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

All taken with 70-200 GM II, which I can say I like...very much.

Disclaimer: I was there to photograph the students, during rehearsal whilst waiting for the students to have their turn - I half heartedly took some photos of the adults from where I was sitting without wanting to move around. Which is my excuse for the out of focus white paper in the first image..

All photos went through DXO Pure Raw

CH - Chapel Concert Adults - 001 of 007 - A1105410-ARW_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg
CH - Chapel Concert Adults - 004 of 007 - A1105552-ARW_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg
CH - Chapel Concert Adults - 005 of 007 - A1105564-ARW_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg
DN - Chapel Concert Adults - 001 of 001 - A1105418-ARW_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg

In the evening there is only this photo which doesn't show a student, as they were mingled in with the orchestra.

ISO 12,800, 168mm, 2.8, 1/60th

CH - Chapel Concert Adults - 007 of 007 - A1106012-ARW_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg

It has me looking forward to a 24-70 II (could they make it F2??!?)
 
woof woof said:
A lens that maybe doesn't get talked about enough. I keep meaning to use mine but I usually reach for something else so I'll have to make sure I do use it more often.
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I'd really like one, but it's just not a FL I use a huge amount, and I have the Nikon 28 f3.5 with tilting lens mount for when I need a 28.
 
ancient_mariner said:
I'd really like one, but it's just not a FL I use a huge amount, and I have the Nikon 28 f3.5 with tilting lens mount for when I need a 28.
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I have film era 28's (7 I think :D) but 28mm has never been a firm favourite of mine but on the the plus side it is neatly placed between 24 and 35mm and the Sony lens is quite small, fast to focus and has that f2 aperture so what's not to like :D

I really bought it for a trip to London which got rescheduled and in the end I ended up taking the 35mm f2.8 but I will force myself to try to use it more and maybe I'll come to really like it. Many people do like 28mm.

And of course I think I'm right in saying that in recent times 28mm equivalent lenses have been the most used thanks to smartphones so they'll give a perspective that many people will be used to. I think at times even a bit of perspective distortion can add to a picture :D
 
woof woof said:
it is neatly placed between 24 and 35mm and the Sony lens is quite small, fast to focus and has that f2 aperture so what's not to like
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Thing is that I have the 24-105 that covers this range off and more, and I seldom need a fast, compact 28. The 24-105 has a particular fussy, almost crunchy look that I don't especially like, but it does turn out sharp, contrasty and clean images and is extemely versatile.
 
dancook said:
All taken with 70-200 GM II, which I can say I like...very much.

Disclaimer: I was there to photograph the students, during rehearsal whilst waiting for the students to have their turn - I half heartedly took some photos of the adults from where I was sitting without wanting to move around. Which is my excuse for the out of focus white paper in the first image..

All photos went through DXO Pure Raw

View attachment 347541
View attachment 347542
View attachment 347543
View attachment 347545

In the evening there is only this photo which doesn't show a student, as they were mingled in with the orchestra.

ISO 12,800, 168mm, 2.8, 1/60th

View attachment 347544

It has me looking forward to a 24-70 II (could they make it F2??!?)
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Nice. If the 24-70mm was f2 it'd be big, heavy and very expensive :eek:
ancient_mariner said:
Thing is that I have the 24-105 that covers this range off and more, and I seldom need a fast, compact 28. The 24-105 has a particular fussy, almost crunchy look that I don't especially like, but it does turn out sharp, contrasty and clean images and is extemely versatile.
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The 24-105mm is a great walkabout lens for landscapes and city breaks etc, but not a lens if you want the best bokeh. That being said, it's not horrendous and I've always been 'happy' with how this shot turned out


A9_05651 by TDG-77, on Flickr
 
ancient_mariner said:
Thing is that I have the 24-105 that covers this range off and more, and I seldom need a fast, compact 28. The 24-105 has a particular fussy, almost crunchy look that I don't especially like, but it does turn out sharp, contrasty and clean images and is extemely versatile.
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I like primes rather than zooms and the saving in bulk and weight is one big reason why so anything like the 24-105mm is very unlikely to ever be on my shopping list but as always good luck to those who love these versatile lenses and don't mind the size and weight.

