p.50 #1 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
philip_pj wrote:
I have read 42 settings...is this the most customisable camera?
Unfortunately, not all 42 settings are available for each Cx button. I for instance was not able to assign focus magnification to C1 (the small one on the top plate). So I assigned it to C2, which I felt was awkwardly placed on the rear in the top step, I had difficulty reaching this one without altering my grip. I did not try assigning it to the AEL button like on my NEX6. Note this was a pre-production cam so it could change with firmware.
I've been reading a lot of reviews praising the ergonomics, but I think they've clearly messed up a couple of small details: recessing controls in the rear top step, placement of the Fn button, and the biggest offender is the front wheel. Don't get me wrong, it will still be very nice and I knew this before placing my pre-order, but with so much going right for these cams you have to question what they were thinking with these details.
p.50 #3 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
philip_pj wrote:
a99 has two steps of focus magnification: one press activates the function (dunno why they need this step for a custom function), next press is 5.7x and second press is 11.7x - as in your 100mm lens turns into a 1170mm...
The first press brings up the bounding box that you can then move into position with the joystick, so you can magnify without reframing in case your subject isn't dead center. Then you don't have to go back to full view to check your framing. You can just fire from the magnified view. It'll also remember where you put the bounding box and default to that position until you turn the camera off.
p.50 #4 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I want to be able to skip the little box call-up as there are easy workarounds for off-centre subjects and it's slow and of limited value for many use cases.
Since we all have different needs, options count. I believe a one touch magnification with user specification of level of magnification - ideally set/remembered for each lens FL - would be a big manual focus win, as you want the subject at the optimal mag'n to be easiest to focus fastest.
E.G. Most portraits are shot near centre, and at a similar distance for a given lens FL...so press the AF/MF for centre spot of say, 8x (determined from testing), then focus ring (or use a rear dial to finetune a new mag'n, then focus), toggle off mag'n, shoot or half press (as the shutter button cancels mag'n). That's my idea spelled out more, and it would not be hard to do. Many times it would be one press, quick focus, shoot. Easier/quicker to do before the person walks away than at present.
I get caught on that last FTTT, and have to move it back again next iteration.
p.50 #5 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
So who wants to speculate on what the new Zeiss MF lenses for E-mount will be?
It'd be sweet if they can make something like the ZM85/2 but without the complications necessary for RF focusing (it has a complicated non-linear coupling, among other things).
Here are some random thoughts
* something like the ZM18/4 but a bit more retrofocal
* probably no 21mm
* 24/25: perhaps an MF version of the ZA24/2. it'd still be pretty big though. Maybe a 25/2.8 is more likely. I don't know if it'd be possible to use a semi-biogon like the ZM or just start over with a Distagon design
* 35: an interesting spot because of the ZA35/2.8, which appears to be excellent. Making a MF version of that simply wouldn't be likely to sell much. There's no way the 35/2 from the RX-1 could be squeezed into the E-mount, but perhaps they could tweak it a bit. On the other hand, remember the rumors about the "fast M-mount lens" from Zeiss that never happened? Perhaps the much-desired 35/1.4 will show up in FE mount instead. Maybe they can pull it off without being much bigger than the 35 Lux. maybe CV35/1.2 sized?
* 50: The ZM50/2 will likely work very well on the A7. And, Sony will have the FE55/1.8. So. . . perhaps a 50/1.4 planar?
* 85/2 Sonnar!
* 135? perhaps an f/4.
p.50 #6 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I, personally, settled on the A7 for my choice. Waffled between the A7/7R and the OMD EM1, but in the end couldn't give up the image quality and high ISO performance that I love coming from my 5DIII.
What adapter, and what, preferably (for the wife's use), AF lenses should I consider besides the native 55 and 35 primes? (I shoot weather, landscapes and some portraits of the little kiddo)
Edit: Am I going to be crazy to try and shoot sports with this if I choose to?
p.50 #7 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
That sounds like a reasonable list Taylor, but bowing to your own arguments I think Zeiss would bring out the 35mm as a fast Sonnar T* 1,4/35mm ZE lens to put more distance between the Sony Zeiss FE35/2.8. Probably some will own both - one for light globe trotting, the other for chasing bokeh and inside work without lighting setups.
Wish the Distagon 2,8/25 was already available. Ok, I want the 18mm too. And the 85. Oh, damn it, a box set.
p.50 #8 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Attention Vancouver BC area photographers -- if you are interested in checking out the A7 and A7r, over the next week there will be two opportunities in our area (and at least one in Victoria, BC) to check out the cameras. Sony advises they are bringing a variety of adapters to each.
It'd be faaaaan-tas-tic if a wide variety of M mount lenses (and other alt-glass) showed up at these events. Please PM me for time and location details.
p.50 #10 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Taylor Sherman wrote:
So who wants to speculate on what the new Zeiss MF lenses for E-mount will be?
It'd be sweet if they can make something like the ZM85/2 but without the complications necessary for RF focusing (it has a complicated non-linear coupling, among other things).
Here are some random thoughts
* something like the ZM18/4 but a bit more retrofocal
* probably no 21mm
* 24/25: perhaps an MF version of the ZA24/2. it'd still be pretty big though. Maybe a 25/2.8 is more likely. I don't know if it'd be possible to use a semi-biogon like the ZM or just start over with a Distagon design
* 35: an interesting spot because of the ZA35/2.8, which appears to be excellent. Making a MF version of that simply wouldn't be likely to sell much. There's no way the 35/2 from the RX-1 could be squeezed into the E-mount, but perhaps they could tweak it a bit. On the other hand, remember the rumors about the "fast M-mount lens" from Zeiss that never happened? Perhaps the much-desired 35/1.4 will show up in FE mount instead. Maybe they can pull it off without being much bigger than the 35 Lux. maybe CV35/1.2 sized?
