Reviews

[dkCambridgeshire]

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A camera without native lenses is nonsense, and Sony is years ahead of Leica as regards fine native mirrorless lenses.

 

About the EVF, the one in the A7R2 is excellent, and I think the next wave of A7 cameras (in a few months) will probably have equal or better EVF than the SL.

EVF apart, the Sony is technically a better camera at half the price.

The only reason for me to get the SL would be compatibility with some of my M lenses, but considered the $4250 price difference and the size of the camera, I decided to keep the Sony and buy excellent native Zeiss lenses with the extra money.

 

 

 

How many 'native' lenses did Sony offer at the launch of the A7?  

 

Just two … the kit 28-70 and the 35/2.8. The 28-70 is a 'very average' lens and was followed by the 24-70 which is 'less than average' in the performance stakes.

 

Leica may have only launched one SL lens so far but others are on the way - and they promise to be better than Sony's initial offerings. 

 

dunk

[FlashGordonPhotography]

What's the problem with auto-switch ?

 

 

I use the LCD as a waist level finder often and I think the auto sensor is too sensitive. When I'm shooting interiors I like to be able to switch back and forward manually. I got very spoilt by the fabulous Olympus implementation of the EM1 which automatically disables the auto switch as soon as you tilt the screen. Wish the A7R had that.

 

Of course the SL doesn't have a tilt screen which is a huge shame and a big minus to me.

 

Gordon

[FlashGordonPhotography]

How many 'native' lenses did Sony offer at the launch of the A7?  

 

Just two … the kit 28-70 and the 35/2.8. The 28-70 is a 'very average' lens and was followed by the 24-70 which is 'less than average' in the performance stakes.

 

Leica may have only launched one SL lens so far but others are on the way - and they promise to be better than Sony's initial offerings. 

 

dunk

 

 

True. And they were rightly slammed for it. Just because Sony did it doesn't mean Leica should be excused for the same stupid mistake.

 

Sony did have the LEA4 available at launch so all the A mount lenses could be used immediately. In Oz you got one for free (or a metabones) when you purchased a body. And once they got going new lenses were released at a good pace. Leica plans two more lenses in the next year??? It'll take a decade at that rate to make a system. And no date for either the R or S lens adaptors. Pretty lame if you ask me.

 

Gordon

[CheshireCat]

How many 'native' lenses did Sony offer at the launch of the A7?  

 

Just two … the kit 28-70 and the 35/2.8. The 28-70 is a 'very average' lens and was followed by the 24-70 which is 'less than average' in the performance stakes.

 

Leica may have only launched one SL lens so far but others are on the way - and they promise to be better than Sony's initial offerings. 

 

 

5 FE (full frame E-mount) lenses were announced at launch.

If I remember correctly, the amazing 55/1.8 was also available at launch, or shortly thereafter.

 

I agree about the low quality of the zooms you cited. That's a shame, as Sony/Zeiss can and should do much better.

I have no problems believing Leica can provide SL lenses better than Sony's. But will the extra quality be worth the extra money ? And what about the size ? Will they be much better/smaller than my Canon EF lenses on a 1Dx ? (1Dx mark II will be out soon).

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What's the problem with auto-switch ?

Switching takes time. When waking up, the camera (NEX 5N and 7) itself takes several seconds. Only when it's fully awake will it switch on the EVF. This makes waking up an M blindingly fast in comparison.

 

The sensors are reasonably well placed for landscape shots. Holding the camera in portrait orientation will make the camera turn the EVF on and off at brief intervals, depending on external circumstances, which is quite annoying per se and will actually prevent you from seeing anything at all in the VF.

 

When shooting at events, you are dependent on the display remaining dark or the bright light emanating from the rear LCD will bother many people at the event. I know that this is not an issue for everyone, but it's something I go to great lengths to avoid it.

 

The "eye" sensor will often falsely detect eyes when handling the camera. As has been mentioned before, shooting from a tripod or copy stand may deactivate the rear LCD at the most inopportune moment.

