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

I don't know. It's just that button above the selected cameras that doesn't work. I've not seen any other problems on any other site.
 
woof woof said:
I don't know. It's just that button above the selected cameras that doesn't work. I've not seen any other problems on any other site.
Click to expand...
I've double checked and can move cameras left and right in relation to others, and can delete them.
 
It's just as if those buttons I can see aren't there... it's as if I'm clicking on an area of the screen with nothing in it.

I'll try again tomorrow :D
 
As it's quiet...

My walk to and from the shops is called "The Lines" as it used to be a railway track and here the edges of the path look sort of like the railway lines from years ago. Maybe.

Sony A7 and 24mm f2.8.

hgppEEu.jpg


Beyond the trees and bushes on the LHS there's open rough ground and it's along the lines and on the rough ground that I like to pick brambles, elderberries and raspberries but sadly it's now quickly being fenced off and they're building new houses. What a shame.
 
woof woof said:
As it's quiet...

My walk to and from the shops is called "The Lines" as it used to be a railway track and here the edges of the path look sort of like the railway lines from years ago. Maybe.

Sony A7 and 24mm f2.8.

hgppEEu.jpg


Beyond the trees and bushes on the LHS there's open rough ground and it's along the lines and on the rough ground that I like to pick brambles, elderberries and raspberries but sadly it's now quickly being fenced off and they're building new houses. What a shame.
Click to expand...
The line's??
Not too far from.where I live in Ramsbottom?
Never been walking around there
It's on my list
 
About 140 miles away I'm afraid. These Lines are in Normanby, between Middlesbrough and Redcar, NE England.

You're always welcome though :D
 
Looking for a low light lens for my A73 full frame camera. I would love the Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM, but I haven't won the lottery. What is the best lens at the low end of the price bracket. I'm guessing the Sony FE 50mm f1.8 Lens. Are there any third party lens. I have read about the Samyang 1.2. I would prefer lower that 50mm if possible.

​

 
Redspider said:
Looking for a low light lens for my A73 full frame camera. I would love the Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM, but I haven't won the lottery. What is the best lens at the low end of the price bracket. I'm guessing the Sony FE 50mm f1.8 Lens. Are there any third party lens. I have read about the Samyang 1.2. I would prefer lower that 50mm if possible.

​

Click to expand...
Samyang 45mm f1.8 is decent for the money, you're unlikely to find an f1.4 or f1.2 at a budget price. If you're happy to buy grey then you can pick up the Samyang 50mm f1.4 for around £300.
 
Redspider said:
Looking for a low light lens for my A73 full frame camera. I would love the Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM, but I haven't won the lottery. What is the best lens at the low end of the price bracket. I'm guessing the Sony FE 50mm f1.8 Lens. Are there any third party lens. I have read about the Samyang 1.2. I would prefer lower that 50mm if possible.

​

Click to expand...
I could not recommend the Sony 50 f1.8 because the AF is very poor indeed, even though the optics are good. Samyang have a 45 f1.8 that is very cost effective. Otherwise look for a used Sony Zeiss 55 F1.8.
 
I'm constantly surprised when people here slate the Sony 50mm f1.8's AF capabilities.

Maybe I've got a good one?

Admittedly it's a little slower than my other lenses but it's not horrendous and always nails focus.

That's on the A7Rii by the way.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
I'm constantly surprised when people here slate the Sony 50mm f1.8's AF capabilities.

Maybe I've got a good one?

Admittedly it's a little slower than my other lenses but it's not horrendous and always nails focus.

That's on the A7Rii by the way.
Click to expand...
Its not people its just one person ;)
Think Toni had a bad copy.
Mine was perfectly fine too. As you say its slower but very reliable and accurate.
I had two copies too. The second copy was amazingly sharp! (first one was decent too)
 
Last edited:
Redspider said:
Looking for a low light lens for my A73 full frame camera. I would love the Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM, but I haven't won the lottery. What is the best lens at the low end of the price bracket. I'm guessing the Sony FE 50mm f1.8 Lens. Are there any third party lens. I have read about the Samyang 1.2. I would prefer lower that 50mm if possible.

​

Click to expand...
Samyang 35mm f1.8 and 45mm f1.8 are excellent lenses. The Samyang 35mm f1.4 one of the earlier Samyang lenses which slightly worst AF but with latest firmware updates its perfectly usable too.
The first version of Samyang 50mm f1.4 has some really nice rendering. Not a sharp lens though and being their first AF lens the AF is slow and unreliable.
Also it is "surprisingly bright" for a f1.4, feels more like a f1.3 lens. So the light transmutation is excellent.
For example the Sony Zeiss 50mm f1.4 is a rather dark lens, its light transmission is closer to f1.7.
 
