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

snerkler said:
True enough :LOL: However, I did have some camera gear I could sell to make up most of the cost, I don’t have that luxury anymore. I’ve not looked into it but I’d imagine I’d get around £2k for the A9ii meaning I’d have to magic £2.8k from somewhere ;)
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Yeah. Credit Cards are Magic...aren’t they....?
 
snerkler said:
True enough :LOL: However, I did have some camera gear I could sell to make up most of the cost, I don’t have that luxury anymore. I’ve not looked into it but I’d imagine I’d get around £2k for the A9ii meaning I’d have to magic £2.8k from somewhere ;)
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trevorbray said:
Yeah. Credit Cards are Magic...aren’t they....?
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Wilkinsons Camera have a buy now pay later credit available with up a year to pay, also have an used A1 in stock #justsaying........ :exit:

On second thoughts I shouldn't have told @trevorbray that..........................................:ROFLMAO:
 
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Does anybody know from experience - that when you are locked onto somebody's face with Eye / Face detect - if they then subsequently close their eyes (for example when they are laughing) will eye AF jump to the next closest subject with their eyes open, or will it stick to the original subjects face?
 
gilbouk said:
Does anybody know from experience - that when you are locked onto somebody's face with Eye / Face detect - if they then subsequently close their eyes (for example when they are laughing) will eye AF jump to the next closest subject with their eyes open, or will it stick to the original subjects face?
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Very good question, and I don't have the answer. However if there's a face that you particularly want to prioritise you can register faces on the camera and I'd imagine it would stick to that face whether eyes closed or not.
 
snerkler said:
Very good question, and I don't have the answer. However if there's a face that you particularly want to prioritise you can register faces on the camera and I'd imagine it would stick to that face whether eyes closed or not.
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Really considering trying Sony, just to see if the behaviour of face and eye detect are more customisable / more intuitive for capturing natural moments quickly. Missing some great shots, and just want to see if I can get more of them with the help of the programming within AF on Sony. Time to maybe book a demo, or meet with somebody who uses it extensively for Weddings.
 
gilbouk said:
Really considering trying Sony, just to see if the behaviour of face and eye detect are more customisable / more intuitive for capturing natural moments quickly. Missing some great shots, and just want to see if I can get more of them with the help of the programming within AF on Sony. Time to maybe book a demo, or meet with somebody who uses it extensively for Weddings.
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Sony don't do demos unfortunately, but maybe Tommy @F2.8 can help as he does weddings. IIRC @T_J_G does wedding too.
 
gilbouk said:
Does anybody know from experience - that when you are locked onto somebody's face with Eye / Face detect - if they then subsequently close their eyes (for example when they are laughing) will eye AF jump to the next closest subject with their eyes open, or will it stick to the original subjects face?
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My ancient A7 locks on with face detect regardless of the subjects eyes being open or closed.

I'd be surprised if newer models with eye detect will jump to someone else if the subject closes their eyes. Surely the camera will just default to face detect and I'm sure this is what I've seen in review videos but this should be easy enough for people with cameras with eye detect to check.
 
gilbouk said:
Really considering trying Sony, just to see if the behaviour of face and eye detect are more customisable / more intuitive for capturing natural moments quickly. Missing some great shots, and just want to see if I can get more of them with the help of the programming within AF on Sony. Time to maybe book a demo, or meet with somebody who uses it extensively for Weddings.
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Tommy will be able to tell you, but when shooting my jazz some are moving all over the place and the eye af is still bang on and stays on the person I want it too.
 
Manny can't live without...

There are those who will insist that a half of full body shot including context isn't a portrait.


It's interesting that Manny uses the term "portrait" as there are those who will insist that a half of full body shot including context isn't a portrait. Only a tight head shot will do.

Some time ago I'd have said that I couldn't live without a 50mm but now a 35, 40 or 50mm will do and maybe even a 28.

Are there lenses you simply can't do without?
 
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woof woof said:
Manny can't live without...

There are those who will insist that a half of full body shot including context isn't a portrait.


It's interesting that Manny uses the term "portrait" as there are those who will insist that a half of full body shot including context isn't a portrait. Only a tight head shot will do.
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Like him I sometimes hold it one handed in portrait and shoot.
 
woof woof said:
My ancient A7 locks on with face detect regardless of the subjects eyes being open or closed.