 

That's what's the problem with the auto switch.

[lct]

I have no experience with Nex cameras but the only occasions where my M240 is "blindingly fast" is when it is not asleep i'm afraid.  As far as FF cameras are concerned, my A7s' average startup and wakeup times are about one second in EVF mode vs two seconds in classic mode and three seconds in EVF mode for my M240.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

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Huff's 'editorial' is a complete waste of space. Just remove it. I don't even know why I bother to visit that website anymore. 

 

Steve Huff Rocks.........go on I know you agree

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

I tried the SL in the Leica Store in KL along with the Nikon D810 and ended up buying the Nikon.............it just takes better pictures IMOO

The SL is very limited to only a few AF lenses and options for manual........that was the limiting factor

As for the S........its still my faveriout system and the largeS files area dream to work with

[Jeff S]

LuLa, now available only to subscribers (a mere $12/yr) lists 'gear of the year' picks from both Michael Reichmann and Kevin Raber.  Each includes the SL on that select list.  Michael has been particularly impressed, but slams Leica for the 'cock-up' in once again failing to get lenses to market in time for release, or even having the R adapter ready.....otherwise, he's a fan, despite initial dislike for the S-like interface, which he now likes.

 

Jeff

[Jeff S]

I tried the SL in the Leica Store in KL along with the Nikon D810 and ended up buying the Nikon.............it just takes better pictures IMOO

The SL is very limited to only a few AF lenses and options for manual........that was the limiting factor

As for the S........its still my faveriout system and the largeS files area dream to work with

So now you have the S and the Nikon?  

 

Just trying to keep up every few months.

 

Jeff

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

So now you have the S and the Nikon?

 

Just trying to keep up every few months.

 

Jeff

not shooting Leica much these days as I am now more into wildlife and Leica is shite for that kind of photography.

Oh by the way I am now printing all my own stuff and loving it........ Thanks for your help with that

[dkCambridgeshire]

not shooting Leica much these days as I am now more into wildlife and Leica is shite for that kind of photography.

Oh by the way I am now printing all my own stuff and loving it........ Thanks for your help with that

 

 

 

Leica enthusiasts who use the 280/4 including the 1.4x and 2x e.g. when photographing birds would disagree with such a 'dogmatic shite' statement … and I use the lenses myself 

 

dunk

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Leica enthusiasts 

 

Yep I consider myself one of those............Iv been using Leica for over 5 years and still have a Leica s 006 with all the 006 lenses and none of them are anyway near as good as the Nikon Prime lenses for shooting wildlife............horses for courses

Not sure what birds you are shooting but they must be in a cage as even 1000mm quite often isn't long enough for small birds

Love 

Neil

[dkCambridgeshire]

Yep I consider myself one of those............Iv been using Leica for over 5 years and still have a Leica s 006 with all the 006 lenses and none of them are anyway near as good as the Nikon Prime lenses for shooting wildlife............horses for courses

Not sure what birds you are shooting but they must be in a cage as even 1000mm quite often isn't long enough for small birds

Love 

Neil

 

 

Perhaps your technique is lacking?

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/233741-hummingbirds-in-my-yard/

 

dunk

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Perhaps your technique is lacking?

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/233741-hummingbirds-in-my-yard/

 

dunk

Nothing wrong with my technique ........ As you have already stated and confirmed my statement these were shot on a feeder....... Not exactly wildlife photography

[CheshireCat]

I use the LCD as a waist level finder often and I think the auto sensor is too sensitive. When I'm shooting interiors I like to be able to switch back and forward manually.

 

On the A7R2 you can program any key to switch back and forth manually.

You can also disable auto-switching.

 

Switching takes time. When waking up, the camera (NEX 5N and 7) itself takes several seconds.

 

"several seconds" ? My NEX 3 and 6 powered on in about one second.

The A7R2 is even faster, and there is no auto-switch delay.

 

The sensors are reasonably well placed for landscape shots. Holding the camera in portrait orientation will make the camera turn the EVF on and off at brief intervals, depending on external circumstances, which is quite annoying per se and will actually prevent you from seeing anything at all in the VF.

