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

[wookie6262]

No article?

Fixed that post, cheers

 

[ancient_mariner]

View attachment 356321

1.4 stops extra stops dynamic range is quite compelling, even if the A7III AF could be better.

 

[LeeRatters]

Hmmmm. Some say A9 and some say A7III. Maybe I should get both?

I sometimes chuckle to myself wondering which one of us will ditch the A7 first.....

 

[woof woof]

DR is interesting as looking at the bench tests DR seem to have hardly moved forward at all or even if at all with my old A7 scoring 14.2 and the latest ones as Bob posted 14.7 and 13.3 and these differences could I suppose be test or sample variation unless the newer kit retains more DR as the ISO rises or they just seem "better" because

 

[snerkler]

Hmmmm. Some say A9 and some say A7III. Maybe I should get both?

I assume you're joking but if not I don't see the need for one of each unless you specifically need two bodies such as wedding photography. If silent shooting is a big draw for you then the A9 really is the obvious choice imo. Less banding and no noticeable rolling shutter, unless using flash I doubt you'd use the mechanical shutter again. You've got the blackout free shooting too which you don't know you want until you've used it The only downside is the lack of DR, but then it's still better than m4/3

1.4 stops extra stops dynamic range is quite compelling, even if the A7III AF could be better.

It is a lot and definitely worth considering for sure. However as I've just mentioned to woof woof the A9 is still better than m4/3, and worse case scenario you could always bracket.

 

[snerkler]

The Samyang lottery's paid off. The 50mm shows no sign of decentering and 8 eye AF test shots have all nailed the eye, no sign of eyelash AF

 

[woof woof]

I sometimes chuckle to myself wondering which one of us will ditch the A7 first.....

I was 61 the other week. I stopped working at 49 with I thought at the time more money than I'd ever spend and effectively lived off my savings for 11 years and initially my money kept going up and it's only in recent years that it's started to go down but then I started to receive my Granada pension so it's all good again and if I live long enough I'll get my state pension too. I don't tend to spend a lot and neither does Mrs WW and she's just sold a property so there really isn't any problem in buying new toys for either of us.

I've been thinking about buying a new car (and Mrs WW is fine with that) but the world seems to be ever more anti ICE car and I'm not confident about electric yet so that's on hold. So all in all a new camera wouldn't make a great dent in anything.

I might, but then I look at the stats and see there's been no real move forward in DR and I lose a bit of interest but I would gain silent shooting and faster operation.

 

[woof woof]

I assume you're joking but if not I don't see the need for one of each unless you specifically need two bodies such as wedding photography. If silent shooting is a big draw for you then the A9 really is the obvious choice imo. Less banding and no noticeable rolling shutter, unless using flash I doubt you'd use the mechanical shutter again. You've got the blackout free shooting too which you don't know you want until you've used it The only downside is the lack of DR, but then it's still better than m4/3

It is a lot and definitely worth considering for sure. However as I've just mentioned to woof woof the A9 is still better than m4/3, and worse case scenario you could always bracket.

YES!!! Joking. I'd only get 1

Yes. My A7 has noticeably more DR than my best MFT camera, the 20mp GX9.

 

[woof woof]

Well the 50mm FE II’s arrived, I wonder what that’s going to be like when I try it out later

Pictures!!!

 

[ancient_mariner]

the A9 is still better than m4/3, and worse case scenario you could always bracket.

For me, that's enough backwards not to be interested. The other things affect handling, but as someone who often pushes processing fairly hard, I'd not want to lose that.

 

[LeeRatters]

I was 61 the other week. I stopped working at 49 with I thought at the time more money than I'd ever spend and effectively lived off my savings for 11 years and initially my money kept going up and it's only in recent years that it's started to go down but then I started to receive my Granada pension so it's all good again and if I live long enough I'll get my state pension too. I don't tend to spend a lot and neither does Mrs WW and she's just sold a property so there really isn't any problem in buying new toys for either of us.

I've been thinking about buying a new car (and Mrs WW is fine with that) but the world seems to be ever more anti ICE car and I'm not confident about electric yet so that's on hold. So all in all a new camera wouldn't make a great dent in anything.

I might, but then I look at the stats and see there's been no real move forward in DR and I lose a bit of interest but I would gain silent shooting and faster operation.

I could afford an A7iii or A9 myself really but the A7 does pretty much what I want it to do. I'd like better higher ISO sometimes with the night stuff but it's not the end of the world.

 

[f/1.2]

The Samyang lottery's paid off. The 50mm shows no sign of decentering and 8 eye AF test shots have all nailed the eye, no sign of eyelash AF

I wouldn’t count your chickens just yet.

Try it at proper portrait distances and in real situations There is not supposed to be a good copy of this lens.

