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

[snerkler]

As I've now posted many times. The RX1 is for me a one trick pony. For me it's a small FF camera with a small 35mm f2 lens. That's it. I don't see any other point. Some could value the leaf shutter or some other feature but I don't care about the rest. All I care about is the small FF + small fast 35mm. That's all that interests me. Remove the small form factor or the FF format or the fast lens and I'm not interested because if you remove those I have other options.

I'm not interested in a Q because IMO they're not small enough and I'm not interested in APS-C because it's not FF. I have middling sized FF covered by my Sony A7 kit and I have small covered by my MFT kit. What I don't have is FF quality with a fast lens in a small body and at the mo and IMO there's only one thing that covers small and fast FF, the RX1. Even the A7cII doesn't compete for me as there's no small fast AF lens. But that's just my own assessment.

If other people want to see a Q or a X100 as a viable alternative to the RX1 then fill your boots. I'm happy for you

I don’t mind the idea of a small ‘pocketable’ APS-C camera, however it would need to have at least an f1.4 lens to get any kind of decent shallow DOF, and even then it’s not as much as I’d like. 35mm f2 FF doesn’t give much scope for subject isolation, and whilst for many that wouldn’t be the point of a camera like this, it would be a consideration for me

I did have the Fujifilm 35mm f1.4R and subject isolation wasn't great.

 

[Mr Perceptive]

Some could value the leaf shutter

The leaf shutter negates the need for IBIS in a lot of situations - I'm always surprised how slow I can go with a leaf shutter and still get a sharp image.

 

[woof woof]

I don’t mind the idea of a small ‘pocketable’ APS-C camera, however it would need to have at least an f1.4 lens to get any kind of decent shallow DOF, and even then it’s not as much as I’d like. 35mm f2 FF doesn’t give much scope for subject isolation, and whilst for many that wouldn’t be the point of a camera like this, it would be a consideration for me

I did have the Fujifilm 35mm f1.4R and subject isolation wasn't great.

I have an f1.7 lens for MFT and it does make for a small combination on my GX80 or GX9 but as I have money to waste on things that aren't women or booze I could be interested in a small FF combination for the extra IQ which IMO is noticeable over MFT or APS-C if we go looking and sadly I do go looking.

I can get close to the RX1 with an A7CII and 40mm f2.5 or 35mm f2.8 but not at f2 and AF and I can have a fast 26/28 or 45mm on an arguably much bigger Q but that's not the same as the RX1 and neither is APS-C or MFT. IMO.

A true, for me, RX1 alternative might come along in the future but I doubt it. I would be happy with a compact FF AF 35 or 40mm f1.4/1.8/2 for the A7CII but I don't think that's too likely although some Chinese company could do it. I could even think about accepting TTA 50mm f2 or Pergear 35mm f1.4 quality in a compact AF lens but I don't think any of the major manufacturers would do that because of the hit to optical quality. A Chinese company could do it if they thought they'd get enough sales but I wont hold my breath.

 

[woof woof]

The leaf shutter negates the need for IBIS in a lot of situations - I'm always surprised how slow I can go with a leaf shutter and still get a sharp image.

I appreciate that leaf shutters and IS both have their place but TBH 99% of the time I want to freeze motion so will be at freezing motion shutter speeds even with the electronic shutter.

 

[LeeRatters]

I have an f1.7 lens for MFT and it does make for a small combination on my GX80 or GX9 but as I have money to waste on things that aren't women or booze I could be interested in a small FF combination for the extra IQ which IMO is noticeable over MFT or APS-C if we go looking and sadly I do go looking.

I can get close to the RX1 with an A7CII and 40mm f2.5 or 35mm f2.8 but not at f2 and AF and I can have a fast 26/28 or 45mm on an arguably much bigger Q but that's not the same as the RX1 and neither is APS-C or MFT. IMO.

A true, for me, RX1 alternative might come along in the future but I doubt it. I would be happy with a compact FF AF 35 or 40mm f1.4/1.8/2 for the A7CII but I don't think that's too likely although some Chinese company could do it. I could even think about accepting TTA 50mm f2 or Pergear 35mm f1.4 quality in a compact AF lens but I don't think any of the major manufacturers would do that because of the hit to optical quality. A Chinese company could do it if they thought they'd get enough sales but I wont hold my breath.

