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

[snerkler]

Nothing handier than a phone though. I got an iPhone 17 pro max a little while ago and it’s okay for photos and excellent for video.

RX100 isn’t that pocket friendly tbh unless your coat has large pockets. I had one a couple of years ago and while it was a novelty at first, the I.Q was a bit frustrating, and it was very fiddly to use compared to other cameras. In the end I stopped bringing it anywhere and just used my phone. Managed about 300 shots in 18 months so sold it after that.

I’ve had the RX100 III before, the IQ wasn’t up to par for what I was after at the time.

 

[Tricky01]

I picked up the Sony A7C on here a few weeks ago specifically for a trip to the US, wanting something smaller for day trips. Had a play the last few days but feel the RX00vii might've been a better choice, not really getting on with it. Although I know dimensions and weight are smaller, it doesn't FEEL considerably more compact that the A1, certainly not once you add lenses beyond the dinky 28-60. Just packed the bag and put it in along with the A1s and the full spectrum A7R - does feel a bit overkill, but it's hard to know what to leave behind, especially having bought it for this trip. An RX100 would've been much easier than the A7C.

 

[nandbytes]

I picked up the Sony A7C on here a few weeks ago specifically for a trip to the US, wanting something smaller for day trips. Had a play the last few days but feel the RX00vii might've been a better choice, not really getting on with it. Although I know dimensions and weight are smaller, it doesn't FEEL considerably more compact that the A1, certainly not once you add lenses beyond the dinky 28-60. Just packed the bag and put it in along with the A1s and the full spectrum A7R - does feel a bit overkill, but it's hard to know what to leave behind, especially having bought it for this trip. An RX100 would've been much easier than the A7C.

Well there are plenty of smaller lenses too especially primes, that's size of 28-60mm.

If you add big f1.4 primes or zooms it won't feel all that small as a package.

 

[f/1.2]

I picked up the Sony A7C on here a few weeks ago specifically for a trip to the US, wanting something smaller for day trips. Had a play the last few days but feel the RX00vii might've been a better choice, not really getting on with it. Although I know dimensions and weight are smaller, it doesn't FEEL considerably more compact that the A1, certainly not once you add lenses beyond the dinky 28-60. Just packed the bag and put it in along with the A1s and the full spectrum A7R - does feel a bit overkill, but it's hard to know what to leave behind, especially having bought it for this trip. An RX100 would've been much easier than the A7C.

They are a small system if used with the smaller lenses. I use my A7CII with these they are all very small and fit in a tiny bag.

Viltrox 14mm f/4
Viltrox 20mm f/2.8
TT Artisan 40mm f/2
Samyang 75mm f/1.8

I also have a Sigma 35 f/2 that I use with the A7CII kit it’s a slightly bigger lens but still pretty small. I didn’t include as I often just use the body and this lens on its own.

I also have a Samyang 45mm f/1.8 which is also tiny I didn’t include it as while it’s very capable I haven’t used it in a while.

My main gripe with the A7CII when I first got it is was the lack of a joystick but I have got used to the touchscreen now and it doesn’t annoy me anymore.

If it had 2 card slots I would happily use it for work. I prefer it to the A7 series bodies.

 

[Tricky01]

Thanks for the comments @f/2.8 and @nandbytes, it's a good point that I'm trying to apply it with my existing lens line-up rather than duplicating focal lengths in smaller form factors.

 

[f/1.2]

Thanks for the comments @f/2.8 and @nandbytes, it's a good point that I'm trying to apply it with my existing lens line-up rather than duplicating focal lengths in smaller form factors.

I found it a bit unwieldy with my other lenses.

The council house primes are dirt cheap anyway.

 

[nandbytes]

Thanks for the comments @f/2.8 and @nandbytes, it's a good point that I'm trying to apply it with my existing lens line-up rather than duplicating focal lengths in smaller form factors.

Your line up of GM lens is pretty complete but I understand not wanting to duplicate your line up

You can look at lenses like
Sony 16G, sigma 17mm f4, viltrox 20mm f2.8, Sony 28mm f2, viltrox 40mm f2.5, Sony 40/2.5G, ttartisan 40mm f2, Samyang 45mm f1.8

I think longer lenses will be a bit bigger. There is viltrox evo 85mm f2 that pretty compact too.