Be careful with it as well, slightest knock will have it back focusing and eye a.f all over the place.

Seen a guy in a wedding group who tried 14 copies of this lens from 6 different suppliers and all had eye a.f issues. Well so he said anyway.

 

[snerkler]

Pictures!!!

None to show yet unless you want to see photos of buildings in the distance to test decentering My wife doesn’t like me posting pics of her.

For me, that's enough backwards not to be interested. The other things affect handling, but as someone who often pushes processing fairly hard, I'd not want to lose that.

I guess it depends, if you rarely shoot at base it’s not going to be too much of an issue but if you’re a landscaper it could be a deal breaker.

I took a slight step back in DR with the A9-II, 0.8ev less than the A7RIV but I don’t regret it, and I’ve not found the DR lacking,…. yet. YMMV of course.

I do wonder how those poor folk cope(d) with the 5D3 with only 11.7ev DR

 

[Fuji Dave]

Once I re start my jazz I will be using the Sammy AF 50mm, as for me it works a treat and quick on AF on the eyes plus mine has been knocked in a packed out pub and still works like a dream, but that's just me.

 

[snerkler]

I wouldn’t count your chickens just yet.

Try it at proper portrait distances and in real situations There is not supposed to be a good copy of this lens.

Be careful with it as well, slightest knock will have it back focusing and eye a.f all over the place.

Seen a guy in a wedding group who tried 14 copies of this lens from 6 different suppliers and all had eye a.f issues. Well so he said anyway.

I’ve read reports from many happy users It’ll get a proper portrait test a week on Saturday, but I’ve tried it at varying distances and angles and all seems good so far.

Of course I’m not expecting it to be as reliable as a GM but it should be more than adequate for my uses, assuming it continues to work as it’s done this evening. My 45mm has never faulted so I’m not overly paranoid about using Samyang.

 

[f/1.2]

Once I re start my jazz I will be using the Sammy AF 50mm, as for me it works a treat and quick on AF on the eyes plus mine has been knocked in a packed out pub and still works like a dream, but that's just me.

You think every lens is great because you never shoot wide open were issues are much more apparent.

 

[Fuji Dave]

As with anything you will get the ones who like/love the Sammy AF lenses and then the haters, when I start my 100 strangers up again my AF 50mm is going to get a right good testing and for me I think I can say the shots will be great.

 

[Fuji Dave]

You think every lens is great because you never shoot wide open were issues are much more apparent.

Lol so badly WRONG haha, I shoot how I want to as it's my photography yes I could shoot wide open everytime but I choose not too.

 

[f/1.2]

Lol so badly WRONG haha, I shoot how I want to as it's my photography yes I could shoot wide open everytime but I choose not too.

We have discussed this previously only a short while ago and you said that you never shoot wide open.

None of the images you have posted here are shot wide open.

Seems strange that you change your mind now.

Anyway it doesn’t really matter.

 

[f/1.2]

I’ve read reports from many happy users It’ll get a proper portrait test a week on Saturday, but I’ve tried it at varying distances and angles and all seems good so far.

Of course I’m not expecting it to be as reliable as a GM but it should be more than adequate for my uses, assuming it continues to work as it’s done this evening. My 45mm has never faulted so I’m not overly paranoid about using Samyang.

Yeah as an occasional use thing and for stuff that doesn’t matter am sure it will be grand.

Tamron are supposed to be bringing out a 45 f/1.4 that one might be good.

 

[Fuji Dave]

So as shooting wide open is so great, then why have apertures on a lens that has only have one f number wide open only and nothing else. Like I said I shoot for ME AND ME ONLY, I shoot both but at the moment I am not shooting wide open.

 

[ancient_mariner]

I do wonder how those poor folk cope(d) with the 5D3 with only 11.7ev DR

I've shot with a D70. DR 10.3. It's a piece of junk that was tolerable at the time, but really struggles with any kind of challenging situation - it was exactly this type of camera that demands use of HDR processing.

 

[f/1.2]

So as shooting wide open is so great, then why have apertures on a lens that has only have one f number wide open only and nothing else. Like I said I shoot for ME AND ME ONLY, I shoot both but at the moment I am not shooting wide open.

You misunderstood my point entirely and honestly I can’t be bothered explaining it again.

 

[Fuji Dave]

Good and thank you, now we can move on.

 

[woof woof]

It is a lot and definitely worth considering for sure. However as I've just mentioned to woof woof the A9 is still better than m4/3, and worse case scenario you could always bracket.

As some will know I'm tied to the house a lot but I try to get out as often as I can even if it's just a quick walk to the shops and back. A lot of my pictures are taken on that walk to the shops...

