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

snerkler said:
On reflection today the Sony images are a bit nicer, I can't quite put my finger on it but they just render nicer imo. I think the Fuji do look slightly flatter in all honesty, but it's minor and it does seem that Fuji and/or processes have got to the point that artefacts are a thing of the past. I have to say that grass still looks ever so slightly mushier on the Fuji but I'm nit picking ;)
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I'm not surprised, there has to be an FF advantage :)
 
woof woof said:
Can you see yourself keeping the Fuji? I haven't tried the newer ones but I always thought my S and F were closer to MFT than FF. For me Fuji makes the most sense as a combination of small size, retro handling and film effects but the further away from any of these the less sense Fuji make for me when the A7c range is there but the Fuji X100's are significantly thinner. I'd still rather use my GX80 than a X100 range camera for speed and AF accuracy and consistency. The A7cII has been a bit of a revelation for me even if it is heavier and fatter than the GX80.
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I just got the Fuji on a free trial so it was never going to be a keeper, however I've always been curious and if I absolutely fell in love with it I'd have contemplated swapping the RX1R for one. However knowing me I'd likely always be questioning the IQ, plus the trade in quotes I've been getting on the RX1R II have been nothing short of insulting. Also, it slightly irks me that the silver of the lens doesn't match the silver of the body (obviously because the lens is plastic), I don't think my OCD could cope :runaway: :ROFLMAO:

I do wish the RX1R II had more modern electronics though, it can be painfully slow to review images etc. In an ideal world it would also have a joystick and and AF-ON button for BBF but it's perfectly useable and the image quality is stunning. I still find it baffling the mark III doesn't have a tilt screen, if it did I'd seriously contemplate upgrading the Mark II in a couple of years when the Mark III price is more sensible (probably grey), but the lack ot tilt screen is a deal breaker I think, I've used it a lot on the Mark II.
 
snerkler said:
I just got the Fuji on a free trial so it was never going to be a keeper, however I've always been curious and if I absolutely fell in love with it I'd have contemplated swapping the RX1R for one. However knowing me I'd likely always be questioning the IQ, plus the trade in quotes I've been getting on the RX1R II have been nothing short of insulting. Also, it slightly irks me that the silver of the lens doesn't match the silver of the body (obviously because the lens is plastic), I don't think my OCD could cope :runaway: :ROFLMAO:

I do wish the RX1R II had more modern electronics though, it can be painfully slow to review images etc. In an ideal world it would also have a joystick and and AF-ON button for BBF but it's perfectly useable and the image quality is stunning. I still find it baffling the mark III doesn't have a tilt screen, if it did I'd seriously contemplate upgrading the Mark II in a couple of years when the Mark III price is more sensible (probably grey), but the lack ot tilt screen is a deal breaker I think, I've used it a lot on the Mark II.
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I think they obsessed on keeping the size down. I don't know how many mm's a tilting screen would add but I think for Sony any added thickness was too much.

With the A7c range being small I struggle to see the point of APS-C now for primes in the 24 to 50mm range. MFT can still offer some real savings in bulk and weight but only with second hand kit as they've stopped making the GM and GX ranges.

I've never been particularly interested in cameras but that's spreading to lenses now and I'm getting to the point that I can't be bothered trying new kit. I've been thinking for a while that I want to get back to something more like the simplicity I had with my film era fixed lens compacts but trying to keep the IQ of Sony FF. The Panasonic GM5 with 20mm was very nice but with limitations, the GX80 and 14mm is nice but with limitations, the A7cII and 40mm is very nice and although it's bigger and heavier than those MFT cameras the biggest annoyance so far is the articulating screen. It is the way forward for me though despite that. I'll have to think if I want to sell the a7III.

On trading and selling stuff.

I'm thinking about selling my Voigtlander lenses. I've used Ffordes a couple of times and the experience was really only tolerable and I did sell one Voigtlander to Wex and the experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Can anyone recommend anyone to sell my Voigtlanders to other than Ffordes or Wex?
 
woof woof said:
I think they obsessed on keeping the size down. I don't know how many mm's a tilting screen would add but I think for Sony any added thickness was too much.

With the A7c range being small I struggle to see the point of APS-C now for primes in the 24 to 50mm range. MFT can still offer some real savings in bulk and weight but only with second hand kit as they've stopped making the GM and GX ranges.

