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

[Smnol]

OK, so if you're undecided on which body to get then this would be my advice:-

- Wait until after lockdown (if you're still in lockdown in Portugal) and then try a few to get a feel for how they feel in the hand, ergonomics are very important.
- Look at which cameras have features that you want, such as Eye-AF, decent frame rate etc etc.
- Have a look at which lenses you will possibly want in the future and see which system has the best and/or more affordable options.
- Also look into which system you prefer the colours of, for example a lot of people like the colours Canon produce but some prefer the more true to life colours and Nikon and Canon.

I would worry less on what the camera is capable of (as long as it has the features you want) as 99.9% of modern cameras are all capable of great images, whether they be full frame, APS-C, M4/3 etc etc. For example, these are taken with the much smaller m4/3 system, but they're some of the best wildlife shots I've seen.

500px

500px.com

That are great tips, thanks, the one of going to try it out I was already thinking about it, when the shops reopen I'll give it a go, but I'll have a sort of list of that kind, it probably help me understand it better and figure out some way or path for me! Thank you so much,

And the wildlife picture are insane!

Just to add that this is much more relevant if you are shooting JPeg - if you always shoot RAW, then to a large extent any colour differences are a matter of your processing.

Yeah, I shoot in RAW and edit the stuff over in Ligthroom

 

[nandbytes]

50GM images leaked

Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM Images Leaked | sonyalpharumors

The product images of the upcoming Sony FE50mmF1.2 GM lens have now been leaked by nokis***a. The specs according to our previous rumors are: The filter size is 72mm close focus distance is 0,4m (1.32ft) A bit shorter than the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Lighter than the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 I have been told...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

must say that looks small for a f1.2 lens
also an interesting design, much like the FE55 lens the front element is concave.

 

[snerkler]

Just to add that this is much more relevant if you are shooting JPeg - if you always shoot RAW, then to a large extent any colour differences are a matter of your processing.

True, however if using software such as lightroom and want to use the camera profiles (which I believe most do) then colour science does matter. I've never been 100% happy with the Sony colour profiles, and adobe are far too magenta. However, after buying and using the colorfidelity profiles I am much happier with the output now

Those wildlife shots look nice but with MFT there's an issue with dynamic range for me as there just isn't the exposure latitude and ability to retain the highlights and boost the shadows you get with even my elderly A7. Not without processing and NR skills beyond me and my CS5 anyway.

DR can be an issue for sure, but I never ran into problems with the EM1-II tbh. The fact that people have managed with the 5D3 that has 1ev LESS DR than the EM1-II suggests that the EM1-II isn't too shabby for landscapes. Of course, for this kind of thing more is better but I've stopped getting so hung up on technical specs of late

 

[Faldrax]

True, however if using software such as lightroom and want to use the camera profiles (which I believe most do) then colour science does matter. I've never been 100% happy with the Sony colour profiles, and adobe are far too magenta. However, after buying and using the colorfidelity profiles I am much happier with the output now

I suspect you are right, and many do just use the default profiles, however 'problems' with colour profiles are not intrinsic to the camera though, and as you say, you can always use different ones - or you can create your own, down to individual profiles for camera / lens combinations, or even a profile for a given lighting set (tools like the ColourChecker Passport will automate most of this if you want).

 

[snerkler]

I suspect you are right, and many do just use the default profiles, however 'problems' with colour profiles are not intrinsic to the camera though, and as you say, you can always use different ones - or you can create your own, down to individual profiles for camera / lens combinations, or even a profile for a given lighting set (tools like the ColourChecker Passport will automate most of this if you want).

Absolutely, and I think different software such as phase one and photolab etc all have different profiles too so a Sony file may look slightly different in lightroom when compared to one of these. It's a shame lightroom doesn't let you process the true raw file.

 

[f/1.2]

There she is



Looks a good size to me for a 50 f/1.2

 

[woof woof]

DR can be an issue for sure, but I never ran into problems with the EM1-II tbh. The fact that people have managed with the 5D3 that has 1ev LESS DR than the EM1-II suggests that the EM1-II isn't too shabby for landscapes. Of course, for this kind of thing more is better but I've stopped getting so hung up on technical specs of late

You can take landscape or any other shots that don't need a lot of DR and they'll look lovely and likewise some of those wildlife shots don't seem to need class leading DR. MFT with lifted shadows may look very nice as a whole picture but when looking closely the differences between these and my old A7 can often be easily seen.

