Thank you for the idea!Well done Simon
The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!
- Thread starter woof woof
- Start date
snerkler
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 26,078
- Name
- Toby
- Edit My Images
- No
@Tricky01 if you want good kingfisher photos I can recommend this. I went last year and you are roughly 4m away from the kingfishers. Obviously you’re not guaranteed to see them, but they are ‘baited’ so you got as good a chance as anywhere. Plus they only have the hide during brooding seasons which increases the chances of seeing them.Good idea about running across the frame with a slow shutter and flash
Good luck with the Kingfisher.
2026 Kingfisher Photography Experience - Yorkshire Coast Nature
Join YCN Wildlife Photographer Steve Race on a photography experience with a difference capturing incredible images of one of the UK's iconic...
Here’s my photos from the day. The weather wasn’t great but I think they turned out OK nonetheless.
Last edited:
Wow, that looks great! How long did you have in the hide and was the ‘workshop’ worth it? my brother is in Leeds so could make a nice opportunity to visit him.@Tricky01 if you want good kingfisher photos I can recommend this. I went last year and you are roughly 4m away from the kingfishers. Obviously you’re not guaranteed to see them, but they are ‘baited’ so you got as good a chance as anywhere. Plus they only have the hide during brooding seasons which increases the chances of seeing them.
2026 Kingfisher Photography Experience - Yorkshire Coast Nature
Join YCN Wildlife Photographer Steve Race on a photography experience with a difference capturing incredible images of one of the UK's iconic...www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk
Here’s my photos from the day. The weather wasn’t great but I think they turned out OK nonetheless.
I’ve also found a similar place closer to me in Hampshire Here - you get just over 9 hours but no support. I think I’ll go for where ever you get longest time to maximise chance of getting a half decent shot, unless you found the tuition helpful?
What time of year did you go?
Last edited:
snerkler
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 26,078
- Name
- Toby
- Edit My Images
- No
I think it was 5 hours from memory, which was more than enough imo. I’ve done a couple of bird hide shoots and they’re not for me really as there’s a LOT of sitting around doing nothing.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I did it as Kingfishers have always alluded me, but it’s not something I could do regularly. The kingfishers came for 20-30s or so, ate a fish for himself then took one for his Mrs. He then went for 45-60mins while he continued to make a second nest then repeated the process.
In terms of support Steve offers as much or as little as you want. He’s there in the hide the whole time offering some very interesting info about the kingfishers and other wildlife. I’ve actually done a Bird of Prey experience with him too up in North Yorkshire.
I’m pretty au fait with settings etc so never needed any advice but it’s there if you need it. In all honesty taking photos of birds perched isn’t that tricky, especially when you know roughly where they’re going to land. The dive pool ones where you try to grab a photo as they’re diving into the water is much harder, I might try one of these one day.
ancient_mariner
Moderator
- Messages
- 27,780
- Name
- Toni
- Edit My Images
- No
I have an unexpected new toy - Sigma ART 35 f1.2. If you thought the 50 f1.2 GM was a big ol' lump, this kicks that lens into touch. If the weather isn't utterly impossible I'll be trying it around Blenheim tomorrow.
nandbytes
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 16,780
- Edit My Images
- Yes
That was a bargain buy, I was sorely tempted but I already have the 35GM and would more than likely to look to sell it on, so felt it's better going to someone that'd use it for a while.
I'm glad it went to someone in this forum
LeeRatters
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 7,354
- Name
- Lee
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Tomorrow is looking a bit rubbish for us. I've an appointment Thursday 10am though but free after & all day Friday to myself so hopefully some walking & shooting time
Weekend forecast isn't currently too bad either..... /fingers crossedI might do some film/Fuji shooting though... I've never used the X100f for what I call 'dedicated' sunrise etc shooting. I've also not fired any 35mm frames off for a while. Plus, I've just bought some 120 B&W for that Voigtlander Bessa Folder that I bought for display a while ago..... So I want to give that a test out. Going for the 4.5x6 mask though as 9x6 only gives 8 shots a roll
Any A1 shooters out there got recommendation for cheap shutter release?
Having already rebought the same bloody pixel one from the old Sony a-mount plastic block plug onto the Sony e-mount micro USB, it now seems I need another one for Sony A1 now the micro isb is dropped.
Ideally I’d like to just replace the cable - the remote works fine, just need the 3.5mm to USB-C cable, but presumably there’s more to it than that? Anyone have any experience?
