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

Most laptops these days have a lit keyboard, if it goes to sleep though everything goes off. As for the battery, most ultra book will have a integrated battery. You could technically replace it but it will involve some disassembly. My 2018 MBP's battery is sort of split into 4 parts and it involve lots and lots of screws to be removed. My 2010 MBP all it needs is remove the back cover, then about 4 screws that holds the battery in place.
 
Another GAS question I'm afraid.... After being successfully talked out of the 45mm 2.8 Sigma as it's too close to my 35mm which I can crop, I'm looking at the next logical step of an 85mm. The Sony 85mm 1.8 has a tempting £50 cash back at the moment and I don't fancy the bulk or cost of the Sigma/Sony 1.4s. Any reason not to go for it?
 
Cupotea said:
Another GAS question I'm afraid.... After being successfully talked out of the 45mm 2.8 Sigma as it's too close to my 35mm which I can crop, I'm looking at the next logical step of an 85mm. The Sony 85mm 1.8 has a tempting £50 cash back at the moment and I don't fancy the bulk or cost of the Sigma/Sony 1.4s. Any reason not to go for it?
Click to expand...
@addicknchips was selling a sigma 85mm f1.4 DN in sales. its the best overall 85mm lens option on e-mount IMO.
previously I've had sony 85mm f1.4 and f1.8 versions and also samyang 85mm f1.4.
FE85/1.8 is very good for its price and size. its weak points are CA and bokeh. Also not weathersealed

85GM strong point is its bokeh. It's also retains a wee bit more contrast when shot against the light. AF while accurate and reliable is noisy and slow.
Samyang 85mm f1.4 is sharper than 85GM, lightest f1.4 option but bokeh once again isn't best. AF also less reliable. no weather sealing.
Sigma 85mm f1.4 DN is the smallest in size for f1.4 lens, slightly heavier than samyang but still lighter than 85GM. AF is silent, fast and accurate. Its the sharpest option and also rendering/bokeh is not far off 85GM. Priced reasonably well too.

Sigma 85mm DN is partly the reason I still shoot with Sony e-mount (35GM and 200-600mm being the other two reasons). if it weren't for these three lenses would have jumped ship to canon R5.
 
Last edited:
Cupotea said:
Another GAS question I'm afraid.... After being successfully talked out of the 45mm 2.8 Sigma as it's too close to my 35mm which I can crop, I'm looking at the next logical step of an 85mm. The Sony 85mm 1.8 has a tempting £50 cash back at the moment and I don't fancy the bulk or cost of the Sigma/Sony 1.4s. Any reason not to go for it?
Click to expand...
The Sony 85mm f1.8 is a cracking lens imo. The Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN is a lot lighter than the old art lens, but still heavier than the Sony f1.8. For the price the f1.8 is a relative bargain, but I swapped mine for the new Sigma and haven’t been disappointed.
 
snerkler said:
The Sony 85mm f1.8 is a cracking lens imo. The Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN is a lot lighter than the old art lens, but still heavier than the Sony f1.8. For the price the f1.8 is a relative bargain, but I swapped mine for the new Sigma and haven’t been disappointed.
Click to expand...

Sums up my thoughts entirely. I did love the Sony 85
 
FE85/1.8 is certainly a very good lens. I had it for 2 years (I have never kept any lens that long apart from may be the 200-600mm which will cross 2 years in a couple months).
Sigma is just better overall if one can afford it and put up with its weight. Its not actually all that big.
 
nandbytes said:
FE85/1.8 is certainly a very good lens. I had it for 2 years (I have never kept any lens that long apart from may be the 200-600mm which will cross 2 years in a couple months).
Sigma is just better overall if one can afford it and put up with its weight. Its not actually all that big.
Click to expand...

It looks far bigger with the hood on.
 
After 20 years of Nikon and Fuji, Ive joined your ranks, for now at least. Just testing out the Sony A9 and 200-600, to see if it'll replace my Fuji X-T3 and 100-400mm

Lens only arrived this afternoon and I didn't get home til 4, and the light was crap, but couldn't resist trying it out! Got a lot to learn in regards to all the different focusing modes!

AAA09246.jpgAAA09574-Edit-2.jpg
 
TCR4x4 said:
After 20 years of Nikon and Fuji, Ive joined your ranks, for now at least. Just testing out the Sony A9 and 200-600, to see if it'll replace my Fuji X-T3 and 100-400mm

Lens only arrived this afternoon and I didn't get home til 4, and the light was crap, but couldn't resist trying it out! Got a lot to learn in regards to all the different focusing modes!

View attachment 325559View attachment 325560
Click to expand...
welcome to the dark side
good start catching a Robin in flight though.
 
