p.137 #1 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
sflxn wrote:
If FP helps you, then stick with it. I have found FP helps you find the general area of focus, but it is not perfect. On my A7R, I noticed the display quality is set on high. When I toggle it to standard, I noticed edges in the EVF have more jaggies. I think manual focusing with this camera has to be personalized. There's too many variables. Eye sight, subject matter, lens. With my 50/1.2 and 85/1.4 wide-open, it's really easy to isolate subjects, esp with the 85. I first general focus by eyeballing it, and then I use magnifier (which I mapped onto my C1 button) and fine tune the focus. The magnifier for the final step is a must. My 85/1.4 is contrasty enough and the focusing ring has enough rotational movement that I might not need the magnifier, but my 50/1.2 is a little harder to nail without the magnifier when shot wide open. The focusing ring on the 50/1.2 is also way more senitive than the one on my 85.
Maybe you can use FP and then magnifier. For me, I find the FP jaggies to be annoying. If you don't want to use FP, you can try what Snapsy recommended. Give high display quality a try. After playing with that setting, I definitely prefer it. I have 4 Sony batteries so battery life is not as big a concern for me.
btw, after manual focusing my Nikkors, I now understand the hype over the Zeiss focusing ring. When I first played with a ZF, I thought it was so annoying that you must turn and turn the ring to focus it, but after the 50/1.2's sensitive focusing ring, I get it. I do find the 85G 1.4's focusing ring to be just right....Show more →
Oh, I do enjoy the FP quite much. My fastest glass is a 50/1.4 ZE and I love the focus ring throw and its dampening. It might be that that particular lens (the planar) isn't very contrasty (like your 85/1.4 is) and that's why I'm having trouble seeing focus with FP turned off. Plus, that lens is on my camera 99.9% of the time.
I've read a few posters (and even Steve Huff on his site) that either don't use or rely (aka crutch, haha) on FP on their a7(r)s. For me, that threw up a little flag because, how can you consistently nail focus without FP AND focus magnification. I use focus magnification almost all the time (with FP on) and was scratching my head wondering how those nailed their focus when they didn't mention using focus magnification.
They probably didn't say it, but I'm taking a stab in the dark that's what they're using regardless FP is turned on or off.
p.137 #4 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I think Charles had a rear wheel problem with a Sony, now I put a limiter on my speed dialing.
Yeah, the FE 55mm is not too bad, for one of those expensive Zeiss lenses that losers pay way too much money for, much more than the other lenses that are good enough for anyone. Anyhow it still does not match the Otus, so I say it's an epic fail:
'Turns out the PC Magazine has done Imatest of the A7r with the Otus (via Metabones adapter) and also the FE 55 1.8
At F1.8, F2.8 and F8, the FE55 had center resolution of 3000, 3300 and 3700 respectively (they weren't very precise in this one)
While the Otus had centre resolution at F1.4, F2, F2.8, F4 and F8 of 3015, 3265, 3602, 3899 and 3,951'
p.137 #5 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
philip_pj wrote:
I think Charles had a rear wheel problem with a Sony, now I put a limiter on my speed dialing.
Yeah, the FE 55mm is not too bad, for one of those expensive Zeiss lenses that losers pay way too much money for, much more than the other lenses that are good enough for anyone. Anyhow it still does not match the Otus, so I say it's an epic fail:
'Turns out the PC Magazine has done Imatest of the A7r with the Otus (via Metabones adapter) and also the FE 55 1.8
At F1.8, F2.8 and F8, the FE55 had center resolution of 3000, 3300 and 3700 respectively (they weren't very precise in this one)
While the Otus had centre resolution at F1.4, F2, F2.8, F4 and F8 of 3015, 3265, 3602, 3899 and 3,951'
(sounds very authoritative, a PC mag - they know everything, those smart nerdy guys)...Show more →
Oh my, I now see why people are calling it the Otus lite. Quick, buy these before Sony and Zeiss realizes their pricing mistake. The one area that I don't think you can call it an Otus lite is in the bokeh. The Otus seems to have a much better bokeh, maybe a little too smooth sometimes. I'd love to see image comparisons between these two lens. I'd like to know what an extra $3k will get me.
p.137 #6 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Alpha_Geist wrote:
I've read a few posters (and even Steve Huff on his site) that either don't use or rely (aka crutch, haha) on FP on their a7(r)s. For me, that threw up a little flag because, how can you consistently nail focus without FP AND focus magnification. I use focus magnification almost all the time (with FP on) and was scratching my head wondering how those nailed their focus when they didn't mention using focus magnification.
They probably didn't say it, but I'm taking a stab in the dark that's what they're using regardless FP is turned on or off.
nope. 90% of my shooting is no FP and no magnification. i also do most of it at wide apertures. i increase the sharpening level in jpeg settings (and shoot only raw), this creates moire at in focus points allowing better accuracy (for me) than peaking). shooting people my hit rate is better than 90% unless they make a sudden movement. pretty much the only time i use magnification is for landscapes at small aperture. this is on the NEX-7 and rx1 though.
p.137 #7 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
sebboh wrote:
nope. 90% of my shooting is no FP and no magnification. i also do most of it at wide apertures. i increase the sharpening level in jpeg settings (and shoot only raw), this creates moire at in focus points allowing better accuracy (for me) than peaking). shooting people my hit rate is better than 90% unless they make a sudden movement. pretty much the only time i use magnification is for landscapes at small aperture. this is on the NEX-7 and rx1 though.
