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

nandbytes said:
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
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Ok, if it is reasonable then it's fair enough... but did you know how much they are charging?

addicknchips said:
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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Forgot to mentioned about the Hitchin Lavender Farm, I was there last Saturday, free parking, £6 to go in... flowers are not in full bloom yet! Photo could be nice but plenty of people around and annoying little trees that you may want to PS it out ha ha... I've asked and there is no early access, but I think you can sneak in at 3am. I may give it a try when the flowers are in full bloom
 
robinsslee said:
Ok, if it is reasonable then it's fair enough... but did you know how much they are charging?



Forgot to mentioned about the Hitchin Lavender Farm, I was there last Saturday, free parking, £6 to go in... flowers are not in full bloom yet! Photo could be nice but plenty of people around and annoying little trees that you may want to PS it out ha ha... I've asked and there is no early access, but I think you can sneak in at 3am. I may give it a try when the flowers are in full bloom
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£100

And how does one sneak in? are there any cameras/monitoring?
 
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addicknchips said:
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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I though Hitchin Lavender fields has the same issue in that we are only allowed in 9-5-ish. No where close to sunset.
 
Cagey75 said:
Be glad that they charge a fee, otherwise it could very well be a nightmare:
https://qz.com/quartzy/1580867/all-the-tourist-destinations-ruined-by-instagram-this-year/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/califo...und-of-tourists-trampling-flowers-11553447888
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/...se-chaos-lake-elsinore-poppy-apocalypse-vgtrn
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Folks over in Netherlands have a good idea. They have made a HUGE touristy tulips garden i.e. Keukenhof that basically attracts all the tourists and most of them leave the actual fields alone.
But if you know where to look you can get some nice shots :)

33905071038_bcf6884097_b.jpg


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nandbytes said:
Folks over in Netherlands have a good idea. They have made a HUGE touristy tulips garden i.e. Keukenhof that basically attracts all the tourists and most of them leave the actual fields alone.
But if you know where to look you can get some nice shots :)

33905071038_bcf6884097_b.jpg


46982281784_3d631bef2a_b.jpg
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Good idea, but can't see it working in the States, the hoardes would still invade and ruin it over time.

I can't remember the program I saw it on, think it might have been 'Dark Tourist' - where they showed the poppy fields being invaded. It was worse than you might imagine, hoardes of people almost pushing one another out of the way to get their shot, really ruined the beautiful landscape. They had specific trails for people to follow but of course, nobody was sticking to this and we saw people rolling around and jumping through/into bunches of the flowers. They also left a tonne of thrash behind ... As I always say, nothing ruins a landscape like people.
 
nandbytes said:
£100

And how does one sneak in? are there any cameras/monitoring?
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I think there maybe public footpath on the top hill which looks down the farm, but I'll check it out later. I'm sure there will be some sort of cameras around the shop/farm area but if you are quite far away then maybe you'll be safe from being identified for trespassing.

Cagey75 said:
Be glad that they charge a fee, otherwise it could very well be a nightmare:
https://qz.com/quartzy/1580867/all-the-tourist-destinations-ruined-by-instagram-this-year/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/califo...und-of-tourists-trampling-flowers-11553447888
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/...se-chaos-lake-elsinore-poppy-apocalypse-vgtrn

I'd much rather pay the fee than suffer that [see the image in the second link] - and have the place to myself.
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Pay is fine but not £100 that Mayfield Farm charges, that's ludicrous.

nandbytes said:
I though Hitchin Lavender fields has the same issue in that we are only allowed in 9-5-ish. No where close to sunset.
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Yes, 9-5pm no way near any nice lights.
 
robinsslee said:
I think there maybe public footpath on the top hill which looks down the farm, but I'll check it out later. I'm sure there will be some sort of cameras around the shop/farm area but if you are quite far away then maybe you'll be safe from being identified for trespassing.



Pay is fine but not £100 that Mayfield Farm charges, that's ludicrous.



Yes, 9-5pm no way near any nice lights.
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How much would it need to be to keep the tourist casuals out? I guess £50 maybe? Not many will spend that just to get some IG piccies. Less if it's per person, you at least won't have whole families turning up by the car load.
 
