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

nandbytes said:
Sony Zeiss 16-70mm f4?

While I'm sure manufacturers would love to make what you are asking, physics kinda gets in the way ;)
Sony APS-C lenses aren't even that big, you should look at Fuji lenses :P
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I looked at a Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9. Like a tree trunk. :D

That Zeiss 16-70 is a nice size, sort of between my 16 and 56mm. Very affordable too at £429 at e-infinity. Pity it's only f4 though. And it's not on Christopher Frost's recommended list. He thinks the picture quality is very weak and soft, particularly in the corners. I saw what he meant from his test cards. He said it wasn't decentered either.
 
Merlin5 said:
I looked at a Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9. Like a tree trunk. :D

That Zeiss 16-70 is a nice size, sort of between my 16 and 56mm. Very affordable too at £429 at e-infinity. Pity it's only f4 though. And it's not on Christopher Frost's recommended list. He thinks the picture quality is very weak and soft, particularly in the corners. I saw what he meant from his test cards. He said it wasn't decentered either.
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It has a bit of a field curvature issues. It's not actually as bad as his copy but it won't be breaking any sharpness records either.
I have got plenty good shots with it.
You can't have small, zoom, sharp and f2.8 all in one package. 16-55mm f2.8 is really the closest there is to breaking that.
 
nandbytes said:
It has a bit of a field curvature issues. It's not actually as bad as his copy but it won't be breaking any sharpness records either.
I have got plenty good shots with it.
You can't have small, zoom, sharp and f2.8 all in one package. 16-55mm f2.8 is really the closest there is to breaking that.
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Yep, I have two options only really. Either complete the holy trinity with the Sigma 30 f1.4 and keep dipping into my camera bag and swapping out my primes, or wait till I can afford the 16-55 f2.8 since that's as small as I'll ever get an excellent quality fast zoom. And even f2.8 is really f4.2 on my camera. If only I could get an f1.2 zoom. Not asking for much am I :p
 
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Merlin5 said:
Anyone think any of the lens manufacturers might ever make an e mount zoom lens as small as the Sony 16-50 kit lens but with a fast constant aperture and better optics? I've been considering the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 and Sony 16-55 f2.8, but for most of the stuff I like to do which is street photography, they're too long and not discreet, particularly when zoomed.
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As already mentioned you can't beat physics. The Olympus 12-40mm f2.8's a cracking lens (24-80mm eq) but that'd mean buying another system ;)
 
snerkler said:
As already mentioned you can't beat physics. The Olympus 12-40mm f2.8's a cracking lens (24-80mm eq) but that'd mean buying another system ;)
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Hah yeah, I'm very happy sticking with Sony. :)

Ok, I understand physics makes it difficult to go smaller. So the pancake size of the kit lens is at f3.5 to 5.6 but it's impossible to do f2.8 or faster in a similar size or maybe a bit bigger.

I don't really understand what physics are in play. To have a faster aperture, there's presumably more involved than just engineering the aperture blades to open wider and let more light in, right?
 
Merlin5 said:
Hah yeah, I'm very happy sticking with Sony. :)

Ok, I understand physics makes it difficult to go smaller. So the pancake size of the kit lens is at f3.5 to 5.6 but it's impossible to do f2.8 or faster in a similar size or maybe a bit bigger.

I don't really understand what physics are in play. To have a faster aperture, there's presumably more involved than just engineering the aperture blades to open wider and let more light in, right?
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Yes ;)
 
Merlin5 said:
Hah yeah, I'm very happy sticking with Sony. :)

Ok, I understand physics makes it difficult to go smaller. So the pancake size of the kit lens is at f3.5 to 5.6 but it's impossible to do f2.8 or faster in a similar size or maybe a bit bigger.

I don't really understand what physics are in play. To have a faster aperture, there's presumably more involved than just engineering the aperture blades to open wider and let more light in, right?
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F-stop is actually the ratio between the focal length and diameter of pupil. As focal length changes in a zoom the ratio i.e. f-stop also changes. So a variable aperture zoom is less complex. A fixed aperture zoom requires a more complex optical formula to maintain a constant f-stop which increases its size. Plus you want the ratio to be smaller which means a larger diameter of the opening which will also increase the lens size.
It's actually a lot more complex than what I have explained....
 
snerkler said:
Finally :D

RUMOR: New II version of the current 24-70mm and 70-200mm GM lenses to be announced second half of this year | sonyalpharumors

A source told me this: New mark two versions of the 24-70 and 70-200 f/2.8 GM lenses are in the hands of artisans being tested. Look for announcement Q3-Q4 2021 and a release of Q4 2021-Q1 2022 Makes a lot of sense for Sony to update these lenses.
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com
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Hoping for a smaller sharper 70-200mm that takes TCs and also a 85mm f1.2 same size as current 85GM.
 
