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

nandbytes said:
Had the original GM too. I didn't notice a big enough difference in AF hit rate between the two. Funnily enough I think Manny was one of the people that claimed the original GM had AF consistency issues and that tamron was possible better.

View: https://youtu.be/rxffZtqKbls


So in context..... I suggest it's perhaps better to find a more reliable, consistent reviewer of these lenses than concluding tamron is worse.

The new GM lens might well be better than both but I don't think tamron is as bad in comparison to older GM lens in terms of hit rate.
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Mail on the head. These reviews are half baked at best. people are making buying decisions based on them is a worry.
 
snerkler said:
I have the A9-II which is better than the A9 but it’s still not up to the D750/D850, BUT it has to be pretty extreme for that to matter.
I also wonder how much changes in software aid/hinder things? I’m sure LR handles highlight recovery differently (even with some of my older files) to what it used to :thinking:


I’ve had no problem photographing our dog with the 70-180mm. I’ve not done any specific testing but it’s been the best for this out of all of my lenses including the 100-400mm GM. I would like to test it with people running though and see how well it tracks with eye AF.
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snerkler said:
Interesting, I’m going to test mine properly vs the 100-400mm, the Tamron has always been very snappy for me.

That being said, despite my initial thoughts and reservations about the size I can see myself ending up with the GM2 at some point.
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Thanks for the feedback on the 70-180mm AF speed and the picture comparing the sizes. I have the Olympus Zuiko 35-100m F2 and the Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 but it's not a lens I use often but a useful one when I need it. I dug the Nikon lens out but I forget how spoiled I am with the blackout free shooting on the A9 which makes AF tracking during continuous shots so much easier plus it would be a useful lens on the A9 for shooting silently indoors which there's been times the shutter noise of the D750 has been an issue.

What makes you think you'll get the GM2 at some point?
 
addicknchips said:
Mail on the head. These reviews are half baked at best. people are making buying decisions based on them is a worry.
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Not exactly a great test. Model wasn't doing the same thing both times. The running test seemed a bit better and of course because a lens can track walking it doesn't mean to say it will do as well at a running pace. I like the Tamron overall and I would expect way may that 60% in focus from a person running at that pace. I don't like it can't do 20fps so it won't get as many sharp shots as an equally good focussing lens that can. For the cash and convenience it is hard to beat and when I get the Mk ii I'll still keep the Tamron as the size will make it better for a dog walk and it is still a wee bit lighter.

Why can't they come up with a standard test for AF. Surely it would be easy to to rig something up that kept the speed and subject the same
 
JohnMcL7 said:
I was going to ask about the AF on the 70-180mm as I've been toying with one but I'd read a couple of reviews that said the AF wasn't that fast, I have a new puppy and struggling with shots of him running towards the camera with the 28-200mm while the 100-400mm is a bit long.
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Would the Sony 24-105mm f4 be worth considering? It's a very versatile lens both due to the focal length and the stabilisation and the AF feels just as good, if not faster, than the Sony 35mm f/1.4. The shot below was unexpected and I literally had to swing the camera up at the last moment to get the shot. Wide open with the 35mm, she's running towards me and the focus is right on her eye. The AF really is crazy with the A9 and certain lenses.



Puppy.jpg
 
I mostly shoot around the 150-300mm range so the 105mm would be too short, I do like the Sigma 100-400mm in general but then if I need a close shot quickly I can't get one. The 28-300mm range was ideal for me but it seems the full frame mirrorless lenses of this type are settling around the 24-200mm range.

Some of the AF issues I've been having with the 28-200mm could well be down to me as well as I'm well out of practice for this type of shooting and the puppy is so unpredictable it can make it tough to get a good sequence.
 
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JohnMcL7 said:
I mostly shoot around the 150-300mm range so the 105mm would be too short, I do like the Sigma 100-400mm in general but then if I need a close shot quickly I can't get one. The 28-300mm range was ideal for me but it seems the full frame mirrorless lenses of this type are settling around the 24-200mm range.

Some of the AF issues I've been having with the 28-200mm could well be down to me as well as I'm well out of practice for this type of shooting and the puppy is so unpredictable it can make it tough to get a good sequence.
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28-200mm isn't the best at AF tbh. It can be a bit hit and miss for fast action especially if the subject is moving towards you at speed.
Does well enough to track other stuff though.
 
