p.14 #1 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
wolfloid wrote:
For those of you still using the RX1rII, what is the ten-year-old autofocus like? Is it possible to use back-button focus? What is it like for single, central focus and recompose? Is continuous focus useable for moving subjects? Does the eye autofocus work, is it at all sticky? Any other obvious faults/problems?
I actually got one recently and have used it for about two months. For me, two obvious faults to the camera are battery life and lack of AF joystick (not a shock given the size). But it's a fun camera to use nonetheless.
I am personally using lock on-tracking AF from the center and just holding focus (like a continuous AF version of focus and recompose). I've been pleasantly impressed with the AF overall. Eye-AF is usable (though it has to be mapped to a separate button), and I would say continuous focus works fine for light motion. A decent bit of the lens's weight moves while focusing, but I have found it to be faster than expected.
I'd rate the autofocus as being between the X100F and the X100VI, if you've used those two particular models. I would say the tracking performance is fairly similar to my GFX 100S, but significantly better than the GFX 50R, which was basically unusable for continuous AF. The Rx100V was pretty similar, if I recall, but the Rx100VII was a bit faster.
That said, AF is far short of the Canon R5/3, though it is maybe comparable to the 5D Mark IV in live view. I otherwise shoot Canon/Fuji, so apologies if these comparisons are not all that useful on the Sony board.
p.14 #2 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
Jaree wrote:
+1. It is small but not pocketable unless one is built like Shaq and wears a size 65 XXL jacket.
Since I mentioned pocketable. This is a setup I used for a few years that with RX1 in my fleece or hoody or jacket pocket with M camera with 50mm on my neck during hiking or city traveling. Some time, either it or Leica M are in one of divider for my 4-6L bag with two additional lenses. and I have lots of memory just take this one out with me for photo walk or family out. I don't want to over stress "Pocketable" as this became personal choice, Just want to highlight the size difference between this and Q or GFXRF.
And Size is one perspective and only part of total package. I bought GRs and sold them within month each time as it is not for me. RX1 is totally different experience and in another league.
p.14 #3 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
nehemiahphoto wrote:
I don't really think it's that small (for it's class) and the bokeh can get pretty bad/harsh at long distances...
A much better lens imo than the Sony 35 FE is the Sigma 35mm F2 DG Contemp. I series. A fraction shorter than the Sony but a much better performing lens with very good bokeh, an aperture ring and a very nice metal build quality and feel.
p.14 #4 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
I don't buy the original price was $3,200 + inflation + Trump tax = $5,100.
The manufacturing cost of technology decreases over time. In this case, Sony is reusing old or existing technology in many parts, thus incurring no real R&D costs, expensive retooling, etc.
They had a choice: they could make it affordable, which would be under $3,000 and result in the sale of many more units, or make it expensive and sell fewer units, but with a higher profit margin. Sony chose the latter.
p.14 #5 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
wolfloid wrote:
Is it possible to use back-button focus? What is it like for single, central focus and recompose? Does the eye autofocus work, is it at all sticky?
Yes, I have my RX1Rii set up for back button AF.
Eye AF works great on subjects that are not moving or moving a slowly; but nothing compared to my A7CR for fast moving subjects.
p.14 #6 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
Tariq Gibran wrote:
A much better lens imo than the Sony 35 FE is the Sigma 35mm F2 DG Contemp. I series. A fraction shorter than the Sony but a much better performing lens with very good bokeh, an aperture ring and a very nice metal build quality and feel.
p.14 #7 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
I am personally using lock on-tracking AF from the center and just holding focus (like a continuous AF version of focus and recompose). I've been pleasantly impressed with the AF overall. Eye-AF is usable (though it has to be mapped to a separate button), and I would say continuous focus works fine for light motion. A decent bit of the lens's weight moves while focusing, but I have found it to be faster than expected. I'd rate the autofocus as being between the X100F and the X100VI, if you've used those two particular models.
Thanks for that - very useful. I have owned and used both those Fujis. I still have the latter.
p.14 #9 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
patotts wrote:
I don't buy the original price was $3,200 + inflation + Trump tax = $5,100.
The manufacturing cost of technology decreases over time. In this case, Sony is reusing old or existing technology in many parts, thus incurring no real R&D costs, expensive retooling, etc.
They had a choice: they could make it affordable, which would be under $3,000 and result in the sale of many more units, or make it expensive and sell fewer units, but with a higher profit margin. Sony chose the latter.
There is always that choice…but one thing to keep in mind is that Sony already has a lot of cameras in the $3000 range. Does adding another one increase their sales or does a $3000 rx1r3 sales take the place of an A7r2 sale. Product positioning and pricing are something corporations do all the time…and unfortunately they don’t take your specific needs into account but look at the global market as a whole.
p.14 #10 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
I've used and loved the RX1rii from the moment I acquired it shortly after its issuance and have always marveled at how much image punch and perfection could be squeezed into such a tiny body.