I'd be surprised if newer models with eye detect will jump to someone else if the subject closes their eyes. Surely the camera will just default to face detect and I'm sure this is what I've seen in review videos but this should be easy enough for people with cameras with eye detect to check.
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That would be my thoughts too, but without having two or more people to use as guinea pigs I’m not sure ;)
 
gilbouk said:
Really considering trying Sony, just to see if the behaviour of face and eye detect are more customisable / more intuitive for capturing natural moments quickly. Missing some great shots, and just want to see if I can get more of them with the help of the programming within AF on Sony. Time to maybe book a demo, or meet with somebody who uses it extensively for Weddings.
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gilbouk said:
Does anybody know from experience - that when you are locked onto somebody's face with Eye / Face detect - if they then subsequently close their eyes (for example when they are laughing) will eye AF jump to the next closest subject with their eyes open, or will it stick to the original subjects face?
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You will see very little difference between the performance of any of the Sony bodies and the Canon R6 that it says you have in your signature. If you are missing moments using an R6 none of the Sony bodies are going to be able to help you. They are only very marginal differences.

Getting natural moments at a wedding come down more to your own intuition than the technical capabilities of the camera body you are using. You need to be able to anticipate what is going to happen, there will always be something that is missed. It is always mixture of skill and luck.

If you want to try Sony out, Sony reps go to every WEX event, they usually hold them every 3 months or so. Would be surprised if you will see any noticeable difference other than a bit of emperors new clothes.

If they close their eyes it will still stay on the same subject as real time a.f tracks once locked on, then again the R6 does as well. I haven't had a huge amount of experience using the R6 just 3 weddings but it behaved the same as the Sony bodies I have used.
 
Anyone else keeping an eye on the Tamron 20-40 f2.8. Could be a very nice general purpose lens for me.
 
robj20 said:
Anyone else keeping an eye on the Tamron 20-40 f2.8. Could be a very nice general purpose lens for me.
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Its for vloggers is it not? Can't see it been useful for anything else when you can already get a 16-35 f/2.8 and a 17-28 f/2.8

Tamron are also bringing out a wide f/2-f/2.8 lens soon as well.
 
robj20 said:
Anyone else keeping an eye on the Tamron 20-40 f2.8. Could be a very nice general purpose lens for me.
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I'll watch and read reviews but I doubt very much I'll buy it.

It does offer slightly more reach than the usual xx-28 or xx-35 options. It loses out at the wide end but 20-40mm could suit a lot of people. It'd cover most of what I want.
 
f/2.8 said:
Its for vloggers is it not? Can't see it been useful for anything else when you can already get a 16-35 f/2.8 and a 17-28 f/2.8

Tamron are also bringing out a wide f/2-f/2.8 lens soon as well.
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16-35 f2.8, is bigger, heavier and a lot wider. So not really comparable.
20mm and 35mm are my most used focal lengths by far.
What makes it for vloggers only?

Only thing that could be better for me would be if it went to 50mm.
Looks like it had reasonable close focus as well which is always handy.
 
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robj20 said:
Anyone else keeping an eye on the Tamron 20-40 f2.8. Could be a very nice general purpose lens for me.
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It's not really that useful a focal length for me, the only plus is the size and weight. If it was 20-50mm it would be more appealing, but I'm not sure how much bigger and heavier that would make it.
 
f/2.8 said:
You will see very little difference between the performance of any of the Sony bodies and the Canon R6 that it says you have in your signature. If you are missing moments using an R6 none of the Sony bodies are going to be able to help you. They are only very marginal differences.

Getting natural moments at a wedding come down more to your own intuition than the technical capabilities of the camera body you are using. You need to be able to anticipate what is going to happen, there will always be something that is missed. It is always mixture of skill and luck.

If you want to try Sony out, Sony reps go to every WEX event, they usually hold them every 3 months or so. Would be surprised if you will see any noticeable difference other than a bit of emperors new clothes.

