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

Daniel_Paul said:
Morning everyone. Been a long time since I have been on however I am looking into getting a 70-200 f4 and wondered what perception was here? I can trade in for a used one on MPB for a reasonable amount however I want to make sure it's right.
I want to use it as a walk around lens really, I have a 14mm Samyang, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 currently and am looking at trading in my 28-70mm that came with my A7iii so I am hoping it fits nicely into my line up really?
Any advice is welcome...!
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70-200mm doesn't sound like a great walkabout but I guess that depends on what and how you shoot.
I'd advise getting the tamron 70-180mm f2.8 instead. It's a better lens.
Other lenses to consider as mention above are the 24-105mm f4 and tamron 28-200mm.
Personally I switched from Sony 24-105mm to tamron 28-200mm for the longer end. It's a very capable lens.

I had the 70-180mm and looking to get one again..... It's probably my favourite in that class of lenses.
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
Depending on what you shoot, and whether or not it will be wide enough for a walkabout lens, its not a zoom I'd consider a walkabout lens.
I use the 24-105mm as my walkabout lens and for the money, it's a very good lens.....
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ancient_mariner said:
I have the 24-105 as a walk around lens too. If you want more reach then the tamron 28-200 has a good reputation.
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nandbytes said:
70-200mm doesn't sound like a great walkabout but I guess that depends on what and how you shoot.
I'd advise getting the tamron 70-180mm f2.8 instead. It's a better lens.
Other lenses to consider as mention above are the 24-105mm f4 and tamron 28-200mm.
Personally I switched from Sony 24-105mm to tamron 28-200mm for the longer end. It's a very capable lens.

I had the 70-180mm and looking to get one again..... It's probably my favourite in that class of lenses.
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Thank you all, this is exactly why I asked. I never considered either of the 24-105 or the 28-200 and I think the Tamron will fit my needs perfectly and also save me a few pennies!
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
How do you find the iq of the tamron compared to the Sony?
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I haven’t used the Sony f4 except in store but I have the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 and IQ is excellent, as is AF.
 
Daniel_Paul said:
Morning everyone. Been a long time since I have been on however I am looking into getting a 70-200 f4 and wondered what perception was here? I can trade in for a used one on MPB for a reasonable amount however I want to make sure it's right.
I want to use it as a walk around lens really, I have a 14mm Samyang, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 currently and am looking at trading in my 28-70mm that came with my A7iii so I am hoping it fits nicely into my line up really?
Any advice is welcome...!
Click to expand...

I used to have the 70-200 f4 and it was good, but as others have said, it's not really a walkabout lens. The Tamron 70-180 f2.8 is going to be my next purchase too.
 
Daniel_Paul said:
Morning everyone. Been a long time since I have been on however I am looking into getting a 70-200 f4 and wondered what perception was here? I can trade in for a used one on MPB for a reasonable amount however I want to make sure it's right.
I want to use it as a walk around lens really, I have a 14mm Samyang, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8 currently and am looking at trading in my 28-70mm that came with my A7iii so I am hoping it fits nicely into my line up really?
Any advice is welcome...!
Click to expand...
I had one for a while but replaced it with the 135GM.

It's a decent enough lens and has O.S. for a 70-200 with it's a reasonable enough size and weight.

The Tamron is supposed to be a fair bit better but lacks O.S and has no tripod collar, it's also known for being a bit of a dust gatherer, you also lose 20mm at the long end where these lenses tend to be used most.

Personally I no longer have a need for a 70-200, I can't see it being that useful for a walk around lens. The Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 might be more useful for that and is a huge upgrade from the 28-70 Sony, the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 is also worth a shout although its heavier than the Tamron, its supposed to be a little bit sharper. Personally I like the Tamron 28-75 its small and light weight for an f/2.8 zoom but I don't use mine much its just a back up really for my other lenses.

Although with the other lenses you have already a 70-200 might make sense. Personally I use a 35mm as walk about lens.
 