I have a folder of pictures I often put on a slideshow and just looking in there there are two pictures taken with the Sony 28mm and I do remember other pictures I've taken with it too so I have used it, I just need to use it more.
 
dancook said:
I'd rather ultimate lenses if it costs a bit more :D then it won't leave me wanting...... hah
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That was always my issue with the Tamron 70-180mm, cracking lens especially for the money but it didn't stop me wanting the 70-200mm GM2 :runaway: I'm toying with the idea of selling the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art and getting the Sony 85mm f1.8 to get a bit of money back from buying the GM2 but then I'll be back in the position of wanting the Sigma again :banghead: Likewise with the Samyang 45mm f1.8, great little lens but it's no 50mm f1.4 let alone the 50mm f1.2. I can't justify that price on primes though, barely get used so I'll just have to keep wanting :lol:
 
woof woof said:
I like primes rather than zooms and the saving in bulk and weight is one big reason why so anything like the 24-105mm is very unlikely to ever be on my shopping list but as always good luck to those who love these versatile lenses and don't mind the size and weight.

I have a folder of pictures I often put on a slideshow and just looking in there there are two pictures taken with the Sony 28mm and I do remember other pictures I've taken with it too so I have used it, I just need to use it more.
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I'm too lazy to keep swapping lenses, and I'm not someone who can stick to one focal length so it has to be zooms for me. I've started using a sling bag and carrying the A9-II and 24-105mm is no real chore tbh. That being said, I have got the Olly EM10-II for when I want to travel really light such as dog walking where I'm unlikely to take and 'decent' photos.
 
I was reaching 12,800 ISO at 1/30th second with f2.8 - I'd loved to be using my primes last night, but I had to stay in one spot for 45 minutes without drawing attention to myself - the zoom was needed for variety of images.
 
dancook said:
I was reaching 12,800 ISO at 1/30th second with f2.8 - I'd loved to be using my primes last night, but I had to stay in one spot for 45 minutes without drawing attention to myself - the zoom was needed for variety of images.
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:oops: :$
 
snerkler said:
I'm too lazy to keep swapping lenses, and I'm not someone who can stick to one focal length so it has to be zooms for me. I've started using a sling bag and carrying the A9-II and 24-105mm is no real chore tbh. That being said, I have got the Olly EM10-II for when I want to travel really light such as dog walking where I'm unlikely to take and 'decent' photos.
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Swapping lenses can be a pain but I do it in any and all locations and weather :D I used to take even as many as four or five lenses out with me but these days if I take more than one it's two at the most plus a close up filter. I find 24 and 50mm a nice pairing but 35mm or there abouts is I suppose the do it all for me.

Your decent photo comment made me think. I want decent dynamic range so I can keep the highlights and decent higher ISO performance so pictures aren't a snowy mess of noise but apart from that all I do is take pictures of people and places and things I love and pictures of things and scenes I want to remember and things which catch my attention at the time too, I never set out to create gallery quality or pictures to attempt to win any prizes and I'm sure all that's clear from the pictures I post here. I do like my A7 because it gives me everything I need and it's 35mm which I can easily relate to as I had 35mm cameras for decades but these days my A7 has been sort of replaced by my Panasonic GM5 with a 20mm f1.7 because it's more portable, but it does blow the highlights more easily and has less DR and isn't as nice to use as my A7 with a Voigtlander or old film era lens.

PS.
Just for fun on the subject of good enough, not Sony but GM5 and 20mm...

Ck8qe3N.jpg


I took the camera because it fit in my pocket and I didn't have to take a bag with my A7 in it, but you can see the highlights have blown a bit. It's still good enough though.
 