If they close their eyes it will still stay on the same subject as real time a.f tracks once locked on, then again the R6 does as well. I haven't had a huge amount of experience using the R6 just 3 weddings but it behaved the same as the Sony bodies I have used.
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Unfortunately it seems the R6 doesn't allow tracking other than via face and eye detect which immediately switches away from the original subject selection as soon as it can't find eyes. Re-acquiring focus on the subject subsequently requires recomposition to get the single spot AF back over the subject, followed by BBF and then Face/Eye detect followed by recomposition which is very tedious. It also doesn't allow easy switching between zone select and single spot AF (it requires 2 button presses). The configurability of the Sony AF does seem appealing, and imo deserves consideration particularly if it performs better in these situations.
 
Mr Perceptive said:
Wilkinsons Camera have a buy now pay later credit available with up a year to pay, also have an used A1 in stock #justsaying........ :exit:

On second thoughts I shouldn't have told @trevorbray that..........................................:ROFLMAO:
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I'm waiting for a VIP invite to the grand opening of Trevor Bray Cameras, surely he's got enough stock to satisfy the whole of Surrey
 
Looking for a little bit of advice, my 24-105mm which I do like never gets any use because the 35mm 1.4 never comes off the A9. I think it's because other than family and fur there's not much else I photograph. My only other photography interest is stitched panos and I'm keen to try some big zoomed in stitches, so 105mm doesn't feel long enough.

I'd probably look to sell the 24-105mm on here (no doubt at a bargain price as I'm a bit daft that way) or trade it in but I'm not looking to spend much more, so what options are there for a decent long reach lens? The Sony 200-600mm has always appealed for that super long reach, but will clarity suffer at 600mm and is this overkill for a stitch?

I've always had my eye on the Sony 70-200mm f4 but I'm not sure 200mm will be enough. Are there any 3rd party lenses worth looking at with longer reach?
 
gman said:
Looking for a little bit of advice, my 24-105mm which I do like never gets any use because the 35mm 1.4 never comes off the A9. I think it's because other than family and fur there's not much else I photograph. My only other photography interest is stitched panos and I'm keen to try some big zoomed in stitches, so 105mm doesn't feel long enough.

I'd probably look to sell the 24-105mm on here (no doubt at a bargain price as I'm a bit daft that way) or trade it in but I'm not looking to spend much more, so what options are there for a decent long reach lens? The Sony 200-600mm has always appealed for that super long reach, but will clarity suffer at 600mm and is this overkill for a stitch?

I've always had my eye on the Sony 70-200mm f4 but I'm not sure 200mm will be enough. Are there any 3rd party lenses worth looking at with longer reach?
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600mm sounds a lot to me for landscape, and as you say unless it’s one of those days the air is perfectly clear and still you’re going to suffer with clarity and atmospheric conditions. Add to that the 200-600mm is quite a heft to carry around.

I’ve personally never used more than 200mm in which case the 70-200mm f4 is a good option, but also the Tamron 28-200mm is definitely worth considering.

There’s always the middle ground of the 100-400mm but again atmospheric conditions will start to come into play.
 
snerkler said:
600mm sounds a lot to me for landscape, and as you say unless it’s one of those days the air is perfectly clear and still you’re going to suffer with clarity and atmospheric conditions. Add to that the 200-600mm is quite a heft to carry around.

I’ve personally never used more than 200mm in which case the 70-200mm f4 is a good option, but also the Tamron 28-200mm is definitely worth considering.

There’s always the middle ground of the 100-400mm but again atmospheric conditions will start to come into play.
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This is sound advice.
 
snerkler said:
600mm sounds a lot to me for landscape, and as you say unless it’s one of those days the air is perfectly clear and still you’re going to suffer with clarity and atmospheric conditions. Add to that the 200-600mm is quite a heft to carry around.

I’ve personally never used more than 200mm in which case the 70-200mm f4 is a good option, but also the Tamron 28-200mm is definitely worth considering.

There’s always the middle ground of the 100-400mm but again atmospheric conditions will start to come into play.
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I initially was disappointed with my 28-200 because I got it as a general walk around lens. I've I stopped thinking of it as a walk around lens and thought of it as my telephoto lens it made sense for me, perfect for the Zoo for me for instance.

Just need that 20-40 to be good and that will be my walk around lens.

The 28-200 is brilliant for what it is.
 
