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

[f/1.2]

Don't forget the cars, watches, HiFi and other stuff we push in this thread.

Its been a while since cars were mentioned,

I had a Maxton Design front splitter, side skirts and a spoiler extension fitted to the focus a few weeks ago.

Am just waiting on Mountune intercoolers coming into stock so I can grab one of those and jump up another stage as well.

Not had a chance to take any proper photos yet but she is looking pretty











New Exhaust has been fitted a while now as well and it’s sounds fantastic.



Have also joined the local ST club and have my first show on the 25th.

This is my wee bros current motor.



He is also looking at getting this as his new weekend car at the minute. He daily drives the McLaren.

 

[snerkler]

Its been a while since cars were mentioned,

I had a Maxton Design front splitter, side skirts and a spoiler extension fitted to the focus a few weeks ago.

Am just waiting on Mountune intercoolers coming into stock so I can grab one of those and jump up another stage as well.

Not had a chance to take any proper photos yet but she is looking pretty

View attachment 431239






View attachment 431240


New Exhaust has been fitted a while now as well and it’s sounds fantastic.

View attachment 431241

Have also joined the local ST club and have my first show on the 25th.

This is my wee bros current motor.

View attachment 431242

He is also looking at getting this as his new weekend car at the minute. He daily drives the McLaren.

View attachment 431244

That trans am

 

[f/1.2]

That trans am

I know, I will be proper jealous if he gets it. He only sent me the info on it last night asking what I thought which usually means he has made his mind up and it will definitely be getting bought.

 

[LeeRatters]

I know, I will be proper jealous if he gets it. He only sent me the info on it last night asking what I thought which usually means he has made his mind up and it will definitely be getting bought.

One of my mates recently just sold one of those.

 

[f/1.2]

One of my mates recently just sold one of those.

Would love one myself but have no space left at the house we have my car, my wife’s car and our eldest’s car, she passed her test last week plus my brother in laws Capri now lives here as well. The Capri has basically become my Capri as I drive it more than he does

 

[woof woof]

Its been a while since cars were mentioned,

I had a Maxton Design front splitter, side skirts and a spoiler extension fitted to the focus a few weeks ago.

Am just waiting on Mountune intercoolers coming into stock so I can grab one of those and jump up another stage as well.

Not had a chance to take any proper photos yet but she is looking pretty

My Evoque is in the main dealer for a service and MoT at a quite reasonable cost of £686.77. My 2001 MX5 has a couple of slow punctures which I think are due to the age of the wheels and corrosion. I think they need cleaning and powder coating or just replacing which will probably be the easiest and maybe the cheaper thing to do. I'm currently thinking of replacing the Evoque with a newer one or Discovery sport. We'll see.

HiFi, I think my Linn Sondel LP12 needs a new cartridge. MC's seem a bit thin on the ground these days so the last one was a MM and the next one will probably be too. My Arcam amp was constantly playing up with noisy rotary dials and as they're difficult if not actually impossible to find and cleaning them was becoming less and less effective I replaced it with and Exposure and I have to say that it's in a different league.

 

[woof woof]

Sony Annoyance.

I'm trying to log in and claim my cashback but yesterday they were having technical difficulties and a message told me to try later and it's the same today.

 

[JohnMcL7]

I had a Sabrent SD card go down. It is not very old. I could not open it in either Windows or Macbook laptops. So I lost quite a lot of photo's. I have sent it back. However whilst I was looking online about cards going down, it mentioned about deleting in camera. I tend to check photo's that I just took and delete any that are no good. Now I read that is not good for the card. Any thoughts?

It sounds like the card has failed and is nothing to do with your deletions. A few years back I used to do the same when I had lower capacity memory cards and needed to be careful with space and what I found was after some time, the camera would intermittently show an error when taking photos. I changed to formatting the card in camera each time rather than deleting and those problems disappeared. The cards always appeared fine on the computer though which makes me think you've been very unlucky and had a failure.

My Evoque is in the main dealer for a service and moT at a quite reasonable cost of £686.77. My 2001 MX5 has a couple of slow punctures which I think are due to the age of the wheels and corrosion. I think they need cleaning and powder coating or just replacing which will probably be the easiest and maybe cheaper thing to do. I'm currently thinking of replacing the Evoque with a newer one or Discovery sport. We'll see.

