Ross Martin wrote:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The A6700 looks great and I’m thinking about picking one up for my wife who loves telephoto shots, using the Sony 70-350mm. For myself I want access to a very light walkaround 35mm field of view such as the Zony 35/2.8 so I went with the A7CII (already have the A7RV and have no need for a 2nd 60mp body). I love that Sony is giving these three model choices in similar compact form factor.
I have the Zony 35mm f2.8 and it is a very small, light weight and good quality lens. And if the lightest weight is the most important item for you, you have the right lens. But I just like the look, feel and better results I get with the Sigma 35 f2 pictured in my OP. Yes it weighs more then twice as much, however it is a lot less weight/bulk then my 35mm f1.4GM with close to the same rendering For this reason the Zony f2.8 just sits locked up in my gun safe, along with the Zony 55 f1.8, which was put there by my Sigma 65 f2 for the same reasons.
SpecFoto wrote:
I have the Zony 35mm f2.8 and it is a very small, light weight and good quality lens. And if the lightest weight is the most important item for you, you have the right lens. But I just like the look, feel and better results I get with the Sigma 35 f2 pictured in my OP. Yes it weighs more then twice as much, however it is a lot less weight/bulk then my 35mm f1.4GM with close to the same rendering For this reason the Zony f2.8 just sits locked up in my gun safe, along with the Zony 55 f1.8, which was put there by my Sigma 65 f2 for the same reasons.
I shot the Zony 35/2.8 earlier this year and enjoyed it overall, but I'm sure I would prefer the build quality of that Sigma 35/2, plus the full stop faster would be nice also. I may try the Sigma if I can get my mind to allow something heavier - I've been a bit obsessed about a very light fullframe setup, something notably better for that specific walkaround purpose compared to my A7RV kit.
I have been shooting with two a6700s for many weeks now shooting small weddings and family portrait sessions.
Testing many lens and the Tamron 17-70 2.8 is the winner for me for most things. beating out the Sony 16-55 and Sigma 18-50 I also have. I am sending back the Sony 16-55 to buy a second Tamron 17-70 I see no reason to keep the Sony. I wish I could send back the Sigma as it is the worst of the three but its to late to send it back
Then tested the Tamron 18-300 VS the Sony 70-350 and I am sending back the Sony 70-350 as the Tamron will focus better and is just as sharp in the full 70-300 range plus I get the 18-70 range that is also very good. The missing 300 to 350 range when you shoot them side by side is not really that much at all but on the wide end it is a lot you get with the 18-300 and for a lower price.
For single person portraits I have the Sigma 56mm 1.4 and the Viltrox 75mm 1.2 and also the Sigma 23mm 1.4 for wider group photos. If I want to shoot with two cameras I can use the 23mm on one and the 56mm or 75mm on the other to cover a family portrait session with groups and single person shots.
For wide shooting like travel and real estate I picked up the Sony 10-20 F4 power zoom and the 11mm 1.8 for when needing to shoot wide in lower light.
Plus I have the kit 18-135 lens that is quite good for an all around great range lens that is small and lite.
Will try and get some photos moved to a online gallery I can post some from.
I recently acquired the A6700 myself. I somewhat downgraded from an A9 for the far superior video specs. I was expecting similar autofocus, but wow the new AI AF is pretty incredible. I’ll have to see if it manages as many sharp photos in practice, but at least as far as acquisition goes it’s noticeably ahead of the A9. The files also show a lot of room for manipulation. I’m impressed with the sensor.
Also the EVF isn’t that bad. I was expecting to really notice the difference, and it hasn’t been a big deal for me whatsoever.
I was somewhat sad that the E shutter isn’t quite as viable as I had hoped. For mostly stationary objects it’s fine, but if I panned much it was too noticeable in my stills of the kids running around. It seems like the Fuji X-S20 has a rather usable E shutter so I was expecting the same. I read somewhere that when shooting lossy compressed RAW you got the faster readout speed? Not sure if that’s true or not. Maybe it’s just JPEG readout that’s faster?
What do you like better about the Tamron vs the Sigma?