FF extra IQ you say.....?

View: https://youtu.be/E8Sej2TEes4?si=bVzxl_l5YUOsFyHv

 

[woof woof]

FF extra IQ you say.....?

View: https://youtu.be/E8Sej2TEes4?si=bVzxl_l5YUOsFyHv

Yup. I think if we're talking about cameras of about the same generation then yes.

If you think smaller formats offer you better IQ then as above, fill your boots.

Unfortunately I can't stop myself from pixel peeping and having a nice file and the FF look matters to me, to me it is part of the hobby and when I look at MFT or my X100s/f files I often see files which would have looked better if I'd taken the picture with my creaking old A7. If people are happy with APS-C or MFT then all I can say is they're probably the better person. I admit to my faults. I like FF. My name is Woof Woof and for a long time now I've been taking FF. Don't be like Woof Woof.

 

[woof woof]

This might be old now but I found it interesting.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqy2My-jdyg

 

[LeeRatters]

Yup. I think if we're talking about cameras of about the same generation then yes.

If you think smaller formats offer you better IQ then as above, fill your boots.

Unfortunately I can't stop myself from pixel peeping and having a nice file and the FF look matters to me, to me it is part of the hobby and when I look at MFT or my X100s/f files I often see files which would have looked better if I'd taken the picture with my creaking old A7. If people are happy with APS-C or MFT then all I can say is they're probably the better person. I admit to my faults. I like FF. My name is Woof Woof and for a long time now I've been taking FF. Don't be like Woof Woof.

My boots don't need filling

They are full of everything I need right now and the latest gear has no interest to me whatsoever. It never has.

*aside from the 35GM

I watched that last week as it came up. Just thought of it when you said about the better IQ of full frame that's all.

 

[Faldrax]

FF extra IQ you say.....?

View: https://youtu.be/E8Sej2TEes4?si=bVzxl_l5YUOsFyHv

I partly skipped through the video, so may have missed some points, but what I did notice was that the test was done by someone who shoots primarily with the S7Siii, so you would expect them to know how to shoot and edit to get the best out of that camera - and then states he shot both and edited to get them as close as possible.
A cynic might suggest the test was actually 'Can you edit a 102Mp Image to look like a 12Mp Image'?
It might be interesting to do the same experiment, but with two photographers each familiar with the relevant camera, and each editing to get the best image, and see if that gave a different result.

 

[LeeRatters]

I partly skipped through the video, so may have missed some points, but what I did notice was that the test was done by someone who shoots primarily with the S7Siii, so you would expect them to know how to shoot and edit to get the best out of that camera - and then states he shot both and edited to get them as close as possible.
A cynic might suggest the test was actually 'Can you edit a 102Mp Image to look like a 12Mp Image'?
It might be interesting to do the same experiment, but with two photographers each familiar with the relevant camera, and each editing to get the best image, and see if that gave a different result.

Feel free to do your own version

 

[woof woof]

When I use APS-C or MFT I try to get the best out of them and to try and get a more FF look by applying the crop factor. For eg when using MFT I tend to shoot wide open to f4 and only sometimes go to f5/5.6 as with FF I would be between wide open and f8 with occasional rarer trips to f11 or smaller. I think doing this gives the smaller formats a better chance of getting closer to the look I want.

Lee, "Fill your boots" as you will well know means get on with it and enjoy yourself and it was meant in that spirit. I know that like me you have different formats and you will like me make decisions based on a number of things including IQ, use, useability and fun. If you are happy with a smaller than FF format and indeed if you see little difference between FF and APS-C then I accept that. Some of the time I will choose MFT over FF and I know when and why I will do that and equally I know when and why I will choose FF over MFT.

FF may not be the ultimate in quality in digital and there are larger formats available but for me FF is good enough, I just wish FF was smaller and lighter and nearer to where we were in the film days. Size wise smaller is possible but weight wise I know that it isn't.