You don't need to get the whole range. Just one or two you'd use most.

 

[snerkler]

Thanks for the comments @f/2.8 and @nandbytes, it's a good point that I'm trying to apply it with my existing lens line-up rather than duplicating focal lengths in smaller form factors.

Yeah if you want a smaller set up you have to go with smaller lenses too, the body doesn’t make that much difference from my experience. I’ve mentioned before I tried the A7CR alongside the A7RV and going from one to the other back and forth I couldn’t tell any difference in weight. The lack of hump does mean it’ll fit in a slightly smaller bag but that’s about it as far as I’m concerned. YMMV.

 

[f/1.2]

Yeah if you want a smaller set up you have to go with smaller lenses too, the body doesn’t make that much difference from my experience. I’ve mentioned before I tried the A7CR alongside the A7RV and going from one to the other back and forth I couldn’t tell any difference in weight. The lack of hump does mean it’ll fit in a slightly smaller bag but that’s about it as far as I’m concerned. YMMV.

For me an A7C series cameras with one of the smaller lenses just makes sense over any of the other full frame bodies with one the smaller lenses.

If I mount any of the smaller lenses on my other bodies not only does it look a bit silly it’s just feels wrong when using them. The A7C series is a much better fit for them.

There is only a 200g difference between the A7CII and my A9III but for me it feels like night and day plus not having the hump frees up a good bit of room in a small bag.

 

[mstphoto]

My Tamron 28-200 balances well on the a7c.
Probably a bit bigger than you want.

I'm not a prime lens shooter, I prefer zooms - the 16-35PZ is a great lens.
Other lenses I use on the a7cii ater the Sony 24-50 and Viltrox 14mm f4

 

[snerkler]

For me an A7C series cameras with one of the smaller lenses just makes sense over any of the other full frame bodies with one the smaller lenses.

If I mount any of the smaller lenses on my other bodies not only does it look a bit silly it’s just feels wrong when using them. The A7C series is a much better fit for them.

There is only a 200g difference between the A7CII and my A9III but for me it feels like night and day plus not having the hump frees up a good bit of room in a small bag.

Yeah we’ll all have different experiences, I quite liked the feel of the 35mm f2.8 ZA and Sammy 45mm f1.8 on my A7 type bodies.

 

[Gold]

Just sold my A6400 as I took less than 50 pictures with it last year. Bought in 2019 for $800, sold for $680 in 2026 (with a couple of accessories admittedly. I'm shocked at how little depreciation that is (thanks Sony I guess for not launching better APS-C cameras?).

 

[nandbytes]

Just sold my A6400 as I took less than 50 pictures with it last year. Bought in 2019 for $800, sold for $680 in 2026 (with a couple of accessories admittedly. I'm shocked at how little depreciation that is (thanks Sony I guess for not launching better APS-C cameras?).

there isn't a replacement for A6400 actually!

 

[woof woof]

.

 

[Gold]

there isn't a replacement for A6400 actually!

True - Sony's complete abandonment of an updated entry level APS-C model makes no sense to me. Just stick USB-C and the latest software on a parts-bin update to the A6100 and it'll sell great.

 

[snerkler]

there isn't a replacement for A6400 actually!

True - Sony's complete abandonment of an updated entry level APS-C model makes no sense to me. Just stick USB-C and the latest software on a parts-bin update to the A6100 and it'll sell great.

What about the A6700?

 

[nandbytes]

What about the A6700?

That's a A6600 successor
There isn't a replacement for A6100 or A6400

 

[snerkler]

That's a A6600 successor
There isn't a replacement for A6100 or A6400

I didn't realise there was a difference, I just thought they were all a successor of each other. I haven't followed the A6xxx really.

 

[nandbytes]

I didn't realise there was a difference, I just thought they were all a successor of each other. I haven't followed the A6xxx really.