JohnMcL7 said:
Thanks for the feedback on the 70-180mm AF speed and the picture comparing the sizes. I have the Olympus Zuiko 35-100m F2 and the Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 but it's not a lens I use often but a useful one when I need it. I dug the Nikon lens out but I forget how spoiled I am with the blackout free shooting on the A9 which makes AF tracking during continuous shots so much easier plus it would be a useful lens on the A9 for shooting silently indoors which there's been times the shutter noise of the D750 has been an issue.

What makes you think you'll get the GM2 at some point?
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It looks cooler innit :lol:

The main reasons are the focus limiter, tripod collar and build quality (although the latter I'd have to try the GNM2 first). When I go to motorsports I swap between the 100-400mm and 70-180mm and it's very obvious you're using a cheaper lens. Not the end of the world granted, but it does 'pop into my head' so obviously it's a little bit of an issue.

There are other reasons too. This type of lens is one that I've historically used a lot and as a result it is one where I'm willing to push the boat out to get the best, within reason when it comes to weight. Then there's the option to use TC's if I want (not sure I would though), 20 fps, and the extra 20mm. These last ones aren't huge deals for me, but add to the overall justification ;)

With regards to blackout free shooting, I can't go back now for 'serious' photography.
 
addicknchips said:
Mail on the head. These reviews are half baked at best. people are making buying decisions based on them is a worry.
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What camera did Manny use in that vid? The AF performance looks to be very good.
 
jonneymendoza said:
Who do you tend to follow for reviews of a lens or body?
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Ken Rockwell and the Angry Photographer. :lol:

I believe he's a bit marmite but Jared appears to give relatively unbiased consistent reviews. I also like photography life. I used to like the guy from the camera store (I think it was) that now does dpreview, but he seems to get caught up in the hype and also the trend to allude that the last generation stuff is all of a sudden really poor.
 
snerkler said:
Ken Rockwell and the Angry Photographer. :LOL:

I believe he's a bit marmite but Jared appears to give relatively unbiased consistent reviews. I also like photography life. I used to like the guy from the camera store (I think it was) that now does dpreview, but he seems to get caught up in the hype and also the trend to allude that the last generation stuff is all of a sudden really poor.
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I'm definitely on don't like side with Jared. I can't stand him for more than like a minute. Not to mention things like smell test and wind tunnel... Sorry life's too short to waste time watching this guy
 
nandbytes said:
I'm definitely on don't like side with Jared. I can't stand him for more than like a minute. Not to mention things like smell test and wind tunnel... Sorry life's too short to waste time watching this guy
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I agree, those things are pointless, but at least he does real world shooting and posts the results for you to make your own mind up.
 
Is this the A7IV or Nessie?

First blurry image of the new A7IV posted by Sony China… | sonyalpharumors

Sony China posted this blurred image of the Sony A7IV. They since have removed the image from their social channel. But this is 100% the A7IV and as you can see it indeed has A7SIII alike body. In the social message Sony China wrote that this was an unreleased the camera ;) Sony A7IV rumored
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com
 
jonneymendoza said:
Who do you tend to follow for reviews of a lens or body?
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Gordon lang and Dustin Abbot mainly but Try to see as many as possible on YouTube and internet. Helpful feedback from real photographers always useful. The problem I find is inconsistent reviews. For example the Fuji 50mm f1.0, some saying it’s super sharp, others saying not as sharp as the 56.
 
I like Gordon Laing and it was his review of the 70-180mm that gave me concerns about the AF speed. I don't tend to read many professional reviews these days though and find user feedback useful.
 
JohnMcL7 said:
I like Gordon Laing and it was his review of the 70-180mm that gave me concerns about the AF speed. I don't tend to read many professional reviews these days though and find user feedback useful.
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I’ve not seen that one. If you’re anywhere near me (Chesterfield, Derbyshire) you’re always welcome to try mine (y)
 
Mike.P said:
I see Sigma are announcing new stuff on Tuesday .... 70-200mm f/2.8 maybe? :)
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It’s been in the pipeline for a while but there’s been some issues with it. I doubt it’ll be as light as the GM2 though.
 
LeeRatters said:
Local windmill with a light pollution backdrop...... :rolleyes:

I don't really mind. I've wanted to shoot here at night for ages so I'm happy with it.


