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Archive 2013 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless

  
 
sebboh
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p.97 #1 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


Tariq Gibran wrote:
Um...besides a full selection of native lenses? Sorry, couldn't resist.


yeah, it sounded like carsten was just talking about camera features.




Nov 28, 2013 at 10:30 PM
charles.K
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p.97 #2 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


Picture This! wrote:
Wondering what adapters the new A7* owners are buying.. I'm trying to pick up some Minolta, Leica R, Nikon F to E mount adapters. Looked at threads on the same here but still a bit confused about what to get. Novoflex, Metabones, Fotodiox, Voigtlander, Hawk etc

What are you guys buying ?


I have opted for two Novaflex adapters particularly for the A7r with the 36MP's. Having had all my M lenses carefully calibrated at Camera Clinic in Melbourne, I am so wary of tolerances and any bit of play. So far the Novaflex has very tight tolerances, and I have had no issues with the 24 Lux and 50 Lux where there has been some variable feedback on these. If I find there is any movement, I have spoken to Wayne, the head technician, and he will do the micro adjustment to the adapters to suit. I don't find this any different to having the M lenses, CLA'd and adjusted to suit the M240.



Nov 28, 2013 at 11:47 PM
Picture This!
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p.97 #3 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


thanks for the inputs. Think I'm going to pick up the metabones (whenever they're back in stock).


Nov 29, 2013 at 12:54 AM
michaelwatkins
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p.97 #4 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


While I find myself nodding in agreement at times with Carsten's last, this stuck out:

carstenw wrote:
and a tiny battery, for which no adequate justification could be given.


Really? Plainly it's a size thing... but also a system compatibility issue. Personally I could care less if the packs are compatible with the rest of the NEX line-up, but I can see why they might prefer to keep the same pack to make it easier on those maintaining both systems.

Good decision or bad? Meh, they would be hamstrung by size anyway. Hopefully, and I mean this sincerely, another change we'll see from Sony is an honest to goodness firmware update on a regular schedule at least until these early cameras have the software addressable warts (like power conservation) ironed out. I know that's counter to Sony's normal modus operandi but there's still some reason to hope change may come on that front.

Regardless... carrying a few small very light spare packs isn't the end of the world. Hopefully packs can be changed without taking tripod mount plates off.


Possibly the only FF mount worse for digital than F-mount, and yet the newest FF mount of any camera.

Having just argued compatibility it is hard to argue otherwise for E mount.

But... if they were going to burn bridges between NEX and A7 class cameras, I bet many of us would have been quite ok with that. Pick a deeper mount - not too deep, not too shallow - narrow enough to still facilitate making very small cameras. Yeah, I would have digged that.

IF it made a difference.

I wonder if they investigated that line of thought and did engineering samples? Or was it E mount come hell or high water?

At any rate... it need not be painful to adopt the camera. One can always wait until the gaps are filled in some.



Nov 29, 2013 at 01:27 AM
ulrikft2
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p.97 #5 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


carstenw wrote:
Well..., this is both spot-on, and also terribly unjust to anyone who has a legitimate beef with one aspect or another with one or both of these cameras.

The thing that is so interesting about these cameras is that they simultanously have very good full-frame sensors, interchangeable lenses with a short registration distance (also implying a small camera), and a high-res EVF. There isn't really anything else compelling about them, and if you are uninterested in one of these features, there are other choices, many of which are better.

Size, for me, isn't all that compelling. If I were only carrying one
...Show more

You start off stating that size isn't important to you, and I think you maybe should have stopped there.

1) "There isn't really anything else compelling about them" - I find the control system compelling, I find the magnesium build/weather sealing compelling, I find sony's focus magnify/peaking compelling, I find the design quite fetching, I find the ergonomics quite good.. etc.

2) The controls (granted, I've just tested it briefly, and I'm partially familiar with the system from my nex cameras) are great. I've yet to see any cameras as easy to customize and easy to use as the sony mirrorless family.

3) I think the battery continuity is nice. I have 4-5-6 batteries from my other nex-cameras lying around, I have 3 chargers and I don't mind having an extra battery or two in my bag.

4) Your gripes with the mount seem to be mainly related to rf wides. Not sure if the mount has created any other problems at all? Are there any other lenses that show issues?

5) I think the initial lens lineup is quite nice. It is quite condescending to assume some kind of post-justifying just because someone do not share your opinion on this topic.

Usually, I agree with you on most issues, but when it comes to the A7(r)-release, it seems that you have really gotten a bee in your bonnet and I think that part of your criticism is rather unfair and unreasonable.



Nov 29, 2013 at 02:24 AM
alundeb
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p.97 #6 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


carstenw wrote:
Possibly the only FF mount worse for digital than F-mount, and yet the newest FF mount of any camera. Too narrow, *too small registration distance* (yes, I said it, it is much shorter than anyone needs, and was only done because some Sony git wanted to show off), has given us an initial lens lineup which no one is automatically happy with, and everyone is post-justifying to each other. Too slow, too limited in focal lengths, and a sort of trying to please all but pleasing no one distribution.

