The Sony A7 thread [Merged]

[jaapv]

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Ah- yes. But what camera will give you the better results? Nowadays at least a dozen cameras will take images that are in practice indistinguishable from one another. And medium format will be "better".

Is it not the camera you are most comfortable with?

[viramati]

I would hardly call images from the A7 'warm or fuzzy'!!! I would neither call images from the M9, M8, X2 and Fuji X-Pro1 'warm and fuzzy and they all have a lot less pixels. In fact the IQ from the 16 megapixel X-Pro1 is truly astounding. For me the 'quality' of the image certainly doesn't come from having 36 megapixels (Pixel peeping IQ maybe) it comes mainly from the composition and quality of PP and printing

[gyoung]

Rich,

 

Today I took some "real world" pictures casually with A7R 7 & 35Cron ASPH & Hawk Ver.3 adapter. You may find part of them at the link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/84son8awlk932oo/02aXj5zfuU

 

All images are OOC jpeg, contrast +1, sharpness +1, and DRO level 3. 1/500 s, Auto ISO, and S priority. Under f2, f4, and f8.

 

Images 524, 525, and 544 shows that aiming at a blue sky tends to create vigenetting and color shift, not so much for the overcast sky. (I seldom target my Leica lenses towards the blue sky attempting to catch the image of UFO).

 

Images 512, 520, 530, and 543 are for test your capability in identifying where the smearing is.

 

Images 533, 535, and 536 are for observing the "Bokeh" effect of 35Cron on A7R..

 

Taking into account of size, weight, and ease of operation, A7R 7 & 35Cron ASPH is a perfect match.

 

Vigenetting, color shift, and smearing only take place when and where they take title to happen, if my test can be generalized to all the cases.

 

Best Regards,

 

Thomas Chen.

 

A mixed bag? The closer shots look ok to me, but as soon as you get to near infinity such as 544 the dges look poor.

 

Gerry

[hyper67]

I've recently seen a few posts and also from Steve Huff's review saying that they feel the A7 (not r) feels clunkier and slower than RX1...anybody who owns both share the same opinion? Thx

[jedi996sps]

OK, i'm hoping this isn't a problem but lets see. I think i have found the cause by some crazy and obscure detective work.

 

i used the camera this morning, everything fine. Picked it up an hour ago (90% battery charge) and the image, be it in play back mode or menu mode, switches intermittently back and forth between the lcd screen and the evf.

 

I reset the camera and still the same.

 

The only thing different about this mornings operation and this afternoons, is that i had been out cycling and had a fluro yellow vest on with some of those reflective strips on. Yes, you guessed it. The little grey reflective strips cause the sensor that detects whether your face is close to the evf to malfunction, even when the camera is 30cm - 40cm away, and switches the display back and forth between the lcd and evf.

 

If anyone else can test and replicate, i would appreciate and be interested in the feedback.

[AlanG]

...Nowadays at least a dozen cameras will take images that are in practice indistinguishable from one another.

 

I don't think that would be a very effective line to use in convincing people to buy a much more expensive camera. And there is always the risk that some would prefer the features, speed, and the handling of the less expensive one.

[jaapv]

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I don't want them to buy the more expensive camera. I want them to buy the camera that fits their needs.

[michali]

A7R & Leica R 280mm f4 APO Telyt

 

The hi-res versions of these images are unbelievable!

 

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100%

[Rick]

So lets just clear this up then - the point of the exercise is IQ and better quality images over warm, fuzzy, gratifying feelings from "Haptics"?

 

I'd rather shoot with an M but if I get better results from another camera, I'm going to take it because I care more about my pictures than the camera.

 

Hi Paul, it was actually a tongue and cheek remark. I guess I was just pointing out that almost everything posted so far seems to be about 100% crops, hence the joke. People buying this camera seem to be more interested in MPs and image quality or lack there of.

 

But, I take your point and agree that image quality is important and that is the reason I purchased the A7R. But, I will say that it is more difficult for me to, at this point in time, for me, to take the kinds of pictures I have taken with my M camera system. So, for me, it is equally about the "haptic" of the cameras at this level of image quality.

 

I am not a wedding photographer or a portrait and studio photographer. I'm not lining them up and snapping a picture. There is a creative aspect to seeing something and using the M to quickly shoot that lends itself to the way I take pictures. At this point in time I'm not sure that the Sony would be as easy for me to create the pictures I want.

