p.22 #1 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
sebboh wrote:
makes sense. zeiss has been explicit before in saying that they think AF is detrimental to absolute maximization of image quality. they've been producing manual focus lenses for canon, nikon, and leica FF digital cameras, their latest top tier lens series is manual focus, and of course manual focus is best for the video market.
i suspect zeiss doesn't really take crop cameras seriously from the perspective of maximizing iq, thus the touits with AF. they didn't even think it was worth making lenses for µ4/3.
anyway, this makes me very happy!
If you think about it, it's almost a no brainer: it would take so little relative effort to release their longer-focal-length ZM's in e-mount. Hopefully, they'll spend a little more effort and extend the mfd for these lenses now that there are no RF considerations.
p.22 #2 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I am a little surprised regarding the camera's operating ranges of 32 degrees F to 104 degrees F (0 degrees C to 40 degrees C).
Do you think that Sony will come out with an external battery with a wire for colder temperatures or do you think that swapping out batteries will cut it in the cold? I ordered 3 extra batteries for my Pre-order of the A7r. I hope that by keeping the batteries warm in my jacket it will be sufficient to keeping the camera operating in the cold. 32 degrees F really isn't that cold to operate a camera. I also hope that 4 total batteries will be sufficient.
p.22 #3 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
sebboh wrote:
makes sense. zeiss has been explicit before in saying that they think AF is detrimental to absolute maximization of image quality. they've been producing manual focus lenses for canon, nikon, and leica FF digital cameras, their latest top tier lens series is manual focus, and of course manual focus is best for the video market.
i suspect zeiss doesn't really take crop cameras seriously from the perspective of maximizing iq, thus the touits with AF. they didn't even think it was worth making lenses for µ4/3.
anyway, this makes me very happy!
Yes, though Zeiss have made some extremely high end AF lenses previously for Sinar:
p.22 #4 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
naturephoto1 wrote:
I am a little surprised regarding the camera's operating ranges of 32 degrees F to 104 degrees F (0 degrees C to 40 degrees C).
Do you think that Sony will come out with an external battery with a wire for colder temperatures or do you think that swapping out batteries will cut it in the cold? I ordered 3 extra batteries for my Pre-order of the A7r. I hope that by keeping the batteries warm in my jacket it will be sufficient to keeping the camera operating in the cold. 32 degrees F really isn't that cold to operate a camera. I also hope that 4 total batteries will be sufficient.
fwiw i've shot with my crappy nex-3 in much colder temperatures (~5-12 degress F) for 3 hours on 2 batteries (first one lasted till the nearly the 3 hour mark) with no problems and it uses the same batteries. i think sony is probably a little conservative with operating temperature numbers.
Are these supposed to make me want the camera? Because the more image samples I see, the more I'm glad I'm holding off until we see this thing in the hands of someone who actually knows what to do with a camera. Some of the samples have been well composed, but Sony's JPEG engine made them look like crap up close, while here you have RAWs, but taken with the Sony kit lens on the A7r (there's a reason they don't offer this combo), which looks dreadful, frankly, and the pictures are taken by someone who knows less about how to take a photo than my wife (which she will tell you, is hard to do).
p.22 #6 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
naturephoto1 wrote:
I am a little surprised regarding the camera's operating ranges of 32 degrees F to 104 degrees F (0 degrees C to 40 degrees C).
Do you think that Sony will come out with an external battery with a wire for colder temperatures or do you think that swapping out batteries will cut it in the cold? I ordered 3 extra batteries for my Pre-order of the A7r. I hope that by keeping the batteries warm in my jacket it will be sufficient to keeping the camera operating in the cold. 32 degrees F really isn't that cold to operate a camera. I also hope that 4 total batteries will be sufficient.
Perhaps they are just being conservative in their specification listing. That's what they also had listed for the A900 long ago. It's also what Nikon lists for the D800 AND the D4 AND it's what Leica lists for the M. Canon lists 0°C - 4°C / 32°F - 113° for the 1Dx. So, there is a very high probability that these numbers are not set in stone.
The only brands that list a lower cold point are Olympus and Pentax: -10°C to 40°C (14°F to 104°F) for their professional cameras.
p.22 #9 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
sebboh wrote:
fwiw i've shot with my crappy nex-3 in much colder temperatures (~5-12 degress F) for 3 hours on 2 batteries (first one lasted till the nearly the 3 hour mark) with no problems and it uses the same batteries. i think sony is probably a little conservative with operating temperature numbers.
That mirrors my experience. But we were using manual lenses, AF and OSS drain the battery much faster in my experience.
p.22 #10 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
naturephoto1 wrote:
I am a little surprised regarding the camera's operating ranges of 32 degrees F to 104 degrees F (0 degrees C to 40 degrees C).