I've never been particularly interested in cameras but that's spreading to lenses now and I'm getting to the point that I can't be bothered trying new kit. I've been thinking for a while that I want to get back to something more like the simplicity I had with my film era fixed lens compacts but trying to keep the IQ of Sony FF. The Panasonic GM5 with 20mm was very nice but with limitations, the GX80 and 14mm is nice but with limitations, the A7cII and 40mm is very nice and although it's bigger and heavier than those MFT cameras the biggest annoyance so far is the articulating screen. It is the way forward for me though despite that. I'll have to think if I want to sell the a7III.

On trading and selling stuff.

I'm thinking about selling my Voigtlander lenses. I've used Ffordes a couple of times and the experience was really only tolerable and I did sell one Voigtlander to Wex and the experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Can anyone recommend anyone to sell my Voigtlanders to other than Ffordes or Wex?
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I don't think the lack of tilt screen is due to size, I think it's because it would interfere with the eye cup on the new VF, but I could be wrong.

I still like trying new gear, but I'm getting more picky. I think we're spoilt with how good gear is these days that 'we' pick at the slightest thing :oops: :$
 
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snerkler said:
I don't think the lack of tilt screen is due to size, I think it's because it would interfere with the eye cup on the new VF, but I could be wrong.

I still like trying new gear, I'm getting more picky. I think we're spoilt with how good gear is these days that 'we' pick at the slightest thing :oops: :$
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When I was looking after my mam I had my interest in film era lenses for when I couldn't get out too much but now that I'm (sadly) not a carer any more I'm not spending hours researching and looking for lenses for a hobby. I haven't lost interest in photography just maybe lost a bit of interest in the kit. Good luck to those who are interested in the kit and have time and enthusiasm for it. I can see the appeal.
 
woof woof said:
When I was looking after my mam I had my interest in film era lenses for when I couldn't get out too much but now that I'm (sadly) not a carer any more I'm not spending hours researching and looking for lenses for a hobby. I haven't lost interest in photography just maybe lost a bit of interest in the kit. Good luck to those who are interested in the kit and have time and enthusiasm for it. I can see the appeal.
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Sometimes gear keeps me interested in photography and vice versa.
 
Kieran_89 said:
Unless I’m going crazy and they’ve never been available, have all grey market sellers stopped selling Sigma lenses?
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I used CameraDori recently to buy a Sigma 85mm F1.4 at a really good price. Although the email confirmation came from CameraDori, the separate Paypal receipt quoted they had paid Cotswold Cameras. CameraDori even have their own loyalty points scheme like Cotswold have. They were really good to deal with and like Cotswold they were very quick to deliver. Now all I have to do is work out why I bought the lens :)
 
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trevjm said:
I used CameraDori recently to buy a Sigma 85mm F1.4 at a really good price. Although the email confirmation came from CameraDori, the separate Paypal receipt quoted they had paid Cotswold Cameras. CameraDori even have their own loyalty points scheme like Cotswold have. They were really good to deal with and like Cotswold they were very quick to deliver. Now all I have to do is work out why I bought the lens :)
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I know someone who had recently ordered from CameraDori too. I'd never heard of them but they noticed the same in that the receipt said Cotswolds.
 
Cameradori what a name

Also know a few people who noticed it was Cotswold, I wonder why they are doing that. Must be some sort of tax dodge.
 
Posted here because I like these reviews...

phillipreeve.net

Review: Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 FE Pro - phillipreeve.net

ContentsIntroductionSample ImagesDisclosureSpecificationsHandling / Build QualityAF performanceVignettingLight falloffOptical vignettingSharpnessFocus shiftinfinity (42mp Sony A7rII)portrait 1.4 m (42mp Sony A7rII)Close 0.45 m, 1:7.3 (42mp Sony A7rII)Flare resistanceComaDistortionBokehClose...
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Looks like a big honker though.

While I'm here... the 35mm f1.2...

phillipreeve.net

Review: Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB - phillipreeve.net

The Viltrox AF 35mm 1.2 FE LAB is Viltrox answer to the Sigma 35mm 1.2 Art DG DN. Despite being smaller it is actually
phillipreeve.net phillipreeve.net
 
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woof woof said:
Posted here because I like these reviews...

phillipreeve.net

Review: Viltrox AF 50mm 1.4 FE Pro - phillipreeve.net

ContentsIntroductionSample ImagesDisclosureSpecificationsHandling / Build QualityAF performanceVignettingLight falloffOptical vignettingSharpnessFocus shiftinfinity (42mp Sony A7rII)portrait 1.4 m (42mp Sony A7rII)Close 0.45 m, 1:7.3 (42mp Sony A7rII)Flare resistanceComaDistortionBokehClose...
phillipreeve.net phillipreeve.net

Looks like a big honker though.
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Might have been tempted but not at that size/weight. The Samyang is excellent despite (or because?) of the vignetting.
 
