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

Three hours from going into the kitchen, cooking it all, eating it and sitting down again with all the washing up done.

Mrs WW. Sony A7III and Sony 35mm f1.8.

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She doesn't seem to understand distance and its effect on framing with a fixed focal length. She couldn't fit everything in with her phone on a selfie stick so I told her to extend the stick but when she did she then held it closer to her body and got the same result. She let out an "Ahhhh" when seeing the result after being told to still hold the stick at arms length :D
 
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I went for a walk this afternoon in beautiful clear but very cold sunshine, didn't take a single pic with the Sony.

Now dinner is eaten, gifts given between the 2 of us, we're relaxing in front of the log burner and just enjoying the moment.
 
Have been graciously given the funds for a new a7v from the wife..

Now here lies the issue I had been going on about it abit, hence her giving me the funds for Xmas, but I was also pondering if I should even buy it or buy more glass.‍♂️

Idea’s are
Get the a7v and with selling the a7iii and with a few hundred left could buy another lens.. either 35/50 1.4gm(if I sold my 28-75, could stretch to the 50/1.2gm)
stick with my a7iii( likely another 2-3years) and buy a 50/1.2gm and either a 100-400 or 200-600.
A7rv and again sell the 28-75 and could get 35 &50 1.4g or one and find a cheaper 800ish long lens

Lastly Wait and see if another refurb a1 comes up

But do I really need 20/35/50/85
I’ve always liked 50mm and have owned a 35mm 1.4 art sigma (oldest version)with myNikon d800 but never fell in love with it..I did some some focus issues though.
My thinkif that even though I like the idea it’s maybe to close in fl and just 20/50/85 makes more sense.
 
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ancient_mariner said:
I went for a walk this afternoon in beautiful clear but very cold sunshine, didn't take a single pic with the Sony.

Now dinner is eaten, gifts given between the 2 of us, we're relaxing in front of the log burner and just enjoying the moment.
Click to expand...

woof woof said:
Not even a moment of sunshine here.
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Not seen a cloud in the sky all day!!
 
Sky? Nupe. Not here. We're going out early in the morning and maybe we'll hit better conditions.
 
Today I spotted that the A7III doesn't allow ISO's lower than 100 with the electronic shutter but the A7cII does. Unless I've missed something. Also the A7III with the Sony 35mm f1.8 felt noticeably heavier than the A7cII and Sony 40mm.
 
woof woof said:
Today I spotted that the A7III doesn't allow ISO's lower than 100 with the electronic shutter but the A7cII does. Unless I've missed something. Also the A7III with the Sony 35mm f1.8 felt noticeably heavier than the A7cII and Sony 40mm.
Click to expand...

The A7Riii is the same with lower than 100 not available in ES. And I guess that means if the A7Cii does it's a firmware rather than physical thing...?
 
woof woof said:
Today I spotted that the A7III doesn't allow ISO's lower than 100 with the electronic shutter but the A7cII does. Unless I've missed something. Also the A7III with the Sony 35mm f1.8 felt noticeably heavier than the A7cII and Sony 40mm.
Click to expand...

Those Lacock images above were A7Riii and 35GM. Noticeably heavier than the X100f but worth it imo :) It felt nice to use the Sony like that tbh And it was also nice to sit down for a short while and actually edit them 'individually' with some masking etc on top of the new one click profile :ROFLMAO: I think that's been one downside of using the Fuji, I don't edit as much, I tend to just click a profile and that's it - and editing can be enjoyable as a hobbyist.
 
pmac said:
Have been graciously given the funds for a new a7v from the wife..

Now here lies the issue I had been going on about it abit, hence her giving me the funds for Xmas, but I was also pondering if I should even buy it or buy more glass.‍♂️

Idea’s are
Get the a7v and with selling the a7iii and with a few hundred left could buy another lens.. either 35/50 1.4gm(if I sold my 28-75, could stretch to the 50/1.2gm)
stick with my a7iii( likely another 2-3years) and buy a 50/1.2gm and either a 100-400 or 200-600.
A7rv and again sell the 28-75 and could get 35 &50 1.4g or one and find a cheaper 800ish long lens

But do I really need 20/35/50/85
I’ve always liked 50mm and have owned a 35mm 1.4 art sigma (oldest version)with myNikon d800 but never fell in love with it..I did some some focus issues though.
My thinkif that even though I like the idea it’s maybe to close in fl and just 20/50/85 makes more sense.
Click to expand...

I'd say 35 and 50 are close, less so than 50 and 85. Normally people run 24/50 combo and/or 35/85 combo

You can always crop a little if needed especially with A7V

Doesn't mean you need to follow others, you do you :D

Personally I have owned two copies of 50/1.2GM. Sold both on this forum.
Amazing lens but not a focal length I got along with.
I've had 35GM for 5 years and some 85mm prime for about 10 years now. So these are now a permanent fixtures in my lineup.

