After getting the RX1, i couldn't resist an A7 with the 55 1.8 (the A99 had to go).
Love the small size and solid build.
Have not had much time to shoot with it yet( got it yesterday) but so far i love the camera and the lens is great.
What a difference from the A99 with the 24-70 2.8 (which isn't bad just larger and heavier)..
The autofocus is fast compared to the RX1, and manual focusing with my Rokkor 58 1.2 is a s simple as it can get.
I actually think the evf is good enough most of the time for manual focus without using the focus magnifier.
With my son running around i'll have to learn to pre-focus but it's worth it.
Thanks Bob and Dave for the feedback on the differences. My inclination is to go smaller and lighter.....but the UWA end of the spectrum is where I have spent most of my money. It's hard for me to let the Zeiss 21mm go without something as good.
So I think I'll stay pat and wait to see what native offerings materialize (plus I save money on the short term. )
rji2goleez wrote:
Definitely the latter Tim. The Zeiss 21 is simply best in class IMHO, but it's larger, heavier. And while the metabones version III adapter gives electronic aperture control, it adds further size. I like the Zeiss better and will use it on the a7R but on this trip, I wanted to see how satisfying it would be to travel with as small a kit as possible. While I love the Zeiss, I don't hesitate to use the Oly.
that's a prudent move tsdevine. I haven't tried the Oly 21 but I do have the Zeiss 21 and Nikon 14-24 and have tried both on my A7r. The Zeiss 21 is such an awesome lens. Matching it let alone surpassing will be a feat.
Yes indeed, my sentiments exactly. At least Zeiss know the target performance when they get to the manual focus FE wide angle lens. I don't find the 21mm too bad on the a7r balance-wise, and the adapter helps keep fingers off the over-sensitive and giant focus ring (on the CY vsn). It comes alive on this camera.
The a7 feels like an old friend to RX1 users, thebratts.
Few shots with Minolta ROKKOR-PG 58/1.2 stopped down to f/8 and f/2. This lens is incredibly sharp past f/5.6, which makes it ideal for panoramic stitching.
Many thanks to Adam Buhler (photogeek133) for providing Adobe ACR profile for this lens!
I've been enjoying the Oly 21/3.5 and find it's sharp, easy to focus and close focusing making f/3.5 work out fine. Compared to other solutions, it's a bargain. For outdoor shots I find it handles landscapes fine, maybe requiring a but more contrast but the colors are all bright and vibrant. Attached are a broad sample of recent images some of which I have posted here previously. Note the last image . . . pointing at strong light sources can result in a red ring flare which is visible in the viewfinder most times. Sometimes the red ring flare can actually be a positive!
Now I know where I will make my next HDR-pictures. 
)
