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

wookie6262 said:
If you have had them less than 2 weeks and bought online then distance selling rules should mean you can return
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I have already ready traded it in, the Olympus kit was bought privately. Luckily I had got a good deal so didn't lose any money on the trade in.

I actually didn't even buy the Olympus gear. I swopped a local guy local for my 85 G.M which I had already replaced with the Sigma 85mm art and my Tamron 17-28 which I had already replaced with the 12-24G.M.
 
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This is why I want the X100VI.

Although the XS10 with 23/1.4 is small, it’s almost double the thickness of the X100.

IlW2G4K.jpeg
 
Raymond Lin said:
This is why I want the X100VI.

Although the XS10 with 23/1.4 is small, it’s almost double the thickness of the X100.
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One thing I did like about my Fiji X100f was that it fitted in my inside jacket pocket very well whereas my similarly sized Panasonics used to tumble forward and were therefore uncomfortable in the same pocket.
 
Just something from my world :D

These days I've tended to be mostly drawn to 35 or 50mm with occasional outings with 28mm but this morning I thought I might try taking my 85mm f1.8 out more as I've hardly used it. 85 would normally be a little long for me but I used to wander around with a film era 50mm on MFT so 85 would actually be a wider FoV than that set up. I'll give it a go :D but not today as it's yet another grey flat dead light day.
 
Raymond Lin said:
This is why I want the X100VI.

Although the XS10 with 23/1.4 is small, it’s almost double the thickness of the X100.

IlW2G4K.jpeg
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And there is a iPhone on the right which you chose not to show. But it's there and there are no excuses :LOL:
 
f/2.8 said:
Everyone is different but I would never want to go back to trailing around an old school “pro” sized body. Especially when at work I am always carrying 2/3 bodies.
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I'm actually not that much of a gripped body fan where tripod is typically used but if I did a lot more weddings (and looks like I may not have much of a choice going forward) that would be a must have. I've not seen a single add-on grip that is anywhere near as nice as all in 1 body. I truly loathe the screw on things
 
LongLensPhotography said:
I'm actually not that much of a gripped body fan where tripod is typically used but if I did a lot more weddings (and looks like I may not have much of a choice going forward) that would be a must have. I've not seen a single add-on grip that is anywhere near as nice as all in 1 body. I truly loathe the screw on things
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Haven’t used a grip or needed one at a wedding since Jesus was a wee lad.

Everyone is different but definitely not a must have for me.
 
f/2.8 said:
Everyone is different but I would never want to go back to trailing around an old school “pro” sized body. Especially when at work I am always carrying 2/3 bodies.
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Me neither. I see that Matt Granger has ruffled feathers by stating that Sony don't make a Pro body. I don't understand why only the big breeze block cameras are considered pro bodes as though having something that weighs 1.5kg is the holy grail :thinking:
 
snerkler said:
Me neither. I see that Matt Granger has ruffled feathers by stating that Sony don't make a Pro body. I don't understand why only the big breeze block cameras are considered pro bodes as though having something that weighs 1.5kg is the holy grail :thinking:
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No doubt there are some old school people around who prefer the ergonomics of the old school bodies and there is probably a market for that. Not sure if there is enough people who would want it to justify making one though.
 
f/2.8 said:
No doubt there are some old school people around who prefer the ergonomics of the old school bodies and there is probably a market for that. Not sure if there is enough people who would want it to justify making one though.
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What I don't get is you have the option of a battery grip if you want it. I'd much rather have the option of having it smaller and lighter and then adding the grip if you want rather than having to carry around a breeze block at all times.
 
snerkler said:
What I don't get is you have the option of a battery grip if you want it. I'd much rather have the option of having it smaller and lighter and then adding the grip if you want rather than having to carry around a breeze block at all times.
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Tbh I can’t really see the need for a grip for anything. Batteries last me a whole wedding day although to be on the safe side I usually swap them out at dinner.

I guess it’s slightly easier to shoot portrait mode with a grip but the small advantage is far out weighed by the weight saving.
 
f/2.8 said:
Haven’t used a grip or needed one at a wedding since Jesus was a wee lad.

Everyone is different but definitely not a must have for me.
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This is not to say that it is a must have, but a nice to have to useful to have. I have all non-gripped cameras, and vast majority of my work is horizontal format as a result. I can flip it and I do sometimes obviously as when absolutely required (such as a wedding) but find it very annoying to be shooting predominantly like this for a prolonged period of time.

