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

Yes, it's a specialist lens, but Nikon, Pentax and Sony as well as sigma have made them, so it seems a standard format to me.

Nikon was an APSC lens
Pentax was an APSC lens
Sony didn't make one until mirrorless and even then its still only a few years
Sigma was the only DSLR full frame lens so very much a specialist lens

Doesn't seem standard at all to me.
 
Anyway,

I remember my Sigma 12-24mm was very well corrected. In tests it had a wavy distortion which I never saw in reality. Another I had was the Canon 20-35mm USM which I remember as being feather light, cheap (I bought it used) and fast to focus and quiet too. I used it on my film and digital Canons. I remember the distortion at the edges of the frame being epic but this wasn't obvious in many pictures.

Happy days.
 
Anyway,

I remember my Sigma 12-24mm was very well corrected. In tests it had a wavy distortion which I never saw in reality. Another I had was the Canon 20-35mm USM which I remember as being feather light, cheap (I bought it used) and fast to focus and quiet too. I used it on my film and digital Canons. I remember the distortion at the edges of the frame being epic but this wasn't obvious in many pictures.

Happy days.
I was still using an F-mount 12-24mm up until recently although trying a smaller Z-mount 14-30mm instead to save a bit of bulk.
 
I was still using an F-mount 12-24mm up until recently although trying a smaller Z-mount 14-30mm instead to save a bit of bulk.

I think the extra 6mm at the longer end would suit me better these days.
 
The new Songraw 85mm f/1.2

Songrwa85.jpg
 
I think Alan posted this a few days ago, looks a mammoth of a lens :oops: :$
Sorry if posted before I must have missed it. It is a beast, but then again what 85mm f/1.2 isn't.
 
Sorry if posted before I must have missed it. It is a beast, but then again what 85mm f/1.2 isn't.
Not an issue, things often get posted multiple times ;)

I’d be interested to see how compact Sony could make one but it doesn't look like it’ll happen any time soon.
 
I'm not sure who buys these obscure 3rd party lenses? :thinking:

The 35mm GM has become my favourite lens, I'm willing to put up with the size and weight as it renders so beautifully. As much as I prefer smaller and lighter image quality often trumps it (y)

As you might have noticed ultimate quality isn't all that important to me and I do like more compact kit. For me bigger kit makes the experience more about photography and possibly attracts more attention and whilst I do like my hobby it's not the be all and end all and is a part of a wider experience for me.

The 35mm f2.8 is sometimes limiting because of the f2.8 as is the 40mm f2.5. The 35mm f1.8 is a bit bigger but has more flexibility and focuses closer. I don't think I need a bigger lens than the f1.8 and if I do have the time to MF I have my relatively compact Voigtlander f1.2's which aren't as good as the Sony GM's but apart from the lack of AF for static subjects they're all the quality I need.
 
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I’m away at the minute and trying to transfer images from my camera to my phone, I don’t have a card reader with me and it’s quite a while since I used ftp and creators app. I have to say for a company as high tech as Sony they don’t half make it complicated.

Anyway, when I finally got creators app and ftp app to work I can’t see any images on the camera. I initially thought that’s because I’m shooting raw, so I switched to raw and jpeg but still no images.

Then I thought back to when I was shooting footy and transferring images real time, IIRC to do this the card I was transferring from had to be JPEG only to work, is this right, as both my cards are raw and jpeg is this why they’re not showing?

Is there a way to transfer raw, or is it a case of waiting till I get home and using my card reader?
 
I’m away at the minute and trying to transfer images from my camera to my phone, I don’t have a card reader with me and it’s quite a while since I used ftp and creators app. I have to say for a company as high tech as Sony they don’t half make it complicated.

Anyway, when I finally got creators app and ftp app to work I can’t see any images on the camera. I initially thought that’s because I’m shooting raw, so I switched to raw and jpeg but still no images.

Then I thought back to when I was shooting footy and transferring images real time, IIRC to do this the card I was transferring from had to be JPEG only to work, is this right, as both my cards are raw and jpeg is this why they’re not showing?

Is there a way to transfer raw, or is it a case of waiting till I get home and using my card reader?
No idea. But Toby you surprise me. I take it the Lab Coat is away being freshly starched. :cool:
I would have expected you to have had this sorted before you left home:D
 
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No idea. But Toby you surprise me. I take it the Lab Coat is away being freshly starched. :cool:
I would have expected you to have had this sorted before you left home:D
I never considered that I’d want to transfer the photos tbh, I’m pretty sure thinking about it that you have to have a card that’s jpeg only.