Bungieben said:
Chatsworth house grounds at the weekend the bridge was with A1 70-200gm2 and the others with the 200-600G as that's what i was lugging around at the time.
October 2025-12 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
October 2025-11 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
October 2025-10 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
October 2025-9 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
October 2025-8 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
October 2025-7 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
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I was just going to ask when you got weather like this as it’s been extremely bleak for ages around here but then I saw you said at the weekend, and typically on that day I was across in Manchester which of course was incredibly bleak :facepalm: :lol:

Nice pics, Chatsworth is particularly lovely when the leaves are turning. Did you see any stags rutting?
 
snerkler said:
I was just going to ask when you got weather like this as it’s been extremely bleak for ages around here but then I saw you said at the weekend, and typically on that day I was across in Manchester which of course was incredibly bleak :facepalm: :LOL:

Nice pics, Chatsworth is particularly lovely when the leaves are turning. Did you see any stags rutting?
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Heard the Stags very close in the morning and saw some when i popped my head over a wall but they were the otherside of the river and it turned out we had no access that's why i popped the 200-600 on thinking there must be some in the grounds but nothing. Any how we went for a look behind the house and by the time we were back down you could of stripped to your birthday suit.
I had to google where that aquaduct went too, i know what it's for now.

October 2025-14 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
October 2025-13 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
October 2025-16 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
 
Bungieben said:
Heard the Stags very close in the morning and saw some when i popped my head over a wall but they were the otherside of the river and it turned out we had no access that's why i popped the 200-600 on thinking there must be some in the grounds but nothing. Any how we went for a look behind the house and by the time we were back down you could of stripped to your birthday suit.
I had to google where that aquaduct went too, i know what it's for now.

October 2025-14 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
October 2025-13 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
October 2025-16 by Ben Cheneler, on Flickr
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More nice pics.

Isn't the aqueduct just there to supply the cascade? Did you know the fountain next to the house is just powered by gravity and can reach 300ft? :eek: It feeds from the ponds/reservoirs at the top of the hillside near the hunting tower.
 
snerkler said:
More nice pics.

Isn't the aqueduct just there to supply the cascade? Did you know the fountain next to the house is just powered by gravity and can reach 300ft? :eek: It feeds from the ponds/reservoirs at the top of the hillside near the hunting tower.
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It is to supply the cascade and never knew about the fountain. I will be better prepared for our next visit now to go back in a tweek the exposure on these (y)
 
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Glad it's getting good use :D

Are you using the slightly tatty half case? Just wondered. I used it to hide / protect the blebbing.

I'm laid low with a serious case of man flu so no photography for me at the moment.
 
I'm glad you're using it. I did think it was a bit too tatty to include and nearly threw it out.
 
Another Viltrox review...

phillipreeve.net

Review: Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 FE Evo - phillipreeve.net

The Viltrox AF 85mm 2.0 Evo is the first entry to Viltrox' new "Evo" lineup. These lenses combine compact size with
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Strange that 28m is being pretty much ignored. A better but still compact rival to the Sony f2 would be nice. There is the Voigtlander f1.5 which is currently £609 at Cotswold. MF only though.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDO2HKk3Ze8


I have some pictures I like taken with film era 28mm's but I think this MFT 14mm (28mm equiv) picture is one of my favourites.

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Sony f2, all from the same trip.

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That would make a nice day out and holiday lens, a bit expensive maybe but probably not when we look at the cost of stuff these days.

This makes me think back to the cheap Sigma 28-300mm I had for Canon. I still look at pictures I took with that lens.
 
woof woof said:
That would make a nice day out and holiday lens, a bit expensive maybe but probably not when we look at the cost of stuff these days.

