The Sony A7 thread [Merged]

[k-hawinkler]

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Thanks Mike, that sounds terrific for most of your lenses, especially the Rs. Congratulations!

Could you please elaborate on the WATE?

Thanks.

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[michali]

K-H: I've shot the WATE at f8 & f11 and while the main subject area is in focus, the background seems blurred. Field curvature?

Will do some more testing this week and compare with the C/V 21mm as well and report back.

 

I must also point out that I'm getting only very slight red edges, if at all, with the WATE.

[k-hawinkler]

K-H: I've shot the WATE at f8 & f11 and while the main subject area is in focus, the background seems blurred. Field curvature?

Will do some more testing this week and compare with the C/V 21mm as well and report back.

 

I must also point out that I'm getting only very slight red edges, if at all, with the WATE.

 

 

Thanks again Mike.

I'll keep your observations in mind when I have my A7R in hand and test the WATE.

BTW, except for the R 19 and 100, I have all the other R lenses you mentioned.

That should be fun, using them finally on an FF camera of such high resolution!

Thanks again.

[michali]

K-H: You're going to love this camera, the quality with the Leica lenses you mention is unbelievable!

 

BYTW the camera menus are very intuitive, however the instruction manual's not great. I watched a few demo videos on the web which were invaluable.

[dwbell]

I watched a few demo videos on the web which were invaluable.

 

Got a link? The one thing Sony has in common with Leica is sh1t manuals!

[michali]

Here's one of them:

[k-hawinkler]

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Tim Ashley is describing how he corrects his images. The GetDPI Photography Forums - View Single Post - The FE 35mm F2.8 ZA...

 

A technique I plan to add to my work flow. Thanks Tim.

[daure]

K-H: You're going to love this camera, the quality with the Leica lenses you mention is unbelievable!

 

BYTW the camera menus are very intuitive, however the instruction manual's not great. I watched a few demo videos on the web which were invaluable.

 

A better user manual (pdf to download)

 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByhjwSiaYIYCSmtKcGZTYVJvNzA/edit?pli=1

[uhoh7]

Ooooh, the images that jump out to my sensibilities are the CV 35 1.4 and the 50 CV 1.1

Excuse my ignorance - what are these wondrous objects?

My second set with more of one of those objects + 50 cron, 90TE, and a guest apearance by the legendary 1950s LTM voigtlander 50/1.5

A7 set 2 - a set on Flickr

 

 

I beg any and all now testing to post images in our extensive A7® + RF glass resource thread at FM:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1254258/17#lastmessage

[CaptZoom]

No, really didn't know. To reiterate my earlier point, I came to Leica looking for a small, FF, high IQ alternative to my canon gear. P&S cameras were letting me down. The X100S changed that but is fixed focal. The A7R is what I wanted all along.

 

I'm not, and have never been;

- a "Leica user"

- a Rangefinder user

- a dentist

- a snob

- a collector of "beautiful hand made" objects

 

I'm a photographer. Who needs a camera (tool) in the process from idea to hung print.

 

 

In that case, CV has some real sleepers in its lineup, along with some duds (if clinical sharpness is the test). They've had some quality control issues in the past, but seem to be improving them. I regularly use three CV lenses and can recommend them without reservation.

 

-35mm f/2.5 Skopar - it is the only 35mm I own. I do not use 35mm much. The lens is absurdly small. The current version Leica 28mm Elmarit looks huge in comparison. The CV 35mm is pretty low contrast (as compared to Zeiss or Leica). It works wonderfully in high contrast situations (beach during the summer time). And the low contrast lends itself well for bw conversions.

Apparently the new 35mm f1.2 lens is a stellar performer, but I've no experience with it. If I used 35mm more, I would seriously consider it.

 

-50mm f/1.5 Nokton LTM- gives the Leica 50mm 'lux a real run for the money (though ultimately 'lux is a better lens). There's fringing in the expected high contrast areas, but that's easily remedied. I reach for it as much as I reach for the lux. I like size and handling better on the CV than the lux, but I'm one of the few who does not like focus tabs.

 

-75mm f/2.5 Skopar- a compact lens that works just about flawlessly on the M9- no coding needed. CV should not have discontinued this lens. It renders quite differently than the 75mm f/1.8.