However, since posting it dawned on me that I could use a USB cable :facepalm: :lol:
 
I never considered that I’d want to transfer the photos tbh, I’m pretty sure thinking about it that you have to have a card that’s jpeg only.

However, since posting it dawned on me that I could use a USB cable :facepalm: :LOL:
And I’ve just realised I’ve not brought a usb-c to usb-c cable with me :facepalm: :headbang: :ROFLMAO:
 
I’m away at the minute and trying to transfer images from my camera to my phone, I don’t have a card reader with me and it’s quite a while since I used ftp and creators app. I have to say for a company as high tech as Sony they don’t half make it complicated.

Anyway, when I finally got creators app and ftp app to work I can’t see any images on the camera. I initially thought that’s because I’m shooting raw, so I switched to raw and jpeg but still no images.

Then I thought back to when I was shooting footy and transferring images real time, IIRC to do this the card I was transferring from had to be JPEG only to work, is this right, as both my cards are raw and jpeg is this why they’re not showing?

Is there a way to transfer raw, or is it a case of waiting till I get home and using my card reader?
When I use FTP to transfer raw files to my tablet I do so using an FTP server app on the tablet, so the files just get transferred to s folder on the tablet, and I import them to LR mobile from there. I don't use the creators app (longstanding dislike for Sony camera apps!)
 
When I use FTP to transfer raw files to my tablet I do so using an FTP server app on the tablet, so the files just get transferred to s folder on the tablet, and I import them to LR mobile from there. I don't use the creators app (longstanding dislike for Sony camera apps!)
I’ve got the ftp server app (T&T) but it’s not showing any images, so I should be able to see and transfer raw?

I’ll have another go but I’m not holding my breath.
 
I’ve got the ftp server app (T&T) but it’s not showing any images, so I should be able to see and transfer raw?

I’ll have another go but I’m not holding my breath.
With the A7iv I first connect both camera and tablet to the same WiFi network (usually phones hotspot), then start the FTP server which gives me the details to put in the A7iv FTP config, then select the images to transfer and send from the camera - they then appear on the tablet and I switch to LR mobile and add from the FTP folder.
I only shoot raw so not tried to see what happens if you shoot raw+Jpeg.
 
With the A7iv I first connect both camera and tablet to the same WiFi network (usually phones hotspot), then start the FTP server which gives me the details to put in the A7iv FTP config, then select the images to transfer and send from the camera - they then appear on the tablet and I switch to LR mobile and add from the FTP folder.
I only shoot raw so not tried to see what happens if you shoot raw+Jpeg.
That’s what I’ve done and done in the past, Bluetooth has connected, wi-fi has connected, FTP on the app is green but still no images, any ideas please?

IMG_0289.png
 
Right I’ve been a complete muppet, ftp is working and it transfers images across that I’ve shot whilst FTP is on, what it wouldn’t do and (I assumed it would) is transfer ‘historical’ images from the card.

I’ve now got creators app working after several attempts (software fault not mine) so I’ve transferred the images. It’s VERY slow.
 
I had a birthday :D and we had a lovely little break in a pod in Cumbria. I took my A7 and Sony 28mm f2. I haven't used this lens much but I have been mostly happy with it. It's main issues seem to be that the corners are a mess at anything below f8 and it seems to be more susceptible to flare than some of my other Sony lenses. I think I would be tempted to a better Sony G 28mm if they ever do one. It does seem to be a prime focal length that Sony haven't bothered too much with. I was waiting for a Voigtlander28mm in Sony mount and there is one now but I think all in all I'd rather have an AF one.

I took a lot of pictures, I took more for panoramas than for single shot pictures.

A7 and Sony 28mm f2.

The bumph said the place was 100m from the beach but I think our pod was more like 200m away.

1-DSC08285.jpg

Talking of pods. I would have used our tent but the boss wanted a pod.

1-DSC08448.jpg

I wasn't a fan of Windermere when we went a while back, too crowded. I liked Buttermere a lot more. Panorama.

1-Untitled_Panorama-8.jpg

And another.

1-Untitled_Panorama-12.jpg

I don't know where this is. We just stopped at a place which looked nice and this is where we did a lot of steps. I took pictures of a caffe and carpark signs and I'll look it up and see where it is :D Lovely place though and with nice views if you can make it to the top.

At the top.

1-DSC08555.jpg

Panoramas.