EdZone wrote:
I have been shooting with two a6700s for many weeks now shooting small weddings and family portrait sessions.
Testing many lens and the Tamron 17-70 2.8 is the winner for me for most things. beating out the Sony 16-55 and Sigma 18-50 I also have. I am sending back the Sony 16-55 to buy a second Tamron 17-70 I see no reason to keep the Sony. I wish I could send back the Sigma as it is the worst of the three but its to late to send it back
Then tested the Tamron 18-300 VS the Sony 70-350 and I am sending back the Sony 70-350 as the Tamron will focus better and is just as sharp in the full 70-300 range plus I get the 18-70 range that is also very good. The missing 300 to 350 range when you shoot them side by side is not really that much at all but on the wide end it is a lot you get with the 18-300 and for a lower price.
For single person portraits I have the Sigma 56mm 1.4 and the Viltrox 75mm 1.2 and also the Sigma 23mm 1.4 for wider group photos. If I want to shoot with two cameras I can use the 23mm on one and the 56mm or 75mm on the other to cover a family portrait session with groups and single person shots.
For wide shooting like travel and real estate I picked up the Sony 10-20 F4 power zoom and the 11mm 1.8 for when needing to shoot wide in lower light.
Plus I have the kit 18-135 lens that is quite good for an all around great range lens that is small and lite.
Will try and get some photos moved to a online gallery I can post some from....Show more →
icantbebigwill wrote:
I read somewhere that when shooting lossy compressed RAW you got the faster readout speed? Not sure if that’s true or not. Maybe it’s just JPEG readout that’s faster?
icantbebigwill wrote:
I recently acquired the A6700 myself. I somewhat downgraded from an A9 for the far superior video specs. I was expecting similar autofocus, but wow the new AI AF is pretty incredible. I’ll have to see if it manages as many sharp photos in practice, but at least as far as acquisition goes it’s noticeably ahead of the A9. The files also show a lot of room for manipulation. I’m impressed with the sensor.
Also the EVF isn’t that bad. I was expecting to really notice the difference, and it hasn’t been a big deal for me whatsoever.
I was somewhat sad that the E shutter isn’t quite as viable as I had hoped. For mostly stationary objects it’s fine, but if I panned much it was too noticeable in my stills of the kids running around. It seems like the Fuji X-S20 has a rather usable E shutter so I was expecting the same. I read somewhere that when shooting lossy compressed RAW you got the faster readout speed? Not sure if that’s true or not. Maybe it’s just JPEG readout that’s faster?...Show more →
Loving the electronic shutter of the A6700. I even used it for some tennis albeit in jpegs which is my default format for sports.
ILCE-6700ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 lens85mmf/1.81/2000s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-6700ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 lens85mmf/1.81/2500s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-6700ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 lens85mmf/1.81/2000s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-6700ZEISS Batis 1.8/85 lens85mmf/1.81/2500s100 ISO0.0 EV
On vacation now with my A6700 kind of the backup to the A7RIv. I've again noticed some inadvertent setting changes. It's sort of my video go to as well. I only have 3 lenses, 28-200, 17-28 and 18-135. Haven't needed the 17-28 yet. Trying to avoid overdoing photography so my wife enjoys the trip, too. I have seen quite a range of cameras in use including the small Sonys not sure which ones. I'm really liking the size advantage.
I've had my 6700 since release. My intention in picking it up was to get an adventure buddy, something I could pair up with the 100-400GM and 1.4x and take hiking. I already had three AF lenses for the FX30, the Viltrox 16, the Sigma 18-50 (now gone in favor of the first model 16-35GM) and the Zony 24. I figured the Sigma, at least, would come along with the GM.
In being that adventure buddy, it has not let me down. So far as wildlife shooting, it's the perfect combo of what I'm willing to pay for and carry matched with my patience, ambition, and talent for the subject. I didn't expect it to become my sidekick. I didn't expect to get so addicted to using it, I'd build an entire kit around it, but it happened quickly. And it continues to grow. I picked up a Zony 55 and Sigma 90/2.8i, and I feel like it took me too long to come around to both of them, but particularly the diminutive 90 with it's fantastic MFD.
