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No

There's no 'hunting' with a decent AF camera and no reason to assume that people using AF cameras don't have an understanding of depth of field issues.

No hunting? With a foreground, maybe even foliage in the frame? Not my experience. I’ve yet to see camera that can read my mind. Today I tried to get a shot of a monkey in a tree. It was moving and I didn’t have time to switch AF off. I got wonderfully sharp photos- of leaves :( The monkey was OOF on all shots...
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That's a great comment Jono  - and it helps to explain why my experience with A7RII plus M lens doesn't quite produce the magic.  With the A7 I prefer the IQ I get with the Zeiss Batis 25mm to those I achieve with a modern 35mm Summicron.  Buy as you say, it's excellent v excellent - just choice in the end (and the EVF is not great for manual focus on the Sony).  There's a reason we stay with (most of you) or evolve into (as I have) Leica.

Edited by @ndy_ellis
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No No hunting? With a foreground, maybe even foliage in the frame? Not my experience. I’ve yet to see camera that can read my mind. Today I tried to get a shot of a monkey in a tree. It was moving and I didn’t have time to switch AF off. I got wonderfully sharp photos- of leaves :( The monkey was OOF on all shots...

The fact that you need to 'switch off AF' in order to use manual focus suggests that you haven't grasped the most effective way of setting up and using an AF camera. On my AF cameras all I need to do to activate MF is turn the lens barrel, while AF is controlled via the back thumb button, allowing me to move seamlessly between AF and MF.

 

With the better AF cameras, focus issues tend to be down to user error rather than any inherent system shortcoming.

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The fact that you need to 'switch off AF' in order to use manual focus suggests that you haven't grasped the most effective way of setting up and using an AF camera. On my AF cameras all I need to do to activate MF is turn the lens barrel, while AF is controlled via the back thumb button, allowing me to move seamlessly between AF and MF.

 

With the better AF cameras, focus issues tend to be down to user error rather than any inherent system shortcoming.

 

You seem to have limited experience in camera gear. It isn't all the same you know. Ever think he was using a camera or lens that wasn't that advanced? For instance, ever try to switch between M/AF using a Nikon 60mm f/2.8 Micro-NIKKOR AF-D? 

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Hi There PGH

I quite agree with you, in terms of dynamic range / low noise and high resolution the newer Sony sensors are wonderful (I’m sure you’ll excuse me for leaving out sharpness - such a complicated concept) - but you miss out a relevant issue - many of those around here are wanting to use their M lenses on the Sony cameras, and at this point the design of the sensor (cover glass thickness, sensor well design) becomes another really tangible and measurable problem.

 

There is a general feeling that this only relates to older wide angle designs, but even modern lenses like the 50 ‘lux Asph suffer really quite badly on sensors with thicker cover glass (like those on the Sony cameras). I know, I’ve spent a lot of time doing comparisons.

 

I could have a big argument about IQ already being quite sufficient for several years on many cameras (but I won’t bother). But I think that if you are requiring the absolute in terms of Image Quality then rule number one is:

 

Use the Lenses Designed for the Camera

 

. . . And this applies absolutely as much for the Sony cameras with M lenses as any other combination

 

 

As usual, Jono is spot on.

 

I tried to love the images of my 50 LUX ASPH and my A7RII. I did.

 

What was not to like ? Superb sensor, high mp, stabilised, lovely video, superb lens.

 

Well, the files were bad. I mean, really bad. A cheap 50mm for any brand, specially pretty much every 1.4 old MF design ( think Canon FD, Contax, etc ) which costs, well, peanuts compared to the 50 LUX Asph, would absolutely destroy the Leica lens in terms of overall contrast, tonal & plane separation and don't get me started on the sharpness.

 

Since I have a decent M lens stable, I just accepted my losses, sold my A7RII and bought a Leica SL. 

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The fact that you need to 'switch off AF' in order to use manual focus suggests that you haven't grasped the most effective way of setting up and using an AF camera. On my AF cameras all I need to do to activate MF is turn the lens barrel, while AF is controlled via the back thumb button, allowing me to move seamlessly between AF and MF.

 

With the better AF cameras, focus issues tend to be down to user error rather than any inherent system shortcoming.

Wow, you have an AF camera that can read your mind!

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You seem to have limited experience in camera gear. It isn't all the same you know. Ever think he was using a camera or lens that wasn't that advanced?

 

I'm able to set up both my DSLRS and mirrorless cameras to operate in the way I describe. If there are any current AF camera and lens combinations that don't allow for this, then it's a good reason to avoid them. 

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I'm able to set up both my DSLRS and mirrorless cameras to operate in the way I describe. If there are any current AF camera and lens combinations that don't allow for this, then it's a good reason to avoid them. 

 

Perhaps, but that doesn't mean they do not exist, nor that they shouldn't necessarily be used. Your flippant remark about user error was silly and childish. 

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Perhaps, but that doesn't mean they do not exist, nor that they shouldn't necessarily be used. Your flippant remark about user error was silly and childish.

 

Jaap replied to a comment of mine, I replied in turn. That's it. You're adding nothing to this other than an attempt to provoke conflict.

 

I'll happily engage Jaap further if he wants to discuss the strengths and shortcomings of AF systems, but not you.

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In my experience over many years and selling quite a few landscape images, the key ingredients (equipment wise) are a medium format digital or film camera and a solid tripod.

 

You left out the most important ingredient of all... a strong back to be able to hump it all around. :)

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In my experience over many years and selling quite a few landscape images, the key ingredients (equipment wise) are a medium format digital or film camera and a solid tripod.

 

 

You left out the most important ingredient of all... a strong back to be able to hump it all around. :)

 

 

 

Well, I thought he left out the only important bit . . . it needs to be a good image (and if it isn't, then, frankly, it don't matter what camera you took it on!)

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Well, I thought he left out the only important bit . . . it needs to be a good image (and if it isn't, then, frankly, it don't matter what camera you took it on!)

+1

 

Funny how often that part is missed. And add to that a print that does the picture justice. The most important tools remain between the ears.

 

Jeff

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Well, I thought he left out the only important bit . . . it needs to be a good image (and if it isn't, then, frankly, it don't matter what camera you took it on!)

 

Member fsprow clearly remarked "equipment wise¨. I agree that the talent of the photographer is most important, but we are talking about tools here. For serious, professional landscape work medium or large formats are the appropriate tools IMHO. Professional landscape photographers often have a team of assistants at their disposal. Serious landscape photography production in remote places is not cheap at all.

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