1-Untitled_Panorama-11.jpg

1-Untitled_Panorama-13.jpg

One highlight was at Buttermere when a Typhoon went over us at what seemed to be very low, I'm no expert but I'd guess it wasn't much more than 100m. The sound was incredible. I'd just taken a picture of Mrs WW at f2 in single shot mode and I had no chance of snapping the plane. I did get this transport plane but not until it was just a speck.

1-DSC08387.jpg

We had a great time :D
 
I had a birthday :D and we had a lovely little break in a pod in Cumbria. I took my A7 and Sony 28mm f2. I haven't used this lens much but I have been mostly happy with it. It's main issues seem to be that the corners are a mess at anything below f8 and it seems to be more susceptible to flare than some of my other Sony lenses. I think I would be tempted to a better Sony G 28mm if they ever do one. It does seem to be a prime focal length that Sony haven't bothered too much with. I was waiting for a Voigtlander28mm in Sony mount and there is one now but I think all in all I'd rather have an AF one.

I took a lot of pictures, I took more for panoramas than for single shot pictures.

A7 and Sony 28mm f2.

The bumph said the place was 100m from the beach but I think our pod was more like 200m away.

View attachment 453929

Talking of pods. I would have used our tent but the boss wanted a pod.

View attachment 453930

I wasn't a fan of Windermere when we went a while back, too crowded. I liked Buttermere a lot more. Panorama.

View attachment 453932

And another.

View attachment 453937

I don't know where this is. We just stopped at a place which looked nice and this is where we did a lot of steps. I took pictures of a caffe and carpark signs and I'll look it up and see where it is :D Lovely place though and with nice views if you can make it to the top.

At the top.

View attachment 453939

Panoramas.

View attachment 453933

View attachment 453936

One highlight was at Buttermere when a Typhoon went over us at what seemed to be very low, I'm no expert but I'd guess it wasn't much more than 100m. The sound was incredible. I'd just taken a picture of Mrs WW at f2 in single shot mode and I had no chance of snapping the plane. I did get this transport plane but not until it was just a speck.

View attachment 453938

We had a great time :D
Happy Birthday, it was mine yesterday :clap:

The lakes are beautiful, we usually go to the Buttermere/Lowswater side. The typhoons are something else aren’t they (y)
 
I had a birthday :D and we had a lovely little break in a pod in Cumbria. I took my A7 and Sony 28mm f2. I haven't used this lens much but I have been mostly happy with it. It's main issues seem to be that the corners are a mess at anything below f8 and it seems to be more susceptible to flare than some of my other Sony lenses. I think I would be tempted to a better Sony G 28mm if they ever do one. It does seem to be a prime focal length that Sony haven't bothered too much with. I was waiting for a Voigtlander28mm in Sony mount and there is one now but I think all in all I'd rather have an AF one.

I took a lot of pictures, I took more for panoramas than for single shot pictures.

A7 and Sony 28mm f2.

The bumph said the place was 100m from the beach but I think our pod was more like 200m away.

View attachment 453929

Talking of pods. I would have used our tent but the boss wanted a pod.

View attachment 453930

I wasn't a fan of Windermere when we went a while back, too crowded. I liked Buttermere a lot more. Panorama.

View attachment 453932

And another.

View attachment 453937

I don't know where this is. We just stopped at a place which looked nice and this is where we did a lot of steps. I took pictures of a caffe and carpark signs and I'll look it up and see where it is :D Lovely place though and with nice views if you can make it to the top.

At the top.

View attachment 453939

Panoramas.

View attachment 453933

View attachment 453936

One highlight was at Buttermere when a Typhoon went over us at what seemed to be very low, I'm no expert but I'd guess it wasn't much more than 100m. The sound was incredible. I'd just taken a picture of Mrs WW at f2 in single shot mode and I had no chance of snapping the plane. I did get this transport plane but not until it was just a speck.

View attachment 453938

We had a great time :D

Happy Birthday, it was mine yesterday :clap:

The lakes are beautiful, we usually go to the Buttermere/Lowswater side. The typhoons are something else aren’t they (y)

Happy Birthday to you both.

Great shots Alan :)

I think we might do a few days in Pembrokeshire and then a week in Snowdonia/Anglesey after summer - for our honeymoon thingy.
 
Mrs WW wants to go back to the lakes next year. I don't know the place so we'll have to do some research. Mrs WW photographed some hotels near Buttermere so they could be a good start although a visit to other lakes and location will need some researching.