I like most aspects of my Mazda but the alloys are junk and I've recently had the alloys refurbed a second time on my 2011 Mazda as the tyres were slowly losing air.

 

[woof woof]

I like most aspects of my Mazda but the alloys are junk and I've recently had the alloys refurbed a second time on my 2011 Mazda as the tyres were slowly losing air.

How much did refurb cost? I don't know how I'd organise removing all the wheels from my MX5 and then I'd have to find someone to do the work. I've just checked a company on line and I can get a new set of wheels for under £500 which is cheaper than I thought, I didn't check postage though. Years ago I'm sure Halfords used to sell wheels and that would be great as there's one within walking distance but there don't seem to be any on their website now.

I don't know if getting wheels is worthwhile as Mrs WW said she wants a car when she gets back but she keeps changing her mind. If she does want one the MX5 will have to go and I'll be devastated but we having 4 cars would be a pita and I don't want to sell either of my others. I've had a lot of work done on the MX5 in the last couple of years and it goes and drive like new now.

PS.
Just googled MX5 wheel refurb and it seems to start at £72 but that leaves the hassle and cost of all the logistics. I think buying new ones and binning the old ones would be the best option.

 

[woof woof]

Re Sony technical issues.

All the details I entered were right but I thought I'd try something else and so created a new account and it all went through with all the same details including email and password. I thought this was strange as normally a site should recognise that an existing account exists, but there you go. I then managed to claim the cashback and have just received a notification email to say its going through. So, the technical issue must have killed my existing account? Who knows...

PS. Taking pictures of the camera serial number with the camera in my hand one handed with a phone is a pita. In the light that passes for daylight today it took me 4 goes to get a clear picture.

 

[Kell]

How much did refurb cost? I don't know how I'd organise removing all the wheels from my MX5 and then I'd have to find someone to do the work. I've just checked a company on line and I can get a new set of wheels for under £500 which is cheaper than I thought, I didn't check postage though. Years ago I'm sure Halfords used to sell wheels and that would be great as there's one within walking distance but there don't seem to be any on their website now.

I don't know if getting wheels is worthwhile as Mrs WW said she wants a car when she gets back but she keeps changing her mind. If she does want one the MX5 will have to go and I'll be devastated but we having 4 cars would be a pita and I don't want to sell either of my others. I've had a lot of work done on the MX5 in the last couple of years and it goes and drive like new now.

PS.
Just googled MX5 wheel refurb and it seems to start at £72 but that leaves the hassle and cost of all the logistics. I think buying new ones and binning the old ones would be the best option.

Have you looked into one of those mobile companies?

They do it all in the back of a van one wheel at a time. So can come to you and do it on your drive

 

[snerkler]

Well I'm one step further with Sony, they've asked me to send a video of the wi-fi issue. They still can't understand what's wrong with the button being mushy. I've tried every descriptive possible and I just get the response "is it stuck". No clearly isn't a word that they understand

 

[snerkler]

I've also contacted Sony regarding the A9 III's shutter being limited to 1/16000 with apertures wider than f1.8 and asked if this will be altered in future firmware updates and they've said no

 

[f/1.2]

My Evoque is in the main dealer for a service and MoT at a quite reasonable cost of £686.77. My 2001 MX5 has a couple of slow punctures which I think are due to the age of the wheels and corrosion. I think they need cleaning and powder coating or just replacing which will probably be the easiest and maybe the cheaper thing to do. I'm currently thinking of replacing the Evoque with a newer one or Discovery sport. We'll see.

HiFi, I think my Linn Sondel LP12 needs a new cartridge. MC's seem a bit thin on the ground these days so the last one was a MM and the next one will probably be too. My Arcam amp was constantly playing up with noisy rotary dials and as they're difficult if not actually impossible to find and cleaning them was becoming less and less effective I replaced it with and Exposure and I have to say that it's in a different league.

That’s expensive for a Landrover service especially when there are so many independent specialists around. The independents can even update the Range Rover online service history.

Wheel refurb is about £50 a wheel here although maybe dearer in England.