Cagey75 said:
How much would it need to be to keep the tourist casuals out? I guess £50 maybe? Not many will spend that just to get some IG piccies. Less if it's per person, you at least won't have whole families turning up by the car load.
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the charge £4 person at normal hours. Its pretty cheap. It's £100 out of hours.
 
nandbytes said:
I though Hitchin Lavender fields has the same issue in that we are only allowed in 9-5-ish. No where close to sunset.
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ive not been there before so don't know too much about it - apart from its local to me and there are lavender fields. i'll be going with the family so it will be a case of trying to squeeze in some photography around that and hope for some dark, moody clouds. otherwise it'll be portraits and maybe some macro shots. i doubt i'll be allowed to use a drone there.
 
nandbytes said:
the charge £4 person at normal hours. Its pretty cheap. It's £100 out of hours.
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AT £4 you will still get bus loads during normal hours then. Just hope they're not running wild wrecking the landscape.
 
The question must have been asked before - how does the A7iii autofocus stack up for birds in flight?
Whenever I research it on the Internet, everyone just seems to move attention to the Armstrongs 9.
I would be really grateful to get the opinions and experiences from a 7iii user. (I do like the look of the new 200-600mm)
Thanks.
 
robinsslee said:
I think there maybe public footpath on the top hill which looks down the farm, but I'll check it out later. I'm sure there will be some sort of cameras around the shop/farm area but if you are quite far away then maybe you'll be safe from being identified for trespassing.



Pay is fine but not £100 that Mayfield Farm charges, that's ludicrous.



Yes, 9-5pm no way near any nice lights.
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I have emailed them asking if I can get in for a reduced fee. £100 is for commercial photographers which I am not. I offered to pay something extra still for the privelege just not commercial photographer rates since I won't be making any money. I hope they reply favourably but I am not hugely optimistic.

I really dislike trespassing :(
 
Cagey75 said:
How much would it need to be to keep the tourist casuals out? I guess £50 maybe? Not many will spend that just to get some IG piccies. Less if it's per person, you at least won't have whole families turning up by the car load.
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Well if it is £100 they are charging for the whole day, then it is what it is... but in their perspective, if someone willing to pay £100 for evening light access, to them these photographers are doing this professionally in which understandable but the ones who doing this for hobby are the losers unfortunately. No, I won't be paying £100 for such access, I'd rather travel to Florence or Bulgaria for a bit more money.
 
nandbytes said:
I have emailed them asking if I can get in for a reduced fee. £100 is for commercial photographers which I am not. I offered to pay something extra still for the privelege just not commercial photographer rates since I won't be making any money. I hope they reply favourably but I am not hugely optimistic.

I really dislike trespassing :(
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That's great, maybe we can gather few enthusiasts and pay a lump sum of £100 which in turn, reduce our costs. If this is doable then maybe worth while.
 
Malfis said:
The question must have been asked before - how does the A7iii autofocus stack up for birds in flight?
Whenever I research it on the Internet, everyone just seems to move attention to the Armstrongs 9.
I would be really grateful to get the opinions and experiences from a 7iii user. (I do like the look of the new 200-600mm)
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Its decent! not as good as A9 but then its not expensive as A9. Could say a bit like D750 vs. D5.
 
Malfis said:
The question must have been asked before - how does the A7iii autofocus stack up for birds in flight?
Whenever I research it on the Internet, everyone just seems to move attention to the Armstrongs 9.
I would be really grateful to get the opinions and experiences from a 7iii user. (I do like the look of the new 200-600mm)
Thanks.
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All cameras are struggling with incoming flights (bird dependant and speed), be in 1Dx2, D5 or A9.

I have no issues with mighty slow buffer Canon 5DsR on BiF... but you can argue this is different camera, however we all know A73 is the best value FF ML on the market at the moment.
 
Looks like Hitchin Lavender fields are open Friday: 9:30-22:00
So go on a Friday, stay late and hope for amazing weather :D

Edit, just read this too:
"Now that the lavender has begun to flower, we are starting our regular late nights on Tuesdays and Fridays! Beginning on Friday 21st, we will be open until 22:00 on every Tuesday and Friday."
 
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nandbytes said:
Looks like Hitchin Lavender fields are open Friday: 9:30-22:00
So go on a Friday, stay late and hope for amazing weather :D

Edit, just read this too:
"Now that the lavender has begun to flower, we are starting our regular late nights on Tuesdays and Fridays! Beginning on Friday 21st, we will be open until 22:00 on every Tuesday and Friday."
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I'll check their blog again in a week or so, flowers aren't fully bloom. Opening until 2200 is good news for us!
 
robinsslee said:
I'll check their blog again in a week or so, flowers aren't fully bloom. Opening until 2200 is good news for us!
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Their website says "begun to flower" so I expect a lot of green and less lavender till mid July.
May be Tuesday is better than Fridays since its a weekday and Friday evening is practically the weekend :D
 
nandbytes said:
Their website says "begun to flower" so I expect a lot of green and less lavender till mid July.
May be Tuesday is better than Fridays since its a weekday and Friday evening is practically the weekend :D
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Yes too much greenery at the moment, can't see anywhere they said open till 2200 on Tuesday?
 
