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

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Yeah I tend to like B&W, although my B+W is noticeably heavier than other filters I've got. I actually like Hoya ProND filters too but they only do 3 stop and stronger in 49mm.

The ProND 0.6 is available in 49mm, you just need to find it stocked somewhere


My B+W 3 stop 52mm I didn't think was 'heavy'

The Hoya is 35g, the B+W is 32g - hardly heavy :ROFLMAO:

I've bought B+W from Hilton Photographic in the past


Hoya is available from Hoya's EU shop

 
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The ProND 0.6 is available in 49mm, you just need to find it stocked somewhere


My B+W 3 stop 52mm I didn't think was 'heavy'

The Hoya is 35g, the B+W is 32g - hardly heavy :ROFLMAO:

I've bought B+W from Hilton Photographic in the past


Hoya is available from Hoya's EU shop

I don't know which type of B&W 77mm I have but it's certainly heavier then other 77mm's I have :thinking: I went through a spell of buying Hitech Firecrest but when I went onto their website last week it siad they temporarily stopped selling.
 
The ProND 0.6 is available in 49mm, you just need to find it stocked somewhere


My B+W 3 stop 52mm I didn't think was 'heavy'

The Hoya is 35g, the B+W is 32g - hardly heavy :ROFLMAO:

I've bought B+W from Hilton Photographic in the past


Hoya is available from Hoya's EU shop

B+W ordered, I figured the camera cost enough so why compromise (y)
 
I don't know which type of B&W 77mm I have but it's certainly heavier then other 77mm's I have :thinking: I went through a spell of buying Hitech Firecrest but when I went onto their website last week it siad they temporarily stopped selling.
It looks as though Formatt Hitech have gone under looking at companies house :(
 
You could run an A7III alongside, so you have the 'pretty' camera and the tool for when you need to do more serious stuff. Seems an odd direction to go other than 'play' value.
The X100VI is a serious tool, if you take the time to learn how to use it and exploit its many strengths.
 
And unrelated to the picture I've just posted above.

I've just put this lens up for sale in the "other" section as it doesn't see a lot of use and I have my eye on something else.
 
The X100VI is a serious tool, if you take the time to learn how to use it and exploit its many strengths.
I guess this depends on what you shoot and what you define as a serious tool. What surprises me is how bad the AF is by modern day standards, I certainly don't think it would be the best choice to use as a wedding camera or anything where there's a lot of action. It's great for what it is, but I'm not sure it could be used in demanding situations (y)

Having just acquired the RX1R II it's made me realise just how spoilt we are with modern day AF, but to be fair with the X100VI being a new camera I did expect it to be right up there.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7upy14_lnmM
 
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I guess this depends on what you shoot and what you define as a serious tool. What surprises me is how bad the AF is by modern day standards, I certainly don't think it would be the best choice to use as a wedding camera or anything where there's a lot of action. It's great for what it is, but I'm not sure it could be used in demanding situations (y)

Having just acquired the RX1R II it's made me realise just how spoilt we are with modern day AF, but to be fair with the X100VI being a new camera I did expect it to be right up there.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7upy14_lnmM

Again, not intentionally disagreeing :) ...... but there are people out there using these for weddings and professional work. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't myself though for a wedding.
 
Again, not intentionally disagreeing :) ...... but there are people out there using these for weddings and professional work. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't myself though for a wedding.
Yeah I can imagine there are, and I’m sure they get very good results, however as per my previous post it’s not the best option ;) :p

Also, with it being a 35mm f2.8 lens equivalent in terms of DOF I guess it doesn’t matter if AF isn’t perfect as you have a large DOF to work with (y)

Despite all this, and my newly acquired camera part of me still fancies an X100 :headbang: :LOL:
 
There's nothing wrong with a fixed lens at all, unless you need a different focal length, at which point it becomes a problem. I usually use my 50 f1.2, but would not want to only have that available.
 
Fixed lens? A tool with very clear limitations.
Incorrect, you can use the digital zoom or crop in post effectively as the sensor is stella (at last). I recently shot a gig and watched some other photographers just banging out boring shots, head down to waist kind of stuff. I got everything from the whole width of the stage to close ups. TBH I was surprised, much better results than I expected. Then you can also add a TCL with no loss of quality, improves the bokeh a tad too. I would say you could easily crop 70% so do the maths, what's that in FF ? A range from 50 to at least 100. Can also add a WCL for wide stuff.

I heard the same argument when I had the Q3 and I shot everything from wide landscape to cars on track with it.
 