Having had my Samyang 50mm f1.4 FE II for a while now and used it in several scenarios I've got to say I'm really impressed. I've always really liked Samyang rendering, but the sharpness of this lens is excellent. Even though I don't tend to buy a lens for this, edge to edge and corner sharpness is very impressive. I took some landscape type shots with it at the weekend and corner sharpness is probably amongst the best of any of my lenses. OK so I've not done a direct side by side comparison but it looks every bit as good as the 24-105mm, maybe even better (although I've never tested teh 24-105mm at 50mm).

The only negative thing I can say about it is CA's, but it's no worse than any other fast prime I've used (better than some) and these are easily corrected in post.
 
I've been trying to get used larger lenses and have had my Sony 35mm f1.8 on my A7 for quite some time and sort of getting used to it rather than the tiny Sony 35mm f2.8 and Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 which have been by far my most used lenses. I thought if I can get used to the 35mm f1.8 I might stretch to the 35mm f1.4 but yesterday I thought "This A7 and 35mm f1.8 is just too big and heavy. Why am I using this when I have MFT?" So, I think thoughts of the 35mm f1.4 or 50mm f1.2 are out.

I do wish we had smaller and lighter wide aperture lenses even if they're not sharp corner to corner. At the mo the 35mm f2.8 and the G series lenses are the only really compact options and they're at f2.5/f2.8.
 
woof woof said:
I've been trying to get used larger lenses and have had my Sony 35mm f1.8 on my A7 for quite some time and sort of getting used to it rather than the tiny Sony 35mm f2.8 and Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 which have been by far my most used lenses. I thought if I can get used to the 35mm f1.8 I might stretch to the 35mm f1.4 but yesterday I thought "This A7 and 35mm f1.8 is just too big and heavy. Why am I using this when I have MFT?" So, I think thoughts of the 35mm f1.4 or 50mm f1.2 are out.

I do wish we had smaller and lighter wide aperture lenses even if they're not sharp corner to corner. At the mo the 35mm f2.8 and the G series lenses are the only really compact options and they're at f2.5/f2.8.
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My A9-II and 35mm f1.8 is a relatively lightweight setup for me ;)
 
snerkler said:
600mm sounds a lot to me for landscape, and as you say unless it’s one of those days the air is perfectly clear and still you’re going to suffer with clarity and atmospheric conditions. Add to that the 200-600mm is quite a heft to carry around.

I’ve personally never used more than 200mm in which case the 70-200mm f4 is a good option, but also the Tamron 28-200mm is definitely worth considering.

There’s always the middle ground of the 100-400mm but again atmospheric conditions will start to come into play.
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Thanks, I'll have a good think about this. I think the 70-200mm has dual focusing motors for speed, which I'm hoping will suit fast telephoto dog shots as well. I'm not sure if it'll be as fast as ultra sonic though?
 
gman said:
Thanks, I'll have a good think about this. I think the 70-200mm has dual focusing motors for speed, which I'm hoping will suit fast telephoto dog shots as well. I'm not sure if it'll be as fast as ultra sonic though?
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I assume you mean the DDSSM of the 200-600mm? TBH I don't know which are faster, the new 70-200mm f2.8 GM2 uses linear motors but has 4 of them, I'd have thought if the SSM are faster they'd have used them but that's only an assumption as I don't know they difference.
 
woof woof said:
I've been trying to get used larger lenses and have had my Sony 35mm f1.8 on my A7 for quite some time and sort of getting used to it rather than the tiny Sony 35mm f2.8 and Voigtlander 35mm f1.4 which have been by far my most used lenses. I thought if I can get used to the 35mm f1.8 I might stretch to the 35mm f1.4 but yesterday I thought "This A7 and 35mm f1.8 is just too big and heavy. Why am I using this when I have MFT?" So, I think thoughts of the 35mm f1.4 or 50mm f1.2 are out.

I do wish we had smaller and lighter wide aperture lenses even if they're not sharp corner to corner. At the mo the 35mm f2.8 and the G series lenses are the only really compact options and they're at f2.5/f2.8.
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The 35GM is an awesome lens but I don't think you need the huge aperture or the pixel peeping IQ in all honesty Alan.
 
LeeRatters said:
The 35GM is an awesome lens but I don't think you need the huge aperture or the pixel peeping IQ in all honesty Alan.
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It's mainly a psychological thing, the difference between f1.4 and f1.8. In some ways the f1.8 is better as it's smaller, lighter and with much less breathing with the biggest obvious difference arguably and at least I believe so being the difference in the size of the bokeh balls wide open.