Last edited:
My main reason for the lens is to take steam trains/loco's at night whilst moving. I recently took some at a station with just the station lights. The train came through at over 60mph. I tried a high ISO & low shutter speed (High was just too dark). I used my f4 lens & the pictures were not great. Strangly I took a 4k video with my small Panasonic mounted on top of my A73 & it came out quite well, although no stills were possible from it. I'm guessing that at 1.8 or lower I can up the shutter speed & get sharper photos. I am also going to a few of the Christmas steam trains that have lights all over the carriages.
This photo was f4 1/250. iso 4000.

DSC04924-2 by Andy Williams, on Flickr
 
Following your advice I am down to a few lenses. Samyang 35mm 1.4. Sony SEL35 1.8, or Sony FE 50mm f1.8??? I am thinking of lower than 50mm so I can get the loco's in the frame. I think the Sony Zeiss 55 F1.8 may not get enough loco in the frame. I would like your thoughts on The Samyang 35mm 1.4. Or the Sony SEL35 1.8. Is the Sony sharper or will I gain a lot more light with the Samyang 1.4? I have also noticed the Sigma 30mm 1.4?
 
Last edited:
Redspider said:
Following your advice I am down to a few lenses. Samyang 35mm 1.4. Sony SEL35 1.8, or Sony FE 50mm f1.8??? I am thinking of lower than 50mm so I can get the loco's in the frame. I think the Sony Zeiss 55 F1.8 may not get enough loco in the frame. I would like your thoughts on The Samyang 35mm 1.4. Or the Sony SEL35 1.8. Is the Sony sharper or will I gain a lot more light with the Samyang 1.4?
Click to expand...

The Sony 35 may be a little sharper and will be much faster to focus.

If you're heading wider, consider also the 28 f2, which is especially good value.
 
Redspider said:
Following your advice I am down to a few lenses. Samyang 35mm 1.4. Sony SEL35 1.8, or Sony FE 50mm f1.8??? I am thinking of lower than 50mm so I can get the loco's in the frame. I think the Sony Zeiss 55 F1.8 may not get enough loco in the frame. I would like your thoughts on The Samyang 35mm 1.4. Or the Sony SEL35 1.8. Is the Sony sharper or will I gain a lot more light with the Samyang 1.4? I have also noticed the Sigma 30mm 1.4?
Click to expand...
Sigma 30/1.4 is an APS-C lens.

Sony SEL 35mm f1.8 is also an APS-C lens.
What you will want is a Sony FE 35mm f1.8
Or samyang 35mm f1.8 AF FE.
Both will focus faster and better than the samyang 35mm f1.4 which isn't actually very reliable in low light.

Samyang 45mm f1.8 AF FE is really good too. I have had two copies in the past and really enjoyed using it.

If you can afford it get the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM and forget about the rest :p (this is what I did)
 
Last edited:
nandbytes said:
Sigma 30/1.4 is an APS-C lens.

Sony SEL 35mm f1.8 is also an APS-C lens.
What you will want is a Sony FE 35mm f1.8
Or samyang 35mm f1.8 AF FE.
Both will focus faster and better than the samyang 35mm f1.4 which isn't actually very reliable in low light.

Samyang 45mm f1.8 AF FE is really good too. I have had two copies in the past and really enjoyed using it.

If you can afford it get the Sony 35mm f1.4 GM and forget about the rest :p (this is what I did)
Click to expand...

I have a few lenses I want to upgrade and it's going to cost me a fortune for all the GM versions!
 
KitsuneAndy said:
I have a few lenses I want to upgrade and it's going to cost me a fortune for all the GM versions!
Click to expand...
I only have one GM lens and that's the 35mm.
My 85mm is the sigma 85mm/1.4 DN (sold the GM for it).
My 200-600 is "only" a G lens
Still eyeing the 14GM....
 
nandbytes said:
I only have one GM lens and that's the 35mm.
My 85mm is the sigma 85mm/1.4 DN (sold the GM for it).
My 200-600 is "only" a G lens
Still eyeing the 14GM....
Click to expand...

I have the 85 and 135 GM lenses.

35mm distagon that's about to go to mpb.

25mm batis and 55mm zeiss.