 

If, I can't create the picture I want then it doesn't matter if the camera has a few more whatnots and Mega Pixels. Again, I don't shoot on a tripod too often where the extra resolution can be exploited. It isn't how I'd ever get most of the picture I want. So, for the most part the little bit of extra resolution (image quality) is moot. Not to mention, the Sony is going to have a hard time getting the image quality the Leica M system gets in the focal lengths I mostly shoot because, Sony isn't making any lenses yet of that quality.

 

So, at this point, I can shoot second party lenses on the Sony A7R and that may work into my shooting style with time. But, right now it is a whole lot easier to shoot MF lenses on the M as apposed to the A7R, for me. The A7R just isn't really designed for a fast, loose manual-focus shooting style. Racking the peeking-sparkles back and forth in the EVF and then hitting the mag. button twice while trying to keep my finger off the shutter, then recomposing is just too "non-haptic" of an experience for me.

 

I hope that clears things up. Just me. I know that for others this camera is going to keep them happy with the multitude of features it offers and the MPs. And, I am hoping it may be a keeper for me for my R-lenses where the MPs are important to me.

 

Rick

[jaapv]

A7R & Leica R 280mm f4 APO Telyt

 

The hi-res versions of these images are unbelievable!

 

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[ATTACH]411681[/ATTACH]

 

Thanks Mike. How is the 105-280 on it?

[michali]

Thanks Mike. How is the 105-280 on it?

 

Jaap- Excellent, it's just as good.

 

Having had the camera for a few days now, I'm in the same mindset as Rick and am repeating what I said earlier in this thread. I'm sticking with my M9 and Monochrom for people and candid street shooting and the A7r is definitely for wildlife and landscapes with the R lenses.

[naturephoto1]

Hi Paul, it was actually a tongue and cheek remark. I guess I was just pointing out that almost everything posted so far seems to be about 100% crops, hence the joke. People buying this camera seem to be more interested in MPs and image quality or lack there of.

 

But, I take your point and agree that image quality is important and that is the reason I purchased the A7R. But, I will say that it is more difficult for me to, at this point in time, for me, to take the kinds of pictures I have taken with my M camera system. So, for me, it is equally about the "haptic" of the cameras at this level of image quality.

 

I am not a wedding photographer or a portrait and studio photographer. I'm not lining them up and snapping a picture. There is a creative aspect to seeing something and using the M to quickly shoot that lends itself to the way I take pictures. At this point in time I'm not sure that the Sony would be as easy for me to create the pictures I want.

 

If, I can't create the picture I want then it doesn't matter if the camera has a few more whatnots and Mega Pixels. Again, I don't shoot on a tripod too often where the extra resolution can be exploited. It isn't how I'd ever get most of the picture I want. So, for the most part the little bit of extra resolution (image quality) is moot. Not to mention, the Sony is going to have a hard time getting the image quality the Leica M system gets in the focal lengths I mostly shoot because, Sony isn't making any lenses yet of that quality.

 

So, at this point, I can shoot second party lenses on the Sony A7R and that may work into my shooting style with time. But, right now it is a whole lot easier to shoot MF lenses on the M as apposed to the A7R, for me. The A7R just isn't really designed for a fast, loose manual-focus shooting style. Racking the peeking-sparkles back and forth in the EVF and then hitting the mag. button twice while trying to keep my finger off the shutter, then recomposing is just too "non-haptic" of an experience for me.

 

I hope that clears things up. Just me. I know that for others this camera is going to keep them happy with the multitude of features it offers and the MPs. And, I am hoping it may be a keeper for me for my R-lenses where the MPs are important to me.

 

Rick

 

Rick,

 

There is no recomposing with the A7r after using the magnifier on the camera. Here is where the beauty of the A7r EVF shines compared to the ad on for the M240 because you can move your focus point in the A7r.

 

Rich

[jaapv]

Jaap- Excellent, it's just as good.

 

Having had the camera for a few days now, I'm in the same mindset as Rick and am repeating what I said earlier in this thread. I'm sticking with my M9 and Monochrom for people and candid street shooting and the A7r is definitely for wildlife and landscapes with the R lenses.

Mike, I'm considering the option. I was looking for such a camera for a long time. The 240 with EVF did me just fine this year and no complaints about the image quality. The only thing stopping me is carrying a double system again.

[naturephoto1]

Mike, I'm considering the option. I was looking for such a camera for a long time. The 240 with EVF did me just fine this year and no complaints about the image quality. The only thing stopping me is carrying a double system again.

