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

Mr Perceptive said:
IMO working through step by step doesn't sink in, unless you are actually doing it. I tend to want to do something in PS (that I can't do in LR or PS does better)., then I just google it, find a guide/video and work through it with the image that I want to edit - I find that this way I actually learn, so I now have the ability to do a number of functions within photoshop (that I quite often use), but still do the bulk of my editing in LR
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In Dave Kelly's walkthroughs, he supplies the original image and a PDF of the steps taken so you can work on the image yourself.
Once you have learned this you can adapt them to your own images.
I've learned so much using his tutorials
 
snerkler said:
I've started watching PiXimperfect, he's got a series teaching PS step by step (y)
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most of my photoshop is self taught through experimentation or googling.
I can do a lot of things in PS and pretty well too but the issue is I don't know what I don't know :ROFLMAO:
I kept meaning to find some kind of a structured material, I'm sure there's plenty of features and capabilities I will not have come across or used.
 
nandbytes said:
most of my photoshop is self taught through experimentation or googling.
I can do a lot of things in PS and pretty well too but the issue is I don't know what I don't know :ROFLMAO:
I kept meaning to find some kind of a structured material, I'm sure there's plenty of features and capabilities I will not have come across or used.
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I'm only on the third lesson and already leant a lot, it's starting to make sense and the shortcuts are invaluable. I'm not sure I'll use photoshop much though as the improvements in lightroom, especially the masking means that a lot of the tools photographers had to go into PS for are now available in LR.

One of the best 'new' features of LR is the ability to intersect masks with another mask or tool, brilliant bit of kit that.
 
As it's a bit quiet. I haven't been out with a camera for a while so I had a play at home taking pictures of some of my cheap mechanical watches. Just to give some background, I don't buy counterfeit watches but I have bought some homage watches. These are watches which lets say have taken inspiration from more expensive watches but this is apparently perfectly legal as they don't pretend to be made by the company whose watch they take inspiration from. I see nothing wrong with this as there are Rolex watches which look pretty much identical to me to Omega watches and vice versa and so on. Most of these though are as far as I know original designs.

A7III and Sony 40mm f2.5 + No.4 close up filter. Watches just placed on the windowsill and photographed hand held at almost MFD with no cropping. In some there's distortion towards the edges, I think this is caused by the cheap close up filter and being almost at MFD.

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This next one is the only non automatic here. It's just hand wound. Some of these use Seiko NH35 or NH family movements and some use Chinese movements of various types. Some Chinese movements are quite decent.

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I can't resist looking at this one when the hands are about to line up and give an almost constant white combination.

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This next one looks lovely when the light catches it just right. BTW, this one and the one above were very cheap even for cheap watches.

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Mrs WW likes this next one I think mostly because of the strap.

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This last one is one of the cheapest and I really like it. Going by the name I think it might be inspired by a more expensive watch rather than being an original design but I can't say for sure. I've looked at the similarly named famous brands website and I can't see one like this but there might have been one in the past or the similar name might just be a coincidence :D

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As I have a thin left wrist I often can't get a comfortable fit and when I can't I fit a mesh bracelet which can be adjusted to fit just about anyone. Sorry about the dust and reflections in some of these pictures. It's just for fun :D
 
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Couldn’t resist a little friend for my A7Cii when I saw one at a good price.

Currently trying out with my smallest lens, a nice combo, but also considering the Viltrox 28/4.5 or the TTArtisan 25/2. Main use is a compact carry camera that’s not so expensive I worry about carrying it around or it getting beat up so I can take it for opportunistic shots on work travel etc. I often have a few hours to kill in london these days so thought I might try and capture some of it. Something to think a bit more intentionally about composition etc with and try improve my skill there.

It also gives me a nice resolution bump with my macro lens (which is APS-C).
 