In the long run I'll go to 24, 35 and 50 GM though
 
The samyang 35mm f/1.4 is lovely. The only reason I got rid of mine was the autofocus was too noisy and snappy for video. For photo it’s a beautiful lens. Quite big though, double the size of the Sony f/1.8.
 
Redspider said:
Following your advice I am down to a few lenses. Samyang 35mm 1.4. Sony SEL35 1.8, or Sony FE 50mm f1.8??? I am thinking of lower than 50mm so I can get the loco's in the frame. I think the Sony Zeiss 55 F1.8 may not get enough loco in the frame. I would like your thoughts on The Samyang 35mm 1.4. Or the Sony SEL35 1.8. Is the Sony sharper or will I gain a lot more light with the Samyang 1.4? I have also noticed the Sigma 30mm 1.4?
Click to expand...

In the 35mm or there abouts range I'd recommend the Sony 35mm f1.8. It's sharp into the corners from wide open, focuses fast even on my A7 and the close focus ability comes in handy for pictures of little things. The downsides are some fringing particularly with backlit stuff and unremarkable bokeh. It's a little larger than I'd ideally like but thankfully not the size of the f1.4 or f1.2 alternatives.

Another couple which could be worth a read up on or a few minutes watching a video review of are the 28mm f2 which I have and the new the 40mm f2.5 G which I don't have :D The 28mm f2 is compact and sharp and fast to focus.

I've kept away from Sanyang as I've put off by the reports of iffy quality and variability but I suppose if you get a nice one... it's a result :D
 
Last edited:
KitsuneAndy said:
I have the 85 and 135 GM lenses.

35mm distagon that's about to go to mpb.

25mm batis and 55mm zeiss.

In the long run I'll go to 24, 35 and 50 GM though
Click to expand...
As much I'd love to own the full line of GM prime lenses, I couldn't afford it.
I could afford one more and that's reserved for 14GM for me.
 
OK guys, so I need help here as Im struggling to take the shot I want.
I popped down to Canary wharf, Im not ashamed to admit I was inspired by a post from a couple of weeks ago, I think it was Merlin5, it was a lovely clear winter evening and all my photos are ****

https://flic.kr/p/2mGRhmR
View: https://flic.kr/p/2mGRhmR


My plan was infinity focus, but didn't think that through, the 55mm 1.8 has no markings (idiot, just grabbed it, cant remember the last time I used it)
Plan B, manually focus for around 50-60mts in front of me - too dark and it is water!
Manual focus then on the buildings - too dark and grainy on the LCD to be sure of anything - you can tell I don't use tripods often..
AF, tried flexible spot, wide, probably all of them while I was there, but 90% of all the photos are out of focus in areas.
I cant exactly remember on my focus point for this one, it was low down as that is where the most sharp areas are, but at F10 I was expecting more to be in focus, I think I will use the CitiGroup logo next time
8 second exposure was maybe too long for stability, will play around with that next time
I was also having a real issue with how to expose a scene like this as it is such a contrasty scene, at one point I had exposure compensation dialled down to -3, I think I was using multi

Im obviously going to have to go back, based on these results probably several times until i get it right, but Im open to advice on how to improve - actually replace open with need :)

I remembered to turn off stabilisation as I was on a tripod
 
Last edited:
With manual focus on the A7III a scale pops up to tell you where the point of focus is.
 
MrMackyB said:
OK guys, so I need help here as Im struggling to take the shot I want.
I popped down to Canary wharf, Im not ashamed to admit I was inspired by a post from a couple of weeks ago, I think it was Merlin5, it was a lovely clear winter evening and all my photos are ****

https://flic.kr/p/2mGRhmR
View: https://flic.kr/p/2mGRhmR


My plan was infinity focus, but didn't think that through, the 55mm 1.8 has no markings (idiot, just grabbed it, cant remember the last time I used it)
Plan B, manually focus for around 50-60mts in front of me - too dark and it is water!
Manual focus then on the buildings - too dark and grainy on the LCD to be sure of anything - you can tell I don't use tripods often..
AF, tried flexible spot, wide, probably all of them while I was there, but 90% of all the photos are out of focus in areas.
I cant exactly remember on my focus point for this one, it was low down as that is where the most sharp areas are, but at F10 I was expecting more to be in focus, I think I will use the CitiGroup logo next time
8 second exposure was maybe too long for stability, will play around with that next time
I was also having a real issue with how to expose a scene like this as it is such a contrasty scene, at one point I had exposure compensation dialled down to -3, I think I was using multi

Im obviously going to have to go back, based on these results probably several times until i get it right, but Im open to advice on how to improve - actually replace open with need :)

I remembered to turn off stabilisation as I was on a tripod
Click to expand...
Firstly, nothing wrong with that shot imo.