It's not so much about specs as such but perhaps about thinking about what we want and need. If we want whole pictures and don't intend to nit pick the grain in the shadows or don't care if the highlights start to blow then MFT or an older Canon DSLR might be just fine but if the additional DR and ability to push files further is wanted then a more modern camera might be an idea and of course there's the things that a newer mirrorless camera brings like wysiwyg and the ability for focus anywhere in the frame.

 

[woof woof]

There she is

View attachment 312108
View attachment 312109
Looks a good size to me for a 50 f/1.2

It looks compact and it'll be interesting to read the reviews and see the samples.

 

[nandbytes]

There she is

View attachment 312108
View attachment 312109
Looks a good size to me for a 50 f/1.2

As I said above, also looks to be an interesting design, much like the FE55 lens the front element is concave.

 

[snerkler]

There she is

View attachment 312108
View attachment 312109
Looks a good size to me for a 50 f/1.2

I'm surprised about the size of that, looks smaller than I thought it would be.

 

[robj20]

Few from the walk this morning with the new lens.



Got to be the worlds most pointless thing.



When i see views like this from my front door it reminds me how lucky I am to live somewhere so open. I just couldn't do the city. This is a handheld 3 shot bracketed, love how quick Lightroom makes doing these now.

 

[nandbytes]

I'm surprised about the size of that, looks smaller than I thought it would be.

if they have magic'd up a smaller, cheaper, lighter 50mm f1.2 lens I wonder where the catch is?
image quality?

 

[Raymond Lin]

if they have magic'd up a smaller, cheaper, lighter 50mm f1.2 lens I wonder where the catch is?
image quality?

The size of a AF 50mm is mostly determined by the AF motor. The Leica 50/1.0 is much smaller than the Canon L.

So I suspect it's mostly to do with motor design in the barrel that surrounds the glass to keep the bulk smaller, with the rear element closer to the sensor than film, they seem to be able to make the elements smaller too so it all helps....

My logic...

 

[snerkler]

if they have magic'd up a smaller, cheaper, lighter 50mm f1.2 lens I wonder where the catch is?
image quality?

I think that they might be employing Sigma's tactic of relying on in camera/software lens corrections. I don't mind this as my Sigma 85mm DG DN is a stunning lens

 

[robj20]

I think that they might be employing Sigma's tactic of relying on in camera/software lens corrections. I don't mind this as my Sigma 85mm DG DN is a stunning lens

That's the way I see it all going, anything that is easy to correct in camera they don't bother trying to do it optically, only concentrate on what's important.

 

[4wd]

50GM images leaked

I wish someone would leak real A7iv specs.

 

[f/1.2]

I wish someone would leak real A7iv specs.

Unlikey when it’s not gonna happen this year.

 

[f/1.2]

if they have magic'd up a smaller, cheaper, lighter 50mm f1.2 lens I wonder where the catch is?
image quality?

It will be corrected within an inch of its life with in camera corrections like the 55.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[nandbytes]

It will be corrected within an inch of its life with in camera corrections like the 55.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Depends on how is affects the IQ.
In case of FE28/2 it stretches and affects the IQ in corners. In case of sigma 85/1.4 DN there is no discernible difference in IQ.
So I don't mind it as long as it's handled nicely in software with no ill effects

 

[robj20]

On the subject of the 50mm what's with the concave front element, I've never seen that before on anything other than P&S cameras, what does it achieve?

 

[nandbytes]

On the subject of the 50mm what's with the concave front element, I've never seen that before on anything other than P&S cameras, what does it achieve?

Sony is the only one I have seen in recent times to design lenses with concave front element.
In case of FE55 it was way ahead of its time in terms of sharpness.
I don't think there is a positive or negative per say

 

[wookie6262]

Not sure why I bought 6 lenses for my Sony system as the 135mm is pretty much the only one I seem to use. Brooke is very glad the water has fallen to a safe level in our local swimming pool for dogs
Splash by Simon Wootton, on Flickr
Water Dog by Simon Wootton, on Flickr

 

[nandbytes]

Not sure why I bought 6 lenses for my Sony system as the 135mm is pretty much the only one I seem to use. Brooke is very glad the water has fallen to a safe level in our local swimming pool for dogs
Splash by Simon Wootton, on Flickr
Water Dog by Simon Wootton, on Flickr

Well if you don't want them I'll happily take them off your hands. I'll even pay for postage.