Not quite... the various generations in order (as I remember them, could be slightly wrong)

A510O, A6000
A6300, A6500
A6100, A6400, A6600
A6700

A6500, A6600 and A6700 are the higher end models with IBIS. A6700 also uses FZ100 batteries unlike the rest that use smaller NP50 ones

 

[snerkler]

Not quite... the various generations in order (as I remember them, could be slightly wrong)

A510O, A6000
A6300, A6500
A6100, A6400, A6600
A6700

A6500, A6600 and A6700 are the higher end models with IBIS. A6700 also uses FZ100 batteries unlike the rest that use smaller NP50 ones

It's unlike Sony to have confusing nomenclature

 

[jimmyjamjojo]

Not quite... the various generations in order (as I remember them, could be slightly wrong)

A510O, A6000
A6300, A6500
A6100, A6400, A6600
A6700

A6500, A6600 and A6700 are the higher end models with IBIS. A6700 also uses FZ100 batteries unlike the rest that use smaller NP50 ones

I haven't followed Sony for long, having been a Fuji shooter for 10+ years. I had assumed they had gone 6100, 6400, 6600, 6700... You know, standard marketing practice - Number go up.

Seeing it written out like this makes my teeth itch.

 

[f/1.2]

Just sold my A6400 as I took less than 50 pictures with it last year. Bought in 2019 for $800, sold for $680 in 2026 (with a couple of accessories admittedly. I'm shocked at how little depreciation that is (thanks Sony I guess for not launching better APS-C cameras?).

I bought an A6400 for holidays just after launch. Can’t remember for how much but got it at a great price grey import. Sold it maybe a year later for just over what I paid for it although with an extra battery.

I ran into the guy that bought it last summer and he had just sold it for £50 less than he bought it from me.

That never happens with camera equipment.

 

[nandbytes]

I haven't followed Sony for long, having been a Fuji shooter for 10+ years. I had assumed they had gone 6100, 6400, 6600, 6700... You know, standard marketing practice - Number go up.

Seeing it written out like this makes my teeth itch.

Fuji is no better to be honest

The X-E, X-S, X-T with one, two and three digits and then X-H, not to mention Mk1,2,3 etc between each one them and none of the digits match exactly to the generations
Honestly it's worst than Sony

 

[snerkler]

Fuji is no better to be honest

The X-E, X-S, X-T with one, two and three digits and then X-H, not to mention Mk1,2,3 etc between each one them and none of the digits match exactly to the generations
Honestly it's worst than Sony

At least they go up in numbers so it's easy to follow each line, you've mentioned that the A6500 follows the A6300, but the A6400 didn't follow the A6300 it followed the A6100 instead, and was itself followd by the A6600, then the A6700 is different line again

 

[woof woof]

The lack of the evf hump makes the A7cx feel smaller for me and easier to get in and out of bags as for me it snags less.

Just on smaller bodies and larger lenses. I've never felt any unbalance as such and have used my RF style MFT bodies with the Panasonic 100-400mm. I don't really like bulky kit but when using any lens my left hand is on the lens and everything seems to balance well for me even with genuinely small bodies like the Panasonic GX80.

 

[woof woof]

A bit OTT.

I'll get a new laptop when I get around to it as my current one is falling apart with a cracked case despite never being out of the house and the letters wearing off many of the keys and it's also struggling now with CS2026 and processing raws, partly down to Windows bloat I suppose?

I've watched some Youtube vids on Linux and have just watched one on Mint. I think things have moved on a lot in recent years. I remember hating Unix and Xenix, DSS had loads of them and I hated them. These days this type of operating system seem much more user friendly with lots of compatible versions of the usual software and lookalikes and similar software when the originals aren't available. Photoshop CSx doesn't seem to be available though.

Is anyone running a non Windows operating system? If so what's available to process pictures with?

 

[f/1.2]

Just dropping a quick thanks to @nandbytes for recommending the Sony 16mm f/1.8 to me a while back. It's a lot better than i thought it would be after reading reviews etc. and perfect for what I wanted it for.

 

[f/1.2]

A bit OTT.

I'll get a new laptop when I get around to it as my current one is falling apart with a cracked case despite never being out of the house and the letters wearing off many of the keys and it's also struggling now with CS2026 and processing raws, partly down to Windows bloat I suppose?

