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

[snerkler]

I often think about “how big is too big?” For lenses.

It’s a trade off with the lens’ utility, and competition, but still. That sounds heavy but I have heavier…

Though at a certain point I may as well carry a medium format?

Well when you consider the Sony 50mm f1.2 is 778g and Nikon's is 1090g and the size of a house I feel that Nikon's concern is not weight or size. That would be fine if the optical quality was hugely superior but I've not seen anything that suggests this. I know when the Z-mount was created everyone lorded the mount size saying it'll allow fast lenses with superior quality but I feel that Sony have shown that you can do that without the huge mount and therefore it could be that the size of the Nikon mount is more of a negative

 

[ancient_mariner]

Owner of the GM50 1.2 and Art 35 1.2 here.

The Art 35 is over a kilo, and makes the 50 1.2 feel light and compact. Really.

It's still worth the weight to carry though.

 

[snerkler]

Owner of the GM50 1.2 and Art 35 1.2 here.

The Art 35 is over a kilo, and makes the 50 1.2 feel light and compact. Really.

It's still worth the weight to carry though.

It's mad to think that small FL primes are heavier than a 70-200mm f2.8

 

[nandbytes]

I was slightly jealous of NIkon releasing the 35mm f1.2 today until I saw the size and weight of that thing, 1060g

And 3 grand
No thanks
I'm glad Sony didn't go down this path.

 

[snerkler]

And 3 grand
No thanks
I'm glad Sony didn't go down this path.

I didn't realise it was that much What was the GM, £2099? I thought I got a good deal with the discount and cashback but I've just seen it can be had for £1159 grey, a relative bargain

I see there's a Sigma 800 f6.3 e-mount rumoured, and if true I'd imagine that would be more favourable than the Sony 400-800mm for some.

 

[nandbytes]

I didn't realise it was this much What was the GM, £2099? I thought I got a good deal with the discount and cashback but I've just seen it can be had for £1159 grey, a relative bargain

£1500 at release, picked mine up for £1300 at release.
So half price!

I see there's a Sigma 800 f6.3 e-mount rumoured, and if true I'd imagine that would be more favourable than the Sony 400-800mm for some.

Absolutely, certainly preferred for me even if it's limited to 15fps on A1/ii
Don't have A1/ii anyway so not even an issue right now for me

 

[snerkler]

£1500 at release, picked mine up for £1300 at release.
So half price!


Absolutely, certainly preferred for me even if it's limited to 15fps on A1/ii
Don't have A1/ii anyway so not even an issue right now for me

Oh yeah, it's the 35mm isn't it, I got confused and mentioned the price of the 50mm f1.2

 

[f/1.2]

$700 for the noodle maker 35 f/1.2.

Smaller than the new Nikon as well.

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB Sony E to be announced ahead of CP+ show | sonyalpharumors

According to leaked information on Weibo, VILTROX's full-frame AF lens "AF 35mm F1.2 LAB" is scheduled to be announced at CP+ in February 2025. Here are some additional info: This lens is VILTROX's first full-frame compatible F1.2 large aperture autofocus lens, and is expected to be available in...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

 

[snerkler]

$700 for the noodle maker 35 f/1.2.

Smaller than the new Nikon as well.

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB Sony E to be announced ahead of CP+ show | sonyalpharumors

According to leaked information on Weibo, VILTROX's full-frame AF lens "AF 35mm F1.2 LAB" is scheduled to be announced at CP+ in February 2025. Here are some additional info: This lens is VILTROX's first full-frame compatible F1.2 large aperture autofocus lens, and is expected to be available in...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

That could be interesting.

 

[f/1.2]

That could be interesting.

If it’s £700 I will get one, be surprised if it really comes in so cheap. Although you never know with Viltrox

 

[LeeRatters]

$700 for the noodle maker 35 f/1.2.

Smaller than the new Nikon as well.

Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB Sony E to be announced ahead of CP+ show | sonyalpharumors

According to leaked information on Weibo, VILTROX's full-frame AF lens "AF 35mm F1.2 LAB" is scheduled to be announced at CP+ in February 2025. Here are some additional info: This lens is VILTROX's first full-frame compatible F1.2 large aperture autofocus lens, and is expected to be available in...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

It's still good that these brands are pushing forward with their products though.