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snerkler said:
I'm not an overly huge fan of this guy but he does make some very good point regading Sony's update strategy from about 14:14 onwards.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEAJsrfii5s
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It's the standard firmware update moan by someone who has never tried to develop embedded software.
Developing embedded software is very different to creating something to run on PC - the example he gives of Animal EYE AF in video, for example.
Animal Eye AF requires tracking the eye in each frame, and adjusting the AF in response.
For the A7iv, that's a 4k image, at 60 fps (cropped) /30 fps(uncropped), while the A1ii it's 8k at 30 fps, or 4k at 120 fps - so either a much larger image, or twice the frame rate - either way, it's a harder task (computationally) on the A1ii - and it has to be done in a tiny amount of time

Could Sony release a Flagship A1iii with the excess computing capability and unused firmware memory to allow updates for new features for a few years after initial release - yes, they probably could - but that would inevitably increase the sales price, in a highly competitive market, which would reduce sales.
Technology moves ever on, and that means you have to accept that sometimes a newer, but cheaper, model may have something not present on an older model.
Could Sony do better with firmware updates?
Possibly (only someone with inside knowledge of their camera development process could answer this for sure), but even if it's possible, Sony appear to concentrate on development of new models rather than updates of existing / older models (most updates I've seen for the A7iv have been mainly linked to compatibility with the new Creative App, rather than photographic capability), as that brings in the cash to pay for it all!
 
70-200mm F2.8 GM2 playing up. It works to a point but the instant snapping into focus particularly on further away subjects is intermittent and sometimes needs 3 or 4 presses of AF on or a remount of the lens.

Such a pain as it is probably the only bit of kit that goes on every job or photo trip with me. I'll have to buy another while this one goes in to Fixation. A likely month to wait is too long to be without it.
 
Ordered a second 70-200 today and may have spotted the problem with the older one. The locking pin had a slight dimple presumably caused by putting the lens on and off cameras so often over the years, A very gently tap with a hammer using a brass spigot as a "punch" seems to have flattened it and I can't get the lens to behave the same way again. Seems fixed for the moment. I'll test it out in anger over the next few days and see what happens. It is a lens where a spare may not be the worst idea but I had planned on the 50-150 doing that in the future
 
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wookie6262 said:
Ordered a second 70-200 today and may have spotted the problem with the older one. The locking pin had a slight dimple presumably caused by putting the lens on and off cameras so often over the years, A very gently tap with a hammer using a brass spot seems to have flattened it and I can't get the lens to behave the same way again. I'll test it out in anger over the next few days and see what happens. It is a lens where a spare may not be the worst idea but I had planned on teh 50-150 doing that in the future
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Are you saying giving it a tap has fixed it or it won't work normally?
 
snerkler said:
Are you saying giving it a tap has fixed it or it won't work normally?
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Fixed it, I have made the post clearer. I think the little dimple may have just been enough to lift the contacts apart. It was just a small tap so maybe there was something loose. I'll get it sent in anyways once the new one arrives and work out where I go next.
 
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wookie6262 said:
Fixed it, I have made the post clearer. I think the little dimple may have just been enough to lift the contacts apart. It was just a small tap so maybe there was something loose. I'll get it sent in anyways once the new one arrives and work out where I go next.
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Cool, glad it's working for you now, hopefully not just temporary.

Am I right in thinking you have an A1 II, or is it the A9 III you have?
 
snerkler said:
Cool, glad it's working for you now, hopefully not just temporary.

Am I right in thinking you have an A1 II, or is it the A9 III you have?
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A9iii and A1s at the moment. An A1 ii is definitely on the horizon as the newer focusing system is a decent step up as is the pre-capture
 
wookie6262 said:
A9iii and A1s at the moment. An A1 ii is definitely on the horizon as the newer focusing system is a decent step up as is the pre-capture
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I keep wondering if the A1 II is enough of an upgrade to warrant the cost, I'm also concerned about the new grip. I know everyone says it's better, but it looks bulkier and more like Canon and I prefer the grip of the A1 over the Canon R5 and R6 I tried recently but everyone else says that Canons grip is nicer to use :thinking:
 
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Continuing my current obsession with using the venerable Sony APS-C 70-350mm lens on my A7RV, I decided to take it on a day trip to the zoo the other day (with my wife, niece and great nephew). To be honest I very nearly took my Nikon Z9 with the 180-600mm lens, but in the end was so glad of this small, light and portable setup.

Was very interesting to see how many togs were there with huge tele lenses on their Sony, Canon and Nikon bodies (most with monopods).

Here's just a few from the over 600 taken.