I've watched some Youtube vids on Linux and have just watched one on Mint. I think things have moved on a lot in recent years. I remember hating Unix and Xenix, DSS had loads of them and I hated them. These days this type of operating system seem much more user friendly with lots of compatible versions of the usual software and lookalikes and similar software when the originals aren't available. Photoshop CSx doesn't seem to be available though.

Is anyone running a non Windows operating system? If so what's available to process pictures with?

Does Mac O.S count?

I had Macs donkeys years ago and moved away because of what seemed like ridiculous pricing and the O.S I felt at the time really bottomed out in terms of speed after Snow Leopard.

However after seeing how fast my mates Mac Mini was in comparison to the windows p.c I paid nearly 4k for I replaced by desktop with a Mac Studio about 6 months ago and by God it's fast. The M series processors along with the unified memory have put them firmly back at the very top of the list if you want performance for anything related to photo or video.

It absolutely chews through the files from my A7R4a that my windows P.C struggled with, zero difference between any of our bodies. I need to buy a new body but am waiting for the accountant to confirm if its better to buy before or after the new financial year. I was just gonna get another A9III but because the Mac Studio is so ridiculously fast and file size no longer seems to matter at all I might go for an A1 II instead.

 

[f/1.2]

Just a heads up for anyone with a newer body that has the newer style of exposure compensation dial. My mate has an A9III and it just fell off, he doesn't even use it as shoots always in manual and absolutely babies his equipment. Sent it off to get a quote to replace and its come in at £495 as the dial can't be repaired they have to change the whole top of the camera.

 

[trevorbray]

Just a heads up for anyone with a newer body that has the newer style of exposure compensation dial. My mate has an A9III and it just fell off, he doesn't even use it as shoots always in manual and absolutely babies his equipment. Sent it off to get a quote to replace and its come in at £495 as the dial can't be repaired they have to change the whole top of the camera.

Ouch !!

 

[woof woof]

Does Mac O.S count?

I had Macs donkeys years ago and moved away because of what seemed like ridiculous pricing and the O.S I felt at the time really bottomed out in terms of speed after Snow Leopard.

However after seeing how fast my mates Mac Mini was in comparison to the windows p.c I paid nearly 4k for I replaced by desktop with a Mac Studio about 6 months ago and by God it's fast. The M series processors along with the unified memory have put them firmly back at the very top of the list if you want performance for anything related to photo or video.

It absolutely chews through the files from my A7R4a that my windows P.C struggled with, zero difference between any of our bodies. I need to buy a new body but am waiting for the accountant to confirm if its better to buy before or after the new financial year. I was just gonna get another A9III but because the Mac Studio is so ridiculously fast and file size no longer seems to matter at all I might go for an A1 II instead.

Any alternative to Windows is worth considering.

As I've said before, my interest in most tech just ended one day years ago and these days I tend to avoid it all as much as possible but the Apple and non DOS systems I knew years ago seem to have got a lot more user friendly these days. When I was in maintenance I saw some of them as a PITA and some of them were but these days they are worth considering, I don't think I'll ever devote any time or effort to operating systems or programs again but if I wasn't me I probably would as Windows and what it allows and how it ages is a PITA these days.

Just wondered if anyone is running Mint or similar and what photo processing software is available.

 

[Gold]

I have both a Linux Mint PC and a Mac. DarkTable (Lightroom) + GIMP (Photoshop) are the main editing software although there are some others (RawTherapee). However Lightroom is far more user friendly, has far more organisational features and I'm far too invested in my workflow.

If you don't have an interest in tech just get a Mac, the Apple Silicon chips fly and the OS is far superior to Windows with constant upgrade/OneDrive/Copilot prompts.

 

[woof woof]

I have both a Linux Mint PC and a Mac. DarkTable (Lightroom) + GIMP (Photoshop) are the main editing software although there are some others (RawTherapee). However Lightroom is far more user friendly, has far more organisational features and I'm far too invested in my workflow.

If you don't have an interest in tech just get a Mac, the Apple Silicon chips fly and the OS is far superior to Windows with constant upgrade/OneDrive/Copilot prompts.