 

I should mention that I've not experienced any quality related issues with any of my CV lenses. And I've no idea how these lenses will work with the A7r. The 50 and 75 should work well, but I doubt the 35 will since it needs coding on the M9.

[viramati]

A better user manual (pdf to download)

 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByhjwSiaYIYCSmtKcGZTYVJvNzA/edit?pli=1

 

Thanks for that. would be great if the same document could be found where the PDF page navigation worked as you have to scroll through all the pages. Anyone able to find the original as I can't find it on any of the sony sites?

[thighslapper]

Tim Ashley is describing how he corrects his images. The GetDPI Photography Forums - View Single Post - The FE 35mm F2.8 ZA...

 

A technique I plan to add to my work flow. Thanks Tim.

 

I outlined this earlier.

 

It's a complete pain as the FFC in LR only works with DNG ...... so you have to convert all the Sony ARW files to DNG and use DNG calibration images.

 

The DNG images are also up to 50% larger than the original ARW's.

 

If you have one lens that needs the convertor .... fine ..... but if you have several you will have to have a meticulous storage/coding system .....

 

Frankly I can't be bothered and would just use a lens that works ok to start with. Tim was showing examples where I wouldn't have even bothered in the first place .... they looked OK to me

 

..... and it's easier to use an expodisk than the gadgetry suggested..... just put over lens, point at light source and shoot ..... and it can be used for custom WB setting as well

[daure]

Thanks for that. would be great if the same document could be found where the PDF page navigation worked as you have to scroll through all the pages. Anyone able to find the original as I can't find it on any of the sony sites?

 

Yes. Seems to be a not very good (photo)copy of a printed manual.

But it proves that this manuel exist

And that it will be available to download through sony sites

[3D-Kraft.com]

For those who are interested in a lowlight video example taken with the A7R:

 

(Click on the image to get to the video page)

 

Lenses used: Zeiss FE 2.8/35 and Carl Zeis / Contax Planar T* 85mm f/1.4.

[janki]

I’m just back from 3 months in deepest darkest Africa, and waiting at home for me was an A7R along with Novoflex M to E, and Sony α to E LA-EA3, adapters!

 

So far today I’ve tried out the following lenses on the A7R-

 

Leica R lenses (previously Leitaxed) and Sony α to E LA-EA3 adapter:

R100mm Macro Elmarit f2.8 = excellent.

R105-280mm Vario-Elmar = excellent.

R 280mm f4 APO = excellent.

 

I left my Elmarit R 19mm & 28-90mm Vario-Elmar with my son who’s still in the Congo and is using them there on a Sony α 850.

I’ll be able to get hold of these 2 lenses when I go back again in January and try them out then.

 

M lenses with Novoflex M to E adapter:

16-18-21mm Tri Elmar = not great!

24mm f2.8 Elmarit ASPH= initial results surprisingly look good.

28mm Summicron = good.

28-35-50mm Tri-Elmar = good to excellent.

35mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH = excellent.

50mm f1.4 Summilux ASPH = excellent.

75mm f2 Summicron = excellent.

135mm f3.4 APO Telyt = excellent.

 

C/V Lenses:

12mm Nokton vers.1 (with C/V LTM to M adapter and mounted onto the Novoflex M to E adapter) = good.

21mm f1.8 = good.

50mm f1.5 Nokton vers.2 = excellent.

 

Hasselblad Carl Zeiss Lenses with Fotodiox α Adapter:

Carl Zeiss Planar 2,8/80mm CFI = excellent.

Carl Zeiss Planar 3,5/100mm CFI = excellent.

Carl Zeiss S-Planar 5,6/120mm =excellent.

 

I want to still test the Hasselblad CZ 40mm & 50mm wides as well as the 160mm & 250mm tele lenses.

 

Initial impressions:

Looking at the variety of lenses I’ve tested and played around with today, this is an unbelievably versatile camera.

No external viewfinders are required, angle of view for each lens is visible in the viewfinder in its native focal length.

Ergonomics are wonderful, even with my big hands and the rather bulky CZ Hasselblad lenses.

Manual focus using the the “Focus Magnification” function is a breeze- I’ve set the top function button next to the shutter for this purpose.

 

At this stage I’m thinking that for street photography I’ll keep using the M9 and Monochrom, and for which I still love using the range finder.