 

[f/1.2]

It's still good that these brands are pushing forward with their products though.

For sure. To be fair I have only used a couple of Viltrox lenses but both seemed decent enough build quality and decent performers. A grade above the likes of Samyang anyway and probably on a power with Tamron and Sigma.

 

[Tricky01]

A few more with the 300GM & 2x TC. This was a lunch time walk, so although slightly overcast, enough light to get to 1/2000 sec with ISO2000

A few more with the 300GM and 2x TC. In good light I like this combo

 

[Kieran_89]

Those looking to upgrade or potentially dip into the Sony system, A7iii can now be had for £999 brand new.

Sony A7 III Digital Camera Body | Wex Photo Video

The original Sony A7 set the tone for the years ahead when it was released back in 2013.

www.wexphotovideo.com

 

[Gandalf]

If anyone’s looking for the 1.4 t/c at a good price I’ve just listed one in the classifieds.

 

[Norkie]

Hi guys, is anybody using third party batteries in their RX10 iv? If so, which make would you recommend please?

 

[snerkler]

Those looking to upgrade or potentially dip into the Sony system, A7iii can now be had for £999 brand new.

Sony A7 III Digital Camera Body | Wex Photo Video

The original Sony A7 set the tone for the years ahead when it was released back in 2013.

www.wexphotovideo.com

That’s not a bad price, only £50 more than grey.

 

[snerkler]

Looks as though Sony will finally have a decent selection of tele lenses with the recent announcements and patents

Tamron patented the design of a new 200-800mm f/6.7 Full Frame lens for Sony E-mount | sonyalpharumors

What you see above is the optical design of a new Tamron 200-800mm f/6.7 lens that was recently patented. Now, being a patent there is no guarantee yet this will make it into final mass production. But I absolutely think they should do this lens! The only comparable lens is the Canon 200-800mm...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

 

[mav]

Barn Owl
Barn Owl by robb d, on Flickr

 

[LeeRatters]

A rare 24GM image!!


*** by Lee, on Flickr

 

[the black fox]

Oh dear what have I done , after many years of Olympus only , I have today bought a A6000 plus 55-210 zoom both boxed in as new virtually unused condition with extras at a bite yer arm off price , the sellers GF had bought it for him and he didn’t have a clue how to use it . Been going through the settings all afternoon and really pleased with the results .. already looking at lenses etc for it

 

[LeeRatters]

Oh dear what have I done , after many years of Olympus only , I have today bought a A6000 plus 55-210 zoom both boxed in as new virtually unused condition with extras at a bite yer arm off price , the sellers GF had bought it for him and he didn’t have a clue how to use it . Been going through the settings all afternoon and really pleased with the results .. already looking at lenses etc for it

We'll talk you into an A7R5 & a few GM primes by the end of next week ....

 

[Gold]

Oh dear what have I done , after many years of Olympus only , I have today bought a A6000 plus 55-210 zoom both boxed in as new virtually unused condition with extras at a bite yer arm off price , the sellers GF had bought it for him and he didn’t have a clue how to use it . Been going through the settings all afternoon and really pleased with the results .. already looking at lenses etc for it

The 70-350 is a peach of a compact wildlife lens…

 

[LeeRatters]

Voigtlander 40/1.2E on the A7Riii


*** by Lee, on Flickr

 

[Sootchucker]

Oh dear what have I done , after many years of Olympus only , I have today bought a A6000 plus 55-210 zoom both boxed in as new virtually unused condition with extras at a bite yer arm off price , the sellers GF had bought it for him and he didn’t have a clue how to use it . Been going through the settings all afternoon and really pleased with the results .. already looking at lenses etc for it

It’s a slippery slope Jeff

 

[the black fox]

It’s a slippery slope Jeff

Tell me about it already trolling evil bay for lenses .. very impressed with what I’ve seen so far tbh . Just need the weather to break again now

 

[Tricky01]

Tell me about it already trolling evil bay for lenses .. very impressed with what I’ve seen so far tbh . Just need the weather to break again now

Some great deals in the classified section on here [cough cough] my 200-600 [cough cough]

 

[the black fox]

The 70-350 is a peach of a compact wildlife lens…

Tell me more about,any sample pics

 

[nandbytes]

Tell me more about,any sample pics

amazing lens, incredible sharpness, pretty much worth buying into Sony just for this lens!
I only used it on FF cameras in crop mode, so 14mp results with my A7IV but still really impressed

Samples....

