Archive 2018 · Manual lenses focusing: A7RII vs A7RIII

Enri
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Manual lenses focusing: A7RII vs A7RIII

I'm planning buying a Sony A7R II or A7R III for shooting manual lenses like Loxia 21 and CV 40 1.2 and 65 2.0.
I now about the relevant different features of these cameras and their impact on IQ differences. I also know about the different specs of their evf as well as the lack of DMF in the A7R II. I too have read some opinions on how better is manual focusing with the A7R III vs the A7R II... but still I wonder whether the advantage of the III model regarding focusing manual lenses makes it almost essential or it JUST makes MF somehow easier and a better experience. In sum: 1. do I REALLY need the A7R III for MF? - 2. how relevant for focusing speed and for precise focusing Is the advantage of the A7R III in still photography at several distances?

Sep 05, 2018 at 02:38 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Manual lenses focusing: A7RII vs A7RIII

Just get the R3 already! The forum is AMAZING and SUPER helpful and has never led me down a dead end road

I have a Sony A7R2, and it is a beautiful camera! This spring I will upgrade to the A7R3, as I only have manual focus lenses, and the touch screen for focus is a life saver. Plus "better" battery life (more expensive by quite a bit) is welcomed, as is the LCD. Plus the feel of the camera is just "right", not that the R2 isn't. Sony really upgraded the A series with the A7R2, since I wasn't really fond of the A7R.

Focusing speed for manual speed is quicker on the A7R3 due to the aforementioned touchscreen, but other than that, they are the same if disabled. AF is better though on the newer camera.

A few things to consider though if you are on the fence;

I just bought four OEM GENUINE Sony (1020 maH) batteries for about $20 each. The A7R3 batteries are much more than that, and harder to come by in the used market. I think two NP-FW50 are the same MAH as the FZ series.

As you know, price is about $1300 + ish difference in the used market. I do think Sony has a deal going on though, but am unsure if it is US only.

Either way, I think you will be happy, but honestly I think you will be happier with the A7R3 if you can swing the A7R3.

Sep 05, 2018 at 03:20 PM

rdeloe
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Manual lenses focusing: A7RII vs A7RIII

I used to only shoot with manual lenses on an A7R (the original). Manual focus with live view was very good. I appreciated the 14x magnification. The only thing I didn't enjoy (and perhaps it's different in later generations) is that in magnified view, to get from one side to the other you had to click your way across the screen. I'm shooting Fuji now and the magnification isn't as good (only 6x), but you can jump from top to bottom or one side to the other with one press.

Keep in mind too that when you're shooting with manual lenses where the camera can't control the aperture, you may need to focus wide open and close down to your shooting aperture for most precise focus. Other times you'll need to focus at your shooting aperture to really see what's in focus and what isn't.

Sep 05, 2018 at 03:25 PM

elimoss
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Manual lenses focusing: A7RII vs A7RIII

Enri wrote:
as well as the lack of DMF in the A7R II.

Maybe you mean something different, but even the a6000 has DMF
http://docs.esupport.sony.com/dvimag/ILCE6000_guide/en/contents/TP0000226551.html

Sep 05, 2018 at 03:28 PM

shac
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Manual lenses focusing: A7RII vs A7RIII

I have the A7R2 and just acquired the A7R3. I fins that manual focusing with the R3 is significantly better than with the R2. So in answer to your question I would say yes - if manual focus is your "thing" - get the A7R3

Sep 05, 2018 at 03:32 PM

DannyBurkPhoto
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Manual lenses focusing: A7RII vs A7RIII

I only use MF and have both A7RIII and II (the latter is now my backup). Honestly, both are great for MF and either would be a good choice. That said, there are several things that are nicer for MF in the III:

Higher resolution EVF;
Touch screen (I find it more convenient to quickly choose the point of focus with a double-tap than to move the box around with arrows or joystick)

Other nicer features that don't directly relate to MF include the better battery life, improved menu (especially "My Menu"), and ability to rate images with 1-5 stars. I don't use the latter for its intended purpose, but instead I find it convenient to assign stars for the aspect ratio that I have chosen (generally I dislike 3:2 ratio and rarely compose for it).

Sep 05, 2018 at 05:00 PM

Enri
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Manual lenses focusing: A7RII vs A7RIII

Hi Elimoss,
You're right. I made a mistake... I was thinking of the possibility of magnification while automatic focusing. A nice feature when you use af lenses. Thanks.

Edited on Sep 05, 2018 at 07:17 PM · View previous versions

Sep 05, 2018 at 07:06 PM

Enri
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Manual lenses focusing: A7RII vs A7RIII

DannyBurk: is it really easy to choose precisely the focus target moving the finger over the touchscreen? Even while looking through the evf?

Sep 05, 2018 at 07:11 PM


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