The A7R for wildlife and landscapes.

 

The weather’s looking good here for the next week, so plenty more playing to do and I’ll post some samples.

 

My initial impression is that the A7R is a versatile, straightforward, uncomplicated R solution, with additional options for use with an endless variety of other lenses.

 

When the Leica management decided not to bring the R system further into the digital future, - one of the arguments was that forward it would be no growing demand for the system.

 

"It will be a market, - but not a growing market."

 

This statement is certainly correct now after Sony A7/A7r have entered the market. In fact we do not need any digital R from Leica anymore.

 

However, since the Leica management is concerned with finding growing markets, - perhaps they should now make the decision that Leica once again shall start to produce new Leica R lenses, but now with an E-mount.

 

In this digital age Leica should do what they do best, create lenses.

[marcg]

In this digital age Leica should do what they do best, create lenses.

Hear hear.

[uhoh7]

Hear hear.

 

Lenses and a smaller/less expensive M body, in addition to the M240 MM.

 

In their fear to do this they sell many less bodies. Of course they cant make them fast enough anyway. LOL

 

The Sony has left the door open for Leica in a huge way, because the A7r is basically the identical size and weight as an M6---regardless of what you hear. I have both.

 

A small RF less body with good integrated EVF and proper focusing aids would find an eager market in the 3500 range.

 

It's a no brainer, but when you look at how long it's taken for the M240 to reach market, I can't see them capable of such nimble development.

[naturephoto1]

Lenses and a smaller/less expensive M body, in addition to the M240 MM.

 

In their fear to do this they sell many less bodies. Of course they cant make them fast enough anyway. LOL

 

The Sony has left the door open for Leica in a huge way, because the A7r is basically the identical size and weight as an M6---regardless of what you hear. I have both.

 

A small RF less body with good integrated EVF and proper focusing aids would find an eager market in the 3500 range.

 

It's a no brainer, but when you look at how long it's taken for the M240 to reach market, I can't see them capable of such nimble development.

 

Charlie,

 

As I have mentioned before in this thread, my suspicion is that if Leica brought out a camera with an EVF and lacking a RF that would use the M-mount lenses and also accept R lenses at this point I would expect the price to be closer to $4,500. When Leica was talking about a new autofocus camera with new AF lenses that would also accept R lenses, in my conversations with Justin Stailey of Leica several years ago we were talking about a $3,500 camera body. That new AF camera was to be a replacement for the R10.

 

Rich

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[dwbell]

Lenses and a smaller/less expensive M body, in addition to the M240 MM.

 

In their fear to do this they sell many less bodies. Of course they cant make them fast enough anyway. LOL

 

The Sony has left the door open for Leica in a huge way, because the A7r is basically the identical size and weight as an M6---regardless of what you hear. I have both.

 

A small RF less body with good integrated EVF and proper focusing aids would find an eager market in the 3500 range.

 

It's a no brainer, but when you look at how long it's taken for the M240 to reach market, I can't see them capable of such nimble development.

 

Further, that camera would need to lean heavily on areas of user functionality which Leica, how to say, hasn't been traditionally strong on? Check how Fuji are updating the X100 compared to Leica with the M9. See how the Auto ISO is an issue etc.

 

So again it'll be amazing IQ, and meh for the rest.

[AlanG]

 

...A small RF less body with good integrated EVF and proper focusing aids would find an eager market in the 3500 range....

 

 

Of course it will have to be able to shoot quickly in live view mode.

 

Putting price aside, it seems to me that a new AF lens mount will be a good idea in the near future too. Whether that is on a thinner body or via the M mount with electrical connections is the only choice they will have to make. Otherwise the M has reached the limit of what lenses it can work with. Since who is going to buy a 70-200 2.8 for instance if it does not have AF? Lack of AF killed the R system.

 

Additionally, they need an electrical interface between the body and lenses to communicate information more completely than can be accomplished via the 6 bit optical system. And body control of aperture is useful also.

 

If Leica has decided that they'll make enough money by simply providing gradual improvements to the current M model then maybe the M system won't need to evolve. They will be happy just producing MF prime lenses that are 90mm and shorter for it.. But wouldn't that doom FF Leicas to a rather limited role for the future?