I understand why some were disappointed that Sony didn't do more to progress their APSC platform with the camera. I also understand why people are more drawn to FF, particularly with the new 7c models obliterating the size advantage. It's not a mind-blowingly cool camera, but it does everything I ask it to do and does it very well. I feel like it was worth every penny of it's new price, and I don't feel that way about any of their other current offerings.
So I’ve had my A6700 for two months and a week now and used it mostly with APS-C lenses even though I have small I-series Sigma lenses that will work with it. For APS-C I have the Sigma 18-50/2.8, 30/1.4 and 56/1.4 I found used on FM and took a risk buying the Sony 15/1.4 G, again used. The all work very well with the camera and it is very portable. The only new lens I bought for it was the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 which is great if you want to do portraits. The setup pairs well with my full frame A7RV and A1s. Sold my A7C and A7IV I used for travel.
I do have an A7CR on order although questioning why I didn’t stay with the A7C II. Will ultimately question if it’s worth keeping both small bodies but we will see. Plan on using I-Series lenses on it and not my larger GM glass since keeping its kit small for travel is my goal. I admit I wonder why not stick with just the A6700 and who knows that may be the outcome.
Great to see such positive thoughts about the a6700. I’ve used the a6300 for years, mostly as a backup, but also when I want to be as small/light as possible. I really like it with the 24GM. I just wish it had the Zed battery so I can cut down on the number of different bits in my kit. The a6700 seems like it’s destined to be in my bag soon, especially with all the new photo and video capabilities along with some smaller primes.
I’ll have to do some additional testing, and it could just be due to DoF differences, but I’m finding my A6700 to outperform my A9 in both acquisition and accuracy. Absolutely unreal!
I’ve only used the 55 1.8 so far, so maybe on a faster focusing lens the A9 may take back over.
icantbebigwill wrote:
I’ll have to do some additional testing, and it could just be due to DoF differences, but I’m finding my A6700 to outperform my A9 in both acquisition and accuracy. Absolutely unreal!
I’ve only used the 55 1.8 so far, so maybe on a faster focusing lens the A9 may take back over.
Nope, the a6700 seems to drive the 70-200 GM2, 100-400, 200-600 and 600 f/4 just as fast as the A1 does. And in terms of acquisition and tracking maybe even better than my A1 - at least until I press the shutter button. The evf blackout and lag lets it down then, and I do find that sometimes the tracking gets confused during shooting. Perhaps the blackout caused by the shutter upsets the tracking performance.
I was also surprised by the almost complete lack of oof images if the subject is in the frame and the camera has acquired focus.
duncang wrote:
Nope, the a6700 seems to drive the 70-200 GM2, 100-400, 200-600 and 600 f/4 just as fast as the A1 does. And in terms of acquisition and tracking maybe even better than my A1 - at least until I press the shutter button. The evf blackout and lag lets it down then, and I do find that sometimes the tracking gets confused during shooting. Perhaps the blackout caused by the shutter upsets the tracking performance.
I was also surprised by the almost complete lack of oof images if the subject is in the frame and the camera has acquired focus.
Wow! Great to hear. I wish I had that stable of lenses to test with!
I'm getting ready for my first serious outing with the a6700. This weekend I'm shooting a dual-sport motorcycle ride. I'll be leapfrogging the riders on the coarse to points I can hike in and get shots of the bike on the trail along with event type shooting at start, lunch, and end.
I'll be shooting with the Tamron 17-70, which just replaced my Sigma 18-50 on the a6600, and I'll have the Sony 70-350 in the bag for some of the open-field riding. So far I think that the car/train tracking has been giving me the best results for helmeted riders though I plan to play with the settings and see if I can find a better setup.
Weather is expected to be in the low 40s and rainy so I'm really hoping that the weather sealing on this combo is up to the job. Here's hoping for rooster tails of mud and lovely midwest fall colors.