Only wish sony would do higher res APS-C bodies with the sensor they are selling to Fuji but not using themselves!

 

[snerkler]

amazing lens, incredible sharpness, pretty much worth buying into Sony just for this lens!
I only used it on FF cameras in crop mode, so 14mp results with my A7IV but still really impressed

Samples....

Only wish sony would do higher res APS-C bodies with the sensor they are selling to Fuji but not using themselves!

Third one in particular is lovely, colours of the background really work well with the bird. What bird is this?

 

[Norkie]

It's an Asian green bee-eater

 

[the black fox]

amazing lens, incredible sharpness, pretty much worth buying into Sony just for this lens!
I only used it on FF cameras in crop mode, so 14mp results with my A7IV but still really impressed

Samples....

Only wish sony would do higher res APS-C bodies with the sensor they are selling to Fuji but not using themselves!

Well worth it by the look of those shots

 

[Gold]

A few of mine with the 70-350, as @nandbytes says, worth buying into Sony for:

 

[LeeRatters]

I thought about the 70-350G for moon shooting!

 

[JRJ]

Any users of the following lenses that could offer some feedback, I'm not normally a big zoom photographer but have an extended holiday in Sri Lanka this summer with a couple of Safaris planned so would like to add something to my setup, I've negated hiring as I'll need it for a month and that's a good chunk towards having a lens to keep.

Tamron 50-400mm
Tamron 150-500mm
Sigma 100-400mm

 

[Tricky01]

Any users of the following lenses that could offer some feedback, I'm not normally a big zoom photographer but have an extended holiday in Sri Lanka this summer with a couple of Safaris planned so would like to add something to my setup, I've negated hiring as I'll need it for a month and that's a good chunk towards having a lens to keep.

Tamron 50-400mm
Tamron 150-500mm
Sigma 100-400mm

I got the 50-400 specifically for a trip to India where I couldn't take the 200-400. I haven't tried the others but I was very impressed with the Tammy. There were/are two things that really sold it for me. Firstly the 67mm filter thread means it makes a great addition to my travel setup of Tamron 17-28 and Tamron 28-200. Secondly, I really valued the wider 50-100 range. millimetres mean so much more on the wider end, so 50-100 is far more valuable than 400-500 IMHO. It's a nice compact size and has a very short minimum focus distance which is handy for smaller bugs and things.

That said, I was specifically looking for something small and light as alternative to 200-600. So I didn't really consider the 150-500. It looks good, but if you're looking there, you might want to consider the 200-600 as well?

 

[Gold]

The 150-500 is well reviewed but I don't love my copy, traded down from the 200-600 for size reasons and frequently find issues with front/back focusing. May just be copy variation.

 

[JRJ]

The 150-500 is well reviewed but I don't love my copy, traded down from the 200-600 for size reasons and frequently find issues with front/back focusing. May just be copy variation.

does the 150-500 have USB for adjustment?

Thanks both, been watching some reviews and the Sigma seems to review very well as well.

 

[the black fox]

A few of mine with the 70-350, as @nandbytes says, worth buying into Sony for:

put a decent bid in on one today but got outbid ,never mind no rush it will happen, just bought a 28-70 f3.5 instead of, cheaper in WEX than on evil bay

 

[Sootchucker]

As others have said Jeff, it's a cracking lens, nice and sharp at all focal lengths. Not the quickest focussing lens of all time, (but certainly not slow), and have so far used it very successfully on both my A6700 and my A7RV bodies (the latter in crop mode).

About the only thing about it that isn't great is it's F6.3 aperture at the long end (but then that's why it's so compact and light). But when you are coming from something like the 300mm F4 Olympus, that lens is not only much brighter (by 1 1/3 stops), but also one of the quickest focussing telephotos I've ever used on any brand and tack sharp right from wide open. The Olympus lens does somewhat spoil you.