others he has if he has any.

If you can get one for £400 that's great, MPB are trying to sell them used for £499!
 
My initial experiments with godox tt685n’s as OCF in TTL weren’t very encouraging and all the godox boys could say at the photography show was to update the firmware. I wondered whether, in conjunction with an X1Ts, the TTL would work. Updated all the firmware this morning and did it properly tonight. Bottom line is, they work fine as manual flash but not in TTL. The output was consistently far too over exposed, averaging +2.3 stops. However, working them manually with the X1T works fine. Given the secondhand cost, I’m going to keep my two Nikon versions for manual work and probably pick a Sony one at some point. For now, another 350 will be ordered tomorrow.

Interestingly in my unscientific testing with a flash meter, the outputs of the 685 was exactly a stop more than the 350, so the latter has plenty of punch for a small unit. I really like them, balance well and easy to operate. Work really well as a master too to control slaves. As for the ability to focus in the dark, superb.
 
Yes! And it was cheaper than I would have paid too :D
 
Adapter plus EF85 is around £350 and FE85 can be had for around £400. So the difference is not huge and you get better AF, better ergonomics, better IQ. Definitely worth the extra £50-ish.

He only mentioned adapting one lens. Not sure how many others he has if he has any.

None but get your point was just thinking this as will need a wide angle as well and the 16-35 is too pricey. I definitely want a 2.8 zoom to start with a small samyang prime will be my grab and go.

Then later down the line a portrait a wide angle and a telephoto so any recommendations appreciated.
 
None but get your point was just thinking this as will need a wide angle as well and the 16-35 is too pricey. I definitely want a 2.8 zoom to start with a small samyang prime will be my grab and go.

Then later down the line a portrait a wide angle and a telephoto so any recommendations appreciated.

Tamron 28-75 is probably the best 2.8 zoom option on a budget.
 
That’s the one I’m going to get first see how I got on with it and may not need much else.

It's a lens that I seriously considered, but I wanted a bit more range & bought the 24-105 (E-Infinity, £879). That lens does have some well-known flaws (really bad vignetting at the wide end, big & heavy, slightly irregular distortion) but is good as a walk-about lens and acceptably sharp.
 
It's a lens that I seriously considered, but I wanted a bit more range & bought the 24-105 (E-Infinity, £879). That lens does have some well-known flaws (really bad vignetting at the wide end, big & heavy, slightly irregular distortion) but is good as a walk-about lens and acceptably sharp.
It's the sharpest 24-105mm, not just acceptably sharp. The vignetting is annoying.
 
My initial experiments with godox tt685n’s as OCF in TTL weren’t very encouraging and all the godox boys could say at the photography show was to update the firmware. I wondered whether, in conjunction with an X1Ts, the TTL would work. Updated all the firmware this morning and did it properly tonight. Bottom line is, they work fine as manual flash but not in TTL. The output was consistently far too over exposed, averaging +2.3 stops. However, working them manually with the X1T works fine. Given the secondhand cost, I’m going to keep my two Nikon versions for manual work and probably pick a Sony one at some point. For now, another 350 will be ordered tomorrow.

Interestingly in my unscientific testing with a flash meter, the outputs of the 685 was exactly a stop more than the 350, so the latter has plenty of punch for a small unit. I really like them, balance well and easy to operate. Work really well as a master too to control slaves. As for the ability to focus in the dark, superb.

AD200’s for ocf
V350s for on camera when needed
AD600’s for the studio

Godox ftw!

063A8932-E067-494E-A6ED-9C8E92972ABE.jpeg
 
Time for an upgrade. [emoji33]

Hmmm. Godox accessories aren’t anywhere near the quality of the elinchrom imo, especially the softboxes and I have a load invested. I do fancy an AD200 at some point though and I have got some S fit soft boxes gathering dust somewhere.

I know they’re S fit, but...
 
Last edited:
For those interested in the competition...

DP Review TV do a Panasonic S1 review...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S34Tp7czj74


Maybe shades the Nikon but the A7III is better in some ways.

its BIG and HEAVY! meh.

I'd rather buy an A99II and make use of all the cheap, sharp and awesome a-mount glass. Not to mention A99II is ergonomically even better with better AF system.
 
Last edited:
Hmmm. Godox accessories aren’t anywhere near the quality of the elinchrom imo, especially the softboxes and I have a load invested. I do fancy an AD200 at some point though and I have got some S fit soft boxes gathering dust somewhere.

I know they’re S fit, but...

There is a million Bowen’s fit modifiers available. You could also just get an adaptor.
 
Does the 350 assisted red beam work on the sony in a night club scene?

Dude, I have been in a night club once since Jesus was a wee lad. Was only a few months ago. Oldest person in the whole place and no I did t have a camera and a flash with me. :D
 
Dude, I have been in a night club once since Jesus was a wee lad. Was only a few months ago. Oldest person in the whole place and no I did t have a camera and a flash with me. :D
Lol I mean does the red af assisted beam work on it with the Sony?
 
fouund the post where you said it works for sony?

Yeah it does, as far as I know it's the only one that does or it was when it came out anyway. There has been firmware updates since then though for the other flash's.
 
Back
Top