 

[woof woof]

I partly skipped through the video, so may have missed some points, but what I did notice was that the test was done by someone who shoots primarily with the S7Siii, so you would expect them to know how to shoot and edit to get the best out of that camera - and then states he shot both and edited to get them as close as possible.
A cynic might suggest the test was actually 'Can you edit a 102Mp Image to look like a 12Mp Image'?
It might be interesting to do the same experiment, but with two photographers each familiar with the relevant camera, and each editing to get the best image, and see if that gave a different result.

I think these days many of us have access to more than one camera and more than one format if not at the same time then over the years. It is therefore likely that many of us can make our own comparisons between different format sizes and different pixel densities. When different generations of technology are involved it get difficult but we can try.

I had Canon APS-C and then the original Canon 5D and it was whilst I had the 5D that I got into MFT with the GF1 and then the G1. IMO even those first generation MFT cameras challenged the 5D in some areas and later ones like the GX80 and GX9 IMO surpass the FF 5D in some areas. Our wedding was shot with a 5DII and I had to process the raws and IMO my MFT cameras are superior to the 5DII in some ways but Canon were arguably rarely at the cutting edge. So, here we perhaps have old v new technologies and pixel densities swaying the larger v smaller format comparison one way and another.

These days my old A7 does IMO give better IQ than my MFT cameras. I have tried shooting the same scene just seconds apart at equivalent apertures and I think the A7 does quite easily show improvements over MFT. I suspect that my A7III gives better IQ than newer MFT cameras which I haven't tried.

Pixel density wise there is the temptation to compare pictures at 100% but I think it's better to compare pictures of the same size.

 

[Faldrax]

Feel free to do your own version

It would be nice to have the time and gear on hand to do such a test, but with 2 daughters, one at the end of her first year at Uni (5 year course) and the other awaiting A-Level results (aiming to also do a 5 year Uni course), work takes up a lot of my time, and my daughters happily spend the money I earn working!
My feeling is that these tests can be set up to prove things either way - there are images that the large format and higher resolution camera can take that the A7Siii won't be able to replicate when displayed at a suitable size - but if you're viewing on a typical laptop, phone or even A4 print then there will be a significant range of images where the differences will be minimal.

 

[woof woof]

Guys!!!!

I'm very happy with this I bought all the bits off Aliexpress and put it together. It's a homage of a 1950's Omega Railmaster. It's not perfect as the hands are a bit grubby but you have to look at them at high magnification to see it also the hand colours are a bit different to the indices but no one else apart from people like us would notice.

I was worried about my eyesight so I bought a cheap head mounted magnifier thingy. Anyway... here it is, taken with A7III, Sony 40mm and No.4 close up filter.



I love this design. I have a homage to the later 2017 version but I think I like this one best. I don't know if I'll build another as to be honest you can buy a finished watch for the price of the movement alone. This one has a Seiko NH38. I might though. The reason I built this is that there aren't any mechanical homages of this version and I didn't want to pay £4k for an original Omega.

 

[woof woof]

The rumor site has a bit on a firmware update for the A1II

New 3.0 firmware update for the Sony A1II adds a ton of new features! | sonyalpharumors

Sony A1II at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia. Sony issued a big update for the Sony A1II: sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-1-series/ilce-1m2/software/00349486. Let me know what you think about those...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

 

[snerkler]

The rumor site has a bit on a firmware update for the A1II

New 3.0 firmware update for the Sony A1II adds a ton of new features! | sonyalpharumors

Sony A1II at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton, CameraPro. Sony Australia. Sony issued a big update for the Sony A1II: sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-1-series/ilce-1m2/software/00349486. Let me know what you think about those...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

I saw that earlier, no groundbreaking stuff in there or stuff that would make a difference to me but it appears to be a decent update. I’m surprised these ‘fixes’ weren’t ironed out before the release though

 

[woof woof]

I saw that earlier, no groundbreaking stuff in there or stuff that would make a difference to me but it appears to be a decent update. I’m surprised these ‘fixes’ weren’t ironed out before the release though

Just thought it was worth linking just in case anyone wasn't aware.

Other stuff...

I stopped in today as I had a workman due but he was a no show. I thought about writing him off but foolishly rang him and we've rescheduled. That'll be his last chance. As he was a no show I thought I'd go out and take some pictures but the light here is dead so yet again I didn't bother.