I went to Tower Bridge yesterday in the hope of a sunset and using my ND filter to get streaky clouds, but the sky wasn't really there for that so I took a couple of shots without the filter as it got darker.


View From Tower Bridge by Merlin 5, on Flickr


Tower Bridge, London by Merlin 5, on Flickr
 
Merlin5 said:
I went to Tower Bridge yesterday in the hope of a sunset and using my ND filter to get streaky clouds, but the sky wasn't really there for that so I took a couple of shots without the filter as it got darker.


View From Tower Bridge by Merlin 5, on Flickr


Tower Bridge, London by Merlin 5, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Even after living in London for many many years and actually commuting over Tower Bridge to work, I still haven't got a hat decent shot of this bridge!
I should change that this year ;)
 
nandbytes said:
Even after living in London for many many years and actually commuting over Tower Bridge to work, I still haven't got a hat decent shot of this bridge!
I should change that this year ;)
Click to expand...

You must, and I'm sure you'll get an interesting wide shot with your Sony 20mm. :) It's a tough one because there's so many colourful lights I think it can make for a slightly tacky looking photo, but I tried to get something a little different from the usual Tower Bridge shots I've seen.
 
Last edited:
Merlin5 said:
You must, and I'm sure you'll get an interesting wide shot with your Sony 20mm. :) It's a tough one because there's so many colourful lights I think it can make for a slightly tacky looking photo, but I tried to get something a little different from the usual Tower Bridge shots I've seen.
Click to expand...
i have made a couple plans for later in the year.... lets see if I can get something slightly different of what's possibly one of the most photographed locations in the world.
 
Cupotea said:
Another GAS question I'm afraid.... After being successfully talked out of the 45mm 2.8 Sigma as it's too close to my 35mm which I can crop, I'm looking at the next logical step of an 85mm. The Sony 85mm 1.8 has a tempting £50 cash back at the moment and I don't fancy the bulk or cost of the Sigma/Sony 1.4s. Any reason not to go for it?
Click to expand...

The Sony 85mm f1.8 is relatively compact and light and relatively fast to focus and it's sharp. The only downside for me is that the bokeh isn't IMO class leading but that may not be a massive issue as the final look will be dependant upon the subject and setting.
 
I expect you know you've got a dust bunny there Lee, top right.
Merlin5 said:
I went to Tower Bridge yesterday in the hope of a sunset and using my ND filter to get streaky clouds, but the sky wasn't really there for that so I took a couple of shots without the filter as it got darker.
Click to expand...
 
nandbytes said:
I have re-bought the sony 20mm/1.8....
arriving tomorrow :banana:
Click to expand...

It's one I've been thinking about, I'd quite like a wide fast prime for days when I'm only taking prime lenses in the bag.
At the moment I have 35,55 & 85 f/1.8 having something wide would allow me to choose 2 or 3 at most of them for days out. The other one I'm contemplating is the Samyang 24 1.8.
If sony had a 24 1.8 at a reasonable price I think that would be my mind made up.

The Samyang is a lot lighter and I don't think I really need as wide as 20.
 
woof woof said:
I expect you know you've got a dust bunny there Lee, top right.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, you're right. I think that's on the lens rather than sensor. I should have put a zeiss wipe over it before hand. I'll do a spot removal in Lightroom.
 
Merlin5 said:
Oh yeah, you're right. I think that's on the lens rather than sensor. I should have put a zeiss wipe over it before hand. I'll do a spot removal in Lightroom.
Click to expand...

Its on the Tower Bridge image as well, so more likely the sensor, difficult to tell if its exactly in the same place due to cropping, but certainly worth checking out.
 
Last edited:
Barrysprout said:
It's one I've been thinking about, I'd quite like a wide fast prime for days when I'm only taking prime lenses in the bag.
At the moment I have 35,55 & 85 f/1.8 having something wide would allow me to choose 2 or 3 at most of them for days out. The other one I'm contemplating is the Samyang 24 1.8.
If sony had a 24 1.8 at a reasonable price I think that would be my mind made up.

The Samyang is a lot lighter and I don't think I really need as wide as 20.
Click to expand...

I had the 24GM which I replaced with the 35GM. I do not really find 24mm to be wide enough.... but it was a wonderful lens and I got some really nice pictures with it.
so my current 3 primes setup now is 20G, 35GM and 85DN
 
nandbytes said:
I had the 24GM which I replaced with the 35GM. I do not really find 24mm to be wide enough.... but it was a wonderful lens and I got some really nice pictures with it.
so my current 3 primes setup now is 20G, 35GM and 85DN
Click to expand...
I think the times I need wider than 24mm the speed is not so important and I'd be keeping the 17-28 for those times. As much as I would love to own the 24GM and the others again size and weight plays a big part in my decision. I've also accpeted that my abilities just don't justify the expense.
 