Here is a iPhone photo of my just received 70-200mm F4 G Macro lens on the A6700. It fits well and the grip is great for handling the lens, very comfortable to hold. I have taken the tripod collar off and probably won’t every put it back on, I ordered a Smallrig A6700 base plate instead. Tomorrow I am planning a day at the Salton Sea to shoot the migrating birds that are arriving, so I will put this new lens and body to the test.
Was planning on using the 70-200mm lens with the 1.4x TC, the Tamron 20-40 f2.8 and 2 or 3 of my Sigma I series f2 primes as my smaller kit. So all are FF and will work double duty when I eventually add the A7CR. With the A6700 the Tamron at 30mm in APS-C is as wide as I have but I did have my eye on the Sony 15mm f1.4G lens, as I like a fast prime in the 20-24mm range. B&H put it on sale until this Sunday at $648 and they pay the tax with the Payboo card, so about a $160 saving total, plus free 1 day shipping! They got me and I ordered it, come Monday I will have a 22.5mm wide angle prime. But that's it, I promise no more APS-C lenses…..
iPhone SE (2nd generation)iPhone SE (2nd generation) back camera 3.99mm f/1.8 lens4mmf/1.81/60s200 ISO0.0 EV
I'm attempted to get one too. The only concern for me is the lenses. As a backup camera I expect to attach my fe lenses to it most of the time. I don't have any super wide lens now so I won't have< 40mm covered with 6700.
I heard 16-55mm f/2.8 is a fantastic lens. Maybe I'll get one if I decide to pick up an A6700.
SpecFoto wrote:
As I mentioned in the 1st post I am using my Sigma I series FF lenses but the widest one I have is 24mm which becomes 36mm on APS-C. Looking into this for the last week and Sony has an excellent APS-C 15mm f1.4G lens that becomes 22.5mm on the A6700, it is about 2/3 the length of the Sigma 16mm. I asked on FM about it and all owners gave it thumbs up.
Also Sony has an APS-C 11mm f1.8 and 24mm f1.8, but no 18 to 19mm that would be 28mm +/- on the A6700. Then there are the 3 really small Sony G FF lenses at 24, 40 and 50mm with 2@ f2.5 and the 24mm at f2.8, they all weigh only about 6 ounces....Show more →
SpecFoto wrote:
Here is a iPhone photo of my just received 70-200mm F4 G Macro lens on the A6700. It fits well and the grip is great for handling the lens, very comfortable to hold. I have taken the tripod collar off and probably won’t every put it back on, I ordered a Smallrig A6700 base plate instead. Tomorrow I am planning a day at the Salton Sea to shoot the migrating birds that are arriving, so I will put this new lens and body to the test.
Was planning on using the 70-200mm lens with the 1.4x TC, the Tamron 20-40 f2.8 and 2 or 3 of my Sigma I series f2 primes as my smaller kit. So all are FF and will work double duty when I eventually add the A7CR. With the A6700 the Tamron at 30mm in APS-C is as wide as I have but I did have my eye on the Sony 15mm f1.4G lens, as I like a fast prime in the 20-24mm range. B&H put it on sale until this Sunday at $648 and they pay the tax with the Payboo card, so about a $160 saving total, plus free 1 day shipping! They got me and I ordered it, come Monday I will have a 22.5mm wide angle prime. But that's it, I promise no more APS-C lenses….. ...Show more →
On my A6700 I did buy some APS-C lenses but they were all used but in great shape. I have the Sigma 18-50/2.8, and for primes the Sony 15/1.4 G, Sigma 30/1.4: and 56/1.4. Also got the Voltron’s 75/1.2. Decided to pre-order the new Sigma 10-18/2.8 but will see if I follow thru on it since I would really like to try the E 70-350/4.5-6.3 G OSS.
I did also order the A7CR and will use mostly Sigma I-series primes on it and any of my GM lenses that don’t feel too big or front heavy. Have to figure out which ones are those.
For this reason the Zony f2.8 just sits locked up in my gun safe, along with the Zony 55 f1.8, which was put there by my Sigma 65 f2 for the same reasons.