nandbytes said:
Hoping for a smaller sharper 70-200mm that takes TCs and also a 85mm f1.2 same size as current 85GM.
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If they can make the 70-200mm around 1kg that’d be a winner, although I’m sure the price will be eye watering ;)
 
nandbytes said:
F-stop is actually the ratio between the focal length and diameter of pupil. As focal length changes in a zoom the ratio i.e. f-stop also changes. So a variable aperture zoom is less complex. A fixed aperture zoom requires a more complex optical formula to maintain a constant f-stop which increases its size. Plus you want the ratio to be smaller which means a larger diameter of the opening which will also increase the lens size.
It's actually a lot more complex than what I have explained....
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That's a very good explanation and I completely get the gist of what you described and understand better now. That's what I like about TP, every day is a school day. :D
 
snerkler said:
If they can make the 70-200mm around 1kg that’d be a winner, although I’m sure the price will be eye watering ;)
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It'll probably be the same as current version it replaces, so £2.5K
Though I am not sure if they'll go down canon's route.

I am still hoping Sony makes smaller lighter teleprimes like Nikon 300mm f4 PF, canon 400mm f4 DO and Nikon 500mm f5.6 PF.
 
snerkler said:
If they can make the 70-200mm around 1kg that’d be a winner, although I’m sure the price will be eye watering ;)
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I'd be happy having a trombone type 70-200mm like the Canon if it was the same weight and had good focus and optical qualities It is such a useful lens but the weight of normal 70-200mm F2.8s make them a pain to carry round the neck for long periods
 
I really like my 70/200 f2.8 it's very sharp so not sure how much they could improve it but if they can I would be interested.

Rob.
 
GyRob said:
I really like my 70/200 f2.8 it's very sharp so not sure how much they could improve it but if they can I would be interested.

Rob.
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It's ok... It's not sharper than the latest canon EF 70-200/2.8iii or the latest Nikon Z 70-200/2.8.

The IQ is terrible with 2x TC too.

It's a good lens but hardly class leading unlike their recent GM lenses.
 
wookie6262 said:
I'd be happy having a trombone type 70-200mm like the Canon if it was the same weight and had good focus and optical qualities It is such a useful lens but the weight of normal 70-200mm F2.8s make them a pain to carry round the neck for long periods
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That's why I opted for the Tamron 70-180mm in the end. Sure it doesn't have a tripod collar, OS or focus limiter, and it's softer at 70mm compared to 180mm but it's not a pain to carry around and as a result will get used much more.
 
yes i tried it with the 2x and it was very poor the 1.4 was just about ok but i just use it without tcs .

Rob.
 
The rumor site carries a vid which says the Canon 28mm f2.8 SC is a cheap and amazing travel lens.

news | sonyalpharumors

www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com

Straight to youtube...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO5Ke_xpafE


That may be true, I don't know as I have the FD one which I'd say is a competent mid field runner amongst its peers. The best film era 28mm f2.8's I have are the Nikon AIS and Minolta Rokkor MD with the Nikon very probably taking the top spot but I also think that the lowly Sony AF f2 is rather good and many or maybe most will prefer AF even if it's more expensive.
 
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snerkler said:
That's why I opted for the Tamron 70-180mm in the end. Sure it doesn't have a tripod collar, OS or focus limiter, and it's softer at 70mm compared to 180mm but it's not a pain to carry around and as a result will get used much more.
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Likewise and I am very happy with it. It doesn't stop me wanting a Sony lens with similar spec to the Canon RF one
 
wookie6262 said:
Likewise and I am very happy with it. It doesn't stop me wanting a Sony lens with similar spec to the Canon RF one
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Me neither :LOL:

Ideally I'd like a second A9ii first though.
 
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nandbytes said:
Canon version is worst than tamron for IQ. Be careful what you wish for ;)
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I'm talking about the form rather than the glass I would hope Sony could match the quality of the Tamron in a similar wrapping to the Canon. The modern lenses are all plenty sharp enough for most purposes and the ability to shoot at 20 or 30 fps is actually more important to be as long as the lens has good IQ. I was more than happy with my VR2 for IQ but it was big, heavy and nowhere near as quick to focus as the modern Sony lenses
 
So tempted to buy a used pristine 16-55mm on ebay. Going for £750 and sensible offers can be made. Could probably get it for just under £700 which would be a £100 less than e-infin. Can't really afford it though. I mean, I can, but don't feel right about spending that amount of money at the moment.
 