I guess this depends on what you shoot and what you define as a serious tool. What surprises me is how bad the AF is by modern day standards, I certainly don't think it would be the best choice to use as a wedding camera or anything where there's a lot of action. It's great for what it is, but I'm not sure it could be used in demanding situations (y)

Having just acquired the RX1R II it's made me realise just how spoilt we are with modern day AF, but to be fair with the X100VI being a new camera I did expect it to be right up there.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7upy14_lnmM
I just shot an entire wedding with it, zero issues, stop listening to muppets on YouTube lol

The AF is not "bad" but it's not up to Sony / Nikon level for tracking but you don't "need" that kind of AF unless shooting fast action. It's the kind of experience that teaches people a lot as you stop relying on super clinical AF. Really depends on your use case, it's certainly liberating especially on a trip.
 
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@snerkler

BTW i'm not in the habit of defending a camera just because I own it, as you know i've had tons of different gear i'm just pointing out that a lot of the "issues" are misconceptions.

Limited ?

Take a look at a few shots taken recently, the first 6 are X100VI

 
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Incorrect, you can use the digital zoom or crop in post effectively as the sensor is stella (at last). I recently shot a gig and watched some other photographers just banging out boring shots, head down to waist kind of stuff. I got everything from the whole width of the stage to close ups. TBH I was surprised, much better results than I expected. Then you can also add a TCL with no loss of quality, improves the bokeh a tad too. I would say you could easily crop 70% so do the maths, what's that in FF ? A range from 50 to at least 100. Can also add a WCL for wide stuff.

I heard the same argument when I had the Q3 and I shot everything from wide landscape to cars on track with it.

Thanks for confirming my comments.
 
It makes me laugh nowadays when people disparage a camera's AF speed or accuracy.

I used to shoot motorsports in the 90's with a Canon T90 and FD manual focus lenses.

I used to be able to "snap focus" when needed.

Can't do it now with this fly by wire stuff.

We really are truly spoilt.
 
I just shot an entire wedding with it, zero issues, stop listening to muppets on YouTube lol

The AF is not "bad" but it's not up to Sony / Nikon level for tracking but you don't "need" that kind of AF unless shooting fast action. It's the kind of experience that teaches people a lot as you stop relying on super clinical AF. Really depends on your use case, it's certainly liberating especially on a trip.

@snerkler

BTW i'm not in the habit of defending a camera just because I own it, as you know i've had tons of different gear i'm just pointing out that a lot of the "issues" are misconceptions.

Limited ?

Take a look at a few shots taken recently, the first 6 are X100VI

Yeah I’m not sure we’re on the same page here, but I don’t think anyone is disputing the X100VI is capable of great shots and you can use it for different uses, however the point is (Or at least the point I’ve been making) it’s not the best option a lot of the time.

At the end of the day an iPhone is capable of shooting weddings, motorsports, concerts, and some people do so with excellent results but is it the best tool for the job? (And before I get flamed I’m not suggesting the iPhone is on par with the X100 ;))

I got some nice photos of Betty out on our recent dog walk with the RX1R which has sub par AF, but it’s not the best camera for the job and if I was to go out specifically to shoot a dog I wouldn’t use it, especially if it was paid work.

Similarly I’m off to Silverstone on Friday, I could take me RX1R and get some shots with it but it’s a far cry from what I’d be able to achieve with my A1 and 70-200mm and 100-400mm :)

My point is that I don’t believe there’s any misconceptions from my end, I know what the X100VI is capable of and what its limitations are. I don’t want my posts to come off a X100 bashing as that is far from my intention, I genuinely think it’s a superb camera and I do think at some point I will end up owning one (y)

And yes for the record the Q3 and RX1R series also have similar limitations ;)
 
It makes me laugh nowadays when people disparage a camera's AF speed or accuracy.

I used to shoot motorsports in the 90's with a Canon T90 and FD manual focus lenses.

I used to be able to "snap focus" when needed.

Can't do it now with this fly by wire stuff.

We really are truly spoilt.
Lol, we are indeed. I do think it has to be taken into context though, just because we can do something with a tool doesn’t mean it’s the best or right tool for the job. I could still go out and shoot with my Film OM1 camera and get perfectly good shots, but I wouldn’t be able to get the shots that modern day equipment allows me to, and certainly not with the same ease or consistency (y)
 
Yeah I’m not sure we’re on the same page here, but I don’t think anyone is disputing the X100VI is capable of great shots and you can use it for different uses, however the point is (Or at least the point I’ve been making) it’s not the best option a lot of the time.

At the end of the day an iPhone is capable of shooting weddings, motorsports, concerts, and some people do so with excellent results but is it the best tool for the job? (And before I get flamed I’m not suggesting the iPhone is on par with the X100 ;))

I got some nice photos of Betty out on our recent dog walk with the RX1R which has sub par AF, but it’s not the best camera for the job and if I was to go out specifically to shoot a dog I wouldn’t use it, especially if it was paid work.