Do you think that Sony will come out with an external battery with a wire for colder temperatures or do you think that swapping out batteries will cut it in the cold? I ordered 3 extra batteries for my Pre-order of the A7r. I hope that by keeping the batteries warm in my jacket it will be sufficient to keeping the camera operating in the cold. 32 degrees F really isn't that cold to operate a camera. I also hope that 4 total batteries will be sufficient.
p.22 #11 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Jman13 wrote:
Are these supposed to make me want the camera? Because the more image samples I see, the more I'm glad I'm holding off until we see this thing in the hands of someone who actually knows what to do with a camera. Some of the samples have been well composed, but Sony's JPEG engine made them look like crap up close, while here you have RAWs, but taken with the Sony kit lens on the A7r (there's a reason they don't offer this combo), which looks dreadful, frankly, and the pictures are taken by someone who knows less about how to take a photo than my wife (which she will tell you, is hard to do)....Show more →
In due time I'll give you a preview though - they'll probably look indistinguishable from D800E images
p.22 #12 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I preordered an a7r the day it was announced. After a year with a Nex-6 and a 50 Summilux, various M lenses, and the Sony 16-50 kit lens, an a7r is a no-brainer.
p.22 #14 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I put very little stock in pictures on the internet. Never even read a review of the nex-6 . . . bought it on specs alone and it didn't disappoint. I carry it more than my Leicas, more than my D3s, etc. The a7r will work out just fine for me.
p.22 #16 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
rji2goleez wrote:
Interesting news I just received from Adorama customer service. I ordered the a7R and the 24-70/2.8 Vario-Tessar lens. Everything I have read so far suggests the camera will be available at least a month before the lens, so I called Adorama to make sure the camera gets shipped separate from the lens. The customer service person told me that BOTH camera and lens are due to be shipped the first week of November. This is much sooner than anything I have read publicaly on availability for either item. I'm wondering what if anything others have heard.
Norwegian store Fotovideo now says the 24-70 Vario- Tessar may be available nov 1 st, A7r nov 24th, both dates unconfirmed. Yesterday they said feb 2014 for the 24-70. Seems to be in line with what you heard. I have both on order.
p.22 #17 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
'We (CZ) are currently working on manual focus lenses for these new full-frame CSCs.'
This is huge news, it is a statement of serious intent to support the new format (note: 'new full-frame CSCs', not A7 series) with their top of the line lenses. Zeiss manufacture to the needs of a market and each format gets what the priorities are. It also heralds the permanent status of the a7 series. And these are Zeiss lenses, not Sony/Zeiss, another indication they anticipate success for the new 'format combining two formats'.
The a7r gives them a new set of priorities - highest image quality with compact design and a known target for any residual design problems. It also explains why Sony restricted itself to 'normal' FLs upon release and even that they did rather well - a wider normal for discreet use (35/2.8) and a longer than usual 55mm, for a semi-portrait FL. Filling the lens lineup from the middle out. I do think they need a top flight 85mm with AF..as the AF on the 55mm looks very satisfactory.
They have speced and will provide a WA zoom but the serious heavy lifting for enthusiasts will be the new Zeiss MF program. CZ knows those will be measured against the best ZEFs. Lucky they have completed that range, and those lenses are just too heavy and large to belong when adapted to the a7.
Guess where the best lens R&D and technology will go from now on
p.22 #18 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Still have not seen MTF for the 24-70, is it available anywhere we have seen?
The shutter noise seems fine, the meme grows whenever a camera is more than a hushed muffled snick, suitably recorded at a high level of course...as said above, lets see a single release test of it against a Leica M and a D800..
This Ming character seems to be standard bearer for 4/3. He is incorrigible and insufferable in equal parts, and may (with company) wear egg before long if Sony make the cameras work well with adapters. Not a fan of his testicle-based language either, might be suffering an early onset of 'relevance deprivation disorder' maybe:
'Sony is saying ‘we’re actually consumer; have two 2X-70 zooms and a couple of unexciting primes.’ It seems odd to be so ballsy on the camera side, but completely lack any stones with lenses).'
p.22 #19 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Philip, I just skimmed Ming's preview of the camera. It's not that bad. I know the gullible m43 mafia can get insufferable, but I wouldn't call Ming one of that mafia's Don (now, Steve Huff, there is a m43 mafia Don). Overall, I do find his articles and reviews to be pretty even handed. I do sense that m43 resentment of competitors in his article (as do all m43 posts of how great their one golden camera is), but he does say he hopes the camera does succeed and is innovative. I think if he didn't have a D800E and full set of lenses, he probably would have wanted an A7(r) as much as all of us. It is unfortunate that he couldn't write the article with less resentful words.
They clearly want it to be 'open source', with other lenses on the bodies a big topic of conversation. Up to 15 lenses of theirs, plus the CZ manual focus lenses might quell the criticism somewhat - with a year or so.
"the true great strength of this camera is their capability not to limit α7 and α7R to using only Sony glass. There’s lots of great Full Frame lenses out there and through optional adapters in the market, E-mount camera owners can use numerous highly valued non Sony lenses. From retro glass to some of the latest lenses out there. We are already seeing people test the α7 and α7R out using these adapters.."
Expect plenty of attention on adapters...Sony cannot lose in one sense, if adapters don't stack up well, native lenses will be more popular.
sensor dust:
"the team heard your feedback and the α7 and α7R cameras are equipped with an anti-static coating to help prevent dust and other particles from attaching to the sensor when changing lenses. A mechanism also vibrates ultrasonically to remove any remaining particles."
I'll give you a preview though - they'll probably look indistinguishable from D800E images 