 
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snerkler said:
I keep wondering if the A1 II is enough of an upgrade to warrant the cost, I'm also concerned about the new grip. I know everyone says it's better, but it looks bulkier and more like Canon and I prefer the grip of the A1 over the Canon R5 and R6 I tried recently but everyone else says that Canons grip is nicer to use :thinking:
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The grip is more secure and feels better to my hand. The extra dial is handy too but you have to get use to it being there if you leave it engaged as it is easy for it to roll when you don't intend it too. I tend to lock my settings for much of what I do. Easy to end up with teh front dial rolling against your side when moving between the 70-200 on one body and teh 400 on teh next. The goal or try is just about to happen and you are shooting at F22
 
wookie6262 said:
The grip is more secure and feels better to my hand. The extra dial is handy too but you have to get use to it being there if you leave it engaged as it is easy for it to roll when you don't intend it too. I tend to lock my settings for much of what I do. Easy to end up with teh front dial rolling against your side when moving between the 70-200 on one body and teh 400 on teh next. The goal or try is just about to happen and you are shooting at F22
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Which is the extra dial you're referring to? I know it has the extra switch dial to swap between still and video but I wasn't aware of any other dial?

I know some will appreciate it but I wish they'd have kept the right top dial as exp comp rather than customisable, I like to see what (if any) exp comp I have just by looking at the dial rather than the screen.
 
I like to see what (if any) exp comp I have just by looking at the dial rather than the screen.
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This is one of the few UI things about my Cii that bothers me. I’d prefer markings on the dial and make it lock whilst they’re at it…
 
It's not everybody's cup of tea but this is the sort of photography I really like doing:-

54611929167_b5f9d7e249_b.jpg


Just nature in all its beauty - that'll do for me

Sony A7Cii and vintage Hexanon 135/3.2 wide open
 
The A1 grip doesn't have an exposure compensation dial. The A9iii grip has the Exposure compensation dial on the grip and that can be customised together with the one on the camera. Not something I would use often but I imagine it would be great for a portrait shooter using auto iso and adjusting exposure using the the compensation or changing it to iso.
 
wookie6262 said:
The A1 grip doesn't have an exposure compensation dial. The A9iii grip has the Exposure compensation dial on the grip and that can be customised together with the one on the camera. Not something I would use often but I imagine it would be great for a portrait shooter using auto iso and adjusting exposure using the the compensation or changing it to iso.
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Ahh, are you referring to the battery grip having the extra dial? I don't use a battery grip, I was referring to the newly designed standard grip. Everyone says it's much better but it looks more like the grip on Canons which I don't like as much. I guess the only way I'd know is to try it (y)
 
snerkler said:
This has piqued my interest

First leaked images of the new Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 E-mount lens! | sonyalpharumors

Here are the leaked images of the new Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 lens! The lens will be announced within days and cost more than it's predecessor. Technical Specifications: Mount type: Nikon Z, Sony E Optical zoom: 1.88x Minimum focal length: 16 mm Maximum focal length: 30 mm Focal...
www.sonyalpharumors.com
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Interesting but hope that the 28-200 is next on the G2 list. I enjoyed my copy but improved build and VC would be a big improvement at 200mm/f5.6. Sony Rumors also had a rumour about a Sigma travel zoom, would love to see what Sigma and Sony could do in that segment.
 
Gold said:
Interesting but hope that the 28-200 is next on the G2 list. I enjoyed my copy but improved build and VC would be a big improvement at 200mm/f5.6. Sony Rumors also had a rumour about a Sigma travel zoom, would love to see what Sigma and Sony could do in that segment.
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The 16-30mm would make a good travel zoom for me, that being said the 20-70mm also makes a good travel zoom. I very rarely need long focal lengths on holidays.
 
snerkler said:
Ahh, are you referring to the battery grip having the extra dial? I don't use a battery grip, I was referring to the newly designed standard grip. Everyone says it's much better but it looks more like the grip on Canons which I don't like as much. I guess the only way I'd know is to try it (y)
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I find the grip on the A9iii a good deal more comfortable than the A1. I have held some of teh newer Canons like R5s and I didn't like them. The A9iii feels very familiar
 
wookie6262 said:
I find the grip on the A9iii a good deal more comfortable than the A1. I have held some of teh newer Canons like R5s and I didn't like them. The A9iii feels very familiar
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Good to know (y)
 
I think I'm finally happy with my B&W editing, for portraits at least. Here's a montage of 4 photos with the same B&W editing


A7R04300-Edit by Toby Gunnee, on Flickr
 
Rosedale said:
It's not everybody's cup of tea but this is the sort of photography I really like doing:-

Just nature in all its beauty - that'll do for me

Sony A7Cii and vintage Hexanon 135/3.2 wide open
Click to expand...

