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Archive 2015Sony A7r Setup

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p.1 #1Sony A7r Setup

Since the A7rII is long delayed, I'm planning to rent an A7r for three weeks (there are about 8 days of shooting). I am also renting the Metastones Mark IV Canon adapter as the camera will be used with Canon lenses. What else do I need except the items below?

L Bracket: RRS or other?
Spare Batteries: 5 plus two chargers, but what brand?
Remote Release: Cable or wireless?

Thanks for any advice.

EBH

Apr 21, 2015 at 06:50 PM

TheEmrys

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p.1 #2Sony A7r Setup

Spare batteries: Wasabi
Remote release: cell phone and the app, or the Sony rmt-dslr2, unless you need bulb.

Apr 21, 2015 at 09:34 PM

pdmphoto

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p.1 #3Sony A7r Setup

L bracket: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEEWER-Quick-Release-L-Plate-QR-LB-A7-Bracket-for-Sony-Alpha-7-A7-A7R-USA-/251872888176?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa4cb4570

Apr 21, 2015 at 11:11 PM

mcbroomf

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p.1 #4Sony A7r Setup

What storage do you use with Canon's? I have all CF and the Sony will need SD.

Apr 22, 2015 at 03:13 AM

dgdg

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p.1 #5Sony A7r Setup

Make sure your L bracket can mount onto the metabones base. For heavier lenses, you may want to do this. if you are using tilt shift, you'll need an extra spacer between the metabones and bracket for full shift. See Fred's review of the a7r.
All the cable releases I have found go straight out, not an L. Test your portrait orientation.

Apr 22, 2015 at 05:01 AM

psharvic

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p.1 #6Sony A7r Setup

dgdg wrote:
Make sure your L bracket can mount onto the metabones base. For heavier lenses, you may want to do this. if you are using tilt shift, you'll need an extra spacer between the metabones and bracket for full shift. See Fred's review of the a7r.
All the cable releases I have found go straight out, not an L. Test your portrait orientation.

Agree, that you want the L on the Metabones. The Hejnar work well.

Apr 22, 2015 at 05:23 AM

Beni

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p.1 #7Sony A7r Setup

pdmphoto wrote:
L bracket: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEEWER-Quick-Release-L-Plate-QR-LB-A7-Bracket-for-Sony-Alpha-7-A7-A7R-USA-/251872888176?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aa4cb4570

And it even works on the old RRS lever release. It's totally worth it over the more expensive options IMO.

Apr 22, 2015 at 06:29 AM

dgdg

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p.1 #8Sony A7r Setup

The only added benefit of the more expensive RRS A7R bracket is that the side plate can slide out allowing extra room for a straight cable release in portrait orientation, not knocking into your ballhead. An Arca swiss spacer would work too if you have one. If only there was a remote that had an L shape connector like my cheap Canon remotes, it'd be a non issue. Oh well. Decisions, decisions....

Apr 22, 2015 at 09:52 AM

TheEmrys

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p.1 #9Sony A7r Setup

I use the high end SanDisks. They were the primary creator of SecureDigital card. High speed helps a ton for buffer flushes so you can shoot again.

Apr 22, 2015 at 09:53 AM

mcbroomf

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p.1 #10Sony A7r Setup

Do you need (good) fast AF for anything during your test? To my mind the metabones is really just a manual focus smart adapter (ie to give you aperture control) as the AF is so slow. If you think you'll need AF then consider renting an E mount lens, maybe the 55/1.8.

I think Wasabi make a dual battery charger.

I second the L plate + spacer setup for T/S lenses if you use them. The only issue is that if you keep a separate L plate on the body it will have to come off before you can mount the metabones + L plate

Apr 22, 2015 at 02:27 PM

coogee

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p.1 #11Sony A7r Setup

Another vote on the alternative option for the L Plate setup - mount from the adapter not camera - I use this as it works well with TSE lenses but I also have the cheap ebay body L plate linked above. I prefer using the Hejnar where possible.
http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/metabones2lb22.htm

I use a cheap eBay wireless remote, works fine, cheap enough to buy 10 and just treat them as disposable. There are thousands on eBay from HK, little black/orange things.
For landscape use, they are more than adequate, but you do need to point at the front of the camera (which is easy enough even when standing behind.)

I have the Sony Wired Remote and never use it, it's far less convenient.

Apr 22, 2015 at 06:11 PM

EB-1

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p.1 #12Sony A7r Setup

Thanks, all. I did not realize the L bracket would be so complicated with the metastones adapter. I will be using the Canon 24 TSE II, 24-70/2.8, and 70-200/4 IS. Do I need two Metastones adapters? I don't think the L bracket would be good hanging from the adapter when a 70-200 lens collar is attached to the tripod.

EBH

Apr 23, 2015 at 09:15 PM

EB-1

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p.1 #13Sony A7r Setup

TheEmrys wrote:
I use the high end SanDisks. They were the primary creator of SecureDigital card. High speed helps a ton for buffer flushes so you can shoot again.