I have also had number of 24mm primes, really enjoyed them too. I just crop in from my 16mm when needed or my zoom covers it.
 
pmac said:
Have been graciously given the funds for a new a7v from the wife..

Now here lies the issue I had been going on about it abit, hence her giving me the funds for Xmas, but I was also pondering if I should even buy it or buy more glass.‍♂️

Idea’s are
Get the a7v and with selling the a7iii and with a few hundred left could buy another lens.. either 35/50 1.4gm(if I sold my 28-75, could stretch to the 50/1.2gm)
stick with my a7iii( likely another 2-3years) and buy a 50/1.2gm and either a 100-400 or 200-600.
A7rv and again sell the 28-75 and could get 35 &50 1.4g or one and find a cheaper 800ish long lens

Lastly Wait and see if another refurb a1 comes up

But do I really need 20/35/50/85
I’ve always liked 50mm and have owned a 35mm 1.4 art sigma (oldest version)with myNikon d800 but never fell in love with it..I did some some focus issues though.
My thinkif that even though I like the idea it’s maybe to close in fl and just 20/50/85 makes more sense.
Click to expand...

That's a lot of decisions!

I think you need to decide what a new body will give you that the A7iii isn't? And whether you'll get more use and enjoyment from that upgrade vs new glass.

Then obviously you need to decide the same for focal lengths :)

I think 35, 50 and 85 is too much imo Make your 35/50 choice and work from there to match other focal lengths in.

In general terms, with primes, I always sit around 35mm. I have 85mm. And I have 24mm. But the 35GM is the one I always go for first.
 
pmac said:
Have been graciously given the funds for a new a7v from the wife..

Now here lies the issue I had been going on about it abit, hence her giving me the funds for Xmas, but I was also pondering if I should even buy it or buy more glass.‍♂️

Idea’s are
Get the a7v and with selling the a7iii and with a few hundred left could buy another lens.. either 35/50 1.4gm(if I sold my 28-75, could stretch to the 50/1.2gm)
stick with my a7iii( likely another 2-3years) and buy a 50/1.2gm and either a 100-400 or 200-600.
A7rv and again sell the 28-75 and could get 35 &50 1.4g or one and find a cheaper 800ish long lens

Lastly Wait and see if another refurb a1 comes up

But do I really need 20/35/50/85
I’ve always liked 50mm and have owned a 35mm 1.4 art sigma (oldest version)with myNikon d800 but never fell in love with it..I did some some focus issues though.
My thinkif that even though I like the idea it’s maybe to close in fl and just 20/50/85 makes more sense.
Click to expand...

Really only you can only answer that question yourself as you will know better than anyone else what focal lengths suit best for the photos you take.

I have loads of glass, over 20 lenses but the vast majority of the time I use 2 bodies, one with the 35GM and one with the 50 GM f1.2. They are the only lenses I actually need as such and I could easily do without all of the rest.
 
pmac said:
Have been graciously given the funds for a new a7v from the wife..

Now here lies the issue I had been going on about it abit, hence her giving me the funds for Xmas, but I was also pondering if I should even buy it or buy more glass.‍♂️

Idea’s are
Get the a7v and with selling the a7iii and with a few hundred left could buy another lens.. either 35/50 1.4gm(if I sold my 28-75, could stretch to the 50/1.2gm)
stick with my a7iii( likely another 2-3years) and buy a 50/1.2gm and either a 100-400 or 200-600.
A7rv and again sell the 28-75 and could get 35 &50 1.4g or one and find a cheaper 800ish long lens

Lastly Wait and see if another refurb a1 comes up

But do I really need 20/35/50/85
I’ve always liked 50mm and have owned a 35mm 1.4 art sigma (oldest version)with myNikon d800 but never fell in love with it..I did some some focus issues though.
My thinkif that even though I like the idea it’s maybe to close in fl and just 20/50/85 makes more sense.
Click to expand...
I have a 35mm, 50mm and 85mm, I very rarely use the 85mm.

The A7v is a significant upgrade over the A7iii, but it will of course depend on whether those features will be of benefit to you.

How much do A1 refurbs sell for, and would you consider grey instead? The newer AI AF certainly detects more subjects better than the A1, however I still found the A1 stuck and tracked better, however this is in relation to the A7RV, I've not tried the A7V.
 
I say buy them all :D if the cost isn't a problem.

35 and 50mm are close but if you frame the shots the same they give a different perspective and the effect of the larger physical aperture of the 50mm at the same aperture setting is going to be visible if you're a geek and look for and see these things. You can overcome the perspective by changing position if you have the vision and disciplin to do that but you cannot negate the effect of the size of the phsical aperture at the same aperture setting. You can use a wider aperture with the shorter focal length lens but good luck finding a 35mm f0.84 to give you the same phsical aperture of a 50mm f1.2.