 

[wookie6262]

Well if you don't want them I'll happily take them off your hands. I'll even pay for postage.

It will all change when lockdown lifts and I can start taking landscapes. It is so nice going for a walk knowing I can catch really good quality action shots of my dog and not even noticing the weight of the camera. Such a difference to a D850 and 70-200mm F2.8. I now have the advantage of far more FPS and many more in focus shots which are better composed as the tracking is so good on the A9. I have already decided I will go for an A1 as soon as they can be imported for the current dollar price which equates to £4600. To have the fps, AF and pixels will be brilliant in a camera that handles well too. I actually don't mind the handling of the A9 now I am used to it but the A7R iv is nicer particularly for BBF.

My Nikons have been gathering dust and barring one D850 and the 400mm F2.8 I think the rest will have to go. Might keep the tilt shifts though

 

[snerkler]

My Nikons have been gathering dust and barring one D850 and the 400mm F2.8 I think the rest will have to go. Might keep the tilt shifts though

Do you not fancy the Sony 400mm f2.8?

 

[wookie6262]

Do you not fancy the Sony 400mm f2.8?

It is simply too expensive. One went of ebay for just over £7300 the other day. I paid 1800 for my 20 odd year old Nikon AF-S and it is a stonking lens. I can see myself getting an R5 and Canon 400mm F2.8 as it will be cheaper than getting a Sony big white. It will be interesting to see what the new Nikon sports mirrorless camera is like with the older superteles. I'm sold on Sony for everything accept my Rugby and football photography. If I came into some cash I wouldn't hesitate to get their 400mm F2.8 and an A1. That would be a killer combo for Rugby

 

[f/1.2]

On the subject of the 50mm what's with the concave front element, I've never seen that before on anything other than P&S cameras, what does it achieve?

Supposedly the concave element allows for the lens to be smaller, the little 55 is concave and small. It makes that element a lot more expensive though which is probably why you dont see that much.

 

[snerkler]

It is simply too expensive. One went of ebay for just over £7300 the other day. I paid 1800 for my 20 odd year old Nikon AF-S and it is a stonking lens. I can see myself getting an R5 and Canon 400mm F2.8 as it will be cheaper than getting a Sony big white. It will be interesting to see what the new Nikon sports mirrorless camera is like with the older superteles. I'm sold on Sony for everything accept my Rugby and football photography. If I came into some cash I wouldn't hesitate to get their 400mm F2.8 and an A1. That would be a killer combo for Rugby

Wow, I didn't realise you could get 400mm f2.8's that cheap, maybe I need to move back to Nikon I bet it weighs a ton though?

 

[woof woof]

I think that they might be employing Sigma's tactic of relying on in camera/software lens corrections. I don't mind this as my Sigma 85mm DG DN is a stunning lens

Here's a thought.

Sometimes I think I prefer the look you get without corrections, assuming we get the choice. At least uncorrected pictures might have a bit more character.

 

[wookie6262]

Wow, I didn't realise you could get 400mm f2.8's that cheap, maybe I need to move back to Nikon I bet it weighs a ton though?

It is weightless on a monopod and I always use one when shooting. No IS/VR so I doubt I could handhold it for any more than a shot or two. It is a stunning lens though and I can only imagine what the new versions from Canon and Sony are like as they will be much faster to focus, never had an issue with the Nikon though, and much much lighter. One day I'll get one.

 

[woof woof]

It will all change when lockdown lifts and I can start taking landscapes. It is so nice going for a walk knowing I can catch really good quality action shots of my dog and not even noticing the weight of the camera. Such a difference to a D850 and 70-200mm F2.8. I now have the advantage of far more FPS and many more in focus shots which are better composed as the tracking is so good on the A9. I have already decided I will go for an A1 as soon as they can be imported for the current dollar price which equates to £4600. To have the fps, AF and pixels will be brilliant in a camera that handles well too. I actually don't mind the handling of the A9 now I am used to it but the A7R iv is nicer particularly for BBF.

My Nikons have been gathering dust and barring one D850 and the 400mm F2.8 I think the rest will have to go. Might keep the tilt shifts though

That's a good price for that if you can get it for that. I think?