How can the mount be worse than the M-mount as long as the adapter does not obstruct the light path? The problems with M-mount lenses are not at all related to the mount.
Have anybody reported problems with EF mount lenses and mechanical vignetting?
Have anybody reported problems with A-mount lenses and mechanical vignetting?
How can the FF E-mount possibly be worse than any of these major mounts?



Nov 29, 2013 at 03:50 AM
freaklikeme
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p.97 #7 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


Tariq Gibran wrote:
Um...besides a full selection of native lenses? Sorry, couldn't resist.


Pfft. Details.

Gentlemen, it should be obvious by now that owning one of these cameras will not only make you a better photographer, it will make you sexually desirable, end world hunger, and likely lead to a cure for cancer. So suck it up, stop raining on the faithful parade with all your logic and opinions, and freakin' buy one already.



Nov 29, 2013 at 03:56 AM
carstenw
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p.97 #8 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


naturephoto1 wrote:
You gain the ability to mount almost any 35mm SLR/DSLR lens ever made for any camera system, the ability to mount most medium format lenses, and this is the first FF camera that has the ability to mount Leica and other M-mount lenses some of which will perform quite well.


Medium format lenses can also be mounted on his Nikon. M mount lenses can also be mounted on the Leica M series cameras, obviously, as can various DSLR ansd medium format lenses (on the Leica M). The Sony A7/A7R add focusing anywhere on the sensor and a cheap price.



Nov 29, 2013 at 04:13 AM
carstenw
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p.97 #9 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


Tariq Gibran wrote:
I agree as well...but one major advantage/ gain over a D800e is much, much superior Live View. One also, of course, gains the ability to adapt many lenses that are not adaptable to Nikon.


As much I am not fond of the D800's live view, I have never missed focus with it, so this is more of an aesthetic concern, isn't it?



Nov 29, 2013 at 04:14 AM
philber
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p.97 #10 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


I ma not sure that it is as minor as that; I have seen at least two reports that perfect focus on the Zeiss Otus is almost impossible to achieve optically with any measure of certainty, and that the weakness of the implementation of LiveView doesn't help....


Nov 29, 2013 at 04:16 AM
carstenw
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p.97 #11 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


sebboh wrote:
out of curiosity what compelling items do other FF cameras have that this lacks. to my mind it's better tracking AF and better build (but only some of them actually have better build).


Native lens lineups worth mentioning, existing flash systems, and so on. These are complete systems. This doesn't carry much weight for a non-flash-using, alt-lens-using photographer, but it is there. Superior ergonomics I would add, but this is clearly a personal matter.

after using the rx1 for a bit, i've come to the conclusion that i like sony's ergonomics better than canons or nikons for the most part btw.

I am not sure what "Sony ergonomics" should be? NEX? Cybershot? RX1? SLT? They are all different.



Nov 29, 2013 at 04:17 AM
carstenw
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p.97 #12 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


philber wrote:
I ma not sure that it is as minor as that; I have seen at least two reports that perfect focus on the Zeiss Otus is almost impossible to achieve optically with any measure of certainty, and that the weakness of the implementation of LiveView doesn't help....


Some people say... Send me one and I will test it for you. Nikon mount please



Nov 29, 2013 at 04:18 AM
waterden
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p.97 #13 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


My preferred adapters are Novoflex and Metabones. The Novoflex seem better built to me and, while expensive, this cost is generally minimal by comparison with its utility value. For example, I have a couple of larger Leica R lenses for which I have replaced the original bayonets with Leitax conversions. These are excellent but restrict the use of these lenses to Canon EOS bodies. That was fine before the NEX came along. When this occurred I added Novoflex Leicar R- Nex and R-EOS adapters for the smaller R lenses. These are extremely accurately manufactured and allow flexibility between systems although the Leitax adapters are perhaps a better solution if one is happy with being restricted to one system.


Nov 29, 2013 at 04:20 AM
carstenw
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p.97 #14 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


michaelwatkins wrote:
While I find myself nodding in agreement at times with Carsten's last, this stuck out:

Really?


Yes, the size of the camera is smaller than anyone needs. Especially thinner. They could easily have made room for a bigger battery. There have been reports here of two hours of use under normal conditions. WTF? So if you go out for the day, you need four batteries? This is one of those "we are the best in the world at making small electronic devices so let's make it as small as we can to impress everyone" things. Bad thinking.

I use L-brackets when I go out. I doubt I can get at the battery with that placement.



Nov 29, 2013 at 04:22 AM
carstenw
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p.97 #15 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


alundeb wrote:
How can the mount be worse than the M-mount as long as the adapter does not obstruct the light path? The problems with M-mount lenses are not at all related to the mount.
Have anybody reported problems with EF mount lenses and mechanical vignetting?
Have anybody reported problems with A-mount lenses and mechanical vignetting?
How can the FF E-mount possibly be worse than any of these major mounts?


The mechanical vignetting is in the lenses, no?

