p.1 #2 · Anyone converted an A7CR into a monochrome camera?
I contemplated doing it. My end conclusion was the upsides of higher net resolution and slightly better linearity in mono tonality were not worth giving up on the ability to tweak filtration after the fact on a color conversion that is still at very high resolution. Then I factored in the loss of auto sensor cleaning and loss of PDAF dropping AF performance down to contrast detect only; which in turn limits low light AF capabilities significantly; and finally I tend to do a lot of mono in low light/night, so all in all it didn’t pencil out very well for me, especially considering the cost for conversion. However, for a true mono enthusiast who's willing to use external filtration and/or manually focus when necessary, it may be worth it for the net, albeit small, gain in tonality.
So I am now instead contemplating doing a Full Spectrum conversion with internal Kolari filters, offering multiple bands of IR capability plus being able to use a hot mirror snap in for back to regular color. The B&W options are well known, but this also allows doing IR color as well as normal true color all with the same camera. I have recently purchased an A7Riv that’s been done to, and should have it this week to experiment with. From there I’ll decide if I want to do it to the A7CR. Given the control UI is very similar to my A7R6, I may in fact like it enough as is to give up on doing anything to the compact CR. Logic dictates I should sell it, but I do like its ethos #confessions of a gear whore
p.1 #3 · Anyone converted an A7CR into a monochrome camera?
stgrove wrote:
This would probably take the total cost upwards to around $5k, but would put be worth it? Thanks.
Could someone point us to any side-by-side image comparisons that show a compelling advantage in image quality over non-converted cameras ?
The comparisons I have seen from recent years past, which required 100% pixel-peeping, were a bit underwhelming - and that was before the days of AI noise reduction.
p.1 #4 · Anyone converted an A7CR into a monochrome camera?
Kenneth Lee wrote:
Could someone point us to any side-by-side image comparisons that show a compelling advantage in image quality over non-converted cameras ?
The comparisons I have seen from recent years past, which required 100% pixel-peeping, were a bit underwhelming - and that was before the days of AI noise reduction.
Almost every one I’ve seen required 100% view to see the resolution gain and to be fair it is there and visible, but I’m not convinced it’s very significant.
I do feel the overall tonality gain is visible at normal image magnifications, but again fairly minimally better, to the point it’s going to take another photographer to notice it. The corollary issue here is color filtration can have a big effect on tonality, and the ability to tweak that in post almost infinitely becomes huge.
However, light transmission gain due to absence of the bayer layer is real and adds 1 to 1-1/2 stops of ISO, and of course the accompanying noise improvement too. This and the potential tonality and detail improvement leant to my above comment it may be worthwhile to a mono purist. In the end it’s probably similar to audiophiles willing to spend 3x the money to gain 3% at the upper end.
p.1 #5 · Anyone converted an A7CR into a monochrome camera?
Have you ever shot with a monochrome camera before? If not, I'd find a used one to play with. The resale value is not close to the investment if you don't like it.
I've seen an A7RIV and a A7CR in the Buy & Sell here. I had an A7R3 which was converted. I think in a nutshell it's a one stop improvement in noise over a color sensor. The workflow will be different for getting a nice image...
A used A7CR for $2250 + $1200 for the conversion...