I've never really warmed to the 55mm f1.8 as excellent though it is with a couple of provisos it's 55mm not 50mm. The other Sony and other marque options are the Sony 50mm f1.8 but I'm not going to even try that on my A7 as I'm convinced the focus will be pants and the much larger Sony and other f1.4's and the compact but f2.5 Sony G.

One thing I have thought of doing is getting the 50mm G and having the 24 and 50mm G's and the old 35mm f2.8 as my main kit with the 20 and 85mm f1.8's and 28mm f2 for those once in a very long time uses.

I do have the good Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 and the excellent 50mm f2 and of course the "interesting" 35mm f1.4 but I don't get a lot of chance to be out by myself these days and when with with someone else AF is better as I'll be quicker and not turning every trip out into a photography outing.

I'll end up just keeping what I have :D
 
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Other stuff.

I see a forum user has asked for his account and all posts to be removed.

I do think it's sad when this happens. I don't know why it's happened in this case but generally I think it's a bit of a wake up call for when things can get a little too heated and go a little too far.
 
woof woof said:
It's mainly a psychological thing, the difference between f1.4 and f1.8. In some ways the f1.8 is better as it's smaller, lighter and with much less breathing with the biggest obvious difference arguably and at least I believe so being the difference in the size of the bokeh balls wide open.

I've never really warmed to the 55mm f1.8 as excellent though it is with a couple of provisos it's 55mm not 50mm. The other Sony and other marque options are the Sony 50mm f1.8 but I'm not going to even try that on my A7 as I'm convinced the focus will be pants and the much larger Sony and other f1.4's and the compact but f2.5 Sony G.

One thing I have thought of doing is getting the 50mm G and having the 24 and 50mm G's and the old 35mm f2.8 as my main kit with the 20 and 85mm f1.8's and 28mm f2 for those once in a very long time uses.

I do have the good Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 and the excellent 50mm f2 and of course the "interesting" 35mm f1.4 but I don't get a lot of chance to be out by myself these days and when with with someone else AF is better as I'll be quicker and not turning every trip out into a photography outing.

I'll end up just keeping what I have :D
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I have still got my Voigtlander 40/1.2 but I only use it when out on my own, landscape or woodland walks. I am pretty happy with the 35GM and Tamron 70-180mm I must say. Just leave it in the bag with the drone. I only swap stuff around if doing night skies and swap the Tamron for the 24GM and tracker etc
 
woof woof said:
Other stuff.

I see a forum user has asked for his account and all posts to be removed.

I do think it's sad when this happens. I don't know why it's happened in this case but generally I think it's a bit of a wake up call for when things can get a little too heated and go a little too far.
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There's another forum I've used at times which uses the dinner party metaphor for what is acceptable. Unfortunately some long standing posters really love to stir thing up until they get a reaction, by their own admission. It makes for the kind of party where one would find a reason to leave around 9pm. Just as with TP, there are some members I never wish to meet in real life, even if they cover themselves with a veneer of social niceties.
 
ancient_mariner said:
There's another forum I've used at times which uses the dinner party metaphor for what is acceptable. Unfortunately some long standing posters really love to stir thing up until they get a reaction, by their own admission. It makes for the kind of party where one would find a reason to leave around 9pm. Just as with TP, there are some members I never wish to meet in real life, even if they cover themselves with a veneer of social niceties.
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Not sure I’m familiar with the dinner party metaphor for what’s acceptable?

There are odd members that spoil things unfortunately but on the whole it’s not a bad forum. I did see some rather bad behaviour on another thread a couple of weeks ago but that’s been resolved amicably now (y)
 
ancient_mariner said:
There's another forum I've used at times which uses the dinner party metaphor for what is acceptable. Unfortunately some long standing posters really love to stir thing up until they get a reaction, by their own admission. It makes for the kind of party where one would find a reason to leave around 9pm. Just as with TP, there are some members I never wish to meet in real life, even if they cover themselves with a veneer of social niceties.
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I've taken a look at the post, whilst uncalled for the person they were responding to has rubbed quite a few people up the wrong way since joining, especially in the classifieds, i'm not condoning the response but can understand why it happened.
 
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