It struck me how few pictures I've taken in the last couple of months but life has got in the way and when I have had free time the light has just been so poor I haven't seen the point. I've been looking at manual lenses again... but so far I've managed to stop myself

PS.
Anyone see the piece on new sensor tech? I wonder how long it'll take to appear in cameras we'd be interested in?

 

[snerkler]

Just thought it was worth linking just in case anyone wasn't aware.

Other stuff...

I stopped in today as I had a workman due but he was a no show. I thought about writing him off but foolishly rang him and we've rescheduled. That'll be his last chance. As he was a no show I thought I'd go out and take some pictures but the light here is dead so yet again I didn't bother.

It struck me how few pictures I've taken in the last couple of months but life has got in the way and when I have had free time the light has just been so poor I haven't seen the point. I've been looking at manual lenses again... but so far I've managed to stop myself

PS.
Anyone see the piece on new sensor tech? I wonder how long it'll take to appear in cameras we'd be interested in?

I've not been taking many photos recently outside of a couple of motorsport events. Partly it's due to Betty being lame and not going out for long walks and partly because I can't muster any enthusiasm.

I've not seen the new tech.

 

[woof woof]

I've not been taking many photos recently outside of a couple of motorsport events. Partly it's due to Betty being lame and not going out for long walks and partly because I can't muster any enthusiasm.

I've not seen the new tech.

Sony financial statement hints at New Tri-Layer Sensor! | sonyalpharumors

On June 13th, Sony held a "Fireside Chat" for investors and they shared updated presentations. One aspect that is particularly interesting is the talk about the new 3-Layer sensor. This tech will allow to improve all aspects like sensitivity and speed. Sony is clearly pushing the boundaries...

www.sonyalpharumors.com

Sorry to hear about Betty. Hope she gets well soon.

I haven't lost enthusiasm, it's just other things have taken up time and when I've been free the weather has mostly been naff. I have too many pictures of my local area in flat dead light and can't be bothered taking more as it just leads to disappointment. I've been waiting for a nice evening for trip to Whitby or Staithes. I've been to both many times but I fancied doing some long exposures, just for a change.

 

[LeeRatters]

Guys!!!!

I'm very happy with this I bought all the bits off Aliexpress and put it together. It's a homage of a 1950's Omega Railmaster. It's not perfect as the hands are a bit grubby but you have to look at them at high magnification to see it also the hand colours are a bit different to the indices but no one else apart from people like us would notice.

I was worried about my eyesight so I bought a cheap head mounted magnifier thingy. Anyway... here it is, taken with A7III, Sony 40mm and No.4 close up filter.

View attachment 459204

I love this design. I have a homage to the later 2017 version but I think I like this one best. I don't know if I'll build another as to be honest you can buy a finished watch for the price of the movement alone. This one has a Seiko NH38. I might though. The reason I built this is that there aren't any mechanical homages of this version and I didn't want to pay £4k for an original Omega.

I'm not a watch guy, but that is pretty neat & clean looking. So, if I were going for a watch, it might be something like that.

 

[LeeRatters]

Teignmouth last month with that 35mm lens.....


*** by Lee, on Flickr

We've got a Vintage Extravaganza show tomorrow to go to, and I might actually take a Sony camera! All the other 'events' like this I have been going with the Yashica Mat 124g & the X100f. I don't really want to take the 35mm film kit so that's out. A7Riii & CV40 maybe.....

 

[woof woof]

I'm not a watch guy, but that is pretty neat & clean looking. So, if I were going for a watch, it might be something like that.

I think the only reasonably priced non Omega design like this is quartz but I like mechanical ones. There was a mechanical version a few years ago but they sold out and the maker has no plans to make any more so I built my own. The originals were meant as a tool watch for workers exposed to magnetic fields hence the design nods to rail workers and electricians and I was an electrician so it appeals to me The original was part of a set of three, Railmaster, Seamaster and the chronograph Speedmaster.

I have this cheap Seamaster of the same era lookalike but I prefer the one I built as I don't need a bezel.



It might have been nice to complete the set with a Speedmaster lookalike but there aren't too many reasonably priced mechanical chronographs and I don't want one enough to justify buying the bits and building one myself at twice the cost it should be.