As I already said, grips and tripods don't mix that well together in vertical orientation, unless shooting a PROper big lens with tripod collar. I like these but options are quite limited to long teles and 70-200mm's.
A grip with RC4 tripod plate (which is an absolute must) is also a bit of an issue.... You would just take it off for a wedding day and back on immediately. There really isn't a nice and elegant solution other than fabricating a massive cage allowing a hand through... which is quite a horrible idea anyway.

f/2.8 said:
No doubt there are some old school people around who prefer the ergonomics of the old school bodies and there is probably a market for that. Not sure if there is enough people who would want it to justify making one though.
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Z9's are flying off the shelves. Good enough reason to make one? Grip or no grip at least your whole hand needs to fit over it without 1-2, or 3 fingers overhanging. That is just terrible and ALL recent cameras but Z8 and Z9 are guilty of this. You need to buy crappy overpriced chinese metal from likes of smallrig to make it sort of proper height,

snerkler said:
Me neither. I see that Matt Granger has ruffled feathers by stating that Sony don't make a Pro body. I don't understand why only the big breeze block cameras are considered pro bodes as though having something that weighs 1.5kg is the holy grail :thinking:
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1. He quite clearly explained what pro body definition entails and it certainly wasn't that. He actually classed All FF Sonys as pro. So I guess you didn't watch. Flagship is where he wants full size. I agree with that.

snerkler said:
What I don't get is you have the option of a battery grip if you want it. I'd much rather have the option of having it smaller and lighter and then adding the grip if you want rather than having to carry around a breeze block at all times.
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Option is what it is about. An option to buy a gripped body or not to buy it.

Addon grips are absolutely terrible overpriced pieces of junk. They are inelegant, unnecessarily big and they wobble. Yes they wobble on tripod. Forget doing composite work. Crap. Utter crap, will never buy another one for any camera.

f/2.8 said:
Tbh I can’t really see the need for a grip for anything. Batteries last me a whole wedding day although to be on the safe side I usually swap them out at dinner.

I guess it’s slightly easier to shoot portrait mode with a grip but the small advantage is far out weighed by the weight saving.
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Batteries is MOSTLY not an issue. You just swap, unless you can't due to terrible atmospheric conditions (war zones, rainforest, arctic), you are doing long format video or maybe you are in a middle of some important action and can't afford battery to run out any time soon. That is the definition of PRO requirements. Probably doesn't affect most of us though, certainly not me.

The convenience of vertical shooting for wedding, portrait and sports photographers is where it is at for most. Also for balancing bigger lenses.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
This is not to say that it is a must have, but a nice to have to useful to have. I have all non-gripped cameras, and vast majority of my work is horizontal format as a result. I can flip it and I do sometimes obviously as when absolutely required (such as a wedding) but find it very annoying to be shooting predominantly like this for a prolonged period of time.

As I already said, grips and tripods don't mix that well together in vertical orientation, unless shooting a PROper big lens with tripod collar. I like these but options are quite limited to long teles and 70-200mm's.
A grip with RC4 tripod plate (which is an absolute must) is also a bit of an issue.... You would just take it off for a wedding day and back on immediately. There really isn't a nice and elegant solution other than fabricating a massive cage allowing a hand through... which is quite a horrible idea anyway.


Z9's are flying off the shelves. Good enough reason to make one? Grip or no grip at least your whole hand needs to fit over it without 1-2, or 3 fingers overhanging. That is just terrible and ALL recent cameras but Z8 and Z9 are guilty of this. You need to buy crappy overpriced chinese metal from likes of smallrig to make it sort of proper height,


1. He quite clearly explained what pro body definition entails and it certainly wasn't that. He actually classed All FF Sonys as pro. So I guess you didn't watch. Flagship is where he wants full size. I agree with that.


Option is what it is about. An option to buy a gripped body or not to buy it.

Addon grips are absolutely terrible overpriced pieces of junk. They are inelegant, unnecessarily big and they wobble. Yes they wobble on tripod. Forget doing composite work. Crap. Utter crap, will never buy another one for any camera.