Having already rebought the same bloody pixel one from the old Sony a-mount plastic block plug onto the Sony e-mount micro USB, it now seems I need another one for Sony A1 now the micro isb is dropped.
Ideally I’d like to just replace the cable - the remote works fine, just need the 3.5mm to USB-C cable, but presumably there’s more to it than that? Anyone have any experience?
the_accidental
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 501
- Edit My Images
- No
What’s your use case?
There are various apps etc out there that will emulate the Bluetooth remote (I made my own, a page or two back for the Apple Watch but I’ve not released it, there are others out there for iOS/android though).
There are various apps etc out there that will emulate the Bluetooth remote (I made my own, a page or two back for the Apple Watch but I’ve not released it, there are others out there for iOS/android though).
Last edited:
Mainly for astro, but I much prefer a physical cable, often don’t want to be draining my iPhone battery when I’m out in the wilderness. Plus, given I’ve already got a perfectly good one, I’m hoping someone else has trialled a 3.5mm to usb-c cable and found it successful
snerkler
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 26,078
- Name
- Toby
- Edit My Images
- No
LeeRatters
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 7,354
- Name
- Lee
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I use something very, very similar for night skies. Although tbh, depending on light pollution, I'll sometimes just go to 30 seconds and use the built in interval timer because it's easier
ancient_mariner
Moderator
- Messages
- 27,780
- Name
- Toni
- Edit My Images
- No
So, siggy 35 f1.2.
Nice lens, but that aperture ring is SO annoying, the way it rotated un-noticed. AF is a bit noisy and fussy after the GM50, but no worse than other 3rd party lenses and better than some. Still working through yesterday's pics, but I think it's a good pairing with the 50.
Nice lens, but that aperture ring is SO annoying, the way it rotated un-noticed. AF is a bit noisy and fussy after the GM50, but no worse than other 3rd party lenses and better than some. Still working through yesterday's pics, but I think it's a good pairing with the 50.
Last edited:
snerkler
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 26,078
- Name
- Toby
- Edit My Images
- No
I've found this with all my GM lenses, I wish the lock worked wherever you set it to rather than just between auto and manual.
T_J_G
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 5,093
- Name
- Tim
- Edit My Images
- Yes
And it's only going to change so much more over the coming years, I really think people will start wanting their photos a lot quicker than most currently deliver. I shot around 50 weddings this year (crazy looking back at a thread I made in 2017... Here)
It's been a good year and it's come pretty easy to be honest, like @f/2.8 no real show stoppers this year, but at the same time created some of my favourite work and pushed my own work towards the end of the year. Photographing an outside ceremony (No ambient light) in October 31st at 5.30pm was definitely a test! Delivered every wedding in 4 weeks which is something I'm very keen to continue.
I delivered 60 galleries, totalling 24710 photos.
This year is slightly quieter year which I'm kind of happy about, I shot barely anything personally other than a few trips to Brands and a couple of family outing and that really has to change as the kids will soon not be interested. That little girl in my avatar turns 10 next week! I've also started a little side hustle that I want to grow a bit and put some effort into that isn't photography related.
Gear wise for 2025, maybe a 85mm and that's probably about it. The A9ii's are still doing the job and see no reason to replace them.
Great to look back and see where we've come from! You've got a beautiful website, but I'm interested in how come you provide all digital copies for download? Is that something you've always done, or a recent development - and if so, did it make any changes to the number of bookings you had? I'd have thought prints are a key extra revenue stream, or do you find them not worth the fuss / people don't buy them anymore?
ancient_mariner
Moderator
- Messages
- 27,780
- Name
- Toni
- Edit My Images
- No
A few from the Sigma 35 f1.2 on NYD. I like the rendering of this lens, and there's a gentleness and softness that enhances 'people' shots, even though it's a super-sharp lens - not at all crunchy like Sony lenses tend to be.
Classic subject separation at f1.2
Neverland-3 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
Probably => 100% at full size, from the top left corner.
Neverland-7 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
Take Me Peter!
Neverland-8 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
f14 after the aperture ring got moved
Neverland-9 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
f4 (not 14) a bit later as it kept moving.
Neverland-14 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
Back to f1.2 for the chapel interior.
Neverland-16 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
I think f1.2 lenses could become addictive.
Classic subject separation at f1.2
Neverland-3 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
Probably => 100% at full size, from the top left corner.
Neverland-7 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
Take Me Peter!