It's interesting that some don't like homage watches when many of the larger prestige Swiss brands and the smaller trendy brands too produce similar designs to each other and to watches of the past and these more expensive homages are acceptable. I suppose it's only the cheap Chinese homages which aren't.

I don't think I'll build any more. I watched some vids in which people struggled but I have to say that although it's fiddly it's no real challenge. I suppose the fun is more in deciding on the look and selecting the parts. Anyway. Having watched lots of vids and researched and bought some and now built one from bits I think I've done the watch hobby now. Time to move on to something else

PS.
The NH38 movement in the Railmaster lookalike seems spot on.

 

[woof woof]

We've got a Vintage Extravaganza show tomorrow to go to, and I might actually take a Sony camera! All the other 'events' like this I have been going with the Yashica Mat 124g & the X100f. I don't really want to take the 35mm film kit so that's out. A7Riii & CV40 maybe.....

Hope you get good light.

I promised myself a trip out this evening but it was a miserable day again. I might get out next week.

 

[LeeRatters]

Hope you get good light.

I promised myself a trip out this evening but it was a miserable day again. I might get out next week.

I hope so too. Especially shooting film

This was the Vintage Nostalgia Festival '24 - A7Riii 35GM & 85mm for vehicles I think & X100f for people

Vintage Nostalgia Festival 24

Explore this photo album by Lee|Ratters on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

The VNF '25 I only shot on film - the first 12 shots of this album - https://www.flickr.com/photos/ratters445/albums/72177720326882647/

I'm not sure the Mat 124g, A7Riii & 35GM & 85mm will fit in a small bag Maybe I will just take the X100f....

It just feels the Sony kit gets little use now. But we do have 10 days booked in Sept for a little roadtrip around Wales.

 

[woof woof]

I do like a woman in a hat

I tried going back to film a while back but it didn't work for me. I suppose I learned a bit with digital though as some of those return to film shots were amongst the best I've taken. I did like that Bessa with 35mm f2.5 Color Skopar.

 

[LeeRatters]

I do like a woman in a hat

I tried going back to film a while back but it didn't work for me. I suppose I learned a bit with digital though as some of those return to film shots were amongst the best I've taken. I did like that Bessa with 35mm f2.5 Color Skopar.

I shall pass your compliment on We have got more of a 50's style outfits for tomorrow

I know it's not for everyone, but I do enjoy using film - especially with the 6x6 Yashica Mat 124g. I also like that each shot gets some consideration too rather than just taking it because it might look good!! I pop the hood, quickly compose, and if it doesn't 'wow' me within a second or two, I close and walk away. I find with digital it's easy to get snap happy & take too many images - although obviously that is the whole benefit of digital!

This also might not be everyones cup of tea, and it was my first time attending, but I shot the Bristol Pride event on both 35mm film & the X100f too. Which again, was actually enjoyable - https://www.flickr.com/photos/ratters445/albums/72177720327556150/

 

[mstphoto]

I shall pass your compliment on We have got more of a 50's style outfits for tomorrow

I know it's not for everyone, but I do enjoy using film - especially with the 6x6 Yashica Mat 124g. I also like that each shot gets some consideration too rather than just taking it because it might look good!! I pop the hood, quickly compose, and if it doesn't 'wow' me within a second or two, I close and walk away. I find with digital it's easy to get snap happy & take too many images - although obviously that is the whole benefit of digital!

This also might not be everyones cup of tea, and it was my first time attending, but I shot the Bristol Pride event on both 35mm film & the X100f too. Which again, was actually enjoyable - https://www.flickr.com/photos/ratters445/albums/72177720327556150/

The first couple of years of the Aberdeen Pride march, it was called The Poof Parade - their words, not mines!!
I suppose they would take offence to it being called that these days.
It seems to be colourful and joyous day for those taking part

 

[woof woof]

I shall pass your compliment on We have got more of a 50's style outfits for tomorrow

I know it's not for everyone, but I do enjoy using film - especially with the 6x6 Yashica Mat 124g. I also like that each shot gets some consideration too rather than just taking it because it might look good!! I pop the hood, quickly compose, and if it doesn't 'wow' me within a second or two, I close and walk away. I find with digital it's easy to get snap happy & take too many images - although obviously that is the whole benefit of digital!