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f/2.8 said:
I had one for a while but replaced it with the 135GM.

It's a decent enough lens and has O.S. for a 70-200 with it's a reasonable enough size and weight.

The Tamron is supposed to be a fair bit better but lacks O.S and has no tripod collar, it's also known for being a bit of a dust gatherer, you also lose 20mm at the long end where these lenses tend to be used most.

Personally I no longer have a need for a 70-200, I can't see it being that useful for a walk around lens. The Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 might be more useful for that and is a huge upgrade from the 28-70 Sony, the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 is also worth a shout although its heavier than the Tamron, its supposed to be a little bit sharper. Personally I like the Tamron 28-75 its small and light weight for an f/2.8 zoom but I don't use mine much its just a back up really for my other lenses.

Although with the other lenses you have already a 70-200 might make sense. Personally I use a 35mm as walk about lens.
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The lack of OS and tripod collar put me off initially, but for the price and weight over the Sony f2.8 it was a no brainer, plus you can now get a 3rd party collar for it. Whether it’s a dust gather I guess I’ll find out.
 
I was in Oxford Street on Tuesday and popped into Jessops. I think there's only a handful of them left in the country. I tried a Vanguard Veo 38 camera bag which wasn't bad but didn't buy it. Had a quick look around the shop and saw a reasonable selection of cameras and lenses although obviously nothing like the choice we can get online. Then got back on the tube and went to Bank.

Here's a little picture for this sunny Thursday morning. :) It's an arched passage right behind the Bank of England in a place called Lothbury.

He's Seen The Light


He's Seen The Light by Merlin 5, on Flickr
 
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Merlin5 said:
I was in Oxford Street on Tuesday and popped into Jessops. I think there's only a handful of them left in the country. I tried a Vanguard Veo 38 camera bag which wasn't bad but didn't buy it. Had a quick look around the shop and saw a reasonable selection of cameras and lenses although obviously nothing like the choice we can get online. Then got back on the tube and went to Bank.
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Last went into a Jessops about 18 months ago, in Leeds, when I was incarcerated in hospital there for a month (30 minutes treatment per day then the time was my own). The stock on the shelves was dusty and all seemed to be the older models of all the makes. Staff seemed unmotivated.
 
Stephen L said:
Last went into a Jessops about 18 months ago, in Leeds, when I was incarcerated in hospital there for a month (30 minutes treatment per day then the time was my own). The stock on the shelves was dusty and all seemed to be the older models of all the makes. Staff seemed unmotivated.
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Sorry to hear you were in hospital Stephen. Everything ok now?

Yes, the stuff I saw didn't look like the latest models and although I forgot to enquire, I highly doubt they'd have an A1 or an A9 ll or even anything much later than an A7 lll. Polite staff but felt more like going into a Currys than a 'proper' camera shop.
 
Merlin5 said:
Sorry to hear you were in hospital Stephen. Everything ok now?

Yes, the stuff I saw didn't look like the latest models and although I forgot to enquire, I highly doubt they'd have an A1 or an A9 ll or even anything much later than an A7 lll. Polite staff but felt more like going into a Currys than a 'proper' camera shop.
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All fine now, thanks. It was radiotherapy for prostate cancer, but I'm clear now. Get checked out early, guys!
 
I got a bowel cancer kit through the door. That was nice of them. Results came back as no further investigation needed.

Just on these xx-180/200mm zooms. I've used a 45-150mm MFT lens recently, that's 300mm on FF, and found that to get something like a squirrel a good size in the frame I need to be just about near enough to grab it and dragon fly pictures need to be heavy crops.

What are people using these xx-180/200mm lenses for or are you doing quite heavy crops?
 
Stephen L said:
All fine now, thanks. It was radiotherapy for prostate cancer, but I'm clear now. Get checked out early, guys!
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Great to hear you're in the clear! (y)
 
Mike.P said:
Hmmm, somehow I managed to buy a Sony 1.4x teleconverter. I wouldn't mind but I don't have any Sony lenses.
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haha! Was it lovely and shiny and irresistible?