Buy them all :D
 
snerkler said:
The A7v is a significant upgrade over the A7iii, but it will of course depend on whether those features will be of benefit to you.
Click to expand...

One advantage my A7cII has over my A7III is that the eye detect works when the face and eye are much smaller in the frame. It's a little thing but it matters to me. I assume that the V has a pretty up to date focus system and if it does there will almost certainly be little advantages like that and the subject detect options. The key is if they matter to the buyer but maybe you don't appreciate these things until you use them and then they're hard to give up.
 
I feel 50 is definitely a more favourable length for me so far but probably haven’t given 35 enough time.
I’m in no big rush as I doubt the a7v will be in stock anywhere just now, so may just chuck my 28-75 to 35 for the next few weeks and see how I get on.

35/85 does make more sense

The 20mm while I love it and for landscape/city holidays is great, but it’s not a daily use lens that’s for sure. But would like to start doing more Astro this year so it will stay.
LeeRatters said:
That's a lot of decisions!

I think you need to decide what a new body will give you that the A7iii isn't? And whether you'll get more use and enjoyment from that upgrade vs new glass.

Then obviously you need to decide the same for focal lengths :)

I think 35, 50 and 85 is too much imo Make your 35/50 choice and work from there to match other focal lengths in.

In general terms, with primes, I always sit around 35mm. I have 85mm. And I have 24mm. But the 35GM is the one I always go for first.
Click to expand...
I’m not really sure what I’m after just GAS I guess and the fact it’s now a 8 year old camera.
There isn’t anything it doesn’t do in-fact.
A bump in MP would be nice as would slightly better AF and low light… not sure anything is much improved on the later though.
I guess I’m just taking the opportunity while it’s there.
I don’t shoot professionally just as a hobby. Currently mainly just walk around/ some of my kids/family/school events and then landscape/astro.. I guess abit of everything bar sports/wildlife.. but would love to do abit more of that if I had longer glass.
snerkler said:
I have a 35mm, 50mm and 85mm, I very rarely use the 85mm.

The A7v is a significant upgrade over the A7iii, but it will of course depend on whether those features will be of benefit to you.

How much do A1 refurbs sell for, and would you consider grey instead? The newer AI AF certainly detects more subjects better than the A1, however I still found the A1 stuck and tracked better, however this is in relation to the A7RV, I've not tried the A7V.
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The one that was on the Sony refurb store was 2.5k so even that was significantly cheaper than grey, where it’s still 3.5k or more.
infact I was surprised it was so low, but not that it went so fast, could be a one off.
 
pmac said:
I feel 50 is definitely a more favourable length for me so far but probably haven’t given 35 enough time.
I’m in no big rush as I doubt the a7v will be in stock anywhere just now, so may just chuck my 28-75 to 35 for the next few weeks and see how I get on.

35/85 does make more sense

The 20mm while I love it and for landscape/city holidays is great, but it’s not a daily use lens that’s for sure. But would like to start doing more Astro this year so it will stay.

I’m not really sure what I’m after just GAS I guess and the fact it’s now a 8 year old camera.
There isn’t anything it doesn’t do in-fact.
A bump in MP would be nice as would slightly better AF and low light… not sure anything is much improved on the later though.
I guess I’m just taking the opportunity while it’s there.
I don’t shoot professionally just as a hobby. Currently mainly just walk around/ some of my kids/family/school events and then landscape/astro.. I guess abit of everything bar sports/wildlife.. but would love to do abit more of that if I had longer glass.

The one that was on the Sony refurb store was 2.5k so even that was significantly cheaper than grey, where it’s still 3.5k or more.
infact I was surprised it was so low, but not that it went so fast, could be a one off.
Click to expand...

I used to shoot at 50mm all the time 10 years ago, for a couple of years. When I switched to the A7 in 2015 started to go a bit wider and now I much prefer that. I find the 35GM does most of what I want it to generally. I'll sometimes pair it with the 70-180mm for landscape/woodland or 85mm for automotive stuff (or a lighter kit) But take the wander around Lacock in the images up above, and I didn't even consider taking any other lenses aside from 35mm - I just knew I could make it work in that situation.

The 20G is a great lens and performed well for astro. I switched mine for the 24GM in the end but that was because I found 20mm too wide.
 
LeeRatters said:
I used to shoot at 50mm all the time 10 years ago, for a couple of years. When I switched to the A7 in 2015 started to go a bit wider and now I much prefer that. I find the 35GM does most of what I want it to generally. I'll sometimes pair it with the 70-180mm for landscape/woodland or 85mm for automotive stuff (or a lighter kit) But take the wander around Lacock in the images up above, and I didn't even consider taking any other lenses aside from 35mm - I just knew I could make it work in that situation.