It's bush and tree lined and there's often a lot of glare and when there's sky in the frame MFT usually blows it. Things are better with the A7 but even so I often need to protect the sky and boost the shadows. So, any reduction in DR and I'll very likely notice it.

 

[snerkler]

Yeah as an occasional use thing and for stuff that doesn’t matter am sure it will be grand.

Tamron are supposed to be bringing out a 45 f/1.4 that one might be good.

I saw that, sounds interesting. I’ve always preferred the Samyang rendering though so can’t see me being swayed, unless it’s significantly smaller and lighter but I can’t see it.

 

[snerkler]

As some will know I'm tied to the house a lot but I try to get out as often as I can even if it's just a quick walk to the shops and back. A lot of my pictures are taken on that walk to the shops...

It's bush and tree lined and there's often a lot of glare and when there's sky in the frame MFT usually blows it. Things are better wit the A7 but even so I often need to protect he sky and boost the shadows. So, any reduction in DR and I'll very likely notice it.

Maybe the A9’s not for you then. You’ll just have to bite the bullet and get the A1

 

[woof woof]

Maybe the A9’s not for you then. You’ll just have to bite the bullet and get the A1

Haha! I doubt it.

 

[woof woof]

I do wonder how those poor folk cope(d) with the 5D3 with only 11.7ev DR

I've shot with a D70. DR 10.3. It's a piece of junk that was tolerable at the time, but really struggles with any kind of challenging situation - it was exactly this type of camera that demands use of HDR processing.

I remember my last Canon DSLR's, 20D and 5D, they blew the highlights easily and you had to be careful lifting the shadows without getting noise.

I read something on a famous photographers site a while back. He said you're judged by your results and if he thinks the sky is going to blow he turns around and shoots in the other direction. That's all well and good but if you want a particular picture you don't usually have the option of shooting in the other direction.

I've often thought that maybe the low northern sun aggravates things but I can't be sure. I do often wonder where and what of people who say DR isn't an issue are taking pictures as for me it does seem to be a thing that matters.

 

[ancient_mariner]

Even with 14.8 stops of the A7III dynamic range is an issue for me. The thing is, in the example you cite, the lighting made a picture impossible for that photographer from a direct limitation of their kit, where as now we can manage. This is a point I somewhat made on the 'Mirrorless take-over' thread, that a limited dynamic range reduced a cameras usefulness.

If your camera can't cope in the situation, it's just as bad as if the sun was hidden behind a cloud when you want a sunset shot. You can't get the shot, and that's the end of it.

 

[woof woof]

Even with 14.8 stops of the A7III dynamic range is an issue for me. The thing is, in the example you cite, the lighting made a picture impossible for that photographer from a direct limitation of their kit, where as now we can manage. This is a point I somewhat made on the 'Mirrorless take-over' thread, that a limited dynamic range reduced a cameras usefulness.

If your camera can't cope in the situation, it's just as bad as if the sun was hidden behind a cloud when you want a sunset shot. You can't get the shot, and that's the end of it.

I think for happy snapper like me it can be a problem but maybe less so for a pro who can I suppose mitigate some issues with lighting, come back another day or step into the studio. For some pictures I don't even try to stop sections blowing but blown nice skies do annoy me as they can be so rare that I really want that bit of blue in the photo when it's there

I wonder why the A9 has reduced DR? Maybe in the quest for speed they had to sacrifice some but if this is the case I've no idea why, it being a newer sensor.

 

[ancient_mariner]

To me, the picture is NOW, not tomorrow when I won't come back.

I think the A9 uses it's processing elsewhere, although it might be down to keeping the blackout-free viewfinder running.

 

[woof woof]

To me, the picture is NOW, not tomorrow when I won't come back.

I think the A9 uses it's processing elsewhere, although it might be down to keeping the blackout-free viewfinder running.

Thinking about the DR issues, I think I'll forget about the A9 as every little helps.

 

[robj20]

If anyone has time but don't spend too much time on this as I move verrrrrry slooooowly.

When and if I decide to replace the A7, A7III, A7IV or a used A9?

Honestly. Stick with your A7, maybe wait to see what the A7C2 brings.
You seem like me on that the increase in size after the MK1 cameras is a big turn off.
Your A7 seems to do everything you want it to. I only changed my A7R after having children and wanting better AF.
The increased size with the A7iii was a no no for me then the A7C was announced and it answerer my prayers.
Obviously when your A7 breaks you night have to have a bigger body of the what ever version A7C doesn't do what you want.
Money to spend then get a nice lens.

 

[f/1.2]

I saw that, sounds interesting. I’ve always preferred the Samyang rendering though so can’t see me being swayed, unless it’s significantly smaller and lighter but I can’t see it.

45 f/1.4 does seem like a strange choice of focal length. Although I personally quite like 45mm.