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The 24-105 has taken some excellent shots for me, and I really like the versatility - for travel it's ALWAYS my main lens. But there's something much nicer about pictures taken with the Sammy 85 f1.4 or 55 f1.8.

I'll usually take 24-105, 12-24, 55 and little sammy 35 f2.8 for street/discrete.
 
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dancook said:
and then you run it through DXO PureRaw and the world is right :) of course I need to shoot in burst due to motion blur of subjects moving.
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I've been amazed at the ability of recent noise reduction software. The On1 noise reduction is amazing too - I took pictures at a friends retirement do last year, and ISO12800 was completely fine for the purpose after processing.
 
ancient_mariner said:
I've been amazed at the ability of recent noise reduction software. The On1 noise reduction is amazing too - I took pictures at a friends retirement do last year, and ISO12800 was completely fine for the purpose after processing.
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I just had another look through last nights images full screen, sharp and noise free - what a time to be alive :D
 
dancook said:
It’s hyperbole that’s very much focussed on just photography.

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t depressed by the state of the world.

Got to enjoy the little things!
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My Mrs is a big dog lover and her latest thing is to be more dog and by that she means live in the moment and be happy :D

And on the sadness at the state of it all thing.

I'm sure I read or heard recently that despite all the atrocities and misery in the world and the fact that some people live in Hell every moment of their lives for the species as a whole we've never had it so good. Percentage wise and taking a wider view. It is sometimes hard to take that wider view though.
 
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woof woof said:
My Mrs is a big dog lover and her latest thing is to be more dog and by that she means live in the moment and be happy :D
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I’m an ‘over-thinker’ it’s difficult to ignore.

But we’ve gotten a lodger to help cushion us against the inflation, fuel and utility bills.

Louise and I have also gotten into home grown veg in a big way, to be a little more self reliant and also to have something wholesome to do to lift the spirits.

Will erect a 12x8 foot greenhouse as soon as concrete base is in.

I’ve been growing a couple of lemon trees to as a personal project, and baking bread and cakes - oh and I play piano.

Photography should be a good outlet, but I rarely find myself leaving the house except for work and the ever increasing train prices put me off going to London as often as I’d like..

Of course I’m not destitute, I just don’t want to give my money over to corporate greed.
 
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dancook said:
I’m an ‘over-thinker’ it’s difficult to ignore.

But we’ve gotten a lodger to help cushion us against the inflation, fuel and utility bills.

Louise and I have also gotten into home grown veg in a big way, to be a little more self reliant and also to have something wholesome to do to lift the spirits.

Will erect a 12x8 foot greenhouse as soon as concrete base is in.

I’ve been growing a couple of lemon trees to as a personal project, and baking bread and cakes - oh and I play piano.

Photography should be a good outlet, but I rarely find myself leaving the house except for work and the ever increasing train prices put me off going to London as often as I’d like..

Of course I’m not destitute, I just don’t want to give my money over to corporate greed.
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My biggest and maybe only issue is the family. I had a massive fall out last year with one of my sisters over care for our mam and in the last week the same has happened with the other sister who said all the right things but delivered very little and with the sisters going I expect so will their families as the sisters will give a one sided story and they'll all go in support of their mam. So I've now lost my whole family over this. It all started over me asking them to come one day a week to be decided by them, something like 10am to 4pm, so that me and Mrs get a break once a week. They don't have to do anything, just sit here and make cups of tea and chat. That'd be one day a fortnight from each of them to be decided by them but that's too much to ask and it's all ended in both saying they will never speak to me again. It's only me they have a problem with and they'll help and see/talk to mam, obviously, it's just a complete coincidence or maybe a complete mystery that so far neither has.

Such is life.
 
