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

Not really concerned about shooting a lens like the 85 1.8 fe wide open, hit rate is consistently high.

I wasn't talking AF, but DOF, if you're shooting those hyper kids from a short distance wide opn you will get OOF shots if they're moving about randomly as quick as you say. I mean I have a decent hit rate with cheap adapted Canon lenses, one being the 50mm 1.8 which was never the fastest lens even when native.
 
I wasn't talking AF, but DOF, if you're shooting those hyper kids from a short distance wide opn you will get OOF shots if they're moving about randomly as quick as you say

And more so with Fuji’s fast primes.
 
And more so with Fuji’s fast primes.

Not when it's me shooting them :P we can go round in circles, fact is even with slower AF lenses I've never had these complaints. Maybe we're a bit spoiled with lightening fast AF these days, but we know that decades ago people managed these images just the same with MF lenses on film cameras.
 
Not when it's me shooting them :p we can go round in circles, fact is even with slower AF lenses I've never had these complaints. Maybe we're a bit spoiled with lightening fast AF these days, but we know that decades ago people managed these images just the same with MF lenses on film cameras.

:ROFLMAO:.

Sure they did, with a incredibly low hit rate and zone focusing at f8.
 
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:ROFLMAO:.

Sure they did, with a incredibly low hit rate and zone focusing at f8.


Worked with what they got ;) which is what any of us should be doing. A lens is slow, compared to what? as I asked earlier. If you're mostly shooting faster subjects then buy the faster AF lenses obviously. It's great we have these options. But saying a lens would be better off as a manual focus lens when plenty of people are getting on just fine with it is a bit OTT
 
It’s not impossible, I’ve owned Fuji and those lenses... but in comparison to others, they are slow and afc is pretty poor. Hit a few, miss a lot, depends on what you’re comparing against. I wish they would update the 35/56 motors and drop xtrans but that’s me.

I'd always used AF-C for kids playing etc. with Canon, the small movements they make stress any AF system when they aren't able to predict effectively. With Fuji as you say they weren't swift enough so I'd learnt to ninja the AF-S, however with the X-T3 they've finally improved to the point that I'm always using AF-C again and the hit rates are high.

When you have time to track Fuji have been fine, even the X-T1, but have improved a lot with the X-T3. When the X-T2 was launched I don't think much of it over the X-T1 but firmware updates did improve it.

The X-T4 should be interesting but I'm a coin toss away from going either Fuji or Sony, so I don't know if I'll be around for that!
 
As said above I'll show you examples of someone shooting birds in flight with manual teleprimes. That's just a testament to the photographer's skill :)
As far as performance of the gear itself goes, X-T1 was bad at AF tracking and even worst with 56mm.

I hadn't used manual focus on years, then had a go at an airshow, it was stressful! :D

The X-T1 was fine at tracking, used it for lots of action sports without any major drama. It wasn't great at using AF-C for small quick random movements rather than tracking a runner or car where you have more time.
 
The X-T4 should be interesting but I'm a coin toss away from going either Fuji or Sony, so I don't know if I'll be around for that!

If Fuji merge the XH1 and XT3 together this time out I think it could be the perfect APSC camera. The body would have to be that bit thicker for IBIS - and I prefer that tbh, I like a better grip. XH1 body with the speed of the XT3 with all the new fangly eye-AF and video features, I think they'd have a killer. But .... reality is they will probably still split them.
 
If Fuji merge the XH1 and XT3 together this time out I think it could be the perfect APSC camera. The body would have to be that bit thicker for IBIS - and I prefer that tbh, I like a better grip. XH1 body with the speed of the XT3 with all the new fangly eye-AF and video features, I think they'd have a killer. But .... reality is they will probably still split them.

Yeah, I reckon the X-H2 will be the X-t3 innards in the XH-1 body (keeping IBIS), should make a very good proposition
 
If Fuji merge the XH1 and XT3 together this time out I think it could be the perfect APSC camera. The body would have to be that bit thicker for IBIS - and I prefer that tbh, I like a better grip. XH1 body with the speed of the XT3 with all the new fangly eye-AF and video features, I think they'd have a killer. But .... reality is they will probably still split them.

I know what you mean, but personally I have zero interest in IBIS so don't mind if the X-T4 didn't have it. Out of the box I find the X-T# bodies too small, but a cheap hand grip extension always fixes that.
 
Yeah, I reckon the X-H2 will be the X-t3 innards in the XH-1 body (keeping IBIS), should make a very good proposition

That's what I would like to see pretty much, but with vastly improved touch screen controls, I don't think i will ever buy a camera without IBIS again

I know what you mean, but personally I have zero interest in IBIS so don't mind if the X-T4 didn't have it. Out of the box I find the X-T# bodies too small, but a cheap hand grip extension always fixes that.

