This image made me think about what numerous people have been asking for, during the last years. Namely a "digital Nikon FM2" or similar. And, here it is. The design is in my opinion beautiful. Retro, but still super functional and modern looking. I'm having a hard time trying to understand those of you who don't like it. If the label said "Nikon" or whatever-brand-you-like, I'm sure you wouldn't be so negative about it.
This is more than we could ever have hoped for; certainly at the current pricing. Seriously, it has got everything a MF connoiseur could ask for.
Edit: Even if it doesn't do good with some RF lenses, it can take any SLR lens; probably with better IQ than on any other existing camera. And you wouldn't whine about a retro SLR that did that, would you?
p.23 #3 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I have wanted a digital FE, but I was thinking of something like this but with a mirrorbox and a really huge, bright, well-tuned OVF for manual focus. But this will do.
p.23 #5 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
But I think therein lies e issue. You can't even begin to compare he a7/r with a dslr or lens selections.
If someone wants full frame with wide angle - what would one do, grab an adaptor and buy a sony? Telephone of that's fast, same thing? Flash capabilities?
I don't see people fully utilizing their dslr or even mft systems bake to say (for now) time to buy the new sony system. It's going to take time, and again, it's awesome,,, it awesome with slow lenses and other shortcomings. Again, great for manual focus alt glass adaptation maybe,...depending how wide..no in body stabilization is a bummer. I'm not sure which I'd choose. Probably the less expensive with better at, if lenses were there..,but if adapting I guess the more expensive with no aa
As far as mft mafia, I'd cross huff off that list. He's far more into sony at this point. Sony and Leica. sflxn wrote:
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....Show more →
p.23 #6 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
The a7r is growing on me. Uh-oh.
Size wise... hard to compare with the NEX-7 + 24mm Sonnar but I know I'd prefer the a7r for a variety of reasons and the overall size difference is not large at all.
Size comparison between Fujifilm X-E2, Sony a7r w/35mm, Sony NEX-7 with 24mm Sonnar, and the D800 I'm shooting mostly now with a lens as large as my Sigma 35/1.4DG.
p.23 #7 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
carstenw wrote:
I have wanted a digital FE, but I was thinking of something like this but with a mirrorbox and a really huge, bright, well-tuned OVF for manual focus. But this will do.
Have you tried the EVF of the RX1 Carsten? It's fantastic, and if the Alpha 7 cameras have some sort of reasonably good implementation of fast magnification, these viewfinders will be much, much better for manual focusing than any SLR. The only negative I can come to think of, is blocked shadows in high DR scenes, which could make it difficult to compose.
p.23 #8 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I bought a D800 for the sensor and because I do find the Ricoh GXR to be slow to operate at times. I certainly do not need all the capabilities the D800 has to offer, but I do appreciate all the buttons and ability to quickly adjust operation on the fly and enjoy using it very much and love the image quality.
Putting aside focus reliability with some optics, the only two major things I do not like about the D800 are:
* Live view sucks, particularly noticeable after using nothing but mirror-less live-view-excellent cameras for a number of years.
* Size
* Weight
Ok size, weight, and volume can be collapsed into one bullet point... but they are important to me. I am not carrying the D800 everywhere I go - that lasted about six months. In contrast I carried a NEX or Ricoh GXR with at least one lens (ZM25 mostly) everywhere, every day, for more than two years.
If the FE 35/2.8 were a FE 35/2.0 or 1.8... even at the expense of a little more length and weight... I bet I'd already have ordered camera and lens. But realistically given I shot, happily, a ZM25/2.8 on APS-C format, for a couple of years, I'm not likely to find the f/2.8 be all that disagreeable.
Is there a FE lens roadmap? I'd like to see a f/1.8 or f/2-ish 85mm before too long. A two lens kit and the a7r would address a large percentage of my needs... and be small and light enough to be with me all the time. Again.
p.23 #9 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
michaelwatkins wrote:
I bought a D800 for the sensor and because I do find the Ricoh GXR to be slow to operate at times. I certainly do not need all the capabilities the D800 has to offer, but I do appreciate all the buttons and ability to quickly adjust operation on the fly and enjoy using it very much and love the image quality.