* 50: The ZM50/2 will likely work very well on the A7. And, Sony will have the FE55/1.8. So. . . perhaps a 50/1.4 planar?
* 85/2 Sonnar!
* 135? perhaps an f/4.
i vote for:
21/4 that is awesome corner to corner wide open and small
28/2 that is reasonably compact
50/1.2 (or faster) noctisonnar
85/2 sonnar
if they can make a manual focus 35/2 in e-mount that is comparable in size and performance to the rx1 lens, then they should do that. otherwise 35/1.4 sounds good.
p.50 #13 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I'd be most interested in a MF 21, f4 would be ok. I think we can rule out this being a biogon. Also would be interested in a 135, I prefer this FL for portraits on FF. it would be nice if it were a F2, but 2.8 would suffice.
As much as I'm looking forward to the Zeiss lenses, I want to see Sigma and Voigtlander get on board with FE. The new Sigma art lenses look great and the build of the Voigtlander M glass.
A rather disappointing weekend, I went back to the Sony store to get some more pics with the A7. But they had all the cams at the manned counter and all had the card slots blocked. They must of caught some unwanted attention from corporate
p.50 #14 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
a99 (and Leaf Credo 60) user Frank Doorhof waxes lyrical about the a7r, and notes much the same things:
'because the AA filter is now gone in the A7r we can welcome that 3D look also into the A7r, it’s still different from the MF files but man this is a step forward compared to the A99 (which also has a very 3D look)'
'I would say that (taking into account the higher resolution sensor) the A7r has at least 1 stop (noise) advantage over the A99'
'you can take away 10MP in exchange for 2 stops more dynamic range any day in my book.'
p.50 #16 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
sebboh wrote:
i vote for:
21/4 that is awesome corner to corner wide open and small
28/2 that is reasonably compact
50/1.2 (or faster) noctisonnar
85/2 sonnar
if they can make a manual focus 35/2 in e-mount that is comparable in size and performance to the rx1 lens, then they should do that. otherwise 35/1.4 sounds good.
Yeah, that's also a good candidate list. Even if the 50 is f/1.4, but it's true that without the mirror box they're freer to make a really fast 50.
I personally would take a 28/2 over a fast 35. I mean, I could almost see myself just selling what I've got and getting that set if they're great.
p.50 #17 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I'm back in South Korea, and I've been asking shops in Seoul about the A7. One told me "next week", another said "two weeks". Should be soon. Price is nice too, W1,700,000 ($1599?) body only.
I was planning on buying used when I could find one, but this changes things.
Desperately trying to find a reasonably-priced 35 or 40 to go on it.
p.50 #18 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
Gregger wrote:
I, personally, settled on the A7 for my choice. Waffled between the A7/7R and the OMD EM1, but in the end couldn't give up the image quality and high ISO performance that I love coming from my 5DIII.
What adapter, and what, preferably (for the wife's use), AF lenses should I consider besides the native 55 and 35 primes? (I shoot weather, landscapes and some portraits of the little kiddo)
Edit: Am I going to be crazy to try and shoot sports with this if I choose to?
I think it depends on which sports. I would not count on good tracking AF without the LEA4 adapter. I am planning to use it as-is for gymnastics, volleyball, dressage - predictable action and/or in the same plane of focus for a long time. Maybe swimming but would take more anticipation.
p.50 #19 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
A 35/1.4 FE distagon would be divine… just as long as it isn't the same size as the ZE I would be ok with something the size of the CV 35/1.2 or even the contax 35/1.4… though I really hope it keeps the 35/1.4 distagons magic 3D pop. An 18mm would be a great focal length as well. Does anyone thing they might release a longish makro-planar (a small cousin to the 100/2 ZE)?
Taylor Sherman wrote:
So who wants to speculate on what the new Zeiss MF lenses for E-mount will be?
It'd be sweet if they can make something like the ZM85/2 but without the complications necessary for RF focusing (it has a complicated non-linear coupling, among other things).
Here are some random thoughts
* something like the ZM18/4 but a bit more retrofocal
* probably no 21mm
* 24/25: perhaps an MF version of the ZA24/2. it'd still be pretty big though. Maybe a 25/2.8 is more likely. I don't know if it'd be possible to use a semi-biogon like the ZM or just start over with a Distagon design
* 35: an interesting spot because of the ZA35/2.8, which appears to be excellent. Making a MF version of that simply wouldn't be likely to sell much. There's no way the 35/2 from the RX-1 could be squeezed into the E-mount, but perhaps they could tweak it a bit. On the other hand, remember the rumors about the "fast M-mount lens" from Zeiss that never happened? Perhaps the much-desired 35/1.4 will show up in FE mount instead. Maybe they can pull it off without being much bigger than the 35 Lux. maybe CV35/1.2 sized?
* 50: The ZM50/2 will likely work very well on the A7. And, Sony will have the FE55/1.8. So. . . perhaps a 50/1.4 planar?
* 85/2 Sonnar!
* 135? perhaps an f/4.
p.50 #20 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless
I would trample over an acre of Fabergé eggs for a 125-150mm Zeiss makro 1:1 with IS that works as well as the Canon 100L. And it should come with a tripod collar too, please.
I would be ok with something the size of the CV 35/1.2 or even the contax 35/1.4… though I really hope it keeps the 35/1.4 distagons magic 3D pop. An 18mm would be a great focal length as well. Does anyone thing they might release a longish makro-planar (a small cousin to the 100/2 ZE)?