Neverland-8 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
f14 after the aperture ring got moved
Neverland-9 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
f4 (not 14) a bit later as it kept moving.
Neverland-14 by Anton Ertl, on FlickrBack to f1.2 for the chapel interior.
Neverland-16 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
I think f1.2 lenses could become addictive.
Last edited:
Micro-four-thirds
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 1,097
- Name
- James
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Great shots, and I have to agree it’s looking like an excellent lens.A few from the Sigma 35 f1.2 on NYD. I like the rendering of this lens, and there's a gentleness and softness that enhances 'people' shots, even though it's a super-sharp lens - not at all crunchy like Sony lenses tend to be.
Classic subject separation at f1.2
Neverland-3 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
Probably => 100% at full size, from the top left corner.
Neverland-7 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
Take Me Peter!
Neverland-8 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
f14 after the aperture ring got moved
Neverland-9 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
f4 (not 14) a bit later as it kept moving.
Back to f1.2 for the chapel interior.
Neverland-16 by Anton Ertl, on Flickr
I think f1.2 lenses could become addictive.
Can I ask what the issue is with the aperture ring? Is it just free spinning instead of clicked? Apologies if it’s been mentioned before, I’m gradually preferring 35mm over 50mm and am considering a wide aperture 35mm prime.
Many thanks
ancient_mariner
Moderator
- Messages
- 27,780
- Name
- Toni
- Edit My Images
- No
The lens is large and heavy (IIRC more than 1kg) and when handling it's easy to apply enough force to overcome the resistance of the ring without noticing. The ring has distinct soft click-stops, which would be enough on a lighter lens. I'll probably just put a piece of tape on to hold it in the auto position.
snerkler
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 26,078
- Name
- Toby
- Edit My Images
- No
I can't comment on the Sigma 35mm but on every lens I own with an aperture ring even when set to clicked the aperture ring can still move without you knowing such as when taking your camera out of the bag, picking the camera up etc. I've even accidentally moved it when zooming on my 70-200mm, I can't tell you how many times I've shot at f3.2 rather than f2.8 as I've not noticed the aperture ring had moved
As I mentioned above I wish you could lock it in to a specific aperture, I can't imagine it's that difficult to do 
snerkler
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 26,078
- Name
- Toby
- Edit My Images
- No
As I've just mentioned it still happens onl ighter lenses such as the 35mm GM. Does the Sigma not have a lock at all then? I must admit even if the lens is set to auto I've knocked the aperture via the control dial on the camera
ancient_mariner
Moderator
- Messages
- 27,780
- Name
- Toni
- Edit My Images
- No
It's never been a problem for me with Nikon Ai manual lenses, but there generally the ring is at the base of the lens, and they are small and light.
No lock on the lens that I could see.
No lock on the lens that I could see.
Last edited:
the_accidental
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 501
- Edit My Images
- No
I wonder why no-one makes a lens with a kinda sprung bayonet type action for the aperture ring. So to adjust you’d pull it forward/back then turn, and it’d spring back into the setting.
I reckon we’ve found a gap in the market here, could be a way for one of the new lens manufacturers to differentiate ;-)
As above though, somehow the issue isn’t there on my Nikkors or indeed my x100 when I had it.
I reckon we’ve found a gap in the market here, could be a way for one of the new lens manufacturers to differentiate ;-)
As above though, somehow the issue isn’t there on my Nikkors or indeed my x100 when I had it.
f/1.2
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 7,424
- Name
- Tommy
- Edit My Images
- No
Most wedding photographers in the U.K include digitals in all packages.
That’s not to say that prints still play a part. Just under 50% of our couples buy an album. Last year we made just over 8k profit from sales of prints and printed items via our online gallery. Although they tend to be bought by guests and family members rather than the couple. We could probably do more in terms of prints etc. but it kind of looks after itself and isn’t any hassle as is. TJG may have a different approach than us though, there are plenty of U.K wedding photographers making much more than we do from prints products sold through their gallery provider.
Last edited:
f/1.2
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 7,424
- Name
- Tommy
- Edit My Images
- No
Yeah for sure couples expectations around photo delivery is definitely going to change. What happens in the states is also a good steer in terms of what will happen here and with so many wedding photographers using A.I for editing, expectations from couples are now that images should be delivered within a couple of weeks.
A.I can do that though pretty easily. You can cull and edit a wedding within a couple of hours. There are already wedding photographers in the U.K offering a 1 week turnaround time. We have always averaged 3-4 weeks even in years where we have had 70 plus weddings. I could easy do a 1 week turnaround with A.I.