My lap top is 17" so going for an Apple would I think mean dropping to 16". That might be ok.

This is the one I have at the mo. I don't know if it's suffering due to bloat or if it's the latest version of PS and the size of my A7cII and A7III raws that's the problem.

 

[Mr Perceptive]

My lap top is 17" so going for an Apple would I think mean dropping to 16". That might be ok.

This is the one I have at the mo. I don't know if it's suffering due to bloat or if it's the latest version of PS and the size of my A7cII and A7III raws that's the problem.

View attachment 473542

Bit RAM light for today's bloatware image processing programs

 

[woof woof]

Bit RAM light for today's bloatware image processing programs

I often get a message to the effect that the graphics processor has given up, it wobbles for a few minutes but then it just carries on as normal but slower these days with PS2026 than it seemed when I was just using the A7 and CS5. Back then I could load and process 100+ raws at a time but these days if I try that many it runs slow and sometimes just stops and needs a reboot so I have to process in ever smaller batches.

What spec should I be looking at?

 

[ancient_mariner]

Just wondered if anyone is running Mint or similar and what photo processing software is available.

There's lots. Darktable, DigiKam, GIMP, plus a bunch I forget now. DigiKam is more like lightroom and has DRM too, plus it runs on windows.

 

[woof woof]

There's lots. Darktable, DigiKam, GIMP, plus a bunch I forget now. DigiKam is more like lightroom and has DRM too, plus it runs on windows.

I don't think I want to learn a new package though which I know will limit my choice to Windows or Apple.

 

[f/1.2]

Any alternative to Windows is worth considering.

As I've said before, my interest in most tech just ended one day years ago and these days I tend to avoid it all as much as possible but the Apple and non DOS systems I knew years ago seem to have got a lot more user friendly these days. When I was in maintenance I saw some of them as a PITA and some of them were but these days they are worth considering, I don't think I'll ever devote any time or effort to operating systems or programs again but if I wasn't me I probably would as Windows and what it allows and how it ages is a PITA these days.

Just wondered if anyone is running Mint or similar and what photo processing software is available.

I think that’s prob the beauty of a Mac anyone can use them with zero knowledge or interest.

The current hardware is a huge upgrade from anything you will be able to get from a windows computer at the moment.

They can seem like they are ridiculously priced though if you just look at headline specs. In saying that if it’s a laptop your after the M4 MacBooks are now coming to end of life and you can get some good savings on them and they will still be quicker for photo apps than similarly priced windows laptop.

Mac mini is very capable if you wanted a desktop.

 

[Mr Perceptive]

I often get a message to the effect that the graphics processor has given up, it wobbles for a few minutes but then it just carries on as normal but slower these days with PS2026 than it seemed when I was just using the A7 and CS5. Back then I could load and process 100+ raws at a time but these days if I try that many it runs slow and sometimes just stops and needs a reboot so I have to process in ever smaller batches.

What spec should I be looking at?

Lightroom and Photoshop have certainly got more memory hungry in the last few years, and now many of the 'AI' tools and the noise reduction tools require decent graphics card performance.

My main PC is a couple of generations of processor behind yours but has 32Gb of memory, its fine with LR/PS for most functions but certainly could do with a more modern (faster) graphics card as processing 60MP RAW image files in DXOPureRAW is slow. My laptop is lot newer, decent processor/graphics and that also has 32Gb of RAM.

I think the simple answer is to buy the best that you can afford, as that will offer the most future proofing. There are plenty on these forums who have much more PC/Mac specification credentials than me.

I've just loaded PS up on my PC and just siiting there doing nothing, it uses 2Gb of memory, so once you add in overheads of Windows, antiVirus, Malware, etc, etc you can see that 8Gb is not going to go far.

If its purely for Photo editing, and browsing plus the odd bit of domestic paperwork then @f/2.8 's suggestion of a Mac is probably the way to go. The only reason IMO to keep with Windows is if you use applications which only run on Windows (this I do and develop stuff for clients). Another advantage of Apple is its integration with other Apple stuff in your household, its very straightforward.

 

[f/1.2]

Ouch !!

Indeed Panamoz covering it for him.