It is funny how quick we just get used to having these features. I never wanted or felt I needed IBIS up until a couple of years back, but now it's become a necessity. For me, it's more important than speedier AF, but we all shoot differently
 
Nice, any images from your outing? I was watching UFC, but I'm up at that hour most nights/mornings, I get about 2-3 hrs proper sleeping I'm lucky.

That's tuff for sure. Used to live with someone with same issue. She really struggled at Uni because of it but luckily lectures and department was understanding and helped her through.

Image below :D
 
The weather kinda sucked tbh :( The clouds both at sunset and sunrise covered the exact place on the horizon.
thanks a bunch to @chris. for helping me with the location. He told me how to get there every step of the way, thank you very much indeed :)

A two shot panorama with RX1RII (@ sunrise since we were talking about sunrise above)
48163673526_fb20fb7696_b.jpg
 
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The weather kinda sucked tbh :( The clouds both at sunset and sunrise covered the exact place on the horizon.
thanks a bunch to @chris. for helping me with the location. He told me how to get there every step of the way, thank you very much indeed :)

A two shot panorama with RX1RII
48163673526_fb20fb7696_b.jpg

Is that done using the on camera app thing? (Not sure if that camera even has it still)
 
The weather kinda sucked tbh :( The clouds both at sunset and sunrise covered the exact place on the horizon.
thanks a bunch to @chris. for helping me with the location. He told me how to get there every step of the way, thank you very much indeed :)

A two shot panorama with RX1RII (@ sunrise since we were talking about sunrise above)
48163673526_fb20fb7696_b.jpg

No worries at all, glad I could be of help, I’ve seen a lot of images of these poppy fields of late, being a local etc and this one has to be one of the best I’ve seen, loving the colours and movement in the sky.. [emoji1303][emoji1303]
 
Is that done using the on camera app thing? (Not sure if that camera even has it still)

indeed, smooth reflections app. Thanks to my amazing organisation skills I forgot my ND filter. Though this method has its own benefits in that it doesn't affect sharpness, IQ or add colour casts.
 
No worries at all, glad I could be of help, I’ve seen a lot of images of these poppy fields of late, being a local etc and this one has to be one of the best I’ve seen, loving the colours and movement in the sky.. [emoji1303][emoji1303]

thank you very much :)
 
The weather kinda sucked tbh :( The clouds both at sunset and sunrise covered the exact place on the horizon.
thanks a bunch to @chris. for helping me with the location. He told me how to get there every step of the way, thank you very much indeed :)

A two shot panorama with RX1RII (@ sunrise since we were talking about sunrise above)
48163673526_fb20fb7696_b.jpg

Beautiful indeed. Sunrise and sunset were complete garbage here yesterday too despite the weather!
 
Wow @nandbytes you drive all the way up to Worcester just for that? I'm sure I saw many photos coming out from Sussex and Surrey area!

I found the poppy field it is a private land and access via private road, but the flowers are most gone. Shame, I'm a bit late this time... At least I know where it is now so will be marking for next year.
 
Wow @nandbytes you drive all the way up to Worcester just for that? I'm sure I saw many photos coming out from Sussex and Surrey area!

I found the poppy field it is a private land and access via private road, but the flowers are most gone. Shame, I'm a bit late this time... At least I know where it is now so will be marking for next year.

Indeed, it's on the borderline for being too far and close enough to drive for a quick photo session. I wouldn't drive that far just to investigate though.
I drove previous day for sunset, slept in car, went back for sunrise and drove back. Was back home around 8am.
The drive isn't too bad. Just over two hours in the morning and just under 3 hours previous day thanks to a crash on M25.

The private ones are hard to get access to sometimes. Let us know if you have any luck in future :)

There is also a place near Brighton where I have seen pictures from previously. I could go investigate next year. Just didn't get the time this year.

I am just really surprised how under advertised these are. Probably a good thing though for us photographers :D

Do you know of any lavender fields that lets public access at sunset and sunrise?
The one near my place (just 20 minutes drive) doesn't give access at these times, just 9-5pm
 
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Seriously thinking about getting the A7II today as a second body, the current deal looks too good to miss particularly if I can chop in a lens I never use.
Unless you need IBIS, just get the A7.
Not sure what you main body is but if it's an A7III or A9, you could get A7R as a backup and something that can give you highres i.e. different kind of sensor.
 