Batteries is MOSTLY not an issue. You just swap, unless you can't due to terrible atmospheric conditions (war zones, rainforest, arctic), you are doing long format video or maybe you are in a middle of some important action and can't afford battery to run out any time soon. That is the definition of PRO requirements. Probably doesn't affect most of us though, certainly not me.

The convenience of vertical shooting for wedding, portrait and sports photographers is where it is at for most. Also for balancing bigger lenses.
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Z9’s are primarily being bought by older men in their 60’s and 70’s who want to recreate the “good old days” when they had D3’s and spent all day carting carting about their 70-200.

I don’t know any wedding photographers that have one, even the guys I know who shoot Nikon don’t seem interested in it. Mainly because they don’t want the larger bodies.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
...

Addon grips are absolutely terrible overpriced pieces of junk. They are inelegant, unnecessarily big and they wobble. Yes they wobble on tripod. Forget doing composite work. Crap. Utter crap, will never buy another one for any camera.
....
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Your experience is clearly different to mine - I had a genuine Sony VG on one of my A900's, and a 3rd party one on the other - both were rick solid when correctly attached, with no hint of wobbling.
The Sony grip was better than the 3rd party (it had a full set of buttons, while the 3rd party had a reduced set), but both were useful when using long lenses handheld or when wanting to shoot frequently in portrait.
Note that I wouldn't use them when working on a tripod because that's not a situation where a VG is useful - and the increased distance between lens and tripod plate will reduce stability (as it will for a camera with an integrated grip) as it moves the CG further away (obviously this doesn't apply when using the lens foot to mount the camera/lens combo).
 
f/2.8 said:
Z9’s are primarily being bought by older men in their 60’s and 70’s who want to recreate the “good old days” when they had D3’s and spent all day carting carting about their 70-200.

I don’t know any wedding photographers that have one, even the guys I know who shoot Nikon don’t seem interested in it. Mainly because they don’t want the larger bodies.
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Weddings is certainly not the whole photography. Not that a 70-200mm f/2.8 on a nice Z9 is a bad option. It is a great option. I would never go to a wedding without 70-200mm; and if I choose to shoot 135mm or 85mm where time and circumstances allow then that is my decision to make on the fly.

Sports and wildlife is definitely where you want and need big body with big battery. There is also a voltage issue. Big battery usually has more juice and voltage and can focus the big fat lens quicker. It is definitely a thing.

60's and 70's.... usually these are the ones that keep moaning about every 5g. LOL Use it or lose it.... the muscles in this case.

Nikon did a massive disservice to them with Z7 and Z6 attracting all the wrong crowds and scaring away their normal user base. Sadly there will be some aftermath when these users realise they have been relegated to 3rd or lower tier bodies or need to switch to OM, etc. Their problem, not mine LOL. Go to gym perhaps
 
Faldrax said:
Note that I wouldn't use them when working on a tripod because that's not a situation where a VG is useful - and the increased distance between lens and tripod plate will reduce stability (as it will for a camera with an integrated grip) as it moves the CG further away (obviously this doesn't apply when using the lens foot to mount the camera/lens combo).
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There is a difference actually with addon and integrated. I had 1Ds II a decade ago. That was much heaverier than your Z9s today. Lots of steel, a weapon... It was solid on tripod in horizontal orientation, but you lost the really low shooting option. On vertical it was obviously bad. Any camera is bad in vertical but that was really bad.

Manfrotto did make double RC4 bracket. However forget about it with flippy screens of today. Shame.

You could make a reasonably fitting addon grip. That would really require full metal build, and two or four screws, proper screws not a side thumbscrew.... Also a dedicated long but thinner battery design. I just don't see this happening. They never sit properly flush, never feel as good it is just not on and you pay £3-400 for that horror.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
Weddings is certainly not the whole photography. Not that a 70-200mm f/2.8 on a nice Z9 is a bad option. It is a great option. I would never go to a wedding without 70-200mm; and if I choose to shoot 135mm or 85mm where time and circumstances allow then that is my decision to make on the fly.

Sports and wildlife is definitely where you want and need big body with big battery. There is also a voltage issue. Big battery usually has more juice and voltage and can focus the big fat lens quicker. It is definitely a thing.

60's and 70's.... usually these are the ones that keep moaning about every 5g. LOL Use it or lose it.... the muscles in this case.