*** by Lee, on Flickr
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Mind if ask which Windmill this is?
Keep meaning to visit a windmill myself as it makes for a nice foreground.
Recently with crappy weather and poor health just can't seem to catch a break to do any photography :(
 
nandbytes said:
Mind if ask which Windmill this is?
Keep meaning to visit a windmill myself as it makes for a nice foreground.
Recently with crappy weather and poor health just can't seem to catch a break to do any photography :(
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Ummmmm.... I think it's called Ashton Windmill. It's over here in Somerset anyway.

In the bottom left corner, I had my film camera pointing north for a 30 minute star trail exposure :oops: :$ :popcorn:
 
The rumor site thinks that an A7IV teaser is coming today.

How exciting :D

Before we begin to see more concrete specs is there anything people are keeping their fingers crossed for?

I suppose I'm not really all that interested in any increase in the mp count and other than that the only biggie which could affect me is articulated screen or tilting, and it's not a deal breaker either way for me. Oh, and a level and histogram in one screen and the ability to link focus and spot metering but this may already be possible on later cameras for all I know.
 
That's more likely than a night with Holly Willoughby. So there's that :D
 
woof woof said:
The rumor site thinks that an A7IV teaser is coming today.

How exciting :D

Before we begin to see more concrete specs is there anything people are keeping their fingers crossed for?

I suppose I'm not really all that interested in any increase in the mp count and other than that the only biggie which could affect me is articulated screen or tilting, and it's not a deal breaker either way for me. Oh, and a level and histogram in one screen and the ability to link focus and spot metering but this may already be possible on later cameras for all I know.
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Not really interested based on leaked specs unless it can cope with banding the way the A9 does.

I can't see me buying another camera body anytime soon for myself. Maybe the A9III will give me what I would like. In an ideal world An A9III would hit the perfect for me 30 odd mega pixel, with the new A7SIII menu, the new faster card slots, the newer ergonomics. Have debated the A1 but its the resolution is too high to not be a pain in the arse.

I rarely use the A7III's that we have they have pretty much become my wife's camera bodies, she isn't that excited about the leaked specs either, the extra rumoured bump up in resolution would be handy some times but it doesn't look like there will be enough of a difference to make it worthwhile upgrading the 3 x A7III's we still have.
 
Mike.P said:
I don't want all the extra bits (well I do but I'm not prepared to pay the money for them). Just stick a sensor in the A9 with more MP and that will do me.
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That essentially gets you A1.
What extra bits are you referring to?
I don't think the old processor could handle any more megapixels while doing zero blackout shooting. So once you updated the processor and sensor you basically have A1.

edit:
unless you are referring to something like the R5 but that's different and it doesn't do "true" blackout free shooting and you have a massive dynamic range penalty for using the electronic shutter.
 
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LeeRatters said:
Ummmmm.... I think it's called Ashton Windmill. It's over here in Somerset anyway.

In the bottom left corner, I had my film camera pointing north for a 30 minute star trail exposure :oops: :$ :popcorn:
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That's a fair bit away from me....
But I have found one closer, near Stonehenge.
Probably will have deal with light pollution there too :(
 
woof woof said:
The rumor site thinks that an A7IV teaser is coming today.

How exciting :D

Before we begin to see more concrete specs is there anything people are keeping their fingers crossed for?

I suppose I'm not really all that interested in any increase in the mp count and other than that the only biggie which could affect me is articulated screen or tilting, and it's not a deal breaker either way for me. Oh, and a level and histogram in one screen and the ability to link focus and spot metering but this may already be possible on later cameras for all I know.
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In a way hoping it doesn't have a stacked sensor as that will make my recent purchase of a second A9 seem a bit foolish. I'd love to see a camera solely dedicated to stills with 35 MP, stacked sensor, 20fps and good dynamic range. Basically a complete all rounder for stills
 
wookie6262 said:
In a way hoping it doesn't have a stacked sensor as that will make my recent purchase of a second A9 seem a bit foolish. I'd love to see a camera solely dedicated to stills with 35 MP, stacked sensor, 20fps and good dynamic range. Basically a complete all rounder for stills
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Video doesn't interest me at all but I think just about every camera will have video centric features, unless it's some Nikon DF style retro thing and I can't see too many of those coming along.
 
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