With a 20mm f1.8 and any other wide aperture prime you've still got some potential to play with dof and there's the light gathering ability which is one of the main reasons I bought it just in case I ever do get to go on a cruise to see the northern lights. For more general non low light use and when not going for any limited dof look maybe f1.x isn't that important.
 
Barrysprout said:
I think the times I need wider than 24mm the speed is not so important and I'd be keeping the 17-28 for those times. As much as I would love to own the 24GM and the others again size and weight plays a big part in my decision. I've also accpeted that my abilities just don't justify the expense.
Click to expand...

I'm coming to that conclusion, I keep looking at the primes but I know from experience that I wouldn't get the use from them.

How do you find the Tamron 17-28mm ?
 
Mr Perceptive said:
Its on the Tower Bridge image as well, so more likely the sensor, difficult to tell if its exactly in the same place due to cropping, but certainly worth checking out.
Click to expand...
I've just done some test photos and can't see it anymore, so I think it's because I've since wiped the lens. I'll test further later.
 
Barrysprout said:
I think the times I need wider than 24mm the speed is not so important and I'd be keeping the 17-28 for those times. As much as I would love to own the 24GM and the others again size and weight plays a big part in my decision. I've also accpeted that my abilities just don't justify the expense.
Click to expand...
17-28mm is a rather good lens with great sharpness and a good size. but it doesn't really excel in anything.
20G give me more light and better coma correction with better sharpness too. its a better lens for astro for me.

samyang 24/1.8 seems to give 20G and 24GM a run for their money and I really like the focus to infinity button. Unfortunately its not 20mm :(
 
Mike.P said:
I'm coming to that conclusion, I keep looking at the primes but I know from experience that I wouldn't get the use from them.

How do you find the Tamron 17-28mm ?
Click to expand...
mine is on sale now ;)
why not find out for yourself

Roger Cicala describes this lens perfectly
"The 17-28mm, in particular, is about as close to magically violating the “price, size, optical quality” pyramid as you’re likely to get"

www.lensrentals.com

MTF Tests of the Tamron 17-28mm and 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lenses

Tamron has a nice set of three f/2.8 zooms for Sony E mount cameras. Today I'm putting out MTF results for the 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD and the 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD. They offer a reasonably priced alternative to Sony-branded lenses, and Tamron has been making good products lately. I'll admit...
www.lensrentals.com
 
Mike.P said:
I'm coming to that conclusion, I keep looking at the primes but I know from experience that I wouldn't get the use from them.

How do you find the Tamron 17-28mm ?
Click to expand...
I sold mine. Optically it was a very good lens, but somehow it just didn't grab my enthusiasm. A bit sterile, if that makes any sense.
 
Mike.P said:
I'm coming to that conclusion, I keep looking at the primes but I know from experience that I wouldn't get the use from them.

How do you find the Tamron 17-28mm ?
Click to expand...
It's a great lens, does exactly as it needs to with good results. As Stephen said its not an exciting lens, more a tool for the job.
If you shoot in the focal range and don't need faster I wouldn't hesitate. Buy nandbytes copy and if you don't get on
with it you won't be losing anything to sell it on.
 
Barrysprout said:
Buy nandbytes copy and if you don't get on
with it you won't be losing anything to sell it on.
Click to expand...
I have got a trade in offer for £540. So don't really even need to sell it on privately and you easily can make most of your money back!
 
Barrysprout said:
It's a great lens, does exactly as it needs to with good results. As Stephen said its not an exciting lens, more a tool for the job.
If you shoot in the focal range and don't need faster I wouldn't hesitate. Buy nandbytes copy and if you don't get on
with it you won't be losing anything to sell it on.
Click to expand...

Cheers, will do a little bit more investigating on youtube although I may as well buy grey for the little difference in price as it gives me 12 months warranty (no reflection on nandbytes as his trade offer means it would be daft for him to sell any lower).
 
Merlin5 said:
Oh yeah, you're right. I think that's on the lens rather than sensor. I should have put a zeiss wipe over it before hand. I'll do a spot removal in Lightroom.
Click to expand...

Merlin5 said:
I've just done some test photos and can't see it anymore, so I think it's because I've since wiped the lens. I'll test further later.
Click to expand...
I'd be surprised if dust on the lens shows a dust bunny like that, unless it's on the rear element. How did you test, and what aperture were you at?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top