Unless you need IBIS, just get the A7.
Not sure what you main body is but if it's an A7III or A9, you could get A7R as a backup and something that can give you highres i.e. different kind of sensor.
At my age I need IBIS for sure, my main body is the A7RIII which I mostly use on my long lens for wildlife. My other lenses are 24-70 2.8 GM and the Sigma 135mm 1.8 ART, I like to take both out for other stuff to cover different things but I'm fed with changing lenses in the street.
 
At my age I need IBIS for sure, my main body is the A7RIII which I mostly use on my long lens for wildlife. My other lenses are 24-70 2.8 GM and the Sigma 135mm 1.8 ART, I like to take both out for other stuff to cover different things but I'm fed with changing lenses in the street.
Why not a a7r3 again or the standard mk3? having either a first or 2nd gen body won't give you the benefit of using the same batteries for all your cameras
 
Why not a a7r3 again or the standard mk3? having either a first or 2nd gen body won't give you the benefit of using the same batteries for all your cameras
True but cost is a major factor here, I can get the A7II for £700 after Sony cashback and I'm already committed to the 200-600 when it arrives on these shores although the 100-400 will almost certainly go.
 
Indeed, it's on the borderline for being too far and close enough to drive for a quick photo session. I wouldn't drive that far just to investigate though.
I drove previous day for sunset, slept in car, went back for sunrise and drove back. Was back home around 8am.
The drive isn't too bad. Just over two hours in the morning and just under 3 hours previous day thanks to a crash on M25.

The private ones are hard to get access to sometimes. Let us know if you have any luck in future :)

There is also a place near Brighton where I have seen pictures from previously. I could go investigate next year. Just didn't get the time this year.

I am just really surprised how under advertised these are. Probably a good thing though for us photographers :D

Do you know of any lavender fields that lets public access at sunset and sunrise?
The one near my place (just 20 minutes drive) doesn't give access at these times, just 9-5pm

That's not bad for that amount of poppies you've seen. I wish the field I found still containing more flowers but hey ho, I'll post some photos tonight.

Nice, I've done overnight in my 4x4 which is nice and I also have tent which I do hiking as well.

Next year I'll be aiming for pink poppies in Dorset, got the location but again still need scouting. I'll share the location that I know of in PM later.

Is that Mayfield Lavender farm you talking about? I thought you can sneak in early morning like 3AM and easy access to the farm by roadside? I been once but that was many years ago and that is the impression that I get from the visit. But things may have change since. I don't think there's any where else does lavender commercially and still allow us to visit outside their operating hours.
 
That's not bad for that amount of poppies you've seen. I wish the field I found still containing more flowers but hey ho, I'll post some photos tonight.

Nice, I've done overnight in my 4x4 which is nice and I also have tent which I do hiking as well.

Next year I'll be aiming for pink poppies in Dorset, got the location but again still need scouting. I'll share the location that I know of in PM later.

Is that Mayfield Lavender farm you talking about? I thought you can sneak in early morning like 3AM and easy access to the farm by roadside? I been once but that was many years ago and that is the impression that I get from the visit. But things may have change since. I don't think there's any where else does lavender commercially and still allow us to visit outside their operating hours.

Thanks, look forward to hearing from you. Dorset is certainly a little far just to go scouting. Though there are some nice places to visit if you fail finding it.
I have a tent but for myself car is good enough. My backseats folds flat and I just about fit diagonally. Its one of the first things I check if I go looking for a new car (some people find it weird lol). Also no need to pay for a campsite (though they are rather cheap)

yeah Mayfield Lavender farm. You used to be able to sneak in but they have ended that! No more sneaking in :(
They charge you silly money to give you access for sunset, so clearly they don't want people in there for free :D
 
At my age I need IBIS for sure, my main body is the A7RIII which I mostly use on my long lens for wildlife. My other lenses are 24-70 2.8 GM and the Sigma 135mm 1.8 ART, I like to take both out for other stuff to cover different things but I'm fed with changing lenses in the street.

I guess in that case A7II is cheapest.
I went with RX1RII as my backup and act as my 35mm prime so I can stick the 85GM on A7RIII and have a nice 35/85 combo (no lens changes needed).
 
Thanks, look forward to hearing from you. Dorset is certainly a little far just to go scouting. Though there are some nice places to visit if you fail finding it.
I have a tent but for myself car is good enough. My backseats folds flat and I just about fit diagonally. Its one of the first things I check if I go looking for a new car (some people find it weird lol). Also no need to pay for a campsite (though they are rather cheap)

yeah Mayfield Lavender farm. You used to be able to sneak in but they have ended that! No more sneaking in :(
They charge you silly money to give you access for sunset, so clearly they don't want people in there for free :D

Hitchin Lavender fields is probably your closest. i think its only half hour from me so im going there in a few weeks.
 
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