I can't see myself ever having one but I don't think the price is bad for what it is so at £4600 it begins to look very good.

 

[snerkler]

Here's a thought.

Sometimes I think I prefer the look you get without corrections, assuming we get the choice. At least uncorrected pictures might have a bit more character.

I sometimes prefer lenses without vignette corrections, but some some barrel and moustache distortions don't look great.

 

[wookie6262]

That's a good price for that if you can get it for that. I think?

I can't see myself ever having one but I don't think the price is bad for what it is so at £4600 it begins to look very good.

I just took the B&H price and ran it through a currency converter. My car was slightly cheaper which makes the purchase seem ridiculous but I don't smoke or drink so photography is where my pennies are spent

 

[woof woof]

I sometimes prefer lenses without vignette corrections, but some some barrel and moustache distortions don't look great.

I mostly don't bother with lens corrections now and instead I just process each picture as I want it. I suppose the problem comes when we don't get a choice but that wouldn't stop me buying as for all I know I have that now with my Sony lenses.

 

[dcash29]

A couple people I know are talking about like its the best thing since sliced bread.

There's always a couple

 

[nandbytes]

More specs and real world image out

LEAKED: First real world image of the new Sony 50mm GM next to the Canon 50mm f/1.2 RF lens | sonyalpharumors

Today Sony will announce the new 50mm f/1.2 GM lens (likely around 4 pm London time). And I just got the first real worls image on the lens. On top you see the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens compared with the Sony. They are really close in size. I also have been told the

www.sonyalpharumors.com

So it's about the same size as the RF50/1.2 just less fat and lighter.
Makes me wonder why Z version is so huge.

 

[snerkler]

More specs and real world image out

LEAKED: First real world image of the new Sony 50mm GM next to the Canon 50mm f/1.2 RF lens | sonyalpharumors

Today Sony will announce the new 50mm f/1.2 GM lens (likely around 4 pm London time). And I just got the first real worls image on the lens. On top you see the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens compared with the Sony. They are really close in size. I also have been told the

www.sonyalpharumors.com

So it's about the same size as the RF50/1.2 just less fat and lighter.
Makes me wonder why Z version is so huge.

Not cheap is it

I was just looking at the Canon 50mm f1.2 alongside the Sigma 85mm DG DN to get an idea of size and I noticed the gap between the grip and lens. I struggle with the A9ii but it looks even smaller on the Canon, I'm not sure I'd be able to use that


Screenshot 2021-03-16 at 08.02.26 by TDG-77, on Flickr

 

[nandbytes]

Not cheap is it

I was just looking at the Canon 50mm f1.2 alongside the Sigma 85mm DG DN to get an idea of size and I noticed the gap between the grip and lens. I struggle with the A9ii but it looks even smaller on the Canon, I'm not sure I'd be able to use that


Screenshot 2021-03-16 at 08.02.26 by TDG-77, on Flickr

No it's priced well out of my reach luckily
If they priced it sub £2k I'd be thinking about getting it.

Hmm.... You can't quite compare lenses like so. Well you can but not sure it'll tell you the the right story. Because of the larger mount and longer flange the canon lenses will be fatter and overall setup end up slightly longer.

My main issue with canon and has been most canons is the placement of the front forefinger dial. It just doesn't feel natural to me. Placement on Sony and Nikon seems more natural and easier to access. Conversely I like the placement of canon shutter release.
You just can't win can you

 

[f/1.2]

No it's priced well out of my reach luckily
If they priced it sub £2k I'd be thinking about getting it.

Hmm.... You can't quite compare lenses like so. Well you can but not sure it'll tell you the the right story. Because of the larger mount and longer flange the canon lenses will be fatter and overall setup end up slightly longer.

My main issue with canon and has been most canons is the placement of the front forefinger dial. It just doesn't feel natural to me. Placement on Sony and Nikon seems more natural and easier to access. Conversely I like the placement of canon shutter release.
You just can't win can you

I will getting it but won't be doing a pre-order and may give it a couple of months to let the dust settle after the launch.

 

[nandbytes]

I will getting it but won't be doing a pre-order and may give it a couple of months to let the dust settle after the launch.

Didn't you say that about the 35GM?
Basically you are getting the first stock from panamoz aren't you?