robinsslee said:
Yes too much greenery at the moment, can't see anywhere they said open till 2200 on Tuesday?
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https://www.hitchinlavender.com/visit-us/opening-times-and-entrance-fees.aspx

while timetable doesn't say so, the text at the bottom of the page reads as I copy pasted above:

"Now that the lavender has begun to flower, we are starting our regular late nights on Tuesdays and Fridays! Beginning on Friday 21st, we will be open until 22:00 on every Tuesday and Friday."

Might be worth contacting them for clarification.
 
nandbytes said:
https://www.hitchinlavender.com/visit-us/opening-times-and-entrance-fees.aspx

while timetable doesn't say so, the text at the bottom of the page reads as I copy pasted above:

"Now that the lavender has begun to flower, we are starting our regular late nights on Tuesdays and Fridays! Beginning on Friday 21st, we will be open until 22:00 on every Tuesday and Friday."

Might be worth contacting them for clarification.
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Thanks... Either Tuesday or Friday is fine for me as it is not that far for me to get to :)
 
That looks pretty good. I've shot before at Cotswold Lavender, and although there are fields near the road, the actual farm shuts at 5pm.
 
Malfis said:
The question must have been asked before - how does the A7iii autofocus stack up for birds in flight?
Whenever I research it on the Internet, everyone just seems to move attention to the Armstrongs 9.
I would be really grateful to get the opinions and experiences from a 7iii user. (I do like the look of the new 200-600mm)
Thanks.
Click to expand...

I think the A7iii is more than capable of pretty much anything really!
 
nandbytes said:
or longer telephoto lenses. But I imagine these have the smaller market shares so will come later...
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With the price of the native gm lens I'm sure a cheaper 70-200 would fly off the shelves. I'm a prime shooter but do miss that lens.
 
Malfis said:
The question must have been asked before - how does the A7iii autofocus stack up for birds in flight?
Whenever I research it on the Internet, everyone just seems to move attention to the Armstrongs 9.
I would be really grateful to get the opinions and experiences from a 7iii user. (I do like the look of the new 200-600mm)
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Pretty awesome. Never shot birds in flight in my life before Skomer a few weeks back, easy!

[URL]https://www.flickr.com/photos/harry_s/albums/72157708976442721 [/url]

South Wales 2019 by Chris Harrison, on Flickr
 
nandbytes said:
Looks like Hitchin Lavender fields are open Friday: 9:30-22:00
So go on a Friday, stay late and hope for amazing weather :D

Edit, just read this too:
"Now that the lavender has begun to flower, we are starting our regular late nights on Tuesdays and Fridays! Beginning on Friday 21st, we will be open until 22:00 on every Tuesday and Friday."
Click to expand...
They used to open late but only until 9pm (just before sunset). I haven’t been for a few years. The issue I found was it’s hard to get wide angle images of the field as people can walk anywhere they like. I found you could frame an image only for another person to walk up the field right in front of you. Other photographers would do it and set up right in front of you knowing they would be in your shot. I found the same with bluebell woods.
 
rob-nikon said:
They used to open late but only until 9pm (just before sunset). I haven’t been for a few years. The issue I found was it’s hard to get wide angle images of the field as people can walk anywhere they like. I found you could frame an image only for another person to walk up the field right in front of you. Other photographers would do it and set up right in front of you knowing they would be in your shot. I found the same with bluebell woods.
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One of the reasons I prefer sunrise to sunset. People are generally too lazy to get up that early :p

Long exposures can work a charm with people though.

If people are far away you can clone them out. Photographers are generally the most annoying of the bunch. Even when i go out looking for birds in my local park, they scare away the birds. :facepalm:

That's why I also think Tuesday will be better than Friday.
 
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Call me whatever you want but am happy to see Sony E-Mount becoming what it is today.

All those years when i first grabbed the A7s i saw potential but knew back then the camera and the whole system needed a lot in order to tempted me to switch from a Canon.

Look at them now. They have everything i need and want from a system and they keep delivery innovations more than any other brand. This is forcing canikon to innovate themselves or at least try to and it benefits all us photographers.

DSLR tech has not progressed dramaticaly since it first got into our hands.

All they done in its lifespan? is to make frame rates faster.

It reall hasnt innovated much on having a floppy mirror infront of the sensor.

Now that mirror is gone, there is huge potential for photography now and we are only at the tip of it
 
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