However, for years now, I had hoped for an upgrade. I found the AF too slow and the later-introduced eye autofocus too slow, cumbersome and erratic. The awful battery life was a problem, but I was able to overcome it somewhat by simply buying extra batteries. Yes, it was annoying to have to change them with frequency, but the small size of the package and the beautiful imagery made it all worth it
As time passed, the camera grew outdated and I was primed to buy a new issue if one ever came. None came, until now. When it came, I instantly knee-jerked a pre-order although the price gave me great pause.
I would have been fully satisfied with a new model that did just a few things: First, I would have been happy if the sensor remained at 42mpx. Second, I desperately wanted an an AF upgrade, including particularly an eye af that was quick and usable without need to press a button. Third, I would like to have seen a battery with longer life, though I had learned to live with the existing batteries, notwithstanding that the need for frequent changes were a pain. Fourth, I wanted and needed a Blue Tooth triggering ability.
After knee jerking a pre-order, I have today cancelled it. To me, it's not worth $5,000 plus (not to mention sales taxes) to get the upgrades present in the new RXiii. What's missing are deal breakers: No articulating screen (that Sony did not stick with the one on the RXii is baffling and stupid); no IBIS; no need for 60mpx. I decided that $5000 plus was way too much to pay for a new camera that, while adding features I would love, had to much missing.
I'll wait, probably for a long time, and see if/when the price falls and used ones come on the market. For now, I'll stick with the much-less transportable a7rv and continue to use the RX1rii as an easily packable backup.
p.14 #11 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
As a long term shooter of the RX1rii, I can appreciate why they made both the view finder and back screen fixed. I shot the RX1rii extensively for assignments until those two parts started giving me problems. I switched to the Leica Q2 shortly after, and currently shoot the Q3 28. I was always certain I will get the Rxriii when it comes out but as a documentary photographer, the Leica Q3 offers me more, and I can't justify $5100 for a camera that will be an EDC.
p.14 #12 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
rhawidantas wrote:
Sorry to be direct Scott but I see time, and again, you finding issues with Sony products. This is not to say that you have to like any of their products or even say they are not for you, ZV-E1 ain't for me.
But there is a difference in not wanting something and going around saying the sky is falling because Sony "has not innovated". I am yet to see another company deliver a RX1, ZV-E1, 28-70 f2, global shutter and so on.
Heck, you even mentioned in the thread that folks that "defend the camera" are "loyalists". You know people can enjoy things you do not, right?
For my part: loved the 2nd version and I am sure I will love the new version. As will many in this thread....Show more →
It's extremely frustrating to see a company that pushed the entire industry in a new direction not only rest on their laurels, but consistently insult their customers while doing it.
I gave Sony a lot of money in a past life, and I'd like to see them be price competitive again. It helps the entire market. Laziness like this camera isn't the right step that they need to be taking right now. They could have made a true halo product (they didn't), or they could have released this closer to its relative value in terms of the features it's missing compared to the wider market of cheaper cameras (they didn't). They want their cake so bad and it's gross at this point.
Also I have bad news for you if you think the 28-70 f2 was "innovative"
p.14 #14 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
RoamingScott wrote:
It's extremely frustrating to see a company that pushed the entire industry in a new direction not only rest on their laurels, but consistently insult their customers while doing it.
I gave Sony a lot of money in a past life, and I'd like to see them be price competitive again. It helps the entire market. Laziness like this camera isn't the right step that they need to be taking right now. They could have made a true halo product (they didn't), or they could have released this closer to its relative value in terms of the features it's missing compared to the wider market of cheaper cameras (they didn't). They want their cake so bad and it's gross at this point.
Also I have bad news for you if you think the 28-70 f2 was "innovative" ...Show more →
p.14 #18 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
Regarding fitting the RX1 in jacket pockets - I've put my RX1 cameras in my jacket pockets frequently and it's a little bulky, but works fine. And I'm not a big guy, either wearing size small or medium in jackets. Whoever says it cant fit in a jacket pocket, or needs a huge jacket is wrong.
p.14 #20 · Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
Tariq Gibran wrote:
I think the issue for many is the obvious lack of innovation and advancement seen with this update of a beloved camera given the extreme amount of time that has passed since the introduction of the last version. In some ways, the camera has actually regressed (loss of some control buttons, loss off tilting rear screen). The high price of the new version is just salt in the wound given all of this.
I understand people feel betrayed that Sony didn’t put the engineering R&D into this that they could have, but this is now a retro camera with an updated sensor, autofocus, and battery. When it first came out in 2012, it was my dream camera and it was very expensive. I finally bought a used RX1rII a few years ago, but by then I had other cameras that had surpassed it. Like Sony, Leica still uses the same lens in the Q3 28mm as it did in the original Q. I have the original Q and I haven’t upgraded to the Q2/Q3 because the new features aren’t worth it to me, and the main value, which is the lens, is the same on all three generations.
If the A7CR (which I have), didn’t exist, I would be more sympathetic to the concerns. That is the camera to get if you want all the features. I got it with the 40mm 2.5 instead of a Q3 and I love the A7CR, especially when I match it to my Sony flash.
Only request I have is wait for people to actually buy it and then decide what to think about it.