 

Not on the A7R2.

 

That's what's the problem with the auto switch.

 

Sorry, but your experience with Sony cameras is limited to a couple cheap models from many years ago.

We are almost in 2016 now, so your statements are "outdated", to say the least.

[Jeff S]

Nothing wrong with my technique ........ As you have already stated and confirmed my statement these were shot on a feeder....... Not exactly wildlife photography

 

You really don't know Doug Herr's work, Neil....he's well known here and elsewhere for his much rewarded work....  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242912-can-never-go-back-to-dslr/?p=2792393

 

BTW, not all of those hummingbirds in the prior link are static....they dart around...yet check the perfect focus on the eye in each.

 

There are many older threads here where he discusses technique using manual vs AF, and he's helped a lot of folks in the process.

 

Jeff

[CheshireCat]

You really don't know Doug Herr's work, Neil....he's well known here and elsewhere for his much rewarded work....  http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242912-can-never-go-back-to-dslr/?p=2792393

 

BTW, not all of those hummingbirds in the prior link are static....they dart around...yet check the perfect focus on the eye in each.

 

 

There is no way one can take a MF shot of a hummingbird darting around - if not by pure luck. It is already difficult with the best AF equipment.

 

Doug's photos are really nice, but they don't prove that MF is as good as AF for wildlife.

I also have a nice photo of a peregrine falcon in flight, shot with a crappy 500/8 MF mirror lens. That was 10% skill and 90% luck. So many otherwise good shots spoiled by slightly missing focus, although they were perfectly good at web resolution.

Then I got a good AF lens, and the merit proportion became 10% skill, and 90% AF technology (which unlike luck, is almost always working great). 

[Jeff S]

There is no way one can take a MF shot of a hummingbird darting around - if not by pure luck. It is already difficult with the best AF equipment.

 

Doug's photos are really nice, but they don't prove that MF is as good as AF for wildlife.

I also have a nice photo of a peregrine falcon in flight, shot with a crappy 500/8 MF mirror lens. That was 10% skill and 90% luck. So many otherwise good shots spoiled by slightly missing focus, although they were perfectly good at web resolution.

Then I got a good AF lens, and the merit proportion became 10% skill, and 90% AF technology (which unlike luck, is almost always working great). 

 

I'll let Doug speak for himself if he reads this.  He's already written about the topic here about how he does what you say he cannot.....and also how AF can be effective....he doesn't argue with others' techniques, or how one can use both.  Or you can search the posts for yourself.

 

Thankfully, we're not all alike....Doug doesn't have to prove anything (nor does he attempt to)....his photos are his proof that it works for him.

 

Jeff

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Hallo,

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[Steve Spencer]

There is no way one can take a MF shot of a hummingbird darting around - if not by pure luck. It is already difficult with the best AF equipment.

 

Doug's photos are really nice, but they don't prove that MF is as good as AF for wildlife.

I also have a nice photo of a peregrine falcon in flight, shot with a crappy 500/8 MF mirror lens. That was 10% skill and 90% luck. So many otherwise good shots spoiled by slightly missing focus, although they were perfectly good at web resolution.

Then I got a good AF lens, and the merit proportion became 10% skill, and 90% AF technology (which unlike luck, is almost always working great). 

 

I think that shows that you have had very little experience with humming birds. Yes, they flit around at times, but they also quite predictably hold steady to feed. It is a matter of understanding there movements and getting in the right position for the shot. Trying to shoot them while flitting around is pretty pointless, but shooting them when they are holding steady is not that hard with MF or AF. 

 

Doug is a great photographer and I think what he demonstrates (even more than his obvious skill with MF) is that to take good wildlife photos you need to understand their movements and habits and get close. This is not a matter of luck and IMO is far more important that AF vs. MF. If you don't get that part right it doesn't matter how good your gear is, and if you get that part right and learn to MF well then you can do quite well with MF for many many types of wildlife.