Putting aside focus reliability with some optics, the only two major things I do not like about the D800 are:
* Live view sucks, particularly noticeable after using nothing but mirror-less live-view-excellent cameras for a number of years.
* Size
* Weight
Ok size, weight, and volume can be collapsed into one bullet point... but they are important to me. I am not carrying the D800 everywhere I go - that lasted about six months. In contrast I carried a NEX or Ricoh GXR with at least one lens (ZM25 mostly) everywhere, every day, for more than two years.
If the FE 35/2.8 were a FE 35/2.0 or 1.8... even at the expense of a little more length and weight... I bet I'd already have ordered camera and lens. But realistically given I shot, happily, a ZM25/2.8 on APS-C format, for a couple of years, I'm not likely to find the f/2.8 be all that disagreeable.
Is there a FE lens roadmap? I'd like to see a f/1.8 or f/2-ish 85mm before too long. A two lens kit and the a7r would address a large percentage of my needs... and be small and light enough to be with me all the time. Again....Show more →
The roadmap shows a wide angle Zeiss zoom, a fast Zeiss prime, and a G macro lens. If I had to take a guess, the fast Zeiss prime will probably be a 85mm f1.8 or f2.0.
p.23 #10 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Why not keep what you have and add an rx1/r then?
michaelwatkins wrote:
I bought a D800 for the sensor and because I do find the Ricoh GXR to be slow to operate at times. I certainly do not need all the capabilities the D800 has to offer, but I do appreciate all the buttons and ability to quickly adjust operation on the fly and enjoy using it very much and love the image quality.
Putting aside focus reliability with some optics, the only two major things I do not like about the D800 are:
* Live view sucks, particularly noticeable after using nothing but mirror-less live-view-excellent cameras for a number of years.
* Size
* Weight
Ok size, weight, and volume can be collapsed into one bullet point... but they are important to me. I am not carrying the D800 everywhere I go - that lasted about six months. In contrast I carried a NEX or Ricoh GXR with at least one lens (ZM25 mostly) everywhere, every day, for more than two years.
If the FE 35/2.8 were a FE 35/2.0 or 1.8... even at the expense of a little more length and weight... I bet I'd already have ordered camera and lens. But realistically given I shot, happily, a ZM25/2.8 on APS-C format, for a couple of years, I'm not likely to find the f/2.8 be all that disagreeable.
Is there a FE lens roadmap? I'd like to see a f/1.8 or f/2-ish 85mm before too long. A two lens kit and the a7r would address a large percentage of my needs... and be small and light enough to be with me all the time. Again....Show more →
p.23 #11 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
h00ligan wrote:
Why not keep what you have and add an rx1/r then?
Yup, that's a direction I'm already considering. For day to day use the RX1r would suit me fine. More than fine.
For travel... then I'm back to carting two systems around the world just for focal length diversity with a great sensor behind the lenses.
Or outdoors... backpacking into the coastal range this summer I decided to forgo my GXR and a couple of small lenses and instead lug the D800 and three lenses and assorted other stuff, in a huge and heavy backpack which also included dinner for 2 adults and 11 hungry teenager soccer players, along with other camping gear. Better I should get the kids to carry the food next time I think. I planned that trip poorly... didn't research/realize the night sky would be moonless and the night sky was simply amazing but I'd not had room or capacity to cart up a tripod. Wish I'd had the GXR and a lens with a hard infinity stop with me at the very least.
For my needs I think I'd be happier going with a smaller, lighter, less voluminous system over all but I don't want to make any changes right now unless I'm sure my itch for a smaller interchangeable system is the one I really want to scratch.
p.23 #13 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Sounds far too reasonable
Im actially pulling my rx1 from the buy sell and adding some dslr lemses to tje section. At ehich pint i will have uwa and portrait lems with 2 strobes for the but or work stuff i do and rx1/100 for trips, photlwalks, day to,day.
michaelwatkins wrote:
Yup, that's a direction I'm already considering. For day to day use the RX1r would suit me fine. More than fine.
For travel... then I'm back to carting two systems around the world just for focal length diversity with a great sensor behind the lenses.