I suppose the fix is to return it or buy at least one Sony lens?
 
woof woof said:
haha! Was it lovely and shiny and irresistible?

I suppose the fix is to return it or buy at least one Sony lens?
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I am waiting to see what the new Sigma 150-600mm sport is like for E mount but if I am not that impressed then I will go for the 200-600mm.

I doubt the teleconverter will work with the Sigma but it will with the Sony lens and the price was reasonable enough that should I need to sell it I should get my money back.
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
How do you find the iq of the tamron compared to the Sony?
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Not as good in corners at equivalent aperture especially at longer ends. Can't see the difference on a 24mp sensor but noticeable on 61mp. But around f8 they are about equal across the frame.

Centre and mid frame are about equal.

Sony really sucks at 200mm and tamron really sucks at 24mm :ROFLMAO:

All in all I'd say tamron is one of the best landscape and travel lenses.

Over all I'm happy with the swap especially as I mostly use it on A7C. It's smaller and I can't tell the difference in IQ.

Also 24-105 renders nicely in terms of the bokeh and sunstars. I really miss this about the 24-105mm. In fact the only thing I miss about it
 
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Bobsyeruncle said:
How do you find the iq of the tamron compared to the Sony?
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snerkler said:
I haven’t used the Sony f4 except in store but I have the Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 and IQ is excellent, as is AF.
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I've just realised you were asking about the 24-105mm vs 28-200mm and I've answered about the previous question about the 70-200mm f4 and tamron 70-180mm f2.8 :facepalm::LOL:
 
Stephen L said:
Another with the diminutive 28-60. Processed using the Glamour Glow pre-set from Colour Efex 4.
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Stephen, do you use control points?

I only have the free version but the control points do give control over + or minus the effect, the size of the circle and opacity.
 
woof woof said:
Stephen, do you use control points?

I only have the free version but the control points do give control over + or minus the effect, the size of the circle and opacity.
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No, I used to years ago when I used Vivenza, but lost the habit.
 
I like the ability to selectively add or remove effects so I use control points. I've just had a look at the paid for version and I might invest £88.99 in it when I get my new pc.
 
To be honest I very rarely use the colour version. I use Silver Efex more.
 
woof woof said:
I like the ability to selectively add or remove effects so I use control points. I've just had a look at the paid for version and I might invest £88.99 in it when I get my new pc.
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There isn't a huge amount of functionality change, main one is you can drop back into PS or LR (if launched from them) and then return back carry on editing, before if you did this you could nout edit your previous changes, depends if you can edit in one shot or not!
 
Stephen L said:
To be honest I very rarely use the colour version. I use Silver Efex more.
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I tend to use control points in that too.

It is time consuming and a bit fiddly though but I do like the extra control.
 
Mr Perceptive said:
There isn't a huge amount of functionality change, main one is you can drop back into PS or LR (if launched from them) and then return back carry on editing, before if you did this you could nout edit your previous changes, depends if you can edit in one shot or not!
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Bouncing in and out would be nice. Those U points look to have lots of options though?
 
Sigma 14mm f1.8 v Sony 14mm f1.8.

Sony Tidbits… | sonyalpharumors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxUPE8QlFoQ Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM Review vs Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art: The best astrophotography lens! Lowepro Launches Sustainable PhotoSport III Camera Bags (Explora). Sony's View on Stacked CIS Evolution (Image Sensor World). Sony | 15 Lenses, 15 Shots (Wexphoto...
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com

That's strange, when I try to post a link to the vid on youtube or any vid it says it's not available.
 
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Quiet today...

Just a couple of pictures with my newly acquired M42 adapter with helicoid. The idea is that this will allow me to take close up pictures of flowers and leaves and other detail with my Takumar 28, 35 and 50mm lenses without having to fit and remove a close up filter. The 50mm f1.4 has the longest close focus distance by far of all the 50mm lenses I have so I was pleased to see how close I can now focus.