I can't set sharpening level with A7 as long as I choose raw, even with Raw_jpeg option turn on. So this is out of question. I can see moire some time, but it also kind of subtle at the time I really need it. So, I bought their FE auto lens for the system just for my need.
p.137 #8 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
zhangyue wrote:
I can't set sharpening level with A7 as long as I choose raw, even with Raw_jpeg option turn on. So this is out of question. I can see moire some time, but it also kind of subtle at the time I really need it. So, I bought their FE auto lens for the system just for my need.
With my A7r set to RAW + JPEG I can change sharpness level under Creative Style in the menu, and this affects the moire in the viewfinder like Sebboh says. I am still experimenting with this way of focusing and think that it with some practice potentially will work great, with better accuracy than focus peaking.
p.137 #9 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
sflxn wrote:
Oh my, I now see why people are calling it the Otus lite. Quick, buy these before Sony and Zeiss realizes their pricing mistake. The one area that I don't think you can call it an Otus lite is in the bokeh. The Otus seems to have a much better bokeh, maybe a little too smooth sometimes. I'd love to see image comparisons between these two lens. I'd like to know what an extra $3k will get me.
Connoisseurs will always look to the Otus because of the unusually high level of axial color correction and the unfiorm blur disc.
p.137 #10 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Thanks, got it, what I can't chang is set 'picture effect' but can change sharpness in creative style even with RAW only. Thanks. will try it tomorrow in day light
p.137 #11 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
naturephoto1 wrote:
Philip is using the Contax (C/Y) 21mm f2.8 Distagon. I believe that it is an MM version. I have one coming and should have it fairly shortly.
Rich
OK!
carstenw wrote:
I think that at this point it would be fair to say that any Zeiss Biogon design is to be approached with the greatest caution for use on the A7/A7R. Even the Distagon lenses need careful checking.
Agreed, symmetrical designs on the shorter end of the focal lengths will not work on the A7r, unless someone proves me wrong. Light rays too steep yadda yadda
As for the Distagon design, which is a retrofocus design, I'm quite surprised that these lenses need to be checked are they usually belong to SLR systems with a long flange focal distance.
On another note, I'm using a Canon TS-E 17mm with success on my A7r, although I have seen in this thread that the borders are not up to what they could be on a Canon DSLR. My experience is limited so far with this combo but somehow I sometimes get softer corners than what I would expect, and sometimes über sharp corners (non focus/DOF related). I'm thinking it might have to do with me locking the lens (or not) before taking the picture, even the smallest amount of movement (non locked vs. locked) could potentially affect corner sharpness. I'll run a batch of tests to verify this shortly.
p.137 #13 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
beetlephoto wrote:
As for the Distagon design, which is a retrofocus design, I'm quite surprised that these lenses need to be checked are they usually belong to SLR systems with a long flange focal distance.
I don't know why either, but perhaps the Distagon design fit to a short register distance are still too close. The ZM 18/4 is not good on the A7s, for example. I guess the DSLR lenses are fine. In any case, Zeiss has been moving many of their newer lens designs to Sonnars.
p.137 #14 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Unless I am mistaken, our own Max Berlin has given a negative review (dissed) the A7r on the B&H website for Shutter Blur, RAW Compression, and Shutter Delay. He does not recommend the camera.
p.137 #15 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I doubt anyone will respect a single opposing viewpoint, as every other review is 4 or 5 stars. This is a glass half full or half empty thing. Anything can be criticized, and the A7R has some flaws, but ultimately it is a very nice camera for many things.
p.137 #17 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Negative review? 3 stars of 5 sounds neutral, not negative, at least for objective viewer.
After some weeks usage, I would consider any reviewer giving perfect score (e.g. 5 of 5 stars) as a serious fanboy. Sure both A7 and A7r are great cameras, but it's pretty obvious that Sony can do much better work.
I have already few times commented that it's really sad people can't talk flaws, but want to see everything they own/purchased/are about to purchase as perfect. Objective discussion of flaws seems quite impossible. Maybe this is due to current "culture" created by internet "reviewers", who have to give good ratings due to commercial reasons. Most internet "reviews" should be called advertisements.
p.137 #18 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Samuli Vahonen wrote:
Negative review? 3 stars of 5 sounds neutral, not negative, at least for objective viewer.
After some weeks usage, I would consider any reviewer giving perfect score (e.g. 5 of 5 stars) as a serious fanboy. Sure both A7 and A7r are great cameras, but it's pretty obvious that Sony can do much better work.
I have already few times commented that it's really sad people can't talk flaws, but want to see everything they own/purchased/are about to purchase as perfect. Objective discussion of flaws seems quite impossible. Maybe this is due to current "culture" created by internet "reviewers", who have to give good ratings due to commercial reasons. Most internet "reviews" should be called advertisements.
I was not suggesting that the camera should receive 5 stars. I would personally probably give it 4 and if possible 4.5. I am quite aware of some of the issues and we are finding things about the camera but we are also hopefully finding out ways to get around the problems. But, if you look at the comment section of the review he would not recommend the camera.
p.137 #20 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I spoke with RRS via Live Chat yesterday regarding the L Brackets for the A7 and the A7r cameras. I was told that Pre-orders would not ship until after Christmas. They also did not know the size of the batches of the L brackets that would be coming in. Additionally, they either could not or would not give me a clue as to where my order was on the Pre-order list (I placed mine fairly early).
The one area that I don't think you can call it an Otus lite is in the bokeh. The Otus seems to have a much better bokeh, maybe a little too smooth sometimes. I'd love to see image comparisons between these two lens. I'd like to know what an extra $3k will get me.