Similarly I’m off to Silverstone on Friday, I could take me RX1R and get some shots with it but it’s a far cry from what I’d be able to achieve with my A1 and 70-200mm and 100-400mm :)

My point is that I don’t believe there’s any misconceptions from my end, I know what the X100VI is capable of and what its limitations are. I don’t want my posts to come off a X100 bashing as that is far from my intention, I genuinely think it’s a superb camera and I do think at some point I will end up owning one (y)

And yes for the record the Q3 and RX1R series also have similar limitations ;)
It's not you bashing Toby I get that.....my comments are really aimed at the YouTube morons that just make ridiculous claims for clicks.
 
It's not you bashing Toby I get that.....my comments are really aimed at the YouTube morons that just make ridiculous claims for clicks.
Ahh I see, sorry for the misunderstanding (y)

It's not just youtube, everything seems to be click bait these days, whether it's news, football reports etc etc :rolleyes: I've got to the point that I barely listen to them anymore, I just skip to the bit I want to see, make up my own mind on it and the close it back down again. That being said, I did watch a review on the X100VI from Jared and he actually gave a very good well rounded review (IMO), and it did very nearly make me pull the pin on buying one.

I'm also a bit skeptical on how much these youtubers are 'influenced' on their reviews and thoughts, another reason I take them with a pinch of salt ;)
 
It makes me laugh nowadays when people disparage a camera's AF speed or accuracy.

I used to shoot motorsports in the 90's with a Canon T90 and FD manual focus lenses.

I used to be able to "snap focus" when needed.

Can't do it now with this fly by wire stuff.

We really are truly spoilt.

The thing with AF is people believe it and modern cameras may not give you any clue that the shot is out of focus indeed just the opposite as you get every indication that it is in focus and then you find out it isn't.

I've taken an awful lot of mf pictures and I think mf is the most accurate way to focus if you have the time and of course if a shot is out of focus it's my fault but that's not the case with AF. I find iffy AF very annoying because I've trusted it and it's let me down and when a camera or lens can not focus reliably I feel I have the right to be annoyed and get rid of it.
 
I like having one focal length. You get familiar with it, you know the fov and you know where to stand to get the framing and perspective. Despite the limitations I think there are positives and things to enjoy.
 
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The thing with AF is people believe it and modern cameras may not give you any clue that the shot is out of focus indeed just the opposite as you get every indication that it is in focus and then you find out it isn't.

I've taken an awful lot of mf pictures and I think mf is the most accurate way to focus if you have the time and of course if a shot is out of focus it's my fault but that's not the case with AF. I find iffy AF very annoying because I've trusted it and it's let me down and when a camera or lens can not focus reliably I feel I have the right to be annoyed and get rid of it.
I think it's extremely rare these days that a camera hasn't focussed when it says it has, in fact I don't think that's ever happened to me with any of my Sony cameras. I've had the odd backfocus shot when Betty has been running towards the camera but that's it. I can't honestly remember the last time I got a 'false focus' with any camera. That being said I only use AF-C as I know AF-S wasn't as reliable with Sony cameras in the past, whether that's changed or not I don't know.
I like having one focal length. You get familiar with it, you know the fov and you know where to stand to get the framing and perspective. Despite the limitations I think there are positives and things to enjoy.
I've been enjoying just using one focal length of late, even before the latest purchase.
 
I like having one focal length. You get familiar with it, you know the fov and you know where to stand to get the framing and perspective. Despite the limitations I think there are positives and things to enjoy.

Absolutely. A single focal length with a great lens can work really well, one just needs to recognise the limitations and either work with them or use a different tool if that can't work.
 
£3k for the Sigma 200mm f2, anyone interested?
 
OK, here's a question for all you Sony tech nerds out there. When recording video sound on either my A6700 or my A7RV with my Sony ECM-M1 Digital mic (using the MI interface hotshoe), I've noticed under Shooting>Audio Recording>Mi Shoe Audio set, I have the following choices:

48khz/24 bit 4Ch
48khz/24 bit 2 Ch
48khz/16 bit 2 Ch


Whilst I understand that recording in 48khz 24bit will give superior audio with slightly more headroom for adjustment in post over the 16 bit mode (albeit with slightly bigger file sizes), I'm not sure as the benefit or even what does the 4 Channel mode (the top) one give you over the standard 2 Channel mode.

Anyone know please ?
 
It may relate to whether your mic has directionality - can it record effectively for a quad speaker system to provide sounds for behind as well as in front of the camera? If that's a feature you'll use then you need 4 channel recording.
 
Just in case anyone could be interested I've listed most of my Olympus Zuiko lenses in the "Other" section.

I'm just not using them these days and if they don't sell on here they'll be off to a dealer. I'm keeping the 50mm f1.8 though as I just can't part with it yet.
 
IF this is true I hope it sets a precedent, a Sony 35-50mm f1.4 GM would be epic,…. assuming it wasn’t huge and heavy.


On another note Nikon appear to have come up trumps with their new 24-70mm f2.8. Only 675g and internal zoom, albeit at a cost of making it 2cm longer.
 
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