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woof woof said:
My biggest and maybe only issue is the family. I had a massive fall out last year with one of my sisters over care for our mam and in the last week the same has happened with the other sister who said all the right things but delivered very little and with the sisters going I expect so will their families as the sisters will give a one sided story and they'll all go in support of their mam. So I've now lost my whole family over this. It all started over me asking them to come one day a week to be decided by them, something like 10am to 4pm, so that me and Mrs get a break once a week. They don't have to do anything, just sit here and make cups of tea and chat. That'd be one day a fortnight from each of them to be decided by them but that's too much to ask and it's all ended in both saying they will never speak to me again. It's only me they have a problem with and they'll help and see/talk to mam, obviously, it's just a complete coincidence or maybe a complete mystery that so far neither has.

Such is life.
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I see so many stories of families breaking up these days, mostly over politics/vaccines/racism though - it's not surprising either.

Was it me or Mike that opened this can of worms??

If I can just go back to my GAS I can be momentarily happy:)
 
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dancook said:
I see so many stories of families breaking up these days, mostly over politics/vaccines/racism though - it's not surprising either.

Was it me or Mike that opened this can of worms??

If I can just go back to my GAS I can be momentarily happy:)
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None of those things has ever been an issue in our family which was nice as the Mrs is from overseas but with recent events I think one was dangerously close to raising its ugly head re the Mrs.

No matter what's going on in the world I don't think there's anything wrong with taking pleasure from our hobby, it's the little things that keep me and doubtless all of us going at times.
 
woof woof said:
My biggest and maybe only issue is the family. I had a massive fall out last year with one of my sisters over care for our mam and in the last week the same has happened with the other sister who said all the right things but delivered very little and with the sisters going I expect so will their families as the sisters will give a one sided story and they'll all go in support of their mam. So I've now lost my whole family over this. It all started over me asking them to come one day a week to be decided by them, something like 10am to 4pm, so that me and Mrs get a break once a week. They don't have to do anything, just sit here and make cups of tea and chat. That'd be one day a fortnight from each of them to be decided by them but that's too much to ask and it's all ended in both saying they will never speak to me again. It's only me they have a problem with and they'll help and see/talk to mam, obviously, it's just a complete coincidence or maybe a complete mystery that so far neither has.

Such is life.
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Sorry to hear this, it's so sad when families fall out :(
 
snerkler said:
Sorry to hear this, it's so sad when families fall out :(
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It is sad but after the way they've acted and after the things they've said if they ever get back in touch (and I don't think they will) I'll never think of them the same again.
 
woof woof said:
I like primes rather than zooms and the saving in bulk and weight is one big reason why so anything like the 24-105mm is very unlikely to ever be on my shopping list but as always good luck to those who love these versatile lenses and don't mind the size and weight.

I have a folder of pictures I often put on a slideshow and just looking in there there are two pictures taken with the Sony 28mm and I do remember other pictures I've taken with it too so I have used it, I just need to use it more.
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For the first time I will be using my FE28mm at the jazz later today on the A7C.
 
I hope you'll be happy with the experience and the results.

When I used to take pictures at gigs I had a 28-70mm kit lens, or something like that, and usually used the 28mm end for the wider aperture as back then I was using ISO 1,600 film and struggling to keep the shutter speed up.

Not so happy days :D
 
woof woof said:
I hope you'll be happy with the experience and the results.

When I used to take pictures at gigs I had a 28-70mm kit lens, or something like that, and usually used the 28mm end for the wider aperture as back then I was using ISO 1,600 film and struggling to keep the shutter speed up.

Not so happy days :D
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The Samyang AF50mm is on the A7 III, so I want to give the FE28mm a try on the A7C for a change.
 
Will you take the two? I think 28 and 50mm make a nice combination but for indoor pictures using just one I'd take the 28mm as 50mm could be too tight.
 
woof woof said:
Will you take the two? I think 28 and 50mm make a nice combination but for indoor pictures using just one I'd take the 28mm as 50mm could be too tight.
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Yes they are both charged up so will be taking both.
Where I stand in the pub the 50mm gives me a chance to get closer.
 
 
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