Last edited:
Micro-four-thirds
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 1,097
- Name
- James
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Hi, many thanks for the quick replies, wow I didn’t realise the weight of the lens, I’ll have to handle a couple of the 35mm primes next time I’m in park cameras or LCE.I can't comment on the Sigma 35mm but on every lens I own with an aperture ring even when set to clicked the aperture ring can still move without you knowing such as when taking your camera out of the bag, picking the camera up etc. I've even accidentally moved it when zooming on my 70-200mm, I can't tell you how many times I've shot at f3.2 rather than f2.8 as I've not noticed the aperture ring had moved
That would be ideal if the aperture could be locked especially on the GMs too or as mentioned a bayonet type movement. I can definitely imagine the frustration of thinking your shooting at x aperture only to find out it’s moved.
Can the aperture ring be disabled at all so your just adjusting in camera instead? But then i guess it takes away the enjoyment of the aperture ring which I’ve always found an appealing extra.
AndrewFlannigan
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 11,977
- Edit My Images
- No
Someone did.
I've owned a couple of lenses with such a system but that was in the '60s or early '70s and I can't remember the brand. The aperture ring was pulled back to unlock and sprang into the detent when released. If I recall correctly, they had silver and black serated rings for aperture setting.
ancient_mariner
Moderator
- Messages
- 27,780
- Name
- Toni
- Edit My Images
- No
This lens is unusually heavy, and something like a Samyang 35 f1.4 at 645g is quite a bit smaller and lighter. Even the Sony GM50 f1.2 at 780g is smaller and lighter.
As for the aperture ring, I'll likely find a small transparent stick or a piece of clear tape and use that to lock it in place. I don't use aperture rings on electronic cameras, and that's why I was unaware it had turned.
Shugpug
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 2,184
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Zebra rings were a feature of Carl Zeiss (and CZ Jena) lenses of about that era. Some from then had pre-set apertures before auto indexing lenses were a thing - Helios did the same. I've both a Helios 44 (58mm) and a CZJ 135mm in M42 mount with this setup - useful on a converted analogue body to compose and focus wide open then quickly stop down to the correct aperture without having to look at the lens. And useful when converted to mirrorless to limit the smallest aperture and use it to dial in the desired shutter speed.
T_J_G
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 5,093
- Name
- Tim
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Thats the expectation these days, people are printing less and want stuff for phones/tablets. I’ve always done it this way so nothing to compare against.
I still make money in print and albums but this is why the price is kind of front loaded so print sales/albums are bonuses.
The couple get a gallery with minimal restrictions but guests get another version that can’t be downloaded from for free.
snerkler
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 26,078
- Name
- Toby
- Edit My Images
- No
Yes it can, and you can lock it in that position too but you can still knock the camera dial without noticing, although this wouldn't happen if you moved the zoom/focus ring like you can on the aperture ring.
I still prefer to use the aperture ring and just blame myself for not noticing/paying attention, after all it's there marked on the lens barrel and also in the EVF
f/1.2
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 7,424
- Name
- Tommy
- Edit My Images
- No
We did that for a while but found guests were rarely happy to pay for digitals and didn’t sell many prints either. Also found that couples were sending the files direct to guests or letting them use their login.
Once we let guests download for free as well we seen a massive uplift in sales of printed products.
snerkler
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 26,078
- Name
- Toby
- Edit My Images
- No
Sorry for the iphone pics but we had some mad frost on the bonnet of my wife's car yesterday
IMG_9295 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
IMG_9296 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
IMG_9295 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
IMG_9296 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
f/1.2
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 7,424
- Name
- Tommy
- Edit My Images
- No
Have seen that before from memory it was to do with what products were put on the car.Sorry for the iphone pics but we had some mad frost on the bonnet of my wife's car yesterday
IMG_9295 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
IMG_9296 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
snerkler
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 26,078
- Name
- Toby
- Edit My Images
- No
It's not had anything put on it for ages
. My car was similar but not quite as interesting.
saltireblue
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 1,618
- Name
- Malc
- Edit My Images
- No
Cool effect - looks as if you have had the vehicle wrapped.Sorry for the iphone pics but we had some mad frost on the bonnet of my wife's car yesterday
IMG_9295 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
IMG_9296 by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
T_J_G
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 5,093
- Name
- Tim
- Edit My Images
- Yes
This actually makes more sense and something to consider, thanks.