Secondly it's a bugbear of mine that lenses don't have range scales any more.

With regards to focus I would personally use AF in a situation like this, and it should focus quite comfortably I'd have thought due to the contrast between the lights and the dark :thinking: In this shot I'd have focussed on the buildings on the far right and then recomposed.

If AF 'fails' then like Ancient Mariner says a range scale of sorts pops up when manually focussing. Whilst not greatly accurate you could always use it to infinity focus and then dial it back a gnats.

Lastly, did you use a remote shutter/timer?
 
Last edited:
MrMackyB said:
OK guys, so I need help here as Im struggling to take the shot I want.
I popped down to Canary wharf, Im not ashamed to admit I was inspired by a post from a couple of weeks ago, I think it was Merlin5, it was a lovely clear winter evening and all my photos are ****

https://flic.kr/p/2mGRhmR
View: https://flic.kr/p/2mGRhmR


My plan was infinity focus, but didn't think that through, the 55mm 1.8 has no markings (idiot, just grabbed it, cant remember the last time I used it)
Plan B, manually focus for around 50-60mts in front of me - too dark and it is water!
Manual focus then on the buildings - too dark and grainy on the LCD to be sure of anything - you can tell I don't use tripods often..
AF, tried flexible spot, wide, probably all of them while I was there, but 90% of all the photos are out of focus in areas.
I cant exactly remember on my focus point for this one, it was low down as that is where the most sharp areas are, but at F10 I was expecting more to be in focus, I think I will use the CitiGroup logo next time
8 second exposure was maybe too long for stability, will play around with that next time
I was also having a real issue with how to expose a scene like this as it is such a contrasty scene, at one point I had exposure compensation dialled down to -3, I think I was using multi

Im obviously going to have to go back, based on these results probably several times until i get it right, but Im open to advice on how to improve - actually replace open with need :)

I remembered to turn off stabilisation as I was on a tripod
Click to expand...

Personally, I think it looks pretty good. Don't be so hard on yourself!

f/10 is more than enough imo Maybe a slightly higher ISO, aperture f/7.1 or something & that would give you a nicer shutter speed. For night sky focusing I just pick a bright star & then try to get it as small as possible, you'll easily see when it's not in focus. I've never tried but I'm pretty sure the same might apply to distant street lights? And use Manual mode, expose bright but to not clip the highlights imo
 
ancient_mariner said:
With manual focus on the A7III a scale pops up to tell you where the point of focus is.
Click to expand...
I just checked, when using the LCD screen, I don't get that, will hunt through the settings..

To me most of it looks out of focus

I was using the 2 sec timer but If I'm going to focus and recompose I will take my remote with me next time. I'm now going to have a practice at focus and recompose in the garden on a tripod, not the easiest thing.

Exposure wise, the Citi logo is OK but the HSBC is completely blown.

I appreciate your comments and help so thank you for that
 
Last edited:
woof woof said:
Is anyone else having problems with the camera/lens size comparison website?

I can't delete selected cameras or move them now. I see that the guy is appealing for donations so maybe there are problems. Is it working for anyone?
Click to expand...
Working for me on chrome
 
MrMackyB said:
I just checked, when using the LCD screen, I don't get that, will hunt through the settings..

To me most of it looks out of focus

I was using the 2 sec timer but If I'm going to focus and recompose I will take my remote with me next time. I'm now going to have a practice at focus and recompose in the garden on a tripod, not the easiest thing.

Exposure wise, the Citi logo is OK but the HSBC is completely blown.

I appreciate your comments and help so thank you for that
Click to expand...
It's a weird one as when I view at 'normal' viewing sizes on here and flickr it does look a bit soft but when you view the larger file sizes it's sharp, I can't see anything OOF (obviously the water looks blurry ;))

Focus and recompose is not a tricky thing, doesn't require anything special. In the example above, you could have focussed on the houses on the right handheld and then left the focus alone. You could then put the camera on the tripod and take the shot. As long as you haven't knocked the focus ring in between time it will still be focussed fine. I do this a lot, but use BBF rather than manual focus. I focus on the hyperfocal distance and then leave it alone, I can then compose my shot however I see fit after this meaning I can take several shots from different angles etc without having to refocus each time (unless I change focal length and/or aperture).

With regards to exposure, unless you're going to use HDR you're always likely to get blown parts in an image like this as there's too much range from the dark to the bright areas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top