This makes me think back to the cheap Sigma 28-300mm I had for Canon. I still look at pictures I took with that lens.
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I think considering today’s market it’s relatively cheap (quality depending), and also light at 575g. I’m assuming there’s some pretty big IQ sacrifices though.
 
snerkler said:
I think considering today’s market it’s relatively cheap (quality depending), and also light at 575g. I’m assuming there’s some pretty big IQ sacrifices though.
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Viltrox will prob make the same thing and sell it for £30.

The days of third party lens manufacturers being able to massively over charge for their equipment are going to come to an end, thats a mental price for a lens of that type.
 
snerkler said:
I think considering today’s market it’s relatively cheap (quality depending), and also light at 575g. I’m assuming there’s some pretty big IQ sacrifices though.
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I have the 28-200 as my day-to-day walk-around lens and it gives, IMO, excellent results, just as long as you are not a pixel-peeping nerd.
 
f/2.8 said:
Viltrox will prob make the same thing and sell it for £30.

The days of third party lens manufacturers being able to massively over charge for their equipment are going to come to an end, thats a mental price for a lens of that type.
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Depends what you’re comparing it to I guess, the Sony 20-70mm is £1250 which makes the 25-200mm seem cheap, but then the Sony 24-240mm is £700 and all of a sudden the Tamron isn’t as good value as I thought, although I’ve not heard good things about the 24-240mm.
 
snerkler said:
Depends what you’re comparing it to I guess, the Sony 20-70mm is £1250 which makes the 25-200mm seem cheap, but then the Sony 24-240mm is £700 and all of a sudden the Tamron isn’t as good value as I thought, although I’ve not heard good things about the 24-240mm.
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The aperture range isn't too bad, some superzooms are f3.5-6.3 and I don't doubt that this new lens will be better than the cheap superzooms of years ago. If it's worth the price depends on how it relates to other lenses with about the same spec like that Sony which is as far as I can see f3.5-6.3 so there's a bit of a win for the Tamron there but with 40mm less zoom.

Personally I'd just take a prime on day out or holiday but I can certainly see why someone would fancy one of these zooms and in fact I had one :D

A couple taken with my Canon 300D and Sigma 28-300mm at different end of the range. Holiday in Cala d'Or in 2004.

Day out at a beach.

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From our apartment balcony just before heading out for a meal.

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There's definitely a BIG Sony announcement coming :D

It’s now 100% confirmed — a major Sony announcement is on the way! | sonyalpharumors

https://youtu.be/4DVA7KQuThU I finally got confirmations form sources (Thanks!) that Sony is going to have a BIG announcement between mid November and early December. Don't have the exact date yet! But my guess is that we will get this stuff: Sony A7V Sony 100-400mm GMII (?) I hope to get the...
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com
 
snerkler said:
Depends what you’re comparing it to I guess, the Sony 20-70mm is £1250 which makes the 25-200mm seem cheap, but then the Sony 24-240mm is £700 and all of a sudden the Tamron isn’t as good value as I thought, although I’ve not heard good things about the 24-240mm.
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I was interested in the 24-240 at one time, but recall thinking it was junk based on images I saw. It was annoying that the Nikon version was so much better.
 
woof woof said:
There's definitely a BIG Sony announcement coming :D

It’s now 100% confirmed — a major Sony announcement is on the way! | sonyalpharumors

https://youtu.be/4DVA7KQuThU I finally got confirmations form sources (Thanks!) that Sony is going to have a BIG announcement between mid November and early December. Don't have the exact date yet! But my guess is that we will get this stuff: Sony A7V Sony 100-400mm GMII (?) I hope to get the...
www.sonyalpharumors.com www.sonyalpharumors.com
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I've heard it before so I'll wait and see ;)
 
snerkler said:
I've heard it before so I'll wait and see ;)
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Not sure if an A7V is big news anyway especially at the expected specs. Neither is an update to the 100-400 which is pretty old now and has been expected for some time.

Maybe it’s just because neither really appeal to me. It’s been a good long time since I got excited about any new Sony gear maybe the 50 f/1.2 was the last time.
 
f/2.8 said:
Not sure if an A7V is big news anyway especially at the expected specs. Neither is an update to the 100-400 which is pretty old now and has been expected for some time.

Maybe it’s just because neither really appeal to me. It’s been a good long time since I got excited about any new Sony gear maybe the 50 f/1.2 was the last time.
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Neither are BIG news imo. The only way they could tempt me with the new 100-400mm would be if it's significantly lighter and/or has internal zoom.
 
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