Nikon did a massive disservice to them with Z7 and Z6 attracting all the wrong crowds and scaring away their normal user base. Sadly there will be some aftermath when these users realise they have been relegated to 3rd or lower tier bodies or need to switch to OM, etc. Their problem, not mine LOL. Go to gym perhaps
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You mentioned weddings that’s why I did.

There is nothing wrong with being old school like yourself. If you are happy to cart around gargantuan gear cos it works best for you then you should do that.

I stopped using 70-200’s as never found myself in a situation at a wedding where I needed to make use of it. I have one of the cheapy Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 lenses that lives in the car have had it for maybe 2 years and used it at a wedding once for a handful of photos. If I didn’t have it, I could easily have just got a bit closer and used an 85mm. I should really get rid of it.

I don’t know any wedding photographers that use a 70-200 on a regular basis, I haven’t seen that in donkeys years, but if that’s what works for you then that’s the best option.

When I shoot weddings on my own, I don’t shoot anything longer than 50mm. When I work with my missus she uses an 85.

Maybe you shoot a lot if tight stuff, we don’t as we are always wanting to include elements of the environment.
 
woof woof said:
Just something from my world :D

These days I've tended to be mostly drawn to 35 or 50mm with occasional outings with 28mm but this morning I thought I might try taking my 85mm f1.8 out more as I've hardly used it. 85 would normally be a little long for me but I used to wander around with a film era 50mm on MFT so 85 would actually be a wider FoV than that set up. I'll give it a go :D but not today as it's yet another grey flat dead light day.
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On our way back from north Devon on Friday we called into Valley of the Rocks as last time we went there it was big winds & that horrible drizzle!! Got a few 24GM shots & some (self) portraits with the 70-180mm. Then went down into Lynmouth for another hour wander & some chips. Used the 70-180mm again and they look very good on the rear of the camera - sort of forgot how nice that lens is to use :)
 
f/2.8 said:
When I shoot weddings on my own, I don’t shoot anything longer than 50mm. When I work with my missus she uses an 85.

Maybe you shoot a lot if tight stuff, we don’t as we are always wanting to include elements of the environment.
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different styles and all that.

I like having a variety or at least an option of doing a variety. I don't think they require lots of environment in every shot, depending on venue of course. 200mm gives you options to shoot from a distance, shoot tighter. I don't think I need to explain any further.
All posed stuff all mostly 50mm full height, maybe some 35mm ones. Then all 85, 135mm, 200mmm. Long is great. I love long lenses.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
There is a difference actually with addon and integrated. I had 1Ds II a decade ago. That was much heaverier than your Z9s today. Lots of steel, a weapon... It was solid on tripod in horizontal orientation, but you lost the really low shooting option. On vertical it was obviously bad. Any camera is bad in vertical but that was really bad.

Manfrotto did make double RC4 bracket. However forget about it with flippy screens of today. Shame.

You could make a reasonably fitting addon grip. That would really require full metal build, and two or four screws, proper screws not a side thumbscrew.... Also a dedicated long but thinner battery design. I just don't see this happening. They never sit properly flush, never feel as good it is just not on and you pay £3-400 for that horror.
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I think you have misunderstood my comment about a grip (add-on or integrated) reducing stability.
I was considering stability in the tripod head mechanism, rather than the grip/camera mechanism.
A grip (of either type) increases the distance from the tripod plate to the lens mount, which increases the leverage the lens exerts on the head mechanism, greater leverage equals greater force applied, which reduces the stability.
 
What a week!!

Sunrise 5 days in a row. Couple of sunsets, a clear night sky.... It all started with this lone tree just on the edge of Bristol for Monday sunrise before heading home for some final packing before popping down t north Devon for a few days..... Combe Martin was the base with visits to Watermouth, Ilfracombe, Woolacombe several times, Croyde, Braunton, Mortehoe, Lee, Instow ..... with Valley of Rocks & Lynmouth on the way home :)

Phew :)


*** by Lee, on Flickr
 
Faldrax said:
I think you have misunderstood my comment about a grip (add-on or integrated) reducing stability.
I was considering stability in the tripod head mechanism, rather than the grip/camera mechanism.
A grip (of either type) increases the distance from the tripod plate to the lens mount, which increases the leverage the lens exerts on the head mechanism, greater leverage equals greater force applied, which reduces the stability.
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I totally get that. A big chunky lens therefore really needs to have a collar and be mounted to the head there. Something like 135mm ART are the worst cases really here. You just have to deal with it, maybe take the hood off if windy, shield with your jacket, etc.