It's my cup of tea Andrew. Well done and enjoy! :D
 
snerkler said:
I think I'm finally happy with my B&W editing, for portraits at least. Here's a montage of 4 photos with the same B&W editing
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Very nice Toby. What do you do? I tend to use Nik Filters Silver Effex.
 
Hi praise from a guy via the rumor site...


PS.
Manny says that this is "the most impressive Sony lens that I've ever used." Praise indeed.

 
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woof woof said:
Very nice Toby. What do you do? I tend to use Nik Filters Silver Effex.
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Thanks, all done in lightroom. Mainly just the sliders but add a very slight red tint to the shadows
 
12mm f2.8 review...

phillipreeve.net

Review: Laowa 12mm 2.8 AF - phillipreeve.net

One of the first lenses Laowa released was a 12mm 2.8 for DSLRs. 11 years later we receive an updated version, but
phillipreeve.net phillipreeve.net

It seems to be a good lens with high vignetting being the biggie in the reviewers opinion. It's interesting that it has straight aperture blades, that's something a lot of makers seem to avoid these days although this one is also available as a MF cini version with rounded blades.
 
As I'm having a lazy day...

A couple I don't think I've posted before, sorry if I have...

A7 and Sony 28mm f2.

Are you quite comfortable?

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I like this one but it's slightly oof and I'm gutted.

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I might still print and frame it as I don't think it'll be obvious in a print at A4. I have defended the Sony 28mm f2 before and I was happy with it until I took it away with us and had more oof shots than I've ever had with the A7 and any other lens. I'm not sure why, the lighting wasn't great, it was a bit hazy and there was glare but even though I got focus confirmation on her face in this one when looking at it and some others taken on this trip it clearly missed, only a bit but it missed. I suppose the focus issues could be down to the light or maybe the creaking old A7, I'll have to give it another good go and see what happens. Also IMO the corners are poor at anything less than f8. I wish Sony would do another cheapish 28mm f1.8/f2.
 
woof woof said:
As I'm having a lazy day...

A couple I don't think I've posted before, sorry if I have...

A7 and Sony 28mm f2.

Are you quite comfortable?

View attachment 456512

I like this one but it's slightly oof and I'm gutted.

View attachment 456513

I might still print and frame it as I don't think it'll be obvious in a print at A4. I have defended the Sony 28mm f2 before and I was happy with it until I took it away with us and had more oof shots than I've ever had with the A7 and any other lens. I'm not sure why, the lighting wasn't great, it was a bit hazy and there was glare but even though I got focus confirmation on her face in this one when looking at it and some others taken on this trip it clearly missed, only a bit but it missed. I suppose the focus issues could be down to the light or maybe the creaking old A7, I'll have to give it another good go and see what happens. Also IMO the corners are poor at anything less than f8. I wish Sony would do another cheapish 28mm f1.8/f2.
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Nice memory shots though Alan. Can you not frame a bit looser with the 24G and crop for a 28mm (ish) - I often do that with the 35GM. I know it goes against things a bit with framing, but it is an option. I know you aren't too worried about megapixels......
 
LeeRatters said:
Nice memory shots though Alan. Can you not frame a bit looser with the 24G and crop for a 28mm (ish) - I often do that with the 35GM. I know it goes against things a bit with framing, but it is an option. I know you aren't too worried about megapixels......
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I have taken it off the A7 and replaced it with the 24mm G but I'd rather have a good 28mm. Giving the f2 a longer go on the A7 or mounting it on the a7III might be worth trying just to see if it's the lens or the A7 or a iffy light or backlit problem. You're right that the mp's a problem. I have 8mp A3's from the Canon 20D and I think one 6.3mp A3 from the 300D which are good enough for me.

Just reading this Voltrox review but I think I read somewhere that the focus can be iffy and looking at the samples in that review the corners are poor even at f8.

phillipreeve.net

Review: Viltrox FE 28mm 1.8 AF - phillipreeve.net

The Viltrox 28mm 1.8 AF FE is one of the few 28mm fullframe lenses for Sony E-mount. Is it a viable alternative to the
phillipreeve.net phillipreeve.net

Oh, that lens has a clickless aperture ring. That's not for me.
 
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Another AF 12mm.

Just announced: new Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 FE lens | sonyalpharumors

Venus Optics just announced the new Laowa 12mm f/2.8 autofocus Full Frame E-mount lens. You can preorder it now at BHphoto, Venus-store, Amazon. A stunning update to their legendary ultra-wide prime. Designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, this new version is lighter, sleeker, and ready for...
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