This also might not be everyones cup of tea, and it was my first time attending, but I shot the Bristol Pride event on both 35mm film & the X100f too. Which again, was actually enjoyable - https://www.flickr.com/photos/ratters445/albums/72177720327556150/

I can see the appeal and not just of 50's style ladies but of film too. I suppose part of the reason I didn't give film a longer go the 2nd time was because I got more into using film era lenses on digital cameras.

 

[LeeRatters]

I can see the appeal and not just of 50's style ladies but of film too. I suppose part of the reason I didn't give film a longer go the 2nd time was because I got more into using film era lenses on digital cameras.

Which I guess is the next best thing imo

And, APSC mode on the A7Riii...... Two things please. Is the RAW actually still full sized? (like when shooting in 16:9) And, is there a symbol in the EVF/LCD to tell you that you are in crop mode?

 

[mstphoto]

Which I guess is the next best thing imo

And, APSC mode on the A7Riii...... Two things please. Is the RAW actually still full sized? (like when shooting in 16:9) And, is there a symbol in the EVF/LCD to tell you that you are in crop mode?

Not too sure about the a7Riii but there is a wee icon on the bottom right of the a1's EVF that shows its in APSC mode

 

[snerkler]

From another post someone posted that they can't get a shutter sound when using the electronic shutter, however when you read the manual it reads (to me at least) that you should be able to turn the e-shutter sound on/off. I've just tried mine and despite turning silent off there's still no shutter sound in e-shutter, can anyone confirm this? I can't help but think it's a glitch, unless they've changed it since the manual was printed

 

[trevorbray]

From another post someone posted that they can't get a shutter sound when using the electronic shutter, however when you read the manual it reads (to me at least) that you should be able to turn the e-shutter sound on/off. I've just tried mine and despite turning silent off there's still no shutter sound in e-shutter, can anyone confirm this? I can't help but think it's a glitch, unless they've changed it since the manual was printed

View attachment 459378

Have you checked your audio signals setting. Manual suggests there may be such a thing.

 

[snerkler]

Have you checked your audio signals setting. Manual suggests there may be such a thing.

Yep, set to on (although it only affects the AF confirmation beep). Google AI says that there's no e-shutter sound but the bit in the manual that I highlighted sure does read as though there is

 

[trevorbray]

Yep, set to on (although it only affects the AF confirmation beep). Google AI says that there's no e-shutter sound but the bit in the manual that I highlighted sure does read as though there is

I think actually it’s referring to focus confirmation beep. It’s locked off in silent mode. Doesn’t work in AF-C

 

[snerkler]

I think actually it’s referring to focus confirmation beep. It’s locked off in silent mode. Doesn’t work in AF-C

But it says "sets whether or not to shoot without shutter sounds OR electronic sounds", if there is no shutter sound available it shouldn't then give you the option to shoot without them as this implies that you can It's probably just a poor translation

 

[nog]

“It's probably just a poor translation”

Think you are right

I’ve not been able to get shutter sound with eshutter on A7R V but believe it’s an option on the A9 and A1

 

[mstphoto]

Which I guess is the next best thing imo

And, APSC mode on the A7Riii...... Two things please. Is the RAW actually still full sized? (like when shooting in 16:9) And, is there a symbol in the EVF/LCD to tell you that you are in crop mode?

No, the RAW is a smaller file size

 

[sjh2008]

Which I guess is the next best thing imo

And, APSC mode on the A7Riii...... Two things please. Is the RAW actually still full sized? (like when shooting in 16:9) And, is there a symbol in the EVF/LCD to tell you that you are in crop mode?

You get the normal size raw file, just at 18mb resolution not 42mb

it shows at the top of the screen either 42 or 18 depending on your mode

 

[woof woof]

The RX1r videos had a lot of talk about how nice the files are from the r bodies and this got me thinking. What do people think. Is the latest r sensor very good and are the files very nice? And also, if the r files were downsized to something near the 24 MP files at 6k or so on the longest edge would they be any better than files from my A7iii?

 

[woof woof]

Just in case anyone interested hasn't seen it...

Jonathan (addicknchips) is selling a low shutter count A7III in the classifieds for what looks to me to be a very good price.