 

[snerkler]

That’s expensive for a Landrover service especially when there are so many independent specialists around. The independents can even update the Range Rover online service history.

Wheel refurb is about £50 a wheel here although maybe dearer in England.

Depends on the service required, if it's the "big one" it can be quite pricey. General services on the Evoque have been around £250 for us.

Wheel refurb ranges from £60-120 around here depending on level of refurb (such as just skimming the faces or a full entire wheel refurb) and the finish such as diamond cut.

 

[f/1.2]

Depends on the service required, if it's the "big one" it can be quite pricey. General services on the Evoque have been around £250 for us.

Wheel refurb ranges from £60-120 around here depending on level of refurb (such as just skimming the faces or a full entire wheel refurb) and the finish such as diamond cut.

The big service which just means that as well as doing oil, filters and inspection they also do spark plugs or heater plus depending on if you have a petrol or diesel is £385 in the dealers here. At an independent specialist it’s only about £200. I only know because my cousin was complaining about it just last month.

It’s actually cheaper than the Ford dealership for my car.

Mechanics can’t do M.O.T here it’s done through the DVLA and costs £40.

Diamond cut wheels are more expensive here as well about £80 a wheel.

 

[snerkler]

The big service which just means that as well as doing oil, filters and inspection they also do spark plugs or heater plus depending on if you have a petrol or diesel is £385 in the dealers here. At an independent specialist it’s only about £200. I only know because my cousin was complaining about it just last month.

It’s actually cheaper than the Ford dealership for my car.

Mechanics can’t do M.O.T here it’s done through the DVLA and costs £40.

Diamond cut wheels are more expensive here as well about £80 a wheel.

Diamond cut are £80-90 for face skimming only here.

 

[woof woof]

Have you looked into one of those mobile companies?

They do it all in the back of a van one wheel at a time. So can come to you and do it on your drive

Yes, I did spot this when googling, the company I saw is down south and if I look I might find a similar service up north but John's comment above about getting the wheels done for a second time has sort of put me off especially as a set of new wheels probably wont be a whole lot more expensive than getting the old ones done and possibly done again some time later and hopefully new ones will last longer than a refurb of wheels which are possibly not too good to begin with. I didn't know MX5 wheels were pretty poor but googling today I've found that's what people seem to be saying on line.

I've just rang the local garage and they say they'll swap the wheels and tyres over for me so I think a new set is probably a good option but of course doing this I'm going away from the original spec. I'll have a think but at the moment £500 + whatever the local mechanic charges seems like a good deal and would ease my mind even if the car has to go at some point because Mrs WW wants her own.

 

[woof woof]

That’s expensive for a Landrover service especially when there are so many independent specialists around. The independents can even update the Range Rover online service history.

Wheel refurb is about £50 a wheel here although maybe dearer in England.

Just found a local mobile wheel company and their website says costs start at £40. Potentially this could be cheaper than getting a new set but even if it's quite a bit cheaper an extra £200-£300 or so isn't really all that significant so I'll have to weigh keeping the car original against getting new wheels and potentially having a longer term fix... assuming MX5 wheels are going to corrode again at some point.

I thought the JLR main dealer cost was reasonable but as they're the only one it's a case of lump it or travel further. I have tried a coupe of local independents but with poor results. I can't prove it but I think Browns spilt something over the info screen or clumsily cleaned it as a bank of switches went mushy and I had to replace the unit. I was suspicious when I got in the car as the info area was the only clean part of the interior, everything else had mucky hand prints all over it. Another reason not to use them again. North Eastern 4x4 did sweet FA about what I booked it in for and left it parked outside another unit where it was blocked in by the irate owner. Nice of them to leave me to deal with him but at least they had the decency not to charge me anything that day. There are some others within striking distance but they either had the customer service skills of rotting corpse or couldn't give me a straight answer to "When can you book me in." I just thought I'd use the main dealer as they were excellent last time. My local mechanic can do a service and can update the online records but he doesn't have the JLR diagnostics or the experience to fix the more intricate things that the diagnostics would be needed for. I might use him next time but one of the reasons I didn't this time was last time he looked at the Evoque he pushed me to get the brakes done as they were "heavily scored." I didn't think so and as JLR dealer didn't mention them last time or this time either I'm glad I didn't bother getting them done.