I only have a few (5?) of the 32GB Extreme Pro cards. I think it is enough for a day. I can add a couple 64GB cards if needed.

EBH

Apr 23, 2015 at 09:17 PM

EB-1

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p.1 #14Sony A7r Setup

mcbroomf wrote:
Do you need (good) fast AF for anything during your test? To my mind the metabones is really just a manual focus smart adapter (ie to give you aperture control) as the AF is so slow. If you think you'll need AF then consider renting an E mount lens, maybe the 55/1.8.

I think Wasabi make a dual battery charger.

I second the L plate + spacer setup for T/S lenses if you use them. The only issue is that if you keep a separate L plate on the body it will have to come off before you can mount the metabones...Show more →

This is for landscapes only. I assume there is some sort of live view or manual focus aid. Slow AF would be better than none if it is accurate.

EBH

Apr 23, 2015 at 09:18 PM

coogee

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p.1 #15Sony A7r Setup

MF is very very easy for landscapes. You can set the camera up for WYSIWYG (my preference) - it's all through the menus and 'Live View Setting Effect (ON I think)? Or is it OFF, I forget.
Then use the zoom function to quickly get in close for precise focus. Press once, focus box appears press again you zoom in, press again, even closer.
You get Live View on the rear screen and through the EVF, you just touch the shutter to deactivate the zooming in, or scroll around to your desired focus point.

I wouldn't bother with AF on non-proprietary lenses for Landscape use personally, it will be much slower/less satisfying, ymmv.

I would have thought having the L Plate (tripod mounted) on the Adapter, rather than the Camera Body, would be the least stressful solution, but I don't use lenses as big as 70-2/300 zooms. That way the adapter takes the weight of -> the lens or -> camera, rather than the big heavy lens -> pulling on the adapter -> pulling on the camera?

Apr 23, 2015 at 11:49 PM

mcbroomf

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p.1 #16Sony A7r Setup

EB-1 wrote:
Thanks, all. I did not realize the L bracket would be so complicated with the metastones adapter. I will be using the Canon 24 TSE II, 24-70/2.8, and 70-200/4 IS. Do I need two Metastones adapters? I don't think the L bracket would be good hanging from the adapter when a 70-200 lens collar is attached to the tripod.

EBH
No, just take an allen key (+ spare) with you if it will foul it so that you can pop off the L plate. I don't think for a testing it's worthwhile getting 2 Metabones adapters. If you decide to buy then it's worth it IMO. I keep one with the L plate and spacer dedicated to the 17 and 24 TSE's and others with no L plate for use with other lenses which have EF mounts.

Apr 24, 2015 at 10:42 AM

EB-1

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p.1 #17Sony A7r Setup

I will get the L bracket with spacer for one adapter that would be used with the shorter lenses, and then another adapter for the collared lenses.

This is not exactly a test. It will be the last time for over two years that I will doing a purely landscape trip. Who knows by 2017 if I'll be allowed to do any more.

EBH

Apr 24, 2015 at 11:16 PM

mttran

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p.1 #18Sony A7r Setup

Try this new touchless shutter app: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6583883987/sony-introduces-touchless-shutter-app?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Apr 26, 2015 at 01:04 AM

DavidBM

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p.1 #19Sony A7r Setup

Unless I'm very confused the A7rII hasn't been announced, so how can it be delayed?

Apr 26, 2015 at 01:15 AM

DavidBM

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p.1 #20Sony A7r Setup

But on other questions:
Do you really need five batteries? I have three, but have *never* used the third. It may depend how much time you spend looking through the viewfinder, or in the menus. It also of course depends on how many exposures you make: if you rattle off lots of pictures in fast continuous mode I suppose you might. But that doesn't sound like the kind of photography you'd be renting an A7r for.

Remote: the remote app and your phone is an excellent combo (but remember to set up the remote apps own menu settings to mirror what you prefer on the camera; an annoying feature of the apps is that they don't just take on board what the cameras current settings are. But the app settings are durable to next time you use the app, so it's a one off job). It allows remote focus with AF lenses which is great.

The cheaper L brackets you can buy on Ebay are much cheaper than RSSS, and just as bombproof and well fitting. I use the iShoot. Hejnar make good spacers you can use.

Also if you are using the lens collar you may want to take the L bracket off the adapter.

Of course it'll be OK, but Jim Kasson and others have tested longish lenses and found the most shutter shock with the A7r comes about when they are mounted via the lens collar or the adapter. Mounting via the camera holds the camera stiller. On the other hand, it also risks the mount. I generally mount the FE 70-200 via the camera and don't use the lens collar (though if there ever is a shackles high MP model I'll certainly be using the collar). On the other hand if you are going to adapt the Canon, which is a tiny bit larger than the FE and sticks out 3cm further with the adapter, I think I'd go with the lens collar or the adapter, and not worry about shock (which will likely just take your 36Mp down to 24 in effect anyway)

Apr 26, 2015 at 01:28 AM

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