Merlin5 said:
So tempted to buy a used pristine 16-55mm on ebay. Going for £750 and sensible offers can be made. Could probably get it for just under £700 which would be a £100 less than e-infin. Can't really afford it though. I mean, I can, but don't feel right about spending that amount of money at the moment.
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Stay off the forum if you don't want to spend money :LOL: :p
 
I'm waiting on a new Wotancraft Pilot bag that came from Taiwan. Finally cleared customs at Heathrow and due to be delivered today. Will likely get slapped with vat making this bag over £200. :facepalm:
 
What I to do is just buy all the best in class lenses in the focal length that I shoot at, then the only time you are tempted to upgrade is when they refresh the lenses that you use most. Even then the differences are usually quite small and splitting hairs. Photography is 1 hobby where it is really worth it to get the best and save all the upgrading in between.

Works for me :D

Merlin5 said:
I'm waiting on a new Wotancraft Pilot bag that came from Taiwan. Finally cleared customs at Heathrow and due to be delivered today. Will likely get slapped with vat making this bag over £200. :facepalm:
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It's not a bad price in the grand scheme of things. Welcome to the world of quality bags, £200 is about the entry point lol
 
Sigma Stage Online New Products Presentation taking place on Wednesday 04 August at 13:00 BST / 08:00 EDT / 22:00 AEST.
 
Some A7 and Takumar 50mm f1.4 plus helicoid adapter fun.

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Got myself in both but a little more in this one.

tS9XcQE.jpg
 
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nandbytes said:
Hoping for a smaller sharper 70-200mm that takes TCs and also a 85mm f1.2 same size as current 85GM.
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if there's an 85mm f1.2 gm that's as impressive as the 50mm I'll be seriously excited.
im not sure how much smaller the 70-200 could be made without changing the design to something like the rf canon or Tamron. but those designs also come with compromises.
 
Raymond Lin said:
What I to do is just buy all the best in class lenses in the focal length that I shoot at, then the only time you are tempted to upgrade is when they refresh the lenses that you use most. Even then the differences are usually quite small and splitting hairs. Photography is 1 hobby where it is really worth it to get the best and save all the upgrading in between.

Works for me :D



It's not a bad price in the grand scheme of things. Welcome to the world of quality bags, £200 is about the entry point lol
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nandbytes thinks I'm nuts for spending that much on a bag. He's probably right. :p Just phoned DHL and was told delivery will be tomorrow. She said she doesn't think I'll get vat added as it's a relatively low value. That surprised me given that it converts to £179 and I thought most items get VAT, particularly my parcel as it had been held with customs for a couple of days. She said I can check and phone customs for you if you want to hold. I said no no no, don't call custom and remind them. :D
 
Merlin5 said:
nandbytes thinks I'm nuts for spending that much on a bag. He's probably right. :p Just phoned DHL and was told delivery will be tomorrow. She said she doesn't think I'll get vat added as it's a relatively low value. That surprised me given that it converts to £179 and I thought most items get VAT, particularly my parcel as it had been held with customs for a couple of days. She said I can check and phone customs for you if you want to hold. I said no no no, don't call custom and remind them. :D
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What are you getting?

The most expensive bag I've bought is a Billingham Hadley Pro Small but I have used it quite a bit and it's still looking like new. My most used camera bag is still a man bag from Thailand which cost about £4.
 
woof woof said:
What are you getting?

The most expensive bag I've bought is a Billingham Hadley Pro Small but I have used it quite a bit and it's still looking like new. My most used camera bag is still a man bag from Thailand which cost
about £4.
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Wotancraft Pilot 10 litre in khaki, it's a modular bag and I added a zipper pouch and upgraded the hook lock to a magnetic lock.

www.wotancraft.tw

"PILOT" TRAVEL CAMERA BAG 10L UPGRADED - WOTANCRAFT

www.wotancraft.tw
 
Merlin5 said:
nandbytes thinks I'm nuts for spending that much on a bag. He's probably right. :p Just phoned DHL and was told delivery will be tomorrow. She said she doesn't think I'll get vat added as it's a relatively low value. That surprised me given that it converts to £179 and I thought most items get VAT, particularly my parcel as it had been held with customs for a couple of days. She said I can check and phone customs for you if you want to hold. I said no no no, don't call custom and remind them. :D
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I don't think you are nuts, I just don't get it. My mum has handbags that make wotonkraft look cheap. I don't get that either.
 
addicknchips said:
if there's an 85mm f1.2 gm that's as impressive as the 50mm I'll be seriously excited.
im not sure how much smaller the 70-200 could be made without changing the design to something like the rf canon or Tamron. but those designs also come with compromises.
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Yes hoping for such a design but one that can take TCs with better IQ
 
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