The E mount obstructs the straight path to a FF sensor, for crying out loud! And the contacts didn't benefit from typical Sony minituarisation, apparently. It could have been much better, and should have been.

And for whoever mentioned the helical adapters for M mount lenses, that is obviously an unintended side-effect, given how poor these sensor work with even mildly wide rangefinder lenses. Yeah, neat, but not planned.

On the whole, the cameras are a major achievement, and will undoubtedly take their place in history and the hearts of FM Alt members in good standing, but with a little more thinking this could have been so much better.



Nov 29, 2013 at 04:27 AM
carstenw
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p.97 #16 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


ulrikft2 wrote:
1) "There isn't really anything else compelling about them" - I find the control system compelling, I find the magnesium build/weather sealing compelling, I find sony's focus magnify/peaking compelling, I find the design quite fetching, I find the ergonomics quite good.. etc.


Ergonomics are personal. The rest is not new, just the same old. And the A7 has magnesium only on the back.

2) The controls (granted, I've just tested it briefly, and I'm partially familiar with the system from my nex cameras) are great. I've yet to see any cameras as easy to customize and easy to use as the sony mirrorless family.

Repeat point.

3) I think the battery continuity is nice. I have 4-5-6 batteries from my other nex-cameras lying around, I have 3 chargers and I don't mind having an extra battery or two in my bag.

"Let's reward the suckers who already have a bag full of our batteries". Seriously, how much smaller is an A7 plus 4-5-6 batteries than a DSLR with one inside the camera?

4) Your gripes with the mount seem to be mainly related to rf wides. Not sure if the mount has created any other problems at all? Are there any other lenses that show issues?

RF wides, and very, very importantly: fast AF lens support. How on earth they will make even a compact 50/1.4 with strong corners is beyond me. I think they shot themselves in the foot with this mount. Everything will have to be tele-centric to avoid corner problems, and narrow to avoid vignetting in the corners. Today is a short time in history, and they have to live with this mount for a long time. At least 6 months until the next Sony system, no doubt.

5) I think the initial lens lineup is quite nice. It is quite condescending to assume some kind of post-justifying just because someone do not share your opinion on this topic.

Is it what you would have chosen? 35/2.8 and 28-70/3.5-5.6 on release? 24-70/4 and 50/1.8 after a few months? Look at what Fuji did. This is pathetic. It might work for some, but it is truly pathetic.

Usually, I agree with you on most issues, but when it comes to the A7(r)-release, it seems that you have really gotten a bee in your bonnet and I think that part of your criticism is rather unfair and unreasonable.

I don't think so. Sony just hasn't really thought anything through here after getting the basic package right (with a semi-unsuitable mount). As I said, I don't hate these cameras, and might even buy one, if I like the focusing system, but when I think what a wonderful system they could have had on their hands if they had spent just a little more time thinking, wow!

My feeling about this system is a frustrated one of "so close". For anyone who builds systems around their habit, this is not nearly as wonderful a camera as for those who have a random bunch of alt lenses and just need a camera and a couple of adapters.



Nov 29, 2013 at 04:33 AM
alundeb
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p.97 #17 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


carstenw wrote:
On the whole, the cameras are a major achievement, and will undoubtedly take their place in history and the hearts of FM Alt members in good standing, but with a little more thinking this could have been so much better.


I know you were hoping for a totally new mount for a Sony FF mirrorless, but seriously that would require more than just "a little thinking".

Don't try to make the FF E-mount look as the worst mount in history when it actually embraces all the old mounths and then some.



Nov 29, 2013 at 05:00 AM
freaklikeme
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p.97 #18 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


carstenw wrote:
existing flash systems


To be fair, there is an existing flash system. Most people won't find the HVL 60 or 43 the size they want for camera, but you can always use the 20 as a trigger for other flashes. Presumably the remote triggers that work on the a99 will also work on the new As.



Nov 29, 2013 at 05:06 AM
freaklikeme
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p.97 #19 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


alundeb wrote:
I know you were hoping for a totally new mount for a Sony FF mirrorless, but seriously that would require more than just "a little thinking".

Don't try to make the FF E-mount look as the worst mount in history when it actually embraces all the old mounths and then some.


But isn't it fair to question it if it makes native-mount lens design more complicated and forces longer designs than a wider, slightly deeper mount might?

Personally, I'm thrilled with the cameras as is, but if I cared at all about native-mount glass, I would be wondering what kind of design compromises will be made in the coming lenses in order to accommodate the E-mount and register.



Nov 29, 2013 at 05:12 AM
JonathanP
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p.97 #20 · Official: Sony A7 and A7R Fullframe Mirrorless


I must be being a bit dense here - I don't understand why a shallower mount is a disadvantage. It doesn't prevent a lens design that requires a longer glass<>sensor distance, that lens simply needs a longer housing (but overall no worse than an equivalent shorter tube on a fatter body). The shallower mount does offer the extra flexibility and compromises that can be used to create shorter lenses if required. I don't see a downside to that?

I'm finding the size of my A7R just right for my requirements.



Nov 29, 2013 at 05:29 AM
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