The 20G is a great lens and performed well for astro. I switched mine for the 24GM in the end but that was because I found 20mm too wide.
Click to expand...
I used to prefer 50mm too, but I'm now definitely in the 35mm camp for general shooting.
 
pmac said:
I feel 50 is definitely a more favourable length for me so far but probably haven’t given 35 enough time.
I’m in no big rush as I doubt the a7v will be in stock anywhere just now, so may just chuck my 28-75 to 35 for the next few weeks and see how I get on.

35/85 does make more sense
Click to expand...

I used to use a 50mm but gravitated more towards 35mm. I think what you prefer depends on the end result you want but also the distance you are at and are comfortable with. For example if you might be tempted to take an across the table shot or some other shot at what might be described as a natural and normal social distance and depending upon what that is for you 50mm might be too long and 35 or 28mm might be more suitable.

Sorry to make the choices more difficult and expensive :D but the gap between 20 and 35 or 50mm might be a bit big and there may be occasions when 24 or especially 28mm might be a better option. Maybe bypass 24 and go for a 28mm?

Sorry :D
 
A7III owner with 35, 50 f1.2 and 85 f1.4 lenses here. I find the 35 feels like a slightly over-wide 50, and if I have the 50 and want wider then I'll pano and stitch. Love the 85 for people and shallow depth of field to hold the eye at a point in the frame.

My walkabout outfit is the 24-105 G, but that's almost as bulky as the 50 f1.2.
 
shutter releases? what does everyone use?
one thing that has been brought up else where about the a7v has no IR receiver and that the Micro USB has been switched for a usb-c there are no wired release cables available ‍
Would have to be Bluetooth which will drain the battery more.

Would need to be a multifunction one . Intervalometer, long and multiple exposures

Seems it’s also an issue for a7c cameras
 
pmac said:
shutter releases? what does everyone use?
one thing that has been brought up else where about the a7v has no IR receiver and that the Micro USB has been switched for a usb-c there are no wired release cables available ‍
Would have to be Bluetooth which will drain the battery more.

Would need to be a multifunction one . Intervalometer, long and multiple exposures

Seems it’s also an issue for a7c cameras
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I've just had a look on Amazon and can't see one for the A7V, I guess you could use the Sony Creative App or whatever it's called. Bluetooth will drain the battery more but I doubt it'll be excessive.
 
snerkler said:
I've just had a look on Amazon and can't see one for the A7V, I guess you could use the Sony Creative App or whatever it's called. Bluetooth will drain the battery more but I doubt it'll be excessive.
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All I could find was people saying to use the app, but seems to be very inconsistent with working properly and it’s also not an ideal solution if my battery isn’t great on that either
 
pmac said:
All I could find was people saying to use the app, but seems to be very inconsistent with working properly and it’s also not an ideal solution if my battery isn’t great on that either
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I haven't bothered with remote shutter in a while.

For single shots I use 2/5s timer.
For multiple shots I still think it's useful to have a remote shutter. It was useful when shooting astro to stack multiple exposures. But I haven't done that in a while.

I keep meaning to check if there is a in camera feature or mode that can help here too. Like the timelapse mode or S&Q mode.
 
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nandbytes said:
I haven't bothered with remote shutter in a while.

For single shots I use 2/5s timer.
For multiple shots I still think it's useful to have a remote shutter. It was useful when shooting astro to stack multiple exposures. But I haven't done that in a while.

I keep meaning to check if there is a in camera feature or mode that can help here too. Like the timelapse mode or S&Q mode.
Click to expand...
It’s more for longer than 30sec exposure ( unless you can in newer cameras or for Astro stacking.
Typically I just bought a wired one a few months ago.

This seems like a stupidly overlooked thing that could potentially affect a lot of users
 
ancient_mariner said:
This is my solution too.
Click to expand...

These days i can handhold down to 1-2s on A7RV.
So I rarely even need a tripod unless it's really long exposures.

pmac said:
It’s more for longer than 30sec exposure ( unless you can in newer cameras or for Astro stacking.
Typically I just bought a wired one a few months ago.

This seems like a stupidly overlooked thing that could potentially affect a lot of users
Click to expand...

That's certainly a limitation too.
Nikon cameras for example can go longer than 30s. Tbh not sure why the cameras in this day and age just don't let users set the time for exposure.
 
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LeeRatters said:
Being unable to use the intervalometer for night skies is what kept me with the A7Riii rather than a "C"
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It’s making me consider the RV over the V to be honest unless I can find a work around.

Edit: just been told the 7c has a built in intervalometer that’s fine for Astro so guess the a7c would be the same
 
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