 

[woof woof]

Depends on the service required, if it's the "big one" it can be quite pricey. General services on the Evoque have been around £250 for us.

Wheel refurb ranges from £60-120 around here depending on level of refurb (such as just skimming the faces or a full entire wheel refurb) and the finish such as diamond cut.

When I booked the car in they did say the cost was down to "the age of the car" so I assume they're doing or replacing more than usual. They did tell me that I can have an extended warranty, they say they can cover the car up to 10 years. If I get a newer one I might well buy that extended warranty.

 

[f/1.2]

Just found a local mobile wheel company and their website says costs start at £40. Potentially this could be cheaper than getting a new set but even if it's quite a bit cheaper an extra £200-£300 or so isn't really all that significant so I'll have to weigh keeping the car original against getting new wheels and potentially having a longer term fix... assuming MX5 wheels are going to corrode again at some point.

I thought the JLR main dealer cost was reasonable but as they're the only one it's a case of lump it or travel further. I have tried a coupe of local independents but with poor results. I can't prove it but I think Browns spilt something over the info screen or clumsily cleaned it as a bank of switches went mushy and I had to replace the unit. I was suspicious when I got in the car as the info area was the only clean part of the interior, everything else had mucky hand prints all over it. Another reason not to use them again. North Eastern 4x4 did sweet FA about what I booked it in for and left it parked outside another unit where it was blocked in by the irate owner. Nice of them to leave me to deal with him but at least they had the decency not to charge me anything that day. There are some others within striking distance but they either had the customer service skills of rotting corpse or couldn't give me a straight answer to "When can you book me in." I just thought I'd use the main dealer as they were excellent last time. My local mechanic can do a service and can update the online records but he doesn't have the JLR diagnostics or the experience to fix the more intricate things that the diagnostics would be needed for. I might use him next time but one of the reasons I didn't this time was last time he looked at the Evoque he pushed me to get the brakes done as they were "heavily scored." I didn't think so and as JLR dealer didn't mention them last time or this time either I'm glad I didn't bother getting them done.

Mazda wheels do tend to corrode for some reason happened with both the MX5 I had and the Mazda 3. Even though they were in good condition and cleaned regularly.

Ever since then I always ceramic coat my wheels as soon as the car is bought makes it a lot easier to keep them clean if nothing else.

 

[photogwannabe]

Mazda wheels do tend to corrode for some reason happened with both the MX5 I had and the Mazda 3. Even though they were in good condition and cleaned regularly.

Ever since then I always ceramic coat my wheels as soon as the car is bought makes it a lot easier to keep them clean if nothing else.

Interesting. I had my NC MX-5 for 16 years and never had a problem with the wheels.

 

[woof woof]

Interesting. I had my NC MX-5 for 16 years and never had a problem with the wheels.

I'm not really too upset that the car needs new or refurbished wheels as it is 23 years old now. I'm amazed it drives so well considering its age. It really is still lovely to drive.

The last time I had this issue was with my Midget. That's a car i wish I'd kept. I see from the gov website that it's still on the road but it's white now, it was originally blue. You should never sell anything

 

[snerkler]

Sony have finally decided my camera needs to go in for repair, for anyone that's used Sony services before is it best to send it in the original Sony box within another box, or are they unlikely to send the original box back and so am I best off using a generic box?

 

[f/1.2]

Sony have finally decided my camera needs to go in for repair, for anyone that's used Sony services before is it best to send it in the original Sony box within another box, or are they unlikely to send the original box back and so am I best off using a generic box?

May be different if you don’t have pro support. With pro support they send you boxes to use and you don’t send the O.G box.

 

[woof woof]

I wouldn't send the original box. I can't see why it would be needed and there's always the chance of you receiving a generic box back and the original being lost or damaged.

 

[snerkler]

May be different if you don’t have pro support. With pro support they send you boxes to use and you don’t send the O.G box.

No pro support for me, mine's the peasant service

I wouldn't send the original box. I can't see why it would be needed and there's always the chance of you receiving a generic box back and the original being lost or damaged.

Thanks, that was my suspicions too

 

[T_J_G]

That’s expensive for a Landrover service especially when there are so many independent specialists around. The independents can even update the Range Rover online service history.