Maybe they have chosen 45 instead of 50 so that they can make it smaller like they did with the odd ball focal length of their zoom lenses.

Always on the look out for an upgrade for my wifes 55mm. She won't have the 50G.M due to size and weight.

 

[snerkler]

Even with 14.8 stops of the A7III dynamic range is an issue for me. The thing is, in the example you cite, the lighting made a picture impossible for that photographer from a direct limitation of their kit, where as now we can manage. This is a point I somewhat made on the 'Mirrorless take-over' thread, that a limited dynamic range reduced a cameras usefulness.

If your camera can't cope in the situation, it's just as bad as if the sun was hidden behind a cloud when you want a sunset shot. You can't get the shot, and that's the end of it.

Yep depending on the scene even with the best cameras they can still lack in DR, that's why if I'm doing a dedicated landscape photo I still use grad filters. I've not seen the "mirrorless take-over" thread, I'll have to take a gander.

I think for happy snapper like me it can be a problem but maybe less so for a pro who can I suppose mitigate some issues with lighting, come back another day or step into the studio. For some pictures I don't even try to stop sections blowing but blown nice skies do annoy me as they can be so rare that I really want that bit of blue in the photo when it's there

I wonder why the A9 has reduced DR? Maybe in the quest for speed they had to sacrifice some but if this is the case I've no idea why, it being a newer sensor.

I think when the A9 was released people said the reduced DR was down to speed and also to keep DR higher in the range of ISOs the camera's most likely to be used at (although the latter I'm not sure about when you see the graph below), this was the same for the Nikon D4, D5, Canon 1Dx's etc. It does appear that they are now getting over this 'issue' with the 1Dx-III And SOny A1 having a DR of 14.5ev. The A9-II is 'reasonable' at 14ev.

I think scenes like the tree lined path you posted above you're always going to have to expose to the left and bump exposure in post where needed, even with 14.8ev DR.

 

[snerkler]

45 f/1.4 does seem like a strange choice of focal length. Although I personally quite like 45mm.

Maybe they have chosen 45 instead of 50 so that they can make it smaller like they did with the odd ball focal length of their zoom lenses.

Always on the look out for an upgrade for my wifes 55mm. She won't have the 50G.M due to size and weight.

I like my Samyang 45mm although it's likely to go now I have the 50mm FE II (I do like how small and light it is though). I can't afford the GM, but even if I could I'm not sure I'd want the weight either tbh. My Sigma 85mm DG DN is as heavy as I want to go for a prime, and ideally I'd like this to be lighter too.

 

[snerkler]

Pictures!!!

Here you go, a sleepy Betty this morning.


A9_08778 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr

 

[f/1.2]

I like my Samyang 45mm although it's likely to go now I have the 50mm FE II (I do like how small and light it is though). I can't afford the GM, but even if I could I'm not sure I'd want the weight either tbh. My Sigma 85mm DG DN is as heavy as I want to go for a prime, and ideally I'd like this to be lighter too.

If you get a good one, the Samyang 45mm isn't bad. The one I had was a very good copy but didn't compare well with the 55 in terms of sharpness and a.f speed, so ruled it out for work and sold it on here. It was a great lens for stuff for myself though, but no point in really having stuff for myself when I rarely get to shoot anything that isn't work related.

I wouldn't consider the Samyang 50 for work as I don't want to disappear down that Samyang rabbit hole of issues, focus speed wouldn't be up to what we need for work anyway. The Samyang colours are also a real pita to match with other lenses as well in post.

I would have very different equipment if it wasn't for work. Equipment is really pushed to extremes for work as we are often in less than ideal lighting conditions were as with stuff for yourself you get to choose.

 

[snerkler]

If you get a good one, the Samyang 45mm isn't bad. The one I had was a very good copy but didn't compare well with the 55 in terms of sharpness and a.f speed, so ruled it out for work and sold it on here. It was a great lens for stuff for myself though, but no point in really having stuff for myself when I rarely get to shoot anything that isn't work related.

I wouldn't consider the Samyang 50 for work as I don't want to disappear down that Samyang rabbit hole of issues, focus speed wouldn't be up to what we need for work anyway. The Samyang colours are also a real pita to match with other lenses as well in post.

I would have very different equipment if it wasn't for work. Equipment is really pushed to extremes for work as we are often in less than ideal lighting conditions were as with stuff for yourself you get to choose.

Completely get that, and if I made a living from photography I wouldn't have anything other than Sony glass, preferably GM.

For a hobbiest I don't have to have the best of the best performers and if I get a missed shot it's not the end of the world (although still can be very annoying). As a result I can pick and choose between cost vs performance vs weight As much as I'd like to have the absolute best quality I can't afford some of the lenses, plus I'm not willing to put up with the weight. There's always a compromise