Gogi berries at f1.4 or maybe f2.

ZMTWn6V.jpg


Seeds of some sort, Chia I think and I think at f1.4 or f2 again.

K673G32.jpg


Small flowers at f5.6 or f8.

gBk4z1e.jpg


3CvHpPI.jpg


Using this makes me wish all my adapters had this ability.
 
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Been doing some tests with my Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 and just thought I'd share my thoughts. At f2.8 it's 'acceptably' sharp at 70mm in the centre, with the corners being 'ok', at 180mm it's very sharp in the centre and the corners are pretty decent. Stopped down even just to f4 sharpens it up noticeably at 70mm, and at 180mm not quite as noticeable as it's already very good at f2.8.
 
When looking at lens performance I suppose I look as closely as the screen allows but I do try and keep the final size and use of the picture in mind. I also try to keep in mind that although I may see a softness or smudging in the corners no non geek will. There's also depth and the point of interest too and these are for me anyway rarely in the corners and slightly off corner performance or even poor corner performance may therefore be hardly noticeable or even go completely unnoticed a lot of the time.
 
A glowing review for the Sony mount Voigtlander 50mm f2.

Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 50 mm f/2 Aspherical review - Introduction - LensTip.com

Best digital cameras and lens reviews. If you are looking for the information about digital cameras and lenses you are in a right place. We have many professional tests of digital photography equipment.
www.lenstip.com www.lenstip.com

"The Voigtlander Apo Lanthar 35 mm f/2 Aspherical, tested by us not so long ago, was an outstanding lens. At that time it was difficult to imagine a better performance. Its 50 mm brother, though, showed clearly that it is completely possible to fare even better – it managed to achieve an excellent or outstanding result practically in every testing category, apart from vignetting.
Even the Voigtlander's Apo Lanthar 2/50 high price tag, amounting to about $1050, is not able to change our favourable assessment of this lens; in this case we feel such a high quality is worth paying for. When a lens comes with a long list of assets and is practically devoid of flaws we always grant it our 'Editors' Choice' badge. We feel the Voigtlander fully deserves it."

It does have some vignetting but I don't see it as excessive or too much of a problem.
 
woof woof said:
When looking at lens performance I suppose I look as closely as the screen allows but I do try and keep the final size and use of the picture in mind. I also try to keep in mind that although I may see a softness or smudging in the corners no non geek will. There's also depth and the point of interest too and these are for me anyway rarely in the corners and slightly off corner performance or even poor corner performance may therefore be hardly noticeable or even go completely unnoticed a lot of the time.
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Likewise, plus with a lens like this I tend to be using it at the long end far more so I’d rather that be the sharper end.

What I find a little odd is that if you use the camera playback zoom (which I believe is 100% by default) or Mac preview at 100% zoom, it’s much further zoomed in than Lightroom at 100% (which I believe is 1:1). It’s always made me question whether LR’s 100% zoom is actually 1:1?
 
T_J_G said:
Off on the family holiday at the moment, and all I’ve used is a zoom lens :eek:
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currently on my family holiday.
Used 17-28mm on A1 and 28-200mm on A7C.
I took my 35/85 primes but didn't use them. I have one more day left I doubt I'll use them now :P
 
woof woof said:
Sigma 14mm f1.8 v Sony 14mm f1.8.

Sony Tidbits… | sonyalpharumors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxUPE8QlFoQ Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM Review vs Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art: The best astrophotography lens! Lowepro Launches Sustainable PhotoSport III Camera Bags (Explora). Sony's View on Stacked CIS Evolution (Image Sensor World). Sony | 15 Lenses, 15 Shots (Wexphoto...
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com

That's strange, when I try to post a link to the vid on youtube or any vid it says it's not available.
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Northrup :puke:
not going waste my slow limited mobile 3G signal in the middle of nowhere on them :ROFLMAO:
in fact they are waste of bandwidth in general :P
 
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