I like to have a nice picture of all my cars and I've been wanting to take a picture of my Evoque and hadn't managed to find a nice location as I've only had it 3 years :D so I took a picture of it outside our pod. I have to say that I love this car which is a bit of a change for me as I've been small two seater soft top mad most of my life. I didn't pay a lot for this 2015 one as I wasn't sure I'd like it but I love it and will possibly trade it in for a newer one soon. It made the driving easier than it would have been in a manual car and was just so easy to drive on the up and down twisty roads.

Here it is, dirty and covered in dead insects. A7 and Sony 28mm f2 again.

1-DSC08442.jpg

Some of the roads around our pod and in the Lakes were a little nerve shredding, one and a half cars wide and with high bushes and lots of bends. We saw mucho poor driving and TBH I was glad to get on decent A roads when we could. It's amazing to think that these roads are the only roads.

PS.
Googling tells me that the Tornados can fly as low as 100ft over Buttermere. Impressive. We could see every detail and it did look BIG in the sky so I am willing to believe it was lower than my 100m guess earlier. As I might have said above, the sound was incredible.
 
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As I'm talking about the Sony 28mm f2 here's a list of my other Sony lenses...

20mm f1.8 G.
24mm f2.8 G.
35mm f2.8.
35mm f1.8.
40mm f2.5 G.
55mm f1.8.
85mm f1.8.
28-70mm kit lens.

I think the 28mm f2 is the poorest of all of my Sony primes, poor corners, susceptibility to flare and some focus issues but this may be down to my creaking old A7, I haven't tried it on my A7III.

I wondered what other people thought was their poorest lens?
 
As I'm talking about the Sony 28mm f2 here's a list of my other Sony lenses...

20mm f1.8 G.
24mm f2.8 G.
35mm f2.8.
35mm f1.8.
40mm f2.5 G.
55mm f1.8.
85mm f1.8.
28-70mm kit lens.

I think the 28mm f2 is the poorest of all of my Sony primes, poor corners, susceptibility to flare and some focus issues but this may be down to my creaking old A7, I haven't tried it on my A7III.

I wondered what other people thought was their poorest lens?

Tbh, I don't think I've got a poorest lens!
 
Tbh, I don't think I've got a poorest lens!

Maybe weakest or less good would be a better way of putting it. I do think that this 28mm is the least good performer of mine. They all have strengths and weaknesses I suppose and the 28mm does have good points The missed focus shots worry me but may be down to the A7, backlit scenes and the slightly hazy conditions. I had several failures to lock at distance and a couple of backlit fails. The poor corners at less than f8 are a disappointment.
 
Maybe weakest or less good would be a better way of putting it. I do think that this 28mm is the least good performer of mine. They all have strengths and weaknesses I suppose and the 28mm does have good points The missed focus shots worry me but may be down to the A7, backlit scenes and the slightly hazy conditions. I had several failures to lock at distance and a couple of backlit fails. The poor corners at less than f8 are a disappointment.
My weakest prime is the probably the 85 1.8, but I prefer the size vs the GM mk1 failings and don’t have the money to get the GM mk2.

I’ve fallen back in love with the 50mm focal length since picking up the 1.4GM at Christmas after 15+ years away from it, but the 135GM remains my favourite Sony lens, even factoring in the 300GM. It’s absolutely the most versatile, perfect beautiful lens of all time IMHO.
 
Are there any tent campers here? I’m getting the family into camping, but a bit concerned about how to keep my camera gear safe when we’re away from the tent. Does anyone have any good solutions aside from locking it in the car? Or suggestions what to do when taking the car on a day trip and not wanting to leave the gear in the car? Or is theft from tents not something to be concerned about?
 
As I'm talking about the Sony 28mm f2 here's a list of my other Sony lenses...

20mm f1.8 G.
24mm f2.8 G.
35mm f2.8.
35mm f1.8.
40mm f2.5 G.
55mm f1.8.
85mm f1.8.
28-70mm kit lens.

I think the 28mm f2 is the poorest of all of my Sony primes, poor corners, susceptibility to flare and some focus issues but this may be down to my creaking old A7, I haven't tried it on my A7III.

I wondered what other people thought was their poorest lens?
My weakest prime is the Sigma 85mm DG DN, and that’s a great lens. Needless to say I’m very happy with my primes :)
 
Are there any tent campers here? I’m getting the family into camping, but a bit concerned about how to keep my camera gear safe when we’re away from the tent. Does anyone have any good solutions aside from locking it in the car? Or suggestions what to do when taking the car on a day trip and not wanting to leave the gear in the car? Or is theft from tents not something to be concerned about?

Occasional tent camper here but I don't think I can help as I only take one camera and lens and it goes with me. I hope someone can come up with a way to help you.
 
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