Wheel refurb is about £50 a wheel here although maybe dearer in England.

£898 for four of mine

 

[LeeRatters]

Went to Bath today for an hour or 6......

Noticed in LCE the A7iii is at £999 - plus, the first time I've really seen an A7C series..... Smaller than I thought and nice looking too!!

 

[f/1.2]

£898 for four of mine

Thats a mental price are they split rims?

My wee bro's Lambo had split rims and cost about £700 for a refurb, they absolutely screwed them up and had to supply him a new set at 6k.

 

[T_J_G]

Thats a mental price are they split rims?

My wee bro's Lambo had split rims and cost about £700 for a refurb, they absolutely screwed them up and had to supply him a new set at 6k.

Yeah 18 inch BBS splits, not many companies want to take them on with 21 year old bolts holding them together

 

[f/1.2]

Went to Bath today for an hour or 6......

Noticed in LCE the A7iii is at £999 - plus, the first time I've really seen an A7C series..... Smaller than I thought and nice looking too!!

A7c Series are excellent bodies.

If I didn't need the features the other bodies have for work I would only have the A7CII.

 

[Micro-four-thirds]

A7c Series are excellent bodies.

If I didn't need the features the other bodies have for work I would only have the A7CII.

Apologies for interrupting, can I ask how people get on with the viewfinder being in the corner?
I’ve always been tempted by one of the a7c bodies mainly the a7cr, but being right eye dominant and only partially sighted in my left eye I’m a little unsure how I’d get on.

 

[the_accidental]

Do you mean the other way round? The viewfinder is top left of the body so it’s easiest to look with your right eye. If you’re right eye dominant that’s perfect for a C body.

My left eye has slightly better vision but not enough to matter. That said I can comfortably use either eye with it, though most natural is the right eye as your nose then goes alongside. In many ways more comfortable than a central finder if you use your right eye.

If you’re shooting vertically you can rotate the camera up or down depending on your eye preference.

EDIT: unless you prefer shooting with both eyes open and want your worse eye on the finder?

 

[nandbytes]

Apologies for interrupting, can I ask how people get on with the viewfinder being in the corner?
I’ve always been tempted by one of the a7c bodies mainly the a7cr, but being right eye dominant and only partially sighted in my left eye I’m a little unsure how I’d get on.

As mentioned above, people normally use their right eye with the rangefinder styled viewfinders

 

[snerkler]

As mentioned above, people normally use their right eye with the rangefinder styled viewfinders

Not when they're left eye dominant

 

[snerkler]

Went to Bath today for an hour or 6......

Noticed in LCE the A7iii is at £999 - plus, the first time I've really seen an A7C series..... Smaller than I thought and nice looking too!!

Yeah the A7iii is on offer until October. I think they must have a load to shift out as they've only just finished the cashback offer which made it £999 after cashback, now it's just £999 (or £989 from clifton)

 

[dcash29]

Apologies for interrupting, can I ask how people get on with the viewfinder being in the corner?
I’ve always been tempted by one of the a7c bodies mainly the a7cr, but being right eye dominant and only partially sighted in my left eye I’m a little unsure how I’d get on.

I would have bought an A7cr but position isnt great when you're used to a central viewfinder, but the real issue for me is the lack of quality and the feeling of looking through a toilet roll. I said eight years ago they should have centralised it.

 

[LeeRatters]

Apologies for interrupting, can I ask how people get on with the viewfinder being in the corner?
I’ve always been tempted by one of the a7c bodies mainly the a7cr, but being right eye dominant and only partially sighted in my left eye I’m a little unsure how I’d get on.

The X100f obviously has a corner viewfinder. Doesn't bother me in the slightest tbh

The appeal for me of the A7c series is not having the viewfinder hump.

 

[Micro-four-thirds]

As mentioned above, people normally use their right eye with the rangefinder styled viewfinders

Yes I am just unsure how I would get on with the majority of the camera sitting to the side of my face, I do need to try one out in store, I guess I’m just so used to everything sitting centrally. as above I’ve never looked at one properly I’m only going by pics of them online so I’m not sure on the size difference compared to standard cameras.