A good head like 410 can sort of deal with it. I bet 405 would be even better if you find a good deal for one.

On a video gimbal the situation is actually reversed. Heavy lens on small cameras gives terrible front heavy balance. 1.5kg brick will balance most things perfectly. You can find a small prime maybe, but don't you want a nice 1.4 ART or even a 1.2 on it? You certainly do.
 
LongLensPhotography said:
I totally get that. A big chunky lens therefore really needs to have a collar and be mounted to the head there. Something like 135mm ART are the worst cases really here. You just have to deal with it, maybe take the hood off if windy, shield with your jacket, etc.

A good head like 410 can sort of deal with it. I bet 405 would be even better if you find a good deal for one.

On a video gimbal the situation is actually reversed. Heavy lens on small cameras gives terrible front heavy balance. 1.5kg brick will balance most things perfectly. You can find a small prime maybe, but don't you want a nice 1.4 ART or even a 1.2 on it? You certainly do.
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The 410 is a nice bit of kit (The Benro geared head is supposed to be just as good, and has the advantage of the arca-swiss 'standard' plate) - but it's a hefty lump on the end of my 055 CXPro3 legs!
I keep thinking of getting a 135, but need (want?) to switch all my old A-Mount lenses over to E-Mount equivalents first, which won't be a cheap task...
 
Faldrax said:
The 410 is a nice bit of kit (The Benro geared head is supposed to be just as good, and has the advantage of the arca-swiss 'standard' plate) - but it's a hefty lump on the end of my 055 CXPro3 legs!
I keep thinking of getting a 135, but need (want?) to switch all my old A-Mount lenses over to E-Mount equivalents first, which won't be a cheap task...
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I haven't tested benro. It looks a little less heavy duty but it really needs tested to really tell.
I never bothered with CF legs. The metal ones balance quite well with 410 and give it a nice stable base. Besides if you are walking through Birmingham at night which one would you rather carry? Hopefully I won't have to do this any time soon again.

Good luck with your upgrades. There is a big used market, lots of cheap ARTs around if you don't need jump into all GM2's all at once.
 
Faldrax said:
Your experience is clearly different to mine - I had a genuine Sony VG on one of my A900's, and a 3rd party one on the other - both were rick solid when correctly attached, with no hint of wobbling.
The Sony grip was better than the 3rd party (it had a full set of buttons, while the 3rd party had a reduced set), but both were useful when using long lenses handheld or when wanting to shoot frequently in portrait.
Note that I wouldn't use them when working on a tripod because that's not a situation where a VG is useful - and the increased distance between lens and tripod plate will reduce stability (as it will for a camera with an integrated grip) as it moves the CG further away (obviously this doesn't apply when using the lens foot to mount the camera/lens combo).
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I have Sony grips and one is OK on one of my A1s and the other a bit wobbly. Neither are like a proper Unibody with a decent sized battery. Both work ok and hardly every leave the bodies, a Unibody would be far better for me. I was hoping they would have a proper size body for the A9iii and given its speed it seems crazy they never went with the faster CF Express cards which would have been easy with the extra real estate. The A9iii will very much be a sports and wildlife body imo and those genres would welcome the extra size and the weight would balance the bigger lens with much of teh work done on tripods or monopods. I agree with MG. A proper sized body as a flagship camera makes sense and I wish Sony would make one.
 
wookie6262 said:
I have Sony grips and one is OK on one of my A1s and the other a bit wobbly. Neither are like a proper Unibody with a decent sized battery. Both work ok and hardly every leave the bodies, a Unibody would be far better for me. I was hoping they would have a proper size body for the A9iii and given its speed it seems crazy they never went with the faster CF Express cards which would have been easy with the extra real estate. The A9iii will very much be a sports and wildlife body imo and those genres would welcome the extra size and the weight would balance the bigger lens with much of teh work done on tripods or monopods. I agree with MG. A proper sized body as a flagship camera makes sense and I wish Sony would make one.
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I have no issue with them making a larger body for those that want it, but I’d not want it to replace the A1 series I’d want it to be in addition so that the A1 series would be for those that prefer smaller bodies.

I’m not sure why the battery grips wobble on Sony as I never had an issue with my Nikon DSLR battery grips.
 
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