Or outdoors... backpacking into the coastal range this summer I decided to forgo my GXR and a couple of small lenses and instead lug the D800 and three lenses and assorted other stuff, in a huge and heavy backpack which also included dinner for 2 adults and 11 hungry teenager soccer players, along with other camping gear. Better I should get the kids to carry the food next time I think. I planned that trip poorly... didn't research/realize the night sky would be moonless and the night sky was simply amazing but I'd not had room or capacity to cart up a tripod. Wish I'd had the GXR and a lens with a hard infinity stop with me at the very least.
For my needs I think I'd be happier going with a smaller, lighter, less voluminous system over all but I don't want to make any changes right now unless I'm sure my itch for a smaller interchangeable system is the one I really want to scratch....Show more →
p.23 #15 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Makten wrote:
This image made me think about what numerous people have been asking for, during the last years. Namely a "digital Nikon FM2" or similar. And, here it is. The design is in my opinion beautiful. Retro, but still super functional and modern looking. I'm having a hard time trying to understand those of you who don't like it. If the label said "Nikon" or whatever-brand-you-like, I'm sure you wouldn't be so negative about it.
This is more than we could ever have hoped for; certainly at the current pricing. Seriously, it has got everything a MF connoiseur could ask for.
Edit: Even if it doesn't do good with some RF lenses, it can take any SLR lens; probably with better IQ than on any other existing camera. And you wouldn't whine about a retro SLR that did that, would you?...Show more →
Funny you mentioned Nikon F camera. After seeing few less than positive remarks posted on FM regarding A7/r size, shape, its 'hump', etc. I immediately checked how it compares to be beloved Nikon FE2.
Almost perfect! I do wish A7/r was a bit larger for a more comfortable handling, but perhaps it handles alright already. Will see when I pick up mine A7r on November 27th.
p.23 #16 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Makes me want to throw a roll in my FE-2 again.... Almost. I'd like to see firsthand how the grip and controls are laid out on the A7. Some grips feel great in the hand and others feel rather awkward....
p.23 #17 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I asked this earlier but didn't see any response. Does anyone know what the flash options are? Does it have a mount that will work with pocket wizards or other wireless triggers?
p.23 #19 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
So all Sony really did was return fully featured 35mm cameras to the size they were for decades, but also took off width and depth and decreased weight by 15%.
michael, what works very well is two cameras of the same maker, same menus and ergonomics and way of working, even post processing. This is already pretty good for me with RX1 and a99, will be even better with a7r. The shutter button might not be perfectly positioned, we'lll see.
After watching the SAR video guy wave the camera around like a flyswatter my guess is the grip is pretty good, unless he had loads of out takes retrieveing the camera he threw into the bushes, lol. Better than the one on the FE2, anyway, and you get more than 36 shots on an SD 'roll'. Same lens will fit too.
It was a wonderful camera, people back then preferred the FM2 for all manual operation from memory. I had an SRT-101 but liked the FE2 very much.
p.23 #20 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
you see comments here and there to the effect that mighty Canon and Nikon are watching the mirrorless market in general and the new Sonys in particular from their lofty perch, ready to pounce and sweep away the pesky newcomer with a display of product prowess that will steal the mirrorless market overnight.
Lloyd Chambers obviously sees things a little differently (as do I):
'..the folks over at Nikon and Canon might want to change their soiled underwear: the Sony A7R (and A7) are the cameras that could really eat into the sales of the inertial nothing-really-new-its-still-2008 DSLRs. Heck, neither company has yet to understand than an EVF is a terrific addition to any camera.'
'Try finding a tilt screen on a Nikon or Canon full-frame DSLR.'
Here, here. One explanation of your lack of market awareness and responsiveness in the present might be your very success in the past. Sony look hungrier and more respectful of their user demographics. They want to give people what they want. They listen to feedback.
$2300 for the a7r is just sick. It might just be the best IQ body made, and for that money..
I planned that trip poorly... didn't research/realize the night sky would be moonless and the night sky was simply amazing but I'd not had room or capacity to cart up a tripod. Wish I'd had the GXR and a lens with a hard infinity stop with me at the very least.