 

Well we knew that the M240 with the ad on EVF and the way that Leica decided to use a band aid fix for the R lenses was only going to be a compromise R "Solution".

 

Rich

[jmahto]

Rich,

 

Today I took some "real world" pictures casually with A7R 7 & 35Cron ASPH & Hawk Ver.3 adapter. You may find part of them at the link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/84son8awlk932oo/02aXj5zfuU

 

All images are OOC jpeg, contrast +1, sharpness +1, and DRO level 3. 1/500 s, Auto ISO, and S priority. Under f2, f4, and f8.

 

Images 524, 525, and 544 shows that aiming at a blue sky tends to create vigenetting and color shift, not so much for the overcast sky. (I seldom target my Leica lenses towards the blue sky attempting to catch the image of UFO).

 

Images 512, 520, 530, and 543 are for test your capability in identifying where the smearing is.

 

Images 533, 535, and 536 are for observing the "Bokeh" effect of 35Cron on A7R..

 

Taking into account of size, weight, and ease of operation, A7R 7 & 35Cron ASPH is a perfect match.

 

Vigenetting, color shift, and smearing only take place when and where they take title to happen, if my test can be generalized to all the cases.

 

Best Regards,

 

Thomas Chen.

 

I didn't see any smearing but why there is so much noise in the dark areas (even on darker leaves) for #520? I see that it is shot at ISO800. I would have expected it to be relatively clean (since it is a modern sensor).

[Lucklik]

After a few days with the A7 I can say that technically it is very good camera though I feel no bond with it as I do with the Leica M or even the fuji X-Pro1. It makes me really appreciate the fact that an OVF gives me a real connection with the subject that I am photographing (human that is) that is just not possible with and EVF.

I don't bond easy to a camera. But the A7 is on his way to take a place.

But falling in love is a very personal matter. I'm glad I didn't bought an M (it wasn't available anyway) with the A7 I can use my M lenses AND AF lenses.

I used the camera twice in real life reportages and the camera delivers what I need.

[Rick]

Rick,

 

There is no recomposing with the A7r after using the magnifier on the camera. Here is where the beauty of the A7r EVF shines compared to the ad on for the M240 because you can move your focus point in the A7r.

 

Rich

 

Thanks. I do realize that you can fiddle around with the dial and move the focus area around and that adds several more steps to focusing with the A7R. By the time I do all of that the moment can be gone. I'm sure it will work fine for tripod and slower types of shooting.

 

The beauty of the M240 is that I can hit the mag button instantly because, it is under my middle finger and I don't have to hunt around for the button. I have instant one button mag. The mag is right where I point the camera too... I don't have to (or want to) do the fiddly ring dial and click it around which is so slow. The M is just such a quicker and simpler way to approach the focus mag assist.

 

Also, the M shutter release button has a better feel and operation in the sense that I can leave my finger on the shutter button without triggering the "off" of the focus mag, which is a pain in the ass with the poor A7R shutter button design. I can not leave my finger resting on the A7R shutter button without inadvertently turning the focus mag off. The design of the shutter button on the A7R is poor, for me.

[Rick]

A7R & Leica R 280mm f4 APO Telyt

 

The hi-res versions of these images are unbelievable!

 

 

Michali, I can't wait to get out this weekend and try my 280/4. Jaapv, I'll shoot my 105-280 for you and report and post. Should be fun. I hope we have good weather!

[Mr_Jones]

Been using the A7r with a variety of lenses for 2 weeks now. Today I took out the M9p and fell in love all over again! I'm really fond of the A7r and I've taken pictures I would never had with the M9, it's a great camera so I'll keep it and run 2 systems.

 

However the M9 feels so good to use after a couple of weeks away and the rangefinder is much faster focussing. I also prefer looking at and working with the files. So now I'm in the market for an M240 to see if I like it more than the M9!

 

Although I like the Sony especially for lenses with focus shift, macro and long lenses I will be keeping an M of some description. It may turn out that the A7r allows me to keep the M9p and avoid upgrading to the M which I had hoped would be the case.

 

Anyone who has both the M240 and A7 care to chip in with a comparison of the EVF experience on those 2 cameras as that would be a deciding factor between those 2 systems for me.

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[hyper67]

I have an M240 and have just received confirmation that the my A7 is being shipped. However Im not sure if the rx1 would have been a better solution for me as I only really use 35mm but heard that the rx1 had slow A/F....anyway I went with sony really after shooting with the M240! I was surprised how much I enjoyed shooting with the LV but felt I liked so many that its blackout time took away so much from its enjoyment...